- Aglianico
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- Aglianico
- Albariño
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- Cabernet Sauvignon
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- Espadeiro
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- Glera
- Goldmuskateller
- Grenache / Garnacha
- Grillo
- Malbec
- Malvasia Nero
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- Mourvèdre / Mataró / Monastrell
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- Palomino
- Pedro Ximénez
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- Pinot Bianco/ Pinot Blanc
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- Pinot Noir
- Pinotage
- Prieto Picudo
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- Sauvignon Blanc
- Shiraz / Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Tinta Barroca
- Tinta Roriz
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- Touriga Nacional
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- Viura Blanco / Macabeu / Macabeo
2016 Cafaggio Basilica del Cortaccio Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £12.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Cafaggio Cortaccio is a stunning 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that opens with delicate aromas of cassis, tobacco and cedar. The robust palate delivers mature plum, clove and espresso alongside chewy tannins. Long and pleasant finish. Certified organic.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromatic notes of coffee, juicy ripe fruits, various spices, and jam.
Palate
Its mid-palate is energetic and vibrant, with not just blackcurrant aromas and flavours but that split-leaf herbaceousness that works so well from glorious Cabernet Sauvignon. Such a fresh, attractive scent. The nose also carries hints of cedar, spice, and blackberry, with a velvety, harmonious palate.
Vinification & Aging
Manual harvesting in mid-October, alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperatures in stainless steel tanks, breaking and soaking of the marc through manual pressing and pump-overs with air, spontaneous malolactic fermentation, maturation for 18 months in French oak (Tronçais and Allier) barriques that have been used once previously (medium-toasted), and bottle-aged for six months before sales start.
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
- 96 points with Decanter
-
Susan Hulme MW: "Lovely complex nose cedar, spice and blackberry, very smooth and harmonious palate."Andrea Briccarello: "Clean, coffee notes, roasted and intense notes of juicy fruits, charming spices and jam."Annette Scarfe MW: "Pure blackcurrant leaf with an energetic vibrant mid-palate – fresh and attractive."
Specifications
Year | 2016 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14.5% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 2021 - 2035 |
Food Matching | An excellent wine to pair with red meats and hearty sauces. Particularly suited for traditional Sunday Roast recipes featuring lamb. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Sustainable Farming, Practising Organic | |
Appellation | Tuscany |
2020 Cascavel Les Terroirs des Papes, AOP Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Regular price £19.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
The wine has a complex and fresh nose of red fruit, combined with slightly menthol-like notes of red fruit.
Mouth
On the palate, it is rich and full, with a natural elegance, and the silky tannins make it an immediately accessible and pleasant wine, with clear qualities to keep it for a while (5-7 years, depending on its expected profile).
The Cascavel wines are polished, authentic and very fairly priced for their quality.
Background
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 2025 - 2027 |
Food & Serving Information |
BBQ Beef, Chateau Briand and Grilled Lamb as well as Chocolate Desserts |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Organic |
Origin | Rhône, Ventoux |
Appellation | AOC Ventoux |
2020 Cafaggio Chianti Classico
Regular price £21.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
Ripe, deliciously berry, slightly earthy and herbal aroma. The medium-bodied taste repeats the berry aromas of the fragrance. The wine also has a slight smokiness, a hint of pine, cranberry and sour cherry.
Palate
In the mouthfeel, the wine is fruity, because the acidity and slightly drying tannins give the whole thing an edge. The wine leaves a ripe cranberry and lingonberry aftertaste, slightly astringent. The earthy flavours and aromas become more pronounced as the wine matures and develops. Oak maturation also adds spicy and vanilla notes.
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.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sangiovese Grosso |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13.5% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches |
Nuanced and developed wines go well will rustic meat dishes. You can also pair them with cheese or enjoy them on their own. Try with reindeer steak, entrecôte or hard, aged cheeses, such as Gouda, Parmesan or Manchego. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Tuscany |
2017 Cafaggio Chianti Classico Riserva
Regular price £33.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%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
- 91 Points Wine Enthusiast
- Bronze Medal at the 2021 International Wine Challenge
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sangiovese Grosso |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Tuscany |
2021 Uva Non Grata Gros Manseng
Regular price £9.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Thick-skinned and wild, Gros Manseng is relatively unknown. For years, it was held in lower regard than its equally obscure parent, Petit Manseng, and blended away anonymously. We've captured its winemaking potential in one of the fruitiest and fun wines you're likely to taste.
Tasting Notes
Zingy, incense-smoked and glorious, this is loud and proud Gros Manseng.
Production Method
Gros Manseng, with its thick skin and small berry size, can both ripen beautifully or over-ripen whilst retaining its acidity and shunning the advances of botrytis, giving both dry and sweet wines. To show this fascinating variety at its best, we've made two wines and blended them together: a bright and zingy Gros Manseng fermented to dryness into which we've blended a smaller proportion of late harvest Gros Manseng, bringing with it a delightful fruitiness and exotic spice.
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.
Today, Boutinot’s French office has recently relocated to Macon, and has over 20 employees who take care of production across the whole of France, covering fresh whites and rosés from Gascony, mineral wines from Burgundy, and joyful varietal wines from Languedoc among others. We don’t use any single model to source our wines; instead, a combination of sources are used, from large-scale, high-quality co-ops to small, family growers and single domaines, as well as our own vineyards in Cairanne and Saint-Vérand. Drawing on the expertise of our four winemakers and a network of partner growers, we seek to deliver the highest quality-to-price ratio possible for every wine.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"This was good - it had that lovely exotic aroma & flavour that I always associate with Gros Manseng- along with a touch of residual sugar that always follows. But it’s also got a searing acidity which keeps it fresh, attractive and very drinkable. Many won’t have heard of this grape but it’s definitely one where the adventurers among us will be rewarded with trying out. Very good value and loads of flavour and complexity for the price." Tasted February 2024
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Gros Manseng |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | This makes for a mega apéritif, otherwise try with stinky cheeses and aromatic middle-eastern and eastern cuisines. |
Origin | Vin De France |
2021 Campogiovanni, Rosso di Montalcino
Regular price £21.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Sourced from a 6 hectare plot on the Campogiovanni estate, where the vines naturally produce a brighter, more approachable and early ripening style of Sangiovese well suited to Rosso di Montalcino.
Tasting Notes
Nose
An inviting nose, warm and open, with ripe cherry and blackberry fruit combined with cedarwood and spice notes
Palate
The palate has rounded plum and red fruits balanced by fresh acidity. Spice and savoury characters and fine tannins lead to an elegant finish.
Producer
The Tenuta Campogiovanni is a sister estate to Agricola San Felice, and is located on the southern slope of the Montalcino hill, near San Angelo in Colle.
This 65ha estate comprises 19ha of vineyard across three separate parcels - amongst olive trees, woods and fields. Production here (and 14ha of vineyard) is strongly focused on Brunello, with the remainder largely used for Rosso di Montalcino. Campogiovanni Brunello is amongst the very best in the region.
1990 saw the first production of a Riserva, entitled Il Quercione, made from fruit rigorously selected from the vineyard of the same name and made only in exceptional year.
Production Method
These 6 hectares of Sangiovese vines were planted in the 1990s on the Campogiovanni estate. The vineyard is at a 250-300m altitude, south to southeast-facing. After a 12-day maceration, and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel, the wine was matured for 12 months in Slavonian oak botti, followed by a further 2 months in bottle.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sangiovese |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Pairs well with pasta in meat sauces with mushroom or truffles, pork, or veal dishes. |
Origin | Toscana |
Appellation | Rosso Di Montalcino DOC |
Champagne CH de L’Auche Brut Sélection N/V
Regular price £28.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A great, well rounded, fruit-forward Champagne!
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromatic notes of juicy pear and apricot on the nose are underpinned by more mature aromas of hazelnut and fresh bread.
Palate
The texture is creamy and full-bodied with well-balanced acidity and plenty of bubbles!
Production
Grapes for this cuvée are grown in the lieu-dit of "Auche" around the village of Janvry which lies just to the west of Reims. Firstly they are pressed in small stainless steel vats, before being transferred to ceramic vats for 12 hours to allow for natural clarification of the juice. Next, the clarified juice is moved to large steel containers where it remains from September to March, during which time fermentation takes place before finally being bottled for the secondary fermentation and lees ageing. Dosage is between 9g and 10g per litre to give a richness of profile and this Brut Sélection is comprised of 60% wine from 2017 with 40% reserve wines from 2014-2016.
Producer
The Cave Co-opérative de Germigny was created in the early '60s by a handful of winegrowers who wanted to pool their resources and craft their own Champagne. They aimed to celebrate the local terroir - the western slopes of the Montagne de Reims. Today the Co-operative works 115 hectares of vineyards covering 40 different crus, of which 5 are classified as Premier Cru. The Co-op members remain passionate about their shared values of respect for nature, protecting their heritage and working together.
Awards
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2022 - Silver
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 - Bronze
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Meunier 85%, Pinot Noir 15% |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Champagne |
Dosage | 9g/l |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | A highly versatile style of champagne which could accompany canapés, mushroom-based starters, cheese and all manner of poultry dishes. Although, simply sipping it as an aperitif works very well too. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
Amontillado Del Castillo Almacenista Sobrinos De Antonio Caballero, Bodegas Lustau NV (500ml)
Regular price £37.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This exclusive solera of Amontillado consists of 38 casks. It is aged for an average period of 18 years, in the cellars of the Castle of San Marcos in the coastal town of El Puerto de Santa María.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Beautiful bright amber colour with coppery reflections.
Nose
This wine shows aromas of hazelnut praline and candied orange zest with nuances of furniture polish and smoked wood in the background.
Palate
Dry, pungent and flavoursome, with refreshing acidity. Enormously nutty with a delicious salty spiced touch and an extremely long aftertaste.
Producers
During the early years, Bodegas Lustau operated as an Almacenista'. The Lustau family began bottling their own sherries and exporting by 1950. In the 1980s they expanded their range and introduced the Almacenista range concept of buying and maturing casks from small bodegas to share excellent quality names and styles with enthusiasts around the world.
In 1990 the winery was bought by the family-owned Louis Caballero group. Bodegas Lustau is considered a world-class benchmark for top-quality wines. Lustau produces all styles of sherry, from Manzanilla through to Pedro Ximénez, as well as special bottlings, single cask, VOS and VORS sherries. The En Rama range, produced from select barrels from each of the three towns, is a highly anticipated release each spring.
Lustau has, over the years, won multiple medals and trophies, including Best Spanish Winery' and Best Sherry Producer' at the IWSC and the Len Evans Trophy for consistency (won in 2011 and 2016) at the IWC.
Current cellar master Sergio Martínez took charge of the winery's oenological team in 2016, after more than 14 years' worth of experience with Lustau. Sergio has been awarded the Best Fortified Winemaker' trophy by the International Wine Challenge three years in a row, following in the footsteps of the late Manuel Lozano who had won this award seven times.
In 2022, Lustau celebrated its 125th birthday with a special release of three sherries in its Anniversary Collection, including a Manzanilla Pasada Papirusa, Amontillado Solera del Castillo, and a Vintage Sherry Añada 1996.
Specifications
Year | Non Vintage |
Bottle Size | 500ml |
Cultivar | 100% Palomino |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
21.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11 units |
Type | Fortified Wine - Dry Sherry |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Serve as an apéritif, with “tapas” and nuts, or to accompany dishes such as consommés, foie-gras, cold and smoked meats, a cheeseboard, and even rich flavoured fish or seafood dishes. It is a wine that pairs perfectly with spicy Asian cuisine. |
Origin | Jerez |
Appellation | Jerez |
2022 Da Vero Biologico Nero d’Avola (Organic)
Regular price £8.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Production
The Nero d'Avola grapes are sourced from the area around Salemi (Province of Trapani) in the north-west tip of Sicily. The vines are Guyot-trained, and grown at around 250m altitude on a combination of soil types. The vineyards were converted to organic viticulture in 2007. The grapes are macerated on the skins for 8-12 days, then racked and allowed to complete malolactic fermentation.
Producer
Established in 2003, Adria Vini is a winemaking venture jointly owned by Boutinot and Araldica Castelvero, the leading co-operative in the Monferrato hills of Piemonte. Our aim is to produce authentic, well-priced still and sparkling wines from local grape varieties. All aspects of production, from grape selection through to vinification, maturation, blending and bottling are meticulously overseen by Araldica's winemaking team of Claudio Manera and Lella Burdese - assisted by Boutinot's Tony Brown MW. We source from a range of private growers and cooperatives, with whom we have long-term relationships, principally in Veneto, Friuli, Lombardy, Sicily, Puglia, Abruzzo and Sardinia.
Alan's Personal Tasting Note
"This wee beaut is destined to become one of our best sellers (cellars!) medium bodied with lots of juicy black fruits and a real easy drinking smoothness - absolutely no rough edges - a real crowd pleaser at a crowd-pleasing price. Watch this fly!" January 2024
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Nero d'Avola |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14% abv |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matching | Pair with starters, seafood and risotto |
Cellaring Potential |
Rich pasta dishes, casseroles and grilled meats |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian, sustainable |
Origin |
Sicily, Italy |
Appellation | Sicilia DOC |
NV Casalotta Durello Brut, Vino Spumante
Regular price £9.25 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A lesser-known, yet great alternative to Prosecco - the sparkling wine of choice in Verona bars!
Tasting Notes
Citrus and gently floral aromas lead to a very fresh and zippy palate with crisp green apple and lightly honeyed characters. A refreshing and approachable style of fizz - yet with texture and depth underlying the bright fruit.
Production Method
Production of Durello Spumante is mostly in the hands of a few small growers, traditionally producing bottle fermented wine with up to 6 years on lees. However the variety is also well-suited to the production of fresh, zesty tank method wines such as this - aged for 2-3 months on lees.
Producer
Established in 2003, Adria Vini is a winemaking venture jointly owned by Boutinot and Araldica Castelvero, the leading co-operative in the Monferrato hills of Piemonte. Our aim is to produce authentic, well-priced still and sparkling wines from local grape varieties. All aspects of production, from grape selection through to vinification, maturation, blending and bottling are meticulously overseen by Araldica's winemaking team of Claudio Manera and Lella Burdese - assisted by Boutinot's Tony Brown MW. We source from a range of private growers and cooperatives, with whom we have long term relationships, principally in Veneto, Friuli, Lombardy, Sicily, Puglia, Abruzzo and Sardinia.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Durello |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 11% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.25 units |
Type | Fizz |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian, Vegan approved |
Food Matches | Serve chilled as an aperitif or with peach juice for the perfect Bellini. |
Origin |
Veneto |
2022 The Myth of Motu Nui Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £9.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This label celebrates Chile’s farthest-flung outpost, Motu Nui, the tiny islet (or motu) just off the coast of Easter Island.
Adrift in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and rich in Polynesian mythology, Motu Nui was the essential location for Easter Island’s legendary bird-man cult Tangata manu. Representatives from each island clan would wait for the visiting sooty terns to lay their first egg on Motu Nui, then swim across the shark-infested bay bearing that egg and climb the mainland cliffs of the Orongo volcano to claim rights of power and privilege for their clan for the following year. Many of the protagonists were devoured by sharks or fell to their deaths in this visceral trial of courage. These rituals have long since passed but their history is imprinted in the island’s history and archaeology. Today the sooty tern, depicted on our label, is protected and thrives peacefully on the island’s shore.
Tasting Notes
The wine is sourced from grapes equally shaped by the Pacific Ocean that grow in the Aconcagua region’s coastal Leyda Valley, grapes that achieve a pungency and aromatic profile redolent of New Zealand’s Marlborough region on the other side of the Pacific Rim. Bright, aromatic and crisply textural. The Myth of Motu Nui is a delightfully aromatic Sauvignon Blanc as rich as the myths that inspire the name.
Production
The Sauvignon Blanc grapes are grown in three excellent sites across the Leyda and San Antonio D.O. The proximity of the vineyards to the Pacific Ocean (only 10km’s away) and its fresh coastal breezes ensures grapes ripen slowly. This allows the grapes to retain their natural citrus flavours and freshness but also to develop great aromatics. Sauvignon Blanc grapes in Leyda are some of the first to be harvested in Chile, and winemaking is simple to preserve this crunchy, bright fruit. Cool fermentation in stainless steel is followed by a couple of months on their fine lees which adds texture and depth. We bottle early to retain the primary characteristics, flavours and freshness of this enchanting fruit.
Producer
Our winemaking team has been building relationships 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.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Simple fish cooked over coals with lemon or a goats cheese salad. |
Origin | DO Aconcagua |
2022 Da Vero Biologico Catarratto (Organic)
Regular price £8.79 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Production
The Catarratto grapes are sourced from the north-west corner of Sicily, at Calatafimi, between Marsala and Palermo. These Guyot-trained vines grow in high altitude vineyards (around 500m) with chalky soils. The vineyards were converted to organic viticulture in 2005. The grapes are gently pressed and the must vinified at 16ºC. Maturation in stainless steel.
Producer
Established in 2003, Adria Vini is a winemaking venture jointly owned by Boutinot and Araldica Castelvero, the leading co-operative in the Monferrato hills of Piemonte. Our aim is to produce authentic, well-priced still and sparkling wines from local grape varieties. All aspects of production, from grape selection through to vinification, maturation, blending and bottling are meticulously overseen by Araldica's winemaking team of Claudio Manera and Lella Burdese - assisted by Boutinot's Tony Brown MW. We source from a range of private growers and cooperatives, with whom we have long-term relationships, principally in Veneto, Friuli, Lombardy, Sicily, Puglia, Abruzzo and Sardinia.
Alan's Personal Tasting Note
"This packs in a lot for the price point. Immediately attractive concentrated citric aromas lead onto a full-flavoured palate. The citric fruit follows through and is joined with some ripe, rich, tropical fruits. Good acidity, good complexity & a long, lingering finish. Exceptional value - at entry level from Sicily. Organic & vegan approved is an added bonus. This really is a no-brainer - superb value." January 2024
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Catarratto |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12.5% abv |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matching | Pair with starters, seafood and risotto |
Cellaring Potential |
For immediate enjoyment - best served chilled. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian, sustainable |
Origin |
Sicily, Italy |
Appellation | Terre Siciliane IGT |
2022 Le Petit Chat Malin Blanc
Regular price £8.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A scrumptious Languedoc blend - one of our fine feline tipples which can be lapped up on its lonesome.
Tasting Notes
This textural dry white is bright and beautifully balanced. With fresh fruity flavours of citrus fruits, a touch of apricot, a twist of spice and aromas shining through, this is an easy-drinking wine that can be enjoyed all year round.
Production
Predominantly Grenache Blanc with Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier. Immediately after picking at optimum maturity the grapes are pressed and undergo cold fermentation. Malolactic fermentation is blocked in order to preserve the acidity in the wine.
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.
Today, Boutinot’s French office has recently relocated to Macon, and has over 20 employees who take care of production across the whole of France, covering fresh whites and rosés from Gascony, mineral wines from Burgundy, and joyful varietal wines from Languedoc among others. We don’t use any single model to source our wines; instead, a combination of sources are used, from large-scale, high-quality co-ops to small, family growers and single domains, as well as our own vineyards in Cairanne and Saint-Vérand. Drawing on the expertise of our four winemakers and a network of partner growers, we seek to deliver the highest quality-to-price ratio possible for every wine.
Alan's Personal Tasting Note
"Attractive French white made from white Rhône varietals. Medium-bodied with attractive dryness and acidity. The flavours really come to the fore as it oxidises in the glass. Pleasant and very easy drinking." January 2024
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 50% Grenache Blanc, 20% Marsanne, 20%, Roussanne, 10% Viogner |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Serve chilled with white meats, fish or simply lap it up on its lonesome. Some particularly good matches include baked chicken and apricots, coronation chicken and skate with caper and butter sauce. |
Origin | Vin de France |
Appellation | Vin de France |
2023 Percheron Chenin Blanc Viognier
Regular price £8.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
Vibrant and aromatic with subtle perfumed aromas, white peach and hints of jasmine on the nose.
Palate
On the palate it has tight, white, fleshy, stonefruit and fresh citrus flavours balanced by bright and lively acidity. A crisp, incisive finish with a touch of minerality helps deliver a delicious, flavoursome and characterful wine.
Alan's Tasting Note
"This is a delightful, cheeky wee white that delivers a lot of flavour for not a lot of cost. I get the jasmine notes but the fruit is more pear than peach to me. It’s unoaked but has a beautiful richness and length to the fruit that hides /balances the high acidity. As easy drinking as the red - a brilliant pair together."
Production
This wine is made of 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Viognier. Grapes are grown on 30+ year old trellised Chenin and 15 year old Viognier in the Coastal region, mainly from Swartland vineyards. The climate is perfect for viticulture with the low rainfall summer months, tempered by cool afternoons and the cold winters allowing the vines to rest and to build up the reserves. Part of the Chenin Blanc is wild yeast fermented and kept on the yeast lees for as long as possible in order to achieve a rounded palate with good fruit concentration.
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, terroir.. Our home-grown South African winemaking team of JD Rossouw and Ryno Booysen drive the energy and enthuasiam 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 | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 75% Chenin Blanc 25% Viognier |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.37 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Grilled prawns with plenty of garlic and chilli, whole lemon sole fried in butter and also delicate freshwater fish dishes. |
Origin | Swartland |
Appellation |
WO Coastal Region
|
2022 Les Oliviers Grenache
Regular price £8.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A lipsmacking house wine that is great with food.
Tasting Notes
A fresh, pretty and youthful red wine that will mellow as it develops in the bottle. Supple yet with underlying structure, it is quite lifted on the nose with raspberry and floral notes. Packed full of ripe, crunchy red berry fruit backed up with a hint of liquorice and touch of spice. Fresh, elegant and pleasingly simple. Lovely.
Production
Based in the southwest of the Languedoc, where the 40 year-old cordon-trained vines thrive on silt and sand. Grenache grapes are destemmed and macerated at cool temperatures prior to fermentation in order to gain the juicy fruit flavours.
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 | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Grenache |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 1-2 years |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | The perfect match for grilled meat and ratatouille or pasta dishes. Alternatively, top up the glass and enjoy on its own. |
Origin | Languedoc |
Appellation | IGP P'ays Doc |
2022 Cuvée Jean-Paul Rouge, IGP Méditerranée
Regular price £7.95 Sale price £6.76 Save 15%Crowd-pleasing, bistro-style red and stalwart of Boutinot's house wine offer.
Tasting Notes
A classic southern uncomplicated Rhône red which is deliciously drinkable yet serious enough to accompany food.
Nose
Rich fruit and an appealing herbal freshness
Palate
Lusciously textured with plum, strawberry and a touch of spice.
Production
South-eastern France is swathed in sunny vineyards and peppered with pretty villages that lend their name to famous appellations. In the bistros of these villages, local vignerons often choose not to drink the wines bearing the village name. Instead, they cannily favour a glass of IGP, aware that, although made to different guidelines, wines from the larger IGP Méditerranée can be made from plots which share very similar characteristics to these more prestigiously classified vineyards. Cuvée Jean-Paul Rouge is now sourced from this wider area, working with specialist growers who own such plots. Grenache and Syrah are selected from individual vineyards, specifically for the profile they will each give to the final wine. Classic vinification techniques continue - temperature-controlled fermentation to gain immediate fruit flavours, with maceration lasting between 5 to 10 days before the wine is pressed. For the final blend, an understanding of how each component will evolve is critical in maintaining the consistent and very drinkable style expected of Cuvée Jean-Paul - a judgement which can only be made with many years’ experience of creating blends.
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.
Today, Boutinot’s French office has recently relocated to Macon, and has over 20 employees who take care of production across the whole of France, covering fresh whites and rosés from Gascony, mineral wines from Burgundy, and joyful varietal wines from Languedoc among others. We don’t use any single model to source our wines; instead, a combination of sources are used, from large-scale, high-quality co-ops to small, family growers and single domains, as well as our own vineyards in Cairanne and Saint-Vérand. Drawing on the expertise of our four winemakers and a network of partner growers, we seek to deliver the highest quality-to-price ratio possible for every wine
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 80% Grenache 20% Syrah |
Country | Rhone France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | 1 year max |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Drink with hearty food such as grilled meats and casseroles. Also great with BLTs, pizzas and mature, hard cheeses. |
Origin | Rhone |
Appellation | IGP Mediterranee |
2022 Cuvée Jean-Paul Blanc Sec, IGP Côtes de Gascogne
Regular price £7.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A deliciously aromatic, bright, and zingy dry white!
Tasting Notes
Nose
A fresh nose of lime, basil, freshly cut green grass, and guavas.
Palate
The medium-bodied palate continues with more grapefruit, subtle passionfruit, and zingy tropical lemon.
Production
The rolling hills between the scattered medieval towns and villages of Gascony in south-west France are predominately white wine country. For many decades growers here have provided Boutinot with an excellent source of Colombard and Ugni Blanc, which together provide a pleasant mix of tropical and herbecaeous flavours. Vines are generally trained using the Guyot system and vigorous grape selection is used to capture both the fresh aromatics and provide the longevity needed to maintain the consistent flavour profile for which Cuvée Jean-Paul is known. On delivery to the cellar, the grapes are cooled then undergo maceration on skins for 10-15 hours before pneumatic pressing and cold settling to preserve the aromas. We then keep the wine on fine lees to retain maximum freshness before crafting into the final cuvée. To ensure freshness, we blend and bottle up to four times a year - an intricate process essential to maintaining stylistic continuity and quality, one which demands knowledge of how each component parcel will evolve.
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.
Today, Boutinot’s French office has recently relocated to Macon, and has over 20 employees who take care of production across the whole of France, covering fresh whites and rosés from Gascony, mineral wines from Burgundy, and joyful varietal wines from Languedoc among others. We don’t use any single model to source our wines; instead, a combination of sources are used, from large-scale, high-quality co-ops to small, family growers and single domaines, as well as our own vineyards in Cairanne and Saint-Vérand. Drawing on the expertise of our four winemakers and a network of partner growers, we seek to deliver the highest quality-to-price ratio possible for every wine
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Colombard 75%, Ugni Blanc 25% |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 11.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.25 units |
Type | White Blend |
Cellaring Potential | 1 - 2 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Ideal as an apéritif or with fish and chips, simple vegetable or salad dishes. |
Origin |
IGP Cotes de Gasgone |
NV Krohn Ruby Port, DOC Porto
Regular price £14.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Rich and full Ruby Port, with a smooth, soft finish. Krohn's 'entry-level' is in a different category to most Ruby Ports - mature and versatile.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep red colour.
Nose
Fresh, plummy fruit aromas with a hint of spice.
Palate
The palate has plenty of lively cherry and curranty black fruit - rich and full with a soft finish
Production
Traditional grape varieties are sourced from Krohn's own vineyards, and supplemented by fruit from neighbouring farms working in partnership with Krohn. Here old vines are planted in schistous soils. Fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, which is interrupted by the addition of grape spirit to preserve a certain degree of natural sweetness. This wine is a blend of different grapes, vineyards and vintages. Maturation - aged for 2 to 3 years in large, old oak barrels.
Producers
Wiese & Krohn was founded in 1865 by two Norwegians - Theodor Wiese and Dankert Krohn - shipping initially to Scandinavia and Germany. In the century and a half since its foundation, Krohn has built up an outstanding reputation. Long renowned for the quality of their sublime Colheitas (single vintage tawnies), they produce a remarkably complete range for a small house, and each wine excels in its category. Much of the secret lies in the high quality of their vineyards - the magical combination of terroir, locality, aspect, incline and low-yielding vines. Their Quinta do Retiro Novo estate in Sarzedinho, in the Rio Torto valley (where vinification takes place), is an grade vineyard. Indeed Krohn only work with grapes from A-graded vineyards across all of their ports, and their top wines are still trodden by foot. Since 2013 Krohn has been part of the Fladgate Partnership - alongside Taylor's, Fonseca and Croft.
Sustainability
The Krohn estate - which is part of the Taylor Fladgate portfolio has long been committed to the ecological well-being of their vineyards and the Douro valley. To this aim they have developed a model for sustainable vineyard cultivation designed for the steep hillsides of the Douro, where 28,000ha of vineyard (62% of the vineyard area of the region) is planted on hillsides with a gradient over 30%. This involves the construction of narrow terraces inclined at 3º to the horizontal – to allow the perfect balance between rainwater run-off and its penetration of the soil. This avoids top soil erosion which is a key challenge in mountain viticulture.
These terraces each support just one row of vines, and alongside the vines a temporary carpet of selected plant species is sown. This flourishes between November and late spring, preventing invasive plants from taking hold, and eliminating the need for herbicides to control unwanted vegetation.
The cover crop dies back naturally with the onset of summer, when the vines are active. The terrace system leaves tracks between the single row of vines and the foot of the bank, allowing access for machinery to mow any unwanted vegetation into a natural mulch. The mulch reduces water loss and restores natural organic matter to the soil. The absence of herbicides means that vegetation can regenerate easily and naturally each year. They also work hard to ensure the correct selection of vine varieties and their distribution within the vineyard, so that varieties can thrive naturally in each location, developing their own unassisted natural resistance to drought, disease and vineyard pests.
Alongside this Sustainable viticulture model the estate produces renewable energy with photovoltaic panels and has robust energy, water and waste management policies.
This vineyard model earned the Partnership the prestigious BES Biodiversity prize in 2009 (recognising achievement in the fields of conservation and environmental sustainability).
Specifications
Year | NV |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa,Tinta Barroca |
Country | Portugal |
Alcohol content | 20% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 15 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Dietary Information |
Vegetarian, Vegan |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Serve after a meal as a digestif with hard cheeses, chestnuts, cashews and hazelnuts. Works as a perfect accompaniment to berries, summer pudding and chocolate too! |
Origin | Douro Valley |
Appellation | DOC Porto |
2021 Doña Paula Estate High Altitude Malbec
Regular price £10.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Doña Paula is a winery that produces Premium wines, established in 1997 in Mendoza, Argentina. They own 100% of the vineyards used for the production of all their wines, planted in the best areas of the country, looking for the most faithful expression of each terroir.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Intense violet color.
Nose
Lovely notes of blackberry and plum along with a hint of violet and spice.
Palate
This follows through into the palate which has a lovely play between the concentrated black fruit and the spices, along with a hint of minerality that really rounds out the palate. It is wonderfully balanced with a nice freshness that makes the wine seem not quite as heavy as it should be with an ABV of 14.5%.
Vinification
The grapes are hand-picked the first week of April. In the winery, they are destemmed gently, without breaking the berries. Then, a cold pre-fermentative maceration is carried out to preserve the primary aromas. Fermentation takes place at low temperatures, and a post-fermentation maceration is later performed for 15 to 20 days. The wine is aged in first, second and third-use French oak barrels for 12 months.
The Estate Vineyards
90% of these grapes are sourced from our best vineyards in Alluvia, Gualtallary, at 1,350 meters (4,430 feet) above sea level and 10% from Los Indios, El Cepillo, at 1,100 meters (3,610 feet) above sea level. The soils are stony in the first location and sandy loam in the second one, and both have high calcareous content.
Doña Paula Estate Malbec displays the unique characteristics of the Uco Valley, a terroir where the climate is cold, with an average temperature variation of 16 °C (60.8°F) in Los Indios and 12.5 °C (54.5°F) in Alluvia, and an average annual rainfall of 280 mm (11 in) in El Cepillo and 300 mm (11.8 in) in Gualtallary. The vines yield an average of 8 tons per hectare, and they are grown in espaliers, using drip irrigation. At Doña Paula, our vineyards have always been managed using sustainable agricultural practices.
Accolades
- 91 points - Tim Atkin
- 91 points - Descorchados
- 90 points - Wine Enthusiast
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"As I thought - this is absolutely stunning. Lots of fresh black fruits with some spice. It’s big, full-bodied, complex, and long, but there’s a freshness to the fruit and silky tannins that can only come from high altitude, cool climate fruit. Drinking exceptionally well now but it's got the power to last a few years yet. Certainly over-delivers at £10.99!!" 14 Dec 2023
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Malbec |
Country | Argentina |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Aged | Oak aged |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian, Sustainable practices |
Food Matches |
Sirloin strip steak, chimi-churri butter, French fries with herbs and roasted tomatoes. A pairing par excellence! And when it comes to preparing it, simplicity makes this dish even more exquisite. |
Appellation | Finca Alluvia in Gualtallary (Tupungato, Uco Valley) and Finca Los Indios in El Cepillo (San Carlos, Uco Valley) 100% Malbec |
2015 Château De Rochemorin Pessac-Léognan
Regular price £27.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A very fruity, velvety, rich Pessac-Léognan, with well-balanced tannins.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Garnet red
Nose
Intense, with notes of fresh red fruits, slightly spicy
Palate
Elegant and balanced, with notes of red fruits, round and harmonious tannins
Estate
Château de Rochemorin belonged in the 18th century to the philosopher, Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu, author of the famous Persian Letters. The latter willingly became the ambassador of Rochemorin red wines to his friends, men of letters and other notables, during his numerous trips to Europe, never forgetting to praise the beautiful complexity and the mineral notes on the nose and on the palate balanced and fine, their melted and fine tannins in the finish make them a sure value of the appellation.
The vines of Château de Rochemorin which give rise to this Pessac-Léognan red occupy no less than 87 hectares on a gravel terroir typical of the appellation. Two grape varieties are represented: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, from vines with an average age of 20 years. The result is a very fruity, velvety, rich wine, with well-balanced tannins.
This vast vineyard is harvested by hand and machine with mechanical sorting for plot vinification in thermoregulated stainless steel vats, before aging for 12 months in barrels comprising 30 to 40% new wood.
Specifications
Year | 2015 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | This red wine can be accompanied by: red meat, dishes in sauce, furry and feathered game, poultry, terrines, strong goat's and cow's cheeses (brie, old chavignol, munster), coffee or chocolate desserts. The ideal serving temperature is 16-18°C. |
Cellaring Potential | A wine to keep, the vintage offers the potential to keep for around 15-20 years. |
Appellation |
Pessac-Léognan Contrôlée
|
2022 Cicada Rouge by Chante Cigale
Regular price £10.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Cicada takes its name from the famed ‘singing cicadas’ of Provence and this is a lively, fruit-forward red from the Southern Rhône.
Tasting Notes
Fresh, ripe red berries with a bit of forest floor. Yummy, ripe red and black cherries, a pinch of spice and some softly, boisterous tannins. Lovely balancing acidity completes the picture.
Producer
Domaine Chante Cigale is located within the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and has been owned by the Sabon Favier family for several generations. Consisting of 41 hectares, the domaine benefits from old vines, some of which are veritably ancient at over 100 years old. Alexandre Favier took over from his father, Christian, and is part of a new wave of producers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, combining modern technical expertise with time-honoured winemaking practices.
Alexandre is lauded by notable journalists including Steve Danzier and Jancis Robinson for his deftly-made and reasonably-priced wines. Domaine Chante Cigale has also built a reputation for specialising in white wines, of which they produce more than any other estate in the appellation.
Production
Alex Favier sources the grapes for his IGPs from land the family owns in the Vaucluse; grapes for this come from 2 lieu-dits in Travaillan to the west of Gigondas – La Marteillère with clay soil for the Grenache & L’Hers on limestone for the Carignan, vines are 30 years old. Hand-harvested and de-stemmed, short maceration in concrete for the Grenache plus aging in 5 yr old Burgundy barrels for the Carignan to round out the tannins.
Sustainability
As you might expect from someone born and raised on an estate named after singing cicadas, Alexandre Favier keenly promotes the biodiversity of his vineyards. He is very conscious of his role as guardian of his land for future generations and Chante Cigale is currently in conversion to full organic status.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 80% Grenache Noir, 20% Carignan |
Country | Rhone France |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Great on its own or with pasta, grilled lamb and ratatouille. |
Origin | Vin de France |
Appellation | Vin de France |
1983 Taylor's Vintage Port
Regular price £100.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%An outstanding port scoring 94/100 Parker Points.
This house must certainly be the Latour of Portugal. Their ports are remarkably backward yet still impressive when young. Of all the vintage ports, those of Taylor need the longest time to mature and even when fully mature seem to have an inner strength and firmness that keep them going for decades.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep cherry, burgundy colour, fading at the rim.
Nose
Rich, jammy harmonious fruit. Stylish, aromatic, concentrated fruit flavours.
Palate
Raisin, chocolate; plum jam. Medium-full bodied. Rounded tannins. Complex, fleshy wine. The 1983 is wonderfully aromatic and so perfumed (a characteristic of this charming vintage), yet powerful, long and deep on the palate.
94 points Wine Advocate
The 1983 Vintage Port is up for a status check. It is in a pretty good place now. It's been as hard as nails over the years. Not anymore. With softened tannins and a medley of old Port flavors on the finish, this is both sensual and delicious, with velvety texture and an irresistible finish. It doesn't have that hard edge any more, but it does wake up and become more intense with some air. At least from this bottle, it comes together rather promptly and drinks well. It's lacking just a bit of firmness, but its complex flavors and general demeanor make it rather sexy. The lingering finish seals the deal. It can keep going for quite some time—it is Port and they tend not to drop off the table if well stored—but this is a nice time to dive in. (MS) (12/2015)
Jancis Robinson
Mid tawny. A smoky, minerally nose with restrained, dried red fruit and layers of incense and spices that emerge. Demands attention to see its qualities. Lots of fruit density to balance the still-firm tannins, typical of the house style. Well-integrated finish with good length. A very fine 1983. 18/20 points (TJ) (9/2020)
Wine Spectator
Taylor is always closed and tight when young and this is no exception. Deep ruby-purple, ripe raisin and violet aromas, full-bodied, with sweet raisin and grape flavors, a lovely balance of full tannins and an explosion of fruit on the finish. (JS, Web-1989)
K&L Notes
Four stars from Michael Broadbent: "At best correct, lovely, delicious and classic, showing well. Better than most '83s. Last tasted Oct 2006." (Micheal Broadbent's Pocket Vintage Wine Companion)
The Vintage
The winter of 1982/3 was marked by extreme cold weather in February, when snow fell in Pinhão for the first time in twenty years. Poor flowering in many vineyards and overall an unusually cold year, including the month of August. However, September was hot.
The harvest was late, starting on October 3rd ,but perfect conditions prevailed. Colour extraction was more than satisfactory and the winemakers’ notes at the time record that the ‘musts’ were exceptionally aromatic.
Please Note
A collector's item! We believe this wine to be wonderful - however, as with all aged wines, it comes with a 'Buyers be aware' clause, and some labels may not be perfect. If you have any queries, please just drop us an email or give us a call!
Specifications
Year | 1983 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
Touriga Franca - Touriga Nacional - Tinta Barroca - Tinta Roriz |
Country | Portugal |
Alcohol content | 20% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 15 units |
Type | Red - Fortified |
Cellaring Potential | Drink from now to 2030 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Douro Valley |
Appellation | Porto |
1963 Cockburn's Vintage Port
Regular price £200.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
1963 Cockburn Porto Vintage is a beautiful port.
Nose
It is intense with tobacco leaves, dark spices, light color coming out of the bottle that darkens a bit over time.
Palate
The palate is rich with tobacco, dark chocolate and some kind of herbal blend, along with moderate alcohol.
History
Jancis Robinson on the unique production of 1963: "Rupert Symington: The vintage that saved the port trade. Paul Symington: we weren’t sent to prep school in England in the late 1950s and early 1960s because there was simply no money. There was real hunger in the Douro. But prices for the 1963s were at last on a par with the first growths. Universally declared. Conditions were beautiful. Useful rain. Classic pattern of the growing season. This was the last vintage that the shippers treated in an entirely négociant way. The likes of John Smithes would go and supervise the vintage in outlying quintas with no electricity. The big danger was overfilling the lagares. Derek Smedley remembered the excitement in the tasting room at Harveys when Michael Broadbent and Harry Waugh enthused over this wine." (09/2012)
Accolades
Jancis Robinson (19.5/20)
"Firm healthy ruby, deeper than 1967. Very concentrated and beautifully balanced. Great sweetness and dryness and freshness. Great lift. Utterly flattering. So mellow and far from dying. Long. Edge of ladies handbags; hint of cheesiness. So lively! So complex. Still quite dry on the end but overall delightfully exotic and lively. 1985 - 2035" (tasted Sept 2012)
Wine Advocate (86 points)
"This house tends to produce quite full-bodied, rich, alcoholic, spirited vintage ports... The 1963 is fully mature, spicy, with a chocolaty, meaty texture and somewhat hot, short finish. " (12/1988)
Wine Spectator (88 points)
"This is a very attractive, mature and subtle wine. Medium ruby with a garnet edge, leafy vanilla and cherry aromas, medium-bodied, with a very good concentration of clean fruit flavors and a medium finish." (Web-1988)
Cellar Tracker
"Perfectly integrated and showing cherry, raspberry, baker's spices and hints of fig on the nose and palate. With air the fruit became more plummy in character and picked up more complex dried fruit notes. It's sweet, but not Graham's or Fonseca sweet and there's actually some nice acidity to the wine that keeps it fresh. Seamless with the alcohol sewn into the fabric of the wine nicely." Cellar Tracker 2012
Please Note
A collector's item! We believe this wine to be wonderful - however, as with all aged wines, it comes with a 'Buyers be aware' clause, and some labels may not be perfect. If you have any queries, please just drop us an email or give us a call!
Specifications
Year | 1963 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
Touriga Franca - Touriga Nacional - Tinta Barroca - Tinta Roriz
|
Country | Portugal |
Alcohol content
|
20% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 15 units |
Type | Red - Fortified |
Cellaring Potential | Drink now |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matching | St James Cake, Mature Cheeses |
Origin | Douro Valley |
Appellation | Porto |
2010 Château De Rochemorin Pessac-Léognan
Regular price £26.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The 2010 vintage was a strong one. This winery is located in southwestern France in the Graves district of Bordeaux where the wines tend to be blacker, deeper and oakier than other Bordeaux districts.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Loads of oak and smoke on the nose and palate of this robust Bordeaux red wine from generous oak barrel aging.
Palate
Boasts a tobacco and roasted cedar frame, with a sanguine edge that guides the lightly mulled plum and red currant fruit. The supple, stylish finish lingers.
Estate
Château de Rochemorin belonged in the 18th century to the philosopher, Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu, author of the famous Persian Letters. The latter willingly became the ambassador of Rochemorin red wines to his friends, men of letters and other notables, during his numerous trips to Europe, never forgetting to praise the beautiful complexity and the mineral notes on the nose and on the palate balanced and fine, their melted and fine tannins in the finish make them a sure value of the appellation.
The vines of Château de Rochemorin which give rise to this Pessac-Léognan red occupy no less than 87 hectares on a gravel terroir typical of the appellation. Two grape varieties are represented: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, from vines with an average age of 20 years. The result is a very fruity, velvety, rich wine, with well-balanced tannins.
This vast vineyard is harvested by hand and machine with mechanical sorting for plot vinification in thermoregulated stainless steel vats, before aging for 12 months in barrels comprising 30 to 40% new wood.
Specifications
Year | 2010 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | This red wine can be accompanied by: red meat, dishes in sauce, furry and feathered game, poultry, terrines, strong goat's and cow's cheeses (brie, old chavignol, munster), coffee or chocolate desserts. The ideal serving temperature is 16-18°C. |
Cellaring Potential | For enjoyment now and for the next few years. |
Appellation |
Pessac-Léognan Contrôlée
|
2015 Lurton Chateau Bonnet Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon (Magnum)
Regular price £33.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Thanks to expressive fruit – but without excessive concentration – Château Bonnet's red wine is unquestionably charming. In fact, it is a benchmark in Bordeaux. The wine is best enjoyed on the young side, although the quality tannin ensures good ageing for several year. With its fresh red cherry notes, this wine makes a great pairing for grilled meats and cheese platters.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep ruby-red color scattered with purple highlights.
Nose
The nose is very attractive and fruity, revealing a delicious array of fresh fruit notes (cherry), underpinned by subtle hints of spice.
Palate
This beautiful Bonnet starts out straightforward on the palate, becoming very round, delicious and sweet. Fresh red fruit aromas (cherry) follow through to the palate.
Production
Grapes come from clay-limestone hilltop vineyards of Grézillac in the Entre-deux-Mers. Aged 12 months in 20% new oak barrels.
Rating
- 91 points from Decanter Magazine
Specifications
Year | 2015 |
Bottle Size | 1.5L (Magnum) |
Cultivar | 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 21 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Nuanced and developed wines go well with rustic meat dishes. You can also pair them with cheese or enjoy them on their own. Try with reindeer steak, entrecôte or hard, aged cheeses, such as Gouda, Parmesan or Manchego. |
Origin | Grézillac in the Entre-deux-Mers |
Appellation |
Bordeaux
|
2015 Lurton Chateau Bonnet Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £16.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Thanks to expressive fruit – but without excessive concentration – Château Bonnet's red wine is unquestionably charming. In fact, it is a benchmark in Bordeaux. The wine is best enjoyed on the young side, although the quality tannin ensures good ageing for several year. With its fresh red cherry notes, this wine makes a great pairing for grilled meats and cheese platters.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep ruby-red color scattered with purple highlights.
Nose
The nose is very attractive and fruity, revealing a delicious array of fresh fruit notes (cherry), underpinned by subtle hints of spice.
Palate
This beautiful Bonnet starts out straightforward on the palate, becoming very round, delicious and sweet. Fresh red fruit aromas (cherry) follow through to the palate.
Production
Grapes come from clay-limestone hilltop vineyards of Grézillac in the Entre-deux-Mers. Aged 12 months in 20% new oak barrels.
Rating
- 91 points from Decanter Magazine
Specifications
Year | 2015 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Nuanced and developed wines go well with rustic meat dishes. You can also pair them with cheese or enjoy them on their own. Try with reindeer steak, entrecôte or hard, aged cheeses, such as Gouda, Parmesan or Manchego. |
Origin | Grézillac in the Entre-deux-Mers |
Appellation |
Bordeaux
|
2009 Château Couhins-Lurton Grand Vin De Graves
Regular price £59.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The special clay-gravel terroir of Château Couhins-Lurton has given birth to a great left bank Merlot: it stands out in the appellation for its extreme finesse and intensity of fruit on the finish. Its nobility and ageing potential are a credit to its rank.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Intense, black-rimmed with violet.
Nose
The nose is dominated by the fruit: the ripe black cherry and blackberry aromas are intense but delicately highlighted by mild tobacco and lightly roasted notes. Very skillful barrel aging allows the oak to blend perfectly as a counterpoint to the fruit.
Palate
Very smooth, appears fat and soft… The tannins are ripe, melting and remarkably dense. Often described as jammy, but there are also spices and mild tobacco in the mix. The finish is long and lingering, with fruit that coats the palate.
Production
Fermentation in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats and aged for 12 months in oak barrels (40% new) with racking.
Vintage
While January and February were colder than average, 2009 was nevertheless a warm year (one of the warmest in a century). There was a great deal of sunshine and a remarkable drought during the summer months.
Review & Awards
- JancisRobinson.com 17.5/20
"Really very subtle on the nose with some development at the rim and it has been judged just right - both texture and flavour are great. Better than many a grand cru. So much pleasure and balance. Opulent but not sweet or fat or raisined. Drink 2016-2028."
- The Wine Spectator 94/100
"Loads of crushed sweet berries on the nose, with fresh herbs and licorice. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, polished and soft texture on the end. And plenty of fruit. So pretty. Really impressive red from here." (James Suckling)
Specifications
Year | 2009 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Merlot 77% / Cabernet Sauvignon 23% |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Dietary Information |
Vegetarian Approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites & egg fining agents |
Food Matches | Enjoy with slow-cooked or roast meats. Delightful with confit. |
Cellaring Potential | Can age up to 10-15 years |
Origin | Bordeaux |
Appellation | AOC Pessac-Léognan |
2021 Uva Non Grata Gamay
Regular price £9.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%For centuries maligned, mistreated and misunderstood, Gamay was outlawed by Philip the Bold in 1395. Some vignerons rebelled, hiding forbidden Gamay vines amongst ‘noble’ Pinot Noir. In their honour we ‘release’ the deliberately disruptive Gamay, bottled without appellation and without rules!
Tasting Notes
Bouncy, crunchy Gamay, this is an irresistible fruit bomb packed with fresh, primary fruit aromas and the delicious soft red berry flavours of gorgeous Gamay at its best.
Production Method
Gamay loves the granite/siliceous soils of the vineyards in the hills to the northwest of Lyon in eastern France. Grapes were hand-picked deliberately early to maintain freshness. In the cellar, they are vinified using traditional carbonic maceration techniques (where fermentation is started by the weight of berries in the vat, crushing those below) followed by a short cuvasion to maintain the up-front, juicy fruit character.
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.
Today, Boutinot’s French office has recently relocated to Macon, and has over 20 employees who take care of production across the whole of France, covering fresh whites and rosés from Gascony, mineral wines from Burgundy, and joyful varietal wines from Languedoc among others. We don’t use any single model to source our wines; instead, a combination of sources are used, from large-scale, high-quality co-ops to small, family growers and single domaines, as well as our own vineyards in Cairanne and Saint-Vérand. Drawing on the expertise of our four winemakers and a network of partner growers, we seek to deliver the highest quality-to-price ratio possible for every wine.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Another delight. Medium to full-bodied with lovely ripe fruit, some spiciness, and a silky smoothness that lets the flavour linger and makes this a long-lasting mouthful. Got the weight and length of a much more expensive wine than it is. Delicious and keeps on giving until the last drop! Paired beautifully with our Venison Steaks." Tasted February 2024
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Gamay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.37 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Try with charcuterie, grilled herby chicken kebabs, or sausages on the barbeque. |
Origin | Vin De France |
2015 Ontañon Rioja Reserva
Regular price £15.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Supple, full-flavoured Rioja Reserva, drinking beautifully.
Tasting Notes
Reservas are only produced in years of exceptional quality - and from the most select vineyards.
Nose
Aromas of bramble fruit with spice and lightly floral notes
Palate
On the palate, plum and ripe blackberry fruit flavours combine with ample acidity, minerality, and earthy notes. Tannins are smooth and supple as you would expect from an eight-year-old wine, and it is drinking beautifully
Production
Reservas are only produced in years of exceptional quality - and from the most select vineyards. The Tempranillo is sourced from La Pasada, and the Graciano from La Montesa vineyard. After a long maceration, the wine spends 12 months in 60% American and 40% French oak (both used and new), followed by 24 months in bottle.
Producer
Bodegas Ontañón is a 5th generation family-owned and run winery in Rioja Baja (now Rioja Oriental). Here Raquel, Rubén and Maria Pérez Cuevas continue their father Gabriel's work to develop Bodegas Ontañón into one of the most highly-regarded wineries in Rioja. Ontañón has vast swathes of vineyard in this part of Rioja. Whilst wine production in the region is typically very dependent on contracts with grape growers, the Pérez Cuevas family has seen fit to invest heavily in the purchase of its land and vines. Its 250ha is a testament to the importance it places on controlling grape quality.
The family's vineyards sit high in the Sierra Yerga mountains in the prestigious region surrounding Quel, defying misconceptions that Rioja Baja is one of the lesser sub-regions within Rioja. Many of their vineyards are planted at altitudes on a par with, or above, those in Rioja Alta and Alavesa; (La Pasada is their highest vineyard at 800m above sea level, planted in 1979 it is used for Reserva and Gran Reserva wines). The hot and dry Mediterranean climate allows for consistent ripening of the grapes with little disease and this has enabled them to pursue organic production across 57 hectares of vines.
Sustainability
Currently run by the fifth generation of the Pérez Cuevas family to carry on the tradition of grape growing in the southern part of Rioja, they take great pride in maintaining their vineyards in the most sustainable manner possible as it is their land that supports their family’s craft. As well as farming organically and producing a range of organic wines, Bodegas Ontañón employs a range of other sustainable processes.
These include controlled irrigation systems to reduce water usage and evaporation; planting vineyards in cooler, well-ventilated areas to reduce irrigation requirements and phytosanitary treatments; using plant/grass cover in vineyards to improve soil texture, to reduce tractor working hours and to lower carbon dioxide emissions; using environmentally friendly phytosanitary products that break down quickly and harmlessly; planting several hectares of pine forest near the vineyards in Ausejo and tidying and maintaining the oak forest near the vineyards in Quel. They are a carbon-neutral operation, meaning the facilities no longer emit CO2 to the atmosphere. The watering systems in the vineyards are supplied through solar power. It encourages its workers to carpool from its winery to its vineyards to reduce emissions.
Awards
- Silver at the 2021 Decanter World Wine Awards (2015 Vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2015 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Tempranillo 95%, Graciano 5% |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergy Information | Contains sulphites |
Cellaring potential |
Drinking now until 2030 |
Appellation | D.O.Ca Rioja |
2022 Cape Heights Viognier
Regular price £9.29 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Crisp unoaked Viognier from young vines, an attractively fresh and approachable style.
Tasting Notes
A ripe, fresh palate packed with citrus fruit and hints of jasmine and white spice. A tight, focussed style of Viognier with subtle varietal flavours.
Production
Grapes are sourced from the Worcester area, where a continental climate brings very cold winters that enable vines to rest before a vigorous summer. Here the vineyards need to be irrigated, but yields are controlled by suckering in November - this ensures the vine's energy is directed to the most important shoots and also to promote good air flow in the canopy. Given the high summer temperatures, the grapes are picked at a good maturity and ripeness using machine harvesters to ensure speed to cellar at cool temperature. Careful winemaking results in terrific varietal expression and freshness.
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% Viognier |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content |
12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle |
9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Fish, chicken and spicy Asian-inspired dishes. |
Origin | Western Cape |
2022 Cape Heights Shiraz
Regular price £9.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Deliciously juicy, forward style of Shiraz from cool Coastal vineyards.
Tasting Notes
Nose
A vibrant juicy style of Shiraz with ripe bramble and black cherry on the nose.
Palate
Fresh summer pudding fruits and gentle spice on the palate lead to a mellow and satisfyingly rich finish.
Production
The vineyards for this Shiraz clamber up the foothills of the Swartland mountains which are comprised of sandstone and alluvial soils. This region is hot and dry which forces these unirrigated vines to work hard to produce low yields and small berries. Produced from only free-run juice and fermented on skins in stainless steel tanks, a portion of the grapes are whole bunch fermented as the ripe stems add to the overall tannin quality of the wine. The remainder of the grapes are destemmed and pressed. After a third of the sugar has fermented, delestage is done once per day. The wine is drawn off at the bottom of the tank and transferred into a separate tank. Once complete, it is then transferred back into the fermentation tank onto the skins and stems. This method ensures more air is incorporated into the wine which helps to release the fresh, fruity, and spicy aromas known so well in this wine. When the final blend has been made, it is aged on fine lees for an extended period in French oak barrels along with around 15% from the previous vintage. This ensures a more complex wine with greater palate weight and mouthfeel.
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% Shiraz |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.2 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
This wine was made with the barbecue in mind, it's a great partner to homemade burgers or sticky spare ribs. |
Origin | Western Cape |
2022 Cape Heights Chardonnay
Regular price £9.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Pure unoaked Chardonnay from the Western Cape.
Tasting Notes
Fresh, tangy stone fruit and pineapple on the nose. The fruit follows through on the palate with a ripe, juicy mouthfeel and crisp acidity. There is breadth and character in this wine that follows through to a refreshing finish.
Production
The Chardonnay grapes for this unoaked wine are sourced from long-established vineyards on the Wellington/Swartland borders of the Western Cape. This area receives little rainfall and the soil is a mixture of alluvial riverbed stones, decomposed granite, and shale. The vines are low-trellised and the grapes are picked by hand in the early hours of the morning to retain their freshness. On arrival at the winery, grapes are chilled and the juice settled in tank prior to fermentation. A proportion of the grapes are full bunch pressed, the rest are destemmed and cold fermented. We keep the wine on its fine lees in stainless steel tanks for as long as possible prior to bottling.
From the 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% Chardonnay |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Grilled white fish and seafood, roast chicken, pasta with cream and mushrooms. |
Origin | Western Cape |
2022 False Bay Bush Vine Pinotage
Regular price £9.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Wild yeast fermentation, low yielding bush vines and ageing in large French oak foudre inform this richly-fruited, yet savoury and satisfying Pinotage.
Tasting Notes
Fresh, plummy aromas with savoury, smoky notes. The palate is ripe and rich with vibrant fruit, slightly rustic yet moreish tannins and a persistent finish.
Production
The grapes for False Bay Bush Vine Pinotage stem from a single vineyard of unirrigated bush vines in Stellenbosch. The attraction to this mature (planted in 1996), coastal, bush vine vineyard were the cooler temperatures and small, naturally balanced and concentrated berries. Made by Waterkloof's talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard. Balanced grapes are hand harvested, fermented spontaneously with wild yeast and then raised in large wooden casks (or 'foudre' en Francais). The resulting wine therefore, is perhaps more 'Pino' than 'Tage'. No additions other than sulphur as a preservative. Grown, made and bottled in South Africa. Vegan friendly wine. False Bay - Real Wine, Coastal Vineyards, Sustainably Farmed, Hand Picked, Naturally Crafted, Wild Ferment, Cask Aged.
Producer
An independent company, owned by Waterkloof founder Paul Boutinot, False Bay Vineyards aims to make 'real' wine affordable. These are sustainable certified wines bottled in South Africa and naturally crafted from mature and often old vineyards that, crucially, are naturally in balance. This means that, unusually at the price, the grapes from these coastal gems can be transformed into wine with wild yeast and an absolute minimum of intervention.
False Bay Vineyards is proud to be a WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Biodiversity Champion and certified by WIETA (Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association). All of their wines are Vegan friendly.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinotage |
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 |
Perfect with pork belly dishes or barbecued meats, boerwurst, game or good, old fashioned sausage and mash. |
Origin | WO Coastal Region |
2022 Monte Schiavo Verdicchio Classico Amphora (Organic)
Regular price £9.45 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A fine example of the Verdicchio grape from one of the region's pioneering producers. From estate-grown grapes, a fresh and juicy style with lovely concentration of flavour.
Tasting Notes
Fresh zesty nose with apricot and orchard fruit aromas, and a hint of white flower and citrus. The palate has minerality and texture with ripe stone fruit and grapefruit characters, refreshing lemon citrus acidity, a touch of salinity, and a crisp finish.
Production
The grapes are sourced from Monte Schiavo's own vineyards situated in the communes of Maiolati Spontini, Montecarotto, Poggio S. Marcello and Rosora - at an altitude of 180-360 metres above sea level. Vinified in stainless steel at controlled temperatures to retain fresh fruit characters and aromas.
Producer
Since establishing their winery in Marche in 1976, the Pieralisi family have striven to create the very best from their vineyards. The family’s background was in olive oil manufacturing equipment, but they began to invest in agriculture and also purchased vineyards from the local co-operative. The 350-hectare estate now consists of around 103 ha of prime vineyard in and around Maiolati Spontini, Ancona, the heart of the classic production area of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi – along with 48 ha of olive groves, 24 ha of walnut trees, and other agricultural land. The winery itself is set amongst some of their most prized plots, notably the 20 ha Colle del Sole vineyard.
Under the supervision of Gennaro Pieralisi and his son Andrea, production has progressed from its initial focus on the Verdicchio grape, to include a range of red wines from their own estate fruit (with the exception of their Rosso Conero, which is produced in collaboration with Alberto Serenelli). The success of their manufacturing business has allowed the family to invest heavily in the estate, providing state-of-the-art technology, and they have striven to improve quality and reduce yields.
The appointment of talented young winemaker Simone Schiaffino, and collaboration with renowned Italian winemaking consultant Carlo Ferrini since the 2015 vintage, has added a new depth and complexity to their portfolio. Carlo Ferrini has worked as a consultant with some of Italy’s top estates – to optimise clones, rootstocks, vine density and pruning – in order to create wines that are a true expression of the vineyard. At the same time Simone has revitalised the cellar and added an extra layer of vibrancy and expression to the wines, establishing Monte Schiavo as a producer of top quality, authentic wines.
The ‘Tenute Pieralisi’ range of wines represents the culmination of their project - a top tier of premium wines asserting the individuality of indigenous varieties Verdicchio and Montepulciano.
Sustainability
Tenute Pieralisi are committed to the environment, and to using non-invasive procedures on their land. They believe that the diversified agricultural production on the estate helps to preserve the great local varietal heritage of flora and fauna. This has led to a conversion to organic farming and to the careful use of resources in the winery: introducing low-energy LED lighting and a photovoltaic system to generate electricity from solar energy. They also use environmentally-friendly vehicles for local deliveries, reducing pollutants from emissions.
They are one of the first companies in Italy to have obtained both BRC Global Standard for Food Safety certification (AA grade) and to be registered on the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).
Furthermore, as of the 2019 vintage the estate and wines are certified as organic, and the wines are labelled accordingly.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Verdicchio |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12.5% abv |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches |
Perfect with shellfish and fish dishes but can withstand a creamy sauce and even chicken.
|
Features |
Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Marche |
Appellation |
Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi DOC
|
2021 Castel del Lupo Limes Barbera (Organic)
Regular price £12.09 Sale price £10.28 Save 15%This organic, unoaked Barbera is a new project from Castel del Lupo, and has bags of red berry fruit and bright acidity.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromas of summer fruits with touches of spice and black pepper.
Palate
The palate has bright redcurrant and cranberry characters, violet hints, ripe tannins and vibrant acidity.
Production
The Barbera vines grow in silt, clay and chalk soils on south and south-west-facing slopes at 250 metres altitude. The Barbera grapes are hand-harvested and undergo selection, before a 6-7 day maceration on the skins. After fermentation, the wine spends over 9 months in stainless steel before bottling
Producer
Castel del Lupo, in the heart of Oltrepograve; Pavese, dates back centuries - and includes the eighteenth-century Palazzo Pegazzera. In 1974 three entrepreneurs took over this historic estate and began a regeneration process. Giovanni Doglio, whose father and grandfather were both Piemontese winemakers, has over 40 years experience managing wineries. Recently joined by his daughter Federica, he has worked tirelessly to develop the estate. They have purchased more vineyards (to cover 100ha at around 300m altitude), planted new vines and built a new cellar. The vineyards are now certified organic. The winery's main focus is high-quality bottle-fermented sparkling wine, and much of the vineyard is planted with Pinot Noir for this purpose. However, these vines are also the source of fine still red wines.
A Note on Sustainability
Led by Giovanni Doglio since 1974, the team at Castel del Lupo is very keen to honour the long heritage of its estate which existed even before its inclusion on a map of the region in 1301. All of Castel del Lupos grapes are estate grown and the 100-hectare property is now fully certified organic to maintain the integrity of the environment, the ecosystem and soil fertility without resorting to artificial substances at any stage of the production processes.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 80% Barbera; 20% Syrah |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
14.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable, Organic
|
Food Matches | Enjoy with risotto prepared with pork sausage and a little of the wine too! |
Origin | Lombardia, Italy |
Appellation | Provincia Di Pavia IGT |
2022 Cape Heights Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £8.89 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%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
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Grilled red meats and roast lamb. |
Origin | Western Cape |
2015 Lurton Chateau Bonnet Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon (Jeroboam) in Wooden Box
Regular price £129.75 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Thanks to expressive fruit – but without excessive concentration – Château Bonnet's red wine is unquestionably charming. In fact, it is a benchmark in Bordeaux. The wine is best enjoyed on the young side, although the quality tannin ensures good ageing for several year. With its fresh red cherry notes, this wine makes a great pairing for grilled meats and cheese platters.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep ruby-red color scattered with purple highlights.
Nose
The nose is very attractive and fruity, revealing a delicious array of fresh fruit notes (cherry), underpinned by subtle hints of spice.
Palate
This beautiful Bonnet starts out straightforward on the palate, becoming very round, delicious and sweet. Fresh red fruit aromas (cherry) follow through to the palate.
Production
Grapes come from clay-limestone hilltop vineyards of Grézillac in the Entre-deux-Mers. Aged 12 months in 20% new oak barrels.
Rating
- 91 points from Decanter Magazine
Specifications
Year | 2015 |
Bottle Size | 3L (Jeroboam - Double Magnum) |
Cultivar | 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 42 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Nuanced and developed wines go well with rustic meat dishes. You can also pair them with cheese or enjoy them on their own. Try with reindeer steak, entrecôte or hard, aged cheeses, such as Gouda, Parmesan or Manchego. |
Origin | Grézillac in the Entre-deux-Mers |
Appellation |
Bordeaux
|
2015 Château De Rochemorin Pessac-Léognan (Jeroboam)
Regular price £159.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A very fruity, velvety, rich Pessac-Léognan , with well-balanced tannins.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Garnet red
Nose
Intense, with notes of fresh red fruits, slightly spicy
Palate
Elegant and balanced, with notes of red fruits, round and harmonious tannins
Estate
Château de Rochemorin belonged in the 18th century to the philosopher, Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu, author of the famous Persian Letters. The latter willingly became the ambassador of Rochemorin red wines to his friends, men of letters and other notables, during his numerous trips to Europe, never forgetting to praise the beautiful complexity and the mineral notes on the nose and on the palate balanced and fine, their melted and fine tannins in the finish make them a sure value of the appellation.
The vines of Château de Rochemorin which give rise to this Pessac-Léognan red occupy no less than 87 hectares on a gravel terroir typical of the appellation. Two grape varieties are represented: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, from vines with an average age of 20 years. The result is a very fruity, velvety, rich wine, with well-balanced tannins.
This vast vineyard is harvested by hand and machine with mechanical sorting for plot vinification in thermoregulated stainless steel vats, before aging for 12 months in barrels comprising 30 to 40% new wood.
Specifications
Year | 2015 |
Bottle Size | 3L Jeroboam (double magnum) |
Cultivar | 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 42 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | This red wine can be accompanied by: red meat, dishes in sauce, furry and feathered game, poultry, terrines, strong goat's and cow's cheeses (brie, old chavignol, munster), coffee or chocolate desserts. The ideal serving temperature is 16-18°C. |
Cellaring Potential | A wine to keep, the vintage offers the potential to keep for around 15-20 years. |
Appellation |
Pessac-Léognan Contrôlée
|
N/V Cave de Turckheim Edelzwicker Vin d’Alsace
Regular price £9.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The hills are alive with the sound of music!
Tasting Notes
Aromatic and ripe on the nose. This is a delicious and complete white blend with rounded orchard fruit and green apples, plenty of fleshy texture and a racy, refreshing acidity.
Production
Pneumatic pressing, temperature-controlled fermentation, no finings and minimal filtration all help to preserve pure varietal character of the wine. Here classic varieties Pinot Blanc and Riesling have been blended with the less well-known Sylvaner grape which brings delicacy and satisfying acidity.
Producer
Widely regarded as one of the best co-operatives in the world, Cave de Turckheim lies at the mouth of the Munster Valley. Working closely with 180 partners, its vineyards span the full breadth of Alsatian terroir and grape varieties. Cave de Turckheim only produces wine from the grapes of its member growers, it is a récoltant not a négociant.
Substantial investment in the winery has enabled the team to vinify many parcels of grapes separately, offering Michel Lihrmann (senior winemaker for 25 years) the chance to highlight each wine's nuances in his signature dry, yet fruit forward, style.
Committed to producing the highest quality wines, growers are encouraged to keep yields low - for example, Cave de Turckheim voluntarily caps yields for its Grands Crus vineyards at 45hl/ha rather than the permitted 55hl/ha - and to pick the grapes by hand. This is part of a long term and innovative strategy of sustainability that includes developing the largest holdings of organic vineyards in Alsace, using natural alternatives to chemical treatments, and a green overview of all vineyard practices. Alongside some great organic wines, the extensive range runs from the excellent value Tradition wines right through to individual Grand Cru bottlings, plus fantastic Crémants d’Alsace and Vendange Tardive dessert wines.
Sustainability
An awareness of social and environmental concerns has always been high on the agenda for the Cave de Turckheim’s growers. They were among the first in France to practice integrated agriculture, an approach that combines the best of modern tools and technologies with traditional practices, lowering the consumption of energy and other resources, reducing environmental pollution, conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainability. In 2014, all the members of the co-operative obtained Agri Confiance Volet Vert (Green Section) certification and in 2015, they all obtained High Environmental Value Level 2 certification. The growers are aiming for HVE Level 3 certification in late 2019.
In 2008, a number of growers decided to commit to the rigorous standards of organic viticulture. As part of Alliance Alsace, approximately 70 hectares of vines are now cultivated organically, having obtained organic certification in 2011, with a further 30 hectares in transition. These vignerons have revived ancestral practices, tilling the soil and undertaking work that facilitates the elimination of weeds and the combat against the two major diseases: powdery mildew which is tackled with sulphur and mildew which is treated with copper sulphate. Natural fertilisers are also used (nettle, horsetail, comfrey, and dandelion), fortifying the vines and increasing their natural resistance. Organic winegrowers meticulously observe their vines, enabling them to intervene in the right place and at the right time, rather than treating the plants systematically.
Turckheim’s commitment to the environment extends to the winery where it strives to conserve natural resources. Sorting waste for recycling, reducing its carbon footprint, using solar panels, and preventing pollution are just some examples of how environmental considerations are present in every aspect of its daily work. Committed to both the environment and its customers, Cave de Turckheim also plays an important role in the local economy.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Sylvaner |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable farming |
Food Matches | Brilliant with delicate and aromatic Asian salads and fish dishes and a match made in heaven with Tarte Flambée or Flammkuchen! |
Origin | Alsace, France |
2021 Oldenburg Vineyards Rondekop Stone Axe Syrah
Regular price £51.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Outstanding. Complex. Moreish. We could go on, but we shouldn’t need to - try it for yourself.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Red fruit burst out of the glass – raspberry, dark cherry and redcurrant – before red pepper, star anise, rose petal and violets join the fray.
Palate
Mouth-watering acidity and rounded tannins complete the picture on the palate. Outstanding.
Winery
Oldenburg; a hot topic from a cool climate. Anyone who knows anything about South African wine should have Oldenburg fully on their radar – they are producing outrageously good wine and have, very arguably, the most beautiful tasting room to visit in the Cape. Oldenburg, situated in the Banghoek Valley of Stellenbosch, has one of the coolest microclimates in the region. A combination of a mountain amphitheatre, high altitude and cooling winds result in growing conditions about 5 degrees cooler than the rest of Stellenbosch.
The Rondekop Series wines represent a small selection of the best barrels – either single cultivar or a blend – from our iconic Rondekop hill. We believe there are 8 Natural Elements which uniquely impact our vineyards, creating quintessential wine producing conditions. At the centre of it all is our perfectly round hill, Rondekop: the 8th natural element.
Several stone axes have been found on Rondekop itself. These stone axes are from an early Stone Age, estimated to be at least 100,000 years old. Knowing that early humans lived and hunted on Rondekop adds to the mystical nature of our valley. In this special place, we planted our Syrah vineyard blocks.
Vintage Conditions
Moderate weather throughout the 2021 season, and specifically during harvest time, resulted in grapes ripening slower, while developing exceptional colour and flavour. Harvesting began roughly two weeks later than usual due to unusually cool weather conditions throughout the season, which persisted through to harvest. Notably, water resources were also replenished following the recent drought, which contributed to fantastic vine growth, bunch numbers and exceptional berry sizes at Oldenburg Vineyards.
Winemaking & Maturation
Grapes were harvested from a single high-altitude vineyard on Rondekop. The grapes were hand-picked in lugboxes and stored in a coolroom overnight. 10% of grapes were whole bunch fermented and 90% were fermented as whole berries. The whole clusters were footstomped and naturally fermented. 1-3 soft punch downs were done per day and the wine was racked 3 times during fermentation. The wine was aged for 18 months in a combination of a 2500L Austrian foudre as well as 300L and 500L French oak barrels.
Accolades
- 94pts | Platter's
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 85% Syrah, 15% Grenache Noir |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9units |
Food matching |
Black pepper and herb crusted lamb rack served with grilled aubergines and mint sauce. |
Cellaring Potential | This beautiful wine will mature spectacularly for another 13–15 years. |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |