Aix Rosé, A Torres Selection and Lustau Vermut from EuroVintage

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Saint Aix Coteaux d’Aix En Provence Rosé 2017
  Rose from France - Other

  Review Date : 07-Mar-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Very pale pink colour, near colourless on the rim. The nose is elegantly proportioned with refined and intense aromas of delicate red berry fruit, red florals and minerals. The nose possesses an array of fragrances and is thirst-quenching. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has taut, delicate flavours of fine red berry fruits with fresh florals and nuances of mouthwatering minerals. Suggestion of nutty elements and hints of fresh herbs add detail. The mouthfeel is crisp with lacy acidity and very fine phenolic textures provide excellent linearity, carrying to a subtle, aromatic finish. This is a crisp, refreshing, mouthwatering dry Provence rosé with delicate fruit, floral and mineral flavours. Serve as an aperitif, with canapes and antipasto over the next 2 years. From Maison Saint Aix. A blend of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Cinsaut, 70% direct presses and 30% saignee, cool-fermented to 13.0% alc. 18.5/50 Mar 2018 RRP $29.99
• Torres ‘Sangre de Toro’ Catalunya Rosé 2017
  Rose from Spain

  Review Date : 07-Mar-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, pale candy-floss pink colour with a little depth and slight purple hues on the rim. The nose is softly full with fresh and up-front aromas of strawberries and raspberry confectionary, along with lifted red florals, subtle herb nuances and mineral elements. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has sweetly rich and luscious fruit flavours of strawberries and raspberries, along with lifted red florals, confectionary elements and nuances of fresh fermentation esters. The flavours are up-front and unfold some herbal and mineral detail. Fresh acidity lends crispness and fine textures guide the mouthwatering flow carrying to a lingering lollyish finish. This is an up-front, confectionary-fruited rosé with a mouthwatering freshness. Match with antipasto and tapas over the next 2 years. A blend of Garnacha and Carinena given 4-6 hours skin contact and cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 12.5% alc. and 1.5 g/L RS. 17.5-/20 Mar 2018 RRP $18.99
• Torres ‘Vina Esmeralda’ Catalunya 2017
  Blended White from Spain

  Review Date : 07-Mar-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, pale straw-yellow colour with slight green hues, lighter edged. The nose is elegantly concentrated with intense and penetrating aromas of greet tea and musk, with grapey notes melded with fennel nuances, unfolding rose-petal florals and a minerally edge. The aromatics are firm and fresh, and tightly bound. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has intense and elegantly concentrated flavours of musk, green tea, grapes with notes of lychees, rose-petal florals, entwined with subtle herb and mineral nuances. The palate has richness and suggestions of unctuousness, along with soft acidity, and the wine carries to a long, soft-textured finish of herbs and musk. This is an elegantly concentrated dry Moscatel and Gewurztraminer blend with subtle unctuousness of herb, musk and tea flavours with good drive and length. Match with Asian cuisine over the next 3 years. A blend of Moscatel and Gewurztraminer cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 11.5% alc. and 6.9 g/L RS. 17.5/20 Mar 2018 RRP $21.99
• Torres ‘Celeste’ Ribero del Duero Crianza 2014
  Tempranillo from Spain

  Review Date : 07-Mar-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, deep, black-hued ruby-red colour with slight purple hues, youthful in appearance. The nose is elegant and refined with very good depth and intensity of ripe dark-red and black berried fruits, along with raspberry elements, boysenberries and a hint of liquorice. This has a degree of opulence and grows in concentration with aeration. Medium-full bodied, the palate has rich, vibrant and intense flavours of ripe, dark-red berry fruit with raspberries and liquorice, earth and spice, unveriling plum notes. Soft, complexing earth and dark herb detail adds interest. The fruit has richness and vitality and is supported by plenty of fine, grainy tannin structure with balanced acidity. The flavours have excellent presence and carry with power and drive to a long and sustained, spicy finish. Elegant on bouquet, this is a vibrant and rich, ripe Ribera del Duero with plenty of structure and depth. Match with roasted red meats and semi-hard cheeses over the next 7-8+ years. Tempranillo fruit fermented to 14.5% alc., the wine spending 15-20 days on skins and aged 12 months in new and seasoned French and American oak barrels. 18.5+/20 Mar 2018 RRP $32.99
• Torres ‘Salmos’ Priorat 2015
  Blended Red from Spain

  Review Date : 07-Mar-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Full, even, purple-hued, dark ruby-red colour, youthful in appearance. The nose is softly full and voluminous with deeply packed aromas of savoury dark-red berry fruit with mulberry and plum fruit notes, entwined with complexing nuances of earth and nutty oak, Medium-full bodied, the palate is broad and mouthfilling with flavours of savoury dark-red berry fruit with mulberry and plum notes. The palate is open, but supported by grainy tannin textures that provide presence and fullness. Soft acidity adds to the roundness and richness. The fruit exudes sweetness and this carries with underlying power to a long, soft, nuanced finish. This is a full, broad and mouthfilling Priorat with savoury berry, mulberry and plum fruit with complex earthy and nutty notes and plenty of richness and structure. Match with slow-cooked game meats over the next 8+ years. A blend of Carinena, Garnacha and Syrah, fermented to 14.0% alc., the wine spending 20-26 days on skins and aged 14 months in 25% new French oak. 18.5/20 Mar 2018 RRP $51.99
• Lustau Vermut Bianco
  Fortified Sherry Style from Spain

  Review Date : 07-Mar-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Brilliant, light golden-hued yellow colour. The nose is very fine and penetrating with richness and harmoniously infused aromas of fresh herbs, florals and spices with nutty elements. The aromatics have a subtle opulence, and are beautifully integrated. Off-dry to taste and medium-full bodied, the palate has a rich core with softly packed and deep flavours of harmoniously melded bitter herbs, citrus notes, soft exotic florals, spices and nuts. The mouthfeel shows a degree of unctuousness, and the palate has some vigour, power and underlying drive. The wine flows along a soft-textured linear palate unfolding a touch of balancing bitterness, leading to a soft, ethereal finish. This is a beautifully harmonious, intense and vibrant white Vermouth with soft textures and gentle bitter herbs, sweet citrus and florals, on a well-driven line. Serve in aperitif situations. A blend of Fino sherry and Moscatel wine infused with wormwood, rosemary, marjoram, gentian, orange peel and chamomile, fermented and fortified to 15.0% alc. 18.5-/20 Mar 2018 RRP $47.99
• Lustau Vermut Rojo
  Fortified Sherry Style from Spain

  Review Date : 07-Mar-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Deep mahogany colour a little lighter on the rim with some tawny hues. The nose is soft and rich with moderately intense aromas of raisins, sultanas and plums, very harmoniously integrated with gentle nuances of orange peel, coffee, herbs and spices. This is gentle and refined in expression. Medium in sweetness and medium-full bodied, this has a smooth and softly packed base of raisins, sultanas, figs and prunes infused with notes of spice, herbs and coffee. A little bitterness balances the sweet flavours and richness, and the palate flows smoothly along a light-textured line and mellow acidity. The wine carries to a softly rich finish. This is a gently rich red Vermouth with harmonious raisin, prune and plum flavours melded with coffee, herbs and spices on a smooth plalate. Serve with rich soups and after dinner. A blend of Amontillado and PX sherry, infused with wormwood, coriander, angelica, sage, orange peel and gentian, fermented and fortified to 15.0% alc. 18.0/20 Mar 2018 RRP $47.99