First Drop Vivo Adelaide Hills Arneis 2022
VINEYARD: Kersbrook in the northern Adelaide Hills - 340m above sea level on complex sandy clay loams over shale
VINTAGE 2022: Above average winter rainfall initiated healthy bud burst and minimal irrigation was required as a result. Spring was also relatively cool & windy which lead to some prolific canopy growth in parts of vineyards but also uneven flowering, which saw lower yields in many cases.
Colour: Pale straw, with tinge of green
Nose: Nashi pear and passionfruit with a hint of lime
Palate: Nashi pear and pithy fruit flavours dominate, with lime zest and minerality, making the palate long and zingy.
Food Pairing: Fresh scallops with ginger and shallots, chilli crabs, salt & pepper squid, agnolotti al plin
"Tastes like arneis with candied lemons and limes with some steel and stone undertones. Medium body. Really takes off at the finish. So much energy. Drink now. Screw cap." - 92 points, James Suckling
Louis M. Martini Lot 1 2018
Winemaker Notes
Our concept of small-lot winemaking dates back to 1948 when Louis M. Martini began ranking his most exceptional Cabernet lots to use for a special selection blend. We honor this attention to detail with every vintage we make, fermenting Lot No. 1 in small open-top tanks, which allow for a high level of precision when extracting color and flavor. All lots were alternately punched down and pumped over up to four times daily to build the desired foundation for the wine’s mouthfeel. Our barrel program for Lot No. 1 is also unique, with the primary component being 36-month air dried French oak. This longer drying time encourages rich tannin structure throughout the duration of the wine’s 19 months in barrel (83% new).
Nose: The 2018 Lot No. 1 vintage showcases enticing aromas of wild blackberries, cocoa and toasted oak supported by notes of brown spice and humidor.
Palate: The rich, plush palate boasts flavors of shaved chocolate and reduced blackberry compote with hints of cinnamon. The long finish reveals classic oak character and plush tannins.
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
"This has a frankly toasty note overlaying rich cassis, plum and boysenberry compote flavors, while licorice root, loam and roasted mesquite notes fill in on the finish. Not shy in the muscular approach. For fans of the style. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 2,149 cases made." - 94 points, James Molesworth, Senior Editor and Special Projects Director at Wine Spectator
Neyen Espiritu De Apalta 2018
Complex aromas of raspberry and blackcurrant mix with notes of vanilla and subtle pepper, cedar and leather. The palate is fresh and elegant, with smooth tannins and a persistent finish.
Certification: V-Label.EU (Vegan Certified)
PH level: 3.67
Residual Sugar: 1.73 G/L
Acidity: 4.95 G/L
Varietals: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Carménère
Recommended Serving Temperature: 13.5 °C
Food Pairing: Beef, Pasta, Veal, Poultry
"This has fresh, herbal style with masses of violets and blackcurrants on offer, as well as iodine, nori and such pure, ethereal fragrance. The palate has a vibrant, bright feel with crunchy, juicy purple-fruit flavors, framed in elegant tannins. Taut, focused and energetic feel here. Builds such succulent, dark-plum and red-berry flavors, ahead of a gently spicy finish. Delicious now, but better from 2024." - 96 points, James Suckling
Orin Swift Mannequin 2020
Nose: Golden straw in the glass with a flash of emerald, the wine opens with notes of ripe Bosc pear, lemon meringue, and white flowers.
Palate: On the palate, the entry is coating with yellow peach, honeydew, and wet stone along with a mid of palmiers, tostones and ripe stone fruit. The finish is accentuated by a seam of acidity and leaves one with hints of lemon pith and butterscotch.
Varietal: Chardonnay
"Complex, with details of butterscotch, ripe melon, baked apple and spices. This has a supple texture that adds an air of elegance, with details of honeycomb and nutmeg on the finish." - 90 points, MaryAnn Worobiec, Senior Editor and Napa Bureau Chief at Wine Spectator
*Receive a complimentary pack of drop stoppers with any order of Orin Swift wines above $200. While stocks last.
Veramonte Chardonnay 2022
CHARDONNAY | 2022
CASABLANCA VALLEY
BRIGHT • LUSCIOUS • SMOOTH
Fresh and expressive aromas of pear, quince, and lemon curd, interwoven with toasty oak notes. On the palate, vibrant purity of the fruit, with a beautiful texture and depth that leads to a memorable long finish. A very expressive and elegant wine.
This vintage in Casablanca presented good conditions starting in spring, setting us up for excellent flowering and fruit set. Harvest began the last week of February, which was slightly delayed from what we had planned. However, things sped up and we had a very good ripening curve, especially at the end of the season. This year, the first varieties to be harvested were Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, having received very good temperatures from October onwards.
This Chardonnay is silky and mineral and is without a doubt an elegant and expressive wine.
Recommended Serving Temperature: 12ºC
Food Pairing: Seafood, Chicken Salad
"A pure chardonnay here with some wet stones, green pineapples and lime. Nice texture on the crisp, linear palate. A nice attack of fresh acidity and an alkaline, chalky finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink now." - 90 points, James Suckling
Primus Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Maipo Valley, Chile
Lively aromas of blackberry, blueberry and dried cherry intertwine with vanilla and cedar notes. A smooth silky texture with fine tannins and balance, providing a beautiful and lingering finish. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Primus vineyards are located on the third alluvial terrace of the Alto Maipo, at the foot of the Andes Mountains. The grapes are hand-picked, double sorted, fermented in open top tanks with native yeasts, and left on the skins after fermentation to gain structure and depth. The best lots of the vintage are selected, blended and aged in French oak barrels for 12 months.
"Red and black currants, raspberries, orange zest, tobacco, cocoa and dried herbs on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins and bright acidity. Crisp and vibrant fruit character, with a zesty, firm finish. Vegan. Sustainable. Drink or hold." - 91 points, James Suckling
"A finely chiseled red, with elegance and depth, showing forest floor, lavender and balsam notes around a lively mouthful of mineral-laced red currant and plum. Ends with well-formed tannins and peppercorn details. Drink now through 2032. 7,000 cases made, 2,900 cases imported." - 90 points, Wine Spectator
Podere Le Ripi Cielo d’Ulisse 2017
Cielo d'Ulisse 2017
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Curiosity leads to Culture leads to Sensitivity leads to Enthusiasm leads to Love leads to Magic leads to Universal Love. Because Everybody feels the Magic. Therefore, Curiosity is a Universal Gift.
- Francesco Illy
Deep dark with lighter shadows, flavors are quite complex and the progression of different fragrances is endless, beginning with smaller black and red fruits, all surrounded by a vibrant and lively scent of fermentation. If you are patient, such scents will be turning into floral notes like rose and velvety flowers. Our vineyards on the western slopes are surrounded by a fresh forest and very close to the Ombrone river. This means that they can handle well warmer seasons, exactly like 2017 has been. This is why the wine was able to maintain a nice dynamic taste, light without it being too sweet. At the same time the wine shows itself as quite ready and welcoming.
Ageing: 24 months aging in oak barrels and 20 months in cement
Grape variety: 100% Sangiovese
"Underbrush, new leather, tobacco and mature berry aromas along with whiffs of dried mint form the nose on this polished red. On the velvety smooth, delicious palate, dense, fine-grained tannins envelop fleshy Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, star anise and cinnamon. Drink through 2029." - Kerin O'Keefe, Wine Enthusiast
Poggio alle Gazze dell’Ornellaia 2020
Poggio alle Gazze dell'Ornellaia owes its elegant Mediterranean style to the unique microclimate of the estate. This authentic gift of nature makes it possible to produce a wine, obtained mainly from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, which boasts a sumptuous structure and ripe fruity notes combined in a style of great elegance.
Varietals: 65% Sauvignon Blanc, 22% Vermentino, 5% Viognier, 4% Verdicchio
“With its classic bright straw yellow color, Poggio alle Gazze dell'Ornellaia 2020 expresses itself on the nose with a beautiful aromatic intensity: aromas of boxwood and white flowers, accompanied by notes of white peach, sage and aromatic herbs are released in the glass. When tasted, the wine fills the palate with elegance and determination, showing the right balance between acid freshness and density. The finish is lively, persistent and with a nice flavor. "
"The grapefruit and white-peach character is very lively in this young white, with a zesty lemon undertone to it all. It’s medium-to full-bodied with crisp acidity and a flavorful finish. I keep thinking about oysters while I taste this! Bright and delicious sauvignon blanc. Drink now." - 93 points, James Suckling
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 Mother’s Ruin McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
This well balanced expression of McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon is an ode to the ‘luncheon claret’, but it’s not as green and austere as the favourite lunchtime libation at the gentleman’s club. The fruit is from a vineyard with good breeding in the foothills and the resulting wine has been made in a fruit driven style this vintage. It has classic First Drop drinkability, so bottoms up!
Colour: Dark plum
Nose: Cassis and plum fruit flavours with hints of eucalyptus and florals
Palate: Black fruits with a round mid palate, an elegant core of tannins and a textured finish.
"Dense wild blackberry, maraschino cherry and huckleberry flavors are at the core, with toothsome tannins and a juicy thread. The aromatics here stand out—sarsaparilla, palo santo and clove, dark chocolate and spicy cigar box notes that linger on the expressive finish. Drink now through 2036. 2,000 cases made, 500 cases imported." - 92 points, MaryAnn Worobiec, Senior Editor and Napa Bureau Chief at Wine Spectator
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