Festive Hamper

'Melacce', Vermentino ColleMassari, Montecucco, Tuscany Italy,2022

A well-made expression of Vermentino with a pretty golden color and thick flavors of stone fruit and honey. There's good balance of consistency versus freshness here. Crunchy notes of sweet apples, pears, white flowers and hints of candied lime to create an inviting bouquet as the 2022 Vermentino Melacce Montecucco blossoms in the glass. It is soft, round and soothing, with white stone fruits and minerals under a touch of pretty inner flowers. It finishes fresh and honeyed, with a touch of salty minerals that create wonderful contrasts.

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Sangiovese Rosso, Castello ColleMassari, Montecucco, Tuscany 2020

Montecucco Rosso Riserva is dark and brooding in the glass, with suggestions of rosemary and sage, chalk dust and autumunal spice giving way to red currants. This washes across the palate. Elegant and refined, with sleek red and black fruits carried across a core of vibrant acidity. It leaves a coating of fine tannins to linger along with a licorice tinge, as hints of sweet sage and violent inner florals fade. This is a radiant and seductive vintage for the Rosso Riserva, a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Ciliegiolo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drinking window: 2024-2035.

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Old Vines GMS, Torbreck, Barossa Valley Australia 2021

Made from ancient gnarly Australian vines, this is a bold, yet classy example of what Torbreck can do. This blend of Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz convinces all the senses with its fruity, spicy and full-bodied character.

Old Vines GSM by Torbreck Vintners shows up in a dense dark red  in the glass. The bouquet of this cuvée seduces with the aromas of black cherries, crème de cassis and fine hints of liquorice and Mediterranean herbs. This Australian cuvée is firm on the palate with persistent fruit, which is  accompanied by subtle leather and wood. The finale is wonderfully long and has a spicy note.

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