Red Wine Tselepos Kokkinomilos Merlot 2019. No need to decant but best to open it an hour before serving. Located among the vineyards of the Mantineia wine region, the Tselepos estate is owned by Yiannis Tselepos, who found in this area the optimal soil and climatic conditions for the cultivation of some of the indigenous Peloponnese vines. The winery design was inspired by the industrial buildings of the 19th century Peloponnese, such as the traditional raisin warehouses. The Merlot grapes are sourced and selected from a single vineyard in the Kokkinomilos area, at an altitude of 750 meters, on gravelly clay red soils. The grapes are vinified following the classic red winemaking method with very long skin contact for 20-25 days. The wine is then aged for 15 months in a majority of new French oak barrels. In the glass, the wine displays an intense ruby red color with violet reflections. The nose shows exuberant aromas of red fruit (currant and black cherry) with an impenetrable and dense spicy palette, involving solid doses of licorice and vanilla, followed by small purple wildflowers and delicate herbaceous tones that show the possibility of evolution. On the palate, the wine is round and velvety, full and with a balanced acid backbone and a long aftertaste. Try the classic combination with duck or goose, or have it with traditional Greek Moussaka.
2019
Red Wine Tselepos Kokkinomilos Merlot 2019
Red Wine Tua Rita Redigaffi 2019. Decant 1 hour before serving. The Tua Rita story began in 1984 when Rita Tua and her husband purchased the estate in southern Tuscany. Tua Rita Redigaffi is the estate’s iconic wine and has enjoyed international acclaim since 2000 when it was awarded a 100-point score by the legendary American wine critic Robert Parker. The grapes for the masterful Redigaffi are sourced from the estate’s top plot of Merlot which was planted in 1994. Following the harvest the grapes are vinified and the new wine is then aged in small oak barrels for 18 months until bottling. The result is a remarkably focused and concentrated Merlot that will continue to evolve and develop over the coming decade or so. On the nose there are abundant aromas of plums, sweet licorice, cinnamon, and woodsmoke, while the palate offers dark cherry and berry flavours and hints of dark chocolate which linger long on the tongue. The firm structure and smooth tannins provide a well-developed backbone to the wine which is complemented by a vibrant freshness and the rich fruit character. For those who don’t have the patience to wait a decade for the wine to fully evolve, it can equally be enjoyed now alongside a prime steak and fries or a hearty venison stew.
2019
Red Wine Tzora Shoresh 2019. The Tzora estate is located high in the Judean Hills and is widely regarded as one of the best of Israel’s pioneering modern wineries. Although wine has been made here for over 5000 years, over the past couple of decades innovative winemakers have begun to revitalize the wine industry here, realising the potential of the gentle Mediterranean climate in the Judean Hills and the high elevation which helps to preserve freshness in the grapes. Tzora’s Shoresh wine is crafted in collaboration with Mr. Jean-Claude Berrouet who formerly was the Technical Director at Chateau Pétrus. Grapes are carefully sourced from the estate’s Shoresh vineyard where the rocky soils provide a challenging environment for the Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot vines. This forces them to produce lower yields of more intensely concentrated and flavoured grapes which in turn produce this remarkable wine. Following the fermentation process the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 16 months to fully integrate the different varietal components and add extra complexity to the finished wine. The result is a very polished Old World style red which will continue to develop and evolve if cellared over the next decade or so.
2019