Ruffino is a big producer in Italy but delivers quality at all price points. The Orvieto is a delightful white that shows pear, citrus, melon and floral notes on the nose. On the palate look for ripe pear and juicy citrus with a hint of sweetness, balanced out by good acidity.
Pale gold. Cocktail of exotic fruits with characteristic hint of burnt rubber. The fine acidity brings a nice freshness. Moderately sweet, its rich texture coats the palate. A tad bitter in the finish, this is well compensated by the sweetness. Ready to drink.
Long Shadows owner Allen Shoup worked with Randy Dunn (of Dunn Vineyards) to produce this pure Cabernet Sauvignon. Very spicy nose with strong cinnamon over black fruits and a fair amount of oak. Tight and finely grained, it is powerful but not massive. Finish is again very tight.
This blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon is an impressive and seamless red which exudes dark cherry, cassis, raspberry, plum, chocolate, herbs and hints of graphite. Full-bodied, ripe and long-lasting, it is ready to drink now but can easily handle another 6 years of cellaring.
Medium ruby. Red berry-fruits, vanilla notes from the oak and a light perfumed touch. Medium-bodied, well-balanced; the fine tannins are less tight than most Chilean reds for a more elegant mouthfeel. Nice finish on the same theme. Ready to drink.
Maury is known for its sweet, fortified red wines made from Grenache, but we are increasingly seeing the dry version, also very interesting. This one includes 20% of Carignan; it offers a dark ruby colour, a rich nose of black fruits, anise and liquorice. Generously tannic but not aggressively so; the emphasis is on the ripe fruity taste. Finish is lifted by acidity and the alcohol is well under control.
Bright, pale straw colour; minerally, white peach and lemon zest nose; medium-bodied, dry, round on the palate with peach and lemon flavours augmented by a floral note. Beautifully balanced and lingering. Delicious. Drink now though 2020.