As you know by now, K&L has a number of wine buyers who travel the world to select from specific regions. This allows us to bring new wines to you direct, such as these two such wines from Australia.
N.V. d'Arenberg “Peppermint Paddock” Sparkling Chambourcin McLaren Vale South Australia ($21.99) This is probably the only single-vineyard sparkling Chambourcin in the world. The vines are from a vineyard surrounded by peppermint gums. After crushing, the must is transferred to open top fermenters with the skins submerged under the free run juice. Pressed viognier skins are added, leading to a final concentration of about 5% at assemblage. The base wine is from the 2005 vintage with reserve wines from 1994 and 1996. Finally, when the wine is separated from its lees, its liqueur de triage is with the d’Arenberg fortified Shiraz. From the black-purple mousse, aromas of black raspberry, violets, mint and dark cherry explode. On the palate, the wine is not heavy, with black and blueberry flavors that mingle with toffee, red licorice and minerals supported by good acidity and integrated tannins. The finish is long and vibrant.
2005 Hewitson “Private Cellar” Shiraz-Mourvèdre Barossa Valley South Australia ($26.99) Private Cellar is meant to express the best from a vintage, and 2005 was a particularly dry and moderately warm year with a long even ripening season. The wine went through fermentation in new French oak and spent another 17 months without racking. The blend of 75% shiraz and 25% mourvèdre, offers a wine of great power and intensity with superb balance and grace. The bouquet is full of cassis, blackberry, dark chocolate, a hint of new leather and spice. On the palate there are supple ripe tannins with a persistent and complex finish. —Jimmy C