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Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $152.50
A Cabernet Sauvignon with 24% Carménère, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot from Puente Alto, Maipo that spent...
WA
95
VM
95
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $246.49
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $272.24
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $241.04
The 2016 Proprietary Red Sugarloaf Mountain is a blend of 55% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Very...
WA
97
VM
96
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $137.62
The same blend as the straight Vertigo (52% Syrah, 30% Grenache, and 18% Mourvèdre), the 2016 Vertigo 22 offers a...
JD
98
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $135.41
Coming from Napa Valley, the 2016 Proprietary Red Wine is a blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 20% Cabernet...
WA
95
JD
95
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
1.5Ltr - 1 Bottle
Bottle: $250.95
The 2016 Nicolás Catena Zapata is a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Malbec and 8% Cabernet Franc from...
WA
96
VM
96
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $74.39
The 2016 Nicolás Catena Zapata is a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Malbec and 8% Cabernet Franc from...
WA
96
VM
96
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
1.5Ltr - Case of 6
Bottle: $65.09
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle: $356.28
In the 19th century, it was a common practice of the time to “hermitage” the wines. Bordeaux chateaux would add...
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $66.77
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle: $657.75
The highlight in this range today, the 2016 Cariad is utterly magnificent. Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot give the...
WA
100
VM
100
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle: $679.51
Another perfect wine is the 2016 IX Estate, which is made from 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot...
WA
100
JS
100
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
1.5Ltr - Case of 3
Bottle: $632.39
Super aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants and blueberries. Hints of fresh herbs and tobacco. Iron and ink....
VM
100
JS
100
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $249.84
Super aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants and blueberries. Hints of fresh herbs and tobacco. Iron and ink....
VM
100
JS
100
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle: $178.95
Also bottled the week before this tasting, the 2016 Soul of a Lion includes more Cabernet Sauvignon than the 2014 and...
JD
98
WA
97
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $95.12
This is really focused and refined with fantastic dried flowers and dark berries. Dried-lavender and mint undertones....
JS
99
WA
96
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $53.37

Italian White Blends Primitivo Red Blend Viognier Pre-Arrival Wine

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.

Although primarily associated with the Rhone region of France, the precise origins of the Viognier grape variety are unknown, and the subject of much debate. However, these fine and delicate green skinned grapes are an important varietal for many of France's most elegant white wines, and they are quickly beginning to spread around the New World, too, where wineries are discovering their unique qualities and unusual character. Viognier grapes are notoriously difficult to grow, due to the fact they are highly susceptible to mildew, but wineries persevere with them nonetheless, producing wines which are highly aromatic and have a great, fruit-forward character. Their delicate aroma suggests sweetness due to its flowery, sappy nature, but the wine itself generally very dry and crisp, and full of summery, light and refined qualities.