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Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Costa Russi 2005
NZD $594.95
"The 2005 Costa Russi shimmers on the palate with extraordinary grace. The wine boasts wonderful depth and richness in its dark red fruit in a round, generous style that offers lovely balance to the tannins. Notes of tar, smoke and licorice develop in the glass, adding a touch of complexity and nuance that is sometimes missing in this bottling. The French oak is present, but deftly balanced with the wine’s other components. As always, Costa Russi comes across as relatively accessible when young, but it is sure to only improve with age. Recent bottles of the 1985 have been nothing short of glorious. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030. 96/100" --Robert Parker
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Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo "Sori Tildin" 2005
NZD $594.95
"The 2005 Sori Tildin appears to be incredibly primary and youthful. Floral aromatics meld seamlessly into freshly cut roses, raspberries, licorice, tar and menthol. This graceful, feminine wine reveals tons of elegance and finesse in an understated style. Today the Sori Tildin shows a touch more oak than the other single-vineyard wines, which suggests it may not quite have the stuffing of the very finest vintages. Still, this remains a vibrant and very Piedmontese wine in need of only one thing, and that is a long slumber in the cellar. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2035. 95/100" --Robert Parker
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Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo "Sori San Lorenzo" 2005
NZD $594.95
"Gaja’s 2005 Sori San Lorenzo is a dense, dark beauty of sensual, irresistible charm. This richly-textured, expansive wine flows with masses of ripe dark fruit, menthol, licorice and mineral in a sumptuous, full-bodied style. The use of oak is simply masterful here and the wine boasts extraordinary balance. I am not sure how he does it, but Angelo Gaja is easily Italy’s most consistently brilliant producer. For those who can afford it, this is another gem from Gaja. Readers should interpret my drinking windows with a large grain of salt. The 1990 Sori San Lorenzo is still young, and the 1978 is amazingly fresh, so it is anyone’s guess as to when this wine might be actually "ready." In the meantime, this wine is sure to provide enormous pleasure to those lucky enough to own it. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2035. 96/100" --Robert Parker
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Marchesi Spinola Barbaresco 2001
NZD $66.95 NZD $54.95
Barbaresco situated in Piermonte, northern Italy, is one of the two classic wines alongside Barolo from this region. Made from the Nebbiolo grape in many cases they rival any Barolo but at considerably better prices. There is no doubt that the man that made Barbaresco a world class wine is Angelo Gaja. The 2001 vintage was quite superb even though a little young at the moment but it will cellar for 6-8 years. At the moment it exhibits an array of dark berry fruit, granite, minerality and supercharged tannins. The palate is hugely concentrated with immense power and depth yet remaining very clean and focused. Given a few years it will turn into an amazing wine among the best in the world which is what Barbaresco is. At $54.95 this is a complete steal.
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Marchesi Spinola Barolo 2000
NZD $79.95 NZD $74.95
We have been able to get a superb deal on this Barolo and as we have said before, it is not easy to get great Barolo at great prices but this would be it. It is on par with many classified growths from Bordeaux and on some occasions even better. It is said that Barolo is the king of wines and the wine for kings, there is a lot of truth in that. From the area of Piedmont in the North of Italy bordering Switzerland where the Nebiolo grape which it is made from has been cultivated for centuries. This particular wine is just outstanding. It is a traditional Barolo which is made in a relatively modern winemaking style. The wine is big and fat with enormous depth and concentration yet it remains focused, clean and pure. Starting to drink now but will also cellar for 7-8 years plus.
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Aldo Conterno Bussia Barolo 2001
NZD $132.95
Barolo is situated in Piemonte region of Italy on the boarder with Switzerland. Literally meaning at the foot of the mountain. Aldo Conterno has become known as the king of Barolo, situated in Monforte d'Alba on one of the most outstanding vineyards in the world, the Bussia Soprano vineyard. The Conterno family have been producing this outstanding wine for over 5 generations. These wines are on par with any second and indeed first growths from Bordeaux and we are talking about Chéteau Lafite, Chéteau Latour and Chéteau Margaux etc but at a 1/3 of the price. The 2001 vintage is outstanding, it marks the last great run of vintages from 1996 to 2001. This producer is able to capture the true essence of Nebbiolo as rarely seen before. There is only one way to describe this wine, that is superlative, outstanding, big, generous and vinerous. Ageing was done in Slavonian oak followed by 12 months of bottle age before release. This is classic Barolo, tobacco, earth, star anise, dry flowers...
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Gaja Barbaresco 2005
NZD $289.95
"Floral aromatics give way to bright spiced red fruits, menthol and licorice as the 2005 Barbaresco opens in the glass. This is a firm, classically built wine of notable elegance. The tannins are substantial yet beautifully woven into the wine’s mid-weight frame. This is another beautiful Barbaresco from Angelo Gaja, but it will require patience as it is tightly wound today. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030. 94/100" --Robert Parker...
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Mirafiore Barbera d’Alba 2007
NZD $29.95 NZD $19.95
Out of stock
One of Piedmonte’s classical wines and grape varieties, one that has undergone a complete revolution in the last 10-15 years. Modern Barbera is soft and plumy with hints of violets and spring flowers almost like fresh alpine air. Beautiful juicy middle palate with an array of blackberry fruit compote, accelerated acidity, richness and concentration however never as long lived as their big brothers Barbaresco or Barolo but more approachable when young, the very serious ones also capable of aging for a few years. Very simply put, at this price of $19.95, it is an ABSOLUTE steal....
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Mirafiore Barolo 2004
NZD $89.95 NZD $44.95
Out of stock
A superbly concentrated wine with hints of violets, spring flowers and crystal water purity, focus, precision and pin point accuracy could probably best describe Barolo. Longevility is a key ingredient of Barolo and this is no exception. Crushed rocks, lead pencil and dusty aromas lead to a superbly vibrant minerally middle palate with great precision and long finish, persistent and concentrated yet everything is encompassed with balance, equilibrium and superb texture. Interesting to try a bottle now but better in 10 years plus....
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