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#3.D 2016 La Bastide Saint Dominique Les Hesperides Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France
La Bastide Saint Dominique estate lies in the heart of Provence, right in the foothills of Châteauneuf du Pape, buffeted by the gusts of the Mistral wind
and bathed by the bright southern sun.
Built around a former 16th century chapel, the estate was created by Marie-Claude and Gérard Bonnet with only a handful of hectares. Over time and
with strong commitment and passion, the Bonnet’s have expanded the estate to a total area of 50 hectares, producing unique wines with great innovation
and flair.
The particular combination of unique soil make-up, a rich assortment of grape varietals, and old vines ensure that La Bastide Saint Dominique wines are
of exceptional quality. Their vines are planted in safre on the surface, resting on limestone. The rest of the vineyard is composed of red clay and round
pebbles which contribute to maintaining heat and regenerating it when needed. All cultural practices match the requirements of the Organic Farming
Regulation.
“I think even better, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Hesperides reminds me a great vintage of Beaucastel’s Hommage A Jacques Perrin. A blend of equal
parts Mourvèdre and Grenache, all from the les Bédines lieu-dit (this is all sandy soils), it offers sensational notes of blueberries, plums, peppery herbs, licorice,
and violets. Full-bodied, decadent and layered, with an incredible opulence that makes it almost impossible to resist, I suspect it will shut down shortly after
bottling, yet emerge with 4-5 years of cellaring and keep for two decades. Located near Courthezon, La Bastide Saint Dominque is run with incredible talent
by Eric Bonnet. The 2015s are certainly impressive, and the 2016s are the finest wines I’ve tasted from the estate”. 95-97 points Jeb Dunnuck

#2.LW2 2018 Terroir Sense Fronteres Montsant Negre Montsant, Spain
Negre is a blend of 75% Garnacha and 25% Cariñena, again from mature vines sited around Capçanes. The 25-year-old (average) bush vines sit at 350
metres on varying exposures of limestone, clay and slate. Specifically, the Garnacha comes from the mixed sandy clay soils known locally as panal and the
Cariñena is from predominantly red clay soils. This release was 100% whole-bunch fermented in tank only, with a gentle yet short fermentation that took
only around seven to eight days. Following this, the wine rested in tank for six months and was bottled unfiltered. The alcohol is a refreshing 13%. Light in
colour and with a bright, juicy personality, this is a wine inspired by the ancient releases of ‘Burgundy-like’ wines once made by the Scala Dei monastery.

“The 2018 Negre is a blend of organic Garnacha and 25% Cariñena from different vineyards around the village of Capçanes where they have the winery. It
definitely feels fresher and more ethereal than the 2017 and is very much in line with the wines I tasted from Priorat; it has great purity and elegance and was
bottled without any contact with oak. There are cherries, spices and herbs and a touch of licorice, and the palate is medium-bodied, with very fine tannins.
Delicious. 15,000 bottles produced.” 92 points, Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate

#2.LW2 2016 Celler Cecilio Negre Priorat, Spain
Celler Cecilio is also located in Gratallops, in the heart of Priorat, and was the first winery registered in the D.O.Ca.
It is a family estate dedicated to making and bottling wine since 1942, established and founded by Cecilio Vicent, father of the current owner and
winemaker, August. When Cecilio, a native of Valencia, settled in the Priorat, he met and married into a family with many hectares of vineyards. At that
time these vineyards had been neglected so Cecilio set about restoring them first selling his grapes to the local cooperative while studying winemaking.
Finally in 1942 he began bottling his own wines in a small stable he renovated into a cellar which is still in operation today under the stewardship of his
son August Vicent.

“Another unbelievable wine from 65-year-old vines planted in the schist soils of this area of Priorat. The 2013 Gratallops shows sensational aromatics of spring
flowers, licorice, crushed rock, black currants and blackberry notes that all soar from the glass of this lush, seamlessly constructed full-bodied, opulent wine
that is just a mind-boggling effort. It is a blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Carignan and 10% Syrah aged six months in barrel, as well
as concrete tanks. Purity and presence of this wine in its aromatics and flavors are just remarkable. The average age of the vines that went into this cuvée are
65 years. Drink it over the next 5-7 years”. 93 points, 92 points, Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate