Two features start off the February 1 release, Australia and something
called new discoveries or some such thing. There’s a limited but good selection
of mid priced Aussie standards and not
much in the new finds to tempt me . Not
a brilliant release by any stretch of the imagination but some good wines if
you have some holes to fill.
There is some good news though. Jan 25 saw the start of a bin end sale. Among the items reduced in price were the leftover 1500 ML bottles
from Christmas. Look for the big bottles of
Chateauneuf du Pape, Chianti, and the Petalos Mencia to be the best of that lot. It’s a good time to buy them for a future Christmas/ New Year/ BBQ/ family party.
Best Bets from this
release
KATNOOK ESTATE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010 440 cases
of 6 $29.95 – Among my favourite Australian cabernet sauvignons this one
usually exhibits more currants and less mint than many Coonawarra cabs. Looking forward to a few of these!
SCHILD ESTATE OLD
BUSH VINE GMS 299 cases $19.95 – From a well known family producer that seems to have recovered from some questionable
conduct of a few years back. I like the Aussie takes on this southern
Rhone blend and expect this to provide much pleasure.
MONTIRIUS GARRIGUES VACQUEYRAS 2011 199 cases $27.95 – Clos Montirius is a biodynamic
producer in the Southern Rhone. If you value care of the land as well as care
in winemaking, this is a great selection.
Montirius is always a little expensive for this named CdR Village
(Vacqueyras – Vah-kay-rahs, apparently the s is not silent.), but the good news is you get what you pay for.
Garrrigues (Gah-reeg) refers to the
aromas and flavours imparted by the plants of the Mediteranean basin. Beneath the big fruit, think subtle rosemary,
thyme, floral herbs de Provence type aromas and the same very slightly resinous
flavours of the same herbs. This might not be quite as age worthy as their
Vacqueyras ‘Le Clos’ but who can wait that long anyway?
DANDELION LIONESS OF
MCLAREN VALE SHIRAZ 2011 639 cases
$19.95 – If you like the Lionheart of the Barossa, you’ll probably really enjoy
Dandelion’s take on Shiraz from the
McLaren Vale.
DANDELION VINEYARDS
LIONHEART OF THE BAROSSA SHIRAZ 191
cases, half bottles- $10.95 – Little
bottles of what has become a Vintages regular. Solid and classy.
CHÂTEAU TANUNDA GRAND
BAROSSA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 1198
cases $19.95. Big numbers of this big wine. Doug - This could be a substitute for the
Elderton Cab. Partial fruit from vineyards in Eden Valley.
MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011 1034 cases $19.95 –Always
steady and rock solid.
BENMARCO MALBEC 2012 400 cases $18.95 – If you missed out on
the Norton in the previous release, this is not a bad alternative.
JIP JIP ROCKS SHIRAZ
2011 – 505 cases $16.95 – Well priced Aussie option.
CAVE DE RASTEAU ORTAS PRESTIGE RASTEAU 2009 299cases $19.95
CAVE DE ROQUEBRUN LA GRANGE DES COMBES SAINT- 419 cases $15.95
Big Bucks
Nothing this time around.
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