MARCHESI ANTINORI - MAKERS OF ICONIC WINES LIKE TIGNANELLO
Marchesi Antinori isone of our foremost wine producers, being one of the biggest and best wine companies in Italy, with a history dating back to 1385. Their innovations played a large part in the "Super-Tuscan" movement which emerged in the 1970s. Today, Albiera Antinori is the president of Marchesi Antinori with the continuous close support of her two sisters, Allegra and Alessia, all actively involved in first person in the business. Their father, Marchese Piero Antinori, is the current Honorary President of the company. Tradition, passion, and intuition are the three driving forces that led Marchesi Antinori to establish itself as one of the most important winemakers of elite Italian wine.
Many wines from Antinori appear in our portfolio, and they include Super Tuscans Tignanello and Guado Al Tasso. The top wines are subject to tight allocations and are realeased En Primeur in the Spring of each year. Let us know if you'd like to request an allocation,
MONTES WINERY, Chile
A young winery in Apalta, only established in 1987. Aurelio Montes is the genius leading their pursuit of excellence at affordable price points. He has a stunning ability to identify plots capable of acheving great wines, typically in areas where the land is relatively cheap. Low yields, ripe fruit, sustainability and minimal intervention are key. One of the most impressive and charismatic winemakers that we've ever met.
The entry-level 'Alpha' range consistently delivers beyond its price point. The Carmenere and Merlot are among our best selling reds in the Store. They each contain 10% of the other grape in their blend, adding a little complexity. The Alpha Chardonnay has long been one of our most successful New World whites, showing ripe melon-like character and a creaminess borne of malolactic fermentation.
CATENA ESTATE, ARGENTINA
Catena is widely acclaimed as the best of the World Class Wineries in Argentina, a country that has joined Chile as one of the very best New World wine producers. "These wines from Nicolás Catena and his daughter represent the finest in winemaking art from South America." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, June 2000.
Precision viticulture is a very important philosophy for CATENA, achieving heightened quality in the grapes and ensuring a heightened quality in the resulting wine. Pain-staking attention is paid to even the most minute of details throughout the vines growth cycle, in order to maximize quality. Each vine is treated individually, in order to realize its maximum potential.
Viticulture is painstakingly detailed, with highly scientific methods being applied to vine monitoring and selection of harvest times. Otherwise, there is minimal intervention as nature is left to nurture the finest grapes - which are ALL hand-picked.
Having estrablished Malbec as the signature grape of Argentina, and having built Catena into the Country's leading producer, Nicolas Catena has largely handed over operations to eldest daughter, Laura Catena. She has continued to acheive high accolades for their broad range of wines, especially their ultra-premium single vineyard Malbecs and Chardonnays - for which we receive annual allocations sold on a pre-release basis. Meanwhile, the younger daugher, Adreanna, has seen amazing success with her 'El Enemigo' range which we also buy annually on a 'pre-release' basis.
RIDGE ESTATE, CALIFORNIA
Ridge has a world-class reputation for fine wines which balance Californian exhuberance with European restraint. Iconic status was established in 1976 in 'The Judgement of Paris' competiiton when their top wine, 'Monte Bello' beat the top Bordeaux Grand Cru wines. This Bordeaux blend wine has been Alan's 'go-to' wine for special occasions for over 25 years. The 'Lytton Springs' and 'Geyserville' Zinfandel blends offer more regular pleasure, and most of our allocations sell out on a pre-release basis.
CHATEAU MUSAR, LEBANON DFW Proprietor, Alan, discovered this producer whilst in Corporate life in the 1990s. He was struck by the Red wine's unique spicy, herbal blend and unmistakable bouquet. Moreover, its idiosyncracies are beguiling. A wine which has amazing longevity and which evolves so well with ageing. A blend of Cab Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan, this is a case of Bordeaux meets the Rhone, but with a distinct sense of place - in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley.
PALLISER ESTATE, NEW ZEALAND
Hugh Johnson, MW, describes this Martinorough winery as "one of the areas's largest and best wineries.......superb tropical fruit-flavoured sauvignon blanc, excellent chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir".
Success is in the Martinborough landscape. Sun-baked hills, an old river plain and loamy free-draining soil. Qualities which place a high premium value on the grapes grown and harvested, and are part of the reason why this is one of the most exciting wine producing regions in New Zealand.
Add to that a belief in sound environmental practices, a devotion to crafted wine, a desire to be among the best boutique wineries in the world, and you find yourself at Palliser Wines.
Accolades received both domestically and internationally would suggest they have got the mix of landscape, environmental management and viticulture right.
Gold at the London International Wine Challenge and the trophy for Sauvignon Blanc are among Palliser's most prestigious awards to date. Palliser Estate wines are also the choice of a number of top international airlines and are found on the wine list of some of the most prestigious restaurants around the world. More locally, these include Wharekauhau Country Estate, recently ranked in the top ten small resorts in the world.
