Staff Picks From the Southern Hemisphere
Terre Brûlée Chenin Blanc – 2021 $12.96
Winemaker Vincent Carême hails from the Loire Valley, but has always been drawn to the winemaking regions of South Africa. He brings with him an expertise in Chenin Blanc, but the terroir here makes this bottle something truly special. The grapes here are dry farmed, unirrigated bush vines averaging 40 years of age in soils of decomposed granite. The Mediterranean climate and abundant sunshine bring a refreshing brightness to the wine while helping to develop the tropical fruit flavors of ripe peach, guava and a hint of orange blossom. – Evan Cucciniello, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Viña Quintay “Clava” Pinot Noir – 2022 $14.96
The rare inexpensive Pinot that delivers in taste–and that’s really saying something. The southenly Casablanca Valley is perfectly suited for this finicky grape. Warm days and cool nights give Pinot Noir the bright fruit and crisp acidity that delivers the finesse and balance of a great Pinot. Here the berried cherried fruit is bright and fresh; underlying that is a bramble earthiness and structure that complements the fruit perfectly. I drink this with a slight chill, and it pairs nicely with goat cheese. – Josh Mizrahi, Sales Manager
Bosman Family, Chenin Blanc – 2024 $15.96
I have been a fan of Bosman Family Vineyards since I first started learning about wine. They’ve been making wine in Wellington, South Africa, since 1810, and 8 generations later they are still “dedicated to better,” as their motto states. They strive for excellence in product as well as practice – they focus on sustainability and regeneration of the environment and local community! The Bosman family is also the owner of Bosman Adama, the largest vine nursery in Africa. Founded in 1947 by Petrus Bosman Sr. in response to phylloxera outbreak, it supplies over one third of the country’s grafted vines! This Chenin Blanc is a must-try for summer – a pale straw color, stone fruit and jasmine aromatics, and a clean minerality on the palate that is lingering and refreshing. A no-brainer to pair with summer dishes or as an aperitif! – Vic Pagan, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
D.V. Catena, Tinto Histórico – 2022 $19.96
The night I decided to bring this wine home I had fatigue from tasting different wines from different locales. I ended up returning to a region that has always been there for me. Domaine du Clos du Fief Beaujolais-Villages is a wine with a comforting nature. Ripe, fresh strawberries, raspberry cordial, tropical fruits, fresh violets, and roses balance notes of freshly-turned potting soil and wet rock. Vivid freshness and firm, approachable tannins leave this wine ready to be drunk young or, incredibly for a Villages level, prepared to lay down for a few years. This bottling shows versatility when paired with food. – Matt Goodyear, Astor Wines & Sales Consultant
Penley Estate, “Francis”, Cabernet Franc – 2023 $23.96
From the Loire to the North Fork to Coonawara Australia, good folks are making scrumptious Cab Francs and I love them. This one, from winemaker Kate Goodman, is youthful, modern, vibrant, unoaked and driven by its fragrant fruit profile. Bursting with complex whole bunch characters of violets, sliced pepper, Turkish delight and spice, with a juicy palate of smooth yet cheeky tannins that support a core of intensely flavored fruit. Established in 1988 by the descendants of the pioneering Penfold (yep, those Penfolds) and Tolley families, Penley Estate is located in Coonawarra, the heart of one of South Australia’s greatest wine regions where the Terra Rossa soils were selected for their ability to produce terroir-driven wines of true regional character. The Estate is now widely regarded as one of the region’s leading producers. – Simon Gouldstone, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Burn Cottage, “Burn Cottage” Pinot Noir – 2021 $64.96
Burn Cottage is a 28 hectare farm and vineyard estate of the foothills of Mount Pisa in Central Otago, New Zealand. The vineyard is owned by husband and wife Marquis & Dianne Sauvage who purchased the property unplanted in 2002 after touring the area on vacation a season prior. Under the guidance of Ted Lemon, owner and winemaker of Littorai Wines in California, the vines were planted in 2003 and have been maintained Biodynamically ever since.This wine is alive and is so much an expression of its space. The sip is airy, fresh and lively with deep notes of pomegranate and raspberry, fading into soft herbal notes of clove and peppercorn. Many would argue that this wine is built to compete with the finest Pinot Noir of Burgundy, France. But to me that is a disservice to the unique beauty and the elegance of the wines from Central Otago. – Evan Cucciniello, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant