Epic Cabernet
2019 Enkidu Cabernet Sauvignon
We love this wine because it punches way above its weight, displaying bold notes of currant and blackberry fruit, a dose of garrique, black spice, a touch bittersweet chocolate, and a hint of sage. The aromas give way to currant and blackberry, sandalwood, and just the right amount of new oak and well-defined tannins. It pairs perfectly with fall flavours and heavier dishes, such as rich stews and grilled meats.
Retail $56.95
The winery takes its name from one of the oldest stories ever written – The Epic of Gilgamesh – and the wines are produced in small lots, from a selection of impressive vineyards across Northern California – Russian River Valley, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake County, Lodi, and the Sierra Foothills. Winemaker Phil Staehle prides himself on long-standing and close relationships with his grape growers, which allow him to oversee some of growing practices and in some cases to manage the crop and canopy himself, thus ensuring he starts his wines with the fruit he wants. All of the Sonoma county vineyards he works with are sustainable and some are organic. Phil is a stickler for proper vineyard practices and is equally focused on the specific sites where the grapes are grown for each of his wines.
Now Available in Vintages:
La Guardiense’s ‘Janare’ Aglianico Riserva
2014 Janare ‘Cantari’ Aglianico Riserva
We love this wine because it’s an amazing expression of one of Italy’s oldest and most revered varieties, displaying notes of dark fruit, sweet spice, anise, and violet florals. Time in the bottle has rounded the tannins, and we think this wine pairs perfectly with rabbit pasta, braised meats, and hard cheeses such as Pecorino and Grana Padano.
“Along with Nebbiolo and Sangiovese, [Aglianico] is generally believed to be one of Italy’s three best wine grapes, but in my opinion it is far more…” –Ian D’Agata
“Blackberry, dried-leaf, black-tea and tobacco aromas. Dried spices and dark chocolate, too. It’s full-bodied with firm, chalky tannins. Concentrated and flavorful.”
92 pts James Suckling
Retail $29.95
The premium range of wines from La Guardiense is called ‘Janare’. Established in 1960, La Guardiense is an important co-op located in the region of Sannio, near the city of Benevento, created to provide a reliable market for local grower’s grapes. It began with 33 members who decided to control their own fate, to produce and sell the wine made from their grapes. Today, there are 1,000 members farming 1,500 hectares, and La Guardiense is one of the largest and most well respected co-operative wineries in Italy.
