As with many of us these days, my sense of time is not as sharp as it was pre-pandemic, and this posting on my best wine buys for Winter 2020-2021 is a bit late. Nevertheless, here are my recommendations for buying now, to help you get through the rest of this winter of our discontent.
As with my most recent best buy list, I have used $30 as the maximum cutoff price including taxes. And as with previous lists, I’ve limited my current selection to wines that are available at BC government liquor stores, so that you have a reasonable chance of finding them. However, not all of these wines will be available at all stores, and some wines are currently on sale (as noted, until March 6th), so grab them while you can. And just a reminder that these are my own personal selections: no one pays me or provides free samples to taste and list these particular wines.
Wines are listed by ascending price, not by preference or ranking. Unless specifically noted, I have not provided vintages, since these wines are ready to drink now and in most cases you will find whatever is the current year on the shelf. The prices noted are currently correct, and include all taxes.
1. Careme Terre Brulée Chenin Blanc, Swartland, South Africa $23 (-$2) One of the best deals from South Africa in this market: a rich, ripe, exotic, layered Chenin from older vines grown in the emerging Swartland district of the Cape. Outstanding complexity and fruit intensity for the price. Try pan-seared prawns perhaps, or a rich paté?
2. Basilisco Teodosio Aglianico del Vulture, Basilicata, Italy $23 (-$2) A terrific example of this native Italian black grape (Aglianico), which produces a chunky, intense, ample yet delicious wine of peppery spices, black fruits and dusty earthiness as well as mocha and dark chocolate. Perfect for hearty winter fare, stews, etc.
3. Chateau Barbebelle Rosé, Provence, France $23 One of the best value rosés available here in BC, and there is never a bad time to have a bottle of rosé in your fridge. Fresh, bright aromatics and subtle red fruit flavours, along with a good beam of acidity and serious yet elegant structure. Very versatile with food e.g. sardines, charcuterie, olives
4. Anciano Old Vines Garnacha, Calatayud, Spain $23 Made from 35 year old Garnacha (aka Grenache) low-yield vines, this is a classic Spanish red: intense, savoury, smokey, earthy and with a touch of sweat leather. Great balance of smooth tannins, subtle oak and tertiary notes. Perfect for tapas.
5. Amalaya Malbec, Salta, Argentina $24.15 (-$1) This is a terrific blend of 85% Malbec, 10% Tannat and 5% Petit Verdot from the high-altitude Calchaqui Valley in the northern region of Salta. What a deal: this beautifully balanced, juicy yet linear wine earned 97 points Platinum in this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards. Vibrant, fresh, richly perfumed aromatics (strawberry, plum, violet), and long.
6. Garzon Cabernet Franc Tannat, Uruguay $24.15 An unusual blend that includes the dark black grape Tannat which Uruguay has made its own in recent years. Ripe redcurrant, blueberry and black plum flavours meld with savoury spicy notes. A medium-bodied, elegant wine that will go well with roasted veggies or baby back ribs. Give it a try.
7. Chateau la Besage Grand Cuvee Bergerac, France $24.15 This Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blend from the Bergerac region inland from Bordeaux in southwest France is savoury and smokey, with leather, cured meats, black plum, charred wood and spice aromas and flavours. Well balanced and structured. It is very satisfying and will go well with a Coq au Vin or other slow-braised or roasted winter dishes.
8. Mascota Unanime, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina $28.75 (-$4) This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Cabernet Franc is a rich, dense, complex red with ripe black and blueberry fruit unfurling on a smooth, oak-kissed, velvety structure. Excellent value at this discounted price. Stock up!
9. Casas del Bosque Pinot Noir Gran Reserva, Casablanca, Chile $30 A fine example of high-quality, cooler-climate Chilean Pinot Noir, at a very fair price. A big step up from the typically juicy, jammy pinots from Chile. Fresh, linear, with layers of red and black fruits. Serious structure and elegance. Limited availability at the BCLDB.
10. Mazzei Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva 2016, Tuscany, Italy $32 (-$5) This just breaks our price cap of $30 (including taxes) but is simply too good to leave off this list of best buys, since it’s currently discounted $5. From the excellent 2016 vintage, it’s complex yet linear, with a good acidic backbone supporting a full spectrum of Sangiovese fruits: wild strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, plum, with smokey leather and savoury notes. Delicious and long, the perfect match for rich pasta dishes and strong, hard cheeses.