Ortega Rioja Young White
$26.99
Their story began with Quintín Ortega in 1986. A humble figure with some good ideas and the determination to carry them out, he decides to plant vines and start what is now the winery, led by his great-grandson, Carmelo Ortega. In the 90s, Carmelo established the winery headquarters in an old house that served as a winery for many years, now a site where an enotourism project is being developed to encourage tourism in the region. Their property covers approximately 700 hectares of scrubland, almond fields and vineyards, all of which are sheltered by the nearby mountains, which create climatic conditions that include a reduced risk of frost and a controlled level of humidity in the summer. This set of features and factors, together with the characteristics of the soil (pebbles, low organic matter), creates a unique grape-growing microcosm, which has allowed them to develop the “village wine” style they are looking for to define the wines of Tudelilla (the village where they are situated in the heart of the Rioja Baja region). This wine is a blend of 90% Viura, 5% Malvasía, 5% Garnacha Blanca. It's balanced and intriguing, with beautiful fruit and floral characteristics and an underlying acidity that brightens up the palate. Serve as an aperitif, or with light seafood.
Foradori Sgarzon
$69.99
This is the lighter and more elegant of the two single vineyard Teroldegos vinified in Anfora. Aromas and flavours of blueberries, blackberries, and cherries follow through to a full body, round and velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. A big and rich wine with so much density and complexity that would pair beautifully with aged Italian cheeses, red meats and even with your favourite tomato-based dish.100% single vineyard Teroldego from “Sgarzon” Vineyard. "Sgarzo” means vine shoot in the Campo Rotaliano. The vines that grow in the Sgarzon vineyard are particularly vital and benefit from the cooler climate that distinguishes this site.
At the age of just 20, Elisabetta Foradori (above) found herself in charge of the family winery, based in the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains in Trentino, way back in 1984. It’s been quite a journey for her, and over time she has moved in a more natural direction, looking to get the ultimate expression of the place and the main variety here, Teroldego. In pursuit of this expression, she converted to biodynamics in 2002, and was certfied in 2009. There are 28 hectares of vines here, with three-quarters of this Teroldego (they did a mass selection and so now have 15 different clones, plus grew some from seeds), plus Manzoni Bianco (a cross of Pinot Blanc and Riesling), Nosiola and Pinot Grigio, with production around 150 000 bottles a year. These vineyards are surrounded by mountains, and there are two main soil types: calcareous clay and alluvial. While many in the region grow on a high-yielding pergola system, most of her vines are vertically trellised. Since 2012, Emilio, one of her four children, has worked with her, and she has gradually taken a more natural direction. Part of this direction is a move towards using clay. Elevage is in a mix of large wood (oak and acacia), and increasingly these clay amphorae (tinajas from Spain, which are unlined). Jamie Goode
Bodegas Baron-Micaela Oloroso
$49.99
AI Overview
"Micaela Amontillado is a dry, 17.5% ABV Sherry from Bodegas Barón in Jerez, Spain, aged for 4–5 years. Made from 100% Palomino grapes, it combines biological and oxidative aging to produce a golden-colored wine with notes of hazelnut, toasted almond, caramel, and coastal salinity."
Kay Brothers Basket Pressed Shiraz
$44.99
For well over a century, Shiraz has played the main role in producing wines of outstanding quality, depth and longevity at Kay Brothers. The Basket Press Shiraz continues this tradition. The vineyards sourced for this wine have a predominantly eastern exposure. The soil varies from sandy loam at the top of the hill to heavier loam and clay as it transcends down the hill toward the creek. The dry climate forces the vine roots, ranging from 9 - 18 years, to delve into the complex underlying geology consisting of quartz and ironstone gravels, weathered and calcareous sandstone, siltstone and limestone.
Aubuisieres Le Marigny Sec
$36.99
Formerly known as Domaine Bernard Fouquet, until Bernard retired in 2021, handing the reins to Charles Lesaffre. Charles is the grandson of Gérald Bruley des Varannes, the man from whom Bernard's father André acquired his first vineyards, thereby bringing the story of the Domaine full circle. An avid practitioner of viticulture and oenology, Charles joined Bernard as an associate in 2019. Two years into his tenure, Charles has emphasized organic and biodynamic practices. Charles has continued, as Bernard before him, to capture the unique Vouvray mineral tones, along with the wonderfully balanced expression of fruit of the Chenin Blanc grape, in his wines.
Le Marigny from Domaine des Aubuisieres is a 100% Chenin Blanc from the Loire that is undergoes partial oak fermentation. It's a rich single-vineyard Chenin with a fine balance of ripe apple and peach flavours, racy acidity and subtle spice notes from oak fermentation and lees ageing. Lovely now as a match for creamy pork dishes, but it will cellar well too.
Nikka Coffey Gin
$62.99
Better known for their whisky, Nikka has produced both vodka and gin for the Japanese market for years. The Nikka Coffey Gin, 47%, is their first export gin. The gin is produced from a blend of "rich" and "mellow" spirits in their Coffey still a Miyagikyo Distillery. It is created with traditional gin botanicals (juniper, angelica, coriander, lemon and orange peels), but also zesty and exotic "Japanese citruses: Yuzu, Kabosu, Amanatsu and Shequasar." There are also notes of apple and sansho pepper.
Producer Description
Nikka Coffey Gin's complexity is achieved through the perfect balance between 11 selected botanicals and the silky texture of Coffey distillates. The bright and zesty aroma originating from four kinds of Japanese citruses, Yuzu, Kabosu, Amanatsu and Shequasar, compliments the traditional gin botanicals of juniper berries, angelica, coriander seeds, lemon and orange peels.
There is also a touch of apples, a fruit deeply related to the history of Nikka, followed by pleasantly tangy hints of green Japanese Sansho pepper on the finish.
The Coffey Still is the world’s first patented continuous still invented by Mr. Aeneas Coffey in 1830. The excellence of Nikka's Coffey distillates has been widely recognized through our Coffey Grain and Coffey Malt whiskies. In 2017, a new gin and vodka joined Nikka's Coffey range to further show the uniqueness and beauty of this traditional type of column still - the Coffey Still. These expressions are the integration of Nikka's Coffey Stills, expertise in distilling gin and vodka since the 1960s and blending skills inherited from the founder.
Barbeito Boal 10 yr
$89.99
"This wine was naturally aged in casks and bottled in its purest state. To show it at its best serve between 13oC and 14oC. Should be kept in a cool dry place. This wine was filtered and does not require decanting. It was bottled ready for drinking and will keep well several months after opening."
Orange hints.
Lush and harmonious!
Notes of fruit in syrup, woody and a honey aroma. Soft and sweet mingling with excellent acidity.
Excellent as digestive, Christmas pudding, Foie- gras, chocolate, crystallized fruits and cheese
Winery notes
Wolfburn Morven Single Malt 46%
$79.99
Wolfburn Morven is a lightly peated single malt bottled at 46% from the Northernmost mainland distillery in Scotland.
Producer Description
"This lightly peated whisky is made from malted barley infused with smoke during the drying process. The flavour imparted by the smoke is a reflection of Wolfburn’s history – the original 19th Century distillery was largely fired by peat. Gentle distillation is followed by maturation in our purpose-built warehouses. The result is a beautifully smooth and rounded whisky."
Occhipinti II Frappato
$73.99
'Frappato comes from my dream of a girl to make a wine that knew of the earth I work, of the air I breathe, and of my own thoughts. It is sour, sanguine and elegant. It is Vittoria and the Iblei mountains. It is the wine that most resembles me, courageous, original and rebellious. But not only. It has peasant origins, for this reason it loves its roots and the past it carries inside; but, at the same time, it is able to fight to improve itself. He knows refinement without ever forgetting himself.' - Arianna Occhipinti