Red Wine La Valentina Bellovedere Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 2017. It is recommended to decant it an hour before serving. Founded in 1990 by Sabatino Di Properzio, La Valentina is one of the most prestigious wineries in Abruzzo. The vineyards are located in various areas on the hills surrounding the city of Pescara: about 7 hectares are behind the winery, in the municipality of Spoltore; the other vineyards are located in Scafa, on dry soils with medium texture, on the hills overlooking the gorges of Popoli. The Montepulciano grapes come from a single vineyard called Bellovedere, planted with 42-year-old vines on clayey mineral soil, and located at an altitude ranging between 150 and 450 meters of altitude. After the harvest, the must is left to macerate and ferment, and it is then aged first in barriques, then in large barrels for about 18 months. The Bellovedere Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva is a round and elegant wine with a dense red color. The nose shows a surprising aromatic power of canned fruit, blackberry, and plum with notes of roasted coffee. On the palate, it has a strong and balanced body with a pleasant freshness, lively tannins, and a long balsamic finish. It makes an ideal partner for grilled and roasted meat or aged cheeses, but try it with dark chocolate for a special treat.
2017
Red Wine La Valentina Bellovedere Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 2017
Red Wine Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. This muscular Cabernet is crafted by Australia’s iconic Leeuwin Estate who are best known for their exquisite Art Series Chardonnay. Located in the country’s highly-rated Margaret River wine region, the estate was purchased in 1969 by Denis Horgan, a businessman from Perth. Three years later the legendary winemaker Robert Mondavi visited the property and recognised the potential for making exceptional wines. Thanks to low yields and an ideal microclimate, Leeuwin now produces one of Australia’s finest Chardonnays as well as some very impressive red wines. The vineyard where the grapes for this wine are sourced is planted with the Houghton clone on sandy gravel soils. The estate picks each parcel individually and a small amount of Malbec is added to the Cabernet to add a softer texture and richer mouthfeel. In the winery the grapes are destemmed and vinified with the young wine then matured in French oak barrels for 12 months. The nose is bursting with ripe black fruit along with hints of cocoa, leather and licorice. On the palate there is a generous full body, smooth yet firm tannins and a very long finish seasoned with baking spice and toasted oak.
2017
Red Wine Lisini Brunello di Montalcino 2017. Decant 1 hour before serving. One of Montalcino’s oldest estates, Lisini’s origins date back to the conquest of the town by the Medicis who rewarded Capt. Silvio Clementi and his family with the Pecci palace in Montalcino. Clementi also then purchased land in Sant’Angelo in Colle where the winery is now based. Today the estate is still in the hands of the same family and has played a key role in the modern history of Montalcino, becoming one of the founding estates of the Brunello di Montalcino Consorzio in 1963. Lisini’s winemaker is Filippo Paoletti who crafts five masterful wines using traditional techniques like large oak casks and cement tanks. His masterful Brunello is crafted from 100% Sangiovese sourced from prime vineyards set at 300-350 metres above sea level. The grapes are then vinified in glass-lined cement tanks to ensure the pure character of the variety and terroir is captured. Ageing then takes place in huge 20-52 hectolitre casks for at least 42 months and the wine undergoes another 6-8 months of maturation in the bottle prior to release. The result is a refined and powerful Brunello which is bursting with bright red fruit character, gentle oak hints from the ageing and licorice, dried fruit and herbal notes. On the palate there is a medium body, ample freshness and a very long finish. A great additional to the cellar or partner for hearty red meat dishes.
2017