Wine Knowledge: The August 2017 Newsletter

The August Newsletter from the Wine School of Philadelphia

Old World Advanced Sommelier Certification

Summer School is upon us! We just finished a fantastic week of the CORE program. Next up is the Old World Advanced Sommelier Certification.  Whether or not you are planning on becoming a sommelier, this is the program you need to take. This is a deep dive of all the top Old World wine regions, including Burgundy, Bordeaux, Priorat, Rioja, Tuscany and the Piedmonte.

This program will earn you the Old World Sommelier certification from the National Wine School, plus it counts towards earning your Advanced Sommelier certificate and your Master Level Sommelier credentials. This is our summer accelerated program. Evening classes run from August 21st to the 26th.  All wine lovers are invited to attend this program! 

https://www.vinology.com/class/advanced-old-world/2017-08-21/

 

Wine Report by Keith Wallace

Wine Report | Wine Ratings

The following are the top bottles available in the PA Wine & Spirits Stores this month. Some are Chairman’s Selections, some are on sale, and some are just miss-priced. They all share the same three characteristics:  They are exceptional wines, they are exceptionally well priced, and they are available in the Philadelphia metro region.

One of my jobs at the Wine School is to find the greatest wines available. We need them to run wine classes, after all! This list includes my top finds for the month.These are my top finds for the past month.

Feel free to use our wine finder to locate these bottles near you. I will be publishing expanded ratings on our wine review page starting next week. However, I always give our newsletter readers the first shot at these great wines. Cheers!

-Keith

 

Kieran Robinson 2012 “R Five” Syrah

Kieran is a Philly native who got his start at Chaddsford Winery as a cellar rat back in 2005, back when Eric Miller was still the winemaker. He then jumped around California and France, learning the craft at a number of wineries. For the past five years, he’s been making wine in Sonoma at his own facility.

However, his heart is still in Philly:  each of his wines have Philly-centric names (Jawn and R5). He even still vacations on the Jersey shore: Avalon looms large in his Instagram account.

This bottling is from Sonoma’s Bennett Valley. It balances the finesse of the Northern Rhone with the dense fruit and oak-driven panache of Northern California. Savory smoke and burnt wildflowers on the nose with cassis and creamy blueberry. Layered tannins and glycerine smoothness are pushed forward by a limousin oak sweetness. A fruit-bomb of a finish is balanced with black pepper and cardamom.

$19.99  | In the Wine & Spirits Stores in Pennsylvania

92 Points | Wine Report by Keith Wallace

 

Massena 2012 The Moonlight Run, Barossa Valley

One of the greatest bottles of GSM (Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre, the classic Rhone blend) coming out of Australia these days. Massena is really putting in the overtime with this one.
It has the full-bore take-no-prisoners attitude that is the signature of Aussie wine. But that isn’t enough to keep our fancy. This one is remarkable because it manages to balance out BIG with complicated.
There are Asian 5-spice notes that tangle with the candied cherry notes. There are wild rose notes that keep the melted chocolate flavors from getting out of control. And there is smoke to keep the bacon flavors from getting to, well, bacon-y.

$16.24  | Wine & Spirits Stores in Pennsylvania

93 Points | Wine Report by Keith Wallace

 

Anzivino 2010 Gattinara

Aromas of crushed lilac, rose water, and sage. Rum raisin and cherry compote fill in the edges with a bit of wood smoke. On the palate, it is elegant, with bright acids and finely grained tannins. Flavors of chocolate and liquorice are balanced by fresh red fruit and game. Aged in old Puncheons (very large oak barrels ) for over two years, and another two years in bottle.

$19.99  | Wine & Spirits Stores in Pennsylvania

90 Points | Wine Report by Keith Wallace

Tormaresca 2012 Trentangeli Castel del Monte

This is a Super-Puglian wine: a big boisterous blend of Aglianico, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.  It is both accessible and elevated, with cassis, espresso, and toasted vanilla barrelling through the fleshy structure; There are also beautiful notes of wet earth and savory spices that open up through the finish.

$17.99  | A Chairman’s Selection from the Wine & Spirits Stores in Pennsylvania

91 Points | Wine Report by Keith Wallace

Venus La Universal 2013 “Dido” Monsant

A glorious bottle of wine with more pedigree than Prince George of Cambridge.
This wine shows little if any oak, which only amplifies it’s elegance and class. Dried lavender on the nose, with blue fruits and a wisp of forest floor. Notes of smoke and mineral intermix with orange blossoms and tart cherries. Medium bodied with a sexy lushness that is backed up with structured tannins and an open, appealing freshness. The finish turns toward darker fruit, rich savor, and black pepper.

$99.99  | Wine & Spirits Stores in Pennsylvania

93 Points | Wine Report by Keith Wallace

 

Chamisal Vineyards 2013 Estate Chardonnay, Edna Valley

Daydream of those buttery-but-bright chardonnays of lore? Wishing for those happy days listening to Depeche Mode and noshing on brie from Canada? If so, grab a few bottle: this is the classic 80’s style chardonnay.

This bottle has the toasted almond and butterscotch overlaying key lime and blood orange zest. There is plenty of oak-derived coconut butter and vanilla, like a nice day at the beach. A core of crunchy acid to keep it all from going kitsch. It’s very much in the Puligny-Montrachet style that made Chardonnay famous in the first place.

$15.99  | A Chairman’s Selection from the Wine & Spirits Stores in Pennsylvania

91 Points | Wine Report by Keith Wallace

Wine Knowledge and Customer Support

Need some help? Have a wine question you need answered? check out our wine knowledge forum right here: https://www.vinology.com/wine-knowledge/

 

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Hope to see you soon!

Keith Wallace
Director
Wine School of Philadelphia
109 S. 22nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
www.vinology.com

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