Red Wine Felsina Rancia Chianti Classico Riserva 2017. Felsina’s Rancia Chianti Classico takes its name from the former Benedictine monastery which sits near the Rancia vineyard. The estate is widely regarded as one of the finest producers of Chianti Classico with this particular bottling lauded by wine critics all over the globe as a true Tuscan masterpiece. The Rancia vineyard is located in in Castelnuovo Berardenga in the southeastern corner of the Chianti Classico appellation and is planted on southwesterly-facing slopes of 400 to 420 metres of altitude. The Sangiovese grapes are attentively harvested by hand each year and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then matured in oak barrels for up to 20 months before the composition of the blend is decided. The Rancia is then aged in the bottle for a further 6 to 8 months before it is released. On the nose you’ll immediately notice the classic Chianti aromas of ripe cherry, dried flowers, leather and a distinctive earthy character. The first sip reveals a firm structure balanced by fresh acidity and vibrant red fruit, baking spice and herbal flavours which linger long on the tongue. The bold flavour profile of this wine make it an ideal contender for extended cellar ageing.
2017
Red Wine Felsina Rancia Chianti Classico Riserva 2017
Red Wine Canalicchio di Sopra Rosso di Montalchino 2017. Rosso di Montalcino is often nicknamed baby Brunello” for its resemblance to its bigger brother, Brunello di Montalcino, and this bottling from Canalicchio di Sopra is an exceptional example of the style. The grapes for this wine are predominantly sourced from the Ripaccioli family’s exquisite Sangiovese vines which are planted on clay soils their Canalicchio vineyards. These younger vines help to produce a wine that is exuberant and fresh with an abundance of ripe red fruit flavours and gentle tannins. The wine is aged in large traditional oak casks as well as standard-sized French oak barrels to add a subtle spiced character and a well-rounded, silky smooth texture. Lively and elegant, this is an ideal wine to serve alongside pan-fried tuna steaks, fresh pasta with a rich ragu. or even a light summer salad of tomato, mozzarella and plenty of basil. Set in the heart of the Brunello di Montalcino appellation, Canalicchio di Sopra was founded by Primo Pacenti in 1962. The estate is still owned by the original family and is currently run by his three grandchildren, Simonetta, Marco and Francesco, who inherited Primo’s incredible passion for winemaking.
2017
Red Wine Reyneke Cornerstone 2017. Johan Reyneke started making his own wines after taking over the running of his family’s farm from his mother in 1998. The 20 hectare estate is ideally placed for premium winemaking thanks to its location close to the town of Stellenbosch overlooking False Bay and the nearby mountains. Johan is committed to working in harmony with nature wherever possible; as well as organic and biodynamic farming methods he uses the estate’s ducks to fertilise the vineyards. Cornerstone is Johan’s interpretation of the classic Bordeaux-style blend. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant varietal here along with a healthy dose of Cabernet Franc and a drop of Merlot. This wine has special significance for the estate since the proceeds of its sales all go to supporting farm workers and their families with their education, housing and pension needs. To create a top quality wine the grapes are carefully harvested by hand and sorted prior to fermentation in concrete tanks. The young wine is then matured in French oak barrels for 18 months. This produces an intense, well-balanced Bordeaux blend with a distinctive South African style. The nose is dominated by ripe plums, dark berries and hints of black peppercorns, while the first sip reveals a spicy core with luscious fruit, firm tannins, and a long finish.
2017