Some Wines of Summer

July has been a wonderful month for eating outdoors and sipping wines into the evening.  We’ve taken maximum advantage, sometimes on our own and sometimes with friends. The barbecue has been busy! I am catching up on my postings on this rare rainy day by documenting some of our recent bottles.

Italy has been a frequent choice this month, with selections from Opimian as well as locally available wines. I have been lukewarm in my appreciation of the Sangiovese based wines of Chianti from Tuscany – I have found some that I enjoy, but many I find to be on the thin side, and acidic. The wines of Morellino di Scansano, also Sangiovese and also from Tuscany, have been a revelation. Both the Roggiano (C247-9040) and Benefizio Riserva (C247-9025) were excellent – smooth, rounded, and full of fruit. Scores, respectively: 16/Very Good, and 16.5/Very Good.

The Grillo Chardonnay 2016 (C247-9041) had a brilliant lemon meringue, lemon custard aroma, ‎with a floral accent, and reminded me of Purity lemon creme crackers. Score: 15/Very Good. The Primitivo Colpasso 2016 (C247-9046) was a brilliant purple. It had big fruit as one expects with this grape, but not overblown, and proved quite delicious with spicy sausage. Score: 14.5/Good.

Locally available Italian wines included the Tommasi Surani Arthemis Fiano (NLC $18.00) from Puglia which was full-flavoured with pear and lime, and supported with fresh, lively acidity. Score:14.5/Good. The Umani Ronchi Jorio Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (NLC $19.99) showed brilliant fruit with soft, smooth tannins in a full-bodied, structured package. Score:15/Very Good. A Valpolicella from Tommasi, the Rafael (NLC $22.00), had juicy dark cherry fruit and very smooth tannins – good value. Score: 15/Very Good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moving away from Italy there were many more selections. South Africa was represented by a Sutherland Cabernet/Petit Verdot 2011 from Elgin (NLC $22.73) which showed prime Cab fruit of cassis backed with the inky flavours of Petit Verdot. It was smooth and supple and I scored it 16/Very Good.

Viña la Rosa (Opimian supplier) has been studying Carmenère for a long time and I believe they may be making the best in the world right now. Their Cornellana Carmenère Barrel Reserve Winemakers Selection 100% Carmenère 2014, Cachapoal Valley (C246-8960), was rich dark red in colour, with a spicy nose of black cherry and black currant, touches of cinnamon, maybe cloves, showing sweet fruit in mouth with silky tannins. Score: 17/Exceptional.

O. Fournier produces wines in Chile, Argentina, and Spain. This year’s Founders Choice selection for Opimian (C246-8966) is Chilean and comes from two very old vineyards in Maule, the oldest being the majority of the blend, Cabernet Franc, with vines over 100 years of age. The finesse and subtle complexity of this wine is hard to fully appreciate without a glass in hand. Score: 17/Exceptional.

Berton Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, High Eden, 2016 (C244-8815) features twice in the photos because it is simply the perfect refreshing drink this summer – fresh and lively, and also an excellent pairing with fish. Score: 15.5/Very Good. Last year I visited the vineyard that produced the Barbera for the Hastwell and Lightfoot 2013 Founders Choice (C244-8841) and had to open a bottle as soon as it arrived. The wine has wonderful fruit expression in a well structured, but drinkable, envelope. Score: 16/Very Good.

I’ve written about the Anciano Gran Reserva (NLC $17.80) before, and it remains a very good value for good Spanish Tempranillo. Score: 15/Very Good. And when the wine is done for the evening, perhaps a sip of some good old Irish Whiskey from West Cork is in order!

 

 

Our month concluded with a night of wine exploration with a group of friends which we combined with a pizza tasting. The pizzas, cooked in an outdoor, wood-fired oven were marvellous, and were complemented by some equally marvellous, and interesting wines. The theme for the wine tasting was “strange, rare, or unusual”. Contributions included both a Zinfandel and a Savagnin from Australia, a well-aged Szekszárdi from Hungary, “port” from British Columbia, a wine aged in a buried barrel from Nova Scotia, and a Turkish wine which impressed everyone.

I can only hope that August brings similar weather and similar wine tasting experiences!