A Stellenbosch classic from one of the Cape's star Cabernet producers. Expertly crafted from 4 specifically diverse terroirs, from the cool gravelly slopes facing False Bay to the rich red granitic soils around Stellenbosch. 2022 vintage 93 points in Tim Atkin's 2024 South Africa Report.

Tasting Notes 

Nose

A pure varietal nose with fine cassis and black cherry aromas and notes of violet and cedar spice. 

Palate

The palate is ripe and fruit forward with nice depth of fresh blackcurrant fruit and fresh acidity. Well-integrated oak and fine-grained tannins support the lengthy finish.

Production

Fruit is sourced from a variety of sites ranging from the sandy gravel soils of the Firgrove and Raithby ward to sandy/loamy granite soils of the Jonkershoek ward, all harvested by hand at optimal ripeness. Once harvested, the grapes are bunch sorted and pumped into open top fermenters. Here, Christo and the winemaking team vinify each vineyard block separately, allowing the unique characteristics and flavours of each block to develop. After a few months ageing, the final blend is made and the wine spends 12 months in French oak barriques, 25% new, before bottling.

Producer

Le Riche is a family run estate founded by Etienne Le Riche in 1996. Situated close to the historic town of Stellenbosch, the winery is perched on the slopes of the Heldeberg Mountain and surrounded by the majestic Hottentots Holland Mountain range.

If youre based in Stellenbosch and going to specialise in something, Cabernet is a great choice! Le Riche are known as ‘Cabernet Masters’ and rightly so. They select grapes from the best possible Stellenbosch terroirs to craft top quality Cabernets with superb cellaring potential. The estate was founded by Etienne Le Riche in 1996 and remains a family affair.

These wines are elegant and classy with fine grained tannins and subtle oak integration, and while not aiming to be Bordeaux replicas, they do have much in common with the balance and poise sometimes found in top Margaux. With most of their wines sold domestically, it’s a rare treat to find these wines on UK soils. Production is 8000×6 cases a year, with the Reserve range consisting of only 1000 cases. These wines are rare but worth sourcing.

Sustainability

Le Riche work strictly with organic viticultural practices (though not certified), maintaining healthy soils and minimum spraying to ensuring our growers form part of the local Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) system. The IPW scheme, started in 1998, consists of a set of guidelines specifying good agricultural practices related to grape production (farm component), as well as a set of guidelines specifying good manufacturing practices related to wine production (winery component) and packaging activities (bottling activities). Their compliance with the IPW guidelines is assessed on an annual basis through the completion of a self-evaluation questionnaire and is independently audited on a spot check basis.

Accolades

• 93 points | Tim Aitkin

Specifications

Specifications

Only 7 miles along the road from Châteauneuf-du-Pape but not as well known globally so represents much better value!

Tasting Notes 

Fruit driven American Zinfandel with Best Buy Ratings

Tasting Notes

Nose

Rich, sweet aromas of cherry and raspberry lead into jammy flavours of red plum, red currant and blackberry, with a dash of baking spices and a touch of smokiness.

Palate

Structured and textured, velvety tannins weave their way from mid-palate to a lingering finish.

Winemaking Notes

Working with top growers in Lodi where Zinfandel reigns supreme, our Cycles Gladiator Zinfandel embodies all the beloved characteristics of the grape.

Background

Cycles Gladiator was founded in 2005 with the mission to create high quality, affordable wines that honour the iconic artwork on the label by empowering and inspiring women. Proudly sourced from some of California’s top wine growing regions , award-  winning winemaker Adam LaZarre crafts each wine with passion and care from grape to glass.

Accolades

• 20+ Best Buy Ratings by Wine Enthusiast

Specifications

A traditional sweet style produced from the Grasparossa grape - widely considered to be the highest quality of the Lambrusco varieties, with thicker skin and ripe tannins. It has lashings of vibrant cherry and berry fruit.

Tasting Notes

Dark ruby red in colour with intense aromas of plum and ripe black cherry. The palate is fresh and vibrant with pure crushed black fruits balanced by fresh acidity and a touch of sweetness. The finish is clean and bright with a nip of tannin.

Production

The Lambrusco Grasparossa grapes are sourced from sandy-clay vineyards in the Castelvetro region south of Modena. Made using the Charmat method, with its second fermentation in tank.

Producer

This new range of high quality Lambrusco is a partnership between the Soliera cooperative and Medici Ermete, one of the most influential producers in the renaissance of ‘proper’ Lambrusco. Cantina di Soliera, with 422 member growers and a 40 year tradition of Lambrusco production, is situated in the heart of the Lambrusco di Sorbara zone north of Modena and is the DOC’s largest producer. The alluvial soils here are ideal for the cultivation of the low yielding Sorbara variety, the mixture of sand and clay produces wines which balance elegance and structure and are regarded by many as the finest Lambrusco. Grapes for the Cantina di Soliera range come from 20 ha of selected ‘cru’ vineyards here and in the neighbouring Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC.

The Lambrusco family of grapes (there are many varieties, once numbered at 56) is thought to be one of the oldest in Italy and is predominantly found in Emilia-Romagna. Today the focus is on a handful of varieties, and Cantina di Soliera specialise in Lambrusco di Sorbara and Lambrusco Grasparossa, the most important of the 5 Lambrusco DOC’s in terms of quality. The former produces light, elegant, floral wines, while Grasparossa typically gives deeply coloured, weightier and more structured wines. Both make fantastic food wines – the delicate Sorbara with cold meats and seafood, the richer Grasparossa a perfect match for fatty sausages, charcuterie, tomato-based pasta dishes and cheeses.

Sustainability

Specifications

The second Vielles Vignes project from enigmatic winemaker Faouzi Issa.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose has an exotic mix of ripe fig, bright cranberry and rasberry fruit with notes of liquorice , it’s lifted and pronounced.

Palate

The palate had more beautifully ripe red fruit characters, along side lively fig and date notes, the acidity perfectly balances the generous flavours and leaves a pure, clean finish.

Production

Domaine des Tourelles have a 50 year old block of Carignan in their Amik vineyard in the Bekka Valley. The fruit from here provides an excellent component for the acclaimed Domaine des Tourelles Red, but winemaker Faouzi believed it could produce great wine in it’s own right. This first vintage highlights his belief in the project. The wine only sees concrete during production, being both fermented and aged for 24 months in his old but perfectly formed tanks.

Producer

Domaine des Tourelles was founded in 1868 by French adventurer François-Eugène Brun and is one of the most highly acclaimed and oldest wineries still operating in Lebanon. It was also the first commercial cellar in 'modern' Lebanon to produce wines, arak and other spirits. This place has history! The Brun family owned and ran the winery up until the last descendant died in 2003 but luckily two local families - the Issa and Issa el-Khoury families - joined forces to buy the property and continue the fine tradition of winemaking.

Today, this Bekaa Valley estate is run by the three Issa children - twins Faouzi and Johanne and their sister Christiane, alongside Emile Issa-el Khoury, son of one of the co-owners. This young and dynamic combination have introduced a handful of practices in the vineyards and cellar including the use of indigenous natural yeasts, no fining or filtering, and only very small amounts of sulphur. These techniques along with fruit from 40 hectares of ancient, organically cultivated and dry-farmed vineyards (among the oldest in the valley) and a winery perfect for hands-off winemaking, make Domaine des Tourelles one of the finest boutique wineries in the Middle East.

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Specifications

Moments, stories and shared drinks are Unique. This wine knows the only way is that of sustainability, is Unique.

Nose

Unique is an organic wine of intense red fruit aromas and herbal notes reminiscent of peppermint and wild herbs, with some spice.

Palate

In the mouth, it’s a medium-bodied wine, with fine-textured tannins and balanced acidity.

Vinification

Wine fermented with native yeasts and aged in concrete vessels for 10 months. It has not been aged in oak barrels, which accentuates the fruity character of this Malbec.

The Estate

Trellised, 15 years old, with traditional irrigation and grapes harvested by hand.

Specifications

Twelve years after arriving in America, in 1924, Gaspare Indelicato planted a vineyard in Manteca, California. With it, he planted the foundation of his eventual success in the California wine trade. Since that first vineyard flourished, Gaspare’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have honored his legacy through dedication to his steadfast values of family, hard work and integrity.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The intense aromas of blueberries, blackberries, and cedar compliment the flavors of dark cherries, cassis, and chocolate. 

Palate

Black Stallion Limited Release Syrah is a concentrated, full-bodied and fruity wine with a delicious velvety aftertaste.

Producer

More than a century ago, Gaspare and Caterina Indelicato immigrated from Sicily to the United States. With little to draw on but a long family history of grapegrowing and an entreprenuer’s gift for seizing opportunity, Gaspare entered the wine trade by planting a single vineyard in Manteca, California, where the climate reminded the couple of their homeland.

Occupying a privileged position at the southern foot of the trail, the winery grounds eventually became the site of the Silverado Western Center, a major equestrian center that opened in September 1963.

The original riding area now houses prized wines, instead of prize-winning horses. However Black Stallion Estate Winery carries its heritage forward. The estate’s legacy honors the world-class terroir of Napa Valley, the pioneering spirit of the Silverado Trail, and the Indelicato family’s warm hospitality and generations of wine expertise.

Winemaking Philosophy

To make great wine, a winemaker must have a deep familiarity with each lot of freshly pressed juice. At Black Stallion, the search for greatness means boots in the vineyard, checking on vine growth and grape development all year long. It means tasting grapes rather than looking at lab reports to determine the perfect moment to pick. It means harvesting and sorting fruit by hand. Black Stallion Winery’s small scale means that each lot of grapes that arrives at harvest is treated individually, and receives a unique upbringing to bring out its full potential for excellence.

Once crushed at the winery, micro-lots may be fermented in small tanks made of wood, concrete or steel. These choices of aging vessel give winemaker Ralf Holdenried exceptional flexibility to match a batch of grapes with the material best suited to bring out its greatness—key in a region as diverse as Napa Valley.
 
After fermentation, wine is drained using gravity (not pumps) and aged in the finest oak barrels. The gentle handling of the wine prevents the extraction of harsh components that could impart bitterness.

There’s no set recipe for a Black Stallion blend, just the finely honed palates of winemaker Ralf Holdenried and his team. It’s not uncommon for Holdenried to try dozens of trial blends before deciding on a final cuvée. The goal is always the same: To create a seamless, harmonious wine that captures the varietal’s best expression of that vintage in Napa Valley.

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Deep ruby red with violet tinges; pronounced aromas of ripe red fruit, currant jam and raspberries with hints of plum and black pepper; full-bodied, well balanced and fresh. Medium long fnish, with a fruity and spicy aftertaste.

Vinification

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Intense purple in colour with a dark framboise nose, exotic spice and hints of ripe fig. Given the density of colour the palate is bright, fresh and fluid, with notes of ripe plum and dark cherry compote over a long, very gently mineral finish that is sewn-through with a distinctly saline thread.

Production

Grapes are grown in the Finca Río Seco vineyards located at 1.700 meters above sea level in the Valley of Cafayate, Salta. Surrounded by ancient and magnificent cacti, the vines are 15 years old and produce approx. 7 tones/hectare. Grapes are harvested in the 3rd week of April, by hand in bins of 20 kg. Pre-fermentative maceration for 6 days at 4 ºC. Alcoholic maceration for 15 days at a controlled temperature between 26 ºC and 28 ºC. Post-fermentative maceration for 10 days. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation.

Producer

El Porvenir de Cafayate is one of Salta's premium but very affordable, high altitude wine producers. This small, family-owned winery in Cafayate, specialises in Torrontes, Malbec, Tannat and red blends from 45-50 year old vineyards which are amongst the highest in the world at 1900m asl and surrounded by 20ft, 200+ year old monster cacti. Colour in the reds here is profound due to the exposure to prolonged mountain sunlight, with soft tannins thanks in part to the extreme diurnal temperature differences... some mornings the catcti are thick with frost but within a few hours temperatures soar to the mid/high 20s!

El Porvenir – “the future” has been the name of this estate since it was founded in 1890. The winery and vineyards were restored by the Romero-Marcuzzi family in the 1990s and the main team is made up of company Director, Lucía Romero Marcuzzi, Winemaker Francisco 'Paco' Puga, and Agricultural Engineer Daniel Guillén, whose joint goal is to capture the essence of Cafayate's unique high altitude characters through their remarkable range of wines.

Sustainability

El Porvenir de Cafayate are in the process of being certified to international sustainability and organic standards. In collaboration with the renowned certifier ECOCERT, they are working hard to meet the standards required and hope to be fully certified soon.
Soil health is prioritised across all vineyards by using techniques that minimize erosion and promote biodiversity with a proactive approach to reducing herbicide use. Since 2022 they have welcomed a flock of 50 sheep to the farms. These lovely companions play a fundamental role in sustainable agriculture. By grazing the vineyards, they contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and minimizing soil compaction. As they move, they weed and fertilize naturally, helping to maintain a balanced ecological cycle. As a result, soils are enriched with increased oxygenation and microbial life.

Specifications

A wine full of finesse with a long and pure finish.

Tasting Notes

A deep and generous Pinot Noir showing ripe fruit flavours of raspberries and wild strawberries, balanced with subtle smoky notes and a deliciously lingering finish.

Producer

Our winemaking team have been building realationships across Chile over the past two decades, sourcing fruit and wine from across the Central Valleys. We work with a number of small family growers who pay particular attention to quality and ensure that our winemaking team has the best possible fruit to work with . Freshness and purity are the preferred hallmarks of Boutinot's Chilean wines.

Each vintage Boutinot winemaker Guillaume Letang travels the vineyards of our grower partners, blending that year's truest expression's of Chile's unique terroirs.

Production

Our Pinot Noir comes from a small Hacienda in Maule. The 40-60-year-old vines grow in the shadow of the El Dezcabazado volcano on stony, fertile soils. Maule is in the south of the region where glacial streams and pure mountain air keep temperatures low, allowing Pinot Noir to retain the acidity that is so crucial to a balanced wine. Grapes are harvested during the coolest part of the day to ensure they reach the winery in prime condition. Temperatures are kept low throughout the winemaking process, to allow the grapes to express their natural fruit characters. No oak is used.

Specifications

Specifications

a

A youthful and modern unoaked Malbec,
 with an elegant character.

Tasting Notes

It reveals clean, ripe black and blue fruit, dried thyme, and French lavender aromas and flavors. The palate is generously fruity, with a refined chalky texture, culminating in a long and complex aftertaste.

Vintage

Harvest 2023 came early and was challenging yet of great quality. The temperate and very date led to excellent health and quality of the grapes. It is a year defined by low average ds of 25% below, a consequence of a frost in the spring of 2022.  A deep understaning of each parcel allowed us to precisely define the harvest time for each area, always in search of freshness and expression of our place. This years wines show great purity and sharpness, vibrant acidity and fantastic complexity of scents.  Fermented in stainless steel tanks,  Aged for 6 months in concrete and 3 months in bottle.

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

Alta No. 10 is an elegant, luscious, complex Tawny Port,

Tasting Notes

Colour

Tawny

Nose

Very complex aroma, showing lots of dried fruits, toffee, caramel and cask notes 
 
Palate

Luscious, complex tawny with a velvety texture and a refreshing finish 

Production

he grapes are handpicked, hand sorted and destemmed into granite lagars, where 
they are foot-stomped for up to four hours. The must is then fermented by wild yeasts 
at temperatures ranging from 20-25°C, and spirit is then added at the appropriate time 
to stop fermentation. At the end of the maceration the ferments are drained, 
pressed, and transferred to old port  casks to undergo maturation, before eventual blending and bottling. As with all ports, blending is the key and we use a variety of aged parcels, with different levels of sweetness and acidity including a small proportion of some really old barrels (at least 40 years old). The aim is to deliver an elegant, complex Ten-Year-Old Tawny style where the sweetness takes a back seat and the Pedra Alta acidity provides the focus. This is the first Ten-Year-Old produced on the estate and is a fitting tribute to the positive impact João has had on the estate since he started in 2009.  

2016 was one of the finest vintages in the past 20 years of this red wine which exudes an elegant bouquet and delicate hints of oak.....

Tasting Notes

Colour

This wine is garnet-red in colour with a few carmine highlights. 

Nose

Its bouquet is wonderfully intense. On aeration, it releases black-berry fruit (blackberry, black cherry, plum) aromas, with hints of cake spices. 

Palate

On the palate, this wine is very rich and well-balanced. The aftertaste is long, with slight tarry overtones. The tannin is not yet fully resolved. These characteristics are indicative of its good ageing potential: it would be best to wait two or three years to appreciate its full complexity.

Production

Specifications

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

Only 7 miles along the road from Châteauneuf-du-Pape but not as well known globally so represents much better value!

Tasting Notes 

Once upon a time, in a little town called Apple Tree Flat, a humble winemaker created quality, true varietal wines that were affordable enough to enjoy every day.

Luckily, this story is true.

The beauty of these wines can be found inside the bottle and out. The labels feature hand-drawn illustrations depicting the people, places and experiences of our winemaker’s home and winery. Whilst inside the bottle you'll find fruit driven wines with excellent regional expression that represent astounding value for mone

Despite such humble beginnings, Apple Tree Flat wines make big waves in Australia and around the world.

Tasting Notes

The lovely 2021 Apple Tree Flat Shiraz has inviting aromas of raspberry, bayleaf and a slight floral lift, before a warm welcome to the palette of red berries, clove, smooth peppers and soft tannins.

Winemaking

After crushing the grapes were fermented in stainless steel. The cap was pumped over twice a day during the 7- day fermentation period, then 100% matured in stainless steel. The wine was filtered before bottling.

Vintage

The Shiraz grapes for this dry red were harvested at 12.63° Baumé on the 29th March 2021. The 2021 growing season was a tough one in the NSW Central Ranges, although overall quality was high. Yields in the Orange region were pitifully low, about 10-15% of an average year, due to a hangover from the 2018-2020 drought, snow in November and some large rain events late in the growing season which required us to remove any mould or fungus affected grapes.

Yields in Mudgee were healthier but still a little down on average. Temperatures were cooler than average leading to slow, steady ripening, however the sunshine throughout produced clearly varietal wines, generally with lower alcohol levels.

Specifications

Light, elegant with plenty of summer-pudding red berry fruit. Light oak adds weight and concentration. The vibrant violet, cherry fruit is typical of good Tempranillo Rioja.

Tasting Notes

Colour

Red colour with blackish tones

Nose

Good intensity, fresh, floral and red berries.

Taste

Medium body, easy drinking, fruity and fresh with mouth-watering acidity.

Producer

Santiago Ijalba has been making wines for over half a century and founded Bodegas Santalba (a fusion of his first and last name) in 1964. Joined by his son Roberto and daughter Laura over the last decade, Roberto concentrates his wine making expertise on the more modern styles, while Laura focuses her attentions on the marketing side, making Bodegas Santalba a real family affair. 

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Vibrant red fruits on the nose with a savoury, fynbos finesse. On the palate it has ripe, black cherry fruit offset by cranberry freshness and texture with taut acidity on the finish.

Production

95 points - James Suckling.com | 91 points - Wine Advocate

Tasting Notes

Colour

A youthful bright appearance with a core of ruby leading to a just fading rim.

Nose

Aromas of primary red berry fruits including dark cherry and plums, plenty of barrel spice and bottle development complexities. The beginnings of secondary aromas with a whisper of date and toasty spices layer in complexity and depth. 

Palate

Still youthful and firm on the palate with textures from tannins and acidy leading the mouthfeel. Core fruit flavours mirror the bouquet with equal impressions of plums and cherry. An excellent example, just a little bit dry though easily marries with gently salty earthy food. 

The Season

A mild spring was followed by a sunny summer and a lingering dry autumn. It was a perfect growing season with enough warmth to produce optimal ripeness but it was not too hot to destroy varietal purity or freshness.

The Vineyard & The Vines

We have about a dozen different clones of pinot noir and often these grow intermingled throughout our various blocks. The vines, many of which are nearly 30 years old and on their own roots, grow on a series of north facing, gradually descending terraces. While the site is warm during the day it is cool at night. This allows the fruit to ripen fully but slowly and to retain good acid levels of natural acidity. The drainage is helped by stones intermingled with the soil.

Harvest & Wine Making

We use traditional Burgundian winemaking methods. We picked the various blocks at different stages during late April and early May, depending on their maturity. Most of the grapes were destemed and put into small fermenting vats, retaining as many whole berries as possible. Ten percent of whole bunches were also added to these vats. They were kept cool over the next few days to help extract the soft, silky tannins from the pinot noir skins.

After this time the grapes warmed enough to start fermenting. During fermentation the floating cap of grape skins was twice daily gently pushed back under the wine by hand to keep it moist and healthy. When the fermentation finished the vats were sealed and the grape remnants were left to steep in the wine for up to a week to help extract a different range of tannins that add structure and depth. The duration of this period was determined by daily tasting. Subsequently the wine was gently pressed off and put into oak barriques (30% new) from selected artisan Burgundian coopers. In the summer after harvest, when the weather warmed, the wine underwent malo-lactic (secondary) fermentation. Both this and the original fermentation phase were completely natural and without added micro-organisms. After maturing for 18 months in these barriques the batches made from the many different plots of pinot were carefully blended in varying portions to produce this wine.

Accolades

95 points - James Suckling.com

A lovely and fresh late-released pinot with plum, cooked strawberry and cherry aromas that follow through to a full body with layered fruit and tannins, and a savory finish. Shows plenty of ripeness. Sustainable. Drink now. Screw cap. (Nick Stock )

91 points - Wine Advocate

Pale to medium ruby colored, the 2013 Pinot Noir reveals expressive black cherry, mulberry and red currant jelly notes on the nose with hints of tar, black loam, balsamic and dried Provence herbs. Medium-bodied, the palate has elegant styling with gentle savory and red berry preserves characters framed by a lively backbone and chewy tannins, finishing with earthy nuances. (Lisa Perotti-Brown)

91 points - Stephen Tanzer (tasted in 2016)

This is a beautiful wine now with lots of ripe strawberry and cherry fruit character, with hints of iron and peppercorn. It’s full and layered with lots of fruit and firm yet round tannins. A wonderful release of a pinot noir with age. Sustainable. Drink now or hold. Screw cap. 

94 points - Excellent | CamDouglasMS - Master Sommelier

Specifications

The spirited red wines of Spain | A fabulous quality and great value Reserva from a small family, producer.

Tasting Notes 

Colour

In the glass a cherry red color with rusty red reflections of medium depth.

Nose

Good aromatic intensity, with balsamic notes and ripe fruit on the nose.

Palate

Soft and clean on the palate with a fresh and elegant taste and well-integrated tannins on the finish.

Producer

Specifications

Villa Cafaggio Chianti Classico Riserva is obtained exclusively from Sangiovese grapes. Grown on land owned by the estate, the vineyard, situated in Panzano in Chianti, extends along the sunny slopes of the 'Conca d'Oro' (Golden basin), a wine- growing area of great value.

Tasting Notes

Nose

This opens with aromas of black-skinned berries, leather, and baking spices.

Palate

Silky, with nutty fruit and a hint of bitter chocolate character. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a long finish.

Producer

Since the Renaissance and beyond, Cafaggio's conca d'oro vineyards—which can also be translated as "golden shell," "golden bowl," or "golden basin"—have been renowned for the exceptional wines they produce at an altitude ranging from 300-400 meters above sea level and encompassing a surface area of about 60 hectares.

The conca, as its name suggests, is a steep, naturally occurring amphitheater with a southern exposure that is perfect for the growth of grapes that will be transformed into wines with intense flavor, distinct structure, and significant aging potential.

The conca d'ora is situated in the center of Panzano commune, one of the five Chianti Classico DOCG villages (the only five townships where Chianti Classico can be produced today) where Chianti was first manufactured.

The soil types, in combination with the height and exposure, offer the vines exceptional vigor as their roots look for the water table, making the estate's vineyards one of the most sought-after quality wine-growing locations in all of Tuscany.

Cafaggio is an active participant in the 1995-founded Unione Viticoltori di Panzano (Panzano Grape Grower and Winemaker Union), a group that supports and aids in the promotion of the township's wineries.

Review

Specifications

Wonderfully expressive Cabernet from the Cape's blowy Atlantic coast.

Tasting Notes

Nicely expressive Cabernet from the Western Cape with good concentration of cassis and red berry fruit. Taut and leafy but also brambly, ripe and succulent with ripe tannins.

Production

The grapes for this Cabernet Sauvignon are sourced from vineyards that border the warm Swartland/Wellington area and also the Breede Rivier Valley. The vast variety of soils gives the final wine an interesting complexity. As the vines are over 25+ years old, lower yields of 6-8 tonnes/ha help to deliver flavoursome, concentrated fruit, and the berries are picked when fully phenologically ripe. The grapes are destemmed and crushed, with a slow start to fermentation at a low-temperature 17C then gradually increasing after three days to 22 - 24C for full fermentation. Pump-over takes place twice daily to wet the cap and aerate the fermenting wine. Wine is fermented down to 5 g/litre residual sugar and pressed before being pumped back into stainless steel tanks. This ensures soft tannins and no-over extraction of any harsh tannins. Malolactic fermentation follows and the wine is kept on the lees until bottling.

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

Winery

The 2019 Paul Wallace Brave Heart Pinot Noir is our seventh vintage. The name is a tribute to William Wallace, a man of great principle and heart, who we would like to believe is one of our ancestors. It is also a play on the Pinot Noir cultivar’s nickname – the Heart Break grape. Fortunately, our 2019 Pinot Noir offering has once again captured our hearts and is anything but a disappointment. Production was very limited – only 10 barrels / 2400 liters of this vintage were vinified.

Pristine grapes (Clone PN115, Guyot pruned) selected from three different slopes on our farm Wallovale Vineyards, were vinified with much love and gentle attention at the Almenkerk Wine Estate. Whole berry fermented in open fermenters, basket pressed and taken to barrel where it completes malolactic fermentation. After 10 months on wood (20% new wood, 45% second fill, 35% third and fourth fill), the wine was prepared for bottling. Bottling date: 7th February 2020.

Accolade

• National Wine Challenge 2020 - Double Silver
• IWSC 2020 - Bronze Medal
• Michelangelo International Wine Awards – Bronze
• Platter Wine Guide 2021 – 4*

Specifications

Colour

Intensely and brightly coloured wine with a ruby-red hue

Nose

Ruby red in colour this wine has a bright cherry nose supported by complex red and dark fruits, spiced cherry, cedar, mushroom and floral characters on the nose

Palate 

The palate highlights bitter chocolate, cherry and cinnamon spice notes supported by fine acidity and a flowing finish. Nicely balanced and drinking beautifully.

Vintage

The 2021 vintage in Waipara, North Canterbury was warm and dry - good growing conditions. Heat summation was well up on average while rainfall was 50% less than normal over the last three months before harvest. The lower rainfall meant that disease pressure was not present, allowing the winemaker to be patient and instruct the picking of the fruit in absolute pristine condition and when tasted at their premium. The effects of this were enhanced fruit flavours creating a wine of great balance.

Winemaking

The fruit was harvested in excellent condition and gently handled in the cellar using traditional burgundian methods and aged for 12 months in French oak barriques.

Awards & Accolades

• 5 Stars - 93pts | Wine Orbit

Specifications

Araldica's top-tier Barolo from selected vineyards. An approachable, richly-flavoured style expertly blended by Lella Burdese.

Tasting Notes

A fine, expressive style with Barolo's classic combination of mature, lightly floral aromas with richness and structure.

Nose

Dark plum, leather and delicate violet aromas, plus notes of woodsmoke and brown spice.

Palate

A full, firm and ripe red with rich, powerful flavours. All are balanced by ripe tannins, complex savoury notes and a long finish.

Production

Vines are trained on a low Guyot trellis at 4-5,000 vines/ha. The grapes were hand-harvested, de-stemmed and then crushed to small fermenters, for 12 days, with daily pumping-over. The wine was drained off at dryness, and the skins transferred to a small press. After pressing the wine was settled for two days, and then racked to stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation. After three years maturation in 50hl Slavonian oak casks it was racked from oak and gently fined.

Producer

Araldica is Piemonte's most forward-thinking co-operative, situated in Castel Boglione, in the heart of Barbera d'Asti territory. Here they work with 230 grower members to source quality grapes from around 690ha of vineyards. Many of their members joined the cooperative in the 1950s and have a long and loyal relationship with the winery. They produce wines from Piemonte's main DOC / DOCG regions - predominantly Barbera, Gavi and Moscato, but also including Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero Arneis.

Founded in 1954 by Livio Manera, father of the current Managing Director and winemaker Claudio Manera, Araldica has developed over the past 60+ years to become a major winemaking force in Piemonte, supplying wines across the globe. Claudio's wife Lella heads up quality control at Araldica, where she is responsible for the blending and approval of all wines.

Their son Carlo, also a qualified winemaker, is now part of the Araldica winemaking team. Livio pioneered developments in winemaking techniques - especially with regard to the production of Barbera - and Araldica have since continued to be instrumental in the distribution of Barbera and Gavi within the UK market and internationally. As Claudio states their aim is "...to provide a range that is both understandable and accessible. Quite simply, wine for drinking and enjoying."

Awards

Specifications

Ontañón's Crianza is a benchmark for this style of red - richly fruited, warm oak spice, fresh balancing acidity and smooth tannins.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Ripe aromas of black fruit with warm wood spice.

Palate

Cherry and plum fruit on the palate with fresh acidity and smooth balancing tannins. Classic, approachable and satisfying.

One of the smallest and most prestigious wineries in Spain.

Marrying Tempranillo with 10% Graciano, it's compact, focused, and well-balanced, with crunchy black cherry and blackberry fruit framed by spicy, aromatic oak.

Tasting Notes 

Aged for 24 months in American and French oak. 

Nose

Deep violet with chocolate and vanilla

Palate

Compact focused, and well-balanced, with crunchy black cherry and blackberry fruit mocha, soft cinnamon, and smooth vanilla framed by spicy, aromatic oak.

Producer

Valserrano is a long established family Bodega that lies in the best part of the region, on the limestone ridges of the Alavesa area in the Rioja Alta near Haro. It is based on the same principal as a good French Château which is to use fruit only from their own vineyards, set rigorous standards in the cellars and, following fermentation in stainless steel, they age the wine in oak part of which is renewed each year. The wines have elegance and pungency combined with the soft spicy allure that only well made Tempranillo can offer. They are very good indeed and have received really high score from renowned wine critics

Vineyards

Valserrano estate lies on 65 hectares of vineyards that belong to the family. The domaine is planted with 80% of Tempranillo, the basis of any good Rioja wine and Mazuelo, Garnacha, Graciano and Viura.

The family recently planted a vineyard with Maturana red and another with Chardonnay to see how these minority varieties perform in the Rioja Alavesa. Once fermented, their wine mature in underground natural cellars over 200 years old.

Accolades

• Received 92 points at Decanter’s Affordable Excellence Red Rioja Tasting Panel, November 2022
• 93 points Tim Atkin's Rioja 2022 Special Report

Specifications

Its name derives from the average height of the selected parcels for this Blend.

Tasting Notes

Colour

Petit Verdot, Bonarda and Malbec compose this wine that has an intense violet color with black tint.

Nose

In the nose, Petit Verdot brings aromas of blueberries and jasmine while Bonarda adds intense aromas of blackberries and raspberries.

Palate

It stands out for its firm tannins and good volume in the mouth, Malbec offers an attractive structure and a long finish. 

Vineyards

In our Finca El Alto in Ugarteche, Luján de Cuyo, we chose the stoniest plots that have the presence of Calcium carbonate, to plant the Petit Verdot at 1030 meters above sea level. In the lowest part of the same vineyard, at about 908 meters of height we have Bonarda, it has the most clay dominate soil with gravel and pebbles. The yield per hectare is 7 to 10 tons, and the irrigation is by drip. The climate of this is farm characterized by its warm days and cool nights, with a thermal amplitude of 14 ° C and an average annual rainfall of 250 mm. The training system used is double cordon. At Doña Paula we have always managed our vineyards with sustainable farming practices.

Vinification

The harvest begins with Malbec at the end of March, then the Petit Verdot in the first week of April and Bonarda in the middle of the same month. A manual harvest and a destemming without breaking grains is carried out. Traditional elaboration of each variety is carried out separately we call it of minimal intervention in cement eggs. After the alcoholic fermentation, the blend is made to begin the short aging in the same cement egg and immediately after malolactic fermentation has finished, the wine is bottled to keep the fruity and floral aromas in their freshest possible state.

Awards

• 91 points - Robert Parker
• 92 points - Tim Atkins Argentia Report

Specifications

Glaetzer Anaperenna is a seamless fusion of the two varieties Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Voluptuous, opulent and yet refined, with a very long and satisfying finish.

Tasting Notes

The name Anaperenna has been inspired by Anna Perenna, the Roman goddess of the New Year. Anna Perenna symbolises the year's cycle and her name translates as 'enduring year'. Romans honoured Anna Perenna with a festival held on the first full moon of the Roman calendar. On March 15th they would ask Anna to grant them longevity, and a healthy year for each glass of wine they drank on that day.

The symbol on the label is the Egyptian Ankh (pronounced: onk). Historically the ankh symbolised sunrise, regeneration, regrowth and renewal.

Colour

Impenetrable black with a hint of purple.

Nose

A spectrum of spicy yet plummy fruit, intense notes of liquorice and mixed herbs.

Palate

Displaying dense dark flavours yet with freshness and drive.

Vineyards

Exceptional old vine fruit was sourced from the famed Ebenezer sub district at the northern tip of the Barossa Valley. Vine age 30—100 year old Shiraz and 30—130 year old Cabernet. Yield 2.5 tonnes per hectare.

Vintage Conditions

A wet winter and spring coupled with cooler than average spring temperatures resulted in slower yet balanced canopy development and healthy flowering and fruit set. A mild summer with regular rainfall events followed allowing the fruit to be in no rush to mature, perfect for consistent ripening. Harvest commenced a few weeks later than recent years. The 2017 wines are of excellent quality exhibiting purity and lift with firm tannins and exceptional length.

Vinification

Fermented in 1 and 2 tonne open fermenters, hand plunged 3 times daily. Matured for 16 months in 100% new oak hogshead barrels (92% French and 8% American) and matured on lees to maintain fruit profile and animation. Bottled unfiltered to ensure minimal intervention with the wine’s natural characteristics.

About Glaetzer

This family-owned boutique winery was founded in 1995 and dedicates itself to the production of super-premium, sitespecific red wine made in small volumes. Originally from Germany, the Glaetzer family settled in Australia in the late 19th century and were some of the earliest recorded viticulturalists in the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley. Today the winery is run by internationally acclaimed winemaker Ben Glaetzer, who is responsible for driving the brand’s considerable loyal following. Ben sources all their fruit from the northern sub-region of the Barossa, Ebenezer, which is known for its ancient dry-grown vineyards. Glaetzer’s most exceptional fruit is sourced from 80-110 year-old, nongrafted bush vines. In the cellar, Ben believes in minimal intervention and treating musts as gently as possible. 

Though only limited Glaetzer wines are produced every year, the winery is known for producing wines that are unique and intense. 

2018 Anaperenna from Glaetzer Wines on Vimeo.

Specifications

A bold and expressive Portuguese red blend.

Tasting Notes.

Duris Selection has an intense ruby color with violet tones. Aromas of red black fruits, slight floral with balsamic. In the mouth, it is a wine with a good volume, lively acidity and round tannins, with a persistent finish.

Production

Producer

Founded in 1917 in the Vinho Verde region, Calçada Wines is one of the oldest producers in the region focused especially on the production of still white and rosé wines and sparkling wines and is now the 3rd generation of the family to lead the business. In addition to producing high quality wines, Calçada brand is also synonymous with the art of hospitality - Casa da Calçada is a XVI palace converted into a luxurious hotel - it is a reference in hospitality and within the property we still proudly have what is considered the oldest vineyard in the region.

Specifications

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.

The wine is crafted from one of Central Europe's most renowned grape varieties, Blaufränkisch.

Tasting Notes

 It is a bright ruby wine with a pronounced fruity character. The aroma is complex, with tones of violet, black currant, cherry, blackberry and light shades of spices. The taste of the wine is mild, with delicate tannins, notes of red fruit, dark berries and ripe plums, which ends with a long juicy aftertaste

History

The Chateau  Chizay is a true country estate surrounded by vineyards. It was this French concept and its aesthetics that inspired us when creating Chateau Chizay, located near the ancient town of Berehove.

Transcarpathia is a historical wine region. The slopes of the volcanic Carpathian Mountains, plenty of sunlight, and sufficient water have fostered winemaking in these lands since ancient times. Zakarpattia (Transcarpathian) wines were supplied to the courts of medieval kings and nobles, and even to the presidents of modern states.

The culture of Transcarpathian winemaking is unique because it has combined Hungarian, Italian, and Austrian traditions throughout historical vicissitudes. It was this cultural fusion that yielded such an interesting and colorful product – Transcarpathian wine.

And at Chateau Chizay, we make it exclusively from our own Zakarpattia grapes. 272 hectares of vineyards in perfect Zakarpattia terroirs. Masters who respect local traditions and have learned the modern winemaking techniques in Europe. Inspiration from history, energy for the future. All of this is added to the bouquet of our wines.

Chateau Chizay winery complex was founded in 1995 in the Chizay tract near the town of Berehove in Zakarpattia. We built a modern production facility from scratch, but with attention to the local winemaking history. Our principles are hard work and honesty, respect for nature, and love for what we do.

Making simply quality wines is interesting, but we want more. We’re not satisfied with just being the best. It has to be unique. We are creating a new history of winemaking in Zakarpattia and Europe, and today Chateau Chizay is not just a winery, but a winemaking town, a center of noble craftsmanship, and a handmade wonder of Zakarpattia.

Yes, we make wine. But – more than wine. We create emotions. And – a new glory of Zakarpattia Wine. This is the philosophy of Chateau Chizay. We know and love! Welcome to our world!

Specifications