to access the Members only Special Offer page

All our large format bottles are now available to purchase from our website in the on-line shop.

These are our 1.5Ltr Magnums, 3Ltr Double Magnums and 6Ltr Imperials for our Old Vine Garden Collection wines and the Valley Floor. It also includes back vintages.
Check it out.

6Ltr Imperial

3Ltr Double Magnum

1.5Ltr Magnum 

Hello 

'It is what we know already that often prevents us from learning.'
Claude Bernard

Regarding wine, never were truer words spoken! How often do we stick to a particular variety, region or label? Or even stereotype varietal characteristics within our favourite grape?

My tendency to do just that prompted this email. Though predominantly a Shiraz drinker (goes with the territory in the Barossa), a recent cellar door release has seen me breaking rank almost daily. A siren's song in the form of the 2021 Massimo Montepulciano Primitivo. A delightful drop, to be sure, but first, a little about its components.

Little known outside its homeland, Montepulciano is a red wine grape originating in Italy, where it is the second most planted after Sangiovese. Though sharing its name with a town in Tuscany, they are not connected. To further confuse things, the wine hailing from the town's vineyards is called Vino Nobile di Montepulciano but is made from Sangiovese! Being a late ripener, Montepulciano is not well suited to the country's cooler northern regions but is extensively planted throughout central and southern Italy, producing easy-drinking wines of generous fruit and moderate acidity. Its geographic origins make it suitable for Australia's warmer regions, such as the Barossa. It and other Italian varieties will only continue to gain recognition in our drying, warming climate.

Speaking of Italian varieties shrouded in mystery, the smaller proportion of this blend could also do with a bit of clarification. Primitivo is considered by most to be just another name for Zinfandel. While very similar, genetic testing suggests they are siblings deriving from a common ancestor in the form of an ancient Croatian variety, Crljenak Kaštelanski or Tribidrag. Many still believe they are just too close to distinguish, while others will fiercely defend the unique characteristics of each. The essential difference appears to be as subtle as berry size and ripening times. Primitivo tends to ripen a little earlier with more noticeable blackberry and spice highlights, while Zin's later ripening lends itself to reduced acidity and jammier big-berried fruit.

Now that you're across the varieties let's look at the wine itself. Massimo is vibrant and juicy! It is intensely purple and floral with hints of spice on the nose and a medium to full-bodied palate, perfectly combining the best these two Italians have to offer. No wonder I weakened, and I wasn't the only one. Stuart Knox of The Real Review awarded it 91 points, writing, 'Ink black core into a deep purple rim. Plum compote, sage, and lavender aromatics. Big and rich with lashings of ripe plum fruit, dark chocolate and a dark-earth savoury note. The tannins do the work required and send it along to a well-dried finish.'

To encourage your own journey of discovery, if not support an existing habit, we extend to you a 2021 Massimo new release offer of six bottles for $149 delivered to your door. Order  HERE 

Bellissimo!

Giovanni Amaro
(Jonathan Bitter)
Cellar Door Manager

Visiting Cellar Door

As important members of Langmeil, we would like to let you know that pre-booking your cellar door experience will prevent any disappointment on arrival. Seating is limited so it's a good idea to book ahead. Call us on 08 8563 2595 to book, and you might like to book in for one of these experences:-