World Wine Synergy 10-Years Celebration Luncheon
Wednesday May 21st 2025
It was such a privilege to be included in a small group of wine reviewers that were invited to celebrate and congratulate World Wine Synergy for their 10 year anniversary. See my post regarding their accoomplishments over the ten years and their exciting rebranding and new logo by clicking here.
Following are the fifteen (15!) wines we enjoyed with a fabulous lunch curated specifically to match the wines by Chef Adam Pegg of La Quercia restaurant.
Each wine featured includes the country and region of origin, the winery notes, a short description of the winery, my brief notes (in italics), sku numbers of any listed wines and suggested retail prices. Following the list of wine are images of the dishes paired with the wines, in some cases up to four wines per dish, and descriptions of the dishes.
Everything was exceptional; the wines, the food, the company, the presentation by the WWS Team [Grace Li, Richard Loo, and Kristie Or].
ITALY – VENETO
PROSECCO EXTRA BRUT
‘PARTICELLA 232’ RIVE DI FARRÒ EXTRA BRUT VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUP. DOCG 2022 +142784
SPARKLING 90% GLERA, 10% (BIANCHETTA + PERERA) 6 BTLS/CASE 0.75 L SPEC $38.99 RTL
» Graceful beads with a creamy mousse. Vibrant notes of white flowers on a foundation of citrus freshness.
» Classified ‘Extra Brut’, this is a bone-dry Prosecco with delicate and soft bubbles on top of a lingering finish mreminiscent of freshly shelled almonds.
» Harvested entirely by hand from vines with average age of 40 years. Fermented in steel tanks and at least four months on the lees. Second fermentation with Charmat method using must from the same plot.
To start a crisp, dry Prosecco with pleasant notes of minerality mixed with a touch of salinity making it the perfect choice to begin the afternoon of celebration.
SORELLE BRONCA
Sorelle Bronca was founded by Antonella and Ersiliana in the mid-eighties, inspired by their
father, Livio, who had been involved in the wine industry for over 30 years. The Bronca sisters
had settled in Colbertado in the heart of the Prosecco DOC area of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. The Bronca sisters inherited from their father the passion for the vines and the dedication to work. Their wines come from estate-managed vines grown only in the sunniest part of the hills, at an altitude between 50 and 500 meters above sea level. The altitude, exposure, and proximity to the Adriatic create the perfect condition for the production of great wines.
Together with Antonella’s husband, Piero, and Ersiliana’s daughter, Elisa, Sorelle Bronca have achieved strong reputation as one of Italy’s best Prosecco producers.
FRANCE – ALSACE
RIESLING ALSACE GRAND CRU
RIESLING ALSACE GRAND CRU AOC ‘KESSLER’ 2018 ORGANIC + BIODYNAMIC +292461
WHITE 100% RIESLING 6 BTLS/CASE 0.75 L SPEC $63.99 RTL
95 POINTS – JAMES SUCKLING (JUL 2021)
» “So ripe yet so subtle, this is a rich dry riesling masterpiece with near-perfect balance. Lovely long, dry mineral finish that’s so clean and pure. Just keeps pumping out the ripe white-peach and rose-hip aromas! From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.” – James Suckling
» Crisp, dry, and elegant on the palate, this is a perfect representation of a Grand Cru Kessler Riesling.
Starting with that incredible scents of diesel that Riesling lovers look for first. Crisp and acidic, the wine is light and fruity. A rich and delicious Riesling that paired perfectly with the seared scallop.
DOMAINE DIRLER-CADÉ ALSACE
Jean Dirler is the fifth-generation winemaker of the Dirler winery that was established in 1871. In
1988, Jean united with the Cadé family winery, through marriage with Ludivine Cadé, to form Domaine Dirler-Cadé. That same year, they began to cultivate their vines organically while biodynamic practices were deployed to nurture a diverse, healthy, and sustainable ecosystem. Their entire 18 hectares is certified organic by the French Ministry of Agriculture and certified biodynamic by BIODYVIN. Dirler-Cadé is a substantial operation, 42% of which producing classified Grand Crus – Kessler, Kitterlé, Saering, and Spiegel – with Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Sylvaner, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, among others. In the winery, they use slow whole-cluster.
SPAIN – CANARY ISLANDS
LANZAROTE DO 2023
‘MALVASIA SECO’ LANZAROTE DO 2023 +012135
WHITE 100% MALVASIA VOLCÁNICA 12 BTLS/CASE 0.75 L LISTED $35.99 RTL
» Light golden with slight green tint. Floral, with aromas of mango, citrus, and mineral notes.
» Smooth on the palate, with fruits and dried herbs; medium- long mineral finish.
» Pairs well with light appetizers, pastas, seafood, shellfish, cheeses.
» Malvasia Volcánica is a cross between Malvasia Aromatica and Marmajuelo, which is indigenous to the
Canary Islands. The vines were not affected by phylloxera.
Opening with scents of smoky diesel, the wine was slightly lighter. Exhibited more citrus and more intense. A leaner wine with a nice acidic finish.
BODEGA LOS BERMEJOS LANZAROTE
Bodega Los Bermejos is located in the island of Lanzarote, one of the seven Canary Islands. Lanzarote is the island closest to the African Continent to the East. Lanzarote DO is a classified denomination. The climate is extremely dry, so each vine is planted in a crater carved into the volcanic soil to better condense moisture from dew. The craters are dug about a meter deep to get through the lapili (rock fragments ejected from volcano). Each crater, about two meters wide, is rimmed by a rock structure which together with the depth, protect the vine from the strong Spring and Summer trade wind. The crater and stone rim preclude the use of machinery and high-density planting for yield. The dominant red grape is the Listán Negro; white grape, Malvasia Volcánica. The vines were not affected by phylloxera.
ITALY – ABRUZZO
TREBBIANO D’ABRUZZO DOC 2019
‘FONTE CANALE’ TREBBIANO D’ABRUZZO DOC 2019 ORGANIC +483102
WHITE 100% TREBBIANO ABRUZZESE 6 BTLS/CASE 0.75 L SPEC $98.99 RTL
94 POINTS – VINOUS (JUL 2024)
» “Taking on a deeper golden hue, the 2019 Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Fonte Canale is coming along beautifully.Flintstone and smoke give way to young peaches, apricots and gingery spice. This displays a pretty inner sweetness offset by crisp orchard fruits and sour cirrus, all framed by a salty mineral concentration. It finishes with tremendous length and is still gently tannic, leaving lemon rind and spring inner florals to resonate. The 2019 lacks a bit of the verve that takes the best vintage of Fonte Canale to the next level, but with that said, I’m more than happy to have it in my cellar. ” – Eric Guido
» 100% Trebbiano Abruzzese massal selection, biotype ‘Fonte Canale’.
» The Trebbiano Abruzzese ‘Fonte Canale’ grapes for this wine comes from 96-year-old vines, grown on
limestone soil with marly-clay with over a sandstone-rich bedrock.
» Hand harvested in mid-September, spontaneous fermentation from indigenous yeasts in stainless steel
tanks, with no malolactic fermentation.
» Straw yellow with green tint. Green apple, apricot, tangerine, lemon peel and nuances of white flowers and anise. Crisp and vibrant with rich and tactile mouthfeel. Finishes long with harmonious minerality and a flinty yet creamy texture.
A very pleasant wine with ripe fruit scents, a bit stinky. The ripe fruit follows in the mouth along with medium tannins. Of the three wines this one was my favourite.
TIBERIO CUGNOLI
Tiberio is a family-owned estate, specializing in wines made from authentic Abruzzo native grape varieties.
The story of Agricola Tiberio began in 2000 when Riccardo Tiberio purchased the eight-hectare plot of
Trebbiano Abruzzese vines he had fallen in love with, along with another 31 hectares of land. Guided by decades of personal experience and one of Italy’s most renowned nurseries, Riccardo planted a selection of indigenous varieties matched to the different soil characteristics of the vineyard. Montepulciano Abruzzese, Trebbiano Abruzzese, and Aglianico were planted along with Pecorino and Moscato di Castiglione clones from ancient vines in the area. In 2008, Riccardo handed over the reins of the winery to his children, daughter Cristiana and son Antonio. The role of viticulturalist went to Antonio while Cristiana handled the winemaking. In 2011, Cristiana took over all the winemaking duties and is now solely responsible for the wines made at the estate. The Tiberios have one goal in mind: make wines that clearly speak of the varieties and the land from which they come.
FRANCE – BEAUJOLAIS
CÔTE DE BROUILLY AOC 2021/2022
‘LES GARANCES’ CÔTE DE BROUILLY AOC 2021/2022 +165636
RED 100% GAMAY 12 BTLS/CASE 0.75 L LISTED $42.99 RTL
93 POINTS – JAMES SUCKLING (APR 2022)
» “Very savory and herbal with considerable earthy power and wet-stone freshness, this is a seriously concentrated wine for the appellation, remaining bright in spite of the warmth of the vintage. Long finish, but this only confirms how this wine can age a couple of years in the bottle to reach its best form. Drinkable now, but best from 2024.” – James Suckling
» A hand-crafted wine made with grapes from vines as old as 90 years. Aged 14 months in 5th passage French oak barrels; the oak is subtly detectable.
» Fresh and lively as it is meant to be; lots of red fruits like strawberry and cherry. Complex on the palate with silky tannins and refreshing minerality.
DOMAINE BARON DE L’ECLUSE CÔTE DE BROUILLY
Located in Odenas of the Rhône Valley, Domaine Baron de L’Ecluse is a 6-hectare estate with 60-year-old Gamay vines planted on Mount Brouilly, in the Côte de Brouilly appellation. Fifth generation owner and winemaker Jean-François Pegaz has great respect for the environment. He follows sustainable agricultural methods and minimal intervention winemaking to ensure his wines truly reflect his terroir.
Opening with lighter scents with black currant. A richer, bolder wine.
FRANCE – BURGUNDY
SAVIGNY-LÈS-BEAUNE AOC 2022
‘LES LAVIÈRES PREMIER CRU’ SAVIGNY-LÈS-BEAUNE AOC 2022 ORGANIC +258398
RED 100% PINOT NOIR 6 BTLS/CASE 0.75 L LISTED $79.99 RTL
91 POINTS – VINOUS (MAY 2023)
» “The 2022 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Lavières 1er Cru was reluctantly aged in some new oak due to the large volume (co-proprietor Caroline Chenu is not a fan of new wood). It has a clean and pure bouquet with redcurrants, cranberry and light oyster shell notes. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth texture and layered red fruits that gently grip the mouth. The new oak lends a silkier sheen compared to other cuvées. Lovely depth on the finish that offers a touch of spice on the aftertaste.” – Neal Martin
» The nose of berries, red fruits, and violet are very fragrant, making this an elegant and pleasant wine when young. The aroma characters remain with age, which is typical of this appellation.
» On the palate, it is medium body, intense, and elegant with fine tannins and good minerality. It is well structured to age when it eventually develops an earthy character mingled with smoky complexity.
» ‘Les Lavières’ get its name from the stone found in their sub-soil, which is covered with a very fine layer of stony brown earth.
This wine was a little bit lighter with scents of cherries. Medium body with very nice acidity.
DOMAINE LOUIS CHENU PÈRE & FILLES BEAUNE
Domaine Louis Chenu Père & Filles is a boutique winery run by Caroline and Juliette, daughters of Louis Chenu. The winery started when Louis Chenu’s great grandfather bought the first parcels of vineyard in 1914. Caroline and Juliette are the fifth generation Chenus; they began to take over the Domaine almost 20 years ago, embarking towards full organic farming by 2006 then obtaining certification by ‘Veritas’. As winemaker Caroline says: “Everything is easy if the grapes are beautiful.” Towards this motto, many aspects of biodynamic viticulture are also practiced (though not yet certified). All 9.5 hectares of vineyard are situated in Savigny-les-Beaune, mainly producing Premiers Crus. In the vineyard, all the work is hands-on while in the cellar, fermentation is carried out naturally at low temperature; red wines are generally not filtered before bottling.
GREECE – MACEDONIA
AMYNDEON PDO 2021
‘KALI RIZA VIEILLES VIGNES’ AMYNDEON PDO 2021 +456412
RED 100% XINOMAVRO 12 BTLS/CASE 0.75 L LISTED $33.99 RTL
» Ruby with bronze hues, a colour typical for the Xinomavro sourced from Amyndeon.
» Intense aromas of wild strawberry and cherry mingled with fine herbal hints.
» On the palate the pronounced freshness balances with the ample body, offering a wine with great elegance.
» Ideal with meat cooked in red sauce, wild mushroom risotto, meat pies, grilled cheese.
» Xinomarvo is an indigenous Greek grape that is often compared to Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo. Its complexity and finesse put this wine among the finest from Greece.
» The grapes come from old vines, yielding no more than 6000 kg/ha. The selection of the vineyards was
based on their soil, and the vines’ health and capacity to reach full maturity.
» The alcoholic fermentation lasts 2 weeks and is followed by 1 week of post-fermentation maceration. After this period, the wine is transferred to the barrels, where it is left to mature for 14 months. During this time, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation while it is gently stirred on its lees. Finally, the wine is bottled and left to mature for 1 additional year.
An interesting almost smoky scent, wet stone, limestone with red candy and cinnamon. Spicy with tobacco notes. Slightly lean with light tannins and good acidity.
KIR-YIANNI AMYNDEON/NAOUSSA
Yianni Boutaris, founder of Kir-Yianni, has his root in the wine business. In 1977, after more than 30 years at the helm of another very successful Greek wine brand, Yiannis decided to spin off two of his best vineyards to create a super-premium Greek wine estate that will serve as a reference point for quality Greek wines. Kir-Yianni is one of them. The grapes are sourced from their estates in premium appellations of Amyndeon and Naoussa. A dominant grape is Xinomavro that has comparable characteristics with Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo. With complexity and finesse, Xinomavro wines are often cited among the finest from Greece.
FRANCE – SOUTHERN RHÔNE
‘YAMAKASI’ VIN DE FRANCE 2022
‘YAMAKASI’ VIN DE FRANCE 2022 ORGANIC + BIODYNAMIC +NATURAL +422516
RED 60% GRENACHE, 20% SYRAH, 20% CINSAULT 12 BTLS/CASE 0.75 L LISTED $31.99 RTL
» A fruit-forward wine with enticing red fruit aromas.
» Fresh, lively, and thirst-quenching on the palate with supple tannins that provide good structure to support an abundance of prominent red fruit flavours.
» Drink young and on its own to savour the radiance of its red fruit aromas. Great companion to summer
salads and many West Coast dishes. Ideal at 14-15°C; some may prefer slightly chilled.
» Certified Organic and Biodynamic. This wine is made under the Vin Méthode Nature regime sanctioned by French authorities that govern the production of Nature Wines. Criteria: certified organic, minimal
intervention winemaking, natural fermentation using indigenous yeasts, no added sulfite.
DOMAINE DUSEIGNEUR CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
Founded in 1967 by Jean Duseigneur, Domaine Duseigneur is a 5th generation family business that cares about yielding biodynamic and sustainable winemaking practices. Frederic Duseigneur (son) and Bernard Duseigneur (brother) took over in 1992 and now manage 12 hectares of vines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 11 hectares in the Côtes du Rhône appellation and 5 hectares in Lirac. Domaine Duseigneur is a member of Biodyvin, the International Bio-dynamic Vine growing Syndicate. All their wines are certified Organic and Bio-Dynamic by Ecocert FR-Bio. Domaine Duseigneur also produce wines under the Vin Méthode Nature regime.
FRANCE – SOUTHERN RHÔNE
CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE AOC 2021
‘JULIEN BARROT’ CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE AOC 2021 +242004
RED 65% GRENACHE, 20% MOUVÈDRE, 13% SYRAH, 2% OTHERS 6 BTLS/CASE 0.75 L LISTED $70.99 RTL
93 POINTS – VINOUS (APR 2023)
» “Matured for 18 months in a combination of concrete tanks, foudre and demi-muids, the 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Julien Barrot comes in at 15% alcohol. It reveals fragrant aromas of glossy red fruits, black cherry, licorice,white pepper, mint and hints of lavender. It is full-bodied, enveloped in smooth tannins and the bright finish concludes with good persistence.” – Nicolas Greinacher
Opening with dark, rich and red fruit aromas. Richer and riper compared to previous wine. Full bodied with good acidity. A darker colour with deeper body. Oaky, but pleasantly so. An excellent wine. My favourite red overall.
DOMAINE LA BARROCHE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
The history of Domaine La Barroche dates all the way back to 1703 when Alexandre Barrot bought the first land comprising the present-day Domaine in the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It has been handed down from one generation to the next ever since. Today, Domaine La Barroche is represented by a veritable patchwork of family members, in much the way that Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s 13 grape varieties reflect the appellation’s complexity. At the helm is Julien and Laetitia, a brother and sister team who is totally committed to the estate. Laetitia, the elder sibling, unquestionably one of the Domaine’s driving forces, contributes her feminine sensitivity to a world that is traditionally masculine. Julien, the younger brother, has the resolute character typical of winegrowers devoted to their vocation and appellation. He came to work at the estate in 2002, barely 22 years of age, just after finishing his studies of oenology and with a business degree. He represents a new generation of winemakers who are very open minded while being greatly respectful of the terroir and the traditions passed on from previous generations. A rising star, Julien has produced cuvées that are consistently highly rated by well known international critics.
ITALY – EMILIA-ROMAGNA
SANGIOVESE PREDAPPIO 2022
ROMAGNA DOC SANGIOVESE PREDAPPIO 2022 ORGANIC + BIODYNAMIC +007664
RED 100% SANGIOVESE 12 BTLS/CASE 0.75 L LISTED $28.99 RTL
95 POINTS – WINE ENTHUSIAST (MAR 2025)
» “Savory and earthy aromas, with dark spices and a hint of pepper, immediately draw you into this intriguing wine. The palate is dark and brooding, with deep plum flavors layered with savory herbs, hints of dried hay and crushed sea shells. A complex and thrilling wine with tannins that are firmly planted but are necessary to give the wine its frame. A detailed, complex and thrilling wine.” – Jeff Porter
» The Sangiovese grape used to produce this wine is indigenous to the Romagna region, combined with a
unique soil of clay and prehistoric marine deposits, creates a beautiful profile which differentiates it from other such wines from Tuscany and surrounding regions.
» Vines are approximately 40 years old. The crops are hand-harvested, destemmed, and undergo spontaneous whole berry fermentation in stainless-steel tanks using indigenous yeasts and neutral open-top vats. 15-25 days of maceration; aged for 12 months in Slavonian oak botti.
» Aromas of bright red cherry fruit and spices, repeated on the palate, with high acidity a moderately long, mineral finish.
» Pairs well with a variety of meat dishes: beef, pork, veal; also a good choice for the cheese cart, especially traditional Italian hard cheeses.
A rich, delicious wine like whipped cream or jelly donut, cheesecake or plum torte. A beautiful ruby red. The wine is heavenly rich and ripe with a velvety smooth finish. A mellow, wonderfully rich, full bodied wine.
CHIARA CONDELLO PREDAPPIO
Chiara Condello is a rising star among the new generation of winemakers who has an ambition to augment her family’s wine craft with her own interpretation of the Sangiovese. Her vineyards are in the heart of the town, Predappio. The vines are deeply rooted in a soil of calcareous clay laden with rich sediments of marine life dating back three million years. This is where she developed her ambition to produce a pure Sangiovese that will authentically express the essence of this unique terroir. The two wines that Chiara produces–Predappio and Le Lucciole–are truly labors of love from the vineyard to the cellar. Building on a foundation of organic viticulture, the vineyards are naturally controlled by a well-balanced ecosystem; the vines are manually managed and harvested. The results are mature grapes that are healthy, requiring no correction in the vinification process. Vinification involves natural yeasts, with long maceration, and finally aging in Slavonian oak without filtration. The Predappio and the award winning Le Lucciole express not only the terroir, but also Chiara’s enthusiasm and her passion to demonstrate what Sangiovese should be.
ITALY – LAZIO
LAZIO IGT ROSSO 2022
CESANESE LAZIO IGT ROSSO 2022 +646711
RED 100% CESANESE 12 BTLS/CASE 0.75 L LISTED $25.99 RTL
90 POINTS – JAMES SUCKLING (NOV 2024)
» “This opens up with aromas of elderberries, graphite, cedar and smoke. On the palate it delivers succulent, upfront, dark fruit flavors paired with sinewy, expansive tannins that gradually mellow. Drink now.” – Jacobo
Garcia-Andrade Llamas, Senior Editor
» Produced from Cesanese, an indigenous grape of Italy, this wine is deep ruby red with intense aromas of marasca cherry followed by spicy notes of white-, black-pepper and violet.
» On the palate, it is soft, smooth, and well balanced with persistent tannins and pronounced acidity, essential criteria for long aging.
» Excellent with white meat, any kind of poultry dishes such as chicken, duck confit, or Thanksgiving turkey preparations.
Pleasant scents of blackberies and currants. No noticeable tannins. Flavours of rich fruits like blackberries and cherries. Light, lean and interesting.
CASALE DEL GIGLIO LATINA
In 1967, Dino Santarelli founded Casale del Giglio at Le Ferriere in the Agro Pontino Valley near Latina, some 50 kilometers south of Rome. This area, unlike other Italian wine regions, was almost completely unexplored from a vine growing perspective. In 1985, Casale del Giglio embarked on a monumental experiment to nurture over 60 different international grape varietals in their soil. Led by winemaker Paolo Tiefenthaler and involving members from the academic community, the goal of this multi-year research was to determine the grapes that can do well in the Lazio terroir. The believers of this bold and daring project were amply rewarded when the first significant results were achieved from the Syrah and Petit Verdot, among others. Indeed, the estate’s flagship wine is the rich red Mater Matuta (an 80:20 blend of Syrah and Petit Verdot). As for the Whites: Viognier, Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Petit Manseng (originally a native of the French Atlantic Pyrenees).
ITALY – TUSCANY
CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA DOCG 2020
CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA DOCG 2020 ORGANIC +367097
RED 100% SANGIOVESE 6 BTLS/CASE 0.75 L SPEC $58.99 RTL
92 POINTS – VINOUS (JUN 2023)
» “The 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva is a dark, burly wine. Black cherry, menthol, licorice, dried herbs and graphite bring out the darker, more savory side of Sangiovese. The tannins could use a bit more polish, but its hard not to like this strapping, flavourful Riserva.” – Antonio Galloni
» A single-vineyard selection of Sangiovese fruit near the village of Radda in Chianti, between 1,050 and 1,200 feet in altitude and facing south-east. Soils combine galestro (a compacted clay) and hard alberese rock.
» Hand-harvested. Destemmed; fermented on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel
tank. Aged for 24 months in traditional “botti,” a 2,000L oak cask. Lightly filtered.
» Aromas of red and black cherries, crushed stones, light tea, herbs. Juicy with good structure; fine-grained tannins, good balance. Generous finish.
» Grilled sausage; air-dried salami; garlicky pasta in meat sauce; aged sheep’s cheese.
Lovely scents of blackberries and red currants. A dry wine with light tannins, interesting and light bodied. Flavors of cherries and rich fruit at the same time rather lean.
L’ERTA DI RADDA RADDA
The name of this winery is insolvably linked to the characteristics of its provenance. Actually it descends from the strong gradient of the vineyards (erta = slope), which are located near the historical center of Radda in Chianti. L’Erta di Radda is a small family business which is run by Diego Finocchi, who simultaneously takes care of everything, from trimming of the grape-vine to the commercialization of wine. The project “L’Erta di Radda” was born in the year 2006 thanks to the passion and the bond of Diego with his homeland. But the vineyard itself has more ancient roots. At the age of 24 Diego took the opportunity to buy 5 hectares of a vineyard from an old farmer in Radda to realize his dream: being a student of viniculture and enology and becoming the producer of his own wine. Until the 2008 vintage, the produced wine was completely sold to large customers or bottling plants. Starting with the 2009 vintage, Diego is concentrating on a selection of grapes from the old-established vines to produce his own Chianti Classico: L’Erta di Radda.
ITALY – TUSCANY
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG 2018
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG 2018 MAGNUM +346646
RED 100% SANGIOVESE 1 BTL/CASE 1.5 L SPEC $249.99 RTL
94 POINTS – VINOUS (OCT 2022)
» “The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino draws me in with a woodsy and balsamic bouquet, blending wild strawberries with flowery underbrush and hints of sage. This is soft yet potent, enveloping the palate with ripe textural fruits and sweet spice, as a staining of minerality and fine tannins settle in toward the close. A saturation of black raspberries and licorice is left to linger through the long and gently structured finale, giving way to pretty inner floral perfumes. There’s a beautiful harmony here, along with the balance needed for a long and steady evolution. Of note, while not stated in the name of the wine, the Baricci Brunello is a pure interpretation of Montosoli fruit.” – Eric Guido
» Ruby red colour, which tends to garnet red with aging. A very complex and intense nose, with fleshy fruit aromas, followed by elegant, faded violet and rose notes.
» The taste is powerful, juicy, with a pleasant vertical freshness and well integrated tannins. Long and fruity finish with lots of berries.
Another interesting wine with fresh fruity scents that follow to the mouth. Fresh with excellent acidity. Rich but at the same time also somewhat leaner than expected with medium tannins.
BARICCI MONTALCINO
At 100% certified organic, the 5 ha of vineyards are on the best Montalcino site – the Montosoli Hill with S, SE exposure – and all wines are sourced from this site. Borne from the Colombaio Montosoli farm, founded by Nello Baricci in 1955, the business now spans 3 generations. Back in his days, Nello was a founding member of the “Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino” in 1967. Nello’s son, Pietro Buffi, took over some years later and has passed the helm to his two sons: Frederico (in charge of the cellar) and Francesco (in charge of the vineyards and the business). Truly unique is that the Baricci is the only regional producer to have all its grapes sourced from this prestigious vineyard site.
ITALY – TRENTINO-ALTO ADIGE
CABERNET FRANC VALLAGARINA IGT
’17 DICIOTTO 19’ CABERNET FRANC VALLAGARINA IGT NATURAL +068625
RED 6 BTLS/CASE 0.75 L SPEC $70.99 RTL
» Artisan red wine from Trentino, crafted by Eugenio Rosi (“il Maestro”).
» Made in a 600-year-old underground cellar (10m deep).
» Blend of 3 vintages with solera method due to limited fruit (only 2000 bottles/year) and to aid natural preservation.
» Aged 3 years in 3 types of wood barrels, including Cherry and Chestnut.
» Rich, complex, and concentrated – a sensual, well-structured wine with brightness and depth.
» Pairs well with mushroom risotto, stewed game, and blue cheeses.
The scents were quite unexpected with some baked lentil with blackberries and cherry soda. The scents are quite heavenly. Richand mellow with flavours of fresh fruits. Of the four presented with the Elk Sirloin this one was my favourite. The wine is available exclusively to diners at La Quercia.
EUGENIO ROSI LAGARINA VALLEY
Eugenio Rosi is a passionate winemaker from Trentino whose love for the land began in childhood,
thanks to his father’s influence and time spent in nature. His early experiences in the countryside
shaped his path, leading him to a career in winemaking. In 1997, while working as an enologist at the
Vallagarina winery, Eugenio dreamed of making wine on his own terms. He eventually founded his own
winery in the Lagarina Valley—a region known for its limestone-rich soils, glacial history, and the drying breezes from Lake Garda, ideal for healthy grape growing. Eugenio started with his family’s vineyards and expanded by reviving neglected plots he believed had potential. He takes a hands-on, natural approach, focusing on balance in the vineyard to produce quality grapes with minimal intervention in the cellar. For him, wine is a pure expression of the land. His wines, guided by simplicity and harmony, reflect both the character of Trentino and the personality of native grapes like Marzemino and Nosiola, as well as international varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.
FRANCE – CAHORS
CAHORS AOC MALBEC 2017
‘AMPHÛT’ CAHORS AOC MALBEC 2017 ORGANIC +180238
RED 100% MALBEC 6 BTLS/CASE 0.75 L LISTED $42.99 RTL
92 POINTS – WINE ENTHUSIAST (NOV 2023)
» “Wood and amphora aging have given a powerful wine with tannins that have softened into the fruit. Now well-matured, the wine has richness and dense black fruits, is ripe, full and ready to drink.” – Roger Voss 91 POINTS – JAMES SUCKLING (MAY 2023)
» “Graphite, pencil lead and hints of peppercorn and tilled earth on top of the balsamic blackberry fruit. Supple andquite succulent on the palate with ductile mulberry fruit and black tea. Long, complex and soft. Enjoyable now.” –Zekun Shuai, Senior Editor
» Vines from 1979, grafted on site with old clones of malbec. A radical departure from the old austere Malbec of the past.
» Spontaneous fermentation. Aged 2/3 in amphorae and 1/3 in 500L barrels. Malolactic in barrels and
amphorae for 12 months.
» The bouquet is rich and perfumed. It has a concentrated expression of black fruits with whiffs of
toast/vanilla, charming minerals, and spice notes.
» On the palate this wine has dense black fruits with delicious acidity, very fine and succulent tannins, and a minerality that leads to a superb finish.
A very dark colour with flavours of plum torte. This wine was double decanted. A bit lighter but an excellent wine with no noticable tannins present.
DOMAINE CAPELANEL CAHORS
Several unique attributes of Domaine Capelanel are that it was established five generations ago in
1878 and it boasts some 70+ year-old Malbec vines grown on siderolythic soil that has a very high
iron content. Here, on the 14 hectare estate, the fifth generation winemaker Sebastien Dauliac is
breaking traditions and leaning into natural ways of making wine. His principle of minimal oak intervention includes the use of amphora. His ‘mystic cuvées’ are fresh and lively, with great finesse and minerality that represent the new Malbec. In 2019, the winery was certified organic.
All price quotes are before taxes and bottle deposit.
Prices valid for 30 days.
We partner with exceptional boutique wineries that embody passion and environmental stewardship. By cultivating strong relationships with these families, we can offer you exclusive and extraordinary wines for your pleasure.
By focusing on wines crafted from indigenous varieties, we honour the heritage and history these grapes embody, fostering a deeper appreciation for the local ecosystems and communities that nurture them.
Together, let’s celebrate the stories, cultures, and philosophies that make our drinking experiences profound and heartfelt.
Dear readers: I thought this wine feature was long enough so I have broken down the celebration of World Wine Synergy’s 10th Anniversary into three parts; the wines, the food, and the accomplishments. I hope you enjoy all three features.
Link to the accomplishments of 10 years here. Link to the lovely lunch provided by La Quercia here.
With thanks to Grace, Richard and Kristie for the invitation and supplying the information about the wines served, to La Quercia for the wonderful food, to all the other wine writers for their good company and to MyVanCity contributor Shelley Hayashi for the images of the Elk Sirloin and Cheese Board. (except as noted) all images MyVanCity, with apologies the quality of the wine images are not great but the servers moved quickly and it was a bit tricky capturing the bottle shots.
