Red Wine Duckhorn Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. This deep crimson Cabernet exudes opulent aromas of blackcurrants, cherry jam and dark chocolate which mingle with warming cinnamon and nutmeg. The palate is dominated by luscious dark fruit and gentle hints of baking spices, star anise and coffee. To create a wine that is both approachable and surprisingly complex, Duckhorn ages the wine for 10 months in French oak barrels to give firm tannins and a velvety smooth finish. The winery also adds a splash of Merlot to the Cabernet Sauvignon to enhance the intense dark fruit character and to give a certain silky softness to this full-bodied wine. Blessed with a friendly, easy-going personality, this charming Cab is equally at home being sipped by the fireside or paired with a fine steak. Founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in the late 1970s, Duckhorn Vineyards has become a point of reference for premium Napa Valley Merlot. Drawing on the wealth of knowledge and expertise accumulated by their team working in Napa, the couple also have a base in Sonoma County where they produce their Decoy wines. Here the focus is on crafting well-made Bordeaux varietals that are ready to be drunk upon release and offer incredible value for money.
2018
Red Wine Duckhorn Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Red Wine Department 66 D66 Grenache 2018. It is recommended to decant it for half an hour. A single visit in 2008 was enough for Dave Phinney to fall in love with the unique scenic beauty of Languedoc-Roussillon. He had been invited by a couple of friends who had just bought vineyards in the Maury region. When, upon his arrival, he contemplated the steep mountains, the shale soils and the old vineyards, he immediately decided to start a new adventure in this splendid region of France. In 2009 he started building his own winery. Since then, the Maury region has been his second home. Today the vineyard extends over 120 hectares and is planted with typical vines such as Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Grenache Gris. The vines are on average more than sixty years old. From the concentrated grapes of these vineyards, Dave Phinney makes powerful wines, with an unmistakable style. These are wines that fascinate with their intense aroma, their great density, and their extremely rich taste. Dark and dense with a concentrated profile of silky ripe plum, cassis, violet and moist shale, Grenache D66 displays a rich cardinal red hue in the glass. The first impression offers notes of blue and black peel fruits of supreme richness. Tasty notes of cardamom, molasses, dried quinces and the typical minerality of the South of France complete the tasting experience. The soft tannins support the wine and give it a nice freshness. Have it with lamb or aged cheese.
2018
Red Wine Department 66 Others Grenache 2018. It is recommended to decant it for half an hour. The Department 66 estate is located just two hours north of Barcelona in Roussillon, France. Using vines between 80 and 100 years old, Dave Phinney produces red and white wines from Grenache, Syrah, Carignano and Mourvèdre that combine the warmth and minerality of the South of France with the power of Napa Valley. The cult wine Others Grenache, is a modern wine, where the know-how of Dave Phinney blends harmoniously with the unique terroir of the estate. From this alliance comes an authentic great Grenache-based wine, able to compete with any competitor in its category. It is a reflection of this unique subsoil, which retains heat well but contains few organic nutrients. The wine displays a saturated purple color. The nose reveals a sumptuous scent of blackberries on notes of chocolate, with nuts and a breath of tobacco, with nuances of plum jam, and gingerbread. This is an incredibly soft Grenache in the mouth. It is juicy, fruity, and complex, and despite its richness it gives an exceptional pleasure to the taste. Very elegant on the finish with the typical warmth of the Maury. Perfect with veal cheek, Chateaubriand, a tournedos Rossini, or a lamb shank with rosemary.
2018