Botanica Wines - "Arboretum" Cabernet Sauvignon Bordeaux Blend, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2017 Outstanding Quality Cabernet Based Bordeaux Style Blend from South Africa's Premier Region! If you're looking for serious quality Bordeaux style without breaking the bank, Stellenbosch South Africa needs to be on your radar. Arboretum is crafted from the fruit of the organically-farmed estate vineyards in Devon Valley, Stellenbosch. This top-wine is a blend of the estate's best barrels. The Botanica is absolutely stunning - expect rich flavors of blueberry, vanilla, graphite, black cherry, and earthy tobacco. The palate is extrordinary, the wine is unfinned and unfiltered and well-textured with grainy tannin, mouth coating richness is balanced with juicy acidity and a clean mineral rich finish laden with warming barrel spice. We were blown away by the quality of this wine for the price. Newsletter Special - $21.99 Arrives This Thursday! Winery Info - Botanica Wines is the notable accomplishment of Ginny Povall, an American-bred and self-taught winemaker who has made an impressive career out of a long-time hobby. Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, Ginny began making wine long before she had all the resources available to her now. Having grapes domestically – and occasionally even internationally – shipped, Ginny would prepare her own wine in the comfort of her own home, using a recipe that has since brought her much success and recognition. Ginny eventually ventured to South Africa to pursue this passion and plant her vines on Protea Heights Farm, which is located in Devon Valley and just about 10 minutes outside the center of Stellenbosch where she now resides. Back in the late 1940s, it was the first farm in the entire country to grow protea flowers, which is South Africa’s national flower, and Ginny makes sure to maintain this long-standing tradition today by dedicating a fraction of her property to protea cultivation. With vineyards freshly planted in 2009 and 2010, her winery is just now coming into production. Ginny is one of the exciting winegrowers to keep an eye on – her vibrant and charming personality shines through in her distinctly refined, textured and lively wines.
Schrader Cellars - Double Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley 2018 Schrader Cellars Quality Winemaking from One of Oakville's Best Vintages! 95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck - "Readers looking to get a taste of the impeccable quality and style from Schrader at a more affordable price point would do well to check out the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Double Diamond. Coming all from Oakville, it has a classic Cabernet nose of black and blue fruits, green tobacco, cedar pencil, damp earth, and chocolate. It's not over the top and has beautiful varietal character as well as medium to full body, ripe yet present tannins, good overall freshness, and a great finish. This is beautifully done and well worth a case purchase. I'd lean toward drinking bottles over the coming 10-12 years, but I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see it evolve longer. It's a candidate for the best Napa Cabernet under $100." Newsletter Special - $69.99
Domaine du Margalleau - Vouvray Brut, Loire Valley, NV Methode Champenoise Sparkling Vouvray Chenin Blanc to Rival Champagne at Half the Price! We loved Domaine du Margalleau's clean, crisp, and ageworthy Vouvray sec Chenin Blanc, now we couldn't be more excited to offer their sparkling Vouvray made from the same 40+ year old Chenin vines, made under the exact same regiment as traditional method Champagne done in the Brut (dry) style and with extended lees aging of up to two years. This provides wonderful expression of both the varietal and region - aromas of biscuity lees, Meyer lemon, zesty ginger, flinty minerals, and yellow apple. The palate is expansive with a fine mousse, and notes of lemon curd, white flowers, toasted almonds, and graham cracker. This is a perfect value sparkler that doesn't compromise on quality. Newsletter Special - $17.99
Cheers! -Alex Alexander Knechel - Certified Sommelier Wine Sales Manager - Plucky Wines alexanderknechel@pluckywines.com
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