World of Fine Wine

Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Masseto founded in 1981 is considered to be one of the seminal ‘Super Tuscans’. A 100% Merlot varietal, produced from a 7 hectare clay-based vineyard, Masseto has gained international acclaim. With hand harvesting, individual vinification, ageing of parcel lots, Masseto is a truly bespoke wine. Around only 30,000 bottles are produced annually delivering up a wine with massive colour, aroma and concentration.

Sassicaia is one of the most sought-
after fine wines in the world. This is
 largely due to the vision, energy and
 drive of the proprietor, Nicolo Incisa della
 Rocchetta, whose father first planted Cabernet
 Sauvignon and Merlot vines, and Nicolo who engaged 
the services of Piero Antinori’s
 winemaker, Giacomo Tachis.
 Sassicaia’s first vintage was released 
to universal acclaim in 1968.
 Sassicaia is now widely accepted as
 one of the world’s greatest Cabernet
 Sauvignon wines and made history 
in 1994, being the first single wine
 to be granted its own Bolgheri DOC label.

Following first plantings of Merlot and Cabernet vines in 1984, the Tua Rita winery released its first vintage in 1992. Praise and accolades soon arrived from wine enthusiasts around the world who loved the rich, full-bodied wines. In just five short years, the 100% Merlot achieved cult-like status, receiving outstanding ratings from the world’s most prestigious wine critics and publications. Critic Robert M. Parker Jr. said the 1999 Redigaffi was “as close to perfection as a wine can get.” The following year, he gave the 2000 Redigaffi a perfect 100 score.

Established over three centuries ago, in 1692, Taylor’s is one of the oldest of the founding Port houses. It is dedicated entirely to the production of Port wine and in particular to its finest vintage styles. Alistair Robertson assumed management of Taylor’s in 1966, a role for which he has since become known and respected the world over. He has been responsible for several innovations, not least the introduction of Late Bottled Vintage Port – then wine style that is attributed with the recovery of the Port industry.

Château Léoville-Barton was once part of the  vast Léoville estate and was purchased by Hugh Barton in 1826.  It is still owned by the Barton family,  of Irish descent, and the current  owner, Anthony Barton, began running the estate in 1983 along with its sister property Château Langoa-Barton. The previous owner was Anthony’s uncle Ronald, who died in 1986. These two St. Julien properties enjoy the longest continuous duration of ownership by one family out of all the current proprietors in Bordeaux.

Champagne Pol Roger was founded in 1849 and now owns 90 hectares of vineyards on prime sites in the Vallée d’Epernay. Great Britain is, and always has been, the premier export market for Champagne Pol Roger – a tradition dating back to the 1860s. Sir Winston Churchill was Pol Roger’s most illustrious devotee and customer. The Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is made in his honour.

For over 700 years, the Dampierre family has been associated with the Champagne region and Comte Audoin de Dampierre’s great-grandfather started the family production of champagne in 1880. The finest vintage bottles of Champagne Dampierre are distinguished by ‘ficelage’ a traditional method of securing the cork to the bottle with twine. Up until the First World War, all champagne corks were attached with hemp twine, and only after that period did wire gain general acceptance.