VIP March – Welcome Spring
Spring in the vineyard is a time of renewal and rebirth, when the vines reawaken from winter dormancy. It's also a time of hard work and preparation for the upcoming harvest.
“Every day is a step towards the next vintage,” says Lawrence Cronin, winemaker for Tenuta di Arceno in Tuscany.
“Spring is a beautiful time of growth for the vines, and for humanity and life, too,” says Ntsiki Biyela, the owner/winemaker of Aslina Wines in South Africa
Botanica - Mary Delany - Pinot Noir
South Africa, Western Cape (Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge and Stellenbosch)
Estate
Founded in 2009 by owner and self-taught winemaker Ginny Povall, an intrepid American who fell in love with the beautiful Cape winelands and purchased Protea Heights Farm in Stellenbosch’s Devon. Inspired by this horticultural history, it was only natural that Ginny would choose to develop her wine brands and labels with a botanical flair.
The 53-acre farm is planted with 24 acres of indigenous flowers, which bloom throughout the year and 12 acres of organically farmed, high density vineyards. Planted between 2009 and 2010, the estate vines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Albariño.
Tasting notes
An expressive Pinot Noir which shows hints of herbs and spice on the nose, with layers of bright cherry and strawberry fruit on the palate. Lovely fresh acidity, with a floral lift on the finish.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested, sorted and de-stemmed by hand. Instead of being crushed, these grapes go through whole berry fermentation in open tanks. The wine is racked in French oak barrels for 9 months.
Arnaldo Rivera – Undicicomuni - Barolo
100% Nebbiolo
Italy, Piedmont, Barolo
History
Arnaldo Rivera was born on December 13th, 1919, in Castiglione Falletto, a small village at the heart of the historic Barolo winegrowing area. He was a local primary school teacher, mayor of his village for 36 years, and founder in 1958 of the Terre del Barolo winery. He lived through the hard times of the war in the front line, as well as the days of the liberation. Arnaldo Rivera passed away on January 10th, 1987. This project was created by the growers and the winery in honor of this great man.
Arnaldo Rivera wines are the result of a partnership between Terre del Barolo winery and a number of its growers with the aim of producing the region’s best grapes and wines. The vineyards of origin are among the most prestigious on the Langhe hills. They are the ultimate expression of expertise and craftsmanship, where the purity of the single varietal is at the absolute pinnacle, testifying to the unmistakable identity of Piedmont’s wines.
Tasting notes
This wine, Undicicomuni (meaning 11 communes) is a blend of the finest grapes from each of the 11 villages that make up Barolo.
While the Arnaldo Rivera single vineyard Barolos are stunning, it is the Barolo Undicicomuni that demands the winemaker’s greatest attention. He is required to blend different fruit and terroir expressions from diverse villages, just as an artist balances colors to complete his work of art. This means that the Barolo Undicicomuni is naturally Arnaldo Rivera’s most complex Barolo.
The palate is wild and savory with notes of crushed raspberry, figs, cinnamon, and star anise alongside velvety dusty tannins and fresh acidity.
Ageing
26 months in French oak, 6 months in concrete followed by one year of bottling before release.