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Tenuta Belguardo Maremma Toscana Rosso 2015

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the website)

Varietal Composition: 85% Cab Sauvignon, 15% Cab Franc

Location: Maremma, Toscana

Specialty Factor: 10 year-aged Italian wine-only produced in best vintages!

Cellar Aging: Drink now or cellar until 2035

A Few More Details

Made with Cabernet Sauvignon and a small percentage of Cabernet Franc grapes, this powerful and elegant wine is the most important “Cru” of the Estate, the maximum expression of its native “terroir”.

This wine, born in 2001 and produced only in the best vintages, represents one of the referrals of the region and the driving force for the your Maremma Toscana DOC appellation. Over the years, the quality and awards have been growing more and more till reaching, in 2017, the 23rd position in the Top 100 of Wine Spectator, the most prestigious ranking in the world.

Tasting Notes from Them to You!

“Full and seductive body, dark spice flavors, enveloping and long taste”

Food Pairing Suggestions from Them to You!

“Aged cold cuts, steaks, mildly spicy foods, middle aged cheeses”

About:

In the heart of Tuscan Maremma

On the hills between Grosseto and Montiano and next to the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Belguardo Estate is one of the most important businesses in the region. Purchased by the Mazzei family in the middle of the ’90s, the property covers and overall area of 80 hectare, half of which is devoted to special vineyards. A very special terroir, which is the result of many years of research, and on which an intense vineyard replanting program was started immediately after the purchase with a precise choice of the varietals and clones. The micro climate is strongly influenced by the vicinity to the sea, with strong thermal currents in particular during Spring and Summer. The soil is characterized by rich structure with Alberese and sandstone rock. 

Source:   https://us.mazzei.it/pages/tenuta-belguardo 

Espera Portugal

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the website)

Varietal Composition: Bical & Arinto

Location: Lisboa, Portugal

Specialty Factor: 525 cases produced

Cellar Aging: Drink now or cellar until 2029

A Few More Details

this wine expresses the typical freshness and minerality of this region, also the main characteristics of ‘Arinto’ and ‘Bical’ grape varieties, from Sesmarias vineyard.

Tasting Notes from Them to You!

“Citric color, mineral character with pear and apricot hints, typical of grape varieties and type of vinification. Intense and fresh on the palate, crispy texture, with a pleasant long finish.”

Food Pairing Suggestions:

• Grilled Sardines or Mackerel: The wine’s acidity cuts through the oiliness, enhancing the flavors.
• Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter: Complements the wine’s citrusy notes.
• Roast Chicken with Herbs: Herbaceous flavors align with the wine’s minerality.
• Turkey Breast with Citrus Glaze: Echoes the wine’s fresh fruit profile.
• Goat Cheese Salad with Arugula and Pear: The wine’s acidity balances the creaminess of the cheese.
• Mushroom Risotto: Earthy flavors harmonize with the wine’s depth.

About:

The journey of Espera Wines began in 2014 when Rodrigo took charge of small vineyard plots in Alcobaça to craft wines with a distinct character. Initially without a label or brand, the name espera emerged naturally from the vineyard itself. During pruning, alongside the primary shoot destined to bear grapes that year, a secondary shoot—called the espera—is left with the intention of becoming a future fruit-bearing unit. This practice, combined with the deeper meaning of the word “espera” (wait or expectation), symbolizes the natural and creative process of winemaking that is central to the brand’s concept.

Together with Ana, who is responsible for the brand’s identity, the project took root in a plateau region 120 meters above sea level, near the coastal town of Nazaré. This unique terroir imparts an Atlantic profile to the wines, characterized by freshness, salinity, and the influence of high humidity.

Espera Wines stand out as a tribute to the finest Atlantic and natural wines of Lisbon, offering a truly distinctive taste that reflects the harmony of nature and craftsmanship.

Source:   https://lesoleilwines.com/ https://www.esperawines.pt/en-gb/wines