In addition to patronizing local retailers on a regular basis, most wine lovers subscribe to a number of online sources to keep them apprised of new releases, highly-rated vintages, sales, and other special offers. One of my favorite online resources is Gary’s Wine and Marketplace, https://garyswine.com/, which features locations in Bernardsville, Closter, Madison, and Wayne, New Jersey, and Napa, California. I have always found their online service to be exceptionally prompt & reliable and their selections & sale pricing some of the best around.
I just recently received several of their emails offering three diverse red wines on sale, which I immediately ordered, have been extremely pleased with, and thought all you red wine lovers out there might enjoy as well.
2019 A.A. Badenhorst “The Curator” Red Wine (South Africa): A.A. Badenhorst Family Wines is a small wine producer in the Swartland, a large wine region about 40 miles north of Cape Town in the Western Cape.
Former Rustenberg winemaker Adi Badenohorst and his cousin, Hein, bought the Kalmoesfontein Farm in 2008. The farm has 69 acres of mostly old bush vines, planted in the 1950s and 60s on granite soils. Chenin Blanc, Cinsault, and Grenache make up the majority of the vineyard, with other grape varieties brought in from other vineyards in the area. The Badenhorst winery uses traditional winemaking methods. All fruit is whole bunch-pressed and fermented in old oak casks, concrete vats or open wooden vats, depending upon color and variety. The red wines then undergo long post-ferment macerations before aging in 4,000-liter casks.
The estate’s 2019 Curator is a blend of Shiraz, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre, and received a 92-point rating from Vinous, which called it “a fine red blend with good persistence and plenty of personality.” If you’re a red wine lover, trust me, you’ve just found your new house wine.
And, as Gary’s notes: “In the world of wine values – this is the Hope Diamond!” Normally priced at $11.99, it is now on sale for $8.99 a bottle. Get it while supplies last!
2016 M.O.B. “Lote 3” Tinto Dão (Portugal): The wine name combines the initials of three of Portugal’s top winemakers: Jorge Moreira, Francisco Olazabal, and Jorge Serôdio Borges. This trio has created some of the most exciting and authentically Portuguese wines on the market today. Their 2016 Lote 3 Tinto is a blend of three native grape varieties, Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, and Jaen, all grown in the high-altitude vineyards of Portugal’s Dão region, which is famous for producing excellent full-bodied red wines.
The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks and then aged for twelve months in used French barriques. Garnering 90-points from the Wine Advocate, the M.O.B. is fruit-forward and marvelously fresh with just a hint of spice, which makes it an absolute pleasure to drink. If you are a fan of Côtes de Rhone and Spanish reds, this is definitely a wine that you will enjoy.
And you will enjoy the price as well… Normally retailing at $21.99, Gary’s is now offering it up at the lowest price in the country, $14.39.
2019 Feudo Montoni “Lagnusa” Nero d’Avola (Sicily): Feudo Montoni was first established in the 1400s. The Sireci family has run the property since the late 1800s and is now in the hands of the third generation. The organically farmed vineyards are planted only with indigenous varieties and vinified using a cru mentality; that is, everything is worked by hand in order to enhance the pure expression of grape & terroir.
The name of the vineyard is Lagnusa, which in Sicilian means “that which is lazy and produces small quantities.” Today, of course, we know that a vineyard that produces less quantity also creates higher quality. The 100% Nero d’Avola grapes are hand harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts in concrete tanks where they then mature for twenty months. The wine also sees another four months in barrel before bottling.
The result is a highly-rated wine – Wine Enthusiast, 91; Vinous, 92; Wine Advocate, 91; Wine & Spirits, 92, “Best Buy – that is silky smooth and seductive on the palate. If you have never tasted Nero d’Avola, this wine would make a wonderful introduction.
Normally priced at $24.99, Gary’s is now offering it on sale for $18.99. Highly recommended. A fabulous wine at an equally fabulous price point.
Cheers!
Be Safe & Stay Well
TAD
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