Tag Archives: mystery case

Fast track to Popularity

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In a short period of time Mitolo has become recognized as one of the finest producers in McLaren Vale. They’ve done it because of individuality, and great quality.  There is an evident passion to produce the best possible.  Italian roots bring family traditions to good food and good drink.


The Jester Cab Sauv is bold, tending to tannic, dry and somewhat acidic but it grows on you with each sip. The flavours get more complex as you advance through the bottle.  We opened it about an hour and a half before dinner.  Next time I’ll open it at noon to let it breath more.

It would pair well with roasted lamb, but we settled for sirloins.  I’m also thinking this would go great with pasta.

Mitolo The Jester Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

$21.97 regularly $26.99

14.5 % Alcohol

Ribs or Pizza

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Calatayud is a DO wine region in the southwest of the Aragon, northern Spain – located about 90 km from the provincial capital, Zaragoza. This arid area of rolling hills is almost entirely encircled by the Sistema Ibérico, a vast system of ranges which separate it from all those areas of Spain sitting to the south and west of the mountains and massifs. Calatayud borders the Carinena DO to the east.


The flavours of this 93 pointer are rich and intense.  We like the 35% Tempranillo 65% Granache balance.


Dinner of slow baked short ribs didn’t quite come up to the usual standards of recipes from the Best of Bridge cookbooks.  Good, but not quite company worthy. Just a little lacklustre. Next time for this red, I think I’d do our House home made pizza.

Hint to the Goddess: What about some of the whites from this region?

CALATYUD GARNACHA TEMPRANILLO – SAN GREGORIO LOMA GORDA 2018

$16.99 regularly $19.99

15% Alcohol

UPC: 00626990326700

Lush. Rich. Concentrated

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There is Braille on the label and I would love to know what it is saying, and the significance of why it’s included.

This Syrah is from Northern Rhone. There is a silky texture and decently long finish. It has a lovely full-bodied sense.


South facing slopes with soil consisting of a mixture of clay, pebbles and gravel. The alluvial terroir of Crozes-Hermitage was formed by terraces from the Rhône and Isère rivers.


The red Crozes-Hermitage “Les Meysonniers” comes from the vines which are at least 25 years old.

CROZES HERMITAGE – CHAPOUTIER MEYSONNIERS ORGANIC 16

$26.99 on sale from $29.99

13% Alcohol

UPC: 03391180001749

Climbing the Charts

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The ‘will buy again’ chart.


What we really appreciated was the ‘lack’ of citrusy’ overtones.  There are definite hints of apricot and pear.

It’s very refreshing.


it took us a little by surprise, because, to us, Chenin Blancs don’t usually stand out when by themselves.  They always add to the roundnesswhen added to other whites for a blend.

CHENIN BLANC – RUPERT WINES PROTEA

$14.99

13% alcohol

UPC: 00086891081144

Triple Bonus

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Reasonably priced, organic, and one of our favourite white grapes.


It’s a reminder that organic doesn’t have to be expensive.  Vintage after vintage, Micel Torino’s wines continue to impress with ripe, fruity flavours and a lingering dryness. 


 Extreme elevation, hot days, cool nights, and minimal rainfall allow for minimal human interference to the natural growth cycle of the vines. Bordered by 2 mountain ranges, the Calchaqui valley creates a microclimate ideal for this grape.


Certified organic grapes, sustainable and Fair for Life. Michel Torino is committed to preserving the natural environment of the Calchaqui Valley. Certainly gets our approval.


Pick up two bottles – you’ll come back to it sooner than you think.


TORRONTES – MICHEL TORINO CUMA ORGANIC

$13.99

13.5% Alcohol

UPC: 07790189040074

In Normal Times

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We probably would have saved this for a dinner visit from a South African born lass – but these aren’t normal times, so it got opened for a dinner for two – us. Sorry J.


Roast Chicken or grilled lamb patties were the options. Roast Chicken with sheet pan veggies won out.


The sulphite content was definitely under control, because I didn’t end up with a migraine.  They focused on retaining maximum flavour after the harvest.  Cold settling probably helped a lot here.

It’s rich, concentrated, and very full bodied with a very nice structure.  The finish certainly hangs around to remind you that this is a very nice wine indeed.


Maybe Osso Bucco next time as a pairing?


CABERNET SAUVIGNON – KWV CATHEDRAL CELLAR

$15.49 regularly $18.49

14% Alcohol

UPC: 00748294066110

Everything needs reworking

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Everything needs reworking .. from my eyesight to the salad.

Reach and Grab –  How did we get to $72 for three bottles of wine?


Unfamiliar Store. Unfamiliar labeling. Reached for a white. Grabbed a Red.  What I was thinking about was their Sauvignon Blanc (at a price $10 less)?

Once over my shock.


The Marlborough vintners have produced a wine that is smooth, with dark fruit flavours, juicy acidity, and fine tannins.  There is a nice long finish to it..


This is definitely a food friendly wine. Try pairing it with slow-roasted lamb shanks , or just serve it with roasted winter vegetables.


We had lamb chops and tried a freeka/pomegranate salad. The salada kinda worked. The potential is there. The freeka should have been soaked and pre cooked to enhance the flavours.


Mud House Pinot Noir

$27.99

13.5% Alcohol

Place a warning on the label

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You might wish to drink the whole bottle at one sitting. It’s silky and smooth, but intense.  This is one of Argentina’s tastiest Cab Francs.

 
And, it’s Great Value !!

Lamb chops were the flavours on the plate, fruit forward were the flavours in the mouth.  Terrific balance and complexity.

The vineyards cover 100 hectares of land, 97 of which are implanted with grapes. The main varieties produced are Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Shiraz among the reds; and Chardonnay among the whites. The oldest wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon lot which was planted 41 years ago. The average age of the vineyards is 30 years, ranging from the 5 year-old new blocks to the oldest ones planted in the 70’s.

CABERNET FRANC – SANTA ANA LA MASCOTA 2018
$14.99
14% Alcohol
UPC: 07790762052838

Follows Through

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It smells light, tastes ripe in a medium bodied way.  It’s smooth and has a soft finish. There is a lovely crisp acidity to it.


 Simple but enjoyable and food friendly.

The grapes are from one of the oldest Chardonnay vineyards: Solano County, Mendocino County and Lake County in the Napa Valley. A late August harvest for the warmer climate blocks in Solano and Lake County and finishing at the end of September with Mendocino County grapes.


We chose scallops for our food pairing.  Music was Jazz at it’s best.

CHARDONNAY – WILLIAM HILL NORTH COAST 2017

$19.99 regularly $21.99

13.8% Alcohol

UPC: 00085000021590

Light My Fire

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We have bridges to Burn!  

Apparently the brothers were pyromaniacs when younger: graduating from matches to rocket launchers!  Supposedly the Matchbook brand is in memory of fires they once stoked.


The best barrel lots were chosen for the final blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Malbec and 8% Petit Verdot. 2019 Matchbook Cabernet is a showcase of the quality fruit grown in the red gravel soils of Dunnigan Hills (the Northern part of California’s Central Valley).


The wine starts out slightly sweet in taste but the favours become quite intense.  Well structured and smooth finish. This could almost become an everyday Cab for any house.  But drink it all in one sitting because it doesn’t hold up overly well for a second day’s sipping.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON – MATCHBOOK RED GRAVEL DUNNIGAN HILLS 18

$15.99 regularly $19.99

13.9 % alcohol

UPC: 00859551001383