La Contea Serragrilli Barbaresco 2010
| Country: | Italy |
| Region: | Piemonte |
| Grape Type: | Nebbiolo |
| Winery: | La Contea di Neive |
| Organic: | Yes |
-150x300.png "Thorn Clarke William Randell Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (magnum)")
COMMENTS
Deep red in colour. The nose is lifted and expressive with lovely Christmas cake and mint characters along with black olives and tobacco leaf adding complexity. The palate is medium to full bodied with blueberry and hints of cassis as the primary fruit flavours. The palate has great poise with the vibrant fruit, spicy French oak and fine tannin structure all wonderfully balanced, and the wine finishes with great length of fruit.
VINIFICATION NOTES
The fruit was harvested at night. Fermentation was carried out in a variety of small capacity fermenters. After pressing the parcels were filled to French oak for maturation. The wine was racked after six months and the parcels were blended to form the final wine.
MATURATION
The wine was matured in a temperature controlled barrel hall for 16 months in French hogsheads (barrels).
VINTAGE NOTES
Average winter rainfall in 2009 resulted in good soil moisture in the 2010 growing season. This combined with moderate weather conditions through most of the growing season allowed for good fruit set and canopy development.
HARVESTED
March 2010
"Full crimson-purple; while quite soft overall, both in fruit and tannin terms, the wine is full-bodied and fleshy, with dark chocolate and licorice joining the blackcurrant fruit and cedary oak. 14% alc."
- James Halliday's TOP 100 over $20 (November 2012), 97 pts
"This Eden Valley wine displays classic Cabernet structure. It’s full-bodied and powerful, but never jammy or soft, like some Barossa Cabs. Vanilla accents pristine cassis fruit, which shows enormous depth. Drink 2018–2025, and very possibly beyond. -Joe Czerwinski"
- Wine Enthusiast (April 2014), 94 pts + CELLAR SELECTION
GOLD AT 2012 HOBART WINE SHOW
GOLD AT 2012 NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL WINE SHOW
GOLD AT 2012 QUEENSLAND WINE SHOW
SILVER AT 2012 ADELAIDE WINE SHOW
SILVER AT 2012 CHINA WINE AND SPIRIT AWARDS
BRONZE AT 2012 BAROSSA WINE SHOW
BRONZE AT 2012 INTERNATIONAL WINE AND SPIRIT COMPETITION
BRONZE AT 2012 MELBOURNE WINE SHOW
BRONZE AT 2012 SPEIGELAU INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION (NZ)
BRONZE AT 2013 INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE
Chateau Suau Cadillac vin doux 2010 is a blend of 60% Semillon & 40% Sauvignon ~ only the Semillon is botrytised. Sauternes style white with delicious honey, apricot, apple and pear flavors. Lovely freshness and acidity. Luscious wine.
Cambon la Pelouse Haut Medoc is produced from a careful selection of the grapes. Made from 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Limited yield: 45 hl/ha.
Aged in oak barrels for 12 months (50% new oak). Intense ruby/purple color. Delicate aromas of red fruit, liquorice, vanilla and caramel. Ripe fruit flavors, well balanced, great harmonious structure, silky tannins and a good length.
Pairs well with game and red meats, cured cheeses.
La Contea Serragrilli Barbaresco - 2010 is 100 percent Nebbiolo
Town of production: Neive
Subzone: Balluri, Marcorino, Gallina, Serragrilli
Altitude: 250 - 300 meters.
Sun exposure: Southwest, Southeast, South
Surface area: 3 hectares (7.44 acres)
Soil type: Clay and limestone
Age of the vines: 15 years
Harvest: by hand in small crate (20 kilos) in the second half of October
Vinification: in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at maximum 30° Celcius (86° Fahrenheit).
Fermentation and skin-contact maceration for 15 to 20 days with daily pump-overs and frequent delestages. (Delestage is a fermentation and maceration technique used in red winemaking from grapes that gently extracts phenolic compounds by oxygenating the juice to produce a softer, less astringent wine exhibiting more fruit character.)
Ageing: 18 months in 225-Liter French oak barrels (20% new and 80% used) followed by 6 months of bottle ageing.
Tasting notes: This wine shows nice aromas of roses or violets with flavor notes of cherry, truffles, fennel and licorice. As the wine ages, it can develop smoky notes and more earthy and gamy flavors such as leather and clove. This wine can be aged for a few years, but the tannins are already quite well integrated. Enjoy with grilled red meat dishes and cheeses.
The La Contea di Neive Estate
The wine is a living material, with an exact date of birth, an evolutionary path and an end determined by its ability to continue over the years. Each wine should be tasted at the best time of its evolution, because only then will express their optimum harmony on the type to which it belongs.
The care for the quality, love for their land and why not, by the ambition to compete with the production of wine, real engine of the agricultural economy of Alba, was born, the work of Tonino Verro, in the early 90 a small farm, with appropriate technology, also known as La Contea. Tonino's commitment also extends to the vineyards spread over the hills of the Langhe and Roero and the production decision is aimed at the quality, the lower yield of the strains has increased the structure of the wines, the concentration in color, fruity fragrances and in complexity of taste.
As the restaurant is owned by Tonino so the farm is in the hands of Claudia. Match of the few vineyards of ownership, increased by all the vineyards in the best surì acquired, we now offer a very special wines from grapes treated with natural methods and organic farming, especially with so much passion.
The La Contea di Neive Vineyard
Barbaresco became a DOC in 1966 and it has been a DOCG since 1980.
In Neive, the Nebbiolo grape is fourth in plantings behind the cultivation of Barbera, Dolcetto and Moscato but this region is known for making some of the most powerful and tannic expressions of Barbaresco. Located east of Barbaresco, Neive is responsible for 31% of Barbaresco's production and makes some of the most full bodied and tannic wines.
Tamarack Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 86% Cabernet Sauvignon • 6% Merlot • 8% Cabernet Franc
Crushed gently and dropped by gravity into 1.5 ton bins, cold soaked for 24 to 72 hours, then inoculated with a variety of yeasts, hand-punched and pressed directly to barrel where the wine finishes both primary and secondary fermentations. The individual lots of wine that compose the Cabernet Sauvignon are kept separate for at least one year before they are blended.
A warm summer led to an early start to harvest, followed by a stretch of lower than average temperatures in late September that slowed ripening so grapes hung longer without sugars skyrocketing, providing balance, more flavor development and concentration. A long but successful harvest!
Full bodied with black currant jam, honey glazed dates and black peppered seasoned T-bone steak aromas intertwined with piercing boysenberry, rosemary rack of lamb, balsamic, blue cheese, bacon wrapped figs and intriguing tannins extended out over an intricate and balanced finish.
Broad and generous, with expressive black cherry, plum, smoke and pepper flavors on a sleek structure, a light veil of tannins wrapping up the long finish. Drink now through 2023. 2,500 cases made. - Wine Spectator 92 Points
Still seeming to need time to open up and stretch its legs, this wine offers high-toned aromas of graphite, caramel, vanilla and plum. It's full and plush in feel with tart fruit flavors and a finish that glides. - Wine Enthusiast 92 Points & Editors' Choice
Mas des Capitelles Faugeres Vieilles Vignes is made from 50% Mourvedre, 25% Carignan and 25% Syrah
Deep inky color in the glass. Aromas of raspberry, cherry and hints of vanilla round out the nose. Medium to full-bodied and very well structured with ripe chewy tannins. Flavors of peppery humus, cherry and hints of leather flow towards a lengthy & spicy finish.
Dark in the glass. A powerful nose of blackberry evokes the garrigue and spices aromas. Rounded with a silky texture. Ripe and extracted, with soft vanilla nuances are carried by a good length. A good combination of power, elegance and finesse.
Alain Jaume Domaine du Clos de Sixte Lirac is made from 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre
An intense red garnet color. On the nose, aromas of red and black ripe fruit (kirsch and wild blackberry). The mouth is full, with aromas of blackcurrant liqueur and spice. Tannins are both harmonious and elegant thanks to the fleshiness of the wine. Hints of licorice and vanilla on the finish, which gives the wine length and complexity.
Soil type LIRAC vineyard is facing Chateauneuf du Pape, opposite side of the Rhône river. As showed by the picture and following geologist George Truc, soils are almost similar in both side. They are marked by the violence wrought by the Rhone river. It consists of a layer of marine molasses of the Miocene period covered by alpine alluvium. The presence of a great number of rounded stones known as "galets" in the earth is evidence of the time when the Rhone, then a torrent, tore fragments of rock from the Alps and deposited them on the plain. LIRAC is one of the up-coming best area from the southern Rhône valley, as it delivers outstanding wines. Winemaking & ageing Traditional wine-making in stainless still vats. Hand sorted bunches, crushed and destemmed grapes. Fermentation temperature : 30°C. 18 days of vatting with pigeages.
Review:
"The 2015 Lirac Clos de Sixte comes from an appellation that shares a similar terroir with Chateauneuf du Pape, yet is located just across the river, on the western side of the Rhone. It’s a serious, large scaled, voluptuous effort that that has lots of ripe tannin, a bid mid-palate and copious amounts of blackberries, black cherries, scorched earth, licorice and roasted herbs. One of the bigger boned and concentrated reds in the lineup, it will have a decade of longevity. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue 227, October 28th 2016), 91-93 pts
Poggio Nardone Brunello di Montalcino is made from 100 percent Sangiovese Grosso.
The rich nose displays scents of spices combined with aromas of small red ripe fruits, blackberry and blueberry.
Well structured, determined and elegant, with round and silky tannins. Very nice finish.
Review:
"This lively red exhibits cherry, strawberry, eucalyptus, tobacco and mineral flavors. The firm tannins work in tandem with the bright acidity, leaving a long, refreshing finish that echoes the fruit, earth and savory elements. Best from 2018 through 2028. 3,800 cases made. — B.S."
- Wine Spectator's Advance (June 15th 2016), 93 points
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Mullineux Swartland Syrah is 100 percent Syrah
Winemaking:
Hand picked grapes are cooled in our cold room, where after they are crushed and destemmed to tank, and between 20 to 50% whole bunches are added. 25ppm SO2 is added, and as with all our wines, no other additions are made. The must is initially pigeaged once a day. After about 4 days, fermentation begins with indigenous yeasts, and the wine is pigeaged once or twice a day, depending on extract and tannin development. Temperatures are not allowed to exceed 30 degrees centigrade. Fermentation lasts from 7 to 10 days, and after fermentation, two to four weeks (also depending on tannin development) skin contact is given. The wine is then drained and pressed to barrel for malolactic fermentation and maturation. The different parcels are racked in Spring to blend the wine, which is then returned to barrel and bottled unfiltered and unfined after 11 months in barrel. Please decant (or give time!) when drunk young.
Maturation:
11 months, French oak 225L & 500L barrels, and 2000L Foudre. 15% new wood in total.
Tasting Note:
Black pepper, crushed ripe berry, and tobacco aromas linger on the nose. This juice is every bit of full-bodied on the palate. Well integrated tannin gives the wine a silky texture. Flavors of blackberry, herb, and spice layer throughout and into the long silky finish. This is a big wine that can take on another 10+ years of age and will need some serious decanting if consumed early. 30 minutes of decanting will allow the wine to open beautifully.
Review:
Swartland (13.5%) Seven different vineyards on a combination of granite, schist and iron soils make up the blend of this brilliant, textbook Syrah. Running to 35,000 bottles, it has a touch of new oak, wonderful fragrance and perfume, some whole bunch grip and a smoky, brambly mid palate. 2017-23 - Tim Atkins 94 Points
"The 2015 Syrah includes two additional vineyards on granite soils after the 2015, whilst the whole bunch component is back up to 60%. It has a clean and precise bouquet with floral-tinged red berry fruit (red cherry and wild strawberry), nicely focused and developing more intensity with aeration. The palate is very well balanced with crisp acidity, fine structure, much more detail than the 2014 and I think that is down to the higher whole bunch proportion, the sense of energy flowing through on the long finish. Compared to the 2014 Syrah, I much prefer this: more freshness and complexity. - Neal Martin"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #230, April 2017), 93 pts
Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia Rioja is made from 85% Tempranillo and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Aged for 20 months in new oak barrels - 50% French 50% American.
45 years old vines
Alcohol: 14,5º
Total acidity: 5,73 g./l.
Volatile acidity: 0,73 g./l.
PH: 3,53
Free SO2: 28 mg./l.
Reducing sugars: 1,3 g./l.
The “family reserve” from one of Rioja Alavesa’s most enduring family-run wineries. Wines destined to be the Reserva de la Familia label are made from a selection of grapes from old vines, those which combine a series of characteristics such as good orientation and exposure to the sun, and a poor soil which ensures low yields.
This wine is one of very few Rioja wines to blend Cabernet Sauvignon with Tempranillo. Bodegas Luis Cañas was granted permission by the D.O.Ca. to plant this variety as an experiment in the early 1980s.
Tasting notes
A brillant garnet color with cherry hints on the edges.
The nose offers a complex variety of aromas that combine to bring an intense and sophisticated wine. Initially we can find very ripe berry fruits, smoky notes, raisins and liquor. After a certain amount of aeration, the cinnamon and jam notes appear and, with a little more time, the roasted and spiced aromas are noticed more clearly.
The palate is full, with a good presence of tannins, although these are offset by the glycerine like character, resulting in a fleshy sensation. Long lasting and lingering finish.
Winemaking and aging:
The grapes were cold macerated for 72 hours upon arrival at the winery. They underwent fermentation at 26º C in sealed cement tanks under constant thermal control, with the must pumped over daily. With the paste devatted by gravity, spontaneous malolactic fermentation took place after 45 days.
The wine was aged for 20 months in 50% medium toasted American and 50% French oak barrels. The barrel ageing not only adds tannins from the wood, but stabilizes the wine naturally. After the final racking, it was clarified in tanks with a small amount of natural egg white, decanted after 30 days and bottled directly without any type of filtration. Because this wine’s evolutionary cycle is quite slow, only corks of the highest quality available were used to ensure that it could be prolonged for several years.
Reviews:
"The 2012 Reserva Selección de la Familia is Tempranillo with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes it different from the majority of reds from Rioja. It matured 50/50 in French and American oak barrels for 20 months. It's slightly more international than the rest of the bottlings, the Cabernet adding some weight. There are notes of toasted sesame seeds and a touch from the French oak. It's clearly different, so it's a matter of preference which one you like best. 125,250 bottles produced. - Luis Gutierrez"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #235, February 2018), 91 pts
