WEEKEND WINE PICKS
Jackson Estate Stich Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $19.99 I 89/100
UPC:
9416564981012
A much better rendition this year beginning with a less aggressive attitude in the glass. The style is smooth, the nose is aromatic, crammed with fresh, melon fruit scents with a cut of citrus. The attack is juicy, almost watery at the start before a textural, creamy, leesy, mid-palate kicks in with a mineral, mango, pear kiwi undercurrent. Scallops or oysters are the match.
Lang Vineyards Farm Reserve Riesling 2017, Okanagan Valley $20 I 89/100
UPC:
626990020684
The Reserve is a slightly drier version of the Select Harvest made more in the Alsace style but it is equally delicious. A little less sugar gives it a higher complexity quotient to go along with the fresh, crunchy, apple-pear-yellow fruit mid-palate that is much cleaner than last year. This is the perfect pulled pork wine or serve with a spicy chicken stir-fry. Private wine shops, grocery stores.
Riebeek Cellars Shiraz 2016, South Africa
$12.99 I 87/100
UPC:
6004944000199
This wine is a star. The key: It comes from the Riebeek Valley, renowned for Shiraz wines and Swartland is the uber-hip sub-region where young people rule the winemaking. I’m betting good genes, information sharing and peer pressure have given this wine all it needs and more for $12.99. It’s fruity, peppery, meaty and balanced. Try this with most any grilled meats, especially pork sausages.
Beyond Broke Road Heathcote Shiraz 2016, Heathcote, Victoria, Australia
$20.99 I 87/100
UPC:
093452002234
Heathcote’s dry central Victorian climate with cool nights and warm days, is home to this Shiraz fruit. The maturation is in older French oak for a year. The nose is slightly reduced under screwcap so be sure to splash decant and get some air on it. On the palate, it is all plums and mulberry with a lick of chocolate. Firm, spicy, linear and warm, it finishes fresh with a hint of minerality. A solid hamburger red.
Domaine Franck Millet Sancerre Rouge 2015, Sancerre, Upper Loire, Loire, France
$25.99 I 90/100
UPC:
3523867094069
This 100 per cent Pinot Noir Sancerre rouge is grown on clay soils, which accounts for the middle weight in an otherwise silky, low alcohol red that slides down effortlessly. The attack is fresh and juicy with a balance of floral, cherry fruit flavours and a light dusting of forest floor before a long, balanced, mineral finish. The perfect summer red for grilled salmon steaks.