RED WINE

"With its perfumed Cabernet Franc and supple Merlot, this wine is packed with fruit and tannins. It is rich although the fruitiness is most apparent, a juicy wine that hides its structure in the cushioning fruits. Drink from 2024. Roger Voss" - 96/100, Wine Enthusiast

Kicks off with a pretty violet note, followed quickly by warmed plum puree and blackberry compote. The finish is laced up with toasted vanilla and dark tea accents. Aragonez, Touriga Nacional and Jaén.

Red fruits with very fresh red sparkles. Amazing tannin in such a young wine. Intensity and delicacy, endless freshness, silky and alive, full and caressing. Cocoa is seasoned with a delicate black fruit liqueur and notes of pink pepper.

Shiraz from old dry grown Barossa vineyards is blended with Viognier, complementing the strengths and complexities of these individual parcels of fruit, whilst giving the resulting wine a further dimension.
Although wonderfully aromatic, RunRig also exhibits a power and latent richness making it more akin to the hugely concentrated wines sourced from the sun drenched hill of Hermitage – the historic home of Syrah and some of the world’s most powerful and longest living wines.

The 2020 Angélus has turned out superbly and underlines this estate's continuing shift to a more elegant, integrated style that offers a purer expression of its terroir. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, it unwinds in the glass with aromas of cherries, wild berries, rose petals, mint and subtle hints of licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, beautifully layered and vibrant palate that's deep, precise and penetrating, concluding with a mouthwateringly chalky finish. Some 120 hectoliters of Cabernet Franc, amounting to around 20% of the blend, were matured in foudre this year, which no doubt helps to account for the significantly reduced oak impact in the 2020. 2027 - 2060

The 2020 Echo de Lynch-Bages is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, aging for around 12 months in one year-old French oak barriques. It has an alcohol of 13.03%, a pH of 3.78 and an IPT (tannin index) of 80. Deep garnet-purple in colour, it rolls out of the glass with expressive, upfront notes of baked black and red cherries, plum preserves and blackcurrant cordial, followed by hints of new leather, tobacco leaf and a medicinal waft. The medium-bodied palate is chock-full of savoury flavours, with a chewy texture and just enough freshness, finishing a little rustic.

Dark, almost opaque in colour, the wine opens with a cornucopia of scents; spice-box, dark Cuban cigar wrapper, flowers, creme de cassis, blackberry espresso, mint and a drop of dark chocolate. Concentrated, full-bodied, deep, long, intense and complex, texturally, the wine is opulent, plush and velvety. But there is also more than ample lift to keeping everything upbeat. The seamless finish is perfectly balanced, with all its layers of polished, sensuous, silky fruits in the right place for over 60 seconds! The wine blends 84% Cabernet Sauvignon,13% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, 13.1% ABV, pH 3.8. Yields were low at 32 hectoliters per hectare with only 49% of the harvest going into the Grand Vin, so not much wine was made.

Picture walking into a flower show with a basket of fresh berries and a lit Cuban cigar, and while that is not quite PC, it is the aromatic profile here. The wine is fresh, bright, vibrant, lifted, and floral on the palate. The wine is elevated, refined, soft, and silky, with a refreshing, silky edge to the fruits in the finish. The wine is pure elegance. There is nothing between you and the fruits. There is intensity, length, and a striking sense of purity. The wine lingers seamlessly for 60 seconds or longer..

Cigar box, smoke, herbs, cassis, espresso and blackberries with a savoury edge open the wine aromatically. The palate offers freshness, layers of ripe, spicy currants and peppery blackberries with chewy tannins that hang with you, providing length, vibrancy and refinement in the finish. This is going to age and evolve for decades.

This is a great Talbot, a real success for the château. Subtle and deft touches throughout, from the smoked turmeric notes that lace the black fruits to the finessed aromatics that accompany the body of the wine. Balance and freshness, and a saline edge to the finish that is extremely moreish. Three years with Jean-Michel Laporte as director, and he is doing great work.

Winemaking
After a pre-fermentative cold maceration, the fermentation of the must with the skins takes place at a controlled temperature for 12 days, followed by malolactic fermentation. Then the wine is aged for 6 months in tonneaux and 6 months in stainless steel tanks and 4 months in a bottle.

Tasting Notes
The wine takes on a pale ruby colour. Intense aromas are jampacked with blackberry, raspberry, blueberry and a slight peppery note. On the palate, it is dry, medium-bodied, has well-ripened soft tannins, elegant with plenty of acidity and a touch of spice.

A mild and very wet winter led to an early and even budbreak. The damp weather lasted all the way through Spring accompanied by some very cool temperatures. Miraculously, full flowering took place between the 7th and the 11th of June which was a 5-day period of lovely weather and relatively hot temperatures. These conditions encouraged a quick and uniform flowering followed by a good return of fruit. The midpoint of the colour change of the berries happened around the 10th of August, with excellent uniformity across all the grape varieties. Despite these unpredictable swings of Nature; the heat and the absence of rain, the vines could maintain a healthy foliage right up to the beginning of the harvest thanks both to the water reserves and to the ploughing of the plots. Harvesting started 8 days late. Light showers at the beginning of September and a lovely Indian summer during the picking meant that all the grape varieties achieved perfect ripeness and a healthy condition placing the 2016 vintage among the great vintages.

The enchanting Montepulciano d'Abruzzo casts its spell with a timeless blend of crushed rocks, violets, lavender, delicate hints of blood orange, and nuanced strawberry notes. Its textured, ripe wild berry flavors embrace the palate, leading to a delightful mineral essence that adds a satisfying crunch towards the finish. The wine maintains its elegance throughout, concluding with a lightly structured yet concentrated profile, accompanied by captivating floral aromas that linger astonishingly long. This is unquestionably a stunning and impeccably balanced Montepulciano. For optimal enjoyment

Exhibiting pure elegance, Potazzine Rosso di Montalcino unfurls gradually, initially presenting notes of red plum and dusty rose. With some gentle coaxing, it reveals violet florals, cedar, and crushed stone aromas that come to the forefront. The palate is captivated by a dynamic blend of succulent wild berries and contrasting saline mineral undertones, all complemented by a refreshing acidity. A lingering interplay of citrus and cranberry adds a delightful tension, leaving a pleasant pinch on the cheeks and enticing the taste buds for more, while gentle fine tannins slowly emerge, providing a delicate coating. This wine is truly stunning, but it is advisable to decant it or cellar it for the next five to eight years to fully appreciate its beauty.

Bordering with British Columbia at the northwestern tip of the United States, Washington State is gradually stepping out of the shadows of its neighbours with expressive and well-defined cuvées. Wrapped around flavours of blueberry jam, this Syrah adds accents of vanilla, chocolate and black fruits to its already exuberant and very ripe profile.

Barnard Griffin Winery began in 1983 with borrowed grapes and a rented cellar, the dream of founders Deborah Barnard and Rob Griffin. It has since become one of Washington's most enduring and award-winning wineries. Along with their tasting room, they also have a tasting room in Woodinville, where one can taste many examples of Washington wine. The Cabernet delivers a cascade of opulent plum, cherry and raspberry fruit flavors framed with subtle notes of bittersweet chocolate and oak spice. A very rich, fruity, food-friendly Cab!

Casa Raia was purchased in 2006 by Frenchman Pierre Jean Monnoyer who restored the old vineyards and began producing natural wines with three labels, the "supertuscan" Bevilo, a Sangiovese Rose and this Brunello di Montalcino. Made with 100% Sangiovese (as required by law) this ageable beauty is elegant with a nose of cherry, cinnamon, thyme and hints of pencil shavings and earth. Certainly one of the best "natural" wines out there.

Mike Grgich first gained international recognition at the celebrated Paris Tasting of 1976. This historic tasting gave the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, crafted by Mike Grgich, first place as the finest white wine in the world. After this solid recognition, he started Grgich Hills winery in Rutherford Hills. 2023 marks the 100th birthday of this iconic producer who is a legend in Napa Valley. This Cabernet offers black currant and ripe black cherries, followed by forest floor and bay leaf and vanilla undertones. Bright acidity, and youthful tannins are evident; no doubt this wine has the ability to age.

The Chateau Malescasse is located between Margaux and Saint Julien at the highest point in the Medoc and has a long, proud history dating back to 1824. Now completely refurbished, with modernizations in the winery, the 40ha plot is managed as a Grand Cru. The 2016 has a blend of 53% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9% Petit Verdot. Well- balanced and full bodied with a powerful nose of cassis, blackberry, cedar, and floral notes. The palate is fleshy and full, with a long round finish. An excellent Bordeaux at an amazing price point.

The Ricasoli Ceniprimo Chianti Classico is a red wine made from Sangiovese grapes grown in the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany, Italy. It has a deep ruby color and aromas of ripe red fruit, black cherry, and a hint of spice. On the palate, it is full-bodied with a balanced acidity and tannins, and flavors of cherry, plum, and a touch of vanilla. The finish is long and persistent, with a pleasant aftertaste of fruit and spice. This wine is perfect to pair with grilled meats, pasta dishes, and aged cheeses.

Rich blackberry and plum on the nose with notes of aniseed. Full-bodied with dark bramble fruit and well-coated tannins on the palate. The long finish reveals layers of black licorice and dried sage. MB (4/22)

The Boscaini family of MASI fame rediscovered the rare Oseleta grape, grown in the area of Valpolicella as a perfect grape to blend with the other Amarone grapes. With its extra pip and high skin to juice ratio, it provides a tannic edge to the blend. Unique as a monovarietal, MASI is the only winery to have a 100% Oseleta. The Osar is deep red in colour, clean and complex with hints of blueberries, blackberries and
fresh-cut greenery. The extreme tannins are well balanced with the acidity and alcohol.

Nebbiolo in Italy's most northern region of Val d'Aosta is known here as Picotener or Picotendre. Difficult to ripen in this cold climate, the grapes have the advantage of altitude sunshine. This light, fresh example has all the rose, cherry and rasperry notes of Nebbiolo, but with an intense acidity. If you've never tried Nebbiolo before, this may be a great place to start!

Not just Barolo, but single vineyard Barolo which makes these wines even more special. The typical flavours of roses and dried cherries is evident in this powerful Nebbiolo and of course these wines will age for decades, into 2040. On the nose, the wine exhibits rich, intense aromas of red fruits, such as cherries and raspberries, alongside hints of licorice, tobacco, and leather. On the palate, it is full-bodied with firm tannins, a great structure, and a long, persistent finish. The wine has a complex flavor profile that includes dark berries, plums, and black pepper, with subtle hints of vanilla and spice. The oak aging process adds a layer of complexity and depth to the wine, while the high acidity gives it a vibrant freshness. This is a well-balanced wine that showcases the elegance and power of the Barolo region. It can be enjoyed now or aged for several years to come.

Passopisciaro is a small area (the name of a town) on Mt.Etna's north face on the property of the late Andrea Franchetti. Soils from this active volcano provides resulting wine with a vein of minerality that speaks of the terroir of this prestigious region. Rampante sits at 1000m asl and produces one of the finest, most aromatic of the volcano wines due to the sandy content in the soil. Dried flowers, smoke, sour cherries, and exotic spices dominate. It is the winery's most rarified and ethereal expression of Nerello Mascalese. Stunning.

Saint Joseph in the Northern Rhone is only authorized for 100% Syrah. Black pepper, warm spice, black cherry, and iron minerality, it would be best to put this away and let the tannins settle down, or open for several hours before serving to open. Classic Rhone Valley Syrah.

Antinori is one of the four oldest winemaking families of Italy. With 26 generations of experience, more than nine estates in Italy, one in the US and one in Chile, they are leaders in quality and their name is sought after the world over.  From ‘Tuesday night pizza wine’ to collectible, ageworthy wines from Chianti Classico and Bolgheri, there is a wine for everyone’s budget in the Antinori portfolio.

From one of the three oldest families of Italy, spanning 26 generations, one of their luxury brands, Solaia is located on the sunniest slope of the Tignanello vineyard. Here, the best grapes of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Sangiovese, and 10% Cabernet Franc make this aromatic, complex wine with notes of raspberries and mulberries with additional, distinct notes of coffee beans, chocolate, and licorice. The palate is well-balanced and structured with spicy undertones that give way to an exceptionally long. This wine is only produced in exceptional vintages.

Fritz Kupelwieser's Vernatsch/Schiava is a red wine with a ruby color and a bouquet of wild berries and violets. On the palate, it is light and fresh, with balanced acidity and soft tannins, making it a perfect pairing for roasted meats, pasta dishes, and aged cheeses. This wine is made from 100% Vernatsch/Schiava grapes grown in the Südtirol subregion of Alto Adige, where the unique microclimate and soil create ideal conditions for growing this variety. The vintage is a testament to the quality of this grape and the winemaker's skill in crafting a beautiful wine.

Located in Chiaramonte, Sicily where this land is known for growing Nero D’Avola, the grape, also known as Calabrese has found its natural home here on this island. What makes Gulfi special is regional area of Pachino, the coastal, sandy terroir where Nero d’Avola has adapted very well. Only steps from the Mediterranean Sea, these vineyards thrive in the heat and grow grapes that produce world-class wines. The Catania family will tell you this is a “grand cru” and with several single vineyard sites within Pachino, Nero d’Avola can show great nuances.  Ageable and collectible, these are worth having in any wine cellar.

Gulfi is a family-owned winery located in southern Sicily, with grand cru vineyards located in Pachino: 100% Nero d’Avola that grows in sandy soil close to the sea and has adapted to the hot climate. Here, the resulting wines are complex and elegant, and the benchmark for what these wines should taste like. Undoubtedly, one of the world’s greatest wine estates and producers of Nero d’Avola. Although one might think the wines taste the same, each single vineyard or ‘cru’ showcases the great terroir of Pachino and the subtleties of each area. 

Buffaleffj is a 3ha site with a unique soil mix of black clay, white limestone, and red sand. The wine has concentrated black cherry and blackberry notes, roasted eggplant, and spice. Even though the climate here is very hot, the wine maintains its acidity, yet with a velvety palate of blackberries and sour cherries, with mineral and herbal complexity that leads to a long and sumptuous finish.

Gulfi is a family-owned winery located in southern Sicily, with grand cru vineyards located in Pachino: 100% Nero d’Avola that grows in sandy soil close to the sea and has adapted to the hot climate. Here, the resulting wines are complex and elegant, and the benchmark for what these wines should taste like. Undoubtedly, one of the world’s greatest wine estates and producers of Nero d’Avola. Although one might think the wines taste the same, each single vineyard or ‘cru’ showcases the great terroir of Pachino and the subtleties of each area.

Maccarj is a dense and powerful wine with a perfumed nose of ripe black cherry, garrigue, iron notes and eucalyptus. The tannins are firm and powerful with lingering flavours of blackberry fruit and juniper along with a meaty, black olive quality, typical of this cru.

As the winery's most important and awarded wine, Sor Ugo represents the elegance and strength of Bolgheri. A "Super Tuscan" Bordeaux-blend created by the prominent enologist Tibor Gal, it is named after Ugo, the first Pellegrini family member who started to work with grapes and wines a century ago

Danimi Votiva Campi Taurasini DOC is a red wine produced by Danimi winery in the Campania region of Italy. A Votiva is an offering to the gods. The figurine depicted on the bottles of Votiva are inspired by similar objects found in the heart of Irpinia where the ancients worshipped the Goddess Mefite and made offerings to appease her. This is the 'cru' line that represents the strength of the Irpinian territory and identity. Made from 100% Aglianico, the wine is a complex mix of floral and fruity notes such as violets and wild red berries along with spicy notes that recall scent of tobacco and leather. The mouthfeel is intense and concentrated, full-bodied with velvety tannins. 

Mazzolino Pinot Noir Oltrepo Pavese DOC  is a medium-bodied red wine with a ruby red color and an elegant bouquet of red fruits, cherries, and spices. On the palate, it is smooth and balanced with a long finish. The grapes are carefully selected and harvested by hand before being fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged in oak barrels for 12 months before being bottled. This Pinot Noir pairs well with roasted meats, game, and aged cheeses.

Arpepe Sassella Stella Retica  is a red wine with a ruby red color. It has a complex aroma with notes of red fruit, such as cherries and raspberries, and hints of spices, such as cloves and cinnamon. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, with a good structure and balance, and firm tannins. The wine has flavors of red fruit, with a hint of earthiness, and a long and persistent finish. It is a perfect match for roasted meats, game, and aged cheeses.

We don’t often think about Nebbiolo outside of Barolo or Barbaresco, but the northern region of Gattinara is a quality region growing points-worthy Spanna, as it is known here. Elegant with aromas and flavours of dried roses, raspberry jam and hints of toasted nuts and vanilla. If you’ve never tried Nebbiolo from Northern Piemonte, this is a good place to start. 

Cala Civetta Ciliegiolo DOC is a red wine made from 100% Ciliegiolo grapes grown in the Maremma subregion of Tuscany, Italy. The wine has a bright ruby-red colour with violet hues and a complex aroma of red fruits, cherries, and violets. The palate is medium-bodied with soft tannins and a good balance between acidity and alcohol. This wine is an excellent representation of the Ciliegiolo grape, which is becoming increasingly popular in Tuscany.
A light red, it can be paired with chicken or pork tenderloin dishes

Wine Enthusiast: Plum and berry aromas are rough and gritty like hot asphalt, while this Malbec is earthy and hints at barnyard animal hide on the nose. A wiry palate is wayward and short on focus, while this tastes of plum and generic berry fruits topped with oak that doesn't dissipate on the finish. Michael Schachner

Bright ruby colour, open on the nose with powerful aromas of red fruit enhanced by toasted nuances. Well-structured and firm on the palate, it possesses stylish tannins. Its natural freshness gives a nice length to the wine.

The nose is spicier than that of Pommard, with notes of cloves and peppers that intertwine with nuances of wild berries. The fruit emerges gradually from aeration. The flavour corresponds to the aromas: the wine is nicely full-bodied, with a grain of crunchy tannin and a frank vitality, it is the energy of Volnay that speaks and the wine is both built and lifted: molto vivace, as the musicians - it will give the right tempo to the best roast poultry.

Organic

Located in Nuits-Saint-Georges, the Dufuoleur family has been steeped in Burgundian winemaking and culture for more than 400 years. Their property of 30ha runs from the village of Fixin in the north to Santenay in the south. The Fraîches Eaux Nuits-Saint-Georges is a very small plot planted to Pinot Noir grapes with an average age of 45 years. Aromas of blackthorn, strawberry and cherry dominated with further nuances of tobacco, candied strawberry and forest floor notes on the palate. Nuits-Saint-Georges offers more full-bodied examples of Pinot Noir and this wine is no exception.