Red Wine Zlatan Otok Crljenak Zinfandel 2016. Decant 2 hours before serving. Although the Crljenak Kaštelanski variety is relatively rare in Croatia these days, the grape has ardent fans all over the world who know it as Zinfandel and Primitivo. The variety has been grown in Croatia for centuries with written records dating back to the 15th century which describe wines being made with the grape on the islands of Hvar and Vis. Crljenak Kaštelanski is thought to have been taken to Italy in the 18th century where it earned the name Primitivo after its habit of ripening early, and it later found its way to the USA where it thrived on the West Coast. Unfortunately the phylloxera pest which decimated Europe’s vineyards in the 19th century wiped out most of Croatia’s Crljenak Kaštelanski plantings. Today Croatian winemakers like Zlatan Plenkovic are reviving the variety in its homeland and producing bold red wines bursting with dark fruit flavours and earthy nuances. Zlatan’s vines grow beneath Mount Biokovo to the south of Split where the abundant sunshine gives the wine a warm, full-bodied character and soft, ripe tannins. For a true taste of Croatia, try pairing with the traditional dish pašticada which is made with beef slow-cooked with plums and red wine.
2016
Red Wine Zlatan Otok Crljenak Zinfandel 2016
Red Wine Capannelle Chianti Classico Riserva 2016. Decant 1 hour. A vibrant ruby red in colour, the nose gives ripe red fruit, cocoa, vanilla, a delicate floral note and a little spice. On the palate, flavours of red currant, chocolate, vanilla and coffee burst onto the taste buds. The tannins are smooth and the acidity balances well with good alcohol levels. The finish is long and luxurious with a vanilla end. Great match with red meats, stews, pate and cheese. Capannelle believes in combining the traditional with cutting edge technology and forward thinking wine making techniques. For this Chianti Classico Riserva the grapes are fermented in steel vats for 18-20 days. Following a malolactic fermentation, the wine is fermented in French or Austrian oak vats for 18 months, with a further period of bottle maturation. The production volume is around the 13,000 bottle mark, making this wine a much sought after vintage. Capannelle started life in 1974 when Raffaele Rossetti took over the property. The first wine was produced in 1975 which was a Chianti by the name of Casale. Over the next few years, the winery developed better working techniques and much better quality fruit and wine, transporting it into being recognised as one of the best manufacturers in quality terms. The vineyard is located in Radda in Chianti and has 16 hectares of mainly Sangiovese grapes but with a little Chardonnay, Malvasia Nera and Canaiolo mixed in. With a dedication to constantly improve their wines, they have now attained an almost cult status with some of their wines, resulting in demand always exceeding supply – a great position to be in!
2016
Red Wine Artadi Pasos de San Martin 2016. Artadi was originally founded by 13 winemaking families who came together in 1985 to pool their resources and make high quality wines from their vineyards in Laguardia in Rioja. It was later purchased by Juan Carlos López de Lacalle and has a well-deserved reputation for refined and elegant wines from the Rioja region. In 1996 Artadi expanded their reach to the Navarra region following a request by a friend of Juan Carlos who was looking for a good quality Spanish Garnacha to sell in the United States. Their Pasos de San Martin has been produced since 2011 after the purchase of a 12 hectare vineyard in the village of San Martín de Unx planted with 35 year old Garnacha bush vines at some 600 metres of altitude. Conditions here are excellent for making good quality Garnacha thanks to the sunny summer days balanced by cooler nights. The grapes are harvested by hand and vinified in open stainless steel tanks followed by 12 months of maturation in oak barrels. The result is a balanced and elegant red with luscious notes of strawberry, red cherry and plums along with hints of violets, dried herbs and spice from the oak ageing.
2016
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