Fortified

Ostinato Marsala Fine Ambra Secco

Delicious, balanced and refined, Ostinato Fine Ambra Secco is a dry Marsala that is produced according to traditional methods now rarely seen in the appellation, especially in Fine expressions. It begins with its ‘alto grado’ base wine, from late-harvest, low-yielding Grillo, Inzolia and Catarratto old vines. Its higher natural ABV means the wine is less reliant on fortification and is more expressive of Marsala’s indelible terroir. Extended aging beyond the minimum Fine requirements produce a Marsala that resonates with deep vinous character. Full details

Ostinato Marsala Fine Ambra Dolce

Italy ➜ Sicily ➜ Marsala DOC 17.0% ABV

17.0% ABV • Fortified, Oxidative

Delicious, balanced and refined, Ostinato Fine Ambra Dolce is a sweet Marsala that is produced according to traditional methods now rarely seen in the appellation, especially in Fine expressions. It begins with its ‘alto grado’ base wine, from late-harvest, low-yielding Grillo, Inzolia and Catarratto old vines. Its higher natural ABV means the wine is less reliant on fortification and is more expressive of Marsala’s indelible terroir. Extended aging beyond the minimum Fine requirements produce a Marsala that resonates with deep vinous character. Full details

Mas Peyre Maury Hors d’Age ‘La Rage du Soleil’ NV

France ➜ Roussillon ➜ Maury AOP 17.0% ABV

17.0% ABV • Fortified, Oxidative

First established in 2003, this singular Maury solera was augmented with small lots each year until 2008, then rested quietly in barrel until bottling in late 2016. 100% Grenache noir, the name ‘Rage du Soleil’ alludes to the heat of Roussillon and the enduring nature of its old vines. Oxidative, yet still primary, this deft wine boasts notes of cherry compote, spice cake and cocoa powder; tobacco leaf, bitter orange and rose pepper. With lightly drying tannins balancing the wine’s inherent richness, expect a continued graceful evolution in the bottle. Enjoy with creamy blue-veined cow’s milk cheeses, with nuts and dark chocolates. Serve slightly chilled or at cellar temperature. Full details

Mas Peyre Maury Hors d’Age ‘La Rage du Soleil’ NV label

Domaine du Dernier Bastion Maury Rancio 2008

France ➜ Roussillon ➜ Maury AOP 15.5% ABV

15.5% ABV • Fortified, Oxidative

Produced only in exceptional vintages, the Domaine du Dernier Bastion Maury Rancio is pure Grenache noir, selected from the estate’s oldest vines. Fermented in a 200-year-old concrete tank, the wine was aged in a 1,000-liter tonneau for eight years, then placed on the rooftop under glass and exposed to the elements for a final year prior to bottling. The resulting wine exhibits warming complexity and reverberative depth, its mellow rancio character embroidered on flavors of spiced cherry, caramelized orange, fruit cake, fig, walnut, coffee and cocoa. Full details

Domaine du Dernier Bastion Maury Rancio 2008 label

Domaine du Dernier Bastion Maury Rancio 2007

France ➜ Roussillon ➜ Maury AOP 15.5% ABV

15.5% ABV • Fortified, Oxidative

Produced only in exceptional vintages, the Domaine du Dernier Bastion Maury Rancio is pure Grenache noir, selected from the estate’s oldest vines. Fermented in a 200-year-old concrete tank, the wine was aged in a 1,000-liter tonneau for nine years, then placed on the rooftop under glass and exposed to the elements for a final year prior to bottling. The resulting wine exhibits warming complexity and reverberative depth, its mellow rancio character embroidered on flavors of spiced cherry, caramelized orange, fruit cake, fig, walnut, coffee and cocoa. Full details

Domaine du Dernier Bastion Maury Rancio 2007 label

Banyuls Traditionnel

France ➜ Roussillon ➜ Banyuls AOP

17.5-18.5% ABV • Fortified, Oxidative

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls 'Le Colloque'

France ➜ Roussillon ➜ Banyuls AOP 16.3% ABV

16.3% ABV • Fortified, Oxidative

Full details

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls 'Le Colloque' label

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls Hors d’Age ‘Sostrera’

France ➜ Roussillon ➜ Banyuls AOP 17.5% ABV

17.5% ABV • Fortified, Oxidative

‘Sostrera’ is the word for ‘solera’ in the local Catalan parlance of Banyuls. Dr. Gaston Parcé established the solera at Mas Blanc in 1925 with two layers of demi-muids (650-litre barrels) full of wine. The Domaine bottled the first wine from the solera in 1946. This commitment to extended aging within the Sostrera continues today. The wine is 100% Grenache noir (from cuttings brought from Château de Beaucastel), fortified in the usual manner of the estate. Full details

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls Hors d’Age ‘Sostrera’ label

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘d’Antan’ 2008

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘d’Antan’ 2006

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Vieilles Vignes’ 2000

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Vieilles Vignes’ 1991

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Vieilles Vignes’ 1985

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Vieilles Vignes’ 1976

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Vieilles Vignes’ 1975

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Vieilles Vignes’ 1974

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Collection’ 2002

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Collection’ 2000

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Collection’ 1992

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Collection’ 1986

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Collection’ 1982

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Collection’ 1978

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Collection’ 1975

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls Sec 1980

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls Sec 1978

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls Rancio 1970

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Cuvée St. Martin’ 1972

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Cuvée St. Martin’ 1969

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Cuvée St. Martin‘ 1965

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Cuvée St. Martin’ 1963

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Cuvée St. Martin’ 1962

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Cuvée St. Martin’ 1959

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Cuvée St. Martin’ 1955

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Cuvée St. Martin’ 1952

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Cuvée St. Martin’ 1949

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Cuvée St. Martin’ 1947

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls ‘Cuvée St. Martin–l’Orange’ 1947

Banyuls Rimage

France ➜ Roussillon ➜ Banyuls AOP

17.5% ABV • Fortified

Domaine du Mas Blanc Rimage ‘Diadème de la Coume’ 2008

Domaine du Mas Blanc Rimage ‘La Coume’ 2001

Domaine du Mas Blanc Rimage ‘La Coume’ 1993

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls Rimage 1996

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls Rimage 1988

Domaine du Mas Blanc Banyuls Rimage 1976

Espodol Solera Garnatxa d’Empordà NV

Spain ➜ Catalunya ➜ Empordà DO 15.5% ABV

15.5% ABV • Fortified, Oxidative

Celler Espolla’s Solera Garnatxa d’Empordà is regarded as one of the finest and most prominent of its tradition in Catalunya. Late harvest Garnatxa blanca and rosat grapes are picked by hand and co-fermented with native yeasts in epoxy-lined concrete tank. The fermentation is arrested via mutage, and the wine begins a lengthy, oxidative odyssey through a four-tier solera that was inaugurated in 1950; small quantities are bottled a maximum of once per year. Dark amber, seamless and layered, it shows dried apricot and cherry, roasted hazelnut and sweet/smoky baking spices. Served at cellar temperature, it can be enjoyed with a wide variety of cheeses and desserts. Once opened, it will keep well for 8-12 weeks. Full details

Espodol Solera Garnatxa d’Empordà NV label

Villa Oeiras Carcavelos 'Nacional' 12-Year Old

Portugal ➜ Lisboa VR ➜ Carcavelos DOC 18.5% ABV

18.5% ABV • Fortified, Oxidative

Arinto, Gallego Dourado and Ratinho form the backbone of this benchmark 12-year-old blend, and the signature of the Atlantic Ocean features prominently in its expression. The wine is aged exclusively in Portuguese ('Nacional') oak, which lends a pleasing rusticity and generosity of spirit. Full details

Villa Oeiras Carcavelos 'Nacional' 12-Year Old label

Villa Oeiras Carcavelos 15-Year Old

Portugal ➜ Lisboa VR ➜ Carcavelos DOC 19.0% ABV

19.0% ABV • Fortified, Oxidative

Arinto, Gallego Dourado and Ratinho form the backbone of this benchmark 15-year-old blend, and the signature of the Atlantic Ocean features prominently in its expression. The wine is aged in a combination of Nacional (Portuguese) and French oak. Full details