RED WINE

Barnard Griffin Winery began in 1983 with borrowed grapes and a rented cellar, the dream of founders Deborah Barnard and Rob Griffin. It has since become one of Washington's most enduring and award-winning wineries. Along with their tasting room, they also have a tasting room in Woodinville, where one can taste many examples of Washington wine. The Cabernet delivers a cascade of opulent plum, cherry and raspberry fruit flavors framed with subtle notes of bittersweet chocolate and oak spice. A very rich, fruity, food-friendly Cab!

Casa Raia has 4.5ha of vineyards, ranging from 44 years old to new. Certified organic, the phases of the moon are followed to the letter to create biodiversity. All harvesting is done by hand and clusters are inspected carefully before destemmed. The Bevilo is a blend of mostly Sangiovese with small percentages of Canaiolo, Cabernet Franc and Merlot all co-fermented. Beautifully balanced with red cherry, raspberry, and hints of earth and savoury balsamic, it's smooth tannins finish easy and long. A rare find.

The Chateau Malescasse is located between Margaux and Saint Julien at the highest point in the Medoc and has a long, proud history dating back to 1824. Now completely refurbished, with modernizations in the winery, the 40ha plot is managed as a Grand Cru. The 2016 has a blend of 53% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9% Petit Verdot. Well- balanced and full bodied with a powerful nose of cassis, blackberry, cedar, and floral notes. The palate is fleshy and full, with a long round finish. An excellent Bordeaux at an amazing price point.

The Ricasoli Ceniprimo Chianti Classico is a red wine made from Sangiovese grapes grown in the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany, Italy. It has a deep ruby color and aromas of ripe red fruit, black cherry, and a hint of spice. On the palate, it is full-bodied with a balanced acidity and tannins, and flavors of cherry, plum, and a touch of vanilla. The finish is long and persistent, with a pleasant aftertaste of fruit and spice. This wine is perfect to pair with grilled meats, pasta dishes, and aged cheeses.

Rich blackberry and plum on the nose with notes of aniseed. Full-bodied with dark bramble fruit and well-coated tannins on the palate. The long finish reveals layers of black licorice and dried sage. MB (4/22)

The Boscaini family of MASI fame rediscovered the rare Oseleta grape, grown in the area of Valpolicella as a perfect grape to blend with the other Amarone grapes. With its extra pip and high skin to juice ratio, it provides a tannic edge to the blend. Unique as a monovarietal, MASI is the only winery to have a 100% Oseleta. The Osar is deep red in colour, clean and complex with hints of blueberries, blackberries and
fresh-cut greenery. The extreme tannins are well balanced with the acidity and alcohol.

Nebbiolo in Italy's most northern region of Val d'Aosta is known here as Picotener or Picotendre. Difficult to ripen in this cold climate, the grapes have the advantage of altitude sunshine. This light, fresh example has all the rose, cherry and rasperry notes of Nebbiolo, but with an intense acidity. If you've never tried Nebbiolo before, this may be a great place to start!

Not just Barolo, but single vineyard Barolo which makes these wines even more special. The typical flavours of roses and dried cherries is evident in this powerful Nebbiolo and of course these wines will age for decades, into 2040. On the nose, the wine exhibits rich, intense aromas of red fruits, such as cherries and raspberries, alongside hints of licorice, tobacco, and leather. On the palate, it is full-bodied with firm tannins, a great structure, and a long, persistent finish. The wine has a complex flavor profile that includes dark berries, plums, and black pepper, with subtle hints of vanilla and spice. The oak aging process adds a layer of complexity and depth to the wine, while the high acidity gives it a vibrant freshness. This is a well-balanced wine that showcases the elegance and power of the Barolo region. It can be enjoyed now or aged for several years to come.

Passopisciaro is a small area (the name of a town) on Mt.Etna's north face on the property of the late Andrea Franchetti. Soils from this active volcano provides resulting wine with a vein of minerality that speaks of the terroir of this prestigious region. Rampante sits at 1000m asl and produces one of the finest, most aromatic of the volcano wines due to the sandy content in the soil. Dried flowers, smoke, sour cherries, and exotic spices dominate. It is the winery's most rarified and ethereal expression of Nerello Mascalese. Stunning.

Little is known about this tiny family winery, but the wines are spectacular and true to Sangiovese from Montalcino. With only 7ha purchased in 2000, winemaker Jessica Pellegrini is a rising star in the area making elegant wines that are organic. The 2015 vintage was excellent and with lovely cherry nib, balsamic and tomato leaf, it is a wine for the ages that you will want to drink again and again.

Saint Joseph in the Northern Rhone is only authorized for 100% Syrah. Black pepper, warm spice, black cherry, and iron minerality, it would be best to put this away and let the tannins settle down, or open for several hours before serving to open. Classic Rhone Valley Syrah.

Fritz Kupelwieser's Vernatsch/Schiava is a red wine with a ruby color and a bouquet of wild berries and violets. On the palate, it is light and fresh, with balanced acidity and soft tannins, making it a perfect pairing for roasted meats, pasta dishes, and aged cheeses. This wine is made from 100% Vernatsch/Schiava grapes grown in the Südtirol subregion of Alto Adige, where the unique microclimate and soil create ideal conditions for growing this variety. The vintage is a testament to the quality of this grape and the winemaker's skill in crafting a beautiful wine.

Located in Chiaramonte, Sicily where this land is known for growing Nero D’Avola, the grape, also known as Calabrese has found its natural home here on this island. What makes Gulfi special is regional area of Pachino, the coastal, sandy terroir where Nero d’Avola has adapted very well. Only steps from the Mediterranean Sea, these vineyards thrive in the heat and grow grapes that produce world-class wines. The Catania family will tell you this is a “grand cru” and with several single vineyard sites within Pachino, Nero d’Avola can show great nuances.  Ageable and collectible, these are worth having in any wine cellar.

Gulfi is a family-owned winery located in southern Sicily, with grand cru vineyards located in Pachino: 100% Nero d’Avola that grows in sandy soil close to the sea and has adapted to the hot climate. Here, the resulting wines are complex and elegant, and the benchmark for what these wines should taste like. Undoubtedly, one of the world’s greatest wine estates and producers of Nero d’Avola. Although one might think the wines taste the same, each single vineyard or ‘cru’ showcases the great terroir of Pachino and the subtleties of each area.

Baronj has mostly limestone soils that brings out the power and minerality of the wine. Likely the most “easy drinking” of the cru wines, it has a nose of raspberry, blood orange and violet with a vibrant palate of dried cherries, plums, and licorice.

As the winery's most important and awarded wine, Sor Ugo represents the elegance and strength of Bolgheri. A "Super Tuscan" Bordeaux-blend created by the prominent enologist Tibor Gal, it is named after Ugo, the first Pellegrini family member who started to work with grapes and wines a century ago

Danimi Votiva Campi Taurasini DOC is a red wine produced by Danimi winery in the Campania region of Italy. A Votiva is an offering to the gods. The figurine depicted on the bottles of Votiva are inspired by similar objects found in the heart of Irpinia where the ancients worshipped the Goddess Mefite and made offerings to appease her. This is the 'cru' line that represents the strength of the Irpinian territory and identity. Made from 100% Aglianico, the wine is a complex mix of floral and fruity notes such as violets and wild red berries along with spicy notes that recall scent of tobacco and leather. The mouthfeel is intense and concentrated, full-bodied with velvety tannins. 

Mazzolino Pinot Noir Oltrepo Pavese DOC  is a medium-bodied red wine with a ruby red color and an elegant bouquet of red fruits, cherries, and spices. On the palate, it is smooth and balanced with a long finish. The grapes are carefully selected and harvested by hand before being fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged in oak barrels for 12 months before being bottled. This Pinot Noir pairs well with roasted meats, game, and aged cheeses.

Arpepe Sassella Stella Retica  is a red wine with a ruby red color. It has a complex aroma with notes of red fruit, such as cherries and raspberries, and hints of spices, such as cloves and cinnamon. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, with a good structure and balance, and firm tannins. The wine has flavors of red fruit, with a hint of earthiness, and a long and persistent finish. It is a perfect match for roasted meats, game, and aged cheeses.

We don’t often think about Nebbiolo outside of Barolo or Barbaresco, but the northern region of Gattinara is a quality region growing points-worthy Spanna, as it is known here. Elegant with aromas and flavours of dried roses, raspberry jam and hints of toasted nuts and vanilla. If you’ve never tried Nebbiolo from Northern Piemonte, this is a good place to start. 

Cala Civetta Ciliegiolo DOC is a red wine made from 100% Ciliegiolo grapes grown in the Maremma subregion of Tuscany, Italy. The wine has a bright ruby-red colour with violet hues and a complex aroma of red fruits, cherries, and violets. The palate is medium-bodied with soft tannins and a good balance between acidity and alcohol. This wine is an excellent representation of the Ciliegiolo grape, which is becoming increasingly popular in Tuscany.
A light red, it can be paired with chicken or pork tenderloin dishes

Wine Enthusiast: Plum and berry aromas are rough and gritty like hot asphalt, while this Malbec is earthy and hints at barnyard animal hide on the nose. A wiry palate is wayward and short on focus, while this tastes of plum and generic berry fruits topped with oak that doesn't dissipate on the finish. Michael Schachner

Bright ruby colour, open on the nose with powerful aromas of red fruit enhanced by toasted nuances. Well-structured and firm on the palate, it possesses stylish tannins. Its natural freshness gives a nice length to the wine.

The nose is spicier than that of Pommard, with notes of cloves and peppers that intertwine with nuances of wild berries. The fruit emerges gradually from aeration. The flavour corresponds to the aromas: the wine is nicely full-bodied, with a grain of crunchy tannin and a frank vitality, it is the energy of Volnay that speaks and the wine is both built and lifted: molto vivace, as the musicians - it will give the right tempo to the best roast poultry.

Organic

Located in Nuits-Saint-Georges, the Dufuoleur family has been steeped in Burgundian winemaking and culture for more than 400 years. Their property of 30ha runs from the village of Fixin in the north to Santenay in the south. The Fraîches Eaux Nuits-Saint-Georges is a very small plot planted to Pinot Noir grapes with an average age of 45 years. Aromas of blackthorn, strawberry and cherry dominated with further nuances of tobacco, candied strawberry and forest floor notes on the palate. Nuits-Saint-Georges offers more full-bodied examples of Pinot Noir and this wine is no exception.

Pierre Thibert Beaune Premier Cru Les Teurons is a high-quality red wine produced by Pierre Thibert, a family-owned winery located in the Beaune Premier Cru appellation of Burgundy. Made from Pinot Noir grapes grown in the Les Teurons vineyard, this wine is aged in oak barrels for 14 months, resulting in a complex and elegant wine with a beautiful balance between fruit and oak flavors. On the nose, the wine displays aromas of black cherry, raspberry, and vanilla, with hints of earth and spice. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and rich, with flavors of dark fruit and a subtle minerality, with silky tannins and a long, lingering finish. Pierre Thibert Beaune Premier Cru Les Teurons 2017 has been rated 91 points by Wine Spectator, indicating a wine of outstanding quality. This wine pairs well with roasted meats, game, and hearty stews.

TASTING NOTES
A very complex and concentrated interpretation of Tempranillo, complemented by 15% Merlot. The grapes come from a single vineyard at the foot of Sierra Cantabria with an elevation of 700 meters. Spontaneous fermentation takes place in stainless steel with a 20-day maceration. This is followed by barrel aging in French for 14 months. The colour of the wine is an inviting bright red with hints of purple. The aroma is full of ripe fruit with a hint of almond skin and aromatic herbs. The palate has a beautiful mouth-feel with soft tannins, complex yet smooth and an underlying touch of well-integrated oak aging. A lively acidity provides balance, leading into a harmonious, long finish.

This Port Explorer Gift Pack includes the following four bottles Quevedo Port in 375ml form:

1x Quevedo Special Reserve Tawny Port
1x Quevedo 10 Year Tawny White Port
1x Quevedo 2007 Colheita Port
1x Quevedo 2017 Late Bottled Vintage Port

375ml

92/100, Wine Enthusiast: "This wine offers a full, bright bouquet that is packed with notes of cherry, chocolate, exotic spice, leather, rum cake and a touch of cinnamon. The palate shows smooth, fine tannins and a long, fruit-driven finish."

Waterkloof Seriously Cool Cinsault is a concentrated red wine with intense aromas of pink flowers, red fruit notes and light hints of toast. On the palate it is rich, flavoursome and complex. A medium to full-bodied wine with a recognisable structure and soft, elegant tannins. The finish is lingering and persistent.

Complex and smooth, offering rich fruit flavours and fine tannins. Classic Cabernet Franc typicity is evident with the concentrated fruit and cinnamon spice, with an intriguing character of earthiness and cloves.

Attractive, sensual, balanced. A soft and persuasive Barbaresco. Velvety tannins and great body define this wine, that ends with a fruity finish and floral note.

A firm, fine-grained red with plum, mahogany, iron and bark on the nose and palate. It's full-bodied with a dusty texture from the tannins. Flavorful finish. Needs time to soften, but a beautiful young Barolo.

Dark garnet with a violet rim. Fresh lifted berry fruit that draws you in! Full yet elegant with bramble aromas and cream, cassis and black cherry flavours on the palate with structure provided by fine tannins with a long rich, ripe finish.

A small portion, about 12%, of the blend is made up of Viura to add a touch of lightness to the full-bodied Tempranillo that makes up the majority of this cuvée. The Tempranillo grapes are fermented in the winery's traditional carbonic maceration method in open concrete vats, resulting in a very fruit-forward wine with soft, well-integrated tannins. Maturing the wine in concrete vats for several months adds surprising depth and complexity. The grapes are from 40-year old vines. In the glass there is an inviting dark cherry colour with purple tinges. The aroma is expressive and refreshing with hints of violets, strawberries, and aromatic herbs. The finish is well rounded and elegant.

Violet combines in a most subtle fashion with gentle vanilla on the perfumed nose. A slight cloud of flinty reduction has nothing on them. The palate is supremely elegant, translucent and so subtle that every nuance of red-fruited finesse gets its moment in the light. This is elegance squared. Beautiful, poised, exquisite and lasting.

For six generations, Domaine Noellat has been farming their 20ha of land. With entreprenurial spirit, the family was always looking to adapt to new technologies, while respecting the traditions handed down from one generation to another. The cellar was built in 1980 while in 2007 an ultra modern winery was erected with state of the art stainless tanks and a dedicated tasting space in the cellar. Cousins Sebastien and Sophie work closely together making strategic decisions based on the nature of each harvest. Vosne-Romanee is more of an "elegant" appellation, where you'll find soft red fruit of cherry and strawberry and hints of mint and vanilla-chocolate.

For six generations, Domaine Noellat has been farming their 20ha of land. With entreprenurial spirit, the family was always looking to adapt to new technologies, while respecting the traditions handed down from one generation to another. The cellar was built in 1980 while in 2007 an ultra modern winery was erected with state of the art stainless tanks and a dedicated tasting space in the cellar. Cousins Sebastien and Sophie work closely together making strategic decisions based on the nature of each harvest. The Premier cru of Les Suchots is 1.8ha with 70 years average age of the vines. This 100% Pinot Noir has a delicate nose with notes of cherry, violet and hints of pepper. The palate is full bodied, yet balanced with a touch of floral sweetness. Try in 5 years or keep for the next 5-15 years.

For six generations, Domaine Noellat has been farming their 20ha of land. With entreprenurial spirit, the family was always looking to adapt to new technologies, whilst respecting the traditions handed down from one generation to another. The cellar was built in 1980, then in 2007 an ultra modern winery was erected with state of the art stainless tanks and a dedicated tasting space in the cellar. Cousins Sebastien and Sophie work closely together making strategic decisions based on the nature of each harvest. The pinot noir grapes are all hand harvested and 100% de-stemmed, stainless steel fermentation, then ageing for 16 months in 70% new barrels. The wine shows ripe cherries, red currant and earthy notes with medium body, and silky tannins. Great ageability on this wine; put this away for a few years yet. Drink to 2060.

Dark berries and plum flavours dominate the palate, followed by hints of tobacco, liquorice and underlying cedar wood and cigar box notes. The wine has a touch of spice - a lovely lingering, savoury

This family owned Domaine has a prestigious location: they are the only Domaine located inside the walls of Clos Vougeot itself. They are the largest owners of land with 5.5ha, many of these with Pinot Noir vines that were planted in 1910. Although they always farmed organically, they received their certification in 2021. The 2019 Grand Cru is a cuvée that is the most faithful expression of Clos de Vougeot.Picked from different plots, the grapes are vinified and aged separately, then blended just before bottling. This 100% Pinot Noir is a powerful wine with penetrating aromas of cherry and spice. Powerful tannins and mouth filling, give this wine some time to settle down. Try from 2024 and beyond.

From the legendary Michel Chapoutier, this is a consistently highly-rated wine that reliably delivers big flavour in an intense yet elegant package. Look for bold red and dark fruit with earth and spice notes. Great for burgers, ribs, or lamb.