Red Wine Felsina Maestro Raro 2017. This bold Cabernet Sauvignon is the work of the magnificent Felsina estate which is widely regarded as one of Tuscany’s finest producers. Despite its reputation for making sensational Chianti Classico, the estate has also been making this delicious Cabernet since 1987. After thorough research and experimentation, Felsina’s Cabernet vines were replanted in the 1990s and 2000s. Today this wine is made with grapes that are hand harvested from mature vines in the estate’s Rancia Piccola and Poggiolo vineyards. The grapes are then fermented in stainless steel tanks and subsequently aged in new French oak barrels for up to 20 months. After this lengthy maturation period the final blend is composed and the finished wine is aged for an additional 8 to 10 months in the bottle before it is finally ready for release. The result is a deep ruby red wine which exudes aromas of dark berries, tobacco and leather. The first sip reveals a firm structure, persistent tannins and intense blackcurrant jam, black cherry and smokey flavours which linger long on the tongue. The intense personality is carefully balanced by a refreshing acidity which provides elegance and makes this wine a great partner for tomato-based pasta dishes or a prime steak.
2017
Red Wine Felsina Maestro Raro 2017
Red Wine The Prisoner Wine Company Thorn Merlot 2017. No need to decant. Famed for their Zinfandel-based red blend, The Prisoner Wine Company likes to do things differently by working with trusted growers scattered across some of Northern California’s top wine regions. Winemaker Chrissy Wittmann was inspired to craft this premium Napa Valley Merlot after witnessing so many beautiful Merlot vines being ripped out and replaced with its more popular cousin, Cabernet Sauvignon. Chrissy and her team are fortunate to count on a family of small grapegrowers who have been working with the PWC for years and understand the winery’s firm commitment to quality. To make the Thorn Chrissy selects grapes from world-class vineyards in the Atlas Peak and cooler Los Carneros AVAs. This combination of different microclimates helps to craft a wine that is rich and ripe yet perfectly balanced. Chrissy adds small amounts of Syrah and Malbec to the Merlot to contribute a touch more fruit and a fuller body and ages the finished blend in French and Hungarian oak barrels.. As soon as the bottle is opened, herbal and earthy aromas emerge followed by succulent blackberry and dark cherry seasoned with warming baking spice which carry through onto the palate. The silky smooth mouthfeel and soft, ripe tannins make this the idea choice for a weeknight treat or a relaxed steak dinner with close friends.
2017
Red Wine Duckhorn Pinot Noir Goldeneye 2017. Recently named one of the world’s top 100 wineries by Wine & Spirits magazine for the seventh time, the Duckhorn story began with Dan and Margaret Duckhorn’s purchase of their first Californian vineyard in St Helena in 1976. Over the intervening forty years, the couple have built a stellar reputation for classy French varietals. In 1996 the Duckhorns founded Goldeneye winery amongst the coastal redwoods of the Anderson Valley which boasts perfect cool climate conditions ideal for Pinot Noir. The pure essence of the varietal immediately leaps out of the glass with bright cherry, cranberry and blackberry aromas followed by undertones of sweet spice, sage and leather from the 16 months of ageing in oak barrels. A velvety texture, medium body and subtle tannins please the palate along with well-integrated oak influence and wild berry flavours. Chicken roasted with rosemary and sea salt would be an excellent match for the wine’s ripe berry and earthy notes. This was an outstanding vintage for the Anderson Valley thanks to wet weather early in the spring which ensured the vines had sufficient water throughout the growing period and dry, warm conditions during the harvest. The result was a low yield of small berries which produced stellar wines with great concentration of flavour and silky smoothness in the mouth.
2017