Tenuta Sant’Antonio Amarone Della Valpolicella Antonio Castagnedi 2018
A family tradition, a wine that tells a story. Antonio Castagnedi loves his family and the good wine of his land. This is dedicated to him and to his love. Produced from the municipality of Mezzane di Sotto - Monti Garbi District (Verona)
- Colour: ruby red with purple reflections.
- Nose: ripe red fruit, spicy aromas of liquorice, black pepper, and hints of chocolate.
- Palate: well balanced, with fat tannins, soft, warm, savoury, elegant, fine and fresh.
- Corvina and Corvinone 70% - Rondinella 20% - Croatina 5% - Oseleta 5%
Luce Brunello 2018
Vineyard
The estate consists of 615 acres of land, 217 of which are planted to vine. Sangiovese is planted in the higher elevation parcels (up to 1500 feet), which are rich in sandstone and limestone, while the lower altitude clay plots are better suited to Merlot.
Winemaking
The Sangiovese is harvested during the first week of October. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for 12 days, followed by 4 weeks of skin maceration. Aging occurs in Slavonian oak barrels for a minimum of 24 months.
Tasting Notes:
Luce Brunello shows an intense ruby red color. The nose is complex and fragrant, with notes of ripe red fruit, supported by pleasant sensations of blond tobacco and exotic spices. In the mouth, the wine is harmonious, rich and highly structured, with silky tannins that together with freshness give a very long persistence. A sophisticated and powerful wine.
Almaviva “EPU” 2020
Intense ruby red, the nose reveals stable, frank aromas of ripe cassis, plum and blackberries, associated to mineral hints and fine notes of vanilla, coffee, grilled orange zest, tobacco and cacao. The mouth shows outstanding balance, great acidity, a firm tannic structure, and exceptional persistence. A brilliant wine, elegant, constant and precise in its character, showing a palate of class, with persistent and refined tannins.
Fresh and deep nose, full of blueberries, minty cassis, mussels, cigars, dark spice and roasted sesame oak, which will need a year or two to fully integrate. A medium-to full-bodied Almaviva with supple, silky tannins and a wealth of black and blue fruit that provides a lot of charm now. Voluptuous and flattering on the palate, hallmarked by its tension and taut texture. Very long.
68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carmenère, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Drinkable now, but better from 2024.
Awards: 98 points, James Suckling
Dalla Valle “MAYA” 2019
The 2019 Insignia marks the first vintage to include fruit from the new Joseph Phelps vineyard named El Venadito, located in the Oak Knoll District, just south of the winery’s Yountville Vineyard. It is aged for 18 Months in 48% New Oak, & 60% 1-2 year old French & American oak barrels.
Colour: A brooding purple-black in color
Nose: Enthralling aromas of crème de cassis, mocha, and Morello cherry draw you in, while supporting notions of wildflowers, unrefined earth, and dried herbs captivate the senses.
Palate: As the wine sits in the glass, facets of tobacco leaf, crushed rock, and blackberry begin to surface, yet you can sense a deeper complexity has yet to fully reveal itself.
Pairings: Hard cheese & red meat
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc
Awards: 100 points, Robert Parker & 100 points, Jeb Dunnuck
Almaviva 2020
Intense ruby red, the nose reveals stable, frank aromas of ripe cassis, plum and blackberries, associated to mineral hints and fine notes of vanilla, coffee, grilled orange zest, tobacco and cacao. The mouth shows outstanding balance, great acidity, a firm tannic structure, and exceptional persistence. A brilliant wine, elegant, constant and precise in its character, showing a palate of class, with persistent and refined tannins.
Fresh and deep nose, full of blueberries, minty cassis, mussels, cigars, dark spice and roasted sesame oak, which will need a year or two to fully integrate. A medium-to full-bodied Almaviva with supple, silky tannins and a wealth of black and blue fruit that provides a lot of charm now. Voluptuous and flattering on the palate, hallmarked by its tension and taut texture. Very long.
68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Carmenère, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Drinkable now, but better from 2024.
First Drop The Cream Barossa Shiraz 2016
The Cream is blended at the optimum time from the best barrels from First Drop’s most prized vineyards to create the ultimate expression of Barossa Shiraz from the vintage. A rich, textured, seamless wine that combines power and elegance. It’s seductive, with a pedigree that will see it mature for a further 10 to 15 years. Indulge now or reward yourself later.
Single Vineyard Location:
35% Ebenezer
35% Greenock
30% Seppeltsfield
Colour: Black
Nose: Lifted black fruit aromas with hints of smoke, tar, leather, orals and Indian spices
Palate: Rich kirsch and black fruits, dark chocolate and licorice, balanced with textured, lingeringly seamless tannins
"A spicy and brambly nose showing lots of liqueur notes derived from fruits, such as blackberries, dark cherries and dark plums. A hint of ivy extract and licorice, too. The palate is very composed with a surprisingly vibrant line of acidity that runs right through the middle, carrying ripe but structured and firm tannins to the very nicely structured finish." - 95 points, James Suckling
First Drop Fat of the Land Barossa Shiraz – Ebenezer (Single Vineyard) 2015
The Barossa is an amazing place with a diverse history from which a great community has grown living o- the Fat of the Land. Famed for its Shiraz vineyards, some dating back to the 19th century, the wines from this small, but proud region are as unique and divergent as its history and community. One can make such varied expressions of Shiraz, due to the different meso-climates of each subregion, the elevation range, and the myriad of soil types that are to be found throughout the Barossa. The Fat of the Land series seeks to showcase the sub regions of the Barossa, and the contrasting styles of Shiraz that can be made here. Shiraz from a single vineyard in Seppeltsfield.
Colour: Dark kirsch
Nose: Lifted dark cherry aromas with notes of licorice and dark chocolate
Palate: Flavour packed with kirsch, prunes, dark chocolate and liquorice. Rich and muscular, like Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"The nose is captivating here, offering up aromas of forest fruits, blueberries, sour cherries and a hint of walnut shell. Full body, structured and juicy tannins and a long finish. Everything is in balance and nothing's overdone. Drink now." - 94 points, James Suckling
"Offers toasty, cedary notes that lend a dominating spicy, tobacco-laced vibe to the core of plum and black cherry flavors. Finishes with licorice and toasty spice notes, and firming tannins. Drink now through 2028. 200 cases made, 50 cases imported." - MaryAnn Worobiec, Senior Editor and Napa Bureau Chief at Wine Spectator
First Drop 2% Barossa Shiraz 2019
Our reserve Shiraz is sourced from vineyards in Greenock (35%), Ebenezer (35%), Seppeltseld (30%). Dense dark berry fruits, with hints of tobacco and cocoa are further enhanced by subtle use of oak. This wine has been matured in 28% new French oak hogsheads and the balance in 3 and 4 year old French oak hogsheads and American oak barriques for 17 months sur lie, resulting in a sexy, textured palate. And who’s 2%? Moscatel! A splash of funk that supports the base line fruit, and puts the ‘ph’ in fat.
Colour: Dark plum
Nose: Lifted black fruit aromas with a hints of earth and spice
Palate: Rich, phat, dark berry fruits, with hints of dark chocolate and Indian ink, supported by a dense core of tannins.
"That’s two percent muscadelle for those playing at home, the rest is shiraz sourced from Ebenezer, Seppeltsfield and Greenock and aged in French oak (50% new). The split is roughly one-third each. The nose has a deeply spicy edge and aromas of ripe dark plums, blackberries and black cherries, as well as dark chocolate and currants. The palate has a wealth of rich black fruit and flavors of salted licorice, cocoa, blood plums and blackberries. Very concentrated. Drink over the next decade. Screw cap." - 94 points, James Suckling
Arnaldo Rivera Barolo DOCG Bussia 2018
Shiny garnet, it emerges with a fruity and Mediterranean presence, including almonds, carobs, red apple, cumin and strawberry jam. Correspondence on the palate, with smooth tannins and the appearance of notes reminiscent of fresh and macerated flowers. Very energetic and with excellent persistence.
"Quite dense and loamy on the nose with hints of dried red fruit and spice. Medium to full body and firm, fruit-coated tannins. Lots of energy and drive on the palate, giving a long, long finish. Give this plenty of time to unravel. Best from 2024." - 93 points, James Suckling
Contador 2018
Contador 2018 has a red cherry color with very high intensity and brightness.
In the nose, there are red and black fruits very mature, and appear the aromatic herbs (thyme, rosemary, lavender and fennel). It also shows a marked mineral character with fine wood notes.
The palate is very fine and powerful, also very bulky. It shows a great balance between fruit and oak. Final aftertaste is long and intense. It’s very ripe and tasty. It has high deepness and a great balance. Endless.
100% Tempranillo
Contador 2015
The red flagship 2015 Contador was selected from vines over 60 years of age, and it fermented in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and matured in new French oak barrels for 20 months. It feels like a great vintage for the top bottling, as it has enough ripeness and concentration but is also terribly elegant, floral and nuanced. 2015 was a warm and dry year with the risk of excessive wines, but this Contador is beautifully balanced and has a rare combination of concentration and lightness. There is a nice core of freshness that lifts the wine up and gives it length. 6,500 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2017.
100% Tempranillo
La Cueva Del Contador 2018
La Cueva del Contador 2018 is bright and very dense red-violet color. The nose is deep and with a great volume. Highlight the red and black compote fruit with spicy, mineral and balsamic notes, also a touch of toasted. The wood is fine, present and it has to be integrated. Good
evolution. In the mouth it is powerful and well balanced in terms of maturity and freshness. Final is long and fresh. It is elegant. It promises long life.
100% Tempranillo