To paraphrase a famous wine quote: "Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!" We at Grand Vin enjoy the festive season and coming up with thematic wines to satisfy your discerning tastebuds. This year, we are getting all starry-eyed with the many options for deliciously plush, complex red wines that span the spectrum from lithe Grand Cru Pinot Noir to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon blends. There are a few surprises as well, such as the second wine from China's Long Dai and a very attractively priced magnum of Tuscan beauty.
Discover our stars of the season below, and request for the complimentary "dress up" service for your purchase should you need to gift them.
Starry Starry Night
Nittardi
Nittardi Nectar Dei Maremma Toscana Rosso 2016 MAG
Limited to only 60 OWC in Singapore, this magnum housed in a celestial striking blue box, is possibly the perfect gift for the generous host throwing a big party! For those looking for an art connection, the estate was once owned by a certain Italian artist Michaelangelo who would present the first bottles of this new wine to the popes of the time (a tradition that endures to today).
WA 93: I published my review of the 2017 vintage of this "Nectar of the Gods" a little while back and am now reaching back to 2016 to keep the databased updated. The Nittardi 2016 Maremma Toscana Nectar Dei is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Syrah with 5,646 bottles produced. This is a thickly extracted and rich red wine with black fruit, plum, spice, leather and sweet spice or toast. It is a medium to full-bodied red that can stand up to roast pork or grilled steak.
Hill of Stars
Domaine de Long Dai
Hu Yue 2019
"...the 2019 Hu Yue is another solid effort in the emergent story of Long Dai’s second wine…" -Edward Ragg
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Marselan and Merlot make up this prestigious second wine at the foothills of Long Dai. This wine is defined by red fruit aromas, a fresh attack on the palate and length that's supported by silky tannins. Its name refers to the iconic hills around the estate, where no doubt more stars will be born.
Vintage Stars
Domaine de la Romanee Cont
With strict allocations, Domaine de la Romanee Conti remains one of the most sought-after stars of Burgundy. So it is even more exciting when we have these fabulous vintages to offer for the serious vinophile.
Domaine de la Romanee Conti Echezeaux 1988
Domaine de la Romanee Conti Grands Echezeaux 1988
Domaine de la Romanee Conti Echezeaux 1989
Domaine de la Romanee Conti Romanee St Vivant 1989
Domaine de la Romanee Conti Richebourg 1994
Domaine de la Romanee Conti Corton 2012
Spotting the Rare Stars
Hundred Acre
Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan Vineyard 2018
Hundred Acre Wraith Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Hundred Acre is one of those wineries that effortlessly collect multiple 100-pointer scores across their portfolio. Though typically "On Allocation", in the spirit of sharing this Christmas, we have made available two recent vintages that will be sold out even faster than you can say Merry Christmas!
WA 100: Sporting an opaque garnet-purple color, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Kayli Morgan Vineyard needs a fair bit of coaxing to unlock fabulously evocative notions of pure cassis, ripe, juicy black plums and wild blueberries, plus suggestions of candied violets, cinnamon stick and fenugreek, with a touch of fallen leaves. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with poise and sophistication, shimmering with energetic black and blue fruit layers and a perfectly plush texture, finishing with a dazzling display of minerals and floral fireworks. A hands-down, jaw-dropping beauty!
WA 98+: Deep garnet, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Wraith jumps with spicy scents of cumin seed, clove oil, cinnamon stick and fenugreek, leading to a core of prunes, blueberry pie and blackcurrant cordial, with touches of iron ore and red roses. The rich, full-bodied palate layers in red fruit nuances with a structure that is wonderfully elegant and ethereal, delivering silken tannins, seamless freshness and a long-lasting firework display for a finish.
