Red Wine Stina Plavac Mali Majstor 2017. Located on the idyllic Dalmatian island of Brac, this boutique winery is named after the local white stone or stina” as it is known in the local dialect. The winery is based in a building which was previously the island’s cooperative winery and sources grapes from the southern slopes of the island. Many of their finest bottlings are made from the indigenous Plavac Mali variety which is related to the Zinfandel grape and tends to produce hearty full-bodied reds. This Plavac Mali is Stina’s flagship wine as indicated by the name Majstor” which translates to master” in English. The grapes for this bottling are sourced from prime sites on the southern slope of the island and are harvested by hand. The result is a robust and powerful wine which is bursting with rich red fruit notes seasoned with baking spice, licorice and hints of baked earth. On the palate there is a full body, well-rounded yet firm tannins, and a well-defined structure. This delicious red can be drunk now alongside hearty red meat dishes although it will also continue to evolve in the cellar over the next decade or so.
2017
Red Wine Stina Plavac Mali Majstor 2017
Red Wine Talenti Brunello di Montalcino 2017. Decant 1 hour before serving. The historic family-run Talenti estate is located to the south of Montalcino near the charming medieval village of San Angrelo in Colle. Ricardo Talenti recently took over the running of the property from his grandfather, Pierluigi, and has succeeded in seamlessly combining tradition and heritage with modern techniques and technologies. Today he has around 21 hectares of vineyards of which 16 hectares are planted with Sangiovese. Ricardo’s Brunello is crafted from five of the estate’s older Sangiovese vineyards which were planted back in 1981 and produce intensely-flavoured and concentrated fruit. Some of the sites sit at 400 metres above sea level which helps to add freshness and elegance to the overall cuvee. Following vinification the young wine is aged in a combination of 500 litre French oak barrels and 15-25 hectolitre Slavonian oak casks for at least 24 months. Bright cherries, leather and chocolate spring out of the glass, giving way to classical-style Brunello on the palate which effortlessly fuses beautiful ripe fruit flavours with plenty of spice and earthy character. The full body and firm tannins make this a great wine to cellar for another decade or so, although it can also be enjoyed alongside hearty dishes like a fine steak, barbecued meats, venison, or fresh pasta served with a rich ragu sauce.
2017
Red Wine Talenti Piero Brunello di Montalcino 2017. It is recommended to decant it for an hour. Founded in 1980 by Pierluigi Talenti, the Talenti winery is located on the southern side of Montalcino, not far from the medieval village of S.Angelo in Colle overlooking the gentle valley of the Orcia river. Over the years, Pierluigi (Pietro, for his friends) has dedicated himself to the Sangiovese clonal research in the area and has managed to create wines of the highest levels of quality. Since 1999 the property has been managed by his family, under the direction of his nephew Riccardo Talenti. Produced since 1981 with 100% Sangiovese grapes, coming from the best vineyards, Piero Brunello di Montalcino is the most representative wine of the Talenti winery. After careful vinification, the wine ages for the majority in oak barrels and for a small percentage in 500-liter Tonneau for two and a half years.
2017