Red Wine El Principal Calicanto 2018. Calicanto was first produced in 2007 and is crafted with fruit from the Andetelmo Estate. The wine is named after the very first bridge constructed over Santiago’s Mapocho River in the late 1700s. The area became the first commercial hub for Chilean wine thanks to the businesses that flourished on the banks of the river by the bridge. The wine is predominantly composed of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere along with smaller quantities of Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. These are sourced from prime vineyards planted at 770 metres above sea level on clay soils. Conditions here are ideal for making quality red wines thanks to the sunny summer days cooled by breezes from the nearby Andes Mountains. Once vinified the young wine is aged in French oak barrels for 12 months before bottling and release. Seductive cassis, cherry and crushed dark berry notes characterise the nose, deepening into ripe plums and dried fruit on the palate. There is a muscular full body accompanied by firm tannins and luscious fruit flavours which linger on and on. The vibrant flavour profile makes this a great match for a variety of dishes including aubergine parmigiana, tomato-based pasta dishes, or even pizza.
2018
Red Wine El Principal Calicanto 2018
Red Wine Emmolo Merlot 2018. Decant 1 hour before serving. The seductive deep ruby hue of this Napa Valley Merlot is complemented by rich aromas of ripe red plums, baking spice, dried flowers and dark chocolate. On the palate a captivating smoky character reminiscent of campfires emerges along with dark berry jam, creme de cassis, leather and toast flavours. Well-rounded and smooth with fine tannins and balanced alcohol, this bottle will convince even the most ardent Cabernet Sauvignon fans of the breathtaking capabilities Merlot grape when in the hands of a talented winemaker like Jenny Wagner. Jenny’s family have had a presence in the valley since the 1920s when her great-grandfather, Salvatore Emmolo, arrived from Italy and set up business selling phylloxera-resistant vines to local vintners. Over the years the Emmolos also began making their own wines and today Jenny works in the original winery that Salvatore built in 1934. The grapes for Jenny’s Merlot are sourced from the family’s Oak Knoll vineyards which offer cooler temperatures and well-draining gravel soils ideal for growing quality Merlot. After vinification Jenny ages the Merlot in French oak barrels for 19 months to add further complexity and depth to the finished wine. The rich, luscious style of this Merlot makes an excellent companion to a prime filet mignon steak or even a relaxed barbecue dinner.
2018
Red Wine Fakin Il Primo Teran 2018. No need to decant, but best to open it half an hour before service. Fakin is highly regarded as one of the most promising and interesting Croatian wineries. This family-run company is located on the Istrian peninsula and produces award-winning wines from indigenous grapes such as Malvasia, Terrano, and Moscato. This wine is made from 100% Terrano grapes, the most important red grape in the Istrian region. The grapes, sourced from the Motovun vineyards, are selected and harvested manually. The resulting wine is then aged 24 months in wooden barriques, developing an excellent aging potential. The Fakin Primo Teran wine has an intense ruby red color that changes into brick-red tones with aging. On the nose, it is enchanting with a rich bouquet of morello cherry, blueberry, mulberry, violet, and sweet spices rounded with some smoky and toasted notes and hints of dark chocolate. On the palate, it is dense, full-bodied, and characterful. Its acidity and tannins give it softness and a long aftertaste rich in fruit and vanilla notes deriving from aging in oak. It is the perfect wine to match with red meats or game, in particular, roe deer stew, or first courses seasoned with tasty meat sauces, like fettuccine with wild boar ragu.
2018