A Magnum Merry Holiday
16 December 2025
Buongiorno ~
At our annual Octagon Feast earlier this month, presenting the Virginia Governor’s Cup-winning Octagon 2009 from magnum, it struck me that the quality of this whole year – full of awards, recognition, and superb harvests of our reds across the board – inspires us to open our Cellar in this climactic month, to extend the rarity of the magnum experience to more loyal followers of our wines.
We celebrate with you, what Octagon has meant to our followers, and to our position in the world of wine since its first appearance in 1996, commemorating the estate’s 20th anniversary. This bond is now defined by more, and must be celebrated by more than Octagon alone, because of how its pursuit has elevated all of its constituent red varietals, and has led directly to creating its peer in white wines, Nascent, named this year by James Suckling among the Top 100 wines in America.
For the remainder of 2025, through December 31st, we present every available
1.5 liter magnum of Octagon, Nascent, and our Reserve red wines in our online shop, at a discount of 10 percent per bottle. You will see only the individual magnum’s customary full price when you select that vintage from the list in the shop, but it will be automatically entered at the discount price when you check out. You will then immediately also notice, that bottle’s checkout price will receive an additional 10 percent discount if it forms part of a 12-bottle purchase. The resulting 20 percent discount per magnum, without limit in case purchases, is historic in scale. As always, purchases of 12 bottles or more also qualify for Free Shipping to States East of the Mississippi, and Half Price Shipping to continental States to the West.
Here the presentation of value lives up to the generosity of the magnum, itself. Invariably superior in evolution in bottle, the magnum is the natural volume for sharing in the most customary size of social or family gatherings. As a gift, the magnum is an eloquent underlining of respect and friendship. As a compliment, it is more unforgettable than any compilation of two or three bottles. As a vessel simply for enjoying one’s own fondness for a much-treasured wine, there is none greater.
2021, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012,
2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004
2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013
2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014,
2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 2006
2021, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2007
2020, 2019, 2010
2020, 2019, 2018
Our Octagon Feasts on the 6th and 7th at Palladio Restaurant under Chef Michael Clough featured an exuberant main course shown here, of a Roasted Chop of New Zealand Elk in Foie Gras Sauce, as a breathtaking pairing with Octagon 2009 in Magnum.
At home for this vintage, in my more modest kitchen, I would roast a Rack of Lamb, lacquered in a licorice sauce which you have seen us present on great occasions at Palladio — the 40th anniversary of our vineyards, the 20th anniversary of the restaurant, itself.
The preparation is very simple, and came to us in a visit by a guest chef from Valtellina, in a Nebbiolo-growing area of Lombardy. At his Michelin-starred Lanterna Verde restaurant, he brushes a pan-seared and oven-finished individual chop or rack of lamb in a glaze based on natural, unsweetened liquirizia from Calabria, in the south of Italy — which is conveniently available, online.
Place 20 grams of licorice pellets in 2 oz of water, and simmer and stir at low heat until melted into a smooth, thick paste. Any leftover paste will refrigerate conveniently, to be warmed and used another day. The savory, juicy texture and flavors of the seared lamb – or prime rib roast – respond fantastically to the enveloping red fruit, firm acidity, and expansive tannin of a bottle of Octagon, but indeed with all our Red Reserves.
I realize, you’d like to get on with inspirations of your own, in selecting among this stunning range of choices for a Magnum Merry Holiday. We will be happy, as always, with your preference, and proud to be shared at your table.
Cordialmente ~
Luca Paschina Winemaker
