Decanter – "Maria Grazia Giacosa today runs this 5ha estate with her son, Luca. The filigreed elegance of Asili is almost always enhanced by the respectful winemaking style of the producer. This 2019 shines for its classy nose of watermelon and tar, cherry kernel and cinnamon, interchanging fruit and sweet spice. On the palate the graphite minerality gives personality and depth. It displays lively acidity and biting, extracted tannins; youthful, grainy but ripe. A wine of great personality with more volume and ability to age compared to 2018."
James Suckling – Some candied-berry, watermelon and dried orange-peel character. Medium body, creamy tannins and a fresh and focused finish. Drink in 2024 and onwards.
Wine Enthusiast – “Inviting aromas of sandalwood, blue flower, resin and mocha come to the forefront. The aromas follow through to the savory, rounded palate along with dried cherry, anisette and ground clove. It's polished and accessible, with fine-grained tannins. It closes on the warmth of alcohol. Drink through 2028” - Kerin O’ Keefe, Wine Enthusiast
Wine Enthusiast – Outer quote mark Floral aromas of rose and violet align with Morello cherry and aromatic herb on this fragrant red. Precise and savory, the palate is still youthfully tense, delivering red cherry, pomegranate and licorice alongside tightly wound, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Give it time to fully develop. (KO) Inner quote mark (9/2022)
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – Outer quote mark The Albino Rocca 2019 Barbaresco Ronchi is concise and tight with precise aromas of blackcurrant, aniseed, crushed stone and blue flower. Ronchi fruit often shows this more angular and linear quality, and these traits come through with special sharpness in this vintage. Additionally, there is an earthy, crushed limestone quality that also seems specific to this expression. The tannins are hard and firm, setting this wine up for a longer drinking window. Production is 8,200 bottles. (ML) 94+ Inner quote mark (6/2022
Red wine, with its deep hues and multifaceted flavors, has been a cornerstone of many cultures for centuries. Made primarily from black grapes, the range of tastes and aromas these wines can exhibit is truly astounding, all thanks to varying grape varieties, fermentation processes, and aging techniques.
One of the most celebrated aspects of red wine is its ability to evolve in the bottle. Over time, flavors meld and mature, transforming a young, fruit-forward wine into a more nuanced, complex delight. This aging process, whether it takes place in oak barrels or in the bottle itself, gives enthusiasts the thrill of experiencing a wine's evolution.
Regions play a crucial role in defining the characteristics of red wines. The temperate climate of Bordeaux produces structured wines like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, while the sun-baked vineyards of Tuscany yield the Sangiovese grape, forming the backbone of the renowned Chianti.
Tannins, those compounds that can lend a puckering sensation to the mouth, are another signature feature of red wines. These natural preservatives are what allow some wines to be cellared for decades, emerging more refined and harmonious with age.
Beyond just being a beverage, red wine is a journey, a reflection of the land and climate, the grape variety, and the vision of the winemaker. It's a testament to nature's bounty and human innovation intertwined in every bottle.
Red wine is a type of wine made primarily from dark-colored (red or black) grape varieties. The actual color of the wine can range from intense violet, for young wines, to brick red for mature wines, and even brown for older red wines. The juice from most purple and red grapes is greenish-white; the red color comes from anthocyanin pigments present in the grape skins. The winemaking process involves fermenting grape juice in contact with its skins, allowing the liquid to extract color, flavors, and tannins from them. Red wines typically offer flavors of dark fruits like cherries, blackberries, and plums, often accompanied by notes of tobacco, leather, and spices, influenced by grape variety and aging techniques.
Red wine is produced globally, but certain regions have earned accolades for their signature reds. Bordeaux in France is renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends. Burgundy, another French region, is celebrated for its world-class Pinot Noir. Italy's Tuscany region produces iconic wines like Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino, primarily from the Sangiovese grape. Napa Valley in California is famed for its robust Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Spain's Rioja offers superb Tempranillo-based wines, and Australia's Barossa Valley is known for its bold Shiraz.
The world of red wine has several stars. Cabernet Sauvignon, known for its deep color and complexity, is globally recognized. Pinot Noir, with its delicate flavors and versatility, has a vast following. Merlot, Shiraz (or Syrah, depending on the region), and Zinfandel also hold significant positions in the market. Popular brands range from Bordeaux's Château Margaux, Burgundy's Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, to Napa's Opus One and Australia's Penfolds.
For those seeking excellent value, regions like Chile's Central Valley and Spain's La Mancha offer top-quality red wines at very accessible prices. Malbec from Argentina, particularly from the Mendoza region, consistently over-delivers in terms of quality to price ratio. South Africa's Western Cape and parts of southern Italy, like Puglia, are also treasure troves for value-driven, quality red wines.
Red wines, with their robust flavors and tannic structure, pair wonderfully with red meats. Think of a juicy steak with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or lamb chops with a Shiraz. Pinot Noir, being more delicate, pairs brilliantly with dishes like roasted chicken, duck, or salmon. Spaghetti Bolognese and other tomato-based pasta dishes go hand in hand with Italian reds like Chianti. For spicy barbecued dishes, a fruity Zinfandel or Grenache can be a match made in heaven. The key is to match the wine's intensity and flavors with those of the dish for a harmonious pairing.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.