Red Wine Walt Blue Jay Pinot Noir 2018. Cellar for up to 7 years The Walt Wines label was created in honour of Kathryn Walt Hall’s parents, Bob and Dolores, who were passionate winemakers and had an inspiring influence on their daughter’s choice of career. Today the brand specialises in producing exceptional Burgundian-style Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from prime regions along Pacific Coast including the St. Rita Hills, Sonoma County, Anderson Valley and the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Their stunning Blue Jay Pinot comes from The Corners Vineyard and Donnelly Creek Vineyard in the Anderson Valley which lies close to California’s Pacific shores. The vineyards here are planted on rocky hills and outcrops with clay loam and gravel soils and a southern exposure which helps to achieve optimal ripeness. Once vinified the young wine is then aged in 40% new French oak barrels for 10 months before bottling. The result is a plush, fruit forward Pinot which is bursting with crushed blueberries, cassis, black cherry and clove notes as well as hints of forest floor and baked earth. The juicy flavour profile and smooth tannins make this a great wine to pair with duck dishes as well as roasted venison, tomato-based pasta dishes, or a generous platter of charcuterie.
2018
Red Wine Walt Blue Jay Pinot Noir 2018
Red Wine Hahn Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. Seductive caramel, vanilla and red cherry jam aromas leap out of the glass, while the first sip reveals flavours of ripe red berries, a generous full body and a long finish. Philip Hahn sources the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for this wine from his well-sited vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco appellations in Monterey County. They are then fermented and aged in French oak barrels to add subtle sweet spice aromas and a rounded, velvety mouthfeel. Hahn Family Wines was founded by Nicky and Gaby Hahn nearly forty years ago when the couple realised the potential of land they had purchased in Monterey County. Although Spanish missionaries had grown grapes and made wine in the Santa Lucia Highlands back in the 1790s, recognizing the suitability of the climate and soils, the land had given over to cattle and sheep long before the Hahns came along. By 1991 Nicky had succeeded in his mission to get the Santa Lucia Highlands approved as a AVA or American Viticultural Area and built a solid reputation for stellar single varietal wines from Monterey. Today the winery is in the capable hands of Nicky and Gaby’s son, Philip, who continues to produce fruity, well-balanced wines which offer exceptional value.
2018
Red Wine Wine Soul Manoella Douro Tinto 2018. Sandra Tavares da Silva and Jorge Serodio Borges worked for some of Portugal’s top wineries including Niepoort and Vale Dona Maria before deciding to found their own winery in 2001. The couple bought an old port lodge and began their wine label by purchasing fruit from the prized Pinhão Valley before acquiring their own vineyard in 2003. Over the years they have also added other vineyards including the magnificent Quinta da Manoella where this wine begins its life. This delicious red blend is primarily composed of Touriga Nacional as well as a smaller amount of Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Francisca. The vineyard was planted in 1973 with bush vines on top quality schist soils. As is traditional, the grapes are trodden by foot in stone lagares or troughs after the harvest. Fermentation takes place in modern stainless steel tanks followed by 16 months of ageing in used French oak barrels. The result is an excellent example of a Douro red blend with ample dark berry and plum notes on the nose seasoned with hints of dried herbs, earthy tones and spice from the oak ageing. On the palate there is a generous full body, well-rounded tannins and a long finish with plenty of juicy dark fruit. A great wine to drink with rich red meat dishes or to hold in the cellar for a few more years.
2018