Marqués de Riscal Gran Reserva Rioja
Marqués de Riscal began with a dream back in 1858 and over 150 years later, the Bodega decided to commemorate the 150th Anniversary with a Gran Reserva Rioja that befitted the history and standing of such great wines. The result it this outstanding Tempranillo blend from the 2001 vintage, a truly special vintage in the Rioja region. Dark cherry in colour with complex aromas of balsamic, charred wood and layers of spices. The palate follows with a viscous mouthfeel with a good concentration of tannins and acid structure. A truly remarkable Rioja that pays a great tribute.
Hardys Eileen Hardy Shiraz
A new label and new take on a classic. The Eileen Hardy Shiraz is juicy, plump and full of life with a magnificent backbone of tannin and spice without being overbearing. A classic in the making.
Vietti Barolo Castiglione
Beautiful glowing ruby. Fine earthy nose. Succulent palate with a powerful tannic structure. Really long and a little vibrant. Firm, long red-fruit finish Hearty stew, wild game, roasted red meats and cheeses. The grapes are selected from small vineyards spread in the Barolo region. The vines are between 8 and 41 years old, planted in a clay-limestone soil. Plants are trained with guyot method, with an average density of roughly 4500 units per hectare. All the different crus are vinified and aged separately with slightly different processes to underline the singular characteristics of each parcel and terroir. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel with daily cap submersion for extraction of flavor and color. The history of the Vietti winery traces its roots back to the 19th Century. Only at the beginning of the 20th century, however, did the Vietti name become a winery offering its own wines in bottle. From 1919 Patriarch Mario Vietti began making the first Vietti wines, selling most of the production in Italy. His most significant achievement was to transform the family farm, engaged in many fields, into a grape-growing and wine-producing business. Then, in 1952, Alfredo Currado (Luciana Viettis husband) continued to produce high quality wines from their own vineyards and purchased grapes. The Vietti winery grew to become one of the top-level producers in Piemonte and was one of the first wineries to export its products to the USA market. Alfredo was one of the first to select and vinify grapes from single vineyards (such as Brunate, Rocche and Villero). This was a radical concept at the time, but today virtually every vintner making Barolo and Barbaresco wines offers single vineyard or cru-designated wines. Alfredo is also called the father of Arneis as in 1967 he invested a lot of time to rediscover and understand this nearly-lost variety. Today Arneis is the most famous white wine from Roero area, north of Barolo. Setting such a fine example with Arneis, even fellow vintners as far away those on the west coast of the United States now are cultivating and producing Arneis!
By Farr Shiraz
Shiraz By Farr is one of Victoria's premier cool-climate Shiraz's, made by the iconic Geelong winemaker, Gary Farr. The nose is incredibly complex showing notes of red and black fruits, spice, black pepper and iodine. In the mouth the wine is incredibly fresh. Wonderfully braced fruit and fine framing tannins and an outstanding length.
Vietti Langhe Nebbiolo Perbacco
Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir
Felton Road really is a fine winemaker. This is its regular bottling and what a wine, with lush, dark cherry and mysterious foresty aromas. It's very ripe and rich and the palate has intensity and drive, with fresh acidity keeping it all singing.
Fontanafredda Barolo DOCG
Established in 1858 by the first king of Italy, Fontanafredda is now the single largest contiguous wine estete in the Langhe region, with a fierce commitment to organic viticulture as well as woodland regeneration. The Platinum label represents the unique tradition of the Estate and more than 160 years of history. The Nebbiolo grapes used to produce this Barolo are grown on claily soils very rich in calcareous marl. The wine ages for 2years in large Slavonian and French oak casks. An attractive ruby-red colour with garnet highlights. Clean, full and intense aromas with the wine's typical traces of dried flowers, crushed leaves and underbrush. There is plenty of structure, with robust tannins supported by fleshy red fruits, liquorice, and subtle mocha notes Pair with rich red meats, game and mature cheese.
Massolino Barolo
First produced in 1911. The fruit for Massolino's classic Nebbiolo cuvée is selected from seven sites, representing roughly seven hectares of prime-sited Serralunga vineyards. The oldest vines that feed this bottling are 55 years old (the youngest are 10), and it spends 24 months in large Slovenian oak (only).
Glaetzer AMON-Ra Shiraz
The Glaetzer family have been part of the Barossa winemaking scene since 1888 and now Ben takes over the reigns and produces Shiraz of the utmost intensity and concentration. Named after the ancient Egyptian god Amon-Ra who was the champion of the poor and troubled and was central to personal piety, the temple of Amon-Ra is believed to be the first to plant a vineyard to produce wine for the citizens of the temple. This incarnation is rich, full-bodied and viscous to the palate, yet with sublime oak integration and a balance on the back palate that is quite lifted allowing it to be paired with many meals and a prime candidate for medium to long term cellaring.
Bannockburn Serre Pinot Noir
Put simply, this is the finest Pinot Noir from the finest producer in arguably the finest region for production in Australia. A wine of incredible depth, concentraion, texture and length. If you love Pinot Noir, you simply must try this stunning wine.
