Grapelive Wine of the Day
By Kerry Winslow
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2010 Jean Foillard, Morgon “Cote du Py” Cru Beaujolais, French Red.
This a classic Foillard vintage with sublime balance and texture, much like a wonderful Cru Burgundy in class and style, there is no question Faillard is a great artist and his wines masterpieces all. The 2010 shows strawberry, black currants, walnut and bing cherry with hints of briny truffle, fig paste and mineral tones all in a lively mid weight palate. The finish is sublime and long lasting with a refreshing crispness and focus. While not as heady as the 2009, this a prettier and more complex wine that should age extremely well.
($37 Est.) 94+ Points, grapelive
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Grapelive Wine of the Day
By Kerry Winslow
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2008 Weingut Willi Brundlmayer, Pinot Noir “Cecile” Kamptal, Austria.
This elegant Pinot Noir is really a gem with crushed rose petals, spicy minerals, red berries and subtle earthy essence. Brundlmayer is one of the top estates in the Wachau region of Austria and is based in Kamptal with lovely terraced vineyards near the Danube. This fantastic winery makes a stunning selection of top quality wines from a Champagne class or better sparkling wines to sublime Rieslings and Gruner Veltliners, but they also make one of the finest Pinot Noirs in the country, and it can often rival the more well known Burgundy domaines and German Spatburgunders. Without question, I think the 2008 “Cecile” is the best yet with such silky texture, life and complexity it just sings and does so with massive sex appeal. The palate is round and filling with soft cherry, raspberry and plum fruits, mineral rocky tones, truffle notes and lively acidity with a sublime finish that goes on for minutes. Truly world class and beautiful, if you can find some you’ll be thrilled.
($58 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
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Grapelive Wine of the Day
By Kerry Winslow
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2008 Casale del Giglio, Shiraz (Syrah) Lazio IGT Rosso, Italy.
This big and fruit driven Syrah comes from the western edge of Lazio, north of Rome and gains from the coastal influence that this unique terroir gets and gives it nice acidity to balance the bold flavors. Casale planted many international varietals here with Syrah and Petit Verdot doing exceptionally well, along with Chardonnay and Viognier, plus Merlot and Cabernet, they do have Sangivese and other Italian grapes as well, but it is the transplants that seems just that bit more remarkable. Casale regularly gets high praise for the quality of their wines, and I have not had a single wine from this winery that did not impress, but the Syrah based wines just have that something extra, like this fine and rich Shiraz. The nose is earthy and spice laced with a touch of perfumey violets and blackberry jam, leading to a palate that delivers the promise of the nose and gives deep dark fruits and a heady thick texture. There are layers of boysenberry, cassis, bitter chocolate, intense melted licorice, warm stones and a hint of game. While this is no question a modern and ripe wine, it still has many old world charms and it is a steal at this price.
($20 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
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