Holiday Prestige Collection 6 Pack
Celebrate the season in style with the Holiday Prestige Collection 6 Pack—a premium selection of fine reds, whites, and sparkling wines curated for festive gatherings. From rich, layered reds to crisp, refreshing whites, and an elegant bubbly for toasting, this collection offers an elevated experience for every holiday occasion. Ideal for family dinners, holiday parties, or thoughtful gifting, each bottle in this set captures the warmth and joy of the season. Bring sophistication to your celebrations with this exceptional mix designed to impress and delight.
1 x Giulio Straccali Chianti Classico 2020 - Tuscany, Italy
91/100 James Suckling (2016 vintage)
92/100 James Suckling (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Spectator (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Spectator (2014 vintage)
90/100 James Suckling (2013 vintage)
Bronze James Suckling (2012 vintage)
James Suckling "Very aromatic with dried rose petals and blackberries on the nose. Full body, a soft and velvety texture and a crisp, clean finish. Shows a pretty combination of richness and freshness. " (2016 vintage)
James Suckling "A focused and juicy red with currant, plum and berry character. Medium to full body, solid and polished tannins and a long and pretty finish. All in finesse." (2015 vintage)
Wine Spectator "Elegant, this leans to the austere side, yet there is enough cherry and strawberry fruit for balance. Leather, earth and tobacco notes round out the flavor spectrum." (2015 vintage)
Wine Spectator "A fluid, elegant red, sporting cherry, strawberry and earth flavors. Offers a fine Sangiovese character, with moderate length." (2014 vintage)
James Suckling "Silky and dense with beautiful dried cherry and strawberry aromas and flavors. Full body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Outstanding and typical Chianti Classico." (2013 vintage)
James Suckling "A light, fruity red with sliced-plum and sour-cherry character. Medium body with fine tannins and a fresh finish."(2012 vintage)
Since 1925 the Straccali wine estate in Tuscany, founded by its namesake Giulio Straccali, has been in the vanguard of progressive Chianti wine producers. An expert enologist, entrepreneur, farmer and wine producer, Giulio Straccali was above all a man of vision. Through the wines of Tuscany, he sought to communicate to the rest of the world the scents, colors and flavors of his beloved homeland. Convinced of the need to protect and nurture the reputation and quality of Chianti wines, Straccali consistently showed a pioneering spirit. He was instrumental in the founding of the Black Rooster Consortium and from 1942 until his death in 1969, he served as Vice President. In 1978 Italo Zingarelli, founder of the Rocca delle Macie estate in Castellina in Chianti, as part of his long-term business strategy and sharing the same dream set out by Giulio Straccali many decades earlier, purchased the company from the Straccali family.
Rocca delle Macìe was established in 1973, when film producer Italo Zingarelli – of Ettore Scola’s “We All Loved Each Other So Much” fame, and also the wildly popular series of films featuring comedy duo Bud Spencer and Terence Hill (including “They Call Me Trinity” and “Trinity Is Still My Name”) – decided to realize his lifelong dream by acquiring the “Le Macìe” estate – extending across 93 hectares (230 acres) in all, of which only two were under vine – in order to create a winery in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone.
The company estate now extends to more than 500 hectares (1250 acres) with, in total, more than 200 (500 acres) used as vineyards and 22 (54 acres) as olive groves, subdivided across the company’s six estates: Le Macìe, Sant’Alfonso, Fizzano e le Tavolelle in the Chianti Classico Area, in addition to the Campomaccione and Casa Maria estates in the Morellino di Scansano Area (Maremma).
The Chianti region in Italy's Tuscany wine growing region is split between Chianti and Chianti Classico. Accordingly, two separate DOCG designations apply to wines from the Chianti region: the Chianti Classico DOCG for the heartland of Chianti, and Chianti DOCG for all other Chianti regions. (In 1984, the Chianti region was promoted from DOC to DOCG - Italy’s highest classification - and in 1996, Chianti Classico - the historic heartland of the region - DOCG was created, which gave autonomy to that region. In the last 20 years, a consortium of Chianti Classico producers have researched new Sangiovese clones, replanted vineyards, updated cellar practices and generally made Chianti Classico DOCG a world-class appellation. Chianti Classico must contain a minimum of 75% Sangiovese. In the 2014 edition of its annual compendium of wine ratings, Gambero Rosso noted that Chianti Classico DOCG wines were noteworthy for their “significant return to a more defined style, true to tradition.” The typical Chianti Classico wine is a ruby-red, Sangiovese-based wine with aromas of violets and cherries and a hint of earthy spice.
Sangiovese 90%.Sangiovese (or Nielluccio in Corsica), a dark-berried vine, is the most widely planted grape variety in Italy. Virtually synonymous with the red wines of Tuscany, and all the romanticism that goes with the territory, Sangiovese is the core constituent in some of the great names in Italian wine. Italy's love affair with Sangiovese – and indeed the world's – is generations old, though recent grapevine research suggests the variety is not as ancient as once thought.
Canaiolo & Merlot 10%.
The Canaiolo Nero grape is particularly widespread in central Italy, used in the production of different DOC and DOCG wines. In particular it is used to impart softness to Chianti to stand alongside the Sangiovese. In addition to the Chianti, Canaiolo nero is used almost exclusively in blends, even for different wines of central Italy. The berry is black, medium, round and smooth with blue-violet consistent skin with much bloom. The bunch is medium, rather sparse, stubby or pyramidal, with one or two wings and with a medium-small, five-lobed, rarely three-lobed, dark green and opaque leaf. The grape Canaiolo nero prefers warm climates and hilly terrain, with good exposure. This grape has low vigor and medium age of maturation. The grape Canaiolo nero gives an intense ruby-red wine, alcoholic, but with low acidity. Blended with Sangiovese adds flavor and aroma.
Merlot is a red wine grape variety with strong historic ties to Bordeaux and the southwest of France. It is the second most-planted red wine grape variety in the world, after Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is extremely popular in northern Italy, the United States. Chile has built its reputation mainly on its Merlot-based cuvées. Merlot's flavour profile includes plum and black cherry. Often described as producing smooth, rounded and "easy drinking" wines. Merlot is often used to great effect in blends, and is known in his capacity to make some of the most famous wines in the world.
1 x Chateau Marjosse Pierre Lurton Cuvee Canton Du Loup Rouge 2018 - Bordeaux, France
95/100 The Wine Independent
91/100 James Suckling
16.5/20 Jancis Robinson
Bronze - Jean Marc Quarin
Owned by one of the world's famous winemakers, Pierre Lurton - presiddent of two of Bordeaux's best-known chateaux, the Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) owned Chateau Cheval Blanc and Chateau d'Yquem.
James Suckling "Firm and structured with a flavorful, dusty finish.....Black fruit, cedar, tobacco and dried leaves on the nose. It's medium-bodied with firm, chewy tannins.
Decanter "Perfumed and heavily scented on the nose, vibrant and aromatic - blackcurrants and violets. Slightly chewy in the mouth but soft too, a lovely push of chalky black fruits from start to finish. Good weight and texture, more delicate and refined than the Charmille cuvée with less overt acidity, but such lovely plump flavours. Very clean and well worked. A slight hint of toasted spice on the finish, but gently warming. Nice presentation." (2020 vintage)
Pierre Lurton “Canton du loup” (Canton of the wolf) has its origin in the red clays, rich in iron, of the limestone plateau of Tizac de Curton. These well-balanced soils, combining clay and the freshness of limestone with filtering properties, offer wines of great concentration and warmth in the mouth. The Canton du Loup 2018 has a ruby red color, reveals fruit aromas with brandy and cocoa....the palate is round, offering a richly structured substance and complex aromas of stone fruits, spices and blond tobacco."
Château Marjosse is owned by French 'wine royalty', Pierre Lurton - president of two of Bordeaux’s best-known châteaux; the Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) owned, Château Cheval Blanc and Château d’Yquem, Château Marjosse. Pierre Lurton comes from two of the great Bordeaux families. His father Dominique was the youngest son of the paterfamilias François Lurton; his uncle André Lurton who founded the eponymous wine company; his many cousins run châteaux from Pauillac to Pomerol. His mother is from the famous Lafite family.
The influential Club Enologique asserts that Pierre is the most accomplished wine personality of his famous family. Trained as a doctor but swapping his studies for wine making after four years. At 23 he took over Clos Fourtet in St Emilion, one of the fine Lurton properties, and in 1991 he was appointed head of Château Cheval Blanc (it was bought by Bernard Arnault of LVMH in 1998); in 1999 he took on Château d’Yquem, which had just been added to the Arnault portfolio.
Club Enologique describes Pierre Lurton as having the world’s most corporate wine job. "However he divides his time between two of the world’s most exalted wine properties, but comes down to earth in Entre-deux-Mers, the leafy, unpretentious appellation to the east of Bordeaux at Château Marjosse."
The Château Marjoss estate is located in Entre-deux-Mers, on the right bank of Bordeaux. Initially owned by the wine merchant Bernard Chénier, Château Marjosse was acquired by the Deleuze family, who, in 1990, gave some plots to Pierre Lurton to rent. In 1992, Pierre Lurton, who grew up in Château Reynier, neighbour to this magnificent Chartreuse, moved to a second home in Château Marjosse and, over successive years became the owner of the entire vineyard, as well as the Chartreuse in 2013.
Decanter "Since Lurton bought Château Marjosse in 1994, the estate has improved beyond recognition. Pierre's father, Dominique Lurton, also made over a further 30ha so that, under the Château Marjosse label, Lurton now exploits 42ha of vineyard, six hectares of white and 36ha of Bordeaux red – a total of 300,000 bottles a year. Pierre insists his wine is Bordeaux and not Bordeaux Supérieur because ‘my wine is only supérieur in the bottle’. His objectives are ambitious. As the quality of the terroir with clay-limestone soil is similar to some of the better areas in Saint-Emilion, he hopes to prove that wines from this area can rival those from more prestigious regions."
Sommeliers International "At Château Marjosse the land possesses yet another specific feature, known locally as “la Boulbène”, a silty-clayey texture that has developed on ancient alluvions. The fertility of these soils no longer needs to be proved, because, by chance, they are also found in Saint-Emilion, a terroir that is extremely familiar to the man who manages “Cheval Blanc” …. Pierre Lurton. Assisted in this transformation by Consultant-Oenologist Pascal Poussevin, whose recommendations range from vine growing to wine-making, Pierre Lurton’s estate has now reached its cruising speed … Beyond the fabulous adventures he experiences in his role as manager of Châteaux d’Yquem, Cheval Blanc, as well as estates in South Africa, Latin America and in Australia … it is undoubtedly with “the salt of this land here in the Entre-deux-Mers” that his years of quest for perfection will be revealed. It is clear that this region needs winegrowers of such calibre, those who possess a sixth sense and, using techniques that almost resemble intentional alchemy, transform the grapes they touch into wines that exude the unique character of a specific area."
The Entre-deux-Mers region, nicknamed by wine experts as “Little Tuscany”, is unique and jealously protected by its inhabitants. "There are fifteen appellations that constitute the Entre-deux-Mers. The most well-known of them all, reputed for its dry, lively white wines, is certainly the one which bears the name of this region! The Entre-deux-Mers cultivates a certain speciality in producing white wines, due to its basic geological assets, possessing gravelly-limestone soils, upon which Sémillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle and even Ugni Blanc grape varieties are planted. But the variety of soils and sub-soils associated with such a complex landscape provides a diversity of terroirs … These are favourable for producing red wines, that are regrettably not sufficiently well-known, but highly prized for the complexity of their aromas, their deep, vivid colour, as well as the concentration and elegance of their tannins." Sommeliers International.
Bordeaux, in the southwest of France, needs little introduction as one of the world's most famous, prestigious and prolific wine regions. Its three trump cards are diversity, quality and quantity. The majority of Bordeaux wines (nearly 90 percent of production volume) are the dry, medium- and full-bodied red Bordeaux Blends that established its reputation. The finest (and most expensive) of these come from the great châteaux of the Haut-Médoc and the Right Bank appellations Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. The legendary reds are complemented by high-quality white wines, both dry styles (particularly from Pessac-Léognan) and the sweet, botrytized nectars of Sauternes.
Merlot is a red wine grape variety with strong historic ties to Bordeaux and the southwest of France. It is the second most-planted red wine grape variety in the world, after Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is extremely popular in northern Italy, the United States. Chile has built its reputation mainly on its Merlot-based cuvées. Merlot's flavour profile includes plum and black cherry. Often described as producing smooth, rounded and "easy drinking" wines. Merlot is often used to great effect in blends, and is known in his capacity to make some of the most famous wines in the world.
1 x Sticks Pinot Noir 2021 - Yarra Valley, Australia
Bronze - Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion (2020 vintage)
90/100 The Wine Front (2019 vintage)
90/100 Wine Spectator (2019 vintage)
90/100 Toni Paterson, The Real Review (2018 vintage)
90/100 Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion (2018 vintage)
Bronze - Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2018 vintage)
Bronze - The Wine Front (2018 vintage)
Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion "The palate is soft, with macerated cherries and bitter herbs....offers good value overall." (2020 vintage)
The Wine Front "Red fruits, cherry, rhubarb and a dash of smoked paprika. Simple flavours of raspberry and a little peaty undergrowth, clean acidity, fine powdery tannin, and a modest finish." (2020 vintage)
Toni Paterson, The Real Review "Scented vanilla cherries. Lovely fruit reserve and composure. Excellent red-fruit softness and clarity." (2018 vintage)
Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion "It has such drinkability without losing its essence. Smoky and gently spicy, red cherries with supple tannins." (2018 vintage)
Sticks winery has been Australia's Yarra Valley's quiet achiever for over 20 years and now stands among the region's most well-known wineries. Established by the famous footballer-turned winemaker, Rob Dolan who established Punt Winery and his own Roba. Dolan label. Sticks sources fruit from Victoria's famous Yarra Valley, which is known as one of Australia's leading cool-climate wine regions. Sticks wines are modern takes on the Yarra Valley classics, all crafted with drinkability front of mind.
The Yarra Valley is a well-respected Australian wine region which occupies the eastern half of the Port Phillip viticultural zone in the diminutive state of Victoria. At complete odds with the usual, hot and dry Shiraz-growing image of Australia, Yarra Valley is best known for its bright, complex wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Pinot Noir is the dominant red wine grape of Burgundy, now produced in wine regions all over the world, including western Germany, northern Italy, Chile, South Africa, Australia and, perhaps most notably, California, Oregon and New Zealand.
The essence of Pinot Noir wine is its aroma of strawberry and cherry (fresh red cherries in lighter wines and stewed black cherries in weightier examples), underpinned in the most complex examples by hints of forest floor. Well-built Pinot Noirs, particularly from warmer harvests, also exhibit notes of leather and violets, sometimes approaching the flavor spectrum of Syrah.
1 x Atticus Finch Syrah 2020 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
Australian Wine Companion - Best Margaret River Wineries of the Regions 2020
Since the release of the Chapman Grove range in 2006, Chapman Grove wines have been awarded 4 Trophies, 3 Top Gold, 3 Gold, 8 Silver and 39 Bronze Medals.
The Winemaker: "Youthful cherry and mixed forest fruit aromas are quite simple yet concentrated. It is supple with flavours of mint and liquorice developing in the glass. The 2020 vintage in Margaret River was characterized with low rainfall and warmer than average temperatures in spring and summer leading to an early vintage with good quality grapes."
James Halliday "A very successful venture under the control of CEO Ron Fraser. The wines come from the estate vineyards planted to chardonnay, Semillon, sauvignon blanc, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and merlot.....[The winery's] ultra-premium wines are under the Atticus label."
Atticus is owned by Chapman Grove Wines; a small winery focussed on making limited edition fine wines from Margaret River, Western Australia. Described by Australia's N#1 wine critic, James Halliday as "a very successful venture", the winery is known for its highly rated wines and was established in 2005 by an esteemed veteran of the industry, Ron Fraser. Pop Up Wine has secured back vintages of a collection of its highly rated wines.
Atticus utilises exceptional fruit which is all 100% estate grown to create its world-class wines. Its range includes varieties most suited to the Margaret River climate, with French oak used to bring out flavours of the terroir, creating a true expression of the region.
The winery achieved the highly coveted 5 Red Star rating from James Halliday within three short years of first entering the Wine Companion in 2009. Since the the estate's first release in 2006, its wines have been awarded 4 Trophies, 3 Top Gold, 3 Gold, 8 Silver and 39 Bronze medals.
Margaret River is a highly respected wine region in the southwestern corner of Western Australia. Famous for having a more "European" wine style than its counterparts across the country, Margaret River has made its name through its unusually refined Cabernet Sauvignon (often blended with Merlot), gamey Shiraz, intensely citrusy Chardonnay, and refreshingly grassy "SSB'" blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Margaret River's winemakers are particularly proud of its temperate, coastal location – which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
Shiraz, also known as Syrah is a popular red wine. Though the spiritual homeland of this red grape is France, Syrah has been planted throughout the world to great success. It expresses itself differently depending on the climate, soil and regional style.
Syrah is typically bold and full-bodied, with aromatic notes of smoke, black fruit and pepper spice. Stylistically, it can be round and fruity, or dense and tannic. And in warmer New World regions like Australia, Syrah is most often be called Shiraz.
1 x Maxime Blin Carte Blanche Brut NV - Champagne, France
Bronze - Gilbert & Gaillard
1 Star - Le Guide Hachette des Vins
Silver - Challenge International du Vin
Silver - Vinalies Internationales
Silver - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
Organic
Maxime Blin is served on Qatar Airways & Air Italy
Gilbert & Gaillard "Beautiful character.... Mature, focused nose combining dried fruits and dried vegetal aromas... Good staying power on the palate, structured and well-integrated. Dried apricot is exuded on the attack flowing into straw notes."
Le Guide Hachette des Vins "With a shimmering pale gold, the nose blends delicate notes of brioche, dried fruits and white flowers. Balanced, melted and long, the palate reveals pleasant aromas of exotic fruits."
Le Guide Hachette des Vins "The Maxime Blin Carte Blanche white obtained the note of 1 star, which corresponds to a very successful wine . This wine was noted in the 2013 edition of the Guide Hachette Vins."
Alexandra Durin-Hepkein "A fresh, round, light and harmonious champagne in which numerous fruity aromas express themselves with joy."
Nicoline Nybom "Fresh, light and harmonious with good fruit notes"
80% Meunier and 20% Pinot Noir
Sommeliers International "A mouthful of talent."
Organic wines are made from grapes grown without pesticides, following strict organic standards. Organic wines are produced in vineyards that do not use synthetic chemicals. Certified organic wines have been certified by Association des Champagnes Biologiques in France.
Champagne Maxime Blin has captured the attention of the world's champagne experts. This fourth-generation family owned champagne house has produced many award winning champagnes which are rated highly and celebrated for their expression of the famous terrior in which the vineyard is located. It is one of the few certified organic champagne producers in the world. Situated in the Champagne village of Saint Thierry near Reims - the center of the Champagne world - boasting Veuve Clicquot, Pommery, Ruinart and Taittinger, Champagne Maxime Blin is the rising star amongst its big name neighbours.
Maxime Blin has been certified organic since 2021. The company. produced its first organic champagne in 2022. Maxime Blin champagnes are highly sought after due to the qualtiy and low volume of champagnes it produces. It cultivates the three Champagne grape varieties, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay on vines with an average age of twenty years.
Maxime Blin produces 11 champagnes ( Carte Blanche, Carte Douce, Rosé, Millésime, Grande Tradition, Cuvée l'Onirique, Cuvée l'Authentique, Cuvée Maxime, Millesime 1998, Cuvée Craziness, Clés d'Eole). Among the brands' many admirers which include artists, musicians, and wine experts, the Italian actress Manuela Arcuri, every year for her birthday, orders the Cuvée 'Craziness'.
1 x Reversanti Prosecco Extra Dry DOC - Piedmont, Italy
Winemaker "Straw yellow with a marvelous floral and fruity bouquet. In the mouth is mellow, rich and flavorful, with fine and persistent perlage."
100% Glera
Alcohol: 11%
Prosecco is made from the white grape Glera and is mainly used for making Preosecco in north eastern Italy. Known for fruity and floral flavors like apple, pear, and peach, it's prized for its high acidity, making it ideal for crafting refreshing sparkling wines. Glera was formerly named Prosecco, it was renamed Glera to protect the Prosecco regional name.
The Reversanti line now also includes other Piemontese wines: a golden Piemontese, fresh and deliciously aromatic: sweet Moscato d’Asti and the inevitable Barbera d’Asti, once considered a “rustic” wine, due to its high acidity, today it has increased its fame, thanks to modern and appropriate winemaking processes.
The “king of wines and wine of kings” Barolo, and his youngest relative, Barbaresco, should be mandatory tasting experiences within a wider culture of good drinking, not only for their stellar quality, but for their unique style. Unlike other Italian masterpieces that can be accompanied with more international grapes and flavors, these great classics are best expressed with their territorial typicality (100% Nebbiolo), following the rigorous Piemontese standards. Unlike many Barolo and Barbaresco on the market, which require considerable aging in order to express themselves in the best way and be more appreciated, the philosophy of Reversanti is to make each vintage directly accessible for release.
Piedmont (Piemonte) enjoys an unrivalled seat among the world's very finest wine regions. It is home to more DOCG wines than any other Italian region, among them such well known and respected names as Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera d'Asti. Although famous for its austere, tannic, and floral red wines made from Nebbiolo, Piedmont's greatest success story in the past decade has been sweet, white, sparkling Moscato d'Asti.
Celebrate the season in style with the Holiday Prestige Collection 6 Pack—a premium selection of fine reds, whites, and sparkling wines curated for festive gatherings. From rich, layered reds to crisp, refreshing whites, and an elegant bubbly for toasting, this collection offers an elevated experience for every holiday occasion. Ideal for family dinners, holiday parties, or thoughtful gifting, each bottle in this set captures the warmth and joy of the season. Bring sophistication to your celebrations with this exceptional mix designed to impress and delight.
1 x Giulio Straccali Chianti Classico 2020 - Tuscany, Italy
91/100 James Suckling (2016 vintage)
92/100 James Suckling (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Spectator (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Spectator (2014 vintage)
90/100 James Suckling (2013 vintage)
Bronze James Suckling (2012 vintage)
James Suckling "Very aromatic with dried rose petals and blackberries on the nose. Full body, a soft and velvety texture and a crisp, clean finish. Shows a pretty combination of richness and freshness. " (2016 vintage)
James Suckling "A focused and juicy red with currant, plum and berry character. Medium to full body, solid and polished tannins and a long and pretty finish. All in finesse." (2015 vintage)
Wine Spectator "Elegant, this leans to the austere side, yet there is enough cherry and strawberry fruit for balance. Leather, earth and tobacco notes round out the flavor spectrum." (2015 vintage)
Wine Spectator "A fluid, elegant red, sporting cherry, strawberry and earth flavors. Offers a fine Sangiovese character, with moderate length." (2014 vintage)
James Suckling "Silky and dense with beautiful dried cherry and strawberry aromas and flavors. Full body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Outstanding and typical Chianti Classico." (2013 vintage)
James Suckling "A light, fruity red with sliced-plum and sour-cherry character. Medium body with fine tannins and a fresh finish."(2012 vintage)
Since 1925 the Straccali wine estate in Tuscany, founded by its namesake Giulio Straccali, has been in the vanguard of progressive Chianti wine producers. An expert enologist, entrepreneur, farmer and wine producer, Giulio Straccali was above all a man of vision. Through the wines of Tuscany, he sought to communicate to the rest of the world the scents, colors and flavors of his beloved homeland. Convinced of the need to protect and nurture the reputation and quality of Chianti wines, Straccali consistently showed a pioneering spirit. He was instrumental in the founding of the Black Rooster Consortium and from 1942 until his death in 1969, he served as Vice President. In 1978 Italo Zingarelli, founder of the Rocca delle Macie estate in Castellina in Chianti, as part of his long-term business strategy and sharing the same dream set out by Giulio Straccali many decades earlier, purchased the company from the Straccali family.
Rocca delle Macìe was established in 1973, when film producer Italo Zingarelli – of Ettore Scola’s “We All Loved Each Other So Much” fame, and also the wildly popular series of films featuring comedy duo Bud Spencer and Terence Hill (including “They Call Me Trinity” and “Trinity Is Still My Name”) – decided to realize his lifelong dream by acquiring the “Le Macìe” estate – extending across 93 hectares (230 acres) in all, of which only two were under vine – in order to create a winery in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone.
The company estate now extends to more than 500 hectares (1250 acres) with, in total, more than 200 (500 acres) used as vineyards and 22 (54 acres) as olive groves, subdivided across the company’s six estates: Le Macìe, Sant’Alfonso, Fizzano e le Tavolelle in the Chianti Classico Area, in addition to the Campomaccione and Casa Maria estates in the Morellino di Scansano Area (Maremma).
The Chianti region in Italy's Tuscany wine growing region is split between Chianti and Chianti Classico. Accordingly, two separate DOCG designations apply to wines from the Chianti region: the Chianti Classico DOCG for the heartland of Chianti, and Chianti DOCG for all other Chianti regions. (In 1984, the Chianti region was promoted from DOC to DOCG - Italy’s highest classification - and in 1996, Chianti Classico - the historic heartland of the region - DOCG was created, which gave autonomy to that region. In the last 20 years, a consortium of Chianti Classico producers have researched new Sangiovese clones, replanted vineyards, updated cellar practices and generally made Chianti Classico DOCG a world-class appellation. Chianti Classico must contain a minimum of 75% Sangiovese. In the 2014 edition of its annual compendium of wine ratings, Gambero Rosso noted that Chianti Classico DOCG wines were noteworthy for their “significant return to a more defined style, true to tradition.” The typical Chianti Classico wine is a ruby-red, Sangiovese-based wine with aromas of violets and cherries and a hint of earthy spice.
Sangiovese 90%.Sangiovese (or Nielluccio in Corsica), a dark-berried vine, is the most widely planted grape variety in Italy. Virtually synonymous with the red wines of Tuscany, and all the romanticism that goes with the territory, Sangiovese is the core constituent in some of the great names in Italian wine. Italy's love affair with Sangiovese – and indeed the world's – is generations old, though recent grapevine research suggests the variety is not as ancient as once thought.
Canaiolo & Merlot 10%.
The Canaiolo Nero grape is particularly widespread in central Italy, used in the production of different DOC and DOCG wines. In particular it is used to impart softness to Chianti to stand alongside the Sangiovese. In addition to the Chianti, Canaiolo nero is used almost exclusively in blends, even for different wines of central Italy. The berry is black, medium, round and smooth with blue-violet consistent skin with much bloom. The bunch is medium, rather sparse, stubby or pyramidal, with one or two wings and with a medium-small, five-lobed, rarely three-lobed, dark green and opaque leaf. The grape Canaiolo nero prefers warm climates and hilly terrain, with good exposure. This grape has low vigor and medium age of maturation. The grape Canaiolo nero gives an intense ruby-red wine, alcoholic, but with low acidity. Blended with Sangiovese adds flavor and aroma.
Merlot is a red wine grape variety with strong historic ties to Bordeaux and the southwest of France. It is the second most-planted red wine grape variety in the world, after Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is extremely popular in northern Italy, the United States. Chile has built its reputation mainly on its Merlot-based cuvées. Merlot's flavour profile includes plum and black cherry. Often described as producing smooth, rounded and "easy drinking" wines. Merlot is often used to great effect in blends, and is known in his capacity to make some of the most famous wines in the world.
1 x Chateau Marjosse Pierre Lurton Cuvee Canton Du Loup Rouge 2018 - Bordeaux, France
95/100 The Wine Independent
91/100 James Suckling
16.5/20 Jancis Robinson
Bronze - Jean Marc Quarin
Owned by one of the world's famous winemakers, Pierre Lurton - presiddent of two of Bordeaux's best-known chateaux, the Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) owned Chateau Cheval Blanc and Chateau d'Yquem.
James Suckling "Firm and structured with a flavorful, dusty finish.....Black fruit, cedar, tobacco and dried leaves on the nose. It's medium-bodied with firm, chewy tannins.
Decanter "Perfumed and heavily scented on the nose, vibrant and aromatic - blackcurrants and violets. Slightly chewy in the mouth but soft too, a lovely push of chalky black fruits from start to finish. Good weight and texture, more delicate and refined than the Charmille cuvée with less overt acidity, but such lovely plump flavours. Very clean and well worked. A slight hint of toasted spice on the finish, but gently warming. Nice presentation." (2020 vintage)
Pierre Lurton “Canton du loup” (Canton of the wolf) has its origin in the red clays, rich in iron, of the limestone plateau of Tizac de Curton. These well-balanced soils, combining clay and the freshness of limestone with filtering properties, offer wines of great concentration and warmth in the mouth. The Canton du Loup 2018 has a ruby red color, reveals fruit aromas with brandy and cocoa....the palate is round, offering a richly structured substance and complex aromas of stone fruits, spices and blond tobacco."
Château Marjosse is owned by French 'wine royalty', Pierre Lurton - president of two of Bordeaux’s best-known châteaux; the Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) owned, Château Cheval Blanc and Château d’Yquem, Château Marjosse. Pierre Lurton comes from two of the great Bordeaux families. His father Dominique was the youngest son of the paterfamilias François Lurton; his uncle André Lurton who founded the eponymous wine company; his many cousins run châteaux from Pauillac to Pomerol. His mother is from the famous Lafite family.
The influential Club Enologique asserts that Pierre is the most accomplished wine personality of his famous family. Trained as a doctor but swapping his studies for wine making after four years. At 23 he took over Clos Fourtet in St Emilion, one of the fine Lurton properties, and in 1991 he was appointed head of Château Cheval Blanc (it was bought by Bernard Arnault of LVMH in 1998); in 1999 he took on Château d’Yquem, which had just been added to the Arnault portfolio.
Club Enologique describes Pierre Lurton as having the world’s most corporate wine job. "However he divides his time between two of the world’s most exalted wine properties, but comes down to earth in Entre-deux-Mers, the leafy, unpretentious appellation to the east of Bordeaux at Château Marjosse."
The Château Marjoss estate is located in Entre-deux-Mers, on the right bank of Bordeaux. Initially owned by the wine merchant Bernard Chénier, Château Marjosse was acquired by the Deleuze family, who, in 1990, gave some plots to Pierre Lurton to rent. In 1992, Pierre Lurton, who grew up in Château Reynier, neighbour to this magnificent Chartreuse, moved to a second home in Château Marjosse and, over successive years became the owner of the entire vineyard, as well as the Chartreuse in 2013.
Decanter "Since Lurton bought Château Marjosse in 1994, the estate has improved beyond recognition. Pierre's father, Dominique Lurton, also made over a further 30ha so that, under the Château Marjosse label, Lurton now exploits 42ha of vineyard, six hectares of white and 36ha of Bordeaux red – a total of 300,000 bottles a year. Pierre insists his wine is Bordeaux and not Bordeaux Supérieur because ‘my wine is only supérieur in the bottle’. His objectives are ambitious. As the quality of the terroir with clay-limestone soil is similar to some of the better areas in Saint-Emilion, he hopes to prove that wines from this area can rival those from more prestigious regions."
Sommeliers International "At Château Marjosse the land possesses yet another specific feature, known locally as “la Boulbène”, a silty-clayey texture that has developed on ancient alluvions. The fertility of these soils no longer needs to be proved, because, by chance, they are also found in Saint-Emilion, a terroir that is extremely familiar to the man who manages “Cheval Blanc” …. Pierre Lurton. Assisted in this transformation by Consultant-Oenologist Pascal Poussevin, whose recommendations range from vine growing to wine-making, Pierre Lurton’s estate has now reached its cruising speed … Beyond the fabulous adventures he experiences in his role as manager of Châteaux d’Yquem, Cheval Blanc, as well as estates in South Africa, Latin America and in Australia … it is undoubtedly with “the salt of this land here in the Entre-deux-Mers” that his years of quest for perfection will be revealed. It is clear that this region needs winegrowers of such calibre, those who possess a sixth sense and, using techniques that almost resemble intentional alchemy, transform the grapes they touch into wines that exude the unique character of a specific area."
The Entre-deux-Mers region, nicknamed by wine experts as “Little Tuscany”, is unique and jealously protected by its inhabitants. "There are fifteen appellations that constitute the Entre-deux-Mers. The most well-known of them all, reputed for its dry, lively white wines, is certainly the one which bears the name of this region! The Entre-deux-Mers cultivates a certain speciality in producing white wines, due to its basic geological assets, possessing gravelly-limestone soils, upon which Sémillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle and even Ugni Blanc grape varieties are planted. But the variety of soils and sub-soils associated with such a complex landscape provides a diversity of terroirs … These are favourable for producing red wines, that are regrettably not sufficiently well-known, but highly prized for the complexity of their aromas, their deep, vivid colour, as well as the concentration and elegance of their tannins." Sommeliers International.
Bordeaux, in the southwest of France, needs little introduction as one of the world's most famous, prestigious and prolific wine regions. Its three trump cards are diversity, quality and quantity. The majority of Bordeaux wines (nearly 90 percent of production volume) are the dry, medium- and full-bodied red Bordeaux Blends that established its reputation. The finest (and most expensive) of these come from the great châteaux of the Haut-Médoc and the Right Bank appellations Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. The legendary reds are complemented by high-quality white wines, both dry styles (particularly from Pessac-Léognan) and the sweet, botrytized nectars of Sauternes.
Merlot is a red wine grape variety with strong historic ties to Bordeaux and the southwest of France. It is the second most-planted red wine grape variety in the world, after Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is extremely popular in northern Italy, the United States. Chile has built its reputation mainly on its Merlot-based cuvées. Merlot's flavour profile includes plum and black cherry. Often described as producing smooth, rounded and "easy drinking" wines. Merlot is often used to great effect in blends, and is known in his capacity to make some of the most famous wines in the world.
1 x Sticks Pinot Noir 2021 - Yarra Valley, Australia
Bronze - Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion (2020 vintage)
90/100 The Wine Front (2019 vintage)
90/100 Wine Spectator (2019 vintage)
90/100 Toni Paterson, The Real Review (2018 vintage)
90/100 Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion (2018 vintage)
Bronze - Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2018 vintage)
Bronze - The Wine Front (2018 vintage)
Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion "The palate is soft, with macerated cherries and bitter herbs....offers good value overall." (2020 vintage)
The Wine Front "Red fruits, cherry, rhubarb and a dash of smoked paprika. Simple flavours of raspberry and a little peaty undergrowth, clean acidity, fine powdery tannin, and a modest finish." (2020 vintage)
Toni Paterson, The Real Review "Scented vanilla cherries. Lovely fruit reserve and composure. Excellent red-fruit softness and clarity." (2018 vintage)
Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion "It has such drinkability without losing its essence. Smoky and gently spicy, red cherries with supple tannins." (2018 vintage)
Sticks winery has been Australia's Yarra Valley's quiet achiever for over 20 years and now stands among the region's most well-known wineries. Established by the famous footballer-turned winemaker, Rob Dolan who established Punt Winery and his own Roba. Dolan label. Sticks sources fruit from Victoria's famous Yarra Valley, which is known as one of Australia's leading cool-climate wine regions. Sticks wines are modern takes on the Yarra Valley classics, all crafted with drinkability front of mind.
The Yarra Valley is a well-respected Australian wine region which occupies the eastern half of the Port Phillip viticultural zone in the diminutive state of Victoria. At complete odds with the usual, hot and dry Shiraz-growing image of Australia, Yarra Valley is best known for its bright, complex wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Pinot Noir is the dominant red wine grape of Burgundy, now produced in wine regions all over the world, including western Germany, northern Italy, Chile, South Africa, Australia and, perhaps most notably, California, Oregon and New Zealand.
The essence of Pinot Noir wine is its aroma of strawberry and cherry (fresh red cherries in lighter wines and stewed black cherries in weightier examples), underpinned in the most complex examples by hints of forest floor. Well-built Pinot Noirs, particularly from warmer harvests, also exhibit notes of leather and violets, sometimes approaching the flavor spectrum of Syrah.
1 x Atticus Finch Syrah 2020 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
Australian Wine Companion - Best Margaret River Wineries of the Regions 2020
Since the release of the Chapman Grove range in 2006, Chapman Grove wines have been awarded 4 Trophies, 3 Top Gold, 3 Gold, 8 Silver and 39 Bronze Medals.
The Winemaker: "Youthful cherry and mixed forest fruit aromas are quite simple yet concentrated. It is supple with flavours of mint and liquorice developing in the glass. The 2020 vintage in Margaret River was characterized with low rainfall and warmer than average temperatures in spring and summer leading to an early vintage with good quality grapes."
James Halliday "A very successful venture under the control of CEO Ron Fraser. The wines come from the estate vineyards planted to chardonnay, Semillon, sauvignon blanc, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and merlot.....[The winery's] ultra-premium wines are under the Atticus label."
Atticus is owned by Chapman Grove Wines; a small winery focussed on making limited edition fine wines from Margaret River, Western Australia. Described by Australia's N#1 wine critic, James Halliday as "a very successful venture", the winery is known for its highly rated wines and was established in 2005 by an esteemed veteran of the industry, Ron Fraser. Pop Up Wine has secured back vintages of a collection of its highly rated wines.
Atticus utilises exceptional fruit which is all 100% estate grown to create its world-class wines. Its range includes varieties most suited to the Margaret River climate, with French oak used to bring out flavours of the terroir, creating a true expression of the region.
The winery achieved the highly coveted 5 Red Star rating from James Halliday within three short years of first entering the Wine Companion in 2009. Since the the estate's first release in 2006, its wines have been awarded 4 Trophies, 3 Top Gold, 3 Gold, 8 Silver and 39 Bronze medals.
Margaret River is a highly respected wine region in the southwestern corner of Western Australia. Famous for having a more "European" wine style than its counterparts across the country, Margaret River has made its name through its unusually refined Cabernet Sauvignon (often blended with Merlot), gamey Shiraz, intensely citrusy Chardonnay, and refreshingly grassy "SSB'" blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Margaret River's winemakers are particularly proud of its temperate, coastal location – which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
Shiraz, also known as Syrah is a popular red wine. Though the spiritual homeland of this red grape is France, Syrah has been planted throughout the world to great success. It expresses itself differently depending on the climate, soil and regional style.
Syrah is typically bold and full-bodied, with aromatic notes of smoke, black fruit and pepper spice. Stylistically, it can be round and fruity, or dense and tannic. And in warmer New World regions like Australia, Syrah is most often be called Shiraz.
1 x Maxime Blin Carte Blanche Brut NV - Champagne, France
Bronze - Gilbert & Gaillard
1 Star - Le Guide Hachette des Vins
Silver - Challenge International du Vin
Silver - Vinalies Internationales
Silver - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
Organic
Maxime Blin is served on Qatar Airways & Air Italy
Gilbert & Gaillard "Beautiful character.... Mature, focused nose combining dried fruits and dried vegetal aromas... Good staying power on the palate, structured and well-integrated. Dried apricot is exuded on the attack flowing into straw notes."
Le Guide Hachette des Vins "With a shimmering pale gold, the nose blends delicate notes of brioche, dried fruits and white flowers. Balanced, melted and long, the palate reveals pleasant aromas of exotic fruits."
Le Guide Hachette des Vins "The Maxime Blin Carte Blanche white obtained the note of 1 star, which corresponds to a very successful wine . This wine was noted in the 2013 edition of the Guide Hachette Vins."
Alexandra Durin-Hepkein "A fresh, round, light and harmonious champagne in which numerous fruity aromas express themselves with joy."
Nicoline Nybom "Fresh, light and harmonious with good fruit notes"
80% Meunier and 20% Pinot Noir
Sommeliers International "A mouthful of talent."
Organic wines are made from grapes grown without pesticides, following strict organic standards. Organic wines are produced in vineyards that do not use synthetic chemicals. Certified organic wines have been certified by Association des Champagnes Biologiques in France.
Champagne Maxime Blin has captured the attention of the world's champagne experts. This fourth-generation family owned champagne house has produced many award winning champagnes which are rated highly and celebrated for their expression of the famous terrior in which the vineyard is located. It is one of the few certified organic champagne producers in the world. Situated in the Champagne village of Saint Thierry near Reims - the center of the Champagne world - boasting Veuve Clicquot, Pommery, Ruinart and Taittinger, Champagne Maxime Blin is the rising star amongst its big name neighbours.
Maxime Blin has been certified organic since 2021. The company. produced its first organic champagne in 2022. Maxime Blin champagnes are highly sought after due to the qualtiy and low volume of champagnes it produces. It cultivates the three Champagne grape varieties, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay on vines with an average age of twenty years.
Maxime Blin produces 11 champagnes ( Carte Blanche, Carte Douce, Rosé, Millésime, Grande Tradition, Cuvée l'Onirique, Cuvée l'Authentique, Cuvée Maxime, Millesime 1998, Cuvée Craziness, Clés d'Eole). Among the brands' many admirers which include artists, musicians, and wine experts, the Italian actress Manuela Arcuri, every year for her birthday, orders the Cuvée 'Craziness'.
1 x Reversanti Prosecco Extra Dry DOC - Piedmont, Italy
Winemaker "Straw yellow with a marvelous floral and fruity bouquet. In the mouth is mellow, rich and flavorful, with fine and persistent perlage."
100% Glera
Alcohol: 11%
Prosecco is made from the white grape Glera and is mainly used for making Preosecco in north eastern Italy. Known for fruity and floral flavors like apple, pear, and peach, it's prized for its high acidity, making it ideal for crafting refreshing sparkling wines. Glera was formerly named Prosecco, it was renamed Glera to protect the Prosecco regional name.
The Reversanti line now also includes other Piemontese wines: a golden Piemontese, fresh and deliciously aromatic: sweet Moscato d’Asti and the inevitable Barbera d’Asti, once considered a “rustic” wine, due to its high acidity, today it has increased its fame, thanks to modern and appropriate winemaking processes.
The “king of wines and wine of kings” Barolo, and his youngest relative, Barbaresco, should be mandatory tasting experiences within a wider culture of good drinking, not only for their stellar quality, but for their unique style. Unlike other Italian masterpieces that can be accompanied with more international grapes and flavors, these great classics are best expressed with their territorial typicality (100% Nebbiolo), following the rigorous Piemontese standards. Unlike many Barolo and Barbaresco on the market, which require considerable aging in order to express themselves in the best way and be more appreciated, the philosophy of Reversanti is to make each vintage directly accessible for release.
Piedmont (Piemonte) enjoys an unrivalled seat among the world's very finest wine regions. It is home to more DOCG wines than any other Italian region, among them such well known and respected names as Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera d'Asti. Although famous for its austere, tannic, and floral red wines made from Nebbiolo, Piedmont's greatest success story in the past decade has been sweet, white, sparkling Moscato d'Asti.