Red Wine Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyard 2018. Decant 1 hour. A vivid ruby red in colour, the nose of this superb Pinot Noir offers ripe cherry, red currant and black fruit aromas along with mocha, vanilla and biscuit notes. The palate delivers a complex and rich mix of ripe cherry, black fruit and a touch of spicy vanilla. The medium body, medium tannin and medium acid all balance perfectly and the complex layers of this wine make it very interesting and very enjoyable. The finish is long and persistent with a hint of spice and minerality at the end. A perfect complement to red meat (such as beef or lamb), white meat, pasta dishes and cheese. The Joseph Phelps Winery does all it can to preserve the fruit in perfect condition including hand harvesting before dawn, hand sorting, gentle pressing and long, slow fermentations. Aged for 13 months in oak (partially new oak) the resulting wines are complex , high quality, and very much sort after. The belief is that the terroir makes the wine – a fact that Joseph Phelps believes in and delivers.
2018
Red Wine Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyard 2018
Red Wine San Giovenale Habemus Red Label 2018. Decant 1 hour before serving. The San Giovenale winery, which takes its name from a nearby Etruscan necropolis, was founded in 2006 when the successful entrepreneur Emanuele Pangrazi fell in love with these hills while visiting the area on holiday. Emanuele worked closely with the famous Italian enologist Marco Casolanetti to locate top sites for vineyards in the picturesque valley of Blera just to the north of Rome and threw himself into learning all he could about making fine wine. While local grapes like Sangiovese and Montepulciano don’t suit the loamy soils, conditions here are ideal for making exceptional wines from international grape varieties thanks to the plentiful summer sunshine and cooling influence of the nearby Tyrrhenian Sea. The Cimini Mountains also shelter the vines from cold winds blowing from the north. Pangrazi’s Habemus Red Label is crafted from 100% Cabernet Franc which is grown organically on the estate. On the nose there are seductive notes of red cherry, plum and baked earth while the first sip reveals a silky smooth entry, soft tannins and hints of wild herbs, smoke and crushed berries which linger long on the tongue. The wine has plenty of freshness, making it a great match for tomato-based pasta dishes and all manner of charcuterie and hard cheeses.
2018
Red Wine Avalon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. Taking their name from the mythical Isle of Avalon which featured in Arthurian legend, Avalon wines are the meeting point for ancient winemaking traditions and the very latest technology. Crafted with modern living in mind, each of their wines are perfect for relaxed everyday enjoyment thanks to their delicious flavour profile and fine balance. Just like snuggling under a cosy blanket, this Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon delivers warmth and comfort in spades with its bold black cherry, strawberry and baking spice aromas and flavours. On the palate hints of cinnamon, vanilla and toast are testament to the lengthy 16 months of ageing in American and French oak barrels. The tannins are well-developed and integrated, while the mouthfeel is smooth and rounded, making this a very easy drinking red. Ideal food matches for this fruit-forward Cab would be a hearty beef bourguignon stew, barbecued ribs, chorizo sausage poached in wine, or even veal chops served in a red wine sauce if you’re in the mood for a gourmet dinner. Thanks to the easy-going nature of this red, it is also perfect to enjoy on its own in front of a roaring open fire.
2018