Red Wine Glaetzer Wallace 2020. The Glaetzer family emigrated to Barossa from Brandenberg in Germany in 1888, becoming one of the first families to start making wine in the valley. Colin Glaetzer decided to found his own family winery in 1995 after working for other local producers including Barossa Valley Estate. Before long his son Ben followed in his footsteps and in 2004 he was awarded Qantas Young Winemaker of the Year aged just 26. The Glaetzer philosophy centres around small batch production of exceptional Barossa wines made from both classic local varieties as well as newer grapes from Italy and other European countries. Wallace is the Glaetzer interpretation of a traditional GSM or Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre blend. The fruit is sourced from vineyards in the cooler Ebenezer sub-region in the northernmost part of the Barossa Valley which are planted with 50-80 year old Syrah and 50-100 year old Grenache. Thanks to the intensity and complexity of the old vine Grenache fruit, this component of the blend does not need to spend long in oak. In contrast, the Syrah is aged in used oak barrels for 16 months before the blending and bottling takes place. This helps to create an incredibly rich and concentrated red with ample dark berry, plum, dried fruit and spiced notes. From the Shiraz there is a generous full body and very long spicy finish while the Grenache adds a well-rounded, smooth texture and ripe tannins.
2020
Red Wine Glaetzer Wallace 2020
Red Wine Charles Smith CasaSmith Cinghiale Sangiovese 2020. Named Winemaker of the Year by both Food & Wine and by Wine Enthusiast magazines, Charles Smith has a stellar reputation for making elegant and poised Washington State wines from non-traditional grape varieties. The former rock band manager actually taught himself how to make wine after returning from touring Europe, and celebrated his first vintage in 1999 with 330 cases of Syrah. This charming Sangiovese is crafted with fruit from the Wahluke Slope and Rosebud vineyards. Once in the winery the fruit is fermented in stainless steel tanks and then aged for 10 months in neutral French oak vessels. This gentle approach avoids overwhelming the natural character of the grape and preserves plenty of freshness and aromatics. Strawberry, ripe cherry and hints of orange immediately burst out of the glass followed by deeper undertones of dried flowers and spice. The first sip reveals a medium body, punchy tannins, and a refreshing burst of acidity on the finish which helps to cleanse the palate. Elegance and poise are the main features of this wine, making it a great choice to pair with a generous charcuterie and cheese platter, roasted meats, or tomato-based pasta dishes.
2020
Red Wine Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 2020. One of the oldest and largest châteaux in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the historic Chateau La Nerthe estate can be traced right back to 1560 when it was founded by the Tulle de Villefranche family. In recent years it has established a reputation for well-made Châteauneuf-du-Pape reds as well as the lesser-known white Châteauneuf-du-Pape like this bottling. In total the chateau has 92 hectares of vineyards which are divided into 57 distinct plots, allowing the winemakers to pick and choose exactly what goes into each cuvee. This particular white is composed of Grenache Blanc and Roussanne along with a dash of Clairette and Bourboulenc for extra complexity. The vines are planted on sandy soils scattered with the region’s characteristic large galets stones which are thought to enhance the elegance and finesse of the wine. There’s also a natural stream and woodland close by which helps to cool down the vineyards at night during the warm summer months to preserve freshness and varietal typicity. In the glass there’s an enticing golden yellow hue with hints of ripe apricots, peaches, and vanilla spice from the 9 months of ageing in oak barrels. On the palate there’s a solid core of ripe orchard fruit balanced by zingy citrus and hints of ginger on the long finish. Thanks to the intensity and purity of this wine, it’s a great option to cellar for a few more years or enjoy now with dishes like roast chicken, risottos, or grilled fish served in a creamy sauce.
2020