cube3087

Parajes Del Valle Monastrell 2022, D.O.P. Jumilla

Organic monastrell (mourvèdre) from Jumilla.

Trendy, and delicious, pure monastrell, crafted in a lighter, zestier, more herbal and complex style than the mean, at a very attractive price. If it were listed at $30 I wouldn't have batted a lid

Montgras Antu Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Do Maipo Valley

A sapid cabernet sauvignon from the single vineyard Las Araucarias in the Alto Maipo. Salty with fresh black fruit, violets, and a hint of graphite.

Great colour, bitter on the finish before trying with food. With chili/brisket, bitter finish lessened. Overall, wouldn't buy again.

Apostolos Thymiopoulos Atma 2021, Pgi Macedonia

Gérard Bertrand Réserve Spéciale Viognier 2023, Igp Pays D'oc

A medium yellow coloured, ripe, creamy quite substantial viognier here from Bertrand, shockingly flavourful and concentrated at the price - this is a remarkable wine for the money. It's dripping with peach/apricot/orchard fruit with violets and honeysuckle at levels expected in examples at twice the price or more.

Chateau De Durette Les Bruyères Régnié 2023, Ac

The nose is bright and very fruit-driven with raspberry/cherry fruit, red rose and a touch of peppery spice. It is light to medium bodied, almost crisp and firm but not tart, with some heat. Tannins are mild. The length is very good, trailing some granitic minerality.

Smooth and fruity with some zip; peppery finish - very nice. Thumbs up from R/K.

Ernie Els Big Easy 2021, Wo Western Cape

A shiraz-led blend, with cabernet sauvignon, mourvèdre, viognier, grenache and cinsault, this is a well balanced red, soft and succulent, with just a hint of medicinal iodine joining resinous herbs; oak is well-managed, not excessive. Length is very good . In sum, a wine of solid structure and depth at this price, another fine value from South Africa.

Mathilde Chapoutier Orsuro Rosé 2024, Ap Côtes De Provence

This fine, dry rose is made by Mathilde Chapoutier, daughter of Michel Chapoutier, one of the leading winemakers in the south of France. It is based on grenache and other staple varieties of the region. The colour is bright, luminous classic Provencal pink. The nose has good lift with strawberry, peach, grapefruit and mild saffron. It is light to mid-weight, firm and dry with a slightly bitter finish. The length is excellent. There is vitality and depth here.

Malivoire Che Bello Sparkling, VQA Ontario

Creekside Red Tractor Cabernet Franc 2020, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Nero Carbone Basilicata Rosso 2019, Igt

Here's a terrific value from the slopes of Monte Vulture in northern Basilicata, an authentic aglianico, fragrant, herbal, spicy, leathery and dried black fruit-inflected in the regal regional idiom. Tannins are nicely refined at this stage, still appropriately grippy, and acids in place.