Sequillo Cellars Red 2009, Swartland, South Africa

 

This wine is a blend of Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault, maturation taking place in French oak casks for 24 months, of those 18 months on the lees, alcohol coming in 14.5%. Curiously pale red in color for a Rhône blend and 24 months in oak, this wine opens up with aromas of red fruit (plum and raspberry), violet, licorice, spices and a slight medicinal note. On the mouthfeel, light to medium bodied (in texture) but hot alcohol and not enough fruit or tannins to give this wine any structure. This blends finish is short, unpleasant with tart and slightly bitter flavours.  Everything about this wine is odd, from the color, to the clear glass bottle, the short agglomerate wine corks (you think that you would want to use a natural wine cork for a wine at this price). For me this wine tasted like an alcoholic Kool-Aid and at this price ($29.95) a robbery. Not recommended, score 78 points

 

Purchased May 26, 2012 LCBO New Release at $29.95

Spice Route Shiraz 2009, Swartland, South Africa

Great aromatics on this Shiraz with aromas of black plum, wild strawberry, prune, black pepper, clove, smoky and vanilla notes. On the palate, full bodied with alcohol at 15%, rich and concentrated flavours. well structured by lively acidity and elegant tannin structure. Very good length on the finish, rich and creamy texture and flavours of spice plums and cedar flavours lingering. Maturation took place  in (approx) 30% new French oak for 18 months, the wine was bottled unfiltered. This wine has lots of everything but no excess and not likely to disappoint. Strongly recommended, score 91 points. 


Purchased March 17, 2012 LCBO New Release (263657) at $24.95

Lammershoek Roulette 2007, Swartland, South Africa

One of the great wine surprises last year for me was the Lammershoek Roulette 2006. A product which I had never tried before and it blew me away, how beautiful this Rhône blend was. The 2007 vintage of Lammershoek Roulette is just as enjoyable, although the blend is very different, less Syrah and more Carignan and Grenache. The 2007 vintage is a blend of 48% Syrah, 25% Carignan, 20% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre and 2% Viognier, with grapes that are all organically grown.  On the nose this wine opens up with ripe red fruit, plums, spices, cedar and floral notes. On the palate, medium bodied (14.5% alc,), youthful with bright flavours, spicy, fresh acidity and silky well integrated tannins. This wine has excellent balance, with great aromatics, very tasty and a savoury style red blend. Great winemaking at play here, strongly recommended. Score 90 points.

This wine was purchased December 10, 2011 LCBO In-store Discoveries at $23.95

Mullineux Syrah 2008, Swartland, South Africa

A gorgeous Syrah which should appeal to New and Old world wine lovers alike. Deep ruby, almost opaque in colour with aromas of blackberry, blueberry, violet, bacon, clove and earthy. Full bodied mouthfeel with fresh acidity, firm tannins with great depth. The finish is long chewy with great power and rich concentrated flavours. Maturation took place in French oak, 15% of it new. This wine is unfiltered and unfined and alcohol is at 14.5%. Drinking well now with red meat or laying it down for 2-3 years to let all the components of this wine to come together will reward you with an even better experience.

This wine was purchased September 3, 2011 LCBO New Release at $28.95.

Lammershoek Roulette 2006, Swartland, South Africa

Roulette is a Rhone style blend of 62% Shiraz, 20% Carignan, 13% Grenache, 4% Mourvedre, 1% Viognier. This blend has wonderful aromatics with bright red fruit, plums, sweet spices, cassis, licorice and a hint of floral tone. This medium to full bodied wine has it all  together with lively acidity quality tannins which are now well integrated and layers upon layers of flavours. This finish is long, spicy, toasty with  crushed berry fruit. A great deal of skill and effort went into making this wine and it shows. What I like about this wine is its easy drinking and aromatic, which has great complexity and flavour. A fantastic value. It should have wide appeal, strongly recommended.

This wine was purchased September 3, 2011 LCBO New Release at $ 23.95.