Vintages Seasonal Release: January 7, 2022
• The following 2020 Gérard Bertrand ‘Naturae’ Cabernet Sauvignon is certified organic and accredited Vegan-friendly. No sulphites have been added to this wine or used in the process of making it. Grapes are de-stemmed and macerate for approximately ten days and are pumped-over daily. Coarse lees are removed to allow malolactic conversion then racked again then cooled to ensure optimum stability in the vat.
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Gérard Bertrand ‘Naturae – Organic – Vegan Friendly’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
IGP Pays d’Oc, France $19.95 (22501) 13.0% alcohol
This is rich, ruby red in the glass and delivers lifted aromas of black licorice and grilled savoury herbs. It envelops the palate with a tangy wash of racy pie cherry, red currant and passionfruit adorned with black plum and tea leaves. It’s medium-bodied with good texture and a smooth mouthfeel from cork pop to last drop. The dry finish and aftertaste linger. Pour alongside vegan lasagna or flat bread dressed with olive oil, oregano and sautéed mushroom caps. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: February 19, 2022
• The following 2017 Buena Vista ‘The Sheriff’ pays homage to one of California’s first sheriffs, Agoston Haraszthy, who also established Buena Vista Winery in 1857. It’s also a wine included in the much-vaunted category of the ‘Boisset Collection’ headed by wine icon, Jean-Charles Boisset, who is one-half of the wine world’s power couple as the husband of Gallo’s winemaker extraordinaire, Gina Gallo. The wine is an eclectic blend of seven red grapes from various vineyards in Sonoma County—33% cabernet sauvignon/28% petite sirah/22% syrah/8% petit verdot/4% grenache/3% mourvèdre/2% mission. The wine aged 15 months in French oak, 9% new. The individual varietals were matured separately for 15 months before being blended and bottled. If you fish in these pricey waters, be certain to give this serious attention as it’s delicious.
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Buena Vista ‘The Sheriff’ 2019
Sonoma County, California $49.95 (539114) 15.0% alcohol
Aromas of juicy black Bing cherry and bramble berry precede a surge of palate flavours capturing the palate with sweet vanilla, cassis and black currant jelly intertwined with tang-infused passionfruit and pie cherry. This showcases deft balance, persistent purity of fruit and a lengthy lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. This took serious discipline for me to spit rather than swallow when tasting and reviewing. Give this a try with grilled rack of lamb, pastitsio or filet mignon. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: February 19, 2022
• The fruit for the following 2018 Santa Ema ‘Family Estate - Gran Reserva’ was sourced for the very heart of the Valle Del Cachapoal. Grapes were fermented in stainless steel tank for seven days at 30 °C with post fermentation maceration taking six days. Following malolactic conversion, the wine matured in 100% French and American barrels for 8 to 10 months. The price-quality ratio is skewed well in your favour. Stock up.
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Santa Ema ‘Family Estate - Gran Reserva’ 2018
Valle Del Cachapoal, Chile $18.95 (21981) 14.0% alcohol
Aromas of wild herbs and spices mingle with mocha and dark cherry/berry fruit. It blankets the palate with a gusher of flavours—black currant, blueberry and hints of dark bittersweet chocolate that persists to and through the finish and aftertaste. It’s medium-plus bodied with good concentration, texture and balance. It’s ready and rarin’ to go with a lovely underpinning of soft, ripe tannin. Pour with a cut of premium beef that’s grilled rare to medium-rare. (Vic Harradine)