Jeff Shaw

9.0

Love these simple dry German / Austrian wines. Pairs well with everything in my mind, and cheap as hell in Germany. Not as cheap here but cheap enough to remind me the bargain they are overseas. Weisswein schorle forever. Oh yeah, stone fruit notes, maybe a bit peppery, but dry, so up my alley for a daily wine. — 2 months ago

with Amy and Tree

Ming L

9.3

I have not seen the bottling in the U.S. before and brought it back from a recent overseas trip.
Stone fruits commingling with citrus fruits with light brioche and ginger spice. Creamy yet robust. The freshness, purity, precision, and elegance are all there, which is why BdB is my favorite type of Champagne when done right.
17’ based wine with 30% reserve, disgorged in 21’.
And why not all Champagne bottling display the information already? — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Celebrating my daughter Georgie’s birth year before she returns overseas tomorrow. Notes of plum, cassis and tobacco all melded together with soft dusty resolved tannins. Hints of cowyard, dried rose and leather developed. A gorgeous Mouton from an excellent vintage and ready to drink now. — 3 years ago

with Hugh and Georgina

Connor Smith

9.4

The 17th century saw an explosion of beverage options in Europe. Spirits were coming into their own, flavoring with hops was finally the standard for beer, and chocolate, coffee, and tea began flowing from overseas. Wine was no longer the only kid on the block, and had to offer something new to stay on top.

Sparkles in wine due to second fermentations were nothing new, but it was the leap in English glassmaking technology in the 1620s with coal-firing that allowed them to be harnessed. No longer would there be constant risk of bottles exploding from pressure, and bubbles came ever more into vogue - much to the chagrin of the great advocates of still blanc de noirs Champagne, Dom Perignon and the Marquis de Saint-Evremond. But there was no holding back the tide, and by the end of the century sparkling Champagne was the drink of choice for high courts across Europe.

(This is adapted from notes for Le Dû’s Wines ‘History of Wine 1453AD-Present’ seminar, where this wine was poured.) — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Initially oaky notes which blew off after a while. Black and blue fruits, a gingery note with stacks of black pepper. A genuine cool climate Syrah - possibly NZ’s premium Syrah and certainly one of my favourite Syrahs. Black pepper and spice bordering on profound palate intensity. Very northern Rhone - excellent. I don’t know how available this is overseas but it’s worth seeking out. An interesting back story: The winemaker, John Hancock, who worked the harvest at Jaboulet in 1996 received Syrah cuttings from the Hermitage Hill as a gift from Gerard Jaboulet. Hancock planted them in 2001 and now, in good vintages, uses the fruit for Homage. Scents of potpourri, lavender and wild thyme “. I totally agree. — 5 months ago

Daniel Bloom

9.2

Perfecto!
An old, Chinchona infused vermouth that’s date, anise, bitter luscious.
Based on 20 yr. Oloroso.
W some soda on a hot day, pow!

@Delectable Wine : This is Valdespino Quina.




HISTORY

The history of the aperitif dates back to the 5th century B.C. when Hippocrates concocted a wine-based beverage macerated with wormwood flower and other herbs, which was traditionally used as a restorative and an appetite stimulant. In the late 1700s, in Italy, a flavored wine called "vermouth" was introduced as an appetite booster before meals. This tradition later spread to France and Spain.

In Spain, the aperitif and the "tapa" have together contributed to create a unique "social occasion" which has gradually become a key attraction for the general public and tourists worldwide; that is, the longstanding association of social gatherings with Spanish gastronomy.

The main difference between Spanish aperitifs (Vermouth and "Quina" or Tonic Wine, in particular) and their French and Italian counterparts lies in the quality of the aromatic flavors and the botanicals and fruits employed. Spanish aperitifs are somewhat sweeter and lighter, whereas Italian aperitifs are distinctive for their bitter flavor, while their French counterparts tend to be drier.

VALDESPINO AND
THE ORIGIN OF THE APERITIF

The connection between the Valdespino family and the aperitif dates back to the end of the 19th century and became especially relevant in the first quarter of the 20th century, at the height of the sherry wine boom.

By 1920 the House of Valdespino was already producing several wines macerated with root extracts and botanicals. They were called "tonics" and "quinados" and were recommended as "tonic – aperitifs" or "fortifiers", as shown on the labels of the time.

From 1930 until the second half of the 20th century, The House of Valdespino was particularly active in the production of beverages macerated with different botanicals, fruits and bitter root extracts (cinchona bark and vermouth). The company marketed several wines with considerable success, mainly on the domestic market but also in countries like the USA, where, in the 60s, Valdespino, together with their associate Jack Poust, launched a vermouth with orange called "Tomboe", designed mainly for the younger clientele.

Thanks to the boost provided at the time by the export of sherry wines to England and its overseas provinces, there was a boom in the production of wines made, or rather, macerated with the root of Cinchona Calisaya, whose bark, popularly called "quina", was the basis of quinine, an extract that contributed effectively to malaria prevention.

Since then, Valdespino has been macerating and bottling blends of different varieties of their own sherries.

THE ORIGIN OF
THE "JEREZ APERITIF"

The Estévez family, owners of Bodegas Valdespino since 1999, carried on with this tradition, and continued to macerate old wines from the different Valdespino soleras with various botanicals, natural extracts and fruits. These were small productions and batches, bottled for their own consumption, elaborated experimentally and in advance of what has now become the family's new collection.

The launching in 2021 of "Valdespino Aperitifs" represents an important milestone for the company, since it is a unique range in the Valdespino catalogue.

Valdespino's original "Tonic for the Sick" label, dating back over a century, has been selected in an attempt to recover some of the iconic designs from the family labels museum. The image, somewhere between Art Deco and vintage, has inspired the design, which is intended as a benchmark for today's aperitif ranges.

This is the first time that a Jerez winery has developed a collection of aperitifs by recovering old recipes and original labels from the early 20th century, using Very Old Oloroso Wines from the founding soleras of the Jerez firm, which today constitute our prized "VOS" and "VORS" (Sherry Wines of an average of over twenty and thirty years of age, respectively).


VERMOUTH

A coupage of Very Old Oloroso Sherry Wine (aged for 15 years) and Moscatel, which provides a stylish citrus note. After undergoing a hydro-alcoholic maceration process with bitter extracts of mugwort, coriander, elderberry and gentian, together with chamomile flowers, aromatic cloves, cinnamon, dried Seville oranges and juniper berries, the final blend is then aged in barrels which have previously contained Valdespino Oloroso Wines, all these coming together to make an intense and complex vermouth with a sumptuous balance of aromas.

This vermouth is a signature aperitif with an unmistakable identity characterized by the prominence of the Old Oloroso from Jerez, alongside an elegant dash of bitterness, which is offset by the sweetness of the Moscatel. The result is a subtly balanced taste with unique spicy and citrus notes provided by the botanicals and fruits.

Bright mahogany color with coppery tones.
Intense spicy aromas with hints of Oloroso Sherry.
Citrus notes from oranges, with a lovely, spiced blend of clove and gentian. An elegant, enveloping bitterness resulting in a complex yet smooth palate. Warm and welcoming, faintly sweet aftertaste.
Serve in a tumbler glass, with ice and a slice of grapefruit or orange. Ideal as an aperitif, accompanied by nuts, olives and pickles, it also combines superbly with canned fish tapas such as anchovies, pickled tuna and the like.

QUINA

This aperitif is the result of the coupage of 20-year-old Oloroso Wines with Pedro Ximenez from the soleras of our iconic PX "EL Candado". The procedure involves a hydro-alcoholic maceration process of Cinchona bark (Quina) with gentian root, natural licorice extract and nutmeg, along with a selection of dried citrus fruits, such as grapefruit and Seville oranges.

The result is a stylish, complex, one-of-a-kind aperitif with a bitter refreshing note. The Pedro Ximenez also provides a characteristic nuance of dried fruit (sultanas, dried figs, dates) that makes this tonic wine ever more unique.

A fresh and sweet palate with citrus and slightly tart notes, all wrapped up in a spicy combination of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla … leaning into the sweet reminders of the Oloroso Sherry barrels where it is aged.

Dark mahogany color with coppery tones.
Spicy aromas with vegetal notes from the botanicals and Oloroso Sherry.
Slightly bitter notes of Cinchona, combining well with the botanicals (licorice, nutmeg) and hints of dried fruits (dates, sultanas). A stylish citrus touch and the quinine bitterness bring about a warm, lingering aftertaste.
Ideal as a complement in cocktails (Rum Old Fashioned, Negroni, Mahattan, etc), it also makes for a perfect aperitif in a tumbler glass, on the rocks, with a cinnamon stick and a twist of orange.Serve with crisps, olives and pickles.


BODEGAS VALDESPINO
CTRA. N-IV, KM. 640 - 11408 - JEREZ, SPAIN
Bodegas Valdespino - All rights reserved 2021 — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

An interesting back story. This wine is from the Geelong District in Victoria. In 1848 Swiss Vigneron James Henry Dardel commenced the establishment of Paradise Winery and Vineyards, I, II, III and IV on the banks of the Moorabool River at Batesford near Geelong. He won local and overseas acclaim for his wines before the Geelong Wine industry was destroyed by phylloxera in 1881. In 1988 planting was re-established on the site of the original Paradise IV Vineyard by Graham and Ruth Bonney. The vineyard faces north east and has a unique soil profile of decomposed granite over limestone marl. The vineyard is low cropped and the wines are made using traditional winemaking techniques. The wine is Northern Rhone in style. Red florals with lots of spice and charcuterie. Rich and savoury on the medium plus bodied palate. Only 240 dozen made. Is there a square mile of Victoria not suitable for viticulture? — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

The colour of pink copper. Consistent fine bead with aromas of strawberry, honey dew melon, hint of beeswax. 100% Pinot Noir. As Jancis commented “like a Volnay in its perfume and delicacy but as substantial as fine red burgundy “. Could not see the point in further cellaring given how good this is now and already 17 years old, even if the window by JR is to 2027. A combination celebration of wedding anniversary and farewell to the children returning overseas. It’s all happening!! PS The photo shows the back light on turned on with a switch in the punt of the bottle giving a sexy pink glow. Obviously aimed at the dimly lit night club scene where it would definitely enhance sales. — 3 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

MDT side by side I’ve always wanted to do! 😍

Vincent Dauvissat “Montée de Tonnerre” 2013- The first vintage of Dauvissat’s MDT, with just 2 barrels made and incredibly minuscule amounts making its way overseas. It’s super giving, seamlessly balanced and finely detailed showing a complex array of yellow fruit, lilies, wildflower honey and hazelnut with lemony acids and a stony minerality. It continued to gain volume and focus with air. A true competitor to Raveneau’s 2013 MDT, if not the wine I actually found myself ultimately savoring. It’s just in a great place and very ready to drink. — 3 years ago

Angel A Santiago

10

We were able to buy 6 x bottles of 2014 Manny’s Blend and bring them overseas w/ us. Truly one of the most multifaceted wines I’ve had: great alone, w/ steak, w/ chocolate....it’s sick. Just perfection. — 6 years ago