White Wine Duckhorn Decoy Sauvignon Blanc 2019. Serve well chilled. The legendary Duckhorn estate was born in 1976 when Dan and Margaret Duckhorn purchased Marlee’s Vineyard in Napa Valley. Over the years the winery has become one of Napa’s leading producers with particular expertise in the creation of stunning Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc wines. In recent years they have begun applying this knowledge and experience to Sonoma County through their Decoy line of wines which showcase their Duckhorn heritage while bringing an entirely new aspect to the estate. The Decoy Sauvignon Blanc is crafted from grapes carefully selected from Duckhorn’s estates and their trusted grapegrowing partners. After the harvest, the grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks to help show off the striking personality of the Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma. The result is a deliciously fruit-forward wine that delights the nose with vibrant nectarine, lemon zest and honeydew melon aromas. On the palate the first sip reveals a bright acidity along with sweet ripe peach and apricot flavours that linger long on the tongue. A truly versatile gastronomic wine which can be combined with many different flavours, this crisp white is an ideal partner for fresh seafood, delicate pan-fried fish dishes or summer salads.
2019
White Wine Duckhorn Decoy Sauvignon Blanc 2019
White Wine Franz Haas Manna 2019. Serve well chilled. A colour of beautiful light gold, this blend has great balance and works really well together. The nose gives aromas of ripe tropical fruit such as mango and lychee, citrus, cut grass and a buttery vanilla note. On the palate, this complex wine delivers pineapple, citrus and apple with hints of elderberry and vanilla. The acidity is good and the wine is balanced and rich. The finish is lingering with hints of plum, pear and a floral note at the end. Great with Asian dishes, creamy chicken dishes, pasta and risotto. Franz Haas vinifies each grape in the blend separately due to different maturing times as well as the need to get the best from each varietal. The Sauvignon and Chardonnay grapes are fermented in oak while the remaining grapes are fermented in steel vats. Once the fermentations are finished, the wines are blended and left to rest on lees for between five and eight months. The resulting wine is then bottle aged for a further period of around 6 months prior to release. The Haas vineyards are located in Bolzano in the Alto Adige area of Italy. They are located in a valley which traps the heat and makes Bolzano one of the hottest cities in Italy. Together with great vineyards, the Hass family boasts generations of winemaking experience, although it is only more recently that the focus has turned to producing quality rather than quantity. Franz Haas, the current owner and winemaker, goes to extreme lengths to ensure that the best fruit is grown and the varietal characteristics and flavours are maintained throughout the process. The resulting wines are top quality with a purity of flavour and balance associated with top quality wines.
2019
White Wine Pasetti Abruzzo Pecorino 2019. Pecorino is one of the Abruzzo region’s top indigenous grapes, typically producing crisp, elegant white wines. This classic example from the Pasetti family is harvested in early September to catch the grapes at optimum ripeness without sacrificing freshness. The must is then vinified in stainless steel tanks and aged on the lees for 2 months followed by 3 months in the bottle. On the nose there are enchanting notes of elderflower, citrus zest and which develop on the palate into tropical fruit flavours with a medium body and plenty of mouthwatering freshness. The light and elegant flavour profile makes this Pecorino ideal to serve as an aperitif on a hot summer’s day or enjoy with seafood and fish dishes or risottos and Italian cheeses like Taleggio. The Pasetti winery was founded in the early 1900s when Silvestro Pasetti purchased his first vineyards and began to grow grapes which he sold on to be bottled. Later his grandson, Franco, decided to begin bottling the family’s own wines, and yet more innovation came several decades later when the family purchased vineyards at the foot of Gran Sasso in the Apennines and in the verdant Tirino Valley.
2019