FINE WINE - The Wine Society

THE GREATGRAPE ESCAPETHE VARIETIES THATCONQUERED THE NEW WORLDIn a wine world shrunk by instant communications and globaldemand, it’s not surprising to see the classic varieties of vitisvinifera colonising as many corners of it as suit their DNA. Somesettle more happily than others. Over the years, a handful ofthem have become classics in their own right, while others havebeen quietly (and thankfully) consigned to obscurity. No suchfate awaits Argentine malbec, cabernet from Chile and theCape, Kiwi pinot noir, Aussie shiraz and Californiazinfandel. The selection below unites these six red successstories with growers who have brought out the best in them.M-AU14151 Brown Brothers Patricia Shiraz 2005, Victoria £19 bottle £228 dozenBrown Brothers’ top shiraz bowled us over when we first tasted it. Twelve months inAmerican oak and a further four years in bottle have resulted in a gorgeous smoky,blackberry-fruited Australian shiraz which combines class with power. Now to 2015.14.5%Frog’s Leap Napa Valley Zinfandel, 2008Frog’s Leap has been a trailblazer in the trend to more sustainable agriculture in California,farming all its vineyards organically. This stylish zinfandel has a smattering of petite sirahfor spicy complexity and reflects the estate’s mantra of elegance and harmony rather thanpower. Now to 2018. 13.5% Only available as part of the mixed case.M-NZ5821 Seresin Rachel Pinot Noir, 2009, Marlborough £19.50 bottle £234 dozenSeresin Estate’s Raupo Creek vineyard supplies the fruit for this sublime Kiwi pinot.Very low yields (one bunch per vine) contribute incredible concentration and depthof flavour. Now to 2016. 14%M-SA6651 Meerlust Estate Rubicon, Stellenbosch, 2006 £21 bottle £252 dozenLovely Rubicon with a solid base of 76% cabernet sauvignon, with less merlot since2001 in favour of more cabernet franc, here 16%. Still young but already approachableif decanted. Now to 2025. 14%M-AR2651 Zaha Altamira Malbec, 2010 £22 bottle £264 dozenZaha means ‘heart’ in the language of the Huarpe Indians who lived in the Mendozaregion. Altamira is a cool district with most vines grown around 1000m altitude, and isproducing some of the region’s most scented and finest-textured malbecs. This, theirfirst vintage, is exclusive to members of The Society. Now to 2020. 14%M-CE6201 Santa Rita Casa Real, Alto Jahuel Maipo, 2007 £23 bottle £276 dozenOne of Chile’s finest cabernets with concentration that comes from the vineyard, notthe winery. Matured in French oak barrels for 14 months, until the tannins are silky.Now to 2020. 14%CLASSIC GRAPES OF THE NEW WORLDDrink now to 2015ref M-MX125176 at £119A six-bottle case containing ONE bottle each of the above winesFor advice thewinesociety.com/advice or ☎ 01438 7411779