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Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $67.94
Aalto was established in 1999 by Mariano Garcia, winemaker for 30 years at Vega Sicilia. His philosophy was minimal...
12 FREE
DC
95
VM
94
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $249.94
Expressive and intense, this impressive red marries elegance and power, delivering rich flavors of blackberry,...
12 FREE
WS
95
VM
94
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $21.93
12 bottles: $21.49
A deep nose full of black and purple fruit, iodine, stones, sage and hedgerow. Full-bodied and broad on the palate...
JS
90
Sale
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $26.33 $28.00
Dense and broad Viñas de Gain with impressive concentration and compact tannins that give gravity to the palate,...
JS
94
WA
92
Sale
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $22.93 $24.40
This deep-garnet-colored wine features a bouquet of purple plum, roasted fennel bulb and flint. Flavors of blackberry...
WE
92
JS
91
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $19.94
A fresh and mineral nose with cherries, currants and blueberries. Full body, compact and firm tannins and a medium...
12 FREE
WA
92
JS
92
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $16.99
Made from old Tempranillo vines with a seasoning of Graciano (6%) and Mazuelo (1%) this Rioja spends 18 months in a...
DC
91
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $15.54
Brick red colour with a good coating. Clean, complex and with good intensity on the nose, aromas of red fruits well...
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $19.86
12 bottles: $19.46
The enticing, complex and focused nose displays scents of ripe plum, cherry, clove, rose, rosemary and thyme. The...
DC
96
WS
92
Sale
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $16.83 $17.50
12 bottles: $16.63
This medium-bodied red features a creamy, well-meshed flavor range of baked cherry, mocha, dried thyme and black...
WS
90
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $22.89
A savory, full-bodied red with olives, blackcurrants, grilled herbs, toast and anchovies on the nose. Gently chewy...
12 FREE
JS
91
DC
90
Sale
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $28.90 $29.96
In this wine, aromas of Mission fig, purple plum, milk chocolate and violet set the scene for blackberry preserve,...
WE
93
JS
92
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $14.85
12 bottles: $14.55
Color: Ruby red color with clean bright purple edge. Nose: High aromatic intensity of fruit compote assembled with...
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $13.35
12 bottles: $13.08
Dark plums, black cherries and some roasted cumin. A medium-bodied red with a firm, frosted tannin structure and...
JS
91
Sale
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $17.94 $18.80
12 bottles: $17.86
Shows a nose of fragrant, appealing smoke and grilled herb notes, which are a subtle overtone for flavors of black...
WS
91
Sale
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $10.85 $11.70
A fruity and plummy nose with lots of cherries, strawberries and some spices. Ripe, crunchy and fruit-expressive on...
JS
91
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $13.99
High-toned, floral aromas with orange peel and crushed blackberries. Medium-bodied with tight, chewy tannins that are...
JS
93
WA
91
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $27.94
12 bottles: $27.38
Very classic character to this with toasted oak, hints of consomme, meat and dried lemon. Medium body with crisp,...
JS
94
WA
91
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $29.93
-90% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, Graciano and Mazeuelo. -Grapes come principally from the ‘Rioja Alavesa’ zone....
12 FREE
Rapid Ship
Red
750ml
Bottle: $22.85
12 bottles: $22.39
A modern, spicy and fruity tempranillo with nutmeg and plenty of sweet spices, black pepper and pine cones. Tight and...
JS
92

Mavrodaphne Tempranillo Mencia 750ml Rapid Ship

In the Archaea region, high in the Northern Peloponnese mountains, the predominant grape varietal grown is the prized Mavrodaphne. Meaning 'Black Laurel', the Mavrodaphne grapes have extremely dark skins, and ripen slowly under the Greek sunshine, helped by the mineral rich soils the vines thrive in. This grape varietal is mostly used to produce the opaque, inky fortified wine of the same name, which is popular all over Greece and elsewhere in the world. This fortified wine allows the grapes to really show off their complex and fascinating flavors, which range from a rich marzipan to flavors of bitter chocolate, sweet coffee, dried figs and prunes, as well as plenty of jammy fruit notes.

Mavrodaphne is produced in a traditional method which involves leaving the grape juice exposed to the sun in large vats, before having its fermentation halted by the addition of various distillates taken from previous successful vintages. This mixture contains plenty of residual sugar, which gives the end result its characteristic sticky sweetness, and also helps with the next fermentation process, which typically takes place in large underground cellars. The final product is a heady drink, absolutely bursting with unusual, rich and sweet flavors and carried in a dark and slightly viscous Port-like liquid.

Mavrodaphne grapes are also used for the production of still red wines, but are generally blended with varietals such as Agiorgitiko or imported grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon. Mavrodaphne grapes are excellent for mellowing more acidic varieties, and producing deliciously rounded wines, which have taken the international market by storm in recent decades.

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?

There are plenty of notable native Spanish grapes which have made a big impression on the wine world at large, but none are as renowned or as widely loved as the Tempranillo varietal. This black skinned grape has been used for wine making for centuries, with several ancient civilizations noticing the fact that it is highly versatile and holds some delicious flavors and aromas, perfect for those looking for a powerful yet elegant grape for their wines. Tempranillo often causes winemakers some trouble, however, as it is highly susceptible to many diseases. Despite this, plenty continue to persevere with this varietal, as it is perfect for producing delicious and complex single variety and blended wines, packed full of classic Spanish flavors and plenty of aromatic and intense surprises.