The Pio Cesare 2016 range – an exceptional and classic year!

“2016 was characterized by one of the longest vegetative cycles in recent memory, with a slow and gradual ripening season. Spring started with delayed yet consistent rainfall, allowing vines to accumulate an abundant water supply for the summer ahead. This explains a late phenological ripening compared to previous vintages, amplified by the hot temperatures of August and September. Thanks to the spring water supply, our grapes were not affected by the heat and in fact achieved a perfect and healthy ripening, producing remarkably well-balanced wines with excellent bouquets, great structure and very ripe tannins. The absence of rain later in the season allowed us to plan the harvest respecting each individual plot’s phenolic needs.
We harvested the first Nebbiolo on October 4th and finished on October 13th. A traditionally late harvest, very close to the highly regarded 2013 vintage!
While it will certainly benefit from additional time spent in bottle, the 2016 vintage is surprisingly supple, rich and approachable despite its youth.”

To read the family’s comments on the 2016 vintage and access their updated Barolo and Barbaresco maps, click HERE

CLASSIC RANGE
Pio Cesare’s classic Barolo and Barbaresco are produced in the most traditional way: a combination of multiple single-vineyard sites spanning different villages, enhancing the peculiarities of each respective terroir. Long maceration and aging in oak “botti” in the winery’s ancient cellars have defined the family’s style since 1881.

Barolo DOCG 2016 The grapes are sourced from family-owned vineyards in Serralunga d’Alba (Ornato), Grinzane Cavour (Gustava), La Morra (Roncaglie), Barolo Novello (Ravera), and Monforte d’Alba (Mosconi). The balance of the grapes comes from other exclusive vineyards owned by growers, who have been providing grapes to the Pio Cesare family for generations. Vinification takes place in stainless steel tanks, with skin contact for about 20 days. The wine is aged in mid-toasted French oak for three years: 70 percent in 20 to 50 hectoliter casks; 30 percent in barriques.

Barbaresco DOCG 2016
The grapes are sourced exclusively from the Pio Cesare family’s vineyards: the famous “Il Bricco” estate and the great hill of San
Stefanetto, both located in the village of Treiso. The wine is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. There
is skin contact for 20 days. Thirty-five percent of the wine is aged in French oak barriques (one-third new) for 30 months. The
remaining 65 percent spends three years in French oak casks, 20 to 50 hectoliters each.

SINGLE-VINEYARD RANGE
The collection of prized parcels also allows the family to produce limited releases of single-vineyard bottlings.

Barbaresco Il Bricco DOCG 2016
Sourced from two plots at the top of the Il Bricco vineyard in Treiso, one of the highest and coolest points in the Barbaresco region (6,478 bottles).

Barolo Ornato DOCG 2016
A historically significant amphitheater located in Serralunga, a village renowned for great structure and longevity. The very first “cru” ever produced by the family in 1985 (14,015 bottles).

Score: “The blue fruit and freshness are impressive here. At the same time, there’s richness and focus with ripe fruit. Yet, it remains cool and bright. Superb center palate with great fruit and depth, but compact and focused. Needs three or four years to come together. Better after 2021.”, 98 points James Suckling

Barolo Mosconi DOCG 2016
Now in its second vintage, the family’s latest acquisition in the village of Monforte, from a selection of the oldest Nebbiolo vines,
the Mosconi vineyard is recognized for complexity and supple tannins (5,799 bottles).

Score: “Really attractive blue fruit and flowers with hints of minerals. Full-bodied, very tight and sexy with super fine
tannins, at the same time. A structured and racy young wine. Better after 2021.”, 97 points James Suckling

Ana Rosas featured in ‘Master Winemaker 100’

We are thrilled with the latest recognition of Ramos Pinto’s Master Blender, Ana Rosas, who is featured in ‘The Drinks Business’ inaugural ‘Master Winemaker 100’.

This Top 100 list takes a ‘behind the scenes’ look at the most talented winemakers responsible for the world’s most award-winning wines. For Ana Rosas, “there is nothing more gratifying than being able to work with ancient wines that display charm and elegance”.

For more information: https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2020/02/db-launches-the-master-winemaker-100/

Ramos Pinto 20 Quinta do Bom Retiro Year Old Tawny Port, which features in the article, was awarded a Fortified Masters in 2019.

https://www.facebook.com/ramospintowines/photos/a.693754737342933/2505611026157286/?type=3&theater

Louis Roederer carries on its American Journey in Napa Valley

Frédéric Rouzaud, President & CEO, welcomes another gem to his family’s collection of iconic properties: Maison Louis Roederer to Acquire Fabled Diamond Creek Vineyards.

The story of Maison Louis Roederer’s passion for unique terroirs of Cabernet Sauvignon dates back to the early 1990s with the purchase of Château de Pez in 1995 in the renowned Bordeaux appellation of Saint-Estèphe. 2007 marked the entry of the family into the select group of 1855 Classified Grands Crus wines with the purchase of the iconic Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande.

“The acquisition of Diamond Creek is the continuation of our journey into the greatest appellations in the world and our relentless quest to produce great wines with strong identity. Reflective of their pioneering characters, Al and Boots Brounstein built Diamond Creek from the ground up, producing some of the most celebrated and singular wines of the region. I am delighted that, once again, we have the opportunity to carry on the opus of an iconic family and embody its values and savoir-faire,” states Frédéric Rouzaud, President & CEO of Maison Louis Roederer.

“Most important to my Mom, myself and the family was finding the right partner who would respect the legacy that she and Al built over the last 50 years, and who could even elevate that legacy. Frédéric and his family are the perfect fit,” says Phil Ross, Boots Brounstein’ son and Managing Partner.

The mutual respect and admiration between Roederer and Diamond Creek run deep — in 1997, Al and Boots Brounstein were among a small group of wine luminaries invited to Paris by Jean-Claude Rouzaud, Frédéric’s father, to celebrate the 30 greatest wines in the world on his 30-year anniversary at the helm of Louis Roederer. Their friendly relationship endured until Al’s passing and Jean-Claude’s retirement in 2006; it was carried on by Frédéric and Boots who were exploring ways to partner until she passed in July 2019 at age 92.
Phil Ross has agreed to stay at the winery for a period of time. Winemaker Phil Steinschriber, who has been with Diamond Creek since 1991, has also agreed to stay. The majority of the employees, many of whom have worked at Diamond Creek for decades, will also continue there.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maison Louis Roederer
Originally founded in 1776, Champagne Louis Roederer continues as one of the very rare Champagne houses to remain firmly in the hands of the same family, since 1832. For three centuries, seven successive generations have been responsible for building a reputation for unparalleled quality and continuity. Its focus on meticulous viticulture, best demonstrated with an ongoing conversion to organic and biodynamic vineyards, as well as precise winemaking, account for the House’s enduring excellence and success.
Since 1990, Maison Louis Roederer has strategically acquired esteemed family-owned wineries with an approach
centered around identical core values, long-term vision and continuity.
Ramos Pinto (1990), Champagne Deutz and Delas Frères (1993), Château de Pez (1995), Domaines Ott (2004),
Scharffenberger Cellars (2004), Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (2007) and Merry Edwards
(2019).
Roederer has also established new ventures: Roederer Estate (1982) and Domaine Anderson (2012) and owns
Descaves,

Meerlust wines receive great scores from Greg Sherwood MW!

We are delighted to see the Meerlust range receiving such great scored by Greg Sherwood MW, London based South African Master of Wine and Fine Wine Buyer at Handford Wines. Greg tried the wines with Hannes Myburgh, proprietor and 8th generation custodian of Meerlust Estate.

Meerlust Chardonnay 2018, WO Stellenbosch: Wine Safari Score: 95+/100
Meerlust Pinot Noir 2017, WO Stellenbosch: Wine Safari Score: 91/100
Meerlust Red 2017, WO Stellenbosch: Wine Safari Score: 93/100
Meerlust Merlot 2015, WO Stellenbosch: Wine Safari Score: 92+/100
Meerlust Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, WO Stellenbosch: Wine Safari Score: 92/100
Meerlust Rubicon 2016, WO Stellenbosch: Wine Safari Score: 93+/100

To read the full article and get access to the tasting notes, click HERE to go to Greg Sherwood’s website

*Thumbnail photo credit: https://gregsherwoodmw.com *

Delas wine scores for 2017

Delas has published a Report with the great scores of 2017’s wines from James Suckling, Jeb Dunnuck, James Molesworth and also Wine & Spririts, Wine Spectator and The Wine Advocate.

To read the full release, please click on the link below:

Rioja Report 2020 by Tim Atkin with great scores for Marqués de Murrieta

Tim Atkin has published his Rioja Report 2020 with great scores for Murrieta wines, and Marqués de Murrieta is considered, one more year, as First Growth.

Gold and Silver Medals for Domaines Schlumberger

This tasting identified the best examples of Riesling from all around the world in every price range.

Unlike other international competitions, The Global Masters series is judged by grape variety rather than country. Every wine has been measured on the taste of the grape variety and the skill of its winemaker.

All Global Masters are judged blind by the finest palates in the world – a panel of Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers and senior buyers . The best competing wines were awarded medals from Bronze through to Gold.

The calibre of the judges guarantees international recognition of all the medals awarded.

We are delighted to announce the results for the Domaines Schlumberger wines:

Domaines Schlumberger Riesling Les Princes Abbés 2016 – Silver Medal

Domaines Schlumberger Riesling Grand Cru Saering 2015 – Gold Medal

Please click here to read a recent article published by The Drinks Business about the Riesling Grand Cru Saering

Louis Roederer crowned World’s Most Admired Champagne Brand 2020

Drinks International has named Louis Roederer as the World’s Most Admired Champagne Brand in 2020, a magazine which ranks champagne brands from 1-30 based on the votes of the world’s top wine experts. This is the seventh edition of the supplement, which is produced in collaboration with champagne expert Giles Fallowfield.

To read the full article click here

Wine Spectator Award for Ramos Pinto Vintage 2017

We are proud to announce the great distinction for the Ramos Pinto Vintage 2017 that was awarded with 95 Points (by James Molesworth).

What Spain’s MWs like – Norrel Robertson

In this first part of an exploration of the tastes of the eight Masters of Wine most closely associated with Spain, Ferran quizzes Norrel Robertson MW.

Marqués de Murrieta, Castillo Ygay Especial Gran Reserva
2009 Rioja is in the list of the 5 favourite wines scoring 19 points.

To read the full press release, please click on the link below.

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