Red Wine Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. It is recommended to decant it for half an hour. Initially founded in 1933, over the decades the Merryvale winery has seen numerous famous people as partners, consultants, or owners: initially Peter and Robert Mondavi and in the 1980s Bill Harlan. Jack Schlatter acquired the company, now run by his son René, in 1994. The historic building is located south of the town of Saint Helena, which is the heart of Napa Valley. The vineyards are located east of Sant’Elena at about 280 meters above sea level. In 1997 about 10 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot were planted. The Cabernet grapes are carefully sourced from the Stagecoach, Hardman Stanton, and Greenwood vineyards and fermented separately. The blend is then aged in French oak barrels for 22 months before being bottled. The result is an expressive and elegant wine, fresh and vibrant that on the nose shows hints of berries and spices. In the mouth, it has all the classic characteristics of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with a tasty concentration of seductive black fruits and subtle aromas of toasted and exotic spices. It has mature and silky tannins. It is harmonious and has excellent length. It pairs very well with beef, especially brisket.
2017
Red Wine Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Red Wine Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cannubi 2017. Decant 1 hours before serving. Michele Chiarlo and his two sons Alberto and Stefano are responsible for creating some of Piedmont’s finest traditional-style wines. They own vineyards in many of the top Barolo crus, including Cannubi and Cerequio, which they farm using environmentally-friendly methods under the VIVA Sustainable Wine certification. Their magnificent Cannubi Barolo is testament to what is arguably the most famous hill. First recognised in 1752 for its exceptional terroir, the combination of altitude, soils, microclimate and terraces put in to optimise exposure to the sun make this one of the very best places to make ageworthy and complex Barolo wines. Grapes for this cuvee are sourced from a 1 hectare area of vines planted between 1958 and 1990 which are harvested by hand. Once in the winery the fruit is vinified in 55 hectolitre oak vats in keeping with traditional local winemaking methods. The young wine is aged for a minimum of 3 years in oak barrels and in the bottle before release. This helps to soften the punchy tannins and add subtle spiced notes to the luscious redcurrant, dark cherry and crushed berry character from the fruit. The power and complexity of this exceptional Barolo make it a great wine to keep in the cellar for a while longer, although it also pairs brilliantly now with wild game dishes like wild boar or rabbit and mature hard cheeses.
2017
Red Wine Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio 2017. Decant 1 hours before serving. Michele Chiarlo founded his namesake winery in 1956 with the vision of making exceptional Piedmontese wines in a traditional, time-honoured style that could be enjoyed by wine lovers all over the globe. With the help of his two sons, Alberto and Stefano, today Michele crafts magnificent Barolos from many of the appellation’s most prized crus including Cannubi and Cerequio. Since 2011 the winery has been certified by VIVA Sustainable Wine and has a strong focus on working in harmony with Mother Nature wherever possible. The Cerequio cru is set in a protected amphitheatre which helps to shield the vines from winds and creates optimum conditions for premium winemaking. Michele Chiarlo has a total of 9 hectares of vines here, some of which were purchased in 1988 from a local estate who had cultivated them for over two centuries. Their Cerequio Barolo is only made in the best years, with the grapes manually harvested and fermented in 55 hectolitre oak vats in accordance with traditional Piedmontese practices. After vinification the wine is kept in the cellars for two years in standard barrels followed by a refining period in the bottle. The result is an elegant yet robust Barolo that’s bursting with hints of spice, eucalyptus, fresh mint, and lots of ripe berries. A great wine to cellar for a decade or so, although it can also be enjoyed now with hearty red meat dishes.
2017