Here’s a pair of freshly released, perennially reliable and well-priced reds, as well as exceptionally valued Sauvignon Blanc you need to track down while it’s still available.
We’re sorta covering the globe with this trio. Were you to fly to each of these three wineries from Toronto—first to Leyda Valley, Chile, then to Rioja, Spain, and then to Clare Valley South Australia, and then home again, it would cover 52,666 kms.
Or you could just drive to the local LCBO and save the planet!
Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 — South Australia ($19.95)
The telltale After Eight dinner mint nose always gives this one away. The fruit is dark: blackcurrant, blackberry, blueberry, with a little black cherry thrown in. Beyond the eucalyptus, the secondary notes of cassis, chocolate and vanilla round it out. The alcohol is 14.5%, but the wine—medium+ in body—is so well balanced that it’s not hot at all on the nose or palate. 89
Altanza Reserva Rioja 2016 — Rioja, Spain ($23.95)
There’s softly spiced, rich, concentrated sour black cherry and raspberries, with herbal, espresso and balsamic notes to this Tempranillo here. Super length and juicy acidity—still tasting young and vibrant despite its 21 months of barrel aging and extra five years in the bottle. While it’s quite flexible on the food-pairing side, the winery recommends “roasted stews, mainly grilled meats, grilled blue fish and white fish in sauce.” The extended age you get for under $25 is crazy, but 2016 is a particularly epic vintage for Spain, so there’s that huge bonus too! 91
Leyda Garuma Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc — Leyda Valley, Chile ($17.95)
Here’s a superior value. Leyda’s location, on the west side of the Chilean Coastal Range, just four kilometres from the Pacific, allows for slow ripening in cool conditions and a slightly salty brine to this Sauvignon Blanc. Increasing attention to sustainable vineyard practices seems to have only upped the quality from this multiple-award-winning winery. While still crisp and mouth-watering, there’s texture (20% was aged in oak barrels), depth and great length. And while the expected citrus notes resonate, it’s the vegetal qualities that stand out—bell pepper, asparagus and herbs. The winery suggests pairing it up with artichokes, goat’s cheese or sundried tomatoes. But just drinking it on its own on the patio this summer will do just fine. 91
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