deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Charles Smith Wine of Substance Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington – Columbia Valley, United States) – $24.99, regularly $29.99.

Charles Smith is the legendary winemaker behind iconic brands like K Vintners, Sixto and Substance and several other brands. The House of Smith is the largest independent and winemaker-owned winery in Washington State area with wines sold in all 50 states and 23 countries worldwide. And it all started a little over 20 years ago, with 330 cases of 1999 K Syrah sold out of the back of Charles’ 1987 Astro van.

Charles Smith, the dynamic, self-taught guru of Washington wines turned from a life as a rock band manager to rock the world of wine. The Wines of Substance Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Goose Ridge, Painted Hills, Badger Mountain, Shaw, Sportsfisher and Coyote vineyards in the Columbia Valley, Washington State area. Loaded with black cassis, cedar, tobacco, dark plum, lead pencil, vanilla and toast in a rich, full-bodied, balanced package. This Cab has been a perennial bestseller at deVines for years. Pair with braised beef short ribs or roast beef.

Charles Smith Wine of Substance Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington – Columbia Valley, United States) – $24.99 (regularly $29.99)

Return to devinewines.ca

Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Poderi di Luigi Einaudi Dogliani Dolcetto (Piedmont, Italy) – $21.99, regularly $28.49.

Luigi Einaudi is arguably the best producer of Dolcetto in Italy, with their reputation going back to 1897, who was to became the 2nd President of the Italian Republic. The winery is based in the village of Dogliani but also has owns prestigious vineyards in Barolo and Barbaresco. The estate is now run by Einaudi’s great-grandson, Matteo Sardagna who continues the excellence in their entire range of wines.

In the Dogliani area, the Dolcetto wine reaches its absolute best – with eight months of maturation in steel and concrete tanks and two months in glass complete the refinement. Of a dry and moderately acidic taste, after a year of ageing, it has a good body and a full palate.

Our feature this week is their famous Dogliani Dolcetto made from 90 year old vines, the annual production is 130.000 bottles. Ruby red in color, with a fruity bouquet with hints of undergrowth. Fresh and flavorful on the palate, with abundant red berry fruit front and center and a dry almond finish. Its easy to drink and makes for a great everyday red. It pairs well with starters and first courses like pasta, risotto and soup. Great with vegetable or meat salads, pasta with or without tomato or ragout.

We believe the best Dolcetto’s come from Dogliani and this wine is a testament to that.

Poderi di Luigi Einaudi Dogliani Dolcetto (Piedmont, Italy) – $21.99, regularly $28.49

Return to devinewines.ca

Author: Dirk Chan

Our special this week is the 2018 Bortoluzzi Cabernet Sauvignon (Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy) – $20.99, regularly $24.99.

Three siblings – Alessio, Alberto and Angela Bortoluzzi have seen the Bortoluzzi Estate and Winery grown to become a hugely successful enterprise since inception in 1982. The winery is located in Gradisca d’Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Northeastern Italy. The Fiuli-Venezia Giulia region borders Austria to the north, Slovenia to the east, the Veneto region to the west and the Adriatic Sea to the south.

Our feature is their hugely successful Cabernet Sauvignon, which sees 15 days’ fermentation at a temperature of 25° Celsius (77° Fahrenheit). Subsequently, the red wine is aged in barriques and tonneaux, both new and used (maximum 3 year) for about 12-14 months, then blended and left to rest in stainless steel tanks for about a month previous to bottling.

The colour of this wine is as bright as a beautiful ruby ring. It has an intense, herbaceous and spicy bouquet – with woody scents – fruity with hints of the underwood. Delicate on the palate, velvety and pleasantly dry. No oak or vanilla notes come through on this smooth and well-balanced 100% CabSau. Food accompaniment include roast red meats, game or aged cheeses.

2018 Bortoluzzi Cabernet Sauvignon (Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy) – $20.99, regularly $24.99.