2007 Doña Paula Malbec, Luján de Cuyo, Argentina
Shelf Price $31.50 / Offer Price $28.50 / Dozen Unit Price $26.75

Luján de Cuyo lies within the prominent Mendoza region, adjacent to the massive Andes mountains. These are some of the highest vineyards in the world, and at these altitudes the Malbec-grape flourishes. The low overnight temperatures together with warm sunny days favour a concentration of aroma and colour, without producing wines that are too big or alcoholic. A further benefit: at these heights there are hardly any pests, insects or fungi, which follow that pesticides and chemical sprays become totally unnecessary.

Tasting note: Inky black colour. Luscious nose of black cherries, liquorice, peppery spice and subtle oak. The palate is mouthwateringly juicy, with raspberry, cassis and violet flavours. Smooth and silky tannins add to the structure, and the finish is full of juicy berry-fruit and spice. Very characterful and extremely enjoyable!

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Azelia, Piedmont

“My dream is to make a wine that is great today, but that will be even better in 10 years and in 20 years.” Luigi Scavino
Luigi is winemaker and owner of the family-run Azelia estate (founded by grandfather Luigi in 1920), which is today a well-known (and well-loved) name amongst Barolo-devotees. The Scavino family place great importance on the induvidual identities of their grapes and terroirs, and the Azelia wines carry a modernist edge which display characteristic Nebbiolo power and concentration, alongside a fine overall balance and classic purity of fruit.

We discussed the eminence of Piedmont's 2004 vintage a month ago (see website for our Angelo Gaja offer), but it would be an oversight not to briefly mention it again: Unusually high in quality AND quantity, it is a given that wines from 2004 will be sought-after for decades to come. Beautiful "Indian summer" conditions in September and most of October had a slow ripening effect, and at harvest time, the grapes had all components in the right proportions: Full phenolic ripeness, great acid levels and a staggering density of flavour, and of course, these grapes were converted into spectacular wines. This is a vintage that wine-lovers, and especially Barolo-lovers, should not miss.
We are also offering some of Azelia's earlier vintages, including the rich and flavourful 2003, the well-structured 2001 and also a 1999, another 5-star vintage for Barolo which is now starting to drink beautifully.

2005 Barbera d’Alba Vigneto Punta / Shelf Price $58.00 / Offer Price $50.50
"Good ruby-red. Plum and nuts on the nose, along with a strong element of chocolatey oak. Big, rich and deep, with dark fruit flavors accompanied by oak-driven flavors of nuts, chocolate and cedar. Finishes mellow, sweet and persistent." 88 points, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

2004 Barolo Azelia / Shelf Price $105.00 / Offer Price $92.00
"Azelia's 2004 Barolo is a super-rich wine loaded with generous black cherries and spices. It is a beautifully poised, balanced Barolo. In recent years Azelia has stepped up the quality of the Barolo by including more juice from their top vineyards, and it shows in this terrific wine which is sure to offer much pleasure over the next decade or so. I can-t ask for too much more from a wine at this level." 89 points, Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate

2004 Barolo Margheria / Shelf Price $151.00 / Offer Price $132.50
"Gorgeous, multi-dimensional Serralunga aromas burst from the glass of the 2004 Barolo Margheria. This vibrant, fresh Barolo exudes layers of dark fruit, tar, licorice, cinnamon, new leather and sweet toasted oak that flow onto the palate with stunning purity. The wine lost a little intensity with air, which is the only thing that keeps the score from going higher. This bottling saw 50% new oak, and it will require a few years to come together." 92 points, Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate

2004 Barolo Bricco Fiasco / Shelf Price $170.00 / Offer Price $149.00
"The estate’s 2004 Barolo Bricco Fiasco is made in a slightly sweeter, but more linear, style than the Margheria. It reveals a concentrated expression of the hallmark qualities of this Castiglione Falletto vineyard in its perfumed aromatics, ripe red cherries, menthol and baking spices. With air the wine turns more muscular as it gains volume and depth in the glass. This is a beautiful and refined Bricco Fiasco from proprietor Luigi Scavino." 94 points, Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate

2003 Barolo Bricco Fiasco / Shelf Price $159.00 / Offer Price $139.00
"Highly refined and with finely judged tannins" Gambero Rosso 2008

2001 Barolo Bricco Fiasco / Shelf Price $194.00 / Offer Price $169.50
"The Bricco Fiasco, aged in barriques, has ruby red colour with orangey hues adn subtle, persistent wild berries, plums, dried roses, leather and tobacco. The powerful structure is evident on the palate, and the alcohol, tannins adn acidity are well balanced right through to the final notes of mint and chocolate. We were happy to give this excellent interpretation Three Glasses." Gambero Rosso 2006

2004 Barolo San Rocco / Shelf Price $176.00 / Offer Price $154.00
"The 2004 Barolo San Rocco, from a vineyard in Serralunga, is an explosive, structured wine bursting with black cherries, violets, menthol and tar. Full-bodied and ample on the palate, it possesses outstanding balance and an utterly engaging personality that makes it an absolute joy to taste. The San Rocco is always the most complete of the Azelia Barolos, and it is a wine I seek out in nearly every vintage. A recent bottle of the 2003 was also superb." 95 points, Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate

1999 Barolo San Rocco / Shelf Price $194.00 / Offer Price $169.50
"Dark ruby. Exuding much richness and youthfulness, the San Rocco offers a heady, ethereal nose with suggestions of spices, sweet toasted oak and white truffles. As it sits in the glass, it opens to reveal gorgeous layers of vibrant sweet dark fruit, licorice, and menthol nuances that coat the palate with exceptional elegance and length It should drink well to age 20 and perhaps beyond. One of the vintage’s great wines." 94 points, Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate

2001 Barolo Voghera Brea Riserva / Shelf Price $194.00 / Offer Price $169.50
"The emblematic example is the captivating Barolo Voghera Brea Riserva '01, which boasts marked austerity and penetrating richness within a shell of elegance and excellent harmony. It's a great Barolo and carries the winery's image skywards to a comfortable Three Glasses." Gambero Rosso 2008

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Tour de France Offer - As featured daily on SBS

The race is now almost halfway, and so is our tour of France's culinary and vinous delights. Watch SBS at 10pm every evening to see how the cyclists are doing, and which regional dish chef Gabriel Gaté has created for the stage, or take a look at the website (www.sbs.com.au/food/recipe/530/taste-le-tour) and download the recipes. On there you will also find sommelier Christian Maier's choice of wine (from Europa Cellars) to complement each dish, and to represent the region. We are offering you these wines at extra low Tour-de-France prices for the duration of the race - make sure not to miss out on these great bargains! Click here to view the food and wine featured in this year's Tour de France.