
Barolo, Martinborough
One of Italy’s most prestigious wine regions often referred to as “the Burgundy of Italy”. The now DOCG status region is renowned for producing some of Italy's finest red wines from 100% Nebbiolo.
The appellation of Barolo is located in the south of the state of Piedmont in the very north-west of Italy. The town of Barolo for which the region is named is located in the Monferrato foothills, which are a set of picturesque rolling hillsides and bordered to the north and west by the Tanaro River. The whole region sits about half-way between the major port of north-west Italy, Genoa to the south-east, and capital city Turin to the north-west. The heart of the Barolo vineyard zone, established in 1896, covers the parishes of Castiglione Falletto, Monforte d’Alba, La Morra, Serralunga d’Alba and Barolo itself, and is supplemented by parts of the townships of Novello, Verduno and Grinzane Cavour, added in 1934 to the official regional classification, and then by Diano d’Alba, Cherasco and Roddi added in 1966.
The wines made are typically fragrant and tannic with a depth of flavour and finesse like no other earning them the coveted title of ‘the King of Wines’ for centuries. Winemaking practices vary within the defined methods that the DOCG allows but there is a distinct modern and traditional divide in preferred styles.
The region has two major soil types - a sandy Tortonian marl producing a softer wine and a Helvetian sandstone clay that is known for a more robust style. The continental climate, with a long summer and late autumn enables the fickle grape to reach the perfect ripeness to create these stunning wines.
Records show that Nebbiolo has been grown in Piedmont since at least the 13th century, though despite this long history and the high quality of the wines it can produce, it is not grown in many other wine regions. For the grape grower and winemaker, making great wine out of Nebbiolo is a balancing act; it naturally possesses an incredibly high amount of acidity, and the thick skins transfer a huge amount of thick, chalky tannins into the wine. Balancing these two elements, as well as enticing out the enchanting ‘tar and roses’ notes from the grapes is the key to good Nebbiolo.
The wine region of Martinborough is located in South Wairarapa on the southern end of the north island, and in only 30 years or so has gone from a sleepy colonial town to a world-class wine village.
The region has picked up numerous international awards since the 1990’s with Pinot Noir picking up the lion’s share of the medals. Pinot Noir is undoubtedly the flagship wine of the region, with some incredible wines being produced.
The mineral laden soils, combined with the cool climate provide the perfect backdrop for Pinot Noir, much as it has for centuries in Burgundy, France. Indeed the Pinot Noirs produced are very Burgundian in style, a compliment not adorned to many other wine regions worldwide.
The micro-climate of Martinborough is rather warm, with hills both to the east and west. Most all of the vineyards are located in thin strips around the northern and eastern sides of the town or on the Dry River to the south of Martinborough. All the vineyards follow dry riverbeds, which have the desired soil structure for viticulture.
Although Pinot Noir is the king of the reds, Shiraz is also cultivated and in the whites, Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris are grown.
The appellation of Barolo is located in the south of the state of Piedmont in the very north-west of Italy. The town of Barolo for which the region is named is located in the Monferrato foothills, which are a set of picturesque rolling hillsides and bordered to the north and west by the Tanaro River. The whole region sits about half-way between the major port of north-west Italy, Genoa to the south-east, and capital city Turin to the north-west. The heart of the Barolo vineyard zone, established in 1896, covers the parishes of Castiglione Falletto, Monforte d’Alba, La Morra, Serralunga d’Alba and Barolo itself, and is supplemented by parts of the townships of Novello, Verduno and Grinzane Cavour, added in 1934 to the official regional classification, and then by Diano d’Alba, Cherasco and Roddi added in 1966.
The wines made are typically fragrant and tannic with a depth of flavour and finesse like no other earning them the coveted title of ‘the King of Wines’ for centuries. Winemaking practices vary within the defined methods that the DOCG allows but there is a distinct modern and traditional divide in preferred styles.
The region has two major soil types - a sandy Tortonian marl producing a softer wine and a Helvetian sandstone clay that is known for a more robust style. The continental climate, with a long summer and late autumn enables the fickle grape to reach the perfect ripeness to create these stunning wines.
Records show that Nebbiolo has been grown in Piedmont since at least the 13th century, though despite this long history and the high quality of the wines it can produce, it is not grown in many other wine regions. For the grape grower and winemaker, making great wine out of Nebbiolo is a balancing act; it naturally possesses an incredibly high amount of acidity, and the thick skins transfer a huge amount of thick, chalky tannins into the wine. Balancing these two elements, as well as enticing out the enchanting ‘tar and roses’ notes from the grapes is the key to good Nebbiolo.
The wine region of Martinborough is located in South Wairarapa on the southern end of the north island, and in only 30 years or so has gone from a sleepy colonial town to a world-class wine village.
The region has picked up numerous international awards since the 1990’s with Pinot Noir picking up the lion’s share of the medals. Pinot Noir is undoubtedly the flagship wine of the region, with some incredible wines being produced.
The mineral laden soils, combined with the cool climate provide the perfect backdrop for Pinot Noir, much as it has for centuries in Burgundy, France. Indeed the Pinot Noirs produced are very Burgundian in style, a compliment not adorned to many other wine regions worldwide.
The micro-climate of Martinborough is rather warm, with hills both to the east and west. Most all of the vineyards are located in thin strips around the northern and eastern sides of the town or on the Dry River to the south of Martinborough. All the vineyards follow dry riverbeds, which have the desired soil structure for viticulture.
Although Pinot Noir is the king of the reds, Shiraz is also cultivated and in the whites, Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris are grown.
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- Totally opaque black dark red core with a bright deep purple red hue. A fragrant nose of ripe, freshly crushed berries combines with hints of violets, subtle liquorice, inky earth and spice scents. Juicy and vibrant the palate is filled ... Learn MoreGd Vajra Barbera D'Alba 2018$50.00 Per itemOut of stock
- "Winemaker Larry McKenna now has 30 years of experience with Martinborough Pinot Noir, and its on full display in this blend assembled from various plots around the village." Wine Enthusiast Wonderful aromatics with cherry and red currant aromas and some earthy ... Learn MoreEscarpment Martinborough Pinot Noir 2017$53.99 Per itemOut of stock
- "Winemaker Larry McKenna now has 30 years of experience with Martinborough Pinot Noir, and its on full display in this blend assembled from various plots around the village." Wine Enthusiast Wonderful aromatics with cherry and red currant aromas and some earthy ... Learn MoreEscarpment Martinborough Pinot Noir 2016$53.99 Per itemOut of stock
- "The product of a warm, dry summer and balanced crop loads, this is a very strong vintage for this iconic Martinborough pinot noir. On the nose, plenty of fresh red cherries and spiced red plums come to the fore. Succulent, ... Learn MoreEscarpment Regional Blend Pinot Noir 2016$54.99 Per itemOut of stock
- From an exceedingly satisfying vintage, a pinot that offers immediate contentment upon tasting. Aligning a multitude of flowers, early season plums and pomegrante with a fluid texture on the palate. Acidity is nonaggressive, owing to the vintages voluptuousness. An ideal ... Learn MoreDomaine Chevrot et Fils Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2017$64.00 Per item
- The grapes are selected from very important small vineyards in the Barolo region. The 2017 Barolo Castiglione is a wild, exotic wine. Super-ripe red cherry, kirsch, cinnamon, tobacco, new leather and rose petal all flesh out in this ample, voluptuous Barolo ... Learn MoreVietti Barolo Castiglione 2017 375ml (Pre arrival ETA May 2021)$64.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Linnaea Vineyards is not your typical wine producer. Born of the intense passion of Michelle Edwards and Daniel Fischl. Daniel is an Australian born winemaker of the highest acclaim, while Michelle is a Californian Agricultural Scientist of international accolade. These ... Learn MoreLinnaea Vineyards 'Trifulau' Docg Barolo 2013$69.99 Per item
- A blend of Pommard clones that were originally sourced from the University of California. Martinborough from 28 year old vines. Will easily age a decade. ... Learn MoreEscarpment 'Kiwa' Pinot Noir 2018$74.99 Per item
- This wine was grown on the Barton Vineyard, Huangarua Road, Martinborough from vines 25 years old. A combination of deep alluvial gravels which the Martinborough Terraces are renowned for and a blend of many clones grown in a very sheltered spot ... Learn MoreEscarpment 'Te Rehua' Pinot Noir 2018$74.99 Per item
- This wine was grown on the Barton Vineyard, Huangarua Road, Martinborough from vines 25 years old. A combination of deep alluvial gravels which the Martinborough Terraces are renowned for and a blend of many clones grown in a very sheltered spot ... Learn MoreEscarpment 'Te Rehua' Pinot Noir 2017$74.99 Per itemOut of stock
- This wine was grown on the Cleland Vineyard Cambridge Road, Martinborough from 30 year old vines. A combination of deep alluvial gravels which the Martinborough Terraces are renowned for and a blend of Clones UCD 5 and 6 always rewards us with savoury, ... Learn MoreEscarpment 'Kiwa' Pinot Noir 2017$74.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Consistently ranked as one of New Zealand's best Rieslings. An absolute collectors item, and incredibly rare. “Bone-dry riesling with lime-citrus, green apple, oyster-shell, mineral and a suggestion of wildflowers. A taut, high-energy wine with impressive purity and power. While it ... Learn MoreKusuda Riesling 2019$79.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Ranked #1 of 34 2018 Riesling from New Zealand by Bob Campbell MW. "Wonderfully pure Riesling with an ethereal texture. It has the Kusuda signature of delicacy and finesse. Bone-dry with lime, white flower and oyster shell mineral characters. Should age beautifully. 97 Points" ... Learn MoreKusuda Riesling 2018$79.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Dottore (Doctor) Matteo Ascheri is not only the 5th generation owner and winemaker of his family estate (established 1880), he also runs a 4 star resort and traditional 'Osteria' (restaurant) next to the winery in Bra. In addition to this, Matteo is ... Learn MoreAscheri Barolo 2015$84.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Classic floral rose petal aromas alongside ripe red fruit and spices. The palate is warm and displays ripe fruit. Richly tannic but with enough softness to be drunk young. Great Nebbiolo. Fantastic value Barolo from a quality focused natural wine ... Learn MorePrincipiano Ferdinando Barolo Serralunga 2012$84.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Fruit characters such as white nectarine and citrus mingle with the subtle nuttiness of toasted and crushed almonds. Notes of brioche almost span the components of the wine coming from barrels as well as aging on lees. The palate is ... Learn MoreDry River Chardonnay 2016$85.00 Per itemOut of stock
- Fermented in wooden French cuvees, hand plunged and aged in 50% new French oak barriques the wine was given every priority during its elevation and now shows all the hallmarks of a grand young wine on its release in 2012. Over the ... Learn MoreEscarpment 'Kupe' Pinot Noir 2011$89.99 Per item
- The wines coming from the different vineyards are aged separately in 40, 60 and 75 –hectolitre Slavonian and Austrian oak barrels for 30 months. The wines are blended in the spring, then bottled at the end of the summer and aged in the bottle ... Learn MoreOddero Barolo Classico 2015$94.99 Per itemOut of stock
- AROMA Fine and deep, introduced by Mediterranean citrusy sensations, followed by violet, bergamot, wet stones, forest leaves and elegant hints of white pepper. PALATE Juicy; progressive delicate tannins and vibrant acidity. Neat and savoury finish. ... Learn MoreGiovanni Rosso Barolo Del Comune Di Serralunga 2016$99.00 Per item
- Albe is a tribute to the masters of the 1950s and 60s, to those winemakers who had the vision and the taste to blend some of the most amazing crus in order to achieve a Barolo of balance and charm. ... Learn MoreGd Vajra Barolo ‘Albe’ 2014$99.00 Per item
- Fermented in wooden French cuvees, hand plunged and aged in 50% new French oak barriques the wine was given every priority during its elevation and now shows all the hallmarks of a grand young wine on its release in 2012. Over the ... Learn MoreEscarpment 'Kupe' Pinot Noir 2018$99.99 Per item
- The grapes are selected from small vineyards spread in the Barolo region. The vines are between 8 and 41 years old, planted in a clay-limestone soil. Plants are trained with guyot method, with an average density of roughly 4500 units per hectare. All ... Learn MoreVietti Barolo Castiglione 2015$99.99 Per itemOut of stock
- First produced in 1911, the fruit for Massolino's classic cuvée is selected from seven sites (inc. Briccolina, Collaretto, Broglio and Le Turne), representing roughly seven hectares of prime-sited Serralunga vineyards. The oldest vines that feed this bottling are 55 years old ( ... Learn MoreMassolino Barolo 2015$99.99 Per itemOut of stock
- Albe is a tribute to the masters of the 1950s and 60s, to those winemakers who had the vision and the taste to blend some of the most amazing crus in order to achieve a Barolo of balance and charm. ... Learn MoreGd Vajra Barolo ‘Albe’ 2016$107.99 Per item
- AWARDED #7 IN WINE SPECTATOR MAGAZINE'S TOP 100 WINES OF 2020. First produced in 1911, the fruit for Massolino’s classic cuvée is selected from seven sites across roughly seven hectares of prime-sited Serralunga vineyards. The most important of these sites—Briccolina, Collareto, ... Learn MoreMassolino Barolo 2016$109.99 Per itemOut of stock
- "A blend of Castiglione Falletto and some La Morra this year. I just love 2013: it’s the gift that keeps on giving. I bought three of this, and three of the new Comune di Castiglione Falletto. In terms of style, ... Learn MoreCascina Fontana Barolo 2013$109.99 Per itemOut of stock
- "Vietti's 2016 Barolos are stratospheric." - Antonio Galloni The 2016 Barolo Castiglione is a dazzling wine that will show readers just how compelling this vintage is, even among entry-level wines from top producers. Rich, ample and explosive, the 2016 possesses tremendous richness and ... Learn MoreVietti Barolo Castiglione 2016$119.00 Per itemOut of stock
- Wonderful perfume of dried rose and spice, some dried herb too, ripe raspberry and cherry, silky and slate-y tannin, full ripeness but controlled and tethered. It sits somewhere around medium-bodied, feels svelte and refined, and goes long. Classic Rocche, and ... Learn MoreMonchiero Rocche Di Castiglione Barolo 2016$120.00 Per itemOut of stock
- From Wine Enthusiast European 'Winery of the Year' comes this perfectly aged Barolo. Smoky, floral, gunsmoke and leather aromas. Intense, powerful, driving, but has softened now, and is very pleasing on the palate. Loaded with character, has an attractive rustic ... Learn MoreFontanafredda 'La Rosa' Single Vineyard Barolo 2005$129.99 Per itemOut of stock
- The nose is very attractive, with a perfume-like finesse and a lighter than usual appearance. A fresh, complex and floral nose shows Christmas lilies, violets and honeysuckle. There are the hallmark, darker Dry River characters of fruit of the forest, ... Learn MoreDry River Pinot Noir 2017$135.00 Per item
- For certain drinkers the Riva del Bric is the choice of the Paolo Conterno Barolos, forgoing some of the power and minerals of the 'Ginestra' in place of sweeter fruit and more balance in its youth. This 2016 is probably the ... Learn MorePAOLO CONTERNO BAROLO 'RIVA DEL BRIC' 2016$135.00 Per itemOut of stock
- If you wanted to explore the concept of ‘precision’ in wine, Kusuda is a good place to do so. Winemaking is thoughtful but simple, with a quarter of the wine seeing new oak. Some 20 months maturing in barrel. Kusuda rarely ... Learn MoreKusuda Syrah 2017$140.00 Per itemOut of stock
- 100% Nebbiolo from vines with an average age of 35 years, grown on a calcareous, south-facing slope at an elevation of 200m. Sustainably farmed, with no use of pesticides or herbicides. Alcoholic fermentation for 10 days in temperature controlled roto-fermenters followed by malolactic ... Learn MoreLa Spinetta Barolo 'Vigneto Garretti' 2016$140.00 Per itemOut of stock
- These wines from Luca Pasquero Elia and his family are some of my favorites in this entire report. Yes, there are wines with higher scores, but the Paitin portfolio shows an unmistakable magic, across the board, with these new releases. ... Learn MorePaitin Sori Paitin Barbaresco Serraboella 2016$149.00 Per itemOut of stock
- AROMA Fine and deep, introduced by Mediterranean citrusy sensations, followed by violet, bergamot, wet stones, forest leaves and elegant hints of white pepper. PALATE Juicy; progressive delicate tannins and vibrant acidity. Neat and savoury finish. ... Learn MoreGiovanni Rosso Barolo Serra 2016$149.00 Per item
- AROMA Fine and deep, introduced by Mediterranean citrusy sensations, followed by violet, bergamot, wet stones, forest leaves and elegant hints of white pepper. PALATE Juicy; progressive delicate tannins and vibrant acidity. Neat and savoury finish. ... Learn MoreGiovanni Rosso Barolo Ceretta 2016$149.00 Per item
- Ranked: #1 Pinot Noir 2018 from Martinborough Hiro Kusuda: From the high-density block (majority 7400 plants/ha) we started to lease in 2011 then purchased after the 2015 vintage. First ever Pinot Noir made from own vineyard. Harvested by hand, 90% de-stemmed, aged in oak barriques ... Learn MoreKusuda Pinot Noir 2018$155.00 Per itemOut of stock
- "Coste di Rose is possibly the most approachable cru of Barolo at this stage, with roses and a floral-dominated nose, combined with marasca cherry and hints of licorice and mint. A very elegant and pleasurable structure that flows gracefully on ... Learn MoreGd Vajra Barolo Coste Di Rose 2016$157.99 Per item
- Consistently ranked as one of New Zealand's best Rieslings. An absolute collectors item, and incredibly rare, this year this wine is ever rarer, as winemaker Hiro Kusuda was able to make a tiny amount of Botrytis-infected grapes. Every single berry ... Learn MoreKusuda Botrytis Riesling 'Tba' 2018 (375Ml)$160.00 Per itemOut of stock
- "Coste di Rose is possibly the most approachable cru of Barolo at this stage, with roses and a floral-dominated nose, combined with marasca cherry and hints of licorice and mint. A very elegant and pleasurable structure that flows gracefully on ... Learn MoreG.D. Vajra Barolo Coste Di Rose 2015$163.00 Per item