Valle del Cua Bierzo Mencia is made from 100% Mencia.
A black cherry color with intense violet hues. Aromas are dominated by ripe red fruits, minerals and blue flowers. Fine, concentrated and exquisite on the palate, it is fleshy, fragrant, and full bodied.
Average age of the vines: 45-55 years
Vineyard's altitude: 450-480 meters above sea level
Pre-fermentation maceration: 3-5 days at 4-6 degres celcius
Alcoholic fermentation: 6-10 days
Maceration: 4-10 days
Malolactic fermentation: 5-9 days
Ageing: 2 months in stainless steel tank and then 2 months in the bottle.
Valle del Cua Bierzo Mencia is made from 100% Mencia.
A black cherry color with intense violet hues. Aromas are dominated by ripe red fruits, minerals and blue flowers. Fine, concentrated and exquisite on the palate, it is fleshy, fragrant, and full bodied.
Average age of the vines: 45-55 years
Vineyard's altitude: 450-480 meters above sea level
Pre-fermentation maceration: 3-5 days at 4-6 degres celcius
Alcoholic fermentation: 6-10 days
Maceration: 4-10 days
Malolactic fermentation: 5-9 days
Ageing: 2 months in stainless steel tank and then 2 months in the bottle.
Valminor Albarino Rias Baixas is made from 100 percent Albarino.
Albariño is a Portuguese grape, native to the Miño River region, which separates Galicia & the Rias Baixas DO from Portugal. Albariño has a characteristic citrus aroma & high acidity.
Valminor Albarino presents a yellow straw color. On the nose, the wine shows a wide fruity range of aromas, with notes of fresh grapefruit, apricot and melon. In the mouth, Valminor combines fruity flavors and freshness with a rounded acidity, resulting in a balanced wine that boasts an opulent taste and slight spritziness.
Review:
"Elaborate swirls of lime, lemon, passionfruit and white peach entice the nose whilst the pristine purity of acidity and mineral freshness disarms the terroir-driven palate. Salty, linear and tangy, demonstrating Atlantic style at its best."
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2025, 97 pts and Platinum Medal
All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Dense purple hues, with evocative aromas of black cherries, ripe plums, nectarines, boysenberry, wild bramble and exotic oak spice. The juicy and sweet-fruited palate entry, combined with crunchy tannins, lures one into a sense of overtness, yet the wine is sublimely elegant and poised. The complex layers of fruit is in perfect harmony with the oak, all bound together by a lively seam of acidity. The finish is pleasantly dry and savory, with lingering notes of Christmas cake and vanilla pod.
Pair with barbequed meats, especially venison and beef / bobotie / lamb curry / seared tuna / spicy Asian-styled cuisine / aromatic curries / duck with sweet plum sauce / beef or lamb burgers / pizza
Venancio da Costa Lima Palmela Reserva is made from 100% Castelao (also known as Periquita)
Intense garnet color, complex nose with touches of ripe fruit, jam and spices, full-bodied flavor and a very balanced finish.
100% Castelao (also known as "Periquita" and "Joao de Santarem". As the most widely-grown red grape variety in Portugal it is still often referred to in Portuguese as Periquita, although that name is legally owned by José Maria da Fonseca in the Setúbal Peninsula outside of Lisbon. It is highly adaptable to different climatic conditions and its remarkable versatility enables winemakers to make a range of wines – from the easy drinking and quaffable reds and rosados to the powerful and intense reds perfectly suited to lengthy cellaring. Castelão comes into its own and is most expressive in the Sétubal Peninsula, where it makes meaty and intense wines with aromas of red berries and blue flowers that marry well with the deft use of oak.
Made from 45 year old vines.
Classic vinification at controlled temperature (25 °C) with prolonged maceration for phenolic extraction. Wine went through malolactic fermentation.
Wine was slightly fitered before bottling to avoid sedimentation in the bottle and to ensure stability.
Pasta, Cheese, red meat and game.
Verite La Joie Red is made from 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc,5% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec.
The 2018 La Joie displays a brilliant violet core with a thin rim of bright ruby. Generous fruit-for- ward aromas of ripe black currant and black cherry are followed by earthy notes of fresh conifer, dried mushroom, black olive, dusty clay, anise and clove. The palate is rich and structured; possessing similar flavors of the nose, refined tannins, well-balanced acidity and a complex, luscious finish.
Review:
Blackberries, black mushrooms, violets, flowers, and dark tobacco. Black truffle, too. Full-bodied, yet in check and pretty. The fine tannins frame the wine perfectly. Really long and focused. Seamless. Elegance with power. This will age incredibly well, but already so gorgeous to try. 76% cabernet sauvignon, 9% merlot, 7% cabernet franc, 5% petit verdot and 3% malbec. Try after 2026, but attractive now.
-James Suckling 99 Points
Verite Le Desir Red is made from 82% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, 6% Malbec.
The 2018 Le Désir has a dark inky appearance with a violet hue that extends to the rim. The compelling characteristics of Cabernet Franc are expressed on the nose and palate with flavors of crunchy cranberry, ripe raspberry, red currant, dried sage, crushed mint, and cinnamon bark; followed by spice cake, subtle vanilla liquor, and singed toast. The persistent finish and bright acidity suggest the wine will continue to evolve in the cellar for many years to come.
Review:
The Cabernet Franc blend of the trio, the 2018 Le Desir is 82% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, and 6% Malbec, and as with all these wines, it was brought up in new barrels. Ruby/purple and not completely opaque, it offers up a classic Cabernet Franc nose of mostly red fruits, spring flowers, damp earth, cedary spices, and truffle. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it shines for its incredible elegance and purity more than outright power, yet it still brings plenty of richness. With ultra-fine tannins, perfect balance, and one heck of a great finish, it's another great, great wine from this estate.
Jeb Dunnuck 98+ Points
Vermont La Grande Cuvee Rouge is made from 90% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot.
Produced from the best parcels of the estate, with low yields and optimal maturity, the wine reveals the expression of the Entre-deux-Mers terroir.
The Grande Cuvee boasts a deep ruby color and displays a pleasant bouquet of red berries and plum highlighting the expression of the dominant Merlot. Rich, refined, fruity and deep in structure, the palate shows good concentration and a harmonious balance. Long flavors of ripe fruits and vanilla nuances give way to an elegant cuvee.
Viejo Isaias Don Isaias Sparkling is made from 50% Chardonnay and 50% Chenin Blanc
Charmat method.
The wine is produced from grapes that grow in the highlands of the Mendoza River. Its second alcoholic fermentation with a prolonged contact with yeast brings complex aromas of stone fruits, such as white peach, and citrus aromas such as pink grapefruit and tropical pineapple. The palate reveals good acidity and freshness.
Viejo Isaias Elegido Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 50% Malbec and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Viejo Isaias Elegido shows a vibrant red color. The highly viscous tear with reddish tints invites you to discover the warm sensuality that embraces this great wine. A wine of great complexity with deep aromas of pepper, cassis, fig, tabaco and chocolate. This is full-bodied, round red with silky tannins, good acidity and a long and persistent finish.
Viejo Isaias Juana Cabernet Franc is made from 100 percent Cabernet Franc.
Cabernet Franc has an intense bright velvety red color. In the nose this wine reveals a complex expression marked by fresh berries followed by hints of floral aromas. It also displays some smoke and vanilla from the oak barrels. It is rich and balanced in the mouth with an elegant tannic structure and long fresh fruit end.
Vineyard information:
Location: Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo, on the highest area of the Mendoza river - Mendoza.
Altitude: 950m above sea level.
Soil: Stony, from Alluvial origins
Coming from our estate vineyards in Perdriel and Lujan de Cuyo.
Aged in 50% French and 50% American Oak barrels for 12 months. First and second use only.
Wine was slightly filtered before bottling.
Excellent when paired with red meats, pasta with spicy sauces, matured cheeses.
Review:
"Hints of plums and dark berries with some dried flowers, following through to a medium body with round tannins and a juicy finish. Bigger in nature. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (March 2022), 92 pts
Viejo Isaias Juana Cabernet Franc is made from 100 percent Cabernet Franc.
Cabernet Franc has an intense bright velvety red color. In the nose this wine reveals a complex expression marked by fresh berries followed by hints of floral aromas. It also displays some smoke and vanilla from the oak barrels. It is rich and balanced in the mouth with an elegant tannic structure and long fresh fruit end.
Vineyard information:
Location: Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo, on the highest area of the Mendoza river - Mendoza.
Altitude: 950m above sea level.
Soil: Stony, from Alluvial origins
Coming from our estate vineyards in Perdriel and Lujan de Cuyo.
Aged in 50% French and 50% American Oak barrels for 12 months. First and second use only.
Wine was slightly filtered before bottling.
Excellent when paired with red meats, pasta with spicy sauces, matured cheeses.
Viejo Isaias Malbec Clasico is made from 100 percent Malbec.
Time in oak: 40% in American (first and second use) oak barrels for 8 months. Time in bottles: 6 months minimum storage before placing on the market.
Vessels: stainless steel tanks. Alcoholic fermentation: controlled, with selected yeast. skin contact maceration: 20 days.. Malolactic fermentation: 100%
Excellent when paired with red meats, pasta with spicy sauces, matured cheeses.
Vibrantly red, with blue and purple glints. It has complex aromas of plum and ripe fruit, evoking dry fig. In the mouth, it is velvety, long, with a rich aftertaste, full of fine, sweet, ripe tannins.
Vineyard information:
Location: Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo, on the highest area of the Mendoza river - Mendoza.
Altitude: 950m above sea level.
Soil: sandy.
Year of plantation: 2000
Plant density per hectare: 3500
Wine production per plant: two 750cc bottles, approximately.
Yield: 80 qq/ht.
Viejo Isaias Malbec Clasico is made from 100 percent Malbec.
Time in oak: 40% in American (first and second use) oak barrels for 8 months. Time in bottles: 6 months minimum storage before placing on the market.
Vessels: stainless steel tanks. Alcoholic fermentation: controlled, with selected yeast. skin contact maceration: 20 days.. Malolactic fermentation: 100%
Excellent when paired with red meats, pasta with spicy sauces, matured cheeses.
Vibrantly red, with blue and purple glints. It has complex aromas of plum and ripe fruit, evoking dry fig. In the mouth, it is velvety, long, with a rich aftertaste, full of fine, sweet, ripe tannins.
Vineyard information:
Location: Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo, on the highest area of the Mendoza river - Mendoza.
Altitude: 950m above sea level.
Soil: sandy.
Year of plantation: 2000
Plant density per hectare: 3500
Wine production per plant: two 750cc bottles, approximately.
Yield: 80 qq/ht.
Viejo Isaias Malbec Reserva is made from 100 percent Malbec.
Story Of The Rose:
Viejo Isaias, meaning "old Isaac" is the grandfather of the winemaker, Rodrigo. When Rodrigo was a boy, Isaac would take him on long walks throughout their vineyard in Mendoza. On these walks Isaac would keep a watch over the health of the vines, but more importantly he would keep a watch for the first rose of the year. Every year for 40 years, he would find the first flowered rose and bring it back to his wife, Juana. The rose on the label is a symbol of their love for each other and for the culture of Argentine wine.
Don Isaías Hernández - a man with calloused hands and tanned by the work effort. With his example he taught me that nothing is achieved without sacrifice, that is why I want to keep his spirit alive in this reserva wine. This Malbec is the fruit of a dedicated winemaking, carefully crafted from the harvest to the palate of every single wine lover.
Intense touch of blueberries and plums, highlighted with vanilla and white chocolate from the oak aging. A nice wine with a good body, full of sweet tannins with good concentration and long persistence.
100% Malolactic fermentation Viejo Isaias is 100% oak aged, with 10 months American oak, 6 months in the bottle.
Vineyard site : Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo, upper area of Mendoza River.
Altitude: 950 meters above sea level
Soil: sandy loam
Vineyard planted in 2000.
Density per hectare: 3,500.
Production per vine plant: 2 x750 ml bottles on average.
Review:
Very clear aromas of black cherries and fresh flowers follow through to a medium body with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Very polished texture. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (March 2022), 91 pts
Viejo Isaias Malbec Reserva is made from 100 percent Malbec.
Story Of The Rose:
Viejo Isaias, meaning "old Isaac" is the grandfather of the winemaker, Rodrigo. When Rodrigo was a boy, Isaac would take him on long walks throughout their vineyard in Mendoza. On these walks Isaac would keep a watch over the health of the vines, but more importantly he would keep a watch for the first rose of the year. Every year for 40 years, he would find the first flowered rose and bring it back to his wife, Juana. The rose on the label is a symbol of their love for each other and for the culture of Argentine wine.
Don Isaías Hernández - a man with calloused hands and tanned by the work effort. With his example he taught me that nothing is achieved without sacrifice, that is why I want to keep his spirit alive in this reserva wine. This Malbec is the fruit of a dedicated winemaking, carefully crafted from the harvest to the palate of every single wine lover.
Intense touch of blueberries and plums, highlighted with vanilla and white chocolate from the oak aging. A nice wine with a good body, full of sweet tannins with good concentration and long persistence.
100% Malolactic fermentation Viejo Isaias is 100% oak aged, with 10 months American oak, 6 months in the bottle.
Vineyard site : Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo, upper area of Mendoza River.
Altitude: 950 meters above sea level
Soil: sandy loam
Vineyard planted in 2000.
Density per hectare: 3,500.
Production per vine plant: 2 x750 ml bottles on average.
Vilerma Blanco Ribeiro is made from 80% Treixadura, 6% Torrontes, 4% Godello, 4% Albariño, 3% Loureira and 3% Lado
Ribeiro blanco is produced from estate-grown grapes using traditional winemaking.
Pale yellow color with green highlights.
Intense white fruit aromas when young, it develops complex nuances after a few years in the bottle.
In the mouth it is ample, full and pleasant with a long and fruity finish.
Fermentation in Stainless Steel tank at controlled temperature.
Gap's Crown Vineyard has become one of the most iconic Pinot noir vineyards in the Sonoma Coast. It was originally developed by Premier Pacific Vineyards between 2002 and 2005 and later purchased by Price Family Vineyards in 2013. In 2007, Sojourn Cellars became one of the best to make a vineyard-designate wine from Gap's Crown. Our clone 115 block, planted in 2005 on 3309 root stock at 800 feet elevation, has been the foundation for Sojourn since we began making Pinot noir from this vineyard. Our clone 828 block was planted in 2002 on 420A root stock, and two clone 667 blocks round out the blend, both planted in 2004 on 3309 root stock. This hillside vineyard is situated on the western slope of Sonoma Mountain and is cooled by the persistent wind and fog of the Petaluma Gap.
WINEMAKER NOTES: The 2021 growing season offered optimal conditions in the Sonoma Coast to harvest grapes of exceptional quality. The air remained clear with no res in Sonoma and pandemic lock downs ended. Our spirits were lifted and the grape harvest and wine quality benefited. . Brief heat waves in August and September ripened the grapes to ideal maturity as the weather stayed dry until major rains arrived October 22, after our grapes were harvested. Yields were lower than average in 2021, with small berries and loose clusters creating wines of increased depth and concentration. In 2021 we blended destemmed clone 115 and clone 667, while fermenting all the clone 828 100% whole-cluster. The resulting wine, our 15th vintage of Pinot noir from Gap’s Crown Vineyard, offers complex layers of elegant fruit flavors with a bold strength at its core.
Review:
Like a majority of the Sojourn 2021 Pinot Noirs, the Gap’s Crown is also aged in 50% new French oak but sees approximately 15% whole cluster during fermentation. This Pinot Noir is always one of my favorites coming out of the Sonoma Coast, and the Sojourn 2021 is another beautiful example. A shimmering ruby-garnet core with a blueish rim in the glass, it assembles bountiful notes of dark cherry compote, fresh black raspberry, spiced blue plum skin, brown mushroom, salty sea breeze, liquid chocolate, and hints of dried lemongrass. Complex, engaging, and downright delicious, this should be a wine that everyone should seek out to try. 1025 cases were produced. Better in 2023 and then enjoy for the next 12–15 years. Highly recommended and editor’s choice.
- International Wine Report 97 Points
Jean-Claude et Nicolas Fayolle Hermitage Rouge Donnieres is made from 100% Syrah.
Made from 40-year-old vines planted on granitic and rocky soils in the Lieu dit "Les Donnieres" at the bottom of the Hermitage's hill.
Intense inky ruby red color.
The wine has plenty to offer with red and black fruit aromas, as well as a good minerality.
The finish is very long, clean and juicy and offers a great spicy mouthfeel.
Soil is clay, silica and round pebbles.
Hand harvested in small crates. The grapes are then pumped into tanks (full cluster, not destemmed).
It will stay in this tank for 15 days for the skin contact maceration and the Alcoholic fermentation.
Tey will also use the "rack and return" technique (delestage).
Then the wine is transfered into neutral French Oak barrels where the wine will complete the Malo-Lactic fermentation.
Delicious with grilled red meat such as venison or lamb and most cheeses.