Red Wine Attanasio Primitivo di Manduria 2015. This classic Primitivo from the sunbaked southern Italian region of Puglia is crafted from 40-50 year old vines grown on the typical local terra rossa” or red earth” soils. Here the climate is hot and arid which helps to intensify the flavours in the grapes and ensures optimal ripeness. The must is vinified in stainless steel tanks with a lengthy maceration on the skins to capture the authentic character of the grape. The young wine then spends 11 months maturing in steel vats followed by 15 months in oak barrels. The result is a powerful, full-bodied red wine which offers all the rich dark fruit character you would expect from the deep Italian south. The wine opens with a magnificent dark red hue and intense aromas of black cherry, bitter chocolate, vanilla and cigar box. The first sip reveals a firm structure which will respond well to extended cellaring, well-developed tannins, and strong dark berry flavours. Attanasio was founded in 2000 and today the estate owns 8 hectares of vines with the cellar room located below the 19th century palace. The project is under the watchful eye of Giuseppe Attanasio who has been involved in winemaking for over 60 years.
2015
Red Wine Attanasio Primitivo di Manduria 2015
Red Wine Produttori Vini Manduria Sonetto Primitivo di Manduria Riserva 2015. First established in 1928, Produttori Vini Manduria is the oldest wine cooperative in Puglia with 400 small grower members working around 900 hectares of vineyards. This means each farmer is able to give great care and attention to their land, and passing down the membership of the cooperative to the next generation when the time comes. The cooperative is known throughout the region for its exceptional Primitivo wines which showcase the excellence of the Puglian terroir and the talent of Leonardo Pinto who has been their consulting winemaker for over 20 years.
2015
Red Wine Rizzardi Calcarole Amarone Della Valpolicella 2015. Decant 2 hours before serving. This opulent single vineyard Amarone is only produced by the Rizzardi family during the very best vintages. The prized Calcarole vineyard is situated in the heart of Negrar in Valpolicella and has a particularly warm microclimate thanks to the steep hillside setting with a southwestern aspect and stony soils. All of the grapes chosen for this wine are harvested by hand and undergo rigorous selection in the vineyard. In accordance with the traditional method of making Amarone, the grapes are dried in a well-ventiliated room for three and a half months to concentrate their aromas, flavours and sugars. They are then slowly fermented over the course of a month and matured for 12 months in smaller 5hl oak barrels followed by a further 24 months in 25hl oak casks. The result is a decadent ruby-hued wine that explodes with rich aromas of black cherry jam, cinnamon, cloves and hints of dark chocolate and raisins. The first sip reveals a full body, firm structure and silky smooth mouthfeel with intense dark berry flavours balanced by a touch of freshness. This big personality would make an excellent match for intensely-flavoured dishes like roast venison, beef stroganoff or a generous hunk of aged Gran Padano cheese.
2015