Red Wine Yangarra Shiraz 2018. Yangarra is named after the Aboriginal word for from the earth”, a nod to the winery’s efforts to work in harmony with Mother Nature wherever possible. The estate’s 250 acres are set in the Blewitt Springs sub-region in the northeastern corner of McLaren Vale and are interspersed by creeks, vegetated areas and nature corridors to help preserve biodiversity. The estate is certified as both organic and biodynamic, and many of the vines are traditional bush vines planted as far back as 1946. The Shiraz wines made by Yangarra are different to the classic big, bold McClaren Vale style thanks to the cooler climate. The grapes for this wine are sourced from 20 year old vines located in Kangarilla which are carefully sorted and selected before vinification. The fruit is fermented in open-top tanks using wild yeasts to give the wine its own unique personality. The young wine is then aged in French oak barrels for 12 months and bottled without fining. Lusciously rich, dense dark fruit dominates on the nose, followed by gentler hints of toast, winter spice and savoury herbs. On the palate there’s a generous full body complemented by firm tannins and a well-developed structure. Ripe fruit flavours linger on the tongue, ending in a long, spiced finish which invites yet another sip. Cellar for a few more years or enjoy now with barbecued meats, steak, or fresh pasta with a rich ragu sauce.
2018
Red Wine Yangarra Shiraz 2018
Red Wine Yarra Yering Pinot Noir 2018. No need to decant but best to open it an hour before service. Founded in 1969 by Dr. Bailey Carrodous in South East Australia, Yarra Yering has grown into one of the most iconic and influential wineries in the Yarra Valley over the decades. In this small piece of land in the north of the Gruyère sub-region, there are some of the most important Pinot Noir vineyards in the entire region planted in 1969 by Dr. Bailey Carrodous. Today the production is managed by the talented winemaker Sarah Crowe. Pinot Noir grapes are harvested by hand. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 10 months in French barrels of which only 30% of new oak, to avoid an excessive weight of the woody aromas and to maintain the fruity character of the grape. In the glass, the Yarra Yering Pinot Noir shows a bright purple color. On the nose, there are aromas of violet and cherry mixed with light notes of anise. In the mouth the flavors of red fruit and cherry are explosive. But the wine still shows a great elegance with fine and silky tannins and a medium but firm body that makes it extremely balanced and ready to drink immediately. It is a structured and concentrated wine, capable of aging and evolving, and with a bolder character than most of the Pinot Noirs in the area. Have it with duck or poultry game.
2018
Red Wine Capcanes Peraj Petita Kosher 2018. The charming village of Capcanes in Catalonia has made wines since the 1200s. Today it is home to one of the region’s most successful cooperatives, the Celler de Capcanes, which was founded in 1933 by five local families. They saw an opportunity to work together to improve the quality and efficiency of their winemaking practices, and over the years the cooperative has enjoyed immense success and growth as many local producers have joined the family. In 1995 the cooperative set out an exciting new project after Barcelona’s small Jewish community contacted the winery about producing kosher wines. Today the cooperative is known all over the world for its excellent kosher wines like the Peraj Petita which is made under supervision of a local rabbi and is a mevushal wine. The Peraj Petita is crafted from indigenous Garnacha, Samso, and Ull de Llebre grapes which are sourced from old vines planted on hillside vineyards. On the nose there are enticing notes of crushed wild berries, dark plums and sweet baking spice. The first sip reveals a medium body, ripe tannins, and rich dark fruit flavours which linger long on the tongue.
2018