Red Wine Kellerei Bozen Cabernet Riserva Mumelter 2017. Set in an architecturally stunning building which includes a striking bronze cube decorated with vine leaf patterns, the Kellerei Bozen winery unites 224 local winemaking families into one hugely successful cooperative. Their vineyards occupy the steep hillsides of the picturesque Alto Adige region in northern Italy which provides the ideal conditions for producing light, fresh whites and aromatic red wines. The Cabernet Mumelter from Kellerei Bozen is a charming blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc which combine harmoniously to create a full bodied red wine with plenty of ripe dark fruit character along with hints of spice and dried herbs. The grapes are typically harvested at the middle or end of October to ensure optimum ripeness and are then carefully transported to the winery. Following fermentation and maceration the young wine is then aged in French oak barrels for a year. The ensuing firm structure and well-rounded tannins will help the wine to age gracefully over the next 6 to 7 years, making it an excellent addition to any wine collector’s cellar. It is also ideal to drink now alongside hard cheeses, charcuterie, or fresh pasta served in a rich ragu sauce.
2017
Red Wine Kellerei Bozen Cabernet Riserva Mumelter 2017
Red Wine Rizzi Barbaresco Pajore 2017. Cellar for up to 15 year. Winemaker Ernesto Dellapiana is known for saying I have a crazy love for the earth”, a phrase that embodies his drive and determination to make exceptional wine on his family’s 19th century estate in the Langhe. He left behind a city career to found Rizzi in 1974 and later added to the property by reclaiming a long-lost family estate called Cascina Boito. In recent years Ernesto’s two sons have taken over the running of the estate, tending to the family’s 40 hectares of vines with the utmost care and dedication. The estate is named after the famous Rizzi cru, but this particular Barbaresco is made from their Pajorè vineyard which sits not far from the Barbaresco town hall. Here the southern exposure and the top quality calcareous and marl soils help to produce a robust but harmonious wine with plenty of personality. Following vinification the young wine is aged in large Slavonian oak casks for 12 months and concrete vats for another 6-9 months. Delicate notes of wild strawberries, clove and dried herbs leap out of the glass, along with deeper undertones of ripe plum and baked earth. On the palate there’s a generous medium body balanced by a bright streak of freshness and a solid core of ripe fruit which lingers on the tongue. A great wine to cellar for a few more years or serve now with hearty game or red meat dishes.
2017
Red Wine Rockford Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. Decant for half an hour before serving. Rockford winery was founded in the early 1980s by Robert O’Callaghan, just outside of Krondorf village in the Barossa Range. The winery itself is a quaint collection of stone buildings, which date back to the early days of settlement in Krondorf. In the spirit of its old-fashioned headquarters, Rockford has never truly modernised. Those at the winery prefer to use traditional wine-making methods to create their high-quality range of delicious red wines. Shiraz/Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon are the lead actors at Rockford. The winery works with small, independent growers in the Barossa region, giving them access to a wide variety of micro-climates, and in due course, some unique expressions of Southern Australia’s favourite grapes. Rockford’s Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon bursts with red berry aromas, liquorice, bitter chocolate and hints of smoke. Its fruits were sourced from vineyards along Rifle Range Road, directly behind Rockford’s winery. The soil here is composed of heavy, dark clay, giving the Cabernet Sauvignon a bold and earthy profile. The palate exhibits a strong, tense acidity, with flavours of blackcurrant, dark plum, herbs and a solid portion of oak. It is highly enjoyable now but also has some more cellaring potential. Pair it with simple gamey meat dishes, or cheeses such as gorgonzola and parmesan.
2017