Red Wine Robert Mondavi Maestro 2018. It is recommended to decant it an hour before serving. Il Maestro is a tribute wine dedicated to Robert Mondavi. It was created for the 50th anniversary of the homonymous winery to honor the man who has been the guiding inspiration for many years and a real wine Master (Maestro) in Napa Valley. The Robert Mondavi Maestro is an elegant and juicy blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 17% Petit Verdot, 11% Merlot, and 5% Malbec. The grapes, sourced from the Oak Knoll District and Carneros, are manually harvested in the cool of the morning. Fermentation takes place in a combination of French oak, to obtain smooth tannins, and stainless steel, to maintain fruit freshness. After 25 days of maceration, the wine moves to new French oak barrels for the second and third passage, for 24 months. The wine has a deep purple color with ruby reflections. On the nose, it shows a concentrated bouquet of red plums, cherries, blackcurrants, and chocolate truffles, followed by notes of blackberry jelly, tobacco, and candied tomato. On the palate, it is powerful and opulent with a salty extract and firm but soft tannins. Ideal with a T-bone steak, a rack of lamb, a beef burger, or a filet mignon, it is equally delicious with medium-aged cheeses.
2018
Red Wine Robert Mondavi Maestro 2018
Red Wine Rockford Rod Spur Shiraz Cabernet 2018. Decant for half an hour before serving. Rockford winery is based in a picturesque collection of stone buildings, just outside the village of Krondorf in the Barossa Range. It was founded in the 1980s by Robert O’Callaghan and has grown into a top-tier producer of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz/Syrah wines, and one of Australia’s best-known traditional wineries. Those at Rockford take a hands-on, old-school approach to wine-making. They employ basket presses, open concrete fermenting vats, and a Bagshaw grape crusher from the 1880s, to create a beautiful range of critically acclaimed Australian red wines. The Rod & Spur Cabernet-Shiraz blend is a nod to classic Australian reds from the 1950s and 60s. A bouquet of black and red fruit, cedar and honey rises from the bottle. Its grapes originated from Eden Valley. They are aged separately in barrels of French and American oak, for two years.
2018
Red Wine Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. The Rodney Strong estate was established in 1959 by the professional dancer of the same name who left behind his professional career to make wine in Sonoma County. Strong was one of the early pioneers in appellations like Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, and Russian River Valley where he helped to establish these regions’ reputations for producing exceptional wines. In 1989 the Klein family took over the property and have embarked on an ambitious modernisation program with a strong focus on sustainability. This powerful Cabernet is crafted from top quality fruit from hillside vineyards in Alexander Valley which Rodney Strong identified as the ideal terroir for the variety as early as 1971. The combination of elevation and gentle slopes helps to craft richly-fruited wines with plenty of freshness and a distinctive aromatic character. On the nose there are enticing notes of crushed dark berries, cherries and forest floor notes while the palate offers a full body, firm tannins and elegant structure. The wine ages in oak barrels for 18 months which adds subtle toasted notes and extra complexity. While very approachable now, this Cabernet will age well in the cellar over the next six to eight years.
2018