Staff Picks
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Country: Spain, RiojaGrapes: TempranilloABV: 14.5%Style: Smooth Fruity Red92 Points - Tim Atkin MW. Casa La Rad is a winery dedicated to the environment to sustain and improve its vitality and biodiversity. From the La Rad vineyard, the grapes are handpicked and carefully selected from bush trained vines 35 years or older, before malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels of 500 and 225 litres where it will be aged for at least 14 months. A highly rated wine by the international wine press, and gold medal winning wine at the Mundus Vini awards, Casa La Rad Tinto is
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Country: South Africa, StellenboschGrapes: MalbecABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full RedNothing is left to chance with the De Toren Private Cellar Patronus Malbec. Taking its name from the Latin for ‘patron’, this is a wine where winemaking is turned not just into an art form, but into an obsession. The tiny harvest goes through an incredibly stringent selection process with only the finest old Malbec vines on the property being considered for use. Once chosen, individual bunches are selected at harvest and then, post-destemming, individual grapes. Following a long, yet cool, ferme -
Country: South Africa, StellenboschGrapes: Syrah / ShirazABV: 15.5%Style: Rich Full RedIt’s a bold claim to say a wine – especially a Shiraz – is unlike anything you have ever tasted, but in the case of the De Toren Black Lion Shiraz, it happens to be true. As De Toren puts it, ‘The Black Lion wine is the heirloom of years of winemaking in De Toren’s continuous quest for perfection’. Planted on ancient soils with specially selected vines and nurtured by hand manicuring and individual attention, nothing is left to chance. Irrigation is kept to a minimum and the vines are treated or -
Country: South Africa, StellenboschGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full RedNo South African wine is as revered or acclaimed as the Book 17 of De Toren Private Cellar. This Western Cape wine is produced from a classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. The vines are planted on poor, free-draining soils which force them to dig deep into the sand and granite soils in search of nutrients, reducing the vines’ vigour and imparting complexity. Once they have reach optimum ripeness, the grapes are hand-harvested and rushed to the press house. Here -
Country: Spain, Ribera del DueroGrapes: TempranilloABV: 15%Style: Rich Full RedA unique wine made with a selection of the best grapes from vineyards and vines over 90 years of age. A blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Albillo Mayor in a plot that offers the perfect solar exposure and allows the grapes to ripen the ideal condition. After 26 months of aging in American and French oak, it is then aged in the bottle. An exceptional wine that comfortably rivals the most prestigious wines in the world including Vega Sicilia ! Blend: 85% Tempranillo, 12% Cabernet Sauvi -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 15.5%Style: Rich Full RedMercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon is the flagship wine of Orin Swift and emphasises their guiding principle: Without quality grapes, great wine is impossible. It comes from the best lots from very select vineyards in Napa Valley and the wine is a testament to those vineyards, to their principle and to what is possible in Napa Valley. The Liberty Dime on each bottle symbolises winemaker Dave Phinney's favorite coin in his collection growing up and his most prized possession. Vivino Rating: 4.6 (Sep -
Country: Italy, VenetoGrapes: CorvinaABV: 15.5%Style: Rich Full RedThe Ca’ Florian Amarone Riserva is made from a selection of the finest grapes from the Ca’ Florian cru, one of the Tommasi family’s most prestigious vineyards. A blend of Corvina 75%, Corvinone 20%, Rondinella 5%, a deep ruby red with garnet highlights, on the nose it displays an elegant and very complex bouquet, with notes of ripe red fruits (cherries, blackberries and plums) along with spicy nuances of liquorice and bitter cocoa. It is full-bodied and austere on the palate, with rich tannins -
Country: Italy, VenetoGrapes: CorvinaABV: 16%Style: Rich Full Red96 Points - Luca Maroni. This is a modern take on a classic Amarone. Made using the appassimento method with semi-dried grapes in Tenute Ca 'Botta's patented Fermentino Ca'Botta tank to give even greater richness and body. This opulent, heady wine is aged in 225-litre French oak barrels and allowed to rest in the bottle before release. This is Tenute Ca 'Botta's signature wine, one that is a must-try for lovers of powerful reds. Vivino Rating: 4.3 (Sept 2024) Wine Press Ratings 96 Points - Luca -
Country: Italy, PiedmontGrapes: NebbioloABV: 14.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red94 Points - DWWA. This Barolo comes from Cagliero's Terlo vineyard which is planted at 320 meters in elevation on clay-rich soils. It's planted with Lampia and Michet Nebbiolo sub-varieties. After hand-harvest, the grapes were macerated on the skins for 2 weeks to help extract the delicate colour and aromas of this regal grape. On the palate, supremely balanced and smooth. Ideal with grilled meats and rich stews. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Oct 2024) Wine Press Ratings 94 Points / Silver Medal - Decante -
Country: Spain, RiojaGrapes: TempranilloABV: 14.5%Style: Smooth Fruity Red92 Points - Tim Atkin MW. Casa La Rad is a winery dedicated to the environment to sustain and improve its vitality and biodiversity. From the La Rad vineyard, the grapes are handpicked and carefully selected from bush trained vines 35 years or older, before malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels of 500 and 225 litres where it will be aged for at least 14 months. A highly rated wine by the international wine press, and gold medal winning wine at the Mundus Vini awards, Casa La Rad Tinto is