- Aglianico
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carignan
- Chardonnay
- Chenin Blanc
- Cinsault
- Garganega
- Glera
- Grenache / Garnacha
- Malbec
- Malvasia Nero
- Merlot
- Mourvèdre / Mataró / Monastrell
- Petit Verdot
- Pinot Bianco/ Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
- Pinot Meunier
- Pinot Noir
- Pinotage
- Riesling
- Roussanne
- Sangiovese
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
- Shiraz / Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Tinta Barroca
- Tinta Roriz
- Touriga Franca
- Touriga Nacional
- Verdejo
- Verdicchio
- Viognier
- Aglianico
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carignan
- Chardonnay
- Chenin Blanc
- Cinsault
- Garganega
- Glera
- Grenache / Garnacha
- Malbec
- Malvasia Nero
- Merlot
- Mourvèdre / Mataró / Monastrell
- Petit Verdot
- Pinot Bianco/ Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
- Pinot Meunier
- Pinot Noir
- Pinotage
- Riesling
- Roussanne
- Sangiovese
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
- Shiraz / Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Tinta Barroca
- Tinta Roriz
- Touriga Franca
- Touriga Nacional
- Verdejo
- Verdicchio
- Viognier
2022 Broken Record Shiraz
Regular price £8.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A wine that celebrates Australia’s best-loved variety, Broken Record is juicy and bright and plays long on the palate.
Tasting Notes
Broken Record captures Southeast Australia’s essential joy. Soft and juicy plummy fruit flavours are balanced by smooth, savoury tannins.
Production
The creation of this wine was a judicious blending exercise to marry aromatics and lift with a generous, velveteen palate. Grapes are sourced from vineyards across Southeast Australia. They are picked at night to avoid high daytime temperatures and crushed immediately after picking. Temperature-controlled fermentation avoids extraction of harsh tannins and maintains the juicy fruit flavours.
Producer
Quintessentially Australian, this range offers consistent quality, hugely appealing, commercial wine styles that have gained a loyal following. Reflecting our skill and experience in seeking out the very best of Australia, our wines capture ideal climatic conditions and pure varietal definition.
Boutinot's Samantha Bailey brings her signature palate and decades of experience to finessing our components into the loveliest Boutinot expressions of Oz.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
100% Shiraz |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 2020 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Enjoy with spicy red meat dishes like kofta or tagine, or grilled vegetables and halloumi. |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Appellation | South Australia |
2022 Pasquiers Grenache Noir, Pays d'Oc
Regular price £8.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A textbook fruity southern French Grenache; rich and dark with no hard edges.
Tasting Notes
This Grenache Noir from the deeps south of France is steeped in texture and character. Rich black fruit and sweet spice on the nose with more intense berry fruit and liquorice on the palate.
Production Method
In the south western part of the Languedoc, Boutinot’s Guillaume Létang found this parcel of well tended 40 year-old Grenache Noir. Cordon trained (in an area where bush vines are more common) these old vines thrive on silt and sand, their roots buring deep into the soils in search of water. Fully ripened by the Mediterranean sun, once harvested the grapes are destemmed and macerated at cool temperatures prior to fermentation. To fully expresss the ripe black / red fruit flavours of this 100% Grenache Noir the wine was vinified without the use of oak.
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 Noir |
Country | Languedoc, France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | An ideal partner to Mediterranean cooking, olives, crusty bread and tasty cheese, roasted vegetables and herb infused red meats. |
Origin | Languedoc |
Appellation | Pays D'Oc IGP |
2013 Pegasus Bay Reserve Prima Donna Pinot Noir
Regular price £89.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%"Prima Donna Pinot Noir is an elite barrel selection and in 2013 it is one of the greatest wines I have ever seen from this country. ….” Matthew Jukes, UK
Tasting Notes
Colour
It has a deep ruby hue.
Nose
The aromas and flavours evoke impressions of black cherries, purple plums, wild blackberries and mulberries. These are underpinned with a savoury dimension suggestive of roast game, grilled mushrooms and black olive tapenade.
Palate
There is a layer of velvety tannins that coat and refine its big body and taut muscular structure, helping to draw out its lingering aftertaste of chocolate mocha and spice. While ready to drink on release it can be expected to cellar well and evolve gracefully for many years.
The Family
The Donaldson Family have been seriously involved in viticulture and winemaking for over 40 years. Founder Ivan Donaldson planted the first Canterbury vineyard in 1976 and went on to establish Pegasus Bay in 1986 with his wife Christine. It is a true family business, with all four of their sons and two spouses involved, managing various aspects.
The Vineyards & Vine
We have about a dozen different clones of pinot noir and in some of our blocks these are intermingled. The vines, many of which are nearly 30 years old and on their own roots, grow on a series of north facing, gradually descending terraces. While the site is warm during the day it is cool at night. This allows the fruit to ripen fully but slowly and to retain good acid levels of natural acidity. The drainage is helped by stones intermingled with the soil.
The Season
A mild spring was followed by a sunny summer and a lingering dry autumn. It was a perfect growing season with enough warmth to produce optimal ripeness but it was not too hot to destroy varietal purity or freshness.
The Harvest & Winemaking
Prima Donna is part of our reserve series which we only make in exceptional years, provided it does not compromise the quality of our estate wines. It is a selection from the best barrels, coming from some of the oldest plantings in the vineyard. As with all our Pinot’s, we use traditional Burgundian winemaking methods. We picked the various blocks at different stages, depending on their maturity, aiming for a range of red and dark fruit flavours. Approximately one third of the grapes were put at the bottom of the fermentation vats as whole bunches, with the balance being destemmed on top, retaining as many whole berries as possible. The vats were kept cool over the next few days to help extract the soft, silky tannins from the pinot noir skins.
After approx a week, the must started to ferment naturally. During fermentation the floating cap of grape skins was gently plunged twice daily. When the fermentation finished, the grape remnants were left to steep in the wine for up to a week to help extract a different range of tannins that add structure and depth. The exact duration of this period was determined by daily tasting. Subsequently the wine was gently pressed off and put into oak barriques (30% new) from selected artisan Burgundian coopers. In the summer after harvest, when the weather warmed, the wine underwent a natural malo-lactic (secondary) fermentation. After maturing for 18 months, a selection from the best barriques (representing the many different plots & clones of pinot) was chosen and carefully blended, to produce the most complex and balanced wine possible.
Accolades
96 points. James Suckling (tasted March 2023)
This is a beautiful wine now with lots of ripe strawberry and cherry fruit character, with hints of iron and peppercorn. It’s full and layered with lots of fruit and firm yet round tannins. A wonderful release of a pinot noir with age. Sustainable. Drink now or hold. Screw cap.
96/100 James Suckling (tasted on initial release)
The refinement and brilliance of the fruit on offer here really sets this wine apart from the regular Pegasus Bay pinot noir. Deliciously rich dark cherry aromas and flavors are presented amid silky, refined and long-form tannins. A great wine, in every respect.
Matthew Jukes, UK
"Prima Donna Pinot Noir is an elite barrel selection and in 2013 it is one of the greatest wines I have ever seen from this country. ….”
92/100 Steve Tanzer.
“ …. Deep, plush, rather powerful Pinot Noir with rich, ripe tannins and excellent length.”
91/100 Lisa Perotti-Brown – Wine Advocate.
” …. mouth-filling red berry flavours supported by finely grained tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and earthy.”
93 Points - Erin Larkin
"The 2013 Prima Donna Pinot Noir is elegant and fine. It is evolving, no question, but it's just hitting its stride now, at 10 years of age. There are pomegranate pearls, pink peppercorns, Szechuan and bramble. The wine is starting to show arnica and white pepper, garden mint and even a hint of resin. Smart! There's plenty of acid, so this has years to go. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap."
95 points - Outstanding - CamDouglasMS - Master Sommelier
Specifications
Year | 2013 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Noir |
Country | New Zealand |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | This complex, dry and vibrant wine with best drinking from 2023 through 2033. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Waipara Valley |
Appellation | Canterbury |
2013 Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir - Aged Release
Regular price £73.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%95 points - James Suckling.com | 91 points - Wine Advocate
Tasting Notes
Colour
A youthful bright appearance with a core of ruby leading to a just fading rim.
Nose
Aromas of primary red berry fruits including dark cherry and plums, plenty of barrel spice and bottle development complexities. The beginnings of secondary aromas with a whisper of date and toasty spices layer in complexity and depth.
Palate
Still youthful and firm on the palate with textures from tannins and acidy leading the mouthfeel. Core fruit flavours mirror the bouquet with equal impressions of plums and cherry. An excellent example, just a little bit dry though easily marries with gently salty earthy food.
The Season
A mild spring was followed by a sunny summer and a lingering dry autumn. It was a perfect growing season with enough warmth to produce optimal ripeness but it was not too hot to destroy varietal purity or freshness.
The Vineyard & The Vines
We have about a dozen different clones of pinot noir and often these grow intermingled throughout our various blocks. The vines, many of which are nearly 30 years old and on their own roots, grow on a series of north facing, gradually descending terraces. While the site is warm during the day it is cool at night. This allows the fruit to ripen fully but slowly and to retain good acid levels of natural acidity. The drainage is helped by stones intermingled with the soil.
Harvest & Wine Making
We use traditional Burgundian winemaking methods. We picked the various blocks at different stages during late April and early May, depending on their maturity. Most of the grapes were destemed and put into small fermenting vats, retaining as many whole berries as possible. Ten percent of whole bunches were also added to these vats. They were kept cool over the next few days to help extract the soft, silky tannins from the pinot noir skins.
After this time the grapes warmed enough to start fermenting. During fermentation the floating cap of grape skins was twice daily gently pushed back under the wine by hand to keep it moist and healthy. When the fermentation finished the vats were sealed and the grape remnants were left to steep in the wine for up to a week to help extract a different range of tannins that add structure and depth. The duration of this period was determined by daily tasting. Subsequently the wine was gently pressed off and put into oak barriques (30% new) from selected artisan Burgundian coopers. In the summer after harvest, when the weather warmed, the wine underwent malo-lactic (secondary) fermentation. Both this and the original fermentation phase were completely natural and without added micro-organisms. After maturing for 18 months in these barriques the batches made from the many different plots of pinot were carefully blended in varying portions to produce this wine.
Accolades
95 points - James Suckling.com
A lovely and fresh late-released pinot with plum, cooked strawberry and cherry aromas that follow through to a full body with layered fruit and tannins, and a savory finish. Shows plenty of ripeness. Sustainable. Drink now. Screw cap. (Nick Stock )
91 points - Wine Advocate
Pale to medium ruby colored, the 2013 Pinot Noir reveals expressive black cherry, mulberry and red currant jelly notes on the nose with hints of tar, black loam, balsamic and dried Provence herbs. Medium-bodied, the palate has elegant styling with gentle savory and red berry preserves characters framed by a lively backbone and chewy tannins, finishing with earthy nuances. (Lisa Perotti-Brown)
91 points - Stephen Tanzer (tasted in 2016)
This is a beautiful wine now with lots of ripe strawberry and cherry fruit character, with hints of iron and peppercorn. It’s full and layered with lots of fruit and firm yet round tannins. A wonderful release of a pinot noir with age. Sustainable. Drink now or hold. Screw cap.
94 points - Excellent | CamDouglasMS - Master Sommelier
Specifications
Year | 2013 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Noir |
Country | New Zealand |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Maturation | Best drinking from 2023 through 2029+ |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Waipara Valley |
Appellation | Canterbury |
2020 Domaine des Tourelles Vieilles Vignes Carignan
Regular price £19.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The second Vielles Vignes project from enigmatic winemaker Faouzi Issa.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The nose has an exotic mix of ripe fig, bright cranberry and rasberry fruit with notes of liquorice , it’s lifted and pronounced.
Palate
The palate had more beautifully ripe red fruit characters, along side lively fig and date notes, the acidity perfectly balances the generous flavours and leaves a pure, clean finish.
Production
Domaine des Tourelles have a 50 year old block of Carignan in their Amik vineyard in the Bekka Valley. The fruit from here provides an excellent component for the acclaimed Domaine des Tourelles Red, but winemaker Faouzi believed it could produce great wine in it’s own right. This first vintage highlights his belief in the project. The wine only sees concrete during production, being both fermented and aged for 24 months in his old but perfectly formed tanks.
Producer
Domaine des Tourelles was founded in 1868 by French adventurer François-Eugène Brun and is one of the most highly acclaimed and oldest wineries still operating in Lebanon. It was also the first commercial cellar in 'modern' Lebanon to produce wines, arak and other spirits. This place has history! The Brun family owned and ran the winery up until the last descendant died in 2003 but luckily two local families - the Issa and Issa el-Khoury families - joined forces to buy the property and continue the fine tradition of winemaking.
Today, this Bekaa Valley estate is run by the three Issa children - twins Faouzi and Johanne and their sister Christiane, alongside Emile Issa-el Khoury, son of one of the co-owners. This young and dynamic combination have introduced a handful of practices in the vineyards and cellar including the use of indigenous natural yeasts, no fining or filtering, and only very small amounts of sulphur. These techniques along with fruit from 40 hectares of ancient, organically cultivated and dry-farmed vineyards (among the oldest in the valley) and a winery perfect for hands-off winemaking, make Domaine des Tourelles one of the finest boutique wineries in the Middle East.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Carignan |
Country | Lebanon |
Alcohol content | 14% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan, Organic |
Dietary Information | Contains Sulphites |
Marinated mediteranian spiced meats, grilled vegetables. BBQs. | |
Appellation | Bekaa Valley |
2019 Smalltown Vineyards Clovella Mataro Grenache
Regular price £16.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
It starts with cassis, a nose full of promise. Clove and black pepper spice. The palate is dark and sultry with a dried fruit appeal. It finishes with a gentle lick of oak from the time the wine spends in oak.
Production
Clovella is a field planting of roughly 60/40 Grenache and Mataro. It is a 40 year old vineyard from the Gomersal sub-district of the Barossa Valley that Rolf Binder has been cultivating himself for many years. The wine spends 22 months in older French oak. The purpose of this wine is to show Mataro and Grenache with some development rather than the super-juicy-young-bright Grenache of the moment.
Producer
Smalltown Vineyards express many of the Barossa’s prized districts form Gomersal, Kalimna as well as the Eden Valley and beyond. We work with exceptional vineyards simply expressed using minimal intervention, basket press where relevant, natural ferments in open-top fermenters to best capture the Barossa’s magical flavours. We have a lot of fun with labels because, well because we can. It’s only wine after all…
A note about Sustainability
As of the 1st July, 2019, Australia changed from its previous sustainable programme called EntWine to Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. Smalltown Vineyards is a participant in this programme, which assists with tools and resources to enhance business sustainability, meeting customer sustainability requirements and sustainability claims made by participants.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 60% Grenache, 40% Mataro |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Braises and stews: long slow cooked roasts of pork or lamb. |
Origin | South Australia |
Appellation | Barossa Valley |
2021 Coterie by Wildeberg Cabernet Franc Malbec
Regular price £12.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Wildeberg’s rationale is to source the finest vineyards available to us across Franschhoek and the Coastal Region, from which cuvées the eyes are plucked to make Wildeberg and the Terroir Series releases In doing so there remains a small yet definitive expression of all the vineyards we worked with, and its these cuvees that are again selected to go into Coterie by Wildeberg. All fruit is hand-harvested in February from selected sites in Franschhoek and Paarl. Both cultivars are fermented whole bunch, with some whole berry fruit, there is no crush, just a daily pump over during the natural fermentation. We want to express place over cultivar so this slow, gentle extraction gives wines truer of origin than winery. The components are racked to French and Austrian oak, new and old, for 20 months before blending and bottling.
Producer
The Earth’s mantle thrusts up above the gentle town of Franschhoek, a wild slice of untamed mountain on which sits a farm named Wildeberg. An established wine region for some 350 years, sensible generations never thought to plant a vine here until a happy band of idealists recently craned their necks up at this hillside and, dizzy with hope, decided to give it a go. Franschhoek is on the very edge of the south-eastern corner of the Cape’s venerable Coastal Region, indeed Wildeberg’s property border runs over the top of the mountain where the Coastal Region gives way to the baboon-strewn road to Grabouw and the wider Western Cape.
The Wildeberg wines express the most captivating Franschhoek Valley fruit. In our Wildeberg Terroirs bottlings we look beyond our home to a clutch of exceptional sites of other origin.
A mountain rich in metaphor with the visual heft to flatter any wine, releases of Wildeberg and Terroirs express our continued purpose – exceptional wines of place, however humble the origin. If the abiding memory of our wines remains a textural sense of place then we are portraying the Cape as hoped.
Sustainability
Wildeberg is a 144ha wine farm set against the backdrop of the dramatic Franschhoek mountains, on the very edge of viticultural possibilities. To farm here you have to be in tune with nature, respecting the earth and the elements, creating wines which truly express the terroir with minimal intervention.
This special area is home to 4 endangered Fynbos species, and a key mission of Wildeberg is to conserve this vegetation type as they are critical to the biodiversity of the Western Cape. This work entails clearing invasive alien trees which can overwhelm the Fynbos and contribute to the threat of forest fires. Fynbos covered mountains like those at Wildeberg are thought to be responsible for delivering one glass of water in five in South Africa, due to the plants allowing up to 80% of rainwater to run off into rivers and reservoirs rather than being absorbed into the soil.
Water is precious in South Africa, and waste water from the winery passes through a natural wetland with indigenous reeds and plants before being pumped into our irrigation dam. We then use this water to irrigate the vines.
All Wildeberg wines are certified as part of South Africa’s sustainability accreditation, the ‘Integrated Production of Wine’ (IPW) system. The IPW scheme, started in 1998, consists of a set of audited guidelines specifying agricultural practices, manufacturing practices and bottling activities.
Wildeberg is also a proud member of the Cape’s Old Vine Project (OVP), which preserves blocks of vines which are 35 years and older. The project encourages producers to farm as close to nature as possible whilst raising awareness of the inherent potential of old vines to produce outstanding and expressive wines.
Awards for 2021 Vintage
- Bronze - 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards
- Silver - 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 67% Cabernet Franc, 33% Malbec |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14.5% ABV |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches | Grilled meats, especially lamb and spiced meat dishes. |
Appellation | W.O. Coastal Region |
2017 Eduardo Garrido Garcia Rioja Reserva
Regular price £26.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The spirited red wines of Spain | A fabulous quality and great value Reserva from a small family, producer.
Tasting Notes
Colour
In the glass a cherry red color with rusty red reflections of medium depth.
Nose
Good aromatic intensity, with balsamic notes and ripe fruit on the nose.
Palate
Soft and clean on the palate with a fresh and elegant taste and well-integrated tannins on the finish.
Producer
Positioned in La Rioja, the winery Bodega Eduardo Garrido Garcia offers wine enjoyment in the middle of Spain, close to the coastal region of the Atlantic Ocean. Although the town is separated from the sea by almost 40 kilometers of natural parks and mountains, cold Atlantic winds find their way to the cultivated areas and provide the necessary cooling, especially on hot summer days. Since 1923, visitors to this winery have been able to discover a surprising selection of exquisite red and white wines.
His grandfather already ensured excellent results with his passion for the taste of delicious wines. Today it is Amelia Garrido who runs the winery together with her father and protects the high quality of the products with the same care. After sustainable production, the individual bottles are transported directly to the winery's customers. This not only protects the environment, but also offers those interested personalized access to a unique taste experience.
It is important for Amelia Garrido to preserve the surrounding nature and focus on selected varieties. Strong aromas and a purple color give the winery's Vino Joven a special character that the winery wants to maintain in any case. Young, mature wines with fruity notes form the foundation of Bodega Eduardo Garrido Garcia. At least up to 20% of these wines have also been aged in barrels for three months.
At Bodega Eduardo Garrido Garcia, connoisseurs encounter wines that grow 600 meters above sea level. The vines grown there produce strong red wines and draw their support from the existing clay soils, which are also rich in calcium. Nevertheless, the Bodega Eduardo Garrido Garcia winery also takes advantage of the region's prevailing microclimate, which always guarantees sufficient sun and cool temperatures at the same time.
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 80% Tempranillo 20% Garnacha |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
14.5% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergy Information | Contains sulphites |
Legumes, white and red meats, cured or semi-cured cheeses, sausages. | |
Appellation | D.O.Ca Rioja |
2023 Groote Post 'A Pinch of Salt' Chardonnay
Regular price £23.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
The Groote Post Pinch of Salt Chardonnay shows an abundance of fresh stone fruit and vibrant citrus notes on the nose.
Palate
On the palate, a steely minerality with crisp citrus and yellow stone fruit flavours and a long, zesty acidity assure a full and concentrated structure. This lightly wooded 2023 vintage shows complexity with fresh acidity, a beautiful minerality, and a vibrant, zesty structure. Innovation and tradition blend perfectly to bring out the best in this wine.
In the Vineyard
Out with the old, in with the new—this is the story of our Chardonnay vineyards on the farm. After more than three decades of service, our Chardonnay vines faced viral challenges, leading to a transformation. Nine years ago, we started replanting Chardonnay, not just for replacement but for enhancement. We carefully chose superior clones and optimal farm locations for this grape variety. These new vineyards exceeded expectations, yielding exceptional grapes, marking the dawn of an extraordinary wine.
In the Cellar
In the cellar, a symphony unfolds as the first and last Chardonnay grapes harvested enjoy a two- to three-week interlude due to diverse microclimates. Grapes are harvested into bins, with only the best undergoing sorting before pressing. We use whole bunch pressing, carefully separating fractions during pressing. The juice settles for three days before fermentation. We ferment Chardonnay in three vessels: fifty percent in stainless steel for a crisp character, thirty percent in French oak for richness, and twenty percent in amphoras for a unique blend. This approach creates a wine with layers of flavour and depth. After fermentation, the wine rests on the lees for six months, allowing it to evolve, refine, and develop remarkable complexity.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matching | With the grapes basking in the salty wind and the West Coast sun on the highest hill of the farm, this wine will be the perfect summer companion, served with simple fish cakes and a light, nutritious salad with a refreshing balsamic vinaigrette. |
Origin | WO Western Cape |
Appellation | Darling |
2017 Nicolas Feuillatte Vintage Collection Blanc de Blancs Brut
Regular price £49.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Bright & 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.
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 £44.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Nuanced 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 |
Spring Special Mixed Case
Regular price £76.87 Sale price £60.00 Save 22%Dust off the BBQ and sun loungers - warmer days are on their way! And in celebration we are delighted to launch our Spring Special Mixed Case full of firm favourites - tried & tested.
Each case contains a bottle of:
- NV Louis de Grenelle 'Perle' Crémant Rosé - a pure-bred rosé made from 100% Cabernet Franc from the Loire
- 2021 Elicio Grenache Syrah Rosé - a french rosé without the heafty Provence price tag
- 2023 gPG Gargenega Pinot Grigio - Italian, lovely soft & easy drinking - the Garganega makes it a far more characterful wine that many basic Pinot Grigio's.
- 2022 Pazo de Monterray Godello - beautiful Spanish White, aromatic & sophisticated
- 2022 Caberet Frank No 2 The Aviary Old Vine Cabernet Franc - always a winner and one of our softest, easy drinking best seller reds
- and introducing the 2022 Palo Leo Mora Mora Malvasia Nero - again a best seller in our tasting groups! Warm, juicy, fresh with a slightly hinted acidity - think blackberries & mulberries, dried plums and sweet spices.
Save £16.87 on each case of 6 bottles or push the boat out and buy 12 bottles and save £33.74 PLUS free P&P!
Lautus De-alcoholised Chardonnay (less than 0.5% alc)
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'% Non-alcoholic | Vegan friendly | Low in Calories
Tasting Notes
Light pale straw in colour, showcasing pure aromas of summer fruit and citrus, leaning more towards Kumquat and orange. Spicy undertones from light oaking. The fine tannin underpins the fresh acidity. To be enjoyed in its purist and natural form without the restrictions of alcohol.
Winemaking
Careful winemaking practices were followed to retain all the beautiful aromatics. Crushed, lightly pressed and settled overnight. Fermentation was done with a selected yeast strain at 14- 16°C. Left on lees for 2 months prior to racking to the second phase of production.
Producer
Reg Holder started his career with vintages in France, Australia and the USA before returning to South Africa. He then spent 11 years as the winemaker at both Neil Ellis and Delheim. In 2015, while his wife was pregnant with their first child, he started experimenting with de-alcoholised wine for her. When they were expecting their second, in 2017, Reg decided that he was going to move full time into the Lautus de-alcoholised project.
Reg uses his traditional winemaking expertise to craft an outstanding base wine. He then removes the alcohol using a state of the art piece of machinery before carbonating (the traditional Champagne method cannot be used as it will create alcohol in the bottle) the de-alcoholised wine.
He then uses a state of the art piece of machinery that combines centrifugal force and a vacuum in order to extract the alcohol while leaving the wines’ volatile flavour and aromatic essence intact.
So how do they do it?! Remove the alcohol?
The alcohol is removed via spinning cone technology at low temperature under vacuum. The initial phase is to first remove the flavour, and set aside. The alcohol is then removed and once completed the flavour is added back to the de-alcoholised wine. Because there is significant volume loss during this process, a portion of the alcohol water is then again put through the process to extract the water, and added back. This helps to fill out the palate and balance acidity. Normal winemaking practices are followed from here in preparation for bottling. Alc: < 0,5% RS: 26g/L TA: 6.2 PH: 3.3
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
less than 0.5% alc vol
|
Type | De-alcoholised Wine |
Calories |
16 calories per 100ml |
Sugar |
3.2g per 100ml |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved & Low Calorie |
Food Matches | Pairs beautifully with oysters or a light creamy garlic pasta. Serve between 6-8C |
Origin | South Africa |
Lautus De-alcoholised Savvy Red (less than 0.5% alc)
Regular price £8.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Pure red and black berries with a hint of oak and a gentle tannic grip. Non-alcoholic | Vegan friendly | Low in Calories
Tasting Notes
Showcasing pure red and black berry fruit flavours, with a touch of oak. The elegant palate is underpinned by fine tannin and juicy yet subtle fruit. To be enjoyed in its purest and natural form, without the restrictions of alcohol.
Winemaking
Gentle winemaking practices were followed to minimise the extraction of harsh tannins. Fermentation took place in upright fermenters with one to two pump overs per day. 26 – 28°C. Aged in oak for 9 -12 months prior to racking to the second phase of production.
Producer
Reg Holder started his career with vintages in France, Australia and the USA before returning to South Africa. He then spent 11 years as the winemaker at both Neil Ellis and Delheim. In 2015, while his wife was pregnant with their first child, he started experimenting with de-alcoholised wine for her. When they were expecting their second, in 2017, Reg decided that he was going to move full time into the Lautus de-alcoholised project.
Reg uses his traditional winemaking expertise to craft an outstanding base wine. He then removes the alcohol using a state of the art piece of machinery before carbonating (the traditional Champagne method cannot be used as it will create alcohol in the bottle) the de-alcoholised wine.
He then uses a state of the art piece of machinery that combines centrifugal force and a vacuum in order to extract the alcohol while leaving the wines’ volatile flavour and aromatic essence intact.
So how do they do it?! Remove the alcohol?
The alcohol is removed via spinning cone technology at low temperature under vacuum. The initial phase is to first remove the flavour, and set aside. The alcohol is then removed and once completed the flavour is added back to the de-alcoholised wine. Because there is significant volume loss during this process, a portion of the alcohol water is then again put through the process to extract the water, and added back. This helps to fill out the palate and balance acidity. Normal winemaking practices are followed from here in preparation for bottling. Alc: <0,5% RS: 24g/L ТA: 5.5 PH: 3.65
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Shiraz, Pinotage, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
<0.5% alc vol
|
Type | De-alcoholised Red Blend |
Calories |
12 calories per 100ml |
Sugar |
2.4g per 100ml |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian and low in calories |
Food Matches | Pairs just as nice with a slow cooked Coq Au Vin as a Traditional Beef burger or steak. Serve between 12-14C. |
Origin | Coastal Region, South Africa |
2020 Louis de Grenelle Crémant de Loire
Regular price £19.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Vibrant, crisp & delicate | Complex and honeyed, to be enjoyed with close friends
Tasting Notes
Colour
The pale golden yellow colour is flecked with a stream of persistent bubbles with a creamy foam developing on the surface.
Nose
Clean and fresh, the nose is distinguished by its delicate aromas of warm brioche which give way to a generous fruit basket with mingling peach and pear.
Palate
The smoothness of the foam gives a lovely mouthfeel. The pure freshness of the attack is a lovely contrast to a full, vinous and generous finish of gingerbread, brioche and hazelnut. On the mid-palate, a silky, full body delicately coats the taste buds. Superb harmony.
Producer
Over 150 years of History! Founded in 1859, this independent and family run Maison Louis de Grenelle has passed down its expertise through the generations. It continues the tradition of making sparkling wines in the depths of its cellars burrowed underneath Saumur in the heart of the Valley of Kings, the Val de Loire.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Chenin Blanc & Chardonnay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12.5% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
9.4 units |
Type | Fizz |
Food matches | An excellent sparkling wine for sharing, making this the perfect accompaniment to your evenings with friends. It compliments crayfish mousseline or prawn salad with lime as well as subtle vanilla and gingerbread desserts. Also try Foie gras club sandwich with caramelised apples & Cuban chicken fajitas! Serve between 5-6C. |
Dosage | Brut |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | AOC Crémant de Loire |
Origin | Saumur, Loire Valley |
NV Louis de Grenelle Platine Cremant de Loire Brut
Regular price £16.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Vibrant, crisp and delicate
Tasting Notes
Colour
The colour is a lovely canary yellow with hints of light straw and is flecked with a stream of persistent bubbles.
Nose
The nose is clean with dominant aromas of lemon, pear and lime tree.
Palate
The structure of the palate is enhanced by the fullness of the quince, the fragrant acacia and the sweetness of the strawberry. A highly sensual wine.
Producer
Over 150 years of History! Founded in 1859, this independent and family run Maison Louis de Grenelle has passed down its expertise through the generations. It continues the tradition of making sparkling wines in the depths of its cellars burrowed underneath Saumur in the heart of the Valley of Kings, the Val de Loire.
Specifications
Year | NV |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 70% Chenin Blanc, 20% Chardonnay and 10% Cabernet Franc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Fizz |
Food matches | An aperitif wine par excellence that also pairs well with full menus: shellfish, smoked fish, pièces montées patisserie. Serve between 6-8C. |
Dosage | Brut |
Ageing | 18-24 months on racks |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | AOC Crémant de Loire |
Origin | Saumur, Loire Valley |
NV Louis de Grenelle 'Perle' Cremant de Loire Rose Brut
Regular price £17.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Radiant, Unctous and Fruity! Sublime Expression of Cabernet Franc
Finesse oblige! If it doesn't "have" to be champagne, then the best alternative is Crémant: a pure-bred rosé made from 100% of the noble red Cabernet Franc grape.
Tasting Notes
Colour
The soft pink marble colour combines with a swirling stream of fine bubbles, evoking a light sensation.
Nose
The fresh and subtle nose is characterised by its strawberry notes.
Palate
The smoothness of the foam gives this wine a lovely mouthfeel. The pleasant attack leads into the strawberry nose, giving way to aromas of English sweets to end on a subtle and lingering finish marked by red berries.
Producer
Over 150 years of History! Founded in 1859, this independent and family run Maison Louis de Grenelle has passed down its expertise through the generations. It continues the tradition of making sparkling wines in the depths of its cellars burrowed underneath Saumur in the heart of the Valley of Kings, the Val de Loire.
Specifications
Year | NV |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Cabernet Franc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Fizz |
Food matches | This sparkling wine is a marvellous match for mousseline desserts and red fruit sorbets. It also goes well with white chocolate desserts or mascarpone mousse with red fruits. Serve between 6-8C. |
Ageing | 15/18 months on racks |
Dosage | Brut |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | AOC Crémant de Loire |
Origin | Saumur, Loire Valley |
1966 Château d'Yquem, 1er Grand Cru Classé de Sauternes
Regular price £590.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
On the nose, there is some orange marmalade, honey and spice character in this wine. Turns quite woody, with lots of caramel.
Michael Broadbent. (Michael Broadbent's Vintage Wine).
"Good notes through the 1980s, a slight but noticeable deepening of colour, lovely classic honeyed, barley-sugar bouquet, quite assertive, somehow managing to be plump as well as lean.More recently overpowering and caramelly after tasting a string of Lafaurie-Peyragueys (1994)".
"Most recently, noting its surprising deep orange amber colour: caramalised barley-sugar bouquet, rich flavour.Perfect with the terrine of foie gras at Hal Lewis' "Mr Gourmet" Investiture dinner". (Peabody Hotel,Memphis,September 1999).****.
Joe Belmaati. (For Winemega.com A vertical tasting of 66 vintages of Chateau D'Yquem...1847-2000 in April 2005,Copenhagen).
"Alarmingly dark brown. Looked like liquid brown sugar in the glass. Initially the wine was firmly closed on the nose, so I let it rest for a minute. Gradually the bouquet opened up on notes of raisins and orange peel. I don't really know what I was expecting from this wine, but I must say I was shocked to learn how concentrated, intense, perfectly alive, and dizzying complex this wine was. With style and grace not really at the forefront, this wine was a powerhouse of intense flavours of raisins and prunes, mixed in the brown sugar. Yet, this wine was not diluted marmalade, it was structured and firm at the skeleton and perfectly mature for drinking with crème brulee. Wonderful". (97 Points).
1966 Climatic Conditions
Weather was mediocre in summer, but improved in autumn. The harvest was very long: 48 days' work out of 55 to bring in a very worthwhile and slightly above average crop in terms of volume. A very rich vintage.
A Unique MicroClimate
Château d'Yquem's microclimate is in the heart of a 20 km strip of land along both sides of the Garonne Valley where all of Bordeaux's sweet and semi-sweet white wine appellations (Sainte Croix du Mont, Loupiac, Cérons, Cadillac, and Barsac) are located.
The fact that all of Sauternes' great growths (eleven first growths and twelve seconds) are located around Château d'Yquem – the only Premier Cru Supérieur – tends to bear out Yquem's ideal location. The magic phenomenon of botrytisation is nevertheless fragile and subject to numerous meteorological factors. If the weather is too dry, noble rot is stymied. And if it rains too much, the grapes stop becoming concentrated. Furthermore, other types of fungus are waiting in the wings to take advantage of botrytis' weaknesses to take its place and ruin the grapes irredeemably... Accepting such risks inevitably leads to very low yields at Yquem and sometimes even calls for abandoning the entire crop.
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 | 1966 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 80% Semillon & 20% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12.7% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.5 units |
Type | Dessert Wine / Sweet White |
Cellaring Potential |
Château d'Yquem has a very long life span: twenty, fifty, a hundred years, or more… As with all great wines, Yquem is transfigured over time, developing a host of deliciously subtle aromas and flavours. Its colour changes over the years from the brightness of dawn to the darkness of dusk, and from shimmering straw yellow to golden-brown with amber and caramel highlights, and then to mahogany. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Bordeaux |
Appellation | Sauternes |
2021 Coterie by Wildeberg Chenin Blanc Grenache Blanc
Regular price £12.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Production
Wildeberg’s rationale is to source the finest vineyards available to us across Franschhoek and the Coastal Region, from which cuvées the eyes are plucked to make Wildeberg and the Terroir Series releases. In doing so there remains a small yet definitive expression of all the vineyards we worked with, and its these cuvees that are again selected to go into Coterie by Wildeberg. Chenin and Grenache Blanc complement each other well. Both varietals love the Coastal Region’s arid soils and Mediterranean climate due to their inherent tolerance to drought. Both components were naturally fermented in 600 litre French oak barrels. The Chenin is from an old, low-yielding Franschhoek vineyard planted in 1962 (65%). This brings freshness and tightness to the blend, the old vines also bring Wildeberg’s hallmark texture. The Grenache Blanc is from vibrant, younger plantings Paarl (35%), adding body and structure with this cultivars naturally exotic notes of jasmine and white spice. 65% 2nd fill and 35% 3rd fill barrels.
Producer
The Earth’s mantle thrusts up above the gentle town of Franschhoek, a wild slice of untamed mountain on which sits a farm named Wildeberg. An established wine region for some 350 years, sensible generations never thought to plant a vine here until a happy band of idealists recently craned their necks up at this hillside and, dizzy with hope, decided to give it a go. Franschhoek is on the very edge of the south-eastern corner of the Cape’s venerable Coastal Region, indeed Wildeberg’s property border runs over the top of the mountain where the Coastal Region gives way to the baboon-strewn road to Grabouw and the wider Western Cape.
The Wildeberg wines express the most captivating Franschhoek Valley fruit. In our Wildeberg Terroirs bottlings we look beyond our home to a clutch of exceptional sites of other origin.
A mountain rich in metaphor with the visual heft to flatter any wine, releases of Wildeberg and Terroirs express our continued purpose – exceptional wines of place, however humble the origin. If the abiding memory of our wines remains a textural sense of place then we are portraying the Cape as hoped.
Sustainability
Wildeberg is a 144ha wine farm set against the backdrop of the dramatic Franschhoek mountains, on the very edge of viticultural possibilities. To farm here you have to be in tune with nature, respecting the earth and the elements, creating wines which truly express the terroir with minimal intervention.
This special area is home to 4 endangered Fynbos species, and a key mission of Wildeberg is to conserve this vegetation type as they are critical to the biodiversity of the Western Cape. This work entails clearing invasive alien trees which can overwhelm the Fynbos and contribute to the threat of forest fires. Fynbos covered mountains like those at Wildeberg are thought to be responsible for delivering one glass of water in five in South Africa, due to the plants allowing up to 80% of rainwater to run off into rivers and reservoirs rather than being absorbed into the soil.
Water is precious in South Africa, and waste water from the winery passes through a natural wetland with indigenous reeds and plants before being pumped into our irrigation dam. We then use this water to irrigate the vines.
All Wildeberg wines are certified as part of South Africa’s sustainability accreditation, the ‘Integrated Production of Wine’ (IPW) system. The IPW scheme, started in 1998, consists of a set of audited guidelines specifying agricultural practices, manufacturing practices and bottling activities.
Wildeberg is also a proud member of the Cape’s Old Vine Project (OVP), which preserves blocks of vines which are 35 years and older. The project encourages producers to farm as close to nature as possible whilst raising awareness of the inherent potential of old vines to produce outstanding and expressive wines.
Awards
- Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards (2022 Vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 65% Chenin Blanc, 35% Grenache Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% ABV |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches | This is a rich, textural wine whose body and exotic jasmine notes would ably marry with gentle Malay and Thai green fish curries, dishes with lemongrass and coriander, or just simply braai-ed linefish |
Appellation | W.O. Coastal Region |
2021 Wildeberg White
Regular price £19.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Classic ancient vine Semillon selected from 2 small plots, the oldest planted in 1905. The fruit for the Wildeberg wines comes from the Franschhoek Valley only, hand-harvested, naturally-fermented and gently matured in our mountain barrel hall on the farm
Tasting Notes
Nose
Restrained, delicate aromas with bright citrus fruit offset by savoury, waxy notes.
Palate
The palate has an impactful attack of taut, stony, highly textural citrus tang and terrific mouthfeel. A subtle, beautifully balanced wine with layers of expression.
Production
Sourced from ancient, dry grown bush vines in the Franschhoek Valley in the south-eastern corner of the Cape’s Coastal Region. Franschhoek is amongst the oldest planted regions in the Cape, with Sémillon having been planted here in 1679 by French Huguenot settlers. Naturally-fermented in new and older oak at our Franschhoek farm, there is very little magic involved other than the fruit itself.
Producer
The Earth’s mantle thrusts up above the gentle town of Franschhoek, a wild slice of untamed mountain on which sits a farm named Wildeberg. An established wine region for some 350 years, sensible generations never thought to plant a vine here until a happy band of idealists recently craned their necks up at this hillside and, dizzy with hope, decided to give it a go. Franschhoek is on the very edge of the south-eastern corner of the Cape’s venerable Coastal Region, indeed Wildeberg’s property border runs over the top of the mountain where the Coastal Region gives way to the baboon-strewn road to Grabouw and the wider Western Cape.
The Wildeberg wines express the most captivating Franschhoek Valley fruit. In our Wildeberg Terroirs bottlings we look beyond our home to a clutch of exceptional sites of other origin.
A mountain rich in metaphor with the visual heft to flatter any wine, releases of Wildeberg and Terroirs express our continued purpose – exceptional wines of place, however humble the origin. If the abiding memory of our wines remains a textural sense of place then we are portraying the Cape as hoped.
Sustainability
Wildeberg is a 144ha wine farm set against the backdrop of the dramatic Franschhoek mountains, on the very edge of viticultural possibilities. To farm here you have to be in tune with nature, respecting the earth and the elements, creating wines which truly express the terroir with minimal intervention.
This special area is home to 4 endangered Fynbos species, and a key mission of Wildeberg is to conserve this vegetation type as they are critical to the biodiversity of the Western Cape. This work entails clearing invasive alien trees which can overwhelm the Fynbos and contribute to the threat of forest fires. Fynbos covered mountains like those at Wildeberg are thought to be responsible for delivering one glass of water in five in South Africa, due to the plants allowing up to 80% of rainwater to run off into rivers and reservoirs rather than being absorbed into the soil.
Water is precious in South Africa, and waste water from the winery passes through a natural wetland with indigenous reeds and plants before being pumped into our irrigation dam. We then use this water to irrigate the vines.
All Wildeberg wines are certified as part of South Africa’s sustainability accreditation, the ‘Integrated Production of Wine’ (IPW) system. The IPW scheme, started in 1998, consists of a set of audited guidelines specifying agricultural practices, manufacturing practices and bottling activities.
Wildeberg is also a proud member of the Cape’s Old Vine Project (OVP), which preserves blocks of vines which are 35 years and older. The project encourages producers to farm as close to nature as possible whilst raising awareness of the inherent potential of old vines to produce outstanding and expressive wines.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Semillion |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan |
Dietary Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Ideal with delicate fish dishes, fresh oysters and prawns. |
Appellation | WO Franschoeck |
2022 Domaine de Vedilhan Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £10.79 Sale price £9.50 Save 12%A richly flavoured yet very proper Sauvignon Blanc from a single Domaine in the south of France.
Tasting Notes
A wonderfully sunny style of Sauvignon Blanc, broad and quite tropical with delicate smokey notes, ripe citrus acidity and a richly-textured finish
Production
Domaine de Vedilhan (pronounced 'Domaine de Ved-ee-ohn') is the estate of the Fayet family based in the village of Moussan, close to Narbonne. Uniquely, a brook runs around the estate which provides much needed water in this very hot climate, giving the wines their freshness and appeal. Vines are managed using the 'lutte raisonnée' method and terroir is a combination of limestone, sand and sea shale, meaning the vines dig deep for their nutrients and thus produce excellent quality grapes. 50% of the production from this Domaine is used for Boutinot wines. Since 1999, our winemakers have been working closely with the Fayets on all aspects of the production, from when to harvest to the exact blend or style of wines.
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.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"This is quite a full, rich, B-road style of Sauvignon. It’s fresh enough with good acidity but the fruit is more tropical than citric and the palate is long, complex & textural. All in all - a decent drop of wine." Tasted March 2023
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 11.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.6 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | A fuller-bodied Sauvignon which works well with a vegetable pilaf, a chicken tagine or a saffron-infused risotto Milanese. |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Origin | Languedoc |
Appellation | IGP Pays D'oc |
2022 Bellefontaine Grenache Rosé
Regular price £8.45 Sale price £7.44 Save 12%Supple and moreish, this is a delightfully pale pink French rosé.
Tasting Notes
Pale raspberry pink with appealing, soft, berry aromas. Smooth, round and juicy this is an easy-drinking, vivaciously fruity rosé with a refreshing dry finish.
Production Method
Bellefontaine Grenache Rosé possesses fine aromatics, pure fruit expression, fresh acidity, varietal character and above all, a persistent finish. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel with minimal intervention during winemaking. Bottled young to capture the freshness and vibrant fruit character. The free-run juice of Grenache grapes produces a wine full of sweetly ripe yet crunchy fruit with soft and juicy 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.
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 | Grenache 100% |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Rosé |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
Vegetarian, Vegan approved
|
Food Matches | Enjoy a glass on its own or match its subtle flavours with delicate white meats, fish and salads. |
Origin | Languedoc |
Appellation | IGT Pays Doc |
2023 GPG Garganega Pinot Grigio
Regular price £8.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The addition of Garganega makes a more interesting, characterful wine than many basic Pinot Grigio.
Tasting Notes
Lightly aromatic with green apple and citrus characters. A zesty, easy to drink dry white wine with crisp, lightly honeyed fruit on the finish.
Production
Produced from Garganega grapes grown in the Garda DOC region between Lake Garda and Vicenza, with the addition of 15% Pinot Grigio. Gentle pressing, fermentation at 16 to 18C with selected yeasts, bottling after 3 months on fine 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.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Everything it should be - fresh, crisp n dry - with good fruit and decent length for the price. Perfect luncheon wine or by the glass trade option. Not the most complex - just a simple, easy drinking moreish crowd pleaser!" March 2024
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Garganega & Pinot Grigio |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 11% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.25 units |
Type | White Wine |
Highly versatile, ideal as an aperitif or with seafood, grilled fish, salads and cold white meats. | |
Cellaring Potential | 1 years |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Garda DOC |
2018 Beau Constantia 'Aidan'
Regular price £24.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
The 2018 Aidan is a character of serious substance. A dry vintage has sculpted a wine with incredible structure, boasting flavours that lean towards the darker spectrum of fruit. This blend is predominantly Shiraz, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with some Malbec and Merlot used as well.
Nose
At first, aromas of blackcurrant and blackberries fill the nose, until a necessary swirl allows for spices such as star anise, five spice and mace to enter the conversation.
Palate
Olive tapenade and fresh leather hint in the distance, beautifully balanced by a serious salinity that pins this offering to its maritime environment, where the vines grow on steep slopes circled by the cold Atlantic Ocean.
The Year by Winemaker Megan van der Merwe
"The 2018 vintage will long be remembered for its coolness and low disease pressure. It will also be remembered as the first real vintage to feel the effects of the famous Cape Drought that started in 2015 and worsened towards 2018. Our yields were down by 10%, but with our buffering cool climate conditions, the quality of the vintage was superlative."
Winery
Some two decades ago, raging wildfires swept through an area of forest high up on Constantia Nek, leaving the slopes scorched and bare. When the fire had subsided, what was left was a brilliant and unique spot for planting a vineyard; 350 metres above sea level, with cooling ocean breezes and steep sun-bathed hills and so, like a phoenix, Beau Constantia rose from the ashes.
Sensing opportunity, Pierre and Cecily Du Preez acquired the 22-hectare property in 2002. With thorough soil analysis guiding their efforts, the inaugural vineyards were planted in 2003 under the careful guidance of farm manager, Japie Bronn.
The journey to establish vineyards on these challenging slopes demanded patience and unwavering commitment. Today, Beau Constantia proudly boasts 11.47 hectares under vine, a testament to the perseverance and dedication of all involved. Within these vineyards thrive a diverse range of varietals, including Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz, and Petit Verdot, each meticulously nurtured to capture the unique essence of this extraordinary landscape.
This boutique wine farm with just over 11 hectares under vine has utterly spectacular views over the peninsula. Megan van der Merwe is the Head Winemaker, having taken over from Justin Van Wyk in 2021, after serving as Assistant Winemaker during his successful tenure. Megan believes in 'farming to perfection - just don't stuff it up in the cellar!'. This very talented winemaker is certainly one to watch.
Each of their releases is a tribute to a member of the family.
Accolades & Awards
- 94pts | IWSC 2021
-
90pts | Tim Atkin
Aidan is an ambitious and – for Constantia – unusual four-way blend of mostly Syrah with 61% Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Dark, sinewy and concentrated, with lots of tannic backbone, damson and blackberry fruit and well-integrated 54% new oak. 2022-27
- 91pts | Platter’s
Syrah component raised to 39% in 2017, with petit verdot, cab & malbec, showing less muscle, more refinement than 2016 (4 stars, 89 pts). Delightful earthy notes with black cherries & cassis, plush ripe tannins. 20 months in barrel, 54% new.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 32% Syrah, 28% Petit Verdot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec and 7% Merlot. |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 14.5% abv |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units per bottle |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | 2022-2027 |
Food Matching | Enjoy with a rosemary-crusted roast rack of lamb with root vegetables and a rich, umami gravy and other rich, savoury slow cooked dishes. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Constantia |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2020 Beau Constantia 'Stella' Syrah
Regular price £32.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Megan van der Merwe, the brilliant young winemaker at Beau Constantia, set out to make the Stella with ‘the absolute intention to preserve the site that grew the fruit’. The Syrah and Viognier for this wine grow side by side on one of the farm’s lower lying slopes – both varietals are picked together, when the Syrah is ripe, meaning that the Viognier hangs on the vine until it is a little raisined, adding a rich honey-like component to the wine. 18 months in French oak (only 28% new) adds complexity to the wine.
Floral notes of violet, spicy black pepper, dried herbs and fresh red fruit – cherry and pomegranate – are held together by savoury fine tannin. Epic!
Winery
Some two decades ago, raging wildfires swept through an area of forest high up on Constantia Nek, leaving the slopes scorched and bare. When the fire had subsided, what was left was a brilliant and unique spot for planting a vineyard; 350 metres above sea level, with cooling ocean breezes and steep sun-bathed hills and so, like a phoenix, Beau Constantia rose from the ashes.
Sensing opportunity, Pierre and Cecily Du Preez acquired the 22-hectare property in 2002. With thorough soil analysis guiding their efforts, the inaugural vineyards were planted in 2003 under the careful guidance of farm manager, Japie Bronn.
The journey to establish vineyards on these challenging slopes demanded patience and unwavering commitment. Today, Beau Constantia proudly boasts 11.47 hectares under vine, a testament to the perseverance and dedication of all involved. Within these vineyards thrive a diverse range of varietals, including Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz, and Petit Verdot, each meticulously nurtured to capture the unique essence of this extraordinary landscape.
This boutique wine farm with just over 11 hectares under vine has utterly spectacular views over the peninsula. Megan van der Merwe is the Head Winemaker, having taken over from Justin Van Wyk in 2021, after serving as Assistant Winemaker during his successful tenure. Megan believes in 'farming to perfection - just don't stuff it up in the cellar!'. This very talented winemaker is certainly one to watch.
Each of their releases is a tribute to a member of the family.
Accolades & Awards
- 93pts | Platter's 2023
- Tim Atkin 90pts
“Stella is a Côte Rôtie style co-fermentation of Syrah with 0.05% (yes, really) Viognier and 52% whole bunches. Very much a cool climate style, it has aromas of dried herbs and white pepper, savoury tannins, perfumed 28% new wood and bright red cherry and pomegranate fruit.”
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 99.5% Syrah with a splash of Viognier |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 14.18% abv |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.6 units per bottle |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matching | Enjoy with simple Ostrich Carpaccio covered in all kinds of Umami – try truffle, pecorino, honey or/and Dijon mustard with good quality, local, Olive oil and Carpaccio covered in truffle and parmesan or dijon mustard. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Constantia |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2022 Beau Constantia 'Pierre' Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £25.50 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A classic cool climate Sauvignon blanc made from grapes grown at high altitude on incredibly steep NE-facing slopes. These low-yielding, windswept vines are determined to survive and produce fruit of incredible flavour concentration.
Beau Constantia is a boutique wine farm situated at the top of Constantia Nek overlooking False Bay. These lovingly nurtured vines are spoilt with panoramic views of the Stellenbosch and Helderberg Mountain ranges.
Tasting Notes
A true reflection of a ‘sense of place’, this wine highlights the incredibly close proximity of Beau Constantia to the cold Atlantic Ocean with its profound minerality. The minerality serves to add flesh to the nervy acidity (high-altitude Sauv Blanc vines and cooling winds) and fine tannin structure (from skin contact and lees contact).
Notes of blackcurrant, ripe granadilla and buchu are complimented by the minerality, lively acid profile and tannin structure.
The Vintage by Winemaker Megan van der Merwe
"2022 was challenging, but challenges are what make a vintage unique, and overcoming them is what makes a vintage meaningful."
Winery
Some two decades ago, raging wildfires swept through an area of forest high up on Constantia Nek, leaving the slopes scorched and bare. When the fire had subsided, what was left was a brilliant and unique spot for planting a vineyard; 350 metres above sea level, with cooling ocean breezes and steep sun-bathed hills and so, like a phoenix, Beau Constantia rose from the ashes.
Sensing opportunity, Pierre and Cecily Du Preez acquired the 22-hectare property in 2002. With thorough soil analysis guiding their efforts, the inaugural vineyards were planted in 2003 under the careful guidance of farm manager, Japie Bronn.
The journey to establish vineyards on these challenging slopes demanded patience and unwavering commitment. Today, Beau Constantia proudly boasts 11.47 hectares under vine, a testament to the perseverance and dedication of all involved. Within these vineyards thrive a diverse range of varietals, including Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz, and Petit Verdot, each meticulously nurtured to capture the unique essence of this extraordinary landscape.
This boutique wine farm with just over 11 hectares under vine has utterly spectacular views over the peninsula. Megan van der Merwe is the Head Winemaker, having taken over from Justin Van Wyk in 2021, after serving as Assistant Winemaker during his successful tenure. Megan believes in 'farming to perfection - just don't stuff it up in the cellar!'. This very talented winemaker is certainly one to watch.
Each of their releases is a tribute to a member of the family.
Accolades & Awards
- Tim Atkins | 93 points
‘’Two pickings across five different parcels are the building blocks of this blend, made from a pairing of Sauvignon Blanc and 7% Semillon. Wild yeasts and some skin contact, as well as a variety of fermentation vessels, add complexity, mixing notes of nettles, elderflower and oyster shell with a dab of cream.’’
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Sauvignon Blanc & 7% Semillon |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13.5% abv |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.4 units per bottle |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matching | Asparagus and pea risotto with lemon zest and basil. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Constantia |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2022 Beau Constantia 'Cecily' Viognier
Regular price £26.50 Sale price £22.53 Save 15%Tasting Notes
Colour
Golden yellow in the glass
Nose
One is quite surprised by the floral perfume and hints of white peach, apricot and tangerine that seduce the senses with their delicacy.
Palate
On the palate, an unusual equilibrium between waxy weight and a gobsmacking acidity is neatly held together by our small site’s signature hint of salinity.
Winery
Some two decades ago, raging wildfires swept through an area of forest high up on Constantia Nek, leaving the slopes scorched and bare. When the fire had subsided, what was left was a brilliant and unique spot for planting a vineyard; 350 metres above sea level, with cooling ocean breezes and steep sun-bathed hills and so, like a phoenix, Beau Constantia rose from the ashes.
Sensing opportunity, Pierre and Cecily Du Preez acquired the 22-hectare property in 2002. With thorough soil analysis guiding their efforts, the inaugural vineyards were planted in 2003 under the careful guidance of farm manager, Japie Bronn.
The journey to establish vineyards on these challenging slopes demanded patience and unwavering commitment. Today, Beau Constantia proudly boasts 11.47 hectares under vine, a testament to the perseverance and dedication of all involved. Within these vineyards thrive a diverse range of varietals, including Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz, and Petit Verdot, each meticulously nurtured to capture the unique essence of this extraordinary landscape.
This boutique wine farm with just over 11 hectares under vine has utterly spectacular views over the peninsula. Megan van der Merwe is the Head Winemaker, having taken over from Justin Van Wyk in 2021, after serving as Assistant Winemaker during his successful tenure. Megan believes in 'farming to perfection - just don't stuff it up in the cellar!'. This very talented winemaker is certainly one to watch.
Each of their releases is a tribute to a member of the family.
Awards & Accolades
- 92pts | IWSC 2022 (2021 Vintage)
"White flowers and peach lead to a voluptuous palate where apricot rises. Such purity of fruit shows great typicity. Absolutely loving the lingering freshness here."
- Tim Atkin | 91 pts (2021 Vintage)
“Cecily has gained in subtlety and finesse under winemaker Megan van der Merwe, with less cream and more freshness on the palate. Fermented in old barrels and for 21% of the blend, a concrete egg, this is leesy and refined, with aniseed and honeysuckle notes, a hint of clementine and a fresh finish.”
Di's Personal Tasting Note
"A fabulously, well balanced, graceful & elegant white. Initial fruits of peach & apricot balanced by fresh lemon/lime citric acidity. With a lovely creamy mouth feel from extended lees contact. Drinking beautifully in its youth but has the complexity & balance to mature for a good few years yet. I would definitely say that this will be one of our top whites from South Africa. Can close my eyes whilst drinking & visualise the wonderful view from Beau Constantia." April 2024
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Viognier |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13.5% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.4 units per bottle |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Delicious now, with huge potential to age. |
Food Matching | Try it with fragrant Thai curry or roasted poultry. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Constantia |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2021 Beau Constantia Pas de Nom Creative Batch
Regular price £18.99 Sale price £16.14 Save 15%Tasting Notes
Nose
The first aromas to leap from the glass are intensely citrusy and give way to delicacies of ginger and clove.
Palate
The palate is waxy yet grippy with a leesy weight and incredibly fine tannins that perfectly poise a tangy, tropical finish.
The 2021 Creative Batch (v2.0) is a blend of Chenin Blanc, Fernao Pires, Roussanne, Verdelho and Viognier, all treated differently to honour each variety’s individual potential as a wine. Once all the parts finished their different fermentations, they were blended together and allowed to mature on the gross lees for 9 months prior to being bottled.
This wine was only intended for a single vintage, but is back by popular demand and the 2021 has legs. It is bright and lively with concentrated fruit and a pithy finish that demands another dip. True to the vintage; it is notably fresher than the 2020 and will easily outlive its predecessor!
Winery
Some two decades ago, raging wildfires swept through an area of forest high up on Constantia Nek, leaving the slopes scorched and bare. When the fire had subsided, what was left was a brilliant and unique spot for planting a vineyard; 350 metres above sea level, with cooling ocean breezes and steep sun-bathed hills and so, like a phoenix, Beau Constantia rose from the ashes.
Sensing opportunity, Pierre and Cecily Du Preez acquired the 22-hectare property in 2002. With thorough soil analysis guiding their efforts, the inaugural vineyards were planted in 2003 under the careful guidance of farm manager, Japie Bronn.
The journey to establish vineyards on these challenging slopes demanded patience and unwavering commitment. Today, Beau Constantia proudly boasts 11.47 hectares under vine, a testament to the perseverance and dedication of all involved. Within these vineyards thrive a diverse range of varietals, including Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz, and Petit Verdot, each meticulously nurtured to capture the unique essence of this extraordinary landscape.
This boutique wine farm with just over 11 hectares under vine has utterly spectacular views over the peninsula. Megan van der Merwe is the Head Winemaker, having taken over from Justin Van Wyk in 2021, after serving as Assistant Winemaker during his successful tenure. Megan believes in 'farming to perfection - just don't stuff it up in the cellar!'. This very talented winemaker is certainly one to watch.
Each of their releases is a tribute to a member of the family.
Accolades & Awards
- Tim Aitkin | 91 pts
“This is the second vintage of Pas de Nom, a wine in which Megan van der Merwe marries skin fermented Chenin Blanc with 34% Fernão Pires, Roussanne, Verdelho and Viognier. Bottled under a crown cap to appeal to younger drinkers, it's funky and fun, with subtle wood, orange peel, quince and yellow apple flavours and plenty of natural acidity.”
Alan's Personal Notes
"This is a beaut! A melange of grape varieties deliver a real melange of flavours. Citrus fruits with a touch of ginger and spice - with a lovely waxy, pithy mouthfeel. Great complexity and flavours just go on forever. This is the 22 vintage which I suggest is better than the 21 we tasted with the winemaker Megan at the winery. Once you get past the Movember label this wine just sings beautifully in the glass - would be perfect with a chicken & mango curry." April 2024
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 66% Chenin Blanc, 15% Fernao Pires, 9% Roussanne, 7% Verdelho and 3% Viognier |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 12.23% abv |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.17 units |
Type | White Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Constantia |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2019 Beau Constantia 'Lucca'
Regular price £27.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
It’s a blend of near parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, harvested in the cool hours of the morning to retain freshness, from well-exposed North-East facing slopes. After natural fermentation on skins, the wine was matured in French Oak for 18 months.
Expect indulgent notes of plum, black cherry and vanilla. Savoury and herbaceous on the palate, with classic cool-climate acidity and freshness.
The Year by Winemaker Megan van der Merwe
"2019 was a pivotal year for Beau Constantia. Our terroir faced a massive shift in climate, and I was honoured enough to take over the entire winemaking process from ground to glass. Fearful? Be not. Change is the basic law of nature, and remaining in sync with our ever-changing environment is a way of life we find humbling, exciting and rewarding."
Winery
Some two decades ago, raging wildfires swept through an area of forest high up on Constantia Nek, leaving the slopes scorched and bare. When the fire had subsided, what was left was a brilliant and unique spot for planting a vineyard; 350 metres above sea level, with cooling ocean breezes and steep sun-bathed hills and so, like a phoenix, Beau Constantia rose from the ashes.
Sensing opportunity, Pierre and Cecily Du Preez acquired the 22-hectare property in 2002. With thorough soil analysis guiding their efforts, the inaugural vineyards were planted in 2003 under the careful guidance of farm manager, Japie Bronn.
The journey to establish vineyards on these challenging slopes demanded patience and unwavering commitment. Today, Beau Constantia proudly boasts 11.47 hectares under vine, a testament to the perseverance and dedication of all involved. Within these vineyards thrive a diverse range of varietals, including Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Shiraz, and Petit Verdot, each meticulously nurtured to capture the unique essence of this extraordinary landscape.
This boutique wine farm with just over 11 hectares under vine has utterly spectacular views over the peninsula. Megan van der Merwe is the Head Winemaker, having taken over from Justin Van Wyk in 2021, after serving as Assistant Winemaker during his successful tenure. Megan believes in 'farming to perfection - just don't stuff it up in the cellar!'. This very talented winemaker is certainly one to watch.
Each of their releases is a tribute to a member of the family.
Accolades & Awards
- Tim Atkin | 91 Pts
“Cabernet Franc led for the first time; Lucca is a blend with 47% French clone Merlot. Green, tangy and bright, this reflects the cooler 2019 growing season in Constantia and has appealing cedarwood, black cherry and cranberry flavours complemented by fine-boned tannins.”
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 53% Cabernet France, 47% Merlot |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 14.7% abv |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11 units per bottle |
Type | Red Wine - Bordeaux Blend |
Cellaring Potential | 2023 - 2027 |
Food Matching | Roasted red peppers or spiced monkish. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Constantia |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2016 Cafaggio Basilica del Cortaccio Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £39.99 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 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 |
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 |
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
|
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
|