New Releases: Spain / South Africavinventions.nomacorc.com/trendsettersbyvinventions.nomacorc.com/trendsettersby“We produce wines that epitomize
Washington’s unique character, balancing
new and old world styles. With Nomacorc,
every bottle consistently delivers
on this promise.”
Marty Clubb credits Walla Walla’s optimal growing season
and their vineyards’ mineral-rich glacial and volcanic soils
for L’Ecole’s distinctive quality.“We produce wines that epitomize
Washington’s unique character, balancing
new and old world styles. With Nomacorc,
every bottle consistently delivers
on this promise.”
Marty Clubb credits Walla Walla’s optimal growing season
and their vineyards’ mineral-rich glacial and volcanic soils
for L’Ecole’s distinctive quality.SOUTH AFRICA
93 Reyneke Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch
2015 $136 Distinctive, with a multilayered profile, this
red exhibits mulled black currant and açaí berry juice fla-
vors, backed by a dense structure. Loam-tinted notes of bay
leaf and tobacco emerge, while Earl Grey tea details mark
the finish. Needs short-term cellaring. Best from 2021
through 2029. 156 cases made, 25 cases imported.—A.Z.
92 Kanonkop Pinotage Simonsberg-Stellen-
bosch Black Label 2017 $275 A serious wine, made
in a modern style, exhibiting notes of cinnamon and lico-
rice that glide along, while ripe plum and dark chocolate
flavors meet in the center. Firm in structure and thick in
texture, this carries through to a solid, juicy finish. A bit
restrained, so cellar for several years. Best from 2021
through 2027. 575 cases made, 2 cases imported.—A.Z.
92 Reyneke Reserve Red Stellenbosch 2016 $71
Juicy in feel, with black tea and cedar notes gliding along
the dark cherry and currant flavors, with bay leaf hints in
the background. Still a bit tight, with grippy tannins, but
the elements should integrate with time. Best from 2022
through 2029. 274 cases made, 50 cases imported.—A.Z.
92 Rudi Schultz Syrah Stellenbosch 2016 $30
Ripe, expressive and focused, with a firm structure behind
the charming mix of plum and blackberry flavors, framed
by licorice and spice notes. Graphite accents emerge on
the long finish. Best from 2021 through 2028. 1,500 cases
made, 250 cases imported.—A.Z.91 Cap Maritime Pinot Noir Upper Hemel-en-
Aarde Valley 2017 $54 Cherry and rooibos tea flavors
glide through, lined with light mineral notes and balanced
by finely integrated tannins and vivid structure. Balanced
and refined through the mineral-infused finish. Drink now
through 2027. 150 cases made, 50 cases imported.—A.Z.
90 Cap Maritime Chardonnay Upper Hemel-en-
Aarde Valley 2017 $54 Subtle at first, but with air
this opens up to flavors of yellow apple, crème fraîche and
cardamom that glide along, enhanced by vibrant miner-
ality and a suave texture. A charmer for those who like
their whites with some body. Drink now through 2024.
230 cases made, 75 cases imported.—A.Z.
90 David Finlayson Cabernet Sauvignon
Stellenbosch GS 2015 $50 Crushed strawberry and
licorice flavors are vibrant and focused in this medium-
to full-bodied version, with herbal and spice notes adding
another dimension. Substantial yet elegant, with a hint
of graphite on the finish. Best from 2020 through 2026.
500 cases made, 200 cases imported.—A.Z.
90 De Morgenzon Maestro White Stellenbosch
2016 $25 Fresh, showing a little bit of weight, featur-
ing lively peach, grapefruit zest, sage and turmeric notes.
Round, with electric acidity imparting great energy
throughout. Mouthwatering finish. Drink now through- 1,455 cases made, 112 cases imported.—A.Z.
90 De Toren Fusion V Stellenbosch 2016 $60
Sleek and focused, with notes of nutmeg gliding along,
showing red currant and damson plum fruit midpalate.
The tannins are very well-integrated. A touch of sanguine
adds complexity on the finish. Harmonious. Drink now
through 2025. 3,890 cases made, 406 cases imported.—A.Z.89 Josep Maria Raventós i Blanc Brut Nature
Vino Espumoso Textures de Pedra 2014 $41 A
firm and focused sparkler, with a silky mousse. Petrol and
saline notes lead to flavors of dried cherry and lemon pre-
serves, showing a hint of medicinal herb. Drink now
through 2022. 1,830 cases made, 300 cases imported.—A.N.
88 Haciendas Marqués de la Concordia Brut
Rosé Cava Selección Especial 2015 $12 Ripe notes
of white cherry and melon are backed by hints of toast
point and candied blood orange zest in this juicy sparkling
rosé, with a creamy mousse. A fresh and balanced crowd-
pleaser. Monastrell and Pinot Noir. Drink now. 100,000
cases made, 650 cases imported.—A.N.
87 Mont-Marçal Brut Cava Reserva 2016 $17
Minerally hints of petrol and smoke on the nose under-
score the dried apricot, honeycomb, thyme and almond
biscotti notes on the palate of this rich Cava. Juicy acid-
ity and a zesty bead balance the flavor range’s opulent
edge. Drink now. 2,000 cases made.—A.N.
87 Bodegas Naia Rueda K-naia 2018 $12 This
firm white has crisp acidity, which drives the flavors of
green peach, kumquat and tarragon. Sleek, focused and
refreshing. Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now.
11,000 cases made, 100 cases imported.—T.M.
87 Bodegas Viore Verdejo Toro 2018 $9 Pear
and almond flavors mingle with notes of hay and ginger in
this thick white. Features pleasant weight, supported by
grapefruit acidity. A bit blunt, but deep. Drink now through
- 20,000 cases made, 1,800 cases imported.—T.M.
86 Marqués de Cáceres Verdejo Rueda 2018 $13
This lively wine is energized by citrusy acidity and a light
spritz. Green peach, pea shoot and lime flavors are bright
and clean. Refreshing. Drink now. 45,000 cases made,
12,000 cases imported.—T.M.
SEPT. 30, 2019 • WINE SPECTATOR 101