Opus One 2018
The vineyards enjoyed idyllic growing conditions with consistent weather and milder temperatures in 2018. The beginning of the year was notably dry; however, well-timed rainfall
just before budbreak provided the necessary water for canopy development. Flawless conditions ensued during flowering and fruit set which led to higher-than-average yields. While the season got off to a later start, veraison occurred only seven days later than the average which gave the fruit the necessary time to ripen perfectly. Harvest began on September 19th with a steady pace that continued until the last fruit arrived on October 25th.
The Opus One 2018 offers profuse aromas of blackberry, cassis and black cherry. Elegant notes of violets, white pepper and rose petals follow and together they deliver a very seductive bouquet. The seamlessly layered flavors build to a crescendo of fresh and juicy black-fruit, accented with hints of orange zest, licorice and dark chocolate. Beautifully balanced, the smooth round tannins and fresh acidity combine to create a soft, creamy mouthfeel and extend the flavors into a long persistent finish.
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon 84%, Petit Verdot 6%, Merlot 5%, Cabernet Franc 4%, and Malbec 1%
Poggio alle Gazze dell’Ornellaia 2018
Poggio alle Gazze dell'Ornellaia 2018 has a classic straw-yellow colour. The nose presents intense aromas of white-fleshed fruits, accompanied by delicate notes of vanilla. On the palate it is initially ample and soft; the wine reveals a great richness and marked tanginess that lead to a fresh and persistent finish.
"A bright, fruity white with fennel, lemon-peel and sliced green-apple character. It’s full-bodied with lovely fruit and a crisp finish. Refreshingly fruity. Drink now." - 92 points, James Suckling
Chateau Malartic Lagraviere Rouge 2018
The Chateau Malartic Lagraviere Rouge 2018 had all the characteristics of a great vintage. They have superb balance, tremendous freshness, and a distinguished, elegant character. The reds are beautifully crafted. The Merlot offers a sublime mid-palate, with a silkiness and density that are rarely achieved. The Cabernet is spectacular, with exceptional aromatic profiles and levels of quality. The Petit-Verdots, co-fermented with the merlots, are particularly silky.
57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc
"… some gorgeous rich liquorice and cassis fruits… the texture stands out for its silkiness. Clearly a very good wine, which opens up slowly and carefully. Classic but with depth and grip, continuing a run of successful vintages at Malartic.” - Wine Enthusiast
“Cellar selection … this is a well-crafted wine. It combines richness with sophisticated tannins, dense black fruits and considerable potential. Ripe berry flavors give depth." - Decanter
Chateau Malartic Lagraviere Blanc 2018
The Pessac-Léognan white 2018 is intense on the nose with pleasant aromas of stone fruit, citrus and green apple. It is a balanced white Bordeaux wine, tense, and with a freshness enhanced by a wonderful minerality. This very delicious wine develops a great aromatic bouquet on the finish, which also boasts fantastic length.
80% Sauvignon, 20% Sémillon
“The 2018 Malartic Lagraviere 2018 Blanc is a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Sémillon. It was fermented in oak barrels, 55% new. It opens with alluring scents of fresh pears, Golden Delicious apples and juicy peaches, followed by hints of nutmeg, dill seed and honeysuckle. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers bags of apple and stone fruit flavors with a racy line and oily suggestion to the texture, finishing on a lingering spicy note. Drink 2022-2035.” – Janvier at James Suckling
Chateau de Pommard Santenay Premier Cru “La Maladière” 2018
Behind its pale lemon colour, the Santenay Premier Cru “La Maladière” hides intense aromas of lemon, yellow peach, and tropical fruit. Its refreshing palate reveals a certain sweetness, highlighted by vanilla and smoke. The lightly saline finish evolves pleasantly before ending with a touch of mint.
Recommended Serving Temperature: 12°C
Arnaldo Rivera Barolo DOCG Cannubi 2018
Cannubi is one of Barolo's most famous vineyards, "A vineyard kissed by God" writes James Suckling. Intense, complex and incredibly well made. This is a wine not to be missed.
Ruby red in the glass with slight reflections. The aroma is intense with notes of raspberry, cherry and smoke. The taste is complex with notes of sun-ripened raspberries, dark cherries, licorice, tobacco, flint and smoke. The finish is long with a nice structure of slender tannins and delicate acidity. Perfect with dishes such as ossobuco, beef ragu, mushroom risotto, antipasti etc.
Domaine St Patrice Clos St Patrice 2018
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
Tenuta Sant’Antonio Amarone Della Valpolicella Antonio Castagnedi 2018
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%
Luce Brunello 2018
Vineyard
The estate consists of 615 acres of land, 217 of which are planted to vine. Sangiovese is planted in the higher elevation parcels (up to 1500 feet), which are rich in sandstone and limestone, while the lower altitude clay plots are better suited to Merlot.
Winemaking
The Sangiovese is harvested during the first week of October. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for 12 days, followed by 4 weeks of skin maceration. Aging occurs in Slavonian oak barrels for a minimum of 24 months.
Tasting Notes:
Luce Brunello shows an intense ruby red color. The nose is complex and fragrant, with notes of ripe red fruit, supported by pleasant sensations of blond tobacco and exotic spices. In the mouth, the wine is harmonious, rich and highly structured, with silky tannins that together with freshness give a very long persistence. A sophisticated and powerful wine.
Divin De Corbin 2018
Château 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 “Black Prince” 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 Château
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!