4th generation winemaker, Professor of Viticulture, Tenerife native, Juan Jesus has spent the past 25 years dedicated to preserving the indigenous grapes of Tenerife.

Ungrafted vines are 100+ old in volcanic soils, 300-700 meters in elevation in the northwestern part of the island. Hand-harvested, spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts, aged 3 months in used 225L French oak barrels.

Concentrated layers of black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, red currant, roasted sage, black pepper, licorice, smoky earth framed by fine grain tannins and fresh acidity.

Black currant and blueberry linger on the smoky finish.

Viñátigo Listán Negro Tenerife DOP 2019

 4th generation winemaker, Professor of Viticulture

Atop a hill overlooking the town of Faro in the northeast corner of Sicily, Giovanni Scarfone tends to 2.5 hectares of old vine vineyards.

Dedicated to expressing the land and traditional methods of winemaking, he farms using organic and low intervention methods.

Vines are 10-80 years in age at 820-1000 feet in elevation, with layered clay and sandy limestone tuff soils. Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts with 12 hours on the skins, aged 6 months in stainless steel. [Giovanni uses extended skin maceration time as this was “the way Southern Italian peasants used to make their rosé”.]

Crisp, funky and focused; with cherry, blood orange, smoky minerality, grilled herbs, tangy acidity gliding across light Darjeeling tannins.

Earthy spices and wild berries linger between each sleek sip.

Blend of Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Nocera

Bonavita Rosato Terre Siciliane IGT 2020

 Atop a hill overlooking the town of Faro in the northeast

More about this beautiful wine in an upcoming review

 Happy International Pinot Noir Day …simple… More about this

Completely opposite to this photo, this is a light, plump and juicy Grenache that is utterly delicious to drink…simple…

 Geyer Wine Co 2020 Sands Grenache Rating: B Price: $33

Block 6 at its magical 124 year old best. Dense, full, and effortless this is a Mclaren Vale shiraz of serious quality with a tannin structure and texture that’s a real standout. All in all, a beauty thanks to the strength of those ancient vines planted in 1892.⁣ ⁣

 Block 6 at its magical 124 year old best. Dense, full, and

Domain A Pinot Noir 2005 from the Cool River Valley in southern Tasmania...

It’s deep, layered, spicy and savoury all at once on the nose. Age has treated this very well. On the palate the primary fruit flavours of dark cherry, plum and rose petals have begun to integrate into the more savoury side with underbrush and dried herbs. Long, long finish to round things up. It’s a very classy wine. I wish I had a few more left! ⁣​

 Domain A Pinot Noir 2005 from the Cool River Valley in

Found a great producer this year? I’d love to know who! -

These are two of my favourite producer finds from the last 6 months, Quin wines and Saint Petri (Calabria Family Wines), from the

. Both are producing serious quality and classy wines that I can’t recommend highly enough! If you see them they’re well worth trying!

 Found a great producer this year? I’d love to know who! -

Kicking-off the week with a medium- bodied McLaren Vale Shiraz, courtesy of Curtis Family Vineyards. Lots to like here. Plenty of fruit, great  concentration, powerful yet quite elegant all up. It’s a quality drop that’s playing in a pretty serious pool of wines from that neck of the woods and doing a very good job! -

 Kicking-off the week with a medium- bodied McLaren Vale

Rusden Black Guts and pizza.... Maybe my favourite way to spend a Saturday night. Do you have a cheap meal wine? What’s your go to? ⁣

This Shiraz from the hot 07 vintage has held up pretty well! It took a solid few hours to open up properly revealing florals, plums, charred meaty characteristics. More medium bodied than the usual Barossa style with bottle time allowing for those tannins to soften nicely. Very, very good!! Worth adding to any wish list!!⁣

 Rusden Black Guts and pizza.... Maybe my favourite way to

Wendouree’s Malbec varieties never fail to disappoint. These two, the Shiraz-Malbec 2000 and Cabernet-Malbec 2005, were absolutely bang-on. Only showing the first signs of age with the colour starting to shift. The fruit, still there in buckets, dark and brooding. Fine, slightly grippy tannins and good acid hold them  together and they finish long, very long. Plenty of life left in these two!⁣

 Wendouree’s Malbec varieties never fail to disappoint

When it comes to Barossa Shiraz there aren't many names bigger than Chris Ringland. This, his 2012 Dimchurch Shiraz, is one of 3500 bottles produced and about as Barossa as it gets... 16.2% and needless to say, I couldn't resist! Bloody brilliant. ⁣

Side note - Chris suggests a lazy 6-8 hours of decanting and even after being open for 3 days it's only just begins to show what it's got! Epic, love it! ⁣

 When it comes to Barossa Shiraz there aren't many names

Do you think more restaurants should be BYO? I’m a big fan! Love spending a bit of time working what what I’m going to take to dinner. 🍷

Shiraz-Cabernet is a ripper. Awesome colour, beautiful dark ruby. Sweet, ripe, stewed fruits on the nose. Followed by rich, generous, cherry and raspberry on the palate. Loved it 👍🏽🍷🙌 🍷 ⁣​

 Do you think more restaurants should be BYO? I’m a big fan!

I love spending a bit of time in a bottle shop searching for the weird and wonderful! Do you have a favorite store? Keen to find some more! Happy hunting 🍷🙌 ⁣​

 I love spending a bit of time in a bottle shop searching

⁣They don’t come much more iconic or better than this from the Mclaren Vale.

Inky and dark red in the glass. Dark fruits, blackberries and dark cherries on the nose with a sniff of oak. Solid tannins and juicy acidity combine to support the concentrated dark fruit profile. Think mulberry and brambles, plums and blackberry with earthiness and graphite. It’s a ripper! 🍷

Why’s it called the Dead Arm? Well, dead arm is a vine disease caused by the fungus Eutypa Lata that randomly affects vineyards all over the world. Often affected vines are severely pruned or replanted. One half, or an 'arm' of the vine slowly becomes reduced to dead wood. That side may be lifeless and brittle, but the grapes on the other side, while low yielding, display amazing intensity. This 2016 will go for years and years! 🍷

 ⁣They don’t come much more iconic or better than this from

​Absolute stunner! By Farr RP Pinot 2016 is a complete masterpiece. My wine⁣ of the year, by farr. ⁣

⁣🍷 The key to this wine is to resist getting stuck in immediately and letting⁣ it breath for 30 minutes, that’s all. Whole-bunch, vegetal, herbal aromas, dark⁣ fruits, and a saline edge. The structure is phenomenal, complexly is there in⁣ buckets, texture and length exceptional. ⁣

⁣🍷 It’s a trademark Pinot Noir from the By Farr stable and a wine that only⁣ get better with age. It’s hard to believe it could!⁣ ⁣ ​

 ​Absolute stunner! By Farr RP Pinot 2016 is a complete

 especially the flagship Shiraz, Grains of Paradise 2013. Easily one of the great wines produced in the Barossa thanks to the dry grown, 80+ year old grape vine that produce exceptional quality. ⁣

​Complex and fragrant on the nose, with dark fruit, plum and oak assuring a medium-bodied highly elegant expression of Barossa Shiraz. Awesomeness in a bottle! You could pay a lot more money for a wine from the Barossa and still not beat this. Well played Charles Melton!⁣

P.s. The cellar door and staff are fantastic!⁣

 What's not to love about @charlesmeltonwines  especially

​Easing my way into the week with a cheeky Pinot Noir by⁣ Tamar Ridge. This 2016 is a rich, complex little number, generous on the nose offering ripe cherry and red fruits with a feint spice and savoury element coming through.⁣

There’s a good balance of red fruits, acidity, and fine⁣ tannins on the palate with a relatively longish finish. Not a blockbuster, but a pretty decent way to start the week! ⁣Happy Monday!

 ​Easing my way into the week with a cheeky Pinot Noir by⁣

Pretty perfect way to round up Wednesday! ​If you've not tried Spinifex wines before you should. They're a fantastic example of what the Barossa has to offer. ⁣

⁣🍷 The Bete Noir 2014 is an assured wine that balances richness and freshness perfectly. Concentrated dark fruits, earthy, savoury flavours with a Kalamata olive kick. All round this is a quality drop of Barossa goodness!⁣

 Pretty perfect way to round up Wednesday! ​If you've not

What would you choose for your Tuesday treat? My Choice? Enter St Hallett’s Old Block 2014. ⁣ 🍷 ⁣

A mixture of Barossa and Eden Valley fruit from vines⁣ averaging 88 years old spanning 9 vineyards. It’s a masterpiece and beyond elegant! Deep, dark blackberry, blueberry notes and fresh coffee on the nose. Medium⁣ bodied, powerful yet refined flavours of dark fruits, plums, blueberries, and savoury earth notes on the palate. Long, finish!

If you’ve not tried Barossa / Eden Valley blends this is⁣ right up there. Get it on your list. Enjoyment factor maxed!!⁣

 What would you choose for your Tuesday treat? My Choice?

Pretty happy with this little line up! Ochota Barrels 186 Grenache 17 & Home 16, and Wendouree Cabernet Sauvignon 1994, yes 1994! There's really only one question here... When is the Wendouree getting opened?! Suggestions welcome... ⁣

 Pretty happy with this little line up! Ochota Barrels 186

 the Amon–Ra 2015. Sometimes you just need a quintessential Barossa shiraz and this ticks all the boxes. Black fruit, blue fruit, charred meats, coffee-like notes and a touch of vanilla on the nose. On the palate it continues with complexity and muscle in a very elegant almost graceful way. Cassis and blackberry lead the way on the palate with velvety tannins and very long finish. Definitely one for the cellar and a very classy wine!!⁣

 Boom! Barossa belter from @glaetzerwines  the Amon–Ra 2015

Interview with Ernst "Erni" Loosen proprietor of Dr. Loosen. We discussed four wines: two dry and two fruity. The first pair was a comparison of Blue Slate (Kabinett) and Red Slate (Dry) soil types. The second pair were from the same single vineyard Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Spätlese, and GG. We discussed ungrafted vines, 🍇 hang time, lees aging, and neutral oak aging the wines.

 Interview with Ernst "Erni" Loosen proprietor of Dr

2012 Frank Cornelissen - MunJebel Rosso 9 Vigne Alte (93 pts)

- Medium- ruby color. Pronounced intensity on the nose. Bright red fruit of raspberry, sour cherry, and red currant. Extremely floral showing violets and lilacs. Finally strong mineral aromas of wet rock and chalk. High acidity, medium silky and fine grained tannins, high alcohol but well integrated, and medium+ body. The palate is similar to the nose. The ripe raspberry and red currant preserves throughout. The mid palate highlights the chalky texture. The flowers come across as more dried like potpourri combined with rocks on the long finish. This wine is gorgeous! In previous vintages I have noticed a lot of variation and funk, but this is superb. My favorite of the Cru bottlings, by far the most elegant. You had my high altitude and 80+ year old ungrafted vines. Well done.

 2012 Frank Cornelissen - MunJebel Rosso 9 Vigne Alte (93

2014 Yvon Métras - Moulin-à-Vent (92 pts)

ℹ️ Yvon Métras is a modern day hermit wanting to spend his time with the vines and not dealing with exporters. He is less famous than the "Gang of Four" that were made famous by Kermit Lynch, but his wines have received a cult following nonetheless. His tenets include organic viticulture, harvest perfectly ripe old vine (up to 120 years old) Gamay, only ambient yeasts, extended semi-carbonic maceration, aging in neutral used oak barrels, and no fining or filtration. Minimal SO2 at bottling, but not before ·

👃 Medium intensity on the nose. Aromas of ripe crunch raspberry, strawberry, and red currant. Followed by licorice, sunflower seeds, stems, and copious amounts of wet rocks. Very mineral nose for a red wine ·

👄 The wine is dry, medium lively acidity, medium fine silky tannins, medium alcohol, and medium body. More intense on the palate, this wine just pops to life. Ripe yet tart red fruits. Then hit with this black tea flavor, black licorice, and then rocks. Slight pleasant bitter note on the mineral finish of medium+ length ·

🔔 This is super yummy right now. I am actually thinking how great this would be in 5-7 years, but oh the restraint that you would need to have to cellar these babies. In the past I have had some issues of a yeasty flavor from Métras's wines, but not this batch. Also, I think 2014 is a superior vintage to 2015 based on my tasting notes. These wines are really hard to find, but well worth the price of entry. This wine is very Pinot-esque and will continue to resemble high end Burgundy as it ages 👏 ·

 2014 Yvon Métras - Moulin-à-Vent (92 pts) #winereview @vins

2016 Domaine Font du Vent - Cuvée Élégance de Jeanne Châteauneuf-du-Pape (93 pts)

ℹ️ This wine is from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation in the Southern Rhône of France. The wine is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% field blend. The Grenache vines are 100 to 120 years old. The vines are from the famous lieu-dit of La Crau, which has soils made of clay and galets. All of the farming is certified organic, and grapes are hand-harvested. 50% to 100% of the stems are removed, depending on the vintage. The fermentation takes place with native yeasts, and the wine has 30 days of skin maceration. The wine is aged in demi-muids (600 L) barrels and concrete tanks. This Cuvée is only made in exceptional vintages.

👃 Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of ripe raspberry, boysenberry, black cherry, blueberry preserves, licorice, lavender, rose, white pepper, bergamot, and beets.

👄 The wine is dry, medium acidity, medium+ spicy tannins, high alcohol (15%), and full body. It is very layered with a great texture. A long length finish of ripe and preserved black fruits with a earthy and spicy components lingering to the end.

🔔 This Cuvée is another stunning wine from Famille Gonnet. The charm and power of La Crau are highlighted with this wine. I love the darker fruit profile combined with the mix of florals and spice. The spicy and earthy notes dominate on the palate at the moment, but there is plenty of fruit concentration to go the distance. I enjoyed it after giving it the right amount of air. My recommendation is to enjoy it in another 5-7 years. I would like to try this Cuvée and the previous one side by side in the same vintage.

 2016 Domaine Font du Vent - Cuvée Élégance de Jeanne

NV Sorelle Bronca - Particella 68 Prosecco Extra Dry (91 pts) Watch the full video

-> https://youtu.be/ILH43xdAdPA or link in bio.

 NV Sorelle Bronca - Particella 68 Prosecco Extra Dry (91

2012 Frank Cornelissen - MunJebel Rosso CS (90 pts)

ℹ️ This bottle is technically labeled as a Terre Siciliane IGT in this vintage, but post 2015 is being labeled as Etna Rosso DOP. CS stands for Chiusa Spagnolo which is a single vineyard of ungrafted (aka ownrooted) 💯 Nerello Mascalese that was planted in the 1920s.This vineyard is located in Contrada Zottorinoto which is the name of a specific lava flow on the North side of Mt Etna 🌋. This Contrada is only 620m above sea level, which is considered low elevation for Mt Etna. Chiusa Spagnolo forms a bowl or amphitheatre that has a wall of lava isolating it from the rest of the Contrada creating a unique micro climate·

👀 Medium ruby color with a slight garnet rim, very noticeable tears on the side of the glass·

👃 Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of raspberry, red plum, juniper, violets, thyme, and tilled earth. I will note that I am getting some Volatile Acidity, but it is lifting the aromatics and not over the top·

👅 The wine is dry. Medium+ acidity. Medium+ alcohol and despite the bottle saying 15% ABV, it doesn't feel hot🔥. Medium+ furry tannins that coat the teeth. Medium+ body. Similar notes on the palate as the nose. Additionally there is a wet rock mineral flavor that is quite pervasive and a funky low sulphur yeasty note, especially on the back palate. The finish is long and the floral and juniper flavors ride that wave·

🔔 Overall this is a very complex wine with a lot going on. This is powerful and ripe which represents the 2012 vintage on Mt Etna. If you don't like a touch of volatile acidity or natural wine funk then this is probably not for you. Personally, I can tolerate the former more than the latter. This is still evolving and can be cellared for at least a decade. If I had to choose a MunJebel Cru, Vigna Alta (VA) is still my favorite·

 2012 Frank Cornelissen - MunJebel Rosso CS (90 pts)

2013 Tierhoek - Chenin Blanc Piekenierskloof, South Africa·

🙋‍♂️ On a scale of 1-10 how much do you know about South African wine❓·

 or by following this link ➡️ https://youtu.be/nrJsC6UltaQ ·

In the latest episode of Wine Terroir, special guest Matthew Gaughan

 educates me on the current quality level of Chenin Blanc from South Africa. He has visited various regions twice in the last year and is very passionate about the wines that are coming out of South Africa ·

🔔 Please check out Matthew's podcast 👉

 link in his profile. He is a wonderful wine educator ·

 2013 Tierhoek - Chenin Blanc Piekenierskloof, South Africa·

1991 Stony Hill - White Riesling Napa Valley (89 pts)

ℹ️ Stony Hill is so retro that they are once again wine chic with hipster Somms and for good reasons. Vineyards first planted in 1948, with 1952 being their first harvest. Stony Hill pioneered the direct to consumer (and restaurants) business model, through mailing lists, that almost every American winery uses today. While Napa is famous for Cabernet, Stony Hill's flagship wine is a Chardonnay on the hillsides above St Helena and Calistoga. They also make this "White Riesling" as not confuse it with Johannisberg Riesling. If the label is not wrong then why change it 😉·

👀 Deep gold color, showing its age like a distinguished gentleman·

👃 Medium+ intensity on the nose. Petrol aromas jump out of the glass. Aromas of bruised apple, baked quince, canned peaches, canned necatarines, jasmine, and chyrsanthemum tea (my go to Dim Sum tea)·

👅 The wine is off-dry (guessing 9 g/l), Medium+ acidity, medium- alcohol, and medium body with a great chalky texture. On the palate it's like a high end fruit cocktail, lots of ripe to almost overripe citrus and stone fruit. The canned note is more about the perceived ripeness of the fruit, but the wine does give me a stainless steel taste on the palate (in a good way). The finish is medium+ length and lingers with a flavor of high end chrysanthemum tea·

🔔 Let me start off and say that this wine is delicious! It's a pleasure to drink, nothing is out of whack. Flavor profile is solid, acid, weight, etc all I'm balance. It is not the most complex wine I have had from Stony Hill, but it sure is tasty. While I personally do not believe in Riesling in Napa Valley this is compelling. Let's not forget this wine is 27 years old and is taking time on like a champ 🏆. Love the texture of this wine, nuff said I'm going to keep drinking it now, 🎤⬇️·

 1991 Stony Hill - White Riesling Napa Valley (89 pts)

Domaine Font du Vent Instagram Live Interview and Virtual Tasting

🎙 On Thursday, May 21st, at 12:00 pm  PST, Guillaume Gonnet, owner and winemaker at Domaine du Vent

_famille_gonnet , will be discussing their organically farmed wines of Châteaunuef-du-Pape. The Gonnets are stewards of very old vine Grenache in the climat of La Crau. These vines were some of the first vines planted on American rootstock after the phylloxera epidemic ravished the own-rooted vines of France. We will also discuss the merits co-planting and co-fermenting grapes varieties to add complexity to a blend·

🍷 We will be tasting three Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge wines: 2017 Traditional, 2015 Cuvée Etienne Gonnet, and 2016 Cuvée Elegance de Jeanne·

 Domaine Font du Vent Instagram Live Interview and Virtual

ℹ️ I am staying in Madrid and desperately needed some wine. I found the Gourmet Experience near our condo. I saw these crazy cartoon labels and read old vine Garnacha from the Vinos de Madrid DO. I went for this bottle, which by price was more entry level at 16€ than some of their others. Comando G is named from the Battle of the Planets cartoon series. G-force was translated as Comando G in Spanish. They took the name as Comando G, with G standing for Garnacha. This wine is 💯 Garnacha (aka Grenache) and is from 40-90 year old vines on granitic soils. Overall philosophy is find old vines at high altitude, use whole cluster fermentation, practice minimal intervention, and age in large oak vats·

👃 Medium+ intensity on the nose. Ripe red fruit of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. Notes of licorice, stems, raisins, cola and subtle white pepper·

👅 The wine is dry, medium+ acidity that is very lively, medium ripe and rounded tannins, high alcohol (but not 🔥), and medium body. Lots of ripe red fruit, almost high end strawberry preserves. Licorice, cola, and something floral like lilacs. The finish is medium length and lingers with a wet rock and salty finish. (wow that last part really sounded bourgie 😳)·

🔔 This is a really well made wine. On the nose I would have been thinking whole cluster Pinot Noir. The palate would have made me think twice. Honestly I am going to go back and grab one of their high end wines now. Take my money 💰. Serious 🍇 juice, that is punching 🥊 way above it's price point·

 2015 Comando G - El Hombre Bala (88 pts) #winereview

ℹ️ Fleurie may not have the historical pedigree of Moulin-à-Vent nor the stacked list of rock star producers like Morgon. It does have a great name and most importantly Yvon Métras. Fleurie is located between Moulin-à-Vent and Chiroubles. The Eastern side has sandy soils and is lighter and more floral like the wines of Chiroubles. The Western side the pink granitic soil contains trace amounts of Manganese like Moulin-à-Vent, which reduces grape yields and concentrates the berries ·

👁 Medium- ruby color, lighter than Moulin-à-Vent ·

👃Medium+ intensity on the nose. A little funk upon first opening. Aromas of soil, ripe raspberry, ripe cranberry, rose, rhubarb, and tomato leaf ·

👄 The wine is dry, medium acidity, medium- plush tannins, medium alcohol, and medium- body. Flavors are brieflyight red fruits, followed by some mineral rocky note. Then things get interesting with a florals. The medium+ length finish ends with what I can best describe as the water that you replaced from your Valentine's day rose bouquet 🥀 ·

🔔 This wine is super elegant, albeit lighter in style. It has a bit more complexity and intrigue than the Moulin-à-Vent. Tasted over 3 days and these just keep getting better and better each day. Highly recommend decanting them for full enjoyment. Now I want to try his Vieilles Vignes bottling 😰 if I can find it 🤷‍♂️ ·

4th generation winemaker, Professor of Viticulture

Atop a hill overlooking the town of Faro in the northeast

Happy International Pinot Noir Day …simple… More about this

Geyer Wine Co 2020 Sands Grenache Rating: B Price: $33

Block 6 at its magical 124 year old best. Dense, full, and

Domain A Pinot Noir 2005 from the Cool River Valley in

Found a great producer this year? I’d love to know who! -

Kicking-off the week with a medium- bodied McLaren Vale

Rusden Black Guts and pizza.... Maybe my favourite way to

Wendouree’s Malbec varieties never fail to disappoint

When it comes to Barossa Shiraz there aren't many names

Do you think more restaurants should be BYO? I’m a big fan!

I love spending a bit of time in a bottle shop searching

⁣They don’t come much more iconic or better than this from

Absolute stunner! By Farr RP Pinot 2016 is a complete

What's not to love about @charlesmeltonwines especially

Easing my way into the week with a cheeky Pinot Noir by⁣

Pretty perfect way to round up Wednesday! If you've not

What would you choose for your Tuesday treat? My Choice?

Pretty happy with this little line up! Ochota Barrels 186

Boom! Barossa belter from @glaetzerwines the Amon–Ra 2015

Interview with Ernst "Erni" Loosen proprietor of Dr

2012 Frank Cornelissen - MunJebel Rosso 9 Vigne Alte (93

2014 Yvon Métras - Moulin-à-Vent (92 pts) #winereview @vins

2016 Domaine Font du Vent - Cuvée Élégance de Jeanne

NV Sorelle Bronca - Particella 68 Prosecco Extra Dry (91

2012 Frank Cornelissen - MunJebel Rosso CS (90 pts)

2013 Tierhoek - Chenin Blanc Piekenierskloof, South Africa·

1991 Stony Hill - White Riesling Napa Valley (89 pts)

Domaine Font du Vent Instagram Live Interview and Virtual

2015 Comando G - El Hombre Bala (88 pts) #winereview

2014 Yvon Métras - Fleurie (93 pts) #winereview @vins