Dark, smooth and deep Lagrein Riserva from the lowlands of Alto Adige

Dark, velvety and mellow, this Lagrein Riserva offers the depth and richness that this grape is famous for. Lagrein is late-ripening, and needs a lot of sunshine to fully develop. The Furggl vineyard is perfect for this. It's planted on the valley floor, near the Adige river, with a south-east exposure. Because of this, it’s not shadowed by the Alps, and the grapes can ripen well.

Winemaking

Harvest takes place by hand in the first days of October. After pressing, the grapes are fermented on their skins for ten days in stainless steel tanks, at a controlled temperature of 28-30°C. Peter Zemmer uses this relatively high temperature to extract richer colours and flavours from the grapes. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged in small 225-litre French oak barriques for 24 months. Finally, this Lagrein Riserva is bottled and stacked in the cellar for at least six months more, to allow the flavours to stabilise and integrate.

Tasting Notes

This succulent Furggl Lagrein Riserva has a deep ruby colour. It’s velvety and soft, offering flavours of ripe black plum, prune, black cherry preserve and dark chocolate, as well as a savoury balsamic note. This wine has a touch of mellow sweetness, but the truth is it’s perfectly dry with only 0.6% residual sugar. Tannins are soft and well-integrated, and the wine is drinkable now, although it can be cellared for at least ten years.

Awards

Robert Parker – 92 points (2018 vintage) | Gambero Rosso - Two Glasses (2017 vintage) | I Vini di Veronelli - 3 stars (2017 vintage) | James Suckling - 93 points (2017 vintage) 

Smooth and velvety Sagrantino with deep flavours of black cherry, juicy prune, cocoa and violet flowers

This is a big, bold wine with a profound taste of black fruits and spices, leading to a velvety texture in the mouth. Well-crafted Sagrantino wine (such as this) is smooth and mellow, capable of developing in bottle for 20-30 years.

We visited the Pardi winery in October, when the Sagrantino grapes were being harvested. We immediately fell in love with this wine, and it soon became one of our best sellers.

The Pardi are one of the historic families that started the production of Montefalco Sagrantino wine. Their winery was founded a century ago (in 1919) by three brothers - Alfredo, Francesco and Alberto - in the basement of a monastic hospital. Now, brothers Alberto and Gianluca continue the family tradition. The winery moved into a new building on Via G. Pascoli, a stone's throw from the Montefalco old monastery, near the famous Church of Santa Chiara della Croce.

Winemaking

Grapes for this wine come from the Campolungo vineyard, which is planted on the slope of the hill right behind the winery. It has a south-east orientation, which is very important to help the Sagrantino grapes fully ripen and develop their signature deep flavour. The harvest is always done by hand in the middle of October.

After pressing, the grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks for eight days, at a controlled temperature of 24-27°C. After that, the wine is carefully transferred into large, 2600-litre Garbellotto Italian oak barrels, where it matures for 18 months. The use of large oak barrels for ageing helps to gently soften the tannins, but not overpower the natural aromas of the grape.

Next, the wine is blended and left for another 9-12 months in stainless steel tank to integrate. Finally, the wine is bottled, and is left to rest for as long as six to eight months in the cellar.

Tasting notes

In the glass, this wine has a deep ruby colour. It offers aromas of violet, blackberry, black cherry and plum, underpinned by hints of cinnamon and cocoa. Tending towards structure and power rather than elegance and delicacy, this is flavoursome and complex - reflecting the ageing in Italian oak barrels. On the palate, the texture is dense and velvety, with savoury notes of cooked prunes and meat.

Drinking window

2022 - 2028

Awards

Decanter World Wine Awards 2022 – Silver Medal (2016 vintage) | Gambero Rosso 2021 - Two Red Glasses, Final tasting (2016 vintage) | Robert Parker - 92 points (2016 vintage) | Wine Enthusiast - 93 points (2014 vintage) | I Vini Di Veronelli 2020 - 3 stars (2015 vintage) 

A powerful wine with aromas of fresh and spiced berries, made from Sardinia's signature black grape. Decanter Bronze Medal

This wine is made from Cannonau, a black grape varietal thought to be the most ancient in the Mediterranean. It is super-charged with anti-oxidants and is a key element of the famous Sardinian diet.

The grapes for this wine were harvested by hand. They were then left to macerate for two weeks before fermentation in stainless tanks, at a controlled temperature. Next, it was matured 'sur lie' to develop texture and more complex flavours. Final aging took place in large oak barrels for 12 months, with bottling in the winter of 2019.

Located in the north of Sardinia, Siddùra is recognised as one of the highest-achieving Italian wineries. As well as planting Sardinia’s signature grapes, Cannonau and Vermentino, they also grow Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. Every year since 2013 they have won Decanter Gold, Silver, Bronze and Platinum medals – as well as countless awards in Germany, Belgium, Austria and other countries.

Tasting notes

Deep ruby colour with powerful aromas of wild berries and cherry, as well as spicy black pepper. Dry and fresh, with high acidity. Full-bodied, with smooth rounded tannins. A long and silky finish.

Awards

Decanter World Wine Awards 2021 - Bronze Medal (2019 vintage) | Concours International De Lyon 2021 - Silver Medal (2019 vintage) | Sakura Awards 2021 - Silver Medal (2019 vintage) | Gilbert & Gaillard 2020, Gold Medal (2017 vintage) | Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards - Double Gold  Medal | International Wine & Spirits Competition - Bronze Medal

This mahogany wooden box is perfect to showcase the luxurious nature of your wine gift.

The beautifully polished wooden box is finished with a dark matt varnish. It’s stamped with the Independent Wine insignia, and closes with a metal latch.

Made from timber sourced exclusively from sustainable producers, each box is certified by The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and stamped with their logo.