Red Wine Domaine Nico Le Paradis Pinot Noir 2017. Decanting optional, it will open up with some breathing Domaine Nico is another enterprise from the prestigious Catena family of Argentina, founded by Dr Laura Catena. Nico is derived from Nicola, a name shared by both Laura’s daughter and great-grandfather, the founder of Catena Zapata winery. The winery was born from Laura’s fascination with Pinot Noir – Domaine Nico are interested in regionality and their range exhibits a myriad of different expressions from the complex grape. Pinot Noir is thin-skinned and notoriously difficult to grow but has adapted well to the harsh Argentinian terroir, where pests and disease struggle to survive. Domaine Nico experiment with Pinot Noir at a variety of different altitudes within the central Mendoza region and the fruits for Le Paradis are grown highest of all, at the very limit of what is considered possible for viticulture. Aromas of rose petals rise from the bottle, and after a few minutes of breathing, an increasingly powerful bouquet of raspberries and cherries follows. The vines were grown at more than 1500 metres above sea level in the Gualtallary region of Uco Valley in deep calcareous soil – this is one of the most high-altitude Pinot Noirs ever made. On the palate, red fruits mingle with herbs and chalky character. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, notes of earth and oak are also present. A slight spiciness emerges on the finish. This is a top-class wine with excellent structure, best enjoyed with lean meats or mild cheeses.
2017
Red Wine Domaine Nico Le Paradis Pinot Noir 2017
Red Wine Domaine Roger Perrin Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2017. Decant two hours before serving. Hints of Provençal lavender, tarragon, and sunbaked earth on the nose evoke the aromatic landscape that shaped this classic Châteauneuf du Pape, followed by bright red plums and dark cherries which carry through on to the palate. As this full-bodied wine opens up, spicy black pepper from the Syrah comes to the fore along with heady incense and vanilla notes and juicy black and red fruit flavours linger long on the tongue. The hot, dry Mediterranean summers help to ensure silky smooth tannins and a generous, well-rounded texture. Blessed with both power and freshness, this sumptuous Châteauneuf du Pape will continue to evolve and soften in the bottle and can be cellared up until 2030. When you do decide to open it, try pairing with succulent roast lamb or grilled game seasoned with herbs de Provence for a truly memorable meal. Producer Domaine Roger Perrin is a family-run winery which is currently headed by enologist Veronique Perrin-Rolin and her son Xavier. Although the estate was only founded in 1972, many of their vineyards were planted at the beginning of the twentieth century. The vines used for this wine have an average age of 75 years old and the grapes are harvested by hand before undergoing a vigorous manual selection process to ensure optimal quality. The wine is then aged in a mixture of large oak casks, stainless steel tanks and barriques for 12 to 15 months.
2017
Red Wine Domaine Tollot-Beaut Aloxe-Corton 2017. Decant 1 hour before serving. The Tollot-Beaut family have deep roots in the village of Chorey-lès-Beaune, with parts of the family cellar dating back 250 years.
2017