deVine Thoughts

This wine got huge scores from the Decanter Magazine, it is a sure-fire winner for everyday drinking with or without food.

2020 Bodegas Colome Amalaya Malbec (Cafayate Valley, Argentina) – $18.49 (regularly – $22.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2019 Zorzal Gran Terroir Pinot Noir (Mendoza, Argentina) – $23.99 (regularly $29.99).

Located 1,350 meters above sea level, with calcareous soils and a cold climate, Zorzal Winery create wines as agile as their soil and terroir with very lively, fluid, nervy palates that speaks of the land.

The Gran Terroir series of wines come from a single vineyard, located in the upper central sector of Gualtallary, named Albo. Barrel aging is for 12 months in French oak with 1/3 used providing just the right amount of vanilla. The day and night temperature range is 35C to 15C perfect for ripening the finicky Pinot Noir grape giving it greater color and structure.

The color is a light red with violety tones. The very floral nose also offers minerality, with greater complexity contributed by its development in French oak barrels from Burgundy. The palate has fine length of raspberry and cherry fruit with a smooth, textured and refined finish. Try with pan grilled duck breast.

2019 Zorzal Gran Terroir Pinot Noir (Mendoza, Argentina) – $23.99 (regularly $29.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

The Produttori del Barbaresco Cooperative is one of the most successful and consistent 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 56 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’s – there is nine different Cru Riservas produced only in exceptional vintages like 2015, 2016 and now 2017, a trio of great years for this Barbaresco producer.

The 2017 Riserva’s will be arriving at deVines this coming Wednesday. They remain one of the few high scoring, spectacular Barbaresco’s that sell for a reasonable price for their quality. You will no doubt want to stock up and/or add to your existing verticals. 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 . 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. In some cases, we only have one six pack for sale and no more to be had from the agent – once they’re gone, they are gone..

Note also, there will be no Riserva’s produced for the 2018 vintage, so get your 2017’s while supply lasts.

Pictured, left to right:

2017 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Asili (Piedmont, Italy) – $107.99

2017 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Ovello (Piedmont, Italy) – $107.99

2017 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano (Piedmont, Italy) – $107.99

2017 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja (Piedmont, Italy)- $107.99

Other available Riserva’s:

2017 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Paje (Piedmont, Italy) – $107.99

2017 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Montefico (Piedmont, Italy) – $107.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Toscolo Chianti (Tuscany, Italy) – $15.99 (regularly $19.99).

Toscolo, an Italian renaissance word meaning Tuscan boy, is owners Neil & Maria Empson’s labor of love from a longtime passion for the Chianti winemaking region. The Empsons chose their friend and star oenologist Franco Bernabei to make the wine and nothing was left to chance in order to make the Empsons’ proprietary brand that had to represent its Tuscan roots and credentials. Maria Gemma Empson personally designed the ultraclassic packaging and the wines’ characteristic “ancient seal,” bearing the features of the eponymous “Tuscan boy.”

Made from the Sangiovese grapes that have north and western exposure at an altitude of between 656-1,148 feet above sea level on clayey-calcareous soil. The average vine age ranges from 10-30 years while vinification is temperature-controlled fermentation and maceration for 12-15 days, with daily pumpovers. The aging process is in oak barrels for six months.

Made for early consumption, this Toscolo Chianti is a brilliant ruby in color, with its forward character showing off cherry fruit, a supple, fruity and flavorful palate, with appealing balance. Food friendly and versatile with charcuterie, pizza or pasta.

Toscolo Chianti (Tuscany – Chianti, Italy) – $15.99 (regularly $19.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Virgen de las Viñas Monte Rodrigo Tempranillo (La Mancha, Spain) – $13.99 (regularly $17.49).

The Virgen de las Viñas winery was founded in 1961 by 17 small farmers producing olive oil from the municipality. After a continuous improvement effort, the cooperative has nowadays almost 2,000 members and owns 23,000 hectares of vineyards.

The vines are planted in soils whose characteristics and composition are ideal for vine growing. The scarce rainfall and the heat during summertime produces practically an organic wine. Their wine’s quality is amazing considering their high production rate, more than 150 million litres of wine and must per season.

Over the last couple of decades, the winery has masterfully combined traditional practices with production with the most cutting-edge technical innovations, positioning itself at the forefront of the wine sector. It is one of the largest producers of wine in all of Spain.

Juicy and easy drinking, this light red would be lovely for Al Fresco picnic drinking with its black fruits and no oak. Raspberries abound alongside fresh acidity and just the right amount of tannins to invite another sip. A fine value to enjoy with some Manchego!

Virgen de las Viñas Monte Rodrigo Tempranillo (La Mancha, Spain) – $13.99 (regularly $17.49)

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