Lamadrid Malbec Gran Reserva
$34.99
Guillermo García Lamadrid began this project in 2004 by opening the door to wine growing in Argentina, from the lands of Agrelo in Luján de Cuyo, one of the first regions in Argentina to embrace Malbec. He partnered with winemaker Pablo Durigutti to produce a range of wines that run the gamut from good value to single vineyard examples from their oldest vineyard sites.
People love this wine! Deeply rooted in the mineralized soils of Agrelo, nourished by the pure water of the Andes Mountain Range, and embraced by the unique sun exposure of this corner of Argentina Lamadrid is a unique partnership. Guillermo Garcia Lamadrid and Hector Durigutti, master winemaker and general manager, have developed a close working relationship and partnership crucial for the success of the Lamadrid brand. Excellent nose of spice box, mineral, black cherry, and blueberry. Medium to full-bodied, it has excellent richness and depth, succulent fruit, and superior length, considering the price. Goes well with grilled meats and roasts.
Lamadrid Malbec Matilde
$79.99
Hector and Pablo Durigutti were born in Mendoza, the cradle of Argentinian wine and were raised together. Their childhood and their home were always connected to a sensorial world, with aromas, ingredients and flavours that, over time, motivated them to choose the path to become enologists. As adults, they would find these familiar memories and similar passions. In 2002 they dedicated their efforts to the creation of a small family winey. Today the brothers have evolved to form a new generation of winemakers, leading an evolutionary change in Argentina’s viticulture. Their range includes the value-driven Abeja wines and the upper-tier Las Compuertas offerings produced from the oldest vineyard sites.
Matilde is the flagship wine of this up-and-coming Argentine venture and precious little is produced. Sourced from the same estate vineyard with vines dating back to 1929, Matilde spends 24 months in new French oak. This loaded effort displays more obvious (but well-integrated) oak. This is an unctuous and silky red with a long finish. In the nose, aromas of vanilla, white chocolate, mocha, and tobacco combine with ripened fruit, blackcurrant, and plum. Food pairings? Big red meats!
Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir
$54.99
In Te Reo Māori, Ata Rangi means “dawn sky” or “new beginning”. It is a name that honours their land and reflects the work they do here. Making wine is all about working in sync with the changing seasons and conditions on the land. They strive to craft wines that capture the essence of Martinborough, Aotearoa-New Zealand. They are a small, family-owned organic winery with a reputation for pinot noir, located at the southern end of the North Island. Ata Rangi was founded by Clive Paton in 1980. The first vines were planted on a small, stony sheep paddock at the edge of the Martinborough Village. Clive’s sister Alison bought an adjoining block soon after and in 1986 Clive’s partner Phyll Pattie bought a share in the business after moving from Marlborough where she had been working as a winemaker. 40 years on, they continue to work diligently to nurture Ata Rangi’s enviable reputation as one of the new world’s most respected pinot noir producers. Today, Alison Paton heads up the day-to-day running of the business, with Helen Masters crafting the wines aided by the vital stewardship of vineyard manager Ian Ewart.
While the Crimson may be Ata Rangi's second label Pinot, it is superior to other wineries' top bottles made from the heartbreak grape! A terrific Pinot Noir from one of New Zealand's wine-making pioneers, a guy who sets the benchmark for quality. Always a top scorer with the critics, too! "A winery that needs no introduction for NZ Pinot lovers, there’s not much for me to add about the long-serving, dedicated team behind Ata Rangi – they just go from strength to strength," according to Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. "The Pinots have always been great!"
Philippe Grange Gres St Paul Viognier
$22.99
The vineyards, situated in the Gros de Montpellier terroir that lie halfway up the slope between the Mediteranean and the mountains of the Languedoc, have been the property of the Serviere family since 1830. Well, history is nice but what about now? We can tell you that the Serviere familiy also makes delicious Viognier. This one has a lovely fragrant nose reminiscent of small honeyed flowers. Lush with a nice oily mouth-feel. Nice lift of banana and citrus.
Bassus Pinot Noir
$54.99
Yes, Pinot Noir from Spain. Check it out — it's fantastic. If it had a Russian River Valley appellation on the label, this thoroughly modern Pinot Noir would sell for a lot more than it does! You'll love its rich earthy full-blown Pinot character. Utiel-Requena is the Spanish wine region immediately east of Manchuela, a large growing area that is smack-dab in the centre of Spain. Pinot does well here due to the higher altitude which equates to a cooler climate, one best suited to the grape. Bassus is big in style and very satisfying. A Kensington Wine Market exclusive! Enjoy with seared duck breast, fois gras, creamy cheese or roasted chicken.
Kay Brothers Block 6 Shiraz 2019
$116.99
This historic McLaren Vale winery began producing wine in 1895, vinifying 9,000 litres of a (mostly) dry red blend, destined for export to Britain. During the 1890s they built the first part of the winery consisting of a crusher, fermenting tanks, press and storage tanks, most of which still stands today. By 1910 they had 35 acres in production. Export to Britain of dry red blends, mostly made from Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz, steadily grew. In 1906 they started buying grapes to increase production.
Fast forward to the beginning of the 21st century. Stelvin caps replaced corks, overseas trade of bottled wine expanded, the Basket Press varietal range was established and two of their icon wines, the Cuthbert Cabernet and Hillside Shiraz, became two of the most collectible wines in Australia. Block 6 is a blockbuster of a wine built for the long haul
Andreola Bolle Spumante Extra Dry
$24.99
A fantastic dry sparkling wine from Italy's Andreola Orsola. Located in Col San Martino, a hamlet in the province of Treviso situated in the hills of the production zone for Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, this crisp sipper is made from 100% Glera, an ancient grape used in the production of Prosecco. Serve slightly chilled; it makes a wonderful aperitif and will pair with a variety of simple appetizers, including smoked salmon, shrimp and scallops.
Hansel North Slope Pinot Noir 2021
$79.99
The North and South Slope vineyards of Hansel face each other, side by side, but show very different characteristics despite their proximity. The North Slope's Pinot Noir plantings are from clone 115. Stephen Hansel states "...115 exhibits the most fruit-driven flavors and appears more "New World" then French." This is might be the most expressive of the Pinot range, a lush, plush wine with notes of cherry, cranberry, spice and forest floor. It's a great example of Burgundy meets California, in other words the best of both worlds. The vibrant acidity will allow it to age gracefully for another decade but it's hard to resist right now.
Passenger Napa Cabernet
$95.99
Exclusive to KWM - and 90 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. The review for the 2012 vintage: "TThis blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest equal parts Merlot and Petit Verdot is made by Realm’s fabulous winemaker, Benoit Touquette. The opaque ruby/purple-colored 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced mainly from Oakville vineyards, exhibits notes of baking spices, toast, blackcurrants and blackberries. Medium to full-bodied, round and juicy, it is best drunk over the next decade or more."