Only summertime vibes here. This six-bottle beauty has it all. Delicious, versatile, and shareable, this gift-worthy box will put smiles on faces and signal good times ahead.
The wines
2022 J. Mourat Collection Red
2023 Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno Barbera d'Alba
2023 Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno Langhe Nebbiolo
2023 Alvaro Palacios Camins del Priorat
2022 Bodegas Olivares Altos de la Hoya Monastrell, Jumilla DOP, Spain
2019 Castillo de Mendoza Vitaran Tinto Crianza
2022 J. Mourat Collection Red. This wine is fresh and juicy, with lots of cherry and raspberry fruit flavors, underscored by blackcurrant, fun floral notes, and a subtle earthiness that reminds one of a maritime forest near cool, sandy beaches; its scent influenced by the sea. Silky tannins and those fresh fruit aromas and flavors will pop with a slight chill.
2023 Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno Barbera d'Alba. The nose opens with notes of wild cherry, red plum, and raspberry, accented by hints of violet, sweet spice, and a trace of iron-rich earth. The palate is medium-bodied but zesty, driven by the grape’s naturally high acidity, which gives lift and energy to the ripe red fruit core. Bright flavors of sour cherry, pomegranate, and a touch of licorice carry through to the mid-palate, framed by fine-grained tannins. The wine finishes with a burst of cranberry and a lingering savory edge.
2023 Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno Langhe Nebbiolo. The nose is fragrant and precise, opening with notes of sour cherry, pomegranate, and rosehip, followed by subtler hints of anise, dried mint, and crushed stone. On the palate, it exhibits lift and definition, with high-toned red fruit notes of cranberry, blood orange, and red currant, framed by firm yet polished tannins. A line of salinity and fine acidity runs through the mid-palate, lending a sense of movement and clarity. The finish is long and detailed, marked by a touch of citrus peel and powdered earth. Youthful and vibrant, yet quietly structured.
2023 Alvaro Palacios Camins del Priorat. An alluring bouquet of red cherries, pomegranate, and potpourri. As you take a sip, vibrant notes of ripe boysenberries and a touch of marjoram waft through, complemented by delicate hints of oyster-shell minerality. The wine gracefully unfolds on the palate, revealing subtle coffee undertones and a whisper of milled white pepper. With a medium body and silky texture, the Camins del Priorat's tannins are juicy and fresh, providing an elegant frame for the expressive profile. The wine culminates in a beautifully balanced finish, adorned by a spicy mineral streak.
2022 Bodegas Olivares Altos de la Hoya Monastrell, Jumilla DOP, Spain. Ripe, powerful scents of red and dark fruits (blackberry, candied cassis and plum), minerals, and spices. Finishes fresh and long, with a repeating dark fruit note and a hint of mint. Fruit is sourced from an 60-hectare vineyard of ungrafted vines, many of which were planted in 1872. The vineyard is referred to as Finca Hoya de Santa Ana and this bottling comes from the best parcel and the highest point so they call it Altos de la Hoya...meaning the "highest from La Hoya".
2019 Castillo de Mendoza Vitaran Tinto Crianza. This dry red wine presents a striking garnet red color. On the nose, it offers a harmonious blend of tertiary aromas from oak aging, including vanilla, coconut, and cinnamon, seamlessly integrated with the rich scents of blackberries and plums. The palate is well-balanced, featuring mild acidity and well-structured tannins that create a pleasing harmony. The finish is clean and aromatic, leaving a lingering impression of spicy notes.
