Red Wine Renato Ratti Monferrato Villa Pattono 2019. Decant 1 hour before serving. The Ratti family have been crafting exquisite Barolo wines ever since Renato Ratti returned to his native Italy in the 1960s after a stint working in Brazil and decided to pursue his dream of making his own wines. In addition to their prized Barolo wines made in the revered La Morra cru, the Ratti family also make a selection of both traditional and modern wines inspired by the local terroir. Named after the Ratti family’s ancestral villa in Costigliole d’Asti, this delicious red was first created during the 1982 vintage. The Barbera and Merlot grapes are sourced from the vineyards surrounding the old villa which were once used by Renato’s grandmother to produce the family’s house wine. The grapes are harvested at the end of September or early October and fermented in stainless steel tanks followed by one year of maturation in French oak barrels. On the nose there are intense notes of ripe plum, black cherries and cigar box while the first sip reveals a generous full body, smooth tannins and a long finish. The bold flavour profile makes this an ideal candidate for extended cellaring or enjoying now alongside hearty fare like stews or fresh pasta served with a rich ragu.
2019
Red Wine Renato Ratti Monferrato Villa Pattono 2019
Red Wine Montepeloso Eneo Toscana 2019. Despite growing up in Switzerland, Fabio Chiarelotto was destined to make wine and later returned to the coastal Bolgheri region of his native Tuscany to pursue his dream. Montepeloso is a 15-acre estate set in the hills of Suvereto in Tuscany’s warmest winemaking region. The climate here is great for crafting opulent and powerful Super Tuscan wines, but Fabio has developed an art of creating refined, elegant wines from classic Italian and international grape varieties. Fabio considers Eneo to be his ‘Grand Vin’ and produces this opulent wine in small quantities primarily from Sangiovese, Colorino and Merlot grapes grown on limey clay and silex soils. The grapes are all harvested by hand and given short macerations in the winery to create a wine with great finesse and elegance. Following vinification the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months followed by another 18 months of ageing in the bottle. Luscious black cherry, dark chocolate, tobacco and winter spice notes define the nose while the first sip displays a robust full body, intense dark fruit and firm tannins. The well-developed structure and very long finish make this a great wine to hold in the cellar for a few more years or to enjoy now alongside hearty red meat dishes.
2019
Red Wine Montes Folly Syrah 2019. It is recommended to decant an hour before serving. Since 1988, with the founding of Vina Montes and the release of the first Montes Alpha wine, this estate has become one of the most successful and respected wineries in Chile and South America. Aurelio Montes continues to lead the business with the same passion of the first day and with the total involvement of his three partners. Many years later, the Montes wines still inspire the whole world with their extraordinary and lasting quality. The Syrah grapes come from plots on granite slopes in the Apalta area, in the Colchagua Valley. These slopes, with very thin soils, give extremely concentrated grapes. Montes Folly Syrah is a bold and opulent wine. Its ruby red color shows intense reflections. The nose is very elegant, with notes of ripe blueberries and cassis, as well as chocolate aromas and subtle toasted notes. On the palate it is robust and balanced, with soft tannins and spicy flavors. It is warm and ample with a long and elegant finish. Hold it in the cellar for a few years or enjoy its corpulent personality now with Beef Bourguignon, rack of lamb with parsley butter, veal shank with mushrooms, or caramelized pork chop.
2019