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2022 Ben Glover BOB/Short for Kate Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £16.99 Sale price £14.95 Save 12%"It’s got to be one of the best NZ sauvvies I’ve ever tasted. As expected - dry, fresh and clean - it’s the fruit flavours that are exquisite - a mix of pineapple & passion fruit - exquisite! Beautifully crafted and at £16.99 its well worth it. Loads of character!"
Alan December 2022
Tasting Notes
Aromas of white peach and melon, along with the more traditional nuances of citrus and tropical. There is also an intriguing 'funk' and lanolin note that brings all the aromas together and provides a wonderful transition through to the palate.
A fantastic lean yet supple long mid-palate with chewy white blossom and a richness of character, almost salty. The wine is understated and has length and a mouth-watering succulence with wonderful persistence to it.
Producer
When it comes to professional wine people, Ben Glover is about as top-of the-tree as it gets. Ben’s role call includes almost too many accolades: previously a Wine Marlborough committee member, chair of the Bragato Wine Show (New Zealand’s only single vineyard wine show) and was chair of Pinot Noir 2017 New Zealand, the world’s largest and most prestigious Pinot Noir event. He was an inaugural Len Evans scholar in 2001 and has over 25 years of experience as a national and international wine judge. This is all to say that, when you open a bottle of Bob/short for Kate, you are in safe hands.
Nicknamed ‘Bob’ by her family (some of you may recognize the Blackadder reference), Bob /short for Kate is a tribute to Kate Glover, an amazing young drama teacher and Ben’s sister, who heartbreakingly passed away in 2018. Ben explains that he has looked to produce a wine that characterises the honesty, purity and confidence of Kate. These are organic, Marlborough wines, small-batch Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, reliant on selected block from the family’s vines and exceptional fruit selection. Not to mention the skill of one of the region’s most well-regarded winemakers.
Vinification Notes
Both vineyards were kept separate during the winemaking fermentation process with the Kennedys Rd parcel treated traditionally with 100% machine harvested, stainless steel fermentation with cool temperatures to retain supple pure Sauvignon Blanc characters. Once fermentation finished we left the wine on light lees to gain some mouthfeel while holding onto the brights of this variety. The Brink parcel, though, was handpicked and split into a further two parcels, and was a co-fermentation with Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc with 10% spending fermentation in old French barriques. This enhanced the mouthfeel and drew in the Semillon to provide interest and intrigue to the resulting final blend.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 95% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Semillon |
Country | New Zealand |
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Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | now to 2023 |
Features | Organic, Vegan and Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Great paired with soft white cheese such as goats cheese |
Origin | New Zealand |
Appellation | Marlborough |
2020 Boutinot ‘La Côte Sauvage’ Cairanne AOC
Regular price £16.99 Sale price £14.95 Save 12%A rich, savoury satisfying mouthful!
Since the elevation of Cairanne to a southern Rhône cru, 'La Côte Sauvage' continues to be characterised by its finesse and finely-grained texture, due in part to the famous ‘argilo-calcaire’ of our hilltop vineyards such as La Pauline and Les Six Terrasses, slow winemaking methods and gentle maturation in different sized barrels of old French oak.
Tasting Notes
A serious, restrained and complex example of cru Cairanne. This is rich, intense and drenched in dark red fruits. With morello cherry and a touch of cinnamon spice on the nose, soft dark plummy fruit, liquorice, chocolate, a hint of black tea on the palate, this wine is full-flavoured and smooth with supple tannins.
Method of Production
The cru of Cairanne lies in the heart of the Southern Rhône valley, northeast of Orange. For this La Côte Sauvage, fully ripe Grenache and Syrah grapes are hand-picked from old bush vines on selected hillside slopes within Cairanne. The vineyards have the classic argilo-calcaire soil of limestone pebbles over clay and the vines are harvested by hand. Vinified traditionally with only the natural yeasts present on the grapes, followed by a long cuvaison period with gentle remontage and manual pigeage. A blend of four varieties (Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre) matured for 22 months in French old oak barrels and demi-muids to develop great concentration, complexity and finesse in the wine.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 60% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Food Matches | The perfect match for red meat dishes and rich stews. |
Origin | Rhône |
Appellation | Cairanne AOC |
2019 Ventisquero 'Grey Glacier' Carménère
Regular price £16.99 Sale price £14.95 Save 12%Head Winemaker Felipe Tosso joined Vina Ventisquero in 2000. After seriously considering alternate careers as a tennis pro and classical guitarist, he elected to enter the wine business, describing it as “one of my big passions because it’s more than work – it’s a lifestyle. ”
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep cherry red with violet hues.
Nose
The nose has black fruits with blackberries, blueberries and black cherries that are mixed with notes of pepper and spices, additionally damp earth with minerals such as graphite.
Palate
In the mouth, is a vibrant body, which is fresh and very tense. It starts soft with firm and velvety tannins, a fresh acidity with a long and persistent finish.
Oak treatment - 18 months Oaked
Vinification
Just 50% of the grapes were crushed. A pre-fermentative maceration was carried out at 8°C for 5 days. When the temperature began to increase, pumping-over started and the must fermented at between 22°C and 26°C. The wine was tasted daily to determine the level of pump-overs. The wine spent a total of 32 days in the tank and was then decanted into oak barrels, where the malolactic fermentation took place.
This is part of the ageing process for Grey and is key to achieving harmony between the fruit and the oak. 100% of this wine matured for 18 months in extra fine-grain French oak barrels, 34% of them first-use, 66% second- and third-use. Then the wine was aged in the bottle for 8 months. It was racked three times.
Winemaker
Tosso’s winemaking travels have taken him to Napa, Sonoma, Argentina, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, back to Concha Y Toro in Chile and then finally to Vina Ventisquero. In 2003, Felipe began a close collaboration with John Duval (ex Penfolds) in the production of icon wines Pangea and Vertice, a partnership that continues to this day.
Alans' Personal Tasting Notes
"Well – with the label showing 14% alc by volume you would expect this to be a big, brooding monster of a masculine wine – and it is – but it certainly shows it’s feminine side on the palate – where it slips down like silk knickers!!
Full flavoured and full-bodied with lots of rich, dark black fruits – think black cherries and blackberries – with lots of layers and textures of flavour!! Spending 18 months in oak has also given it some spice and creaminess – but more importantly – must help deliver the silky and velvety tannins that make this such a big, smooth, satisfying mouthful. Quite simply, one of the best reds I’ve tasted in a long time!"
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Carménère |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan Approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | This wine pairs well with gamey meats such as deer, wild boar, and also pork and lamb. |
Appellation | Maipo Valley |
2022 Tohu Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £14.99 Sale price £13.19 Save 12%Sourced entirely from vineyards located in Marlborough’s stunning Awatere Valley, this vibrant wine displays aromas of ripe tropical fruit and passionfruit with lifted notes of currant and tomato leaf.
The concentrated palate is layered with flavours of sweet juicy pineapple, pink grapefruit, fresh green apple and hints of black olive. With herbal notes and a zesty minerality, this wine leads to a pure, lively and focused dry finish that has both freshness and length.
Viticulture
Grapes for this wine are sourced from blocks located in the upper, mid, and lower areas of the Awatere Valley. The Awatere Valley is cooler, drier and windier overall than other sub-regions of Marlborough, with a longer and cooler growing season. These climatic factors combined with vineyards located on young, fertile river terraces result in distinctive wines with a mineral drive and fruit-forward flavours. The 2018/2019 growing season in the Awatere began with unsettled weather resulting in lower yields overall, however a warm and dry summer with perfect growing conditions. grapes were able to be picked at optimal ripeness over harvest resulting in a wine with outstanding aromatics, palate weight and texture.
Vinification
Select blocks from the Awatere Valley are harvested using modern machine harvesters allowing ultimate extraction of flavour and aroma compounds from the skins of the grapes. Once at the winery the grapes are pressed into stainless steel tanks for cold settling, before being gently racked and inoculated with select yeasts chosen to naturally enhance the aromatic and flavour profiles of the wine.
Fermentation is carried out at cool temperatures allowing the wine to retain its bright aromas; with each batch fermentation typically lasting around 21 days. After fermentation is complete the wines are left to settle on their yeast lees for a short period before being racked again into stainless steel tanks for maturation. Meticulous classification of each batch results in a final blend that truly captures the exceptional characteristics of the vineyards. Once blended the resulting wine is stabilised and filtered without the need for fining, ready for bottling in mid-July 2019.
Producer
Tohu produces award-winning New Zealand wine crafted from grapes grown in our breathtakingly beautiful, Awatere Valley vineyard. When Tohu launched in 1998 we were the world's first Maori-owned wine company. Since then we’ve grown a reputation for producing premium wine in a range of varieties, winning awards for our Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Méthode Traditionnelle.
Alan's Tasting Notes
"I haven’t tasted this since it came in last year - and boy has it changed! Last year it was all fresh, clean, refreshing acidity and subdued fruit - but with some time in bottle all that citric acidity has died down and really lets the passion fruit and pineapple flavours we associate with Marlborough Sauvignon shine through - absolutely delicious.
I think this is now our best value New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Vegan & vegetarian too is a bonus!" March 2022
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | New Zealand |
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Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches |
Mussel fritters with lime zest, caper and fresh basil aioli |
Appellation | Marlborough |
N/V La Jara Prosecco Frizzante (10% abv)
Regular price £13.99 Sale price £12.31 Save 12%Tasting Notes
Colour
Straw yellow with greenish reflections.
Nose
Delicate scents of acacia flowers and golden apple.
Palate
It is fresh, aromatic and sparkles with a light and delicate foam.
Terroir: The Land of Prosecco and of the river Piave
In the heart of north-eastern Italy, at a mere 50 km from Venice, lies the unmistakable terroir of Prosecco.
In this splendid area, stretching from the Conegliano and Valdobbiadene hills to the river Piave, our vineyards are cultivated according to organic principles.
La Jara distinguishes itself through the production of high-quality organic wines, inspired by principles of respect for the vineyard and for its natural fertility cycle. In the flat fields surrounding the winery, the long aligned rows stretch for 50 hectares, as far as the gravelly bed of the river Piave, which has shaped this unique terrain.
Organic – for the Love of this Soil
Dedication, passion, and technical prowess, born of years of experience: this is what you need to cultivate a soil of such unique peculiarities.
Our love and respect for this soil prompt us to work symbiotically with the environment and with all of its components, preserving their balance. Our work in the vineyard scrupulously follows the natural cycle of our vines, respecting the seasonal trend of their growth and fertility. Setting aside haste and personal needs, we devote ourselves to the meticulous care of every single vine; we place ourselves at the service of the soil – just as papa Bruno has been doing since his childhood when grandpa Pietro entrusted him with this enormous responsibility.
Bruno still loves to spend his time among the rows of what he fondly defines as “his first love”: the vineyard. He knows his vineyard plant by plant; he knows how to interpret the signs of nature, to help his vines reach a harmonious balance – the aromas, colours, and sensations that have guided him since a very early age and continue to do so to this very day.
He rigorously supervises every operation in the vineyard, from pruning to harvest, according to traditional peasant methods: the resulting organic wine – with its unique and authentic flavours and aromas – reflects respect for the soil and for the environment.
We like to think that Nature is a perfect mechanism, whom it is our duty to indulge: day-to-day attention to the vineyard renders our grapes – and our wines – truly exceptional.
History
The vineyards here have been passed down through the generations since 1891. The 'Jara' name comes from the gravel that covers the vineyards and provides heat to the vines overnight – as they do in Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Awards
- 2020 - Wine Enthusiast Tasting: 89 points – Prosecco DOC Frizzante
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Glera |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 10% |
Units of Alcohol | 7.5 units |
Type | Fizz |
Food Matches | Perfect as an aperitif. Excellent with soups, salads, pasta, and pizza. |
Features | Organic, Vegetarian & Vegan Approved |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contain sulphites |
Origin | Treviso |
Appellation | Veneto |
2022 Waterkloof 'Circumstance' Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £13.99 Sale price £12.31 Save 12%Tasting Notes
Nose
Crushed laurel on the nose with more than a nuance of residual seaside salt.
Palate
This has a big and textured palate with stone fruit and fennel hints – it is rich and minerally, showing even a slight rocky quality about it. As bracing as the wind through the vines at Waterkloof.
Production
Living soils and a natural approach to winemaking means that each of the single-varietal wines in the Circumstance range is truly defined by the circumstances influencing the chosen varietal and vineyard blocks, including soil, aspect, altitude, and vintage. These factors combine to produce low yields, balanced grapes, and wines with a true sense of place. The Sauvignon Blanc is from three windswept, south-facing (less sun exposure) blocks 270-300m above and a mere 2 miles from The Atlantic. The vines are 20 years old and production was a miserly 4 tons per hectare. Waterkloof follows a traditional, minimalistic approach in their gravitational cellar which means interfering as little as possible with the winemaking process. This allows the flavours prevalent in that specific vineyard to ultimately express themselves in the wine. To achieve this goal, all grapes are whole-bunch pressed, which ensures that juice is extracted in the gentlest way. The juice is then settled naturally for 24 hours. Naturally present wild yeast is employed to ferment the juice, mainly in old 600litre barrels (90%). This leads to a longer fermentation process with a slow release of aromas and a more structured palate. The natural fermentation process took 7-8 months to complete, after which the wine was left on the gross less for another 6 months. There are no added acid or enzymes during the winemaking process, with only a light filtration and a small addition of sulphur added as a preservative prior to bottling.
Awards
- The Wine Merchant Top 100 2019 - 2017 Vintage
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable, Natural |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Ideal with fresh oysters or fresh crayfish on the grill. Great with a goat's cheese too. |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | South Africa |
2023 Finca La Linda Malbec
Regular price £15.59 Sale price £13.72 Save 12%Tasting Notes
Colour
A bright violet red wine
Nose
Highly expressive aromas that are reminiscent of red fruit and spices.
Palate
It is straightforward and flowing in the palate, with incipient tannins. An intense, gentle, juicy and full bodied wine, with a marked varietal typicity and a very pleasant finish, with everything that a young Malbec has to offer.
Winemaking
Handpicking, selection of clusters, destemming and grain selection. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 28°C with selected yeasts. When alcoholic fermentation is completed, it is aged in concrete and stainless steel tanks. Lightly filtered while bottled.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Malbec |
Country | Argentina |
Alcohol content | 13.5 % alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Drink young, at a temperature of between 15°C and 18°C. |
Food Matches | This wine goes very well with stuffed pasta, grilled red meat, and cheese and cold cuts platters. |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Mendoza |
2022 Domaine de la Vieille Tour Rosé
Regular price £14.99 Sale price £13.19 Save 12%A perfect pale pink that screams Provence!
Tasting Notes
This is a perfect, pale, raspberry-pink wine that is very drinkable. Delicate aromas are followed by lovely sweet fruit from Grenache grapes. Clean and well balanced with good depth.
Production Method
The Domaine's vineyards are situated in the best area of the AC Côtes de Provence with a very particular micro-climate and sandstone clay soils. A classic blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, the grapes are picked by hand. This is a rosé de presse produced in an ultra-modern gravity-fed winery.
Producer
Domaine de la Vieille Tour is a 22-hectare estate in the Côtes de Provence, situated between Pierrefeu and Cuers and not far from Château Gairoird. The Domaine's vineyards benefit from lying in a slight geographical depression which has a particular microclimate, encouraging the long and even ripening of the grapes. Grapes for the rosé, Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, are cultivated on sandstone clay soils and harvested by hand, before being transported to a very modern, gravity-fed winery.
A Note on Sustainability
As a négociant, Gilardi is very keen to minimize its own environmental impact and to work with sustainably-minded growers. For example, on its bottling line, Gilardi has switched from a traditional sediment filtration system to a more efficient cross-flow filtration system and chooses eco-friendly dry goods such as Normacorc’s carbon neutral "Select Green" corks which are made from plant-based polymers from renewable resources and which are recyclable. Gilardi is expanding its collaboration with HVE Level 3 certified winemakers and currently, two of the wines it offers are organic.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 45% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, 20% Syrah |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Rosé |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites and Milk |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian, Sustainable |
Food Matches | Lovely on a summer’s day - serve chilled and accompany with seafood, mediterranean dishes or just by itself. |
Origin | Provence |
Appellation | Côtes de Provence |
2020 Cline Cellars North Coast Viognier
Regular price £16.95 Sale price £14.92 Save 12%Tasting Notes
It’s thought the Romans took Viognier to the Rhône 1700 years ago yet incredibly, as recently as the 1980’s, there were thought to be only 32 ha planted in the entire world. Now, Viognier, with its full-bodied richness and gentle acidity is an international superstar again. Fred Cline specializes in growing Rhône cultivars and giving them a modern twist whilst maintaining their original character... and this one is a beauty!
Nose
Wonderfully fragrant with notes of pithy stone fruits, bright jasmine and honeysuckle.
Palate
The palate follows through with a richness of fruit including ripe peach and apricot. The finish is given finesse by the refreshing acidity.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Absolutely delicious - lots of ripe peaches, apricot, and pineapple fruits with a lovely honeyed, creamy follow-through - from a small family business formed in 1982 - the year I started in the wine trade - and they have a real keen eye on sustainability and non-intervention winemaking - so ticking all my key objective boxes! And tasting delightfully into the bargain - absolutely love it!" May 2022
Producer
Cline Cellars is a family-owned vineyard and winery in Sonoma’s Carneros Valley. Established in 1982 by Fred Cline, a descendant of Italian US settlers, he originally founded the winery in Oakley, Contra Costa County, cultivating Rhône varieties and Zinfandel on vines dating back to 1906.
In the 1990s, the family moved their winemaking operation to a 350-acre ranch in Carneros Valley, adopting sustainable farming in 2000, and building the largest solar paneled winery in California. While others in California were focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, Fred Cline saw the potential of Rhône varieties and Zinfandel in his vineyards and continues to produce focussed terroir-driven wines.
A Note on Sustainability
Cline is proud to be a Certified California Sustainable Vineyard and Winery. The program acknowledges a long-term commitment to continual improvement in the field of sustainable winegrowing and business practices, from grape to glass. It is located in Sonoma County, which is committed to becoming the first 100% sustainable wine region in the US by 2019.
Fred Cline and Bob Cannard founded Green String Farm and the Green String method of sustainable farming in 2003. Green String Farm is a 57-hectare natural process, sustainable farm near Petaluma, California. The Green String method meets the highest standard of environmental sustainability practices, which is different from certified organic. The methods reduce soil erosion, pesticide dependency, and loss of biodiversity; and increase resistance to natural predators.
In 2005, Cline was one of the first wineries to fully adopt solar energy. In 2018 it upgraded the original array with the latest technology, designed to offset 100% of its winery’s electrical consumption.
Instead of herbicides, Cline has 1,500 sheep and 500 goats that roam its vineyards, tasked with removing invasive weeds and instead of harmful pesticides, Cline provides owl boxes and raptor perches in the vineyard. These birds of prey are the predators of gophers and mice and help to maintain ecological control.
Cline composts and re-uses all digestible organic waste and materials from its winery, including 3,000 tons of grape pomace per year, prunings from trees and vines, plus chipped materials from the landscape. This waste is turned into a biological stimulant and food for the soils. Cline also grinds its own volcanic rock and then spreads the crushed cinder onto the soil. Having a wide spectrum of mineralogy, these cinders provide the vineyards with a complex array of nutrients and trace minerals, ensuring that the vines have all the necessary components to build fullness of character in the wine.
Production Method
Viognier is a tricky grape to grow in that it buds out early and is susceptible to frost. Also, it's thick skins require patience to get the full flavour potential of the grape. The vines basked in the sun during the day and were cooled at night which contributes to this Viognier's full-body weight and nice acidity. This varietal comes from the Northern Rhône Valley in France. Presumed to have arrived from Dalmatia and transported to the Rhone 1,700 years ago by Romans. There are only 2,000 acres of this variety in California at this time. The grapes were handpicked and de-stemmed without being crushed then immediately pumped to the tank press where the juice was gently squeezed from the grapes. Juice was pumped to a stainless steel fermenting tank and the wine was chilled and settled overnight. The juice was then racked (decanted) off the grape solids and inoculated with a pure strain of wine yeast. Fermentation proceeded at a cool 50 degrees F to preserve the lovely fruit character and kept in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Viognier |
Country | USA |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable |
Food Matches | Pairs well with Gruyere or Camembert cheese, sushi, or tarragon chicken. |
Origin | California |
Appellation | North Coast |
2021 McManis Family Vineyards Zinfandel
Regular price £14.99 Sale price £13.19 Save 12%Powerful and jammy with refreshing acidity. Each mouthful is redolent of raspberries, strawberries, cherries, watermelon and blackberries laced with vanilla, caramel and hazelnuts. Delicious but not for the faint-hearted!
Tasting Notes
Colour
Medium-dark purple
Palate
Pleasant ripe red currants and fresh Strawberry immediately come to mind. While after some contemplation caramelized sugar and toast become incontrovertible. The savoury bright red fruits are enveloped in the succulent, juicy wine which possesses soft, supple tannins.
Production
The grapes for our Lodi Appellation 2018 Zinfandel were harvested in September 2018, with an average Brix of 26.2. After 7-9 days of stainless steel fermentation on the skins, the must was pressed and the wine finished fermentation. The wine was then aged, on average, for 4-6 months with a combination of new and used, French and American Oak.
History
In 1990 Ron and his wife Jamie, bought their first vineyard and in 1995 McManis Family Vineyards was formed with the purpose-built winery arriving by the end of the Millennium. Now the McManis family own over 2,600 acres between the Ripon area and Lodi in California’s northern interior region.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 77% Zinfandel, 16% Teroldego & 7% Petite Sirah |
Country | USA |
Alcohol content | 14.0% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Drink now but will keep |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian, Sustainable Farming |
Food Matches |
Simply delicious and a perfect choice for grilled ribs or burgers. Zinfandel food pairings: chicken wings, spaghetti Bolognese, grilled lamb loin, grilled duck breast. |
Origin | California |
2022 Rag and Bone Riesling
Regular price £14.99 Sale price £13.19 Save 12%The rationale behind this label is a quirky one! Our product manager found out that due to the tiny production of a particular wine, half the vineyard fruit was to be discarded....so he stepped in to say we would be interested to play with this other half given the quality of the wine over previous years. This lead to thinking about up-cycling the near-discarded, how one man’s trash is another man’s treasure etc and whilst humming over a potential moniker for the wine, God’s honest truth, a rag & bone van parked up outside his house calling for any old iron etc. Albeit a man in a white van, rather than horse & cart, the name stuck. The label reflects a collection of discarded items that together make up an eclectic assortment greater than the sum of its parts.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The nose classically expresses the vineyard... it's like having a fresh lime in your hand that you crush gently over minerals... literally lime on the rocks!!
Palate
The palate is bright, zingy, singing with natural acidity and really textural. It reflects the vineyard with its fine sandy texture with really bright, white pithy fruit. Just a cracking Eden Valley Riesling!
Awards
- The Wine Merchant Top 100 2019 - 2018 vintage
- Silver at the Sommelier Wine Awards 2019 - 2018 vintage
- Silver IWC 2018 - 2017 vintage
- Gold IWC 2017 - 2016 vintage
- Silver IWSC 2016 - 2015 vintage
Production
Eden Valley Riesling is prized for its vibrancy, purity and longevity and has produced many of Australia’s greatest Rieslings. The fruit for Rag & Bone is sourced from Binder’s single-vineyard, high up on the Eastern side of Eden Valley. Warm days and cool nights ensure that the grapes develop ripe, intense fruit flavours whilst retaining appealing zing and acidity. The fruit was delivered to the winery immediately after harvesting in the cool hours of the morning, then processed very gently through our tank press. Free run and pressing portions were determined by Christa, using her vast experience with this variety. A Ratafia style wine was made from the pressings and the free-run juice was used to make this wine. The juice was cold settled and 3 days later the clear juice was transferred into fermentation tanks. Bottling took place in the middle of June.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Riesling |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
12% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Well suited to seafood dishes, spicy cuisine and anytime in the company of those who enjoy a quality riesling! Try chili prawns, green Thai curry, fish and chicken laksa (with chili, coconut, ginger and lime). |
Origin | Eden Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2019 Waterkloof 'Circumstance Merlot'
Regular price £16.99 Sale price £14.95 Save 12%Serious Merlot - think St Emilion with guts... and legs.
Tasting notes
A fine wine with persistence, complexity and great purity - dense black cassis and bramble fruit aromas combined with plums, spice and a creamy oak on the palate. Showing real character and personality, supreme poise and balance, Waterkloof's ability to express their unique terroir improves with each vintage.
Production
Living soils and a natural approach to winemaking means that each of the single-varietal wines in the Circumstance range is truly defined by the circumstances influencing the chosen varietal and vineyard blocks, including soil, aspect, altitude and vintage. The Merlot is from two adjoining, windswept, south-facing (less sun exposure) blocks 240-60m above and a mere 2 miles from The Atlantic. These factors combine to produce low yields, balanced grapes and wines with a true sense of place. Production was a miserly 5 tons per hectare. Hand-picked grapes were destemmed, hand sorted and placed into our open-top wooden fermenters via gravity. Natural fermentation started spontaneously by utilising the wild yeasts present on the fruit. Punch downs (twice a day) were used during fermentation to ensure a soft and slow, colour and tannin extraction. The wine spent 30 days on the skins to help integrate the tannins and stabilise the colour. The skins were separated from the juice through a gentle basket pressing. The wine went through malolactic fermentation in barrel and was then aged in new (15%), second and third fill (85%) French barrels for 18 months. The wine was aged for another year in wooden fermenters to ensure a wine with silky soft tannins. The wine received no fining, which allowed the grape to be purely expressed in the wine. Only sulphur was added and no other additions, such as tartaric acid or enzymes were allowed.
Producer
Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004, Waterkloof is a family-owned, organic, biodynamic and WWF Biodiversity Champion farm perched high up on the windswept Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay and The Atlantic Ocean. Living soils, naturally low yields and a long growing season help provide talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard with naturally balanced grapes that are imbued with a truly defining sense of origin. Those grapes are then transformed into wine with a minimum of intervention. The resulting wines are fine, inimitable and best enjoyed with food.
Sustainability
As well as being ECOCERT certified as organic, and working biodynamically, Waterkloof goes much further than many in its efforts to be a highly sustainable winery. To learn more please visit their website.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable, Natural |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Garlic roast lamb, or venison roasted with root vegetables. |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Stellenbosch |
2022 Sepp Moser Classic Style Organic Grüner Veltliner
Regular price £14.95 Sale price £13.16 Save 12%Gruner Veltliner is every bit as Austrian as the Blue Danube waltz!
Tasting Notes
Colour
Pale lemon yellow with green tinges.
Nose
Delicate aromas of pear, kiwi, apricot and white spice.
Palate
On the palate stone fruit flavours and white pepper lead to a gently textured, mineral and citrus finish.
Producer
The Sepp Moser Estate was founded by the famous Austrian wine producing pioneer, Lenz Moser. Lenz Moser's son, Sepp Moser, began operating under his own name in 1987, and handed over the direction of this family-owned estate to his own son Nikolaus in the year 2000.
The Sepp Moser Estate comprises of 50 acres of vineyards in two prominent wine regions; Kremstal (22 ha) and Neusiedlersee (28 ha). In the Kremstal, Nikolaus produces an international range of varieties as well as the ever more important local varieties of Gruner Veltliner and Riesling. The reds are produced on the gravelly soils of the warm southern Neusiederslee village of Apetlon. All Sepp Moser wines have been organic (and all estate wines biodynamic) since 2007.
Production Method
The majority of the Gruner Veltliner grapes for this dry white were grown on the steep, rocky terraces of Rohrendorf in Kremstal and the surrounding area. The löss soil on these steep terraces is rich in lime and sediments from the last ice age, and can be up to 35 metres thick! Vines are trained on high trellises, with grapes organically produced and hand harvested. Grapes are destemmed and crushed and the must left to settle for 3-4 hours before pressing. Fermented and aged in stainless steel.
A Note on Sustainability
The Sepp Moser estate produces a wide range of wines every year thanks to its vineyards in two diverse regions. There is one main aim in the cellar: the quality of the grapes shall be brought with as little influence as possible to the bottle. The grapes in the Sepp Moser vineyards are harvested by hand and at the cellar of the Atrium House Nikolaus Moser emphasises gentle vinification and tries to interfere as little as possible with the process so that each wine can develop its own individual style. The fermentation starts spontaneously, and the maturing of the wine takes place on its own.
In 2006, Nikolaus officially moved the estate to biodynamic viticulture – one of the first to do so in Austria – and became Demeter certified. 2009 saw the release of Sepp Moser’s first certified organic wines. Nikolaus is very keen to reduce the amount of copper and sulphur used in the vineyards, and this year saw a reduction of two thirds over what was sprayed previously. He composts all the estates pomace and vine trimmings, and there is an ongoing effort to plant trees around the vineyards.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
100% Grüner Veltiner |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable Farming |
Food Matches | Match with white fish or chicken salad. Dry, crisp and the perfect partner for mildly spicy fusion cooking. |
Origin | Niederosterreich |
2021 Salvaje Syrah
Regular price £14.00 Sale price £12.32 Save 12%Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep violet-red.
Nose
The nose is very fruity with a predominance of black fruits such as blackberries and blueberries on the forefront followed by light notes of blackcurrants and violets.
Palate
The fruity intensity is present at all times and pairs with the very velvety, elegant palate to make this wine very easy to drink.
Production
The Syrah and Rousanne grapes were picked into bins, transported to the winery and immediately chilled. The reception process begins with a double selection system on conveyor belts both before and after being destemmed. The grapes are then crushed and deposited into stainless steel tanks, where they undergo a 3-day cold maceration at 6º–8ºC. The temperature was then raised for the alcoholic fermentation with native yeasts at temperatures controlled to 24º–27ºC with a pump over program managed according to enological criteria. The new wine remained on its skins for an additional 6–7-day post-fermentation maceration and a total vinification of approximately 20 days. Malolactic fermentation took placed naturally in stainless steel tanks, where the wine was aged for 12 months. The wine was the stabilized naturally without treatments. It was filtered with a 1-micron cartridge filter prior to bottling. The wine is aged for 5 months in stainless steel tanks.
Producers
Voted by Wines of Chile as "Winery of the Year 2016", Emiliana is one of Chile's most exciting producers and pioneers in organic and biodynamic winemaking. Since 1998, this Chilean winery has been producing award-winning wines from almost 1,000 hectares of vineyards in prime sites including Casablanca, Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchagua and Bio Bio.
Its spectacular biodynamic vineyard and winery at Los Robles is a model that attracts visiting viticulturalists and winemakers from across the world. Emiliana's innovative and natural-leaning wines are made with great care and attention and the results are inspiring.
Awards
- Bronze - Decanter World Wine Awards 2019, 2018 Vintage
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 97% Syrah, 3% Roussanne |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | A great match with lamb, sirloin, or other red meats. |
Origin | Casablanca Valley |
Appellation | D.O. Valle De Casablanca |
2020 Luigi Bosca Signature Range Malbec
Regular price £16.99 Sale price £14.95 Save 12%Lovely red plum notes, hints of spice and smooth, silky tannins.
Tasting Notes
The Luigi Bosca Signature Malbec has the best of both worlds, with grapes from Lujan de Cuyo and Uco Valley. Lujan brings ripeness and sweet tannins to the wine, while Uco Valley ensures a lively freshness.
Tasting Notes
Colour
A bright violet red wine.
Nose
It has intense and balanced aromas, with rather red fruit, spicy and florals notes. It is generous, smooth and expressive in the mouth, with incipient tannins.
Palate
Clean, refreshing and well-bodied in the palate, with attractive character. It has a deep and clear finish, with a fully integrated oak character and good ageing capacity. It is the flagship wine of its variety.
Vineyard
Produced with grapes grown in estate vineyards, located in Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Uco, Mendoza.
Winemaking
Handpicking, selection of clusters and destemming. A pre-fermentation cold maceration process is conducted at a temperature of 8 °C. Fermentation is conducted in stainless-steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 28°C with selected yeasts. After the alcoholic fermentation is completed, the wine is transferred to French oak barrels where it rests for 12 months. Lightly filtered while bottled.
History
Established in 1901, the Luigi Bosca estate covers 700 hectares of land in Mendoza, across 7 vineyards. It continues to be one of the region’s leading wineries and was actively involved in the creation of the Luján de Cuyo D.O.C. Luigi Bosca remains in the Arizu family, where the 4th generation is now bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to their wine range.
Comments by the winemaker
Malbec is the winery’s emblem wine, which fully expresses the characteristics of the Malbec variety. Grapes grown in the best areas of Mendoza are selected for its making process, thus achieving the ripe character and typical sweet tannins from Luján de Cuyo, together with the freshness, color and vivacity of the Uco Valley. The ageing process in oak barrels adds complexity, structure and elegance, therefore providing a highly aromatic wine, with an elegant texture and great persistence of flavors.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Malbec |
Country | Argentina |
Alcohol content | 14.1% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.6 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 5 years |
Suggested Serving Temp | Between 16°C and 18°C. |
Food Matches | Ideal to enjoy with grilled red meat, like skirt steak with mashed potatoes or rib eye with rosemary rustic potatoes. |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Mendoza |
2019 Ventisquero 'Grey Glacier' Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £16.99 Sale price £14.95 Save 12%Head Winemaker Felipe Tosso joined Vina Ventisquero in 2000. After seriously considering alternate careers as a tennis pro and classical guitarist, he elected to enter the wine business, describing it as “one of my big passions because it’s more than work – it’s a lifestyle.”
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep red color, with ruby color.
Nose
With a characteristic fruitiness characteristic of Maipo Costa, red fruits such as fruitllas, raspberries and cassis are mixed with aromas of black pepper, some moist soil and tobacco.
Palate
Of elegant and smooth body, of balanced structure, good acidity that increases the complexity. Tannins present and soft at the same time, ending with a
prolonged end-of-mouth sensation.
Vinification
A pre-fermentative maceration was carried out at low temperatures between 8°C and 10° C for 5 days in order to achieve greater extraction of color and aroma from the skins. The wort was then fermented in stainless steel tanks. Once the fermentation was finished, post-fermentation maceration was achieved, thus achieving a higher concentration and structure of the wine. 100% of this wine was allowed to stand for 18 months in French oak barrels of extra fine grain (33% new) to remain in the bottle for 8 months.
Winemaker
Tosso’s winemaking travels have taken him to Napa, Sonoma, Argentina, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, back to Concha Y Toro in Chile and then finally to Vina Ventisquero. In 2003, Felipe began a close collaboration with John Duval (ex Penfolds) in the production of icon wines Pangea and Vertice, a partnership that continues to this day.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, & 3% Carménère |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | It is recommended to drink at a temperature between 16-18°C. Accompany mature cheeses and grilled red and well-seasoned meats. It is recommended to decant 30 minutes before consuming. |
Appellation | Maipo Valley |
2017 Painted Wolf Swartland Syrah
Regular price £16.99 Sale price £14.95 Save 12%Background
The Vineyards
Our partner Billy Hughes grows organic grapes at Kasteelsig vineyard in the Swartland region. The grapes are dry farmed. Soil in the vineyard is primarily Glenrosa, a composite soil of decomposed shale with a little granite. Vines are 14 years old and the yield in 2015 was around 6 tons to the hectare.
Winemaking
The grapes were handpicked over a few days in late February 2013 into small baskets and taken to our cellar where they were destalked and gently crushed. We fermented the Syrah in small open bins where it was hand punched four times a day. We prefer the native yeast from the vineyard. The wine matured in French and Hungarian oak for a total of 20 months. We filled 10051 bottles.
Awards
- Platter’s Wine Guide 2020: 4 stars
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Shiraz / Syrah |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.76% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.3 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential |
This Syrah is drinking well now but will improve in the bottle till 2022 and beyond. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
A savoury and spicy wine which is great with French country dishes such as Cassoulet or a Beef Daube Provencal. It is also delicious with grilled regional sausages like Toulouse sausages. Amazing with simply prepared dry-aged rump or ribeye steak, seasoned with a little sea salt and crushed black pepper, served with a few sautéed mushrooms, ideally cepes or porcinis and a dash of the best extra virgin olive oil. |
Appellation | W.O. Swartland |
2019 Ventisquero 'Grey Glacier' Pinot Noir
Regular price £16.49 Sale price £14.51 Save 12%Head Winemaker Felipe Tosso joined Vina Ventisquero in 2000. After seriously considering alternate careers as a tennis pro and classical guitarist, he elected to enter the wine business, describing it as “one of my big passions because it’s more than work – it’s a lifestyle.”
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep ruby red with violet hues.
Nose
The nose initially reveals aromas of black and red berries, such as murtillas (commonly known as Chilean guava, or strawberry myrtle), cranberries, black plums and raspberries.
Palate
The palate has balanced acidity and flavours of juicy black fruit, along with smooth, well-rounded tannins sustained by the notes of soft French oak.
Vinification
The grapes first underwent a cold pre-fermentative maceration to extract their colour and aromas. They were then fermented in open stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of between 24°C and 26°C. Manual pump-overs were used for 100% of the extraction during fermentation. 100% of the wine was aged in 300lts French oak barrels for a period of 12 months. 15% of them were new, 30% second-use and 55% third-use.
Winemaker
Tosso’s winemaking travels have taken him to Napa, Sonoma, Argentina, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, back to Concha Y Toro in Chile and then finally to Vina Ventisquero. In 2003, Felipe began a close collaboration with John Duval (ex Penfolds) in the production of icon wines Pangea and Vertice, a partnership that continues to this day.
Alan's Tasting Notes
"Another Grey Glacier triumph- red and black fruits vye for your attention balanced by a fresh acidity - all framed in soft tannins from some subtle oak ageing. Incredible balance with an extended finish that stops you reaching for your glass - except that it’s so delicious that you want more. This really is an over-delivering range that demands tasting that will never disappoint. Try it once - any varietal - and you’ll be hooked. One of our fuller, richer, riper styles of Pinot noir." Tasted July 2022
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Best served at between 14°C and 15°C. This wine pairs well duck, with oily fish, pasta, creamy soups, different lean meats and hard cheese. |
Appellation | Leyda Valley |
2022 Bodega Vinecol Malbec Quinde Reserve
Regular price £15.99 Sale price £14.07 Save 12%Tasting Notes
Nose
Palate
The Estate
Established in 2000 the Vinecol estate is located in La Paz at the eastern end of Mendoza. Their 60 hectares adjoin the UNESCO protected biosphere at Nacunan and thus benefits from its unpolluted waters. At around 1000m, their 100 hectares are all hand-harvested and are planted mostly with Malbec, Cabernet, Chardonnay, and Torrontes. They've invested in their local environment with a reforestation programme and have a vegetable garden for their staff and sponsor local schools!
Why Organic?
- Because as from the production of the grapes up to the winemaking process, it is based on the application of a set of techniques that do not allow the use of chemical products.
- Because in order to produce the raw material, the ecosystem's biological balance is intensified by favoring the presence of microorganisms that are typical of the fauna and of the environment to enhance fertility in the long run.
- Because spices and varieties are chosen according to their adaptation to the environment and to the resistance to plagues and diseases.
- Because the control carried out by the certifying organization lets anyone find the origin, nature, and quantities of supplies, additives and other substances involved in the whole wine-making process.
- Because it is produced in a clean and neat environment avoiding any contamination whatsoever.
- Because it is intended for a healthy diet pursuant to IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement) regulations worldwide.
Did you know?
The province of Mendoza is larger than England!
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Malbec |
Country | Argentina |
Alcohol content | 13.5 % alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Suggested Serving Temp | Between 15°C and 18°C. |
Food Matches | Steak, Grilled Meats, Pasta |
Oak Aging | 6 months in French Oak |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved & Organic |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | La Paz, Mendoza |
2022 Emiliana Animalia (Orange Wine) Organic
Regular price £14.99 Sale price £13.19 Save 12%Emiliana have ventured into the world of orange wines, this being a Sauvignon Blanc fermented on skins. Really successful and has some Casablanca typicity to it.
Tasting Notes
Colour & Nose
Golden orange in colour and aromas of ripe stone fruits, figs and dried herbs on the nose.
Palate
Where as most Orange wines anonymise varietal, Animalia actually has a grassy Sauvignon tange beneath the Orange structure. Clever, tasty stuff from Emiliana.
Production
This Orange wine is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes from the Casablanca Valley where the vineyards are strongly influenced by the Pacific Ocean and the Humboldt Current. With high humidity rates, its average temperatures reach 25°C in summer and 14°C in winter. The grapes were destemmed and crushed, and left with their skins. They fermented in concrete tanks at approximately 18º C, soft punch downs obtained a subtle extraction. Once the fermentation was finished, the wine was aged in concrete eggs for five months with the skins. After that, it was prepared for bottling.
Producers
Voted by Wines of Chile as "Winery of the Year 2016", Emiliana is one of Chile's most exciting producers and pioneers in organic and biodynamic winemaking. Since 1998, this Chilean winery has been producing award-winning wines from almost 1,000 hectares of vineyards in prime sites including Casablanca, Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchagua and Bio Bio.
Its spectacular biodynamic vineyard and winery at Los Robles is a model that attracts visiting viticulturalists and winemakers from across the world. Emiliana's innovative and natural-leaning wines are made with great care and attention and the results are inspiring.
Accolades
- Silver at the IWC 2022 (for the 2021 Vintage)
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"After 40 years tasting wines there’s not many wines I taste now that gives me an instant buzz - but this does - fresh and clean with stone fruit flavours and a herbal touch. Most orange wines I’ve tasted have a very pure, anonymous edge to them but this is different - great flavour, huge intensity and a texture to die for. It’s a Boutinot wine from Emiliana Wines in Chile. A stunning intro to orange wine at an affordable price point - defo worth a try!" August 2022
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.5 units |
Type | Orange Wine |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | This is a versatile wine that makes a great pairing with cheeses and charcuterie. It can also be served to match with white meats and fish. |
Origin | Casablanca Valley |
Appellation | D.O. Valle De Casablanca |
2022 Tohu Awatere Valley Pinot Gris
Regular price £15.99 Sale price £14.07 Save 12%A complex and fruit-driven Pinot Gris from Marlborough’s Awatere Valley, this wine shows aromas of juicy pear and citrus blossom leading to a palate of fresh quince, golden apple, and hints of sweet spice. With integrated fine phenolics and smooth acidity this is a fresh and richly textured wine with a long and lingering finish.
Viticulture
The grapes from this wine are sourced from two vineyards located in the cool southern Awatere Valley region of Marlborough. The majority of the grapes come from a vineyard near the coastal planes of the Awatere, with a smaller portion of the grapes sourced from a vineyard located further inland on young fertile river terraces.
The 2018/2019 growing season in the Awatere began with some unsettled weather over the flowering period which resulted in lower yields throughout the vineyards. However, the warm and dry summer that followed provided a dream run for both the vineyard and winemaking teams. With no disease pressure in the vineyard and ideal weather over the harvest period, grapes were able to be picked at optimal ripeness, resulting in a wine with outstanding aromatics, palate weight and texture
Vinification
Grapes sourced from a number of prime sites in the Awatere Valley are gently pressed once at the winery to obtain beautifully clear free-run juice, with the harder pressings keep separate and allowed to oxidise and soften phenolics before being re-combined with the free-run. The juice is then settled and racked into stainless steel tanks for warming and inoculation with carefully selected yeasts.
Fermentation is carried out at cool temperatures of around 10-13°C to help preserve the fruity characters and lasts around 21 days until the balance of residual sugar and acidity/phenolics has reached the ideal point. Post-ferment the wine is held in tank and matured for a short period of time before being stabilised ready for bottling. With no additional finings judged necessary, this wine was ready for bottling in early July 2019.
Producer
Tohu produces award-winning New Zealand wine crafted from grapes grown in our breathtakingly beautiful, Awatere Valley vineyard. When Tohu launched in 1998 we were the world's first Maori-owned wine company. Since then we’ve grown a reputation for producing premium wine in a range of varieties, winning awards for our Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Méthode Traditionnelle.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Gris |
Country | New Zealand |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches |
Chilli, ginger and battered fish soft tacos with fresh coriander and salsa verde |
Appellation | Marlborough |
2018 Laborie Méthode Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs
Regular price £14.99 Sale price £13.19 Save 12%Made using the traditional champagne method, the fresh and youthful MCC is often awarded Gold.
Tasting Notes
Nose
This complex and indulgent MCC shows rich secondary aromas with orange blossom and lemon zest on the nose.
Palate
On the palate there are hints of lime, accompanied by aromas of toasted bread and macadamias. The mousse is fine, elegant and ensures a rich, creamy and textured palate with an explosive acidity and lasting, elegant finish.
In the Cellar
The grapes were whole bunch pressed and only free run juice was used for the final blend. A Selected yeast was used for primary fermentation. A 20% portion of the Chardonnay was allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation. The wine was blended, bottled and underwent a secondary fermentation in the bottle. This was followed by bottle maturation of approximately 36 months. Only then it was disgorged, corked and labelled.
Awards
- No. 3 slot in Decanter’s top 100 wines of the year for 2023
- 2021 Veritas Awards - Gold
- 2020 Veritas Awards - Gold
- 2019 Amorim Cap Classique Challenge - Gold
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Residual Sugar | 7.3 g/l |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.2 units |
Type | Fizz |
Cellaring Potential | The wine can be cellared for 5 - 7 years from vintage. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Enjoy this bubbly well chilled and on its own, or with oysters, sushi and other delicate seafood dishes. |
Origin | Western Cape |
2020 Hartenberg Chardonnay
Regular price £16.99 Sale price £14.95 Save 12%Tasting Notes
Nose
White pear, tropical fruits, vanilla and roasted almonds on the bouquet, marries flawlessly to a rich, melded palate.
Palate
The subtle, integrated oak aromas contribute to a long, creamy finish, underpinned by a rapier-like fresh acidity.
"Seamlessly merges tangerine vibrancy with vanilla cream from barrel ferment. Textured and rich yet lean and focused throughout. A peaches and cream delight with a dry finish" - John Platter 2014
Estate
On the slopes of Bottelary Hills bordering Stellenbosch, is a family estate where nature provides the perfect backdrop to grow, produce and share award-winning wines. Summer at Hartenberg brings picnics on the lawns followed by buoyant games of boule. Winter invites you to intimate fireside lunches and sumptuous reds, smoky charcuterie and olives, and sensorial cellar tours. Our Wetland Conservation Area, alongside the vineyards, makes for a beautiful setting for walks and shared family fun.
We are passionate about preserving our natural wealth as evidenced by our sustainable farming practices and conservation programs. We are proud members of Biodiversity and Wine (BWI) and Integrated Production of Wine (IPW), and the estate is home to plentiful wildlife and over 120 species of birds – inspiring us to combine the best of nature with fine wine. Our stated intention is for a pristine environment where nature thrives.
History
The first settlers to cultivate the virgin land of the estate now known as Hartenberg were friends Cunraad Boin and Christoffel Esterhuizzen who were granted permission to work 60 morgen (20 ha) of the land in 1692. In 1704, Christoffel Esterhuizzen was granted the title deed to "Het Hartenberg" by Governer (Willem Adriaan van der Stel) and by 1718, he had 10 000 vines on his property.
The well-known elephant hunter, Paulus Keyser, bought Hartenberg in 1721 and continued the practice of vineyard cultivation and winemaking on the farm until he sold it to Jacob van Bochen in 1725. Van Bochen, a former accountant of the Dutch East India Company butchery and holder of the liquor retail monopoly, also bought Weltevrede adjoining Hartenberg.
For about one hundred years after van Bochen, the farm passed through the hands of various owners. Some with colourful names like Arrie Lekkerwyn (delicious wine), and Aaron van Ceylon (a freed slave) and in 1838 it became the property of the brothers Jacobus and Johannes Bosman.
An important period in the farm's development was ushered in by the Hampf family when they bought Hartenberg in 1928. Mrs Hampf extended the vineyards and planted the many beautiful trees still to be seen around the farm and cellar, while her husband became the first officially recorded winemaker on the estate.
In 1948, Hartenberg was bought by the late Dr Maurice Finlayson (a well-known Cape Town pathologist) and his wife, Eleanor. Discovering the true potential of the estate, they soon began marketing their wines under the label "Montagne". Besides good wine, the Finlaysons also produced two sons, Peter and Walter, who were to become renowned South African winemakers. Uncompromising and sophisticated, Eleanor Finlayson's presence is still felt on Hartenberg today.
Gilbeys were the next owners of the estate, purchasing it from the Finlaysons in 1977. They eventually released the present Hartenberg range as their flagship brand in 1985. On 1 January 1987, Ken Mackenzie, purchased Hartenberg, having seen the potential that the perennial under-achiever offered.
His daughters continue a program of investment in the farm, focusing on three key areas: the replanting to specific sites of premium varietals, the development of production facilities, and upliftment, through knowledge and skills for employees.
The Mackenzie vision, though extremely ambitious, remains simple: to do whatever it takes to produce wines of outstanding quality.
Accolades
-
2017 Vintage 93 points Tim Atkin MW
-
2016 Vintage 93 points Tim Atkin MW; 91 Points Neal Martin (Vinous), 90 points James Suckling Report; 4 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide
- 2015 Vintage Tim Atkin 92 points
- 2015 93 points Prescient Chardonnay Awards, 92 points Tim Atkin, 91 points Robert Parker, 4 stars Platter's SA Wine Guide
- 2014 Veritas Silver 2015, 90 points Tim Atkin
- 2013 92 points Tim Atkin, 92 points Christian Eedes Chardonnay Report 2015, Veritas Gold (2014), 4 stars Platter's SA Wine Guide
- 2011 4 stars Platter's SA Wine Guide
- 2010 4 stars Platter's SA Wine Guide, Top 10 Christiaan Eedes, 90 points Robert Parker
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Chardonnay |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Up to 5 years from vintage |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Cream based foods, smoked chicken or duck, seared tuna with olive oil, lime juice and black pepper. |
Origin | WO Western Cape |
Appellation | Stellenbosch |
2021 Smalltown Vineyards 'The Good Luck Club' Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £16.99 Sale price £14.95 Save 12%Tasting Notes
Summer pudding reaches from the glass, there is an abundance of blackberry and cassis fruit with a naughty creaminess of oak that marries on the palate for a bold pastiche of old vine Barossa Cabernet.
Production
The Smalltown block was purchased in 2016, 40 hectares of 28-year-old Shiraz and Cabernet in the premium Ebenezer District of the Barossa Valley. This wine was aged in new and tertiary French oak for 24 months. The oak lends a subtle texture and structure to the fruit leaving the palate fresh so this is a bright, varietal Cab that wears its oak lightly as a structural veil rather than anything more monstrous.
Producer
Smalltown Vineyards express many of the Barossa’s prized districts form Gomersal, Kalimna as well as the Eden Valley and beyond. We work with exceptional vineyards simply expressed using minimal intervention, basket press where relevant, natural ferments in open-top fermenters to best capture the Barossa’s magical flavours. We have a lot of fun with labels because, well because we can. It’s only wine after all…
A note about Sustainability
As of the 1st July, 2019, Australia changed from its previous sustainable programme called EntWine to Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. Smalltown Vineyards is a participant in this programme, which assists with tools and resources to enhance business sustainability, meeting customer sustainability requirements and sustainability claims made by participants.
Awards
- 2020 IWC Bronze (2017 Vintage)
Alan's Tasting Notes
"This is a cracker - loads of red berry and blackcurrant aromas and flavours with a structural creaminess as scaffolding in the background. Balance, complexity and length are all perfect - a real well put together glass of wine - sublime and great value at £13.99" Tasted Dec 2021.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | It’s lovely with steak tartare, seared tuna, roast Mediterranean veg and some crunchy, matured hard cheese. |
Origin | South Australia |
Appellation | Barossa Valley |
2022 Sepp Moser Classic Style Organic Zweigelt
Regular price £14.99 Sale price £13.19 Save 12%A vibrantly fruity, organically produced, red from this characterful indigenous Austrian variety.
Tasting Notes
Fruity and perfumed nose showing blackberries, white pepper and spice. Bright sappy palate with fresh acidity, crunchy redcurrant and raspberry fruit, and layers of spice, liquorice and herbs.
Production
Blauer Zweigelt is the most important red grape variety grown on Sepp Moser's Apetlon Estate, situated in the Neusiedlersee region of Austria. The summers in this region are very hot and dry; the vineyards are less than 1 km away from the Hungarian border. The deep, dark humous soils (well streaked with gravel) contribute to the smoothness of the wines produced here. The grapes are organically produced and hand harvested in September. All Sepp Moser wines are vinified centrally at the Sepp Moser Winery in Rohrendorf (Kremstal). The grapes in Sepp Zweigelt were de-stemmed, crushed and underwent partial cold maceration. The must was then fermented and given a brief period of ageing in stainless steel before being bottled in February.
Producer
The Sepp Moser Estate was founded by the famous Austrian wine producing pioneer, Lenz Moser. Lenz Moser's son, Sepp Moser, began operating under his own name in 1987 and handed over the direction of this family-owned estate to his own son Nikolaus in the year 2000.
The Sepp Moser Estate comprises of 50 acres of vineyards in two prominent wine regions; Kremstal (22 ha) and Neusiedlersee (28 ha). In the Kremstal, Nikolaus produces an international range of varieties as well as the ever more important local varieties of Gruner Veltliner and Riesling. The reds are produced on the gravelly soils of the warm southern Neusiederslee village of Apetlon. All Sepp Moser wines have been organic (and all estate wines biodynamic) since 2007.
Sustainability
The Sepp Moser estate produces a wide range of wines every year thanks to its vineyards in two diverse regions. There is one main aim in the cellar: the quality of the grapes shall be brought with as little influence as possible to the bottle. The grapes in the Sepp Moser vineyards are harvested by hand and at the cellar of the Atrium House Nikolaus Moser emphasizes gentle vinification and tries to interfere as little as possible with the process so that each wine can develop its own individual style. The fermentation starts spontaneously, and the maturing of the wine takes place on its own.
In 2006, Nikolaus officially moved the estate to biodynamic viticulture – one of the first to do so in Austria – and became Demeter certified. 2009 saw the release of Sepp Moser’s first certified organic wines. Nikolaus is very keen to reduce the amount of copper and sulphur used in the vineyards, and this year saw a reduction of two thirds over what was sprayed previously. He composts all the estates' pomace and vine trimmings, and there is an ongoing effort to plant trees around the vineyards.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Blauer Zweigelt |
Country | Austria |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Biodynamic |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Try with veal or fish, as well as pizza and pasta with tomato based sauces. Also very pleasant drunk on its own slightly chilled. |
Origin | Niederösterreich |
Appellation | Burgenland Qual. Troc |
2018 Ventisquero 'Grey Glacier' Single Block GCM
Regular price £15.50 Sale price £13.64 Save 12%Head Winemaker Felipe Tosso joined Vina Ventisquero in 2000. After seriously considering alternate careers as a tennis pro and classical guitarist, he elected to enter the wine business, describing it as “one of my big passions because it’s more than work – it’s a lifestyle.”
Tasting Notes
Colour
An intense red colour with violet hues.
Nose
Notes of fresh red fruits, such as raspberries and cassis, are very noticeable on the nose. It also has some earthy notes and a hint of black pepper.
Palate
This medium-bodied wine is highly expressive and very refreshing because of its high acidity, with lots of fruit, such as cherries. It has smooth tannins and is long in the finish. This wine reflects its origins and, being a blend of three varieties, it is a complex wine. It has red fruit from the Garnacha, structure from the Cariñena and some animal notes from the Mataro. Unfiltered and unfined.
Vinification
First the clusters of grapes were selected and 50% of them were crushed. Next, the grapes were put into small open 400-kilo containers, where they underwent a pre-fermentative maceration for 3 to 5 days. en they were fermented gently and slowly, at a low temperature of between 22°C and 26°C (72°F and 79°F), with 2-3 pump-overs each day. Next came a post-fermentative maceration for one to two weeks to ensure balanced tannins. 100% of this wine is aged in 2,500-litre foudres for approximately 1 year
Winemaker
Tosso’s winemaking travels have taken him to Napa, Sonoma, Argentina, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, back to Concha Y Toro in Chile and then finally to Vina Ventisquero. In 2003, Felipe began a close collaboration with John Duval (ex Penfolds) in the production of icon wines Pangea and Vertice, a partnership that continues to this day.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 58% Garnacha (Grenache), 27% Cariñena (Carignan), 15% Mataro (Mourvedre) |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | It is recommended to drink at a temperature between 16-18°C. Accompany mature cheeses and grilled red and well seasoned meats. It is recommended to decant 30 minutes before consuming. |
Appellation | Maipo Valley |
2017 Bodegas Palacio Glorioso Rioja Selección Especial
Regular price £14.79 Sale price £13.02 Save 12%"Delicious and smoother than a dolphin in silk pajamas!"
A special edition of excellent wine launched in limited quantities on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Bodegas Palacio winery located in the prestigious Spanish wine region of Rioja DOCa.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep garnet red
Nose
Of great intensity and cleanliness where highlights the details of red fruit of the forest like blackcurrant and blackberries and in second term we find delicate aromas of spices contributed by the French oak such as menthol, black pepper and cinnamon. A delicate and subtle finish where a slight mineral touch can be seen.
Palate
In the mouth it is silky and enveloping, with a fine and sweet tannin that brings sensations of a wine with structure but at the same time respectful. A refreshing ending due to its tight acidity with memories of sweet coffee.
Glorious Centenary Selection is a red wine of the D.O.C. Rioja elaborated by Bodegas Palacio in homage to a century elaborating great wines in the Rioja Alavesa. For this, the best Tempranillo grape has been selected and it has been raised for 13 months in French oak casks.
Maturation
At least 13 months in French oak barrels and at least 6 months in bottle before being placed on the market.
Awards
- Silver IWC 2021
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Tempranillo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 4-7 years from the year of bottling |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Stews, Roasted chicken, Semi-mature Cheese, Roasted red meats, fatter fish like tuna or swordfish. Serve at 14-16C |
Appellation |
Rioja D.O.C.
|
2020 Classique Sauternes Ginestet (500ml)
Regular price £16.99 Sale price £14.95 Save 12%The classic dessert wine - elegant, fresh and very moreish.
Tasting Notes
A classic botrytis nose; rich in honey and sweet floral tones with hints of citrus marmalade. The palate is rich and smooth with similar sweet floral and honeyed apricot flavours but with a faintly citrus note in the finish which makes it very moreish.
Production
Grapes are sourced from vineyards within the Graves district of Bordeaux. Botrytis (noble rot) is allowed to affect the grapes, concentrating their sweetness and flavour. The grapes are hand-picked late in the vintage and, on average, it takes 3 passes through the vineyard to ensure that the maximum quantity of grapes has been beneficially affected by botrytis. The grapes are treated very carefully during pressing so as not to damage them and to maintain their delicate characteristics.
Producer
For over a decade Boutinot has been in partnership with leading Bordeaux négociant Ginestet, to offer high-quality wines from a selection of châteaux in key appellations as well as consistently fine, benchmark Bordeaux wines.
Sustainability
As both a négociant and a producer of its own wines, Maison Ginestet has long been convinced of the need to work the land in a viable manner and it places substantial emphasis on partnerships with sustainable agriculture-accredited winegrowing estates. Some growers are fully organic, and Ginestet is certified to bottle wines made from organically grown grapes.
In 2006, Maison Ginestet set up an international wine school at its Carignan-de-Bordeaux site. Through the Ginestet Wine Academy, Maison Ginestet shares with its commercial partners the expertise it has gained over more than a century of producing and marketing Bordeaux wines.
Awards
- Silver at the 2017 International Wine Challenge - 2016 Vintage
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 500ml |
Cultivar | 75% Semillon, 20% Sauvignon, 5% Muscadelle |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Dessert Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable farming |
Food Matches | The ultimate dessert wine - serve chilled with a host of fruit or cream based desserts. Try also with blue cheeses such as Roquefort or Stilton. Or serve it as the French also do, as an apéritif, or with pâté based canapes. |
Origin | Bordeaux, France |
2022 La Cantina Pizzolato Pinot Grigio DOC Venezia
Regular price £15.99 Sale price £14.07 Save 12%A juicy, fresh and silky pinot grigio made by the latest of five generations of Pizzolati who have made wine organically since 1991.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Straw Yellow
Nose
Citrusy aromas of citron sorbet, sweet almond, and candied oranges
Palate
A satiny, crisp, dryish light body and smooth, breezy pears and Turkish delight finish with no oak flavor.
Vineyard
The estate is located in the rich and flourishing countryside in the north of Treviso, and the vineyards are situated on the plains and hillsides near Piave river. The Terroir is pebbly with permeable soil which allows for good drainage.
Vinification
The wine is vinified off the skins and fermentation is completed in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures.
History
If you love authentic and organic Italian wines, you have to taste the ones from the brand of La Cantina Pizzolato. Ever since 1991, all the wines crafted here have been certified as 100% organic. Settimo Pizzolato, who currently owns the winery, is not only an expert winemaker but also an enthusiast of organic farming.
Today, at the Pizzolato winery, no sulphates or preservatives are used in the winemaking process, to ensure that the wines are as natural and organic as possible. The winemaking team here is fully aware of the importance of protecting the natural system; therefore, it doesn’t use any pesticides or artificial methods for crafting the wines.
The new winery, set up as part of the Sustainable Winery Project, in Treviso, makes use of green energy and innovative techniques such as organic purifiers and automatic lighting to reduce wastage as much as possible and protect the environment of the winery. Photovoltaic solar panels, organic water purifier, use of Cansiglio beech, water recycling, use of reusable materials and sustainable architecture are some of the methods employed by the Pizzolato family to create world-class organic wines. These efforts haven’t gone unrecognized in the wine world, because the Pizzolato organic winery has been the recipient of many awards in the recent past.
Today, there are only a handful of wine brands that do complete justice to the project of sustainable wine production and La Cantina Pizzolato is one of them. The best part about this brand is that it continues to upgrade its winery and winemaking techniques to make the process more organic than ever. If you are interested in knowing the organic winemaking process, you can book a wine-tasting tour here. All the wines crafted here have been classified as vegan as well. So, if you are a practicing vegan, you don’t have to think twice before trying out the La Cantina Pizzolato wines!
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Grigio |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12% |
Units of Alcohol | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches | Ideal as an aperitif. Excellent with first and second light dishes, with herb omelettes, vegetable soup, cream-based on chickpeas and courgettes and with vegan sushi and sensational with shellfish. |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian approved, Organic & Sustainable farming |
Allergen Information | Contain sulphites |
Origin | Treviso |
Appellation | DOC Venezia |
2019 Te Awanga Estate 'Wildsong' Organic Pinot Gris
Regular price £15.69 Sale price £13.81 Save 12%Pear, lychee and quince, muddled with loquat, almond and nectarine. An attractive textured palate with a balanced, dry finish that suits drinking chilled on its own or served alongside pretty much anything.
Viticulture
Our Maraekakaho Vineyard is planted on an ancient river terrace that was formed by the Ngaruroro River which now flows around 60 meters below the vineyard. With its headwaters in the Kaweka Ranges to the west of Hawkes Bay, the river has created the landscapes through glacial melts, floods and droughts over the last few hundred thousand years. The old terraces that remain are made up of greywacke (a compressed sandstone) boulders and gravels from the ranges, and a topsoil borne of windblown loess, volcanic ash and humus created by ancient forests and vegetation.
The arrival of the New Year brought with it the long, hot, sunny summer days with moderate-cool nights for perfect ripening conditions, whilst preserving fresh acidity. Superb harvest climatic conditions provided the luxury of optimal picking decisions not hurried by the threat of rain. The result is an outstanding year for our Hawke’s Bay wines. Yields are slightly down, but with exceptional quality across all varieties. Full flavour and tannin ripeness in reds, with moderate alcohol levels. Acid retention and exciting flavour spectrums in whites.
Vinification
Producer
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Gris |
Country | New Zealand |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Organic, Vegetarian & Vegan |
Food Matches |
Spicy Food, Chicken, Fish, Veal, Creamy Sauces |
Appellation | Hawkes Bay |
2020 Hartenberg Riesling
Regular price £16.99 Sale price £14.95 Save 12%One of South Africa's oldest wineries with one of the most respected winemakers in the Western Cape at its helm - Carl Schultz.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The bouquet displays beautiful elements of chalky, flint and minerally notes.Palate
The wine is juicy and opulent on palate entry and then a fine acidity arrives to provide a perfect foil to the inherent fruit “sweetness”. Despite being bone dry, the wine finishes with an appealing sweet/sour character, begging a second taste.
"Defined lime zest, apple and character-building slight wax/ terpene nuance on dry palate. Opens in the glass and lingers." ~ Platter's Wine Guide SA 2015
Estate
On the slopes of Bottelary Hills bordering Stellenbosch, is a family estate where nature provides the perfect backdrop to grow, produce and share award-winning wines. Summer at Hartenberg brings picnics on the lawns followed by buoyant games of boule. Winter invites you to intimate fireside lunches and sumptuous reds, smoky charcuterie and olives, and sensorial cellar tours. Our Wetland Conservation Area, alongside the vineyards, makes for a beautiful setting for walks and shared family fun.
We are passionate about preserving our natural wealth as evidenced by our sustainable farming practices and conservation programs. We are proud members of Biodiversity and Wine (BWI) and Integrated Production of Wine (IPW), and the estate is home to plentiful wildlife and over 120 species of birds – inspiring us to combine the best of nature with fine wine. Our stated intention is for a pristine environment where nature thrives.
Accolades
- 2017 4 stars Platter's SA Wine Guide
- 2017 90 points Tim Atkin
- 2016 92 poimts Tim Atkin
- 2015 92 points Tim Atkin
- 2014 93 points Tim Atkin, 4 stars Platter's SA Wine Guide
- 2013 91 points Tim Atkin, 87 points Robert Parker, Gold Medal Veritas SA
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"The first surprise here was that this had a natural cork when I was expecting a screwcap (obviously a quality statement). The second surprise was that the aromas didn’t show the normal oil/ kerosene notes you sometimes get with Riesling - much more orange zest than anything offensive.
Although the Riesling characters show up more on the palate. Extremely well made, perfect poise and balance and shows quality all through from the front to the back palate. Super enjoyable on its own but will stand up to food as well. Now one of my favourite’ GO TO’ drinking whites - at an easily affordable price so great value." Tasted Jan 2022
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Riesling |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 6 years from vintage |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Smoked trout terrine, Thai inspired foods, bobotie, peri-peri chicken livers. |
Origin | WO Western Cape |
Appellation | Stellenbosch |
2020 Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £16.95 Sale price £14.92 Save 12%Tasting Notes
Colour
Lime green hue.
Nose
Complex core, with notes of lemongrass and lime, grapefruit and white peach, blackcurrant leaf and even elderflower.
Palate
Richly textured mouthfeel balanced by a striking minerality, razor-sharp acidity and a long, lingering finish.
Vintage
Constantia Glen's Sauvignon is a complex, elegant, cool-climate style with great fruit weight, minerality and vibrant acidity. The 2020 vintage was yet another excellent one at Constantia Glen that saw cool temperatures and a long ripening season, which produced a classic Constantia wine, exemplifying elegance, texture and freshness.
History of the Cellar
Ideally located below Constantia Nek, just moments from the bustling Cape Town city centre, Constantia Glen is a picturesque wine estate producing ultra-premium, cool climate white and red wines. The 60-hectare property, situated 103-2790 meters above sea level, has a mere 29 hectares under vine with product of wines limited to 120, 000 bottles per annum. Although winemaking began in 1685, recent history begins with the Waibel family, who purchased the land in 1960. Although this land is difficult to farm - as evident by rapid change of ownership from 1813-1960 - the dedication, patience and passion of the Waibel family has proven reward.
Having used the land predominantly as a stud farm, it was in 2000 that the Waibel family planted their first grapes and they now produce four wines. Perhaps most unique about Constantia Glen is its location. Although this region is predominantly known for its white wines, Constantia Glen is situated between the mountains, providing red grapes with the conditions needed to mature. Dryland cultivation under these cool climatic conditions results in slow ripening, low yields with exceptional grape quality and flavour concentration, thereby producing elegant Bordeaux blends. In addition to Sauvignon Blanc and the `Two` (a blend of Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of Sémillion), Constantia Glen produces the `Three` - a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon Franc and Merlot` and a `Five` - which includes the addition of Malbec and Petit Verdot.
Awards - 2020 Vintage
- 4½ stars (94 points) - Platter’s 2020 Guide
- SA Wine Guide | 91 points - Falstaff Magazine |
- Platinum Award - SAWi 2021
Awards - 2019 Vintage
- 93 points in the 2020 Platter Guide
- Gold medal & Trophy for the best white wine from SA at the 2019 IWC
- Gold Medal at the 2017 International Wine & Spirits Competition
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"This is delish - much more structure, complexity and multi-layered than most kiwi Sauv blancs. Fully dry with a wonderful balance between fruit & acidity. A bit closed when over chilled but really showed well a couple of degrees warmer - 15/20" October 2022
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Pairs well with Ahi tuna poke bowl with fresh lime, avocado and edamame beans. Crostini with poached figs and goats’ cheese. Vietnamese Bún chà. Poached scallops with a wasabi lime granita. |
Origin | Constantia |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2019 Ventisquero 'Grey Glacier' Merlot
Regular price £15.99 Sale price £14.07 Save 12%Head Winemaker Felipe Tosso joined Vina Ventisquero in 2000. After seriously considering alternate careers as a tennis pro and classical guitarist, he elected to enter the wine business, describing it as “one of my big passions because it’s more than work – it’s a lifestyle.”
Tasting Notes
Colour
This wine is deep ruby in colour with violet hues at the rim.
Nose
Very intense nose predominated by red fruit, such as strawberries and subtle notes of ripe plums, intermingled with a touch of oak from the barrel-ageing and notes of chocolate which enhances the final complexity of the wine.
Palate
This is a full-bodied, boldly-structured wine, which fills the mouth thanks to its fine tannins. Smooth and persistent in the finish.
Vinification
A pre-fermentative maceration was carried out at low temperatures to extract more colour and aromas, then the must was fermented in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures of between 24°C and 26°C. 100% of this wine matured for 18 months in extra fine-grain French oak barrels, 33% of them first-use, then the wine was aged in the bottle for 8 months.
Winemaker
Tosso’s winemaking travels have taken him to Napa, Sonoma, Argentina, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, back to Concha Y Toro in Chile and then finally to Vina Ventisquero. In 2003, Felipe began a close collaboration with John Duval (ex Penfolds) in the production of icon wines Pangea and Vertice, a partnership that continues to this day.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Best served at a temperature of between 16°C and 18°C. This wine pairs well with soft cheese, pasta dishes and white meat, especially pork and duck. |
Appellation | Colchagua Valley |
2021 Ventisquero 'Grey Glacier' Chardonnay
Regular price £16.99 Sale price £14.95 Save 12%Head Winemaker Felipe Tosso joined Vina Ventisquero in 2000. After seriously considering alternate careers as a tennis pro and classical guitarist, he elected to enter the wine business, describing it as “one of my big passions because it’s more than work – it’s a lifestyle.”
Tasting Notes
Complex and elegant, blend aromas of ripe tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango and papaya with soft mineral and citrus notes. The barrel brings soft notes of vanilla and nuts. Of good structure, it maintains the freshness from a crisp acidity giving a wide end of good persistence. In the aftertaste, you will feel the nuts and vanilla again.
Vinification
Initially, a cold maceration was carried out for a period between 12 to 14 hours. Throughout the process the wort was protected from contact with air. The fermentation was carried out slowly, maintaining a Constant control at low temperature between 13 and 16°C, which allowed to obtain a large number of aromas typical of the variety.
80% of the wine was fermented in French barrels with 10% new cask. The remaining 20% of the wine was fermented in stainless steel barrels to maintain a fruity component in the blend. Once the fermentation was finished, it was allowed to stand for 12 months on its lees, making smooth movements (bâtonnage) to maximize the contact and supply of fine lees to the wine and in this way increase the aromatic complexity.
Tosso’s winemaking travels have taken him to Napa, Sonoma, Argentina, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, back to Concha Y Toro in Chile and then finally to Vina Ventisquero. In 2003, Felipe began a close collaboration with John Duval (ex-Penfolds Winemaker) in the production of icon wines Pangea and Vertice, a partnership that continues to this day.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"A masterpiece this one ☝️ tropical fruits abound with a touch of citric lime acidity keeping it linear and balanced. Complex, long and with perfect balance! Love it! Bit of a nutty, toasty aftertaste as well - probably from some new oak. Would love to taste this alongside some ‘named’ white burgundies - suggest it might wipe the floor with them?!" June 2022
"Still love it - colour a bit darker in the glass - but it’s still fresh as a daisy, with great balance and length. Fruit is a bit more developed on the palate but it’s still got a lot of life left in it yet. At £16.99 it really is an excellent option vs French Chardonnay at 2 or 3 times the price from Burgundy." 21 Dec 2023
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | This wine pairs well with oily fish, pasta, cheese and white meat. |
Appellation |
Casablanca Valley
|
2021 Cantina Di Negrar Valpolicella Ripasso D.O.C. Classico Superiore
Regular price £14.99 Sale price £13.19 Save 12%Cantina di Negrar Valpolicella Ripasso is a serious red at a "not so serious red" price point!
Tasting Notes
Nose
Intense and persistent, with fruity aromas of cherry and plum, floral notes of violets and a touch of spiciness from black pepper.
Palate
Fresh, fruity, with an elegant balance between structure and body, harmonised by the perfect acidity and tannins, warm, medium-bodied, velvety and balanced tannins.
History
With a history of wine-making going back to 1933, Cantina Valpolicella Negrar has been at the forefront of development in the Valpolicella region since its inception. The winery was the first to make the world-renowned Amarone, and soon after, in recognition of this, was awarded the Certificate of Special Mention by the Brussels International Exposition. This firmly put Cantina Valpolicella Negrar on the map and it has continued to look forward ever since.
Awards
- IWSC Italian Winery of the Year 2013
- Bronze Medal, Decanter World Wine Awards 2018
- Bronze Medal, The International Wine & Spirit Competition 2018
- 92 Points, James Suckling 2017
- Gold Medal, Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada 2017
- Bronze Medal, International Wine Challenge 2017
- Silver Medal, WOW! The Italian Wine Competition 2016
- Bronze Medal, International Wine Challenge 2016
- Bronze Medal, International Wine Challenge 2015
- Gold Medal, Mundus Vini 2012
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Corvina 70%, Rondinella 15%, Corvinone 15% |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13.5% |
Units of Alcohol | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Food Matches |
It pairs wonderfully with all types of red meat, both grilled and braised. Excellent with traditional Veronese dishes, such as Pastissada de caval, lesso con Pearà and lasagnette with black truffles from Mount Baldo. |
Allergen Information | Contain sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian approved |
Origin | Valpolicella Classica - Veneto |
Appellation | Valpolicella Ripasso DOC |
Santa Tresa Il Frappato Spumante Rosé Organic Brut
Regular price £14.99 Sale price £13.19 Save 12%Tasting Notes
Colour
A delicate salmon pink, Il Frappato Spumante Rosé has a fine and consistent perlage.
Nose
Elegant, with fresh fruity notes on the bouquet, reminiscent of wild strawberries, raspberries and pomegranates.
Palate
On the palate, the wine is delicate and harmonious, with lovely fresh fruit flavours, citrussy notes and a pleasant acidity.
Harvest
The Frappato grapes are hand-picked during the first few days of September once the grapes have reached the perfect balance of sugars and acidity needed for making a good spumante. The grapes are put into small containers and are refrigerated for around 48 hours to reduce the temperature to about 8-10°C.
Vinification
After very careful destemming, the grapes are put into a pneumatic press, where they stay for around 2 hours and are very, very gently pressed at 0.2 bar. The must is chilled to facilitate natural sedimentation. The alcoholic fermentation occurs at 18-20°C for around 8-10 days and the base wine is then kept refrigerated.
Secondary Fermentation
The secondary fermentation for Frappato Brut takes place in small autoclaves at a temperature not exceeding 14°C. The special yeast strains added to initiate the second fermentation work very slowly at this low temperature, helping to retain the freshness and typical characteristics of the Frappato.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Frappato |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol Content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Sparkling Wine / Fizz |
Cellaring Potential | 3-5 years |
Food Matches |
The ideal aperitif and the perfect accompaniment to seafood antipasti. Excellent with shellfish. In Ragusa, we pair it with our local mortadella. Serve chilled at 8-10°C. |
Origin |
Sicily, Italy |
2021 Domaine de Cantagrils Picpoul de Pinet
Regular price £15.99 Sale price £14.07 Save 12%The Domaine de Cantagrils Picpoul de Pinet, a refreshing example of the signature white variety of the Languedoc.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The Domaine de Cantagrils Picpoul de Pinet begins with aromas of grapefruit, flowers and sea salt on the intriguing, enticing nose. A hint of nuttiness also appears with some time in the glass.
Palate
The wine tastes clean, fresh and lively with a bit of chalky, salty minerality running underneath. The primary fruit flavors are melon, citrus, white peach, grapefruit and lime. It ends with good length and lingering tropical fruit flavors.
Producer
Domaine de Cantagrils were among the first to plant and cultivate Piquepoul in 1983. When the terroir became AOC Languedoc Picpoul de Pinet in 1985, they then began converting to wine production. Winemaker Claude Jourdan works the estate her mother started.
The terroir of the domaine is characterised by beautiful red soils, with plots originally planted amongst an orchard of almond trees. Situated in the north of Picpoul de Pinet AOC, there is a strong continental rather than maritime influence with more humid morning fog, higher rainfall, warmer temperatures, which has a pleasant ripening impact on the fruit.
Picpoul de Pinet is the uniquely Languedoc white grape with stern minerality and zippy clean acidity. Here, one finds a classically austere style, deceptively golden colour, and light, clean minerality. An easy choice for oysters and all briny shellfish.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Piquepoul Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment and up to 3 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
A great wine with seafood, it’s also quite hard not to take another sip when drinking this wine on its own.
|
Appellation | AOP Picpoul de Pinet |
Origin | Languedoc Roussillon |
2023 Moscato d'Asti Luigi Tacchino DOCG
Regular price £13.99 Sale price £12.31 Save 12%The Moscato d’Asti is light and refreshing with well-balanced sweetness and acidity. Fresh citrus fruit characteristics accompany warm honeyed notes.
Tasting Notes
Light, lemony citrus flavour with a honeyed finish.
Production Method
Whole ripened bunches; the must is kept in steel tanks at a temperature of 0° C. After fermentation at a temperature of 16° C, it is microfiltered and bottled in order to maintain freshness and aromaticity.
Producer
For more than three generations the Tacchino family has produced superb fresh and vibrant wines in Castelletto d'Orba in Monferrato, Piedmont. This is perfect wine country as the hills provide a natural amphitheatre which protects the vineyards from the northerly winds.
Today brother and sister duo Alessio and Romina run the Tacchino estate, blending a respect for tradition with modern winemaking methods and rigorous attention to detail to produce a range of wines of outstanding elegance and purity. Tacchino's vines are spread over 25 hectares, about half of which benefit from a south/southeasterly aspect. Great care is taken to restrict yields. The Araldica winemaking team of Claudio Manera, Lella Burdese and Carlo Manera oversee all production.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Moscato Bianco |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 3.75 units |
Type | Fortified and Dessert |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian approved
|
Food Matches | Perfect with Lemon Mousse. |
Origin | Castelletto d’Orba in Monferrato, Piedmont |
Appellation | DOCG Moscato D'Asti |
2020 Rivera Salice Salentino DOC
Regular price £13.99 Sale price £12.31 Save 12%Salice Salentino is made from 90% Negroamaro, an indigenous grape of the region. A wine with body, spiciness, and light oak notes.
Tasting Notes
Dense, purple-tinged ruby red; rich bouquet, with notes of dried plum and cherry; generous and complex in the mouth, with excellent structure, and a finish exhibiting the pleasant, bitterish note typical of the Negroamaro grape
About the Wine
Salice Salentino DOC rosso is the most typical red wine appellation of the Salento, the extreme south of Puglia. It is a blend of the area’s traditional grape varieties, the Negroamaro and a smaller part of Malvasia nera. State-of-the-art vinification and a few months ageing in oak barrels have given it its lively ruby hue, fragrances of dark berry fruit, full body, and lingering finish with a classic bitterish note.
Production
Vineyards trained in the “Salento gobelet” style, in Salento’s typical reddish clay soils; vines average 5,000 per hectare and yield 80-90 q./ha
Grapes are harvested between the first and the second week in September. The must macerates 8-9 days at 28°C in stainless steel; the vinification style is designed to bring out the freshness of the fruit and to highlight its varietal characteristics.
After a brief stay in glass-lined vats, the wine matures 3-4 months in one-year old small oak before being bottled.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"One of our wee crackers - dusty soft tannins with a touch of both smokiness and spice mingling round the plum & cherry fruit. It’s super soft and smooth but with an attractive cherry bitterness on the finish - a hallmark of the dominant Negroamaro grape in Puglia. Great flavours and mouthfeel for a paltry £13.99 - could easily pay a fiver more for this and it would still be great value. Great for everyday/school day drinking!" Tasted 1 January 2024
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
90% Negroamaro 10 % Malvasia Nera |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13.5% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red |
Food Matches | The ultimate pizza and spicy tomato base pasta red wine! |
Cellaring Potential | 3-4 years |
Dietary Information | Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Brindisi and Lecce |
Appellation | Puglia DOC |