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750ml
Bottle:
$249.94
Expressive and intense, this impressive red marries elegance and power, delivering rich flavors of blackberry,...
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$32.94
Brick red colour with a good coating. Clean on the nose with spicy, toasted and dried fruit aromas. Good structure,...
750ml
Bottle:
$76.90
$80.80
One of the most recognizable bottles of Rioja is the 2004 Faustino I Gran Reserva, mostly Tempranillo with 9%...
Pre-Arrival
Castello Dei Rampolla Toscana Sammarco IGT 2004
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$134.95
The 2004 Sammarco shows why this is such a magnificent vintage for Tuscany. Silky, layered and impeccably refined,...
Pre-Arrival
Marchesi Mazzei Toscana Siepi 2004
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$82.95
There's just something about this 50-50 Sangiovese-Merlot blend that makes it absolutely irresistible. The fullness,...
Pre-Arrival
Ornellaia Bolgheri 2004
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$378.42
This is a hopelessly gorgeous wine with so much energy, intensity, density and good cheer. The superb...
Pre-Arrival
Sassicaia (Tenuta San Guido) Bolgheri 2004
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$431.77
The 2004 Sassicaia is a lovely, understated effort. Medium in body, it presents nuanced layers of sweet dark fruit,...
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Vega Sicilia Ribera Del Duero Unico 2004
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle:
$382.95
Lightly baked and hinting at raisin and fine herbs, the bouquet on this benchmark Spanish red enfolds aromas of...
Pre-Arrival
Vega Sicilia Ribera Del Duero Unico 2004
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$382.95
Lightly baked and hinting at raisin and fine herbs, the bouquet on this benchmark Spanish red enfolds aromas of...
Italian Red Blends Primitivo Tempranillo 2004
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.
There are plenty of notable native Spanish grapes which have made a big impression on the wine world at large, but none are as renowned or as widely loved as the Tempranillo varietal. This black skinned grape has been used for wine making for centuries, with several ancient civilizations noticing the fact that it is highly versatile and holds some delicious flavors and aromas, perfect for those looking for a powerful yet elegant grape for their wines. Tempranillo often causes winemakers some trouble, however, as it is highly susceptible to many diseases. Despite this, plenty continue to persevere with this varietal, as it is perfect for producing delicious and complex single variety and blended wines, packed full of classic Spanish flavors and plenty of aromatic and intense surprises.