Harrods Own Label
Tenuta San Guido
Guidalberto Toscana Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2016
If Sassicia is 💯 points for 2016 you had to figure their other wine was good as well, give it another 5-10 years without any issues. 2016 was a great year over-there. This at $45 or 2016 Sassicaia at $400.00 if you didn’t buy at $175.00 early
Wine Advocate 94+ review as follows,
This wine is showing exceptionally well in this classic vintage. The 2016 Guidalberto (Cabernet Sauvignon and a smaller percentage of Merlot) opens to a full and generous bouquet and a beautifully rich and velvety appearance. This edition of Tenuta San Guido's mid-level wine offers a bigger aromatic profile, more texture and more volume as well. Dark cherry and blackberry segue to spice, tar, leather and sweet fruit at the end. The mouthfeel is elegantly shaped, silky and nuanced. This may well be the best vintage of Guidalberto I have yet to taste—and you can get this wine at a great price too.
Just south of Livorno, Tuscany, lies the Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, and the Tenuta San Guido estate, where Sassicia is produced. The estate was originally owned by Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta, and has been managed since WWII by his son, Niccolo. A true pioneer in the Italian wine industry, his experimenting with the introduction of non-native varieties to Italy, resulted in the world-famous Sassicaia. In Italian, Sassicaia means "the place of many stones" and is used as the proprietary name for the estate's Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The vines of the Sassicaia vineyard were originally planted with cuttings from the prestigious Chateau Lafite-Rothschild. The wines of Sassicaia were so instrumental in creating the "Super-Tuscan" sensation that 1994, the Italian government granted Sassicaia its own DOC status in a sub-zone of the Bolgheri DOC. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats, and the wines are then aged in French oak barrique for 18 to 24 months prior to release. Sassicaia produces a second label called Guidalberto and recently released a third wine, Le Difese, that is virtually unavailable in the U.S.
— 2 years ago
Amuse Bouche
Napa Valley Red Blend 2006
Château La Plaige
Bordeaux Supérieur 2019
For the money it does not get much better! Full fruit, full body. I cannot say enough about this wine. Had it St a lunch with my daughters, both loved it. A few weeks later again at dinner with friends, all took pictures of the label so they could get it on their own. Friends and daughters like say more than I could write — a year ago
Caillard
Mataro 2015
Mid Ruby red in colour with a tawny edge. Sour cherry with touches of pepper and cloves. Not as raspberry as I was expecting from old vine Mataro. With a couple of hours of aeration the raspberry notes started coming through finishing with Sandy tannins. This wine is made by the multi talented Andrew Caillard who is the supremo of Fine Wine retailer and auctioneer Langtons who allowed Andrew to make his superb range of wines under his own label using old vine Mataro and Shiraz; painted the exquisite labels himself and who achieved a Master of Wine in his spare time. I am lucky to have 5 of these beauties left. 96 points from James Halliday. — 2 years ago
François Secondé
Brut Champagne
Hints of stone fruit, pear, and a bit of minerality lead to a smooth and juicy mouthfeel. While somewhat refined, the effervescence of the Francois Seconde is a Grand Cru by name due to its origin and is notably muted- though the mouthfeel is delightful and juicy in its own way. Sillery, as noted on the label refers to the village where the fruit is sourced from multiple vineyards, and blended over several vintages. In sum, this is an affordable champagne that will not blow the doors off- but is a simple delight both in its personality and its uniqueness. — 3 years ago
Domaine Houchart
Côtes de Provence Rosé Blend 2021
Nice Provence rose.
From the label:
COTES DE PROVENCE ROSE
Owned by the Quiot family from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the 200 acre estate lies at the foot of Mont Sainte Victoire near Aix-en-Provence. Its winemaking facilities have been completely renewed over the past 3 years.
This is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre.
Special efforts are made to preserve freshness and fruit by the use of CO2 gas to exclude oxygen during the harvest. This is a fresh rosé with a pretty salmon-pink color, elegant flavors of red berries, mineral notes and a clean finish. Serve this wine lightly chilled. Very nice on its own, it goes well with most dishes, specially sushi, salads, pizza and mild cheeses. — 2 years ago
Alfonso Soranzo (Monteforche)
'Lo Sfuso di Collina' Cabernet Franc
Held on to this bottle for a couple of years. Couldn't find the actual vintage on the label but I believe it was a 2017 (maybe 2016?). I remember it being mineral, funky, lean and mean early on, but left to its own devices, it has turned rich and complex. I think we caught it just before it was a too late, but still so delicious! — 4 years ago
Hoopes Vineyard
Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Tag isn’t exact. Very very good.. got on auction 1 of 1 during sale.. so I like canine too so.. ya lol.. hoopla hoopes and the vintner vineyard is on point.. solid drink on its own.. really darn good compliment def a 9+ .. + a dog jumping through a hoop on label.. sign me up a crate if there was 1.. 😁 — 4 years ago
Randy Fuller
This wine has a burnished look, deep brown. The nose is a treat all on its own. There are aromas of brown sugar, coffee and orange zest which combine for an amazing olfactory experience. The palate is just as joyful, with caramel, raisin and mocha notes. The acidity is fresh and exhilarating. Although the wine is described on the label as “cream,” it does not strike me as creamy. The viscosity is nice, though. It will pair well with dessert, or serve as one by itself. — 3 months ago