Can you imagine buying 1,008 bottles of wine in one year? That’s 200 gallons to be exact – the same amount that each American household was allowed to make for ‘personal use’ during Prohibition. And the go-to grape during this DIY time wasn’t Cabernet or Merlot, it was the bold and juicy Alicante Bouschet - widely planted in California but originally from Portugal.
Today, award-winning winemaker Jamie Quendera has crafted a mighty, Reserva-quality red, from rare 100-year-old vines. And the unique twist? Jamie aged the wine for 12 months in custom double casks. The top and bottom are French oak (imparting subtle spice) while the long side planks are American (for vanilla notes). The result is an ultra-smooth, cherry-ripe, well-spiced drop!
It won a Trophy for its first release, another Trophy and Gold for 2007 and 2009, and Gold for 2010.
It’s from the Elqui Valley, an extraordinarily high region next to the Atacama Desert.
Thanks to the wonders of irrigation, flourishing green vineyards stand out in stark contrast to their moonscape surroundings.
The award winning Viña Falernia was set up by Italians Aldo Olivier Gramola and Giorgio Flessati in 1995 and is one of only two wineries here.
Today they have extensive vineyards and a cellar packed with state of the art equipment.
With impressive richness, great complexity and finesse, this is a wine to decant and serve with roast lamb on a special occasion.
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It ended up being considerably longer than intended, but all's well that ends well, because 10 years later it's proved to be absolutely stunning – a silky, velvety luxury wine. A great choice with lamb.
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This is a stellar white Rioja. It’s the flagship of Altos, a cellar founded in 2006 by winemaker Jean-Marc Sauboua, and already with 125 Golds. Old-vine Viura and Chardonnay, fermented in barrel, this is intense, citrusy and toasty.
Altos is a top performing Rioja bodega with Trophies for 'Spanish Winery of the Year', 'Reserva of the Year' and 'Crianza of the Year'. Owner-winemaker is Haut-Brion trained Jean Marc Sauboua. This is 92-pt single vineyard Rioja.
Gold, International Wine Awards, 2020
90-94pts, International Wine Awards, 2020
90pts, James Suckling, 2020
92pts, Andreas Larsson, 2020
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The Full Fifteen has been one of our bestselling Aussie reds for years. Smooth juicy flavours, power and real drinkability have made it an all-time customer favourite. So we were thrilled when Andrew McPherson decided to craft a special Reserve edition. It’s been made in honour of Andrew’s mother Doreen, a woman who embodied Australia’s great pioneering spirit and whose devotion to family inspired everyone around her.
To call this Andrew’s special project red is an understatement. He seeks out premium parcels of old-vine Shiraz and Cabernet from acclaimed Victorian vineyards and treats the wine to long, luxurious ageing in finest oak barrels. The result is a berry-laden, richly concentrated, spicy red. Serve with prime steak or roast lamb.
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So we were thrilled when Andrew McPherson decided to craft a special Reserve edition.
It’s been made in honour of Andrew’s mother Doreen, a woman who embodied Australia’s great pioneering spirit and whose devotion to family inspired everyone around her.
To call this Andrew’s special project red is an understatement. He seeks out premium parcels of old vine Shiraz and Cabernet from acclaimed Victorian vineyards and treats the wine to long, luxurious ageing in finest oak barrels.
The result is a berry laden, richly concentrated, spicy red. Serve with prime steak or roast lamb.
only 16 left
The wine is matured for 12 months in the barrels that used to hold the family's fine port. Unique method allows the wines to get extra layers of lovely spice, incredible velvety richness, superb complexity, and a light touch of sweetness.
Complex Gran Reserva from Rioja Alavesa, now boasting eight years' maturity. It's from the Murúa family, responsible for our bestselling Rioja. Mature, silky berry fruit with layers of savoury, toasty vanilla and spice.
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