2019 Brokenwood Cricket Pitch Cabernet Shiraz Merlot
Regular price £18.75 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
Excellent colour and mid-density.
Nose
Being 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Shiraz it is more of the classic Aussie blend Cabernet/Shiraz. Lifted dark fruit and cedar notes on the nose. Riper dark fruit aromas than previously vintages, due to a warm year in McLaren Vale.
Palate
The vanillin oak background adds extra lift to the dark cherry/plum aromas, and finishes with a ripe tannin mouthfeel. Turkish delight and dark chocolate from the Shiraz component, makes this a very enjoyable Cricket Pitch blend.
Vinification
Winemaker Comments
About Brokenwood Wines
Founded in 1970 as a hobby venture by three Sydney-based solicitors - Tony Albert, John Beeston and Australian wine critic James Halliday - Brokenwood is perhaps best known for their Cricket Pitch label, which was first sourced from a 4-hectare block at the foothills of the Hunter Valley’s Brokenback Ranges. The block was originally earmarked as the local cricket ground before they decided to plant a vineyard instead.
Similarly, Brokenwood purchased their neighbouring block, which was intended to be the local cemetery, and instead planted Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, becoming their critically acclaimed flagship wine, the Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz. Chief Winemaker and Managing Director Iain Riggs joined Brokenwood in 1982 and introduced new winery equipment and facilities specifically for premium white wine production.
Since 1983, white wine makes up a significant part of total production and their Semillon is widely recognized as one of the finest in the world. Iain has also been the driving force behind Brokenwood’s expansion into the McLaren Vale in South Australia, Beechworth in Victoria, Margaret River in Western Australia, and Orange in New South Wales. Despite their expansion, they have managed to remain fiercely committed to producing unique and highquality expressions of Australian terroir.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Shiraz, 11% Merlot |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Pairs well with rich seafood, pasta and light meat dishes. |
Origin | Hunter Valley |
Appellation | New South Wales |
2020 Ventisquero 'Grey Glacier' Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £18.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%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 | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, & 3% Carménère |
Country | Chile |
|
|
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 |
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2019 Signos de Origen 'Los Morros' Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £19.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Genuine non-interventionist winemaking from Emiliana, this matches up to all levels of the natural wine criteria. A lovely example of cabernet sauvignon with beautiful purity.
Colour
Ruby red in colour
Nose
A bright nose that offers aromas of ripe blackcurrant and licorice along with cedarwood notes.
Palate
The palate recalls black currants and red cherry fruit with star anise spice, ripe tannins and a full juicy finish.
Production
Soils are alluvial with good porosity and drainage. The land is flat, rich in minerals with a loamy-clay and muddy texture, irrigated by water coming from snow thaw in the mountains. The season 2014-2015 in the Valley of Maipo was characterized by being warm. The spring was favourable as there were no rains in flowering, which gave rise to a healthy and good harvest. The few frosts that occurred did not affect cabernet sauvignon since they were prior to sprouting. The rains, following the trend, were and concentrated in winter with a total of 230 mm fallen. The temperatures during maturation were high with maximum averages of 30 ° C in January and February and averages of 12.5 ° C for the same months. This led to an early harvest, together the oscillation thermal helped maintain natural acidity. The reception included a triple selection using conveyor belts before and after passing through the destemmer-crusher. The grapes then dropped gently (by gravity) into the fermentation tanks, where they underwent a 5-day pre-fermentation cold soak at 8ºC. Alcoholic fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks using only native yeasts at 24º–26ºC with a program of pump-overs determined by enological criteria. The new wine remained on its skins for an 8-day post-fermentation maceration at 22º–24ºC, for a total maceration (skin contact) time of 28–30 days. Malolactic fermentation took place naturally in barrels. The wine was then aged for 12 months. The wine is stabilized naturally, without treatments, and is only very lightly filtered at bottling with a 3–5 micron (absolute) cartridge. The wine was aged for 12 months, 48% in French oak barrels, 28% in concrete eggs, and 24% in a 2,000-liter French oak foudre.
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.
Sustainable
Emiliana began its conversion to organic production in 1998, and today 100% of its properties are organically managed. It is the world’s largest organic winery. It holds organic certifications in accordance with the standards of the United States, Canada (NOP), Brazil, Chile, Japan, South Korea, China, and Europe. In 2006, Emiliana was the first winery in Latin America to produce a wine with biodynamic certification. Since then, the use of biodynamic practices at its farms and cellars has been accredited and today 100% of its properties are certified. Emiliana received its Fairtrade and Fair For Life certifications in 2011 and 2017 and has been selling fair trade wines since 2012.
Emiliana was a pioneer in the implementation of the Wine of Chile Sustainability Code certification in 2012. This standard was developed for the Chilean wine sector to support the implementation of sustainable practices at a national level, as well as social and environmental responsibility at Emiliana.
Emiliana is certified to use the Vegan Society trademark, which attests that its wines are produced without any animal-derived products.
Emiliana also produces an annual sustainability report.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | An interesting wine with meat-based dishes and stews. Ideal with oven-roasted pork ribs, grilled beef, or slow-cooked lamb. It is also excellent with duck magret and with strong, aged cheeses such as Emmental or rich, creamy cheeses such as Camembert. |
Origin | Maipo Valley |
Appellation | D.O. Valle del Maipo |
2019 Château La Gorce Médoc Cru Bourgeois
Regular price £19.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
Beautiful deep Garnet hue
Nose
Fine and generous on the nose with red fruits aromas laced with spice. Full-bodied red wine with blackcurrant, vanilla spice and liquorice notes.
Palate
The rich palate has great attach with a firm structure, supple tannins and superb mouthfeel with all elements well-integrated.
Producer
Lagorce, also known as the Great Gorce refers to a type of vegetation that is found in the Haux commune. It is based on this 16th-century vegetation that the wine estate, Chateau Lagorce got its name. Located in the southwestern part of France, this estate was originally a castle in the administrative region of Gironde. In the 17th century, the Faux family members planted the first Barsac and Sauternes vines in the Lagorce vineyards.
Château La Gorce is run by the enthusiastic and devoted Fabre family who have made first-rate Médoc at this Domaine since 1980. There are 45 hectares in total planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. For the Cru Bourgeois, 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon are combined to form a classic Médoc blend. Only the best grapes selected from oldest vines make it into the Cru which is then aged for 12-18 months in oak.
Awards
- 1 Star - Le Guide Hachette des Vins, 2016
- Bronze - Challenge International du Vin, 2014
- Gold - Concours des Grands Vins de France
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | 2018-2023 |
Food Matches |
Pair with red meats, game and mature cheeses. |
Appellation | Médoc |
Origin | Bordeaux |
2021 Hartenberg Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz
Regular price £16.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%"Home of the Worlds Best Shiraz"
The most sold wine in the Hartenberg portfolio, now celebrating 26 vintages. At a previous Classic Wine Trophy competition ten Gold medals were awarded by the French judges to the 385 red wines. Most estates entered their flagship wines. Due to Hartenbergs' uncompromising approach to standards they felt comfortable entering the pocket-friendly Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz. The wine won Gold.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Vibrant red in colour.
Nose
An alluring blend of wild herbs and spices on the nose with hints of freshly picked dark fruits and berries on the palate, ending in a savoury finish.
Palate
Ripe, soft tannins balance well with the lingering finish.
The 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
- 2016 Vintage 90 points Tim Atkin
- 2016 Vintage 3.5 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide
- 2015 Vintage 4 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide
- 2014 Vintage 90 points Tim Atkin; 3.5 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide
- 2013 Vintage 3.5 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide
- 2012 Vintage 3.5 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide
- 2011 Vintage 3.5 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide
- 2010 Vintage 3.5 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide & 90 Points Robert Parker
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Shiraz/Syrah, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Mourvedre |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
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14% alc vol
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Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Up to 10 years from vintage |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Pizza with all its various toppings (but not too much chilli), all traditionally prepared meat dishes (i.e. stews and grills), grilled or roasted game fish (ideally without a lemon based sauce) or for pudding. Pears in red wine will find a partner with this versatile wine.
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Origin | WO Western Cape |
Appellation | Stellenbosch |
2021 Smalltown Vineyards 'The Good Luck Club' Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £16.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
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 |
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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 |
De Toren Délicate NV
Regular price £19.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Redolent of roses and ripe-for-the-picking strawberries, the refreshing De Toren Délicate is an elegant red blend that combines red’s seductiveness with the undeniable drinkability of white.
Medium-bodied and immeasurably gentle, it offers up an abundance of juicy fruit and velvety, smooth tannins that lead to a sophisticated finish. Delicious on its own as an apéritif, it’s also the perfect consort to the lingering pleasures of Spanish tapas or a platter of the finest French charcuterie.
Tasting Notes
A seductive, elegant red blend from this Stellenbosch based red wine specialist.
Notes of juicy red fruit dominate on this wine, with some freeze-dried strawberries and raspberries and a touch of rose. Medium-bodied, velvety tannins and deliciously drinkable.
Behind the Wine
An innovative reimagining of red wine, the French-inspired De Toren Délicate is a fresh and light cépage that reveals its best assets when served slightly chilled. While it displays intense red undertones, this limited-production wine is soft and delicate on the palate, making it the perfect culinary consort, not to mention the reason a number of the world’s top dining establishments choose it specifically for their dedicated tasting menus.
Maturation
The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are carefully matured in third fill French oak barrels for twelve months. The Malbec is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks to retain the primary fruit aromas and freshness of the wine.
Accolades
- 87pts | Platter's
Specifications
Year | Non vintage |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
Malbec 49%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Franc 16%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15% |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
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14% alc vol
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Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Cellaring Potential | De Toren Délicate should be enjoyed immediately, due to the low tannins. We want wine lovers to enjoy the wine as was intended from the beginning. |
Food Matches |
Perfect on its own as an aperitif or with a lunchtime salad, a tantalizing Spanish tapas or cheese platter, including a beautiful array of preserves, homemade jams, matured cheese and cured meats. This wine has very versatile food pairing possibilities. To release all the wonderful flavours of this wine, it is recommended to decant this wine at least one hour before the time and to serve this wine slightly chilled (11 - 13 degrees Celsius). |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2019 Cycles Gladiator Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £16.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A rich and expressive Cabernet Sauvignon from the very first sip!
Tasting Notes
Aromas of blackberry and raspberry are accompanied by notes of fragrant lilac and vanilla. Rich and expressive from first sip, this is a food friendly Cabernet Sauvignon that bursts with flavors of juicy plum, black cherry and strawberry, along with a hint of
sweet baking spices.
Background
Cycles Gladiator was founded in 2005 with the mission to create high quality, affordable wines that honour the iconic artwork on the label by empowering and inspiring women. Proudly sourced from some of California’s top wine growing regions , award- winning winemaker Adam LaZarre crafts each wine with passion and care from grape to glass.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot, 8% Merlot |
Country | United States of America |
Alcohol content | 14.5% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
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10.87 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Features | Vegetarian approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matching |
Delicious with steak |
Appellation | Lodi |
Origin | California |
2022 Finca Ambrosia Casa Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £15.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%It is a lively and easy-going red wine, with fine-grained tannins that give it a smooth mouthfeel.
4,800 bottles produced
Tasting Notes
The Casa Cabernet Sauvignon is lively and easy-going on the palate, with fine-grained tannins that give it a smooth mouthfeel. It delivers aromas of delicious juicy red and black fruit notes and an underlayer of grilled green pepper. It offers a clean fruit profile and bright acidity, making it an approachable and enjoyable unoaked red wine for any occasion.
Vintage
2022 was a long and dry growing season of outstanding quality. Veering on the cooler side of average temperatures, yields were still plentiful, and grapes achieved ideal ripeness throughout a very long cycle. Rainfall was limited, but abundant glacial water and sporadic showers were timed perfectly to help the vine’s balance. After cooler autumn and ideal growing conditions in February and March, we were able to produce wines with remarkable quality.
History
It was the year 2002 when a group of friends decided to invest in Argentina. They knew little about wine production, but all were passionate wine lovers and excited about the vision of bringing Argentine wines to the world stage. They bought the land that would become Finca Ambrosia and set about turning their idea into reality. At this time, the Gualtallary district began to attract the interest of wine producers, primarily because of its outstanding soil and climate characteristics. Encouraged by the positive forecasts, the friends bought 3 more plots over the years, from which the current winery emerged. Today, Gualtallary is considered the best terroir for producing premium wines in the province of Mendoza.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | Argentina |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Aging | Concrete vats |
Dietary Information | Organic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Gualtallary, Uco Valley |
Appellation | Mendoza |
2021 Oldenburg CL Red
Regular price £15.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
This wine displays a gorgeous dark purple core in the glass.
Nose
An inviting nose of newly-turned earth, black plums, maraschino cherries, rosemary and fennel.
Palate
The palate is refreshing, with a balanced acidity and plushy tannins. Flavours of vibrant dark chocolate and mocha can be found, in addition to rhubarb and star anise. The wine is complex and inviting with a bitter grapefruit and tobacco finish. A delightful wine that is bound to be a conversation starter and should be a staple on all dinner tables.
Winemaking & Maturation
A ‘right bank’ Bordeaux Blend – Merlot (54%) dominant with Cabernet Sauvignon (39%) and a splash of Cabernet Franc (7%)The Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes were harvested from a North-Easterly facing vineyard on Rondekop. All grapes were stored in a cold-room overnight and then destemmed and sorted by hand, spending five days in a tank to cold soak. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc berries were crushed and the Merlot berries kept whole. All grape cultivars underwent pump overs 1-3 times per day and were gently basket pressed once dry. Finally, the juice was returned to tanks for malolactic fermentation and then transferred to French oak barrels, of which 26% were new barrels, to mature for 16 months.
Winery
Oldenburg; a hot topic from a cool climate. Anyone who knows anything about South African wine should have Oldenburg fully on their radar – they are producing outrageously good wine and have, very arguably, the most beautiful tasting room to visit in the Cape. Oldenburg, situated in the Banghoek Valley of Stellenbosch, has one of the coolest microclimates in the region. A combination of a mountain amphitheatre, high altitude and cooling winds result in growing conditions about 5 degrees cooler than the rest of Stellenbosch.
The Range
Accolades
- Wine Safari Score: 94/100 Greg Sherwood MW
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 54% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon & 7% Cabernet Franc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Food matching | Beef fillet topped with a fresh chimichurri will be a match made in heaven for this wine! |
Type | Red Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2020 Hermanuspietersfontein Kleinboet (Bordeaux Blend)
Regular price £18.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%‘Kleinboet’ translates to ‘Little Brother’ from Afrikaans. This alludes to the fact that this Bordeaux Blend is incredibly elegant, with only 12.5% alcohol, compared to other South African Bordeaux Blends.
Although quite the lad, he’s not too big for his boots
Larger than life, there’s nothing small about him! The agile charmer, living life to the full. Simple, down to earth. With energy and a second breath, he’s not the kind to be second guessed…
Tasting Notes
Nose
Bright red and purple fruit such as raspberries and blueberries; savoury notes; dried herbs (oregano and rosemary).
Palate
Generous offering form entrance to finish; supple and full without over-saturating the palate with tannin; persistent with good length.
Vinification
A Bordeaux blend that is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and comprises of all five ‘noble’ varietals (Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet franc and Malbec). The use of 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill oak over 24 months ensures a beautiful “marriage” between the different varietals. The wine showcases bright red and purple fruit such as raspberries and blueberries; savoury notes; dried herbs (oregano and rosemary). On the palate this wine presents a generous offering from entrance to finish.
History
You’ve probably heard of the quaint beach town of Hermanus, situated on South Africa’s famous Whale Coast. Between 1855 and 1902, it was called Hermanuspietersfontein. In 1902, the local postmaster decided to shorten the name of the town to make addressing letters to the locals easier.
150 years later, the wine farm Hermanuspietersfontein, or HPF for short, craft outstanding wines with a serious sense of place. Their grapes come from Sondagskloof, which competes with Elgin and the Ceres Plateau for South Africa’s coolest wine growing region.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
48% Cabernet Sauvignon 18% Merlot 11% Petit Verdot 11% Cabernet franc 11% Malbec. |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 5 years and beyond, provided stored under optimum conditions |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Maturation in Oak |
24 months in French Oak 80% in old (4-10 years of age) French oak Foudres (6000L) 10% in new French oak barriques (225L) 10% in second/third fill French oak barrique (225L) |
Food Matches |
Roast or grilled lamb chops (or other richly flavoured cuts of red meat). Barbequed or ‘braai-ed’ aubergine topped with rich sun-dried and oregano tomato sauce is a great option for non-meat eaters. |
Origin | Sondagskloof, Walker Bay near Hermanus |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2018 Dornier Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £18.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Top 100 Wine Status from the National Wine Challenge. GOLD Mundus Vini, 91 Points John Platter Winemag, Double Gold Gilbert & Gaillard
Tasting Notes
Intense black cherry colour with a full bouquet of cassis, blackberries, cigar box, pencil shavings and subtle oak with a hint of mint to ensure freshness. The palate has density and concentrated flavours of dark fruit with elegant tannins to create a well-balanced wine with a long finish. Concentrated fruit, great structure and the ability to age well.
About the Harvest
Although very dry, the ripening season leading up to the 2018 harvest provided exce lent conditions for optimal ripeness and flavour development that resulted in exceptional fruit concentration and elegance in the wines of this vintage.
In the Cellar
This wine was fermented in open tanks with pump overs and punch downs being performed four times daily to extract all possible flavours from the berries. After alcoholic fermentation the wines underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel followed by 18 months ageing in 30% new French oak barrels.
History
Dornier is a family owned winery situated in The Golden Triangle area of the upper Blaauwklippen Valley Stellenbosch. The primary focus at Dornier lies in the production of premium quality wines with minimal intervention which are expressive of the unique terroir of The Golden Triangle whilst showcasing the complexity and finesse of the noble grape varieties planted at Dornier. Reverence for tradition is salient at Dornier as is difference where it leads to improvement.
Dornier Wine Estate is located on 3 different farms in the Upper Blaauwklippen Valley namely Groenkloof, Heldemeer and Stellenrust (Homestead) the latter of which includes a historic Sir Herbert Baker designed homestead and one of the first wine cellars ever built in Stellenbosch in the late 1600s.
Dornier proudly boasts an A rating with IPW (Integrity and Sustainability) given its ongoing efforts incorporated and devotion towards sustainable farming practises with integrity.
Dornier also holds an A Rating with WIETA - a pro-active world-class and sustainable ethical trade programme for the South African wine industry and aligned sectors. given its efforts incorporated and devotion towards facilitating fair working conditions and sustainable ethical trade within the wine industry and its aligned sectors.
Accolades
-
Dornier Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 TOP 100 SA Wine
- 91 Points Winemag | "This is a gorgeous cabernet sauvignon from Dornier in South Africa. Located in the 'Golden Triangle' area of the upper Blaauwklippen Valley Stellenbosch. The primary focus at Dornier lies in the production of premium quality wines with minimal intervention. Their Equanimity Cabernet Sauvignon has an exuberance of concentrated fruit, intense black cherry colour with a full bouquet of cassis, black berries, cigar box, pencil shavings and subtle oak and a hint of mint to ensure freshness. Stunning value at under £20."
- The 2018 vintage of Dornier Equanimity Cabernet has received abundant local and international recognition having thus far received a Gold Medal from Mundus Vini Germany in 2022, 93 Points & Double Gold from Gilbert & Gaillard and now Top 100 Wine Status from the National Wine Challenge.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | From 2021 for up to 8 years |
Food Matching |
Good as an aperitif or served with starters, seafood or cold white meat. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2018 Lurton Chateau Bonnet Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £16.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Thanks to expressive fruit – but without excessive concentration – Château Bonnet's red wine is unquestionably charming. In fact, it is a benchmark in Bordeaux. The wine is best enjoyed on the young side, although the quality tannin ensures good ageing for several year. With its fresh red cherry notes, this wine makes a great pairing for grilled meats and cheese platters.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep ruby-red color scattered with purple highlights.
Nose
The nose is very attractive and fruity, revealing a delicious array of fresh fruit notes (cherry), underpinned by subtle hints of spice.
Palate
This beautiful Bonnet starts out straightforward on the palate, becoming very round, delicious and sweet. Fresh red fruit aromas (cherry) follow through to the palate.
Production
Grapes come from clay-limestone hilltop vineyards of Grézillac in the Entre-deux-Mers. Aged 12 months in 20% new oak barrels.
Rating
- 91 points from Decanter Magazine
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Nuanced and developed wines go well with rustic meat dishes. You can also pair them with cheese or enjoy them on their own. Try with reindeer steak, entrecôte or hard, aged cheeses, such as Gouda, Parmesan or Manchego. |
Origin | Grézillac in the Entre-deux-Mers |
Appellation |
Bordeaux
|