Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley Excellence
Ad Vivum Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley Excellence
Founded in 2007 by winemaker Chris Phelps, Ad Vivum captures the essence of Napa Valley’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon from the renowned Sleeping Lady vineyard in Yountville. This vineyard benefits from a southwest-to-northeast vine orientation and proximity to San Pablo Bay, which ensures a slow, even ripening by tempering daytime heat with cool marine breezes. The grapes are harvested during cool nighttime hours to preserve freshness and quality.
After fermentation, the wine undergoes a three-week maceration on skins to extract rich color and flavor compounds before aging for 20 months in French oak barrels, 75% of which are new. The resulting wine displays a deep garnet color and a complex aromatic profile featuring ripe black fruits like plum, blueberry, and blackberry, intertwined with floral violet notes, Mediterranean herbs, subtle baking spices, tea leaves, and hints of tobacco and minerals.
On the palate, it offers a full-bodied yet balanced experience, marked by a creamy texture and bright acidity. The fruit concentration is complemented by earthy and mineral undertones, while velvety tannins contribute to a long, satisfying finish. This Cabernet Sauvignon pairs beautifully with grilled lamb, hearty meat dishes, and savory mushroom preparations, highlighting its versatility and elegance.
Agidela Goruli Mtsvane – Bright and Fresh Georgian White
Established in 2020 in Georgia’s Shida Kartli region, Agidela Winery produces wines primarily from indigenous grape varieties such as Goruli Mtsvane, along with small additions of Chinuri. The grapes are sourced from local growers who apply careful vineyard management, ensuring healthy fruit development at each growth stage. The winery itself recently acquired a vineyard to begin in-house production in the near future.
This wine displays a lively straw-yellow color with greenish hints. Its aromatic profile is fresh and vibrant, bursting with tropical fruit notes including ripe apricot and citrus. The palate is juicy and crisp, supported by a pronounced mineral character and well-balanced acidity. The finish is long and pleasant, featuring subtle brioche undertones.
Served chilled between 8 to 10°C, this white wine is an excellent choice as an aperitif and pairs wonderfully with seafood, delicate white fish, and light Asian cuisine, making it a versatile addition to summer menus and casual dining occasions.
Sardinian Carignano Blend – A Modern Classic
Hailing from Sardinia, this wine challenges traditional expectations of southern Italian reds by combining native Carignano grapes with international varieties including Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. The vineyard’s sandy brown soil, composed of clay and limestone, creates ideal conditions for producing a wine of both richness and finesse.
Aged for 15 months in French oak barriques, this ruby-red wine emits a powerful, aromatic bouquet of raspberry, cherry, blackcurrant, and blackberry, enhanced by spicy and leathery nuances. The palate is dense and structured, echoing the intense fruit aromas with flavors of black cherry and blackcurrant syrup, while a lingering licorice finish adds complexity with subtle hints of sandalwood and mocha.
The wine’s soft tannins and lively acidity offer a smooth mouthfeel and a long-lasting finish. It pairs excellently with beef, lamb, traditional Italian dishes, hard cheeses, and hearty winter stews, making it a versatile choice for those seeking a sophisticated and approachable red wine.
Achaval Ferrer Cabernet Franc – Argentine Vineyard Excellence
This bold Cabernet Franc originates from high-altitude vineyards in Tupungato and Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, situated between 900 and 1100 meters above sea level. Founded in 1998 by Santiago Achaval and Manuel Ferrer, and joined by winemaker Roberto Cipresso, the winery has played a key role in elevating Argentina’s global wine status, particularly with Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Franc.
The wine opens with a rich aromatic profile featuring ripe plum, black cherry, tobacco, pepper, and toasted oak. The unique terroir imparts heightened acidity and an intense character. On the palate, flavors of cassis, blackberry, and blackcurrant intertwine with rustic notes of tomato leaf, rosemary, thyme, and black pepper, creating a complex and harmonious experience.
Its structure balances elevated aromas with robust tannins reminiscent of classic Bordeaux, but with a distinctly Argentine boldness. This Cabernet Franc is a fantastic match for grilled Argentine steak, chorizo, or lamb dishes, making it a rewarding choice for those who appreciate layered complexity combined with vibrant fruit and herbal nuances.