WEEKEND WINE PICKS
Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Napa Valley, California, $48.99 | 90/100
UPC: 84692479047
The grapes come from a section of sites across Napa Valley. The blend is 90/6/4 Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Sauvignon Musqué. A short crop concentrated the fruit picked between August 4 and September 2, the earliest ever. Some 80 per cent of the juice goes into stainless steel tanks and 20 per cent in neutral French oak barrels for ferment before it all spends five months in neutral French oak barrels. Barely aromatic, the flavours are a mix of grapefruit, kiwi, fennel and honeydew melon with a spicy, mineral chalky finish. Food friendly — think shrimp, chicken, asparagus, smoked salmon or onion tarts.
Tetri Kindzmarauli Red Semi Sweet Wine 2014, Kindzmarauli, Kakheti, Georgia
$17.49 | 89/100
UPC: 4860009760055
Tetri Kindzmarauli is made from the Saperavi grape grown in the controlled appellation of Kindzmarauli. The regional winemaking is almost universal and based on the ancient method: A slow fermentation at a low temperature that ends without all the sugar being fermented. In this case 35 to 45 grams per litre. In 2014 there is an amazing black cherry/ black raspberry aroma and flavour profile that jumps from the glass. This is more of a dessert wine when compared to the 2015, and would really work well with chocolate desserts and nut-based cakes and cookies. It’s an excellent opportunity to try something different and maybe fool your friends.
Famiglia Zingarelli Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Classico 2015, Tuscany, Italy
$18.49 | 88/100
UPC: 8002305009506
A change in style here with more red fruit, more fragrance and more authentic Sangiovese. A kinder gentler version of Sangiovese, with bits of floral overtones, spice and now, bright fresh light red fruit flavours even in a warm year. Food friendly and supple you can drink this most nights of the week with a favourite pasta dish. The 95/5 mix of Sangiovese/Merlot that comes off several estate vineyards is aged in Slavonian or French oak barrels for a period of 6 to 10 months, and refined further in the bottle.
Narrative Cabernet Franc by Okanagan Crush Pad 2016, Okanagan Valley
$21.99 | 89/100
UPC: 626990279846 Narrative is about the Okanagan story and its extreme climate: home to both an arid desert landscape and cold, snowy winters. This Cabernet Franc is built along soft, juicy lines with vibrant red briary, black fruits and round slippery tannins. The finish is fresh and spicy. Perfect with beef or mushroom dishes. The fruit is mix of sites along the Golden Mile and Black Sage benches, all aged in concrete tank for 9 months.
CedarCreek Platinum Haynes Creek Single Vineyard Viognier 2016, Okanagan Valley $31.99 | 89/100
UPC: 778913800313
Dense, ripe and rich style with sunwarmed, aromatic apricot, peaches and pears, sourced from Haynes Creek Vineyard. A fermentation split between French barriques (40 per cent), concrete egg (30 per cent) and 30 per cent in foudres and puncheons makes for an expressive, layered and textural wine albeit adding to Viognier’s inherent girth. Honeysuckle, honeydew, acacia blossoms and jasmine complete the package. Not shy, enjoy this off-dry and full-bodied wine solo, or alongside honey ribs.