Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

8.7

While I understand the concept of blending rich grapes like Touriga Nacional with fresh high acid red-fruited grapes like Alfrocheiro and Jaen; I'm not sure these wines always work when they're young. This wine is much better on day two. When it showed characters of rosehip, tart red fruits as cranberry, and the more balanced palate. — 3 years ago

Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

9.0

Whole richly textured this is neither mineral/incisive nor vegetal not tropical. It is a goldilocks SB that lacks perhaps enough character to stand out in any way. Nonetheless is it impeccably balanced and can take more bottle age. I suppose I wish it were more expressive in the nose or alternatively fatter on the palate. — 4 years ago

Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

9.0

Aslina Chardonnay Western Cape 2021.
A blend of roughly 75% fruit from Stellenbosch and 25% from Elgin. The Elgin portion aged in neutral oak. Both portions 10 months on lees. No battonage.
Creamy, orchard fruit, apple blossom, spring white flowers, a touch of apple pip/bitter almond. — 4 years ago

Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

8.9

Agree w Graham's comments about richness without weight. This would be a good stand in for Chardonnay for many drinkers and provide very good value to them as well. — 3 years ago

Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

8.8

Very classic and less geosimin/earthy components to the wine than some other cru/younger wines I've tasted from them recently. I like these at the 5-10 years from harvest stage and not younger when they are closed and the fruit is locked behind the soil times. — 3 years ago

Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

8.6

Aslina Umsasane. Umsasane means Acacia tree and was Ntiski's grandmother's nickname.
This is a blend of Cab S, Cab F and Petit Verdot.
More closed in the nose. This may bloom with time in bottle. It is savory and dense. A good alternative to less fruit Cab such as those from Bordeaux. — 4 years ago

Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

8.8

Aslina Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape 2021.
Pale yellow green.
Nose of musk melon and yellow citrus.
Fleshy textured and generous with balanced acid in a medium bodied, dry structure. — 4 years ago

Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

9.0

Dense and creamy with some generous oak. The striking aspect for me is the balance of acid (high) and the spicy quality in the finish (minty, cool, fresh). Very expensive and even, maybe, worth it. — 3 years ago

Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

9.1

So classically balanced semicolon that it may be most sweet for most American tasters. Shows vibrant yellow and golden fruits, with a distinct off dry entry to the palate. Very good Q but seems a little cloying for my needs this night w brats and a cabbage salad. — 3 years ago

Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

9.0

Dark inky purple.
Nose offers purple/black fruits, a hint of violet/floral aromas.
Palate is medium/full bodied, dry, structured tannin with a dusky, fruity character as opposed to mineral or oak derived tannin. Reads more like bitter plum skins.
Echo of floral notes in the finish. — 4 years ago