Red Wine Bella Union Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. Decant 1 hour before serving. Bella Union was founded by the owners of the legendary Far Niente winery to showcase the complex art of blending Napa Cabernet with other classic Bordeaux varietals. At the heart of their holdings is a prized 25-acre vineyard in Rutherford which is located along a country road called Bella Oaks Lane which used to be known as Bella Union. This vineyard is mainly planted with 20-30 year old Cabernet Sauvignon vines on well-draining loamy soils. In addition, the winemakers add some Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from selected Napa vineyards to create a complex Bordeaux-style blend which is, as the winery’s name suggests, a truly beautiful union. Briar fruit, black cherry and berry compote notes dominate on the nose, while the first sip reveals a robust full body, firm tannins, and opulent dark fruit core. The bold dark fruit and solid structure make this a great wine to pair with hearty dishes like barbecued ribs, a ribeye steak, beef stews, and rich moussaka or lasagnes. It can also be kept in the cellar for a decade or more where the tannins will soften further and the wine will become even more complex.
2018
Red Wine Bella Union Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Red Wine Bessa Valley Petite Syrah 2018. The Bessa Valley is located in southern Bulgaria close to the ancient city of Plovdiv and enjoys excellent winemaking conditions thanks to the proximity to the Rhodope Mountains and the Maritsa River. It was the terroir here, especially the excellent clay and limestone soils, that first captured the attention of Count Stephan von Neipperg, the owner of Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere and La Mondotte in Bordeaux. Today his pioneering winery focuses on producing excellent Bordeaux-style wines like this Petite Syrah. The wine is made from perfectly ripe grapes which are picked by hand and carefully sorted in the winery. The fruit is then crushed and fermented in concrete tanks followed by 12 months of ageing in French oak barrels until it is deemed ready for bottling. On the nose there are enticing hints of cherries, wild forest berries, and delicate notes of spice and vanilla from the oak. The first sip reveals a robust full body, smooth tannins, and a solid core of dark fruit which carries through onto the long, complex finish. A great wine to serve alongside hearty red meat or tomato-based pasta dishes thanks to the intense flavour profile.
2018
Red Wine Binomio Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 2018. It is recommended to decant it half an hour before serving. La Valentina winery was established in 1990, and since then it has always carried on the idea of intervening as little as possible in the processes of nature. This production philosophy allows the vine to express itself at its best, ensuring the maintenance of the fertility of the earth, and helping the plants grow healthy and naturally. The winery produces unique wines capable of expressing the peculiarity of the Abruzzo terroir, from indigenous varieties. Binomio is a sumptuous but modern Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva DOC, born from the meeting of Stefano Inama (Inama Azienda Agricola) and Sabatino Di Properzio (Fattoria La Valentina) in 1997. The vision was that of a powerful wine with ripe tannins, which could be opened and drunk immediately. In 2000, with the acquisition of the vineyard in San Valentino in Abruzzo Citizzonte, on the edge of the Majella National Park, the project took off. The wine is characterized by a dark ruby with interesting garnet reflections. The nose is very intense, with a concentration of wild strawberries, blackberries, berries, and spices. On the palate, it is powerful, decisive, and intense. The tannins are ripe and in perfect balance with the body of the wine. The finish is fresh and with excellent aromatic persistence. It goes perfectly with the traditional recipes of the region with sheep or goat.
2018