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750ml
Bottle:
$71.60
6 bottles:
$70.17
As these mountaintop vines mature, the fruit gains more prominent character, yet the telltale structure remains....
750ml
Bottle:
$67.95
$71.60
Sharp aromas of stewed black plum, cocoa dust, wild mint and baked soil show on the nose of this bottling from a...
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$164.62
Aromas of red-berried fruit enhanced by spices and toast with perfect balance on the palate. Long powerful, yet...
750ml
Bottle:
$89.94
$99.94
90-93 Similar to the Charmots, the wood regimen is present but not so prominent as to interfere with the...
750ml
Bottle:
$41.89
$42.79
12 bottles:
$41.05
Vivid red. Smoke-tinged cherry and black raspberry scents, backed by vanilla and allspice nuances. Sappy and...
750ml
Bottle:
$524.89
$553.20
A gorgeously complex and intensely spicy nose offers up notes of plum, cassis, black cherry, dried rose petal and...
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$46.92
Flavours of red berries and spices emerge from this wine, which develops animal notes as it ages. This balanced wine...
750ml
Bottle:
$50.72
12 bottles:
$49.71
A vivid and bright red with dried berry, strawberry and citrus undertones. Full body, round and velvety tannins. Rich...
750ml
Bottle:
$45.95
12 bottles:
$45.03
Enticing notes of wild currant, violets and wet sagebrush on the nose. On the palate, firm tannins, with notes of...
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle:
$1035.16
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$376.85
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$142.45
Pre-Arrival
Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2014
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$67.06
As ever this has an extra dimension and remains the high watermark for New Zealand pinot noir to be measured against....
750ml - 1 Bottle
Bottle:
$149.90
Pre-Arrival
Calera Pinot Noir Ryan Vineyard 2014
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$76.45
The 2014 Pinot Noir Ryan Vineyard is a powerful, bombastic wine with huge fruit and equally imposing tannins that...
Assyrtiko Pinot Noir Primitivo 2014 750ml
Cultivated since at least the middle of the Byzantine era, the Assyrtiko grape is generally considered to be one the finest of the Greek grape varietals, as a result of its multi-purpose properties and ability to flourish on a wide range of terrains. The ancient Byzantines used it in conjunction with Aidani and Athiri grapes for the production of their unusual and naturally sweet Vinsanto wines, which are still produced today in Santorini, and continue to be popular. However, the Assyrtiko grapes are used for many different AOC wines across Greece, and are favored by wine makers who want to maintain a dryness and acidic punch to their produce.
The Assyrtiko grapes are renowned for their ability to maintain their acidity as they ripen beneath the blazing Mediterranean sun, resulting in wines which have a distinctive dryness and a range of citrus fruit aromas, as well as great structure and high tannins. Often, Assyrtiko grapes will produce wines which leave an unusual after-taste reminiscent of the mineral rich, volcanic soils they are grown in on the slopes of Santorini, making them a favorite for wine drinkers looking for something full of character and interesting attributes. The past twenty five years have seen Assyrtiko vines planted all over the Greek mainland, and even in Attica and Macedonia, where the softer terrain often produces more fruit forward wines with a milder, less astringent character. However, wherever this fine grape varietal is grown, it is rare the results will be anything less than excellent.
Additional Information on Greek Wines
Greek Wines
Ancient Greek Wines – A Brief History of Wine in Greece
The Myth of Dionysus, Greek God of Wine
What is Retsina?
Regularly described as being the grape varietal responsible for producing the world's most romantic wines, Pinot Noir has long been associated with elegance and a broad range of flavors The name means 'black pine' in French, and this is due to the fact that the fruit of this particular varietal is especially dark in color, and hangs in a conical shape, like that of a pine cone. Despite being grown today in almost every wine producing country, Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape variety to cultivate. This is because it is especially susceptible to various forms of mold and mildew, and thrives best in steady, cooler climates. However, the quality of the fruit has ensured that wineries and vintners have persevered with the varietal, and new technologies and methods have overcome many of the problems it presents. Alongside this, the wide popularity and enthusiasm for this grape has ensured it will remain a firm favorite amongst wine drinkers for many years to come.
As with many European grape varietals, there is some debate regarding the precise origins of the Primitivo grape. Most people now agree that it probably came from Croatia, where it is still used widely in the production of red wine, and it known as Tribidrag. However, today it is a grape most commonly associated with the powerful red wines of Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot, where the intense sunshine and brisk Mediterranean breezes produce grapes of remarkable character and balance. Primitivo is a dark grape, known for producing intense, inky, highly tannic wines, most notably the naturally sweet Dolce Naturale and the heavy and complex Primitivo di Manduria wines. Primitivo tends to be naturally very high in both tannin and alcohol, making it ideal for both barrel and cellar ageing, which brings out its more rounded and interesting features.
Primitivo is not the easiest grape to grow or manage, and it has had something of a difficult century. Indeed, by the 1990s, there was little interest in Puglian wines in general, and winemakers were neglecting their Primitivo vineyards and looking to other, more commercially viable varietals. However, the last decade has seen this grape come well and truly back into fashion, with new techniques and a heightened interest in native Italian grape varietals bringing Primitivo back into the spotlight. It is now widely loved for its intensity and ability to be paired with strongly flavored foods.