Red Wine Smith Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. In 1971 the 22-year old Stuart Smith partnered with friends and family to purchase the estate which would become Smith-Madrone. At the time Smith was studying at UC Davis for his Master’s in Viticulture and while looking for outstanding land to plant vineyards he stumbled across this remote area of Spring Mountain which had actually been a vineyard in the 1880s. Smith quickly realised the potential of the property and today he is recognised as one of the pioneers of modern Napa mountain wines. Smith’s Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted from 100% estate-grown grapes planted on steep slopes of up to 35 degrees of incline at the top of Spring Mountain. This combination of 1800ft of elevation and steep gradients helps to ensure the vines get plenty of sun exposure and retain freshness and balance thanks to the cooler nights during the ripening season. In the winery the young wine is matured in a mixture of new and used French oak barrels for 18 months. On the nose there are rich and intense notes of bramble, cassis, violets, and olives while the first sip reveals a full body, silky smooth tannins, and juicy dark berry flavours which linger long on the tongue.
2018
Red Wine Smith Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Red Wine Solomnishvili Saperavi #22 2018. It can benefit from decanting. The Solomnishvili family vineyard is a very small estate covering only 0.2 hectares of vineyards. Since the vines are planted very close together, machinery cannot access them. Giorgi Solomnishvili therefore personally takes care of the vineyards, by hand. This approach guarantees the highest grape quality standard ever, and the result is a series of very exclusive wines with very limited production numbers. The Saperavi #22 comes from 20-years old vines located at approximately 400m of altitude, on alluvial soil with clay, gravel and limestone. The grapes are harvested manually and vinification takes place using the traditional Qvevri method. The wine is then aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. The wine shows a complex and rich nose of blackberries and prunes, dark chocolate, vanilla and spices, tobacco, and leather. In the mouth, it is soft, round, elegant and silky. The tannins are firm but ripe, and the finish is long and pleasant. It is ready to be enjoyed now with beef, lamb and game poultry, but it may rest a little bit longer in your cellar.
2018
Red Wine Solomnishvili Saperavi Sio 2018. It can benefit from decanting. Giorgi Solomnishvili’s family winery is located in Georgia’s main wine region, Kakheti, and produces Georgian wines using Qvevri technology. The main grape used is Saperavi, which is then aged in oak barrels. For Giorgi, wine is all a philosophy. He puts his soul in every bottle produced. He knows his land, soil, water level, vines, and climate. When tasting Giorgi Solomnishvili’s Saperavi grape wines, you will discover the best classic red wines of Georgia, a unique bouquet of flavors from the Alazani valley and the interesting effects of the Qvevri method and use of oak. Saperavi Sio comes from 25-year-old vines in the Kakheti wine region. The grapes are harvested manually, then pressed and put into the traditional Qvevri (terracotta amphora) together with skins and stalks; the amphora is then sealed and the must is left to ferment. The wine is later aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. These treatments allow the wine to develop very rich aromas: the red fruits typical of the Saperavi grape, as well as tones of dried plum, cinnamon, pepper, licorice, and leather. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, with rich tannins and a fresh and powerful aftertaste. This is a really interesting and profound wine that can perfectly accompany grilled red meats or aged cheeses.
2018