2024 Sierra Grande Merlot
Regular price £8.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Juicy & fresh - a really easy drinking Merlot
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromas of plums and cherries mixed with peppery spice and a touch of tabacco leaf.
Palate
The palate is juicy and fresh with soft red fruits and a hint of green pepper.
Producer
Our long-standing working relationships with growers enable us to source premium fruit, with the ultimate aim of making excellent quality Chilean entry level wines with true style and character. For Merlot, we work with two families in two different locations for a blend with huge appeal. The first is the Martin Family who are nestled into the Andes Mountains in a western corner of Curico. Their vineyards sit around 500 metres above sea level (masl), a far higher altitude than the majority of Curico’s main valley which lies around 250masl. Vines are between 40 and 60 years old and part of a 45ha estate where peaches and apples are also grown. The vines are unirrigated and the vineyard is cool with a unique rocky mountain soil and glacial streams.
At this elevated height and proximity to the mountains, Merlot enjoys a long growing season with cool evening temperatures. We love the crunchy plummy fruit character which gives us the backbone to this wine. We blend this with grapes from the El Milagro Estate in the centre of the Curico Valley. The warm temperature and fertile soils allows Merlot to flourish here. Grapes are harvested during the coolest part of the day to ensure they reach the winery in prime condition. Temperatures are kept fairly low throughout the winemaking process, to allow the grapes to express their natural fruit characters. No oak is used. The resulting wine is fuller with more body and softer tannins and works really well with the higher altitude component. The biggest strength of this blend is our ability to balance out warmer and cooler vintages with these two different profiles.
Awards
V17 - Silver at the Catavinum 2018
Specifications
Year | 2024 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | Chile |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Great food wine, serve with a juicy steak, savoury lamb casseroles, herby sausages or a char-grilled vegetable lasagne. |
Origin | Chile |
Appellation | Valle Central |

2019 Waterkloof 'Circumstance Merlot'
Regular price £19.59 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Serious Merlot - think St Emilion with guts... and legs.
Tasting notes
A fine wine with persistence, complexity and great purity - dense black cassis and bramble fruit aromas combined with plums, spice and a creamy oak on the palate. Showing real character and personality, supreme poise and balance, Waterkloof's ability to express their unique terroir improves with each vintage.

Production
Living soils and a natural approach to winemaking means that each of the single-varietal wines in the Circumstance range is truly defined by the circumstances influencing the chosen varietal and vineyard blocks, including soil, aspect, altitude and vintage. The Merlot is from two adjoining, windswept, south-facing (less sun exposure) blocks 240-60m above and a mere 2 miles from The Atlantic. These factors combine to produce low yields, balanced grapes and wines with a true sense of place. Production was a miserly 5 tons per hectare. Hand-picked grapes were destemmed, hand sorted and placed into our open-top wooden fermenters via gravity. Natural fermentation started spontaneously by utilising the wild yeasts present on the fruit. Punch downs (twice a day) were used during fermentation to ensure a soft and slow, colour and tannin extraction. The wine spent 30 days on the skins to help integrate the tannins and stabilise the colour. The skins were separated from the juice through a gentle basket pressing. The wine went through malolactic fermentation in barrel and was then aged in new (15%), second and third fill (85%) French barrels for 18 months. The wine was aged for another year in wooden fermenters to ensure a wine with silky soft tannins. The wine received no fining, which allowed the grape to be purely expressed in the wine. Only sulphur was added and no other additions, such as tartaric acid or enzymes were allowed.
Producer
Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004, Waterkloof is a family-owned, organic, biodynamic and WWF Biodiversity Champion farm perched high up on the windswept Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay and The Atlantic Ocean. Living soils, naturally low yields and a long growing season help provide talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard with naturally balanced grapes that are imbued with a truly defining sense of origin. Those grapes are then transformed into wine with a minimum of intervention. The resulting wines are fine, inimitable and best enjoyed with food.
Sustainability
As well as being ECOCERT certified as organic, and working biodynamically, Waterkloof goes much further than many in its efforts to be a highly sustainable winery. To learn more please visit their website.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | South Africa |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable, Natural |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Garlic roast lamb, or venison roasted with root vegetables. |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Stellenbosch |

2024 Peculiar Mr Pat Merlot
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Tasting Notes
Bright, plush, deeply tasty Merlot from Riverland vineyards, this is abundant in freshly picked red fruit with a soft tannic profile and a long, moreish finish.
Production
The Merlot grapes that make this wine were grown in the glorious Australian sunshine. Merlot thrives along the banks of Australia’s largest river, the Murray, near the bustling inland town of Mildura, in the middle of Australia’s food bowl. A Mediterranean climate, with plenty of sunshine, we carefully tend the vines and enrich the ancient, sandy soils with recycled organic matter from other crops that also thrive locally, to make the most of every precious drop of water. Speckled light reaches through lush green vine canopies to ensure the berries ripen steadily throughout late summer in time for harvest in Autumn.
Producer
Quintessentially Australian, this range offers consistent quality, hugely appealing, commercial wine styles that have gained a loyal following. Reflecting our skill and experience in seeking out the very best of Australia, our wines capture ideal climatic conditions and pure varietal definition.
Boutinot's Samantha Bailey brings her signature palate and decades of experience to finessing our components into the loveliest Boutinot expressions of Oz.
Specifications
Year | 2024 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | Australia |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.3 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches | This wine can be enjoyed with a wide range of meat dishes, and minimal winemaking intervention means that this wine can also be enjoyed, guilt-free by Pescatarians, Vegetarians and Vegans. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian and Vegan Approved |
Origin | South East Australia |

2023 Bellefontaine Merlot
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Vibrant and fruity Merlot from the Languedoc region.
Tasting Notes
Strong varietal French Merlot, deep garnet colour with vibrant plummy and blackberry fruit. Soft and supple on the palate with good intensity of fruit and a lovely juicy finish.
Production
This fruit-forward, easy-drinking Merlot is made from grapes sourced from sun-drenched Languedoc vineyards, vinified to showcase their fruit and varietal characteristics. By fermenting at lower temperatures than most reds to preserve primary fruit characters. The wine receives twice daily remontage to extract colour and tannins. Meticulous blending produced the ultimate approachable and fruit-driven style, which was bottled early to capture vibrant red fruit.
Producer
Like all good stories, that of Boutinot France is both long and a little bit complicated! Boutinot began as a tiny importer in 1980, specialising in French wines. Paul Boutinot himself began by personally selecting the wines from France, back in the UK he would unload the trailer by hand. And deliver the crates of wines to customers himself. But good things grow and by the end of the decade, we had become a bigger and better company. A company that not only sought out great wines but made them too. After 10 years later, Boutinot France started in January 1990. The first office was in the middle of the vines in Julienas; perfectly located to navigate the Beaujolais and Macon regions on the quest to make beautiful wines.
Samantha Bailey, who started as a wine enthusiast, was there at the beginning of this adventure. Since then, she has grown into our Master Blender and has key responsibilities: building long-standing relationships, tasting, understanding the terroir and appellations, and pushing the boundaries. She is at the heart of the whole process from blending to quality assessment, making sure there is always a Boutinot touch in every cuvée. We are proud to also count Guillaume Letang and Julien Dugas in our winemaking team. Guillaume oversees the South of France and Languedoc, whilst Julien looks after our property in Cairanne. Together they have the local knowledge to select and blend the very best wines from throughout. Eric Monnin oversees every aspect of production and makes sure everything our winemakers blend and source is top quality.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches | Soft and pliable red capable of matching with most foods. An easy choice for a devout red drinker. Enjoy with mushroom risotto. |
Allergy Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Languedoc |
Appellation | IGP Pays d'Oc |

2019 Château Mayne-Vieil, Fronsac
Regular price £16.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Fronsac is a great value alternative to Saint-Émilion, but with a distinct character of its own.
Tasting Notes
Nose
A ripe and pure nose, offering creamy red and black fruit with some dark roast coffee.
Palate
Tannins are firm, and the palate is concentrated and already well-knit, if still a little youthful. Packed with intense black, mulberry-flavoured fruit, coffee and a twist of toast from the barrel, the ripeness makes this very drinkable now and it will continue to develop more complexity over the next 5 years.

Producer
History, family, and wine go hand in hand in Bordeaux and Château Mayne-Vieil's history can be traced back across three influential families to the 1500s. Descended from the original owners, the Equerry de Paty, Lord of Mayne-Vieil, built the large cellars in the 17th century. Libournais vintners, the Fontemoings, established a new Fronsac vineyard to rival Saint-Emilion, while the Sèze family, owners for the last 100 years, restored and expanded the estate after World War I. The Merlot vines of their Fronsac vineyard can be seen from the house in its entirety as it rolls across the beautiful hill overlooking the Dordogne River. The single-block vineyard covers 47 hectares (32 of which are in the Fronsac AOC) and is planted with 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc.
Production
The vineyard is planted on fairly steep slopes of clay and silt soil. The 35-year-old Merlot vines are trained low and planted close together. Permanent grass cover and green harvesting keep yields low. 85% of the wine is matured in concrete vats and 15% in barrel for at least three years.
Sustainability
Château Mayne-Vieil uses permanent grass cover between the rows of vines to reduce the need for herbicide sprays and also to reduce the compaction of the soil as fewer passes by tractor are required. The increased competition for water and nutrients also reduces the vigour of the vines, thus reducing the need for green harvesting, reducing yields and increasing the concentration of the grapes. The château achieved HVE 3 accreditation at the end of 2022. This certification recognises a high level of commitment to protecting and enriching the environment with a focus on biodiversity conservation, plant protection strategy, management of fertiliser use and management of water.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | Bordeaux France |
Alcohol content |
14.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Up to 5 years |
Features | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Roasted or grilled red meats and mature cheeses.
|
Origin | Bordeaux |
Appellation
|
Fronsac |

2021 Villa la Pagliaia Chianti Classico (375ml Half Bottle)
Regular price £9.39 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A fresh, approachable style of Chianti Classico (in a half bottle) with vibrant, juicy red fruit. Villa la Pagliaia lies in the south of the Chianti Classico zone, adjacent to sister property San Felice.
Tasting Notes
Aromas of ripe plum and cherry with spicy, savoury notes. This is a fruit-forward style of Chianti - the palate is bright and sappy, with redcurrant and bramble fruit providing fresh acidity, and supple tannins giving structure.
Production
The grapes come from the estate's own 350-400m altitude vineyards in the Chianti Classico zone, near Castel Berardenga. The vines are on average 25 years old (yielding about 1.5kg of fruit per vine) - 'guyot' trained and planted in rocky clay soil. Fermentation and maceration on the skins last for 8-10 days (at 28-30ºC) followed by malolactic fermentation in stainless steel. Matured in Slavonian oak casks for 10-12 months.
Producer
The Villa La Pagliaia property in Castelnuovo Berardenga, around 15km from Siena, has a long and aristocratic history. The elegant 18th Century villa is amidst a striking landscape of vines, olive groves and cyprus trees. Their vineyards, here in the south of the Chianti Classico region, are at 300-450m altitude, with clay and limestone soils.
Fruit from these, predominantly Sangiovese, low-yielding mature vines (over 25 years old) - combined with traditional vinification methods overseen by neighbouring property (and sister estate) San Felice - ensures consistent production of very classic and quietly impressive wines.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 375ml |
Cultivar | 95% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 4.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | A good match for spicy pasta dishes, sausages and red meat. |
Origin | Toscana, Italy |
Appellation | DOCG Chianti Classico |

2024 Waterkloof Circle of Life White
Regular price £14.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Circle of Life celebrates farming in harmony with nature, telling a story of preserving and regenerating biodiversity. This harmonious combination of 3 classic grape varieties captures the essence of Waterkloof's biodynamic viticultural amphitheatre. 94 points, Decanter July 2023.
Tasting notes
A fine and seamless blend of 3 classic white grapes. Sauvignon Blanc aromas are prominent on the nose, with lime and prickly pear notes. A tight mineral core and creamy mid palate from the Chenin Blanc gives complexity and a persistent finish while a small proportion of Semillon adds texture and depth.

Awards
- Vintage 2022 - Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 - Silver
Production
Circle of Life White is neither defined by grape varietals, nor indeed a specific block within the vineyard, but instead encapsulates the myriad soils, aspects, altitudes and grape varieties found on this windswept, biodynamic farm. The windswept vineyard blocks are all, south facing (less sun exposure), 200-350m above sea-level and a mere 2 miles from The Atlantic. These factors combine to produce low yields, balanced grapes and wines with a true sense of place. Production is a miserly 4 tons per hectare. Bunches are picked early in the mornings, when they are still cool, which helps to preserve the flavours. Extracting juice from the grapes is achieved through whole-bunch pressing in our modern basket press. This is the most delicate way to extract the juice. No additions of enzymes or settling agents were made to the juice. After a settling period of 24 hours, a large proportion of the juice was destined for co-fermentation. We determined a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc prior to fermentation which went into old 600-liter barrels where it fermented for four months. After the fermentation was completed the blend was racked to a stainless-steel tank to which they added the rest of the Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Semillon. To have the varietals integrate the wine was left in barrel on the fine lees until its bottling date six months later. This helped to add more complexity and weight to the palate. The wine is produced as naturally as possible, with no additions of acids or enzymes.
Producer
Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004, Waterkloof is a family-owned farm using organic practices. The farm is perched high up on the windswept Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay and The Atlantic Ocean. Living soils, naturally low yields and a long growing season help provide talented Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard with naturally balanced grapes that are imbued with a truly defining sense of origin. Those grapes are then transformed into wine with a minimum of intervention. The resulting wines are fine, inimitable and best enjoyed with food.
Sustainability
As well as being ECOCERT certified as organic, and working biodynamically, Waterkloof goes much further than many in its efforts to be a highly sustainable winery. A member of The Integrated Production of Wine Scheme, a voluntary environmental sustainability scheme established by the South African wine industry in 1998, and of The Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trading Association, a multi-stakeholder, non-profit voluntary organisation which actively promotes ethical trade in the wine industry, it is has also been a member of the World Wildlife Fund’s Biodiversity & Wine Initiative from its inception. Through a partnership between the IPW and the BWI, Waterkloof is a WWF Conservation Champion and has in place a formal nature conservation plan that includes: clearing approximately 55 hectares of land from alien invader species and restoring the Cape’s precious indigenous flora and fauna; re-establishing natural vegetation in previously disturbed areas; introducing preventive erosion control measures; providing migration corridors for species between isolated areas of natural vegetation; mulching of winter cover crops to create a healthy environment for the natural predators of vine pests and installing perches for birds of prey for natural rodent control measures.In the vineyards, drip irrigation is used only on young vines as a more efficient system to conserve water. Most of Waterkloof is dry-farmed; the biological control of pests is employed as an alternative to chemical spraying; annual legume cover crops are sown to add nitrogen to the soil and annual grain cover crops are sown in alternate rows as a carbon source and to return nutrients to the soil; earthworms are farmed and their casts are used to make a tea, which is used on the cover crops and soil as a living fertiliser; 380-400 tons of compost a year are made each year to boost carbon matter in the soil, to enhance its water holding capacity, and to boost the level of microbes in the soil keeping it fertile and alive; and, as part of the estate’s biodynamic regime, various foliar feeds are made. No damaging herbicides, pesticides or fungicide are used, only natural predatory fungi and metabolites to control mildew and to build the plants’ immunity. Six Percheron horses are used to plough, compost, spray and harvest the vineyards to reduce damage to the soil and vines and to reduce carbon emissions. Using the horses also teaches the handlers the rare skill of training these horses. A flock of chickens reduces the number of pests in the vineyard and returns nitrogen to the soil and compost, as well as providing fresh, free-range eggs for the restaurant. A small herd of cows is kept, which is key to producing biodynamic composts and teas, and a flock of sheep and a herd of goats are allowed to graze in the vineyards in winter to naturally reduce the level of weeds and vegetation between vine rows, as well as to put nitrogen back into the soil.
In the cellar, waste water gets pumped through a stainless-steel filter into a bioreactor where it is combined with the rest of the waste water from the building. Aerobic bacteria remove most of the contaminants before the water is pumped into a sand bed to remove any solids. From there, it runs into a reed bed for a final clean up and it is then used to irrigate the young vines. Peroxide is used a cleaning agent in the cellar as it breaks down in water after 15 minutes, leaving no residue. The cellar itself is built into the hillside to maintain a stable temperature, to avoid pumping the wines and hence reducing energy usage. Used boxes, dividers, bottles, screwcaps, plastics, paper and labels are recycled with an external company that take everything away for recycling. Old, unused bottles are sold to bottle recyclers who wash and resell them.
Specifications
Year | 2024 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 49% Sauvignon Blanc, 41% Chenin Blanc, 10% Semillion |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | White Wine Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable, Natural |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Try with Sashimi of Tuna, smoked potato gnocchi or red snapper. |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Stellenbosch |

2022 Adobe Reserva Merlot Organic
Regular price £11.79 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Juicy, organic Merlot with fruit and freshness in abundance.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Bright ruby-red colour
Nose
Plum and red cherry aromas and subtle black pepper notes.
Palate
The palate is juicy with ample fruit character. Supported by gently wooded influence giving good structure and rounded tannins. It has a soft palate and a fruity finish.
Production
Rapel Valley is located on the 6th Region, 160 kms south to Santiago. This zone has good drainage, excellent fertility and great characteristics for agriculture, especially for red varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Merlot. This valley has a Mediterranean climate, it has coastal influence because it limits with the Cordillera de la Costa, which is low. There’s a great concentration of rain during winter (710 mm average) and in summer this valley receives southern winds with morning mist. Summers are very hot and have big temperature fluctuation. The grapes were manually harvested in mid April. Vinification begins with a prefermentation cold soak at 8°C for a week in order to extract the fruit. Alcoholic fermentation takes place between 25°C and 28°C with a pumpover program determined by daily tasting. Malolactic fermentation takes place naturally in stainless steel tanks and 20% of the wine was aged in barrels for 6 months; after this the wine blended in order to obtain a more complex character.
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 | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Ideal with lean red meats and white meats such as chicken and turkey. Also pairs well with ripe cheeses such as Camembert, Roquefort, Mozzarella, and Gruyere, with goat cheese, and with nuts, walnuts, and dried figs. A pleasing companion to vegetable stews and pastas with mild sauces. |
Origin | Rapel Valley |
Appellation | D.O. Valle del Rapel, Chile |

2022 De Bortoli WillowGlen Merlot
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Juicy, fruit focussed, and a crowd-pleasing Merlot - perfect for entertaining!
Tasting Notes
Colour
Vibrant red with garnet edges.
Nose & Palate
This Merlot is full of ripe plum and berries, lead to a soft rounded palate chock full of juicy red fruit, spicy undertones and gentle tannin with just a touch of vanillin oak.
Producer
The De Bortoli family story is one of determination and triumph that started 90 years ago in war-torn Europe and is now told, generations later, across Australia.
Our heritage encompasses the universal story of immigrants making good in an adopted land, the rise and rise of the Australian wine industry and the tale of a hardworking and innovative family who considers good wine, good food and good friends to be among the true pleasures in life.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | Australia |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Pairing | This wine is excellent with beef or lamb dishes. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Riverina |
Appellation | Western Australia |

2019 Ventisquero 'Grey Glacier' Merlot
Regular price £18.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Head Winemaker Felipe Tosso joined Vina Ventisquero in 2000. After seriously considering alternate careers as a tennis pro and classical guitarist, he elected to enter the wine business, describing it as “one of my big passions because it’s more than work – it’s a lifestyle.”
Tasting Notes
Colour
This wine is deep ruby in colour with violet hues at the rim.
Nose
Very intense nose predominated by red fruit, such as strawberries and subtle notes of ripe plums, intermingled with a touch of oak from the barrel-ageing and notes of chocolate which enhances the final complexity of the wine.
Palate
This is a full-bodied, boldly-structured wine, which fills the mouth thanks to its fine tannins. Smooth and persistent in the finish.
Vinification
A pre-fermentative maceration was carried out at low temperatures to extract more colour and aromas, then the must was fermented in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures of between 24°C and 26°C. 100% of this wine matured for 18 months in extra fine-grain French oak barrels, 33% of them first-use, then the wine was aged in the bottle for 8 months.
Winemaker
Tosso’s winemaking travels have taken him to Napa, Sonoma, Argentina, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, back to Concha Y Toro in Chile and then finally to Vina Ventisquero. In 2003, Felipe began a close collaboration with John Duval (ex Penfolds) in the production of icon wines Pangea and Vertice, a partnership that continues to this day.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | Chile |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Best served at a temperature of between 16°C and 18°C. This wine pairs well with soft cheese, pasta dishes and white meat, especially pork and duck. |
Appellation |
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2020 Lurton Bla Bla Merlot
Regular price £12.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Production
Vinification in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats. Little maceration. Fast running off. Aged in stainless steel vats for 6 to 8 months.
Producer
Lurton Family is one of the largest wine Dynasty's in the world. Vignobles Andre Lurton is a family estate, established in the 1950's by Andre Lurton, and one of today's largest and most important producer of the Bordeaux region. A visionary and force of nature, Andre Lurton founded the AOC Pessac- Leognan in 1987, pioneering its aromatic white wine style. Today both reds and whites from Pessac Leognan have earned a reputation for great value. Today one of his son's is leader of the company.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
14% ABV |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches | Best for sharing with friends, whilst sharing stories and free from worry! |
Appellation | AOC Entre-deux-Mers |
a

2016 Château Lanessan, Haut-Médoc
Regular price £31.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A complex and elegant Haut-Médoc, from a good vintage.
Tasting Notes
Drinking beautifully now, this has a classic Médoc cigar box nose, followed by a textured, fleshy, plum fruit and aniseed-scented palate.
Production
From a total of 32 hectares of 30 year old Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot vines, planted on gravelly soils. After harvest, grapes are manually sorted to ensure optimal maturity. Temperature controlled open fermentation in concrete vats, with extended maceration and regular pumping over.
Producer
Château Lanessan has belonged to a succession of eight generations of the Bouteiller family since the 18th century. You might assume such a longstanding family to be traditional and staid, but in fact they are very open and receptive to new influences. In 2009 they employed winemaker Paz Espejo (who came to Bordeaux from her native Spain in the 1990s) to inject new vigour into the estate. Paz’s goal is to “grow excellent fruit while remaining loyal to our fantastic terroir”. Working alongside oeneologist Eric Boissenot and advised by Hubert de Boüard of Château Angélus, she has made significant changes in the vineyard and in the cellar that now are being reflected in the quality of the wines.
Sustainability
In 2011, Château Lanessan joined the Environmental Management System launched by the CIVB to promote sustainable and environmentally-friendly viticulture and in 2014, it was certified HVE Level 3.
Specifications
Year | 2016 |
Bottle Size | 750ml (packed in a wooden case) |
Cultivar | 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites & egg fining agents |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian, Sustainable farming |
Food Matches | Your Sunday roast of choice: beef, lamb or nut. |
Origin | Bordeaux |
Appellation | Haut-Médoc |

2022 Cape Heights Merlot
Regular price £10.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A bright, supple and juicy Merlot sourced from long-established Western Cape vineyards.
Tasting Notes
Nose
An attractively ripe, red berry nose.
Palate
A rounded spicy palate with generous plum and hedgerow fruit flavours leading to a fresh, gently spicy finish.
Production
Merlot grapes are sourced from long-standing vineyards on the Swartland/Wellington borders and also the Breede River Valley. Low rainfall, warm weather, mainly decomposed granite soils, and low trellised vines all add really interesting complexity to the final wine. Grapes are picked in mid-March, destemmed and placed in open-top fermenters. Pigeage is carried out four times daily (whilst up to half of the sugar is fermented), then only twice daily to the end of fermentation - this is a soft delicate way of wetting the cap and aerating the wine. Malolactic fermentation follows before the wine is left on its lees to extract extra depth and soft tannins. A touch of elegance is achieved by using a modest amount (10%) of oak.
Producer
Boutinot South Africa is driven by our passion for discovery and desire to capture the real essence of South Africa in every bottle. It was the simple love of Loire Chenin Blanc that first led us to South Africa in 1994, where we pioneered the wild ferment style that has now been adopted by many producers in this region.
Since then we have been exploring the country's amazing vineyards to make fabulous wines from specific sites and plots that scream location, location, and terroir. Our home-grown South African winemaking team of JD Rossouw and Ryno Booysen drive the energy and enthusiasm for expressing the loveliest wines from their country, along with Samantha Bailey's expertise in finesse. The key is knowing the characteristics of each plot, understanding the benefits each cultivar can bring, breaking rules, and pushing boundaries. We use a combination of knowledge, a love of nature, and science to create versatile, expressive, and food-friendly wines from a country that has been making wine for 360 years.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Grilled lamb, pasta with a tomato-based sauce, chorizo and butterbean stew, spicy sausages and mash. |
Origin | Swartland / Breede Valley, Western Cape |

2023 Waterkloof 'Circle of Life' Red
Regular price £14.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A rewarding and satisfyingly juicy mix of Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Syrah. Circle of Life tells the story of Waterkloof: a once conventionally farmed property transformed into a living, breathing organic and regenerative vineyard by Farm Manager Christiaan Loots and his team.
Tasting notes
A harmonious blend that combines the spiciness of Syrah, the ripe, youthful fruits of Petit Verdot and the juiciness from Cabernet Franc. The beginning is fresh and full of fruit with good acidity, evolving into riper flavours with lightly spicy notes. Elegant tannins and fine, bright acid on the finish.

Production
Circle of Life Red is neither defined by grape varietals, nor indeed a specific block within the vineyard, but instead encapsulates the myriad soils, aspects, altitudes and grape varieties found on this windswept, biodynamic farm. The windswept vineyard blocks are all south facing (less sun exposure), 200-350m above sea-level and a mere 2 miles from The Atlantic. These factors combine to produce low yields, balanced grapes and wines with a true sense of place. Production is a miserly 4 tons/hectare. Grapes are hand-harvested and brought to the cellar by horses for hand-sorting. Bordeaux varietals are de-stemmed, whilst Rhone varietals are whole bunch pressed. Fermentation takes place spontaneously with wild yeast in large, open-top wooden fermenters with foot-pressing or manual punch-downs 1-2 times per day. The wine is left on skins for 30 days before going through malolactic fermentation in mainly old barrels, then ageing for 20 months in the same vessels. The components are then blended and the wine ages futher in large wooden foudre. No fining, just a light filtration. No additons other than sulphur. Vegan friendly, biodynamic wine.
Producer
Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004, Waterkloof is a family-owned farm using organic practices. The farm is perched high up on the windswept Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay and The Atlantic Ocean. Living soils, naturally low yields and a long growing season help provide talented Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard with naturally balanced grapes that are imbued with a truly defining sense of origin. Those grapes are then transformed into wine with a minimum of intervention. The resulting wines are fine, inimitable and best enjoyed with food.
Sustainability
As well as being ECOCERT certified as organic, and working biodynamically, Waterkloof goes much further than many in its efforts to be a highly sustainable winery. A member of The Integrated Production of Wine Scheme, a voluntary environmental sustainability scheme established by the South African wine industry in 1998, and of The Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trading Association, a multi-stakeholder, non-profit voluntary organisation which actively promotes ethical trade in the wine industry, it is has also been a member of the World Wildlife Fund’s Biodiversity & Wine Initiative from its inception. Through a partnership between the IPW and the BWI, Waterkloof is a WWF Conservation Champion and has in place a formal nature conservation plan that includes: clearing approximately 55 hectares of land from alien invader species and restoring the Cape’s precious indigenous flora and fauna; re-establishing natural vegetation in previously disturbed areas; introducing preventive erosion control measures; providing migration corridors for species between isolated areas of natural vegetation; mulching of winter cover crops to create a healthy environment for the natural predators of vine pests and installing perches for birds of prey for natural rodent control measures.In the vineyards, drip irrigation is used only on young vines as a more efficient system to conserve water. Most of Waterkloof is dry-farmed; the biological control of pests is employed as an alternative to chemical spraying; annual legume cover crops are sown to add nitrogen to the soil and annual grain cover crops are sown in alternate rows as a carbon source and to return nutrients to the soil; earthworms are farmed and their casts are used to make a tea, which is used on the cover crops and soil as a living fertiliser; 380-400 tons of compost a year are made each year to boost carbon matter in the soil, to enhance its water holding capacity, and to boost the level of microbes in the soil keeping it fertile and alive; and, as part of the estate’s biodynamic regime, various foliar feeds are made. No damaging herbicides, pesticides or fungicide are used, only natural predatory fungi and metabolites to control mildew and to build the plants’ immunity. Six Percheron horses are used to plough, compost, spray and harvest the vineyards to reduce damage to the soil and vines and to reduce carbon emissions. Using the horses also teaches the handlers the rare skill of training these horses. A flock of chickens reduces the number of pests in the vineyard and returns nitrogen to the soil and compost, as well as providing fresh, free-range eggs for the restaurant. A small herd of cows is kept, which is key to producing biodynamic composts and teas, and a flock of sheep and a herd of goats are allowed to graze in the vineyards in winter to naturally reduce the level of weeds and vegetation between vine rows, as well as to put nitrogen back into the soil.
In the cellar, waste water gets pumped through a stainless-steel filter into a bioreactor where it is combined with the rest of the waste water from the building. Aerobic bacteria remove most of the contaminants before the water is pumped into a sand bed to remove any solids. From there, it runs into a reed bed for a final clean up and it is then used to irrigate the young vines. Peroxide is used a cleaning agent in the cellar as it breaks down in water after 15 minutes, leaving no residue. The cellar itself is built into the hillside to maintain a stable temperature, to avoid pumping the wines and hence reducing energy usage. Used boxes, dividers, bottles, screwcaps, plastics, paper and labels are recycled with an external company that take everything away for recycling. Old, unused bottles are sold to bottle recyclers who wash and resell them.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 38% Cabernet Franc, 28% Merlot, 18% Syrah, 16% Petit Verdot |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Red Wine Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable, Natural |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
This very versatile wine will complement numerous dishes from a tomato based stew to meat on the bone. | |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Stellenbosch |

2021 La Pagliaia Chianti Classico DOCG
Regular price £16.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A fresh, approachable style of Chianti Classico with vibrant, juicy red fruit. Villa la Pagliaia lies in the south of the Chianti Classico zone, adjacent to sister property San Felice.
Tasting Notes
Aromas of ripe plum and cherry with spicy, savoury notes. This is a fruit-forward style of Chianti - the palate is bright and sappy, with redcurrant and bramble fruit providing fresh acidity, and supple tannins giving structure. A juicy finish with a touch of black pepper.
Production
The grapes come from the estate's own 350-400m altitude vineyards in the Chianti Classico zone, near Castelnuovo Berardenga. The vines are on average 25 years old (yielding about 1.5kg of fruit per vine) - 'guyot' trained and planted in rocky clay soil. Fermentation and maceration on the skins lasts for 8-10 days (at 28-30ºC) followed by malolactic fermentation in stainless steel. Matured in Slavonian oak casks for 10-12 months.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 95% Sangiovese 5% Merlot |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches | A good match for spicy pasta dishes, sausages and red meat. |
Cellaring Potential | 3-5 Years |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Tuscany |
Appellation |
DOCG Chianti Classico |

2021 Raats, Dolomite Cabernet Franc
Regular price £15.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Dolomite wines express great purity of fruit and balanced elegance. The nose shows dark and red cherry. Dark berries, spiciness and herbs linger on the palate. The wine has great purity of fruit with a hint of wet-stone minerality and a velvet soft finish.

Producer
After making wine around the world and honing his craft in the Cape, Bruwer Raats established Raats Family Wines in 2000, based on a policy of ‘excellence through specialisation’, focusing on two unfashionable grapes varieties at the time, Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc.Purchasing the only land he could afford, some relatively cheap and ‘undesirable’ plots in the Polkadraai Hills, it soon became apparent that the unique granite-based terroir was producing some incredible wines, and is now recognised as one of the finest wards in Stellenbosch. His Eden High Density Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc, and the iconic MR de Compostella hold a place as some of South Africa’s finest wines and sit comfortably amongst the best expressions of the varieties on the planet.
Production
The grapes come from Stellenbosch and are grown only on decomposed dolomite granite soils. This lends itself to great acidity, freshness and an extended mineral finish. Individual vineyard blocks were hand-picked at perfect ripeness during February.
Grapes were hand sorted three times, crushed and left to cold soak on the skins for five days. After fermentation at a temperature of 28°C, the grapes were basket pressed before malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Aged in oak for 14 months.
Accolades & Awards
Tim Atkin South Africa Report 2024 91 Points
'Dolomite is always the most floral and approachable of Bruwer Raats' quartet of Cabernet Francs, aged in an equal combination of older oak and concrete. Tarragon, green pepper and graphite aromas are a scented prelude to a palate of tomato leaf and black cherry and a crunchy finish.' 2025-30. 91 Points, TA, 2024.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Franc |
Country | South Africa |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11 units per bottle |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 2023 - 2027 |
Food Matching | Perfectly complements Game Bird with Red Wine Sauce, Beef Fillet, and Pork Loin. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |

2023 Hermanuspietersfontein Bloos Rosé
Regular price £15.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%‘Bloos’ is the Afrikaans word for blush, which describes the delicate pink hue of this wine.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Fresh red fruits with creamy undertones and pleasant floral notes
Palate
Perfect balance between freshness and texture, effortless weight and length

Vinification
A wine designed for everyday enjoyment with a focus to be approachable and accessible. The wine is predominantly a blend of Malbec and Merlot to create a fruit-forward rosé aimed to please all palates. A small percentage of the wine ferments in contact with French oak to broaden the palate without compromising the refreshing sensation of this wine. Our aim is to create a wine that showcases fresh red fruit (strawberries) and floral notes, with a creamy finish.
On the palate this wine presents the perfect balance between freshness and texture, with effortless weight and length. This wine was not made with the intention to age, but rather to be enjoyed immediately.
History
You’ve probably heard of the quaint beach town of Hermanus, situated on South Africa’s famous Whale Coast. Between 1855 and 1902, it was called Hermanuspietersfontein. In 1902, the local postmaster decided to shorten the name of the town to make addressing letters to the locals easier.
150 years later, the wine farm Hermanuspietersfontein, or HPF for short, craft outstanding wines with a serious sense of place. Their grapes come from Sondagskloof, which competes with Elgin and the Ceres Plateau for South Africa’s coolest wine growing region.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
Predominantly Malbec and Merlot (85%) |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.84 units |
Type | Rosé |
Cellaring Potential |
This wine was not made with the intention to age, but rather to be enjoyed immediately |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Maturation in Oak |
1 month with French oak alternatives |
Food Matches |
Salmon gravlax with lemony creme fraiche and dill on crostini. |
Origin | Hermanus |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |








2020 Waterkloof Boreas
Regular price £33.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A wine is only bottled under the Waterkloof label when one of the vineyard blocks on the Schapenberg offers up something extraordinary. This fourth such release from a great vintage for reds is a wonderfully complex Bordeaux blend, predominantly Cabernet Franc.
Tasting notes
Sublimely complex aromas of redcurrant, plum and red cherry with cedary spice and a hint of pencil shaving. The predominance of Cabernet Franc gives a wine of subtlety and elegance with lifted berry fruit and a supple, finely structured mid palate. Firm yet fine tannins frame the spicy, ethereal finish.

Production
A wine is made under the Waterkloof label, only when one of their vineyard blocks on The Schapenberg offers up something extraordinary. They made their first in 2005 – a Sauvignon Blanc. Finally, seventeen years later their best block of Chenin made the grade and so a second was borne from the outstanding white wine vintage of 2021. Since taking over as winemaker in 2013, having previously been assistant since 2009, Nadia Langenegger and her team have really begun to get the best out of Waterkloof’s red grapes. They believe in evolution rather than revolution and a few modifications were implemented, notably, foot-treading to extract the juice and tannin more gently. Hard work indeed, but also quite fun…well at least the first couple each year are. They have 20 wooden fermenters to get through! The changes have really paid off, even throughout the challenging drought vintages of 2017-2019, but even more so with the help of the fantastic red wine vintage of 2020. Testament to this improvement was a first Platter’s 5 Star Award for not just one but two of our red wines in 2021 – Circle of Life Red 2019 and The Last of The First Pinotage 2020. With the long drought having finally broken, tasting the 2020 red wines from barrel we quickly realized that this would be the first vintage to offer up a Waterkloof red and along came Waterkloof Syrah 2020. However, such was the quality of the red wines across various blocks and grapes on Waterkloof, we also trialed a blend from their best parcels of Bordeaux grape varieties (51% Cabernet Franc/25% Merlot/14% Petit Verdot/10% Cabernet Sauvignon). The result? Waterkloof’s vinous apogee, named after the fiercest wind god and face of Waterkloof – BOREAS. A selection of grapes from across the estate's best blocks of Bordeaux varieties grown at an altitude of 240-250m. Average yield 17 hl/ha. Hand-picked and hand-sorted grapes were whole bunch pressed (other than Cabernet Sauvignon) and naturally fermented in old, open-top, French oak foudres. Gentle maceration with foot treading and manual punch-downs. Ageing took place in French oak barriques and 9,000 ltr old oak foudres for 27 months. No fining, minimal filtration, no additions other than sulphur. 13,390 bottles 2020 produced. Offering great enjoyment in its youth, especially once decanted for a couple of hours, BOREAS has a long future ahead and will develop in complexity over the next 10-15+ years.
Producer
Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004, Waterkloof is a family-owned, organic, biodynamic and WWF Biodiversity Champion farm perched high up on the windswept Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay and The Atlantic Ocean. Living soils, naturally low yields and a long growing season help provide talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard with naturally balanced grapes that are imbued with a truly defining sense of origin. Those grapes are then transformed into wine with a minimum of intervention. The resulting wines are fine, inimitable and best enjoyed with food.
Sustainability
As well as being ECOCERT certified as organic, and working biodynamically, Waterkloof goes much further than many in its efforts to be a highly sustainable winery. To learn more please visit their website.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Cabernet Franc 51%, Merlot 25%, Petit Verdot 14% |
Country | South Africa |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable, Natural |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Decant the wine two hours prior to serving to perfectly complement a rib of beef or a similar dish. |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Stellenbosch |




2020 Waterkloof 'Circumstance Mourvèdre'
Regular price £16.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Mourvèdre is perfect for Waterkloof, with its head in the sun and feet in the sea, and is the most planted red grape on this biodynamic farm. The outstanding 2020 may be the best vintage yet!
Tasting notes
An elegant rendition of this often unruly varietal. Ripe, dark fruit with graphite notes on the nose with wild herb and lifted red berry aromas. Robust and concentrated with the dense yet fine tannins typical of the variety and with a freshness and lightness of touch, thanks to high natural acidity and moderate alcohol.

Production
Living soils and a natural approach to winemaking means that each of the single-varietal wines in the Circumstance range is truly defined by the circumstances influencing the chosen varietal and vineyard blocks, including soil, aspect, altitude and vintage. The Mourvèdre comes from two windswept, south-facing blocks 270-300m above and a mere 2 miles from The Atlantic. These factors combine to produce low yields, balanced grapes and wines with a true sense of place. Production was just 2 tonnes per hectare in 2020. Mourvèdre is one of the few varietals with enough wind-resistance to plant as bush-vine on Waterkloof. Grapes are hand-harvested and brought to the cellar by horses for hand-sorting. Bunches are sorted and whole-bunch fermentation happens spontaneously with wild yeast in large, open-top wooden fermenters. Manual punch-downs or foot-pressing take place 1-2 times per day and the wine is left on skins for 30 days before going through malolactic fermentation in old 600 litre barrels then ageing for 24 months in the same vessels. No fining, just a light filtration. No additons other than sulphur. Vegan friendly, regeneratively farmed wine. 10 barrels made.
Producer
Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004, Waterkloof is a family-owned, organic, biodynamic and WWF Biodiversity Champion farm perched high up on the windswept Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay and The Atlantic Ocean. Living soils, naturally low yields and a long growing season help provide talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard with naturally balanced grapes that are imbued with a truly defining sense of origin. Those grapes are then transformed into wine with a minimum of intervention. The resulting wines are fine, inimitable and best enjoyed with food.
Sustainability
As well as being ECOCERT certified as organic, and working biodynamically, Waterkloof goes much further than many in its efforts to be a highly sustainable winery. To learn more please visit their website.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Mourvèdre |
Country | South Africa |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | It can be paired with a variety of dishes but should show well with wild boar or lamb on the grill. |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Stellenbosch |

2023 Paolo Leo Millefiori Appassimento
Regular price £12.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A deliciously rich expressive red!
Tasting Notes
The wine has a lovely and intense ruby-red colour with a bouquet reminiscent of cherries, dried fruit, chocolate and prunes. On the palate it is full-bodied, soft and round, with a pleasant spiciness and an amazingly long and lingering finish.
Producer
The cellars occupy a total area of about 24,000 square meters. The first is located in the heart of the Salice Salentino DOC (San donaci) the second, inaugurated in August 2020, is located at the gates of the Primitivo di Manduria DOC (Monteparano).
They are equipped with a state-of-the-art winemaking plant, a large barrel cellar and a modern cutting-edge bottling line capable of reaching 7000 bottles per hour. The winery is flanked by the farm Masseria Carritelli that is surrounded by vineyards.
Viticulture
The grapes are selected from low-yielding vineyards in province of Verona. The grapes are inter-planted and trained using the typical pergola Veronese and Guyot methods. Plant density is 4.200 vines per hectare with an average yield of no more than 1,4 kg of grapes per plant. The grapes are carefully picked by hand in early October.
Vinification
Approximately 60% of the picked grapes are placed in small wooden crates of 5 kg each. The crates are then placed in the “fruttaio,” a well aerated loft, and are left there to dry at a controlled temperature and humidity until December. During this “appassimento” the grapes will lose up to 50% of their original weight in water, thus concentrating their color, substance and aromas. The grapes which are not dried are immediately vinified. After de-stemming, the grapes are not crushed, allowing them to remain intact, reducing damage to the skins and optimizing color extraction. Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature of 25-26°C for 8-10 days. Frequent remontage and delestage are carried out in the early stages of fermentation in order to achieve softextraction of aromas and gentle tannins. After racking, malolactic bacteria are added to induce a second fermentation. In late December the dried grapes are vinified. After de-stemming, the grapes are crushed and placed in stainless steel tanks, where selected yeasts are added. A very slow fermentation is initiated which will last approximately 30 days at a controlled temperature of 24°C. Here too frequent remontage and delestage are carried out in the early stages of fermentation in order to achieve soft extraction of aromas and gentle tannins. After racking, malolactic bacteria are added to induce a second fermentation.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Corvino, Merlot |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13.5% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches |
Roasted meat, game and aged cheeses. |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Puglia IGP |
Origin | Puglia |

2012 Fattorie Dei Dolfi L'Bruno de' Venti
Regular price £750.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Please contact Alan directly if you are interested in these wines - as En Primeur they are currently in barrel and not in stock.
A unique and elegant wine.
L'Bruno de' Venti
The story is told that many years ago, the woods surrounding this vineyard were the refuge of a dark skinned reclusive with piercing eyes, very attractive to women. He lived by poaching game and doing whatever he could. No one knew exactly where he lived, but from time to time he appeared near Poggio ai Venti vineyard, and so the people hereabouts called him “’l Bruno de’ Venti ” (the Dark Fellow of the Winds).
Introducing Fattorie dei Dolfi
Born from ancient family vineyards and the infectious passion of a career-change winemaker, Fattorie dei Dolfi is a relatively young estate with a remarkably bright future. Giovanni Dolfi initially pursued a very successful career as a horse trainer during which he had the opportunity to meet the Queen Mother and began working for Marchese Incisa della Rocchetta, the owner of the legendary Tenuta San Guido which produces Sassicaia. Through this connection he was introduced to the estate’s winemaker, Giacomo Tachis, who is regarded as the father of Sassicaia and was named Decanter’s Man of the Year in 2011. From then on Giovanni’s fate was sealed and it was only a matter of time before he and Giacomo began exploring how to unlock the potential of his family’s century-old vineyards close to the city of Pisa. Oeno Director and Co-founder Daniel Carnio describes Giovanni’s project as “a small paradise” thanks to his relentless commitment to quality in his vineyards. Most of Fattorie dei Dolfi’s plots are surrounded by woodland which helps to shield the vines from contamination from other forms of agriculture and preserves a high degree of biodiversity. As well as creating a very low incidence of disease, this also means the estate does not need to use any chemicals on the vines. To allow the remarkable quality of the fruit to shine through, Giovanni uses a light touch in the winery as well with his wines ageing in oak barrels previously used for Sassicaia. The estate’s top wines will be produced in tiny quantities of a few thousand bottles a year, making them highly attractive for investors and collectors of fine and rare Italian wines.
The Artorius and Imeneus red wines are both crafted using the Prugnolo Gentile grape which is the Sangiovese clone typically used in Montalcino. The former is an easy-going style ideal for enjoying with family and friends alongside a simple, wholesome meal. Imeneus, which is named after the beautiful son of Aphrodite and Bacchus in Greek mythology, is a more serious red which ages in oak barrels for up to 36 months. This bottling is a true collector’s wine with a remarkably complex flavour profile and high investment potential.
Finally, Bianco Per Amore is Giovanni’s personal project, created to be a wine that he himself would like to drink. Reminiscent of fine white Burgundy, this generous and full bodied white is made from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot grapes. Giovanni only produces around 150 bottles of this very special wine of which he retains a significant proportion for his own drinking pleasure!
Tasting Notes
‘L Bruno De’ Venti is a Bordeaux blend. Dark currents pervade with a muscular back bone. Pure of fruit, the tannins are well rounded. Merlot vines from massal selection or between 50-70 years old. Cabernet Franc vines from massal selection of old vines.
Colour
Ruby red tending to garnet, velvety yet brilliant.
Fragrance
Very fragrant and rich with intense notes of cherry, plums and hints of toasted spices.
Flavour
Authoritarian and persistent, with soft and elegant tannins.
Bottles Produced
- Vintage 2008: 1743 (non more available).
- Vintage 2009: 1790 (non more available).
- Vintage 2010: 1696 (non more available).
- Vintage 2011: 1811 (non more available).
- Vintage 2012: 1432
Specifications
Year | 2012 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
Merlot with small additions of Cabernet Franc. Merlot vines from massal selection from 50-70 years old vines. Cabernet Franc vines from massal selection from our old vines. |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14.5% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
10.9 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | 2021-2045 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Tuscany IGT |









