The Art On The Label Does Justice To The Wine Within

Aperture Oliver Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Winemaker Jesse Katz isn’t just one of the promising young winemakers coming out of California – his dad Andy is also a noted photographer, making for their label Aperture’s distinctive wine labels. This tree-lined path image was chosen for its brooding quality, highlighting Oliver Ranch’s single vineyard character. The Alexander Valley 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot blend is aged 22 months in 50% new oak, and is unfined, unfiltered and unacidifed. The flavours are pure and unforgettable, featuring rich black cherry laced with crunchy tannins, leading to a generous finish. Price on enquiry from KAL Wine Source Asia

2015 VINTAGE
•  Fourth consecutive years of drought in Sonoma County saw a smaller but high quality vintage.
•  A warm summer accelerated maturity and picking, resulting in one of the earliest harvests on record.
• Like other grapes, there were smaller berries for Cabernet Sauvignon, which gave it greater concentration and ripeness in balance with tannins and colour.

HANDPICKED X ROMANCE WAS BORN ROSÉ 2018

The inaugural 2017 edition was sold out, and 2018 looks set to do so as well. This year’s collaboration between Handpicked Wines and cult clothing brand Romance Was Born sees a ‘cosmic disco’ theme to the fashionable summer sip. The Rosé is more richly textured than expected, elaborated from 100% Yarra Valley Pinot Noir with fermentation on Viognier skins to give it added vibrant complexity. Try it with sushi or Vietnamese rice paper rolls. $42.80 from maltwineasia.com

MONTEVERTINE LE PERGOLE TORTE 2015

Le Pergole Torte is synonymous with the artistic labels of Alberto Manfredi. While both founding winemakers Sergio Manetti and Manfredi have passed on, the 100% Sangiovese continues to be highly revered, and is now in the hands of Manetti’s son, Martino. The lush and showy 2015 vintage is more textural and intense than the austere 2014 vintage, and is rich in red cherry notes finished with a touch of savoury herbs. Its winemaking, vinified in concrete and aged in almost no new oak, results in a long-aged style suitable for the cellar.$202 from itwineclub.com

WHAT A CONCEPT

Launched for travel retail, The Macallan Concept Number 1 takes its cue from surreal art, with a correspondingly beautiful packaging referencing the imagination. While the largely successful Edition series drew on bold collaborations with the likes of chefs and perfumers, the Concept series explores maturation. In the case of Number 1, the 40% ABV spirit sits first in sherry-seasoned oak then ex-bourbon casks, a twist on the usual order. It’s still recognisably The Macallan with nutty fruitcake nuances, but lighter in taste. $170 from DFS Changi Airport while stocks last.