Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
The 2019 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied wine grown along the meandering Russian River. Pronounced aromas of brambleberry, crushed dried herbs and violet rise from the glass. The palate delivers notes of graham cracker pie crust and black plum with undercurrents of dried sage and leather. This wine lands firmly on the rustic side of Cabernet with dusty tannins and a long earthy finish.
Grapes were picked early in the morning to preserve maximum flavor enroute to the winery. All lots were aged and evaluated separately, allowing us to craft a harmonious wine before marrying the final blend in barrel to finish aging. In total, the wine spent 17 months in a combination of French and American oak (29% new).
Varietal: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Sirah
Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia 2020
Made with the same passion and attention to detail as Ornellaia, Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia is a true “second vin”. A blend of Merlot (32%), Cabernet Sauvignon (33%), Cabernet Franc (18%) & Petit Verdot (17%), it combines approachability and a depth of flavour with proven ageing potential.
Characterized by a lively ruby red colour, Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia 2018 is a wine of great aromatic complexity, a distinctive feature of this vintage. In the glass, aromas of berries, blackberry, raspberry and red cherry are accompanied by floral hints of wild rose and spicy notes of pink pepper and liquorice. On tasting, the wine has a good tannic structure, enveloping and balanced, with a crisp and savoury finish.
First Drop Fat of the Land Barossa Shiraz – Seppeltsfield (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.
First Drop Cold Sweat Eden Valley Syrah – Moculta (Single Vineyard) 2015
Eden Valley is the perfect backdrop for us to further push our vinous boundaries. At a higher elevation than the Barossa Valley below, we embrace the funk to make even more diverse expressions of Syrah that speak of their unique sites. It’s all about the one. Give the drummer some! With this Eden Valley project we are looking for the ultimate expressions of three cooler climate sites and working hard to find them, utilising all our experience. Syrah from a single vineyard in Moculta.
Colour: Garnet red with purple hues
Nose: A complex nose of dark cherry, savoury and spice aromas
Palate: A brooding palate of grainy tannins support complex dark cherry, earthy and savoury flavours.
Cellaring: Drink up, but also 8-10 years proposition.
"Deep and decadent on the nose with plum, dried-meat and leather aromas. Some tar. Full-bodied yet fresh. Round and silky tannins. Juicy finish. Tangy acidity. Drink now. " - 95 points, James Suckling
VINTAGE 2015: A condensed vintage with full fat flavour! A warmer than usual spring led to an early, yet even flowering and fruit set. Together with a dry season, this led to an early start to vintage despite mild conditions and welcome rainfall in January. With harvest progressing quickly, it was clear that yields were variable, but the wines showed full flavours. Low yielding Barossa Valley Shiraz was rich (reminiscent of 2005). Yields were up in Eden Valley Shiraz, and thus looked less primary, more savoury, with good acid (reminiscent of 2002). So the upshot is we’ve almost got two vintages in one, with some diverse, full flavoured wines. Lap it up!
Domaine Albert Mann Pinot Noir Les Saintes Claires 2021
The vines, which are at least 25 years old, were planted near the Grand Cru Mambourg above the Clarisses monastery in Sigolsheim. The yields here are only 26 hl/ha.
Ruby red color, beautiful shine. The nose is discreet with a floral touch as well as notes of mara strawberries. In the mouth, a precision, a depth, a radiance that makes you want to repeat endlessly. Beautiful body hold, this racy wine reveals superb liveliness. A touch on the palate with notes of velvet. It has a rigor and a solar tone which underline its raw material and allow this Pinot Noir to give a very gastronomic dimension.
Chateau de Pommard Nuit Saint George 2018
TERROIR
Divided into two parts in Côte de Nuits, between Prémeaux and Vosne-Romanée, the appellation of Nuits-Saint-Georges includes two different types of soils and produce a full-bodied and well-balanced red wine enjoyable today, but ageable for years.
APPELLATION: Nuits-Saint-Georges
TYPE DE CRU: Village
ALTITUDE: 230 to 305 meters
WINEMAKING
- Hand-harvested grapes, hand-sorted on a vibrating table
- 100% de-stemmed, placed into stainless steel fermentation vats by gravity flow
- Weeks-long maceration, minimal pumping-over and punching-down – Pressing in pneumatic press
- Placed in French oak barrels for aging on fine lees
- Not filtered
Chateau Saint Nicolas 2020
Château Saint Nicolas • 2020
A.O.C Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux
VINEYARD
Varietals: 60% Merlot 20% Cabernet Franc 20% Cabernet sauvignon
Soils: clay and gravels
Size of the vineyard: 8 Ha
Age of the vine: 25 years
Planting density: 5000 /Ha
Average Yield: 40 Hl/Ha
Harvest: by machine
VINIFICATION AND AGEING
Vinification: plot selection, without sulfites from harvest to malolactic fermentation, traditional vatting period 30-40 days, flexible pump overs, pigeages
Ageing: in stainless steel vats with staves
Bottling at the château
Production: 40 000 bottles
TASTING NOTES
An intense crimson red color.
A powerful nose revealing intense blackcurrant, vanilla and roasted notes.
The attack is frank, structured with velvet tannins. The mouth develops wild fruits, roasted coffee and vanilla aromas.
A toasted and smoky finish leads to an expressive and fine length.
Chateau Marsac Séguineau 2018, Margaux
Château Marsac Séguineau, Margaux A.O.C
The superb vineyard of Marsac Séguineau covers 10 hectares in the heart of the Soussan commune. Since 2001, Château Marsac Séguineau and the neigbouring Château La Tour de Mons were acquired by the Credit Agricole Group (which also own the Pauillac Classified Growth, Ch. Grand Puy Ducasse) therefore sharing management and technical staff. Produced with the same care and attention as its neighbor.
VINEYARD
Varietals: 65% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Cabernet Franc
Soil Garonnaises gravel, clay and limestone
Size of the vineyard: 10 ha
Age of the vine: 30 years
Planting density: 8000 10000 vines/ha
Average Yield: 45 50 hl/ha
Harvest: by hand
WINEMAKING
Vinification: cold maceration in stainless steel vats plots by plots, malolactic fermentation in vats
Aging: in French oak barrels for 12 months (25% new oak)
Bottling: at the Château
TASTING NOTES
Dense aromas with notes of black currant and blueberry. The body is full with a good tannic grip and a nice acidity that gives the wine a fresh character. Spicy notes, well balanced with a nice and elegant finish.