Wine
Akarua The Siren Pinot Noir 2021
āThe Sirenā, Akaruaās super premium cuvee, leaves in its wake a mesmerising and ambitious Pinot Noir. It is composed of the finest parcels from Cairnmuir Road in Bannockburn, where grapevines flourish beautifully in a very windy, very hot and very dry environment. The odyssey of a full-bodied and complex wine, both floral and spicy with enchanting black-berry aromas.
Akarua The Siren complex, sophisticated and powerful flavours make it a perfect match with roast lamb, mushroom based dishes as well as vegetable dishes with a little sweetness and a touch of acidity.
WINEMAKING
Carefully hand harvested grapes were destemmed then fermented on skins for around three weeks. The resulting wine was gently pressed to French oak barrels for maturation.
AGEING
In French oak barrels with 40% of new. One year of bottle age before release.
AGEING DURATION
18 months Varietal: Pinot Noir
Chateau Malartic Lagraviere Rouge 2017
The Grand Cru ClassĆ© in red Malartic-LagraviĆØre appellation Pessac-LĆ©ognan vintage 2017 keeps all its promises and once again honors the tradition of wines from the Bordeaux region.
The Merlots, with the dry and warm June and July, are fleshy, round and aromatic. After the rains at the end of September, the Cabernets finish refining their tannins, preserving the freshness and thus offering extraordinary complexity, sap and silkiness.
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
āRipe, with succulent plum, cassis and raspberry fruit paste flavors, lined with liquorice and anise details, showing a well-integrated apple wood note on the finish, backed by a light scoring of tar. Exhibits lots of compact energy, so this should unwind nicely in the cellar.ā ā James Molesworth at Wine Spectator
Chateau Malartic Lagraviere Blanc 2017
The white wines present exceptional quality. The cool August produced superbly balanced grapes, highlighting their aromatic profiles.
For the whites, the aromatic profiles are superb; the wines show a crisp line of acidity, good tightness and a pleasant sappiness, with plenty of fruit and a good quality framework.
80% Sauvignon, 20% SĆ©millon
āAttractive, fresh-lemon and grassy nuances with wild herbs and slightly flinty elements, too. The palate has such intense and fresh acidity. Fine lemons and limes and a thrillingly dry, long finish. ā ā Janvier at James Suckling
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% CarmenĆØre, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Drinkable now, but better from 2024.
Les BruliĆØres deĀ Beychevelle 2020
VINEYARD :
- Varietals: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot.
- Soil: gravel and clay
- Size of the vineyard: 12 ha
- Harvest: partially by hand
Chateau Beychevelle 2015
The 2015 Beychevelle has a wonderful ripe blackberry, boysenberry and cassis-scented bouquet that is very well defined. There is nascent energy and tension spilling out from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with quite opulent black fruit laced with graphite and a splash of soy, but underneath is embedded a firm structure. There is real vivacity and terroir expression on the finish, a Beychevelle with enormous potential. One for those seeking āclassicā ā Wine Advocate, 2018
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon 42%, Merlot 47%, Cabernet Franc 7%, Petit Verdot 4%
Divin De Corbin 2017
ChĆ¢teau Corbin, situated in the Saint Emilion AOC on the border of the Pomerol appellation, is one of the patriarchs of Saint Emilion. Its foundations date back to the 15th century, and according to legend Corbin, was the stronghold that belonged to the āBlack Princeā Edouard de Plantagenet who fought the French in the early stages of the Hundred Year War. Since 1999, the estate has been managed by Anabelle Cruse Bardinet, a Bordeaux University oenology graduate, who represents the 4th generation of the family to lead the Chateau.
VINEYARD
Varietals: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet franc
Soils: Clay and sandy clay with ferric clay subsoil
Size of the vineyard: 13 ha (by the border of Pomerol)
Age of the vine :15 20 years
Planting density: 7 500 vines/ha
Average Yield: 35 hl/ha
Harvest: By hand with double sorting
WINEMAKING
Vinification: Plot by plot vinification in concrete vats. Maceration 3 4weeks
Aging: In French oak barrels
Bottling: At the ChĆ¢teau
TASTING NOTES
Divin offers in its dark dress a wonderful expression of pure and concentrated dark fruit. The palate is immediately seduced by the structure of its body: juicy, fresh with fine and elegant tannins. A divine wine that will charm all palates!
"This is a soft and juicy wine, the only wine made at this estate in 2017 because of frost. Black-currant flavors and fresh fruitiness come through the light tannic character. Drink the wine from 2021. " - 90 points, Wine Enthusiast
Coup de Foudre Les Bouquinistes 2020
Les Bouquinistes 2020 is a field blend composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc from our Calistoga, Napa Valley vineyards.
We produced just shy of 500 cases of this vintage.
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc
"Aromas of currants, orange peel, dark plums and hints of vanilla. Some bark. Medium-bodied with juicy flavors and a light bark and stem undertone. 24% petite sirah, 20% merlot, 20% cabernet franc, 18% syrah, 10% malbec, and 8% cabernet sauvignon. Delicious for early drinking. Drink now." - James Sucking, 91 points
I AM A GIRL FROM AFRICA
We are excited about this offer; and the amazing story told by our featured author will move you to your core. Our goal is to produce a stunning Napa Valley wine while promoting the missions of our esteemed authors and generating much-needed awareness and funding for worthy charities throughout the world. Each vintage celebrates an author who exemplifies unwavering commitment to social justice. Past vintages have featured a wide range of scribes, including Nicolas Kristoff of The New York Times, Pulitzer-prize winner Tracy Kidder, Jacqueline Novogratz and Patricia McCormick. These collaborations have raised more than $100,000 to benefit charities in Cambodia, Africa, Nepal and other developing countries.Read more...
Les Bouquinistes 2020 Chapter Six features Elizabeth NyamayaroāsĀ I Am A Girl From Africa. It is a remarkable story of what is possible when girls are given an equal right to quality education. When Elizabeth was only eight years old a severe drought decimated the crops in her agricultural village in Zimbabwe. After months of hunger and malnourishment, she found herself alone, face down under a tree in a parched field, too weak to move. Incredibly, a UN aid worker found her, gave her food, and saved her life. This was a transformative moment for Elizabeth; it inspired her to dedicate her life to uplifting her community, her continent and now the world. As Elizabeth grew into a teenager and then a young adult, attending school intermittently when she wasnāt needed to help āfind money,ā she never lost sight of this goal. She was grounded by the African concept of Ubuntu: I am because we are. And because we are, you are! With the support of her community ā and exceptional drive and perseverance ā Elizabeth overcame crushing obstacles and eventually served as a senior advisor to the United Nations where she launched HeForShe, one of the worldās largest global solidarity movements for gender equality. She has chosen that the proceeds from the sale of this wine will benefitĀ globalgirlsglow.org. Global G.L.O.W. is an organization that mentors girls to advocate for themselves and make their communities stronger. Their after-school programs in 23 countries, including the United States, seek to ignite the power of girls as a force for global transformation. Your contributions will continue to deliver the important message of hope, community support and interdependence to girls and women all over the world.Morlet Coeur De Vallee Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Located in the world-renowned Oakville appellation, in the heart of the Napa Valley, our Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc vines benefit from the gravelly and loamy Bale soil derived from an alluvial fan in this warm yet temperate climate. Handcrafted using classical winemaking techniques, this wine is dedicated to Dr. Richard Johnson and Dr. Nancy Hampel who have always demonstrated their kindness of heart. It is āHeart of the Valleyā or āCoeur de VallĆ©e.ā
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc
Winemaker Notes:
Deep garnet-purple colour, āCoeur de VallĆ©eā is characterized by a striking bouquet of lavender and violets over a core of sweet red berries, crĆØme de cassis, Chambord liqueur, blackcurrants and licorice, and compelling notes of mocha, espresso, chocolate and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied with an impressive fine-grained texture, this powerful yet refined Cabernet Sauvignon is expressive from start to finish, boasting a background freshness that supports the intense black fruit layers. The wine displays an extraordinary concentration, richness, finesse and purity while possessing silky and polished tannins leading to an elegant lift on the long, lush finish.
Chateau dāAvize Blanc de Blanc Champagne AOC 2012
Smells fresh with lemon and soft floral scents. Delicate and refined this is crips sharp and piercing yet also layered and rich. Bitter lemon rind mixes with honeyed orange and some pie crust savoury elements to give real character. A little bit woody still just peeking out in contrast to the fruit still showing its youthfulness. After a few minutes all the flavours seem much brighter in the glass more evocative and expressive. Thrillingly precise dry and crisp.
The 2012 Chateau dāAvize is an ethereal Champagne that personifies the meticulous processes at Leclerc Briant. The nose shows layered citrus fruits, pear, white flowers, and fresh patisserie. The palate is ripe and shows notes of brioche and toast underpinning the white fruits.
Medium Bodied
100% Chardonnay
Chateau Corbin 2016
Jayson by Pahlmeyer Red Blend 2019
Jayson Red Wine is a distinctive blend from some of Napa Valleyās finest vineyards, crafted to express each vintage with intensity and richness. With vintage 2020, fruit was sourced primarily from Atlas Peak, supported by fruit grown in the renowned Stagecoach Vineyard and other exceptional Napa Valley sites. Grapes were hand-picked and hand-sorted before undergoing fermentation in stainless steel tanks to enhance its fruit profile and retain bright acidity. The wine was then racked to 65% new French oak barrels for 15 months of aging.
This wine has aromas of crushed black cherry, fraises des bois, and wild mushroom on the nose. The palate opens, layer upon plush layer, with raspberry, strawberry, and lingonberry, all held beautifully in focus by integrated polished tannins.