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 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
Waipara West N Block Chardonnay 2020
2020 vintage was the earliest in our 30 years at Waipara West. We had a warm, dry September and cool October were followed by our hottest November on record, this set up very favourable conditions for f lowering. Summer started with dry, slightly warmer conditions than normal for both December and January, followed by a dry, much warmer than average February, this put much of the east coast of New Zealand, including North Canterbury into drought. March brought a break in the heat and some much needed rain that slowed the ripening of beautiful clean fruit, the first blocks were picked on the 16th of March. April, returned to dry weather, with above-average temperatures which was ideal for the bulk of our harvest.
The grapes were hand harvested from the upper terrace from a combination of various clones. Clones are picked and vinified separately until blending for aging.
Colour: A clear pale lemon core with a gold hue and flecks of green and silver.
Aroma: The aroma of the wine is truly multi-layered. It shows fresh lime and lemon, white stone fruit and fragrant almond blossom mixed with malt biscuit and underlying mineral notes.
Palate: Ripe peach and nectarine with key lime and yuzu drive the palate. A luscious full-bodied mouthfeel from aging on fine lees gives flavours of malty cheesecake crust combined with a crunchy mineral finish and hints of salted caramel
Food Pairing: Pork, Rich fish (salmon, tuna, etc...), Vegetarian, Poultry
pH: 3.45
Acidity: 5.3
Residual sugar: 0.54g/L
Chateau Beychevelle 2018
Beychevelle 2018 can be characterized by two words: Harmony and Concentration. This vintage presents a balance rarely achieved at this stage. A bouquet of well-ripened red and black fruit invites us to sample the intense, harmonious palate. Very silky tannins accompanied by fruit bursting with freshness and concentration. 2018 will join the list of Château Beychevelle’s truly exceptional vintages.
Varietals: Merlot 50%, Cabernet Sauvignon 41%, Petit Verdot 6%, Cabernet Franc 3%
"Violet and warm cassis aromas and flavors lead the way, melding with applewood, ganache, açaí and blueberry reduction notes along the way. Almost lush in the end, but there's a buried tarry streak giving it just a bit of grippy texture for contrast. Serious juice. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc." - 95 points, James Molesworth, Senior Editor and Special Projects Director at Wine Spectator
"Currants and blackberries with crushed stone and fresh herbs. Some flower stem, too. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and linear with firm, driven tannins. This needs four or five years of bottle age to open and come together. " - 94 points, James Suckling
Amuse Bouche Napa Valley Red Blend 2019
For the 2019 vintage of Amuse Bouche, it features the artwork by one the most prominent artists of our time. Françoise Gilot, born in 1921, is a decorated French painter perhaps best known for her long, stormy relationship with Pablo Picasso, with whom she had two children, Claude and Paloma. Gilot is highly regarded as an international artist of the second half of the twentieth century. She has exhibited her work for more than 50 years in the major art centers of Europe, Asia, and North America. She was awarded the French Order of Arts and Letters with rank of Commander in 1988, the French Legion of Honor with rank of Chevalier in 1990, and the rank of Officer in the National Order of Merit by the president of France in 1996.
Amuse Bouche 2019 is crafted in the Pomerol-style, is a blend of 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc from our vineyards in the east Rutherford Hills of Napa Valley.
"The 2019 Amuse Bouche, a Right Bank-inspired Merlot/Cabernet Franc blend is superb. Expansive, sweet aromatics are immediately seductive. Silky tannins wrap around a core of plum fruit, sweet tobacco, chocolate, spice and leather. This wonderfully expressive, elegant Napa Valley red hits all the right notes in a mid-weight, nuanced style that is all class." - Antonio Galloni, January 2022
"This is a beautiful, juicy, merlot-based red with melted-chocolate and berry aromas and flavors. It’s full and creamy with lovely balance and attractive character, showing freshness and layers of fruit. Violets and berries at the end. Merlot and cabernet franc. Gorgeous. Drink or hold." - 95 points, James Suckling
Beronia Verdejo Rueda 2021
Colour: Bright, pale yellow colour with hints of green
Aroma: Intensely aromatic, the wine displays notes of citrus and white fruit, together with herbaceous aromas such as fennel.
Palate: Crisp and fresh, a chilled glass of our Verdejo is always a great choice. Elegantly textured with ripe, white peach and melon with threads of fresh, fennel herbs.
Varietals: 100% Verdejo
Food Pairing: Fish, White Meat, Pasta, Rice Dishes, Cheese
"Attractive white almonds, lemon zest and chalky stones on the nose, followed by a fresh, bone-dry palate with some stony lemon fruit in a chalky texture. A very well-made verdejo that will have gastronomic appeal. Vegan. Chill it and drink now. Screw cap." - 91 points, James Suckling 
Starward Fortis Miniature
Fortis meaning ‘brave, bold’, is a full bodied, full flavoured whisky that celebrates local Australian ingredients. Bottled at a higher ABV of 50% and non-chill filtered, this whisky
is fully matured in 100% American oak red wine barrels, predominately sourced from the Barossa Valley.
These barrels, which previously held big Australian bold reds like cabernet and shiraz, offer a fuller and richer mouthfeel to this single malt whisky. Starward Fortis is blended in batches, meaning each batch will be unique but will maintain the core flavour profile and intensity.
Nose: Very forward aromas of Madagascan vanilla pods, rich toasted American oak, blackberry jam, raisins, caramelised fig, raw sugar and over ripe plums.
Palate: Rich and full bodied, upfront vanillin, quince paste, Muscadelle raisins, chocolate ganache, cinnamon and baked banana bread.
Finish: Viscous and long. It really captures the whole palate and balances well with a finish of baking spices from the oak and ripe figs and raisins.
Starward Nova Miniature
Our signature single malt.
Exceptional length thanks to the red wine barrels. Bright aromatic notes of red berries, orchard fruits, vanilla, caramel and soft oak spice. Smooth and complex when sipped neat. Shines in classic cocktails. Works exceptionally well with food.
Nova borrows from tradition but breaks away from it too.
Nova is matured exclusively in red wine barrels from wineries making great Australian shiraz, cabernets and pinot noirs. This whisky reflects Melbourne in every sip. From the vibrant foodie scene to the wild weather to the world-class, cool climate wine.
Nose: Like we took bright flavours of red berries and orchard fruit and coated them in soft oak spice.
Palate: Imagine a rich red berry pudding covered in vanilla, caramel and spice.
Finish: Balanced and long. The sweetness fades and the delicious flavour goes on.
