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Sherwood Estate Family Collection Pinot Noir 2023


Tasting Notes

Strong typical Pinot Noir characters are the distinguishing features of this wine, together with the balance of flavour. Made from just one small portion of Pinot grapes that are carefully spur pruned in winter, then meticulously looked after over the summer to eventually be handed from the vineyard team to the winemaking team to carry on the intense care and attention to detail that is needed to make the best Pinot Noir.


Winemakers Notes

The favourite wine of our winemakers to make as it really extends all of their skills from working with the small open-top fermentation tanks, which allow for constant hand plunging of the grape skins ( a small wooden plunger constantly pushes the skins below the surface of the juice) to selecting a variety of different French oak barrels that the wine will mature in for more than twelve months. The real skill is in the blending, as not all the barrels will make the grade for our top Pinot Noir. Days are spent tasting and re-tasting barrels and blends looking for the elusive blend that conveys the smooth velvet texture of Pinot Noir.


Alcohol %

14.5%


Food Matching

Best enjoyed with a leg of lamb on a Sunday with the family. 


Sherwood Estate Family Collection Pinot Noir 2024


Tasting Notes

Strong typical Pinot Noir characters are the distinguishing features of this wine, together with the balance of flavour. Made from just one small portion of Pinot grapes that are carefully spur pruned in winter, then meticulously looked after over the summer to eventually be handed from the vineyard team to the winemaking team to carry on the intense care and attention to detail that is needed to make the best Pinot Noir.


Winemakers Notes

The favourite wine of our winemakers to make as it really extends all of their skills from working with the small open-top fermentation tanks, which allow for constant hand plunging of the grape skins ( a small wooden plunger constantly pushes the skins below the surface of the juice) to selecting a variety of different French oak barrels that the wine will mature in for more than twelve months. The real skill is in the blending, as not all the barrels will make the grade for our top Pinot Noir. Days are spent tasting and re-tasting barrels and blends looking for the elusive blend that conveys the smooth velvet texture of Pinot Noir.


Alcohol %

14.5%


Food Matching

Best enjoyed with a leg of lamb on a Sunday with the family. 


Siganerie Bordeaux Kosher 2022

Intense ruby ​​color with tiled notes, A kirch, floral, slightly smoky liquorice nose.
A supple palate with sweetness and refined oaky notes. Nice length in the mouth.


Excellent with beef briskets with a southern dry-rub.




Spinona Bricco Faset Barbaresco 2020

Spinona Bricco Faset Barbaresco is made from 100 percent Nebbiolo.

This single-vineyard Barbaresco comes from Pietro Berutti's 8 hectares of coveted vineyards on the top of the historic hill, Faset. It is 270 meters above sea level with a south, south-east exposure. The vines are an average of 35 years old. Only organic farming practices are used. The natural fertilizer comes from the 100 head of cattle that they have and no herbicides or pesticides are used.

Barbaresco shows a deep ruby red color with garnet reflections. An intense bouquet with hints of ripe cherries, wild berries and spice. White pepper, licorice and mint blend with enticing floral notes. Mouth-filling and well-structured with a full, velvety body and an austere and long finish.

HARVEST: late October. The grapes are harvested by hand in perforated baskets to allow air to pass through the bunches. The pressing is soft. Cold maceration for 24 hours at 12°C (for certain years).

WINEMAKING: Soft pressing with an initial cold maceration on the skins for 24 hours at 12C. Specially selected yeasts are used. Fermentation takes place for 12 to 14 days in stainless steel at 28-29 °C under temperature controlled conditions. There is a pumping over on the skins. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is racked and goes through a delicate pressing to obtain only the best wine.

AGING : 12-15 months in large 25 hectolitre wooden barrels of Allier and Slavonian oak.

REFINING: in the bottle for 12-15 months in a temperature-controlled environment.

Excellent with game, red meats, truffle dishes and aged cheeses.

 This single-vineyard Barbaresco comes from Pietro Berutti's 8 hectares of coveted vineyards on the top of the historic hill, Faset. It is 270 meters above sea level with a south, south-east exposure. The vines are an average of 35 years old. Only organic farming practices are used. The natural fertilizer comes from the 100 head of cattle that they have and no herbicides or pesticides are used.

Barbaresco shows a deep ruby red color with garnet reflections. An intense bouquet with hints of ripe cherries, wild berries and spice. White pepper, licorice and mint blend with enticing floral notes. Mouth-filling and well-structured with a full, velvety body and an austere and long finish.

Review:


Spiced and racy with notes of dark cherries, licorice, hints of cocoa and moist earth. Medium-bodied, firm and textured with chalky tannins and a dry, spicy finish. Firm and linear. Drink after 2026.


- James Suckling, 93 pts


 93 Points
Torbreck The Factor Shiraz 2021

The Factor is predominantly from the Gomersal and Marananga sub-regions of the Barossa, providing dense texture and richness to the palate with subtle notes of olive tapenade, saddle leather and minerals. Ripe aromas of plum and wild blackberries, olive, pepper and spice are all supported by a dark core of espresso roast, ripe blackberries and saltbush. Brooding and densely packed, this lavish wine has ample generosity to cellar for many years, where it will slowly unravel.

Review:


Offers a dense, powerful mix of violet, bittersweet chocolate and sandalwood-infused morello cherries in syrup. Blueberry, blackberry and date-nut bread flavors are plump on a frame of polished and toothsome tannins. Clove and Saigon cinnamon notes linger, with a powerful crescendo on the finish. Shiraz.

Wine Spectator 96 Points


The 2021 The Factor is a blend of vineyard sites (Krondorf, Rowland Flat, Greenock and Marananga) and is 100% Shiraz (Syrah). On the nose, it offers a complete vision of Barossa Shiraz—chewy, supple, spicy, big, expansive and voluminous. It has a way of being both structural and inviting and flows long through the finish. This is a very good wine here, classy, comforting and evocative, and while silky, it's also pleasingly regional. The tannins are gently chewy through the finish, which I like very much. Good! 15.5% alcohol, sealed under natural cork and wax.

96+ Points

 Wine Spectator: 96
Torbreck The Laird 2017


Every now and then, in life and in wine, we are presented with unique opportunities to express ourselves and create something truly remarkable.

When rare opportunities arise, we need to capture, nurture and develop them so that their potential is fulfilled. So when Torbreck was given the opportunity to work with one of the most famous vineyards in the Barossa Valley, it became almost inevitable that the resulting wine would be truly remarkable.

In 2003, Torbreck growers and fourth generation descendants of the Seppelt family, Malcolm and Joylene Seppelt, asked our winemakers to create for them a small batch of Shiraz from their old Gnadenfrei vineyard in the sub-region of Marananga.

Planted in 1958, the five acre vineyard is traditionally dry grown and comes from an original Barossa clonal source. South facing, on the eastern side of a ridge separating the Seppeltsfield and Marananga appellations, these aged vines have been meticulously hand tended, traditionally farmed and pruned by a grower with a lifetime’s experience on Western Barossa soils of very dark, heavy clay loam over red friable clay. The resulting low yields of small, concentrated Shiraz berries make the vineyard the envy of all winemakers in the Barossa.

We looked longingly at the wine when it was returned to the Seppelts, knowing that it was the best we had ever made. In 2005 we convinced the Seppelts to sell Torbreck the fruit and The Laird was born. In 2013 Torbreck purchased the Gnadenfrei vineyard, securing The Laird’s reputation as one of the world’s great single vineyard Shiraz wines.

Torbreck is the name of a forest near Inverness, Scotland and you’ll find more than a passing nod to the Celts in our wine naming conventions. The Laird of the Estate in Scotland is the Lord of the Manor and master of all he surveys.

Review:

I poured the 2017 The Laird, set it aside and got about doing other jobs for 45 minutes or so, to give it some room to breathe. And it does breathe. It has its own pulse and beat and life, and it flexes and moves in the mouth. This is incredibly enveloping, with aromas reminiscent of campfire coals, charred eucalyptus, lamb fat, roasted beetroot, black tea and a prowling sort of countenance. In the mouth, the wine is bonded and cohesive and seamless, there are no gaps between anything, no space between fruit, oak and tannin; it all comes as one. While this is a singular wine, it is so big and concentrated that it needs no accompaniment other than some fresh air and a good mate. It's denser than osmium and is impenetrable at this stage.

-Wine Advocate 97+ Points

 Wine Advocate: 97
Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Mas la Plana is graceful and balanced despite its firm and dominant tannin profile. Bright crunchy acidity ensures a wine that will develop in the cellar for years to come. This polished red displays hints of its Mediterranean heritage with herbaceous bramble while holding true to brooding currant and loamy earth, reminiscent of old-world Cabernet Sauvignon.

Review:

Inviting mint, floral, cassis, clove and cinnamon nose. Juicy, lively and fresh on entry, with densely-packed soft black fruits, blackcurrant jam and spice. Textural and long with fine silky tannins and tidily-integrated acidity. Superb overall length and finish.

Decanter 97 Points



 97 Points
Trefethen Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown 2021

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

 95 Points
Trefethen Family Vineyards Dragon's Tooth Red 2021

Trefethen Family Vineyards Dragon's Tooth Red is made from 49% Malbec 37% Petit Verdot 14% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Our Nana, Catherine Trefethen, was Welsh. Her twin loves of wine and family were the original inspiration for our estate in Napa Valley’s Oak Knoll District. Celebrating our heritage, “Y Ddraig Goch”, the symbol of Wales, adorns this bottle of Dragon’s Tooth, a provocative blend born from the rockiest part of our vineyard.

This wine opens with expressive aromas of cherry and blackberry accented with notes of fig, tobacco leaf, and sarsaparilla. Full-bodied and balanced, the integrated flavors of ripe dark fruit lead to a lush and abundant finish.

Winery Chef Chris Kennedy enjoys Dragon‘s Tooth with earthy and rich cuisine. He suggests pairing it with our Creamy Mushroom Pasta. The complementary flavors, textures, and intensity of both the dish and the wine are stunning.

 Review:

“Intrepid aromas of richly peppered blue and black fruit with a sheen of minty refreshment. Structured, polished and densely textured, with indulgent tannins and a penetrating bead of fine acidity. Built for the long haul.”

-2024 Decanter World Wine Awards 97 Points

 97 Points
Trione Cabernet Sauvignon Block 21 2021

Winemaking:  This wine is a classic Bordeaux blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 8% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot .


Block 21 Cabernet is a single vineyard selection from the Trione Cloverdale Ranch, located on the western flank of the Mayacamas Mountains, in the northern portion of Alexander Valley. The vines, planted in 2001 with Bordeaux clone 337, grow in clay and sandy loam soils underlain with a high percentage of gravel. Cabernet Sauvignon grown in this ideal terroir develops deep, concentrated flavors and fine, smooth tannins.


The Trione Block 21 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep, dark, and foreboding. The wine is rich with black currant and dark chocolate aromas and flavors. Inhale, close your eyes and envision an old saddle, favorite wallet or baseball glove, those rustic leather notes are prominent. The structure is tight but has length and verbosity. This wine is age worthy and will continue to develop for 10 years and beyond. Cheers!

 


Trione Chardonnay River Road Ranch 2020

River Road Ranch is a 115-acre jewel in the heart of the Russian River Valley AVA. Chardonnay vines thrive in well-drained soils, shrouded with fog cooled nights, ideal growing conditions. The grapes for this wine came from two blocks of twelve and fifteen-year-old vines, planted with clones #4, 95, and 2A-Wente.

Bottled poetry is the description of Trione Chardonnay. Burgundian in style of both nose and palate. Rich and inviting, this wine offers a complex mix of toasty baguette, warm melted brie; silky but with the structure demonstrating the aging potential. The wine is tasting great now but will be awesome for the next 5-7 years.


Trione Chardonnay River Road Ranch 2022

River Road Ranch is a 115-acre jewel in the heart of the Russian River Valley AVA. Chardonnay vines thrive in well-drained soils, shrouded with fog cooled nights, ideal growing conditions. The grapes for this wine came from two blocks of twelve and fifteen-year-old vines, planted with clones #4, 95, and 2A-Wente.

Bottled poetry is the description of Trione Chardonnay. Burgundian in style of both nose and palate. Rich and inviting, this wine offers a complex mix of toasty baguette, warm melted brie; silky but with the structure demonstrating the aging potential. The wine is tasting great now but will be awesome for the next 5-7 years.


Trione Syrah River Road Ranch 2016

The epitome of cool climate Syrah. Intense and inviting, earthy, peaty but with concentrated fruit flavors of plums, blackberries, blueberries and black cherry all mixed together. Savory yet sweet, this wine just lingers on the palate. Paired with a rich lamb stew, smoked meats or your favorite Fall holiday meal, this wine will shine and develop beautifully for the next 5-7 years.


Review:

"This is a full-bodied Pinot, with rose petal and cinnamon peeking out of underbrush. It's savory, rich, and spicy, with an earthy finish."

- The Tasting Panel (March 2021), 93 pts



"A rich, layered pinot with strawberry, meat, cedar and smoke aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied and rich, yet remains focused and bright at the end. Drink or hold."

- James Suckling (December 2020), 93 pts



 93 Points
Tua Rita Giusto di Notri 2020

Tua Rita Giusto di Notri is made from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.

The word "Giusto" refers to the name of the Patron Saint of Suvereto (the hilltop Tuscan town where Tua Rita is located) and "Notri" is the name of the winery's exact location.

Giusto di Notri is a Bordeaux-inspired blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, selectively harvested in September. After a gentle pressing, the juice and skins macerate for a lengthy period of 25-30 days to add concentration and depth to the final wine. The wine is then aged for 18-20 months in French oak barrels and refined six months in bottle before release.


Deep purple in color, Giusto di Notri offers abundant aromas of blackberry, plum and currants with underpinnings of coriander, violet and a touch of vanilla. Full-bodied, with ripe, fine tannins, and a silky texture, this is a stunning wine with great aging potential.

Ideal for barbecued ribs, steaks, grilled meats and medium-aged cheeses.

Review:

Lots of incense to the aromas with sandalwood and lavender. Currants, blackberries. and fresh herbs, too. Full-bodied and very rich, with a powerful, structured mid-palate and a long, longfinish. A wine for the future. Needs four to five years to soften. Best after 2026.

-James Suckling 97 Points

 97 Points
Tua Rita Giusto di Notri 2021

Tua Rita Giusto di Notri is made from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.

The word "Giusto" refers to the name of the Patron Saint of Suvereto (the hilltop Tuscan town where Tua Rita is located) and "Notri" is the name of the winery's exact location.

Giusto di Notri is a Bordeaux-inspired blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, selectively harvested in September. After a gentle pressing, the juice and skins macerate for a lengthy period of 25-30 days to add concentration and depth to the final wine. The wine is then aged for 18-20 months in French oak barrels and refined six months in bottle before release.


Deep purple in color, Giusto di Notri offers abundant aromas of blackberry, plum and currants with underpinnings of coriander, violet and a touch of vanilla. Full-bodied, with ripe, fine tannins, and a silky texture, this is a stunning wine with great aging potential.

Ideal for barbecued ribs, steaks, grilled meats and medium-aged cheeses.

Review:

 Here’s a wine that takes us to a vintage that excels in terms of general fruit clarity and precision. The 2021 Giusto di Notri is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot that ages in new oak (50% of the wine) with the other half going into second- and third-passage barrel. Intensity and depth are highlighted nicely here in a vintage that ended on October 16th (much later than 2020). This benefits complexity and aromas. The vintage also delivers more freshness and balanced tannins (without the sharper edges you get in 2020). This is a beautiful wine, one that's set up for long cellar aging.

-Robert Parker 96 Points

Ripe and captivating, decidedly spicy and engaging, it displays notes of black plums, tobacco leaves, incense, juniper berries, sandalwood, nutmeg, and lemon peel. In the background, the freshness of lemon peel alternates with nuances of oregano and marjoram. Medium-full body, perfectly ripe tannins with an incredibly fine and dense texture, and a finish of honest and splendid progression. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc. Better from 2027.

-Raffaele Vecchione - WinesCritic.com 97 Points

 Wine Advocate: 96 97 Points
Viejo Isaias Elegido Red Blend 2020

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.

 



Vinsacro Dioro Rioja 2019

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 2019 Vinsacro Dioro is a Vidau field blend, incorporating a mix of grapes such as Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Monastrell and Bobal, sourced from Monte Yerga in Rioja Oriental. Aged for up to 17 months in oak barrels and cellared for five years before release, this dark garnet wine presents a nose with notes of soy sauce, wild herbs, blackberry and sour cherry. On the palate, it is dry, juicy and fine-grained, lingering long with a flavorful finish. Well-served by the aging process, this wild yet balanced wine will evolve with grace. - Joaquin HIDALGO"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (December 2023), 93 pts

 Vinous Antonio Galloni: 93
W & J Graham's Vintage Port 2000

W & J Graham's Vintage Port is made from  35% Touriga Nacional, 47% Touriga Franca and various others.


It is with great pleasure that Graham's announces the declaration of the 2000 Vintage, a wine that has been deemed to meet our very exacting standards, and one that shows every promise of living up to the reputation of the very best Vintage ports that the Twentieth Century provided.


This is a landmark wine for Graham's, not only being the first Vintage of a new millennium, but being the first Vintage wine to enjoy the extraordinary results achieved by the new robotic 'lagares' at Malvedos in the inaugural year of our remodelled winery. Significant also has been the decision to include a rather larger proportion of mature Touriga Francesa and Touriga Nacional from Vila Velha, a classic riverside Quinta a short distance downstream from Malvedos, and some spectacular old vine lots from Vale de Malhadas in the Upper Douro. These wines each from family-owned Quintas have been used to reinforce the predominant component from Malvedos and the traditional excellence of the Rio Torto lots from Lages, to produce a rounded and even blend in the hallmark rich Graham style.


Picking began at Malvedos on September 22nd and the last lagar was run off on October 10th, an unusually short and compact Vintage. Fruit arrived in good condition although yields were less than three quarters of a kilogram per vine, and the juice to skin ratio well below normal. 2000 was a year noted for a very low average yield across the Douro, and with the grapes unusually lacking in liquid, the extra amount of treading work required made it an ideal time to employ our new, tireless, mechanical treaders alongside the two original 1890 stone lagares still worked by human feet. It was evident early on in the Vintage from the colour and aroma of the fermenting musts that we were looking at a spectacular year, and after the usual waiting period of sixteen months or so to see how the lots would develop, we have now made our final selection and assembled the final blend.


The blend displays many of the typical Graham aromas of ripe plum and 'esteva' (gum cistus) and is pleasantly smooth on the palate despite its youth. It is full and rich in the mouth with fresh blackberry and red plum notes. Despite the hallmark Graham sweetness in the mouth the finish is long and clean.


As with all Graham Vintages, this is a wine made to last for years and the patience of laying down the wine for fifteen to twenty years will certainly be rewarded.


Review:
Smells like freshly picked orchids, with loads of ripe, clean fruit. Full-bodied, medium sweet and very powerful and racy. It lasts for minutes on your palate. Yet there's a balance and class to this young Vintage Port. This is the greatest glass of Graham I have ever tasted, young or old.
-Wine Spectator 98 Points

Aromas of dried fruits, raisins and Christmas cake. Some chocolate undertones too, plus licorice and wet earth. Full body, medium sweet with gorgeous depth and intensity of fruit. So long and beautiful. What an amazing finish already. So sexy. Drink or hold. But this will go on for decades.
-James Suckling 98 Points

 Wine Spectator: 98 98 Points
Weingut Prager Achleiten Riesling Smaragd 2020

Weingut Prager Achleiten Riesling Smaragd is made from 100 percent Riesling. 


Franz Prager, co-founder of the Vinea Wachau, had already earned a reputation for his wines when Toni Bodenstein married into the family. Bodenstein’s passion for biodiversity and old terraces, coupled with brilliant winemaking, places Prager in the highest echelon of Austrian producers.

Smaragd is a designation of ripeness for dry wines used exclusively by members of the Vinea Wachau. The wines must have a minimum alcohol of 12.5%. The grapes are hand-harvested, typically in October and November, and are sent directly to press where they spontaneously ferment in stainless-steel tanks.

Achleiten sits east of Weißenkirchen and is one of the most famous vineyards in the Wachau. The steeply-terraced vineyard existed in Roman times. Some sections have just 40 cm of topsoil over the bedrock of Gföler Gneiss, amphibolitic stone, and slate. “Destroyed soil,” as Toni Bodenstein likes to say.


Tasting Notes:

Austrian Riesling is often defined by elevated levels of dry extract thanks to a lengthy ripening period and freshness due to dramatic temperature swings between day and night. Wines from Achleiten’s highly complex soils are famously marked by a mineral note of flint or gun smoke, are intensely flavored, and reliably long-lived.


Food Pairing:

Riesling’s high acidity makes it one of the most versatile wines at the table. Riesling can be used to cut the fattiness of foods such as pork or sausages and can tame some saltiness. Conversely, it can highlight foods such as fish or vegetables in the same way a squeeze of lemon or a vinaigrette might.

Review:

The 2020 Ried Achleiten Riesling Smaragd offers a well-concentrated, fleshy and spicy stone fruit aroma with crunchy and flinty notes. It needs some time to get rid of the stewed fruit flavors, though. Full-bodied, fresh and crystalline, this is an elegant, complex and finely tannic Riesling that needs some years rather than a carafe to polymerize the tannins and gain some finesse. Tasted at the domain in June 2021.

At Prager, I could not determine that 2020 would be inferior to the 2019 vintage; on the contrary, the 2020 Smaragd wines fascinated me enormously in their clear, cool, terroir-tinged way. A 38% loss had occurred mainly because of the hail on August 22, although predominantly in the Federspiel or Riesling vineyards. There was no damage in the top vineyards such as Ried Klaus, Achleiten or Zwerithaler. "Interestingly, the vines are in agony for about two weeks after the hail. There was no more growth, no development of ripeness and sugar," reports Toni Bondenstein. The Veltliner then recovered earlier, while even picking a Riesling Federspiel in October was still a struggle. "Why Riesling reacted more intensively to the hail, I don't know myself either," says Bodenstein. Whole clusters were pressed to preserve acidity and to compensate for the lower extract, and compared to 2019, the 2020s were left on their lees longer. In June, however, the 20s in particular showed outstanding early shape.

-Wine Advocate 94 Points

Light yellow-green, silver reflections. Yellow stone fruit nuances with a mineral underlay, notes of peach and mango, a hint of tangerine zest, mineral touch. Juicy, elegant, white fruit, acidity structure rich in finesse, lemony-salty finish, sure aging potential.

-Falstaff 95 Points

 Wine Advocate: 94 95 Points
Weingut Prager Klaus Riesling Smaragd 2020


Franz Prager, co-founder of the Vinea Wachau, had already earned a reputation for his wines when Toni Bodenstein married into the family. Bodenstein’s passion for biodiversity and old terraces, coupled with brilliant winemaking, places Prager in the highest echelon of Austrian producers.

Smaragd is a designation of ripeness for dry wines used exclusively by members of the Vinea Wachau. The wines must have minimum alcohol of 12.5%. The grapes are hand-harvested, typically in October and November, and are sent directly to press where they spontaneously ferment in stainless-steel tanks.

Klaus sits adjacent to Achleiten and is one of the Wachau’s most famous vineyards for Riesling. The vineyard is incredibly steep with a gradient of 77% at its steepest point. The southeast-facing terraced vineyard of dark migmatite-amphibolite and paragneiss produces a tightly wound and powerful wine. The parcel belonging to Toni Bodenstein was planted in 1952. 


Tasting Notes:

Austrian Riesling is often defined by elevated levels of dry extract thanks to a lengthy ripening period and freshness due to dramatic temperature swings between day and night. “Klaus is not a charming Riesling,” says Toni Bodenstein with a wink. Klaus is Prager’s most assertive and robust Riesling. 


Food Pairing

Riesling’s high acidity makes it one of the most versatile wines at the table. Riesling can be used to cut the fattiness of foods such as pork or sausages and can tame some saltiness. Conversely, it can highlight foods such as fish or vegetables in the same way a squeeze of lemon or a vinaigrette might.


Review:

Superbly cool, restrained and refined, this austere, beautiful dry riesling is a slow-burn masterpiece that's only just beginning to reveal its complex white-peach, white-tea, wild-herb and dark-berry character. Super-long and mineral finish. Drink or hold.

-James Suckling 97 Points

 Wine Advocate: 96 97 Points
Wolfberger Auxerrois 2018

Wolfberger Auxerrois  is made from 100% Auxerrois

Auxerrois blanc is thought to have originated in Lorraine, rather than near Auxerre in the Yonne. Recent DNA fingerprinting suggests that it is a cross between Gouais blanc and Pinot noir, the same ancestry as Chardonnay. The name Auxerrois blanc has actually been used as a synonym for Chardonnay in the Moselle region in France, which explains why there is also a longer name (Auxerrois Blanc de Laquenexy) for the grape variety.


This pale yellow Auxerrois Pinot Blanc shows an intense nose of fresh white fruits, rhubarb and spring flowers. Easy to drink and fresh on the palate, this wine ends on a fruity and crunchiness tast.

Alcoholic fermentation at 16°C followed by a short fermentation at 18°C allowing to keep some crispiness to the wine. 
Then the wine was aged on the fine lees for 6-7 months. No Oak. 
No Malo-Lactic fermentation. 
Right before bottling, the wine was filtered using a tangentiel filtration system.

Quiche, grilled fish, rhubarb pie, mixed salad, and also fresh sheep milk cheese.

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