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Monasterio de Santa Cruz
With an impressive award-winning history, this densely flavoured, spicy champion comes from the Padró family cellar founded in 1898, in Spain’s Tarragona region. Combining concentrated, old bush vine (up to 70 years old) Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre or Mataro) from Tarragona with a little from warm Jumilla for extra richness, plus a portion of strawberry scented Tempranillo, this rich and spicy red is spot on with barbecued, lamb or beef, or try it with a range of Spanish tapas-inspired delicacies.
Pagos de Tahola Rioja Reserva
Everyone loves good Rioja. Now take a step up to Reserva level. This is from the 2012 vintage, officially classified as ‘very good’. It was aged for at least a year in barrel and two in bottle to produce a Rioja of perfect balance and depth. Pagos de Tahola comes from the Chavarri family – Francisco and daughter Ruth form a winning partnership with winemaker Miguel Lopez Nuñez. Their exemplary wines are based on exuberant fruit harvested from mature vines in some of Rioja’s highest vineyards then infused with the signature fragrance of quality French and US oak. Rich aromas of dried berries and vanilla, hallmark red berry and sweet spice flavours and silky texture – impressively smooth. Serve with Spanish style rice dishes or grilled meats.
Deep River McLaren Vale Shiraz
Bold blackberry fruit and spice suggest classic McLaren Vale Shiraz, while rare depth and complexity reflect premium, old vine fruit. A class act, this moreish red is ready to be enjoyed right now – ideally with a juicy rump steak, lamb cutlets, pork sausages or hearty moussaka.
Thorn Clarke Shotfire Barossa Quartage
The 2015 Shotfire Quartage is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot. These are the classic grapes of France’s Bordeaux region, but this is definitely a Barossa wine – there’s no mistaking those intense, ripe fruit flavours. The fruit comes from three of Thorn Clarke's prime Barossa vineyards: St Kitts in the northern part of the Barossa, Kabininge on the Barossa floor near Tanunda, and Milton Park in the Barossa’s elevated Eden Valley. It's rich and full-flavoured, a lavish melange of ripe red and black fruits, delicious spice and creamy, toasty oak on a long, luscious finish.
Il Papavero Primitivo
Don Cayetano Merlot ()
This juicy Merlot is made by Trophy-winning winemaker Nicolas Bizzarri. He heads up the team at the family owned Luis Felipe Edwards estate in premium Colchagua Valley. Smooth, rounded and full of lush plum charm, it provides amazing panache for your pound. In the 1970s, Luis Felipe Edwards Snr followed his dream and created his own wine estate. Today he owns his own small valley, where the climate is ideal for vines, and has a no expense spared cellar housed in colonial buildings on the estate. They’ve now won ‘Chilean Winery of the Year’ four times. Enjoy this handy quarter bottle solo or with gourmet sausages or a vegetarian pasta bake.
Familia Martínez Bujanda Crianza Tempranillo Rioja
Chapel Hill The Prophet McLaren Vale Shiraz
The Prophet by Chapel Hill McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon
Michael Fragos grew up in McLaren Vale, and spent 14 years at Tatachilla before taking over at Chapel Hill in 2004. A three-time ‘Bushing King’, Michael has also been named best winemaker on the planet! James Halliday notes that his “wine quality is unfailingly excellent” . This one has an expressive nose of blackcurrant, bay leaf cigar box and chocolate. The palate is medium to full-bodied, beautifully structured, with a powerful complexity, fine-grained tannins, velvety texture and long, long finish.