A blend of eau de vie from Grand and Petite Champagne aged between 4 and 12 years, this popular VSOP is medium-bodied and energetic with aromas of ripe pear, citrus zest, vanilla and oak. A honeyed palate of orchard fruit and orange peel leads to a spicy, drawn-out finish.
The suggestive label hints that this McLaren Vale will be sexy and rich, but I would summarize as ripe and succulent instead. Brooding brambles, ripe wild blackberry and dark florals on a soft, velvet-cushioned palate. Dark chocolate streams throughout the whole, coating the ripe tannins in the characteristic McLaren Vale way. Sweet baking spices linger on the finish. Easy-drinking and easily approachable now.
A floral nose with notes of sweet peach, citrus and apple. This non-vintage sparkler shows a surprisingly vigorous mousse, peach and tropical fruits, lemon spritz and a mellow finish.
A Garganega wine, the grape of Soave. Lemon yellow in colour with a white peach and white pepper nose. Medium-bodied, perfumed stone fruit and green pineapple flavours.
100% Tinta de Toro, this substantial wine spent 11 months in French oak barriques. It is still rather closed on the nose, though with enough to reveal dark fruit and spicy intensity. Concentrated dark plum flavour kicks in on the palate with brooding, firm tannic structure. Serve it with robust braised meats, game and aged cheese.
Prominent Sauvignon gooseberry, grassy herbal and asparagus character on the nose with citrus, green herb and mineral flavours, zingy acidity and a fresh, lightly sweet note on the finish.
This classic from the original Chianti area is once again a great success. Built to last, it is already approachable with its ripe, almost sweet red-fruits taste and obvious oak that will need time to integrate. Structure is quite firm, even a bit rough in the finish with a slight vegetal edge. Better wait at least 5 years.