Red Wine Artezin Zinfandel 2017. As soon as you pour yourself a glass of this rich Zinfandel you’ll notice the striking intense garnet hue and enticing aromas of blackberries, raspberries, cassis, and black pepper. The first sip reveals ripe red fruit flavours and hints of dried herbs and sweet spices which complement the fine tannins and well-rounded, smooth mouthfeel. This full-bodied Californian Zinfandel makes an ideal partner for rich pasta dishes like Rigatoni Bolognese, a prime steak, or hard Italian cheeses like Pecorino. Artezin first burst onto the Californian wine scene in 2002 with the ambition of preserving the state’s tradition of making deliciously bold red wines from old Zinfandel vines. Today the winery works with family-owned grape growers in Mendocino and Sonoma counties who have been working with this noble grape ever since their Italian ancestors arrived on these shores generations ago. Working with these small, family-run enterprises gives Artezin access to top quality fruit grown according to expertise and traditions that have been handed down for decades. Each plays a crucial part in creating Artezin’s delicious wines which are truly an expression of California’s blessed climate and remarkable winemaking heritage.
2017
Red Wine Artezin Zinfandel 2017
Red Wine Attanasio Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale 2017. Primitivio thrives in the hot, arid conditions of Italy’s southern Salento region and it is the flagship grape of most of the region’s boutique wineries like Attanasio in Manduria. The estate was founded in 2000 by Giuseppe Attanasio whose involvement with winemaking goes back more than six decades. Today he works 8 hectares of prime vineyards and produces just 15,000 bottles per year in total due to the harsh climate and tiny yields of his bush vines. Attanasio harvests all his grapes by hand to ensure they arrive at the winery in excellent condition and the wines are matured in his cellars beneath the estate’s 19th century palace. His Dolce Naturale is a sweet dessert wine expression of the Primitivo grape which is crafted from 40 year old vines and matured in oak for 12 months. Attanasio produces just 2000 bottles per year of this distinctive wine which pairs beautifully with chocolate, fruity desserts, and hard cheeses. On the nose there are intense hints of jammy dark berries, dark chocolate and cigar box. The first sip reveals a silky and creamy texture with plenty of sweetness and rich dark plum and cherry flavours which linger long on the tongue.
2017
Red Wine Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. This powerful Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted from top quality fruit sourced from Grgich Hills’ Yountville vineyard as well as smaller proportions from Rutherford and Calistoga. The estate adds a modest amount of Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc to the Cabernet Sauvignon to add extra complexity and depth to the finished blend. The result is a very polished and opulent Cabernet which is bursting with deep dark fruit like cassis, blackberries and blackcurrants. On the palate there is a full body, firm tannins, and rich baking spice, dark plum and vanilla notes which linger long on the tongue. The bold flavour profile makes it a great partner for red meat dishes including a prime steak, ribs, and beef bourguignon. The founder of Grgich Hills is the legendary Miljenko “Mike” Grgich who helped put California on the world map as a serious wine producer. In 1976 the Chardonnay that Grgich had made for Chateau Montelena was selected as the winning white wine at the famous Judgement of Paris blind tasting competition. A panel of French wine experts selected Grgich’s wine ahead of many top white Burgundies, proving that California was at least the equal of one of France’s most prestigious wine regions.
2017