We have sent Travis out to a healthy number of wine tastings recently and this case represents his favourite finds. From a bold Georgian red to a mineral and outstanding Portuguese white from the Bairrada region, these wines provide a journey for the tastebuds. Wines in the case:
Schuchman Saperavi
A very old wine grape variety, made in a contemporary style. Not entirely unlike a full-bodied Syrah, this Saperavi is a silky and deep red wine, perfumed with black fruits and spices.
Prieler Ried Johanneshohe, Blaufrankisch
Blaufrankisch is an overlooked grape variety, especially considering that it is a parent variety of France’s more famous Gamay grape, the key variety of Beaujolais. This wine is a great advocate for Austria’s winter reds - sumptuously deep, crushed blackberries and a spicy, bitter chocolate finish.
Diamantakos Xinomavro, Naoussa
Greece’s answer to Barolo. Not a wintery wine for its weight, more for its chewy, brooding style. Every bit the spitting image of a Northern Italian red, with decadent red fruit and rose aromatics, and a dusty, dried fruity edge, which brings balance to this jewel of a red wine.
Polvorete Godello, Emilio Moro
How have we overlooked this wine for so long? Emilio Moro is one of the great makers of Spain’s big reds in the Ribera del Duero region. This is a white from their second set of vineyards in the adjacent Bierzo region, famous for its renditions of the Godello grape. On the nose this wine seems rich and creamy, but on the palate, bright stone fruits, fennel and a sparkling lemon acidity wine out, making this a refreshing and great value pairing for seafood.
DNMC, Filipa Pato
Filipa Pato is daughter of the king of Bairrada, the great Luis Pato, and a maker of equally fine wines, with her master sommelier partner, William Wouters. This wine is a delicious contradiction; low in alcohol, but rich in texture, savoury and saline, but with lots of peach and pear fruit notes. Despite all of these goings on, the wine is seamless and feels completely natural, making it a new shop favourite.
Salt River, Savage Wines
A beautiful Sauvignon that is floral, fresh and yes, even a little salty - from one of South Africa’s new great winemakers. Set in Stellenbosch, you might not expect such a piquant and delicate offering, but this is neither a classic Stellenbosch wine, nor a typical Sauvignon. To try it is to understand Duncan Savage’s idiosyncratic touch.
