2020 Ben Glover BOB/Short for Kate Pinot Noir
Regular price £21.99 Sale price £18.69 Save 15%Tasting Notes
A bright, brambly, seductive cherry red hue with aromas of wild berries, cherries, raspberry, sous bois and a hint of green spice.
The flow through to the palate is sublime with a continuation of these precise red fruits with some green olive notes, wound up with a sinewy tautness. This provides a chewy supple elegant warmth to the palate with an elegant deportment providing a long and intelligent finish.
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 blocks from the family’s vines and exceptional fruit selection. Not to mention the skill of one of the region’s most well-regarded winemakers.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Noir |
Country | New Zealand |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Now to 2025 |
Features | Organic, Vegan and Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | This wine has the class and capacity to handle numerous dishes from cassoulet to more sophisticated game meats. |
Origin | New Zealand |
Appellation | Marlborough |
2016 Krohn LBV Port
Regular price £17.99 Sale price £15.83 Save 12%Late Bottled Vintage Ports are an increasingly popular style, and this, unfiltered, wine from Krohn is no exception. LBVs are produced from just a single year's crop (but not every year), and with the vintage specified on the bottle, each LBV will express the particular characteristics of that vintage.
Colheita Ports are Tawny Ports from a single year and specify the vintage on the bottle. A Tawny Port matures for many years in small (600 litre) casks, becoming more complex and taking on a broad, silky mouthfeel and brick-red colour through slight oxidation. They typically age for a minimum of 7 years, but often longer. For the first 10-15 years, the casks are racked every year, but this becomes less frequent as they age and throw less sediment. As maturation happens in this way, in barrel rather than in bottle, decanting is not normally required. They are bottled to order and will stay fresh in the bottle for several weeks after opening. Krohn is particularly renowned for the quality of its Colheita Ports.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep ruby colour
Nose
Spicy black fruit aromas
Palate
The palate has vibrant plum and blackberry characters layered with more spice, fresh acidity and firm tannins. A full and rich style with impressive length.
Production
Traditional Port grapes are sourced from Krohn's Quinta do Retiro Novo estate, and from long-standing relationships with neighbouring growers. After fermentation the wine is aged in barrel for 4-6 years before bottling. Krohn's LBV Ports are neither fined nor filtered and may thus throw a sediment. We recommend to decant them before serving.
Producers
Wiese & Krohn was founded in 1865 by two Norwegians - Theodor Wiese and Dankert Krohn - shipping initially to Scandinavia and Germany. In the century and a half since its foundation, Krohn has built up an outstanding reputation. Long renowned for the quality of their sublime Colheitas (single vintage tawnies), they produce a remarkably complete range for a small house, and each wine excels in its category. Much of the secret lies in the high quality of their vineyards - the magical combination of terroir, locality, aspect, incline and low-yielding vines. Their Quinta do Retiro Novo estate in Sarzedinho, in the Rio Torto valley (where vinification takes place), is all A grade vineyard. Indeed Krohn only work with grapes from A-graded vineyards across all of their ports, and their top wines are still trodden by foot. Since 2013 Krohn has been part of the Fladgate Partnership - alongside Taylor's, Fonseca and Croft.
Accolades
- 2013 Vintage - Sommelier Wine Awards 2020 Bronze Medal
Alan's Personal Notes
"Delicious! The perfect way to end a meal. Rich fruit, wee bit of nutmeg and spice, a wee bit sweet and only 20% alc - just half of a whisky, rum or licquer - what’s not to like? Fire on, the dog relaxed at the fire - all I’m missing is a wee cigar for ultimate pleasure." Jan 2022
Specifications
Year | 2016 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa,Tinta Barroca |
Country | Portugal |
Alcohol content | 20% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 15 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Dietary Information |
Vegetarian, Vegan |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Perfect with blue cheeses, a decent mature cheddar or a slab of dark chocolate. |
Origin | Douro Valley |
Appellation | DOC Porto |
2019 Brokenwood Cricket Pitch Cabernet Shiraz Merlot
Regular price £18.75 Sale price £16.50 Save 12%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 Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Mourvèdre
Regular price £19.99 Sale price £17.59 Save 12%A juicy characterful Mourvèdre which comes from Cline’s original Contra Costa ranch. It’s here where the 100-year-old bush vines thrive on the sandy soils.
Tasting Notes
Distinct and luscious. Flavours of dark plum and chocolate leads to a medley of integrated oak spice and a smooth and juicy finish. A blockbuster of a wine that has plenty of earthy soul and character.
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.
Production Method
The Ancient Vines Mourvèdre draws from some of our oldest, most historic and shyest-bearing vineyards. These blocks produce fruit of stunning concentration as a result of sensitive farming practices, the singular Oakley terroir, and a unique cooling band of air that flows in from the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers. By naturally restricting yields to only 2 to 3 tonnes per acre, we achieve a sublime expression of the Mourvèdre fruit. These grapes hold characteristics of dark, dusty berry fruit that makes their Ancient Vines Mourvèdre so lustrous. Individual lots of grapes were harvested separately according to ripeness and balance of acidity. Grapes undergo total de-stemming and a very gentle crushing to ensure a large proportion of whole berries in the must. Fermentation occurred in stainless steel tanks with select cultured yeasts. It was then maintained at the ideal temperature to aid in the extraction of flavor and colour. The wine was pressed off its skins at dryness before being racked to dark toasted American Oak (approximately 30% new) where it was gently aged for 10 months and then stored in neutral cooperage.
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.
Awards
- Bronze from the Decanter World Wine Awards 2017 (2014 vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Mourvèdre |
Country | USA |
Alcohol content | 15% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable |
Food Matches | This scrumptious and unusually delightful wine goes exceptionally well with grilled lamb or pork, sautéed asparagus and curried deviled eggs. Also, fab with rack of lamb, duck confit and steak tartare. |
Origin | California |
Appellation | Contra Costa |
2019 Signos de Origen 'Los Morros' Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £19.99 Sale price £17.59 Save 12%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 |
2022 Domaine Roblin Sancerre Blanc 'Terres Blanches'
Regular price £21.49 Sale price £18.27 Save 15%Pure, fruit-forward and fine.
Tasting Notes
Vibrant aromas of green apple and citrus. The palate is complex with ripe citrus and pear fruit, pithy grapefruit notes and an appealing stony edge to the long finish. The grapes were picked early to maintain their freshness.
Method of Production
Produced from the family's 19 hectares of vines growing in 'terres blanches' - chalky clay - soil. Vineyards are worked sustainably, organically where possible. It was cool-fermented in stainless steel and aged upon its lees for 5 to 6 months.
Producer
The small village of Maimbray, just to the north of Sancerre itself, is home to both Domaine Roblin and to Domaine du Pré Semelé. In fact the Roblins are just across the road from the Raimbaults and share a similar story of two brothers – 4th generation Matthias and Emile in this case – taking over from their father and implementing new ideas to move the family domaine forward.
They have a total of 19 hectares of vines with a terroir made up of Kimmeridgian and Portlandian chalky clay (Terres Blanches) soils, spread across 45 separate parcels of vines, on the slopes around the villages of Maimbray and Sury-en-Vaux. Their vineyards are planted with 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Pinot Noir, and in the winery their intervention is minimal: gravity does the work of pumps, and the wines see long lees ageing. The wine style is very pure, fruit-forward yet fine, and really top quality.
Sustainability
Vineyards are worked with the greatest of respect to the environment; no chemical pesticides or herbicides are used; carbon dioxide emissions are kept as low as possible; there is crop cover between rows of vines to help combat soil erosion, and green harvesting is practised to restrain yields and improve ripeness. Although not yet HVE accredited or certified organic, the Roblins employ many of the practices of both.
Awards
Gold Sommelier Wine Awards 2017 - for the 2015 vintage
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Sustainable farming methods, Vegan & Vegetarian |
Origin | Loire |
Appellation | Sancerre |
2021 Glaetzer Wallace
Regular price £19.75 Sale price £17.38 Save 12%Glaetzer Wallace takes on the traditional Barossa Valley blend of Shiraz and Grenache in a modern way.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Vibrant purple with bright red hues.
Nose
Wild cherries with a hint of blueberry and rose petal.
Palate
Upfront red berry fruit, midpalate richness and brightness from the Grenache. Finishes fresh and long.
Glaetzer Wallace takes on the traditional Barossa Valley blend of Shiraz and Grenache in a modern way. The Shiraz brings backbone, flesh and body to the wine with the Grenache adding a soft, vibrant juiciness.
Vineyards
Exceptional old vine fruit was sourced from the famed Ebenezer sub district at the northern tip of the Barossa Valley. Vine age 50—80 year old Shiraz and 50—100 year old Grenache. Yield 3.5 tonnes per hectare.
Vintage Conditions
A wet winter and spring coupled with cooler than average spring temperatures resulted in slower yet balanced canopy development and healthy flowering and fruit set. A mild summer with regular rainfall events followed allowing the fruit to be in no rush to mature, perfect for consistent ripening. Harvest commenced a few weeks later than recent years. The 2017 wines are of excellent quality exhibiting purity and lift with firm tannins and exceptional length.
Vinification
Old vine Barossa Grenache has a liveliness and structure that does not benefit from oak maturation—oak contact was thus minimised for the Grenache component to preserve the purity and animation of the fruit. The Shiraz was matured for 16 months in 2—3 year old oak hogshead barrels (80% French / 20% American).
About Glaetzer
This family-owned boutique winery was founded in 1995 and dedicates itself to the production of super-premium, sitespecific red wine made in small volumes. Originally from Germany, the Glaetzer family settled in Australia in the late 19th century and were some of the earliest recorded viticulturalists in the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley. Today the winery is run by internationally acclaimed winemaker Ben Glaetzer, who is responsible for driving the brand’s considerable loyal following. Ben sources all their fruit from the northern sub-region of the Barossa, Ebenezer, which is known for its ancient dry-grown vineyards. Glaetzer’s most exceptional fruit is sourced from 80-110 year-old, nongrafted bush vines. In the cellar, Ben believes in minimal intervention and treating musts as gently as possible.
Though only limited Glaetzer wines are produced every year, the winery is known for producing wines that are unique and intense.
2018 Wallace from Glaetzer Wines on Vimeo.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 72% Shiraz and 28% Grenache |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Cellaring | A wine to enjoy in its youth that will also develop additional complexity over 6 to 8 years of cellaring. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Barossa Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2019 Hartenberg Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £20.99 Sale price £17.84 Save 15%The King of Red Wines, consistently a show stopper and delivers even better with some aging to it.
94 points Tim Atkin
'Granite and ferricrete soils on the estate are the source of this ultra-reliable estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Intense, concentrated and possessing the backbone of a guardsman, this has grippy, well-integrated tannins, perfumed 50% new wood and classic cassis, coffee bean and pencil shaving characters. 2023-2030.'
Tasting Notes
Nose
Delightfully perfumed with spicy vanilla oak and an abundance of red fruit and cherry aromas.
Palate
Soft silky tannins on the palate with flavours of lead pencil, cigar box and sandalwood. A lingering finish persists.
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.
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
-
2019 Vintage 94 points Tim Atkin
Specifications
Vintage | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 2023-2030 |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Excellent with grilled ribeye steak. A classic match for richer savoury dishes, springbok fillet or black mushroom stroganoff. |
Origin | WO Western Cape |
Appellation | Stellenbosch |
2018 Sepp Moser Zweigelt Reserve
Regular price £21.50 Sale price £18.28 Save 15%A delicious example of this classic Austrian varietal elegant - juicy, ripe and generous. A wine that would appeal equally to Argentinian Malbec drinkers as to your Austrian Zweigelt drinkers.
Tasting Notes
Ripe cherry, herbal and cedar wood aromas. The palate has good weight with juicy plum and red berry fruit, bright acidity, supple balancing tannins and a bitter cherry twist on the finish.
Production
Zweigelt Reserve is made from 100% Blauer Zweigelt grapes cultivated in Sepp Moser's Hedwighof vineyard, in the warm southern Neusiedlersee village of Apetlon. The vineyard is around 117 metres above sea level (comparitively low), with deep dark topsoil and gravel beneath, which benefits from plenty of sunshine. The grapes are hand harvested towards the end of September / start of October. The grapes are de-stemmed and crushed, with spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel and 3 weeks spent on the skins. The wine is aged for 18 months in used 225 litre oak barrels.
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.
Accolades
- 2017 Vintage - Silver at the 2020 Sommelier Wine Awards
- 2015 Vintage - Gold at the 2018 Sommelier Wine Awards
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Blauer Zweigelt |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential |
Drink over the next 8-10 years. |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Why not try with pork dishes, goulash or ratatouille. |
Origin | Burgenland |
Appellation | Burgenland Qualitatswein Trocken |
2021 Domaine de Maltaverne Pouilly-Fumé ‘L’Ammonite’
Regular price £20.99 Sale price £17.84 Save 15%A very ripe and unusually rich example of Loire Sauvignon Blanc.
Tasting Notes
Nose
A honeyed and gently aromatic nose with a savoury, toasted fennel seed note.
Palate
The palate is a rich and ripe reflection of this warm vintage, balanced by smoky, grassy flavours typical of Sauvignon Blanc.
Production
The vineyards are planted on Kimmeridgian soil (fossilised clay-chalk, superb for low yields and mineral content) and face south-southwest, giving increased exposure to the sun. They are fertilised organically. Harvesting is done partly by hand and partly by machine, depending on the vintage. Vinification is old fashioned and hands-off. Fermentation is done by indigenous yeasts and is followed by naturally occurring malolactic fermentation. This helps to soften the wines by converting the harsher acids to more palatable ones. Most unusually for a producer of Loire Sauvignon Blanc, winemaker Gilles Maudry believes in allowing full malolactic fermentation to run its natural course. The wine remains on its fine lees for 15 months after harvest, intensifying and enriching the flavours to balance the incredible freshness.
Producer
Domaine de Maltaverne is one of the few producers in the Loire that allows full malolactic fermentation to run its natural course. The owner, Gilles Maudry, is a former biologist who returned to his family’s Tracy-sur-Loire estate in 1984 when his father retired. Now working with his son Matthieu, who finished his viticultural and oenological studies in 2015, Gilles is a firm believer in minimal intervention: as long as his vineyards produce healthy grapes, picked at optimum maturity and vinified with care, then the wine can be left to determine its own evolution. The beautiful label features an illustration of the fossilised ammonite shells found in the vineyard, sketched by an artistic wine lover following a tasting to represent what he visualised upon tasting this wonderful wine.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites & no other allergens |
Serving Suggestion | Serve between 10°C and 12°C |
Food Matches | Goes with just about anything! Traditionally salmon, mussels or crab/lobster and chicken or veal, but also mushroom dishes, particularly an omelette. |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Appellation | Pouilly-Fumé |
Origin | Loire |
2017 Skillogalee Gewurztraminer
Regular price £19.99 Sale price £17.59 Save 12%Skillogalee crafts their Gewurztraminer in the classic style – textural, aromatic and spicy with a crisp finish.
Tasting Notes
The wine is pale straw yellow in appearance with green tinges. Exotic aromatics of orange blossom and quince with ginger spice and orange zest follow through onto the palate which is slippery and round with fruit sweetness, balanced by refreshing, juicy acidity and a lingering, dry finish.
The Gewurztraminer vines at Skillogalee are grown using minimal intervention and sustainable farming practices to minimise the impact on our environment. The wine was made on-site at the Skillogalee winery.
Information on Skillogalee Wines
A family-owned and operated winery located in the heart of the Clare Valley in South Australia, Skillogalee is known for the exceptional quality of their red and white wines and is widely recognised as one of the region’s top estates. They also lead the way in responsible farming, having practised sustainable methodologies in the vineyard and the winery for many years. The original Skillogalee vineyards were planted in the early 1970’s on stony soils and steep, eastern-facing slopes at almost 500 metres above sea level.
The first wines were released in 1976 and quickly gained acclaim: the 1978 Dry Riesling won major trophies at the Adelaide Wine Show and the National Wine Show, putting Skillogalee firmly on the Australian winemaking map. Aware of the exceptional quality of the vineyards and their potential to produce world-class wines, current owners David and Diana Palmer acquired the property in 1989. In 2002 they purchased next-door neighbour Waninga Vineyards, with 30 hectares of 30-year-old vines, bringing the size of the estate to 60 hectares.
While production increased, the Palmers have taken great care to maintain the quality and characteristic style of the wines. Deciding to avoid the bureaucracy of organic or biodynamic certification does not stop a producer from holding soil health and sustainability as a top priority, and this is the case at Skillogalee. Every effort is taken to ensure the best quality grapes are harvested each year, the vines are hand-pruned, and the fruit is mainly hand-picked, with yields kept extremely low. All wines are produced exclusively from estate-owned vineyards.
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Gewurztraminer |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 14.7% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | A fantastic food matching wine, spanning most genres: - top of the list should be lightly-spiced, contemporary Asian food, fresh summertime salads and flavoursome white meat dishes. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Clare Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2020 Constantia Glen Two
Regular price £20.99 Sale price £17.84 Save 15%93 Points Tim Aktin
'Two is an impressive, separately fermented cuvée of Sauvignon Blanc with 29% Semillón. Fermented in 15% new 600-litre barrels, this is spicy and textured, with creamy lees, grapefruit and fynbos flavours and a saline, refreshing finish. Classy stuff. 2023-28.'
An elegant wine with exceptional balance and length and fantastic ageing potential.
Tasting Notes
A rich and concentrated blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, this barrel-fermented wine combines oak and tropical fruit flavours with a well-integrated minerality.
Colour
Clear and bright with a straw-like gold colour, tinged with lime green.
Nose
Elegant notes of white peach and blackcurrant, with delicate aromas of lime, green fig, and orange blossom. The wine is tightly wound but shows fantastic purity of fruit as well as some citrus and waxy notes, which will integrate and develop into a very refined wine.
Palate
The entry is fresh with bright acidity, good fruit concentration and depth. Good restraint and elegance with stony mineral nuances, the fresh acidity is beautifully balanced with a mouthcoating creamy texture on the palate, which is brought about by barrel fermentation and maturation on the gross lees for 8 months. Furthermore, 29% of this blend is Sémillon, which contributes weight and texture, making this a truly harmonious blend with an intriguing saline quality that lingers well onto your next sip.
Vintage
2020 was yet another fantastic vintage for the white varieties at Constantia Glen. The flavour of the grapes at the time of picking was concentrated and intense with good acidity. The harvest was preceded by a cool summer growing-season, but a warmer-than-usual month of February hastened the ripening at the end ever so slightly. This meant that we harvested a week earlier than the two previous vintages. Thanks to well established vineyards with excellent root systems, the grapes retained phenomenal acidity despite fairly warm conditions just before harvest. Our dryland vineyards showed remarkable buffering capacity and the 2020 vintage has delivered extremely elegant and refined white wines with great richness, texture, and delicious, mouth-coating acidity that lingers on the palate. Picking of the Sauvignon Blanc commenced on 18 February 2020 and continued for 3 weeks as each different clone and vineyard block achieved optimal ripeness and flavour concentration. The white grape harvest came to a close on 6 March 2020 when the block of Sémillon, making up 29% of this classic Constantia white blend, was safely harvested and processed into the winery.
Vineyards
Constantia Glen has a unique position cradled between the Constantiaberg and Table Mountain (World Heritage Site) ranges, with predominantly north-east facing slopes. This singular location allows for exposure to late afternoon sun, ideal for the slow ripening that shapes our classically expressed wines. Decomposed granite and Table Mountain sandstone are the dominant soil types that lend minerality and the graceful character to our wines. High water retention of the rich clay sub-soils allows for sustainable dryland cultivation, while ecologically sound practices include biological insect and pest control by means of natural predators.
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.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 61% Sauvignon Blanc and 29% Sémillon |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Blend |
Cellaring Potential | 3 - 8 years |
Food Pairing | Asparagus Risotto. Bacon and Leek Quiche. Grilled Kingklip with Salsa Verde. Char Siu pork belly with citrus spice and fresh coriander. Oak-smoked trout with dill & lemon crème fraiche and a cucumber pickle. |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Constantia |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2020 Painted Wolf Black Tip Mourvédre
Regular price £19.69 Sale price £17.33 Save 12%Background
The Vineyards
The grapes are from Kasteelsig vineyard, owned by Billy (Guillermo) Hughes, and are organically certified. Soil is red Glenrosa with some Oakleaf – shale-rich duplex soils. The vineyards are not irrigated.
Winemaking
The grapes were fermented with natural yeast in open tanks and a small, manually-rotating steel tank (20% whole-bunches). Malolactic conversion and maturation took place in small French and American oak barrels (20% new) for 8 months. Total production 2,800 bottles.
Painted Wolf Wines supports the conservation of the highly endangered painted wolf (African wild dog) and the protection of the diminishing wild spaces of Africa, through its donations to the EWT – www.ewt.org.za and Tusk – www.tusk.org.
Awards
- 2020 Painted Wolf wins trophy for Most Successful Producer Overall at 2019 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show
- Bronze at the 2023 IWC
- Double Silver at the NWC
- 4.5 starts Platters Guide
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Mourvèdre 85%, Syrah 15% |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14.22% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.7 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential |
This wine is delicious now but will continue to develop over ten years from vintage. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Try with braised beef shanks, sweet and sour pork, wild mushroom risotto or Mexican-style ostrich in mole, melted cheese toastie or salt-baked Gruyere |
Appellation | W.O. Swartland |
2019 Tohu Awatere Valley Pinot Noir
Regular price £18.99 Sale price £16.71 Save 12%Colour
A bright ruby hue in the glass
Nose
Aromatic layers of red fruit and spicy florals with hints of crushed herbs.
Palate
The palate is smoothly textured with flavours of bright cherry, red berries and finely integrated French oak. Mid-weight on the palate, this wine is balanced with refined silky tannins that lead to a long and elegant finish.
Vinification
Grapes for this wine are handpicked at optimal ripeness before being transported back to the winery for processing. Once at the winery the fruit is gently destemmed and then lightly crushed using state of the art processing equipment. Batch fermented according to block and clone in small open-top fermenters, the must undergo a cold soak lasting around 7 days before being warmed and inoculated either with selected yeasts or left to undergo a ‘wild’ ferment using indigenous yeasts found naturally on the grapes.
Once fermentation is complete the wine undergoes a short period of post-fermentation maturation on skins before being pressed directly to a combination old and new French barriques. These barrels are kept cool in a temperature controlled cellar over the winter months, before being warmed in spring, allowing the wine to undergo a secondary malolactic fermentation. Barrels are carefully monitored over this period and once the malolactic fermentation is determined to be 100% complete the final blend is carefully put together before being filtered and bottled in late March
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 | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | New Zealand |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches |
Portobello mushrooms, bacon on sourdough bruschetta with roasted garlic and drizzled truffle oil |
Appellation | Marlborough |
2020 Domaine des Tourelles Skin
Regular price £18.99 Sale price £16.71 Save 12%An impressive take on an orange wine from one of Lebanon's oldest wineries. The average age of the vines are 150 years old! Produced from Merweh, an indigenous Lebanese grape variety, given a dose of skin contact followed by maturation in qvevri, this is something different and with real character.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Light amber in colour
Nose
The nose rises up out to the glass to greet, with waves of spice, sweet clementine-infused fruit, and what can only be described as a sense of warmth.
Palate
The palate opens up fresh and breezy, with the ripe apple and orange fruit coming through to fill up the mid-palate. While nothing like as grippy as some orange wine there's also a pleasing hit of tannins, helping give the wine real structure and definition.
Production
The grapes were harvested in October. 100% manually with intensive selection in 20kg boxes. Several rounds are needed to obtain perfect ripeness. Fermented with indigenous yeasts in 19th-century made Amphoras for 7 days on skin contact, then followed by malolactic fermentation
Producer
Domaine des Tourelles was founded in 1868 by French adventurer François-Eugène Brun and is one of the most highly acclaimed and oldest wineries still operating in Lebanon. It was also the first commercial cellar in 'modern' Lebanon to produce wines, arak and other spirits. This place has history! The Brun family owned and ran the winery up until the last descendant died in 2003 but luckily two local families - the Issa and Issa el-Khoury families - joined forces to buy the property and continue the fine tradition of winemaking.
Today, this Bekaa Valley estate is run by the three Issa children - twins Faouzi and Johanne and their sister Christiane, alongside Emile Issa-el Khoury, son of one of the co-owners. This young and dynamic combination have introduced a handful of practices in the vineyards and cellar including the use of indigenous natural yeasts, no fining or filtering, and only very small amounts of sulphur. These techniques along with fruit from 40 hectares of ancient, organically cultivated and dry-farmed vineyards (among the oldest in the valley) and a winery perfect for hands-off winemaking, make Domaine des Tourelles one of the finest boutique wineries in the Middle East.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merweh |
Country | Lebanon |
Alcohol content | 11% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.25 units |
Type | Orange Wine |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
Cellaring Potential | 2023-2030 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Bekaa Valley |
Appellation |
Bsharreh mountains (at the foothills of the Millennial cedars) |
2021 Michael Opitz Buddy Talk Red
Regular price £17.99 Sale price £15.83 Save 12%No Tricks, Just Wine
Organically produced
Tasting Notes
Buddy Talk Red is a unique blend of organically grown Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt and Roesler grapes. It exhibits aromas of black and red fruits like blackberry and cherries, and plums along with light spice notes on the palate.
Producer
Modest Michael Opitz feels passionately about sustainability and quality and so decided to take the small family winery into being organic and as natural as possible on every level. All the wines are defined by their environment. The Neusiedlersee or Seewinkel, is a saltwater lake that, in this flat, warm part of Austria, brings tempering breezes, freshness and protection from disease. The wines as a result are tremendously pure, fresh, fragrant and yet salty.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 50% Blaufränkisch 35% Zweigelt 15% Roesler |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Organic, Biodynamic and Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Food Matches | Good friends and a great conversation! Soft cheese, cured salami and some cornichons will also work well |
Origin | Burgenland |
N/V La Jara Prosecco Spumante Extra Dry
Regular price £17.99 Sale price £15.83 Save 12%Tasting Notes
Colour
Straw yellow with greenish reflections.
Nose
Delicate aromas of white flowers, golden apple, slight notes of banana and peach.
Palate
Fresh, aromatic and velvety with light scents of acacia honey with a pleasant roundness.
Producer
The River Piave, in its early life, came tumbling out of the eastern edge of the Dolomites, full of energy. It bumped into the hills around Valdobbiadene, carved a cleft in them and carried on towards the marshy delta that is the eastern side of Venice.
At near exhaustion by its journey, it dumped large deposits of limestone pebbles and stones, known locally as Jara, which has proven a good challenge for vines to produce nuanced, vital fruit and pure wines. This soil absorbs the warmth of the day, and gently releases it at night, providing a steady transition between day and night for the grapes on the vines.
Driving from Venice northwards, there's not much to tell you that you've moved from the over-fertile flatlands that produce so much anonymous, intensively produced Prosecco, to the equally rather flat but charming, stony, organic vineyards of La Jara. Now well established in harmony with nature, the vines are uniform, drawing on a deep bank of nutrients from the ground-down mountain. To this phenomenon the estate credits the delicate floral aromas of their Glera (Prosecco) and Pinot Grigio grapes; combined with a dedication to organic viticulture, they make affordable wines of outstanding quality. In their own words. "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."
These days, La Jara is a story of two brothers. Massimo, who reminds one of a flamboyant Bond villain, and Paolo who makes the wine. And Giovanni, their sales director of many years, who keeps everyone on track. Their goal has always been to produce bright, easy and pure wines; they are always a joy.
Year after year they've added to their organic plantings, consistently choosing the best sites, and equally, they've kept their wine-making technology and operational know-how up to date, which is crucial in an area that is famously humid and flat.
Awards
- International Wine Challenge: AWC Vienna Gold 2022
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Glera |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 11.5% |
Units of Alcohol | 8.6 units |
Type | Fizz |
Food Matches | Perfect as an aperitif. Ideal with velvety pumpkin soup, risotto, grilled vegetables and summer salads |
Features | Organic, Vegetarian & Vegan Approved |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contain sulphites |
Origin | Treviso |
Appellation | Veneto |
2019 Hay Shed Hill Chardonnay
Regular price £21.99 Sale price £16.99 Save 23%This wine showcases the strength of Margaret River for Chardonnay with a restrained, modern, elegantly structured wine from one of the great Margaret River vineyards.
Tasting Notes
Colour
The wine displays fresh green tinges on a pale straw colour.
Nose
The nose exhibits aromas of fresh-cut pear and honeydew melon with some zesty citric notes. There are no overt woody or buttery aromas with the primary fruit characters expressed with clarity and definition.
Palate
The palate is fresh and lively with clean crisp acidity complementing the vibrant fruity flavours. The palate has very good extension and ends clean and bright. This is a restrained style of Australian Chardonnay and highlights how far we have come with this style of wine over the last decade.
Producer
We have worked with Michael Kerrigan for more than 25 years, and we are continually impressed with his talent and capacity for reinvention. Former winemaker at Howard Park and Madfish, Michael struck out on his own when his dream vineyards in the key quality region of Wilyabrup came up for sale. With more than 30 years of winemaking under his belt, and 12 years going solo with Hay Shed Hill, this man is one of the most experienced, respected and revered winemakers in Australia - and rightly so. He is also a strong purveyor of classically blunt Aussie pearls of wisdom: “It’s all in the detail - you quite simply visit the vineyard every day. I’m not interested in being epic, I just want to make wine I like to drink”. He likens Margaret River’s climate to “Bordeaux in a perfect year”, and attributes the region’s success to its maritime climate, meaning a low diurnal range, very important in a country that is known for its extremes in temperature, and pretty much everything else!
Michael produces wines under two labels - the entry-level ‘Pitchfork’ range and the estate, single vineyard ‘Hay Shed Hill’ wines. The Pitchfork range represents unprecedentedly good value considering that all of the grapes are grown in Margaret River – very unusual for a wine at the entry-level from this region, and yet another example of Michael’s commitment to quality over all else.
There are 4 lip smackingly good, everyday wines in this range. Everything under the Hay Shed Hill label is single-vineyard, which Michael explains: “I make single vineyard and single block wines because they express a particular character – otherwise what’s the point?” All of the vines are dry farmed and made from free run juice only. The vineyards are around 20 years old and they are all farmed organically, but without certification. The Chardonnay sees 25% new oak and represents the ‘modern Australian Chardonnay’, in the words of its maker.
Reviews
95 Points | James Halliday Estate-grown. The bouquet is very pure, pointing to the restraint of the palate, where white stone fruit, apple and grapefruit do the talking. It was barrel-fermented, which has left its imprint on both the bouquet and palate. The way the wine has developed to date makes me certain it will grow old with grace a long way down the track. Great value.
93 Points | Ray Jordan, Wine Guide 2020 Great fruit from this vintage has pumped some seriuos quality into this excellent chardonnay. Retains a bright and lively mouthfeel, but with layers of complex meal and grapefruit character. Oak is neatly judged, with the 11 months maturation adding further complexity. Rich middle palate with a fine edge of melon and pear to finish. Nice wine.
92 Points | Sam Kim, Wine Orbit Delightfully fruited and elegantly expressed, the wine shows white flesh nectarine, rockmelon, nougat and lemon zest aromas on the nose, leading to a beautifully rounded palate that’s succulent and creamy. It’s splendidly composed and styled, offering lovely drinking.
91 Points | James Suckling, UK This has an array of lemons, lime juice, pears and melon with quite a fine, pared-back and taut textural stance.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Australia |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Features | Vegan |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Margaret River |
Appellation | Western Australia |
2019 Sepp Moser Fundamental Grüner Veltliner
Regular price £19.99 Sale price £17.59 Save 12%A natural wine in every sense of the word. Slightly wild but with enough balance and restraint to retain classic Grüner characters. From Sepp Moser's organic, biodynamic estate.
Tasting Notes
Complex aromas of baked fruits and white spice with savoury characters. Stone fruit flavours, with hints of pepper and flint in the mouth. Citrus acidity gives depth and length to the textured, mineral palate.
Production
Grown on various sites, grapes are hand-harvested at the end of September and immediately destemmed, crushed and pressed. Spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation takes place with elevation on fine lees. The wine is bottled at the end of June without any filtration or addition of sulphur.
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 | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Grüner Veltliner |
Country | Austria |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable Farming |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Smoked salmon or trout with asparagus or light pasta dishes. |
Origin | Kremstal |
Appellation | DAC Kremstal |
2017/18 Skillogalee Riesling
Regular price £18.99 Sale price £16.71 Save 12%Tasting Notes
Colour
Straw like in appearance with a green tinge.
Nose
The nose has a perfumed lift of white flowers, lime blossom and musk.
Palate
The palate is full-flavoured with pronounced fruit weight and texture. Flavours of Tahitian lime zest and pith prevail, with hints of citrus spice and succulent, juicy acidity emerging thereafter. Structurally, this wine has impressive length, a lively natural acid backbone and a mouth-wateringly powerful finish.
Information on Skillogalee Wines
A family-owned and operated winery located in the heart of the Clare Valley in South Australia, Skillogalee is known for the exceptional quality of their red and white wines and is widely recognised as one of the region’s top estates. They also lead the way in responsible farming, having practised sustainable methodologies in the vineyard and the winery for many years. The original Skillogalee vineyards were planted in the early 1970’s on stony soils and steep, eastern-facing slopes at almost 500 metres above sea level.
The first wines were released in 1976 and quickly gained acclaim: the 1978 Dry Riesling won major trophies at the Adelaide Wine Show and the National Wine Show, putting Skillogalee firmly on the Australian winemaking map. Aware of the exceptional quality of the vineyards and their potential to produce world-class wines, current owners David and Diana Palmer acquired the property in 1989. In 2002 they purchased next-door neighbour Waninga Vineyards, with 30 hectares of 30-year-old vines, bringing the size of the estate to 60 hectares.
While production increased, the Palmers have taken great care to maintain the quality and characteristic style of the wines. Deciding to avoid the bureaucracy of organic or biodynamic certification does not stop a producer from holding soil health and sustainability as a top priority, and this is the case at Skillogalee. Every effort is taken to ensure the best quality grapes are harvested each year, the vines are hand-pruned, and the fruit is mainly hand-picked, with yields kept extremely low. All wines are produced exclusively from estate-owned vineyards.
Accolades
"Grown on the highest slops of the Skillogalee vineyard – at around 500 metres above sea level. Rich, flavoursome style. Beautiful for drinking, particularly in its youth. Lime, spice, a whisper of tropical fruit, a reasonable amount of texture too. It all swings nicely through the palate, no problems at all."
90 Points - Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, August 2018
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"This is yummy! Pretty full flavoured - lots of lime and tropical fruit, with a bit of honey and a touch of spice with a searing fresh acidity. Rich, long & complex - a complete wine with no rough edges or indiscretions. Well worth the sub £20 price point." February 2023
Specifications
Year | 2017/18 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Riesling |
Country | Australia |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.5 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Cellaring | Drink now with fish, seafood or white meat dishes, or cellar for up 2024. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Clare Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2019 Sepp Moser Grüner Veltliner Breiter Rain
Regular price £22.99 Sale price £19.54 Save 15%Tasting Notes
An inviting and voluptuous nose with spicy fruit and hints of honeysuckle. Textural and weighty on the palate - slightly honeyed with smoky notes, stone fruit, fresh balancing acidity and a long, dry finish.
Production
This wine is made from Gruner Veltliner grapes from vines (with an average age of 18 years) on the fine loess soils of the Breiter Rain, Sepp Moser's exceptional single vineyard in the Kremstal region. Average yields are only 5,000 kg/ha, which accounts for the wine's amazing concentration. 80% of the de-stemmed grapes were fermented in stainless steel and 20% in 500 litre Austrian oak barrels. 50% is aged in 500 litre Austrian oak barrels, and the other 50% matured in a big oak barrels, which have a gentle influence on the wine. Then they come together in a steal tank. 20% undergoes malolactic fermentation and is matured on the lees for 6 months. Unfiltered.
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 | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Grüner Veltliner |
Country | Austria |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 8 years + |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Biodynamic |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Pair with sea-food such as lobster or gambas. |
Origin | Kremstal |
Appellation | Kremstal DAC Reserve |
Joseph Perrier Cuvée Royale Brut Rosé Champagne NV (375ml Half Bottle)
Regular price £22.87 Sale price £19.44 Save 15%The Drinks Business Gold Medal Winner
'Aged on the lees for 3-to-5 years in cellars dug out of ancient Gallo-Roman chalk pits, this rosé Champagne is serious, and seriously delicious. Displaying a medium ‘vieux rose’ hue and narrow cordon, the wine exudes summer pudding fruits and fresh bread notes. On the palate, the wine shows finesse in its light body, zippy acidity and ‘crackling’ mousse texture. Nicely balanced with good length. Quite vinous, this wine is a lovely aperitif but will also work well with wild salmon or even light desserts.' Patricia Stefanowicz MW
Tasting Notes
This champagne has a special place in the history of the House. It is from a family plot of Pinot Noir in Cumières that this precious red wine comes, giving our blend a unique personality.
Colour
An elegant light pink colour with shards of gold. Extremely delicate, lively and regular bubbles.
Nose
The first aroma reveals gourmet aromas of cherries and red currents, followed by notes of blood orange after aeration.
Palate
Delicately straightforward in the mouth. Flavours of wild strawberries enhanced by notes of mint produce a freshness combined with a very pleasant sweetness.
History
Founded in 1825, Joseph Perrier has been owned and run by the same family since 1888. Current director Benjamin Fourmon represents the 6th generation. Champagne Joseph Perrier owns 21 hectares of vineyards, situated in the heart of the region on the right bank of the River Marne, around Hautvillers and Cumières – two villages classed 93% in the ‘échelle des crus’.
They are mostly planted with Pinot Noir but include 2 hectares of Chardonnay. The cellars stretch over three kilometers and date back to the Gallo-Roman period. The chosen name for these cuvées is no accident, nor any false claim to grandeur - ‘Cuvée Royale’ alludes to the historic relationship between Joseph Perrier and Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, as the royals’ Champagne of choice - probably the highest honour any Champagne House can hope to earn.
All the wines are made with a keen focus on freshness and purity, a theme which runs right through the range and really shows its worth in the vintage cuvées which show impressive energy and poise and remarkable ageing potential. Aside from the royal connection, Joseph Perrier has been associated with some pivotal events, which represent great human achievements, from the celebrations around Concorde’s inauguration in 1976 to, more recently, the Noble Prize in Medicine.
Aged for 3 years, the Cuvée Royale Brut of Maison Joseph Perrier brings together more than 20 different vintages with great terroirs such as Cumières, Damery, Hautvillers and Verneuil.
Accolades
- Gold Medal - The Drinks Business
- Vinum: 17/20
- The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships: Silver
Specifications
Year | Non-vintage |
Bottle Size | 375ml |
Cultivar | 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier, of which about 10% is red wine from our own vineyards in Cumières. |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Champagne |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dosage |
7g/L |
Food Matches | With its strong personality based upon a vinous and robust fruity heart combined fresh fragrances, this wine is perfect as a summer aperitif, or as a partner to white meats, a dish of wild salmon, and desserts that are not too sweet. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
2021 Vallet Frères Bourgogne Blanc
Regular price £21.99 Sale price £18.69 Save 15%Traditional white Burgundy.
Tasting Notes
This beautifully balanced and classic white Burgundy has a savoury, salty, baked peach and biscuity nose with a rich and broad palate that is balanced with moreish, acidity. The oak is well-integrated on both the nose and palate giving texture followed by a long, intense finish.
Method of Production
Chardonnay grapes sourced from Gevrey Chambertin and Auxey Duresses. Regular plowing and minimal fertilisers as well as minimal pruning to promote vigour and reduce yield. The grapes are hand picked and transported to the winery in small containers. Fermentation in foudre followed by transfer to 1 year old French barriques (Berthoumieu) for 12 months. During this time the barrels are rolled to stir up the lees - this happens 4 times a year after which the wine is left on its lees for a further 3 months. The wine is fined with bentonite prior to bottling but not filtered.
Producer
Founded in 1864 by Pierre Bourée, Vallet Frères is now in the hands of the fourth generation of the family, Bernard and Jean-Christophe Vallet. The family owns vineyards in Gevrey-Chambertin, in the Beaune Premier Cru of Les Epenottes, and in the Grand Cru of Charmes-Chambertin, as well as the entire monopole vineyard of Clos de la Justice, also in Gevrey-Chambertin. Vallet Frères is also a négociant, and sources the best grapes from growers in other areas, with whom it has worked closely for decades.
The wines it produces are complex, fine and authentic examples of Burgundian Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Vallet family’s wines have been imported to the UK by Boutinot for over 30 years and today they’re distributed to top independent wine merchants and Michelin-starred restaurants across the country.
A Note on Sustainability
Vallet Frères is keen to work in an as environmentally friendly method as possible, using techniques such as regular maintenance of the soil by ploughing, applying the minimum of phytosanitary treatments and the controlling of vine vigour and yields through careful pruning. The Vallets tend their vines very traditionally and advancements in the vineyards have been limited: for example, only manure has been used as fertiliser for the last half a century which has encouraged wild asparagus to grow amongst the vines. Harvesting is manual, as the family is opposed to the use of mechanical techniques.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Glam up your Roast Chicken dinner with this classic white Burgundy |
Origin | Burgundy |
Appellation | Bourgogne |
2020 Weingut Weszeli Grüner Veltliner Felix (11.5% abv)
Regular price £17.99 Sale price £15.83 Save 12%The Grüner Veltliner ‘Felix’ introduces us to the grape in its simplest, most charming form: ‘Austria in a glass’
Tasting Notes
The grapes going into Felix are picked from vineyards undergoing organic conversion and tended with a priority to protecting the natural biodiversity of flora and fauna.
Slightly cool and spicy nose, with pronounced varietal characteristics on the palate: orchard fruit and a hint of green beans. Very light-bodied and lean with citrus notes, subtle juiciness and a bittersweet, slender finish.
Producer
Weingut Weszeli, in Langenlois, a now-famous wine village located on the river Kamp where it wends its way down to the Danube at Krems. There is a crazy patchwork of Burgundy-like Cru vineyards which have helped put Austria on the map as a source of world-class whites. The story of this winery echoes that of many others. A former city-slicker, Davis Weszeli struck out in search of something new, with one clear goal: to feel closer to nature.
He discovered his calling in the form of a traditional Kamptal winery in 2011, and from then on he has been on a mission to create authentic, unique wines whilst always prioritising sustainability in organic viticulture, and a principle coined by Davis himself: Terrafactum, the importance of the unique nature of the earth and terroir of Kamptal. Davis makes charming and impressive Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, the two grapes he feels best suit the climate and soils of Kamptal.
There are three levels of Grüner Veltliner - Felix, Langenlois & Käferberg ÖTW, offering a fascinating journey into a grape oft-overlooked for its more famous stablemate, Riesling.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Grüner Veltliner |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 11.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.63 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan |
Food Matches | Great as an aperitif, with fish, shellfish, Japanese cuisine, tofu. |
Origin | Kamptal |
2022 Painted Wolf Teardrop Viognier
Regular price £17.99 Sale price £15.83 Save 12%The Background
In 2005, Emma and Jeremy Borg's vinous adventure began when they were approached to make their own wine. Despite Jeremy's two decades of experience in the world of winemaking and Emma's expertise with wine photography, the couple was thrown into the deep end and had to bottle and cork the bounty of their friend's surplus grapes by hand.
The endeavor sparked their dreams of creating their own brand and so Painted Wolf was born. The inspiration came from the endangered African wild dog - highly social, organised, persistent and efficient hunters true to Emma and Jeremy's own vineyard hunts for their expanding range of wines.
Consequently, a percentage of profits from each bottle is donated to support charities dedicated to the conservation of the species, and the painted wolf proudly graces each of their labels. From organic Swartland vineyards to Cape South Coast cool climate sites, the couple has since established a network of esteemed growers and winemakers to ensure quality as grapes are hand-selected and some wines are
TPainted Wolf Wines supports the conservation of the highly endangered painted wolf (African wild dog) and the protection of the diminishing wild spaces of Africa, through its donations to the EWT – www.ewt.org.za and Tusk – www.tusk.org.
Awards
- Double Silver – National Wine Challenge/Top100 wines 2019
- 4 stars, 88 points – Platter 2020
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Viognier |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Now - 2025 |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches | Pairs well with mild Indian curries like korma and tikka masala. It is wonderful with roast pork with a mustard and apple sauce or a creamy seafood dishes. Viognier is a great partner to washed rind cheese. |
Appellation | W.O. Swartland |
2018 Polz Klassik Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £17.99 Sale price £15.83 Save 12%This is exactly how a classic Sauvignon Blanc from southern Styria should taste.
Tasting Notes
Expressive nose of elderflower, gooseberry and Granny Smith apple. Racy and bold on palate, with menthol and white fruit. Good length and a fresh finish.
The crisp acidity gives it a bite and represents the region exactly. Fresh in the reverberation, very dry and yet with a delicate touch of blossom honey.
Producer
Since this year this region and this wine are classified as Südsteiermark DAC. Harvested from different locations, expanded in a steel tank and always ready to be enjoyed.
Specifications
Year | 201 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | Austria |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food matches | Apéro pastries, Goat's cheese, light appetizers and salad. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
|
Origin | Styria, Südsteiermark DAC |
2020 Weingut Hajszan Neumann Nussberg Grüner Veltliner
Regular price £19.75 Sale price £17.38 Save 12%The Nussberg Grüner Veltliner comes from the single vineyard 'Weisleiten', which brings by its cooler location very much freshness in the wine.
A racy and mineral Veltliner.
Tasting Notes
The Nussberg Grüner Veltliner offers a lovely precise, fresh and aromatic yet elegant bouquet of white pip fruits and chalk. Fresh, pure and elegant on the palate, this is a rather lean but tension-filled Grüner Veltliner with clearly defined white fruit and lots of ripe phenols and minerals.
The Producer
Vintage
Soil
Vineyards and cellar
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Grüner Veltliner |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
Biodynamic, Vegan |
Food Matches | Complex salads, Baked white fish, Vegetables, Aperitif |
Origin | Vienna |
2020 Weingut Hajszan Neumann Nussberg Zweigelt
Regular price £19.75 Sale price £17.38 Save 12%Biodynamically Farmed & Vegan Approved
Our lively wines have subtle corners and edges. And it’s good this way, because we love natural, authentic wines. Each one has a characteristic soul, which develops from the natural flavours of the grapes and the terroir. All this comes to fruition thanks to our biodynamic cultivation. We also work gently and reductively in the wine cellar.
Tasting Notes
The grapes for this Natural Zweigelt come from two particularly old vineyards in Ried Weisleiten on Vienna`s Nussberg. This bright, polished Zweigelt is quite dark and intense.
Nose
In the nose the wine is dominated of dark stone fruits together with nougat notes and a touch of orange zest.
Palate
In the mouth soft with taste of caramel, balanced with a good acidity. Sweetly extracted fruit lingers on the finish of this multifaceted, refreshing accompaniment to food. Fine texture and freshness on the palate with an engaging spiciness that leads to a fruity, cool finish.
Vineyard and cellar
Like all our vineyards, this one is also treated in a biodynamic way after the rules of Rudolph Steiner, the founder of biodynamic agriculture. After meticulous grape selection via hand–picking, the grapes for the Nussberg Zweigelt 2017 were destemed and after 3 weeks gently pressed. After the second fermentation, the malolactic fermentation, the wine was filled in Barriques.
We used mainly used oak barrels around which 25% were new oak barrels. After 18 months maturation, the wine was filled without filtration in the bottle. Following a moderate amount of time on the fine lees, the wine was bottled without any fining and less SO2. For that reason, this wine is also vegan.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Zweigelt |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Biodynamic and Vegan |
Origin | Vienna |
2021 Franco Conterno Bujet Langhe Chardonnay
Regular price £22.00 Sale price £18.70 Save 15%The Langhe Chardonnay DOC was born from the Bujet vineyard in Monforte d’Alba.
Tasting Notes
Straw yellow in colour with light greenish hues; fruity scented, it is broad and penetrating on the nose with hints of exotic tropical fruits.
Vineyards
It is quite possible that the Franco Conterno estate has one of the most enviable views of any winery. In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, the farm sits alone atop a tiny hill overlooking La Morra, Fontanafredda and Castiglione Falletto.
Franco Conterno comprises 28 hectares of vineyards, located in the territories of Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Novello and Madonna di Como.
The labels bear the names of the most prestigious vineyards: Bussia and Panerole. The hectares of land are dedicated to the cultivation of Lampia and Michet Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Merlot, Freisa and Chardonnay. Bussia is the first cru to have been declared a member of the "modern" era.
As always, our growing techniques are specially chosen to bring together respect for the environment and agricultural work, as required by the Regional Rural Development Plan to which Franco Conterno first subscribed in 1996. All this is possible thanks to the extraordinary nature of the soil, made up of sand, silt and clay. The elevation above sea level ranges from 250 to 400 metres.
The soil, the extraordinary microclimate, and the excellent south/south-west exposure allow for the creation of wines with unique and valuable characteristics.
From 2015, Franco Conterno has been a certified organic company, dedicated to a production philosophy based on natural vineyard cultivation and a completely wholesome vinification process.
History
In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, is Cascina Sciulun, a typical historic farmhouse, constructed according to Piedmont architectural traditions. Built in the mid-nineteenth century and extended in the 1940s, the house has always belonged to the Conterno family.
The company Franco Conterno has deep roots, and has been a part of the family for many decades. It was nonno Pietro who allocated 18 hectares of land to Nebbiolo vineyards, initially to sell to other wineries for vinification, later destined for the creation of prestigious wines.
The business passed to his son Giacomo, and then to his grandson Franco, who took the helm of the winery in 1995 with his wife Vilma, bringing his own name and identity to the company.
In recent years, Franco’s two sons—Daniele and Andrea—joined the company, following in the footsteps of their grandfather, bringing fresh insight and innovation to the winery and vineyards, continuing the family business with passion and dedication.
Cascina Sciulun now includes a farmhouse where you can stay, for a relaxing visit immersed in the peace and tranquility of the green hills of the Langhe.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Vinification |
Fermented in cold stainless steel tanks (8-10C) for 25-30 days |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
A white wine to accompany any meal, it is distinctly scented and intensely fruity with a full and velvety flavour; it perfectly matches fish dishes and hors d’oeuvres. Serve between 10-12C. |
Features | Certified Organic since 2015, Vegan & Vegetarian friendly |
Origin | Langhe, Piedmont |
Cru | Bujet |
Appellation | Langhe Chardonnay Doc |
2018/2019 Luigi Bosca De Sangre Cabernet Franc
Regular price £21.99 Sale price £18.69 Save 15%This Malbec was one of the first Argentine wines with a Designation of Origin.
De Sangre is the name the winery has given to those outstanding blends that are meant to be shared with loved ones, a tradition that has remained uninterrupted for over a century.
Tasting Notes
Nose
A deep dark garnet-coloured red wine
Palate
It is refreshing and voluptuous in the mouth, with fine and gentle tannins, while it is clean and expressive in the palate, with a strong character, typicity and a deep finish with soft smoked hues as a result of its ageing in oak barrels. It is a great exponent of the variety and the terroir, with good ageing potential.
It features pleasant notes that are reminiscent of liquorice, spices, pink pepper and a little bit of black fruit.
Producer
The winery that today produces Luigi Bosca wines was founded in 1901 by Leoncio Arizu, a Spanish citizen from Navarra who settled in Mendoza in 1890. Located in the Vistalba valley, in the Luján de Cuyo region, an area that, due to its characteristics, achieved the first " Denomination of Controlled Origin "of America. Luigi Bosca launched the first Malbec DOC in Argentina and Latin America.
Winemaking
The grapes are manually harvested in 18 to 20-kilogram boxes, followed by the bunch selection and stalking processes, and, subsequently, berry selection. The grape juice is cold macerated at a temperature ranging between 8 and 10 °C for five to seven days. After that, it is fermented in small stainless steel tanks, undergoing various extractions, such as plunging and rack and return (délestage). Once maceration is completed, wine is aged for 10 months in oak barrels, where it goes through malolactic fermentation. The wine is then filtered and bottled, and then stowed in the wine cellar for at least six months before it enters the market.
Awards - 2018 Vintage
- Bronze IWC 2021
- Silver Decanter World Wine Awards 2021, 90 points
-
James Suckling - April 2020: 91 pts. - Aromas of sweet cherries with fresh herbs and hints of cement and stone, following through to a medium body with fine, intergrated tannins and subtle fruit at the end. Drink now.
Specifications
Year | 2018/2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Franc |
Country | Argentina |
Alcohol content | 14.3 % alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.6 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 12 years |
Ageing in Barrels | 10 months in oak barrels |
Suggested Serving Temp | Between 16°C and 18°C. |
Food Matches | A great wine to enjoy with special dishes, such as beef loin marinated with vegetables, or a dry-aged beef served with rocket and parmesan salad |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Mendoza |
2021 Franco Conterno Langhe Freisa Doc Cascina Sciulun
Regular price £21.00 Sale price £17.85 Save 15%A lively red wine perfect to enjoy with Salami!
Serve chilled in the summer months (5-7C)
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep purple red colour with purple undertones, has a lovely foam when poured into the glass.
Nose
Notes of cherry, raspberries and sweet spices
Palate
Medium intensity and texture - fresh and harmonious with a beautifully persistent finish.
Vineyards
It is quite possible that the Franco Conterno estate has one of the most enviable views of any winery. In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, the farm sits alone atop a tiny hill overlooking La Morra, Fontanafredda and Castiglione Falletto.
Franco Conterno comprises 28 hectares of vineyards, located in the territories of Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Novello and Madonna di Como.
The labels bear the names of the most prestigious vineyards: Bussia and Panerole. The hectares of land are dedicated to the cultivation of Lampia and Michet Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Merlot, Freisa and Chardonnay. Bussia is the first cru to have been declared a member of the "modern" era.
As always, our growing techniques are specially chosen to bring together respect for the environment and agricultural work, as required by the Regional Rural Development Plan to which Franco Conterno first subscribed in 1996. All this is possible thanks to the extraordinary nature of the soil, made up of sand, silt and clay. The elevation above sea level ranges from 250 to 400 metres.
The soil, the extraordinary microclimate, and the excellent south/south-west exposure allow for the creation of wines with unique and valuable characteristics.
From 2015, Franco Conterno has been a certified organic company, dedicated to a production philosophy based on natural vineyard cultivation and a completely wholesome vinification process.
History
In the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba, is Cascina Sciulun, a typical historic farmhouse, constructed according to Piedmont architectural traditions. Built in the mid-nineteenth century and extended in the 1940s, the house has always belonged to the Conterno family.
The company Franco Conterno has deep roots, and has been a part of the family for many decades. It was nonno Pietro who allocated 18 hectares of land to Nebbiolo vineyards, initially to sell to other wineries for vinification, later destined for the creation of prestigious wines.
The business passed to his son Giacomo, and then to his grandson Franco, who took the helm of the winery in 1995 with his wife Vilma, bringing his own name and identity to the company.
In recent years, Franco’s two sons—Daniele and Andrea—joined the company, following in the footsteps of their grandfather, bringing fresh insight and innovation to the winery and vineyards, continuing the family business with passion and dedication.
Cascina Sciulun now includes a farmhouse where you can stay, for a relaxing visit immersed in the peace and tranquility of the green hills of the Langhe.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Freisa |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14.5 % alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Vinification |
Fermented with skins in stainless steel tanks. The must remains in contact with the skins for 4-7 days with continuous daily pressing. The WIne is subsequently drawn off with a residual sugar contact of approx 6-7g/L. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Perfect with cured meats and rich dishes; excellent served chilled in the summer (5-7°). Serving temperature: 14° - 16° |
Features | Certified Organic since 2015, Vegan & Vegetarian friendly |
Origin | Langhe, Piedmont |
Denomination |
Langhe Freisa Doc |
2022 Sancerre Domaine Michel Girard
Regular price £20.99 Sale price £17.84 Save 15%A well-crafted and pure Sancerre. Expressive and enjoyable.
Tasting Notes
A ripe and generous style of Sancerre with a real depth of fruit; the crunchy, herbaceous aromatic notes often found in Sauvignon Blanc have been skilfully restrained, allowing fruity layers of green apples and lemons as well as a sweeter note of dried apple rings and a hint of peach to show through.
Method of Production
Terroir plays such an important role at this estate. The Girards are fortunate enough to be able to blend grapes from each of Sancerre's three key soil types, Terres Blanches (limestone), Caillottes (chalky limestone) and Silex (flint). The grapes are hand-picked and gently pressed, fermented at 18°C by indigenous yeasts in stainless steel vats - all to preserve natural aromas, elegance and complexity. The final blend brings together the different elements of the three terroirs to create a balanced, complete wine.
Producer
Domaine Michel Girard comprises of 12 hectares of vineyards, made up of 30 parcels of vines with an average age of 15 years. Terroir plays an important role at this estate. Michel, Philippe and Benoît Girard's vines are planted on each of Sancerre's three different soil types: Terres Blanches (clay and limestone), Caillottes (chalky limestone) and Silex (flint). The brothers favour judicious blending of the separately-vinified cuvées to create wines with real complexity and balance.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Drink within 2 - 5 years |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Origin | Loire |
Appellation | Sancerre |
2020 Weingut Weszeli Grüner Veltliner Langenlois
Regular price £19.99 Sale price £17.59 Save 12%Grüner Veltliner 'Langenlois', named for the winery’s home village, where the vineyard parcels for this wine are located.
Tasting Notes
Juicy, straightforward, fruity and well structured. Has a bit more acidity but also a little more body than in the previous year.
Nose
Inviting creamy nose with aromas of orange zest, fresh meadow notes and apples extremely crisp.
Palate
Juicy with lively fruit, light to medium body, aromas of citrus and quince, filigree in the finish, stimulating and charming.
Producer
Weingut Weszeli, in Langenlois, a now-famous wine village located on the river Kamp where it wends its way down to the Danube at Krems. There is a crazy patchwork of Burgundy-like Cru vineyards which have helped put Austria on the map as a source of world-class whites. The story of this winery echoes that of many others. A former city-slicker, Davis Weszeli struck out in search of something new, with one clear goal: to feel closer to nature. He discovered his calling in the form of a traditional Kamptal winery in 2011, and from then on he has been on a mission to create authentic, unique wines whilst always prioritising sustainability in organic viticulture, and a principle coined by Davis himself: Terrafactum, the importance of the unique nature of the earth and terroir of Kamptal.
Davis makes charming and impressive Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, the two grapes he feels best suits the climate and soils of Kamptal.
There are three levels of Grüner Veltliner - Felix, Langenlois & Käferberg ÖTW, offering a fascinating journey into a grape oft-overlooked for its more famous stablemate, Riesling.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Grüner Veltliner |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.38 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Dietary Information | Vegan |
Origin | Kamptal |
2020 Alphonse Dolly Pouilly-Fume
Regular price £19.99 Sale price £17.59 Save 12%Alphonse Dolly is from the right-bank of the Loire Valley, this wine is a perfect example of what Sauvignon Blanc can achieve.
Tasting Notes
Citrus notes harmonise with an underlying minerality which makes for a delicious accompaniment to dishes such as salmon and shellfish.
Producer
This family-owned estate in the Loire riverside village of Thauvenay in the Sancerre appellation has been producing exceptionally bright, fresh clean Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs for several generations. Old sea bottom vineyards with clay-limestone soils, some combined with flint outcroppings, provide perfectly balanced fruit for the Sancerre, Pouilly Fume, and Menetou-Salon appellations.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites & no other allergens |
Serving Suggestion | Serve between 10°C and 12°C |
Food Matches |
Delicate fish, soft rind cheese, salads, shellfish, goat’s cheese, asparagus, oyster |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Appellation | Pouilly-Fumé |
Origin | Loire |
2018 Sepp Moser Pinot Blanc
Regular price £18.50 Sale price £16.28 Save 12%Characterful and appealing organic and biodynamic Pinot Blanc.
Tasting Notes
Aromas of light citrus with notes of biscuit and hazelnut. The palate is fresh, yet rounded and creamy with stone fruit and mineral characters.
Production
The Pinot Blanc vines are cultivated in the Fuchsloch vineyard with gravel soils. The grapes are typically harvested in late August / early September - and are de-stemmed and crushed followed by immediate pressing. Spontaneous fermentation takes place in 2,500L oak casks, and ageing is both in barrel and stainless steel.
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 | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Blanc |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Drinks well with white meats including pork and fried chicken! |
Origin | Burgenland |
Appellation | Burgenland, Austria |