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750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $53.94
The primary wine, known simply as Aalto Ribera del Duero, comes from vines ranging in age from 40–80 years old...
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $52.85
The nose of the red 2020 Aalto comes blasting with tons of toasted oak, spice, smoke and more toast, ripe berries and...
WA
94
JS
93
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $52.72
Aalto was established in 1999 by Mariano Garcia, winemaker for 30 years at Vega Sicilia. His philosophy was minimal...
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95
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94
Sale
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Red
1.5Ltr - 1 Bottle
Bottle: $284.95 $301.92
All Tempranillo brought up in French oak, the 2018 Ribera Del Duero PS offers a gorgeous perfume of black...
JD
98
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95
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $138.57
All Tempranillo brought up in French oak, the 2018 Ribera Del Duero PS offers a gorgeous perfume of black...
JD
98
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95
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $104.10
Lots of depth here, with ripe blackberries and some nicely baked black cherries, roasted herbs, incense, dark spices,...
JS
96
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95
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $100.37
The 2021 PS is 100% Tempranillo, primarily sourced from clay soils in La Horra and Aguilera, and was aged for up to...
VM
95
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $65.87
I thought the 2011 was the best ever from this stylish wine producer in Sardinia. But the 2012 is clearly better...
JS
94
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92
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $60.96
Very beautiful aromas of violets, purple fruit, fresh lavender and thyme follow through to a medium body with...
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93
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91
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $67.22
The oaky 2014 Buenagente has notes of sawdust and toast coupled with some spices. The palate reveals fine-grained...
WA
88
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $143.95
Opaque ruby. Ripe cherry, dark berries and oak spice on the highly perfumed nose. Fleshy and sweet, offering...
WA
93
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $107.78
2012 has to be one of the best recent vintages of Alión. This 2012 Alión is pure Tempranillo from vineyards...
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95
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93
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $209.21
2014 is a better vintage in Ribera del Duero than in Rioja, and the 2014 Alión shows it. Sourced from 130 hectares...
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94
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $129.62
Case only
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $106.33
Full, polished tannins contain a rich profile of cherry, espresso and loamy earth notes. There's plenty of heft here...
WS
92
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $97.15
Fresh and very floral with violets and berries. Blackberries and orange peel, too. Medium-to full-bodied with firm,...
JS
96
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95
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $90.78
Ripe, tarry plums and black cherries with violets, rocks, coffee and graphite. Refined notes of balsamic fruit and...
JS
95
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94
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Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $173.88
This is super for a second wine. Fantastic aromas of chocolate, berry and coffee. Yet very classy and subtle....
WS
92
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Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $141.48
What a second wine. This is so delicious with a dense palate and beautiful yet friendly structure. Velvety tannins...
VM
93
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93
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Red
1.5Ltr - Case of 6
Bottle: $299.94
Aromas of orange peel, walnuts and berries follow through to a full body, with a luscious tannins and fruit...
WE
93
JS
93

Carignan Red Bordeaux Ribolla Gialla Tempranillo Zinfandel Pre-Arrival Wine

Carignan is an ancient blue-skinned grape varietal, thought to be indigenous to the Aragon region of Spain. However, today it is most commonly associated with the fine wines of southern France, and has been grown in many countries around the world which have the warm and dry conditions it requires to thrive. Carignan is recognized as being quite a sensitive vine, highly susceptible to all kinds of rot and mildew, although producing excellent results when given the right conditions and handled correctly. Its high tannin levels and acidity make the Carignan grapes very astringent, and as such, they are often used as a blending grape to give body to other, lesser bodied varietals. Despite this, with careful treatment, Carignan can produce superb single varietal wines packed full of character and unique attributes.

There are few regions in the world with stricter regulations in regards to wine production and grape varietals than those found in Bordeaux, France. Here, in the home of the world's finest wines, the type and quality of grapes used is of utmost importance, and the legendary wineries which work on the banks of the Gironde river have mastered the careful art of juice blending to find the perfect balance for their produce. Whilst there are six 'official' Bordeaux grapes, the two key varietals for almost every fine Bordeaux wine are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and with good reason. Whilst Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are renowned for their acidity and astringency, strong fruit and spice flavors and full body, Merlot grapes are notably rounded, soft, fleshy and lighter on tannin. The combination of these two varietals, along with a small percentage of (commonly) Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, is the perfect balancing act – the two grape varietals cancel out each others weaker points, and accentuate all that is good about the other.

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.

The precise origins of what became known as the Zinfandel grape variety are uncertain, although it has clear genetic equivalents in both Puglia and Croatia. However, when it was brought to the New World in the mid 19th century, it became known as the Zinfandel, and has been consistently popular and widely grown ever since. These very dark and very round grapes have a remarkably high sugar content, resulting in relatively high levels of alcohol in the wines they are made into, with bottles often displaying as much as fifteen percent. What makes the Zinfandel such an interesting grape, though, is the fact that the flavors produced by this varietal vary considerably depending on the climate they are grown in. In cooler valley regions, the Zinfandel grapes result in wines which hold strong flavors of tart and sweet fruits; raspberry, redcurrant and sweet cherry, held in a very smooth and silky liquid. Conversely, warmer regions result in more complex and spicy notes, including anise, pepper and hedgerow berries.