Tasted 24th May 2011

California

Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir 2007 Russian River Valley, California 20.99
100% Pinot Noir from high density plantings on low-vigour rootstocks. Grapes were hand-picked in late-August to early-Sept in the early
morning into small bins and hand-sorted before a gentle destemming. During the initial fermentation the wine was punched down by
hand in small, 5-tonne open-top fermenters. Gently pressed off skins, gravity racked to barrels and allowed to complete malolactic
fermentation. Aged in mostly new and 2nd and 3rd fill French oak for 12 months. Winemakers Terry Adams and Michelle McClendon.
Alc 14.5%, TA 6.06g/l, pH 3.46, RS 0.83g/l. £21.99 from 22/06. Special Offer: £20.99 - £15.99, Save £5.00 from 25/05 to 21/06.
Available from Waitrose Wine Direct and 239 branches.
Dark berry fruits. Nice spicy taste. Good. Fruity and varietally correct.

South America

MontGras Reserva Merlot 2010 Colchagua Valley, Chile 8.99
90% Merlot and 10% Carmenère from MontGras’ San José Estate in the Colchagua Valley. The vines are 16 years old and planted on clay soils,
yielding 65hl/ha. The grapes were hand-picked in the third week of April and pressed in a combination of pneumatic and basket presses.
Pre-ferment maceration at 15 - 18°C followed by fermentation at 28 - 31°C in stainless steel tanks with 3 pumpovers per day. Full malo and
40% of the final blend was matured for 8 months in new oak (50% American and 50% French). Winemaker Santiago Margozzini. Alc 14.0%,
TA 4.8g/l, pH 3.55, RS 2.5g/l. Available from 11 July. Available from Waitrose Wine Direct and 202 branches.
Rich berry nose, with some mint. A very appealing taste. A lot of chocolatey oak and ripe, rich fruit. Good price. Good wine.

Torres Las Mulas Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Central Valley, Chile 8.99
Buyer’s Highlight - Superb Organic Cabernet Sauvignon that’s a real breath of fresh air from a well respected producer.
100% organically-grown Cabernet Sauvignon from the San Luis de Alico vineyard in Chile’s Central Valley. Vines are 10 years old and planted
at a density of 4,329vines/ha. Grapes were handpicked 25th April - 7th May with a yield of 8,000-10,000kg/ha. 19 day maceration with
fermentation lasting 8 days at a maximum temperature of 28°C. Aged in new French oak barrels for 6 months. Winemaker Fernando
Almeda. Alc 13.5%, TA 4.8g/l, pH 3.7, RS 3.0g/l. Available from 11 July. Available from Waitrose Wine Direct and 253 branches.
Very dark aroma. Minty smell and taste – garden mint – and nice clean taste. Not rich, but pretty good.

Mayu Selected Vineyards Syrah 2008 Elqui Valley, Chile 9.49
100% Syrah. Vines are grown on stone and gravel soils in the El Tambo and Quebrada de Talca vineyards at 500m altitude in the
northernmost wine producing region in Chile. Average rainfall is less than 8cm per year, but the snow melt in the Andes feeds the river
Elqui ensuring there is enough water for irrigation. The grapes were hand-picked, carefully selected and crushed, before enjoying a cold
maceration for 4 days. Fermentation lasted 12 days with regular punch- downs. About 40% of the wine was aged in oak for 6 months.
Winemaker Giorgio Flessati. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Alc 14%, TA 4.8g/l, pH 3.65, RS 4.0g/l. Available from Waitrose Wine
Direct and 247 branches.
Heady, sweet, ripe, concentrated aroma, with spicy oak. Sweet, rich and minty flavour. Some coffee. Exactly of its type.

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