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Spirits
750ml
Bottle: $69.43
At Domaine de Monturon Mr. Bachala produces armagnac. He has 1.1 hectares of vineyards with about 25 year old vines...
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Red
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle: $180.36
A very muscular red with plum, blueberry, walnut and dried mushroom character on both the nose and palate. Full and...
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97
VM
95
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White
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $277.66
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $49.49
Aromas of violets, blueberries and hints of minerals. Walnut shell, too. Full body, chewy tannins and a savory...
JS
94
VM
93
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $51.05
A big and powerful Chianti Classico with incredible blackberry, currant and mineral character. Full-bodied, chewy and...
JS
96
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $49.12
Scorched earth, game, cured meat and leather waft out of the glass. The taught palate offers dried black cherry,...
WE
88
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White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $199.19
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $211.62
A few swirls of the glass release delicate, enticing aromas of red berry, rose, iris, tobacco, new leather and star...
WE
94
WS
94
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White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $145.49
This is one of Italy's great white wines, with aromas and flavours of apple pie, cream tart and lemon-lime. Full body...
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95
WA
94
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $54.95
Great structure, complex dried flowers, bouquet, very rich and persistent Food pairing: Savoury dishes, game, stews,...
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $76.45
The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a plush, fruit-driven Sangiovese that reflects the best of its territory. Fruit...
WA
93
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $147.64
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White
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $106.90
Scented of freshly squeezed lemons, lime leaves and orange blossoms with touches of struck match, crushed stones and...
WA
93
VM
92
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White
750ml - 1 Bottle
Bottle: $1727.42 $1837.68
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White
750ml - 1 Bottle
Bottle: $1610.74 $1713.55
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White
750ml - 1 Bottle
Bottle: $1902.57 $2024.01
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White
750ml - 1 Bottle
Bottle: $4585.33
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White
750ml - 1 Bottle
Bottle: $1883.95 $1961.94
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White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $1325.47
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White
1.5Ltr - Case of 3
Bottle: $430.70
The 2011 Chablis Les Clos comes across as rather big in this vintage. A broad-shouldered frame houses rich fruit in...
WA
95
VM
94

Armagnac Chardonnay Sangiovese 2003 2011

Armagnac is a beloved grape brandy, hailing from the beautiful French region of Gascony, in the south-west of the country. It has been in constant production since sometime just before the fifteenth century, and over the decades has been the toast of royal households across Europe. Today, it is still enjoyed for its unique flavor profile and characteristics, and although it is understandably compared with Cognac, its more famous cousin, lovers of Armagnac claim that its distinctive rusticity and full body make it a superior brandy, perfect as a digestif or as an evening treat.

Armagnac is made from more than one grape varietal, but the major player in this drink is the fine Ugni Blanc grape, more commonly known by its Italian name, Trebbiano. This is one of the most widely planted grape varietals in the world, and grows beautifully in Gascony, which has a similar microclimate as its neighbouring wine region, Bordeaux. Armagnac grapes reveal fascinating and complex flavors after distillation, which commonly include christmas cake, earthy, oaky notes and praline.

Armagnac is sold under two categories - vintage, and non-vintage. A vintage Armagnac is made from a blend of grapes which have been grown in a single year, and will have the date printed on the label. Non-vintage Armagnacs, on the other hand, are labelled according to their age. V.S indicates that the brandy has been aged for a minimum of two years, VSOP for four years, XO six years, and Hors d’Age is a premium Armagnac which has been aged for at least ten years.

Of all the white wine grape varietals, surely the one which has spread the furthest and is most widely appreciated is the Chardonnay. This green skinned grape is now grown all over the Old and New Worlds, from New Zealand to the Americas, from England to Chile, and is one of the first varietals people think of when considering white wine grapes. Perhaps this is because of its huge popularity which reached a peak in the 1990s, thanks to new technologies combining with traditional methods to bring the very best features out of the Chardonnay grape, and allow its unique qualities to shine through. Most fine Chardonnay wines use a process known as malolactic fermentation, wherein the malic acids in the grape juice are converted to lactic acids, allowing a creamier, buttery nature to come forward in the wine. No grape varietal is better suited to this process than Chardonnay, which manages to balance these silky, creamy notes with fresh white fruit flavors beautifully.

The name of this grape, meaning 'blood of Jove' conjures up evocative images of long dead civilizations, and gives the Sangiovese varietal a sense of the holy, the sacred, the special. Indeed, this particular type of Italian grape has been cultivated and processed for thousands of years, and is said to be the original favorite grape varietal of the Romans, and the Etruscans before them. Throughout history, vintners have continued to plant this varietal, and they continue to produce wonderful wines to this day. The long bunches of very dark, round fruit are treasured by fine wineries in Italy and a few other places around the world, and when young, these grapes are lively – full of strawberry flavors and a little spiciness. However, it is when they are aged in oak that they take on some truly special flavors and aromas, as seen in some of the finest wines of the Old World.