It is a rare chance to taste all the single vineyards side by side and the best opportunity to really try and understand the nuances and terroirs of each of the separate sites. What is immediately clear is however variable in their tannin profiles, aromatics and fruit flavours, they are all incredibly consistent in quality.  There isn’t a bad wine in the line-up, more than that, there isn’t a single wine that is less than excellent. All the wines share the same composure: the acids vibrant yet beautifully integrated, the tannins present but never awkward, despite Nebbiolo’s tendency to be slightly grippy and astringent, particularly in youth. After visiting the winery in June we knew Aldo was extremely excited about the 2016 vintage
and rightly so, it is an outstanding wine and an incredible buy for the price. If you missed our initial release in the summer of last year, don’t miss an additional allocation to be released next week. But he is also very proud of this latest line-up of single vineyard Riservas from 2015 released for the first time on the market this week. 2016 as a vintage is always going to overshadow the 2015, despite it being a lovely vintage in Barbaresco and certainly in great contrast to the much cooler 2014. These single vineyards certainly express both the warmth of the vintage and the quality of each specific site. None of the wines were raisined, but perhaps as Aldo describes a “little tighter” than the 2016 Barbaresco (tasted alongside)  as the dry, warm vintage meant the grapes were picked perhaps five to six days earlier than the ideal picking date, in order to retain the acids and freshness at the expense of the tannins achieving complete phenolic resolution. Aldo is
not afraid to give a very honest picture. But he still is immensely proud of
these wines and he should be.  It was this additional six to seven days of phenolic ripening on the vine that perfected the 2016 vintage. Aldo feels that 2015 produced wines that in their youth are slightly
more reserved in style, with sharper tannins and warm fruit flavours. Unlike the 2016s these wines will need more time to bed in (three to four years) and will reach their peak around 10 years of age.  The 2016s in comparison are already fully integrated due to the phenolic ripeness and will age 20 years plus. The contrast in the vintages doesn’t take away the
quality of the wines in 2015, it just provides them with a more limited drinking window. Aldo states the wines are already much more open than they were in September and tasting
them this week they already feel beautifully expressive and open apart from the more austere vineyards of Asilli, Rabaja and the Montestefano. The single vineyards are not made every year and none were made in 2018 vintage, but when
they are, all nine of the vineyards are produced in varying quantities. In 2015 the lowest productions come from Paje and Asili, which will not be made available to buy in stand-alone cases. The best part of the Riserva release is the opportunity to buy all nine vineyards in a mixed case containing one bottle of each. The single vineyards Produttori del Barbaresco produces nine single vineyards, all historical sites within the
boundaries of the Barbaresco commune. First released in 1967 as Riserva Special (five vineyards were produced then), they are bottled only in outstanding years. In such vintages the best grapes from each vineyard site are selected for single-vineyard bottlings, while the remaining grapes are used in the Barbaresco blend. *Descriptions of each vineyard courtesy of Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, "the Dolce Vita wine" Proximity to the Tanaro River creates a unique microclimate for the Pora, a beautiful hill with West and South exposures, while the northern side of the hill is a sheer bluff that drops into the river and where the famous white truffles can be found in season. Due to the proximity to the valley floor, Pora is relatively warm in the early morning hours, but breezy with slightly higher humidity through most of the day.  Soil fertility is slightly higher here too and this gives the wine a smoother character, tannins are soft and the aromas always tend to open up in the early years of its life. Pora is also one of the most historical vineyards in Barbaresco, as it was part of the property of Dominizio Cavazza, the father of Barbaresco, who in 1894 founded the first Cantina Sociale. Produced as a single vineyard by Produttori del Barbaresco since 1967. 2015
There is a lovely plushness to this Nebbiolo particularly in the front palate with ripe juicy red berry fruits beautifully integrated with very sandy tannins. The nose needs a little coaxing but has a lovely floral perfume. Very well balanced and already quite open and little to no bitterness on the finish.
 Rio Sordo, "The silky one" The vineyard is a long, southwest-exposed hillside in the southern part of the Barbaresco village, not far from the river. The light limestone soil with a relatively low calcium content compared to other areas of Barbaresco produces wines where tannins are never dominant, instead, they show a silky quality on the palate that makes them extremely attractive and seductive, never imposing, always elegant. Behind the smooth elegance, however, lies a core of powerful structure and very well-balanced tannins that give to the Rio Sordo its complexity and longevity. First produced as a single vineyard by Produttori del Barbaresco in 1978. 2015  Very exuberant aromatics jump out of the glass. Beautifully uplifting fragrant perfume. A little touch of ripe molasses mixes with sweet baked berry fruits without any raisining. Touch of orange bitters but still very fleshy juicy, ripe and precise. Asili, "A world on its own" This spectacular vineyard has created some of the greatest Barbaresco ever and it has a strong following all over the world. The main part of the Asili vineyard is a protected bowl facing southwest next to Pora, but farther away from the river and the valley influence with warmer and less breezy microclimate during most of the summer. To the East, Asili ends with a bricco, top of the hill, also facing southwest and with a similar soil composition, bordering Rabaja.  The wine is intense, certainly not a full-bodied Barbaresco, but nevertheless showing a very imposing personality. Usually quite closed in its youth it opens up slowly with impeccable complexity and style… a classic Barbaresco, and also one of the most distinctive vineyards of the region. First produced as a single vineyard in 1967. 2015 
Fairly closed on the nose but with plenty of brooding earthy, savoury tones. There is tremendous power on the palate, with very compact tannins that despite their intensity retain a level of elegance and refinement. You can taste the sunshine too with ripe baked berry fruits that the palate remains very vertical, tense and focused. This will benefit from a good five years of ageing. Paje, "Evergreen" The vineyard is a small bowl facing southwest and it lies between the village itself and the famous Asili vineyard. However, Paje is slightly lower in altitude and the vineyard is more open to the Tanaro River influence resulting in a cooler microclimate. The soil is limestone with high calcium level. In result, the wine combines elegance and complexity with intense tannins and it is never shy in acidity.  The latter makes Paje somehow sharper and brighter in its first years, with lovely youthful fruit and flowery notes, almost minty in cooler vintages. Paje is particularly attractive after some ageing, when the wine still retains a fruitful and fresh palate. First vintage produced was 1967 as a small commemorative label for the “Cavalieri del Tartufo” association. Regular production started from the 1982 vintage. 2015 One of the standouts in the lineup with a distinct energy on the palate that get the blood pumping. A lovely focused floral undercurrent with wonderfully vibrant precise fruit on the palate. The tannins start very fine but begin to firm up on the finish adding structure and power and will no doubt integrate with age. This is really excellent with real breadth and natural concentration on the palate. Ovello, "The tomboy" Ovello is the northernmost vineyard in the village of Barbaresco, higher in sea level and
dropping down to the river in a 300 feet abrupt bluff. It is a relatively large area with a number of subzones with West and East exposure, all sharing a similar calcareous soil rich in clay. The extra clay and the cooler microclimate give the Ovello its exuberant and youthful quality in the fruit and its fuller body, which defines its distinctive personality.  Explosive fruit on the palate and firm, sometimes rough tannins on the finish, these wines always bring a lot of joy to the palate and delivers powerful structure, that needs some years of bottle ageing to balance out. Domizio Cavazza had vineyards in Ovello (and Pora) when he started producing Barbaresco in 1894. It was among the first five vineyards produced as a single vineyard by the Produttori in 1967. 2015
There is an amazing density and power at the centre of the palate that oscillates round the palate. The palate is stunning with incredibly pure rose petal and stem aromas. Full-bodied, powerful and structured  but beautifully managed with a textural complexity that creates a stunning layering on the palate. Still contains a level of austerity that requires time to meld and mellow. Muncagota, "Pristine beauty" This single vineyard looks South/East, facing the cooler morning sunshine instead of the
warmer afternoon sun. Because of that, the Muncagota vineyard shows beautiful floral characteristics and often a specific mint character on the nose.  Calcareous soil and a low level of sand gives to the wines of Muncagota extremely focused fruit and firm stylish tannin. Muncagota is a perfect example of the elegant, intense qualities that makes Barbaresco one of the most interesting and unique wines of the world. First produced by Produttori del Barbaresco as Moccagatta in 1967. Muncagota is the piedmontese dialect version of the word Moccagatta, same vineyard, different spelling. 2015 
There is distinctly sweeter fruit on the Muncagato and lots of perfume and a baked fruit profile that again retains precision and is not at all over ripe. Definitely more austere tannins on the palate but the fruit concentration contours beautifully over this structural powerhouse. Rabaja, "Pure breed" Rabaja produces quintessential Barbaresco, one of the most complete and balanced of the single vineyards. The vineyard lays at the conjunction of the two main ridges that from the Barbaresco village, one starting at Rabaja and going west towards the Tanaro River (with progressively less calcium content in the soil). The meeting of these two different soils gives to Rabaja its incredible complexity. Bordering both Asili and Muncagota it combines the personality of these two great vineyards with an extra richness due to the South/West warm
exposure. First produced by the Produttori as a single vineyard in 1971. 2015 
Incredible aromas oscillate from the Rabaja – wow, the perfume again gets the blood pumping. Very complex concoction of white stone, lavender, dried herbs, wild flowers. The palate is dense and compact but the tannins beautifully refined despite their intensity and structure. The tannins are extraordinary really almost elasticated, creating so much breadth on the palate and
beautifully integrated. So powerful yet so balanced. Montestefano, "the Barolo of Barbaresco" It is one of the vineyards with a higher concentration of calcium in the soil that gives the wine a powerful tannic structure. The extra heat of the south-facing slope is responsible for the Montestefano full body and almost meaty texture. It produces deep flavoured wines with massive tannins, but quite ripe and well-integrated.  In a wet season, its grapes can hold rain well and is usually the last one to be picked among the Barbaresco vineyards. For all these reasons it is probably the Barbaresco that more reminds of Barolo where tar and rose prevails on the refined violet flavours. Despite this massive attitude remains a true Barbaresco, never too heavy on the palate and with a classy finish that lingers on the palate without overwhelming your senses. First produced by Produttori in 1974. 2015 
A really vibrant zesty citric uplifting aromatic profile really contrasting with dense structural tannins full of power and intensity. The contrast is quite unique contrasting vibrant freshness, mouthwatering acidity and more earthy savoury dryer mineral savoury tones and a clay-like structure.  Montefico, "the Academic" A not widely known vineyard, yet highly sought after by the Barbaresco aficionados. It is often compared to the slightly larger and more famous Montestefano vineyard because of the similar soil (high calcium) and close proximity between the two. It lays halfway between the Montestefano and the Ovello.  Exposure is full South, therefore quite warm, but it is not unusual for Montefico to have brisk morning hours during the growing season because of the cooler northern wind that occasionally funnels in form the Tanaro River and into the narrow valley between the villages of Barbaresco and Neive. Austere when young and somehow less fleshy than Montestefano, it shows a beautiful mineral finish. It produces wine with the breed of any classic Barbaresco and with incredible complexity behind the tannins. First vintage released was 1970. 2015 
There is a lovely energy to this wine matched by its finesse on the palate, another highlight in the in the line up. Fantastic exuberant complex floral perfume with added sweeter berry fruit notes. High level of ripeness but no raisin-like qualities retaining precision and freshness. The clarity of fruit here is exceptional and the long length is testament to the quality here. This
has everything. Explore more Editorial 

Aldo Vacca gives us his take on the vintage, a breakdown of each of the individual single vineyards and their distinct flavor profiles, as well as full tasting notes of the 2015s.

Barbaresco 2015 vintage assessment and a breakdown of each of the Produttori del Barbaresco single vineyards as well as full tasting notes of their wines

Produttori del Barbaresco 

Produttori del Barbaresco: The single-vineyard Riservas

After the stresses of 2020 – with severe drought, heat and widespread wildfires, the 2021 vintage provided much-needed relief for Napa’s wine producers. Not only was the growing season reassuringly uneventful, but the resulting wines are fantastic. Concentrated, pure with vibrant acidity, this is a vintage that sits alongside 2013, 2018 and 2019 – the best in recent years. “I’m very happy to move on from talking about 2020! It was stressful to go through and stressful to relive,” said Maya Dalla Valle, winemaker at the eponymous estate founded her parents. Most winemakers and vineyard managers held their breath as the 2021 season progressed, anxious about the potential return of hazardous wildfires that increasingly seem to be the new normal in Northern California, but the danger never materialised.   The most significant factor influencing the 2021 harvest was instead drought, which unfortunately entered a second year. Conditions were exceedingly dry – historically so, says Chris Phelps of Ad Vivum, who noted that it was one of the driest years he can remember. Napa’s Mediterranean climate dictates that nearly all precipitation falls during the months of October-March, and the rains generally begin in the weeks following the close of each harvest, but this didn’t happen in 2020. While early winter was quite cold, helping to push the vines into dormancy, but rain didn’t arrive until January, February and March 2021. With around seven inches measured in Oakville, this was significantly lower than normal and far less than the total amount needed to reinvigorate the roots and replenish the water table.  Access to water, either from precision irrigation, or the benefit of a location with good water supply, therefore, was critical to shoot growth and canopy development. Sleeping Lady Vineyard in southern Yountville – the fruit from which Ad Vivum is crafted – backs up against the Mayacamas Mountains that form the western edge of Napa Valley. Here, natural springs funnel moisture down to the vineyard. In other locations, such as the eastern hillsides of the valley, long sunlight hours and faster-draining soils presented a greater challenge. The solution at Dalla Valle was to begin irrigation much earlier than normal, and at a greater volume, in order to mimic the rainfall that didn’t happen naturally. Although 2021’s growing season was quite warm, it was cooler than 2020 and, importantly, there were very few heat waves – and those that did take place were mercifully short. The first of these spikes, where the daily temperature reached over 37˚ Celsius, occurred in mid-June, a point early enough in the growing season where its impact was negligible. The remainder of the summer was consistently warm, with little variation, up until late August and early September, when the valley saw two minor heat spikes. The diurnal swing that Napa is known for, with nights quickly cooling down after sunset, was also in full effect in 2021, helping to preserve the grapes’ natural acidity. Given the steady weather and lack of wildfire risk, winemakers had the luxury of time when deciding to pick. For most, harvest began in the first two weeks of September – slightly earlier than average, but not drastically so. The year’s dry conditions reduced yields, which was not surprising, though “sometimes harrowing” as Andy Erickson (of Favia, and star consultant winemaker) described. The resulting clusters were lighter than normal, comprised of small berries with thick skins. While Phelps reported that the yields at Ad Vivum were down by 15%, he emphasised the positives that have emerged from these small, compact clusters: “The colour is extraordinary, with higher than normal levels of anthocyanins due to the long, slow ripening.” Others reported an even more drastic reduction in yield – up to 30% in some locations – though variation depends on not just access to water, but also soil type and depth. Vine age can also help mitigate drought conditions. Lisa Togni of Philip Togni Vineyard, perched at nearly 2,000 feet at the top of Spring Mountain, said that her yields were more or less normal, something she credits to the 32-year average age of her vines, which, remarkably, have never been irrigated. She feels that her vines’ well-established roots are able to reach deeper and access more water than younger vines. The low yields also sparked some wineries to change course in the vineyard prior to harvest, in regard to both shoot thinning and dropping fruit. Opus One made the decision to halt their green harvest. This process – during which a certain number of clusters per vine are removed, lowers yield and increases the intensity of the remaining fruit while also eliminating any slightly under- or over-ripe clusters – was always standard for Opus One, as it is for many wineries in Napa. This decision to change course was an easy one to make in a year like 2021, winemaker Michael Silacci said, and he is thrilled with the results, describing “more of a range of ripeness, with more layers and texture, and more vineyard character” in the final wine.  In the winery, tannin management was crucial. With a reduced skin-to-juice ratio, it was important to handle the fruit gently. For Tony Biagi, winemaker at several Napa Valley wineries, including Hourglass, Amici, The Vineyardist and To Kalon Vineyard Co, the main puzzle was how to coax colour from the fruit, while avoiding over-extraction of the tannins. “We were meticulous in how we macerated; we shortened the window,” he explained. Biagi said that the firm tannins are reminiscent of 2013, though perhaps not quite as muscular, as the more stable weather of 2021 allowed “more time to buff the edges”. At Dalla Valle, the decision was made to leave the wines in barrel for an additional two months because they displayed so much power and concentration. Despite the smaller berries and low yields, the condition of the fruit was described as nearly perfect by everyone. Low disease pressure and the lack of heat spikes produced uniformly healthy, good-looking clusters. Silacci recalls perhaps the most worrying moment of the 2021 harvest at Opus One, when their optical sorter broke down just as the fruit began arriving at the winery. Fortunately, however, the quality of the fruit made a stressful moment less so: “If ever there was a vintage we didn’t need a sorter it was 2021!” Early impressions of the final wines are uniformly positive – glowing with praise, even – and not simply because the year was a welcome relief following the trials of 2020. As we found in our tastings, the wines offer concentration and intensity with real purity of fruit, all balanced by refreshing and somewhat surprising acidity – allowing them to age beautifully. Phelps noted that the 2021s remind him of 2016, 2018 and 2019, all vintages with “great concentration, tension and generosity”. For Biagi, the vintage instead portends a new direction for the region, while referencing other hallmark great vintages of the past. “For me, the 2021s are classically Napa Valley. They are not crazy ripe, and you get a sense of the new style Napa is moving towards, with both power and freshness,” he opined. But perhaps Togni summarises the year most simply: “2021 was the kind of vintage we hope for every year.” Napa 2021 in brief: The growing season was – especially after 2020 – refreshingly uneventful The wines offer both concentration and freshness Dry and warm, but not overly hot, conditions reduced yields, with up to 30% less fruit at some addresses – and a crop of small, thick-skinned berries Rich yet vibrant, the wines are set to age very well A vintage to rival 2013, 2018 and 2019 in quality Explore all Napa 2021 listings, all Napa listings or read more Editorial

Napa’s producers have already started releasing their 2021s – and more will be hitting the market in the coming months. The vintage is one that allowed producers to breathe – and produced some stunning wines, as Rachael Ryan – Senior Buyer at Vinfolio, our US arm – discovers

Diving into the 2021 vintage in the Napa Valley and its rich, fresh wines, with Dalla Valle, Opus One, Philip Togni, Andy Erickson and more

Napa 2021 vintage report

Napa 2021: rich, fresh and a relief

Claude Giraud (owner of Champagne Henri Giraud) – 1999 La Romanée-Conti, Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti “We always spend Christmas with the family and everyone brings a bottle they want to share. This bottle is first and foremost a Grand Cru of Pinot Noir, and we love the Grands Crus of Pinot Noir in both Champagne and Burgundy. Following a bottle of our own Grand Cru – Hommage au Pinot Noir and an MV10 Champagne, of which both would have benefited from a few years of aging, I will serve the Romanée-Conti. I like to drink these wines quite early in the meal, their fragrance, their voluptuousness, and their precision make me happy to continue the meal. This bottle is also a memory of the person who gave it to me on one of my trips to Japan. I will call my friend on this occasion. Because wine is that – beyond a taste, it's a story, a bond of friendship, a touch of humanity that we so badly need for these end of year celebrations.” Sébastien le Golvet (winemaker at Champagne Henri Giraud) – 2011 Único, Vega Sicilia, Ribera del Duero “Christmas with the family at the Girauds is a string of bottles, each more extraordinary than the last. Thanks to my wife Anne (one of Claude Giraud's daughters) I had the chance to discover some great wines. These wines inspire me every day when I am in the vineyards or in the cellar. They make me want to surpass myself and always go further in precision and excellence. Vega Sicilia is one of those first great Spanish wines which made a deep impression on me. I like them old, after 20 years, 30 or more because this is really where Vega Sicilia fully expresses itself. And then I recently drank in Mexico a bottle of 2011 Vega Sicilia and I was amazed. It is so young and already so beautiful! I told myself that I couldn't keep this secret to myself, I wanted to share it with my family. So, coming back from this trip, I immediately put some in my cellar. And the first bottle will be for Christmas.” Tod Mostero (Dominus) – 2005 Riesling Auslese, Graacher Himmelreich, Joh. Jos. Prüm, Mosel “It is finally feeling cold enough here for the subtle fruit and mineral shades of a Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Auslese 2005, which may pair well with a grape and quail dish I love at Christmas time. I like to travel in my mind and tell stories with my family at the holidays. This bottle was offered to me by Michael Grimm (our distributor in Germany) and his family shortly after I returned to California in 2007. He and his family have become close over the years. I will also remember Bordeaux, my spiritual family in Libourne, and the gravelly earth and creamy tones of Pomerol soils with a 1982 La Fleur-Pétrus or the pillar of beauty, 2009 Trotanoy – bottles offered to me by Christian Moueix to celebrate the end of year. It is fun to pour a wine and talk to loved ones of the people and places in the bottle.” Gaia Gaja (Gaja) – 1961 Barbaresco, Gaja “This Christmas more than ever the family will gather in full, at my parents' house to celebrate Christmas together. I can’t wait. It will be a long day of celebration, cooking and enjoying each other’s company. Several wines will accompany us throughout the day and surely will be inspiring to the memories. In particular, I am excited to share a magnum of Barbaresco 1961 because this year we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of my father’s great career and this wine was his first step – the first vintage made by him when he was just 21!” Thomas Duroux (Ch. Palmer) – 2009 Malvasia delle Lipari Passito, Caravaglio, Sicily “In July 2011, I went for the first time to Salina, one of the seven Aeolian Islands. I had a little knowledge of the wines produced there but I did not know Antonino Caravaglio. We spent a lot of time together and I had a chance to taste several Malvasia from his estate. I took the hydro-foil ferry back to Sicily along with six bottles of his 2009 Malvasia delle Lipari. This sweet wine, made with dried berries from Malvasia grape variety develop extraordinary aromas with age, such as rosemary bush and dried apricot. This is really something that does not exist anywhere else. I plan to open the first bottle this Christmas and this wine will be my second daughter Gabrielle’s, born in 2009, first sip of wine!” Chris Riesbeck (Westland Distillery) – Garryana Edition 6 “For the holidays, I love to go with big Sherried malts during the colder months – our latest Garryana Edition 6 is just absolutely wonderful. It combines what I love in Sherry (dried fruits) with classic Garry Oak notes of ginger, clove, barbecue smoke. We used quite a bit of ex-Calvados and fruit brandy casks as well, so it’s this fantastic bouquet of candied fruit and smoke (not peat). Aside from that, I have a running obsession with large format (three-litre for the win!) during the holidays. It’s such a fun treat to share those sorts of things with loved ones. This year I’ve pulled a three-litre bottle of Marcel Lapierre Raisins Gaulois 2017 out of the cellar to celebrate.” Francesco Ripaccioli (Canalicchio di Sopra) – 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva, Vigna del Sorbo, Fontodi “One of the bottles that I will definitely open this Christmas will be Fontodi’s Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo 2013 in magnum. This bottle is so special for me for many reasons, for sure it is one of the greatest wines I ever tried, but behind this, there is a family (the Manetti family) and a man, Giovanni Manetti, who at the beginning of my journey in the world of wine was a great sponsor for me, granting me his friendship and his continuous support. Fontodi has been, and still is today the greatest example of how a family-run estate can stay local, while thinking global. I love the 2013 vintage in all of Tuscany and also Piedmont. The wines mature very slow and this is the sign for me of a great vintage. But we can now already start to enjoy something from it for sure.” Frédéric Weber (Bouchard Père & Fils) – 1999 Beaune-Grèves, Premier Cru, Le Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus, Bouchard Père & Fils “Christmas day is the perfect day to celebrate this wine, so it is an easy choice for me. This is a great wine, from an appellation that today is still too underrated. Historically the top wines from Beaune were the most expensive in Burgundy and can compete with some of the finest. I have chosen 1999 because this was in fact the first bottle I bought from the domaine when I joined Bouchard in 2002. It is a fantastic vintage for Burgundy and is drinking beautifully now. I am looking forward to sharing it with my family this Christmas.” Rebecca Jago (The Last Drop) – The Last Drop Très Vieux Pineau des Charentes “This Christmas, we’ll be opening a magnum of Pol Roger I was kindly given last year but further lockdown meant we just didn’t have the company to drink it all! We have a mix of family and friends for Christmas Day and we’ll open a bottle of Newton’s unfiltered Chardonnay (my husband’s favourite), and some Ch. Talbot 2000. And, with the Christmas pudding, I’ll be opening my bottle of our incredible 100-year-old Pineau des Charentes: I can’t wait to share it with our loved ones. As evening falls, a small glass of Tom’s Blend No 1 for a moment of quiet reflection and memories of my much-missed parents.” Martin Donatsch (Donatsch) – 2016 Grüner Veltliner Smaragd, Honivogl, Franz Hirtzberger, Wachau “My motto: It's better to drink a few great wines than to unwrap a lot of presents. Unfortunately, it will be a sad Christmas for us, as it will be the first without my mum. She sadly passed away in the summer after a hard fight with cancer. So, we will be drinking one of her favourite wines in her memory. She loved Grüner Veltliner from Austria, so there will certainly be a Honivogl from our friends Hirtzbergers in the Wachau, which my mother loved so much. For red wine we will have some of our favourites, a 2011 Romanée-Saint-Vivant from Romanée-Conti and a 1989 Haut-Brion. Noblet and Delmas were for us the best cellarmasters ever on this planet. They both inspire me again and again when I drink their wines. For the sweet end, it will be Yquem again... I drink Yquem maybe three or four times a year. But at Christmas, this world-class sweet wine is always a must! Which vintages we open, I decide spontaneously shortly before Christmas but I’m thinking it will most likely be 1999.” David Stewart MBE (The Balvenie) – Balvenie PortWood 21 Year Old "I would probably have a couple of glasses of white wine, generally a Chenin Blanc from South Africa. We've visited a number of vineyards near Cape Town in Stellenbosch. In the evening I would pour myself a couple of drams of Balvenie PortWood 21YO, my favourite, whilst watching Call the Midwife." Read more Editorial

After many of us were not able to see extended family and friends last year, this festive break will seem that much more special. We caught up with some of our favourite winemakers and distillers and asked them what top bottles they will be opening to celebrate this Christmas – and why

We find out the special bottles some of our favourite winemakers and distillers are uncorking this Christmas

What producers are drinking this Christmas

Grimm's Bluff

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About description for demonstration purposes

shows all the items you currently store with us. These items can be sold, delivered or transferred.

At {shortName}

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Your pre-order item will be deleted. Are you sure you want to continue?

Your delivery request will be cancelled. Are you sure you want to proceed?

represents all the wines that are in your possession and have been consumed.

This is the price you paid for this item.

Cost price

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The lowest price you're willing to sell at.

shows all the items that you have pre-ordered, including en primeur wines, and all the items on your watchlist.

Futures

You can set a sell price on items you're selling based on a % of current unit net value.

You can set a market price on items you're selling based on a % of current unit net value.

shows all the actions that you have taken on items in your Portfolio.

groups every action by type - Purchase, Sale, Delivery, and Inbound Transfer - so it's clear at a glance what happened to each item.

History

shows all the items that are currently in transit to or from {shortName}.

In transit

Local delivery is free for orders over HK$1,800 (to a single location). For orders below this value, delivery is HK$150 for up to four cases and HK$50 per case thereafter.

Shipping starts from €15 within Italy and €45 to Switzerland and the rest of Europe for up to 48 bottles (75cl). Costs vary by destination. Larger shipments can be quoted on request.

The date shown below is when your order will ship from our local warehouse. Your final delivery date, along with full tracking details, will be provided once our team has processed your request.

You can arrange collection from our Retail store on 22nd Floor, 8 Wyndham Street, Central Hong Kong.
Collection times are between 9:30am-13:00 and 14:00-18:00pm, Monday to Friday. We are closed on public holidays.

You can arranged collection from our warehouse STI INTERNAZIONALE SPA, on Viale del Lavoro, 57, 37051 Bovolone, Verona.
Pick-up hours are between 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM, Monday to Friday. We are closed on public holidays.

This is the current estimated market value for this item.

Manually set prices will be overwritten. Already listed wines are not affected.

Updates all unlisted wines to current market price.

Set all at market

represents all the wines you currently have in your Portfolio that aren't stored with us. Press the

My cellar

Name

Net price

New portfolio available

New portfolio

You do not have any invoices at this time.

shows all the items from your Portfolio that are currently on the market.

On sale

shows all the items you currently have in your Portfolio. You can perform individual actions on them from this page.

Overview

shows any items that are currently awaiting user action.

Pending

This is the dynamic estimated value of the item with trading margin removed.

This is the amount of profit you will receive if your listing sells.

Pre-authorised payments enable automatic transactions on your behalf, ensuring seamless and hassle-free payments. This allows recurring charges, subscriptions, or scheduled payments to be processed without manual approval each time.

The number of cases you wish to place on sale

Your catalogue item will be archived. Are you sure you want to continue?

Your catalogue items will be archived. Are you sure you want to continue?

Before you request delivery, you can adjust the quantity for each item in your selection below.

* At time of sale a 15% trading fee will be deducted from the final sale price.

Total estimated value*'

The fixed custom price you wish to sell each item for.

Split into {caseSize} individual {bottleSize}cl bottles.

Title

shows all the items you currently store with us. These items can be sold.

Available for sale — items stored with {name} eligible to be listed on the marketplace.

Profile

This item is at Vinfolio, available for storage or shipping. For more information on shipping and handling visit vinfolio.com/shipping

This item is at FINE+RARE HOME Hong Kong, available for delivery or local pickup. Most Hong Kong deliveries can be made within 3 working days, an exact date will be available when arranging delivery. International deliveries have longer lead-times, please contact us for details.

Wines sold en primeur will be released from the producer after bottling, typically 18 months after the so-called campaign ends. Upon arrival your wine will be stored at Vinfolio in our temperature-controlled warehouse until you decide to take delivery.

We will source this item at the guaranteed price from our network of suppliers and arrange expedited shipment to FINE+RARE.
 The lead-time depends on many variables, but 2-4 weeks is typical for expedited sourcing.
 Once your order is confirmed, we'll keep you updated on its ETA.
 Every item is checked on arrival by our expert team, with photographs available on request (please note that charges may apply).

When a wine is on "pre-arrival", it means that we have a confirmed order on the bottles from our supplier and we are simply waiting for the winery or distributor to ship the wine to us. The delivery timeframe for pre-arrival wines varies significantly, depending on where the wine is coming from. We will notify you once they arrive at our warehouse and, at that point, you can decide to arrange shipping or list them for sale.

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