Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf du Pape XV Rouge 2018

Milsetentayseis 1076 Ribera del Duero Tinto is made with 95% Tempranillo and 5% other native varieties.

TASTING NOTES: A product of its unique landscape, extreme altitude and mineral-rich soil, 1076 Tinto is a bold wine with a distinct character designed to evolve over time. Its freshness and intensely fruity expression are representative of a modern style, moving away from excess, in search of the elegance, smoothness and balance found in the great wines of the world.

TERROIR: A recently restored vineyard situated at over 3,280 feet of altitude where ancestral vines over 100 years old grow harmoniously together with new, indigenous plantings in varied soil comprised of red clay, sand and mineral deposits of quartz, mica, and feldspar.

WINEMAKING: Hand-harvested from a selection of the best plots in the vineyard then separated into concrete, oak or stainless steel fermentation vats depending on the characteristics of the grape and the soil where it was grown. Its production is defined by the team´s constant vigilance throughout the process and their in-depth knowledge of the region, the soil and the native varieties that thrive there.

AGEING: Aged for 18 months in French oak of various sizes and according to the needs of each plot. Bottled in June 2020.

VINTAGE: The 2018 vintage began with abundant rainfall that lasted until late spring. Budding had already begun by the end of April, and as is usual in the Ribera del Duero, mid-May posed great risk of frost. Thankfully, consistent high winds in the area kept it at bay allowing the vineyards to remain unaffected. Spring extended into June with rain and cool temperatures, unusual for this time of year, while summer did not arrive until July bringing with it dry, hot conditions that allowed for the fruit to reach optimal ripeness. The harvest ran from October 5th-October 13th.

Pair with spit-Fire Roasted Suckling Pig.

Reviews:

"Inky violet. Potent aromas of cassis, cherry preserves, incense and potpourri, plus oak spice and mineral topnotes. Alluringly sweet and concentrated, with a spine of smoky minerality supporting intense flavors of dark berry liqueur, bitter chocolate, cola and candied lavender. Youthful, slow-building tannins add shape and grip to an impressively long, juicy finish that echoes the dark berry and floral notes. - Josh Raynolds."

- Vinous (February 2021), 95 pts

"The wine is deep cherry in color exhibiting complex, expressive aromas. Its minerality comes from the soil, the black fruit from the Tempranillo and the spice from a sometime in oak. The combination leads to a full body that finishes with great length.

- Guia Penin, 95 pts

"Very fine-tannined Duero with berry, chocolate and walnut character. Medium body. Solid core of fruit. Linear and very long. Polished and thought-provoking. Drinkable now, but better in 2023."

- James Suckling (November 2021), 94 pts

Pago de Carraovejas Ribera Del Duero is made from 90% Tempranillo, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Merlot

The Pago de Carraovejas Ribera del Duero vintage marks a turning point in the history of the winery. From now on, the Crianza and Reserva are unified in this wine that focuses on the terroir and character rather than the time of aging. Its renewed label reflects the three key elements of this red: origin, soul and emotion. 

Pago de Carraovejas Ribera Del Duero is made with grapes grown in the Botijas River valley, and planted between 1988 and 2011. Our work over the last 30 years has been geared to handcrafted viniculture, that puts as much care as possible into the microclimate conditions and the details. We have placed particular attention on the maintenance of the soil by plant cover that already grows spontaneously. It allows us to develop the ecosystem of the valley, which we respect scrupulously, using organic fertilizer and sulfur as the sole basis of our viticulture.

Depending on which plot they come from and the time they enter the winery, the grapes may be deposited in cold chambers to prevent oxidation and preserve the aroma. We carry out a two-part selection: first on the vine, where we choose the bunches, and then on a belt in the winery, where we remove the grapes that do meet the necessary conditions. The grapes enter the winery and are transported with the assistance of gravity. The deposits are filled slowly and gently. Depending on the characteristics that we detected when tasting the grapes, we ferment them either in stainless steel deposits or French oak barrels. For years we have worked with our own yeast that has been isolated from the vines by our team. This work is also partly responsible for the Carraovejas character.

The wine was aged in barrels for around twelve months.

 Review:

"A thrilling blend of 93% Tempranillo, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Merlot aged 12 months in French and American oak and an additional 12 months in bottle. Fragrant from start to finish, it delivers notes of violets, purple plum, and sandalwood and a magnificent mouthfeel defined by the tension between slate-driven tannins and juicy, succulent fruit. Dark chocolate and earth strike a pose and linger for an extended time"

- The Tasting Panel (May/June 2022), 96 pts

Porrera’s great Carignan grapes are famous in the auspicious circles of world wine connoisseurs.

Celler Vall Llach is privileged to possess vineyards which grow extraordinary Carignan grapes and which have allowed the winery to release this new Vi de Vila de Porrera (new category of wine within the DOCa. Priorat which is based on the concept of village-level wines), as the winery’s true jewel.

Ancient Carignan vines, carefully selected from vineyards which are over a hundred years old and then blended with an average of 15% Grenache grapes.

These vines are from a different era and truly define the personality of our Porrera de Vall LLach.

Review:

Color: cherry, violet edge, Aroma: fruity expression, red fruit, floral, spicy, black fruit, Mouth: tasty, fruity, good acidity, long

Guia Penin 94 Points

Baron Ermengaud Faugeres Rouge is made from 80% Syrah, 10% Grenache, 5%, Mourvèdre and 5% Carignan.

The Baron Ermengaud cuvée is named after the lord Ermengaud de Fouzilhon. In the 12 century, the Lord gave land, which was located in Laurens Village, to monks, who built a monastic barn. The monks (Benedictine and then Cistercian) used to cultivate the vineyards, using techniques that were quite wise and modern at the time. The people of Laurens enjoyed and benefited from learning their methods.

This Faugeres is dark red with shades of black cherry. A large complexity of aromas allows us to savor a mix of sun fruits and spices. This powerful and full-bodied wine, with a deep consistency, offers an intensity of ripe fruits. It has a long, rich palate on velvety tannins with raised hints of pepper.

Pairs with roast saddle of lamb with juniper berries; peppered venison with pears.

Review:

"Les Crus Faugères is the only cooperative in this appellation, managing 2,223 acres or nearly half of Faugères’ vines. It puts out a vast array of labels, including Mas Olivier, also recommended here, but Baron Ermengaud was the standout for both its 2019 and 2018 reds. Mostly syrah (80 percent), with grenache, carignan and mourvèdre, all of it hand-harvested off schist parcels, the 2019 shines in its combination of earthiness and brightness. Lively acidity and herbal notes give it a just-picked freshness that energizes the red fruit; the clarity allows a clear view of the earth, too, in shades of schist and iron. It tastes like it’s from a place, with a sense of sun and garrigue that’s transporting."
Wine & Spirits Magazine (June 2021), 94 points

Lismore Estate Syrah is made from 100 percent Syrah.

A careful selection of the best of the vintage that exemplifies the extraordinary terroir of Lismore.

An exotic experience which shifts your mind to another place. Cassis, brambles and succulent cherry. White pepper, classic garrigue and the strong floral perfume of crushed violets. Light and elegant, but structured with a fresh acidity. To experience the best this wine has to offer, decanting is suggested.

The grapes were fermented 40% whole bunch in a 5000 litre wooden fermenter with gentle pigeage throughout. The process allowed for a long extraction period which lends to the fruit expression of this wine. The wine was left for a 30 day extended maceration on the skins and then pressed in a traditional baskets press. Matured in 500 litre barrels for 10 months (35% new). Time in the bottle will allow integration, the deepening of layers and full expression of the fruit.

Review:

"This is the best release yet from Lismore, superior even to the impressive 2017. Made from blocks that are now 13 years' old, this is wonderfully, enticingly floral, showcasing all that is best about Syrah: aromatic spices, layered cherry and strawberry fruit, bright acidity, some tannic backbone, subtle whole bunch notes and a long finish. The oak is on point, the alcohol daringly restrained. 2020-30 Greyton (13.2%)"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2019 Special Report), 97 pts

"The 2018 Estate Reserve Syrah contains 50% whole-bunch fruit and is aged in 500- and 700-liter barrels, 30% new. It has an extremely pure, slightly floral bouquet of bright blueberry and black currant fruit infused with scents of crushed iris petals and violets, almost Burgundian in style. The palate is extremely well balanced with perfectly pitched acidity and filigreed tannins. There is an unerring sense of weightlessness about this Syrah, which is one of the most precise Lismore reds I have encountered over several years of tasting. Absolutely stunning. - Neal Martin"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2019), 97 pts