New Wines Represent Fine Quality/Price Ratio

Several New wines have come my way and represent fine value. I have included the name of each country and its producer/wine importer 

Basileus Shiraz

Country: Australia

Vintage: 2018

Region: Barossa Valley

Grape Variety: Shiraz                    $21.95                      94.5/100 points

Colour: Very Dark Red, clear with no particles

Nose: Ripe dark fruit such as blue berry and black berry, refined vanilla spice, pepper notes with meat flavours such as bacon and spiced beef.

Palate: Full bodied with big tannin structure, muscular yet has elegance.   

Comments: A truly nice food wine that will complement meat dishes and game. The price is reasonable. Barossa with its very old vines produces some true benchmark wine.  

Wine Company: Angove Family Winemakers

Wine Importer: The Case For Wine 

Dalva Branco Douro 2018         $12.95                        93 points/100

Country: Portugal

Region: Douro

Grape Variety:            Viosinho, Malvasia Fina, Codega

Colour: Light yellow, brilliant and clear

Nose: Floral, mango, passion fruit, banana, citrus

Palate: Light bodied, pleasant and lingering with ripe fruit/light refreshing acid finish.

Comments: Interesting light wine that would be a super aperitif. Great for seafood.

Wine Agency: The Case for Wine

Producer: C. da Silva not to be confused with Casa Silva of Chile.

Dalva  Tinto Douro 2016     $12.95                             92/100 points

Country:  Portugal  

Region: Douro

Grape Variety:    Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinto Roriz (Tempranillo)

Nose: Ripe red berries, pepper spice, fig, vanilla wood

Palate: Full bodied with good balance/integration with nice lasting finish

Comments: Capable for aging at least three more years if not more. The wine is capable of complementing meat dishes and stews. Nice price/quality ratio.  

Wine Agency: The Case For Wine

Producer: C. da Silva (not to be confused with Casa Silva of Chile)

Name: Domaine La Decelle  Valreas 2017 (Reserve)        $17:00         Vintages #14391                                          94.5/100 Points 

Country: France

Region: Cote du Rhone Villages Valreas

Grape Variety: 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah

Colour: Dark red, clear, no debris 

Nose: Wine is young and somewhat closed but exposure to air evolves into dark fruit such as blackberry, plum, black raspberry with notes of vanilla, pepper spice, burnt leaves/cigar

Palate: Full bodied with excellent mouth feel, silky smooth with elegant tannin structure. Integrated and balanced. Dark and red fruit with a bitter almond finish that persists. Very nice wine

Comments:  From a region where wine making goes back hundreds of years and sparked an interest from the Pope in the 14th Century. It lies in the heart of the Enclaves de Papes (Valreas is only some 49 minutes away from Châteauneuf du Pape and 62 minutes from Avignon). The vines are old and bear concentrated fruit as is evident in this wine.  While lovely to drink now, this wine will certainly improve with three to six years of ageing if one can keep his/her hands off it! An amazing wine at the above price!  

Agency: Marchands des Ameriques

Producer: Frederic Lavau  

Monteci Roveiago Rosso

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto (Verona)

Grape Variety:    Corvina, Rondinella, Merlot                                93/100 points

Colour: Red, clear almost brilliant with no debris

Nose: Ripe red fruit,  floral rose, vegetal nuances

Palate: Medium Body, clean and fresh taste, round with pleasant soft finish.

Comment: Pleasant drinking with pizza, grilled meat and cold cuts.

Agency: The Case For Wine

Producer: Family Monteci

                        

Monteci Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso 2016                          94/100 points 

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto (Valpolicella)

Grape Variety:  Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Osleleta 

Colour: Dark red, clear and no debris

Nose: Dark fruit, vanilla wood, caramel, licorice, earth, floral violets

Palate: Full bodied, firm tannin, powerful but balanced, long lingering finish

Comments: Stainless steel fermented then 24 months in second hand barriques and 24 months in oak barrels.

 A rich wine with flavour filled stews, game, beef.  Great quality/price ratio. 

Agency: The Case for Wine 

Producer: Family Monteci