Red Wine Scarpa Tettineive Barbaresco 2015. Decant 1 hour before serving. This elegant Barbaresco is made in a traditional style by the legendary Antica Casa Vinicola Scarpa which is considered one of the region’s finest producers. This bottling is a single vineyard release with grapes harvested from the 2.5 hectare Tettineive site which sits at 450 metres above sea level near the village of Neive. Winemaking is carried out according to local traditions with fermentation in large wooden vats followed by a very long ageing period of 3-4 years in large botti or casks. The wine is then aged in the bottle for several more years before it is deemed ready for release. The result is a strikingly refined Barbaresco with bright fruit carefully balanced by spice from the oak and a firm structure. Although this wine is already showing plenty of maturity, this is a great addition to any collector’s cellar and can be kept for at least another decade. Set in the rolling Monferrato hills, the Scarpa estate dates right back to 1854. The estate’s modern history dates back to the 1960s when it was acquired by Mario Pesce, a master winemaker who was greatly admired by the likes of Giacosa and Gaja. Pesce was passionate about preserving local winemaking traditions such as fermentation in wooden vats and extended maturation periods, while also modernising and re-energising the business.
2015
Red Wine Scarpa Tettineive Barbaresco 2015
Red Wine Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino 2015. Decant 1 hour before serving. Canalicchio di Sopra was founded in 1962 by Primo Pacenti and today the estate is cared for by his three grandchildren, Simonetta, Marco and Francesco , who have inherited his love for the vine. The family works a total of 19 hectares of vines of which 16 hectares are within the prestigious Brunello di Montalcino appellation. These vines are split between two areas; 6 hectares of Sangiovese vines are planted on rocky schist soils in Gode di Montosoli while a further 10 hectares are planted on clay soils in Canalicchio. This combination of different Brunello terroirs helps to create a rich, multidimensional wine which combines bright red fruit with hints of dried Mediterranean herbs, leather, and baked earth. The family ages this wine in 2500 and 5000 litre Slavonian oak casks for 36 months to ensure all of the flavours are fully-integrated and there’s a silky smooth texture from the first sip. On the palate there is a medium body, elegant tannins, and vibrant streak of acidity which will help this wine to age and evolve gracefully in the cellar over the next decade. For those who don’t have the patience to wait that long, this wine is also ideal to enjoy now alongside a classic Italian dish like fresh pasta served with a rich ragu or aubergine parmigiana.
2015
Red Wine Bodegas Piedra Negra Gran Lurton Cabernet Sauvignon 2015. The Lurton family are considered winemaking royalty in Bordeaux with more than chateaux to their name, so it’s little wonder that Francois Lurton left France for South America to make his own mark on the industry. Francois first started making wine in South America with his brother Jacques in the 1990s, and in 1996 they bought some 200 acres in the arid Uco Valley in Mendoza. At the time many people thought they were a little crazy as the region was considered barren and unproductive. Today, however, the Uco Valley is considered one of Mendoza’s finest sub-regions and is home to many of Argentina’s top wineries, including Francois Lurton’s namesake property. Although Malbec is king in these parts, Cabernet Sauvignon also thrives in the high altitude terroir and this bottling was originally one of the first wines Francois made here. The sunny summer days help the grapes to achieve optimum maturity with ripe tannins, while the cooler nights help preserve freshness and aromatics. Once in the winery the must ferments in stainless steel tanks and the young wine is then aged in small French and American oak barrels for 12 months. The final step is to clarify the wine and bottle without filtering. The result is a rich, powerful Cabernet that’s bursting with succulent dark berries and cherries, hints of woodsmoke and tobacco leaf, and subtle spiced notes on the long finish. Cellar for a few more years or enjoy now with a prime steak or rich stewed meat.
2015