Small-Batch Wonders: gorgeous red wines that won’t break the bank
Small-Batch Wonders: gorgeous red wines that won’t break the bank
This party season, skip the show-offy bottles for reds with a little more nuance (and a lot less sticker shock)
As the holidays loom, Vintages stocks pricier wines to give and (hopefully) receive. It’s easy to impress with a $100-plus cult label from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Tuscany or the Napa Valley, and the wine will likely be excellent. But I can guarantee it will also be overpriced. Instead, opt for small-production wines from lesser-known regions. These five reds top out at $60 and will still demonstrate your discerning largesse.
Two Hands 2012 Lily’s Garden Shiraz | $57 | McLaren Vale, South Australia | 93 points
Spend $60 on an Aussie shiraz and you’re only one tier below icons like Penfolds Grange. Lily’s Garden is a sumptuous whopper with 15 per cent alcohol, but the booziness barely registers amid black fruit jam and the chocolate and spice that come from 18 months in oak. Vintages 683086
Spend $60 on an Aussie shiraz and you’re only one tier below icons like Penfolds Grange. Lily’s Garden is a sumptuous whopper with 15 per cent alcohol, but the booziness barely registers amid black fruit jam and the chocolate and spice that come from 18 months in oak. Vintages 683086
Hamilton Russell 2012 Pinot Noir | $45 | Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa | 93 points
There’s a wild valley called Heaven and Earth at Walker Bay east of Cape Town. Hamilton Russell pioneered pinot in the cool enclave, making intense versions with a firm burgundian edge. The 2012 is all sour cherry fruit, fresh herbs, meatiness and refined wood presence. Vintages 999516
There’s a wild valley called Heaven and Earth at Walker Bay east of Cape Town. Hamilton Russell pioneered pinot in the cool enclave, making intense versions with a firm burgundian edge. The 2012 is all sour cherry fruit, fresh herbs, meatiness and refined wood presence. Vintages 999516
Carrick 2011 Pinot Noir | $40 | Central Otago, New Zealand | 91 points
Steve Green planted pinot in the 1990s in a sub-region of Central Otago called Bannockburn. Today it’s one of the world’s great pinot havens. This powerful, organically grown cherry-, thyme- and spice-scented example bristles with energy, firm structure and ageability. Vintages 919837
Steve Green planted pinot in the 1990s in a sub-region of Central Otago called Bannockburn. Today it’s one of the world’s great pinot havens. This powerful, organically grown cherry-, thyme- and spice-scented example bristles with energy, firm structure and ageability. Vintages 919837
La Rioja Alta 2004 Viña Ardanza Reserva | $40 | Rioja, Spain | 91 points
For off-the-rack mature reds, no region does it better than Spain’s Rioja, where tempranillo-based reservas and gran reservas age in barrels for years. This elegant, smooth yet vibrant example has sour cherry, tomato, leather, walnut and forest floor flavours, and outstanding length. Vintages 315531
For off-the-rack mature reds, no region does it better than Spain’s Rioja, where tempranillo-based reservas and gran reservas age in barrels for years. This elegant, smooth yet vibrant example has sour cherry, tomato, leather, walnut and forest floor flavours, and outstanding length. Vintages 315531
Catena Alta 2011 Malbec | $50 | Mendoza, Argentina | 91 points
Argentine wines have been value priced for so long that a $50 malbec might come as a shock. But this is an elite wine from high-altitude vineyards made by a pioneering house. It’s full-bodied, deep and youthful, but there’s pedigree and even some silk. Excellent length. Vintages 982355
Argentine wines have been value priced for so long that a $50 malbec might come as a shock. But this is an elite wine from high-altitude vineyards made by a pioneering house. It’s full-bodied, deep and youthful, but there’s pedigree and even some silk. Excellent length. Vintages 982355
By David Lawrason
As the holidays loom, Vintages stocks pricier wines to give and (hopefully) receive. It’s easy to impress with a $100-plus cult label from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Tuscany or the Napa Valley, and the wine will likely be excellent. But I can guarantee it will also be overpriced. Instead, opt for small-production wines from lesser-known regions. These five reds top out at $60 and will still demonstrate your discerning largesse.
Two Hands 2012 Lily’s Garden Shiraz | $57 | McLaren Vale, South Australia | 93 points
Spend $60 on an Aussie shiraz and you’re only one tier below icons like Penfolds Grange. Lily’s Garden is a sumptuous whopper with 15 per cent alcohol, but the booziness barely registers amid black fruit jam and the chocolate and spice that come from 18 months in oak. Vintages 683086
Hamilton Russell 2012 Pinot Noir | $45 | Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa | 93 points
There’s a wild valley called Heaven and Earth at Walker Bay east of Cape Town. Hamilton Russell pioneered pinot in the cool enclave, making intense versions with a firm burgundian edge. The 2012 is all sour cherry fruit, fresh herbs, meatiness and refined wood presence. Vintages 999516
Carrick 2011 Pinot Noir | $40 | Central Otago, New Zealand | 91 points
Steve Green planted pinot in the 1990s in a sub-region of Central Otago called Bannockburn. Today it’s one of the world’s great pinot havens. This powerful, organically grown cherry-, thyme- and spice-scented example bristles with energy, firm structure and ageability. Vintages 919837
La Rioja Alta 2004 Viña Ardanza Reserva | $40 | Rioja, Spain | 91 points
For off-the-rack mature reds, no region does it better than Spain’s Rioja, where tempranillo-based reservas and gran reservas age in barrels for years. This elegant, smooth yet vibrant example has sour cherry, tomato, leather, walnut and forest floor flavours, and outstanding length. Vintages 315531
Catena Alta 2011 Malbec | $50 | Mendoza, Argentina | 91 points
Argentine wines have been value priced for so long that a $50 malbec might come as a shock. But this is an elite wine from high-altitude vineyards made by a pioneering house. It’s full-bodied, deep and youthful, but there’s pedigree and even some silk. Excellent length. Vintages 982355){kind=link}
[Cue people whining about paying more than $13/bottle since that’s what 20 Bees and Yellowtail cost]
I’ve had the Carrick and many Two Hands wines…while excellent, it remains hard for me to stomach paying 20% more here for them than when I used to live in NYC…and forget about being able to afford any decent American wines, which are 30-50% more expensive here than 300 miles south.
Not one local. Another GREAT article by David Lawrason.
Please bring on someone with a bit more passion for wine. And some freshness.
At these prices there are a lot better wine picks to impress. Lackluster list to say the very least. When will the wine writing become as good as the rest of Toronto Life. When it does then maybe I’ll subscribe.
Says who Kamalak? You? Instead of just insulting someone else’s taste in wine please share your “better” list of stunning reasonably priced wines so the people of Toronto will know what to look for at the LCBO. Further, on the off chance you’ve actually tried these wines and didnt enjoy them… explain why your taste in wine is superior to that wine writer’s taste in wine and not just personal preference? Ass.