Le Difese offers a taste of the estate behind Sassicaia immediately on release. The name is a local term for the tusks of a wild boar. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, the wine offers bright, crunchy red cherries and damson, with a herbal lift of fennel and tea leaves and a hint of bonfire woodsmoke.
Italy
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Red Wine
2018 Barolo ‘Patres’, San Silvestro
£2950Add to BasketA stylish and traditionally styled Barolo, with expressive aromas of dried fruit, roses and tar. The deep fruits are layered with earthy minerality on the smooth and mouth-filling palate and sweet tannins weave through to a very long, elegant finish.
The name ‘Nebbiolo’ comes from one of two schools of thought: some believe as the harvest of Nebbiolo usually occurs in October, when foggy weather is common, it takes the name from ‘nebbia’ meaning ‘fog’; however, others believe the name is derived from the presence of ‘pruina’, a substance which gives the appearance of a foggy haze on the berry’s skin. The Nebbiolo vines are grown in the northern Italian region of Piedmont, where the climate is continental and is tempered by the Tanaro River and its tributaries. Grown in marl clay and sand soils, the late-ripening variety is usually harvested in early October.
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White Wine
2012 Grésy Chardonnay Langhe DOC, Marchesi di Grésy
£2995Add to BasketPiemonte produces some of the finest, most Burgundian, examples of Chardonnay in Italy. This is one of the best – a complex barrel-aged style, and one of Italy’s finest examples of the grape. The Chardonnay grapes are sourced from two parcels of vines. One is in Barbaresco, just below Martinenga, facing south-west at an altitude of 230m. The second is on the north-east side of Monte Aribaldo in the commune of Treiso, 370 metres above sea level.
Ripe, honeyed style with intense hazelnut, nougat, caramel and butter on the nose. A generous silky textured mouth feel is nuanced and savoury with fine citrus and stone fruit characters and taut acidity. Layered and complex with subtle use of oak giving an elegant style with notable minerality. Perfectly balanced, with considerable length.
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Red Wine
2018 Primitivo di Manduria Riserva ‘Anniversario 62’, San Marzano
£2995Add to BasketThis wine is made in honour of the 19 winemakers who founded “Cantine San Marzano” in 1962. A long time has passed since then, yet their old vines still produce exceptional fruit.
This 2018 vintage has deep and complex flavours of prunes, black cherry jam, spice and tobacco that deliciously weave through the full-bodied palate with its velvety texture and long, complex finish of cocoa, coffee and vanilla bean.
The grapes come from the central area of D.O.P. “Primitivo di Manduria”, where they are grown in very old vineyards in San Marzano and Sava. They are planted at a density of 5,000 bush vines per hectare. The soil is mainly red with a fine texture and is generally calcareous with few emerging rocks. The renowned red hue of the soils is due to the presence of iron oxides. The climate is characterised by high temperatures all year round, very little rainfall and a wide diurnal temperature range, which has a positive influence on the quality of the grapes, concentrating the flavours in the berries.
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White Wine
2011 illivio, Livio Felluga
£2995Add to BasketPinot Grigio favours cooler climates and finds its ideal habitat on hillsides. Livio Felluga’s vinification techniques give this wine finesse and elegance while preserving the faint coppery highlights that are Pinot Grigio’s hallmark.
In the glass this wine is a straw yellow in colour with light golden hues. Intense yet elegant aromas of melon and candied fruit are complemented by stone fruit and floral notes, with a delicate mixture of brioche, honey and flint. Fresh and smooth on the palate, this persistent Pinot Grigio has great balance and a refreshing, mineral finish.
The quality of the Felluga range is in large part due to the fact that the fruit is grown on their 200 hectare property, which includes some of the finest vineyards in Friuli. The fruit for this wine come from their vineyards in the Colli Orientali DOC zone. Vines are planted on hillsides and the soil is marl and sandstone flysch of Eocene origin.
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Red Wine
2021 Rosso Bolgheri ‘Stupore’, Campo alle Comete
£2995Add to BasketThis is an intensely aromatic Bordeaux blend with notes of fresh plum layered with sweet roasted cocoa, tobacco and characteristic Bolgheri balsamic notes. Silky and smooth on the palate with a fresh finish.
The Campo alle Comete winery is located at the foot of the Castagneto Carducci hill in Bolgheri. The oldest vines are planted around the cellar surrounded by the Mediterranean bushland. The proximity of the sea with its constant refreshing breezes plays an important role in the vine’s growth and for the maturation of the fruit, where the fresh breezes impart natural balancing acidity to the sun-ripened fruit.
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Red Wine
2018 Taurasi DOCG, Feudi di San Gregorio
£3000Add to BasketAt Taurasi, Aglianico finds its ideal territory – uncontaminated, volcanic and impenetrable – giving life to a full and balanced wine. Fragrant aromas of Maraschino cherry, cinnamon and nutmeg are complemented by undertones of vanilla and anise. Full of juicy black fruit flavours, the palate is full-bodied and well balanced with sweet, soft tannins with an aromatic, persistent finish.
A grape of great tradition, Aglianico is considered to be one of the noblest and important varieties in the South of Italy. This historic region of the Apennine countryside is known as Irpinia and it has a unique terroir and climate in which vineyards coexist with fruit trees, olives and aromatic herbs. The winds here divert a beneficial rainfall which creates a microclimate in Irpinia that differs from Campania, the winters though brief are snowy and cold and the summers can be wet and prolonged. The soils are uniquely volcanic, sandstone and marl. Each vineyard is closely monitored with a meteorological station, and the technologies of the new state-of-the-art wine cellar ensures that each vintage comes as close to perfection as possible.
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White Wine
2022 Pinot Grigio Vigna Castel Ringberg, Elena Walch
£3100Add to BasketElena Walch is a leading Alto Adige wine estate and this stunning Pinot Grigio is from a Cru vineyard in the hills overlooking Lake Caldaro, in the “Castel Ringberg” estate. The moderating influence of the lake and the strong afternoon drying southerly wind known as “Ora” contribute to the balanced, elegant character of the wine.
In the glass a clear straw yellow colour characterises the Pinot Grigio Vigna “Castel Ringberg”. A complex variety of fruits, especially ripe pears and lime blossom, as well as spicy sage notes inform the bouquet. Structure and elegance, power and harmony dominate the palate, combined with creamy fullness and density. A single vineyard Pinot Grigio with a lot of character!
This versatile wine goes with many dishes based on vegetables and fish. The lively and well balanced acidity of the wine and the rich aromatic range also make it ideal as an aperitif.
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White Wine
2019 ‘A Nutturna’, Al-Cantara
£3150Add to BasketThis white wine is made from the dark-skinned red variety Nerello Mascalese.
In the glass it has complex aromas of pineapple, wild floral notes and spice that combine with hints of liquorice, herbs and mint. These aromas give way to a fresh and fruity palate. Dry and full flavoured with mineral notes leading to a satisfying finish.
The grapes for this wine come from a 15 hectare vineyard is situated in the Contrada Feudo S. Anastasia at an elevation of approximately 620 metres above sea level, where warm days and cool nights encourage a long ripening period concentrating the flavours in the grapes while retaining balancing acidity. The vines are grown in volcanic soils, which are rich in minerals and fossils. The soil is permeable to air and water and is rich in pumice stone and microelements, which allow the plants to produce a complex aromatic profile.
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Red Wine
2022 Rosso di Montalcino, Sesti
£3150Add to BasketThe Sesti estate is located in the heart of Tuscany, in the Castello Argiano, originally built in 1200. The castle is part of a chain of sight and defense castles, each in sight of the others, built along the Orcia river
Giugi Sesti grew up in Venice and much of his life has been dedicated to the study of astronomy, on which subject he is a published author. For thirty years Giugi organised an opera festival in Tuscany, whilst refurbishing the hamlet of the Castello di Argiano and its 102 hectares. Now primarily run by his daughter Elisa, the winery Sesti makes a world renowned Brunello but if you want the Sesti experience without waiting for the Brunello’s to mature then this Rosso is exceptional.
Crafted using organic and biodynamic wine making principles, this 100% Sangiovese is a delicious expression of Rosso di Montalcino. In the glass it opens with aromas of rosemary, red summer berries and dark chocolate that lead into palate of gorgeous bright red fruit, touches of oak and tobacco, with savoury notes of mushroom.
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White Wine
2021 Roero Arneis, Bruno Giacosa
£3195Add to BasketBruno Giacosa is considered to be one of Piedmont’s most highly regarded producers, their wines are some of the most highly sought-after in the world. Sadly the great man passed away in 2018 but since 2011 winemaking has been overseen by his protegé Dante Scaglione, together with his daughter Bruna Giacosa.
This perfect everyday drinking wine from a magnificent vintage is made from Arneis, the noblest white grape of Piemonte, which means ‘rascal’ in the local dialect. Grown in the sandy soils of the Roero it lives up to its name with its playful and lively charm.
The sand of the Roero region gives elegance and minerality to this wine, while the aromas lean towards exotic fruit, confit citrus notes and white flowers. Crisp and refreshing – a delicious Arneis from a master of the variety.
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White Wine
2021 Pinot Grigio, Livio Felluga
£3200Add to BasketPinot Grigio favours cooler climates and finds its ideal habitat on hillsides. Livio Felluga’s vinification techniques give this wine finesse and elegance while preserving the faint coppery highlights that are Pinot Grigio’s hallmark.
In the glass this wine is a straw yellow in colour with light golden hues. Intense yet elegant aromas of melon and candied fruit are complemented by stone fruit and floral notes, with a delicate mixture of brioche, honey and flint. Fresh and smooth on the palate, this persistent Pinot Grigio has great balance and a refreshing, mineral finish.
The quality of the Felluga range is in large part due to the fact that the fruit is grown on their 200 hectare property, which includes some of the finest vineyards in Friuli. The fruit for this wine come from their vineyards in the Colli Orientali DOC zone. Vines are planted on hillsides and the soil is marl and sandstone flysch of Eocene origin.
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Red Wine
2017 Chainti Classico Riserva ‘Cultus’, Badia a Coltibuono
£3300Add to BasketElegant balsamic notes prelude layers of cherry, floral notes, liquorice and chocolate. Warm on the palate but with great harmony between the full texture and a lifted finish.
‘Cultus’ in Latin means cultivation and this wine is made from Sangiovese and the traditional complementary varieties of Colorino, Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo. The newer vines have been replanted using the traditional ‘massal selection’ propagation method, which involves taking cuttings from the exceptionally old vines on the property; this is key to Badia a Coltibuono’s vision and its relationship with the terroir and its history
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Red Wine
2020 Barbera d’Alba, Bruno Giacosa
£3500Add to BasketBruno Giacosa is considered to be one of Piedmont’s most highly regarded producers, their wines are some of the most highly sought after in the world.
Bruno Giacosa’s Dolcetto d’Alba is an immediately appealing wine produced from grapes grown on exceptional hillside vineyards. The bouquet is full of vibrant red cherry and cassis notes and there is lovely depth of pure, ripe fruit on the palate. Dark strawberry and red cherry fruit flavours mingle with wild herbs and juicy, ripe tannins.
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White Wine
2009 Grésy Chardonnay Langhe DOC, Marchesi di Grésy
£3595Add to BasketPiemonte produces some of the finest, most Burgundian, examples of Chardonnay in Italy. This is one of the best – a complex barrel-aged style, and one of Italy’s finest examples of the grape. The Chardonnay grapes are sourced from two parcels of vines. One is in Barbaresco, just below Martinenga, facing south-west at an altitude of 230m. The second is on the north-east side of Monte Aribaldo in the commune of Treiso, 370 metres above sea level.
This delicious 2009 Chardonnay shows aromas of nectarine, Mirabelle plum, fresh herbs and minerals, with a suggestion of exotic fruits. Sweet, suave and expansive, with an exotic botrytis hint to the nectarine and sexy oak flavours. This wine spentt 21 months in lightly toasted new Allier barrels, with the lees being stirred regularly for the first 12 months.