12 x 75cl Archives - Iconica https://iconica.wine/case-size/12-x-75cl/ Appreciating Fine Wine Tue, 18 Feb 2025 12:23:19 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://i0.wp.com/iconica.wine/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cropped-Iconica-Flavicon.webp?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 12 x 75cl Archives - Iconica https://iconica.wine/case-size/12-x-75cl/ 32 32 254871815 Melka Majestique Syrah Paderewski Paso Robles 2018 https://iconica.wine/product/melka-majestique-syrah-paderewski-paso-robles-2018/ https://iconica.wine/product/melka-majestique-syrah-paderewski-paso-robles-2018/#respond Wed, 30 Oct 2024 09:37:51 +0000 https://iconica.wine/?post_type=product&p=4186
95 points | Jeb Dunnuck (2016 vintage)

"Coming from the Paderewski Vineyard in Paso Robles, the 2016 Syrah Majestique is 100% Syrah that was mostly destemmed and brought up all in puncheons. It has a rocking Paso Robles bouquet of ripe black fruits, ground pepper, crushed violets, and hints of bouquet garni. Ripe, full-bodied, incredibly layered and sexy on the palate, it’s a beautiful and pleasure-bent Syrah that does everything right. Drink it over the coming decade. 130 cases." (tasted Jan 2019)

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Tasting Note

This is a beautifully made, opulent wine that has inviting aromas of blackberry, blueberry, violet along with a smoky, meaty quality. The richness follows through in the pallet with an incredible seamlessness showing balanced tannins and a lingering finish.

History

Philippe and Cherie Melka started their own label in 1996. Initially, the wines were produced externally using purchased grapes. In 2010, the couple decided to take the next step. After years of trying, Philippe and Cherie received the necessary permit to build their own winery in June 2015. The winery has since been

A small, functional winery was built along the Silverado Trail north of St. Helena in the direction of Calistoga. The winery now houses its own wines, which were previously vinified and stored at BRAND and Vineyard 29.

For more information about Melka Vineyards click here or visit their website here.

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]]> https://iconica.wine/product/melka-majestique-syrah-paderewski-paso-robles-2018/feed/ 0 4186 Melka CJ Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 https://iconica.wine/product/melka-cj-cabernet-sauvignon-2017/ https://iconica.wine/product/melka-cj-cabernet-sauvignon-2017/#respond Wed, 30 Oct 2024 09:07:20 +0000 https://iconica.wine/?post_type=product&p=4178
92 points | Jeb Dunnuck (2018 Vintage)

"Coming mostly from the Soda Canyon region and 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon CJ has a big, ripe, fruit-driven nose of blue fruits, lots of peppery herbs and earth, medium to full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and a great finish. This nicely balanced, pure, charming red brings loads of charm and is well worth seeking out. (JD)" Tasted Jan 2021

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“A beautiful expression of Napa Valley Cabernet from three of our favorite vineyards that have continually produced great fruit for years.”
~ Philippe and Cherie Melka, proprietors

As we begin our third decade of producing this Cabernet named after our children (CJ is an acronym for Chloe and Jeremy), we are excited at how incredible this wine continues to be.  Exhibiting a nose of dark blackberry and blackcurrant, nuanced with notes of vanilla, and fresh rose powder, the subtlety and finesse are what strike the mind.  The beautiful framework of this creamy, velvety and rich wine has amazing structure and mid-palate with a mouthfeel full dark cherry and purity of fruit expression.  This wine has incredible balance and length to its finish.

  • Production:  1375 cases
  • Bottling:  June, 2019
  • Aging: 22 months 40% new French oak
  • Release:  January 21, 2020

For more information about Melka Vineyards click here or visit their website here.

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]]> https://iconica.wine/product/melka-cj-cabernet-sauvignon-2017/feed/ 0 4178 Dominio de Pingus PSI 2021 https://iconica.wine/product/dominio-de-pingus-psi-2021/ https://iconica.wine/product/dominio-de-pingus-psi-2021/#respond Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:48:35 +0000 https://iconica.wine/?post_type=product&p=3860
94 Points | James Suckling

Dominio de Pingus PSI 2021 - "Black cherries, asphalt, hedgerow, dark spices and dried Mediterranean herbs. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate with dusty, effusive tannins and a vertical finish. Pristine and stripped-down. Drink or hold."

96 Points | Vinous

The Dominio de Pingus PSI 2021 is 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha sourced from old vines planted in calcareous soils. It was aged for up to 16 months in mostly sizeable French oak barrels. In the glass, it's garnet-red with a light purple sheen. The nose offers blood notes along with sour cherry and blackberry, intertwined with violets and dried flowers, resulting in a layered, complex profile. On the palate, it's dry and velvety. Chalky tannins define a compact mouthfeel and long-lasting fruit and floral flavours. The 2021 is a distinctive Ribera del Duero with excellent nuance and agility.

94 Points | Robert Parker

A new era starts in 2021, when they got a new winemaker for PSI. The 2021 PSI—still unbottled, as it should have an élevage of 20 months—comes from a cooler year than 2020, but it was also a drier vintage and the wine has more finesse than in 2020. It develops a note of honey, beeswax and pollen. Peter thinks this comes from the wine from Gumiel de Izán (and it also happens in Quintana del Pidio). This is because the 2021 has a significant percentage from Gumiel de Izán. 2021 is an approachable vintage, and the wine feels very elegant. It has 14.1% alcohol, slightly higher than 2020, but even if they do not harvest looking at the alcohol, they try to avoid going over 14%. I tasted a sample from 80% oak vat and 20% in barrel, with some new barrels. This is going in the right direction. They expect to bottle some 360,000 bottles. As they harvest early, they start the élevage almost one month earlier than others, so they think the wine might be bottled in May 2023.

93-94 points | Wine Advocate

The only wine that is not certified organic is the 2021 PSI, because they purchase grapes from growers and not all of them are organic, even if more and more are following the guidelines. The oak vats are older, so the influence from the oak is subtler. The wine has gained in precision also (he has a new winemaker), and all the vines are old. It's juicy and young, with a lively palate. It contains some 10% Garnacha, of which 3% comes from the new plantings (and of course the varieties intermixed in the old vines); this adds to the freshness and contains the pH to 3.8. The wine has a little less than 14% alcohol. There are some dusty tannins, but this vintage feels less rustic than the wines from yesteryear. There will be around 345,000 bottles of this. (tasted by Luis Gutierrez )

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Background

Dominio de Pingus PSI is the project of Peter Sisseck, a Bordeaux-trained winemaker. In the 1990s, he recognized Ribera del Duero’s winemaking potential. Peter sought old vine parcels and encouraged local growers to reduce chemicals, lower yields, and adopt biodynamic practices. Soon after, the cult wine Pingus was born, putting Ribera del Duero on the map.

Named after the 23rd Greek letter and Peter himself, PSI captures the essence of Ribera. The wine ferments with indigenous yeasts and ages in cement vats and old French oak barrels from Pingus and Flor de Pingus. It is dark, full-bodied, and offers rich black cherry flavors with leathery, spicy notes and a touch of minerality.

In the Vineyard

PSI uses Tinto Fino (also called Tinta del Pais), a local Tempranillo variant, and 10% Grenache. The grapes come from older vines across 630 plots in 21 villages. Seven different cellars produce PSI, using two selection tables and their own tanks.

This vintage introduces an important change: 35% of the grapes are grown on calcareous soils, adding greater complexity to the wine.

Vinification takes place in traditional concrete tanks. The wine ages for 18 months in second- and third-year oak barrels from Pingus, along with large foudres, avoiding new wood.

Tasting Notes  

Clear and clean aromas of blue fruits on the nose, raspberry, and licorice are complemented by some spice notes. Soft and pleasant entry on the palate, good acidity, and lively black fruit flavours. Very expressive with very fine tannins.

It is recommended to decant the wine.

History

PSI is the latest personal project of Peter Sisseck. He embarked on a new quest: to create a wine from a new perspective while at the same time capturing the soul of Ribera del Duero.

The new winery was then established in 2007, with the idea of creating a new, reasonably priced wine that it is produces in cooperation with local growers, working on the fundamentals of organic and biodynamic viticulture.

They will employ longer and gentler macerations to get the most harmonious extraction possible and avoid the use of new wood with no attempt to give pride of place to the wood, giving priority over the fruit, its freshness, and its finesse.

For more information about Dominio de Pingus wines click here or visit their website here.

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]]> https://iconica.wine/product/dominio-de-pingus-psi-2021/feed/ 0 3860 Dominio de Pingus PSI 2020 https://iconica.wine/product/dominio-de-pingus-psi-2020/ https://iconica.wine/product/dominio-de-pingus-psi-2020/#respond Wed, 23 Oct 2024 06:19:01 +0000 https://iconica.wine/?post_type=product&p=3847 93 points | Robert Parker

In 2020, Peter Sisseck achieved his goal of producing around 300,000 bottles of PSI, though the actual total reached 350,000. The large volume is significant, as it ensures both availability and affordability, while maintaining quality by sourcing grapes only from old vines (from 7,000 plots). In 2022, they began purchasing some of these vineyards, aiming to own about half of the 200 hectares needed to sustain production.

Sisseck noted that 2020 was a warm year, but the limestone-rich soils preserved the wine's freshness. They harvested early, before the rain, and added 5% to 10% Garnacha to lower the wine's pH. He explained that below 3.8 pH, Tempranillo-only wines from this region can become angular and hard, and Garnacha helps soften them due to its lower tannin levels. However, Garnacha grapes are scarce, so they are considering planting some for future use.

The bottled PSI 2020 delivers clean, healthy aromas, with floral, elegant notes and good freshness. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with refined tannins, making it pleasant and easy to drink.

92 points | James Suckling

Dominio de Pingus PSI 2020 shows "Dried lemon rind and blueberries with sliced mushrooms on the nose. Bark too. Medium to full-bodied with firm tannins that are rather minerally and salty in nature. Crushed stone and powerful in the texture. A little rustic but real. Old vine character. Drink or hold."

92 points | Wine Spectator

Plum sauce and pureed blackberry flavors are an enticing entry to this harmonious red, whose fruit profile and accents of black tea, iron and spice are layered with creamy yet sculpted tannins that firm the lasting finish. Drink now through 2028.

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Background

Dominio de Pingus PSI 2020 is named after the 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet, PSI has been described as a labour of love by some and “One of the greatest and most exciting wines I have ever tasted” by wine expert Robert Parker.

Organic and biodynamic, Pingus PSI is made from 100% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) grapes sourced from vine growers under strict agreements. These grapes come from balanced vineyards, planted with bush vines in varied soils, with an average vine age of 30 years. Workers manually de-stem the grapes to ensure top quality. The wine undergoes a long maceration in concrete tanks to maximize fruit aromas. It then matures in large oak vats and barrels, with almost no new oak used.

Tasting Note

Dominio de Pingus PSI 2020 is bright purple on the eye. The nose brings pronounced aromas of cherry, dark berries such as blackberries and blueberries with a hint of vanilla.

On the palate, cherry, cassis and blackberry are balanced with well defined tannins and acidity that offers a very fresh, fruit forward wine that is a pleasure to experience. The finish is long and rich with an almost sweet edge.

For more information about Dominio de Pingus wines click here or visit their website here.

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]]> https://iconica.wine/product/dominio-de-pingus-psi-2020/feed/ 0 3847 Domaine Leflaive Macon-Verze 2018 https://iconica.wine/product/domaine-leflaive-macon-verze-2018/ https://iconica.wine/product/domaine-leflaive-macon-verze-2018/#respond Thu, 10 Oct 2024 09:52:23 +0000 https://iconica.wine/?post_type=product&p=3123 91 Points | Vinous Media

'The Domaine Leflaive Macon-Verze 2018 is a generous, inviting wine. Creamy and ample on the palate, the Monté reveals shades of tangerine oil, chamomile, marzipan and yellow flowers, all in an expansive style that has a ton to offer. Open-knit and fleshy, the 2018 shows a lot of immediacy.'

90 points | SuperSomm

Domaine Leflaive Macon-Verze 2018 has a 'Medium taste of ripe yellow apples, ripe white peach, ripe peach, ripe lemon, charred wood, smoke, flint and wet stone. Long and dry finish. High acidity. Medium body.'

90 points | Burghound
'The petrol character stands out more prominently here, blending with exotic spiced tea, apple, and orange peel aromas. The middle-weight flavours may be less concentrated, but they show finer texture and greater depth. The lightly stony, cool, and focused finish adds to the appeal. This wine is lovely and worth trying. (Drink starting 2023)'

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]]> “The least expensive fine wine in the world has now gone plural with two of the original five tiny plots, Les Chênes and Le Monté, considered beautiful enough to be offered in their own right.”

The Domaine Leflaive Macon-Verze 2018 impresses with its class, elegance, and purity. It offers a refreshing “old-school” style that many modern White Burgundies lack. Layers of hazelnut, brioche, white flowers, and white peach notes shine through. This 2018 vintage is ready to enjoy now but will age gracefully in the cellar for another five years.

“The 2018 Mâcon-Verzé Les Chênes comes from a west-facing 3.5-hectare parcel that is designed to be a Côte de Beaune take on the Mâconnais. It has a steely bouquet of apple blossom, granite and sea cave aromas, focused and intense. The palate is clean and precise. It displays a superb line of acidity and impressive nervosité toward the persistent finish and a saline tang on the aftertaste. This comes highly recommended.” Neal Martin, Vinous.com

Background

Domaine Leflaive stands as the most renowned estate in Puligny-Montrachet. The Leflaive family has been rooted in Puligny since 1717, but Joseph Leflaive (1870-1953) truly founded the domaine. His sons, Vincent and Jo, succeeded him.

Anne-Claude took over in 1990 and led Domaine Leflaive to become a pioneer in Burgundy’s biodynamic movement, fully converting the estate by 1997. The wines spend 12 months aging in 25% new oak. They were then moved to steel tanks for natural clarification over the second winter. Afterward, they are fined and bottled. Leflaive’s wines display a perfect balance of richness, depth, elegance, and refinement.

Learn about Domaine Leflaive here or visit their website here.

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]]> https://iconica.wine/product/domaine-leflaive-macon-verze-2018/feed/ 0 3123 Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2021 https://iconica.wine/product/domaine-leflaive-bourgogne-blanc-2021/ https://iconica.wine/product/domaine-leflaive-bourgogne-blanc-2021/#respond Wed, 09 Oct 2024 18:47:53 +0000 https://iconica.wine/?post_type=product&p=3131 87 points | Neal Martin

The 2021 Bourgogne Blanc has a focused bouquet with citrus peel, grass clippings and marine influences. The palate is well-balanced and simple with fine acidity, moderate length and cooking apple on the finish. Fine. [tasted, 11/01/2024]

90 points | Burghound.com

A deft but still easily perceptible dollop of wood sets off cool, airy and attractively fresh aromas of various white orchard fruit and just sliced lemon. There is excellent volume to the medium-bodied and sappy flavors that coat the palate with dry extract on the beautifully long, balanced, dry and complex finale. This is an excellent and ageworthy Bourgogne and worth checking out.

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Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2021 is a youthful white wine that captivates with its vivacity. On the nose, it evokes the pristine essence of freshly sliced apples and pears, interwoven with delicate scents of white blossoms and a hint of freshly baked bread dough.

Upon the palate, its texture is smoothly creamy, unveiling a harmonious and lively balance. This wine unfolds a sparkling acidity and a finish that leaves a pleasing saline impression. It is perfect for those in search of a refreshing and sophisticated tasting experience.

Overview

Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2021 is a regional-level white Burgundy from the Côte d`Or. For its Bourgogne Blanc, Domaine Leflaive sources Chardonnay fruit from three relatively small and well-appointed plots (Les Houlieres, La Plante des Champs and Les Parties) that it has managed biodynamically since 1997.

The quality of the fruit from these plots is considerably higher than is typical at Bourgogne Blanc level. The 2021 is generous and detailed with hints of flint and white butter and bright, tense Chardonnay fruit.

History

Domaine Leflaive is the most famous estate in Puligny-Montrachet. The Leflaive family has been rooted in Puligny since 1717, but the true founder of the domaine was Joseph Leflaive (1870-1953). He was succeeded by his sons, Vincent and Jo.

However, it was under Anne-Claude’s leadership from 1990 to 2015 that Domaine Leflaive became a pioneer in Burgundy’s biodynamic movement, fully converting the estate by 1997. The wines age for 12 months in 25% new oak before transferring to steel tanks, where they naturally clarify over the second winter. Afterward, they are fined and bottled. Leflaive’s wines showcase a superb balance of richness, depth, elegance, and refinement.

Learn about Domaine Leflaive here or visit their website here.

 

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]]> https://iconica.wine/product/domaine-leflaive-bourgogne-blanc-2021/feed/ 0 3131 Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2017 https://iconica.wine/product/domaine-leflaive-bourgogne-blanc-2017/ https://iconica.wine/product/domaine-leflaive-bourgogne-blanc-2017/#respond Wed, 09 Oct 2024 18:23:06 +0000 https://iconica.wine/?post_type=product&p=3136 89 points | Wine Advocate

Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2017 has 'aromas of waxy citrus rind, green apples and light reduction introduce the Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2017, a medium to full-bodied wine and elegantly glossy attack, a succulent core of fruit, and excellent cut and intensity for its level, concluding with a long finish. This is routinely one of the best generic bottlings to be found, and this year's rendition is no exception.' (William Kelley)

91 points | John Gilman

'Despite a bit of frost damage here in 2017, the Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2017 was showing beautifully at the time of my visit. The nose is deep, pure and quite classy for its level, offering up scents of pear, apple, a touch of orange zest, lovely, chalky soil tones and a floral topnote. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and really has a superb core of fruit this year, with excellent cut and grip, fine focus and a long, vibrant and impressively complex finish. There cannot be too many Bourgogne Blancs (outside of Coche-Dury) at this level. 2020-2040.'

Burghound.com

Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2017 has 'a beautifully fresh nose combines notes of freshly sliced lemon with those of various white orchard fruit and a hint of wood toast. There is excellent energy to the detailed and solidly concentrated medium weight flavours that possess very good depth and persistence for its level. This is quite good and it’s not hard to sense the influence of the villages level infusion.'

 

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]]> “My recommendation is to open a bottle at dinner and drink it for breakfast… if I am really nice to my friends, I open a bottle in the morning.”

– Brice de La Morandière (on when to drink Domaine Leflaive’s wines)

Domaine Leflaive is the most famous estate in Puligny-Montrachet. The Leflaive family has been rooted in Puligny since 1717, but the true founder of the domaine was Joseph Leflaive (1870-1953). He was succeeded by his sons, Vincent and Jo.

However, it was under Anne-Claude’s leadership from 1990 to 2015 that Domaine Leflaive became a pioneer in Burgundy’s biodynamic movement, fully converting the estate by 1997. The wines age for 12 months in 25% new oak before transferring to steel tanks, where they naturally clarify over the second winter. Afterward, they are fined and bottled. Leflaive’s wines showcase a superb balance of richness, depth, elegance, and refinement.

Learn about Domaine Leflaive here or visit their website here.

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