Ottella Lugana DOC Le Creete 2018

Dark ruby color. Aromas of cherry, currant, vanilla bean and hint of tar. Full-bodied, with flavors of cherries, cocoa powder and oak. A touch of sweetness on entry with a little bit of air with soft tannins that are starting to integrate well.

The latest step in the project is Vinsacro (formerly Valsacro) Dioro. The earlier Valsacros were made from a field selection of the older vineyards. Now, thanks to the new facility Amador has been able to build an upmarket version of Vinsacro (formerly Valsacro) with a four-stage selection process that includes an initial field selection of the fruit followed by a second table selection as the grapes come into the winery. After fermentation wine from selected tanks is transferred to new French oak barrels for 12-14 months of barrel age. Finally, the best barrels are set aside for Dioro and the remainder used to "upgrade" the normal Vinsacro.

Vinsacro Dioro is a blend of grapes from 100+ year old "vidau" vineyards where many varieties were planted together in the same plot.

Today the grapes are harvested and vinified separately. The final blend depends on the vintage but typically it's Tempranillo (50%), Garnacha (20%) and remaining 30% is a mix of mainly Graciano (10%) & Mazuelo (10%) with a little of Monastrell (5%) & Bobal (5%).

Review:

"The top of the range is the 2015 Vinsacro Dioro, a wine that is only produced in excellent vintages. It's a blend of 40% Vidau (the old field blend) plus 45% Tempranillo and 15% Mazuelo, from a slope in the south of the Monte Yerga called Cuesta la Reina, from a big, 120-hectare plot that has been with the Escudero family for generations. It fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel with a long maceration. It matured in new French (70%) and American oak barrels for 18 months. It's still very young and a little shy, with a reticent nose where the lactic and spicy aromas are intermixed with earthy and dark fruit aromas. The palate is full-bodied but perfectly balanced, compact, powerful and serious, with abundant tannins, extract and clout. This should develop nicely in bottle, given its stuffing and balance. An excellent, modern version of a classical Rioja. 20,000 bottles were filled in June 2017. - Luis Gutierrez"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #235, February 2018), 92 pts

"(sourced from a 100+ year old plot of mixed varieties; aged in new and used French oak barrels for 14 months) Deep, bright-rimmed ruby. Ripe black and blue fruits on the expansive, spice- and smoke-accented nose, along with suggestions of vanilla, candied flowers and cola. The oak qualities recede quickly on the palate, which displays sappy, deeply concentrated boysenberry, black raspberry and spicecake flavors that show a suave blend of richness and energy. Supple tannins build steadily on the penetrating finish, which leaves cherry-cola and baking spice notes behind. - Josh Raynolds"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (February 2019), 93 pts

"I loved the 2015 Vinsacro Dioro Rioja, and this beauty is 50% Tempranillo, 20% Grenache, 10% each of Mazuelo and Graciano, and the balance Mourvèdre and Bobal, all of which spent 12-14 months in French oak. It boasts a deep ruby/purple color as well as smoking good notes of black currants, dried herbs, licorice, and background oak. Medium to full-bodied, seamless, and layered on the palate, with terrific fruit and impeccable balance, I suspect it will shine for over a decade."

- Jeb Dunnuck (March 2019), 93 pts

Mordoree Tavel Rose Reine des Bois is made from 60% Grenache, 15% Clairette, 10% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 5% Bourboulenc.

Nose: Steady rose, brilliant and cristal clear.
Aromas : very complex : from flowers, white fruits and red fruits (strawberries, pomegranate, rapsberry). Slightly mentho-lated
Palate : fresh, classy, elegant, very long.
Aging capacity : 8 to 10 years.

This wine comes from a parcel planted on a pebbled soil covered with stones, whose geology is typical of the grands crus from the Rhone Valley (a base made of marine molasse from the Miocene period covered with an alpine diluvium from the Villafranchian period). 100 % destemming, cold maceration during 48 h., pneumatic pressing, fermentation at 18° C.

To pair with: roasted and or spicy chicken, duck, goose, fish soup, white meat, seafood and a lot of fishes (tuna, John Dorry, red mulet, etc...).Quite all Asian cuisine. Dishes with garlic, dishes with tomatoes.

Review:

"Medium pink rose. Made from 40 year old vines cultivated biodynamically, this is classic Tavel with alluring scents of red cherry skin and ripe, sun-drenched raspberry. A crisp attack introduces the medium weight palate with lovely, fresh dark red plum and berries complemented by spice and savory notes. Finishes very long. A blend of 60% Grenache, 10% Cinsuat, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Clairette, and 5% Bourboulenc. Consistently one of our favorite Tavels.”
- International Wine Review (May 2019), 91 pts

"The flagship rosé is the 2018 Tavel Cuvée De La Reine Des Bois. Which has a classic Tavel deep ruby color as well as a juicy nose of candied cherries, strawberries, exotic flowers, and spice. A full-bodied, deep, rich, layered rosé, it has a beautiful texture, no hard edges, the classic power and richness of Tavel, and a clean, crisp finish. This is a food rosé all the way and a brilliant effort."-  - Jeb Dunnuck (August 16th 2019), 91 pts

"Always one of Tavel's best bottlings, Mordorée's 2018 Tavel La Reine des Bois is a bit less ripe and impressive than previous vintages, but it's still excellent. Hints of crushed stone accent red currant and grapefruit aromas, while the medium to full-bodied palate is smooth, silky and intense, finishing on a peppery note. - Joe Czerwinski" - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #245, October 2019), 91 pts

Avennia Sestina Red Blend is made from 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc

The Sestina is a poetic form from Medieval France. Just as a contemporary poet can use an old form like the Sestina to express modern ideas, we use the traditional Bordeaux blend to make modern wines that express Washington fruit. Sestina is our vision for an old vine blend where the focus is on structure, balance, and complexity. This wine is designed for the cellar, but is enjoyable now.

Sestina: This wine is a blockbuster, with black currant, black raspberry, saddle leather, freshly tilled earth, vanilla, and violet on the nose. Exceedingly rich and balanced on the palate, with great poise and structure for long aging. The finish echoes with fresh black fruits, minerally touches, and floral notes.

Review:

"The 2015 Sestina is showing very well, offering up a rich, more exuberant bouquet than the 2014 rendition. This emphasizes notes of cassis, black plums, dark chocolate, espresso roast and a subtle framing of new oak. On the palate, it's full-bodied and lavish but controlled, with an ample, more sun-kissed core of fruit and fine-grained structuring tannins. Like the 2014, it's a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. While the 2014 and 2015 are quite different in style, it's hard to choose between them qualitatively. While it needs a few years in the cellar, I suspect the 2015 will hit its peak sooner. - William Kelley"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue 237, June 29th 2018), 96 pts

Number #93 On Top 100 Cellar Selections From Wine Enthusiast 

"The flagship 2015 Sestina checks in as 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc brought up in 60% new French oak. Gorgeous notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, graphite, wet river rock, and leafy herbs all emerge from this beautifully balanced, fresh, classic wine that's still tight and backward. It's not a blockbuster but has building richness and tannin, as well as a great finish. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following 10-15."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2018), 95+ pts

Mordoree Lirac Blanc Reine des Bois Grenache 30%, Viognier 10%, Roussanne 10%, Marsanne 10%, Picpoul 10%, Clairette 20%, Miscellaneous 10%

Color : green gold
Aromas : white fruits, peach, apricot, pear, violet.
Palate : rounded, long finish, highly flavoured.
Ageing Potential : 4-5 years.

Surface : 4 Ha. Yield : 35 Hl./Ha. Vineyard age : 30 years Terroir : Clay / chalk with pebble stones. Harvest : by hand Vinification : skin maceration and direct pressing with temperature control. Fermentation : oak barrel fermentation for 25% of the total volume

Pairs well with appetizers, fish, seafood.

Review:

"The oak in the 2018 Lirac Blanc La Reine des Bois has been pared back to only 10% (used barrels), allowing more melon fruit to show through than in the past. A blend of 35% Grenache, 25% Clairette, 15% Roussanne, 10% each Marsanne and Viognier and 5% Picpoul, it's full-bodied, round and honeyed. Soft and approachable, it should be consumed over the next year or two. Tasted twice (once blind), with one sample lacking fruit and length (sub-threshold TCA?).- Joe Czerwinski”
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #245, October  2019), 91 pts

Brilliant and straw-like in apperance, this wine has notes of lush apple and ripe tropical fruit, such as fresh pineapple. Rich and creamy on the palate this wine finishes with elegance and finesse.

Known for its ideal climate and soil, Napa Valley is home to some of the most celebrated vineyards in the world. Grapes harvested from vineyards located in the Oak Knoll District, Yountville and Oakville make up this stunning Chardonnay. These sustainably-farmed vineyards have given us bountiful and immaculate fruit that captures the rich essence of Napa Valley.

Review:

"Salty brioche and pretzel bread come to mind first on the entry of this wine, both aromatically and on the palate. An intensity of ripe peach and pineapple show through with lush, full-bodied force, accented in vanilla oak."
- Wine Enthusiast (June 2017), 90 pts

"Spicy, creamy, toasty oak is evident from the start and is well-integrated into the pear and apple flavors. The fruit purity sticks out. Drink now through 2020. 1,694 cases made. –JL"
- Wine Spectator (July 2017), 91 pts

Kennedy Point Sauvignon Blanc is made from 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc.

Kennedy Point Vineyard makes a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that captures the essence of the regional fruit. The grapes, grown in the hot, stony soils of the Wairau, produce a wine redolent of fresh cut wild flowers and a full palate of passion fruit, gooseberry and citrus. The wine has a crisp dry finish and is perfect as an aperitif, with seafood or any light summer meal.