Carlisle Vineyard Zinfandel
$84.99
In Mike Officer's words:
I started with five gallons of Zinfandel in my kitchen. Over the next several years, I made a barrel of Zinfandel each vintage with the help of some friends and my wife, Kendall Carlisle. The results were encouraging. Kendall and I moved to Santa Rosa in Sonoma County to be closer to the “source”. I found myself increasingly drawn to the old-vine vineyards of Sonoma County. There was something special, even magical, about those ancient, twisted vines with their deep roots and long histories. By 1997 we were producing over 300 cases of “garage” wine, mostly vineyard-designated old-vine Zinfandels, and winning numerous gold medals in amateur competitions. Hence, it was with our meagre savings and some family support that Kendall and I launched Carlisle Winery & Vineyards in 1998, concentrating on our two loves, old-vine Zinfandel and red Rhône varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Petite Sirah). Our goal was simple but ambitious: to create small lots of distinctive, world-class wines from some of California’s most exceptional vineyards. With the belief that great wine begins in the vineyard, we sought out Zinfandel from some of the finest vineyards in the county, planted between 1888 and 1934, including our own vineyard planted in 1927 by Alcide Pelletti. In February of 2001, Jay Maddox, an old college friend who had just finished getting a second degree in viticulture and enology (with honors!) from U.C. Davis, joined Carlisle, bringing a wealth of knowledge, a keen palate, and a desire to produce nothing but the best without compromise. Together, we have been able to grow to nearly 10,000 cases, garnering high praise from wine critics and consumers alike.
La Colliere Cotes du Rhone
$27.99
Wine critics love this producer, and so does Kensington WIne Market! "If readers have not yet discovered this exceptional small estate run by proprietor Georges Perrot, it's time they do so," says the team at Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. We love it, too - this particular wine is mostly Grenache, with a bit of Syrah. It's very food-friendly and very easy to drink, and it's a real deal at this price! You'll probably be back for more, if you only buy one bottle. A Kensington Wine Market exclusive!
Trossos 90 Minuts Magnum
$79.99
Magnum / 1.5 Litre Bottle
A Kensington Wine Market exclusive! A beautiful red wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache grapes grown in Spain's Priorat region. It has spent 12 months in French oak and spends six months in the cellar before being released. The result? A beautiful, intense, silky red wine that has notes of herbs and dark fruit. Pair with anything meaty: lamb, game or beef.
Poggio al Sole Chianti Casasilia Magnum
$164.99
In our stable of wines exclusive to KWM, Poggio Al Sole is like a favourite child; no one wants to admit they have one but secretly loves one just a little bit more. Poggio al Sole lies in the heart of Tuscany, in the bucolic countryside between Florence and Siena, between Tavarnelle Val di Pesa and Greve in Chianti. Documents in the archives of the nearby ancient abbey of Badia a Passignano testify to the claim that wine and olive oil were produced on this estate as early as the 12th century. Giovanni and Kathrin Davaz are the proprietors of Poggio al Sole, tending approximately 18 hectares of vineyards. The vines face south-east to south-west and are between 320 and 480 metres above sea level. Yields are kept low to improve quality, and the vineyards are certified organic.
Hansel Meadows Chardonnay
$51.99
The legendary Meadows vineyard lies next to Santa Rosa Creek and is dry-farmed due to the amount of water available deep in the soil for the vines to reach for. The Chardonnay grapes harvested from the plot create bright, fruit-dominant white wine with subtle tropical notes Due to the low yields of the vines, the wine does not become a fruit bomb but one of balance and finesse.
La Colliere Toullieres Rasteau
$32.99
An elegant. complex beauty from France's Rhone Valley, this well-priced Grenache-based red wine has beautiful notes of dark fruit, earth and spice. It'll pair with a variety of meats, from steak to roast chicken, or try it with a plate of grilled zucchini, red peppers and onions. A Kensington Wine Market exclusive, made by Georges Perrot, a renowned bon vivant and a renowned winemaker.
Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Merlot
$59.99
This Merlot is from Moss Wood's second vineyard called Ribbon Vale. They purchased the vineyard in March of 2000. The vineyard was already in production but it did offer a new challenge for Moss Wood in that they had never worked with Merlot before and it ended up being quite different than the other grapes they were used to. Since then they have focused on vineyard management and the way they produce the wine and it's evolved into something special.
Usseglio Rose
$29.99
Domaine Raymond Usseglio is a family domaine, created in 1948 by Françis Usseglio, who originally hailed from Italy. They traditionally develop their range of wines, with many of their vines being more than 65 years of age. Usseglio always performs manual harvesting with selective sorting, and all of their wines are certified biodynamic by Demeter. This rosé, with a dominant blend of cinsault (and 10% mourvedre) captivates with its freshness and aromatic profile of luscious fruit and lovely minerality. As an added bonus, they are certified biodynamic, which means it will protect you from werewolves when the moon is full.
Lopez Heredia Tondonia Reserva 375mL
$53.99
Lopez de Heredia is a family-run Spanish producer based in Rioja and regarded as one of the world’s greatest wine estates. It was founded in 1877 by Don Rafael Lopez de Heredia y Landeta. Four generations of the Lopez de Heredia family have devoted themselves to upholding their 140-year tradition of producing exceptional wines.
Tondonia, the winery’s most famous vineyard and product, was established between 1913 and 1914. It extends over 250 acres on the right bank of the River Ebro. In addition to Tondonia, the estate owns three vineyards (Cubillo, Bosconia, and Zaconia) covering a total area of 420 hectares. The soil is alluvial clay with a high proportion of limestone. Lopez de Heredia winery is the oldest in Haro and one of the first three houses in the Rioja region. They use completely natural and traditional methods of winemaking and their grapes are sourced exclusively from their own vineyards. They use typical Rioja varieties to produce the best wines: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo for reds, Viura and Malvasia for whites. The winery’s commitment to tradition is evident in their 131-year history of using American oak. They continue to have their own cooperage, making them the only bodega in Spain to hand-craft all the barrels used to age their wines.