Reviews

Juicy and forthright, with mulberry and loganberry pâte de fruit notes racing through, laced with anise, violet and red tea hints. Drink now through 2027. 945 cases made. Source : 08a468486f1b4a3252022d0d7260cc26

A juicy white, with crisp acidity and a lightly chalky texture enlivening notes of star fruit, melon, pink grapefruit pith and fresh herbs. Drink now. 5,000 cases made, 2,000 cases imported. Source : a1bb5d7e1d490a0e76f607cfd94d3499

A racy Gewürztraminer, boasting exuberant lychee, sappy peach and ginger layered with floral perfume. Despite the ripe lushness, this has good balance and definition, with dried green herbs, crushed stone and baking spices weaving through the lively, acidic finish. Drink now through 2028. 10,000 cases made, 3,500 cases imported. Source : ed4a8eff78874cc0076f71b901d57b19

Opens with whiffs of white pepper and fresh cedar, while the palate displays a nice core of fresh raspberry and red currant enlivened by fresh acidity. Lingers around fine tannins and a subtle tug of vanilla. Drink now. 40,000 cases made, 15,000 cases imported. Source : 7667ee15a7e83d7d239965a8b0063bcc

A vibrant red, featuring a dark, generous core of black and red currant fruit, tea leaves and mint, mocha and spices. This is appealing for its grace and integration, with light, taut tannins lending definition and poise. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2030. 17,083 cases made. Source : 1440348d1d64cfe738cedd7d0fdb5beb

Creamy notes of baked black cherry, dried fig and herbs show light, aromatic accents of licorice and cola in this balanced, light- to medium-bodied red, with hints of tar-tinged smoke. Drink now. 90,000 cases made, 57,000 cases imported. Source : b5a4b98ee4e09e3f8d9128c125163657

It’s with mixed emotions that I announce that today’s Wine In The Time of Coronavirus will be the last entry in the series. Given the state of the global pandemic, and the fact that folks like me are now being invited to travel the globe again in search of unsung vinous treasures to tell you about, it seems fitting that …

Fragrant and supple, with elegantly layered pear and passion fruit flavors that are highlighted by notes of lemon verbena and a hint of honey. Drink now through 2024. 1,819 cases made. Source : e06d3276d1a778fbc2ef5b99290253b1

Bold, this is brimming with roasted espresso bean and spiced blackberry pastry notes up front, which fold over onto the rich palate. Reveals plum and toasted herb accents, finishing with nice length and round tannins. Drink now through 2033. 30,000 cases made, 5,000 cases imported. Source : 1bd50b1f453a8d2b215845f51d811785

We recently paid a visit to Klein Constantia, part of Simon van der Stel’s Constantia estate and vineyard established in 1685. Over the ensuing 338 years the estate has seen many changes, including the 20th century creation of a state cooperative (KWV) that controlled almost all wine production and sales.  Klein Constantia resumed bottling under its own label in 1986 …

Spry and briary, this Zinfandel is fun to drink, with lively black cherry, licorice and dried sage flavors, which take on richness and cracked pepper accents toward zesty tannins. Drink now through 2031. 4,000 cases made. Source : 6b0b2feff9a6ecdf79e161ecc1ee1591

Delivers a terrific, lip-smacking mix of crunchy sea salt, toasted herbs and tropical flavors that show terrific purity to the Key lime, dried pineapple and passionfruit flavors at the core. Reveals intense acidity on the long finish. Drink now. 2,222 cases made. Source : 2930d74eb06a706c6349a5d148d82e69

This svelte, harmonious Gewürztraminer layers lively acidity and minerally stone and smoke accents with flavors of juicy nectarine, pink grapefruit sorbet, elderflower and ground ginger. Drink now through 2028. 500 cases imported. Source : e1adff0da43d8601b4e1c17545e0e0ec

Dark and juicy, this easy-drinking red offers light tannins and notes of brambly cherry and berries, smoke and spices. Drink now. 10,000 cases made, 3,000 cases imported. Source : fc7793832b0e3dd6b89df91aaa0ce265

Domaine Drouhin Oregon, Dundee Hills Estate: Mt Hood–left background, Mt Jefferson–right background Snow on the Coastal Range peaks, cold pouring rain in Portland, freezing temperatures in McMinnville; ahh…Thanksgiving Weekend 2022 in the Willamette Valley!  Perfect weather for tasting new releases from some of Willamette Valley’s top wineries? If the weather was chilly and the wines cool to taste, the welcome by …

This savory red is silky and refined in feel, with singed bay leaf and Nyons olive notes to the black cherry and plum core. Buoyed by fresh acidity, this finishes with fine tannins and details of singed orange peel. Drink now through 2030. 800 cases imported. Source : fdfa51c52ae60e7905300ba6b3fb3446

A generous, ripe red, with blackberry puree, sappy black licorice and violet notes that are round and supple on the palate. Gains balance from a refreshing beam of singed thyme and iron, while the finish is tied up nicely with firming, mesquite-tinged tannins. Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2025. Source : bc0cc7a0e35811b382fa625c3de07e21

A medium-bodied version, with a loam and mineral inlay to the cherry and black raspberry core, while lively acidity midpalate pushes the flavors onto the finish, picking up details of fresh thyme and olive. Drink now. 14,500 cases made, 3,000 cases imported. Source : 949e76b0d38bb661d637f82ee042cdf0

Crisp and straightforward, with snappy apple and spice flavors. Drink now. 12,500 cases made. Source : 81a8313f4b83138a9b889d318b4ffd34

2023 Harvest Merlot Arrives at the Manor House Meerlust and its Rubicon wine are iconic in South Africa. In 1693 Simon van der Stel, the first Governor of the Dutch Cape Colony, signed the deed to what is now the Meerlust estate to a German immigrant, who named it Meerlust (pleasure of the sea) due to its proximity to False …