Domaine Albert Mann Pinot Noir Grand H 2019
A beautiful limpid color, color chart of ruby with purple reflections. We begin with a nose with rich aromatic expressions, on the one hand a wild side, undergrowth, black truffle and on the other hand a pronounced bouquet of ripe black fruits, Burlat cherries, blackcurrant, blackberry and wild blueberry, which are both intense and promising for a captivating great wine. On the palate, it is a very nice, generous and powerful Pinot Noir. There are also noble spices, touches of roasted coffee and bitter chocolate from Tanzania. A great finesse of tannins lines the palate, revealing a thickness and a width, characteristic of the Grand Cru Hengst. A fusion between the balance of the fruit and the haute couture aging presents us, a wine of pleasure under the sign of the gluttony with a promising future.
Grapes come from Wintzenheim, on the Grand Cru Hengst. Marno-calcaro-sandstone, southern exposure. Vines are about 40 years old.
"Very deep, rooty nose with so many forest-berry aromas, as well as wild herbs. Then a giant wave of earthy power hits you on the expansive palate. Huge concentration, but every bit as much drive. The intense minerality at the finish may be too much for some, but for us this is the full expression of a unique terroir for the pinot noir grape. From vines in the Grand Cru Hengst. From biodynamically grown grapes. More than 50% whole cluster, then matured in 60% new, the rest second use. Drink or hold." - 98 points, James Suckling
Luce 2019
TUSCAN TRADITION
2019: a balanced and late vintage. A cold and sunny winter was followed by a spring characterized by low average temperatures and heavy rainfall, which contributed to the creation of important water reserves in the soil. The reduced sunlight coupled with the heavy rainfall resulted in a slight delay of about ten days in the vegetative cycle of the grapevines. The flowering phase took place in early June, after which the growing season continued regularly with a hot summer free of excessive temperatures and some rainfall occurring between late July and early August, which supported a vigorous and efficient growth of the leaves. The mild temperatures in September and the good water reserves supported a slow and regular ripening of the grapes, which resulted in perfectly ripe, highly intense tannins rich in aromatic freshness. The harvest began with a sunny climate on September 12 with the first Merlot grapes, continued with Sangiovese in late September and early October. The wines are structured showing balance, vigor and great aging potential. Luce 2019 has an intense ruby red color. The nose is striking with its floral hints of violet and rose accompanied by red fruits such as raspberries and sweet spices. In the mouth, the wine is balanced and elegant with an almost creamy texture supported by silky and well-integrated tannins. Spicy notes accompany the persistent finish. Food Pairing: Beef, Lamb, Veal, Poultry, Cured Meat
Coup de Foudre Lightning Bolt 2019
Coup de Foudre Lightning Bolt is only produced when we feel there are barrels worthy enough of presenting 100% Cabernet Sauvignon as a stand-alone.
Showing perfect varietal Cabernet Sauvignon character, this 2019 is rich with elements of Dark Chocolate, focused cassis, nuances of blue and black berry.
100% new French Oak, aged 20 months, fills in the crème brulee like mid-palate. Only 100 cases produced (4 barrels!)
BenMarco Malbec 2020
BenMarco Malbec brings together the best components of the Los Chacayes soil, such as its alluvial character with excellent permeability.
The wine is a testimony of Valle de Uco, endowed with aromas of black berries, notes of violets, pronounced acidity, firm tannins and great length.
BenMarco Malbec pairs well with grilled red meats, sausages, seasoned or roasted pork, hard cheeses and pasta with meat-based sauces.
Yangarra Old Vine Grenache (MLV) 2022
Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Our 2017 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a boisterous wine with an assertive profile, offering ripe notes of black currant, plum, crushed fennel and cedar. Rich and rustic, this Cabernet features distinct brambly undertones and finishes memorably with structured, lingering tannins.
Grapes were picked early in the morning to preserve maximum flavor en route 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
"A firm, juicy red with blackberries, chocolate and light tobacco. Some vanilla. Medium to full body. Round tannins. Fruity and fresh. Drink now." - James Suckling, 92 points
Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Our 2018 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon showcases ripe note of blackberry, blueberry and red plum. Accompanying with hints of cocoa and oak. They are perfect pair with strong and firm cheese such as asiago, Cheddar, Smoked Gouda and even pungent cheese like blue cheese and Gorgonzola. They can also be paired with Steak, Lamb and Venison.
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
"Dark plums, black cherries, grilled herbs and smoke on the nose. It’s full-bodied with firm, sleek tannins. Supple and juicy with fresh acidity. Savory, flavorful finish. Drink or hold." - 92 points, James Suckling
Guillaume Gonnet Bel Ami Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2019
Soft round tannins, a very elegant wine. Red and black fruit bouquet, (cherries, blackberries), hints of garrigues, Christmas cake and peppery spice. A fine wine. This wine will open beautifully if decanted at least 1 hour before serving. Good for pairing with Coq au Vin, Magret de Canard (Duck), charcuterie such as Parma ham, spicy sausage, and a selection of cheeses, such as comté and beaufort.
Vines are 50-90 years old.
70% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mouvèdre, 10% Cinsault
"Juicy and vivid, with a mix of cassis, cherry paste, and raspberry coulis flavors that grab your eye, while light anise, floral and applewood notes fill in through the racy finish. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Best from 2023 through 2036. 3,000 cases made, 2,000 cases imported." - 93 points, Wine Spectator
Louis M. Martini Monte Rosso Gnarly Vine Zinfandel 2014
Our Gnarly Vine Zinfandel is a big, full-bodied wine with rich blackberry and pepper aromas that lead to a sweep of dark fruit flavors, including blackberry reduction, plum and black currant. The intense fruit blends with layers of spice notes ranging from fresh peppercorns to clove and baking spices. The vibrant and robust wine is balanced by velvety tannins and the spice and minerality characteristic of Monte Rosso’s iron-rich volcanic soils. The extraordinarily long, luxurious finish includes hints of vanilla, pepper and molasses.
Varietal: 98% Zinfandel, 2% Petite Sirah
"Fully ripe, extracted fruit dominates in this robust, heady wine, a mixture of red berry jam and vanilla that takes on a perceptible sweetness on the palate. From the mighty mountain vineyard, it also shows dustings of dried herb and brush, an herbal undertone that balances its overall intensity. " - 90 points, Wine Enthusiast
Overture By Opus One (2018 Release)
In the tradition of many great Bordeaux estates, Opus One produces a fine second wine called Overture. Like the introduction of a great musical piece, Overture, the wine, presents elements of the exceptional work itself, although certainly not in its entirety or full complexity.
Since 1993, we have created Overture as a result of our highly selective process for Opus One. We meticulously cultivate each section of our estate vineyard with the attention to detail and singular focus required to produce Opus One. This diligence carries through the extensive blending process, and not all wine-lots from our estate are chosen for the final Opus One blend.
Yet, when these remaining lots are afforded additional time in French oak barrels, coupled with the added flexibility of blending across multiple vintages, the final wine, Overture, achieves remarkable elegance, complexity and approachability.
As a natural extension of the creation of Opus One, Overture’s varietal composition evolves based on the lot selections made for each vintage. Overture reflects the proportion of Bordeaux-heritage grape varieties planted on our estate: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Uniquely, Overture captures the essence of our estate across vintages; therefore the exact blend and cellar approach will always differ from Opus One.
Handpicked Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Margaret River, Australia
This is a complex wine with aromas of black berry fruits, chocolate, and cedar with berry highlights. On the palate it has layers of interest starting with rich dark berry fruit flavours, deft oak treatment, and plush tannins. It is ready to drink and will age beautifully over the long term.
This fruit was hand harvested in late March in a selection of our vineyards; the majority was from the Wilyabrup sub-region and there was a parcel from Carbunup. The wine was aged in French oak barriques, 30 per cent new, for 15 months.
Tenuta Sant’Antonio Valpolicella Ripasso Monti Garbi 2020
The vineyards of Tenuta Sant’Antonio lie on the Monti Garbi: harsh and impervious soil, but generous with great wines. Like this splendid combination of Valpolicella Giovane and Amarone skins. Produced from the municipality of Mezzane di Sotto - Monti Garbi District (Verona).
- Colour: ruby red.
- Nose: red fruit and cherry.
- Palate: semi-dry, soft, caressing, fresh, savoury and fairly tannic with a spicy aftertaste.
- Corvina and Corvinone 70% - Rondinella 20% - Croatina and Oseleta 10%.
BenMarco Malbec 2021
BenMarco Malbec brings together the best components of the Los Chacayes soil, such as its alluvial character with excellent permeability.
The wine is a testimony of Valle de Uco, endowed with aromas of black berries, notes of violets, pronounced acidity, firm tannins and great length.
BenMarco Malbec pairs well with grilled red meats, sausages, seasoned or roasted pork, hard cheeses and pasta with meat-based sauces.
"The 2021 BenMarco Malbec was produced with fruit from Los Chacayes in Valle de Uco, fermented destemmed in stainless steel and matured in second use French oak barrels for 11 months. It’s floral, spicy, aromatic, showy and expressive with the aromatic flowers with very integrated oak. It has both good ripeness, 14.3% alcohol, with good freshness and fine tannins. They produced an impressive 240,000 bottles. " - Luis Gutiérrez, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Domaine St Patrice Côtes-du-Rhône 2019
First Drop Mother’s Ruin McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
VINTAGE 2019: A very dry winter and spring, with frost events in September and November disrupting bud burst and flowering, resulted in the lightest crops in the past decade. January and February were warm and dry, and in conjunction with the low yields, ripening was rapid. Quick decision making and early picking resulted in reds with great intensity and structure thanks also to the light crops and early tannin maturity. 2019 was a challenging vintage, but one of the most rewarding, with our alternative varieties showing particularly well. The overall quality is a tribute to our growers and their perseverance in a difficult growing season. We salute you!
The fruit is crushed/destemmed and fermented at temperatures ranging from 20- 25°C for 10 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 transferred to 10% new French oak barriques, and the balance 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 18 months.
Body: Medium Bodied
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon
Beronia Tempranillo Elaboración Especial 2022
WINEMAKER’S NOTES
The wine shows a crimson red colour. Sophisticated and attractive on the nose with prominent aromas typical of the Tempranillo grape: rose petals, red fruits and liquorice, accompanied by sweet spices such as cinnamon and vanilla, with light touches of mocha complementing the other aromas. A very fresh, varietal wine with prominent flavours of red fruits and chocolate and well-integrated tannins that make it easy to enjoy the many different flavours.
SERVING AND PAIRING Store in a cool place (maximum 14ºC), away from direct light and unpleasant odours.
Predicador Tinto 2020
Predicador is a red with a bright, intense colour, which smells of fruit and earth, but also of balsamic notes, menthol and wild herbs; that feeling of being deeply rooted to the earth which is palpable all the way through. This is a concentrated, mature, fresh and complex wine, with a certain minerality (stones), some subtle caramelised sugar notes, liquorice, spices (cloves) and the scent of red roses, and plenty of volume.
Shows a very tense purple color. On the nose shows ripe red fruits. Very mineral. With balsamic and fine woods. In the mouth it has an enveloping volume and, as my friend Paco’s father used
to said about these kind of wines: “This is chocolate”. Long life.
92% Tempranillo, 3% Garnacha, 3% Mazuelo and 2% Graciano
Serve between 16ºC and 18ºC
Food Pairing: Sausages and Ham, Vegetables, Stews and Casseroles, Rice (Paella), Red Meat
Chateau Marsac Séguineau 2017, 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.