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
BenMarco Sin Limites Malbec Gualtallary 2021
BenMarco Sin Límites Gualtallary is a Malbec that reflects the terroir calcareous nature. On the nose, hints of pepper, especially pink pepper, and calcareous notes predominate, while on the mouth the austerity and grainy texture stand out. Incomparably long finish and great definition. When first smelt, it can be perceived as shy or tight, so decanting is recommended.
It is aged in second and third-use French oak barrels for 12 months.
Given its complex, austere, and affable profile, it is very versatile for pairing. It can be matched with lamb, soft cheeses, and all kinds of red meat.
"Racy and spicy red fruit profile on the nose with a hint of thyme and white pepper. The pure, medium-bodied palate has good intensity of flavors. Juicy and even in the middle with a vibrant finish. Composed and well-poised. More elegant than 2020. Drink now or hold." - 94 points, James Suckling
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.
Orin Swift Slander 2021
Crisp crimson in the glass.
Nose: The 2021 Slander opens with notes of wild strawberry, pomegranate, Bing cherry and cedar. Secondary aromatics abound, with hints of redwood grove underbrush, white pepper and earth.
Palate: Delicate on entry, the palate is flooding with red plum, cherry cola, rhubarb and spices. A touch of cocoa powder on the finish, the wine closes with confident acidity and length.
Varietals: Pinot Noir
*Receive a complimentary pack of drop stoppers with any order of Orin Swift wines above $200. While stocks last.
Tenuta Sant’Antonio Campo dei Gigli Amarone della Valpolicella 2016
The wine with most awards from the best international juries. The oldest vineyard is dedicated to the lily, the flower that symbolises Tenuta Sant’Antonio. A single vine grows in that vineyard, giving a unique wine.
- Colour: inky ruby red with purple reflections
- Nose: wild fruits, woody hints and mineral tones with aromas of liquorice, black pepper, tobacco, spices and chocolate.
- Palate: balanced, very intense, with a lingering robust body, to be drunk at least 5 years after harvesting.
Domaine Albert Mann Clos de la Faille Pinot Noir 2020
A ruby red color, beautiful shine. The expressive nose gradually opens up to aromas of red berries, blackcurrant and blackberries. Airing amplifies this fruity character and reveals a fine mineral note. The palate is fine and delicate, almost velvety. Pure wine, with a vertical profile endowed with a beautiful freshness and a long persistence. Its silhouette is well structured, supported by a nice fruitiness that ends on an appetizing finish.
Beronia Gran Reserva 2016
Beronia Gran Reserva 2016 is a very deep garnet colour. On the nose it displays a vast array of aromas, from stewed ripe fruit to prunes and nuts such as walnuts. Subtle hints of tobacco and powdered cacao also come through, together with white pepper and balsamic notes that add freshness. It delivers distinct notes of fruit and nuts on the palate, which provide structure and tannin. The wine is long, very complex, balanced and also sophisticated.
Best served at 15º-17ºC with red meat, roast beef, mature cheese and chocolate desserts.
Recommended for drinking from release until 2034.
Chateau de Pommard Clos Marey Monge – Nicolas Joseph 2018
Nicolas-Joseph’s 3 hectares are comprised of flat limestone rocks with red clay — yielding a fleshy, complex Pinot Noir with red fruits and sweet, silky tannins. Divided into two parts, Jeunes and Vieilles, this plot located alongside the north-eastern facade of the Château Marey-Monge displays the least calcareous soil structure in the Clos.
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. Light filtration
Tasting Notes: With a deep ruby color, our Nicolas-Joseph 2018 reveals a nose marked by floral aromas of fresh and faded roses, accompanied by ripe black fruit and sweet spices. The palate confirms the aromatic profile and unveils notes of cinnamon and clove. With its relaxed tannins, this round and full-bodied Pommard can be enjoyed today, but will only reach its peak in the next decade.
Recommended Serving Temperature: 16°
Production: 9000 bottles
Arnaldo Rivera Barolo DOCG Rocche di Castiglione 2018
Medium-intense ruby red colour. Complex and elegant nose. Notes of ripe red fruit (cherry, red berries) floral (rose petals with a hint of chamomile) and mineral nuances. Good intensity on the palate, fresh, well- balanced, silky, mouth-filling and rounded. The tannins are well-integrated. Long and persistent finish with good freshness.
Food pairings: Meat dishes such as game, red meats and seasoned cheeses.
Arnaldo Rivera Barolo DOCG Ravera 2018
The nose is intensely smoky, with raspberry and strawberry aromas. The calcareous white soils produce beautiful fruit aromatics, whilst the due-south sun-facing aspect add considerable depth to the fruit and ripeness to the firm tannins. Directness of fruit is also brought forward by a degree less oak than their other Cru wines, with some smaller format wood -- but none of it new. It's sleek and stylish, a lifted wine that's taut and spicy with fine-grained tannins. There's tension and persistence here, with a long and elegant finish. A long and profound Barolo to approach now or cellar a good while, the Ravera is a classic.
"Quite a spicy nose, together with plum, red-tile and deeper, earthy notes. Medium-bodied with firm tannins that feel a little dry, at least for now. But there’s very good concentration of fruit. The tannins should sink better into the wine with time. Structured. Try from 2024." - 93 points, James Suckling
First Drop Mother’s Milk Barossa Shiraz 2022
Not a sledgehammer style, this Barossa Shiraz is made for drinking! Soft, slurpy and textured it is balanced with good acidity, which refreshes the palate and makes you go back for a second / third glass. Sourced from 3 unique vineyards, it is fruit laden, savoury and dangerously easy to drink! It is matured for 12 months in French oak hogsheads to allow the fruit to express itself.
Colour: Garnet red with purple hues
Nose: A complex nose of dark cherry and blackberry aromas with a hint of forest floor and spice
Palate: Vibrant dark cherry and blackberry with a hint of ‘wombat rolled in all spice’ balanced with an even, textural palate with soft, supple tannins
Yangarra Estate High Sands Grenache 2018
VINTAGE SUMMARY
2018 was a text book growing season, with good winter rains, and favourable weather conditions during a very mild spring. We had a generally dry summer, which led to earlier expected picking dates, especially with lower than average yields. By the end of February and early march the Autumnal nights got quite cool, which really slowed down the ripening process.
WINEMAKING
Hand-picked and mechanically sorted. 100% Destemmed, with 50% whole berries. Cold soak. Open fermenters. Plunged. Wild yeast ferment. No pressings are used in this wine. Kept on lees in 100% older French oak for 11 months. We have selected individual barrels that showcase the pedigree of the deep sand, with lifted fragrance, intense fruit expression and fine, gritty long tannin structure. Not fined.
"So rich, complex and intense with a wealth of very ripe, powerful fruit on offer. Blood-orange and pomegranate notes, together with stony aromas, providing a very complex feel. The palate is super powerful and juicy. So very long, so rich and so well defined, showing mouthwatering tannins and a very sleek, long and juicy drive of red-fruit flavor. This has immense power and carries rich, ripe red and blue fruit. Wow. So intense. Drink or hold. Screw cap." - 98 points, James Suckling
“Intense ruby colour, bright and clear throughout the glass. Wine gums, dry earth and wakame on the nose. The palate is medium in weight but full in power. Fruit sits with depth, but the tannin profile is something special in its intensity and grip. Great length, it lingers very long. Time in the cellar is highly recommended as this will age very well. If you're a classical Châteauneuf-du-Pape fan, then this is a wine to note.” - Stuart Knox, The Real Review
Tenuta Sant’Antonio Amarone Della Valpolicella Antonio Castagnedi 2017
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%