An Informed Opinion… Number 14

These are showstopper wines worthy of their price tag, and something to invest in.

“Which fine wine collector doesn’t love drinking a proper unicorn? This superb single vineyard Syrah comes from the famed Three Pines vineyard Block 6 that lies just above the equally impressive Three Pines Cabernet Sauvignon Block 5, and yields the smallest volume of any wine produced on the Stark Conde estate. This rarity is made from just 22 rows of old vine Syrah that produces a tiny 3,330 bottles. Like with all the wines of the Jonkershoek Valley, the hallmark is their signature elegance and finesse combined with intensely perfumed aromatics that are accentuated by Stark Conde’s cooler, higher altitude vineyards.”- Greg Sherwood MW. 

95 Points – Greg Sherwood MW | 17.5 Points – Jancis Robinson MW
“Matured for 20 months in small French oak, of which 40% was new, this wine’s aromatics display the most harmonious and integrated complexity bursting with crushed violets, raspberry coulis, sweet black currants, and earthy red bramble berries with just the faintest of savoury cured meat nuances over a peppery sweet cedar spice. On the palate, the wine is simultaneously weightless and feather-light while being incredibly concentrated, intense, and satin textured with an inky depth of blue and blackberry fruits, a liquid minerality, and a subtle smoky, black olive tapenade-tinged finish. A very classy and finessed expression of Stellenbosch Syrah. Drink this classical beauty now or cellar for another 8 to 10+ years.”- Greg Sherwood MW.

A wine to elevate any random Tuesday without breaking the bank.

“Since the Bordeaux En-primeur bubble burst in 2011-12, much of the consumer focus has moved away from the super high priced Grand Cru Classé wines to more honest, well-made wines where the vintage quality embodies the pride and commitment of an individual Chateaux owner and not just the work of some large marketing department at a big brand owned by an insurance company. Real people making authentic, classical wines that represent another step on the ongoing journey of multiple generations of family vignerons. Julien Meyre from Vignoble Meyre is one such individual now making the wines at his family Chateau in the Medoc. We tasted over 30+ Bordeaux reds in the process of selecting this beautiful wine, and we can honestly say that we were bowled over by the quality for the money. This is a must-buy if you love well-made Bordeaux reds for mid-week drinking!”– Greg Sherwood MW. 

92 Points – Greg Sherwood MW 
“This 50% Cabernet Sauvignon / 50% Merlot blend is a serious offering that shows intricate aromatics of damson plum, black currant, sweet cherry tobacco with underlying notes of sweet cedar oak, bramble berry, and graphite spice. The palate strikes an excellent balance between silky black fruited depth, a creamy texture, and broody red berry fruit power. Impressive balance and an all-round generous personality with a vibrant fresh tangy persistence. A truly delicious wine from a blockbuster Bordeaux vintage. Drink on release and over 3 to 5+ years.”- Greg Sherwood MW.

A story wine worthy of its salt, and your cellar. 

“What is so eclectic about Chablis, you may ask? Well, when you consider that most consumers who are committed Chablis drinkers are also professed ABC drinkers, or ‘anything but Chardonnay,’ then you appreciate what a unique and classical brand the Chablisienne have created over the centuries, where their wines even surpass and supersede the whole generic category of varietal Chardonnay itself. Such is the unique chalky minerality, quality, and classical appeal of a good Chablis that it undoubtedly ranks as one of the great white wine styles of the world, along with other stalwart regional brands like Champagne, Sancerre, and Pouilly Fumé. This is simply a wonderful example that does everything it says on the tin, then a bit more!”– Greg Sherwood MW. 

91 Points – Greg Sherwood MW 
“This is a classical Chablis that unwinds in the glass to reveal attractive aromatics of crunchy green apples, green pear, pretty notes of white flowers, honeysuckle, cream-filled pastries, grated lemon peel, fresh fennel, and chalky limestone mineral hints. The 2019 shows a medium-bodied weight of fruit with plenty of crystalline purity and glassy fresh acids that add shape to the attractive pithy lemon and lime fruit concentration that is both silky and texturally precise. Given more air in the glass, extra layers of complexity expose themselves in this classical expression full of beeswax, freshly baked croissant, and tinned pineapples in syrup, finishing with sleek notes of peaches and honied yellow orchard fruits. Archetypal Chablis that will thrill and gratify in equal measure. Drink now and over the next 2 to 3 years.” – Greg Sherwood MW.