Finca La Emperatriz Tinto Rioja DOCa

2018

Finca La Emperatriz Tinto Rioja DOCa

Finca La Emperatriz is a winery with an extensive vineyard estate in Rioja Alta.
Viñedos Hermanos Hernáiz is the new project of brothers Eduardo and Víctor, who in 1996 acquired Bodega La Emperatriz, named as such because the first owner of these plots was Eugenia de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III and Empress of France. With this new emphasis and with new projects at hand, the winery changed its name but its high-end wines retain the Finca La Emperatriz signature, the name of the ‘viñedo singular’ they come from.

Until the end of 2019, the range of wines under the “Finca La Emperatriz” label included nine wines made with grapes from different vineyards of the same name, and when the grapes from a harvest ran out, the wine was no longer available. These wines have been replaced by this new selection with the Finca La Emperatriz Viñedo Singular Tinto taking the place of the Finca La Emperatriz Crianza and Reserva wines.

From 2019, the D.O.Ca. Rioja established a new geographical indication classification system that seeks to value the terroir as a recognition of the quality it brings to the wine. This means there are three new classifications: Viñedo Singular, Vinos de Municipio and Vinos de Zona.

Finca La Emperatriz Viñedo Singular Tinto is made with clusters from old vines aged between 50 and 65 years old from the Finca La Emperatriz vineyard, which has white boulder soils over a sandy-loam structure. These characteristics are perfect for vine cultivation and add an elegant touch to the wines.

For more info, visit Finca La Emperatriz / Hermanos Hernáiz  website.

VARIETALS
76% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 4% Viura

VINTAGE
2018

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Gnarly Head Authentic Black

2018

Gnarly Head Authentic Black

Gnarly Head wines began with a vision and a vine. In 2004, on a mission to make a serious Zinfandel, winemakers journeyed to Lodi in central California in search of the famed old vine Zinfandel vineyards. Grown in the head-trained, spur-pruned method for over a century, these vigorous gnarled vines produced more ripened red fruit than they had ever seen. They took it as a challenge to create the biggest, boldest Zinfandel they had ever made. The result was authentic, structured wines with a hint of something unexpected. Something Gnarly.

Channeling Gnarly Head’s signature fruit-driven style with concentrated black fruit flavors, Authentic Black is a dark, inky Petite Sirah-based blend designed to stand up to the season’s heartiest dishes. Fruit for this new, limited time only offering was sourced from Lodi, California with choice lots aged on oak for 12 months to craft a smooth, rich blend.

For more info, visit Gnarly Head website.

VARIETALS
Petite Sirah-based blend

VINTAGE
2018

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I Lauri Pinciaie Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva DOC

2018

I Lauri Pinciaie Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva DOC

The name “iLauri” stems from the ancient roots of our birth place, Loreto Aprutino, once covered in Laurus nobilis, or laurel trees.

The name of this wine stems from the ancient form of construction typical in pastoral communities of Abruzzo.
The vineyard extends for 4 hectares at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level and is vinified separately in outstanding vintages in order to maintain its exceptional characteristics.

Eco-compatible farming methods.
100% produced with clean and renewable wind-generated energy of sustainability.

For more info, visit I Lauri website.

VARIETALS
100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

VINTAGE
2018

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L'Avenir Single Block Pinotage

2018

L’Avenir Single Block Pinotage

Paying homage to the famed terroir of Stellenbosch’s historic wine region, L’Avenir was only founded in 1992 by Mauritius native Marc Wiehe.

Under the oenological direction of winemakers Dirk Coetzee, Mattheus Thabo and Francois Conradie, the winery in the foothills of the Simonsberg in Stellenbosch produces now a well-endowed and award-winning wine portfolio of wines, distinguished by their unmistakably South African character with an elegant touch of French flair, with the two classic South African grape varieties Chenin Blanc and Pinotage, as the cornerstone of the South African wine industry, forming the main focus of L’Avenir.

L’Avenir Single Block Pinotage is the winery’s flagship and the best that L’Avenir has to offer. Only grapes from the highest vineyard on the estate were used for this exceptional red wine. Only the 14 best casks were selected for this vintage.

VARIETALS
100% Pinotage

VINTAGE
2018

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La Closerie de Camensac Haut-Médoc AOC (Château Camensac GCC 2 wine)

2019, 2016, 2017, 2018

La Closerie de Camensac Haut-Médoc AOC (Château Camensac GCC 2 wine)

Located in the heart of the Haut-Médoc appellation, on the edge of the Saint-Julien appellation, the Château de Camensac covers 75 hectares. Purchased in 2005 by the Merlaut family, he benefits from the experience and know-how of the Château Chasse Spleen team, it regains its glory of 1855, when it was ranked 5th Grand Cru in the Bordeaux classification and its wines renew with the traditional quality of the castle.

La Closerie de Camensac is the second wine of Château de Camensac and it is a cuvée from the young vines which it enjoys the same careful care during the vinification as the great wine.

A wine with a captivating personality, La Closerie de Camensac offers the opportunity to taste a vintage from a Médoc classified vintage at a very affordable price.

For more info, visit Château de Camensac website.

VARIETALS
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon

VINTAGE
2016 –  Download Tasting Note

2017 –  Download Tasting Note

2018 –  Download Tasting Note

2019 –  Download Tasting Note

Lacroix-Martillac Par Latour-Martillac Pessac-Leognan AOC

2018

Lacroix-Martillac Par Latour-Martillac Pessac-Leognan AOC

Thanks to the long involvement of generations of the Kressmann family, and the recognition shown in 1953 by the classification of Graves, the wines of Château LaTour-Martillac feature among the best of Pessac-Léognan. The expansion of the range was drawn up by Tristan and Loïc Kressmann. The second wines appeared at the end of the 1980’s under the label Lagrave-Martillac, followed by the Château Langlet, a magnificent property in the Graves appellation, acquired in 1999.

Lacroix-Martillac comes from selected plots at Château LaTour-Martillac, highlighting the Merlot in the red wines blending.
With each new vintage, the Kressmann family strive to achieve in these wines the best from this true Graves terroir by prioritising a quality yield, in keeping with traditional viticulture practices.

For more info, visit Château LaTour-Martillac website.

VARIETALS
60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon

VINTAGE
2018

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Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC

2019, 2018

Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC

It was in 1981 that the Marquis Lodovico Antinori, cousin of Piero Antinori, founded the Ornellaia Estate, in the heart of the Bolgheri area, a few kilometers from the Mediterranean coast. Thus, with the first harvest of 1985, what would become an icon among the SuperTuscans was born: the “Ornellaia”. With the inauguration of the company, the world-famous enologist, Michel Rolland, begins to deal with the technical part of the cellar. Subsequently, in the 90s the other two labels were born: “Le Volte” and “Le Serre Nuove”.

Crafted from the same varieties, under the same sky, from the same philosophy: Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia is a proud second vin, which has the ability to foretell the personality of the estate’s flagship wine. Together, the two wines provide their own distinctive points of view. The pleasure of sipping Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia evolves over time, adding the charm of maturity to the vigour of youth.

“Aromatic complexity is the hallmark of this vintage, with fruits of the forest aromas, accompanied by wild rose, pink pepper and liquorice notes. Nice tannins with a savoury and crunchy finish.” – Olga Fusari – Winemaker

For more info, visit Ornellaia website.

VARIETALS
33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 17% Petit Verdot

VINTAGE
2018 (1,500ml) –  Download Tasting Note

2019 (1,500ml) –  Download Tasting Note

 

Meia Serra Jaen Dão Tinto DOC

2018

Meia Serra Jaen Dão Tinto DOC

Casa Santos Lima was created to ensure the continuous development of Santos Lima’s wine producing activity created several generations ago. This activity was first started by Joaquim Santos Lima, who, by the turn of 19th century, was already a great producer and exporter of Portuguese wines. Still a family owned company, today is present in the regions of Lisboa, Algarve, Alentejo, Vinho Verde and Douro.

The altitude vineyards, planted in this region between mountains and deep valleys in granitic soils originate wines of great character and elegance. Gained through generations during centuries, the local know-how allows the production of this wine made exclusively with the indigenous Jaen grape, which is called Mencía in the nearby Bierzo region of Spain. Delicate aromas with notes of wild fruit and dark pepper, it reveals a silky and well-balanced aftertaste. This is a great example of the fine wines from this region.

For more info, visit Casa Santos Lima website.

VARIETALS
100% Jaen

VINTAGE
2018

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Mes 5 Pépites by Bernard Magrez Bordeaux Grand Cru

2018

Mes 5 Pépites by Bernard Magrez Bordeaux Grand Cru

Mes 5 Pépites by Bernard Magrez is a unique micro-blend of barrels selected by world-famous Michel Rolland from Bernard Magrez’s five top chateaux: Pape-Clement Grand Cru Classé (Pessac-Leognan), La Tour Carnet Grand Cru Classé (Haut-Médoc), Les Grands Chênes (Médoc), Fombrauge Grand Cru Classé and Magrez Fombrauge Grand Cru Classé (Saint-Émilion).

Imagine iconic Château Pape-Clement in an innovative super blend with Chateau Magrez Fombrauge from St-Émilion. And completed with barrels rolled in from three other top chateaux at Bernard Magrez!

“My ambition for the exceptional…crafted from the blend of five jewels of our wine heritage – Château Pape Clément, La Tour Carnet, Fombrauge, Les Grands Chênes, and Magrez Fombrauge – it reflects the perfect union of five unique terroirs, where each vineyard contributes its own singularity.”Bernard Magrez

For more info, visit Bernard Magrez website.

VARIETALS
55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot

VINTAGE
2018

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Muriel Vino De Elciego Rioja Reserva DOCa

2018

Muriel Vino De Elciego Rioja Reserva DOCa

Muriel Wines was created as a family business with strong links to its place of origin. Today, it has become a large global company with an important part of its business dedicated to exports. But it remains very connected to its roots: one foot in the vineyard and the other in the rest of the world.

This Reserva from Elciego captures the essence and strength of a town in a bottle. A top selection of vineyards of 35-year-old Tempranillo, trained in bush and trellis, from Elciego (Rioja Alavesa) give the wine the unique characteristics of this area of ​​Rioja Alavesa.

For more info, visit Muriel Wines  website.

VARIETALS
100% Tempranillo

VINTAGE
2018

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Pichon Comtesse Réserve Pauillac AOC (by Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande GCC)

2018

Pichon Comtesse Réserve Pauillac AOC (by Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande GCC)

Second Grand Cru Classé from Pauillac, the magnificent Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande shines on the left bank of Bordeaux. In 2007, Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande began a new chapter in its history by joining the Rouzaud family, owners of the prestigious Louis Roederer Champagne House.

A reference among the wines of Pauillac, Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande oversees a vineyard of 114 hectares, of which 92 hectares are in production. The soils, composed of gravelly ridges on sandy-clay subsoils, benefit the vines, which are on average 28 years old. In the process of converting to organic farming, the vineyard is certified organic and 65% biodynamic.

Réserve de Pichon Comtesse is considered the Second Wine of the estate.

For more info, visit Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande website.

VARIETALS
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot

VINTAGE 
2018

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Rubinelli Vajol Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore DOC

2018

Rubinelli Vajol Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore DOC

Vajol is a is a sunny, warm, welcoming valley in the heart of the Valpolicella classica.
The cradle shape, the micro-climate that envelopes it, the ancient stones that generate and support it are the aspects that qualify the uniqueness of its vineyards, its grapes and its wine.

Emblematic expression of the typicality of the Valpolicella territory, the ripasso technique is unmatched in any other region of Italy.

For more info, visit Rubinelli Vajol website.

VARIETALS
50% Corvina, 25% Corvinone, 15% Rondinella, 5% Molinara, 5% Oseleta

VINTAGE
2018

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Tenuta Di Sesta Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG

2018

Tenuta Di Sesta Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG

Owned and run by the Ciacci family, Tenuta di Sesta is recognized as one of the historical estates in Montalcino. The Ciacci’s rely on traditional ageing in big oak barrels and renewed vineyard management based on climatic changes and in favor of the territory to obtain wines that best express the territory of Montalcino. The Brunellos in particular are marked by exotic perfumes and rich complexities.

Pure Sangiovese from a selection of the best grapes of our vineyards, uniting traditional and modern technology. Brunello has always been a great wine, certainly important and a pleasure to drink: when it is young, it is rich in scents of fruit and flowers; when it has aged, it acquires complex ethereal characteristics and offers a broad bouquet with an aroma of autumn leaves.

For more info, visit Tenuta Di Sesta website.

VARIETALS
100% Sangiovese

VINTAGE
2018

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