With February in sight, dry January should be in the rearview mirror by now, and our celebratory sale something to wash away those January blues. If you’re after something specific, however, let our trusty guide Greg Sherwood MW help with this, his 6th edition of An Informed Opinion.
You can trust him to keep your wine selection relevant, nuanced, and engaging. Which in these trying times seems like a necessary service. Keep an eye out and see what appeals on the day, be it an investment, something eclectic, or a sure thing midweek wine – you’re bound to find something to suit your mood (and pocket). Or even discover something NEW.
#AnInformedOpinion
An Investable Wine
These are showstopper wines worthy of their price tag, and something to invest in.
“In 2007 I spent two weeks in Napa Valley for my Napa Valley Masters Programme. But it was at the fabled Groth Vineyards in Oakville that we wrote our final Napa Valley theory exams. I remember walking through their tasting room archive hall and seeing behind glass, a la the Smithsonian Institute museum, a bottle of the Groth Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1985 displayed… the first Napa Valley Cabernet ever to score 100 points from Robert Parker Jr, only perhaps 2 or 3 years after he reviewed the famous 1982 Bordeaux vintage that cemented his entire career. It was an eye-opening visit and tasting that reaffirmed my deep love for California’s greatest Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines and remains a passion that still burns brightly today.” – Greg Sherwood MW.
95 Points – Greg Sherwood MW
“This is classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at its delicious best with a real Oakville AVA archetypal earthiness underpinning intricate black berry aromatics embellished by sweet cherry tobacco, grilled herbs, vanilla pod and buttered brown toast topped with hints of black plum coulis and stewed winter fruits. Lavishly fruited, silky and sensual on the entry, the textural polish is very impressive with powdery graphite tannins and complex earthy, savoury black cherry fruits supported by fresh, soft, sumptuous underlying acids. A thrilling wine for the real hedonists out there and one that it drinking beautifully at the moment but will certainly slumber rewardingly in your cellar for another 8 to 10 years.” – Greg Sherwood MW.
A Mid-Week Wine
A wine to elevate any random Tuesday without breaking the bank.
“The grapes used for the production of Pietrabianca Chardonnay are grown on the estate Bocca di Lupo, which boasts a splendid example of an ancient Puglian farmhouse completely rebuilt by the Antinori family. Here one can admire the over 130 hectares of vineyards located on a tuffaceous terroir, which are all managed under strict organic certified cultivation. The continued focus by Tormaresca on their vineyards and attention to detail in the winery has allowed this estate to really excel in recent years, becoming a true beacon for quality and value for money drinking.”– Greg Sherwood MW.
93 Points – Greg Sherwood MW
“The Tenuta Bocca di Lupo Pietrabianca Chardonnay is a vibrant yellow gold colour, and the aromatics are equally bold and inviting, brimming with hints of jasmine, green apple bon bons, green honeydew melon, yellow grapefruit, orange blossom and Granny Smith apple nuances. Aged and fermented in new and used French oak barrels, the elegant medium-bodied palate retains a wonderful vitality and freshness, boasting attractive notes of white peach, green melon, acacia honey, toasted hazelnuts and a subtle vanilla pod spice. This is a meticulously characterful Chardonnay with real substance and stuffing, all delivered with the unmistakable class and pedigree of the Marchesi Antinori ethos of excellent. Drink this on release or allow the wine to improve in bottle for another 2 to 4 years.” – Greg Sherwood MW.
An Eclectic Wine
A story wine worthy of its salt, and your cellar.
“I first met Black Elephant Vintners partner Raymond Ndlovu a few years back while doing some charity work for the Cape Wine Auction, an incredible winelands-focused charity that has raised over R114 million for the children of the Cape winelands. A passionate trustee who works tirelessly, I can honestly say that his passion outside the winery is undoubtedly matched inside the winery by talented winemaker Jacques Wentzel who put this deliciously eclectic and energetic red blend together. Crack a bottle of this characterful wine and see if you can taste where the Old World meets the new, and where the classical Cabernet Sauvignon marries with Ruby Cabernet, Pinotage, Shiraz and Pinot Noir!”– Greg Sherwood MW.
90+ Points – Greg Sherwood MW
“The Old World Cabernet Sauvignon (61%), Merlot (25%) and Shiraz (14%) meets New World flair in this trio of classic varieties spiced up with hints of Ruby Cabernet, Pinotage and Pinot Noir. Sourced from the Coastal Region of the South African winelands, these components are all seamlessly blended to create an eclectic, playful but thoroughly enjoyable red blend. The aromatics are black fruited, savoury and enticing with hints of stewed winter plums, smoked meats, grilled herbs and charcoal embers. There is a mouth-watering juxtaposition between the earthy, savoury black fruits of the Cabernet and Shiraz and the more exotic nuances of black cherry, blueberries, clove and allspice. Full-bodied, compact and rich with soft sweet mineral tannins and tangy vibrant acids, it finishes long and velvety but with also a bit warming charm. A wine that will appeal to Bordeaux and Rhone-lovers alike..” – Greg Sherwood MW.
