Franz Prager, co-founder of the Vinea Wachau, had already earned a reputation for his wines when Toni Bodenstein married into the family. Bodenstein’s passion for biodiversity and old terraces, coupled with brilliant winemaking, places Prager in the highest echelon of Austrian producers.
Smaragd is a designation of ripeness for dry wines used exclusively by members of the Vinea Wachau. The wines must have minimum alcohol of 12.5%. The grapes are hand-harvested, typically in October and November, and are sent directly to press where they spontaneously ferment in stainless-steel tanks.
Klaus sits adjacent to Achleiten and is one of the Wachau’s most famous vineyards for Riesling. The vineyard is incredibly steep with a gradient of 77% at its steepest point. The southeast-facing terraced vineyard of dark migmatite-amphibolite and paragneiss produces a tightly wound and powerful wine. The parcel belonging to Toni Bodenstein was planted in 1952.
Tasting Notes:
Austrian Riesling is often defined by elevated levels of dry extract thanks to a lengthy ripening period and freshness due to dramatic temperature swings between day and night. “Klaus is not a charming Riesling,” says Toni Bodenstein with a wink. Klaus is Prager’s most assertive and robust Riesling.
Food Pairing
Riesling’s high acidity makes it one of the most versatile wines at the table. Riesling can be used to cut the fattiness of foods such as pork or sausages and can tame some saltiness. Conversely, it can highlight foods such as fish or vegetables in the same way a squeeze of lemon or a vinaigrette might.
Review:
Superbly cool, restrained and refined, this austere, beautiful dry riesling is a slow-burn masterpiece that's only just beginning to reveal its complex white-peach, white-tea, wild-herb and dark-berry character. Super-long and mineral finish. Drink or hold.
-James Suckling 97 Points
This chardonnay has a characteristic pale yellow color with a shade of gold and subtle nose that will remind you the fresh butter nuts and roasted almonds. On the palate, it is full bodied and fruity with a pleasant roundness.
Average age of the vines is 25 years old.
We produce a part of this cuvee with 12 hours skin maceration and another part from directly pressed grapes.
Wine was slightly filtered before bottling to insure the wine remains stable.
Best friend as an aperitive or with freshwater fish, shellfish and goat cheeses.
Review:
This dry Rosé is very aromatic on the fruitiness with a great style and elegance.
Average age of the vines is 25 years old.
We produce a part of this cuvee with 12 hours skin maceration and another part from directly pressed grapes.
Wine was slightly filtered before bottling to insure the wine remains stable.
This wine is the perfect friend for barbecue, salads and of course aperitif. This is ideal for warm days in the garden, as well as elegant poultry dishes.
Alain de la Treille Les Folies Vouvray is made from 100 percent Chenin Blanc.
This is our newest Loire valley project, with an Eco friendly lightweight bottle and a screwcap.
Les Folies Vouvray is stunning with its elegancy and freshness which is carried through the ripe fruity palate, manned with hints of honey and apricots.
Les Folies Vouvray goes well with Asian food, fishes, charcuteries, BBQ pork spareribs or simply as an aperitif.
Alain de la Treille Merlot is made from 100 percent Merlot.
This Merlot has a deep red color. On the nose aromas of red fruits with a herbal note and spicy scents.
Alain de la Treille Muscadet Sevre et Maine is made from 100 percent 100% Melon de Bourgogne
This great dry white wine offers a unique style with a fine and delicate minerality... Beautiful tension on the palate followed by hints of flower, melon and lime, that finishes with a refreshing crispness.
MAISON ALAIN DE LA TREILLE is located in the heart of Loire Valley since 1885. Vineyards owner and winemaker, ALAIN DE LA TREILLE creates diverse and delicate wines on the most prestigious vineyards: Muscadet, Touraine, Vouvray, Sancerre...
Average age of the vines is 20 years old.
We produce a part of this cuvee with 12 hours skin maceration and another part from directly pressed grapes
Wine was slightly filtered before bottling to ensure wine will remain stable.
Ideal with all fishes, seafood and for sure oysters but do not hesitate to match it as well with a great goat cheese.
Alain de la Treille Muscadet Sevre et Maine is made from 100 percent 100% Melon de Bourgogne
This great dry white wine offers a unique style with a fine and delicate minerality... Beautiful tension on the palate followed by hints of flower, melon and lime, that finishes with a refreshing crispness.
MAISON ALAIN DE LA TREILLE is located in the heart of Loire Valley since 1885. Vineyards owner and winemaker, ALAIN DE LA TREILLE creates diverse and delicate wines on the most prestigious vineyards: Muscadet, Touraine, Vouvray, Sancerre...
Average age of the vines is 20 years old.
We produce a part of this cuvee with 12 hours skin maceration and another part from directly pressed grapes
Wine was slightly filtered before bottling to ensure wine will remain stable.
Ideal with all fishes, seafood and for sure oysters but do not hesitate to match it as well with a great goat cheese.
Alain de la Treille Rose d'Anjou is made from 50% Gamay, 50% Grolleau
The Rosé d'Anjou AOC, also known as Anjou Rosé AOC, produces medium-sweet rosés. Wines are made predominantly from Grolleau, with percentages of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Malbec and Pineau d'Aunis permitted. Anjou soils reflect the geological identity of its border position between Armorican and Parisian basins. The terroirs consist of metamorphic and crystalline rocks (schist, sandstone) known as Anjou Noir, and ‘Terres Blanches’ (white earth) limestone known as Anjou Blanc. The AOC covers 1,890 hectares (4,668 acres).
The Grolleau grape derives its name from the French word ‘grolle’, meaning crow – a reflection of the dark black color of the grapes.
Crisp and refreshing with vibrant aromas of strawberry and raspberry. Juicy and well-balanced with a long finish.
Selective juice extraction to preserve color & aromas. Temperature controlled fermentation is followed by aging on the fine lees. No malolactic fermentation; no oak.
To be served chilled (10°C/50°F) with barbecued meats, salads, any spicy food, poultry dishes and of course appetizers.
Shiny gold the wine is lively and crisp, with medium-bodied notes of melon, citrus blossom and flowers. Perfectly balanced between richness, fruitiness and freshness.
Excellent with seafood (scallops and fish) as well as poultry (chicken and turkey)
Begude Bandol Rouge is made from 90% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache.
Eye: dark ruby colored
Nose: Intense, aromatic, fresh and elegant
Mouth: Structured on black fruits flavors, lightly woody , tanins are strong an firm in their early days (<5years) Good acidity give freshness backbone and great fruit/alcoholic balance . Delicate final on spices.
Opening: Decant 4-6 hours before serving
Soil: Clay-limestone Culture: Organic without pesticides nor chemicals additives Yield: 20 hectoliters/hectare Harvest: Manual in small cases Winemaking: Double sorting, 100% destemming, skin contact, with daily sticking in order to optimize color and aromatic extraction Alcoholic fermentation 15 days followed by malo lactic fermentation. Aging: 18 months in oak cask Bottling:
Grilled lamb, meat cooked with sauce, southern French cuisine and tasty dishes (tajines, couscous, paellas).
Review:
"Inviting spicy oak, malt and blackberry cream scents. Powerfully structured tannins, spicy liquorice and clove flavours as well as bramble fruit; very long finish. Its best years are far into the future. Terrific stuff."
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2020, 97 pts & Platinum Medal
Bindella Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is made from 85% Sangiovese, 15% Colorino del Valdarno, Canaiolo nero and Mammolo.
Elegant, with typical hints of iris, rose and red berries together with balsamic notes after several years of ageing in the bottle. Balanced, pleasantly tannic and well-bodied on the palate.
A wine of great authenticity to accompany pasta with elaborate sauces, red meat, truffles and soft or mature cheeses.
The 2017 Brunello has certainly enjoyed the benefits of a careful selection in the parcels (including the Millecento vineyard). The wine has a wide nose. It maintains crisp fruit and floral notes. In the mouth it is elegant, complete and supported by an excellent acidity.
Review:
Aromas of ripe berries and plums with some flowers and nutmeg follow through to a full body with round tannins and a juicy finish. Slightly chewy, but friendly and succulent. Excellent 2017, despite the dry growing season.
-James Suckling 94 Points
Cazaux Vacqueyras Rouge Grenat Noble 100% Grenache.
This wine is the result of extraordinary weather conditions. The first cuvée was produced in 1992 when violent storms and floods affected the region (especially Vaison la Romaine). The following days were radiant and accompanied by Mistral winds. We could then continue to harvest or more precisely harvest what remained of a rotten crop - but a noble rotten crop!
Following our first involuntary test of 1992, we wanted to reproduce this wine but we had to wait until 1995 to isolate the parcels that were capable of producing this noble rot. Unfortunately, the "noble" phenomenon does not occur every year despite late harvests (October 15).
The resulting wine is offers aromas of small red berries (cherries, raspberries), liquorice, fig, honey, fruit brandy and plum. It is elegant, supple and smooth on the palate with a firm, generous and suave structure. A beautiful length on spices and cherry.
This Grenache nectar marries will with dishes such as pan-fried foie gras in honey and fig preserve, leg of lamb with preserved fruits accompanied by local cereal "epautre" or other sweet and sour dishes.
Review:
"Not yet bottled, the 2020 Vacqueyras Grenat Noble should also be outstanding. Based mostly on Grenache, but with a small amount of Mourvèdre, it has a Provençal bouquet of red and black fruits, dried garrigue, toasted nuts, and spice. Rich, medium-bodied, and nicely textured, with a great finish, I'd be thrilled to have a bottle on the dinner table. It will keep through 2032."
- Jeb Dunnuck (March 2023), 91-93 pts
Convento Oreja Memorias Reserva is made from 100 percent 100% Tempranillo.
The wine comes from a special vineyard at 950 meters altitude. The cuvee is called MEMORIA to pay tribute to good friends and great time spent together.
Deep cherry color. On the nose, the wine is elegant and well balanced with black fruits, reminiscent of vanilla and leather. Hints of spices, minerals and coffee. On the palate the wine is also well balanced and pleasant. Round and elegant with a long and pleasing aftertaste.
Pairs well with pastas, creams and soups. Likewise, these wines are ideal for more subtle and elaborate first courses, like a rice with lobster.
Ideal for grilled red meats and stews and game stews and for the typical roast lamb.
Review:
"Deep garnet to the eye, this wine has a nose of black cherry, cocoa powder and aniseed. A sense of fruit brightness permeates the palate alongside blackberry preserve, orange zest, clove, violet and milk chocolate flavors. Lingering brightness and velvety tannins make for a gorgeous, long-lasting finish. - Mike DeSimone"
- Wine Enthusiast (June/July 2023), 94 pts
Convento Oreja Ribera del Duero Crianza is made from 100 percent Tempranillo.
Bright cherry color. On the nose you will find plenty of fruit aromas, well balanced as well as some reminiscences of spices that are appreciable. The oak presence gives elegant hints of black chocolate and vanilla. On the palate, the wine is very smooth and well balanced with the right amount of acidity. Fresh, long lasting and elegant.
The wine went through malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged 12 Months in French Oak barrels. Before bottling, the wine was slightly filtered.
Cueva de las Manos Cabernet Sauvignon Organic is made from 100 percent Malbec.
Cueva de las Manos translates to "Cave of Hands". There are a series of caves in Patagonia containing stenciled paintings of hands, dating back over 9,000 years ago. The caves have been named a World Heritage Site, and they are the inspiration for the label on these wines.
The wine offers an intense bouquet on the nose, with notes of green pepper. On the palate it is smooth and well-textured with a long and elegant finish.
Pair with game meats and pasta with heavy sauce.
Cueva de las Manos Malbec Organic is made from 100 percent Malbec.
Cueva de las Manos translates to "Cave of Hands". There are a series of caves in Patagonia containing stenciled paintings of hands, dating back over 9,000 years ago. The caves have been named a World Heritage Site, and they are the inspiration for the label on these wines.
Cueva de las Manos Malbec is deep purple in color. Fruity intensity on the nose with floral notes. A juicy texture, mild tannins and good structure balanced by a well-integrated freshness. Clean and pure finish.
Fayolle Crozes-Hermitage Rouge La Rochette is made from 25-year-old vines planted on loess and red granitic soils. 100% Syrah.
Deep ruby red color.
The wine has plenty to offer with red and black fruit aromas, as well as a good minerality.
The finish is long, clean and juicy and offers some white pepper spiciness typical of the best Crozes-Hermitage.
Soil type is red brittle granite and white soil.
Hand harvested in small crates. The grapes are then pumped into tanks (full cluster, not destemmed).
It will stay in this tank for 15 days for the skin contact maceration and the Alcoholic fermentation.
They will also use the "rack and return" technique (delestage).
Then the wine is transfered into neutral French Oak barrels where the wine will complete the Malo-Lactic fermentation.
Fefinanes Albarino de Albarino is 100 percent Albarino
Fresh fruit aromas of apricot and peach slices with notes of lemon and green apple. Pretty notes of honey and wet nutmeg, and the mouth is round, clean, and pleasant with baked apple, honey, and lemon.
This is a classic Albariño which is good young, but actually improves over two to three years and remains quite drinkable for up to five years. Owner Juan Gil comments that the wine really starts to come into its own in June/July, and he actually prefers it 18 or more months after it's made. A Fefiñanes "vertical" of three or four vintages can provide some most interesting surprises.
Landes Cuvee Tradition Lussac Saint Emilion (half-bottle)is made from 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc
Color: deep ruby intense color.
Aroma: racy and aromatic nose with aromas of ripe red fruit.
Taste: this wine is silky, round and smooth first taste, with aromas of raspberries, and blackcurrant, powerful and complex finish.
Le Blanc du Chateau des Landes Bordeaux Blanc is made from 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Semillion.
Le Blanc du Chateau des Landes Bordeaux Blanc is a very fruity style of Bordeaux Blanc AOC. It has great aromatic intensity with white peach and citrus aromas.
No oak for this wine. The wine was aged on the lees for a few month in stainless steel tank.
Malolactic fermentation was completed as well in the process .
Excellent as an aperitif, it also goes very well with poultry and salads. If you have a chance to have access to fresh oyters, it is a great match as well.
The first vintage of this wine was made in 2018 as Nicolas Lassagne wanted to create an easy drinking wine that will be perfect as an aperitif in the summer time or to compliment salads and seafood in the winter time.
Guillemot-Michel Vire-Clesse Charleston is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
This cuvée is produced from hundred-year old vines that the great-grandfather planted after he returned from World War I. The family wanted to honor his memory and vinify these vines the same way he did, in old demi-muids.
Charleston is a deep and complex wine that gently express itself in the glass, offering juicy white fruit flavors and a lengthy finish.
Charleston is vinified and aged for one year in demi-muids of over 10 years old. During the following harvest, the wine is racked and placed in vats for another 6 months of aging before bottling.
Fish in white sauce, poultry in creamy sauce, hard cheeses.
Review:
The 2020 Viré-Clessé Charleston is the most structured, concentrated wine in the range, mingling notions of crisp orchard and stone fruit with scents of clear honey, white flowers, beeswax and mint in an inviting bouquet. Medium to full-bodied ample and satiny, it's layered and multidimensional, with impressive depth at the core, racy acids and chalky grip. Derived from the Guillemot family's oldest parcel of vines (dating back to 1918), it's built to age.
-Wine Advocate 94 Points
Paradigm Merlot is made from 98% Merlot - 2% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Deep ruby color with aromas of black cherry and plum, a hint of cedar and soft touch of toasty French oak. Seamless and silky across the palate with a nice mouthcoating texture and nicely balanced acidity for many food pairings. Flavors are similar to the aromas, dark plums and cherries, pomegranate, spice and complimentary sweet vanilla toasty oak. Flavors linger making you want another sip.