May Featured Wines – 2015 Yalumba Organic Viognier, South Australia & 2013 Mitolo Jester Shiraz, South Australia

YAlumba viognier label

2015 Yalumba Organic Viognier, South Australia        $17

Our featured white selection for May is 2015 Yalumba Organic Viognier. Viognier grapes produce full-bodied wine with lush, soft character and natural aromatics of peach, pears, violets and minerals. This Viognier is made with organic winemaking techniques with little intervention from the winemaker.   It is an excellent rich and warm wine showing lovely peach flavors with perfect balance and length. This is a great wine to pair with creamy sauces, curries and slightly spicy dishes.  Alcohol: 14.1%

 

mitolo-jester-shiraz-mclaren-vale-australia-10324317

2013 Mitolo Jester Shiraz, South Australia           $18

May’s red selection is 2013 Mitolo Jester Shiraz. This Shiraz is dark red with a nose of plum, black currant and olive and a slight herbal lift. It is full flavored, and soft with dark fruit flavors of plum and blackberry. This is a smooth and supple wine that is a great pairing for ribs. As an aside, the Jester is Richard Tarlton, Queen Elizabeth I’s favorite court entertainer. Using Tarlton illustrates how the Queen’s court banished boredom with humor!  Alcohol: 14.5%

Wines of the Month – St. Kilda Chardonnay & Coriole Vineyards Sangiovese/Shiraz

Featured Wines for January – 2011 St. Kilda Chardonnay, Southeast Australia & 2010 Coriole Sangiovese/Shiraz, McLaren Valley, Australia

Label on Australian wine by St. Kilda

2011 St. Kilda Chardonnay, Southeast Australia    $10

St Kilda Chardonnay is named after a beachside suburb of Melbourne, Australia. St Kilda’s Chardonnay is crisp and fruity. This is not a California style Chardonnay (buttery and heavy.) The St. Kilda Chardonnay drinks well above the price point.  This wine is light and tangy with notes of apple, lime, and apricot. It  has a nice minerality, which follows closely with the nose.  The finish is long for an inexpensive wine with a nice acidity. The St. Kilda Chardonnay pairs nicely with food, particularly chicken or game birds. Alcohol: 12.5%

 

 

Bottle of 2010 Coriole Sangiovese/Shiraz

2010 Coriole Vineyards Sangiovese/Shiraz, McLaren Valley, Australia    $14

Coriole Vineyards was established by the Lloyd Family in 1967. The earliest vineyards date from 1919, in the “Seaview” sub-region of the McLaren Vale Wine Region in South Australia. The main variety is Shiraz, followed by Sangiovese and Chenin Blanc. In this this popular blend Shiraz adds an attractive warmth and richness to the leanness of Sangiovese. Both the Sangiovese and Shiraz for this wine are sourced from Coriole’s estate vineyards. This is a wine that shows the best characteristics of both varieties. Some richness and lushness comes from the Shiraz with the Sangiovese imparting a savory, structural edge. The nose shows red currant, cherry, dark chocolate and earthiness. Hints of licorice and spice lead into a medium bodied, juicy palate that displays dark berry and red fruit. This is a great wine for hearty pastas and other rich Italian dishes. Alcohol: 14%