Tasting - Las Rocas Garnacha 2018

 

 Name: Las Rocas Garnacha

Variety: Garnacha (100%)

Region: Calatayud

Country: Spain

Year: 2018

Price: $12

Winery's Review: "The intense, ruby red color of Las Rocas Spanish Garnacha is complemented by vibrant aromas and rich, layered notes of dark cherry, blackberries, and raspberries. The luscious fruit characteristics meld with nuances of oak and round tannins, creating a balanced, full-bodied red wine delivering a lasting finish." 

Personal Review: I got to try this wine at a Saturday wine tasting at the Vintage Cellar. Garnacha (also known as Grenache in France), is a native Spanish grape and is grown all over the country, but really takes off in the Calatayud region of Spain. The acidity of the wine was balanced very well by the dark and stone fruit notes. Funny enough we also had a Garnacha-based Rioja in the same tasting, which was great because we got to show people how different Garnacha could taste with some Tempranillo mixed in and some oaking. However, Garnacha is a beautiful grape and this Spanish example really exemplified the best of the grape.

Tasting - Domaine de Bel-Air Fleurie 2020

  

 Name: Domaine de Bel Air Fleurie

Variety: Gamay (100%)

Region: Fleurie, Beaujolais

Country: France

Year: 2020

Price: $23

James Suckling's Review: "Some darker-fruit aromas, as well as dark-stone, granite influence. The palate has a very smooth, smoky red-fruit core with sleek tannins that carry long and shimmer on the finish. Drink or hold." (93)

Personal Review: In my search of good quality French wines, I had to stop at Beaujolais. For many, the name Beaujolais only brings up memories of the tooty-fruity Beaujolais Nouveau. Now I myself am a fan of Beaujolais Nouveau but mainly because of its place as a celebration of a new harvest. However, the quality of Beaujolais wines have steadily risen and at this point, many Beaujolais are of a high enough quality to be considered fine wine. This particular wine came from a town called Fleurie, which is one of the crus in Beaujolais known for its floral and "feminine" qualities. This wine was incredibly elegant, refined, and had a beautifully light but complex mouthfeel. I had it with lemon chicken and brown rice, which were light enough not to overpower the wine but perfectly complement the floral characters. For Burgundy-level complexity with a fraction of the cost, Fleuries are definitely a great place to start!

Tasting - 2019 Chateau Landat Haut-Medoc

 

 Name: Chateau Landat

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (35%), Petit Verdot (5%)

Region: Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux

Country: France

Year: 2019

Price: $20

Wine Enthusiast's Review: "Ripe and rich, it is already a smooth and fruity wine. Black plums and black currants shine here supported by a dry core of tannins that is sure to soften." (90)

Personal Review: While I was in northern Virginia I got to stop by Total Wine & More, and perused their half bottle section. Luckily, I was able to find this steal in the mix! A Cabernet Sauvignon-heavy left bank Bordeaux displays all the best of Bordeaux for a very reasonable price. The tannins are velvety smooth and each flavor is subtle and rounded perfectly. I had this wine by itself but it would have been amazing with pork chops or a roast. 

Tasting - 2020 Hewitson Gun Metal Riesling

 

 Name: Hewitson Gun Metal Riesling

Variety: Riesling

Region: Eden Valley

Country: Australia

Year: 2020

Price: $12

James Suckling's Review: "This is so vibrant and has a super fresh, lemon and white=peach nose with notes of crushed stones and apricots. The palate has a chalky, dry, sinewy texture and great depth of flavor. Holds really long and fresh. The acidity is pitched-in perfectly. So much flavor here." (936)

Personal Review: For the last few months, I've had the great privilege of getting to work at the Vintage Cellar in downtown Blacksburg. In my time there, this wine has by far the highest rating from a respected critic like James Suckling for this price point. This Riesling was an exceptional example of others from Australia. It was crisp, bright, and rounded off with citrus and slight stone fruit notes. I had it with a gruyere Alsacian-style dish and the Riesling was the perfect counterbalance to the fattiness in the dish. This is absolutely a bottle I would recommend everyone pick up before they're gone!