WEEKEND WINE PICKS
Vina Esmeralda Sunset Edition Moscatel — Gewürztraminer 2020, Catalunya, Spain $15.49 I 89/100
UPC: 08410113001139
For decades, Vina Esmeralda has been a steady performer for the Torres family. The blend is Moscatel de Alejandría and Gewürztraminer, and the result is a medium-sweet, aromatic Mediterranean white with orange blossoms and mandarin on a creamy, highly spiced mid-palate. The finish, while short, is clean and fruit-packed. Serve cold with a favourite Thai curry.
Tohu Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $24.99 I 90/100
UPC: 9421003130012
Tohu is sourced entirely from vineyards located in Marlborough's Awatere Valley. The nose has a fantastic aromatic effect that draws you into the glass. Orange, lemon grass, and passion fruit are all in balance, reducing the usual aggressive nose that can plague many Kiwi Sauvignons.
The attack is equally well-balanced with more ripe, juicy, sweet mandarin, a dash of pink grapefruit, and a mineral, fresh citrus finish. The Awatere Valley is cooler, drier, and windier overall than other sub-regions of Marlborough, leading to an even longer growing season and a ripeness few can claim.
Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay Mclean Creek Road Vineyard 2020, Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada $32.26 I 91/100
UPC: 808755006809
In what has been described as a terrific year for Chardonnay in Okanagan Falls, you can look for a bright citrus, nutty, stony, mineral character that permeates, delivering just the right level of complexity to hold your interest throughout.
It is all you could want for the price. Given all the worries about smoke taint in 2021, mainly over red wines involving skin contact in the south Okanagan, now is the time to secure a supply of top-flight 2020s to see you through next year.
Paul Mas Côté Mas Rosé Aurore 2020, Sud de France, France $14.99 I 87/100
UPC: 3760040432113
If you are eager to kick off rosé season, let Jean Claude Mas help you out with his passion for the south of France and what he terms “Le Luxe Rural.” This litre-bottle of juicy, fruity rosé comes with a pale pink hue and bright strawberry, raspberry flavours that charm from the first glass to the last. A Grenache/cinsault/syrah mix has all the elements to turn a patio into a luxurious country setting. Fantastic value, too, in a one-litre package. Back up the truck.
Clos de los Siete 2017, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Mendoza, Argentina $27.99 I Score 91/100
UPC: 3258691254579 Michel Rolland, the world-renowned Bordeaux winemaker, partnered with other Bordeaux families to develop seven vineyards on 2,000 acres in the Uco Valley of Mendoza.
The plan was to have an “ambassador” wine made with fruit drawn from across the project that Rolland would put together each year. Today Clos de los Siete is a blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and a little Petit-verdot and Cabernet Franc. The fruit is Uco, but the styling is all Bordeaux, and it is polished and elegant.
It represents France and Argentina's best, offering restraint and rich, powerful black fruit with a strong sense of terroir. The tannins are dense but supple and will only disappear as time slips away.
It's a delicious wine at a fair price that you need to decant at the moment or that you can cellar for five to seven more years until it reaches its peak.