deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Our special this week is the 2020 d’Arenberg The Stump Jump Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia) – $14.99, regularly $18.49.

Since 1912 the Osborn family have grown grapes and made wine in the picturesque surrounds of McLaren Vale. Today, fourth generation family member Chester Osborn is at the winemaking helm, making distinctive wines using traditional methods in the winery and the vineyard.

The winery is famous for the d’Arenberg Cube, a cellar door unlike any other in the world – built in a shape of a rubiks cube. It is also renowned for the quirky names of their wines, and their specialism in the vines of the Rhône valley. Amongst the wine world, it is famous for its Dead Arm Shiraz made from fungus-infected shiraz grape vines that has left one of the branches dead while the other arm produces small and extremely concentrated grapes.

Our weekly feature this week is their Stump Jump Shiraz, It is rumoured that the inventor of the Stump Jump plough, which enabled a ploughshare to jump over tree roots, had poor eyesight and required regular tests to ensure he could still operate machinery. The design of this label is inspired by an optometrist’s eyechart and serves as a makeshift sobriety test. If you can hold the bottle at arm’s length and still read the front label, you can enjoy another glass, ha!

A generous and juicy Shiraz loaded with sweet red and black fruit. The nose opens with dark notes of black cherries and hints of cassis. The palate is loaded with black fruits, plums, mulberries with some aniseed and peppery spices. Fresh cherry and red berries. Fine and persistent tannins give this wine a sense of opulence. Very approachable in its youth. A wine built to drink in its early days. A wonderful expression of McLaren Vale Shiraz.

2020 d’Arenberg The Stump Jump Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia) – $14.99, regularly $18.49.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our special this week is the Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico DOCG (Tuscany, Italy) – $25.49, regularly $30.99.

The famous Antinori house is a story that began in 1385 with 26 generations under its belt. A historical link with Tuscany’s Chianti Classico wine region – a place where tradition and innovation coexist in perfect harmony. A winery that reveals the past, present and future of the Antinori family.

Famous for its iconic Super Tuscans Solaia and Tignanello, the winery overlooks the countryside from a terrace surrounded by vineyards planted with Chianti Classico’s most typical grape, Sangiovese, together with other varieties that were historically planted nearby: Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, Colorino, Malvasia Nera, and Mammolo. A small area is dedicated to international vines, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. There are 400 acres in total, 60 percent of which are producing grapes.

Our feature this week is their iconic Peppoli Chianti Classico. The vineyards of the Pèppoli estate are located 5 kilometres north east of Antinori’s Tignanello estate. It is a famous food-friendly Chianti Classico made from Sangiovese and small amounts of other complementary varietals grown in the heart of Chianti features dark plum, floral, chocolate, chestnut and rye bread notes. Pair with homemade pizza, cured meats or pasta with Bolognese sauce.

A side note, the best method to distinguish a Chianti Classico wine from a regular Chianti wine is the Black Rooster emblem present on the neck of the bottle or on the label.

Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico DOCG (Tuscany, Italy) – $25.49, regularly $30.99.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our special this week is the 2019 Flight of the Condor Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina) – $17.49, regularly $21.49.

The majestic condors soar above the Andes Mountains capturing in their flight Argentina’s finest wine appellations. Each wine in the Flight of the Condor winery’s range shows varietally pure wines which excel in their region of origin.

Our feature of the week is their Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Mendoza with its consistent weather conditions in high elevation vineyards that produces wonderfully consistent reds. The grapes are selected for their balanced fruit profile. 4-5 days of cold soak was followed by 8-10 days of alcoholic fermentation and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine spends 6 months in contact with French oak prior to bottling.

The wine has a vibrant, fresh fruit profile, and is varietally pure with a linear structure and nuanced complexity of well integrated light oak contact. Try with grilled red meats and aged cheddars.

2019 Flight of the Condor Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina) – $17.49, regularly $21.49.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Barossa Valley Estates Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Australia) – $17.99, regularly $21.99.

Situated on Seppeltsfield Road in the historic township of Marananga on the western ridge of the Barossa Valley, the Barossa Valley Estate winery is a space to immerse oneself in the landscape and enjoy the regions iconic and most photographed vistas of the valley.

A tapestry of ancient red clay soils combines with a warm and dry climate to create a unique environment for vines to develop fruit that has a vibrancy and depth of flavor like nowhere else on earth. The best wine styles to grow in the Barossa are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre and Malbec. The unique microclimate and ancient red clay soils of the region produce some of the most acclaimed examples of these varietals in the world. Their house philosophy – their passion – is to capture the distinctive elegance, finesse and vibrant fruit flavours of the Barossa.

Famous for its consistently great E&E Black Pepper Shiraz, the winery only makes red wines. Our feature this week is their Estate Shiraz, it is made in the classic style with blackberry and pepper flavours with notes of vanilla and cedar – rich and intense. Appealing scents of plums and blackberries with light spice revealing a dash, not a blast, of oak. Its fruit flavors fill the palate in a tart, freshly acidic flavor that adds a distinct impression of red clay minerality. Pair with grilled meats, beef or game.

Barossa Valley Estates Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Australia) – $17.99 (regularly $21.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2021 Jose Maria da Fonseca Waterdog Red (Terras do Sado, Portugal) – $12.99, regularly $15.99.

José Maria da Fonseca started his business in 1834, and the family has maintained it for six more generations since then selling its wines in all continents. It is the oldest table wine company in Portugal and famous for its Periquita reds.

Located in the little village of Azeitão on the Setubal peninsula, south of Lisbon, they invest in research and production methods, utilizing both modern techniques with traditional methods, such as combining the ancient Roman tradition of fermenting wine in clay pots with the latest technology. The vineyard is 700 hectares.

Our feature of the week is their 2021 Waterdog Red. Loving, loyal and intelligent, Portuguese Waterdogs are a treasured breed originally from the southern coast of Portugal – near where their winery originates. This blend of 34% Castelão, 33% Trincadeira and 33% Touriga Nacional grape varieties offers up a nose of blueberries, black currant and baking spices. The palate is fruity with notes of red and black berries, balanced acidity and a touch of wood from the six months aging on French and American Oak. Perfect for current drinking, pair with BBQ, roasts, hearty pasta dishes. Open a bottle and enjoy the Portuguese way of life!

2021 Jose Maria da Fonseca Waterdog Red (Terras do Sado, Portugal) – $12.99 (regularly $15.99)

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