Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (Australia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of a lovely, consistently well-made Australian Cabernet Sauvignon that arrived at the LCBO last month in the July 22nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Wakefield Wines, a well-respected winery situated in the Clare Valley wine region of South Australia. The family winemaking business was established in 1969 by Bill Taylor Sr. He was inspired by the producers of Bordeaux and had a vision to craft estate wines that rival the best in the world. In Australia and New Zealand, they trade under their family name, Taylors Wines, but here in Canada and abroad, the wines are marketed under the Wakefield Wines brand.

When the Taylor family established their wine business, they wanted to create proper "old world" style estate wines, which are by definition when both the vineyards and winery are in the same location. This approach allowed the Taylor family to have ultimate control over the vineyards, winery, and even the bottling of the wines. The first wines they crafted were this Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, and an Estate Shiraz. These days, each wine is still crafted and bottled at the estate, but all of the fruit is not grown on the property. This is mainly due to the popularity of the wines - they need more fruit to meet demand, but also because fruit from other regions can be of higher quality.

Today, Wakefield Wines is led by the grandsons of Bill Taylor Sr. - brothers Mitchell, Justin, and Clinton, who represent the third generation of the family. The commitment from each generation of the family to the way the wines are crafted has earned the Taylors an enviable reputation and contributed to their continued success. Their love for winemaking, keen eye for detail, and commitment to excellence have made Wakefield Wines a renowned producer of top Australian wines.

The Taylor family is also committed to ensuring that they function in a responsible and sustainable manner on both land and sea. While their strong connection to the land is evident, their connection to the sea is equally strong, starting with their unique seahorse emblem that adorns each bottle of wine. Nationally and globally, the Taylor family has partnered with two organisations that are working to protect seahorses. On land, they favour innovative techniques to improve energy efficiency, water conservation, and packaging, as well as prevent or eliminate the production of waste or pollution. Their goal as a company is to apply best practice principles in environmental management which promote biodiversity to enhance sustainable business activities and products.

I've had the pleasure of tasting quite a few vintages of this delicious Cabernet Sauvignon, going back to at least the 2016 vintage. This wine is traditionally crafted with fruit exclusively from the Clare Valley. However, fruit from Limestone Coast played a minority role in the final blend of the 2019 Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. For this vintage, the wine is still 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, but Limestone Coast fruit plays a major role with 67% Limestone Coast and 33% Clare Valley fruit.

The Limestone Coast zone is approximately 400 km south of the Clare Valley and includes, among others, the winegrowing regions of Coonawarra (one of the finest regions for Cabernet Sauvignon) and Padthaway. In 2020, the Limestone Coast zone produced small quantities of high quality fruit due to a cool spring that resulted in small berries with great fruit concentration and lovely tannins. Warm days and cool nights also provided the perfect ripening conditions. Let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

WAKEFIELD ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Limestone Coast / Clare Valley, South Australia (#744235) (XD) - $19.95
100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was matured for up to 12 months in used French oak barrels, with half in 2 year old barrels and the remainder in 3 year old barrels, prior to final blending and bottling. Elegantly fragrant, medium-high intensity aromatics offer attractive minty cassis, black currant, tomato leaf, and herbs with a savoury, earthy core, plus some oak spice and cocoa notes. It's medium-full bodied with fresh, lively acidity that lifts the minty, cassis, black currant, tomato leaf, and herbal flavours that become savoury with earthy and cocoa notes on the gently tangy mid-palate. Smooth, refined tannins are well-structured. Clean and well-balanced throughout with very good acid structure. Earthy, cedary oak, and cocoa with touches of mineral, plus some tangy notes on the long, well-structured finish. Enjoy this highly recommended buy over the next 5+ years. Score: 89 pts

Many other lovely wines from the Wakefield Wines portfolio are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Planeta Frappato 2021 (Sicily) - Wine Review

After enjoying the beautiful 2018 Planeta Frappato Vittoria a couple of years ago, tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of this terrific (and now organically certified) red wine that arrived at the LCBO last weekend in the July 22 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Planeta, a well-established and respected wine producer based on the island of Sicily, Italy. The Planeta family have been involved in the agricultural evolution on the complex lands of Sicily for over 500 years and 17 generations. Their approach has always been inclined towards openness and innovation, and in the early 1900's, Grandfather Vito led the way towards new solutions and new prospects by transforming the small, family winery in Menfi, in western Sicily, into a large co-operative in a short period of time.

Fast-forward to the mid-1980's, the Planeta family planted their first vines around a 16th century farmhouse, Ulmo, which the family has always owned. They wanted to provide this beautiful place full of memories with a new future and built their first winery at the site in 1995, on the banks of Lake Arancio and its nearby woods. The success of the winery at Ulmo led to further expansion on the island, with the idea of producing each wine in its own territory.

In addition to the winery in Menfi, Planeta also has wineries in Etna, Capo Milazzo, Noto, and where this wine is from - Vittoria. The Dorilli estate was established in Vittoria by renovating the big country house which stood at the centre of the family's landholding in the late-1990's, with the first vines planted in 1997. Vittoria is a place redolent of history and the long agricultural traditions of the Planeta family - even their ancestors couldn't agree on whether Vittoria or Menfi would be better suited to cultivate vines.

Planeta is still family-owned and operated today, with primarily two generations of the family, which includes brothers and sisters, children, nieces and nephews, who work together with a vision of unity, a love for the land, and a desire to protect it by using sustainable and environmentally-friendly viticultural approaches to winemaking. Planeta is also dedicated to producing high-quality wines that showcase the unique terroir of Sicily's diverse wine regions.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Frappato, a rare, exclusive, and sought after variety that is grown in only a few hectares around Vittoria, on the island of Sicily. It is cultivated according to sustainable and organic standards and reaches its ultimate expression in the red sands of Vittoria, not far from the sea, where this wine is from. The soils in Vittoria are primarily sandy textured and consist of mainly loose red sands with a structure of small dimensions, moderately deep. An important layer of tufa (limestone) sits at about 90 cm deep, allowing for water capacity and balance for the plants. This Frappato was grown in the Mogli vineyard, which is located 70 metres above sea level.

The grapes were hand picked and transported to the winery in small trolleys. Once the grapes arrived at the winery, they were de-stemmed and pressed, then fermented in stainless steel tanks. After alcoholic fermentation is completed, the wine remains in contact with the skins for 10-13 days. After malolactic fermentation, the wine remains in stainless steel tanks for further maturation, prior to bottling. From a smaller, but formidable vintage, let's see how this 2021 Frappato from Sicily is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

PLANETA FRAPPATO 2021 - Sustainable, DOC Sicilia Vittoria, Italy (#508655) (XD) - $24.95
Organic, 100% Frappato raised entirely in stainless steel tanks. The fragrant, medium-high intensity nose is elegantly aromatic with red berry, raspberry, herbs, red licorice, cherry, and smoky-stony mineral aromas with touches of floral and earth. On the dry, light-to-mid weighted palate it offers juicy and ripe raspberry, herbal, cherry, earthy mineral flavours that are backed by fresh, well-balanced acidity and light, dusty textured tannins. It has very nice interplays between the berry fruit, savoury mineral, and herbal characters, with the mineral notes lingering through to the long-lasting, gently chalky textured finish. Even better than last time and a highly recommended buy! Score: 91+ pts

Quite a few wines by Planeta are available at the LCBO, albeit in limited quantities, while the whol range can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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August 5, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES Release Wine Picks: Online & Flagship Exclusives

Here are my top wine picks from the August 5, 2023 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. This is the final release of its kind for the year, where the entire release is only available online and at Flagship stores. There are 39 wines included in the release and 13 are among my top wine picks. All of the wine should be available for purchase by this Saturday.

There is only one blend, albeit barely, among my top red wine recommendations - a Gigondas that is composed of 95% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre. Single varietal wines include a fine Pinot Noir from Oregon, while the others are made up of Bordeaux varietals. There are a couple of lovely Cabernet Sauvignon wines - one each from Washington and McLaren Vale, as well as a Cabernet Franc from Niagara, and lastly, a Merlot from Friuli.

Among my top white wine picks, all are single varietal wines. Both Sauvignon Blanc wines are unique, with the version from Niagara fermented and aged in concrete, while the version from New Zealand was fermented and aged in oak vessels. The Assyrtiko from Greece was also fermented and aged in French oak barrels. Other dry white wines include a Chardonnay from Niagara, as well as a Torrontés from Argentina. If you enjoy some sweetness in your wines, you will want to get the Riesling or Pinot Gris - both are from New Zealand.

Enjoy my top wine recommendations from this release! Cheers!

Red Wine:

• BORGO CONVENTI MERLOT 2020 - DOC Collio, Friuli, Italy (#32492) (XD) - $24.95
• HASELGROVE PROTECTOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 - McLaren Vale, South Australia (#30849) (XD) - $32.95
• KACABA CABERNET FRANC 2019 - VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#272146) (XD) - $33.15  89 pts  wine review
• DELILLE MÉTIER CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 - Columbia Valley, Washington, USA (#32496) (XD) - $39.95  91 pts  wine review
• XAVIER VIGNON GIGONDAS 2019 - AP, Rhône, France (#31698) (XD) - $44.95
• CRISTOM VINEYARDS MT. JEFFERSON CUVÉE PINOT NOIR 2021 - Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA (#940882) (XD) - $63.95  92 pts  wine review

White Wine:

• HIDDEN BENCH BÉTON SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 - Rosomel Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#33552) (XD) - $27.95  90+ pts  wine review
  
• NANNY GOAT DRY RIESLING 2019 - Single vineyard, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand (#25836) (MD) - $28.95
• EL ESTECO 1945 OLD VINES TORRONTÉS 2022 - Valles Calchaquíes, Argentina (#10695) (XD) - $31.95
• CLOUDSLEY TWENTY MILE BENCH CHARDONNAY 2020 - VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada (#16093) (XD) - $34.95
• VILLA MARIA SEDDON PINOT GRIS 2021 - Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#32199) (M) - $39.95
• SPY VALLEY ENVOY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016 - Sustainable, Johnson Vineyard, Waihopai Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand (#429308) (XD) - $39.95  92 pts  wine review
• DOMAINE SIGALAS SANTORINI ASSYRTIKO 2021 - Barrel fermented, PDO Santorini, Greece (#33163) (XD) - $67.95  92+ pts  wine review

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Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (Chile) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious, vegan-friendly Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile that is a perennial favourite at the LCBO that arrived in Ontario as part of the recent July 22nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

The Arboleda Wines project was founded in 1999 by Chilean vintner Eduardo Chadwick, a 5th generation member of the family that founded Viña Errazuriz. The name "Arboleda" means a grove of trees and is a tribute to the more than more than 1,450 hectares of native forest that surround its sustainably managed vineyards. The philosophy behind Eduardo's project is to craft single-vineyard wines that reveal the purest expression of each unique terroir within its vineyards in the Aconcagua Valley. This project was initially born as a joint venture between Eduardo Chadwick and legendary Californian vintner Robert Mondavi.

Today, the vision for the Arboleda project is to make the most sustainable, pure, and modern wines that showcase the world-class quality of the best terroirs in the Aconcagua Valley. The team is led by talented Winemaker Francisco Baettig, whose winemaking style produces wines marked by elegance, balance and the expression of the fruit’s origin. At Arboleda, the winemaking and viticultural team is committed to not intervening in the vineyard and environment as much as possible, allowing the vines to yield fruit with the purest expression of the terroir's intrinsic characteristics. They closely follow the progress of the vines and fruit throughout the entire season to better understand the terroir. This allows Arboleda to make accurate decisions, especially during the harvest period, which is key for grape health. This involves picking each lot at the precise time, avoiding degraded skins, and obtaining moderate alcohol and good acidity levels. After harvest, the grapes are very carefully selected and they use specific vinification techniques with the latest technologies for each lot, while focusing on maintaining the special characteristics of the grapes.

Arboleda was one of the country's first wineries to be certified under Chile’s National Sustainability Code that guarantees environmentally friendly production, social responsibility towards the community, and economic viability. They are committed to conserving the biodiversity in the Aconcagua Valley and have more than 1,450 hectares of native forest that have been kept virgin to protect the natural corridors that constitute a true habitat of flora and fauna. Water is also preserved in a reservoir that extends over 14 hectares.

This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon was grown at Arboleda's Las Vertientes vineyard, which is named after the freshwater springs found on the estate. The Las Vertientes vineyard is situated 37 km inland from the Pacific Ocean, within the Hijuelas locality. Although the climate in the vineyard is Mediterranean, it receives cool, coastal winds that blow in from the sea, refreshing the climate and allowing the grapes to slowly ripen. The vineyard is surrounded by hills, with the vines sitting on gentle slopes and part of the alluvial plain. The blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon are planted on flat sections of the vineyard, where the soil is clay-loam or sandy-loam and generally 90–200 cm deep. The stone content varies between 30% and 40%, and drainage is good throughout. These vines were planted in 1999 and 2000 with ungrafted vines from a massal selection. To craft this wine, the grapes were double-sorted and fermented in stainless steel tanks. It was aged for 14 months in French oak, barrels, 30% new.

The 2020 growing season was a challenging one, beginning with one of the driest winters of the last 50 years. The vineyards in the Aconcagua Valley had to endure an intense hydric marathon in order achieve ripeness. Temperatures were warm, especially during spring, and became slightly colder in March and April. Crop yields were moderate thanks to abundant irrigation in summer, which also helped maintain freshness and quality. I was first introduced to the wines of Arboleda just over 7 years ago and have consistently enjoyed them ever since. Let's see how this 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ARBOLEDA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - Vegan, DO Valle del Aconcagua, Chile (#606764) (XD) - $19.95
This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon has a fresh, medium-high intensity nose that is open with evergreen, forest herbs, red and black berry fruit, currant, and gentle oak spice aromas with savoury earth undertones. It's medium-full bodied on the fresh palate with ripe red and black fruits, currants, and dried herb flavours accented with oak spice, evergreen, and cassis notes. It is nicely balanced with fresh, juicy acidity and fine-grained, lightly grippy tannins. Savoury with cedary oak notes lingering on the long finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

A couple of other fine wines by Arboleda are available at the LCBO, while the whole range can be ordered through their Agent - Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits.

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Altanza Reserva 2016 (Rioja) - Wine Review

Staying in Spain, tonight's red wine review is a delicious vegan-friendly Tempranillo from Rioja that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the July 22 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Bodegas Altanza, one of the leading wineries in the renowned Rioja appellation. Bodegas Altanza was founded in the heart of Rioja, Spain, in 1998 by a group of winegrowers who were committed to producing 100% Tempranillo wines of exceptional quality. The estate, which spans 300 hectares, of which 220 hectares are planted with vines, is situated in the higher elevation town of Fuenmayor, in Rioja Alta. They own and manage their own vineyards, which surround the town of Fuenmayor, in an area that benefits from the region's favourable climate and diverse soils that are ideal for cultivating high-quality Tempranillo grapes.

The name "Atlanza" is a synonym for "quality", and their goal is to offer modern wines with an authentic touch that respects the winemaking traditions of Rioja. Tradition is reflected in the beautiful main building of the winery and its French gardens. Modernity is reflected in their state-of-the-art winery, which has many stainless steel tanks of varying sizes, which allows them to better customize the fermentation process depending on the varietal and style of wine they wish to craft. Each tank is also fitted with a temperature-control jacket and managed by a central control panel. Since their founding, Altanza's goal has been to offer the best quality wines at a competitive price.

The 2016 vintage in Rioja was rated as one of the best in the past two decades. Spring was rainy, while the highest temperatures of the season arrived in June. Temperatures were unusually cool in July, which helped slow down the growing cycle for Tempranillo. August was hot and dry, while September brought some rain that helped prolong the growing season. The wines of 2016 have an ideal balance of acidity, body weight, aromatics, and persistence, as well as lower alcohol levels than in hotter years, producing wines that are fresher and more profound. Let's see how this 2016 Rioja is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ALTANZA RESERVA 2016 - Vegan, DOCa Rioja, Spain (#208223) (XD) - $23.95
100% Tempranillo that was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, followed by a further 3 months in 22 hL Allier French oak foudres. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose is savoury with fine oak spices, wet earth, forest floor, and coconut aromas with hints of olive surrounding a core of dark berry and dark cherry fruit. It's medium-full bodied on the dry and spicy palate with delicious dark berry, dark cherry, and blackberry flavours, plus savoury, oak spice, coconut, and earthy flavours. It has fresh, juicy, and succulent acidity, while the lightly grainy tannins are smooth and supple. Very good length on the savoury, oak spiced, and earthy finish. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Bodegas Altanza can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Montebuena Cuvée KPF 2020 (Rioja) - Wine Review

After enjoying the 2019 Montebuena Cuvée KPF nearly a couple of years ago, tonight's red wine review is the latest vintage of this delicious Tempranillo from Rioja that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the July 22nd LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced for Kysela Pere et Fils, Ltd. by a co-op that was established in the 1960s and is now the largest co-operative in the Basque Country in northern Spain. Kysela was founded in 1994 by Master Sommelier Fran Kysela, who inherited his interest in wine from his father, one of the top collectors of fine wine in Spain, and still maintains a 4,000 bottle cellar in Cleveland, Ohio. While attending graduate school at Cleveland State University and majoring in Zoology, Fran took a position selling Fetzer & Gallo wines for a local distributor, knowing he could use the extra money and work in the wine business only part-time. Little did he know that the wine business would soon become all-consuming and, consequently, he left graduate school altogether.

Being in the wine business for 43 years, Fran has worked as a wholesale representative, wine steward, national sales director and, since founding his business in 1994, a wine importer. In 1989, Fran received his Master Sommelier award from the British Court of Master Sommeliers, while in 1992 he passed the tasting half of the Master of Wine exam and hopes to complete the remainder of the MW exam in the future.

This red wine is named Montebuena, which means "good mountain", and comes from one of the best winegrowing areas in Labastida. It is situated in an area located in the eastern part of the village which covers more than 160 hectares in northern Spain. The viticultural records of Labastida go back several centuries, with the best evidence of its winemaking history being the "lagares rupestres", or rock presses. The lagares rupestres are human-origin formations that were carved into large rocks in the vineyards, consisting of three holes where the grapes were pressed to obtain the juice prior to fermentation, and were in use between the 9th & 18th centuries.

Montebuena sets itself apart with its unique position where the river Ebro is closest to the Sierra Cantabria mountains, creating a blend of Mediterranean and Continental climates that prevents an excess of rain and extreme cold. Moreover, the shallow and calcareous soils limit yields and the size of grapes, while increasing the volume of the skin, resulting in deeper colour and greater concentration of flavours. To craft this wine, which is 100% Tempranillo from 20-25 year-old vines in Rioja Alavesa within Rioja DOC, they use precise viticultural techniques and advanced technologies to track the vegetative cycle by using a system of weather stations to monitor the vineyards' health and prevent destructive diseases. The grapes were hand-harvested and aged for 3-4 months in new French oak. From a very good vintage, let's see how this 2020 Rioja is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MONTEBUENA CUVÉE KPF 2020 - DOCa Rioja, Spain (#211029) (XD) - $17.95
Enclosed by screw cap, this 100% Tempranillo has a medium to medium-high intensity that nose delivers appealing ripe red and black cherry, sweet spices, sandalwood, and dried herbs aromas layered over stony-earthy minerals and flecks of dried cherry and florals. It's dry, spicy, and ripe on the medium+ palate with delicious red cherry, black cherry, red plum, vanilla, and cocoa flavours. It has fresh, juicy acidity, while the supple tannins have a pleasing, slightly chalky textured grip. Cocoa notes linger through to the long, savoury, and earthy finish. Give it a light chill and enjoy this recommended buy! Score: 88+ pts

Other delicious wines by Kysela and Montebuena can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits or Connexion Oenophilia.

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Le Vigne di Zamó Il Refosco 2018 (Friuli) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a delicious red wine crafted with the Refosco varietal from Friuli. It arrived at the LCBO earlier this month in the July 8 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Le Vigne di Zamò, a well-known Italian winery situated in the heart of the Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC in Manzano, within the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of northeastern Italy. Their story begins in 1924, when the Zamò family opened Osteria di Manzano. It was managed by Luigi, father of Tullio and grandfather of Pierluigi and Silvano. The Zamò family's adventure in wine began in 1978 when Tullio purchased five hectares of vineyards on Rocca Bernarda hill and founded the estate Vigna del Leon.

In 1981, brothers Pierluigi and Silvano Zamò rented vineyards around Rosazzo Abbey from the Diocesan Administration of Udine and created their first wines under the brand new "Abazia di Rosazzo" label. In 1987, two champions of the wine world joined the team Zamò: Silvano Formigli, who was responsible for commercial development, and international acclaimed oenologist - Franco Bernabei. The 1990s were a time of expansion and success, with the family purchasing five hectares of vineyards at Ronchi di Buttrio, and another 15 hectares of vineyards right in front of the Abbey. In 1998, they restored the old farmhouse while also renting the oldest and best exposed vineyards on Rosazzo hill, bringing the total surface area of the estate's vineyards to 35 hectares. At the turn of the century, they purchased two more hectares of land on Rosazzo hill, while also working on extensive renovations.

In 2010, Oscar Farinetti entered into a partnership with Pierluigi and Silvano Zamò. Inspired by Tullio's passion for the land and ancestral love of wine, they decided to continue his work with the aim of maintaining the family nature of the estate. Their philosophy is that making wine is a sign of civilization, while strengthening the link between man and his land, his origins, and tradition. They manage their vineyards using natural methods, including the use of natural fertilizers, such as manure and humus, while keeping grass growth down mechanically. Although the Zamó family have always focused on sustainability in both the vineyard and cellar, the 2021 harvest was the first certified organic harvest for the winery. The family's production philosophy also respects the law and timing of nature as it pertains to the phases of grape growing, a simplistic approach that is reflected in the balance of the wines. While Friuli is internationally renowned for its white wines, the Zamó family have always invested considerably in its red wines, using autochthonous grape varieties such as Pignolo and Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso.

This red wine is crafted using Refosco, a very old family of dark-skinned grape varieties that are native to the Venetian zone in Italy and the surrounding areas such as Friuli. It is believed that Refosco has its ancient origins in the Mediterranean and has been cultivated in Italy for centuries. There are several sub-varieties within the Refosco family and this particular red wine is made using Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, the most internationally recognizable sub-variety of Refosco, with the most notable examples coming from the Colli Orientali region of Friuli. This particular variant of Refosco has red stems (aka red stalks or peduncle) which hold the grapes to the vine.

To craft this wine, the grapes were de-stemmed and crushed, then transferred to stainless steel maceration vats for 10-12 days. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine was racked into stainless steel tanks and the pomace was pressed. Malolactic fermentation was completed in steel and followed by racking into 25 hL oak barrels where it aged for 12 months. Following ageing, the final wine is blended and bottled. Let's see how this 2018 Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso from Friuli is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

LE VIGNE DI ZAMÓ IL REFOSCO 2018 - DOC Collio Orientali del Friuli, Italy (#105882) (XD) - $32.95
100% Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, this has a medium-high intensity nose that is quite attractive with a pleasing mix of ripe, plummy, dark berry, blackberry, black raspberry, and resinous herbal aromas with some earthy barnyard notes laying underneath. It's medium+ to medium-full bodied with high, sharp, and tangy acidity. Ripe and plummy on the dry flavour profile, it's joined by dark berry, black raspberry, and savoury undertones, plus touches of licorice. Tannins are youthful and a touch tight and grippy, while the tangy mid-palate leads to a long, savoury, earthy, and dark berry-tinged finish. A worthy detour and highly recommended buy. Score: 90+ pts

Other lovely wines by Le Vigne di Zamó can be ordered through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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