Simo's Best Buys 2020
| Points | Description |
|---|---|
| 98–100 | SUPERIOR - Superior quality |
| 94-97 | EXCELLENT - Excellent quality |
| 90–93 | HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - High quality |
| 87–89 | WELL RECOMMENDED - Good quality |
| 83–86 | RECOMMENDED - Good quality/value |
| 80–82 | ACCEPTABLE - For everyday consumption |
Wynns Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
 |
Producer: Wynn's Coonawarra Estate
100% Cabernet Sauvignon Alcohol 13.7% Sugar 0.4 g/l Acidity 6.3 g/l Drinking Window 2021 - 2040 Serving Temperature: 17-18°C (63-64°F) 89 Points / Price $25 |
Coonawarra - South AustraliaCharacteristics
Coonawarra`s terra rossa (red soil) make this Cab tastes unique. Its finesse tells you that the chief winemaker is a woman: Sue Hodder.
Eye: deep red.
Nose: dark cherry, lavander, dried mint.
Mouth: soft and round, good acidity, fine tannins. Long finish.
Flavors: blackberry, stewed rhubarb, violets, vanilla.
Suggested Food Parings
Fish tacos with green salsa.
Medium Aged Cheese.
Best Buy April 2021
| 87 Points $24 - Valdesil Pezas da Portela Godello 2018 |
Valdesil Pezas da Portela Godello 2018
Chardonnay met Albariño in a bar sometimes in the 70s, and 9 months later they gave birth to Godello.
87 Points - $24 - Well Recommended
|
Producer: Bodegas Valdesil
100% Godello Alcohol 14.0 % Sugar 3.0 g/l Acidity 5.2 g/l Drinking Window 2021 - 2028 Serving Temperature: 10-12°C (50-54°F) |
Eye: gold.
Nose: complex, floral, stone and tropical fruit, hints of lees and oak.
Mouth: creamy texture, medium+ body, good acidity and lenght. Light lees and oak.
Ageing: fermented and matured in French oak in contact with the lees for 6 months.
Terroir: slate and schists.
Suggested Food Parings
Fatty Fish. Sea Urchins.
Poultry. Feather Game (Partriges, Quail).
Stuffed Pasta.
Louis Max Climats Pinot Noir Les Terres Froides 2019
|
Producer: Louis Max
100% Pinot Noir Alcohol 13 % Sugar 3 g/l Acidity 5,2 g/l Drinking Window 2020 - 2022 Serving Temperature: 17-18°C (63-64°F) 86 Points / Price $13 |
Languedoc-Roussillon - FranceCharacteristics
Eye: ruby.
Nose: red cherry, strawberry, blueberry.
Mouth: fruity, medium-bodied, good acidity, smooth tannins. Long finish. Flavors: raspberry, strawberry.
Suggested Food Parings
Pasta. Rich Pizza. Poultry. Veal. Lamb. Thai.
Medium Aged Cheese.
Marqués de Nombrevilla Old Vines Garnacha 2017
|
Producer: Bodegas San Alejandro
100% Garnacha Alcohol 14,5% Sugar 3 g/l Acidity 4,6.0 g/l Drinking Window 2020-2021 Serving Temperature: 14-15°C (57-59°F) 85 Points / Price $10 |
Characteristics
Unico Old Vines Garnacha comes from low yielding vineyards. The high altitude plants are stressed by the climate: cold nights and long sunny days. Grapes are 100% de-stemmed. 12 months in new french barrels of medium toast.
Eye: deep purple.
Nose: ripe black fruit, cherry, french oak.
Mouth: black cherry, fruity. Round tannins.
Suggested Food Parings
Tapas. Cured Meat.
Pizza. Hamburger.
Stews. Cassoulets. Goulash.
Sausages. Pepper Sauce.
Asian Marinated Dishes.
Lamb. Lamb Shanks.
Game in Cherry Sauce.
Roast. BBQ. Pork. Rabbit. Game.
Poultry. Rich Chicken. Turkey.
Duck. Roasted Duck with Plum.
Finca Bacara 3015 Monastrell 2019
|
Producer: Finca Bacara
100% Monastrell Ecologica Alcohol 14% Sugar 3 g/l Acidity 5,4 g/l Drinking Window 2020 - aging potential Serving Temperature: 16-18°C (61-64°F) 87 Points / Price $14 |
Characteristics
The certified organic Monastrell grapes are hand-picked in September. The wine spends 2 months in American oak barrels.
Eye: bright, purple red.
Nose: ripe plums, spice, floral.
Bouquet: sweet black fruit, firm finish, round tannins.
Suggested Food Parings
Mediterranean Cuisine.
Pasta. Tapas.
Pork. Veal.
Aged Spanish Manchego Cheese.
Ca dei Frati Lugana 2019
|
Producer: Ca dei Frati
100% Turbiana Alcohol 13% Sugar 6 g/l Acidity 6,4 g/l Drinking Window 2020 - 2024. Serving Temperature: 8-10°C (46-50°F) 90 Points / Price $27 |
Lugana DOC Lombardia - ItaliaCharacteristics
Eye: yellow green.
Nose: white flowers, citrus.
Mouth: citrus, apricot, almond, mineral.
Suggested Food Parings
Mediterranean Cuisine. Aperitif. Starters.
Pasta. Tapas. Fish.
Seafood. Grilled Vegetables.
Medium Cheeses.
Château Thivin Les Sept Vignes 2019
|
Producer: Château Thivin
Blend Gamay Chardonnay Alcohol 13,5% Sugar 3 g/l Acidity 4,3 g/l Drinking Window 2020 - 2025 Serving Temperature: 12-14°C (54-57°F) 89 Points / Price $25 |
Characteristics
Vinified with partly whole bunches. Matured in oak tuns for 7 months.
Eye: garnet red.
Nose: fruity, cherry, plum.
Bouquet: cherry, raspberry, soft tannins, long finish.
Suggested Food Parings
Lyon Cuisine.
Duck. Lamb.
Roasted Chicken. Grilled Turkey. Pork Chops.
Cantina Terlano Terlaner Classico 2018
|
Producer: Cantina Terlano
60% Pinot Bianco, 30% Chardonnay, 10% Sauvignon Blanc Alcohol 13,5% Sugar 0,8 g/l Acidity 6 g/l Drinking Window 2020 - 2025 Serving Temperature: 10-12°C (50-54°F) 87 Points / Price $23 |
Characteristics
Manual harvest and selection of grapes. Clarification by natural sedimentation. Aging on the lees for 6-7 months, 80% steel tanks and 20% big wooden barrels.
Eye: pale yellow.
Nose: green apple, white peach, lemon, mint.
Mouth: apple, peach. Mineral. Long finish.
Suggested Food Parings
South Tyrolean Cuisine. Canederli (Bacon Dumplings). Sausage with Sauerkraut.
Asparagus. Pasta. Focaccia.
Fish. White and Red Meats. Turkey. Veal.
Cheese. Parmesan. Pecorino.
Garzón Tannat Reserva 2018
|
Producer: Garzon
100% Tannat Alcohol 14,5% Sugar 3 g/l Acidity 5 g/l Drinking Window 2020 - 2028 Serving Temperature: 17-18°C (63-64°F) 88 Points / Price $20 |
UruguayCharacteristics
Vineyards are located 11 miles (18 km) from the Atlantic Ocean, nearby trendy Punta del Este. 6 to 12 months on the lees in French oak barrels and casks. Focus is fruit expression and terroir.
Eye: rich purple.
Nose: dark berries, oak, licorice, earth.
Mouth: sweet and sour berries, full-bodied, good acidity, fine tannins. Long finish.
Suggested Food Parings
Roasted Game Meat. Lamb.
Blue Cheese.