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750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $51.95
The primary wine, known simply as Aalto Ribera del Duero, comes from vines ranging in age from 40–80 years old...
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $52.85
The nose of the red 2020 Aalto comes blasting with tons of toasted oak, spice, smoke and more toast, ripe berries and...
WA
94
JS
93
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $52.61
Aalto was established in 1999 by Mariano Garcia, winemaker for 30 years at Vega Sicilia. His philosophy was minimal...
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95
VM
94
Sale
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Red
1.5Ltr - 1 Bottle
Bottle: $285.95 $301.27
All Tempranillo brought up in French oak, the 2018 Ribera Del Duero PS offers a gorgeous perfume of black...
JD
98
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95
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750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $138.26
All Tempranillo brought up in French oak, the 2018 Ribera Del Duero PS offers a gorgeous perfume of black...
JD
98
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95
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $103.87
Lots of depth here, with ripe blackberries and some nicely baked black cherries, roasted herbs, incense, dark spices,...
JS
96
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95
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $103.87
The 2021 PS is 100% Tempranillo, primarily sourced from clay soils in La Horra and Aguilera, and was aged for up to...
VM
95
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $67.09
The oaky 2014 Buenagente has notes of sawdust and toast coupled with some spices. The palate reveals fine-grained...
WA
88
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $143.95
Opaque ruby. Ripe cherry, dark berries and oak spice on the highly perfumed nose. Fleshy and sweet, offering...
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93
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93
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $110.30
2012 has to be one of the best recent vintages of Alión. This 2012 Alión is pure Tempranillo from vineyards...
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95
WE
93
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $195.75
2014 is a better vintage in Ribera del Duero than in Rioja, and the 2014 Alión shows it. Sourced from 130 hectares...
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94
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93
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $128.28
Case only
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $105.95
Full, polished tannins contain a rich profile of cherry, espresso and loamy earth notes. There's plenty of heft here...
WS
92
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $96.94
Fresh and very floral with violets and berries. Blackberries and orange peel, too. Medium-to full-bodied with firm,...
JS
96
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $90.78
Ripe, tarry plums and black cherries with violets, rocks, coffee and graphite. Refined notes of balsamic fruit and...
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95
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94
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $197.95
Such depth, purity, concentration and minerality here that hooks you in, drawing you back to it again and again....
JS
99
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97
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $140.48
Deep yet vibrant nose with morello cherries, iodine, oyster shells, crushed stones and fine spices. Certainly nothing...
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97
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93
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $83.95
Excellent depth here showing iodine, mussel shells, hibiscus, spices and lots of black and blue fruit. Chalky tannins...
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96
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93
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $318.90
The delicate balance between all of the natural agents that comprise this unique environment produces a wine that is...
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $349.92
The purity of fruit to this is really something else. I am not sure I have tasted a young Spanish wine with such...
JS
100
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99

Irish Whiskey Melon de Bourgogne Tempranillo Pre-Arrival

The Irish are hailed as being the original producers of whiskey in the British Isles, and their innovations and techniques were so successful, that neighbouring Scotland were quickly influenced by them in the 15th century. Centuries later, it was the Irish who brought whiskey to America, and their style of whiskey has since become popular all over the world.

However, it wasn’t always plain sailing for the Irish whiskey industry - from being a dominant force in the 19th century, whose produce was considered far superior to that of Scotland, political upheaval and war saw the Irish whiskey almost disappear forever in the early 20th century. Today, the Irish whiskey manufacturers are back on their feet, and they are once again proving that the original is often the best. With new distilleries opening every year, it is safe to say that Irish whiskey is very much back.

Irish whiskey differs from Scotch whisky in a number of ways, and not least the spelling - the extra ‘e’ was said to be added in the 19th century as a way of distancing the Irish drink from what they saw as an inferior Scottish product. Irish whiskey was traditionally made in enormous stills, as a way of ensuring consistency from bottle to bottle, and maintaining the quality and complexity their reputation was founded on. The typical tasting notes of fine Irish whiskey include apple and vanilla, alongside spicy and sweet touches of nutmeg and fresh hay, making this a highly pleasant and smooth drink, made for relaxation and stimulating conversation about times past.

One of the more unusual French grape varietals, Melon de Bourgogne has been grown in and around the Loire Valley for several hundred years. In fact, this grape was first planted in the Loire region of Pays Nantais back in the mid 17th century, after a devastating frost decimated most of the red grapes which were typical in the area. The winemakers of Pays Nantais were keen to cultivate vines which were hardy, high yielding, and capable of surviving another such frost, and so turned their attention to Melon de Bourgogne for this very reason. The native home of the varietal is actually in Burgundy, where it is still grown to a lesser extent.


Because Melon de Bourgogne produces naturally heavy yields, the vintners of Pays Nantais go to great lengths to reduce the amount of fruit the vines bear. This allows the finest characteristics of the grape to come forward, and also opens up the opportunity for it to express the wonderful granite and schist soils in which the vines are grown. Melon de Bourgogne is a minerally white wine grape varietal, with a very subtle set of fruit flavors. It is prized for its freshness and brightness, and is seeing a revival in the twenty first century as an excellent wine for pairing with a wide range of 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.