Casasilia

This is one of the most exciting estates to have emerged from Italy in recent years. Its pedigree is faultless: the Allegrini family from Verona teamed up with their U.S. importer, Leonardo Lo Cascio and bought land in Bolgheri, where they now have 30 hectares of vineyard planted.T hey hired consultant Alberto Antonini to advise them on viticulture and winemaking. 'W' was named after Walter Allegrini, brother of Franco and Marilisa Allegrini and this 100% Cabernet Franc is produced from just two rows of vines covering 0.5 hectares in the Via Bolgherese vineyard. The vineyard faces west-southwest, with coarse red sand, stones and clay soil and is situated at just 50m above sea level. After de-stemming and soft pressing with partial rupture of the berries, fermentation took place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks at 30°C. Alberto advised frequent 'delestage' or rack and return, as well as punching down the cap, to extract good colour and ripe tannins. Post-fermentation maceration took place because the tannins were so ripe. Finally, the wine was aged in 100% new French barriques for 18 months and spent at least four months in bottle prior to release. Intense ruby red in colour, with perfumes of spiced, red fruits and nicely balanced toasty oak. On the palate the wine has excellent structure, with ripe fruit and sweet, soft tannins. It is full-bodied and well balanced, with a long, elegant finish. Limited Availability. (6 x 75 cl)

This is one of the most exciting estates to have emerged from Italy in recent years. Its pedigree is faultless: the Allegrini family from Verona teamed up with their U.S. importer, Leonardo Lo Cascio and bought land in Bolgheri, where they now have 30 hectares of vineyard planted. They hired consultant Alberto Antonini to advise them on viticulture and winemaking. 100% Vermentino this is a deep straw yellow in colour, it is fine and clean on the nose, with floral and fruity perfumes characteristic of Vermentino including white flowers, apricot and tropical fruits. On the palate, it is dry and fresh, with good balance between fruit and a fresh zippy acidity. (12 x 75 cl)

Extraordinary intense ruby red in colour. Intensely fruity, more of cherry than cassis, with hints of toast, coffee and dark chocolate. Finely structured and complex; balanced, with soft tannins and a lingering finish. Displays unmistakable varietal flavor while retaining strong regional character. Merlot was harvested at the beginning of September, the Cabernet Sauvignonfrom mid September. After destemming and light crushing, the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon were vinified separately; maceration took place in stainless steel tanks over a period of 15-20 days, during which time alcoholic fermentation was also completed, at a temperature never exceeding 30 ºC. The resulting wine is rich in colour and very structured but soft on the palate, without any astringency. The wine were then transferred to new French oak barriques where malolactic fermentation was completed by the year's end. The wine were then racked, blended and then returned to the barrels for about 14 months aging, followed by aging for about one year in bottles before release.

Organic, vegetarian. We know what you're thinking but this is real, ripe Lambrusco! With distinct frizzante fizz and a beguiling, purplish hue, it's just 'stupendo' with pizza. The wine Pacino and De Niro would sip between takes: fresh, clean and unrecogn (12 x 75 cl)

From Italy's warm south with bitter cherry and sweet bramble fruit and loads of gutsy character. (12 x 75 cl)

Ruffino FONTE AL SOLE Toscana from Italy, Tuscany by Ruffino (12 x 75 cl)

Brilliant garnet red colour, intense berry fruit nose, youthful soft palate with a gentle vanilla oak finish. World famous as a Chianti producer, during the last 25 years Ruffino have diversified their production to become one of Tuscany’s most important ambassadors for quality wine. The Folonari family’s strategy of acquiring and developing “tenimenti” – individual estates in specialised zones – has given their portfolio great variety and personality. Ruffino now owns a total of 1,500 hectares of land including 400 under wine. This diversity reflects the best of both modern and traditional winemaking. The Ruffino flagship has always been the magnificent Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico, which was originally the private reserve of the Duke of Aosta. Ruffino’s new style of wines is well represented by Libaio, a delicious, fresh, lightly perfumed blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio (12 x 75 cl)

The grapes are carefully selected and hand picked, with several passages in the vineyards; and part of the grapes is left on the vine to overripe. Afterwards they are destemmed, lightly crushed, cooled and softly pressed. (6 x 75 cl)

Grapes are carefully hand picked during the month of October. Once malolatic fermentation the wine is bottle aged for at least 3 months prior release. (6 x 75 cl)