Xavier Vignon Ventoux Rouge is made from 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah.
Deep dark ruby color with crimson reflects, the wine offers on the nose some hints of black fruits, Provencal spices and garrigue. The mouth is ample with a great freshness yet some concentration. Medium finish with hints of red and black fruits.
The rest of the blend was aged in concrete to preserve the fruit purity.Some grapes (Grenache & Syrah) are co-fermented for more complexity. A small batch of extremely old Syrah has been aged in barrel.
Most of the time, Ventoux offers superb climatic conditions especially in the higher altitude parcels. In 2016 for instance, grapes were harvested in a perfect sanitary state. Both technological and polyphenolic ripeness were close to perfect.
Spicy Pork ribs - Satay chicken skewers - Valencian style Paella - Steamed sea eel with black soya and garlic
Review:
Dense, fruit-driven and textural red from Ventoux. Cassis, dark cherries, blackberries and dried violets on the nose. Medium to full body with fine tannins. Juicy and fruity with a velvety core of berries and spices in the finish. Drink or hold.
James Suckling 90 Points
Fortezza Fiano DOC Sannio is made from 100% Fiano - 20 years old
No oak.
Straw yellow color with light green reflections. A rich bouquet of white flowers with mineral notes, freshnesss and elegance, good acidity and good body.
Southeastern exposure with an altitude of 250-350 meters above sea level.
Planting density: 3,500 vines per hectare on average.
Training system: espalier with Guyot pruning.
Manual harvest in small crates end of September.
Winemaking in white in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature.
Pairs well with seafood, grilled tuna, white meats.
Review:
" Clean and fruity with aromas of chopped apples, sliced pears and white peaches. Medium-bodied with a juicy, simple and refreshing palate. Drink now.”
- James Suckling (August 2022), 90 pts
Fullerton Three Otters Pinot Gris is made from 100 percent Pinot Gris.
Pours a brilliant gold-straw, with warm aromatics of green apple, pear-blossom, pineapple, vanilla and baker’s spice. Flavors of bright green apple, pear, and lemon/lime acidity are tamed by sweet pie crust. This wine is ready for almost any meal, or just a relaxing afternoon in the sun.
Pairs well with any salad, poultry, cheese, pasta in a creamy sauce, or by itself as an aperitif.
ABV: 13.5%
TA: 6.4 g/L
pH: 3.31
Morande Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc is made from 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc
The grapes for this wine come from Morande's estate located in Casablanca, a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. This valley is well-known for its cool climate that allows to obtain small clusters and grapes that develop colors, aromas, and flavors that are characteristic of a slow ripening process. Of limited production, the vineyard is trellised to the vertical shoot position and grows on clayey, granitic soils of low fertility that give life to remarkable wines.
Bright straw-yellow color, delicate aromas with fresh herbs, honey and orange-blossom, combined with white fruit and citrus fruit. The palate shows complex flavors, with edgy, mineral freshness and outstanding citrusy notes of grapefruit, herbs and white peaches. It is persistent, elegant and with a structure that makes for good aging potential.
The grapes were picked by hand in 10-kilo boxes. A large percentage was whole-bunch pressed and the rest underwent a cold maceration for eight hours in the press. The must fermented mainly in French oak foudres, but a part also in cement eggs. The wine was kept in both its containers during six months before bottling.
Pair with white meat, fish and seafood, fresh cheese.
Quinta de Fafide Reserva Branco is made from 50% Codega do Larinho, 30% Rabigato, 20% Viosinho
In this wine we look for an aromatic concentration and high acidity of the grapes from the very old traditional vineyards of high altitude in Douro Superior, about 550 meters above sea level, showing the full character of the varieties of indigenous Douro old vines, giving very mineral and creamy wines. Mineral aroma, citrus and tropical fruit, fresh and full-bodied on the palate, buttery texture and complexity provided by fermentation and ageing in barrels.
Quinta de Fafide Reserva Branco is made from 50% Codega do Larinho, 30% Rabigato, 20% Viosinho
In this wine we look for an aromatic concentration and high acidity of the grapes from the very old traditional vineyards of high altitude in Douro Superior, about 550 meters above sea level, showing the full character of the varieties of indigenous Douro old vines, giving very mineral and creamy wines. Mineral aroma, citrus and tropical fruit, fresh and full-bodied on the palate, buttery texture and complexity provided by fermentation and ageing in barrels.
Trefethen Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 6% Petit Verdot .
Dark fruit aromas of plum and black cherry are integrated with savory hints of cocoa, pepper and fragrant herbs. Bright on the palate, concentrated cherry flavors are layered with softer notes of vanilla and forest floor.
This wine pairs well with fatty dishes, which will highlight its fine-grained tannins and herbal notes. Winery Chef Chris Kennedy recommends fire roasted dishes and grilled or braised red meats.
Review:
“A melange of blackberry and cherry flavours imbued with simmering menthol and aromatic anise to amplify. Expansive and generous with spicy oak tannins and a lengthy finish.”
- 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards 95 Points
Peter Michael 'L'Esprit des Pavots' Estate Red is made from 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot.
The saturated garnet 2022 ‘L’Esprit des Pavots’ features an intense nose of cassis, black cherry, ripe plum and blackberries with hints of black olive, black tea and baking spices. The soft, supple entry and round generous tannins combine for a plush mouthfeel and elegant finish. This is a fleshy vintage of ‘L’Esprit des Pavots’ which can be approached in its early years but will continue to expand with age.
Review:
“The deep ruby/magenta-colored 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon L’Esprit Des Pavots is a blend of Knights Valley and Oakville… fruity upfront… rich and concentrated… polished tannins and a great finish. A great value in the vintage.”
- Jeb Dunnuck 95 points