New Releases of Stars from the Southern Hemisphere
 
2020 Catena Zapata Adrianna
White Bones Chardonnay
 
99 The Wine Advocate / 99 James Suckling
#2 JS Top 100 Wines of Argentina 2022
#21 JS Top 100 Wines of 2022
 
$129.89/750ml - Buy Now
Limited - In Stock 
 
Transcending a warm vintage with a very modest 12.5% alcohol with approx. Only 500 cases produced.
 
 
I've recently had the opportunity to taste some excellent wines hailing from the southern hemisphere, and I've been thoroughly impressed with the quality. There are wines from Tasmania to Argentina that rival the world's finest. Although folks may wish to drink top Burgundy on a daily basis, it's good to mix it up now and then to see what's happening in the ever-changing world of wine.

 
 

2020 Catena Zapata White Bones Chardonnay  

99 WA / 99 JS 

$129.89/750ml

(In Stock - Limited) Buy Now

 

#2 JS Top 100 Wines of Argentina 2022
#21 JS Top 100 Wines of 2022

The nose of the 2020 White Bones Chardonnay is an explosion of thyme and rockrose, aromatic, open, expressive, outspoken, showy and exuberant. It also has notes of white flowers and citrus, pine needles and incense, continuously developing new layers, curry, something smoky, more and more aromatic herbs, nuanced, complex and with a magnetic attraction that makes you go back to the glass over and over again. This was harvested all at the same time, whereas it was sometimes harvested over four different moments in the past; so this is a bit different and an extraordinary year for this wine, transcending the conditions of the year, with lower alcohol and pH (12.5% and 3.1) than the 2021, despite coming from a warmer year. This is very tasty and long, stony (more than White Stones!) and very persistent. Amazing juice! 5,760 bottles produced. --Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate

 

2018 Vasse Felix Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec

99 WA / 98 JS 

$148.89/bottle (In Stock) Buy Now

 

#26 James Suckling's Top 100 Wines of Australia 2021

The 2018 vintage can comfortably be described as being one of the greatest, if not the greatest vintage in Margaret River's 55-year modern history (i.e., since 1967). When this 2018 Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec was released, it was both satisfying and terrifying. The former, because it confirmed everything I had suspected/hoped prior to its release. The latter because it would force me to put my neck on the line and give it the score I believe it deserves. Having seen it blind a number of times in esteemed international company, I am comfortable that this wine more than stands up alongside its counterparts from Bordeaux and Napa in the 2018 vintage. It is a marvelous example of Margaret River Cabernet, in that it offers us red raspberry, pomegranate, cassis and red licorice, alongside pink peppercorns, nori, sun-dried kelp, hints of iodine and earth, and all of it framed by ferrous tannins. It is fresh, it is structured, it is incredibly long. It will live forever.—EL, The Wine Advocate

 

2018 Torbreck RunRig 

99 WA / 99 DE 

$169.89/bottle (In Stock) Buy Now

 

Torbreck's 2018 RunRig needs a bit of air right now, as the nose and palate truly open up and expand after a while in the glass. Unlike some vintages, it's rather tight and cedary upon first pour, then relaxes to reveal hints of stone fruit, blueberries, cherries, pastry crust and baking spices. In the mouth, it's full-bodied and concentrated, richly textured and marked by ripe tannins, which leave behind a velvety, mouth-coating finish tinged with licorice and dark berries. While approachable now—and even damn enjoyable—it deserves another several years in the cellar. Drink the 2018 Descendant while waiting.—Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate

 

2021 Tolpuddle Chardonnay Tasmania

98 WA / 98 DE 

$72.89/bottle (In Stock) Buy Now

 

#39 James Suckling Top 100 Wines of Australia 2022

I was shocked at the intensity of the 2021 Chardonnay when I first tasted it. How could a wine so young have this much flavor? It is polished, glassy and graceful. It unfurls in the mouth and soars long over the horizon. It's balanced and powerful, crouching at this early stage, but all the building blocks of greatness are here. A wine of extension, expansion and elegance—a formidable trio. Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate

 

2019 Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard River Malbec

99 WA / 98 JS 

$177.89/bottle (In Stock) Buy Now

 

The old River Stones has seen its name simplified to 2019 Adrianna Vineyard River. This is an exceptional vintage for this bottling, from a very stony part of the large Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary, close to the dry river. It's the equivalent to the White Stones white, with a north-facing exposure, the warmer exposure, which in cooler years like 2019 works nicely. The wine has harmony and subtleness, insinuating violets and wet stones, with a rare combination of power and elegance, with minerality and spice, precise, focused and harmonious. The tannins are abundant but very fine and ripe with a chalky sensation in the finish. It has 13.8% alcohol and very good freshness, acidity and healthy parameters. 5,520 bottles were filled in December 2020..--Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate

 



 
Ron van Vlaardingen

Fine Wine Sales Director

Grand Vin Wine Merchants

1003 4th Avenue E  | Olympia, WA  98506 | Office: 360.350.4896 x2

www.grandvinwinemerchants.com | ronv@grandvinwinemerchants.com 

 
 
To be removed from our mailing list, unsubscribe or start receiving a weekly e-mail recap only.
Grand Vin Wine Merchants · 2950 32nd Ave SW · Suite A · Tumwater, Washington 98512 · United States (360) 350-4896