Red Wine Vina Aquitania Lazuli Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. The lofty Andes Mountains soar above the verdant vines at Vina Aquitania which was founded in 1990 in Chile’s stunning Maipo Valley. Bordeaux winemakers Bruno Prats and Paul Pontallier, and their Chilean friend, Felipe de Solminihac had a vision of making delicious, easy-going wines from classic Bordeaux varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon in what was then a little-known part of the wine world. Today Vina Aquitania is known for its easy-going and delicious Chilean wines which are made in a clean, modern style with plenty of polish. This cuvee is named after the precious lapis lazuli stone and is only made during the very best vintages from estate-grown fruit. It’s aged in new French oak barrels for 16 months before it’s deemed ready for bottling. Luscious cassis, dark cherry and plenty of wild berry notes dominate on the palate, while the first sip reveals firm tannins, a full body, and a long, lingering finish. The bold yet balanced flavour profile makes this a great wine to enjoy alongside casual dinners or barbecues with hearty red meat dishes. Great pairings include a ribeye steak, venison, ribs, or even a rich moussaka or lasagna.
2017
Red Wine Vina Aquitania Lazuli Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Red Wine Vistalba Corte A 2017. Second generation winemaker Carlos Pulenta is often considered to be Argentina’s answer to Robert Parker. He founded Bodega Vistalba in 2002 as his own personal project, based on the Bordeaux chateau model of making complex red blends which age beautifully. The winery is located in Mendoza’s Lujan de Cuyo sub-region, and is the only producer permitted to use the Vistalba appellation on its bottles. The winery itself has been cleverly designed to use gravity rather than pumps throughout the winemaking process, and the architecture showcases the traditional Argentinian criollo” style. Corte A or Blend A” is primarily composed of Malbec and a smaller amount of Bonarda from vines planted in 1948 along with a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon. Vistalba’s vineyards sit at an impressive 980 metres above sea level where conditions are ideal for producing smooth, well-rounded reds thanks to the sunny days and cooler nights. Once in the winery the varieties are vinified separately with a small proportion of Malbec and Bonarda fermented together. The young wine then ages in French oak barrels for 18 months, adding hints of spice, tobacco leaf and vanilla to the rich dark plum, chocolate and berry notes from the grapes. The full body, firm tannins and long finish make this a great wine to cellar for a while longer or enjoy now alongside hearty red meat dishes.
2017
Red Wine Paolo Cottini Elio 2017. Paolo Cottini’s family have been involved in winemaking for generations, and it was Paolo’s father, Silvano, who first introduced his son to the art of making delicious wines from their Valpolicella homeland. Paolo now has his own winery which he runs along with his wife Sara in the charming hilltop village of Castelrotto. The estate’s 7 hectares of vineyards are located in the Negrar Valley at an altitude of 580 metres and in Valgatara at 250 metres of altitude. Paolo insists on harvesting all of his grapes by hand to ensure excellent quality and primarily works with the indigenous local grape varieties Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella. Unlike Paolo’s more traditional offerings, his Elio red is composed of Merlot and Corvina and is labelled as IGT Rosso Veronese. Before vinification Paolo dries out the grapes to concentrate the sugars and flavours, a typical technique which has been used for generations to make Valpolicella wines. The powerful flavour profile is sure to be a winner with lovers of big reds thanks to the intense cassis, black cherry and jammy plum notes. The first sip reveals a generous full body, bold dark berry flavours and firm tannins which will help this wine age gracefully over the next five years or so.
2017