deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2017 Cune Crianza (Rioja, Spain) – $16.99, regularly $20.99).

The history of Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España began back in 1879 (making them one of the oldest wineries in Spain) at this winery in the famous Barrio de la Estación train station in the town of Haro. Over more than 140 years, it has continued to grow around the Aldea del Vino (Wine Village), a sunny courtyard flanked by unique stone buildings with ceramic tile roofs, which has become the central hub of CVNE.

The first wine produced by CVNE took the name of the company’s initials. However, a simple and fortunate spelling error, confusing the V with a U, led to the creation of the now iconic Cune brand, now one of the leading wineries on the national market. The winery expanded its facilities in 2019, coinciding with its 140th anniversary and marking its continued commitment to producing the finest quality white, rosé and its various levels of red wines ranging from Crianzas to Gran Reserva’s.

The 2017 Crianza is light/medium bodied in style, it has fine purity. This mostly Tempranillo (85%) based red offers berries, tobacco and spice. Not a jam bomb, it finishes with licorice, smoke and a touch of orange peel. This is a fine everyday drinking wine to have with dinner. Well-priced and meant for earlier consumption. Pair with Mediterranean fare.

2017 Cune Crianza (Rioja, Spain) – $16.99 (regularly $20.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2019 Parras Wines Castelo do Sulco Selecao dos Enologos (Lisboa, Portugal) – $14.99, regularly $20.49.

The Geographical Indication (IG) Lisboa is one of the most important Portuguese wine regions, in terms of both vineyard area and wine production volumes. Formed over gentle hills, IGT Lisboa extends from the capital city of Portugal to the north, always along the coast, that is 40 km wide. The climate is temperate, of Atlantic influence, with mild summers, cooler and wetter in the areas closer to the sea, and warmer and drier in the areas protected by the Montejunto mountain.

Parras Wines makes quality wines for consumers who are increasingly looking for the best quality-price ratio. It is a democratic brand, on offer for young people, tourists, lovers of good gastronomy for socializing among friends. There is a little bit of Lisbon in a bottle. Winemaker Carlos Eduardo has fashioned an easily drinking red from Petit Verdot, Syrah and Touriga Franca, chosen from the best local berries from its unique terroir, more clayey and limestone. It sees some French oak to add complexity, thus making the wine fresh and full. Great for everyday drinking.

2019 Castelo do Sulco Selecao dos Enologos (Lisboa, Portugal) – $14.99 (regularly $20.49)

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Author: Dirk Chan

The Domaine des Ouled Thaleb is situated 50km NE of Casablanca (the economic hub), in the region of Benslimane, AOG Zenata in northern Africa.

Winemaking in this North African nation dates way back as there is evidence to suggest the Phoenician settlers, from the area of modern-day Lebanon, first introduced vines to the region we now know as Morocco and the tradition continued through to the Roman era. The art of enology was lost here in the 7th century due to Islamic bans on alcohol, but French colonization in the 19th and early 20th centuries led to the return of both winemaking and social drinking.

Today, the country produces about 40 million bottles of wine annually, but only about 5 percent is exported and we are thrilled to introduced these wines to you. Established in 1923 and as the oldest winery in the country, the Ouled Thaleb wines are elegantly styled wines with structure and great freshness.

Although much of Morocco’s wine expertise has its origins in France, unsurprisingly, the grape varieties which thrive in North Africa are red (75%) and are those which also do well across the Mediterranean in the Iberian Peninsula, including Carignan, Cinsaut, Alicante, and Grenache. More recently, popular varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah have been cultivated in Morocco and makeup around 15% of the market.

Try these wines, they are a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered…try with grilled red meats…

Pictured left to right:

2018 Domaine des Ouled Thaleb Imperiale Red (Morocco) – $17.99

2018 Domaine des Ouled Thaleb CB Signature (Morocco) – $25.99

2017 Domaine des Ouled Thaleb S de Siroua Syrah (Morocco) – $20.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2018 Neil Ellis Cabernet Sauvignon in 1.5L Magnum format (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $48.99, regularly $61.99).

In 1984 Neil Ellis sourced grapes from vineyards not of his own and produced wine in rented cellar space. These grapes were sourced in the Stellenbosch district and meant a lot of nosing around the restrictive quota system prevalent at the time.

Neil Ellis is one of the doyens of the South African wine industry. He started as a pioneering négociant in the early 1980’s, seeking out parcels of interesting vines to make exceptional wines under his own name, to nowadays being a well-established family enterprise with a local and international reputation for exceptional elegance and quality producing some 40k cases annually. Neil’s over 40 years of winemaking experience (having started at renowned wineries Groot Constantia and KVW) is reflected in the consistent house style of all the wines produced.

This lovely Cabernet Sauvignon is predominantly sourced from Oude Nektar in Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch and shows what Stellenbosch as a collective can do with Cabernet Sauvignon, this award-winning wine celebrates the noble variety within a multi-vineyard blend with its intense dark color, while the nose shows complex blackberry, licorice and cedar notes. The palate is round and fresh with fine, dense tannins. Built to last, I would recommend a half hour decant and pair with grilled red meat. A fine value here (as the regular 750mL bottles are $29.99) and the large format means it can be put away for a few years as well.

2018 Neil Ellis Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – 1.5L – $48.99 (regularly $61.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2019 Monte da Ravasqueira Guarda Rios Signature Tinto (Alentejano, Portugal) – $15.99 regularly $19.99).

Amidst the typical Alentejano landscape in Central Portugal, there are the vineyards of Monte da Ravasqueira, about 1.5 hours drive east of Lisbon. The land was acquired in 1943 and mainly produced fruit, with the first plantings of the vineyards was in 1998 with the first wines produced commercially in 2006.

Part of the José de Mello family for three generations now, Monte da Ravasqueira covers an area of about 3000 hectares. In 2012, Pedro Pereira Gonçalves took over winemaking duties with the challenge of rethinking Monte da Ravasqueira’s oenology philosophy and wine profile, betting on a sustained growth of the brand with the aim of making it a revered name in the Alentejo.

The Guarda Rios Signature Tinto is made from Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouschet, and Aragonez. Dark and deep colour. Intense nose with spicy notes and notes of wild berries, forest, and a touch of vanilla. Full of volume to the palate, with a fine structure with notes of chocolate, cinnamon and mint and a persistent end. This full and fruity wine is packed with red berry flavors along with ripe tannins. Try with grilled red meats.

2019 Monte da Ravasqueira Guarda Rios Signature Tinto (Alentejano, Portugal) – $15.99 (regularly $19.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

The Produttori del Barbaresco Cooperative is one of the most successful cooperatives in the world of winemaking. The winery is one of the stars of the Barbaresco region in the Piedmont region in Northern Italy. Established in 1958, there are now 51 growers who contribute their Nebbiolo grapes to the cooperative. The region covers over 100 hectares of premium nebbiolo grapes. In 1967, they were amongst the first wineries to produce single vineyard Barbaresco Riserva’s – there is nine different Cru Riservas produced only in exceptional vintages like 2016, one of the greatest vintages ever for Barbaresco’s.

We have five of their 2016 Single Vineyard Riservas that are spectacular for the money and those in the know will no doubt stock up. Verticals going back 40 years have shown how great these wines can be. Superbly located – Gaja (6 min away) and Giacosa (13 min away) are neighbours whose wines sell for 4 to 7 times this price.

A must in every connoisseur’s cellar, a bargain in the expensive world of Nebbiolo not to be missed!! Barolo’s with this kind of scores sell for double this price. Quantities are very limited and sold on a first come first served basis.

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota (Piedmont, Italy) – $104.99

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Pora (Piedmont, Italy) – $104.99

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Ovello (Piedmont, Italy) – $104.99

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Paje (Piedmont, Italy)- $104.99

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano (Piedmont, Italy) – $104.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2019 2020 Yalumba Y Series Viognier (Eden Valley, Australia) – $16.49 regularly $19.99).

Yalumba is Australia’s most historic family-owned winery, located in the heart of the Barossa Valley. “Yalumba” is the indigenous Australian word for “all the land around”. Dating back to 1849, it is Australia’s oldest family-owned winery.

Yalumba has pioneered the growing and making of Viognier in Australia. In 1980 the first commercial vines were planted in the Eden Valley and since then we have had nearly 40 years of viticultural and winemaking experience working with this alluring variety. Sourced from a number of grape growing regions, the criteria for grapes to go into this wine is that they show the classic Viognier flavours and aromas of white flowers and apricot fruit, balanced by freshness and zest. The vine cuttings depicted on the label are the beginnings of a new vineyard, planted after careful sorting, grafting and bundling in their state-of-the-art Yalumba Nursery.

Clear pale straw in colour, with forward mushroomy, yeasty, perfumy floral, herbal and honey flavours. On the palate, this supple medium-bodied viognier is extra dry, and has a soft, round texture. Flavours of mushrooms, herbs and honey lead to a long finish. Very versatile white, it will make for a great pairing with a cheese fondue or Shrimp Pad Thai.

2020 Yalumba Y Series Viognier (Eden Valley, Australia) – $16.49 (regularly $19.99)

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