Gonzalez Byass Tio Pepe En Rama
With fewer of the typical markers being filtered out, it brings us a more intense expression of the typical Carrascal and Macharnudo terroir. It was bottled from a hand-picked selection of 67 barrels which showed the most vigorous layer of flor. Tio Pepe En Rama 2020 was marked by an unusually dry and mild winter, followed by a cool and rainy spring. This year the profits are used to support the re-opening of bars and restaurants in Spain – another reason to try it.
Pale yellow with golden glints. Slightly cloudy as it contains flor in suspension, reflecting its having been bottled “En Rama”. Complex on the nose, very sharp, with a strong aroma of the layer of flor, together with chalk, almonds, lemon, withered flowers, salt, and minerals. Concentrated, slightly creamy, salty, and full of flavour. It delivers an impressive finish, rounded and balanced, with notes of iodine, toasted almonds, aldehydes and dried flowers. The aftertaste is rounded and alluring, clearly harking back to its origins in the albariza soil yet also reflecting the significance of its biological ageing. This wine is the purest definition of vines and the winery.
Almaviva 2021
"A fresh and discreet Almaviva with subtle pencil shavings and cigar box to the cassis and hints of chili chocolate and peppermint. Nuanced and subtle on the nose. This is medium-bodied and subtle on the palate with silky tannins in the seamless finish. Very long. 71% cabernet sauvignon, 22% carmenere, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Drinkable now, but it will take its time to deliver complexity."
- James Suckling
"The 2021 Almaviva is a blend primarily based on Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere, but not limited to these, and was aged for up to 18 months in French barrels. Its color is garnet with a purple sheen. The enticing nose showcases blackberry, cassis marmalade, black and green pepper, ashes, camphor and cigar box aromas. Indulgent and rich on the palate, it carries taut, fine-grained tannins, velvet texture and balanced acidity, leading to a long, ripe finish. This bold and layered red wine reveals nuanced depth and richness on the palate, promising further development as it matures in the bottle."
- Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous Media
Que Bonito Cacareaba 2019
Que Bonito Cacareaba 2019 features a brilliant yellow colour. On the nose is a fine and elegant wine. With citrus aromas, notes of aromatic herbs and wild flowers, also with stone fruits touches (apricot, plum). Mineral future. The contribution of oak promises a good integration.
The palate is fresh and fine, with a good skeleton. A great balance between ripeness, acidity and freshness has been got making the harvest on time. It will have a long life. It’s a great white wine. Very fine one. Minerality and Elegance.
45% Garnacha Blanca, 38% Viura, 17% Malvasía
La Cueva Del Contador 2021
La Cueva del Contador 2021 is a red wine endowed with a robust personality and a ripeness that captivates from the initial taste. On the nose, we encounter an array of ripe red and black fruits intricately woven with delicate hints of spices that contribute to its elegant complexity. On the palate, it presents as full-bodied and well-structured, delivering a sumptuous texture that encourages one to ponder its bottle maturation potential. This red wine is a reliable choice for those in pursuit of depth and a noteworthy ageing potential.
Red wine Aged in wood Respectful agriculture. 18 months in French oak barrels.
100% Tempranillo
"I found cleaner aromas and a fresher quality and finer tannins in the 2019 La Cueva del Contador, a quite complete wine with elegance and finesse combined with power and concentration. The oak is still noticeable after 18 months in new barriques, and I'd wait a little longer before pulling the cork. It has the perfume of La Cueva in the background. It should resurface with a little more time in bottle. 10,000 bottles produced." - Luis Gutiérrez, Robert Parker 
Domaine St Patrice Clos St Patrice 2018
La Cueva Del Contador 2019
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
First Drop 2% Barossa Shiraz 2020
VINTAGE 2020: Below average rainfall over winter followed by a very dry spring; with high winds and cold nights in November disrupting flowering; and hot, dry conditions in December and early January reducing bunch and berry size; resulted in yields at least 50% below the 10-year average. Thankfully a cooler February and March led to slower ripening despite the low yields. Whilst variability within vineyards, caused by the earlier extremes in the season, meant for tricky picking decisions and reds that show great depth and structure. 2020 was yet another challenging vintage, to rival 2019, but again it’s delivered one of which to be proud.
VINIFICATION: The fruit is crushed/destemed and fermented at temperatures ranging from 20-25°C for 8 days on skins. The ferment is managed by a variety of techniques, including ‘aerative pump overs’ and ‘drain and returns’ which assist in extracting colour, flavour and tannin from the grapes. At the end of fermentation, it is drained/pressed, and transfered to 3 and 4 year old French oak hogsheads to undergo MLF. Post MLF, sulphur dioxide is added, and the wines mature sur lie for 20 months. This wine was bottled in April 2022.
Colour: Dark plum
Aroma: Lifted black fruit aromas with a hint 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.
Foor Pairing: Brownies
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.