Celebrate Australia Day with Joe Canal's

Australia Day is January 26, commemorating the first landing in Australia by Captain Arthur Phillip in 1788. Considering the International Date Line, it's already Australia Day there. Besides, we have another post planned for tomorrow. We can't think of a better way to celebrate Australia Day than by including a visit to Joe Canal's. Let us explain.

Australians celebrate this day much like we celebrate the 4th of July. So while we're not exactly seeing barbecue weather here in New Jersey (or even seeing our grills at all right now), we can still enjoy the bounty of Australia. We carry so many wines from Australia that both stores devote an entire section to the choices. Whether you prefer the casual and inexpensive labels like Yellow Tail or Little Penguin, step-up brands like Penfold's or Mollydooker, or fine wine like Glaetzer Amon-Ra, we have an Aussie wine for you.

I don't know whether they still teach this in our schools, but Australia was first used by the British as a penal colony. In that time, crime was so bad that the jails, particularly in London, were filled beyond capacity. The solution was "Punishment by Transportation," because the trip to Australia was lengthy and brutal.

Soon enough, a list of 19 Crimes was put into effect, which you can see here:

Of course, to pay homage to the not-so-glorious roots of Australia, today we have two different 19 Crimes wine!

The Red Blend is comprised of Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro. Dark red and maroon hues extend from the core of the glass as dark fruits, licorice and spice linger. The Shiraz is the brooding component that brings the core of dark fruits, licuorice and round ripe tannins. The Grenache is focused in the red and blue fruits spectrum and delivers plushness to the final blend. Last but definitely not least the Mataro brings the spice and finer tannins, pulling the structure together and giving the wine drive. The resultant wine is complex and layered in a soft, approachable style.

The Cabernet Sauvignon is wonderful when paired with a scheme for an evening’s escape. This wine conjures up red currants, dark berries and sweet vanilla oak in a passing smell. Caramel lurks in the back. Firm Cabernet tannins and red fruits let the flavor linger after each nip.

Either wine is only $8.49 in the Bottle Club®; you can't beat it for your personal celebration of Australia Day.

The New Baby

Hewitson makes its home among some of the oldest vineyards in the world. Discovering the beauty within these venerable old vines and expressing their distinctive characters through winemaking that respects tradition and understands progress is the essence of Hewitson.

Mourvèdre is one of the classic grapes of the Rhone region, bringing finesse to everything up to a Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Mourvèdre responds best to traditional vineyard practices with dry-grown, untrellised bush vines thriving in both Europe and the Barossa Valley in Australia. Taking cuttings from the 1853 planting of the Hewitson Old Garden vineyard, the oldest Mourvèdre vines on Earth, we grew, then crafted a wine from Baby Bush vines that takes a new look at an old treasure.

Kangaroos inspecting the grapes at Hewitson

Our Baby Bush vines thrived in the superb vintage of 2012 that saw a slow and even ripening period. The later maturing nature of Mourvèdre grapes meant ripening occurred in Autumnal sunny weather and the grapes benefiting from hang-time in these cooler conditions.

After hand picking and fermentation on skins, the wine completed its maturation for 16 months in the very same barrels used, when new, for Old Garden Mourvèdre. During this period the barrels experienced our innovative batonnage, where we mix the fermentation lees with the new wine by rotating our barrels on little wheels built into the racks. These methods serve to intensify flavour and complexity and offer us complete control over this process, maximizing quality.  The result is an intense wine of unique quality displaying very similar, yet youthful, flavors and characteristics of the Old Garden.

Tasting Notes:

The 2012 Baby Bush is a wonderful expression of this variety. The aromas display classic Mourvèdre richness, ripeness and rusticity. The dark, brambly, blueberry aromas are matched with the sage, earth and undergrowth. These aromas carry right through the palate which delivers a rich, velvety mouth feel, backed by very soft and fully ripe tannins. The structure, balance and youthful poise of 2012 Baby Bush Mourvèdre ensures the wine is extremely enjoyable now. It will also reward with time in the cellar. Rated 94 points by James Suckling. Only $17.49 in the Bottle Club®.

Friday Grab-Bag

I need to clear out my in-box, so let me briefly introduce some new products with special pricing.

We have the end-of-vintage close out of Rusden Driftsand Red 2010. One of Australia's most respected wineries, Rusden grows their grapes in Vine Vale, with a terroir that is deep white sand over red clay.

2010 was one of the lowest yielding Grenache vintages in their history. This makes for a very fruit driven style, balanced with some real lifted spice that their Grenache is famous for. The Shiraz adds white pepper on the nose and sweetness on the palate, while the Mataro component adds some rich, gamey complexity. Rated 91 points by IWC, this is in the Bottle Club® for only $16.98.

David Ramey is held in the highest esteem as a true innovator, a talented wine artisan and an industry revolutionary. More than 30 years ago David helped lead the charge away from technically proficient, squeaky clean wines toward natural winemaking methods that embrace the importance of terroir, creating distinctive wines of unique character. He's the consulting winemaker for the Brassfield Estate Winery Volcano Ridge Vineyard Eruption Red 2012 that's new to our shelves.

The 2012 Eruption Red is rich and intense. The wine has aromas of fresh blueberries, toasted brioche, black cherries, and mocha, giving way to flavors that are jammy, ripe and unctuous. The palate explodes with blackberries, dark currants, and clove while it layers supple and round coating tannins, making the wine hedonistic while being simultaneously elegant. Made from Syrah, Malbec, Mourvèdre, and Petite Sirah, Eruption is only $15.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Another VIW (Very Important Winemaker) in the Napa Valley is Chuck Wagner. Among his other projects, Chuck brought us Caymus. We're now carrying his Emmolo Napa Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot.

If you could bottle freshness, the Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc would be it. The personality of the River Ranch Vineyard in Rutherford is prominent in this Sauv Blanc. It's true to the varietal with well-integrated citrus, lemongrass, hints of passion fruit, melon, apricot and nicely woven minerality throughout. Crisp and clean; yet nicely textured. $19.99 in the Bottle Club®.

The Merlot is a rich example of the varietal, with Pomerol-like characteristics. It's highlighted by layers of ripe berries, earthy notes and hints of smoke and truffle on the finish. It’s bold, yet balanced. $54.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Our grab-bag wouldn't be complete without whisky. We've just brought in the Glenmorangie Companta, in 750ML bottles. On the nose, Companta (Scots Gaelic for ‘friendship’) exudes rich, autumnal scents of red berries and damp forest floors, with a hint of fragrant woodsmoke complementing notes of aromatic, nutty oak. Upon tasting, a spicy palate redolent of cherries and stewed fruits is slowly revealed, as notes of sugared plums, blood orange and rose-hip syrup emerge alongside milk chocolate and brown sugar. Companta lingers on with a rich, mouth-coating finish. $92.99 in the Bottle Club®.

So my in-box is a little lighter, and you know about some great new products. My job here is done for today.

Celebrate Australia Day Today at Joe Canal's!

Today is Australia Day, commemorating the first landing in Australia by Captain Arthur Phillip in 1788. We can't think of a better way to celebrate than by visiting Joe Canal's. Let us explain.

Australians celebrate this day much like we celebrate the 4th of July. So while we're not exactly seeing barbecue weather here in New Jersey, we can still enjoy the bounty of Australia. We carry so many wines from Australia that both stores devote an entire section to the choices. Whether you prefer the casual and inexpensive labels like Yellow Tail or Little Penguin, step-up brands like Penfold's or Mollydooker, or fine wine like Glaetzer Amon-Ra, we have an Aussie wine for you.

I don't know whether they still teach this in our schools, but Australia was first used by the British as a penal colony. In that time, crime was so bad that the jails, particularly in London, were filled beyond capacity. The solution was "Punishment by Transportation," because the trip to Australia was lengthy and brutal.

Soon enough, a list of 19 Crimes was put into effect, which you can see here:

 Of course, to pay homage to the not-so-glorious roots of Australia, today we have 19 Crimes wine!

This wine is a red blend, consisting of Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro. Dark red and maroon hues extend from the core of the glass as dark fruits, licorice and spice linger. The Shiraz is the brooding component that brings the core of dark fruits, liquorice and round ripe tannins. The Grenache is focused in the red and blue fruits spectrum and delivers plushness to the final blend. Last but definitely not least the Mataro brings the spice and finer tannins, pulling the structure together and giving the wine drive. The resultant wine is complex and layered in a soft, approachable style. At only $9.49, you can't beat it for your personal celebration of Australia Day.




Of course, since we're still in the pre-Big Game stage, Joe Canal's has raffle drawings in both Lawrenceville and Woodbridge today.  Please visit our website for the full details. Today's drawings are at 5pm, and no purchase is necessary. Lawrenceville will also continue their Big Game specialty tappings at 5pm, bringing Dogfish Head Olde School into the Growler station.

Whether it's Australia Day or the Big Game, our celebration means good things for you. Please stop in to Joe canal's in Lawrenceville or Woodbridge today!

Wine, For The Wynn(s)

Wines from Australia can show a depth and range that compare favorably to what's being produced anywhere. Wynns "Black Label" Cabernet Sauvignon proves that. The 2010 vintage ranked as #85 in the 2013 Wine Spectator Top 100, with 91 points, and also earned 90 points from Wine Advocate. 

First produced in 1954, and widely known as ‘Black Label’, Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon has established a reputation for displaying excellent varietal and regional characteristics. A wine of style and stature, and a perennial favorite in auction circles, the ‘Black Label’ is one of Australia’s most collectable wines and Australia’s benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon. This is regularly priced at $38.99, but it's $32.99 in the Bottle Club®.   

Like Bordeaux or Rutherford in Napa, the Coonawarra terroir is vital to Wynns. And they take a really long view of things: Once the Earth’s tectonic plates had settled and its ancient oceans had receded, Coonawarra was left with that most precious of resources, a fresh water aquifer flowing beneath its limestone bedrock. This, combined with Coonawarra’s cool maritime climate provide the perfect conditions for Cabernet’s long growing season - a fact not lost on a Scotsman named John Riddoch, who planted the region’s first vineyards in 1891, before Samuel Wynn and son David continued his legacy from 1951. 

Coonawarra is on a fertile ridge that formed part of the limestone coast, a prehistoric coastline that was created over the course of twelve ice ages. Each ice age led to a retreating ocean, which in turn led to the creation of a limestone bedrock; a somewhat fortuitous foundation, whose free-draining qualities allow the vines to thrive all year round. A fact reflected in the subtle, chalky tannins of Wynns Coonawarra Estate ‘Black Label’ Cabernet Sauvignon.

Come & Get It!

As the wintery weather makes getting around New Jersey even more challenging than usual, we thought we'd give you a good reason to venture out to Joe Canal's by offering some great new wines.

First up is the 2009 Mauro Molino Barolo Gallinotto. We've carried Mauro Molino wines for some time, so this label should be somewhat familiar:

The 2009 vintage received 91 points from Robert Parker/Wine Advocate. From their review: "The 2009 Barolo Gallinotto shows a...personality that is rare to find in this warmer vintage. Underbrush, bramble, wild berry, mint, licorice and wet tobacco play supporting roles. The wine does an excellent job of showing the more delicate and nuanced side of Nebbiolo with a compact, streamlined feel in the mouth. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2022." Regularly priced at $41.99, it's on sale at $36.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Another acclaimed international wine is the Glenelly Grand Vin de Glenelly. This is a South African version of a Bordeaux blend, featuring Shiraz, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. And it also received 91 points from Robert Parker/Wine Advocate.

The wine has a deep, dark and rich color. The wine offers an elegant complex bouquet developing aromas of cassis and spicy plums with notes of toast in the background. The palate has a great intensity and concentration with fantastic freshness and fine elegant, but well structured tannins. This carries a regular price of $21.99, but it's only $18.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Of course, gift sets are always popular at this time of year. Our newest wine gift set is from Frescobaldi and it includes one bottle each of Remole, Castiglioni Chianit DOCG, and Nippozzano Riserva Chianti DOCG, Separately, these wines would cost about $50.00. The gift set is in the Bottle Club® for only $40.00.

Wines from Australia can show a depth and range that compare favorably to what's being produced anywhere. Wynns "Black Label" Cabernet Sauvignon proves that. The 2010 vintage ranked as #85 in the 2013 Wine Spectator Top 100, with 91 points, and also earned 90 points from Wine Advocate. 

First produced in 1954, and widely known as ‘Black Label’, Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon has established a reputation for displaying excellent varietal and regional characteristics. A wine of style and stature, and a perennial favorite in auction circles, the ‘Black Label’ is one of Australia’s most collectable wines and Australia’s benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon. This is regularly priced at $38.99, but it's $32.99 in the Bottle Club®.  

There's another familiar label returning to our shelves. Buoncristiani's OPC Napa 2009 received 91 points from Wine Advocate, and we have a very limited quantity available.

Cheese, breads, olives, olive oil, glasses, sunshine and scenery not included with your purchase

"Old Pa's Cuvee" includes Napa Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah, while also folding in further complexity of texture and flavor with Napa Malbec and Merlot blenders. Lush aromas of black cherry, chocolate, and blueberry lead to a fleshy mid palate of juicy blackberry and exotic spices with a velvety smooth finish. You can find it on their web site for $50, but we have it on sale in the Bottle Club® for only $41.99. 

Some of the staff at Joe Canal's prefer Rhone wines to any other region. In terms of high quality wines, there are some great values in Cotes-du-Rhone Villages, such as the Pierre Henri-Morel Signargues. The 2011 vintage received 91 points from Wine Spectator, and was rated as a Top 100 Best Value wine. This is a classic Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre blend, offering ripe red cherries, blueberries and cranberries mixing with hints of garrigue flavors. The fresh fruit flavors continue in the mouth with fine tannins and very enjoyable structure making the wine a true pleasure to drink. We said it's a value: only $13.96 in the Bottle Club®. 

The winemaker is a protégé of the renowned Michel Chapoutier.  

One more? Ok, how about the 2009 Chateau de France Passac Leognan? Called the Vintage of a Lifetime, the 2009 Bordeaux wines sell quickly and score well; this one received 93 points from Wine Spectator!

There's a very deep garnet red color; delicate nose of light wood, toasted bread and berry jam ; on the palate, the aromas are reproduced with a perfect balance and freshness. Lovely long finish. The classic style of this elegant wine make it the perfect accompaniment of rich meats: red meats, lamb and roasted game meat. This will greatly enhance any holiday meal, priced at only $27.99 in the Bottle Club®.

So we had a very red wine day today. And while your mileage may vary, Red does out-sell White overall. We also post holiday specials on our Facebook pages and Twitter feeds, so please Friend us on FB and Follow us on Twitter. And if you have any questions or need assistance, any one of our friendly team members will be happy to help.