Overture 2021, the first vintage-dated bottling of the second wine of Opus One, offers fresh aromas of plum, blackberry, and cherry enhanced by alluring notes of dried rose petal, forest floor, and earthy minerality. Juicy and bright on the palate with distinctive flavors of black currant, blueberry, and fraises du bois; the wine delivers a velvety texture with powdery tannins. Subtle coffee and dark chocolate round out the long finish coupled with a well-integrated acidity.

Elegance and Complexity

Overture reflects the winemaker’s artistry by showcasing the talent of blending five traditional Bordeaux grape varieties and capturing terroir characteristics of the same variety grown in different soils. However, Overture’s third blending aspect – that of marrying multiple vintages – yields a softer, rounder expression of our estate that can be enjoyed upon release.

The Essence of Place

Overture is a timeless reflection of our Opus One estate vineyards. This remarkable terroir expresses itself in the complex aromas, flavors and especially, textures of Overture. The classic blackberry and cassis character of Cabernet Sauvignon melds seamlessly with the black cherry, red currant and violet from the Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.  The blending of wine-lots across vintages and extended barrel aging give Overture a supple structure and silky texture

Source: Overture

Source: Current Releases

The Macallan’s Time:Space Collection Honours Its Past & Celebrates Its Future

To mark 200 years, The Macallan has released two new creations to celebrate the brand’s interpretation of time travel through whisky mastery.

As The Macallan would have you know, time is of the essence when making whisky. Scotch malt whiskies are matured in oak casks for anything between three and 50 years or longer.

And for its 200th anniversary, the legendary distillery has released two new creations, which highlight its interpretation of time travel through whisky mastery. These were introduced at The Heart of The Spirit Experience in Singapore, which ran from September 7 to 22 at CQ @ Clark Quay, The Warehouses.

Time:Space, where past and present come together

With only 200 available – one for each year of The Macallan’s history – Time:Space brings to life the essence of time travel. Within its dual-chamber vessel houses a 1940 vintage, also the oldest whisky released by The Macallan. Bottled at 43.4% ABV, this results from two meticulously selected casks – first-fill American oak butt and the second-fill European oak butt – seasoned with sherry in Jerez de la Frontera. Thanks to 84 years of maturation, this rare, aged single malt Scotch whisky offers a rich hue, exceptional depth, and long-lasting flavour.

Meanwhile, held in the vessel’s central chamber is the single malt 2018 vintage. It is the first release of a whisky by The Macallan’s distillery that opened in the same year, and was bottled at 54.9% ABV. As a nod to The Macallan’s future, it also reiterates the brand’s commitment to excellence.

“It was an absolute privilege to be able to reach back in time and select stock from the 1940s to honour and celebrate our 200th year anniversary,” Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker at The Macallan, says.

“To nose, taste and select whisky distilled eight decades ago is an exceptionally rare occasion in the life of a whisky maker and one which I will treasure.” Displayed in an oak sculpture, the vessel accentuates the whisky’s 100 percent natural colour. And to pay homage to The Macallan’s signature sherry seasoned oak casks, it is crafted with alternate layers of American oak and European oak.

Time:Space Mastery, drawn from 14 cask types for remarkable complexity

An extraordinary single malt with incredible depth of aroma, texture and flavour, Time: Space Mastery highlights The Macallan’s exceptional inventory – with distinct influences from European Oak sherry seasoned casks, American Oak sherry seasoned casks, American Oak Bourbon casks, and the finest refill casks.

This expression highlights The Macallan’s unwavering commitment to protecting and nurturing its craft for the future. “Inspired by past masters, we have explored the full extent of our warehouses to capture the complex influences of cask seasoning, oak origin, cask size, and distillery character in one incredibly special bottle of whisky—with the elegance provided by European Oak sitting at its heart,” says Euan Kennedy, Lead Whisky Maker for Time:Space Mastery.

Housed in a circular vessel that evokes the enduring cycle of life and an ongoing journey from past to future, it features intricate details inspired by origami. The presentation case bursts to life with a vibrant pop of red and 200 spikes to represent the brand’s bicentennial year.

And the journey continues

Both releases symbolise The Macallan’s dedication to artisanry and creativity. For Jaume Ferras, Creative Director at The Macallan, Time:Space Collection is an incredible way to pay tribute to its 200th anniversary. It not only celebrates the accomplishments of previous generations; it is also, as he highlights, “a symbol of anticipation what is to come, as we build upon our heritage and look to the times ahead.”

Meanwhile, The Macallan’s profound connection to nature is encapsulated through two enthralling films to commemorate the release of Time:Space Collection. Visit The Macallan’s YouTube channel to watch the Time:Space Story and Time:Space Whisky Film.

Source: aplussingapore.com

Dom Pérignon has unveiled a limited edition Vintage 2015 collection inspired by the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat, marking a significant collaboration between the champagne house and the artist’s estate.

The release represents a continuation of Dom Pérignon’s longstanding engagement with the arts, following similar partnerships with figures such as actor and singer Lady Gaga in 2023.

However, this collection is notably centered on a deep artistic connection between the house’s winemaking and Basquiat’s creative vision.

“We’ve always been drawn to creators who challenge conventions and push the boundaries of their craft—just like we do with our wines,” said Jacques Giraco, global managing director at Dom Pérignon, during a media event for the unveiling in New York City in October. “Basquiat was such a bold, innovative artist, and his work still resonates today.”

The collection’s design, which features Basquiat’s 1983 painting In Italian, reflects the concept of assemblage—both in art and winemaking. The coffrets, or decorative boxes, display sections of the painting, which come together as a complete image when placed side by side. This approach mirrors the assemblage process in Dom Pérignon’s winemaking, says Vincent Chaperon, Dom Pérignon’s chef de cave (head winemaker).

“Just as Basquiat layered symbols, colors and text to create art that’s vibrant with meaning, we combine elements from different vineyard plots and grape varieties to create depth and complexity in our wines,” Chaperon said.

Chaperon emphasized that while the process is precise, it also leaves room for creativity. This, he explained, aligns with Basquiat’s artistic approach, where energy and imperfection are balanced with intention.

“When blending, it’s not just about harmonizing flavors—it’s about finding tension between acidity, texture and aromatic expression, creating a wine that evolves with time,” he said.

Dom Pérignon exclusively produces vintage champagne, meaning each bottle is made from grapes harvested in a single—and exceptional—year. The Vintage 2015 champagne is described by the winemakers as embodying the boldness and complexity found in Basquiat’s art. The growing conditions of that year allowed the winemakers to craft a champagne with a distinct tension and vibrant character.

Chaperon noted that the wine has “vibrant citrus notes, underscored by stone fruits, with a precise minerality that gives it structure.” This complexity is designed to evolve over time, revealing new nuances with each sip, much like how Basquiat’s layered works of art reveal deeper meaning upon closer inspection.

The packaging design further enhances the experience, with each bottle bearing the fusion of Dom Pérignon’s shield and Basquiat’s crown emblem. Giraco described this fusion as symbolic, representing “two worlds united by creativity and craftsmanship.” The attention to detail in the packaging, along with the tribute to Basquiat’s visual language, aims to create a cohesive connection between the art and the champagne.

“We want people to feel the energy, passion and artistry that went into this tribute to Basquiat,” Giraco said.

Giraco also highlighted the significance of this collaboration in continuing Dom Pérignon’s commitment to the arts. “Throughout our history, we’ve sought out collaborations with visionary artists—whether it’s Lady Gaga or now Basquiat—to keep this dialogue between fine wine and the arts alive,” he said. The Basquiat tribute is part of this tradition, merging fine champagne with artistic expression in a way that aims to honor both legacies.

The choice of In Italian as the inspiration for the collection was deliberate, according to Dom Pérignon’s management. This artwork, known for its blend of text, symbols and vibrant colors, is considered one of Basquiat’s more evocative pieces, and its integration into the Dom Pérignon collection adds an artistic dimension to the wine experience.

“We were particularly drawn to In Italian because it embodies the same complexity we seek in our wines,” Giraco said. “The layering of symbols, text and imagery mirrors how we build our vintages—each component playing a distinct role but contributing to a unified whole.”

The limited-edition Dom Pérignon Vintage 2015 is expected to resonate with collectors and art enthusiasts alike. Champagne sales, much like figures for the rest of the global wine industry have been slipping over the last two years. But collectors’ editions are picking up interest among investors. Over the past five years, the value of the “Champagne 50” index, which tracks the top champagne brands traded on the wine platform Liv-ex, has increased by 47%, as reported by The Economist. This rise outpaces all other regional wine indices globally.​

Chaperon said that he hopes collectors will appreciate the craftsmanship behind the wine, which, like Basquiat’s art, is designed to evolve and reveal new dimensions over time.

“Basquiat’s art appears as deeply personal, rooted in his heritage, yet universal in its appeal,” Chaperon said. “We approach winemaking in a similar way—we honor the traditions and terroir that shape each vintage while striving to create something new and unexpected.”

Source: Forbes, Inside Dom Pérignon’s Champagne Tribute To Jean-Michel Basquiat

Errázuriz is recognized as perhaps the single top quality producer of Chilean wines, within recent years. Eduardo Chadwick, President, named Decanter Man of the Year 2018, and the winery awarded Best Chilean Winery 2017 by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.

As an estate winery, Errázuriz strives to produce the finest wines by controlling every stage of the winemaking process, from grape growing in the Aconcagua, Casablanca and Curi valleys, to winemaking with the most natural techniques. An emphasis is placed on the delicate handling of the wines, with the aim of producing wines of elegance and complexity.

It is this dynamism and passion for wine that has made Errázuriz such an internationally respected producer of quality wines.

For fourth consecutive year, Errázuriz was awarded as one of the Top 10 World’s Most Admired Wine Brands by Drinks International. This year, Errázuriz was ranked in the 9th position of this selected list, whose results were announced at Prowein 2019.

Don Maximiano Errázuriz founded Viña Errázuriz in 1870 in the Aconcagua Valley, 65 miles north of the capital, Santiago. Recognizing that this valley, with its hot, dry summers and cool Pacific Ocean breezes, was ideal for growing grapes, Don Maximiano sent for the finest clones from France and with tenacity and perseverance transformed this barren land into a world-class vineyard.

Today, the tradition of quality lives on with Don Maximiano’s descendant, Eduardo Chadwick. Eduardo is the fifth generation of his family to lead this exceptional estate, and his work has been colossal, bringing Errázuriz into a new era where it is acknowledged as a producer of world-class wines, and opened eyes around the globe as to Chile’s incredible and diverse sites.

Click here to view our best selection from Errázuriz.  

Source: errazuriz.com, www.vintus.com

Zalto glasses have earned and maintained cult status within the international wine world. The stemware by the Gmünd based company (Northern Waldviertel, Austria) is highly appreciated by wine makers and wine enthusiasts alike and has set new standards with its distinct Denk’Art series.

The Zalto Denk’Art has been confirmed by numerous wine connoisseurs and experts, this series covers the whole spectrum of grape varieties and offers the consumer a compact series of glasses which allows every beverage to optimally present its character.

International experts commend the glasses’ functionality and quality:

“I didn’t think that there would be anything better on the glass-market … this glass is. Moreover, it has something erotic … “

Francois Mauss, President of the ‚Grand Jury Européen’

“… I ́ve been doing a few comparisons with the Zalto and other glasses … I ́m impressed enough to covet some Zalto.”

David Schildknecht, Robert Parker ́s Wine Advocate

“For me these are the best glasses to emphasize both terroir and character. I use them every day.”

Aldo Sohm, ‚Best Sommelier of the World 2008’. Chef Sommelier ‚Le Bernardin’, NY

“The glasses that have most impressed me recently, from Zalto … are the thinnest and most delicate I have come across… and would give any serious wine lover a real thrill over the closeness of contact they offer.”

Jancis Robinson, Financial Times

The Denk’Art series is consciously focused on essentials, provides hand blown functional wine glasses and is complemented by a series of delicate stemless glasses. Numerous world-class wine makers, restaurateurs and wine connoisseurs confide in the qualities of Zalto stemware.

 Unique Features of Zalto Glassware

HAND BLOWN

Zalto stands for finest stemware – superior in design and functionality. Each glass is the outcome of 100% elaborate craftsmanship, always produced in line with the commitment to tradition. Hand-crafted perfection is both the foundation for Zalto stemware production and the benchmark for Zalto’s uniquely skilful glass blowers. The demanding handwork resembles the artistry of Venetian renaissance glass artists.

CLEAR CHRYSTAL LEAD-FREE GLASS

The use of carefully selected raw materials, free from lead oxide, guarantee a high level of resistance against clouding.

DISHWASHER-SAFE

In spite of their feather-light weight Zalto glasses embody all attributes of a modern glass with respect to care and longevity.

ANGLES

The angles of 24, 48 and 72 degrees used by Zalto are equivalent to the angle of inclination of the Earth. According to written traditions the ancient Greeks and Romans had already recognised using these angles in the production of storage containers enhanced the qualities of the stored goods. Not only did the stored food products remain fresh for longer, they also tasted distinctively better. We believe that the embodiment of this cosmic order contributes towards the characteristics of the Zalto Denk’Art glasses which allow a wine to realize its full character in the nose and on the palate.

Click here to view our collection from Zalto Wine Glasses and Decanter.

History

The history of Del Casale family begins with its ancestor Francesco Paolo in Vasto, Italy, the so-called “Terra d’oro” (the “Golden Land”), and with Antonio on a later stage. It was Sergio, together with his wife Lucia, who then spread the love for quality wine to his family. His two young daughters, Laura and Paola, are currently running the business and devotedly take this tradition forward. Today, the art of winemaking and the Del Casale family go hand in hand.

The lineage of the Del Casale family dates back around the end of the 18th century, in the fertile “golden land” of Vasto, in Abruzzo. It was a difficult time, but with a strong will, the family starts to cultivate the available land near the “coast”, which is on a steep slope of the valley, hard to work but the best for good-quality production.
Back in 1920, Francesco Paolo – a stubborn winemaker – decided to stay in San Biagio district despite the difficulties he was facing. He earned his nickname (“Vird’ Vird'”, which means “green green” in English) for its dedication and care for his vineyards.

In 1984, through the perseverance of Sergio and his wife, Lucia, the land paid off with healthy and good-quality vines and grapes in San Biagio. Nowadays, grown up with a long and significant winemaking tradition, Paola and Laura are two representatives of the present and the future of Del Casale’s family.

Winemaking – With New Technologies and Old Tradition

Only from a careful care of the vineyards, it is possible to obtain grapes of the best quality: for this reason Del Casale vineyards, with a tendon and counter-espalier breeding system, are managed minimizing chemical interventions with plant protection products and agronomic practices aimed at preserving the quality of the environment and of our health.

Keeping up with the technological innovations in the oenological field, but with an eye to old and often more appropriate rural traditions, they have been trying for years to produce best quality wines.

Award winning wines

Since 2006 till date – Del Casale has received many achievements and awards at the annual Vinitaly International Wine Competition. Here are a few award-winning labels which are highly recommended:

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo “Radices”

• Carefully selected grapes and oak maturation for months make up marvelous drops. Vintage 2009 even gained its recognition among wine enthusiasts and professionals during the 51^st Vinitaly Awards held in 2017 with 93 points out of 100.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo “Casale San Biase”

• From the vineyards of the San Biagio hills, mitigated by the marine climate, the low yield per hectare produce precious grapes harvested manually for the “Casale San Biase” wines, a full expression of the aromatic richness of the area “Vasto”.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo “Diomedeo”

• Signified as “God Diomedeo” by the winemaker, delivers powerful wines of remarkable and rich tannins, in which typical hints of vintage Montepulciano d’Abruzzo stand out in combination with the valuable characteristics conferred by the French oak barriques.

Click here to view our collection from Sergio Del Casale.

Karuizawa is a historic Japanese whisky distillery, which opened in 1955 in a vineyard in Miyota – at the foot of an active volcano,   Mount Asama. At 850 meters above sea level, it was the highest distillery in Japan.

The distillery was tiny and the aim was traditional, small-scale production to create quality whiskies. Karuizawa used 100% Golden Promise barley, wooden washbacks, small stills and sherry casks sourced from Spain.

Karuizawa’s whiskies are perhaps the closest you’ll find to the Scottish malt style in Japan but they still had their own unique character. The water was filtered through lava and the distillery also experienced very hot summers and extremely cold winters which resulted in a different maturation profile.

Unfortunately, the distillery was mothballed in 2000, and closed completely in 2011. Since then, whiskies (often single cask releases) have slowly appeared on the market while becoming ever more collectible, and its expressions have since risen in rarity and value.

   One of the oldest vintage : Karuizawa 50 Years Old 1965 – Bouborn Cask 8636 (bottled 2016)

Click here to view our Karuizawa whiskies collection.

2018 Harvest was really excellent: quality and quantity.

Continue reading Veuve Fourny Champagnes 2018 NEWS AUTUMN – WINTER →

The Macallan has revealed its seventh Masters of Photography whisky.

In collaboration with Magnum Photos, a global photographic cooperative.

The Macallan Masters of Photography: Magnum Edition celebrates the construction and opening of the new Macallan distillery and visitor experience through never-before-seen imagery and a liquid inspired by the photographers.

Continue reading Macallan Masters of Photography: Magnum Edition →

Cabernet Sauvignon is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley.

Continue reading The world’s foremost red wine-grape variety. →