Red Wine Petrolo Torrione 2017. Petrolo is one of Tuscany’s cult wineries thanks to the hard work of Luca Sanjust who gave up a career as a successful painter and art scholar to dedicate himself to the family winery. The property played a key role in the quality revolution in Tuscany in the 1980s thanks to their magnificent Super Tuscan cuvee called Galatrona as well as classic Sangiovese-based wines like Torrione. This complex bottling is made with top quality fruit from historic vines planted back in the 1970s as well as younger vines planted with high density. Yields are strictly controlled in order to produce concentrated, intensely-flavoured grapes which help build a full-bodied and ageworthy red that’s reminiscent of many legendary Brunellos. The family add some Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to the blend for even greater complexity, followed by 15 months of oak ageing in small barrels, large oak casks and concrete vats. The result is a refined and perfumed cuvee with seductive cassis, black cherry, and plum mingling with hints of spice, licorice, and woodsmoke. It’s a great wine to enjoy alongside hearty red meat dishes like venison, beef, and wild boar as well as tomato-based pasta dishes.
2017
Red Wine Petrolo Torrione 2017
Red Wine Pierre Amadieu Gigondas Le Pas de l’Aigle 2017. Founded in 1929, the family-owned Pierre Amadieu estate is one of the best kept secrets in the Rhone thanks to their modern-style Gigondas wines. The family have been growing grapes here for generations and have expanded their holdings from 7 hectares when the estate was first founded to around 140 hectares today. Le Pas de l’Aigle” or The Eagle’s Pass” is the name of the Amadieu family’s highest vineyard in the appellation of Gigondas. Conditions here are ideal for premium winemaking thanks to the cooling mountain breezes and north-north westerly exposure which helps to protect against the fierce summer sun. The plot has old Grenache and Syrah vines that were planted here some 50 years ago and produce tiny yields of very concentrated fruit. To ensure the fruit arrives at the winery in optimum condition it’s harvested by hand before being fermented for one month on the skins to extract plenty of deep colour, and intense flavours. The young wine then ages in oak barrels for 24 months to fully integrate the different components and soften the punchy tannins. The bold flavour profile and well-built structure make this a great wine to cellar for a decade or two, although it can also be enjoyed now alongside a rich beef stew or roasted red meats.
2017
Red Wine Vega Sicilia Pintia 2017. Vega Sicilia is one of Spain’s most famous wineries thanks to their groundbreaking work in Ribera del Duero. The owners of Vega Sicilia, the Álvarez family, purchased Bodegas Pintia in 1996 and have played a visionary role in revitalising the D.O Toro appellation. The region bears some resemblance to Ribera del Duero with hot, dry summers, although conditions can be harsher here and the terroir is characterised by well-draining pebble soils. This magnificent Spanish red is made from top quality Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) fruit from San Román de Hornija where the vines have an average age of 40 years.
2017