Rockford Cabernet Rifle Range
$132.99
Rockford Wines features high-quality traditional wines made from some of the best old Barossa vineyards. The winery and cellar door sales are part of a paved courtyard surrounded by stone buildings dating back to the early settlement of Krondorf. Founder and winemaker Robert O'Callaghan is a legend among Aussie winemakers and his wines have had a profound influence on winemaking philosophy and wine style in the Barossa. In addition to the small home vineyard, Rockford works in partnership with several independent wine growers around the Barossa, with vineyards in Kalimna, Ebenezer, Moppa Springs, the Eden Valley and central Barossa. This gives Rockford a wide variety of soil types, mesoclimates and altitudes for its grapes. Many of the vines are planted on their own rootstocks and range between 60–100 years old, giving intense, concentrated grapes that transform the wines. Winemaking is largely done using traditional methods such as basket presses, open-topped concrete fermenters and a 1880s Bagshaw (grape) crusher that was found on site when O'Callaghan purchased the property in the 1970s. This Cabernet is built for the long haul, give it a good decant if you want to drink it now.
Carlisle Vineyard Zinfandel
$84.99
In Mike Officer's words:
I started with five gallons of Zinfandel in my kitchen. Over the next several years, I made a barrel of Zinfandel each vintage with the help of some friends and my wife, Kendall Carlisle. The results were encouraging. Kendall and I moved to Santa Rosa in Sonoma County to be closer to the “source”. I found myself increasingly drawn to the old-vine vineyards of Sonoma County. There was something special, even magical, about those ancient, twisted vines with their deep roots and long histories. By 1997 we were producing over 300 cases of “garage” wine, mostly vineyard-designated old-vine Zinfandels, and winning numerous gold medals in amateur competitions. Hence, it was with our meagre savings and some family support that Kendall and I launched Carlisle Winery & Vineyards in 1998, concentrating on our two loves, old-vine Zinfandel and red Rhône varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Petite Sirah). Our goal was simple but ambitious: to create small lots of distinctive, world-class wines from some of California’s most exceptional vineyards. With the belief that great wine begins in the vineyard, we sought out Zinfandel from some of the finest vineyards in the county, planted between 1888 and 1934, including our own vineyard planted in 1927 by Alcide Pelletti. In February of 2001, Jay Maddox, an old college friend who had just finished getting a second degree in viticulture and enology (with honors!) from U.C. Davis, joined Carlisle, bringing a wealth of knowledge, a keen palate, and a desire to produce nothing but the best without compromise. Together, we have been able to grow to nearly 10,000 cases, garnering high praise from wine critics and consumers alike.
Caparzo Sangiovese Toscana
$25.99
Oustanding value! This ruby-red Sangiovese has generous notes of plum, cherry and soft spices. Established in 1970, Caparzo (meaning "Crazy House") is one of the original 13 wineries in Montalcino and also produces quality Brunello di Montalcino. This Sangiovese is crowd-pleaser with just a touch of Merlot and Petit Verdot to give the wine a bit more depth and intensity. Pair with tomato-based pasta, Italian sausage, caprese salad and pizza.
Usseglio Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc
$76.99
A Kensington Wine Market exclusive and a favourite producer of wine critics everywhere!
Domaine Raymond Usseglio finds in 1963. The family's wine history dates back to 1931, when Raymond's grandfather, Francis, left his native region of Piedmont to settle in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. After more than fifteen years of working in the fields, in 1948, he succeeded in operating a sharecropping farm with his vines and produced his first wine in 1949. The year 1962 marked a significant turning point with the planting of the first vines on the Terres Blanches terroir, now one of the most emblematic of the Domaine. Near these plots, in 1963, Raymond, accompanied by his wife Danielle, took up the torch from his father and founded the Domaine Raymond Usseglio. Their son Stephane now runs the estate, one the most highly regarded in Chateauneuf. The white is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Clairette, Bourbelenc and Piqpoul. It reveals a balanced, round, rich, and complex character. Citrus notes like grapefruit and lemon blend harmoniously with aromas of white-fleshed fruits such as pear and peach, as well as exotic fruits like lychee and mango. A pleasant and balanced acidity is present on the palate, with a long, saline finish. A great option with turkey, goose or salmon.
Becker Kalkgetein Pinot Blanc
$49.99
From Becker: As was typical of the southern Palatinate region, our family has run a mixed-use farm for many generations, with vineyards, some animals, a still and apple, pear, plum, cherry and Mirabelle trees. In the middle of the 20th century, it became apparent that our soils and slopes at the edge of the Palatinate Forest offered excellent growing conditions for outstanding wines. Ever since then, wine-making has been our profession as well as our passion. In 1973, Friedrich Becker Sr. filled the first bottles with the fox on the label, which became, in a very short time, our trademark. For old friends of our wines, and now for many wine connoisseurs around the world, this label stands for unique wines with uncompromisingly high quality. Over the years, many of our wines, especially our Pinot Noirs, have been consistently recognized as among the best in the Palatinate region and all of Germany. Our company is a member of the VDP and rated one of Germany's top wineries by Gault Millau (four out of five grape bunches). From KWM: We sourced these wines a year ago after reading the rave reviews from numerous publications, in Germany and beyond. The Pinot Noirs are prized and will give Burgundy fans a solid alternative.
Haritz Blanco Viura
$24.99
Benetakoa Winery was founded in 1985 by Carlos Martínez de Cañas in Villabuena de Álava. Viticulture has been a centuries-old tradition in their family, and for several generations, they have dedicated themselves to pampering and learning from the land and the vine. In 1997, they expanded their facilities and moved to a new winery built in the upper part of Villabuena. They preserved the tradition and the artisan concept that was incorporated into the first winery, and continued with innovation as the basis of their wines. Since 2001, Gorka Martínez de Cañas, son of the winery’s founder, has taken charge of the family project.
Philipponnat Grand Blanc Champagne
$144.99
This prestigious domaine and family has been producing Champoagne for over 500 years. It's 100% Chardonnay from Côtes des Blancs and the village of Trépail. First press juice from exclusively Premier and Grand Cru plots. vinification Vinified using traditional methods to avoid premature oxidation. Partial malolactic fermentation for the wines in vats and vinification without malolactic fermentation for the wines in wooden barrels. An elegant wine that preserves a balance between freshness, floral aromas and vinosity. “Extra-brut” dosage (4.25 g/litre) to preserve its original purity and distinction. ageing Aged from seven to nine years to develop maximum complexity and to highlight the secondary and tertiary aromas which are the hallmark of extended ageing on lees.
Carlisle Alicante Bouschet
$74.99
In the last 20 years, Carlsisle has bottled Alicante Bouschet only four times – 2004, 2013, 2016, and now, with this vintage, 2021. While the variety is one of their favourites for blending, providing ample colour and adding a bit of complexity, it can fall short as a complete wine but in these particular vintages, every component is in place, a beautiful nose, delicious flavours, and a long finish. Aged in all neutral oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note: Black as a moonless night deep in a bamboo forest (trust us, that’s black!) Blackberries and boysenberries abound in the deep, concentrated aromas. A touch of dark earth as well. Medium-full to full-bodied with plenty of fresh blackberry, ample acidity and suave tannins. While there is plenty of fruit to this wine, it is by no means jammy thanks to its low pH and high TA. This will age well.
Meinklang Red
$30.99
Meinklang is a leader in biodynamic viticulture in Austria. The Meinklang vineyards are found in eastern Austria close to the Hungarian border. This gutsy red is a blend of Blaufrankisch (50%), Zweigelt (40%), and Sankt Laurent (10%) planted on sandy loam with shallow rocky topsoil. The grapes are partially destemmed into stainless steel where fermentation is carried out semi-carbonically. The wine then rests for six months in tank before being racked and bottled with 30ppm of sulphur. 12% ABV