Red Wine Tikal Patriota 2018. The pioneering Tikal winery was founded by fourth generation winemaker Ernesto Catena whose ancestors brought their love of winemaking with them when they emigrated from Italy to Argentina. Set in Mendoza’s high altitude Uco Valley, Tikal has been designed as a sculpture to be viewed from the skies in much the same way as the ancient Incans and Mayans built their cities to be enjoyed by the gods above. Here it is nature that is honoured and revered, with the estate practising both organic and biodynamic viticulture. Patriota or patriotic” is a blend of old vine Bonarda and Malbec, Argentina’s two iconic black grape varieties. The Malbec is sourced from the estate’s Vista Flores vineyard while the Bonarda comes from Rivadavia. The grapes are all harvested by hand and the young wine spends 12 months ageing in a mixture of French and American oak barrels. The result is an intense yet silky smooth red that has previously featured on Wine Spectator’s ‘Top 100 List’. Succulent berries and cherries dominate on the nose along with hints of licorice and spice, followed by smooth tannins and refreshing acidity on the palate. A great wine to enjoy on its own or alongside a generous platter of charcuterie, tomato-based pasta dishes, or a prime steak.
2018
Red Wine Tikal Patriota 2018
Red Wine Tinazzi Valleselle Rovertondo Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2018. This bright crimson Ripasso is beautiful with its origins from the hilly Valpolicella regions of Northern Italy. Gian Andrea Tinazzi bought Tenuta Valleselle at around 1986.The Tinazzi wineries are family-owned and dedicated to sheer elegance and excellence in winemaking. Their success has greatly contributed to the economic stability of this region, another testament to the vineyard’s dominance. This Italian Ripasso wine comes along with delightful vanilla, chocolate, and coffee bean aromas on the nose. Has a softness on entry but exhibits notes of oak, rounded tannins, and cherry on the finish. Besides, its juicy fruit flavors flow effortlessly across the tongue. It is a great combo if you love Italian food on a Friday night. Tinazzi Tenuta Valleselle Rovertondo Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore is made with 80% Corvina, 10% Rondinella and 10% Molinara grapes. The unique layout of the Tenuta Valleselle wineries encourages full maturity of the fruits before being harvested by handpicking. The harvested berries are first dried and then carefully macerated. Afterward, fermentation takes place for about 8 days. To obtain a more complex structure, the wine is passed through the skins of Amarone grapes, after which it is transferred to French barrels for 8 to 10 months for maturity. The wine pairs nicely with Italian food, veal, beef and game deer.
2018
Red Wine Tinto Pesquera Reserva 2018. It is recommended to decant an hour before serving. TheTinto Pesquera winery is located in Spain, in Pesquera de Duero-Valladolid. The owner, Alejandro Fernandez, can be defined as a man who made himself out of nothing with his skills and his own spirit of initiative. Son of very small winemakers, from an early age, he has always cherished the dream of having his own “bodega” and selling his wine. After trying different paths Alejandro, in 1972, begins the adventure in a very small cellar with an old stone press of the sixteenth-century producing wine from the Tempranillo grape. Ten years must pass for the winery to transform and become one of the leading Spanish wine producers, where, however, Alejandro keeps the old stone press. The Tinto Pesquera Reserva is a 100% Tempranillo with an intense and bright ruby color. On the nose, it is a complex and elegant wine, with aromas of ripe black fruit elegantly accompanied by quality oak, spices, roasted notes, and minerals. On the palate, it is wide, dry, and silky at the beginning, but the ripe fruit explodes immediately, accompanied by mineral nuances, coffee, and tobacco. There is a perfect balance between alcohol and acidity. Tannins are round and smooth. It is the perfect companion for stews, red meats, and aged cheeses.
2018