ITALIAN | AUSTRALIAN | SOUTH AMERICA | FRENCH
Ruffino Riserva Ducale 2004
The 2004 Riserva Ducale is characterised by particularly fragrant, fruity notes, typical of this vintage. Sweet cherries and red berry fruits meet with delicately spicy hints of cigar box and white pepper grains and elegant scents of red roses and flint. Fruity, soothing and well-balanced, the taste reveals velvety tannins and lots of fruit. The long ageing in oak enriches the fruity core with hints of cacao and cloves and the long-lingering aftertaste adds intriguing notes of rosemary and figs
Villa Antinori
The wine has an intense ruby red color. It presents aromas of red berries which remind one of blueberries and blackberries, and notes of vanilla resulting from the wood-aging process. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and sapid, with soft tannins and a finish which leaves us with hints of red berries in the mouth.
BANFI Chianti Classico Riserva 2004
Chianti may well be the single best-known wine in the world - historically celebrated, universally revered and enjoyed over centuries. Produced from select grapes grown in the "Classico" region of Chianti between Siena and Florence, this aristocratic Tuscan wine has reached new heights in Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva. After aging two years in Slavonian oak casks, this elegant, well-balanced wine has flavors of vanilla, cocoa and spice. An honored red wine, Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva is a fine gourmet accompaniment to red roasts, pastas and cheese.
Brunello di Montalcino D.O.C.G. Sangiovese
Brunello di Montalcino was Italy's first wine to be accorded D.O.C.G. status, a testament to its aristocracy, balance and fabulous proclivity for aging. Under the direction of Banfi's master winemakers, our Sangiovese grapes are transformed into a remarkable world-class wine, perhaps the most respected red of Italy. Aged for a total of up to four years, including a minimum of two years in oak barrels, Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino is a wine of robust character. It possesses a rich garnet color, and a depth, complexity and opulence that is softened by an elegant, lingering aftertaste.
Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino's regal qualities are best exhibited with game, red meats, roasts, hearty stews and rich powerful cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano.
MOLLY DOOKER BLUE EYED BOY
A truly remarkable Shiraz. This powerful yet extremely smooth and aromatic wine fills your mouth with lovely ripe, sweet fruit. It will amaze you with its unctuous texture and silky tannins. The Blue Eyed Boy on the label is Sarah and Sparky's son, Luke.
Aromatic braised lamb shoulder with a prune reduction sauce and roasted pine nuts. It will match almost any savoury full-flavoured meats such beef short ribs or even spice-rubbed or barbequed chicken. Our Shiraz's match very well with aged, hard cheeses from cow or goat's milk such as sharp cheddar, parma or manchego. Especially delicious with dried cherries, salted marcona almonds and milk chocolate.
PENFOLDS KOONUNGA HILL SHIRAZ
The 2006 Greg Norman Estates Limestone Coast Shiraz is a vibrant dark crimson color. Perfumed dark plum, cherry and blueberry aromas are balanced with light cedar and vanillin oak nuances, and a touch of spice. A rounded, soft, silky textured palate with slightly savoury tannins and good length. Finishes with rich dark berry fruit and delicate spearmint and herbs. A beautifully textured, generous Australian Shiraz with rich berry fruit, a firm but rounded structure and pleasant persistence of flavors on the finish.
JACOB’S CREEK SHIRAZ
This premium, full bodied wine is an outstanding example of South Australian Shiraz, displaying an intensity of ripe plum with pepper spice, balanced by soft grape and oak tannins, leading to a lingering smooth finish. An ideal accompaniment to most red meats, game and cheeses. A wine that will develop further with cellaring.
GREG NORMAN SHIRAZ
The 2006 Greg Norman Estates Limestone Coast Shiraz is a vibrant dark crimson color. Perfumed dark plum, cherry and blueberry aromas are balanced with light cedar and vanillin oak nuances, and a touch of spice. A rounded, soft, silky textured palate with slightly savoury tannins and good length. Finishes with rich dark berry fruit and delicate spearmint and herbs. A beautifully textured, generous Australian Shiraz with rich berry fruit, a firm but rounded structure and pleasant persistence of flavors on the finish.
BODEGA NORTON MALBEC
Deep red color with violet highlights. Complex aroma of plums and mature black fruits, licorice and black pepper. Delicate, spicy notes. Tannins of firm, sweet and mature texture. Very good concentration. Round, wide in the middle of the mouth, long and harmonious finish.
GASCON MALBEC
Malbec, rich, dark, robustly fruitful, is the undisputed king of Argentine wines. Argentina has a highly developed wine culture, born of its Spanish roots and nurtured by waves of immigrants from other wine-loving countries. Yet it is Malbec that has made Argentina, and especially the region of Mendoza, famous as a center for world class wine.
SANTA EMA CAB/SAUV
Tart cherries and strawberries were the most readily identifiable scent in this one, with a coffee-like musk on the tail end of each deep breath.
Blood red with a slight cloudiness and, if you look to the end of the glass, a slight gradient from clear to murky. This one isn’t as clear as the others; the particulate in the wine definitely stops light from piercing right through.
This has been my favorite first taste in recent memory; the mouthfeel was like velvet. An excellent balance of tannin and acid caused this wine to roll over the tongue and last for minutes. The flavors were of, as indicated by the smell, cherry and strawberry, with a solid backbone of spice and a bit of the savory coffee that I’d smelled. Still, the most appealing part was the mouthfeel; some might find it a little ’sandy’ due to the less filtered nature of the wine, but I fell in love with the soft, quiet smoothness That is so uncharacteristic of inexpensive cab.
SANTA RITA CAB/SAUV
The ruby red 120 Cabernet Sauvignon is dominated by aromas of red and forest fruits, with additional notes of leather, cloves, and vanilla on the palate. This is a wine that develops on the palate, juicy, with soft, ripe tannins and a very elegant finish.Ideal to combine with red meats, pork, spicy sauces and cheese soufflés.
PARALLELE 45 RED.
Deep colour with an attractive brilliance. Elegant and aromatic, with red fruits blended with spices. Well-structured on rounded tannins, with a final spicy note.
LOUIS JADOT BEAUJOLAIS VILLAGE
This is a very dark reddish-violet wine, clear at the edge and almost black at the center. Its aromas and flavors are classic Beaujolais: Juicy strawberries and clean, "dusty" earthy notes, crisp and mouth-watering, refreshing and balanced. Fine Beaujolais, and about 30 minutes in the refrigerator brings it to a perfect serving temperature.
LA FIOLE DU PAPE CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE
La Fiole du Pape Chateauneuf du Pape NV has tea and tomato flavors with hints of sandalwood on the nose. Supple texture.
MOUTON CADET BORDEAUX
winemaker's notes:
A scintillating, deep garnet red. Highly expressive black fruit at first, espicially blackberry with touches of toast and fine spice, then more complex fresh fruit aromas, especially cherry and red currant, that burst from the glass. Particularly supple and round on the attack, displaying an attractive harmony between silky tannins and the freshness of the fruit on the nose. A hedonistic wine, succulent and richly flavored, ending on a generous and pleasant, fruit-filled finish. Pair with rich meaty dishes such as rib steak with shallots, veal chest, duck and lamb chops.
