The Ovello site has more clay, and the resulting wines are plump and fruit forward meaning they often drink earlier, as well as being super age worthy too. Classic ripe cherry notes that develop autumnal qualities and  more of the tar and spice that Barbaresco is famous for with age.

Ovello is one of the great red wines of Italy and is made entirely from the great structured red grape, Nebbiolo; exceptional in taste, complexity and its ability to age for at least a decade, evolving into a silky delicious wine over this time. It's made by the Produttori del Barbaresco. This highly respected winery cooperative was founded in 1958 and now has 51 members who collectively own approximately 100 hectares of the entire appellation, which means they own approximately a seventh of the appellation. The single vineyard wines, such as this one, are only made in highly rated vintages (all of the grapes go into a blend in other years) and released after four years maturation in the riserva programme. 

All single vineyard cru wines from Produttori del Barbaresco are fermented at 30°C and given 32 days of skin contact time before being pressed in large oak barrels for 36 months of maturation in wood followed by a further nine months aging in bottle, prior to release. 

Fast facts on Barbaresco

Barbaresco as an appellation was created in 1894

Barbaresco was given DOCG status in 1980

This is a small wine production area with approximately 700 hectares of vineyards registered to make Barbaresco – which must be 100% Nebbiolo and made within the same sub region in which the grapes are grown. 

100% Albana di Romagna

Made from dried Albana grapes, this dessert wine opens with ripe yellow peach and apricot aromas that carry over to the savory palate together with acacia honey and toasted hazelnut notes. Fresh acidity balances the sweet flavors.

Source - winemag.com

Domaine Bouïssière covers 9 ha of Gigondas, 5 ha of Beaumes-de-Venise and 2.6 ha of Vacqueyras and is owned by brothers Thierry and Gilles Faravel who are considered one of the leading artisan winemakers in Gigondas, if not in the whole southern Rhône valley.

This wines is made with 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah grown at altitude on the granite slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail. It is juicy, racy and harmonious with integrated tannins and will evolve beautifully over the next five or so years.

100% Chenin Blanc Cremant de Loire from Marc Brédif. A selection of the finest wines of the year blended with 10% reserve wines, and two and a half years aging in the cool underground cellars. Dosage of between 9-12grams, this classic expression of Brut Vouvray offers aromas and flavours of green apple, citrus and mineral notes with a fine bead and crisp finish.

Wine Spectator 2015 - Finally, a solid vintage, easily the best since 2010. Chenin Blanc excelled with both dry and sweet versions.
Vintage 92 pts Outstanding – Wine Advocate Vintage Chart

Chateau Roubine is one of the oldest wine estates in France and has been making wine since the 14th Century in Provence in the south east. The property was awarded with the cru classe title in 1953 by the French Ministry of Agriculture. 

The bottle this rose is in today reflects the chateau's long history and is printed with the Templar coat of arms, featuring a dragon and lion protected by the sun's rays. The vineyard is planted in 13 different grape varieties and this is a dry, light bodied, refreshing Mediterranean rose. 

This Sauvignon Blanc is all about precision and feel. Bright notes of green apple and fennel glide over a chalk-dusted, subtly creamy core.

A firm mineral seam underpins the wine, while layers of grapefruit zest and savoury tomato leaf build in complexity. It tapers to a dry, grainy finish with an almost tactile grip.

Filled with red fruit aromas and elegant tannins, this wine is a fine expression of this up-and-coming appellation from the northern Rhône. 

« Vintage after vintage, the Collection wines have become symbols which perfectly illustrate the family’s ethos of supreme quality. Careful ageing, together with the meticulous attention paid every day by Marcel and Philippe Guigal to the selection and blending processes, bring to the fore the consistency and excellence of the great appellations of the Rhône Valley » 

Soil type - Limestone, sand and pebbles. 

Grape variety 100 % Syrah. 

Average age of vines - 20 to 50 years. The vines are mainly situated in the communes of Tournon and Sarras. 

Winemaking - Alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks at high temperatures. Ageing Around 16 months in second wine oak barrels.

Average yield of 40 Hl/hectare. 

Average annual production - Around 220.000 bottles. 

Appearnace - Dark red with violet tints. 

Nose - Powerful nose dominated by red berries and delicate oak aromas.

Palate - Powerful attack. Round and supple tannins. Overall

This wine is produced from grapes from the two estates of Jean-Louis GRIPPAT and VALLOUIT as well from grapes and wines purchased in the trade.

?Bulls Blood? from Eger in Northern Hungary. Kekfrankos blended with Kadarka, Cabernets, Merlot & Pinot Noir. Savoury herbs accenting earthy dark fruit, spices emerging on the mid palate with a mouth filling savoury finish. Gal Tibor is credited as the winemaker who created Ornellaia at Antinori in Tuscany before returning to his native Hungary.

This wine is made with 100% Pinot Blanc from Cremant d'Alsace AOC. It is crafted in the same fashion as champagne using the traditional method and the result is a fresh, light and fruity sparkling wine with green apple and lemon aromas, fine bubbles and a delicate palate.

Masseria Li Veli Orion Primitivo is an exceptional red wine hailing from the sun-drenched vineyards of Puglia, Italy. Crafted with meticulous care by the renowned Masseria Li Veli winery, this Primitivo showcases the rich heritage and vibrant flavours of the region. The combination of ample sunshine, cooling sea breezes from the Adriatic and Ionian seas, and the region’s unique terroir allows Masseria Li Veli to produce high-quality Primitivo that truly reflects the character of Salento.

With its deep ruby hue, Orion Primitivo offers an enticing bouquet of ripe red berries, plums, and hints of spice. On the palate, it delivers a full-bodied experience with velvety tannins and a harmonious balance of fruit and earthy notes. Perfect for pairing with hearty Italian cuisine or enjoyed on its own

Commercial description

Immediately appealing on the nose showing dark cherry, roasted nut, game, warm mushroom and rich floral aromas. The palate delivers terrific weight and richness, splendidly supported by velvety texture and layers of polished tannins. Graceful and harmonious with an impressive long silky finish.

Southern Right is re-defining Pinotage with this intense classically styled, clay-grown wine, packed with complex berry fruit, beautiful tannins and subtle wood spice. Full ripeness and the longer hang-time afforded by cooler sites, combined with the complex, more classic fruit aromas and structure resulting from clay-rich soil, make this wine a highly individual expression of South Africa?s unique grape variety.

Cantine Riondo is a large cooperative based near Soave with over 2,000 winegrower members. This Extra Dry vintage spumante (Italian for semi sparkling), offers rich and elegant scents of ripe Golden Delicious apple, acacia and wisteria blossom. Fresh and creamy on the palate with a pleasant silky finish.

The Chatterer Merlot Cabernet will definitely get tongues wagging with its depth of blackberry and blueberry fruit flavours, full and rounded body and outstanding character. This wine offers fabulous value for money and beautiful aromas of soft plums and dark berry fruits. 

The 2021 vintage was great in Hawke's Bay and that comes through in every complex sip.