Red Wine L’Ecole No. 41 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016. L’Ecole winery is one of the top producers in Washington State and has been named a Top 100 Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast magazine 15 times. The estate was originally founded in 1983 by Jean and Baker Ferguson who decided to name their venture after the old schoolhouse built by French-Canadian settlers in 1815 which now houses the winery. In recent years the couple have handed over the reins to daughter and son-in-law, Megan and Marty, to continue the family legacy of making terroir-driven wines from some of Washington’s finest vineyards. This Cabernet is a great example of their typical house style, crafted from selected vineyards belonging to partner growers in the Columbia Valley who have been working with the family for over 35 years.
2016
Red Wine L’Ecole No. 41 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Red Wine A Coroa Ladeira Vella 2016. This unusual red is crafted from 100 year old Garnacha Tintorera vines grown on the Lopez family’s vineyards in A Rua in the Valdeorras appellation in north-western Spain. The grapes are attentively harvested by hand and are fermented in cement tanks. The young wine is then matured in oak barrels for six months before bottling. On the nose there are enchanting hints of crushed berries, dried herbs and toasted wood while the first sip reveals a medium body, bright freshness and smooth tannins. Ripe dark fruit flavours linger on the palate ending in a pure, clean finish with subtle spiced hints from the barrel maturation. The delicious fruit-forward flavour profile makes it a great match for tomato-based pasta dishes, roast pork or even pizza. A Coroa is one of Galicia’s oldest wineries and focuses on producing delicious and inspiring wines from classic local varieties. For four generations the Lopez Vicente family have been growing vines here, although it wasn’t until 2002 that they decided to start making and bottling their own wines. In total they have 10 hectares of prime vineyards set at an altitude of around 450 metres above sea level.
2016
Red Wine Landmark Vineyards Overlook Pinot Noir 2016. This refined and graceful California Pinot Noir is crafted with top quality fruit from several of the state’s finest cool climate terroirs in Monterey, Santa Barbara and Sonoma County. Winemaker Greg Stach carefully selects the best parcels for this blend from the winery’s partner growers, harvesting all of the fruit by hand at night to preserve all of the pure varietal character and natural freshness of the grapes. Notes of ripe summer strawberries, blackcurrants and cherries burst out of the glass, along with undertones of licorice, bergamot, leather and sweet cedar from the 10 months of barrel ageing. The first sip reveals a silky smooth texture, fine tannins and a medium body centred by luscious red fruit and hints of spice and baked earth which linger on the tongue. There’s a bright burst of freshness on the mid-palate which makes this a great match for Italian dishes like aubergine parmigiana, pasta served with a tomato-based ragu, or even a big platter of cheeses and charcuterie. Landmark Vineyards is a charming boutique winery with a stunning setting in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. Since 1974 the property has strived to produce some of California’s top artisanal, handcrafted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, selecting the finest grapes from their partner growers with unique vineyard sites throughout the state.
2016