Red Wine Ktima Gerovassiliou Avaton 2019. No need to decant, but best to open it an hour before service. Vangelis, founder and owner of Ktima Gerovassiliou, is a master of native Greek grapes. Not only did he recover the almost extinct Malagousia variety during his work at the Porto Carras estate, but he cultivates other native varieties on his property such as the popular Assyrtiko but also Limnio, Mavroudi, and Mavrotragano. From these blends, grown in the Epanomi wine region, Vangelis produces wines of high quality and enormous elegance. Over the years, Vangelis has also undertaken other wine projects both in Greece and abroad. Ktima Gerovassiliou’s Avaton is an interesting blend of three local red varieties: Limnio, Mavroudi, and Mavrotragano. Limnio, predominant in this blend, is the oldest Greek grape, the first attestations of which date back to the 5th century BC. After the harvest and an extraction phase, the fermentations (alcoholic and malolactic) take place in special Burgundy oak casks. The finished wine then matures in French oak barrels. Its color is red, intense, and bright. The olfactory profile displays aromas of ripe raspberries, raisins, and other red fruits followed by delicate notes of sweet spices, and coffee. On the palate, there are generous fruity flavors and sof tannins. Overall the wine shows a good body, great character, and excellent balance. Excellent with meat stews, goat, and game.
2019
Red Wine Ktima Gerovassiliou Avaton 2019
Red Wine Oasi degli Angeli Kurni 2019. Drink now through to 2032. Decant 1 hour before serving. The historic Oasi degli Angeli estate is currently run by Marco Casolanetti and Eleonora Rossi and was founded by Eleonora’s great-grandfather who started a small farm with grapes, olives and fruit trees in the gorgeous Marche region of central Italy. In the 1990s Eleonora and Marco decided to focus the estate on producing wine and the very first vintage to be made by the couple was the 1997 Kurni which was named after Eleonora’s family nickname. Over the years the couple have established a reputation for producing exceptional wines, but the Kurni still remains the estate’s iconic wine. Crafted from 100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo grapes from old vines which give a very low yield, the wine opens with heady aromas of sour cherry, blackcurrants and ripe plums along with hints of woodsmoke, leather and tobacco. To complement the intense character of the old vine grapes Eleonora and Marco age the wine in new French oak barrels for at least 21 months. This helps to add extra complexity and to soften the tannins, making the wine approachable even in youth. The full body, intense fruit character and long finish make this an excellent wine to cellar for a decade or more, and it also makes a great partner for hearty meat dishes like rigatoni with beef ragu.
2019
Red Wine La Bollina Bricchetta Monferrato Rosso 2019. Decant before drinking. La Bollina, known for being one of Piemonte’s premier Gavi producers, is an innovative winery that ties traditional values with modern improvements in grape production and winemaking. Nestled in Alto Monferrato, part of the Apennines mountain chain, the estate was once owned by the Marquises Figari of Genoa. Today the estate boasts 120 hectares of landscape, with a luxury hotel, a large golf course and stretches of chestnut woodlands. The vines of La Bollina are planted on soil composed largely of clay with the presence of marl. With south and southeast facing exposures, the vineyards gulp plenty of sun regulated by the cool, high elevation. The Bricchetta is a full-bodied red wine made predominantly from Barbera grapes, 85%, with a soft touch of Nebbiolo filling in the remaining 15%. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks then was followed by 14 months of aging in French barriques. On the nose, Bricchetta is highlighted by black and red fruits, imagine a fruit basket of red cherries, dark plums, and blackberries. A spicy note unfolds with aromas of smoked cedar and fresh tobacco leaf. On the palate this wine showcases the racing acidity that Barbera is famous for, balanced in structure by the tannin of Nebbiolo. Coffee beans, black licorice and vanilla are delicately layered in this bold, food-friendly wine. Enjoy with a variety of meats and pastas, or with a casual hamburger cookout.
2019