d’Arenberg ‘The Conscious Biosphere’ Petit Sirah Aglianico 2018 

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The bottle will provide a detailed explanation of Chester’s reasonings here – and they are good ones – though I’d have called it ‘the Monster Mash’. Basically, d’Arenberg have looked to ensure they have planted varieties more suited to warmer climes, given the climate change problems ahead. For me, this is a massive wine, hence my name (no royalties necessary, Chester). Again, open fermenters, foot treading, basket-pressing and then maturation in old French oak for ten months. 74% Petit Sirah and 26% Aglianico. 


This wine is inky black/black and purples. The nose is quite exotic – as well as the expected chocolate and blackberries, there is an intriguing chalky note hanging in the background, along with animal skins, warm earth, game and mulberries. Put simply, the palate is massive – honestly, I am struggling to think of another wine tasted recently as big, bold and powerful. In some ways, confronting. Rich and concentrated, it is very long. This is a meal in itself or match it with the biggest steak you can find. For me, I am scoring it 91, but if you are a lover of a huge red then you will be thinking it deserves much more.