Search results for "polperro"

Winemaker Notes The Pol Roger Pure Extra Brut NV is a zero-dosage champagne featuring equal parts Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier, showcasing aromas of clove flowers and bread crumbs with a straight, chalky, and bone-dry palate. About Winery Champagne Pol Roger was founded in 1849 in Épernay, France, by a 17-year-old Pol Roger, who began by selling wine and soon focused on producing drier, brut styles favored in Britain. The independent, family-run house survived major historical crises and became famously known as the favorite champagne of Winston Churchill.

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Winemaker Notes Pol Roger Brut Réserve diplays a beautiful golden straw colored hue, as well as abundant and fine bubbles. With a powerful and attractive nose, it first delivers aromas of fruit (pear, mango ...) and then releases light flavors of honeysuckle and white jasmine, lingering on vanilla and brioche notes. Behind a frank and dynamic attack, the wine encompasses a nice harmony and a pleasant freshness, whilst preserving some structure. On the palate, flavors of cooked fruit (quince jelly, apricot jam) happily mingle with fragrances of beeswax and acacia honey. The long-lasting aromas, composed of both fruity (candied orange peel, tangerine...) and spicy notes (cardamom, anis) is outstanding. About Winery Champagne Pol Roger was founded in 1849 in Épernay, France, by a 17-year-old Pol Roger, who began by selling wine and soon focused on producing drier, brut styles favored in Britain. The independent, family-run house survived major historical crises and became famously known as the favorite champagne of Winston Churchill.

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Winemaker Notes The Opus One 2018 offers profuse aromas of blackberry, cassis and black cherry. Elegant notes of violets, white pepper and rose petals follow and together they deliver a very seductive bouquet. The seamlessly layered flavors build to a crescendo of fresh and juicy black-fruit, accented with hints of orange zest, licorice and dark chocolate. Beautifully balanced, the smooth round tannins and fresh acidity combine to create a soft, creamy mouthfeel and extend the flavors into a long persistent finish. About Winery Rising gracefully from the vineyards, Opus One winery stands in subtle celebration of the land and the open space that surrounds the estate. It remains an ongoing testament to the founders’ vision of a singular wine that transcends generations. The estate vineyards of Opus One, comprised of four parcels, sit in the western portion of the famed Oakville AVA in Napa Valley. Two parcels, totaling 100 acres, are within the renowned To Kalon Vineyard. These are complemented by the combined 70 acres of the Ballestra and River parcels, which envelop the winery. In the vineyards, hand-harvesting and other traditional approaches are taken wherever they work best. When modern techniques benefit the winegrowing process, they are researched, evaluated and integrated into practice.

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Winemaker Notes The 2019 Marchesi Antinori Guado al Tasso is a masterclass in Bolgheri elegance, characterized by its refined energy and a distinct aromatic lift thanks to a significant 25% Cabernet Franc component. On the nose, it offers an alluring mix of black plums, licorice, and mocha, accented by sophisticated notes of dried mint and crushed graphite. The palate is full-bodied and seamless, trading raw power for a velvety, linear structure and a savory, mineral-driven finish that lingers with hints of toasted spice. Currently entering its ideal drinking window, this vintage is celebrated by critics as a benchmark for its precision and "cool" Mediterranean character, though it still benefits from a two-hour decant to fully unfurl its complex layers. Winery History While the Antinori family’s winemaking legacy spans 26 generations and over 600 years, the Tenuta Guado al Tasso estate entered their portfolio in 1932 as part of the dowry of Carlotta della Gherardesca upon her marriage to Niccolò Antinori. This noble property in Bolgheri, which had been in the della Gherardesca family since the 17th century, sits within a natural "amphitheater" between the hills and the sea, creating a unique microclimate that the family spent decades researching. It wasn't until 1990 that the flagship Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore was first produced, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the "Super Tuscan" movement by blending traditional Bordeaux varieties with a distinct coastal Mediterranean identity.

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Winemaker Notes The 2020 Marchesi Antinori Guado al Tasso is defined by a richer, more concentrated profile than the 2019, reflecting a warmer growing season that resulted in a "luscious" and opulent Bolgheri Superiore. The nose is dominated by ripe blackcurrants, maraschino cherries, and sweet spices, underpinned by the estate’s signature notes of Mediterranean scrub, dark chocolate, and a touch of toasted oak. On the palate, the wine is voluptuous and broad, featuring thick, velvety tannins and a powerful structure that maintains balance through a surprising vein of saline acidity. While it offers immediate "wow factor" with its deep fruit density and 14.5% alcohol, critics note that its long, spicy finish suggests a wine built for serious cellar aging, likely hitting its peak between 2028 and 2045. Winery History While the Antinori family’s winemaking legacy spans 26 generations and over 600 years, the Tenuta Guado al Tasso estate entered their portfolio in 1932 as part of the dowry of Carlotta della Gherardesca upon her marriage to Niccolò Antinori. This noble property in Bolgheri, which had been in the della Gherardesca family since the 17th century, sits within a natural "amphitheater" between the hills and the sea, creating a unique microclimate that the family spent decades researching. It wasn't until 1990 that the flagship Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore was first produced, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the "Super Tuscan" movement by blending traditional Bordeaux varieties with a distinct coastal Mediterranean identity.

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2010 | JD 100 Deep cassis, tobacco, graphite, and leather; combines opulence with elegance. A wine for decades of aging 2012 | JS 92 More restrained, with currant fruit, cedar, and earthy tones. Fine tannins but less concentration. Best for near-term drinking, already approachable. 2014 | WE 93 Elegant, fresh acidity, cassis, blueberries, and tobacco leaf. Leaner style but balanced and long. A very good mid-term vintage. 2015 | WE 96 Rich, concentrated, with crème de cassis, lush fruit, and toasted notes. Powerful yet fresh, with Wine Enthusiast awarding 96 points. Excellent aging potential. About Winery With origins dating back to 1638, Léoville was the largest vineyard in the Médoc region at the time of the French Revolution. Léoville Poyferré springs from various divisions and successions in 1840. Its outstanding quality wines gained early recognition when it was ranked 2nd Growth in the 1855 classification. Château Léoville Poyferré was acquired in 1920 by the Cuvelier family. Château Léoville Poyferré was the Léoville that got left in the starting blocks in terms of reputation and in the quality of its wines. Léoville Poyferré has been owned by the Cuvelier family (who also own Château Le Crock) since 1921, yet it was not until the 1970s, when Didier Cuvelier took control at the château, that quality began to improve. In the last 20 years, Didier, with the assistance of Michel Rolland since 1995, has turned Léoville-Poyferré into one of StJulien's finest estates. Now up with the best of the St-Juliens but still selling at nonscary prices. Léoville Poyferré is classified as a 2ème Cru Classé

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PRE-ORDER 2003 | WA 96 The spectacular 2003 Leoville Poyferre exhibits a dense purple color with a touch of lightening at the edge as well as notes of creosote, barbecue smoke, jammy black currants, licorice and spice box. This intense, voluptuously textured, full-bodied St.-Julien possesses low acidity and ripe tannin.  2011 | WS 94 This is a really fruity wine that’s opulent and gorgeously rich. There is a pepper edge, touches of new wood and a firm, dark core. Acidity and concentration are already integrated. 2017 | JS 95 A red with currant and blueberry aromas and flavors and some citrus and vanilla. Medium body and creamy, integrated tannins. Shows finesse and depth for the vintage. One of the best from the appellation.  2018 | JD 100 Based on 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, its dense purple hue is followed by an incredible, full-bodied monster of a wine that, despite massive amounts of fruit, tannin's, and extract, still stays weightless and ethereal, with incredible purity. Loaded with notions of crème de cassis, spring flowers, tobacco, violets, charcoal, and cedar pencil, it's extraordinarily concentrated, flawlessly balanced, and has a finish that won't quit. This is a legendary wine in the making.  2021 | JS 96 Excellent depth and complexity with a nice modern touch of cocoa powder to the black olives, pencil shavings, cassis, violets, black mushrooms and dark earth. Full-bodied palate with fresh, vertical tannins and lots of juicy fruit that seamlessly dissolve into the flavorful, persistent finish. Refined power with real length. About Winery With origins dating back to 1638, Léoville was the largest vineyard in the Médoc region at the time of the French Revolution. Léoville Poyferré springs from various divisions and successions in 1840. Its outstanding quality wines gained early recognition when it was ranked 2nd Growth in the 1855 classification. Château Léoville Poyferré was acquired in 1920 by the Cuvelier family. Château Léoville Poyferré was the Léoville that got left in the starting blocks in terms of reputation and in the quality of its wines. Léoville Poyferré has been owned by the Cuvelier family (who also own Château Le Crock) since 1921, yet it was not until the 1970s, when Didier Cuvelier took control at the château, that quality began to improve. In the last 20 years, Didier, with the assistance of Michel Rolland since 1995, has turned Léoville-Poyferré into one of StJulien's finest estates. Now up with the best of the St-Juliens but still selling at nonscary prices. Léoville Poyferré is classified as a 2ème Cru Classé

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Winemaker Notes The 2019 Hans Family Estate “Secret of Marlborough” Montepulciano is a powerful yet elegant expression of this late-ripening Italian grape grown in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. Crafted from organically farmed, low-yield vines (less than 1 kg per vine), the wine shows remarkable concentration and complexity. On the nose, it offers alluring aromas of dark cherries, blueberries, and plums, lifted by floral notes of violets and enriched with hints of chocolate and spice. The palate is multi-layered and sumptuous, combining richness with finesse, supported by 24 months of maturation on fine lees in French barriques (30% new) and a further 18 months of bottle aging. With 14% alcohol, natural fermentation, and no fining or filtration, it delivers depth, purity, and a long, resonant finish—an impressive New World take on Montepulciano that balances strength with elegance. About Winery  Hans Family Estate, also known as Hans Herzog Estate, is a boutique, family-owned winery located in Marlborough, New Zealand. Founded by Swiss-born winemaker Hans Herzog, the estate reflects his philosophy of producing wines with uncompromising quality and individuality. Herzog brought decades of winemaking experience from Europe to New Zealand, establishing the estate as one of the country’s most respected artisanal wineries. What makes Hans Family Estate distinctive is its organic, hands-on approach: every step from vineyard to bottle is carried out onsite, with meticulous attention to detail. Herzog is known for his experimental spirit, cultivating an unusually wide range of grape varieties—over 29, including classics like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as well as rarities such as Viognier, Arneis, Grüner Veltliner, and Nebbiolo. This diversity, combined with a focus on small-scale production and age-worthy wines, has earned the estate international acclaim for its eclectic yet consistently high-quality portfolio.

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Winemaker Notes The Antinori Tignanello is an intense ruby red wine with exceptional aromatic complexity. It opens with vibrant notes of ripe red fruits—especially cherries, strawberries, and blackberries—accompanied by delicate floral hints of violets, mallow blossoms, and roses. The bouquet is further enriched by subtle layers of roasted coffee, cocoa powder, and spices like pepper, licorice, and herbs. On the palate, it is vibrant and layered, with a silky tannin structure and a fresh, lengthy finish, showcasing both finesse and power About Winery Antinori Tignanello is a groundbreaking Italian wine first produced in 1971 by the historic Antinori family, whose winemaking roots date back to 1385. Tignanello marked a major shift in Tuscan winemaking—it was the first Sangiovese to be aged in barriques (small oak barrels), the first red wine in Tuscany to be blended with non-traditional varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and among the first from the Chianti Classico region to be made without white grapes. Originally labeled as a Chianti Classico Riserva, it became a Tuscan red table wine in 1971 and helped define the Super Tuscan category. Tignanello is produced exclusively from the Tignanello vineyard, located in the Tenuta Tignanello estate in San Casciano in Val di Pesa, with limestone-rich soils and a southwest exposure.  

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Winemaker Notes a fresh, lively attack. Pleasant, juicy, creamy tannins as it passes through the mouth, with a good combination of ripe fruit flavours and mountain herbs. The finish is long, with tannins to make the mouth water, leaving a long, lingering aftertaste About Winery Valserrano, also known as Viñedos y Bodegas de la Marquesa, is a family-owned winery with a long history in Rioja Alavesa. Founded in 1880, it has been continuously managed by the same family for five generations. The winery's roots trace back to Francisco Javier Solano y Eulate, Marqués de la Solana, who, inspired by French winemaking techniques, began producing Médoc-style wines in the late 19th century. Today, Juan Pablo de Simón, his great-grandson, leads the winery, and his children are actively involved in the business. 

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Winemaker Notes The Cuvelier family's flagship estate has been on fine form in recent years. Their style is sumptuous, velvety, quite modern St Julien, but with the underlying structure to age for many many years. There is a beautiful bouquet of decadent dark berries, gravelly minerality, humidor, cedar and flowers. It is quite heady and perfumed with a lovely seductive core of opulent fruit and large scale tannic structure.  About Winery With origins dating back to 1638, Léoville was the largest vineyard in the Médoc region at the time of the French Revolution. Léoville Poyferré springs from various divisions and successions in 1840. Its outstanding quality wines gained early recognition when it was ranked 2nd Growth in the 1855 classification. Château Léoville Poyferré was acquired in 1920 by the Cuvelier family. Château Léoville Poyferré was the Léoville that got left in the starting blocks in terms of reputation and in the quality of its wines. Léoville Poyferré has been owned by the Cuvelier family (who also own Château Le Crock) since 1921, yet it was not until the 1970s, when Didier Cuvelier took control at the château, that quality began to improve. In the last 20 years, Didier, with the assistance of Michel Rolland since 1995, has turned Léoville-Poyferré into one of StJulien's finest estates. Now up with the best of the St-Juliens but still selling at nonscary prices. Léoville Poyferré is classified as a 2ème Cru Classé

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Winemaker Notes The Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino shows a saturated dark violet color with ruby reflections; the nose offers cassis, blueberries and violets, along with a strong suggestion of soil tones. It combines density and sweetness on the one hand, with gripping, lightly saline flavors of mocha, dark berries, spice, and minerals; a palate-staining finish dominated by sweet black and blue fruits.   About Winery Bodega Catena Zapata is one of Argentina's high-altitude Malbec pioneers. The Catena family began making wine in Mendoza in 1902. Nicolas Catena, third generation family vintner, was one of the first to see the potential of Mendoza's mountain vineyards for producing high quality Malbec. In 1994, he became the first Argentine to export a world-class bottling of Malbec under the Catena label. Nicolas is joined by his daughter, Dr. Laura Catena, in their relentless pursuit of world-class quality from the family's high-altitude vineyards. Laura has done extensive work in introducing Malbec and other varietal plant selections, soil and climate analysis, and sustainable practices throughout Mendoza. Head winemaker, Alejandro Vigil, has been at Catena Zapata since 2002 and works with Laura and Nicolas to make wines that express the family's vineyards and palate.

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