Domaine Virely-Arcelain ‘Les Arvelets’ Pommard 1er Cru 1991, Côte de Baune, Burgundy- France
About– The modest and small sized village of Pommard takes its name from "Pomone" goddess of fruits and gardens. The Domaine has 14 plots, most of which are in Pommard, 100% family owned, ranging from 15 to 112 acres, producing a wide array of richly flavoured wines.
Blend/Grape Varietal– 100% Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes– Very complex with a glimpse of remaining fruit.
Domaine Peyre Rose Clos des Cistes 2003 Coteaux du Languedoc- France
About– One of the Languedoc’s brightest stars is Domaine Peyre Rose. The wines have been rightly lauded all over the world by critics, sommeliers and collectors alike.
Blend/Grape Varietal– 85% Shiraz, 15% Grenache
Tasting Notes– A big mouthful of a wine, the 2003 Languedoc Clos de Cistes shows the warmth of the vintage with its exuberant, fruit loaded personality. Currants, roasted meats, plum, licorice and underbrush all give way to a full-bodied, hedonistic and sexy Languedoc that has a stacked mid-palate, no hard edges and a clean finish.
Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Stags Leap District, Napa Valley- USA
About– The Chimney Rock Estate focuses on intelligent and sustainable farming and grape growing. The mission and vision of Chimney Rock is to produce wines of exceptional quality that are capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with the great and important wines of the world. Solar power provides 100% of their electricity requirement and they have been recycling vineyard water for over ten years.
Blend/Grape Varietal– 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot
Tasting Notes– This hand-crafted Cabernet Sauvignon from our estate vineyards displays the promise of the Stags Leap District terroir. Finely structured with supple tannins that make this wine approachable upon release, this elegant wine can also be enjoyed following years in the cellar. A silky red with plum, blackcurrant and subtle chocolate aromas and flavors. Full body and a dense center palate, yet this remains refined and beautiful.
Château Grand Puy Lacoste 2007, Pauillac, Bordeaux – France
About– The Borie family has owned the property since 1978. François-Xavier Borie has restored it to greatness and preserved its spirit. Grand-Puy-Lacoste does not belong to a large corporation; it remains family-owned. Jean- Eugène Borie, who loved the Médoc and its vines, bought the property in 1978. He entrusted it to his eldest son, François-Xavier, who gradually renovated the château and its winemaking facilities. Today, his eldest daughter, Emeline, works at his side.
Blend/Grape Varietal– 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot
Tasting Notes– The 2007 Grand-Puy-Lacoste has a bright ruby red colour. On the nose, this wine presents a wonderful aromatic complexity with a touch of black berries and cherry aromas trimmed with spices, vanilla and liquorice. On the palate, this velvety, well concentrated wine shows a nice fruit extract. It is a very charming wine with silky tannins and beautiful harmony.
Avignonesi Grifi Toscana IGT 2013, Tuscany- Italy
About- The Avignonesi winery is located near Montepulciano in Tuscany. Avignonesi look to make terroir-driven wines to showcase the unique characteristics of their vineyards in their wines. Both organic and biodynamic the winery is considered to be among Tuscany’s flagship producers.
Blend/Grape Varietal– 57% Sangiovese, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes– Bright ruby red colour with aromas of ripe, red berry fruits, sweet cherries and undergrowth with underlying scents of eucalyptus and nutmeg, intertwined with subtle hints of dark chocolate. The flavour is round and full-bodied, with a tightly woven structure and an inviting, fruity core, leading to a long-lingering, balsamic finish. Grifi 2013 is a wine perfect for long ageing in the bottle.
Avignonesi Grifi Toscana IGT 2012, Tuscany- Italy
About- The Avignonesi winery is located near Montepulciano in Tuscany. Avignonesi look to make terroir-driven wines to showcase the unique characteristics of their vineyards in their wines. Both organic and biodynamic the winery is considered to be among Tuscany’s flagship producers.
Blend/Grape Varietal– 50 % Sangiovese, 50 % Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes– The hot and dry 2012 vintage favoured the production of an intensely coloured, full-bodied Grifi. Ripe aromas of red and black berry fruit find depth in scents of sweet spices, toasted wood and Mediterranean undergrowth. The flavour is warm, dense and austere with lots of crunchy tannins, distinctive of a great vintage. The finish is long, warm and savoury, with a light, balsamic touch.
Les Charmes de Grand Corbin 2011 Saint Èmilion, Bordeaux – France (2nd wine of Château Corbin)
About– The Corbin name is associated with six estates as a result of the division of the ancient, feudal vineyard in north-western Saint-Emilion, bordering Pomerol. Two of these, Château Haut Corbin and Château Grand Corbin, reunited on New Year’s Eve in 2010, making the 2011 vintage the debut of the new estate.
Blend/Grape Varietal– 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5 % Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes– The wine displays a deep and pronounced colour, showing raspberry and blueberry aromas. The attack is soft and flavourful, the tannins smooth, and the overall impression is of a clean and fruity wine with supple elegance.
Pampas del sur Chardonnay Chenin Blanc 2016, Mendoza, Argentina: Aromatic, honey-melon scented Chenin Blanc, meshed with steely unoaked Chardonnay. Delicious notes of citric fruits and peach with an oral background. A solid mineral acidity combined with a sweet and fresh sensation.
Freixenet Cordon Negro D.O. Cava Brut NV, Penedes, Spain: The palate is refreshing, the sparkle balanced, with green apple and juicy citrus fruits. Light, yet with a long & elegant finish.
Zonin Pinot Grigio Friuli Aquileia DOC 2016, Friuli, Italy: Fruity, relatively full and unusually fine. Soft, fresh and light tending towards a dry style.