BUYING GUIDE in colour, it has a cedary, blackcurrant nose with a floral note. Well-balanced and firmly structured, it’s quite forward and ready for drinking — thanks to the splendidly warm 2015 vintage. Serve it with lamb. (TA) PIERRE AMADIEU LES HAUTES RIVES CAIRANNE 2015, RHÔNE ($20)
Cedary, savoury, herbal nose of blackberries. Medium bodied, dry, firmly structured with black fruit flavours and balancing acidity. (TA) BOUCHARD PÈRE & FILS PINOT NOIR BOURGOGNE 2015, BURGUNDY ($20)
Red Burgundy is never inexpensive but this simple village wine is a good introduction to what might make you a lifelong fan. Ruby in colour, it offers a raspberry bouquet with light notes of violets and oak spice. Medium-bodied, dry, red plum and raspberry flavours excite the palate ending with a firm tannic finish. (TA)
GERMANY BRETZ SPÄTBURGUNDER SPÄTLESE TROCKEN 2012, RHINEHESSEN ($19)
Clear, pale rusty red. Medium nose of raspberries and violets. The ripe grapes make the wine taste almost sweet, with strawberry and raspberry flavours. Light-bodied with acidity in good balance with the fruit and a long finish. Drink up. (RL)*
with enticing spicy raspberry with a whiff of dry herb. Raspberry mingles with black cherry flavours on the palate with refreshing acidity, soft tannins and a light splash of milk chocolate. Not complex, but offers easy-to-like Pinot charm. (SW)
PORTUGAL ESTOPA MAIOR RESERVA 2011, DOC DOURO ($20)
Clear deep plum red. Medium-intensity, grapey nose with blackberry and raisin. Medium-bodied, tannins still very high, concentrated dark berry flavours. Should improve for another couple of years. (RL)*
SOUTH AFRICA RUSTENBERG SHIRAZ 2015, SIMONSBERG-STELLENBOSCH ($20)
Opens on the nose with lively fresh raspberry laced with peppery spice. Both raspberry and blackberry flavours kick in on the palate, supported by lightly firm tannins, appetizing acidity and a dash of bitter dark chocolate. Quite Rhone-like in style, though with more opulent fruit. (SW)
SILENI HIPI PINOT NOIR 2016, HAWKE’S BAY ($20)
Shows Pinot varietal brick red colour 56 MAV WINE AND SPIRITS AWARDS
BODEGAS PIQUERAS PALACIO DE CIRAT BLACK LABEL 2013, ALMANSA DO ($15)
A 50/50 blend of Syrah and Monastrell, which spent some time in French and American oak, this one offers stylishly spiced raspberry, ripe blackberry and red plum flavours, harmoniously integrated and deftly balanced, with a light splash of dark chocolate on the finish. Offers tons of flavour and punches well above its weight. (SW) BODEGAS ALTANZA DOMINIO DE HEREDIA 2015, RIOJA DOC ($17)
Developed red berry fruit on the nose, with refined sandalwood, cinnamon and subtle oaky notes. Raspberry and redcurrant flavours come in a medium weight package with moderately firm tannins and still youthful acidity. This is a very good Rioja for the money. Drinking well now with food but will reward further cellaring. (SW)
RECOMMENDED ARGENTINA
SPAIN ALVAREZ DE TOLEDO LUIS VARELA MENCIA ROBLE 2013, BIERZO DO ($15)
NEW ZEALAND
firm tannins, deftly balanced acidity and a medium length harmonious finish. Superb value! (SW)
Refined bouquet reveals bottle-developed nose with dark berry, blackcurrant, cinnamon and clove. Succulent raspberry and blackcurrant flavours emerge in the mouth with moderately
VAGLIO SELECCIÓN REGIONAL MALBEC 2014, UCO VALLEY ($20)
Vaglio is a project by José Lovaglio, son of legendary Argentine winemaker Susana Balbo. These wines are meant to exemplify Argie terroir, not winemaking. Plush, dusky dark red fruited, this Malbec is sourced from different areas in Mendoza’s Uco Valley, from sites that José works with