Decanter Magazine (DM)

Situated in Radda in Chianti, the heart of the Chianti Classico DOCG appellation, where grape cultivation has a legacy dating back to the time of the Etruscans. In the 15th century, the Acciaiuoli family commissioned Castello d'Albola to plant the highest vineyard in Chianti Classico because it was perceived as a symbol of status. Over the centuries, many noble Tuscan families have owned the property and the estate has earned many accolades for its wines. In 1979, the Zonin family acquired...

Notes:The vineyard for Chateau Carbonnieux's white wine is situated on clay-limestone slopes which support the region's famous Garonnaise gravel. These rare and respected terroirs produce exceptional white wines whose superior character has been recognized for centuries. When young, Carbonnieux's white wine charms with its freshness, its purity and its fruity, floral aromatic intensity. When mature, it develops notes of dried and preserved fruit which offer numerous opportunities for...

THE VINTAGE:The 2016 vintage in the Southern Rhone valley is exceptional, both in terms of quality and quantity, thanks to idyllic weather conditions that protected the region from climatic accidents throughout the whole year. DESCRIPTION: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...

Vintage: The 2015 vintage was a wonderfully classic year for Napa Valley wines. A dry winter, followed by warm spring temperatures, led to an early bud break that set the stage for one of the earliest harvests on record. Crop levels were lower than average due to dry conditions and a cool weather spell during flowering. The dry soils led to low vigor vines and small berries, creating very concentrated fruit. With lovely summer weather, it was our earliest harvest on record and the red wines we...

2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley: Named after the one hundred fifty year old ‘cross barn’ located on the Hobbs family farm in upstate New York, CrossBarn honors the values of hard work and integrity instilled in Paul from his childhood. With a commitment to sustainably nurturing the vineyards, while pushing the boundaries of traditional winemaking, CrossBarn wines offer a pure and youthful expression of fruit blended from diverse vineyards within California’s finest appellations. Produced...

White-yellow colour and aromas that remind of tropical fruits and scented botanicals. In the mouth appers with a well balanced acidity. Can be cellared for an additional 2 years. - WineryVarietal: 100% Aidani

Crystal-clear yellow colour, distinctively flavoured with citrus overtones. The relatively high acidity of Asyrtico gives it a crisp freshness, while the vineyard's extremely low performance offers body, structure and substance. - Winery

Bodega Flechas de Los Andes is a result of the partnership between Baron Benjamin de Rothchild and Mr. Laurent Dassault, on a unique terroir situated at the foot of the Andes cordillera, to the south of Mendoza. The Malbec grape variety reigns in this alluvial terroir of the Andes. The finest plots of the Flechas de Los Andes vineyards have been selected to offer you a wine that is the expression of a pure, top of the range Argentinean Malbec. - Winery ...

About the Wine:The 2015 certainly fills all of the requirements of succeeding in the lineage of our first three Estate Grown Cabernets but it does it with a little twist. We often look to Cabernet franc in the blend to add lift and vibrancy and this year is no different. But, vintage 2015 suggested the need for a softening of the edges and a little more suppleness. Would a little Merlot from the Rossi blocks help? After many trial blends we liked the results and 13% of our Merlot made the...

Description:Having created two very different wines made from the world class Agiorgitiko grape variety our NOTIOS RED – a wine designed best enjoyed in its youth – and GAIA ESTATE – our made to last flagship we have now added : AGIORGITIKO by GAIA.This wine was the missing link of that admirable chain called Agiorgitiko The exceptional 2000 vintage produced high quality grapes harvested from hillside vineyards in NEMEA. The wine was aged in French oak casks.A structured wine, showing the...

Winemaker’s Tasting Notes:A wine with elegance, refinement and plenty of verve. Its perfume of blackberries and black cherries mingles with a backdrop of subtle oak notes. The palate has a velvety richness that coats the mouth in concentrated flavors of blackberries and cassis, laced with fine tannins from seamlessly integrated, new French oak. Enticing flavors of chocolate and violets linger in the long finish. Enjoy now or cellar through 2033. Decant for 45 minutes to elevate aromas and...

Wine Description:A world class Blend in the Bordeaux tradition. The Earth offers is up and we respect the gift. Winter 2014 was considered as rainy in Apalta, with higher temperatures compared to the previous season, moving from a minimum of 4,5°C to 14,7°C maximum. This translate into 0.5°C more than the 2014 period. Spring 2014 had moderate temperatures allowing good bud break and blooming, been both very homogeneous. Summer was more temperate than usual, with some heat waves that lasted for...

BACKGROUND:Icon is the flagship of Nobilo Wines, one of New Zealand’s pioneer estates, established by the Nobilo family in 1943.From Five Special Vineyards:We sourced the fruit for this wine from some of Nobilo’s finest Sauvignon Blanc vineyards located throughout the Marlborough growing region.Pickering – Central WairauJones – RapauraTrueman – Upper WairauHay – WaihopaiCastle Cliffs – AwatereThe Awatere vineyards provide flinty minerality and herbal notes, while our Wairau vineyards produce a...

In 1844, Christopher Rawson Penfold planted vines on the slopes of Magill to produce fortified wines. Now the historic bluestone cellars are home to a tradition of fortified winemaking dating back over 150 years. In 1915, an oak cask containing a blend of the finest tawnies was set aside for the exclusive use of the Penfold family. This became known as 'The Grandfather' due to the great age of the oldest tawnies in the blend. Penfolds Grandfather Rare Tawny, a blend of the finest old tawnies...

VINTAGE CONDITIONS: The 2016 Barossa Valley harvest was outstanding, for both yield and quality. Autumn and winter were dry and cool with the Barossa Valley 100mm down on the long-term average winter rainfall. Record low rainfall and much warmer weather prevailed through September to December. The vines were given some relief in January and February when cooler conditions were recorded. The relatively mild ‘Indian summer’, characterised by an absence of extreme heat, ensured the fruit was able...

Notes:Quintessa, like all classic wines of the world, bears the same name as the vineyard from which it is made. Our goal is to produce the best expression of this extraordinary vineyard each year. In broad terms, Quintessa is a red meritage wine. Each year, it is a blend that can include some or all of the five varietals grown on the estate: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenere. The vineyard's diversity provides us wide stylistic options for the wine. Fruit...

Vibrant magenta in colour. Pretty aromas of ripe strawberry and blackberry are embellished with floral, milk chocolate and black pepper nuances. Dark berry and rich, earthy flavours combine with silky tannins to coat the tongue and linger with hints of savoury oak. A medium – full bodied wine that is enticing and seductive in its youth. - Winery

TASTING NOTES:Color: Ruby red with violet huesAroma: Intense and intriguing on the nose. Notes of ripe cherries, plums, and blackberries typical of Sangiovese fade into hints of sweet tobacco, mint, and spices imparted by the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.Tasting profile: Full bodied with a modern style, this wine is rich with silky tannins and a long finish of vanilla and red berry. The mouthfeel is pleasant and fresh as Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot weave together with finesse,...

Winemaker's Notes:Deep ruby red color. Intense and persistent with the typical notes of sweet violet and wild red berries. An austere, full-bodied wine, with succulent tannins and fresh acidity. Enriched with an aromatic complexity that originates from a delicate dosing of wood.Pair with: grilled meats, roast pigeon, and rare carved beef.

WINEMAKER’S NOTES:This 100% Pinot Noir cuvee reflects the cool microclimate of the Sonoma Coast AVA, selected from vineyards in the western portion of Carneros, the Petaluma Gap and Russian River Valley. The cool windy climate and low yield of these vineyards allow Pinot Noir grapes to mature slowly while retaining their natural acidity, with bright flavors of red cherries, raspberries and spice. We showcase the elegant side of Pinot Noir by aging in large neutral oak casks and older French...

Notes:Our Estate Cabernet Sauvignon can be called Padrone’s favorite son. It inherited Padrone’s intense varietal aromas and concentrated flavor. Yet, because the grapes are sourced from several of our younger less rocky parcels with a variety of exposures, clones and soil types, it enjoys a softer tannin structure. This wine boasts full flavors that are intended to be enjoyed over the next 20 years.WINEMAKING NOTES: Our fruit is triple sorted before de-stemming, then fermented at 90 degrees...

Production Area:Various vineyards located in the municipality of Montalcino with north-west/south¬east exposure at approximately 350 m a.s.1.Wine-making and Aging:Fermentation and maceration for at least 20 days, based on the lot, at a controlled temperature of <30°C. Maturation for 12 months In new and used French oak barriques (Allier), followed by 12 months in large oak barrels from Slavonia. Then bottle aged for at least six monthsSensory Characteristics:Intense ruby red COlour with...

THE SIGNATORY - CHRIS GREENING:It is with great pleasure we release our 56th Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz – a superb 2014 vintage that honours Chris Greening. We raise a glass of this wine to celebrate Chris's years of service, commencing in 1989 as Sales Manager, S Smith & Son, Adelaide. Chris rose to State Manager, South Australia & NT in 1998, in 2016 this was coupled with managing Western Australia, before retiring in 2017.Terroir & Site:The majority of the Cabernet...