La Spinona Sori Gepin Barolo 2015

La Spinona Cru Bergera Barolo is made from 100 percent  100% Nebbiolo Lampia 

The Beruttis bought 4 hectares in 1994 in the then relatively unknown zone of Novello which lies on the confines of Monforte and Barolo. A Sorì is an entirely south-facing vineyard. This Sori lies at 230 meters. It is named for the great grandfather that started the Barbaresco vineyards. The vines are an average of 40 years old. Bergera comes from the mid part of the vineyard and is dedicated to Pietro's grandfather who started the estate.

Brilliant deep ruby red with garnet reflections.  Rich fruity bouquet with hints of cherries, violets liquorice and mint.  Good structure with full, cherry-ripe flavors. The tannins are gentle and the spice subtle. It is an elegant wine of great finesse and drinkability.  Excellent with wild game, roast, braised or stewed red meats, truffle dishes and aged cheeses.

Review:

"This is a dense, serious red with dried-strawberry, orange-peel and walnut character on the nose and palate. Full body and firm, chewy tannins that are polished and refined at the same time. This needs time to soften, but I like the sleek, linear path in the center palate. Drink after 2023."

- James Suckling (August 2020), 94 pts

Gaja Barolo Conteisa is made from 100 percent Nebbiolo.

Piedmontese for "quarrel," this wine was named for the historic dispute between the communes of La Morra and Barolo for possession of the Cerequio land. This garnet-colored wine features expressive floral notes and an aroma of red berries, plum, licorice and spice. The sumptuous texture and refined character offer perfectly integrated tannins and an elegant finish.

STYLE: Full-bodied, Rich, Balanced

FLAVOR: Floral, Red Berries, Plums, Licorice, Spice

Reviews:

The 2015 Barolo Conteisa is a heady, exotic wine, and also one of the most complete, alluring Conteisas I have ever tasted. Conteisa is usually a wine of grace and understatement. The 2015, on the other hand, is a bold, sweeping Barolo that saturates the palate with stunning depth and volume. Even with all of its intensity, the 2015 remains vibrant. This is such a complete, harmonious wine. -- Antonio Galloni 97 Points

A big, beefy Barolo, the 2015 Barolo Conteisa comes from a site near La Morral and was first made in 1996. It takes plenty of air to come together but offers a complex bouquet of bright cherry and currant fruit interwoven with classic licorice, tar, sappy flowers, and even hints of iron. It shows a touch more minerality with time in the glass, but this is classic, full-bodied, powerful Nebbiolo with plenty of ripe tannins, a stacked mid-palate, and a blockbuster finish. Give this structured, tight 2015 upwards of a decade of cellaring, and it's going to keep for 30 years or more. - Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points

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.

Review:

"From an estate right on the border of Margaux, the 2015 Cambon la Pelouse checks in as 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, all brought up in 35% new barrels. It has beautiful complexity in its spicy oak, cedarwood, and black raspberry and currant aromas and flavors. These all carry to a medium-bodied red that has a seamless, ultra-fine texture, good concentration, and a great finish. It’s a beautiful, incredibly high-quality wine that’s already drinking brilliantly, yet I suspect it will shine for another decade."
- Jeb Dunnuck (March 2019), 91 pts

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.

Review:

"From an estate right on the border of Margaux, the 2015 Cambon la Pelouse checks in as 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, all brought up in 35% new barrels. It has beautiful complexity in its spicy oak, cedarwood, and black raspberry and currant aromas and flavors. These all carry to a medium-bodied red that has a seamless, ultra-fine texture, good concentration, and a great finish. It’s a beautiful, incredibly high-quality wine that’s already drinking brilliantly, yet I suspect it will shine for another decade."
- Jeb Dunnuck (March 2019), 91 pts

Eden de Lapeyronie Cotes de Francs 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc.

Attractive nose of cherry and raspberry. On the palate, blackberry and cassis fruit flavors dominate, with hints of vanilla and firm tannins.

Drink with steak, hamburgers, grilled chicken, or soft cheeses.

Review:

"Largely Cabernet Sauvignon (there’s 40% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc), the 2015 Eden de Lapeyronie Cotes de Francs is an incredibly promising 2015 that has a medium-bodied, concentrated, slightly angular and tannic profile that’s going to benefit from another year or two in bottle. With outstanding notes of dark fruits, some rocky minerality, and subtle background oak, it’s well worth seeking out and should have over a decade or longevity."
- Jeb Dunnuck (March 27th 2019), 90+ pts

Hansen-Lauer Bernkasteler Graben Riesling Spätlese was grown on grey devonian slate and comes from a vineyard overlooking the picturesque town of Bernkastel-Kues located in a bend of the Middle Mosel. The wine shows everything that makes a classic Mosel Riesling, minerality, acidity and fruit nicely balanced.
The ageing potential of this wine is 15 years.

The grapes were hand-picked at the end of October. The fermentation took two months at low temperatures to preserve some residual sugar. The young wine was left sitting on the fine lees for another three months afterwards giving a rounder balance. 

Bottling occured seven months after harvest.

This is a full-grown wine which doesn't need any accompanying dish, but if you are looking for one try to pair it with Roquefort cheese (blue cheese), foie gras or desert like fruit cake.

Review:

"A step up, the 2015 Bernkasteler Graben Riesling Spätlese offer more complexity in its sugared peach, honeyed minerality, and subtle petrol aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, beautifully balanced, with bright acidity, it’s a winner as well as about as easy-drinking as it gets.”
- Jeb Dunnuck (March 27th 2019), 90 pts