Red Wine Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot 2018. Decant for two hours before serving. In 2017 Duckhorn was named one of the world’s top wineries by the prestigious Wine & Spirits magazine, making this the seventh time the winery has claimed its place on the list. This stellar reputation is the result of years of experience of experimenting and working with Bordeaux varietals in Napa since the winery’s very first vintage in 1978. Duckhorn has always had a special affinity with Merlot, being among the first to pioneering single varietals and Merlot-dominant blends in the region. This is a stunning example of the Duckhorn style, showcasing the rich, soft fruit character of the varietal alongside subtle spiced hints from the 16 months of ageing in a mixture of new and used oak barrels. Duckhorn sources the fruit from several different vineyard lots in Napa to create a wonderfully complex composition which provides a detailed study of the region’s varied terroir. The nose offers luxurious aromas of crushed black cherries and plums along with undertones of cedar, sweet tobacco and orange peel. On the palate these evolve into hints of pencil lead, baking spice, raspberries and plum jam which linger on the tongue. The firm tannins are complemented by a smooth, rounded mouthfeel and gentle freshness, promising great longevity and potential to evolve beautifully in the bottle.
2018
Red Wine Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot 2018
Red Wine Duckhorn Postmark Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. Regarded as one of California’s finest wineries, Duckhorn was founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976. After travelling in St. Emilion and Pomerol, Dan had fallen in love with the Merlot grape and was determined to craft his own superb single varietal Napa wines from Bordeaux grape varieties. Since then the estate has been declared one of the finest wineries in the world seven times by Wine & Spirits magazine. This series is named after the postmark typically stamped on letters to record the time and place. The idea is that winemaking is a similar process, capturing a fixed moment and place in time where the grapes were picked and the wine was created. This bottling is made with Cabernet Sauvignon as well as a tiny drop of Merlot and Petit Verdot to add richness and complexity. Once in the winery the grapes are vinified and then the young wine then ages for 12 months in French oak barrels. Dried violets, lavender and dark chocolate define the nose along with rich dark cherry, cassis and plum. On the palate there’s a generous full body, smooth tannins and a well-developed structure which will respond well to additional cellaring.
2018
Red Wine Edmond de Rothschild Flechas De Los Andes Gran Corte 2018. A collaboration between Baron Benjamin de Rothschild and Laurent Dassault, Flechas De Los Andes was founded in 2003 in the foothills of the Andes mountains in Mendoza. This prestigious estate takes its name from the flechas” or arrows that symbolise the five brothers of the Rothschild family who between them have founded many of the world’s top wineries. The site chosen for the winery offers excellent conditions for crafting premium Malbec wines thanks to the high altitude, cooling breezes from the Andes, and well-draining alluvial soils. This ensures the grapes reach optimum ripeness with plenty of ripe fruit character balanced by freshness and delicate aromatics. Gran Corte is primarily composed of Argentina’s flagship grape, Malbec, along with Cabernet Franc and Syrah. The grapes are all harvested by hand to ensure quality with careful sorting when they reach the winery. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled tanks and the young wine is then allowed to mature in new oak barrels to soften the punchy tannins and add extra complexity. Bursting with dark plum, cherry and plenty of wild berries, this is an opulent and powerful cuvee that’s ideal for cellaring for another decade or so. It can also be enjoyed now with a prime Argentinian steak, roast beef, or game dishes like venison or wild boar.
2018