Perfumed, racy, pristine.

Argentina's white grape deserves much more attention than it gets - it has such a lovely perfume. For this vintage, expect juicy limes, lychee, white peaches, honeysuckle and musky wild honey. Tangy and pristine, with a zesty finish, but with a slightly hollow mid-palate, this is a great everyday quaffer at a buy-by-the-case price.
Pair: stronger cheeses, smoked sausage or salami or spicy curries and stir-fry's.
Pairs Great with Gone Crackers Roasted Shallot & Herb
 
©copyright 2017 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 19th, 2017

Perfumed, racy, floral.

Argentina's white grape deserves much more attention than it's getting - it has such a lovely perfume. In this case, expect kaffir lime, fresh ginger root, jasmine blossoms, kumquats, wild herbs and musky honey undertones. Crunchy and racy on the palate, it boasts a pinch of spice and waxy citrus peel flavours.
Pair: stronger cheeses, smoked sausage or salami or spicy curries and stir-fry's.

©copyright 2017 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 19th, 2017

Absolutely charming.
Notes of mineral, lemon, pine oil, smoke, wild honey, hazelnuts and roasted spice are lifted with ripe guava and melon aromas. The same melon and guava appear on the palate with lemon curds, and sweet spiced nuts. Excellent restraint and persistence, good minerality and acidity to keep it all in check.
Chic.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 20th, 2013

This charming blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano from the Adriatic Marche region of Italy offers aromas of tart cherries, saddle leather and red currents, dry spices and savoury/herbal/lactic undertones. It's a rustic wine with the acidity to stand up to tomato sauces and the structure for grilled sausages and it has flavours of roasted spices, cocoa, leather and white pepper. Good persistence here but leaner than previous vintages.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 12th, 2012

This Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Mourvedre blend never fails to delight.
It offers typical Southern Rhone value; it's a generous and thoughtful wine that combines the charm of the Old World and satisfying fruit of the New World.
The aromas here are sweet raspberry and cherry, mocha and vanilla, leather and garrigue underscored by peppery spices and lifted with notes of wildflowers. It is supple and thoroughly enjoyable - a perfect amalgamation of fruit and earthiness. Lovely depth and good length with roasted espresso, bittersweet cocoa and pepper on the finish. A 10-minute chill-down the fridge will benefit this wine and make it even more enjoyable.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - June 17th, 2013

Part of the Delicato Family Vineyards portfolio, this sociable Cabernet is named for the Bordelais 337 Cabernet clone, used to make it.
It leads with molten chocolate and cassis, vanilla and sweet spice atop leather and pencil shavings. It is smooth but not overly plush, the fruit here is fresh and sweet - wild berries, mocha, pipe tobacco and spice flavours round out the palate.
Perfect for grilled red meats, lamb or hearty pastas.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - May 7th, 2013

Domaine Zinck produces delicious Alsatian varietal wines at good prices.
This Pinot Blanc is one of my favourites and leads with aromas of yellow apples, apricots, orange blossoms, honey and citrus with a hint of smoke and mineral. A wonderful weight on the tongue carries similar flavours of mineral, smoke, orchard fruits and lively citrus. A stylish wine with good length to pair with oily fish, roast chicken, or a smoked cheese and caramelized onion tart.

©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 20th, 2013

Taking a step up in price from the Los Cardos range, the Estate Malbec provides decadent black cherries and briary berries, spiced cocoa and licorice, smoke, roasted coffee and dark chocolate leap out of the glass. Generous sweet black fruit attacks the palate followed with peppery spice, fleur de sel and roasted mocha flavours. Toasted oak leans on a medium-length finish.A structured red to partner with dense proteins like hard cheeses or grilled meats.
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©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 23rd, 2013

Composed primarily of the indigenous white Sicilian variety, Catarratto, the Anthilia is a fantastic food wine for fish, appetizers or a simple pasta e olio.
The aromas here are subtle and integrated - fresh minerality, honey and lemon with fine floral notes. It is oily on the palate and is weighted with mineral, citrus and vague flavours of spice and caramel. It's also a textural wine with a lengthy finish.

©copyright 2012 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 30th, 2012

Sicily's indigenous Nero d'Avola goes into this mineral-driven red. Notes of saline and earth, savoury spice and black fruits, dark chocolate shavings and grilled peppers. The palate is fresh, there's plenty of juicy dark fruit, spice and cocoa with similar saline flavours in the mouth. The tannins are fine but firm, the finish shows good persistence.
Pair with: heary pasta dishes, grilled fish, spicy salami pizza.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 7th, 2013

Delicious, crackling, snappy.
Made from 100% Verdejo from Rueda (a truly underappreciated variety and region) this crisp white offers immediate enjoyment. Aromas of peaches and honey, young pineapple and pomelo with white blossoms lead to a palate that has lovely weight and sweet fruit. It is bouncy and charming with a juicy finish. A great sipper, or partner to Asian dishes, salads, seafood or olives, bread and cheese.
©copyright 2019 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 20th, 2019

Tasty, racy, snappy.
Made from 100% Verdejo from Rueda (a truly underappreciated variety and region) this crisp white delivers zesty citrus crunchy tree fruits, wildflowers, wet stone and banana aromas. Like the nose, the palate is zesty, lively, and snappy with a slick texture and flavours of bitter orange, grapefruit and orchard fruits.
A tasty quaffer or pair with white meats, salads, seafood or olives, bread and cheese.
©copyright 2023 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - October 11th, 2023

Tasty, racy, snappy.
Made from 100% Verdejo from Rueda (a truly underappreciated variety and region) this crisp white delivers zesty citrus crunchy tree fruits, wildflowers, wet stone and banana aromas. The palate echos the nose, it is zesty, lively, and snappy with a slick texture and flavours of lemon, grapefruit and orchard fruits. smells of bitter orange and scorched honey, lemon oil and chamomile, peach wax, grass clippings and saffron. Dry and juicy on the palate it has a crisp zesty character with bold lemony flavours.
A tasty quaffer or pair with white meats, salads, seafood or olives, bread and cheese.
©copyright 2022 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 11th, 2022

Tasty, racy, snappy.
Made from 100% Verdejo from Rueda (a truly underappreciated variety and region) this crisp white smells of bitter oramge and scorched honey, lemon oil and chamomile, peach wax, grass clippings and saffron. Dry and juicy on the palate it has a crisp zesty character with bold lemony flavours.
A tasty quaffer or pair with white meats, salads, seafood or olives, bread and cheese.
©copyright 2022 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - April 22nd, 2022

Tasty, racy, snappy.
Made from 100% Verdejo from Rueda (a truly underappreciated variety and region) this crisp white suggests lemon wax and pine, star fruit and crunchy yellow apples alongside marzipan. It's a definitive food wine; flashy and lively it has a sprightly zesty character and tart green and yellow fruit on the finish. Racy with a slightly viscous weight.
Partner with white meats, salads, seafood or olives, bread and cheese.
©copyright 2021 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 8th, 2021

Not surprisingly it looks like another successful vintage for the very reliable, 1884 wines.
The Malbec is extremely approachable and yet offers substance too. It leads with aromas of black plums and black raspberries, peppery spices and dark mocha atop savoury notes. It is smooth and full on the palate - flavours of spiced plum and ripe dark berries are layered with, finely ground black pepper, rich coffee and dark chocolate flavours. It's nicely balanced and the tannins are supple. This is a wine that will please those who are new to wine as well as those with a more seasoned palate, equally.
Pair with grilled meats, savoury stews or chili or portobello mushroom burgers.

©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - January 18th, 2013

Spicy, textural exotic.
Ten percent of this Viognier was aged in French oak for three months to add complexity. It is golden in colour with aromas of pine resin and toasted lemons, peach crumble and tangerine oil, wild honey and mixed exotic spices. The entry is tangy; it has earthy flavours of wild mushroom and honey, which is lifted by tart citrus peel flavours. A textural component to the palate adds weight and it has a distinct savouriness.
Pair: Moroccan cuisine, food with exotic spice flavours, oily fish and stronger cheeses.
©copyright 2017 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - November 1st, 2017

Made from the regional varieties of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara this charming weekday red leads with smoked cherries and vanilla, some chocolate, plum and sweet spice and is rounded out with saddle leather and cigarbox notes. It is supple and very fresh - fllavours of bittersweet cocoa and spice are layered with juicy red fruit. Good substance, nice brightness.
Perfect for tomato pastas, medium-firm Italian cheeses and roasted meat.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - March 18th, 2013

Made primarily from Garganega and rounded out with Trebbiano di Soave (Veronese) and Chardonnay this is a fantastic wine, affordably priced and a great alternative to your typical white.
Expect beeswax and anise, vanilla and frangipani flowers, roasted nuts and marshmallow layered with Meyer lemons. It has a creamy lanolin texture with flavours of quince jelly and guava, juicy citrus and sweet spice with a good dose of mineral for added character.
Pair with fish, white meats and starters.
©copyright 2013 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - September 13th, 2013

Inky, savoury, robust.
The Falernia estate is located in the northernmost viticultural region of Chile, in the Elqui Valley and this wine is made from what has come to be known as Chile's grape - Carmenere.
The 2019 vintage has robust spicy~meaty overtones with chocolate, saddle leather, white pepper, currents and vanilla. It's notably concentrated, inky and thick; chocolate, dried cherries, chocolate and white pepper flavours pop up on the palate. Good freshness overall--an excellent wine at a great price.
Pairs great with Gone Crackers Olive Oil & Cracked Pepper
 
©copyright 2022 Daenna Van Mulligen
Wine Scores Reviewed - August 30th, 2022