WINES OF THE WEEK
CASTELLO ROMITORIO CHIANTI COLLI SENESI 2016 - $27
Chianti can run the gamut from being soft and fruity to gutsy and age-worthy depending on the whims of the producer. Castello Romitorio does not make shy wines; they are best-known as a top producer of Brunello but their Chianti — from the lesserknown Colli Senesi zone situated in the hills surrounding Sienna — is a big mouthful of wine chock full of red currants, cocoa and black cherries backed by firm, ripe tannins. It calls for lamb chops, game meats or a hearty ragu to keep it company.
CHATEAU TOUZET BORDEAUX 2012 - $25
Despite the heralded classified growth wines of Bordeaux — which account for less than 10 per cent of the region’s total production — Bordeaux has no shortage of bargains, this wine being a case in point. With five years of age behind it, this blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec and Carmenere is drinking perfectly right now, a juicy red wine with soft, fleshy tannins, red fruits and leather produced from biodynamically grown fruit, the ideal companion to a roast chicken on a cool fall evening.
ILLUMINATI RIPAROSSO MONTEPULICANO D’ABRUZZO 2016 - $18
This perennial bargain has been in our market for a couple of decades now and it has been a reliable friend over the years, a medium-bodied red with bright red fruits at its core. The Abruzzo region has seen dramatic improvement as a whole over the last decade, an area that is now synonymous with good value and quality. This wine is a natural with casual fare, like a simple dish of pasta with fresh tomatoes, basil and olive oil.
LE CASEMATTE NERO D’AVOLA - $20
Sicily is producing some of the most interesting and intriguing wines in Italy right now and Le Casematte is at the forefront, especially when it comes to offering great wines with lots of personality for not too much money. The wine shows ripe black fruits with some licorice and spice notes, a nice choice with charcuterie or pizza.
LUCA LABORDE DOUBLE SELECT SYRAH 2015 - $36
Luca is part of the Catena group, arguably Argentina’s finest winery. This is Laura Catena’s project and it is a serious Syrah reminiscent of the northern Rhone style, which is to say a big, brawny wine showing notes of black plums, black pepper, pipe tobacco and sage brush. There is a fair bit of tannic grip but serve it alongside some rib-eye steaks and it will open up to reveal its considerable charms; a serious wine that will continue to improve over time.