Chapoutier, Torres, Concha y Toro and Frescobaldi from EuroVintage

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Chapoutier Pays d’Oc Rosé 2014
  Rose from France - Rhone

  Review Date : 23-Feb-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Grenache and Cinsault fruit cool-fermented on skins to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 3-4 months on lees in tank and concrete vat. Soft strawberry pink colour with some depth and pale purple hues on rim. The nose is fresh with soft, clean aromas of strawberries and red florals, unfolding pomegranate and mineral nuances. Dry to taste and light-bodied, the palate is fresh, crisp and steely, with light flavours of strawberries and cream, watermelon and minerals, lifted by red floral notes. The fruit has a suggestion of sweetness, balanced by the acidity and some phenolic textures. The palate follows a light, dry, thirst-quenching line to a light, clean finish. This is a crisp, clean, light strawberry-fruited dry rosé. Match with antipasto over the next 2 years. 15.5/20 Feb 2015 RRP $18.99
• Torres ‘Sangre de Toro’ Catalunya Rosé 2014
  Rose from Spain

  Review Date : 23-Feb-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, crimson-hued pink colour with light purple hues on the rim. This has a bright, intense, uncomplicated nose of strawberries and raspberries and cream with lifted florals and some whole berry fermentation confectionary elements. Dry to taste, fresh, lusciously juicy flavours of raspberries and cream form a rounded core with good depth and some density. The mouthfeel is refreshing with crisp acidity and the wine follows a fine, phenolic, dry-textured line. Some jammy, juicy and sweet confectionary flavours and lifted red florals show on a light, moderately sustained finish. This is a fresh, juicy rosé with raspberry and cream flavours and a dry mouthfeel. Serve as an aperitif, with tapas and dim sum over the next 2 years. Made primarily from Garnacha from Catalunya, fermented to 13.5% alc. 17.0/20 Feb 2015 RRP $18.99
• Torres ‘Sangre de Toro’ Catalunya 2013
  Grenache from Spain

  Review Date : 23-Feb-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Garnacha and Carinena from Catalunya fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine given light oak contact. Very dark, deep, black-hued, purple-red colour with a lighter edge, youthful in appearance. The nose is soft with light blackberry and dark raspberry fruit aromas lifted by red floral and confectionary and jam nose, infused with minerally, chalky reductive notes. Medium-bodied, full, soft, juicy and lush fruit flavours of raspberries and red fruit compote are lifted by confectionary elements and marked by a line of reductive earthy notes. The palate features grainy tannin textures forming a firm core and line, leading to a lingering, dry finish. This is a lush, juicy raspberryish Garnacha-based red with grainy tannins and some reduction. Serve with barbecues, pizza and antipasto over the next 3+ years. 16.0+/20 Feb 2015 RRP $18.99
• Concha y Toro ‘Casillero de Diablo’ ‘Reserva’ Carmenere 2013
  Other Red from Chile

  Review Date : 23-Feb-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Very dark, deep, black-hued, purple-red colour, youthful in appearance. The nose is fresh and elegantly presented with focussed aromas of ripe black berry fruits, blackcurrant and black olives infused with herbs and cassis and lifted by subtle oak. The nose grows in volume with aeration. Medium-bodied, fresh and juicy fruit flavours og blackcurrants, cassis and olives form a focussed core. The wine is supple with rounded tannins and easy mouthfeel, but remains fresh from the bright acidity. The flavours flow smoothly to a slender, lingering, dry finish. This is an elegant, juicy, fruit-focussed Carmenere with a supple mouthfeel. Match with herb-marinated meat dishes and Mediterranean fare over the next 4-5 years. Fruit from the Central Valley, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged in American oak barrels. 17.5/20 Feb 2015 RRP $15.99
• Frescobaldo ‘Castiglioni Chianti DOCG 2013
  Sangiovese from Italy - Tuscany

  Review Date : 23-Feb-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark ruby-red colour, lighter on edge, youthful in appearance. This has a light-fruited, straightforward nose of savoury red cherry fruit melded with dried herbs and a suggestion of leather. Medium-bodied, light, savoury red cherry fruit flavours lie on a dry, textural palate. Nuances of dried herbs, earth and leather show. The acidity and grainy tannins provide a taut mouthfeel. This has vinosity which leads to a fresh and brisk finish. This is a light, clean Chianti with simple cherryish and herb flavours and a grainy mouthfeel. Match with antipasto, pizza and pasta over the next 2-3 years. 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot from the ‘Castiglioni’ estate fermented to 12.5% alc., the wine on skins 11 days and matured 6 months in tank with microxygenation. 15.5/20 Feb 2015 RRP $25.99
• Frescobaldi ‘Nipozzano’ Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG 2011
  Sangiovese from Italy - Tuscany

  Review Date : 23-Feb-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  90% Sangiovese with 10% other reds, from the ‘Nipozzano’ estate, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 24 months in seasoned barriques. Full, dark, deep ruby-red colour. The bouquet is soft and full with ripe fruit aromas of dark cherries with hints of plums, savoury herbs, earth and aromatic, gamey notes. This has good depth and density on the nose. Medium-full bodied, rich, ripe flavours of dark cherries, black and red plums, and black berry fruits form a dense, rounded core. The fruit is up-front, revealing dried herb, earth and leather notes along with sweet, savoury game elements. The fruit is encased by grainy tannins that grow in presence, to provide an extractive structure and dry grip. The textures carry the wine to a dried herb and bitter cherry nuanced finish. This is a fulsome, up-front Chianti with dark cherry and plum flavours and a dry, grainy mouthfeel. Match with casseroles, slow-cooked gamed meat and hard cheeses over the next 5-6+ years. 17.0+/20 Feb 2015 RRP $38.99