Review: Wines of Tussock Jumper, 2019 Releases
Tussock Jumper is a wine brand that sources its broad portfolio from eleven different countries. A hallmark of the brand is that all of the wines are bottled where the wine is made. Additionally, Tussock Jumper strives to provide quality wines from a range of grapes and styles at an affordable price, typically around $12. After trying a number of their wines, I am impressed. They are consistently strong value bottlings.
Let’s sample a range of their current offerings.
2017 Tussock Jumper Chenin Blanc South Africa – Chenin Blanc originated in the Loire Valley in France but thrives in South Africa, which is where Tussock Jumper’s variety is sourced. Pale straw in color, the wine presents bright notes of guava and stone fruit on the nose, particularly peach, as well as some subtle pineapple. On the palate we again find the fruit notes, but they are coupled with a flinty minerality and a touch of honey. The finish shows generous acidity that promises this will pair nicely with a variety of foods. For the price, this is a really nice Chenin Blanc, and I would love to pair it with some grilled fish and a cold summer pasta. A- / $12
2017 Tussock Jumper Gamay France – This dry wine appears rich purple in the glass. The nose and the palate are both primarily berries, including cherry, strawberry, and raspberry, along with some plum and a touch of earthiness. There is nice acidity here which will help the wine pair nicely with food. This is not an overly complex wine, but it is enjoyable and should be a crowd pleaser. B / $12
2018 Tussock Jumper Grenache Rosé France – This light pink, dry rosé from southern France is a surprise. The nose and palate both start with strawberry, which is common among the rosés from southern France, but then it presents savory notes. The bottle states that the wine presents flavors of olive, coffee, and spice, and I agree. It is an unusual and enjoyable rosé. The finish is long and never turns bitter. This rosé would make an excellent chilled summer pairing to grilled meats or BBQ. A- / $12
2018 Tussock Jumper Malbec Mendoza – Dark, dark purple (almost black) in color and made with organically grown grapes, this wine comes from Mendoza, Argentina. The bottle states that the wine has aromas of “plum, spice, and red fruit” and that is spot on. Very nice. These notes appear on the palate as well, and the wine finishes with the taste of dry cocoa. This malbec doesn’t really show much complexity, but it has a very nice, straightforward flavor and is a fantastic bargain considering the quality. B+ / $12
2018 Tussock Jumper Moscato Rosé Spain – This wine pours bright pink with visible carbonation. The nose offers strawberry as well as some light orange citrus and hints at the sweetness of the wine. On the palate, the wine feels heavy due to the high sugar content, but this is lightened up a bit by the mild carbonation. The notes that appears on the nose carry forward to the palate with sweet strawberries dominating. After a few sips, a slight bitterness appears on the finish. This would make a nice dessert wine for summer (in fact, it could be the dessert), but it is a bit too sweet for me. B- / $12
2017 Tussock Jumper Pinot Grigio Italy – This wine pours a light straw color. The nose offers lemon along with some pineapple and a touch of green apple. The palate is lighter than the nose but has a similar profile, with pineapple notes dominating, followed by green apple and lemon. The finish is medium in length but has a bit of a bitter close. B / $12
2017 Tussock Jumper Pinot Noir France – This dry wine is ruby colored in the glass. The nose is subtle and offers light notes of raspberries along with a touch of black cherries. These fruit notes are more pronounced on the palate, but this remains a restrained wine. The finish is medium-long, dry, and quite nice. The flavors grow as you drink this wine, and it becomes more enjoyable as you finish your glass and pour another. B / $12
2017 Tussock Jumper Sweet Cat Italy – Made with three different grape varieties (merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and corvina), this wine is dark ruby red. On the nose, this wine lives up to its name as sweet berry and raspberry jam notes dominate. On the palate, the sweetness is much more reserved and the fruit plays a bigger picture. The finish on this wine is a bit short and turns a touch bitter, but it would be a good choice for someone that doesn’t like drier wines. B- / $12
2017 Tussock Jumper Chenin Blanc
$12
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