The Hedonistic Taster
2019 Emerging Wine Regions Edition
by L.M. Archer
Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer
The Hedonistic Taster provides an intimate format for me to share industry trade sample with you.
Ring in the new year with this exclusive selection of wines from emerging wine regions worldwide, including South Africa, Spain, Sud de France, Italy, and New Zealand.
Disclaimer: No compensation is received; all opinions expressed are that of the author.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Alois Lageder Schiava – Alto Adige DOC
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 11 %
Suggested Retail: $ 16
Robe: Pellucid garnet robe.
Nose: An initial, sulfuric-like whiff blows off to reveal almond, red currant, and white pepper aromas.
Bouche: Tart red currant, rhubarb, and white pepper on the palate; light body, well balanced acids and tannins dissolving into a savory, slightly bitter finish. Reminiscent of a granite-grown Beaujolais.
More about Alois Lageder here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Bodegas Paniza Fábula de Paniza – D.O.P. Cariñena, Spain
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 13.5%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 8.99
Robe: Delightful salmon hue.
Nose: Summer strawberries!
Bouche: Light body, refreshing acids, super-vibrant finish. A remarkable find for the price.
More about Bodegas Paniza here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Bodegas San Valero Particular Chardonnay – D.O.P. Cariñena, Spain
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 12.5%
Suggested Retail: $ 10
Robe: Clear pale gold robe.
Nose: White and yellow fruit.
Bouche: Wowza! Clean, crisp, inviting value summer quaffer. Super-impressed with this little breakout beauty. Amazing quality for the price.
More about Bodegas San Volero here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: El CIrco Payaso Garnacha Rosé – D.O.P. Cariñena, Spain
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 13%
Suggested Retail: $ 9.99
Robe: Burnished copper robe.
Nose: White cherry, tangelo, stone fruit aromas.
Bouche: Grapefruit, nectarine, rainier cherry bouche; snappy acids. Light-medium body, snappy acids, zesty finish. Textured enough to pair with tapas.
More about Grandes Vinos of Cariñena here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Capensis Chardonnay – Western Cape, South Africa
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 14.%
Suggested Retail: $ 80 / 1000 cases; each bottle numbered.
Robe: Regal gold robe.
Nose: Slightly toasty nose that opens into warm, yellow fruit aromas, with a hint of sea foam and fynbos.
Bouche: All the finesse of a Meursault, with a taut, inner verve totally unique to South Africa. Impeccable structure, elegant finish. So beautiful.
NOTE: ‘Capensis’ means ‘from the Cape,’ which boast a 400-year-old wine growing history.
The label represents symbols indigenous to South Africa: A graceful springbok, which is a native gazelle, the versatile Marula tree, a King Protea which is a national flower of South Africa, and a Zulu shield.
More about Capensis here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: La Forge Estate Chardonnay – Pays D’Oc – Languedoc, France
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13.5%
Suggested Retail: $ 12.99
Robe: Clean, golden hue.
Nose: Yellow apple on the nose.
Bouche: Fleshy yellow apple follows through on the palate, with a slight kiss of oak. Light-medium body, perfectly poised acids and tannins, discrete finish. Great quality-to-value pour.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Paul Mas Reserve Pinot Noir – St. Hilaire Vineyard, Pays d’Oc, Languedoc FR.
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 13%
Suggested Retail: $ 13.99
Robe: Deep garnet robe.
Nose: Potpourri, dusky underbrush ripe red fruit aromas.
Bouche: Dark red fruit and savory, garrigue notes on the palate; surprising light body, balanced acids and tannins, lingering finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Château de Crès Ricards ‘Stécia’ – Terrasses du Larzac, FR.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 14.5%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 19.99
Robe: Inky garnet robe.
Nose: Red apple skin, garrique, umami notes.
Bouche: Dark red fruit bouche; medium body. Balanced acids, tannins, silky finish.
More about Domaines Paul Mas here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Tenuta Sant’Antonio Famiglia Castagnedi “Nanfrè” Valpolicella Superiore DOC, IT.
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 12.5%
Suggested Retail: $ 15
Robe: Stunning bright ruby robe.
Nose: Vegetal, red cherry, black tea aromas carry through on the palate.
Bouche: Light body, well-balanced acids, tannins, elegant finish. Exceptional quality-to-value wine.
TASTING NOTES::
Wine: Tenuta Sant’Antonio Famiglia Castagnedi Monti Garbi Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore DOC, IT.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 14%
Suggested Retail: $ 22
Robe: Deep garnet robe.
Nose: Savory tomato leaf, soy sauce, red fruit aromas.
Bouche: Red plum, currant, umami-bomb back note. Medium body, balanced acids/tannins, smooth finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Tenuta Sant’Antonio Famiglia Castagnedi Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (IT) – Selezione Antonio Castagnedi
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 15%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 47
Robe: Deeply inked purple-garnet robe;
Nose: Tomato leaf, Worcester sauce, smoky notes carry through on the palate.
Bouche: Full-bodied, well-structured, smooth finish. For Bordeaux lovers who want to try something different with their entrecôte.
More about Tenuta Sant’Antonio here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Tenuta Tascante Carricante “Buonora” Etna Bianco DOC, IT.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 12%
Suggested Retail: $ 21
Robe: Clear gold robe.
Nose: Hawthorne, stone fruit, ripe yellow apple aromas.
Bouche: Bosc pear, fleshy yellow apple, quince bouche. Light body, elegant acids, well-structured, clean finish. Gorgeous pour.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Tenuta Tascante Nerello Mascalese “Ghiaia Nera” Etna DOC, IT.
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 13%
Suggested Retail: $ 21
Robe: Clear garnet robe.
Nose: Red currant, acerola, pomegranate aromas carry through on the palate.
Bouche: Light body, beautiful balance. Lovely quality to value wine.
More about Tenuta Tascante here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Loveblock Pinot Noir – Central Otago, NZ
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 13.5%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 29.99
Robe: Brilliant ruby robe.
Nose: Violet, sous bois, clove, dark cherry aromas.
Bouche: Uncomplicated, easy quaffer from the end of the world.
More about Loveblock here.
More Hedonistic Taster here.
Copyrighted 2019 L.M. Archer. All Rights Reserved.