Red Wine Colome Estate Malbec 2019. One of the oldest and highest altitude wineries in Argentina, the remarkable Bodega Colome is tucked away in the Calchaquí Valleys in the desert-like region of Salta in the far north-west of the country. The harsh, arid conditions and elevation make this one of the most unique places to make wine, giving Colome’s stunning Malbec wines a distinctive personality which sets them apart from Argentina’s typical style of red wines. To create this cuvee the winemaking team combine fruit from four different vineyards. The highest is Altura Maxima which sits at 3100 metres above sea level and adds delicate dried violet notes and finely-grained tannins. The lowest vineyard is La Brava at 1700 metres which tends to produce intensely ripe and full-flavoured berries. Following vinification the young wine is aged in French oak barrels for 15 months to fully integrate the different components. Succulent notes of cassis, blackberry and dark cherry dominate on the nose while the first sip reveals a robust full body, smooth yet firm tannins, and a long, complex finish with plenty of spice from the oak. The easy-going nature of this red makes it a great option to enjoy with family and friends alongside a casual dinner of ribs or steak.
2019
Red Wine Colome Estate Malbec 2019
Red Wine Cornelio Dinastia Vega Vella Graciano 2019. No need to decant but best to open it an hour before service. A family winery for 8 generations, the Cornelio Dinastía is located in Rioja Alavesa, in the northern part of the Rioja wine region, where it owns about 30 hectares of vineyards. The company produces its organic wines of the Vega Vella line from vineyards that have been organically grown for over 30 years, with a south and south-west orientation. The vineyards benefit from a Mediterranean climate with influences from the Atlantic Ocean. The soil is fertile, of silt and clay, and yields are low. This mono-varietal Graciano is aged for 14 months in new French oak barriques and then rests for another 10 months before being put on the market. In the glass, the wine shows an intense and bright cherry color. On the nose, it is very expressive, with an aromatic profile of ripe black fruit (currants, blackberries, blueberries), toasted and coffee notes, and light spicy nuances. In the mouth, the wine is powerful, vigorous, and concentrated with marked tannins and a pleasant freshness. The long aftertaste recalls the aromas of fruit. Try it with roast meats, grilled beef, or game stews.
2019
Red Wine Clos Pegase Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019. Clos Pegase is one of Napa’s iconic wineries thanks to an award-winning winery designed by Michael Graves and more than 20,000 square feet of caves which serve as the estate’s ample cellars. In total the winery has more than 400 acres of vineyards in Napa Valley, including the 365 acre Mitsuko Vineyard in Los Carneros and smaller holdings in Calistoga. Their Napa Valley Cab is crafted with top quality fruit from Block F15 of the Tenma vineyard which is set in the foothills of Mount St Helena near Calistoga. The well-draining rocky soil is planted with old vine Cabernet which produces very low yields of exceptionally flavoured fruit each year. After vinification the young wine is matured in oak barrels for 18 months before bottling. The nose opens with bold cassis, blackberry and black cherry notes along with hints of dried herbs, cigar box and forest floor. The first sip reveals a generous full body, smooth texture and firm tannins which make this a great addition to any cellar where it will continue to evolve over the next 8 years or so. The luscious fruit flavours and well-developed structure make this a great partner for barbecued meats, steak, and rich stews.
2019