Winemaker Ann Sperling looks for “elegant wines that get bigger” in her Poetica tier. The red version is a blend of Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and a touch of Merlot. Such a wonderful and expressive nose of rich, meaty blackberry, cherry and a complex array of oak spices. This has structure and grip with lovely red and dark fruits that build on the palate and meld with an array of spices and firm tannins. Needs time to integrate, but the rewards will be worth waiting for.
From one of the original Island wineries, organically grown, hand harvested vines yield honey, floral and citrus notes on top before a racy, crisp and clean mineral toned dry palate with zesty undertones.
Ruché is a native grape of north-eastern Piedmont, and was the wine reserved for special feasts and celebrations. Ruché Caresana is one of the flagship wines of Gatto, an 8 ha family estate from the late 19th century. The sandy/tuffaceous hillside vineyards are between 230 and 260 m and are farmed sustainably, including a mix of organic and biodynamic practices. This is fermented in a mix of stainless and glass-lined cement before time in larger-format Slavonian and French oak. Intense white pepper, geranium, wild plum and herbal green raspberry notes open and carry through to the fresh, light-bodied palate. Salted dried herbs, cured sweet salami, perfumed rock roses, nutmeg flow throughout, all lifted with a bright, brisk acidity and finishing with ample cracked pepper. An alluring rare beauty, best enjoyed slightly chilled and with an Italian charcuterie platter.
At CDC, “Old Vines” means estate-grown fruit that is a minimum age of 20 years old. The nose of this Riesling leans towards an austere mineral, lime and apple profile with slight undercurrents of peach and bergamot. Dry, fresh acidity and very good length make for a fine pairing with fried shellfish or salmon carpaccio.
An underrated aromatic grape that deserves more of the spotlight. The very spicy and fragrant nose seduces, while the juicy, spicy palate satisfies with fruit-salad flavours, from nectarines to orange-lime to tropical fruit. Long, vibrant finish. Its slight, well-balanced sweetness works well with roast turkey.
Classic varietal nose shows highly perfumed rose petal with a pinch of white pepper. Orange citrus and lychee are both identifiable on the opulently flavourful palate. Balancing acidity adds freshness to the off-dry finish.
Ripasso, adding freshly fermented Valpolicella to the skins and lees of Amarone production, makes for a more complex and richer wine. Deep ruby-purple in colour. The nose is all spicy plum and raisins. The palate is creamy with flavours of plums and milk chocolate and a note of cloves on the finish.