Moss Wood Amy's Red Blend 2023
$39.99
Amy's Red Blend from Moss Wood is a both customer and staff favourite at Kensington Wine Market. Vintage after vintage, this Bordeaux-style blend punches well above its price point. The 2023 vintage contains 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 6% Malbec, and 6% Petit Verdot.
Established in 1969, Moss Wood is an important, founding estate of the Margaret River wine region in the northern sub–region of Wilyabrup, Western Australia. Clare & Keith Mugford, as winemakers, viticulturalists & proprietors, have been making wine & tending the vineyard at Moss Wood since 1984 & 1979, respectively. Their exacting viticulture ensures the production of high-quality fruit, and they have created a stable of fine wines distinguished by their consistency over each vintage, along with their ability to age superbly.
They have put significant effort into developing an appropriate style for each of their wines, but Cabernet Sauvignon, their first wine, is still the primary focus. Naturally, they looked to the great wines of Bordeaux for inspiration and carefully examined the factors that have made Bordeaux the benchmark for Cabernet Sauvignon.
As they were making wine in Margaret River inspired by those of the Medoc, they felt it was important to consider the Bordeaux environment as opposed to Margaret River’s individualistic climate and terroir. Wine writer Jancis Robinson has called them the Chateau Latour of Australia, and, we might add, for a fraction of what Latour costs.
Kitten Swish Cabernet
$57.99
Created by Calgary's own Brad Royale — one of the city's best-known sommeliers, and the guy behind the wine lists at such top restaurants as Cilantro and Divino. This beauty comes from the famous Stuhlmuller Vineyard in Alexander Valley and, as Brad states on the back label. "It's for your mouth. For When Medication Is Required." Brad's a funny guy, but the wine is serious: big, intense, rich and fantastic. One to decant and drink now, or stick in the cellar and savour it over the next few years. But act fast if you're interested - Brad's wines sell fast, and only a little is available.
La Spinetta Langhe Nebbiolo
$44.99
Always a fave amongst Kensington Wine Market staff and customers, Italy's famous La Spinetta estate has been making world-class wines for almost 30 years, and this gorgeous 100% Nebbiolo is no exception. 87 points from Winealign.com for the 2011 vintage. The review: "Lots of barrel character here. The nebbiolo structure is there, good acid and tannin."
Torres 20 Year Brandy
$74.99
Torres Brandy is principally made from the Parellada, a very delicate white Catalan grape. The grape thrives in the cool microclimate of the mountains in the upper Penedes. This brandy is obtained by the distillation of only select wines. Double distillation in copper pot stills, followed by the careful selection of the finest and most aromatic fractions, and ageing in Limousin oak barrels.
Arran Machrie Moor 10 Year
$104.99
Could be the first age-stated Machrie Moor release? I think it is! This 10 Year Old peated single malt from Arran's Lochranza Distillery was matured in 1st fill ex-Bourbon casks before being bottled at 46%.
Producer Description
"Fully matured in 1st fill Bourbon Casks for 10 years and bottled at 46%, without chill filtration or added colouring, this new peated Arran Single Malt displays all the freshness of our island house style, with an added puff of smoke and earthiness, offering a warm gold coloured whisky with a peating level of 20ppm."
Petrolo Torrione Toscana
$62.99
This historic property dates back to 1834 by agronomist Giorgio Perrin, owner of Petrolo and member of the Accademia dei Gergofili of Florence. He celebrates Sangiovese and this land, especially that spot called Campo Asciutto (now Bòggina), explaining how it was common use at the time planting “French grapes” in Chianti to combine with Sangiovese, by virtue of a soil that manages to prevail over different varietals. The Estate was acquired in the 40’s by the family Bazzocchi that followed up the tradition of carefully producing high quality wines with utter commitment. The pecularities of this area add to its value; the land of Petrolo, where vineyards, olive groves and woodscoexist, living side by side, forming with the soil a rich ecosystem that contributes to perfectly balance the different grape varieties.
Terres des Familles Pinot Noir
$87.99
Like a family reunion, this wine brings together the members of a single lineage that goes back 700 years. The Cistercian monks nurtured the vineyards back then, making wine for the Church. What divine inspiration! Then like now, the wine is made with the greatest care. Expressive with notes of vanilla and red berries. Rounded and gentle in the mouth, this is an easy, pleasant wine and ready to opened now.
Altolandon Organic Red
$34.99
Owner & winemaker, Rosalia Molina, produces these organic wines in one of Spain's highest-altitude wineries. Her mission is to make wines that express the typicity of DO Manchuela, and this includes the vineyards, the altitude and the varieties planted. The climate pushes the limits for grape growing because, at 1,100 metres above sea level issues like frost become a concern. The grapes tend to experience a large diurnal range that encourages even ripening and helps to retain natural acidity. Rosalia's vineyards are certified organic, she uses only natural fertilizers, promoting biodiversity by welcoming chickens, sheep and pigs from local farms to roam the vineyards freely. Grapes are hand-harvested and vinified as naturally as possible with native yeasts and little other intervention. The wines are then aged in clay amphora and some in French oak to give texture and complexity.
This organic red blend is made up predominantly of Syrah, with some Cabernet Franc and Garnacha, dense and layered. One to enjoy now or cellar for a while. It spends 24 months in French oak as well.Ripe notes of black berries, blueberries, a touch of minerality and an expressive note of black pepper. A great wine to pair with a juicy steak, tourtiere and/or roasted root vegetables. Vegan friendly!
Evan Williams Black Label Bourbon
$29.99