L’Épiphanie de Pauillac is the latest of our secret releases from iconic Bordeaux châteaux. It hails from Pauillac’s top tier – a Premier Grand Cru Classé estate. There are only three in the appellation: Lafite Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild and Latour. We guarantee this wine is from one of them. It isn’t their Grand Vin, of course, but it’s made from the same fruit by the same winemaker and housed in the same barrels. Yet it costs less than 1/16th of the Grand Vin’s price.
L’Épiphanie de Pauillac has blackcurrant, cherry and ripe plum infused with subtle spice, cedar and cigar box notes. These classic aromas combine with firm tannins for a complex wine with a long finish. By all means open a bottle now, but cellaring will pay dividends.
Il Brutto comes from Puglia, home to wines with "undreamed-of character and potential" (Parker). The fruit comes from tiny plots of century-old Negroamaro and Primitivo vines – heirlooms handed down through generations.
These gnarled, twisted vines may be ugly ('brutto'), but they produce absolutely incredible grapes. Unfortunately, without a big budget to promote or make the wines, these amazing grapes were being sold off at a very low price. The growers were struggling, and property developers were circling. Those heirloom vineyards were very close to being sold off, the precious vines ripped up and bulldozed!
Angelo is a champion of the Puglia region, and he established his award-winning Cantine Due Palme cellar in the 1980s to help save the region's traditions and growers just like these ones. Recognising the quality of these old vines and their precious fruit, he enabled the vineyards to be saved. This sensational Double Gold, two-time 90pt (one from Italy's top critic Luca Maroni) Il Brutto Negroamaro Primitivo 2021 – a characteristically warming southern Italian red with a wealth of flavour.
"Attractive nose of bilberries, redcurrants, smoky and spicy notes and a touch of coffee. Full-bodied, lively and quite dense on the palate, restating its flamboyant flavors over a backdrop of well-judged oak" (Gilbert & Gaillard). One taste will transport you to southern Italy … you can almost feel the Italian sun. It's so good! Serve this treasured red with your finest roast meats or a platter of antipasti.
