Delighted to share with you our New Arrivals! They may be 'Fine & Rare' or 'Everyday Favourites' - they'll be listed here waiting to be tasted...
47 products
2022 Brotte Bouvencourt Vacqueyras
Regular price £21.49Only 7 miles along the road from Châteauneuf-du-Pape but not as well known globally so represents much better value!
Tasting Notes
Colour
It has bright, clear red.
Nose
Bouquet fine, Provence, herbs notes, garrigue, supported by aromas of red and black fruit, earth, and olives.
Palate
Following through from the nose, the palate is warmly generous and fleshy, with a smooth and elegant finish.
Vinification
Destemming of the grapes before crushing. The temperature is kept high during the fermentation (28°C) and the maceration lasts 4 weeks, in order to obtain a good extraction of tannins and colour. The malolactic fermentation takes place in concrete vats.
Maturation
12 months in 100 year old oak vats.
History
Since 1880, five generations of the Brotte family have been making wines with passion and authenticity. The fruit for this wine comes from selected small wine producers in the Rhône Valley, all of whom have been partners of Maison Brotte for several decades. The vines are planted on a very beautiful clay-silt terroir and which benefit from a lot of sunshine. The hot and dry climate therefore favours the ripening of the grapes and the good health of the vineyard.
Specifications
| Year | 2022 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | Shiraz / Grenache |
| Country | France |
| Alcohol Content | 14% alc vol |
| Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.5 units |
| Type | Red Blend |
| Food Matches |
Enjoy with a traditional hare civet, beef cheeks, braised lamb shoulder or simply a chocolate mousse with raspberry coulis. |
| Origin |
Southern Rhône |
2023 Brotte Baies Dorees Viognier
Regular price £12.99Only 7 miles along the road from Châteauneuf-du-Pape but not as well known globally so represents much better value!
Tasting Notes
Colour
Clear yellow wine with green tinges.
Nose
The bouquet offers a unique aromatic range including citrus flowers, exotic fruits, apricots, white-fleshed stone fruit and jasmine.
Palate
Intensely fruity and well balanced this wine is mouth-filling which works in harmony with the flavours of exotic fruit and toasted brioche.
Location
The majority of the grapes come from the Gard department, particularly the commune of Laudun on the right bank of the river Rhône.
Terrior
“Baies Dorées” (golden berries): A tribute to the Viognier grape variety. The berries of this grape variety, native to the Rhône region, turn amber and golden when ripe. We have selected vines planted on a gorgeous silty-clay terroir which receives a great deal of sunshine. The hot, dry climate helps the grapes to ripen well and also helps to maintain the vineyards in good health
Vinification
Gentle pneumatic pressing. Strict cold settling at 10°C for 48 hours before alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks for 15 days at temperatures of 18° to 20°C. No malolactic fermentation to preserve the freshness and primary fruit aromas. Maturation in stainless steel vats for 3 months.
History
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Viognier |
| Country | France |
| Alcohol Content | 12.5% alc vol |
| Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.4 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Food Matches | Serve as an aperitif or enjoy with toasted goat’s cheese, carpaccio of tuna, white asparagus with hollandaise sauce, brandade de morue, fillet of sole in lemon butter, chicken and green olive ragout, a cheese platter. |
| Origin |
Southern Rhône |
2021 Domaine de la Pigeade Muscat de Beaumes de Venise (500ml)
Regular price £16.99The Muscat from La Pigeade is characterized by its freshness and finesse and is to be found in many of the leading restaurants of the Rhone Valley.
Tasting Notes
Colour
A light gold wine, shiny with golden reflections.
Palate
The complex aromatic palette combines pear with rose water and exotic fruits.
Soil cultivation
Sustainable cultivation for over 30 years; grassing controlled mechanically (hoeing). Scribbling is practiced several times a year at different depths depending on the case.
Vinification
Hand harvested and sorted before 100% de-stemming and maceration on skins for 10 hours at 3°C before pressing. Cool-fermented to reach a natural alcohol of 5 % before the ferment is arrested by the addition of grape spirit to reach a minimum of 15 % alcohol, with a minimum of 110 g/l residual sugar. Matured on fine lees in tank for two months prior to bottling.
History
Very little sweet Muscat was made before 1945 when Muscat de Beaumes de Venise was classified an AOC for its vin doux naturel, but by the 1970’s and 1980’s its popularity in northern Europe was probably greater than Sauternes or sweet German wines. The wines, by law, must have an ABV of 15% and at least 110g/L residual sugar. Domaine de la Pigeade was purchased by the Vaute family in 1960 who came from wine families but this domaine was the first generation of winemakers. Up until 1996 all fruit from the 25ha estate was sent to the cooperative but with the succession of the second generation, Thierry and his wife Marina, a cellar was built and the wine-making was brought in house. The domaine sits outside the village of Beaumes, which is sandwiched in between the Dantelles de Montmirail and Mount Ventoux. Of the 25ha around 20 are Muscat blanc à petits grains averaging 35 years of age. The vines are planted on a argilo-calcaire and all weed control is manual. The fruit is harvested at a very low 30hl/ha.
Specifications
| Year | 2021 |
| Bottle Size | 500ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains |
| Country | France |
| Alcohol content | 16% |
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
11.3 units |
| Type | Dessert Wine / natural sweet wine |
| Food Matches |
It is an ideal aperitif and also goes well with many desserts, especially ones with chocolate, or a fruit salad, or strawberries where some is also poured over the fruit. It is also a perfect companion for many blue cheeses. Drink young and always very fresh (around 7°) |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Appellation | Muscat de Beaumes de Venise |
| Origin | Southern Rhône Valley |
2023 Domaine de la Rochette Touraine Gamay
Regular price £13.99This is Gamay Noir with white juice. The vines resulting from massal and clonal selections are between between 10 and 30 years old. Planting density is 6500 vines per hectare. Average yields are 50 to 55 Hl/Ha, barely a liter of grape juice per vine.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Ruby-red colour, bold, garnet red highlights.
Nose
Aromatic, elegant, subtle violet aromas, intense fresh fruit aromas, subtle strawberry aromas, generous raspberry aromas, subtle cinnamon aromas.
Palate
Elegant, delicate, smooth, violet overtones, generous fresh fruit hints, vanilla hints, fresh tannin, round, slightly mineral, light body, good intensity, long length.
Soil
The soil type "Perruche" is made of flint clay with more or less silica and gravel. Most of the plots are on the first Cher's hillsides, with good exposure and a fairly large slope allowing the flow of excess water.
Vinification
The berries are picked and sorted for quality. Fermentation takes place in concrete vats, which allows a natural micro-oxygenation of the juice. The fermentation is of “semi carbonic” type, which is to stay shielded from air and in an environment of carbon dioxide, making it possible to obtain more elegant and fruity aroma.
The history of Domaine de la Rochette en Loire
Domaine de la Rochette has been in Vincent Leclair's family for four generations. Taking over his father's fifty hectares of vines in 2014, Vincent Leclair has made a few changes to the management of the vineyard, adding his own touch. For example, he keeps the grass in the rows to enrich the soil via other types of plant, and he has also stopped using insecticides, preferring instead sexual confusion hormones: a highly effective means of combating insects harmful to the vines. He then invested in new equipment, much more precise in its application.
These include new tanks and new tractors. Although he is an enthusiast of organic viticulture, he admits that it is rather difficult to implement because the Touraine region experiences a lot of rain throughout the year, resulting in a higher risk of disease. With his new equipment, he has nevertheless managed to reduce his treatments by around 50%. Treatments against mildew and powdery mildew, two diseases that are rampant in the vineyards, are therefore carried out as little as possible. The estate is HVE certified.
Accolades
- Silver Medal - Concours des vins des Vignerons Indépendants 2023
- Gold Medal - Concours international Gilbert et Gaillard 2023
Specifications
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 75cl |
| Cultivar | 100% Gamay |
| Country | France |
| Alcohol content | 12.5% alcohol |
| Units of Alcohol per bottle | 9.4 units of alcohol |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Cellaring Potential |
Drink within 3 years at a temperature of around 8-10°C. |
| Food Matching |
Enjoy with red meats, cold cuts, and goat's cheese |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Origin | Loire Valley |
| Appellation |
AOC Touraine |
2017 Nicolas Feuillatte Vintage Collection Blanc de Blancs Brut
Regular price £49.99Bright & Gourmet
Tasting Notes
Colour
Attractive pale gold and extremely bright, in perfect harmony with the effervescence. A lively stream of exquisitely delicate bubbles in the glass.
Nose
Exquisite primary pastry aromas of brioche and custard. As the wine begins to breathe, new, floral, spicy aromas come to the fore, reminiscent of magnolia and star of anise.
Palate
Initially generous, fresh and thirst-quenching, underpinned by citrus notes of kumquat, accompanied by wisps of hazelnut and even liquorice. Elegant on the finish, with stunning, delicately tangy length recalling Granny Smith apples and pink grapefruit.
The 2017 Vintage
To describe the weather conditions for the 2017 vintage as chaotic would be an understatement. The season began amid icy conditions with the vines covered in frost, recording 24 days of frost 10cm above the ground in January alone.
After a relatively mild start to spring, bone-chilling Polar air hit France mid-April, causing significant, frost across the greater part of its vineyards, in places to devastating effect, particularly in Aube, Aisne and Haute Marne.
By mid-May the situation in the region completely turned around, with heatwave conditions setting in for two months, and temperatures in places nudging 35°C in the shade!
The weather took another dramatic turn in mid-July, with the arrival of rain and frequent storms, sometimes accompanied by hail, prompting the first signs of Botrytis. In August, the Champagne region faced subtropical conditions.
The harvest was early, and shrouded in wet weather, forcing growers to ruthlessly sort the grapes on the vine, and remain constantly on guard. The Chardonnays were less affected given their greater resistance to excess rainfall, and are a total stand-out.
Elaboration
Vinified in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks.
Aged at least 5 years in the cellars. The Chief Winemaker adapts dosage levels to each champagne in order to enhance flavours and aromas. The selection process while selecting the blend is paramount and takes a whole range of factors into consideration, including the proportion of cru wines, harvest year, grape varieties and vinification and ageing methods, in order to preserve the intrinsic style of each cuvée.
Blend
100% Chardonnay
Collection Vintage 2017 Blanc de Blancs, is 100% pure chardonnay, the white grape variety of the Champagne Appellation, and more than lives up to its name. It reflects the remarkable character of the vintage, having more than proved its resistance and resilience faced with the many uncertainties experienced in the Champagne vineyards in 2017.
Chardonnay grapes are sourced from the prestigious premier and grand cru vineyards in the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, and more generous Chardonnay from the Vallée de la Marne, not forgetting the crus from Sézannais and Vitryat. It is a fresh, exquisite wine.
Alan's Personal Tasting Note
"I guessed that Nicolas Feuillatte had access to some quality fruit and cuvées from tasting the silkiness of the blue label reserve collection but this is different level, Wow, wow, wow. Beautiful fruit characters from the solid Chardonnay and the yeasty, toasty, brioche flavours from the long ageing make this an absolute stoater! It’s got the balance, complexity, length and flavour of champagnes more than twice the price you pay for this. Simply outstanding." 7th November 2024
Specifications
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Bottle Size | 75cl |
| Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | France |
| Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
| Type | Champagne |
| Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Food Matches |
Quite rightly considered an excellent choice as an aperitif, Collection Vintage 2017 Blanc de Blancs also excels with shellfish, trout rillettes with dill, sea bream ceviche, carpaccio of veal or Mâconnais goat cheese made with raw milk AS AN APERITIF: best served at 8-9°C. WITH FOOD: best served at 10-12°C. |
| Origin | Champagne - France |
| Appellation | AOC Champagne |
Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Rosé N/V
Regular price £44.99Nuanced and Graceful
Tasting Notes
Réserve Exclusive Rosé is a delicately nuanced Champagne literally bursting with red summer fruit flavours. A delicious cavalcade of redcurrant, blueberry and raspberry notes, combined with a hint of Gariguette strawberries.
From within its refined and vibrant structure, its clean flavours are extremely delicate and nuanced.
The Réserve Exclusive Rosé is a refreshing and exuberant Champagne offering fresh, light fragrances, and just perfect for summer drinking.
Elaboration
Aged for 2 - 3 years in the cellars.
The freshness and structure of this Champagne blend combine to perfection with the expressive fruit of the red wine making up 16% of the blend.
The Chief Winemaker adapts dosage levels to each Champagne in order to enhance its flavours and aromas. The choice of reserve wine is crucial and takes into consideration a whole range of factors, including the proportion of cru wines, year of harvest, grape varieties, and vinification and ageing methods, in order to guarantee the intrinsic style of each Champagne.
Blend
A harmonious blend of 10% Chardonnay imparting elegance and finesse, 45% Pinot Noir for roundness and structure and 45% Meunier for fruitiness and soft, supple character.
Medals & Accolades
-
Gold Medal - Mundus Vini Spring Tasting 2022
- Silver Medal - Rosé Masters 2022, Champagne Masters 2022, Decanter World Wine Awards 2022
- 92/100- Wine Spectator November 2022, James Suckling Tasting June 2022
- 15.5/20 - Gault & Millau - Guide des Champagnes 2023
Specifications
| Vintage | N/V |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar |
10% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, and 45% Meunier |
| Country | France |
| Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
| Type | Champagne |
| Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Food Matches |
Simple pleasures - Tuna carpaccio, Bellota and goats’ cheese bites, Red berry fruit salad, Strawberry shortcrust tart Relaxing Interlude - Spicy chicken samosas, Salmon sashimi, Red fruit pavlova Fine Dining - Roast duckling with turnips and cranberries, One-side pan-seared salmon “à l’unilaterale” and green asparagus, Spicy prawns in coconut milk AS AN APERITIF: best served at 7 - 8°C. WITH FOOD: best served at 10 - 12°C. |
| Origin | Champagne - France |
| Appellation | AOC Champagne |
2016 Lurton Chateau Bonnet Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon (Magnum)
Regular price £45.99
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.
Specifications
| Year | 2016 |
| Bottle Size | 1.5L (Magnum) |
| Cultivar | 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Country | France |
|
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 19.5 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
|
