Arrive in Style
(October 24 Release)

with mucho gusto

This is a wine of considerable taste and charm that draws you in by being both accessible and intriguing. Sweet, savoury and spicy, it keeps you coming back by revealing itself layer by layer. Surrender to this elegant Tempranillo with friends over an autumnal feast. It’s seriously delicious and at this price, who can resist?

BERONIA RESERVA 2005
DOCa Rioja
050203 (XD) 750 mL $ 17.95

A Gold Medal winner at the 2009 Japan
Wine Challenge.

TASTING NOTE: When you find such astounding quality at this price, you may think it’s a case of too good to be true – but we assure you, you’re not dreaming. Deep, purple-tinged ruby in colour, this expressive wine abounds with aromas of blackberry, raspberry, black cherry, wood smoke, mocha and a hint of vanilla. These nuances replay nicely on the palate, where they’re balanced by fine, structured tannins. Medium full-bodied, the wine offers up a satisfyingly savoury and spicy finish. Enjoy over the next 5 years with blackened leg of lamb or spicy meat dishes. (VINTAGES panel, Aug. 2009)

VINTAGES SINGLE BOTTLE BAG
923599 $ 1.95

Our Benchmark
(October 24 Release)

Your reference point for
Barossa Valley GSM

The Barossa Valley is Australia’s most prestigious wine region whose star attraction is its old vines. With some vines ungrafted, dry-grown and up to 150 years old, this area is monumentally important to Australia and the world of wine. The classic Rhône trio of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre (a.k.a. GSM) has thrived in Barossa’s Mediterranean-like climate for generations. These generous, ultra-ripe and velvety textured wines, however, bear only a passing resemblance to their distant French cousins. Well-made GSM blends, like Torbreck’s, are delightful in their youth but also have the depth and complexity to reward cellaring.

TORBRECK OLD VINES
GRENACHE/SHIRAZ/MOURVÈDRE 2006
Barossa Valley, South Australia
010223 (D) 750 mL $ 20.95

TASTING NOTE: Torbreck made their Old Vines GSM exclusively for VINTAGES’ customers. Big, dense, and concentrated, it hits the nose rather like an anvil of fruit and spice – in a good way – with tons of ripe raspberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, black pepper and coffee. On the palate, it’s medium full-bodied, voluptuously ripe and velvety, with mixed berry fruit, spice, chocolate and meaty notes leading to a yummy, lingering finish. A lovely wine to pair with pepper steak or saucy sausages. (VINTAGES panel, Aug. 2009)