deVine Thoughts

August 30, 2021

Weekly Online Offer for Aug 30/21

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:23 pm

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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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August 23, 2021

Weekly Online Offer for Aug 23/21

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:11 pm

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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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August 20, 2021

2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva’s

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 3:17 pm

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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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August 16, 2021

Weekly Online Offer for Aug 16/21

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 10:56 am

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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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August 10, 2021

Brunello di Montalcino 2016

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 11:49 am

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Author: Dirk Chan

Brunello di Montalcino’s are currently on a great run – following the excellent 2015’s is the arrival of the exceptional 2016’s, constituting the greatest back to back vintages of this Sangiovese based wine ever. Both vintages require patience, but they are already legendary and highly sought after. We have received our first batch of the 2016’s and are glad to offer them for your consideration. Quality wise, the 2016’s are certainly in line with the great 2010’s and the 2001’s before that amongst the greatest vintages ever so don’t miss out on the 2016’s.

First, pictured left to right:

2016 Fossacolle Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) – $66.99

2016 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) – $68.99

2016 Uccelliera Brunello di Montalciono (Tuscany, Italy) – $121.99

2016 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) – $83.99

2016 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) – $74.99

Other available 2016 Brunello’s:

2016 Fattoria La Magia Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) – $66.99

2016 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli (Tuscany, Italy) – $139.99

And our last bit of the great 2015’s:

2015 Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) – $59.99

2015 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) – $73.99

2015 Fanti Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) – $84.99

2015 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino Vigna La Casa (Tuscany, Italy) – $119.99

2015 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli (Tuscany, Italy) – $119.99

2015 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli 40th Anniversary (Tuscany, Italy) – $134.99

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August 9, 2021

Weekly Online Offer for Aug 9/21

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 11:40 am

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2019 JM Fonseca Periquita Reserva (Terras do Sado, Portugal) – $15.49 regularly $18.99).

José Maria da Fonseca started his namesake company in 1834 in the Setúbal Peninsula, Portugal’s stunningly beautiful coastal region situated about 40 min SW of Lisbon. Starting with the production of the sweet fortified wine, Moscatels de Setúbal for which Fonseca helped earn the D.O.C. for, he quickly garnered a solid international reputation. Forward thinking and adventurous, Fonseca made history in 1850 when he bottled the first still Portuguese red wine from his Periquita vineyard. The then King of Portugal so liked the wine that he bestowed the royal order on him.

Two centuries later, the sixth generations head winemaker, Domingos Soares Franco, along with his team of enologists, have undertaken a wide range of research, experiments and innovative techniques that continues to shape and progress Portuguese viticulture.

Periquita was Portugal’s first bottled wine. Made with the native Castelao grape, it is extra dry and medium-bodied, with licorice, mushroom and fig flavours and balancing acidity. Medium tannins provide structure on the finish. The Atlantic Ocean in the west and southwest surrounding Setubal expresses its influence on this wine. Ruby in colour with aromas of vanilla, oak, blackberries, strawberries, currants, violets, and plums. The palate has good acidity, the presence of soft tannins and good persistence. Pair with meat dishes, game or firm cheeses.

2019 JM Fonseca Periquita Reserva (Terras do Sado, Portugal) – $15.49 (regularly $18.99)

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August 2, 2021

2008 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:27 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

‘Veuve’ is the French term for ‘widow’ and Madame Clicquot was a sturdy lady who lived to be just under 90, so back in the old days that’s pretty amazing. She was the inventor of the riddling table, introduced rosé Champagnes to the world and was one of the few women in a man’s world. She had strong ideas of how the company was to be ran, and despite wartime, continue to produce wine which she shipped to Russia. Today, Veuve Clicquot Champagnes are recognized all over the world with its distinctly orange label designs that pop out on any store shelf.

The house dates back to 1772 and their caves are long and never-ending, damp, cool and dark. The working cellars are huge and certainly a maze for anyone to navigate.

We are featuring their 2008 La Grande Dame, the houses’ top cuvee from an already legendary vintage in Champagne. 2008 is the best Champagne vintage since the now rather pricey 1996 and 1990’s. Every great cellar should have some 2008’s, but availability is getting scarce so act quickly to secure yours.

2008 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame Brut (Champagne, France) – $299.99

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Weekly Online Offer for Aug 2

Filed under: deVine's Daily Blog Article — Dirk @ 12:08 pm

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2018 Peter Lehmann The Barossan Shiraz – $19.99 regularly $24.99).

Often referred to as the man who saved the Barossa Valley, Peter Lehmann’s reputation is legendary throughout the region and in Australian winemaking history.

The late 1970s were difficult times for the Barossa Valley wine grape growing community as there was a severe grape surplus where companies refused to buy grapes and honor existing contracts, and Peter Lehmann knew this would destroy the livelihoods of the family growers. In a courageous bid to support his community, Peter took out a loan, assembled equipment and built a small winery to process their grapes. True to his promise to them, when the money started coming in Peter made sure to pay his growers first.

Having gone through the tough times, not just to make great wine but to preserve the future of the land and the Barossa region, the growers gave him unrivalled access to the very best grapes thereafter.

For “The Barossan Shiraz”, parcels of high quality fruit are carefully selected from across the Barossa Valley, the winemaker have identified varying interpretations of “Shiraz” to blend together seamlessly a pretty red, delivering a complex and layered wine with fruit intensity and suppleness.

Fine value here – Full-bodied, creamy vanilla notes accentuate the core of plum and blackberry in a spicy m chocolate smooth package with a slightly smoky finish. Pair with slow roasted meats.

2018 Peter Lehmann The Barossan Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Australia) – $19.99 (regularly $24.99)

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