JM 1ST APPROACH

This Barbera has a deep ruby color with a filtered appearance. There is a beautiful bouquet of red fruit, currants and a hint of perfumed violets and some musty cellar floor. This is a medium bodied wine with a winning flavor combination of dark berry, plum, cranberry, chocolate and lead pencil. True to Barbera’s reputation, there is gripping acidity and a whisper of smooth tannins. The finish is long and lingering.

A dense bright inky purple colour lives up to its varietal meaning. Red liquorice, Turkish delight and exotic spices jump out the glass. A plush and silky mouth feel gives immediate enjoyment, before the dark and intense tannins round out a full but surprisingly delicate fruit palate. As with any Massena wine, the wine can be enjoyed straight away to delight in its fruit purity, or throw one at the back of the cellar for a few years for a softer drinking experience.

The family that owns Pico Maccario is a true Barbera specialist! With an intense purple color, this wine features a bouquet of plum and cherry with hints of baking spice. It has a super silky mouthfeel, finishing in sweet fruit and velvety tannins. A rich, satisfying glass sure to please any crowd.  ... A scent of pine or rosemary leads off, followed by flavors of pure black cherry and blackberry. This has density and grip, but in proportion with the juicy fruit. Drink now through 2016.

really good. Varietal warm bitumen/dried fig/honey/black fruit Monastrell, with a juicy-jubey touch up from Syrah. Very silky with decent length and a nice tapered palate to a finish where the fruit tannins live.

has a strong and savory bouquet of mixed red and black fruit, lots of dried herbs and a dash of leather. Tasting the wine reveals jammy mixed berries, dried herbs, and some good prominent tannins. (Prominent, but not overdone by any means.) This is a very good, rich wine with some savory smoky notes. The finish is long, dry and spicy with a bit of mocha, some earthiness and a little dark berry. Viva la Monastrell!

The stunning Ébano Crianza is made from 100% Tempranillo, known locally as Tinto del Pais, with an average vine age of 20 years. It has a vibrant purple colour with intense fruit notes of ripe cherries, mulberries and raspberries. The wood is well integrated and keeps alive the earlier fruit as well as adding toasty aromas. Ébano 6 is made from 100% Tempranillo and spends 4 months in French oak. Great fruity structure, powerful finish.

An impenetrable bright purple colour that stains the glass gives the impression of intensity and purity and the wine doesn’t let us down. The nose has slight briary and leafy hints before a rush of fresh raspberries fills the nose. Chewy, but supple tannins backed with dense blackberry flavours ensure a gob full of flavour.

The ripe, spicy nose is laced with hints of apricots, Christmas cake and an underlying savoury edge. The palate is full of flavour and displays vivid red fruits supported by racy acidity, ensuring the palate finishes light.

Ripe and sweet fruited, unoaked and uncomplicated. the Primitivo carries a bit more weight and richness when compared to the Barbera. The nose is complimented with a slight smokiness, with dark cherry, pastille and jubey fruit flavours.