This week, we fall in love. Champagne, Sicily, Cabernets… We have heart eyes. First, succumb to a lively Champagne, then take a romantic winetrip to Sicily, berry-up with a cheeky New Zealand Rosé, then, finish with a Cabernet velvet hug from Western Australian (BYO candles and Brownie).
Champagne Brimoncourt ‘Brut Regence’ NV
Champagne Brimoncourt started with a young Rémois (From Reims, Champagne); Alexandre Cornot, who revived an old lost brand, in a quest to create the perfect Champagne House. Located in Aÿ and working with the best crus in Champagne; the wines are impeccable from their making to their drinking. Light and joyful, they have no pretentiousness nor formalness and can be simply enjoyed as an aperitif. We love the Brut Regence NV, which is a classic blend of Chardonnay (80%) from the Cotes des Blancs and Pinot Noir from the Vallee de la Marne (20%). With its low dosage of 6gr/L, fine beads and delicate notes, Jancis Robinson calls it “easy to like”, and we cannot agree more! So pop yours now, you deserve it.
“Very fine and elegant, with deep layers of flavour and texture, this savoury and near-dry Champagne has a creamy, waxy bouquet whose scents of floral notes, citrus oil and brioche reveal undertones of mushrooms and honey. It’s long and shapely, with a round, nutty core of flavour that extends long and lively towards a focused and persistent finish of freshness, shape and harmony.”
96 POINTS, Jeremy Oliver MW
Alessandro di Camporeale Grillo 2017
This will have to be my (Val) favourite wine discovery of 2020. Recommended by a customer, we finally cracked one and got blown away by this faultless Grillo. From the estate’s organic vineyards of Mandranova, this wine is of extraordinary freshness and equilibrium.
An immaculate example of Sicily’s most renown varietal. Its captivating nose of grapefruit medley, papaya, green mangoes, fresh passionfruit hints, is balanced with delicate aromas of white peach, white blossoms (Acacia, Elderflower) and crushed salt. The palate is so bright and alive you could almost see yourself in Riesling territory. A minerality like no others, with an almost salty incline. The finish is powerful, lengthy and will make you want more. Sicilian whites are in and definitively our Spring favourite.
Garage Project ‘Future Illusion’ Rosé 2019
Garage Project? Yes you read correctly and you are still in What’s decanting. The famous brewers from New Zealand are also making wines! Future Illusion is a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend Rosé, with grapes sourced in Hawkes Bay. A bit of skin, some carbonic maceration and wham you get yourself a juicy berry burst New Zealand Rosé. More on the natural side of things, we would recommend to enjoy this wine chilled with delivered junk food and a trashy reality show (we all have our guilty pleasure).
“This is cab sav and merlot in a deeper toned rose style. Vivacious, medium to fuller styled rose with sour cherry, rhubarb, leafy notes, peppery spice. Frisky and crunchy and mouth-watering and minerally and just doing lots of electric, jangly, fun things. Light burr of tannins is extra pleasure. Delicious, wonderful thing here.”
93/100 Mike Bennie, The Wine Front, August 2020 (2019 Vintage)
Nocturne ‘Sub-Regional’ Cabernets 2019
Nocturne may be a relatively new label (and the Sub-Regional range even newer) but there is a lot of experience between Julian & Alana Langworthy. All September, enjoy the 3 new releases of Nocturne SR range; amazing value for money Western Australian modern winemaking.
It’s time to fall in love with Cabernet again, with this medium-bodied style and expression of pure fruit. Cassis and blueberry take the lead in a very perfumed iteration of the varietal, with faint hints of blackcurrant leaf and spices. The palate is chocolatey yet lively, with those same dark fruits to the fore (Malbec), while a drop of Merlot keeps things soft and cuddly. It finishes with striking minerality and freshness.
I <3 Cabernet.
Hope this week’s What’s Decanting, made you see life in pink.
Want some of these? Email us at glenn@decanters.com.au or pop by the store, we love to chat!
Wine regards,
Val
