Red Wine Zuccardi Jose Zuccardi Malbec 2016. This impressive Malbec was created by winemaker Sebastian Zuccardi in honour of his father José who had helped put the family winery in the global spotlight during his winemaking tenure at Zuccardi. After it was founded in the 1960s by José’s father, Alberto, Zuccardi sold their wines direct to bottling plants and it was only in the 1980s that José and Alberto began to sell wine under their own label. In recent years José and his son have made Zuccardi a benchmark for top quality wines from high altitude sites in Mendoza. That legacy continues with this cuvee which features Malbec fruit from the estate’s prized Paraje Altamira vineyard as well as a tiny amount of Cabernet Sauvignon from Gualtallary. These vines grow on alluvial soils at an altitude of 1100-1230 metres above sea level. Bright sunny days combine with cooler nights to create perfect conditions for growing aromatic, fresh fruit with plenty of intense flavours and ripe, well-rounded tannins. To preserve the varietal character and essence of the terroir the fruit is fermented in concrete tanks and then aged in a mixture of large 2500 litre and 500 litre casks for 24 months. This minimises the influence of the oak, allowing the rich dark fruit and hints of violets, black peppercorn and dried fruit notes to shine through. A great wine to drink alongside a fine steak or to keep in the cellar for a few more years.
2016
Red Wine Zuccardi Jose Zuccardi Malbec 2016
Red Wine Isole e Olena Chianti Classico 2017. Decant for 30 minutes prior to serving The Isole E Olena Chianti Classico is an intense, fresh, and delicious example of a refined Chianti Classico from a decidedly quality minded producer. Aromas of ripe red cherry, toast, exotic spice, and clove lead into a palate that is bright and juicy, with high toned flavors of bramble fruit, red cherry, coffee, and white pepper. Fresh acidity, fine grained ripe tannins, and a silky finish complete this balanced and complex Chianti. Chianti’s are perfect table wines because they pair with a wide variety of dishes, especially those hailing from Tuscany, Chianti’s home. Artichoke salad, boar ragu, cacio e pepe, or Bisteca alla Fiorentina all would suit this style of wine. Isola E Olena is the combination of two estates purchased by the De Marchi family in the 1950’s, in the heart of the Chianti Classico region. After the family’s 4th generation winemaker, Paolo De Marchi, returned home from working harvests in California and France, he began a project of modernization to bring his family’s estate into the 21st century, extensively replanting vineyards and updating winery equipment. For this Chianti Classico, he combined 80% Sangiovese with 15% Canaiolo (a native Tuscan variety that gives a darker fruit character to wines), and finished the wine with 5% Syrah. This unique combination of grapes led to a more intense and complex Chianti Classico than many typical examples from the region.
2017
Red Wine Isole e Olena Cepparello 2017. Decant 2 hours prior to serving The Isola E Olena Cepparello is the estate’s flagship wine, and their finest offering. It is made with 100% Sangiovese grapes chosen from the estate’s best vineyards in the northern part of Chianti Classico, in Barberino Val d’Elsa. Aromas of blackcurrant, violet, and toasted cedar lead to a palate reminiscent of chocolate, red and black fruit, vanilla, and cumin. Strong tannins and bracing acidity soften upon decanting, but this wine could use some time in the cellar as well. A medium to full bodied and intensely flavored wine, this begs for rich food to help smooth out its rough edges. Grilled steak, wild boar ragu, or barbecued ribs would be good foils. This wine could also be used as a post dinner treat; try pairing it with a dark chocolate dessert. Isole E Olena does not spare much expense when it comes to their Cepparello, and the treatment of the wine in the cellar proves this. Aged in French Oak barrels for 18-20 months, the winemaker, Paolo De Marchi, emphasizes finesse over power in this wine, and has continued to refine the process of making it throughout its history. De Marchi’s father believed that buying new French Oak, green harvesting, and aging for long periods was a waste of money, but Paolo insisted on continuing, and the fruits of his labor have paid off in strides. Cepparello is a wine that can age for years and years, and with the vineyards at the prime of their lives, is now a wine of great finesse and complexity
2017