ON THURSDAY JULY 28 at 6:30 STELLINA sponsors the second event of the Summer Wine tasting series titled “UNDER THE STARS”. The tasting will be held outdoors in the Stellina Italian garden, under the grape arbor.
This tasting is titled “SOUTH OF THE BORDER BARBECUE” to emphasize its focus on extraordinary wines from the Southern Hemisphere. All of the wines chosen come from South America, Africa, Australia or New Zealand.
Some of the bottlings feature grape varieties that are well-known to US buyers, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Pinot Noir. Others will offer your first glimpse into the world of Bonarda, Pais and Pinotage, types whose histories go back to the time of the Conquistadors!
Naturally, we will serve antipasti worthy of such a starry assemblage, reflecting the personalities of these wines. And as always a professional will offer informed opinion and analysis during the tasting.
Cost for the wine tasting is $35 per person. Reservations are required. Call 617-924-9475 or go to our reservation page.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
MIGUEL TORRES ‘DIGNA ESTELADO’ SPARKLING ROSE (CHILE)
“The Santa Digna Estelado is a wine that will set Rose bubble hounds in a swoon…has earned the designation as being Chile’s best sparkling wine in 2012.”- YYC WINE, 2013
“This is the most extraordinary wine, a very delicious, well-made fizz that is really quite delicate.” “I can thoroughly recommend this wine as a great-value fizz with far more character and refreshment than any industrial Prosecco and a refinement that many a Cava lacks” – Jancis Robinson Wine of the week 1 February 2013
” 89 POINTS!”– “The most obviously interesting thing about the Estelado Rose is that it’s the world’s first sparkling rose made 100% from the Pais grape, which is highly obscure today but played a pivotal role in the development of viticulture on this side of the ocean: in fact, it could be considered the catalyst of modern winemaking in the Americas. Pais was the first vitis vinifera (the particular species of grape to which all of the world’s top quality wine-making varietals belong) grape to arrive in Chile back in the 16th century…..This is a traditional method sparkling wine, which means that it was made in the same way as Champagne.”
“The Estelado is a gorgeous vivid salmon colour but is more layered and restrained on the nose than its potent hue would lead you to believe:It’s the same story on the palate, a delicate blend of anise, pink peppercorn, rose petals and dried strawberry, with a biscuity/yeasty note and a texture that is first creamy, then precise”– POP AND POUR WINE BLOG 2015
_______________________________________________________________________________________
LAMADRID BONARDA RESERVA (ARGENTINA)
“Many of Argentina’s Bonardas offer mass appeal… Lamadrid made this [annual] report’s only outstanding version… A flashy red, displaying a vibrant core of crushed wild cherry, plum, spice and licorice notes. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and fresh aftertaste.”
Winemaker’s Notes: “This tasty Cape blend from South Africa’s premier Pinotage producer displays ripe, juicy flavors of dark berry, coffee and plum interlaced with pleasant herbal and spice notes. A distinctive smoky, tarry character makes this supple, full-bodied red the ultimate grilling/tailgate wine.”
“Concentrated aromas of red and black forest fruits dominate combined with dried herbs and spicy cedar notes. To taste, the flavour profile is, rich and ripe without losing precise pinot noir detail. Tannins are moderate but integrated, leaving a lasting impression of texture (density), harmony and not least; definitive vineyard and Southern Marlborough clays character.”
– Winery Notes
– Winery Notes
91 POINTS!- Supple and full-bodied, this wine offers ample aromas and flavors of ripe cherries, supported by hints of cedar and vanilla. It’s not super complex, but is a bold, flavorful wine with a softly dusty, lingering finish.– WINE ENTHUSIAST
This wine …“is the product of two select vineyards with ten-year-old vines. Soils here are clay-based rather than alluvial. The hand-picked fruit is pre-soaked in open top fermenters, given ten days maceration on the skins after fermentation, then matured in French oak, 20% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. I am not constitutionally constructed to readily enjoy Pinot, but this one brought a smile: cherry, cedar, and tickly nutmeg on the nose, pomegranate, cherry and licorice on the palate, chocolate and cocoa on the finish. The specifications list no residual sugar, but you wouldn’t know it from the ripe warmth of this wine. The mouthfeel is smooth, with tannins and acidity working admirably in the background.”- the style gourmet
_________________________________________________________________________________
YALUMBA ‘SIGNATURE’ BLEND (AUSTRALIA)
WINERY NOTES: The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz
For more than five decades Yalumba The Signature has saluted the very best of Australia’s most legendary red wine blend – Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz. Deep, complex and brooding, The Signature is a cerebral wine crafted with longevity in mind.
Winemaker’s Notes: Almost blood red, this is a Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz in motion, changing and shifting from red scents of currants and cranberries to the black fruits of plum compote and black cherries, before a touch of cedar, leafy herbs and powdery black spices freshen the finish. The wine has a coolness that belies its power. The expression is as restrained as it is muscular. Richly layered, the fruit completes the structure. Underneath there’s an umami earthiness, like scents of camping in the woods. Impeccably balanced.
98 points Sam KimA formidable wine of outstanding richness, yet it’s sophisticated at the same time. Complex aromas of black/blueberry, dark plum, floral, game and vanilla lead to a velvety palate that delivers awesome intensity and opulence. A gratifying wine from an exceptional vintage. Surely this is the best wine made under this label of fifty-year history. At its best: 2022 to 2042. Signatory: Robert Hill-Smith. (8/2015)
96 points James HallidaySpent 20 months in high quality French, Hungarian and American oak barrels made in Yalumba’s own onsite cooperage. This is one of the richest and most opulent vintages of The Signature in the 41 years since the first was made. While the blackcurrant and blackberry fruit flavours dominate the oak, the wine has a certain elegant juiciness that offers drinking at any stage over the next 20+ years, as the tannins are supple and fine, the overall balance perfect. (5/2015)
95 points James SucklingA balanced, complete red with currant, spice, meat and berry character. Full body with polished tannins and a long, long finish. Very structured and layered. Turns spicy and flavorful. This is a great wine. Try in 2018. (6/2015)
95 points Robert Parker’s Wine AdvocateBlended of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon and 48% Shiraz, the deep garnet-purple colored 2012 The Signature (Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz) is a benchmark example of this classic South Australia blend. Giving scents of ripe black cherries, blackberries and cassis with underlying cloves, vanilla and menthol hints, it fills the mouth with ripe, seductive but never heavy fruit. Medium-bodied and well framed with firm grainy tannins and balanced freshness, it finishes long and youthfully taut. Always a great value Aussie icon, this vintage is right up there with the best and is certainly one for the cellars of Aussie wine lovers! (6/2015)