Luxe Romance Selection Valentine Edition 6 Pack
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Luxe Romance Selection Valentine Edition 6 Pack
Luxe Romance Selection Valentine Edition 6 Pack
google
Luxe Romance Selection Valentine Edition 6 Pack

Luxe Romance Selection Valentine Edition 6 Pack

$630 $871
Quantity

This ultimate expression of love with the Luxe Romance Selection Valentine Edition 6 Pack. This premium collection features six exquisite wines, carefully chosen to enhance your romantic celebrations. From velvety reds to crisp whites and a touch of sparkling elegance, each bottle is a toast to love and sophistication. Perfectly suited for a candlelit dinner, heartfelt moments, or as a luxurious gift, this beautifully presented pack sets the tone for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day. Celebrate in style with this curated selection that speaks the language of romance.

1 x Maxime Blin Cuvee Le Present Champagne Blanc - Champagne, France

92/100 Jamie Goode

Award Winner - Le Guide Hachette des Vins
Gold - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2015
Silver - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2004
Gold - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2013
Silver - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2008

Maxime Blin is served on Qatar Airways & Air Italy

Organic

Jamie Goode "Toasty, rich and intense with notes of pear, peach and honey. Powerful style showing opulence and sweetness, allied to structure."

Le Guide Hachette des Vins "Made from 3 Champagne grape varieties in equal parts, a fresh, mineral and long brut, with aromas of butter, vanilla and lemony stone fruits. For the aperitif as for the table."

Le Guide Hachette des Vins "The Maxime Blin Carte Blanche white is an award winning Champagne". This wine was noted in the 2021 edition of the Guide Hachette Vins."

Sommeliers International "A mouthful of talent."

1/3 Chardonnay, 1/3 Pinot Noir, 1/3 Meunier

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 worrld. 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'.

Champagne is the most iconic sparkling wine in the world, produced in the region of Champagne in France. Synonymous with celebration, champagne is typically produced from a few specific varieties of grapes: pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot meunier. With effervescent flavors of citrus, almond, and apple, champagne comes in varying levels of sweetness and has a moderate amount of alcohol. The most treasured Champagnes age for a minimum of 3 years.

The Champagne region is located 140 kilometres from Paris, France. While the vines in this region have been producing wine since the Roman era, it is only in the past couple of hundred years that winemakers began producing Champagne using méthode champenoise - the complex method that produces the style of Champagne the world knows and loves today. Another important component of the production of champagne is the chalk and limestone soils which dominate the Champagne region. Vines grown in these conditions result in wines that are high in acidity - a key component to making good sparkling wine. Champagne's northerly location - about as north as grapes can ripen - also allow for higher acidity and lower alcohol levels which are also very important for producing quality sparkling wine.

The UNESCO World Heritage site of the wine growing region of Champagne is best known for the world's most famous wine product: champagne. The region of Champagne, traces its roots to the early medieval kingdom of Austrasia that was annexed to the French crown in the 1300s. Right from the early ages, the region has been famed for its hillside vineyards and its strictly regulated methods of creating those pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay grapes into – champagne. It is this ‘Method Champenois’ that connects champagne to its rich history, geographical location and image of luxury.

1 x Duval-Leroy Rosé Prestige Brut Premier Cru - Champagne, France

93/100 - Luca Gardini
92/100 - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
92/100 - Gilbert & Gaillard
92/100 - Falstaff Magazin
91/100 - Wine & Spirits Magazine
91/100 - Wine Spectator
90/100 - CellarTracker
16/20 - Gault & Millau
16/20 - Vinum Wine Magazine

Bronze - International Wine Challenge 2018
Bronze - Decanter World Wine Awards 2017
Silver - International Wine Challenge 2017
Bronze - Decanter World Wine Awards 2016
Silver - International Wine Challenge 2016
Bronze - International Wine Challenge 2015
Bronze - Decanter World Wine Awards 2015
Bronze - International Wine & Spirit Competition 2015
Commended - Decanter World Wine Awards 2015

Only Champagne producer to be ranked by Wine Spectator in its top 100 wines ~ 2008

Gilbert & Gaillard "Refined, open nose recalling apricot and blood orange. Wonderful mouthfeel combining fullness, mellowness and freshness. Precise, long-lasting aromas. Remarkably well-melted finish. A very compelling rosé Champagne."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate "The NV Rosé Prestige Brut Premier Cru is a generous and well-structured blend of Pinot Noir (90%, from Vertus, the Marne Valley and the Montagne de Reims) and Chardonnay (Côte des Blancs) that shows a very nice, medium-intense salmon color. The wine opens with a delicately aromatic but also spicy-flavored nose of red fruits (raspberries, cherries) and reveals a delicate and fresh yet intense, round and elegant palate with a very fine mousse and a good, cleansing finish. There are juniper flavors in the long finish."

Wine Spectator "Balanced and creamy, this fresh rosé offers a subtle weave of white peach, biscuit, orange zest and strawberry flavors."

Wine & Spirits "This delivers a lot of fresh fruit through the lush feel of its bubbles, bringing scents of raspberry, plum and juicy pear up out of the glass. For all its generosity, the wine follows a clean, crisp line. It's a fine aperitif to serve with saucisson."

Duval-Leroy Rosé Prestige is made only from grapes with a Premier Cru designation and then aged a minimum of three years, a hallmark practice of the Duval-Leroy Champagne house. Made primarily from Pinot Noir with a touch of Chardonnay, this wine has alternating layers of light chalky texture and firm acidity with flavors of white raspberry, rich pastry, lemon zest and ginger.

Established in 1859, the House of Duval-Leroy is a six generation family owned champagne-maker. It is one of the biggest vineyard estates held by a single house. Vineyards owned in all of the villages classified Grand Cru of the “Côte des Blancs” and over 40% of total hectarage situated in Premier and Grand Cru villages.

CEO, Carol Duval-Leroy is the first woman to be nominated for the Presidency of the Association of Champagne Wine Producers Association. She was voted 'Most Influential Woman in Champagne' (Revue du Vin de France), 'Belgium Wine Personality in 2012' (VinoMagazine), and 'Top 50 of the Most Powerful Women in Wine.' (The Drink Business)

Champagne is the most iconic sparkling wine in the world, produced in the region of Champagne in France. Synonymous with celebration, champagne is typically produced from a few specific varieties of grapes: pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot meunier. With effervescent flavors of citrus, almond, and apple, champagne comes in varying levels of sweetness and has a moderate amount of alcohol. The most treasured Champagnes age for a minimum of 3 years.

The Champagne region is located 140 kilometres from Paris, France. While the vines in this region have been producing wine since the Roman era, it is only in the past couple of hundred years that winemakers began producing Champagne using méthode champenoise - the complex method that produces the style of Champagne the world knows and loves today. Another important component of the production of champagne is the chalk and limestone soils which dominate the Champagne region. Vines grown in these conditions result in wines that are high in acidity - a key component to making good sparkling wine. Champagne's northerly location - about as north as grapes can ripen - also allow for higher acidity and lower alcohol levels which are also very important for producing quality sparkling wine.

1 x Esperienza Numero 8 Brunello di Montalcino 2017 - Tuscany, Italy

Winesearcher "This is more affordable than many Brunello di Montalcino wines. Not as widely known as other Brunello di Montalcino wines. This wine has been becoming increasingly popular over the past year."

Vivino, Yomme (Five Star Buyer rating) "Stupendous Sangiovese balanced and already with some complexity."

Vivino, Boris Kingston (Vivino's N# 3 Wine Rater) "Everything you want from a Brunello..... Impressive and delicious. Elegant, integrated barrel and light cherry. Intense and rich bouquet. Palette of rich acidity, marzipan character and juicy, concentrated fruit. Hint of prunes, delichious strawberry, a slight hint of vanilla and a crisp cherry character. And a sureprisingly feature of blueberry. Long finish." (2009 vintage)

Winemaker "Intense ruby ​​red, complex on the nose with aromas of plums, ripe black cherries and red berries, well balanced with notes of tobacco and liquorice, also beautiful harmony on the palate, elegant tannins and a long finish, can be stored very well"

Sangiovese 100%

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.

The Chianti DOCG designation covers wines from six Chianti sub-zones (Colli Pisane, Colli Fiorentini, Colli Senesi, Colli Aretini, Montalbano and Rufina) as well as all other Chianti wines. The Chianti Classico DOCG is located in the very center of Tuscany, between Florence and Sienna.

 

Brunello di Montalcino is a wine made with 100% Sangiovese with Italy’s highest DOCG classification. Sangiovese is the wine that most wine critics cite to be the best in all of Italy. Brunello di Montalcino is made with a local Tuscan type of Sangiovese referred to as Brunello or Sangiovese Grosso. Some also call it Prugnolo Gentile. Noted for having thicker-skinned berries, and because of this, Brunello produces wines with exceptionally bold fruit flavors, high tannin, and high acidity. The fruit is a contributes to the enduring popularity of Brunello di Montalcino.

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.

1 x Poderi Colla Bussia Dardi Le Rose (Organic) 2018 - Barolo, Italy

93/100 Terrior Sense Wine Reviews / Barolo Terroir, Grapes Crus People Places
91/100 Stephen Blandford, The Real Review
93/100 Terrior Sense Wine Reviews / Barolo Terroir, Grapes Crus People Places (2019 vintage)
96/100 Terrior Sense Wine Reviews / Barolo Terroir, Grapes Crus People Places (2017 vintage)
Bronze - Decanter (2017 vintage)
95/100 Antonio Galloni, Vinous (2016 vintage)
95/100 Decanter (2016 vintage)
94/100 Gary Walsh, The Wine Front (2016 vintage)
95/100 James Suckling (2015 vintage)
94/100 Antonio Galloni, Vinous (2015 vintage)
94/100 Gary Walsh, The Wine Front (2015 vintage)

Organic - Winery been operating organically since launch and all wines are organic

Antonio Galloni, Vinous Poderi "...Poderi Colla remains one of the under the radar gems in Piedmont. Specifically, the Barbaresco (and Barolo, too) is consistently outstanding."

Terroir Sense - Ian D'Agata "Poderi Colla is a beautiful hilltop winery located on the outskirts of the hamlet of Treiso, one of the four communes of the Barbaresco production zone. The estate is well-known for the many excellent wines it produces."

Terroir Sense - Ian D'Agata "The perfumed, delicate nose offers aromas of sour red fruits, flowers and spices, complicated by mineral notes. .... I loved this wine’s attractive light touch. Closes clean and juicy, with polished tannins but leaves behind hints of green nuances as well as of small red fruits and minerals."

Stephen Blandford, The Real Review "Garnet colour tending to brick. There's an appealing bouquet of toasty, vanillin notes over spiced plum with some fresh leather and tobacco, violet scents giving a top note. To taste, the wine is firmly structured, almost rustic, with a slight hollowness in the mid-palate accentuating the grippy, though ripe tannins, and savoury elements on the finish."

Terroir Sense - Ian D'Agata "The Dardi Le Rose estate vines are planted on soil that is roughly 63% loam, 20% sand, and 17% clay. The vines are at least 35-60 years old and though not all the rootstocks are known, there is some du Rupestris present which gives very small productions but ensures outstanding drought resistance, a matter of no small consequence given the times of climate change we live in. For this reason, my readers would be wise to look at and buy Colla’s wines in not just the great years, but in hot/dry vintages too, because this estate’s Nebbiolo vines usually suffer less than those of others in similar years."

Terroir Sense - Ian D'Agata "Intensely floral aromas of redcurrant, sour red cherry, mint and minerals are lifted by a top-note of blood orange. Juicy, sappy and savory on entry, then with strong soil tones in the middle, closing long with vibrant, sweet red cherry and mineral flavours. Finishes very fresh with smooth tannins and outstanding subtle length. A very pretty wine, this is tapered and precise, but it shut down in the glass and displayed an increasingly firmer tannic backbone, not to mention a building green note on the back end. (2019 vintage)

Terroir Sense - Ian D'Agata "Captivating nose offers red fruits, flowers, tobacco and minerals. Then seriously rich in extract, broad and full, with nuances of dark red cherry and incense emerging and gaining sweetness with air. The finish is firmly tannic, tactile and very long. At once very pretty and floral, but also very powerful, unlike most of Poderi Colla’s Barolo Bussia wines the 2017 is more saline and spicy than it is floral, with the brown spice note reminiscent of some Barolos from Brunate." (2017 vintage)

Antonio Galloni, Vinous "a wine of total finesse. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, mint and spice give the 2016 captivating inner perfume to match its translucent, mid-weight personality. Pliant, exquisitely layered and so incredibly inviting, the 2016 is going to be tempting early. It is a fabulous wine in every way" (2016 vintage)

Decanter "...recognising it as a superior Barolo site. Here, over 6ha of Nebbiolo are planted on the steep slope rich in calcareous marls. The 2016 is restrained, taut and slightly austere at the moment but exceptionally enduring and not lacking in grace. With a sinewy palate and firm, chalky tannins, there is ample fragrance and flavour to back this up. Raspberry, strawberry, cinnamon and cedar lead to a tangy pomegranate and sour cherry finish. Traditionally crafted and clean, with heaps of soul and intrigue." (2016 vintage)

James Suckling "Deeply complex and moody aromas with a wealth of dried roses and fresh red to black cherries, as well as terracotta and fragrant spices. The palate has a core of deliciously ripe darker cherries and plums with a long, seamless and finely focused finish." (2015 vintage)

Antonio Galloni, Vinous " ...one of the most intriguing wines of the vintage... I imagine the 2015 will always retain a slightly mature character in its aromas and flavours, but it also has the structure to develop beautifully in bottle for many years to come. This is an especially powerful edition of the Dardi Le Rose. I loved it." (2015 vintage)

Winemaker "Intense garnet red, wide and elegant bouquet delicately spiced with hints of flowers, small red fruits and goudron. Rich structure on the palate supported by soft tannins, enveloped in ripe fruit and liquorice. A 'majestic' traditional Nebbiolo with the power, harmony, and complexity of a great orchestra! Extraordinary ageing potential. It is perfect with red meat and furry game dishes, but also for very rich fish dishes, such as baked turbot, as well as for a fine cheese dinner."

Terroir Sense - Ian D'Agata "Poderi Colla's Dardi’s Barolos are much more perfumed and lighter in texture (I mean “lighter” in terms of a Monforte-lightness, which means hardly light at all, of course). In any case, the typical note of Dardi Barolos is a floral one (spicy too depending on the vintage’s growing season characteristics); these are wines that are never outwardly fruity, and their mouthfeel has a certain austerity and tannic presence (in this they do resemble those of Mondoca quite a bit). Colla’s holding is named Dardi Le Rose (also the name of the estate buildings) because of the large presence of roses peppered among the vines."

100% Nebbiolo

Antonio Galloni, Vinous Poderi "...Poderi Colla remains one of the under the radar gems in Piedmont. Specifically, the Barbaresco, and Barolo, too is consistently outstanding."

Poderi Colla is a highly regarded Italian, family owned winery with a rich history dating back to the 1700s. The winery is known for its dedication to crafting wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Langhe region in Piedmont. The winery was founded by the Colla family, who have produced wine for more than five generations. Brothers Tino and Beppe Colla brought Poderi Colla to international fame. Prominent figures in the winemaking world, the bothers studied winemaking in Burgundy and brought Pinot Noir cuttings back to Italy to propegate at their family's wine estate. Tino and Beppe Colla both played significant roles in elevating the reputation of Barolo and Barbaresco wines to international acclaim.

The Poderi Colla winery focuses on sustainable viticulture and traditional winemaking techniques, producing wines that showcase the authentic flavors of the grapes. Poderi Colla produces a range of wines, including Barolo, Barbaresco, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, and other regional varieties. Their Barolo and Barbaresco wines are especially revered, and they often age them in large oak casks to allow the wines to develop complex and nuanced flavors over time.

Talk to us at Pop Up Wine and we'll gladly organise a tour of the Poderi Colla winery when you are next in Italy. We can arrange a tour of the vineyards, cellars, and tasting rooms where you will be able to learn about the winemaking process and sample Poderi Colla wines. Visiting the estate offers an opportunity to experience the beauty of the Langhe region while enjoying some of Italy's finest wines.

The Barolo wine region is one of the most prestigious and renowned wine-producing areas in Italy. It is located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, specifically in the Cuneo province, and is considered the heartland of the Nebbiolo grape. Barolo is often referred to as the "King of Wines" due to its exceptional quality, complexity, and aging potential. Barolo wines are renowned for their complex and nuanced flavors. They often exhibit aromas of red fruits (such as cherry and raspberry), floral notes (rose and violet), and earthy undertones (tar, leather, and truffles). As the wine ages, these flavors evolve, and secondary characteristics like dried fruit, tobacco, and spice may develop.

Barolo wines are renowned for their complex and nuanced flavors. They often exhibit aromas of red fruits (such as cherry and raspberry), floral notes (rose and violet), and earthy undertones (tar, leather, and truffles). As the wine ages, these flavors evolve, and secondary characteristics like dried fruit, tobacco, and spice may develop.

Barolo and Barbaresco
Barolo shares some similarities with Barbaresco, another esteemed Nebbiolo-based wine produced in the Langhe region. Both wines come from the same grape variety and share similar winemaking techniques. However, Barolo is generally considered more powerful and robust, while Barbaresco is often perceived as more elegant and approachable.

1 x Château Maucoil Châteauneuf-du-Pape Trésor White (Organic) 2014 - Rhône Valley, France

90/100 Wine Spectator
90/100 Wine Enthusiast
90/100 Robert Parker

30% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette, 30% Bourboulenc and 10% Roussanne

Wine Enthusiast "This is a rich, toasty white Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Notes of honey, melon and pineapple mark the nose and palate, while the finish is warm and long, with lingering hints of popcorn and roasted nuts."

Jeb Dunnuck "More tropical in character with plenty of pineapple, peach and subtle brioche, the 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc Tresor des Papes is medium-bodied, beautifully textured, and lengthy with a dry finish. This shows a touch more class and purity than the traditional cuvée and should have a longer drink window as well."

The history of Château Maucoil began several centuries ago. Ancient documents state that its first occupants were Romans who set up a base for Caesar’s legions. Later, Joseph de La Pise, Lord of Maucoil and archivist of the House of Orange-Nassau, the Dutch royal family, inherited the estate and the castle which was built in 1624. From then on, winegrowing became an intrinsic part of the history of Château Maucoil.

The 45 hectares of vines in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation have been organic agriculture since 2011. Château Maucoil uses ancient methods such as furrowing, forming mounds and ploughing to tend the vineyard.

Originally from Bordeaux, the Lavau family who now own Château Maucoil, have been involved with winemaking for generations, and have had vineyards ranging from Bordeaux to Tunisia. In 1964 they were seduced by the richness and quality of the Provencal soil and settled down to make wine in the Rhone Valley.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a historic village between the towns of Orange and Avignon, in France's southern Rhône Valley. It is famous for powerful, full-bodied red wines made predominantly from the classic southern Rhône grape trio: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. These three varieties are behind the vast majority of the appellation's red wines, although a total of eighteen are approved for use – a mix of red and white grape varieties.

Southern Rhone White Blend is a blanket term used to describe the various combinations of white wine grapes used in the southern half of the Rhone Valley. The principal varieties involved in a white wine from the southern Rhone are any combination of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Ugni Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Picpoul.

1 x Giant Steps "Applejack Vineyard" Pinot Noir 2022 ~ Yarra Valley, Australia

98/100 Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion
97/100 Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
96/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review
94/100 James Suckling
98/100 Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion (2021 vintage)
96/100 James Suckling (2021 vintage)
95/100 Robert Parker Wine Advocate (2021 vintage)
95/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2021 vintage)
95/100 The Wine Front (2021 vintage)
90/100 CellarTracker (2021 vintage)
93/100 Wine Enthusiast (2021 vintage)
96/100 Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion (2020 vintage)
96/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2020 vintage)
95/100 Wine Enthusiast (2020 vintage)

5 Stars - James Halliday

2024 Top Rated Pinot Noir of the Year, Halliday Wine Companion

Gold - Australian Pinot Noir Challenge
Gold - Decanter World Wine Awards (2021 vintage)
Gold - Melbourne Royal Show (2020 vintage)

Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion "Like a Mahler symphony, all of the elements of this wine are in perfect harmony. Aromas of crushed rose petals, red and black cherries, satsuma plums and subtle hints of sandalwood and fennel fronds. There's a little charcuterie and a discreet touch of wet stone. On the palate, this is the most concentrated, structured and saline Applejack I can remember, yet you barely notice the tannins due to the core of pure raspberry and cherry fruit. There's a gentle sappiness on the long, lingering finish. Simply irresistible."

Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front "What a wine this is. It’s a bloom of fruit, it’s wild with herbs, there are sweet-sour nuances and there’s a controlled run to the finish. Winemaker Mel Chester says: ‘everything you love about pinot noir, is in this wine.’ A reductive savouriness, particularly noticeable on the finish, is the icing. This is a stunning wine. Stunning fruit, and stunning structure, and stunning length."

Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Medium-full red with a purple rim, the bouquet red and darker cherries, dusty dried-herb notes, a trace of nutty oak, a hint of liqueured cherry as it aired. There is excellent intensity and volume of flavour, allied with good structure thanks to well shaped tannins, the finish long and the flavour and structure finish right out. Superb pinot noir."

James Suckling "Really delicious....The semi-carbonic approach exudes floral perfumes, red to blue pastille, red apple skin and rosewater. Mid-weighted, sappy, nicely crunchy and joyous. An earlier drinking wine in the context of the site."

Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion "A deep, bright, crimson purple. Maraschino cherry into plum, there's an exotic and riotous amalgam of Asian five-spice and a gentle savoury, umami character. What elevates this vintage is the concentration, along with Applejack's trademark perfume and spice. Just so vibrant and fresh on the palate, the tannins are both silky and plentiful." (2021 vintage)

James Suckling "Brashly spicy and complex, this has aromas of espresso, blueberries, toasted spices and grilled bread, as well as forest wood and violets. The palate delivers alluring depth and a round, fleshy build. Acidity explodes on the finish, releasing fresh red-cherry and blueberry fruit flavors. Wonderfully layered and complete." (2021 vintage)

Robert Parker Wine Advocate "This shows wonderful clarity and poise—it is precise and layered with energy and life. The acid pulses through the phenolic texture in the mouth. It was originally a sparkling vineyard, down the hill from Wombat Creek, situated in an eastern-facing bowl that captures the morning sunlight. Mel Chester (head of winemaking and viticulture) talks about the smell of the tea trees in the vineyard, explaining that "there's always a couple of Wedgetail eagles circling, it's a magic place." The evocative description of the vineyard carries through into the wine, which shows a satisfying, delicious resolution of plump ripe fruit and beautifully resolved tannin." (2021 vintage)

Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Mid-light purple-red colour, bright and youthful, with aromas of mixed spices, raspberry, smoky oak and charcuterie, gentle palate texture and pleasingly drying tannins at the end. Excellent intensity. A nice touch of fruit sweetness at the heart of it, then a drying flush of fine tannin moves in. Delicious pinot. " (2021 vintage)

Wine Enthusiast "From the highest elevation of this winery's single vineyards, this vintage of Applejack is rounder and creamier than Giant Step's other Pinots. Succulent cranberry and strawberry fruit is accompanied by white pepper, florals, umami and savory spice. With a mouthcoating texture, the savory tannins tug gently on the pure, fresh red fruit." (2021 vintage)

Decanter World Wine Awards "Quite complex and perfumed bouquet of lovely woody notes, ripe raspberry fruit and hints of smoky bacon. Silky and precise, with gentle tannins." (2021 vintage)

Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion "Pinot purity right here, folks. There’s a certain precision and definition too. A delightful combo of joy and complexity: rhubarb and freshly grated beetroot, sweet red cherries, florals and warm spices, with the oak neatly tucked in. Superfine tannins, laser-like acidity and terrific length seal the deal." (2020 vintage)

Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Bright, medium to full red/purple colour with a sweetly raspberry-like aroma, a lovely fragrant perfume. Rose petals and pot-pourri. Light to medium-weighted, with a fine sheen of tannins contributing a nicely tailored firmness to the structure. A wine of real finesse." (2020 vintage)

Wine Enthusiast "Grown on clay-loam soils, with tough ironstone rocks running through, this wine is the most savory and brambly of Giant Steps's single-vineyard Pinots. A thicket of red and blueberry fruit entwines with white pepper and other savory spices, dried roses and meaty bass notes. In the mouth, fleshy fruit is again met with lovely spice, cinched by fine tannins. " (2020 vintage)

Peter Forrestal "Steve Flamsteed is a man of many talents with a finely tuned palate, an instinctive flair for winemaking and fastidious attention to detail. This shows particularly in the stunning single-vineyard chardonnays and pinots of Giant Steps: distinctive wines that reflect their sites and glow with impeccable finesse” (2016 vintage)

Giant Steps is a privately owned, estate based, Yarra Valley grower and winemaker. Giant Steps has forged a reputation for delivering some of Australia’s most consistent, over-performing, varietal wines. These wines have received global acclaim and established a strong reputation in restaurants and fine wine stores around the world. Since 2003 Giant Steps wines have collectively been awarded 19 trophies and over 50 gold medals at major international and domestic wine shows and have been named one of the Top 100 Wineries in the World by Wine & Spirits Magazine, US for each of the last three years.

Owner Phil Sexton came to wine via beer. He started Little Creatures, a favourite of Aussie hopheads, in Perth (Western Australia). Yarra Valley is a region with a cool climate, best known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Yarra Valley is an hour’s drive east of Melbourne. Applejack Vineyard was planted in 1997 by highly respected viticulturist Ray Guerin Today it is meticulously managed by his son Mark.

Applejack Vineyard is situated in the Upper Yarra Valley, to the south-east of the traditional valley floor. The higher altitudes result in cooler growing conditions - ideal for Pinot Noir. Applejack Vineyard is located on a dramatic, north-east-facing slope with close-planted vines. This vineyard was purchased by Phil Sexton in 2013.

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."

This ultimate expression of love with the Luxe Romance Selection Valentine Edition 6 Pack. This premium collection features six exquisite wines, carefully chosen to enhance your romantic celebrations. From velvety reds to crisp whites and a touch of sparkling elegance, each bottle is a toast to love and sophistication. Perfectly suited for a candlelit dinner, heartfelt moments, or as a luxurious gift, this beautifully presented pack sets the tone for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day. Celebrate in style with this curated selection that speaks the language of romance.

1 x Maxime Blin Cuvee Le Present Champagne Blanc - Champagne, France

92/100 Jamie Goode

Award Winner - Le Guide Hachette des Vins
Gold - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2015
Silver - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2004
Gold - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2013
Silver - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2008

Maxime Blin is served on Qatar Airways & Air Italy

Organic

Jamie Goode "Toasty, rich and intense with notes of pear, peach and honey. Powerful style showing opulence and sweetness, allied to structure."

Le Guide Hachette des Vins "Made from 3 Champagne grape varieties in equal parts, a fresh, mineral and long brut, with aromas of butter, vanilla and lemony stone fruits. For the aperitif as for the table."

Le Guide Hachette des Vins "The Maxime Blin Carte Blanche white is an award winning Champagne". This wine was noted in the 2021 edition of the Guide Hachette Vins."

Sommeliers International "A mouthful of talent."

1/3 Chardonnay, 1/3 Pinot Noir, 1/3 Meunier

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 worrld. 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'.

Champagne is the most iconic sparkling wine in the world, produced in the region of Champagne in France. Synonymous with celebration, champagne is typically produced from a few specific varieties of grapes: pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot meunier. With effervescent flavors of citrus, almond, and apple, champagne comes in varying levels of sweetness and has a moderate amount of alcohol. The most treasured Champagnes age for a minimum of 3 years.

The Champagne region is located 140 kilometres from Paris, France. While the vines in this region have been producing wine since the Roman era, it is only in the past couple of hundred years that winemakers began producing Champagne using méthode champenoise - the complex method that produces the style of Champagne the world knows and loves today. Another important component of the production of champagne is the chalk and limestone soils which dominate the Champagne region. Vines grown in these conditions result in wines that are high in acidity - a key component to making good sparkling wine. Champagne's northerly location - about as north as grapes can ripen - also allow for higher acidity and lower alcohol levels which are also very important for producing quality sparkling wine.

The UNESCO World Heritage site of the wine growing region of Champagne is best known for the world's most famous wine product: champagne. The region of Champagne, traces its roots to the early medieval kingdom of Austrasia that was annexed to the French crown in the 1300s. Right from the early ages, the region has been famed for its hillside vineyards and its strictly regulated methods of creating those pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay grapes into – champagne. It is this ‘Method Champenois’ that connects champagne to its rich history, geographical location and image of luxury.

1 x Duval-Leroy Rosé Prestige Brut Premier Cru - Champagne, France

93/100 - Luca Gardini
92/100 - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
92/100 - Gilbert & Gaillard
92/100 - Falstaff Magazin
91/100 - Wine & Spirits Magazine
91/100 - Wine Spectator
90/100 - CellarTracker
16/20 - Gault & Millau
16/20 - Vinum Wine Magazine

Bronze - International Wine Challenge 2018
Bronze - Decanter World Wine Awards 2017
Silver - International Wine Challenge 2017
Bronze - Decanter World Wine Awards 2016
Silver - International Wine Challenge 2016
Bronze - International Wine Challenge 2015
Bronze - Decanter World Wine Awards 2015
Bronze - International Wine & Spirit Competition 2015
Commended - Decanter World Wine Awards 2015

Only Champagne producer to be ranked by Wine Spectator in its top 100 wines ~ 2008

Gilbert & Gaillard "Refined, open nose recalling apricot and blood orange. Wonderful mouthfeel combining fullness, mellowness and freshness. Precise, long-lasting aromas. Remarkably well-melted finish. A very compelling rosé Champagne."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate "The NV Rosé Prestige Brut Premier Cru is a generous and well-structured blend of Pinot Noir (90%, from Vertus, the Marne Valley and the Montagne de Reims) and Chardonnay (Côte des Blancs) that shows a very nice, medium-intense salmon color. The wine opens with a delicately aromatic but also spicy-flavored nose of red fruits (raspberries, cherries) and reveals a delicate and fresh yet intense, round and elegant palate with a very fine mousse and a good, cleansing finish. There are juniper flavors in the long finish."

Wine Spectator "Balanced and creamy, this fresh rosé offers a subtle weave of white peach, biscuit, orange zest and strawberry flavors."

Wine & Spirits "This delivers a lot of fresh fruit through the lush feel of its bubbles, bringing scents of raspberry, plum and juicy pear up out of the glass. For all its generosity, the wine follows a clean, crisp line. It's a fine aperitif to serve with saucisson."

Duval-Leroy Rosé Prestige is made only from grapes with a Premier Cru designation and then aged a minimum of three years, a hallmark practice of the Duval-Leroy Champagne house. Made primarily from Pinot Noir with a touch of Chardonnay, this wine has alternating layers of light chalky texture and firm acidity with flavors of white raspberry, rich pastry, lemon zest and ginger.

Established in 1859, the House of Duval-Leroy is a six generation family owned champagne-maker. It is one of the biggest vineyard estates held by a single house. Vineyards owned in all of the villages classified Grand Cru of the “Côte des Blancs” and over 40% of total hectarage situated in Premier and Grand Cru villages.

CEO, Carol Duval-Leroy is the first woman to be nominated for the Presidency of the Association of Champagne Wine Producers Association. She was voted 'Most Influential Woman in Champagne' (Revue du Vin de France), 'Belgium Wine Personality in 2012' (VinoMagazine), and 'Top 50 of the Most Powerful Women in Wine.' (The Drink Business)

Champagne is the most iconic sparkling wine in the world, produced in the region of Champagne in France. Synonymous with celebration, champagne is typically produced from a few specific varieties of grapes: pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot meunier. With effervescent flavors of citrus, almond, and apple, champagne comes in varying levels of sweetness and has a moderate amount of alcohol. The most treasured Champagnes age for a minimum of 3 years.

The Champagne region is located 140 kilometres from Paris, France. While the vines in this region have been producing wine since the Roman era, it is only in the past couple of hundred years that winemakers began producing Champagne using méthode champenoise - the complex method that produces the style of Champagne the world knows and loves today. Another important component of the production of champagne is the chalk and limestone soils which dominate the Champagne region. Vines grown in these conditions result in wines that are high in acidity - a key component to making good sparkling wine. Champagne's northerly location - about as north as grapes can ripen - also allow for higher acidity and lower alcohol levels which are also very important for producing quality sparkling wine.

1 x Esperienza Numero 8 Brunello di Montalcino 2017 - Tuscany, Italy

Winesearcher "This is more affordable than many Brunello di Montalcino wines. Not as widely known as other Brunello di Montalcino wines. This wine has been becoming increasingly popular over the past year."

Vivino, Yomme (Five Star Buyer rating) "Stupendous Sangiovese balanced and already with some complexity."

Vivino, Boris Kingston (Vivino's N# 3 Wine Rater) "Everything you want from a Brunello..... Impressive and delicious. Elegant, integrated barrel and light cherry. Intense and rich bouquet. Palette of rich acidity, marzipan character and juicy, concentrated fruit. Hint of prunes, delichious strawberry, a slight hint of vanilla and a crisp cherry character. And a sureprisingly feature of blueberry. Long finish." (2009 vintage)

Winemaker "Intense ruby ​​red, complex on the nose with aromas of plums, ripe black cherries and red berries, well balanced with notes of tobacco and liquorice, also beautiful harmony on the palate, elegant tannins and a long finish, can be stored very well"

Sangiovese 100%

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.

The Chianti DOCG designation covers wines from six Chianti sub-zones (Colli Pisane, Colli Fiorentini, Colli Senesi, Colli Aretini, Montalbano and Rufina) as well as all other Chianti wines. The Chianti Classico DOCG is located in the very center of Tuscany, between Florence and Sienna.

 

Brunello di Montalcino is a wine made with 100% Sangiovese with Italy’s highest DOCG classification. Sangiovese is the wine that most wine critics cite to be the best in all of Italy. Brunello di Montalcino is made with a local Tuscan type of Sangiovese referred to as Brunello or Sangiovese Grosso. Some also call it Prugnolo Gentile. Noted for having thicker-skinned berries, and because of this, Brunello produces wines with exceptionally bold fruit flavors, high tannin, and high acidity. The fruit is a contributes to the enduring popularity of Brunello di Montalcino.

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.

1 x Poderi Colla Bussia Dardi Le Rose (Organic) 2018 - Barolo, Italy

93/100 Terrior Sense Wine Reviews / Barolo Terroir, Grapes Crus People Places
91/100 Stephen Blandford, The Real Review
93/100 Terrior Sense Wine Reviews / Barolo Terroir, Grapes Crus People Places (2019 vintage)
96/100 Terrior Sense Wine Reviews / Barolo Terroir, Grapes Crus People Places (2017 vintage)
Bronze - Decanter (2017 vintage)
95/100 Antonio Galloni, Vinous (2016 vintage)
95/100 Decanter (2016 vintage)
94/100 Gary Walsh, The Wine Front (2016 vintage)
95/100 James Suckling (2015 vintage)
94/100 Antonio Galloni, Vinous (2015 vintage)
94/100 Gary Walsh, The Wine Front (2015 vintage)

Organic - Winery been operating organically since launch and all wines are organic

Antonio Galloni, Vinous Poderi "...Poderi Colla remains one of the under the radar gems in Piedmont. Specifically, the Barbaresco (and Barolo, too) is consistently outstanding."

Terroir Sense - Ian D'Agata "Poderi Colla is a beautiful hilltop winery located on the outskirts of the hamlet of Treiso, one of the four communes of the Barbaresco production zone. The estate is well-known for the many excellent wines it produces."

Terroir Sense - Ian D'Agata "The perfumed, delicate nose offers aromas of sour red fruits, flowers and spices, complicated by mineral notes. .... I loved this wine’s attractive light touch. Closes clean and juicy, with polished tannins but leaves behind hints of green nuances as well as of small red fruits and minerals."

Stephen Blandford, The Real Review "Garnet colour tending to brick. There's an appealing bouquet of toasty, vanillin notes over spiced plum with some fresh leather and tobacco, violet scents giving a top note. To taste, the wine is firmly structured, almost rustic, with a slight hollowness in the mid-palate accentuating the grippy, though ripe tannins, and savoury elements on the finish."

Terroir Sense - Ian D'Agata "The Dardi Le Rose estate vines are planted on soil that is roughly 63% loam, 20% sand, and 17% clay. The vines are at least 35-60 years old and though not all the rootstocks are known, there is some du Rupestris present which gives very small productions but ensures outstanding drought resistance, a matter of no small consequence given the times of climate change we live in. For this reason, my readers would be wise to look at and buy Colla’s wines in not just the great years, but in hot/dry vintages too, because this estate’s Nebbiolo vines usually suffer less than those of others in similar years."

Terroir Sense - Ian D'Agata "Intensely floral aromas of redcurrant, sour red cherry, mint and minerals are lifted by a top-note of blood orange. Juicy, sappy and savory on entry, then with strong soil tones in the middle, closing long with vibrant, sweet red cherry and mineral flavours. Finishes very fresh with smooth tannins and outstanding subtle length. A very pretty wine, this is tapered and precise, but it shut down in the glass and displayed an increasingly firmer tannic backbone, not to mention a building green note on the back end. (2019 vintage)

Terroir Sense - Ian D'Agata "Captivating nose offers red fruits, flowers, tobacco and minerals. Then seriously rich in extract, broad and full, with nuances of dark red cherry and incense emerging and gaining sweetness with air. The finish is firmly tannic, tactile and very long. At once very pretty and floral, but also very powerful, unlike most of Poderi Colla’s Barolo Bussia wines the 2017 is more saline and spicy than it is floral, with the brown spice note reminiscent of some Barolos from Brunate." (2017 vintage)

Antonio Galloni, Vinous "a wine of total finesse. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, mint and spice give the 2016 captivating inner perfume to match its translucent, mid-weight personality. Pliant, exquisitely layered and so incredibly inviting, the 2016 is going to be tempting early. It is a fabulous wine in every way" (2016 vintage)

Decanter "...recognising it as a superior Barolo site. Here, over 6ha of Nebbiolo are planted on the steep slope rich in calcareous marls. The 2016 is restrained, taut and slightly austere at the moment but exceptionally enduring and not lacking in grace. With a sinewy palate and firm, chalky tannins, there is ample fragrance and flavour to back this up. Raspberry, strawberry, cinnamon and cedar lead to a tangy pomegranate and sour cherry finish. Traditionally crafted and clean, with heaps of soul and intrigue." (2016 vintage)

James Suckling "Deeply complex and moody aromas with a wealth of dried roses and fresh red to black cherries, as well as terracotta and fragrant spices. The palate has a core of deliciously ripe darker cherries and plums with a long, seamless and finely focused finish." (2015 vintage)

Antonio Galloni, Vinous " ...one of the most intriguing wines of the vintage... I imagine the 2015 will always retain a slightly mature character in its aromas and flavours, but it also has the structure to develop beautifully in bottle for many years to come. This is an especially powerful edition of the Dardi Le Rose. I loved it." (2015 vintage)

Winemaker "Intense garnet red, wide and elegant bouquet delicately spiced with hints of flowers, small red fruits and goudron. Rich structure on the palate supported by soft tannins, enveloped in ripe fruit and liquorice. A 'majestic' traditional Nebbiolo with the power, harmony, and complexity of a great orchestra! Extraordinary ageing potential. It is perfect with red meat and furry game dishes, but also for very rich fish dishes, such as baked turbot, as well as for a fine cheese dinner."

Terroir Sense - Ian D'Agata "Poderi Colla's Dardi’s Barolos are much more perfumed and lighter in texture (I mean “lighter” in terms of a Monforte-lightness, which means hardly light at all, of course). In any case, the typical note of Dardi Barolos is a floral one (spicy too depending on the vintage’s growing season characteristics); these are wines that are never outwardly fruity, and their mouthfeel has a certain austerity and tannic presence (in this they do resemble those of Mondoca quite a bit). Colla’s holding is named Dardi Le Rose (also the name of the estate buildings) because of the large presence of roses peppered among the vines."

100% Nebbiolo

Antonio Galloni, Vinous Poderi "...Poderi Colla remains one of the under the radar gems in Piedmont. Specifically, the Barbaresco, and Barolo, too is consistently outstanding."

Poderi Colla is a highly regarded Italian, family owned winery with a rich history dating back to the 1700s. The winery is known for its dedication to crafting wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Langhe region in Piedmont. The winery was founded by the Colla family, who have produced wine for more than five generations. Brothers Tino and Beppe Colla brought Poderi Colla to international fame. Prominent figures in the winemaking world, the bothers studied winemaking in Burgundy and brought Pinot Noir cuttings back to Italy to propegate at their family's wine estate. Tino and Beppe Colla both played significant roles in elevating the reputation of Barolo and Barbaresco wines to international acclaim.

The Poderi Colla winery focuses on sustainable viticulture and traditional winemaking techniques, producing wines that showcase the authentic flavors of the grapes. Poderi Colla produces a range of wines, including Barolo, Barbaresco, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, and other regional varieties. Their Barolo and Barbaresco wines are especially revered, and they often age them in large oak casks to allow the wines to develop complex and nuanced flavors over time.

Talk to us at Pop Up Wine and we'll gladly organise a tour of the Poderi Colla winery when you are next in Italy. We can arrange a tour of the vineyards, cellars, and tasting rooms where you will be able to learn about the winemaking process and sample Poderi Colla wines. Visiting the estate offers an opportunity to experience the beauty of the Langhe region while enjoying some of Italy's finest wines.

The Barolo wine region is one of the most prestigious and renowned wine-producing areas in Italy. It is located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, specifically in the Cuneo province, and is considered the heartland of the Nebbiolo grape. Barolo is often referred to as the "King of Wines" due to its exceptional quality, complexity, and aging potential. Barolo wines are renowned for their complex and nuanced flavors. They often exhibit aromas of red fruits (such as cherry and raspberry), floral notes (rose and violet), and earthy undertones (tar, leather, and truffles). As the wine ages, these flavors evolve, and secondary characteristics like dried fruit, tobacco, and spice may develop.

Barolo wines are renowned for their complex and nuanced flavors. They often exhibit aromas of red fruits (such as cherry and raspberry), floral notes (rose and violet), and earthy undertones (tar, leather, and truffles). As the wine ages, these flavors evolve, and secondary characteristics like dried fruit, tobacco, and spice may develop.

Barolo and Barbaresco
Barolo shares some similarities with Barbaresco, another esteemed Nebbiolo-based wine produced in the Langhe region. Both wines come from the same grape variety and share similar winemaking techniques. However, Barolo is generally considered more powerful and robust, while Barbaresco is often perceived as more elegant and approachable.

1 x Château Maucoil Châteauneuf-du-Pape Trésor White (Organic) 2014 - Rhône Valley, France

90/100 Wine Spectator
90/100 Wine Enthusiast
90/100 Robert Parker

30% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette, 30% Bourboulenc and 10% Roussanne

Wine Enthusiast "This is a rich, toasty white Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Notes of honey, melon and pineapple mark the nose and palate, while the finish is warm and long, with lingering hints of popcorn and roasted nuts."

Jeb Dunnuck "More tropical in character with plenty of pineapple, peach and subtle brioche, the 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc Tresor des Papes is medium-bodied, beautifully textured, and lengthy with a dry finish. This shows a touch more class and purity than the traditional cuvée and should have a longer drink window as well."

The history of Château Maucoil began several centuries ago. Ancient documents state that its first occupants were Romans who set up a base for Caesar’s legions. Later, Joseph de La Pise, Lord of Maucoil and archivist of the House of Orange-Nassau, the Dutch royal family, inherited the estate and the castle which was built in 1624. From then on, winegrowing became an intrinsic part of the history of Château Maucoil.

The 45 hectares of vines in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation have been organic agriculture since 2011. Château Maucoil uses ancient methods such as furrowing, forming mounds and ploughing to tend the vineyard.

Originally from Bordeaux, the Lavau family who now own Château Maucoil, have been involved with winemaking for generations, and have had vineyards ranging from Bordeaux to Tunisia. In 1964 they were seduced by the richness and quality of the Provencal soil and settled down to make wine in the Rhone Valley.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a historic village between the towns of Orange and Avignon, in France's southern Rhône Valley. It is famous for powerful, full-bodied red wines made predominantly from the classic southern Rhône grape trio: Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. These three varieties are behind the vast majority of the appellation's red wines, although a total of eighteen are approved for use – a mix of red and white grape varieties.

Southern Rhone White Blend is a blanket term used to describe the various combinations of white wine grapes used in the southern half of the Rhone Valley. The principal varieties involved in a white wine from the southern Rhone are any combination of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Ugni Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc and Picpoul.

1 x Giant Steps "Applejack Vineyard" Pinot Noir 2022 ~ Yarra Valley, Australia

98/100 Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion
97/100 Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
96/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review
94/100 James Suckling
98/100 Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion (2021 vintage)
96/100 James Suckling (2021 vintage)
95/100 Robert Parker Wine Advocate (2021 vintage)
95/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2021 vintage)
95/100 The Wine Front (2021 vintage)
90/100 CellarTracker (2021 vintage)
93/100 Wine Enthusiast (2021 vintage)
96/100 Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion (2020 vintage)
96/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2020 vintage)
95/100 Wine Enthusiast (2020 vintage)

5 Stars - James Halliday

2024 Top Rated Pinot Noir of the Year, Halliday Wine Companion

Gold - Australian Pinot Noir Challenge
Gold - Decanter World Wine Awards (2021 vintage)
Gold - Melbourne Royal Show (2020 vintage)

Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion "Like a Mahler symphony, all of the elements of this wine are in perfect harmony. Aromas of crushed rose petals, red and black cherries, satsuma plums and subtle hints of sandalwood and fennel fronds. There's a little charcuterie and a discreet touch of wet stone. On the palate, this is the most concentrated, structured and saline Applejack I can remember, yet you barely notice the tannins due to the core of pure raspberry and cherry fruit. There's a gentle sappiness on the long, lingering finish. Simply irresistible."

Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front "What a wine this is. It’s a bloom of fruit, it’s wild with herbs, there are sweet-sour nuances and there’s a controlled run to the finish. Winemaker Mel Chester says: ‘everything you love about pinot noir, is in this wine.’ A reductive savouriness, particularly noticeable on the finish, is the icing. This is a stunning wine. Stunning fruit, and stunning structure, and stunning length."

Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Medium-full red with a purple rim, the bouquet red and darker cherries, dusty dried-herb notes, a trace of nutty oak, a hint of liqueured cherry as it aired. There is excellent intensity and volume of flavour, allied with good structure thanks to well shaped tannins, the finish long and the flavour and structure finish right out. Superb pinot noir."

James Suckling "Really delicious....The semi-carbonic approach exudes floral perfumes, red to blue pastille, red apple skin and rosewater. Mid-weighted, sappy, nicely crunchy and joyous. An earlier drinking wine in the context of the site."

Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion "A deep, bright, crimson purple. Maraschino cherry into plum, there's an exotic and riotous amalgam of Asian five-spice and a gentle savoury, umami character. What elevates this vintage is the concentration, along with Applejack's trademark perfume and spice. Just so vibrant and fresh on the palate, the tannins are both silky and plentiful." (2021 vintage)

James Suckling "Brashly spicy and complex, this has aromas of espresso, blueberries, toasted spices and grilled bread, as well as forest wood and violets. The palate delivers alluring depth and a round, fleshy build. Acidity explodes on the finish, releasing fresh red-cherry and blueberry fruit flavors. Wonderfully layered and complete." (2021 vintage)

Robert Parker Wine Advocate "This shows wonderful clarity and poise—it is precise and layered with energy and life. The acid pulses through the phenolic texture in the mouth. It was originally a sparkling vineyard, down the hill from Wombat Creek, situated in an eastern-facing bowl that captures the morning sunlight. Mel Chester (head of winemaking and viticulture) talks about the smell of the tea trees in the vineyard, explaining that "there's always a couple of Wedgetail eagles circling, it's a magic place." The evocative description of the vineyard carries through into the wine, which shows a satisfying, delicious resolution of plump ripe fruit and beautifully resolved tannin." (2021 vintage)

Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Mid-light purple-red colour, bright and youthful, with aromas of mixed spices, raspberry, smoky oak and charcuterie, gentle palate texture and pleasingly drying tannins at the end. Excellent intensity. A nice touch of fruit sweetness at the heart of it, then a drying flush of fine tannin moves in. Delicious pinot. " (2021 vintage)

Wine Enthusiast "From the highest elevation of this winery's single vineyards, this vintage of Applejack is rounder and creamier than Giant Step's other Pinots. Succulent cranberry and strawberry fruit is accompanied by white pepper, florals, umami and savory spice. With a mouthcoating texture, the savory tannins tug gently on the pure, fresh red fruit." (2021 vintage)

Decanter World Wine Awards "Quite complex and perfumed bouquet of lovely woody notes, ripe raspberry fruit and hints of smoky bacon. Silky and precise, with gentle tannins." (2021 vintage)

Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion "Pinot purity right here, folks. There’s a certain precision and definition too. A delightful combo of joy and complexity: rhubarb and freshly grated beetroot, sweet red cherries, florals and warm spices, with the oak neatly tucked in. Superfine tannins, laser-like acidity and terrific length seal the deal." (2020 vintage)

Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Bright, medium to full red/purple colour with a sweetly raspberry-like aroma, a lovely fragrant perfume. Rose petals and pot-pourri. Light to medium-weighted, with a fine sheen of tannins contributing a nicely tailored firmness to the structure. A wine of real finesse." (2020 vintage)

Wine Enthusiast "Grown on clay-loam soils, with tough ironstone rocks running through, this wine is the most savory and brambly of Giant Steps's single-vineyard Pinots. A thicket of red and blueberry fruit entwines with white pepper and other savory spices, dried roses and meaty bass notes. In the mouth, fleshy fruit is again met with lovely spice, cinched by fine tannins. " (2020 vintage)

Peter Forrestal "Steve Flamsteed is a man of many talents with a finely tuned palate, an instinctive flair for winemaking and fastidious attention to detail. This shows particularly in the stunning single-vineyard chardonnays and pinots of Giant Steps: distinctive wines that reflect their sites and glow with impeccable finesse” (2016 vintage)

Giant Steps is a privately owned, estate based, Yarra Valley grower and winemaker. Giant Steps has forged a reputation for delivering some of Australia’s most consistent, over-performing, varietal wines. These wines have received global acclaim and established a strong reputation in restaurants and fine wine stores around the world. Since 2003 Giant Steps wines have collectively been awarded 19 trophies and over 50 gold medals at major international and domestic wine shows and have been named one of the Top 100 Wineries in the World by Wine & Spirits Magazine, US for each of the last three years.

Owner Phil Sexton came to wine via beer. He started Little Creatures, a favourite of Aussie hopheads, in Perth (Western Australia). Yarra Valley is a region with a cool climate, best known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Yarra Valley is an hour’s drive east of Melbourne. Applejack Vineyard was planted in 1997 by highly respected viticulturist Ray Guerin Today it is meticulously managed by his son Mark.

Applejack Vineyard is situated in the Upper Yarra Valley, to the south-east of the traditional valley floor. The higher altitudes result in cooler growing conditions - ideal for Pinot Noir. Applejack Vineyard is located on a dramatic, north-east-facing slope with close-planted vines. This vineyard was purchased by Phil Sexton in 2013.

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."