“I’m still looking for another Pinot Noir as good as or better than this
at a similar price point, and I have yet to find one.”
Click image to enlarge.
I’ve really been looking forward to trying the new vintage of Wapisa Pinot Noir, having enjoyed the 2020 so well. My reasoning was that, if I liked the 2021 Wapisa Malbec as much if not more than the previous model, I might expect at least the same from the Pinot, right? I also expected to find this new vintage at Costco for around $15, but instead, it was purchased at Holiday Market in Royal Oak, for a few bucks more. Holiday also stocks the Wapisa Sauvignon Blanc, which I had yet to try, so I picked up a bottle of that as well. My impressions of both are as follows.
2021 Wapisa Pinot Noir Patagonia, 13.5% alc., $18.99: Right off the bat, I like the color of this wine; not too dark, not too light, it looks like Pinot Noir oughta. A little swirlatude reveals an enticing nose of cranberry and cherry shaded with some subtle thyme and tobacco. These impressions follow through nicely on the palate, with a little earth underneath it all. I gave this half an hour in a decanter before pouring a glass and it drinks well now, but it has the tannin-acid structure to develop over at least the next few years. I liked last year’s model a lot, but I like this one even better; the fruit is a little more focused and intense. I’m still looking for another Pinot Noir as good as or better than this at a similar price point, and I have yet to find one. Find this wine
Click image to enlarge.
2022 Wapisa Sauvignon Blanc Patagonia, 12.3% alc., $14.99: Rich and intense, this is obviously Sauvignon Blanc (100%) from the very first sip. While it doesn’t have the boxwood-cat spray that characterizes more than a few of this varietal, nor does it have that steroidal zing of so many Kiwi models, it does offer lots of grapefruit, gooseberry, a hint of lime and a certain herbaceous note that this taster finds intriguing and ultimately, appealing. Medium-to-medium-full bodied, with racy acidity and good length on the finish, where a little mineral emerges. This more resembles something from California than, say, Sancerre or New Zealand, and I’m good with that, as it’s a solid variation on the Sauvignon theme. Interestingly, the back label gives the alcohol level as 12.3%,while the tech sheet says it’s 13.8%. I’m guessing it might be more toward the higher number, because it does show a little heat, the only detraction I can detect here. Find this wine
These are both good wines, but, for me, the Pinot Noir is the real keeper. You can bet that I’ll be going back for more, and who knows? Maybe Costco will get some in for an even better price.
Wapisa imported by Vino del Sol, Paso Robles, CA
Reporting from Day-twah,
Bastardo
