CONTI COSTANTI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2001
R4200,00Why Is It Special?
- The Costanti family has been making wine in Montalcino since the 16th century.
- Their Brunello is elegant yet powerful, balancing classic structure with modern finesse.
- The 2001 vintage was an excellent year for Brunello, known for wines with great depth and longevity.
REVIEWS/AWARDS
- ROBERT PARKER (THE WINE ADVOCATE) : rated it 93/100.
- WINE ENTHUSIAST : rated it 93/100.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: Dried cherries, blackberries, tobacco, leather, balsamic, and hints of spice and earth
Palate: Full-bodied, well-structured, with firm yet refined tannins, vibrant acidity, and complex layers of dark fruit, dried herbs, cedar, and minerality
Finish: Dry finish
GAJA CONTEISA LANGHE 2000
R16700,00Why Is It Special?
- "Conteisa" means "dispute" in Piedmontese, referencing the historical land battle between Barolo’s La Morra and Barbaresco.
- Comes from the Cerequio vineyard in Barolo, one of the region’s most prestigious sites.
- Initially classified as Barolo DOCG, but Gaja reclassified it under Langhe DOC to allow for winemaking flexibility (adding Barbera).
REVIEWS/AWARDS
- WINE SPECTACTOR : rated it 97/100.
- ROBERT PARKER (THE WINE ADVOCATE) : rated it 93/100.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: Ripe red cherries, plums, dried roses, tobacco, leather, and earthy truffle notes
Palate: Elegant yet powerful, with well-integrated tannins, vibrant acidity, and flavors of dark fruit, licorice and spice
Finish: Lengthy close
GAJA DARMAGI LANGHE 2013
R5200,00REVIEWS/AWARDS
- WINE ENTHUSIAST: tasted in 2024, rated it 94/100.
- ROBERT PARKER (THE WINE ADVOCATE) :tasted in 2023, rated it 97/100.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: An enchanting blend of tea and herbs tangos with grilled cherries and reconstituted currants creates an aromatic profile that's sure to turn heads.
Palate: The palate is a sublime combination of fresh and preserved red berries, wild herbs, leaves, tar, and crushed stone that all work in unison, ever-evolving with each glance of the glass.
Finish: Well-structured and firm, a wine of remarkable elegance.
GAJA SORI SAN LORENZO LANGHE 2000
R18300,00Why Is It Special?
- Sorì San Lorenzo is one of Gaja’s most prized single-vineyard wines, known for its intensity, complexity, and longevity.
- Originally classified as Barbaresco, but Gaja labeled it as Langhe DOC to allow for flexibility in winemaking (including small amounts of Barbera).
- Considered one of the finest Nebbiolo-based wines in the world.
REVIEWS/AWARDS
- WINE SPECTACTOR : rated it 97/100.
- ROBERT PARKER (THE WINE ADVOCATE) : rated it 95/100.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: The nose of the Darmagi 2013 opens with neat and powerful aromas of violet and liquorice. It evolves then into a spiced bouquet of juniper, charcoal and a dominant note of perfectly ripened blackberry
Palate: Full-bodied, powerful, and structured with firm tannins, bright acidity, and layers of dark fruit, spice, and minerality
Finish: A gentle and long finish with a peculiar mineral almost salty character
GAJA SPERSS LANGHE 2000
R16700,00Why Is It Special?
- "Sperss" means "nostalgia" in Piedmontese, reflecting Gaja’s return to Barolo after decades of focusing on Barbaresco.
- Made from a top vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba, known for producing powerful and long-lived Barolos.
- Originally labeled as Barolo DOCG, but reclassified as Langhe DOC to allow for Barbera blending.
- One of Gaja’s most celebrated wines, often considered a benchmark for modern Barolo-style wines.
REVIEWS/AWARDS
- WINE SPECTACTOR : rated it 95/100.
- INT'L WINE CELLAR : rated it 93/100.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: Dark cherries, dried roses, tar, liquorice, tobacco, truffle, and spice
Palate: Full-bodied and structured, with firm tannins, lively acidity, and complex layers of dark fruit, earth, leather, and mineral notes
Finish: Long and complex, revealing fruit and spice elements.
GAJA SPERSS LANGHE 2010
R7800,00Why Is It Special?
- "Sperss" means "nostalgia" in Piedmontese, reflecting Gaja’s return to Barolo after decades of focusing on Barbaresco.
- Made from a top vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba, known for producing powerful and long-lived Barolos.
- Originally labeled as Barolo DOCG, but reclassified as Langhe DOC to allow for Barbera blending.
- One of Gaja’s most celebrated wines, often considered a benchmark for modern Barolo-style wines.
REVIEWS/AWARDS
- ROBERT PARKER (THE WINE ADVOCATE) : rated it 96/100.
- WINE SPECTACTOR : rated it 97/100.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: Multidimensional aromas of raspberry, flowers, mocha, menthol, orange peel, liquorice and underbrush, plus a whiff of petrol that reminded me of Riesling
Palate: The palate is dense, tannic and austere with a firm structure under the vivid black fruits, together with hints of exotic spices
Finish: Long and complex, revealing fruit and spice elements.
MASSETO TOSCANA 2006
R33000,00REVIEWS/AWARDS
- ANTONIO GALLONI (WINE CRITIC): tasted in 2015, rated it 99/100.
- ROBERT PARKER (THE WINE ADVOCATE) :tasted in 2016, rated it 100/100.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: The intense nose with ripe fruit and jam reflects the summer sun
Palate: On the palate, it is powerful, rich, and opulent, with tightly woven, sweet, polished tannins balanced perfectly by acidity
Finish: A long finish marked by elegance and freshness
OPUS ONE 2007
R13600,00REVIEWS/AWARDS
- JAMES SUCKLING : tasted in 2011, rated it 94/100.
- ROBERT PARKER (THE WINE ADVOCATE) :tasted in 2009, rated it 94/100.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: A very enticing exotic edge to the nose
Palate: seamless, polished and full of plush, ripe black fruit. The oak is balanced and should facilitate a long ageing period
Finish: Smooth velvety tannins and a lovely, long soft mocha and cedar wood laden finish
OPUS ONE 2014
R16500,00REVIEWS/AWARDS
- JAMES SUCKLING : tasted in 2017, rated it 92/100.
- OWEN BARGREEN (WINE SPECIALIST) :tasted in 2023, rated it 98/100.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: A very enticing exotic edge to the nose
Palate: seamless, polished and full of plush, ripe black fruit. The oak is balanced and should facilitate a long ageing period
Finish: Smooth velvety tannins and a lovely, long soft mocha and cedar wood laden finish
SASSICAIA BOLGHERI SASSICAIA 1995
R18000,00Why Is It Special?
- 1995 was a great vintage in Bolgheri, producing structured yet balanced wines with long ageing potential.
- Sassicaia pioneered the Bordeaux-style revolution in Tuscany, elevating Italian wines to global prestige.
- Considered one of the top-performing vintages of the 1990s, often compared to the legendary 1985 and 1990 vintages.
REVIEWS/AWARDS
- DANIELE CERNILLI (DOCTORWINE) : rated it 94/100.
- JEAN-MARC QUARIN (WINE EDUCATOR) : rated it 90/100.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: Blackcurrant, ripe cherries, cedar, tobacco, leather, graphite, and hints of dried herbs and spice
Palate: Medium to full-bodied, with refined tannins, vibrant acidity, and complex layers of dark fruit, balsamic, earth, and mineral notes
Finish: Long, elegant, and beautifully structured
Ageing Potential: 25–30+ years (drinking exceptionally well now but still has life left)SASSICAIA BOLGHERI SASSICAIA 2011
R15000,00WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
- 2011 was a warm vintage, producing a richer, riper Sassicaia compared to cooler years like 2010.
- Sassicaia remains the benchmark for Super Tuscans, consistently ranking among Italy’s greatest wines.
- The terroir of Bolgheri, with its maritime influence, gives Sassicaia a unique balance of power and elegance.
REVIEWS/AWARDS
- Robert Parker (Wine Advocate) : rated it 96/100.
- Antonio Galloni (Vinous) : rated it 92/100.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: Presents aromas of blackberry, cedar, and vanilla.
Palate: The elegant, structured palate delivers juicy black currant, black cherry, exotic spice, crushed herb, and menthol flavours alongside taut, fine-grained tannins.
Finish: Long, elegant, and beautifully structured
Ageing Potential: 20–30 years (drinking beautifully now but will continue evolving)FOOD PAIRING
This elegant red pairs well with rich meat dishes, such as beef and venison, complementing the wine's bold and structured profile.
Venison[/caption]
Beef[/caption]
Venison
Beef
Vegetables
SASSICAIA TENUTA SAN GUIDO 1985
R94000,00Why Is It Special?
- The 1985 Sassicaia is often considered the "perfect vintage" and is one of the most celebrated Italian wines ever made.
- It was the first Italian wine to receive 100 points from Robert Parker, bringing global fame to Sassicaia and Super Tuscans.
- Tenuta San Guido pioneered Bordeaux-style wines in Tuscany, breaking the rules of traditional Italian winemaking.
- The 1985 vintage is still sought after by collectors, with bottles fetching extremely high prices at auctions.
REVIEWS/AWARDS
- DANIELE CERNILLI (THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER) : tasted in 2020, rated it 100/100.
- ROBERT PARKER (WINE ADVOCATE) : rated it 100/100.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: Intense and complex, with notes of blackcurrant, dried cherries, cedar, leather, tobacco, graphite, and earthy truffle
Palate: Silky yet powerful, with well-integrated tannins, bright acidity, and layers of dark fruit, spice, and minerality
Finish: The finish is exceptionally long and elegant
Ageing Potential: One of the greatest ageing Sassicaia vintages—still remarkable today at nearly 40 years old
VEGA SICILIA COSECHA UNICO 1981
R19500,00Why Is It Special?
- Vega Sicilia Único is considered Spain’s greatest and most age-worthy wine, often compared to First Growth Bordeaux.
- The 1981 vintage was aged for over 20 years in barrel and bottle before release, a hallmark of Único’s unique ageing process.
- It is a collector’s treasure, with bottles from top vintages fetching high prices at auctions.
REVIEWS/AWARDS
- TOM CANNAVAN (WINE EXPERT) : in (2000) rated it 91/100.
- ROBERT PARKER (WINE ADVOCATE) : rated it 98/100.
TASTING NOTES:
Nose: Dried red and black fruit, leather, tobacco, cedar, vanilla, truffle, and earthy spice
Palate: Full-bodied yet elegant, with velvety tannins, well-integrated oak, and flavours of dark cherries, plums, liquorice, balsamic, and cigar box notes
Finish: Exceptionally long and complex, with evolving layers of fruit and earth
Ageing Potential: 40–50 years (still drinking well, with tertiary complexity at its peak)