Red Wine Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2017. Decant 2 hours before serving. Penfolds are best known for producing Australia’s iconic Grange, a powerful red that’s widely considered to be one of the finest wines in the world. The winery was originally founded back in 1844 by English emigrants Dr. Christopher Penfold and his wife Mary who brought with them vine cuttings from France. Since then the estate has blossomed into Australia’s premier winery with a string of exceptional cuvees under their belt like this magnificent Shiraz. Unlike Grange and many other top Australian reds, St Henri is unusual in that it isn’t aged in new oak barrels. This cuvee was first released by Penfolds in the early 1950s, the era of their legendary winemaker Max Schubert who first created the Grange. Fruit is carefully selected from prime vineyards in Barossa, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, and the Adelaide Hills, and the young wine ages in large wooden casks that are over 50 years old. The result is a plush and rich red that’s bursting with luscious dark fruit notes including cassis, dark plums, and crushed blackberries. There are subtle hints of toast and spice on the long finish from the limited oak influence which will deepen into soft, earthy notes as the wine ages. A solid backbone and well-built structure make this a great wine to cellar for a couple more decades, although it can also be enjoyed now alongside hearty red meat dishes.
2017
Red Wine Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2017
Red Wine Capcanes Peraj Ha’Abib Kosher 2017. The village of Capcanes in Catalonia has been producing wines since the 13th century and is home to one of the region’s most successful cooperatives. The Celler de Capcanes was founded in 1933 by five local families who saw an opportunity to work together to improve the quality and efficiency of their winemaking practices. Over the years the cooperative has grown in size as many local producers have chosen to join the family. In 1995 the cooperative initiated a new venture after Barcelona’s Jewish community contacted the winery about producing kosher wines made according to the strict Lo Mevushal method. Today the cooperative is known all over the world for its excellent kosher wines like the opulent Peraj Ha’Abib. This gorgeous Garnacha-led red blend is made under supervision of a local rabbi and undergoes maturation in new French oak barrels for 12 months. The result is an inky ruby hued wine that enchants the nose with rich aromas of dark berries, coffee and cacao. On the palate the wine has a refined structure, soft tannins and a very long finish. This characterful kosher wine is ideal for family gatherings and celebrations and will continue to evolve and develop if cellared for up to a decade or so.
2017
Red Wine Petrolo Galatrona 2017. Decant 1 hour before serving. Luca Sanjust originally worked as a painter and art scholar before giving it all up to focus on his family’s winery. Thanks to his vision and dedication, the estate is now considered one of Tuscany’s cult wineries, playing a pivotal role in the modern winemaking revolution in Tuscany in the 1980s. A big part of Petrolo’s success is due to this particular cuvee, a magnificent Super Tuscan red wine called Galatrona. The Merlot fruit comes from a single vineyard that was planted in the 1980s on exceptional clay-rich soils in the south-eastern part of Chianti. These soils are ideal for premium winemaking since they help retain plenty of moisture during the hot Tuscan summers, while the stones and shale ensure elegance and balance. Following vinification the young wine ages for 18 to 20 months, depending on the vintage, in French oak barrels with lees stirring during the first 6 months. This approach to winemaking helps to add plenty of complexity and personality to the final cuvee. In the glass you’ll immediately notice the deep ruby hue and enticing notes of ripe plums, blackberries and wild berries, while the palate offers a robust full body and firm tannins ideal for further ageing.
2017