deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Bodegas Atalaya Laya (Almansa, Spain) – $17.99 regularly $21.49.

For over a century (first established in 1916), the Viñas Familia Gil has farmed in Jumilla, Spain (just south of Valencia). With the patience given to the land of their ancestors, they take care of their old vineyards, and they grow with the incorporation of small wineries from the main wine producing regions of Spain including Castilla y León, Montsant and Priorat, Calatayud, Rueda, Almansa and Rías Baixas. Today, all of the wineries under Gil Family Estates are run by brothers, Miguel and Ángel Gil.

There are several brands of wines produced – bringing together ten different artisanal vineyards, taking small-production philosophy and giving it great exposure, at an attractive price point.

Our feature this week is from one of these estates, their Bodegas Atalaya Laya Red, a blend of Garnacha Tintorera and Monastrell flourish. As if they were enchanted, the old vines seem to like these low-fertile limestone soils suffering from scarce rainfalls. Located at an altitude between 700-1000 metres, they produce concentrated fruits that give a burst of varietal characteristics, flavours and aromas. Their climate (often hot summers and long, cold winters, with a regular difference of 25 ºC between day and night temperatures) gives a full-bodied red with fine maturity and concentration. Pleasant and fresh palate, balanced with sweet tannins, unctuous and enveloping with a unique mid-palate and long finish. Ideal to accompany with game meat and creamy rice dishes, stewed legumes, mushrooms, game and poultry, casseroles, fish and seafood sauce, smoked, cured and blue cheeses, grilled and roasted white and red meats. A deVine bestseller that is a bargain!

Bodegas Atalaya Laya (Almansa, Spain) – $17.99, regularly $21.49.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Moulin de Gassac Guilhem Rouge (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $15.99 regularly $20.49.

In 1971 Véronique Guibert de la Vaissière and her husband Aimé fell under the spell of an old abandoned farmhouse in the Gassac valley in southern France, near the old abbey of Aniane, in the hinterland of the Hérault and Mas de Daumas Gassac thus was born.

In the early 90s, the Guibert family took on a new challenge: to create a more accessible wine collection. The fortuitous discovery of great terroirs on the amphitheatre site of Villeveyrac in the Hérault, gave rise to an unprecedented co-op partnership with the winegrowers of the Villeveyrac cellar – a partnership that continues to this day. From then on, the Mas de Daumas Gassac and Moulin de Gassac families joined forces and created a parcel selection involving some thirty winegrowers.

Our feature this week is their Guilhem Rouge, an easy-going red blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan – offering aromas of dark cherries and currants with layers of baked earth and sweet spices woven in between. The bright fruit and peppery spices cascade over the medium-weighted palate and are supported by creamy tannins giving way to a soft-textured, approachable finish – a perfect everyday sipper that’s ideal with light meals, mixed salads and grilled fare.

Moulin de Gassac Guilhem Rouge (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $15.99, regularly $20.49.

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Adriano Ramos Pinto was an artist and merchant who founded his port house in 1880, making it the oldest port housse in the Douro Valley. In 1990, the famous Champagne house Louis Roederer acquired this estate but descendants of the founders still carry on the heritage of producing extraordinary ports and still wines.

Produced from 360 hectares in the Douro region on granite and schistous soils. Their four main vineyards are the Quintas of Ervamoira, Urtiga, Bom Retiro (vinification centre) and Bons Ares. Their Tawny Ports are made from indigenous Portuguese grapes and has a reputation for their complexity, balance, and elegance. Their flavors range from dried fruits and spices to caramel and nuts. Historically, Ramos Pinot has been one of the bigger exporters into Brazil.

deVine welcomes Rodrigo Lencastre, Export Director of Casa Adriano Ramos Pinto for a tasting of their table wines as well as ports in a sit-down event on Saturday, Oct 5 @ 7pm – $55 – we hope you can join us.

Register for the event here…

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Bodegas Neleman Nucli White (Valencia, Spain) – $16.99 regularly $19.99.

Created by founder Derrick Neleman, Bodegas Neleman, located one hour 15 minutes drive directly west of Valencia, offers a range of vegan wines born from organically-farmed grapes that reflects the terroir with wondrous glory and variety. Their mature vineyards are in the hills to the East of Valencia at Casas del Rey. They are on small land terraces surrounded by olive and almond trees, and Parque Natural de las Hoces del Cabriel, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Elegance is always the ambition and deliciousnes is an added bonus.

Our feature this week is their Nucli White, a 70-30 blend of the indigenous Macabeo and Sauvignon Blanc. This white offers an exuberant, full nose with peach and some boxwood. The fresh and fruity, tropical taste makes it a wonderful everyday wine with its beautiful freshness and delicious playful fruit. Nucli is the Catalan word for core, in this case the essence of good wine. Try as an aperitif or with salads, fish or poultry. 12% ABV.

Bodegas Neleman Nucli White (Valencia, Spain) – $16.99, regularly $19.99.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Torre Zambra Idi di Marzo Rosso (Abruzzi, Italy) – $15.99, regularly $19.99.

In 1910, grandpa Vincenzo set off for Naples in his dogcart. He was going to finalize negotiations for the purchase of a plot of about 20 hectares of land, set around a lookout tower. The land belonged to the Zambra family, and the tower, named after them, was known as “Torre Zambra”. On that parcel grandpa Vincenzo planted his first Montepulciano and Trebbiano vine and grew them for about 30 years, until they were destroyed during the Second World War, leaving the family in poverty.

During the War Laurentino De Cerchio, Vincenzo’s son-in-law, was captured by the Nazi army and imprisoned in Germany; he succeeded in returning to Villamagna only in 1947. Back to the small village he took over the farm and began his constant activity of wine grower, re-planting the old vines destroyed and starting to build the winery. And that’s how, in 1961, the first “Torre Zambra” harvest was bottled. Today, they are one of the most historic Abruzzo wineries.

Our feature this week is their Marzo Rosso – this great little blend of 80% Montepulciano and 20% Malbec with ruby red with bright reflections. On the nose, intense notes of black currants mix with wild blackberries. In the mouth there is a perfect correspondence to the olfactory taste with a slightly spicy finish. It pairs with cold cuts, fresh cheeses and both white and red meat. This is a supple and round red to be enjoyed as an everyday drinker.

Torre Zambra Idi di Marzo Rosso (Abruzzi, Italy) – $15.99 (regularly $19.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Peter Lehmann The Barossan Cabernet Sauvignon (Barossa Valley, Australia) – $21.49 regularly $25.99.

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.

Our weekly offer this week is their “The Barossan Cabernet Sauvignon” – deep crimson with garnet hues and a slight purple tinge. This complex, medium-full bodied Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon displays vibrant cassis with notes of black olive on the nose. The palate is lush and rich, with mulberry and blueberry fruit, savoury herbal and cigar-box flavours imparted from carefully selected French oak. The tannins are fine and ripe and the wine finishes with soft, fruit-dominated length. Pair with slow roasted meats or a grilled steak.

Peter Lehmann The Barossan Cabernet Sauvignon (Barossa Valley, Australia) – $21.49, regularly $25.99.

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Cartuxa is a fascinating winery located in the Évora region of Alentejo in South Central Portugal. The vineyards were first planted way back in 1517 by the Jesuits and, since that time, the monastery and vineyards have stood the test of time. The last private owner Vasco Maria Eugénio, who was childless, created a charitable foundation to which he bequeathed the estate (now operating across 1050 hectares) and all the winery’s trademarks so that all the profits from the winery go directly into supporting a university, hospital, social housing and other welfare institutions. The foundation which is 60+ years old, still operates on a non-profit basis, and has been instrumental in keeping the community in the area blessed with social and cultural institutions. Their social work has been lauded far and wide.

deVine and Boutique Wines are pleased to present Gilmer Grattan, North America and European Export Manager on Saturday, Sep 14@7pm as she leads us through a tasting of the Cartuxa wines – some of the most respected wines in the Alentejo region. Advanced registration is required, we hope to see you Saturday, Sep 14th.

Register here…

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Morgenster Sauvignon Blanc (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $16.99 , regularly $21.99..
Family-owned and family-run, Morgenster Estate has a long history dating back 300 years. Situated near the foothills of the Helderberg Mountains in Somerset West (35 minutes from Cape Town), Morgenster was a pioneer in the 1990s and paved the way for South Africa’s wine and olive oil culture.

The feature this week is their Sauvignon Blanc – the grapes for this wine are harvested slightly later in order to maximize the wonderful tropical fruit notes that this wine has to offer. A palate-pleasing wine, harmonious and well-balanced showing typical tropical flavours in abundance. The aromas include lemon zest, green apples, pears and the requisite grassiness. This elegantly crafted wine has gracious balance and poise with vibrant, integrated acidity leaving a lingering citrus and flinty finish. Pair with white meat and salads.

Morgenster Sauvignon Blanc (Stellenbosch, South Africa) – $16.99 , regularly $21.99.

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Founded in 1638, Kopke is the oldest port house. Like many producers in the region, they offer young Ruby Ports, LBV Ports, Vintage Ports, Tawny Ports, White Ports, and more. However, their claim to fame is undoubtedly their Colheita Ports – which are wood-aged vintage dated tawnies. If you love the caramel and toffee style, this is right up your alley – deVine has numerous old releases for consideration, especially if you’re after something old, or perhaps a birthyear wine or a wedding anniversary wine. Hurry, some are down to the last bottle.

Pictured left to right:

1957 Kopke Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $399.99