NEW VINTAGES OF KUMUSHA AND MORE FROM THE NATURAL WINE DEPARTMENT
2021 Kumusha Chenin Blanc, Breedekloof, South Africa.
The 2021 vintage of Chenin Blanc made by Tinashe is leaner than the 2020 vintage. While there is still some nice rich fruit, the wine finishes dryer than the previous vintage. Guava and pineapple fruit up front coats the palate and brings some weight. Hints of green apple bring some acidity and leads the flavor profile to delicate minerality on the mid-palate. Light apricot fruit on the finish creates more depth along with the minerality that lingers.
$15.99 per bottle
2021 Kumusha Cabernet, Western Cape, South Africa.
While this vintage of Cabernet by Tinashe isn’t as rich and full as the 2020 vintage, it does have a savory component that makes this a chillable red. Bold green pepper up front is paired with roasted cherries and hints of blueberries. More boysenberry like flavors come out giving the whole wine a brambly profile that dries the palate. The robust green pepper comes back on the finish along with subtle rose petal characteristics.
$15.99 per bottle
2020 Fakin Wines Malvazija, Istria, Croatia.
A leaner vintage than the 2019, this wine is bright and great for hot weather. White peach with soft minerality gives you some fruit but the palate stays dry. Hints of sage bring a savory component that continues the dry profile. A bright pop of minerality leads to more peachy notes on the finish.
$18.99 per bottle
2021 Meinklang Weisser Mulatschak, Pamhagen, Austria.
A blend of Welshriesling, Pinot Gris and Traminer. Floral orange blossoms and jasmine hit the palate first matching with the prominent characteristics you get while smelling the wine. Vibrant tangerine zest pairs with savory black tea notes that play off each other very nicely. Jasmine and hints of lemon peel round out the finish, the lemon peel lingers with hints of black tea.
$20.99 per bottle
2021 Andreas Ziniel Zini, Austria.
This is one of those natural wines that really plays with your mind. The color has a dark tint to it, but you can almost see through it. The nose is super floral and expressive and then on the palate you get dark fruit characteristics. A blend of Welshriesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Muskateller and Zweigelt (that’s where the color comes from!) this wine is best served with a chill. A combination of dark cherries and candied cherries hit your palate first acting in contrast with the jasmine and orange blossom you get on the nose. White peach and ripe strawberry notes bring a freshness to the wine and add depth. Soft floralness does dry up the finish a touch, but the fruit does linger.
$19.99 per bottle
2020 Terres de ROA Dans ma sph’R, Saint-Pourcain, France.
This is a blend of Gamay (60%) and Pinot Noir (40%), the vines are 20-50 years old. Both varieties are vinified separately and aged for 5 months in stainless steel before they are blended and bottled. Dark cherries and blueberries coat the palate while faint notes of barnyard and mushroom/umami bring some tannic structure to the wine. These tannins dry the mid-palate before fruit comes back again. Cherries and hints of cranberries come out on the finish.
$23.99 per bottle