The 2011 Chardonnay appears to have more richness & body than the 2010... in 2011 Bo Barrett & his team had to wait until the end of October for this fruit to fully ripen, which, needless to say, is highly unusual. The characteristic Montelena Chardonnay aromas & flavors come through, but in a slightly richer style than normal. Hints of lemon oil, crushed rocks & flowers meld together beautifully on the resonant finish... Whatever the reasons, the 2011 is striking in every way. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. 93 points. Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate. ...

Valdeorras is an appellation in an inland area of Galicia in northern Spain, which has become known for its quality white wines from the little-known Godello grape, which does very well in the region's moderate maritime climate & rocky slate soils. A youthful, green-tinged straw yellow wine, with a clean nose of grassy herbaceousness, & pear & pineapple fruit. Light in weight, yet with a palate-coating sense of texture. Perfect with Spain's simple fish tapas dishes, light cheese or tomatoes. ...

This wine comes from several vineyards owned by the Rossetti family, located just a few kilometres from Abruzzo's Adriatic coast close to the ancient town of Chieti, which local legend claims was founded by Achilles in 1181 BC. A ripe & approachable, medium-bodied & distinctly Italian red. Ripe blackcurrant & cherry flavours are infused with subtle hints of clove & forest earth, framed by fine tannins. Drink with Italian cured meats & hard cheeses, or pasta & ragu. ...

Montepulciano d' Abruzzo, not to be confused with the Tuscan village of the same name, is made from the Montepulciano grape variety from the Abruzzi region. This is the signature wine from the area, with coastal plantings at the foot of the Apennines mountains. Whilst standards in this region can vary, this is a reliable, medium-bodied wine with lots of red cherry fruit & soft supple tannins. The ripeness of the fruit & the soft tannic structure make this the perfect party wine or for drinking with light pork dishes. ...

Abruzzo has seriously strict rules. & you can really taste the quality in this. It's a step up from other Montepulciano, boasing notes of ripe cherries, sweet spices & an alluring hint of smoke. It's comfort food in a bottle. ...

Montes was founded in 1987 by winemaker Aurelio Montes & Douglas Murray. Their vision was to produce Chilean wines of premium quality. They've continued to raise the bar for the country ever since. & the name is now one of the most celebrated in South American wine. This is rich & layered Cabernet, with notes of ripe black fruit, sweet tobacco & spice. Serve at 17-19 degrees with beef ribs or cellar for up to a decade. ...

Viña Montes was founded in the late 1980s by four men who shared a dream – to take the quality of Chilean wines to a whole new level. They've certainly succeeded. Today, their collection

Includes:: some of Chile's most sought-after bottles, earning top scores from renowned critics year after year. What's more, winemaker Aurelio Montes was awarded the IWC's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020, in recognition of his exceptional talents. & you'll certainly taste the quality in this intense & complex Carménère. It hails from the premium Apalta Valley region, where steeply sloped vineyards & beautifully sunny days make for ripe, concentrated flavours. Discover aromas of blackberry & blueberry with a kick of peppery spice. 16 months of oak ageing gives it an opulent, velvety texture that'll pair perfectly with red meats like lamb.

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Aurelio Montes & Douglas Murray founded Viña Montes to pursue the making of premium wines in Chile. Barrel fermented using a mixture of Burgundian & native yeasts this Chardonnay is matured in French oak for 12 months. Aromas of banana & pineapple on the nose, with upfront mango & passionfruit on the palate, complemented by a buttery, creamy character to the palate. Hints of toffee on the after taste. Rich & fruity Chardonnays like this can work quite well with spicy dishes, & are classic partners to poultry in creamy sauces. ...

The Conquistadors of Spain brought wine to Chile, but France has dominated the vinous influences. A premium wine from the Aurelio Montes has matured this Merlot in French oak for 12 months to impart extra complexities & structure. Deep ruby. Aromas of black cherry & strawberries on the nose, with floral hints. Black fruits & plums, with coffee & tobacco notes on the palate. A full-bodied wine of with a long, smooth finish. Decant for an hour before serving. Drink with rich meat casseroles. ...

Chile's first super-premium Syrah, Folly is grown in the Finca de Apalta vineyard, which lies on a slope exceeding 45º. The difficult terrain & mature vines keep yields low, while the altitude & sun exposure produce a quality of fruit rarely achievable elsewhere, further boosted by intensive h&-sorting. Showing a deep & vivid violet colour, the wine offers a velvety backdrop of dense black fruit, overlayed with chocolate, toast, vanilla & tobacco leaf. ...