Red Wine Casanova di Neri Pietradonice 2018. Drink now or cellar for up to 11 years Decanting time: 3 hours Once again, Casanova Di Neri showcases mastery with the Pietradonice. The dedicated balance between innovation and tradition that the winery is committed to exemplifies how blending old and new world approach to winemaking can prove to produce some of the world’s best wines. The color is that of a stunning, opaque red currant matched with a thick, velvety consistency. This Pietradonice is definitively Tuscan on its nose, with the dark fruit, chocolate and plum undertones carrying hints of mushroom and graphite. With the adept use of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese grapes, this vintage offers a complex blend of blackberry, black licorice and cassis on the palate, with rising, delicate notes of cedar, black olives and traces of spice. Firm tannins are balanced by a smooth acidity, and the hints of oak are definitely present, but not overpowering. There is a touch of creaminess to its finish, that has a persistent, intoxicating length. Bold wines emerge from the region of central Italy, best known for its superior Tuscan red wines that are favored by critics and enthusiasts from around the world, and this vintage is no exception. In fact, this Pietradonice rivals some of the best California Cabernets with its bold and rich depth. This bold wines benefits from time to mature, and is a well-deserved collectible. Pairing this versatile wine with veal, beef, lamb, and poultry are obvious selections, but it also complements spicy foods and lighter pasta dishes.
2018
Red Wine Casanova di Neri Pietradonice 2018
Red Wine Felsina Fontalloro 2018. The Fontalloro is a classic expression of the Sangiovese grape variety which is lovingly produced by one of Tuscany’s finest estates. The grapes used in the composition of this wine are sourced from the estate’s vineyards along the border of the Chianti Classico and the Chianti Colli Senesi appellations. While the Chianti Classico vineyards sit at the highest altitude of any of Felsina’s plots, those in the Colli Senesi sit at a lower altitude and offer a different side to the Sangiovese grape. After harvesting the grapes by hand during the autumn, the wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks and then matured in new and second use French oak barrels for up to 22 months. The final blend is then composed and the wine is aged for a further 12 months in the bottle before release. The result is a fascinatingly complex Sangiovese which opens with hints of dried Mediterranean herbs, tobacco, blackcurrant and earth. The first sip reveals smooth tannins, a firm structure and intense dark cherry, licorice and oregano flavours which persist for a long time on the palate. The balancing acidity, bold flavour profile and excellent structure make this an ideal candidate for extended cellar ageing over the next decade or so.
2018
Red Wine Vieille Julienne Cotes du Rhone Clavin 2018. Decant for 1 hour prior to serving This classic Southern Rhone blend of 60-70% old vine Grenache, and 20-30% old vine Syrah and Mourvedre grapes, is made in the same style as a Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and punches far above its weight class in terms of power and structure. While most Cotes du Rhone tend to be fruity and light bodied, the Domaine De La Vieille Julienne Cotes Du Rhone has a ripe, robust nose of smoke tinged blackberry and blueberry, black pepper, and spicecake. On the palate, notes of black tea, smoked meat, leather, and mulberry lead the way to a lifted, floral finish. Full bodied and complex, this wine is a cut above the rest in its appellation. Because of this wines power and complexity, richer pairing choices are ideal. A flat iron steak marinated in rosemary, tarragon, and thyme with red vinegar, served with a potato gratin topped with herb butter, would be a fantastic choice. Jean-Paul Daumen has been striving for organic, biodynamically grown grapes for his wine since the 1990’s, and always pushes for minimal intervention, low sulfur use, and aging in neutral oak casks. While his family has owned the Domaine De La Vieille Julienne since 1905, Jean-Paul has been the one to take its wines to the next level, with everything from his Cotes du Rhone up to his single vineyard Chateauneuf Du Papes receiving critical acclaim. This Cotes Du Rhone is aged in his large oak foudre for one year, and which the wine is bottled without fining or filtration.
2018