2023 Domaine de la Motte Chablis
Regular price £21.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A classic Chablis from vines grown on the famous Kimmeridgian clay, and from the2013 IWSC French Wine Producer of the Year.
Tasting Notes
From a warmer vintage, this shows riper yet still mineral fruit with added depth from a small (around 10%) addition of oak-aged wine into the blend. This is very typical of the Motte style and gives richness and balance to the wine. A deliciously precise expression of classic chalky Chablis terroir.
Production Method
Grapes are machine harvested to preserve the freshness and purity of flavour. Pneumatic pressing immediately after harvest is then followed by a gravity settling period of 24 hours in stainless steel vats. Fermentation takes place in thermo-regulating stainless steel tanks for approximately 15 days at 21 degrees Celcius. The wine then undergoes malolactic fermentation in stainless for approximately 5 weeks at 20 degrees. Following this, the wine is racked between December to January, and it is fined between February and March. Cold stabilization at -3 degrees for 5 days before filtration and finally bottling.
Producer
Domaine de la Motte is a 25-hectare, family-run winery handed down from father to son since 1950. Now under the stewardship of Bernard Michaut, an ex-chef, who works with his son Adrien. Their winemaking is meticulous and the wines are benchmarks for the region. They are fastidious about producing concentrated, mineral and very precise wines that reflect the particular terroirs of Chablis, with vines on both Portlandian and Kimmeridgian soils. Motte's wines are regularly chosen for the Tastevinage label, a rigorous selection by the Confrérie des Chevaliers de Tastevin of wines they regard as offering the best of the region in terms of quality and style.
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | France |
|
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Food Matches | Chicken with a creamy sauce, Thai dishes, or fish with salad greens. |
| Origin | Chablis, Burgundy |
| Appellation | Chablis |
2022 Domaine de la Motte Chablis Premier Cru Vau-Ligneau
Regular price £29.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
The bolder Michaut style deftly added to the more restrained style of Vau-Lignau to create a textural, elegant white.
Nose
Lightly toasted buttery oak on the nose.
Palate
The palate is complex and mineral yet ripe with plenty of fresh Chablis acidity. A wine which merits its Tastevinage award will be long-lived; expect at least five years' drinking.
Production Method
The lieu-dit of Vau-Ligneau (meaning little valley) is one of Chablis' more recent promotees to Premier Crus status, elevated for consistently producing superior quality wines. Chardonnay grapes are grown on 40-year-old vines in Kimmeridgian soil with a south-easterly exposure (giving a more mineral style than the Premier Cru Beauroy which comes from south / south-westerly vineyards). A deep layer of white clay gives the wine length, finesse and elegance. 20% of the wine is fermented in oak barrels (228l & 600l), the rest in stainless steel. The oaked proportion remains in barrel for 11 months.
Producer
Domaine de la Motte is a 25 hectare, family-run winery handed down from father to son since 1950. Now under the stewardship of Bernard Michaut, an ex-chef, who works with his son Adrien. Their winemaking is meticulous and the wines are benchmarks for the region. They are fastidious about producing concentrated, mineral and very precise wines which reflect the particular terroirs of Chablis, with vines on both Portlandian and Kimmeridgian soils. Motte's wines are regularly chosen for the Tastevinage label, a rigorous selection by the Confrérie des Chevaliers de Tastevin of wines they regard as offering the best of the region in terms of quality and style.
Specifications
| Year | 2022 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | France |
|
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | At least 5 years |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Dietary Information | Awaiting info |
| Food Matches | Richer style of fish dishes, shellfish, chicken and creamy sauce. |
| Origin | Burgundy |
| Appellation | Chablis |
2023 Pierre Bourée Fils Bourgogne Blanc
Regular price £24.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A classic introduction to white Burgundy.
Tasting Notes
This beautifully balanced and classic white Burgundy has a savoury, baked peach and biscuity nose with a rich, broad yet vibrant palate that is balanced with moreish acidity. The oak is well-integrated on both the nose and palate adding texture and finesse followed by a long, intense finish.

Production
Chardonnay grapes are sourced from vineyards in Gevrey-Chambertin and Auxey-Duresses. Fermentation in foudre followed by transfer to 1 year old French barriques (Berthiomieu) 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 prior to bottling but not filtered.
Producer
In the latter years of the nineteenth century, Pierre Bourée took over a wine business in Gevrey-Chambertin and gave it his name. In 1922, his son, Bernard, succeeded him and renamed the house as Pierre Bourée Fils. In 1945, Bernard Bourée began to train his nephew, Louis Vallet, who eventually became director of the house, assisted by his brother, François. Together, they expanded the cellars and the winery, and developed the business outside Europe. As well as putting their own unique stamp upon the business, each successive generation added to the house's vineyard holdings. Today, Bernard and Jean-Christophe Vallet run the house alongside their sons, Pierre and Louis Henry.
This winery represents everything that we are proud to be associated with: attention to detail, careful selection of the best grapes, and above all a passion for making superb wines. All Pierre Bourée wines are vinified in their cuverie in Chambolle-Musigny, and are then matured in their cellars at Gevrey-Chambertin.
A Note on Sustainability
Pierre Bourée et Fils 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 | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | France |
|
|
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.2 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Features | Vegan & Vegetarian |
| Food Matches | Seafood, fish, poultry and semi-soft cheeses |
| Origin | Burgundy |
| Appellation | AOP Bourgogne |
2017 Tohu Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Chardonnay
Regular price £41.99 Sale price £28.99 Save 31% Select fruit from our Awa Block, Awatere Valley, fermented in 500L French oak puncheons to create integrated body and complexity. Flinty, fruity and generous.
Nose
Aromas of juicy ripe stonefruit, pink grapefruit and soft smoky oak.
Palate
Richly textured palate of citrus, summer fruits and subtle mealy characteristics. Seamless balance, refinement and length.

Vineyard
Awatere Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand. Awa (River) Block. Planted 2010. 1.10ha. Silt-loam terraced block renowned for its long, cool ripening period.
Vinification
The 2016/2017 growing season began with a frost-free spring and good early shoot growth. Warm still dry conditions in the late summer, unaffected by early autumn rains in other parts of the region. Warm and settled weather in the latter part of the harvest period allowed extra ripening time.
Winemaking
Hand-harvested grapes, gently whole-bunch pressed • unsettled juice then moved to old French oak barriques for fermentation. Fermentation with natural ‘wild’ yeasts, with a cultivated yeast added partway through fermentation to assist the wine to dryness . Post-fermentation, each barrel underwent twice-weekly batonage (yeast stirring). Malo-lactic fermentation occurred once the weather warmed in the spring. Individual barrel assessment, with only the best deemed exceptional enough to make the final blend.
Bottled March 2018 - 4140 bottles produced
Accolades
- Gold - International Wine Challange 2020 - 95 points
Specifications
| Year | 2017 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | New Zealand |
|
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
| Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.8 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Food Matches | Chicken, truffles and Potato Gratin |
| Appellation | Marlborough |
2023 Domaine G. Saumaize Pouilly Fuissé Grande Réserve Maillettes
Regular price £34.69 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Fine, full-bodied white Burgundy.
Tasting Notes
Expressive, almost exotic aromas and flavours with a lovely touch of oak that adds a slightly nutty character to the lush, ripe Chardonnay fruit. Rich but restrained, there is a real finesse and elegant balance to this very classy white Burgundy.
Production
Grapes are grown on the limestone and clay soils of Solutré and Vergisson. Fermented in barriques, this wine then spent 12 months in a mixture of new and older French oak.
Producer
The 14.5 hectare Domaine G. Saumaize (formerly Domaine des Maillettes) is now wholly run by Guillaume Saumaize, follwing the recent retirement of his mother, Annie. Tending to more than forty parcels of vines (up to 80 years old) spread across four Mâconnais communes (Vergisson, Davayé, Solutré and Prissé), he produces Pouilly-Fuissé and a range of other Mâcon AOC wines.
In 2018, the Saumaize family invested in a new barrel cellar, giving them much more flexibility to vinify individual parcels of grapes separately and thus express their terroir even more clearly. The Chardonnays are classically styled, with part or full vinification in oak for richness and complexity.
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | France |
| Alcohol content |
13% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites & no other allergens |
| Serving Suggestion | Serve between 10°C and 12°C |
| Food Matches | A versatile white that will drink beautifully with poultry, fish and hearty salads. |
| Features | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
| Appellation | Mâconnais |
| Origin | Burgundy |
2021 Vallet Frères Bourgogne Blanc
Regular price £24.79 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%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 |
2023 Domaine de la Motte Chablis Vieilles Vignes
Regular price £23.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Complex and full-flavoured expression of Chablis from vines averaging over 50 years of age.
Tasting Notes
More full-bodied, complex, and intense than the regular Chablis from Domaine de la Motte. The nose is very much Chablis with an earthy, chalky element. The palate is rounder, however, with ripe fruit and herbs - the small amount of oak influence in this cuvée gives the wine a rounded aspect with old vines bringing depth and complexity.

Production Method
Low-yielding vines grow on north-facing kimmeridgian and chalky clay soils surrounding the village of Beine. From here Adrien selects parcels from vines approaching a minimum age of 50 years for his Chablis Vieilles Vignes. Harvesting is both by hand and machine 50/50. After a short cold maceration and gentle pneumatic pressing, the wine is racked and fermented in stainless steel for 15 days at 21ºC. Around 10% is fermented in large (600l) oak barrels for 15 days and remains in oak for 8-12 months - the rest in stainless steel. Malo follows the alcoholic fermentation in early January.
Producer
Domaine de la Motte is a 25 hectare, family-run winery handed down from father to son since 1950. Now under the stewardship of Bernard Michaut, an ex-chef, who works with his son Adrien. Their winemaking is meticulous and the wines are benchmarks for the region. They are fastidious about producing concentrated, mineral and very precise wines that reflect the particular terroirs of Chablis, with vines on both Portlandian and Kimmeridgian soils. Motte's wines are regularly chosen for the Tastevinage label, a rigorous selection by the Confrérie des Chevaliers de Tastevin of wines they regard as offering the best of the region in terms of quality and style.
Awards
-
2022 IWSC Silver Medal (2020 Vintage)
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | France |
|
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Food Matches | The perfect match for Burgundian cheeses such as Epoisses; slightly creamy, richer meals with chicken or fish; moussaka; spinach and ricotta pie. |
| Origin | Chablis, Burgundy |
| Appellation | Chablis |
2021 Brokenwood Chardonnay
Regular price £24.99 Sale price £20.99 Save 16%A very modern Australian Chardonnay that will age perfectly.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Perfect, pale green colour and lifted grapefruit aromas.
Nose
The finesse on both aroma and palate comes from earlier picking dates and older, large format French oak. Some ‘bran meal’ notes but the fruit takes centre stage with stone fruit and zesty citrus characters.
Palate
The minimal oak sits nicely with the fine, juicy citrus flavours on the palate accompanied by subtle bran meal. The driving force of this wine is the acidity – long and pure. Approximately 90% from Beechworth and the balance from Orange, the final components of this wine basically selected themselves. Another top-notch vintage!
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 high-quality expressions of Australian terroir.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Astounding balance of fresh fruit and oak in this beauty. Lots of zesty citric fruits are tempered by a really soft, round oak influence. The oak is larger format and older than standard Australian practices - which tempers the influence over the fruit. Perfect balance and poise, lovely complexity - all the attributes for good bottle ageing - so will hide a few of these for later years!" May 2022
Specifications
| Year | 2021 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | Australia |
|
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
| Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.3 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Food Matches | Rich seafoods, pasta and light meat dishes. |
| Origin | Hunter Valley |
| Appellation | New South Wales |
2022 Domaine de la Motte Petit Chablis
Regular price £20.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A proper baby Chablis!
Tasting Notes
Aromatic fruit with the tiniest hint of sandalwood smoke on the nose. The palate has lovely weight with ripe, fleshy cooked lemons, a touch of stone fruit and a good mineral backbone. Far superior than the name "Petit" might suggest.

Production Method
Vineyards are in the Hautes Côtes, at the top of the slopes just above Domaine de la Motte's Chablis classified plots and so achieve good ripeness. The soil is Portlandian, which is less chalky than Kimmeridgian, and typically produces wines which are less mineral and more fruity, well suited to earlier drinking. Having said that, Motte’s wine has real finesse with good fruit character – very much their house style. Cool-fermented in stainless steel, malolactic fermentation is also in stainless steel and the wine is unoaked.
Producer
Domaine de la Motte is a 25 hectare, family-run winery handed down from father to son since 1950. Now under the stewardship of Bernard Michaut, an ex-chef, who works with his son Adrien. Their winemaking is meticulous and the wines are benchmarks for the region. They are fastidious about producing concentrated, mineral and very precise wines which reflect the particular terroirs of Chablis, with vines on both Portlandian and Kimmeridgian soils. Motte's wines are regularly chosen for the Tastevinage label, a rigorous selection by the Confrérie des Chevaliers de Tastevin of wines they regard as offering the best of the region in terms of quality and style.
Sustainability
Having been already committed to sustainable viticulture, Domaine de la Motte are HVE Level 3 certified. This underlines the quality of the work carried out by the teams to support the ripening grapes, whilst protecting the biodiversity of the vineyard.
Specifications
| Year | 2022 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | France |
|
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| This Petit Chablis is a light fruity wine that marries perfectly with oysters and all shellfish. | |
| Origin | Chablis, Burgundy |
| Appellation | Chablis |
2023 Château Ka Source Blanche, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon
Regular price £21.59 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Château Ka is the only winery in Lebanon to produce wine entirely from its own vineyards. Akram creates both rich, concentrated reds and beautifully fresh, fruity and crisp whites that rank among the finest in the country.
Tasting Notes
This unusual blend of grape varieties creates this exceptionally satisfying wine. Floral and citrusy with great depth of character.

Production
The vineyard is located at 1000m above sea level at the Eastern end of the Bekaa valley. There is very little annual rainfall so drip irrigation is used as necessary. The vineyard was planted in 2006/2010 with all harvesting done by hand in the cool of the morning into 20KG boxes. Upon reception grapes are destemmed and crushed, then pressed in a pneumatic press. Fermentation is carried out at 18 degrees. The wine is then stored on lees in stainless steel vats. Filtered and bottled.
Producer
Behind Château Ka is an extraordinary story of determination and resolve.
Akram Kassatly built his winery in the Bekaa Valley in 1973, but shortly after the first wines were made, Lebanon was engulfed by war. The winery was subsequently forced to close and Akram turned his attention to other businesses, but in 2005 he resolved to try again. Today, Château Ka is the only winery in Lebanon to produce wine entirely from its own vineyards. Akram creates both rich, concentrated reds and beautifully fresh, fruity and crisp whites that rank among the finest in the country.
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | Sauvignon Blanc 35%, Muscat 27%, Chardonnay 23% |
| Country | Lebanon |
| Alcohol content | 12.5% alcohol |
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Features | Vegetarian & Vegan |
| Dietary Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Food Matches | Delicious with Antipasti and seafood. |
| Appellation | Bekaa Valley |
2022 Domaine Les Vieux Murs Pouilly Fuisse
Regular price £29.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A well-balanced elegant white Burgundy
Tasting Notes
This appellation is often overlooked, a crime! An intense mineral and citrus character with strong hints of complex nutty, buttery flavours. Very well balanced with crisp acidity and good texture, this is a concentrated yet elegant wine.

Production
The Fuissé region in the south of Burgundy is 250-300 metres above sea level. The soil there is predominatly argilo-calcareous. At Fussiacus the average vine age is 25 years so that the plants are in balance and at their peak of production. The techniques are those of organic farming albeit not certified. The harvest here is by hand.
This Pouilly Fuissé is produced in the traditional Burgundy style, with entirely manual grape harvesting. The grapes are gently pressed using a pneumatic press. The must is then fermented in French oak "Foudres" of 25 hectolitres using only natural yeast. The wine goes through malolactic fermentation in oak and is matured for a further 9 months.
Producer
Jean-Paul Paquet began to work the vines of Les Vieux Murs in 1978.
The Chardonnay grape thrives on the limestone and clay soils of the Mâconnais vineyards of Burgundy. At Domaine Les Vieux Murs the 30 to 50 year old vines are in perfect balance to produce fruit of optimum ripeness. Jean-Paul has now been joined by his son Yannick in the family business. Yannick has travelled widely to broaden his knowledge and is quickly earning himself a great reputation.
Specifications
| Year | 2022 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | France |
| Alcohol content |
|
| 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 | Fantastic with fish starters, veal and white meats in cream sauces. |
| Features | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
| Appellation | Mâconnais |
| Origin | Burgundy |
2023 Vallet Frères Marsannay Blanc
Regular price £26.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Marsannay is described as 'the Golden Gate' to the Côte de Nuits and this is a classic example from Vallet Frères.
Tasting Notes
Soft creamy oak notes on the distinctive Vallet nose. Lemons and hints of cloves and vanilla follow with surprisingly but pleasantly taught and savoury notes; the lemon zings through and the acidity is well judged.

Production
Traditional practices have remained relatively unchanged both in the vineyard and cellar since Vallet-Frères formation in 1864. Very low yields are controlled by strict pruning practices. Limestone/clay soils are ploughed, and the grapes are hand harvested. Rigorous grape selection and no destemming (Vallet, like Domaine de la Romanee-Conti are just one of a number of producers who still favour this technique). Grapes undergo immediate pneumatic pressing (to avoid oxidization) and fermentation in oak barrels with "batonnage" every day. Barrels are rolled to gently combine the lees and wine. After 14-16 months in cask the wine is bottled following a light filtration.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Well well - this was a pleasant surprise! To be honest - I wasn’t expecting too much from this 12 YO burgundy from a very traditional producer - but it’s delicious. Initial high toast aromas (signifying new oak) prevailed but soon gave way to a lovely rich creaminess. The fruit has a lovely savoury element to it and the still high lemony acidity keeps it fresh. Worked perfectly with my fabulous wife’s bacon & tomato risotto. The wine also evolved well in the glass through a little oxidation and developed very well with time. A 2011 vintage could easily have been over the hill but this is still fresh, vibrant and very together - and will still improve in bottle for another 2-5 years." Tasted July 2023.
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | France |
| Alcohol content | 13% alcohol |
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | 2025-2028 |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
| Food Matches | Of course match with classic Burgundian chicken dishes, such as Poulet de Gaston Gerard (plump chicken in a mustard sauce), but this Marsannay can be matched to sushi when drunk young, and the lemony notes would suit a grilled sea bass. If you decide to cellar it, then try with a regional cheese such as Epoisses. |
| Origin | Marsannay |
| Appellation | Burgundy |
2020/21 Vina Ambrosia Vina Unica Chardonnay
Regular price £22.99 Sale price £19.99 Save 13%It is a classic modern Chardonnay style, with elegant oak use, and delicate integration and balance. A premium, cool-climate, high-altitude Argentinian Chardonnay.
Tasting Notes
It is a classic modern Chardonnay style, with elegant oak use, and delicate integration and balance. On the nose shows a rather shy personality, with crunch red apple and lemon notes and a subtle smoky and white pepper hint. It is creamily textured on the palate and opens up generously with many layers of apple, pear, and spices. Its very bright acidity makes up for a great Chardonnay expression.

Vintage
Higher and well-distributed rainfall throughout the season was welcomed in 20/21 season after previous years of droughts, yet a hail storm hit hard on our Finca, and our production in volume was reduced significantly. An intensely hot summer was followed by temperatures cooling off slightly just before harvest, allowing the grapes to reach beneficial sugar levels, generous flavour concentration, and a beautifully textured structure. Rains were more intense than average but very well distributed throughout the seasons, providing sufficient water for the vines while keeping moderate yields and excellent health.
History
It was the year 2002 when a group of friends decided to invest in Argentina. They knew little about wine production, but all were passionate wine lovers and excited about the vision of bringing Argentine wines to the world stage. They bought the land that would become Finca Ambrosia and set about turning their idea into reality. At this time, the Gualtallary district began to attract the interest of wine producers, primarily because of its outstanding soil and climate characteristics. Encouraged by the positive forecasts, the friends bought 3 more plots over the years, from which the current winery emerged. Today, Gualtallary is considered the best terroir for producing premium wines in the province of Mendoza.
Specifications
| Year | 2021 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | Argentina |
| Alcohol content | 13.5 % abv |
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Aging | 9 months in oak, used barrels and foudres and 50% of the wine is kept in stainless steel vats |
| Dietary Information | Organic, Sustainable |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Origin | Gualtallary, Uco Valley |
| Appellation | Mendoza |
2019 Mac Forbes Woori Yallock ‘Ferguson Vineyard’ Chardonnay
Regular price £49.50 Sale price £36.50 Save 26%Woori Yallock has gained cult status for Mac and its not hard to see why.
Only 1,500 bottles produced
Tasting Notes
This is not about fruit, but about structure, with lemon pith, rock salts, pear skin running the taut, vibrant palate, to a humming and saline finish. Very much in youth, this is powerful now, just starting to reveal itself, and will certainly continue to impress over the coming years in your cellar.
The Wine
This is arguably the finest Chardonnay to ever be produced by the hands of Mac Forbes. The Woori Yallock vineyard is Mac's baby. Planted in 1995, the 'School House Block is owned by the Ferguson family. Mac has been working the vineyard since 2012 and the resultant wines have been spectacular. This is a Chardonnay with amazing intensity. It's wound tight but has a glorious generosity of fruit. Oak sits firmly in the background, Mac allowing the site to shine in the glass.
The Vineyard
Sitting behind the Waramate hills, this area encompasses both red volcanic and grey loam soils making it slightly more complicated to pinpoint a clear identity of this subregion. The undulating hills provide protection from the drier winds, the rainfall is slightly higher and the perfume, weight and structure appears more dense and effortless, pulling through seamlessly to the back palate.
De-stemmed and crushed before pressing, partial malo 10 months in old oak, indigenous, no fining, sterile filtration.
About Mac Forbes
If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.
Mac specialises in single vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.
His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.
And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!
Specifications
| Year | 2019 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | Australia |
| Alcohol content | 11.5% alc vol |
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.63 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Cellaring Potential |
Drink 2022 until 2030 We recommend decanting this wine prior to serving. (10-15 degrees) |
| Maturation |
De-stemmed & crushed before pressing. 10 months in old oak. - not very noticeable |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Origin | Woori Yallock, Yarra Valley |
| Appellation | Victoria |
2022 Michel Laroche 821 Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay Pet Nat
Regular price £29.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This stunning wine is produced from 35+ year old Chardonnay vines, an impressive wine that will surprise many!
Tasting Notes
Delightful toast and citrus notes with some exotic tinges lead into a serious wine with high mineral tension, full fruit in the middle and a very fine and persistent bead.

Production Method
This stunning wine is produced from 35+ year old Chardonnay vines in the Chablis appellation using the Méthode Ancestrale meaning that the alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats and bottled before aging with the CO2 necessary for the long haul already in the bottle.
Aged on its lees for 36 months, it is then disgorged with no added sugar.
821 refers to the minimum total number of days necessary to produce this wine from the beginning of the growing season to the moment the bottle leaves the cellar.
Producer
Laroche is a famous name in Chablis, with family history dating as far back as 1695. Michel Laroche is the patriarch of the family and after decades as the director of Domaine Laroche, he decided in 2010 to sell his stake in the business and set up a smaller domaine, named after his father Henri. Michel had been leasing his private vineyards to the Laroche brand for many years and these vineyards now form the core of the D’Henri range, including the 1er Cru Fourchaume vineyard where the oldest parcel was planted in 1937.The domaine follows organic practices and they have undertaken studies of their vineyards with the help of renowned soil specialist Claude Bourguignon, adapting techniques to different soils to help fully express the qualities of each site. Any new plantings are done using cuttings from the oldest vines in Fourchaume. Vinification is done on a parcel by parcel basis and with minimal intervention, the focus being on expressing the aromatic intensity of each parcel. The grapes are carefully whole-bunch pressed and fermented in stainless steel, followed by long lees ageing. Michel is a fan of freshness with only some of the wines undergoing partial malolactic fermentation, while oak is used sparingly and more as a seasoning. The result is a creamy, round and savoury style with tension and chalky minerality running through.
Specifications
| Year | 2022 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | France |
|
Alcohol content
|
12% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Food Match | Enjoy chilled, straight from the bottle—no shaking necessary. Perfectly paired with friends, pizza, parks, and sunsets for a delightful experience. |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Origin | Burgundy |
2022 Domaine Berthet-Bondet, Côtes du Jura La Poirière
Regular price £28.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A distinctive wine has recently enjoyed a revival in popularity, while always remaining a cherished choice among connoisseurs.
Tasting Notes
A nice blend of citrus fruit and minerality with a very light touch of toasty oak.

Production
Manual harvest, pressing of the whole grapes, ageing for 12 months in oak barrels with stirring the lees and topping up of the barrels to prevent oxiadtion. About 5-10% of the oak is new.
Producer
Jean Berthet-Bondet has been working his land since 1984.
With a humble 15 hectares of 30 year old vines, this estate may well be small but it is steeped in history and heritage. Half of Jean's land is in the Château Chalon appellation which is home to the Savagnin grape, renowned for making the revered Vin Jaune. A unique wine that has seen a resurgence of popularity in recent years, but has always been appreciated by the knowledgeable few.
Specifications
| Year | 2022 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | France |
|
|
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Food Matches | Excellent with fish, seafood and white meat. |
| Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
| Origin | Cotes du Jura |
| Appellation | Cotes du Jura |
2020 GlenWood Grand Duc Semillon
Regular price £39.99 Sale price £31.99 Save 20%Only 600 bottles produced.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Straw yellow in colour.
Nose
Made in the oxidative style, citrus compote with touch of botrytis and fine oak nuances.
Palate
Complex wine with a serious mid palate and length.
Vintage
A better crop compared to 2019, owing to favourable post-harvest conditions and moderate temperatures during ripening.
Vinification
Grapes were picked at 20°C, gentle crushed and was cold macerated on the skins for 8 hours before pressing. The juice was left to settle for two days and racked to barrel. Using only wild yeast, fermentation occurred over an 8-day period. The wine spent 36 months in a 3rd fill 500L French oak barrel.
Accolades
-
Gold Medal - Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge 2023
Specifications
| Year | 2021 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Semillon |
| Country | South Africa |
|
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | Drink now or within 7 to 12 years from vintage. |
| Food Matching |
Enjoy with seafood. |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Origin | Robertsvlei Valle, Franschhoek |
| Appellation | WO Western Cape |