Decanter Magazine (DM)

VINEYARDS: A classic blend of mountain and valley fruit yields both structure and richness. The tufa-rich Bancroft Ranch and volcanic Steinhauer Ranch vineyards atop Howell Mountain provide the foundation (62%) for the 2015 blend. A significant portion also comes from the iron-rich Home and Chabot vineyards (28%) in the St. Helena AVA. Spring Mountain’s Marston Ranch and Mt. Veeder’s Derr Family vineyards (10%) round out the final blend. Harvest occurred between September 10th and October...

Description: Grown on sunny slopes and harvested at the peak of ripeness, Syrah and Grenache grapes give the wine its deep ruby color. Extraordinary care during extraction accounts for its unctuous quality and rich mix of sunbaked black fruits. Astute élevage (aging, fining, filtering, and blending) yields a round wine with soft ripe tannins and long finishes. Estate: The Les Dauphins brand is inspired by the early 1920s, a time when Paris was enjoying a glorious period of post-war decadence...

Vintage Report: “An atypical and outstanding vintage!” – Fabrice Darmaillacq, Technical Directo 2016 was a year of contrasts at Chateau Clarke, with extreme weather conditions (a very rainy winter and an extremely dry summer), the major threat from fungal diseases and, above all, an Indian summer beyond our wildest dreams that produced exceptional fruit suitable for making great wine. Vinification: Fermentation: The grapes are put into vats via gravity flow, followed by cold soaking and...

The wine: Château de Beaucastel has long been regarded as one of the greatest wines in France. It is notorious for its elegance, balance and ageing potential. Beaucastel has an exceptional terroir at the Northern limit of Châteauneuf du Pape, exposed to the Mistral wind. All thirteen varieties of the appellation have been organically grown since the sixties. The vintage: The years in 9 regularly mark the memory of winegrowers and this vintage was no exception. After an early bud burst in early...

Grape varieties: 75% Merlot 24% Cabernet-Franc 1% Cabernet-Sauvignon Average age of the vines: 38 years old Terroir: Siliceous-clay over iron deposits and ancient sands over clay Number of vines planted: Between 6 000 and 8 000 / hectare Vine growing methods: ploughing or a grass cover crop without any use of weedkillers. From 1996 the vines were grown according to integrated and sustainable farming principles (with AFAQAFNOR certification since 2005) as part of a sustainable economy approach...

Notes: Château La Serre has an exceptional position in the very heart of Saint-Emilion, six hundred feet from the town ramparts of this magical UNESCO protected area, on outstanding limestone soils with a due south exposure. The history of the property dates to the 15th century, with the residence constructed at the end of the 17th century by a prominent local family. Arnaud d’Arfeuille’s grandfather purchased the property in 1956, and his father Luc in particular worked on renovating the...

ABOUT THE WINE: When you combine legendary terroir, meticulously cared-for vines, a perfect vintage and an ideal, smooth harvest, you have all the makings of a remarkable wine. Our 2018 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon is a remarkable wine. It is tempting to write of its delicious black fruit, its complex notes of minerals and dried herbs, and its silky balance on the palate—but for us, the wine simply tastes like our home, Rutherford. Years of effort with organic viticulture, dry farming and...

Product information:Perched at 1,312 feet, Bricco delle Viole overlooks the rolling landscape of Barolo. The altitude and the white calcareous marl soils force the vines to struggle – this in combination with the long growing season, produces wines of complexity and elegance. Fruit harvested from the oldest vines in the parcel was fermented for 30-40 days before aging in large Slavonian oak casks for 42-48 months.Elegant and subtle notes of orange, violet and dark berries precede a richly...

2019 SAUVIGNON BLANC RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY: The Russian River Valley is an ideal spot to grow Sauvignon Blanc. Warm days and cool nights allow the grapes to hold onto their natural acidity. While 2019 was our last wet growing season, with three “atmospheric rivers” in May, it did not affect the Sauvignon Blanc flowering or set. It did produce very vigorous vine growth, which led us to be proactive with our canopy management in order to get the ripe tropical flavors we aim for in our Sauvignon...

WINEMAKER’S TASTING NOTES: With its usual deep ruby-red colour, Ornellaia 2018 features a lively and intense aromatic expression, a distinctive mark of the vintage. Red fruits, citrus notes, hints of liquorice and Mediterranean scrub combine to form its profile. With the first taste it is enveloping and all its components well-balanced: the tannins, both dense and silky in texture, fill the palate with elegance and precision. The finish is lifted by a distinct tangy vein that enhances the...

ESTATE: Today, Luce goes so much further than was originally envisioned when started as a project over 20 years ago. The estate now has some of the most exceptional vineyards in Montalcino and, as of 2018, a state of the art winery to nurture every step of the winemaking process. The original vision, however, remains the same: to produce a bold and ambitious Super Tuscan that reflects the culture of Montalcino. WINE: Luce is a singular and irresistible expression of Montalcino, a Super Tuscan...

TASTING NOTES:Intense, concentrated and deep ruby-colored, this wine offers elegant, complex aromas of red fruit. In the mouth it is rich and dense, yet harmonious, with sweet, balanced tannins. The wine has a long finish with a depth and structure that ensure its extraordinary longevity.REGION: Italy / Tuscany / BolgheriSassicaia means “the place of many stones,” and refers to the region’s gravel soil. The original vineyards have a southwest exposure with extensive sun and maritime breezes...