Red Wine Tzora Misty Hills 2019. Misty Hills is crafted from the Tzora Vineyards’ finest plot high in the Judean Hills where morning mist frequently forms as cool air from the mountains meets the warmer air coming off the nearby Mediterranean sea. Combined with the rich terra rossa soils, this special terroir provides perfect conditions for producing top quality grapes with incredible depth of flavour and freshness. This stylish wine is made in an Old World style with a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah which opens with enticing hints of blackberries, ripe plums, leather and sweet spices. The first sip reveals a generous full body, fine tannins, and rich dark berry flavours which linger long on the palate. Exceptional to drink now alongside red meat dishes like beef bourguignon or a fine steak, this wine would make a handsome addition to any cellar and will continue to develop and mature over the next decade or so. Misty Hills is made in collaboration with Mr. Jean-Claude Berrouet, the former the Technical Director at Chateau Pétrus, who brings a wealth of expertise and talent to the Tzora team. Heading up the winemaking team is Eran Pick MW who was the first Israeli to pass the notoriously difficult Master of Wine examinations.
2019
Red Wine Tzora Misty Hills 2019
Red Wine Duckhorn Decoy Merlot 2019. Decant one hour before serving. This luscious Sonoma Merlot exudes deep dark berry, plum and cherry aromas along with warming festive spices from the 10 months of oak ageing. On the palate the fruity attack and ripe blackcurrant and blueberry flavours are balanced by a refreshing acidity, velvety texture and refined tannins. These sweet fruit flavours make this Merlot an ideal match for the sweetness of lamb meat, while the bright acidity means the wine can also stand up to a rich tomato sauce served with pasta, red meat or chicken. This was an excellent vintage in Sonoma thanks to plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures, making this the third exceptional year in a row for the region. 8% Malbec and 4% Cabernet Franc was added to the 88% Merlot in this bottling to enhance the ripe black fruit flavours and contribute additional structure. The Duckhorn story began in 1976 in St Helena with Dan and Margaret Duckhorn’s purchase of Marlee’s Vineyard in Napa Valley. After establishing a reputation for premium Merlot in Napa, the Duckhorns have applied expertise from more than thirty years of working with the varietal to craft this wallet-friendly Sonoma Merlot. Their accessible Decoy line of wines are made with grapes sourced from their partner growers with Duckhorn’s signature house style applied with the subtle influence of French oak barrels.
2019
Red Wine Artadi Valdegines 2019. Decant 1 hour before serving. Seductive cassis, crushed blackberries and dried Mediterranean herbs delight the nose, while the first sip reveals an elegant structure, generous full body, silky soft tannins and enticing wild berry flavours. The very long finish and balancing freshness of the Valdegines make this an ideal bottle to treat loved ones on a special occasion. Try pairing this graceful Rioja with suckling pig roasted in the oven or herby lamb chops for a match truly made in heaven. Although only founded some 35 years ago, the Artadi estate has quickly built a reputation for top Rioja wines which express an authentic sense of the local terroir. The Valdegines is one of their three premium single vineyard wines which all have a unique character honed by the microclimate and soil conditions of each particular site. Located at 650 metres above sea level, the east-facing Valdegines vineyard in Laguardia help to produce intensely concentrated aromas and flavours while retaining freshness in the wine thanks to the cool nights. All of the grapes are harvested by hand and fermented using indigenous yeasts before the wine is aged in new French oak barrels for 12 months.
2019