Vintus Wines

2011 Nacional gets a 100 pt score!

vintus — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:32:18 +0000

The recently declared Quinta do Noval 2011 Nacional was given an astonishing 100 point score by James Suckling! Suckling’s tasting notes were as follows, “This is an amazing young Port: deep and powerful, subtle and refined. Full body, lightly sweet with big chewy tannins that are polished and sexy. Amazingly well-crafted. Lasts for minutes on the finish. Fantastic. The legend lives. Could be better than the perfect 1994 and equal to to the 1963. 220 cases produced of this foot-trodden wine from ungrafted vines.”

Quinta do Noval 2011 Declaration

vintus — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:04:47 +0000

On May 15, 2013 Christian Seely devoted his blog to the official declaration by Quinta do Noval for their Vintage Port 2011 and Nacional 2011. Not only is this the first generally declared vintage in 4 years, but the first Nacional declaration since 2003, 8 years ago. The Institute of Masters of Wine organized a tasting in London of all the declared 2011 Vintage ports, “which confirmed we have a great Vintage on our hands”, said Seely. After finalizing the blends, Christian and António Agrellos took some great photos in the tasting rooom. He says “It is always a great moment when you know you have an outstanding Port wine that you can declare as a Vintage Port, and at Noval it is a rare and exciting event to be able to declare the Nacional as well.” Click here to read his full blog post and to see the rest of his pictures from the tasting room.

Decanter interviews Alfred Tesseron

vintus — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:59:11 +0000

In the June issue of Decanter, wine writer Margaret Rand writes about her interview with Alfred Tesseron, winemaker of Pontet-Canet. The Tesseron family had been purely Cognac producers until Guy Tesseron, Alfred’s father purchsed the fifthe-growth Pontet-Canet ins 1975 and Alfred took over full management in 1994. Alfred tells Rand of his visions of becoming fully biodynamic, he said “when you arrive at a certain level, you want to progress, and I thought biodynamism was a way to progress.” Since 2005 Pontet-Canet has been 100% biodynamic, except for a a few weeks in 2007 which delayed certification until 2010. Read more about the interview and the Pontet-Canet estate by clicking here.

New Zealand’s Bright Horizon

vintus — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:40:34 +0000

Wine Spectator published an article by MaryAnn Worobiec, senior editor and lead taster on New Zealand wines, entitled “New Zealand’s Bright Horizon”. The article discusses how far New Zealand wines have come in the industry, the amazing wines the region produces and the accomplished winemakers who have contributed to the bright future New Zealand wines have. Worobiec says the demand for New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays is booming for good reason, these wines offer high quality and the majority of them cost $30 or less per bottle. “New Zealand is now the world’s 10th largest exporter by value.”

She also mentions, “At Dog Point, winemaker James Healy ages the Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Section 94 2011 (90, $36) for 18 months in older French oak barrels. These wines – and a number of the other top Sauvignon Blancs – exhibit an enticing range of aromatics and offer supple textures.” You can read more about all the great things New Zealand wines have to offer by click here. Also, see the photo below of James Healy himself feature in the article!

Vintage 2011 Vintage Port Tour

vintus — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:39:33 +0000

Quinta do Noval has just formally declared the 2011 vintage for both Quinta do Noval and Noval Nacional! In order to bring more attention to the 2011 vintage, Quinta do Noval and the Fladgate partnernship have partnered together to hold three tastings in early June. Save the Date! Click the invite to download it.

Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve – An Enduring Vision

vintus — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:37:54 +0000

Errazuriz has just released a new video highlighting the Errazuriz icon wine, Don Maximiano Founder’s Reserve 2010. Entitled “An Enduring Vision”, the video expresses how Don Maximiano Errazuriz set out to create timeless wines and founded the winery in a “viticultural paradise”. Check out the video below!

Chateau Montelena in W&S

vintus — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:30:33 +0000

The June 2013 issue of Wine & Spirits Magazines has a mention on Chateau Montelena’s recent historic recognition and the recent parting of founder James Barrett. See below for the clip and excerpt.

“Chateau Montelena continues to make wine 125 years later in Tubb’s stately stone building, and both the founding period and the later rebirth of the winery recently earned Montelena a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. While the latest recognition arrived, another chapter in Chateau Montelena’s story came to a close – founder James Barrett passed away on March 14, 2013. Barrett served in the Navy during World War II and spent over 20 years practicing law before purchasing and refurbishing Chateau Montelena in 1972. Barrett remained involved with the winery until his death, and his son Bo continues to manage Chateau Montelena and make the wine.”

Heartland wins Best Shiraz!

vintus — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:19:00 +0000

Heartland took home the “Best Shiraz” Trophy at the 2013 Langhorne Creek Winemakers Showcase last week. A group of well-known judges including wine writer Huon Hooke tasted over eight categories in the showcase. The Best Shiraz trophy was awarded to the 2010 Director’s Cut Shiraz. Click here to read the full press release.

Winophilia on Saint-Joseph: “the insider’s Old World Syrah”

vintus — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:59:20 +0000

Stephen Tanzer’s Winophilia posted an article entitled “Saint-Joseph: the Insider’s Old World Syrah” by Josh Raynolds. Raynolds writes on how Saint-Joseph has until recently been the northern Rhône Valley’s insider secret. “The expression of syrah in the northern Rhône is considered by most cosmopolitan wine lovers to be the benchmark for the variety. The wines display vivid black and blue fruit, floral and spice character and a bright minerally quality that’s rarely produced by syrah elsewhere.”

Needing no introduction to Rhône whine lovers, as Raynolds says, E. Guigal’s 2009 Saint-Jospeh shows the opulence and extroverted dark berry quality of the vintage, and Philippe Guigal himself has made it a personal mission to increase the profile of Saint-Joseph. To read more about Saint-Joseph on Winophilia click here.

Dog Point Harvest Newsletter

vintus — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:53:49 +0000

Dog Point recently shared their April 2013 newsletter featuring their harvest report along with other news, wine reviews, and upcoming events. The 2013 harvest is described as widely regarded as one of the most intense and compact ever experienced. “A fantastic summer with plenty of sun and warm weather has led to excellent ripening of the fruit, making for a busy time as Dog Point’s fruit is transferred from the vineyard to the winery.” Click here to read the full newsletter and more about each wine!