The following selection of international reviews, from Argentina, France, New Zealand, U.S.A, South Africa and Australia, have appeared in various wine magazines and publications recently. They have all been tasted and reviewed by Wines In Niagara and re-republished below.
Argentina
Zorzal Wines Climax Malbec 2008, Mendoza ($45, 92 points) — Zorzal’s top tier wine offers up Malbec in its purest and most thrilling expression. An enthralling nose of cherry, summer raspberry, boysenberry, toasted oak and concentrated currants. This is a beautifully poised and balanced wine in the mouth with layered spices of clove and nutmeg, fine oak vanilla and cocoa, and a plethora of ripe currants, red fruits and firm tannins. A true beauty that will improve for 5 or more years in the cellar. Pair with grilled beef or lamb.
Bodega Catena Malbec 2009, Mendoza ($20, 92) — Argentina’s signature grape, Malbec, is well-represented here by this gorgeous wine. A nose of black cherry, cassis, pepper, cedar, black olive, plums and spices. It is rich and dense on the palate with extracted cassis and currants and bolstered by lavish spices through the smooth and polished finish. Try with duck breast or grilled sausage.
Bodega Norton Reserva Malbec 2009, Mendoza ($18, 89) — A nice nose of cassis, currants, violets, toasted oak and mocha notes. It’s bold and juicy on the palate with an array of dark fruits and integrated spice with good acidity and balance.
Manos Negras Malbec 2007, Mendoza ($15, 89) — A nose of violets, perfumed red fruits and lovely soft spices. It’s a very different style of Malbec, more refined and elegant than most with black cherry fruit, gorgeous floral notes and lightly toasted oak vanilla that’s all beautifully balanced through the finish.
Zorzal Wines Malbec Reserve 2008, Mendoza ($25, 88) — A nose of ripe raspberry, oak spice, mineral, violets and red plums. The red fruits are on full display in the mouth with spice and vibrant acidity woven in. It has fine texture and balance through the finish and notes of tar and Espresso bean.
Bodega Norton Privada 2008, Mendoza ($25, 91) — A fabulous red blend of Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that shows very thick, rich and layered currants, leather, boysenberry and sandalwood on the nose. Such a complex and layered red wine on the palate with ripe dark fruits, balanced spices and firm tannic structure.
La Posta Cocina Tinto 2010, Mendoza ($13, 88) — A sleek nose of concentrated cherry-blueberry, earth, baking spices and oak. A very nice blend of Malbec, Syrah and Bonarda for the price with rich red fruits, currants, blueberry and sweet spices that are soft and juicy through the finish.
Decero Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Mendoza ($20, 88 points) — From Mendoza, Argentina, this Cab has a beautiful nose of currants, blackberry, cedar and spice. It’s juicy on the palate with savoury and vibrant red and dark fruits that persist through the finish. Very tasty and a steal at this price.
Bodega Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Mendoza ($15, 87 points) — From the Catena Zapata family of wines, look for blackberry, Espresso, toasted oak and an interesting lean and minty note on the nose. This is a juicy cab but not flabby at all with delicious cherry, raspberry and currants to go with deliciously integrated spices and plenty of racy acidity. Serve with grilled steaks.
Luca G Lot Chardonnay 2010, Mendoza ($30, 92) — Like the Zorzal wines, the fruit for this Chardonnay comes from the high elevation Uco Valley. What a gorgeous nose of creamy peach, minerality, subtle spices and touches of apricot and citrus. It possesses gorgeous, well-defined stone fruit in the mouth with lovely spice, vanilla and minerals wrapped around a core of bright acidity. So delicious and elegant. Would pair well with broiled P.E.I. lobster slathered in butter.
Zorzal Pinot Noir Reserve 2009, Mendoza ($25, 91) — Now this is something! Aromas of black cherry, raspberry, a riot of spices, cloves, wood smoke and toasty vanilla oak stylings. Quite structured on the palate with the red fruits joined by touches of blueberry and bramble with mocha-vanilla spice all delivered on a firm tannic backbone. Could cellar for a few years to let everything come into harmony.
Zorzal Wines Pinot Noir 2009, Mendoza ($16, 88) — It’s so nice to see different varieties being attempted in Agentina, especially from the cooler regions such as the high elevation Uco Valley. This Pinot is quite earthy on the nose with expressive black cherry, tobacco leaf and spice. The red fruits on the palate are delivered on a silky smooth frame with notes of cedar and a hint of pepper.
France
Jean-Paul Brun Terres Dorees Morgon 2010, Beaujolais ($29, 89) — Brun farms from some of the highest altitudes in Beaujolais and ages half the juice for this wine in older oak barrels. Such a rich and inviting nose of field raspberry, strawberry, violets, game and barely a hint of spice. It’s not refined at all, but rather wild in its presentation on the palate with raspberry-cherry fruits migrating to darker berries, roasted meats and light garnishing spices. A wondrous wine.
New Zealand
The People’s Pinot Noir 2010, New Zealand ($17, 88) — From Central Otago in New Zealand, this cleverly packaged Pinot shows ripe red fruits, a note of earthy underbrush, campfire smoke, cedar and spice. It is velvety smooth on the palate with rustic red fruits, and soft tannins through the finish.
The People’s Pinot Gris 2010, New Zealand ($17, 87 points) — The nose shows ripe melon, peach and touches of pear and spice. It’s zippy and friendly on the palate with broad, expressive flavours of pear, apple and light spice. Smooth and delicious.
Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Pinot Noir 2010, New Zealand ($20, 88) — A nose of ripe cherry-vanilla, raspberry and wild berry with a savoury touch. The palate shows mature cherry flavours, savoury herbs, woodsy-oaky notes with earth and clove on a smooth and silky frame.
Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon 2011, New Zealand ($16, 89) — Aromas of gooseberry, grapefruit, lime and a stream of fresh herbs. The fruits turn a bit tropical on the palate with vibrant gooseberry and lime all integrating nicely through the finish. Serve with seasonal vegetables, seafood or chicken.
USA
Ravenswood Sonoma County Old Vines Zinfandel, California ($22, 88) — A nose of plum, cherries, cassis, currants, smoky cedar, spice and sandalwood-clove notes. Just lovely on the palate with grit and tannin to match ripe dark and red fruits, mocha-vanilla spices, and a lingering finish. Serve with smoked ribs.
South Africa
Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011, South Africa ($12, 87) — South Africa continues to be a source of solid and affordable every day wines especially with varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz. This has fresh gooseberries, grapefruit, lime and subtle herbaceous notes on the nose. It’s fresh and vibrant on the palate with lively citrus, lime and racy acidity.
Durbanville Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2011, South Africa ($12, 86) — Refreshing nose of grapefruit, zesty citrus, lime and some pear fruit. It has delicious tropical fruits, citrus and herbaceous notes on the palate in a fresh, clean style. Pair with seafood pasta.
Flat Roof Manor Pinot Grigio 2011, South Africa ($11, 87) — The nose shows peach, citrus and white flowers. It’s broad on the palate with summer peach and sweet apricot flavours. Serve with light salads and cold meats.
Durbanville Hills Shiraz 2009, South Africa ($12, 87) — An inviting nose of plums, prunes, blackberry, mocha, vanilla and smoky-peppery notes. The black fruits are generous on the palate and bolstered by baking spices and pepper. It’s a nicely aged Shiraz with a smooth delivery.
Flat Roof Manor Merlot 2010, South Africa ($11, 86) — Notes of cherry-kirsch, blueberry and sweet vanilla spice on the nose. It’s an easy-drinking red on the palate with a core of sweet cherry and cassis fruit and light oak spice.
Australia
Rosemount Diamond Label Pinot Grigio 2010, Australia ($14, 86) — This well-established Australian producer has always delivered quality wines at great prices. The Pinot Grigio has a refreshing nose of melon, pear, grapefruit, citrus and green apple. On the palate look for apple and citrus notes that are refreshing and crisp. For something completely different, try this wine with salt and vinegar potato chips. It’s unusually good.
Rosemount Diamond Label Shiraz 2010, Australia ($16, 88) — A spicy and expressive nose of plump plums, warm summer cherries, currants and black pepper. The fruit is ripe and juicy on the palate and lifted by peppery spices. It’s smooth and soft through the finish. Classic pairing with grilled steaks.
Rosemount Shiraz Cabernet 2010, Australia ($12, 87) — A blend nearly evenly split between Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. The nose shows blackberries, currants, raspberry and minty spices. It’s smooth on the palate with an array of dark fruits and balanced spice to go with a touch of eucalyptus. Try with prime rib.
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