- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carignan
- Carmenère
- Catarratto
- Chardonnay
- Chenin Blanc
- Cinsault
- Feteasca Alba
- Frappato
- Friulano
- Garganega
- Gewürtztraminer
- Glera
- Grenache / Garnacha
- Grillo
- Grüner Veltliner
- Malbec
- Merlot
- Mourvèdre / Mataró / Monastrell
- Muscat
- Palomino
- Pedro Ximénez
- Petit Verdot
- Pinot Bianco/ Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
- Pinot Meunier
- Pinot Noir
- Pinotage
- Primitivo
- Roussanne
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
- Shiraz / Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Tinta Barroca
- Tinta Roriz
- Touriga Franca
- Touriga Nacional
- Trebbiano
- Vermentino
- Viognier
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carignan
- Carmenère
- Catarratto
- Chardonnay
- Chenin Blanc
- Cinsault
- Feteasca Alba
- Frappato
- Friulano
- Garganega
- Gewürtztraminer
- Glera
- Grenache / Garnacha
- Grillo
- Grüner Veltliner
- Malbec
- Merlot
- Mourvèdre / Mataró / Monastrell
- Muscat
- Palomino
- Pedro Ximénez
- Petit Verdot
- Pinot Bianco/ Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
- Pinot Meunier
- Pinot Noir
- Pinotage
- Primitivo
- Roussanne
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
- Shiraz / Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Tinta Barroca
- Tinta Roriz
- Touriga Franca
- Touriga Nacional
- Trebbiano
- Vermentino
- Viognier
2023 Ronchi di Manzano Friulano
Regular price £15.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
Straw-yellow color with light green reflections.
Nose
Intense aroma of blossom and ripen fruit.
Mouth
It is dry, full, soft, very intense, hazelnut, scents of sweet almonds, pear, green apple, fresh, in a beautiful bedrock minerality.
Background
Roberta Borghese, the owner of these Ronchi (steep slopes), has understood their true values and is enthralled by the rhythm and beauty of nature.
The Ronchi di Manzano winery was established in 1969, but its vineyards have an ancient tradition of centuries. Everything started with the Counts of Trento, who had a special predilection for the Ronchi di Manzano, both for its location and for its soil composition. Its vineyards were considered to be some of the best in the whole area and the wines produced were very often requested by French and Savoy noblemen.
Vineyard
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"This is not an adventurous white - it’s a simple but top quality dry white with good citric fruit, some nuttiness and some minerality - but it’s the classiness and purity that sets it apart from basic whites.
A top notch, classy and elegant cool climate white from northern Italy. Often mistaken for Sauvignon but with none of the aromas - just great fruit, nuttiness and minerality - reminds me of a good Sancerre.
It’s an all woman wine as well, all vineyard and winery work done by a mother and her two daughters on a small, quality, premium estate." tasted July 2024
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Friulano |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food & Serving Information |
Ideal to be paired with San Daniele ham, eggs, asparagus, herbs frittata or herbs soup, Serving temperature 8-10°C. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin |
Friuli Colli Orientali |
Appellation | Friuli DOC |
2023 Ronchi di Manzano Ramato Pinot Grigio Rosé
Regular price £15.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%"Neither white nor rosé"
Tasting Notes
(Italian) Copper Pinot Grigio is red onion coloured, with a dry, fresh and balanced taste. It is very fragrant, elegant and fruity but at the same time full-bodied and powerful. Notes of fruit salad, sage, almond. With this method of vinification it is better suited to aging.
Production
Harvest strictly by hand and in crates. The must remains in contact with the skins for 36 hours, after which it is passed and put back in stainless steel until bottling.
Maturation for 6 months in stainless steel and refinement in bottle for 3 months before being marketed.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Grigio |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Rosé Wine |
Food Pairings |
Copper Pinot Grigio is served at a temperature of 9-10° and pairs well with fish appetizers and vegetarian first courses.
|
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin |
Fruili Venezia Giulia
|
Appellation |
Fruili Colli Orientali DOC |
2023 Wild House Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £9.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%An impressive addition to the Wild House range, predominantly from Elgin grown fruit, a coastal region renowned for high quality, cool climate Sauvignon Blanc.
Tasting Notes
A vibrant cool climate style of Sauvignon with intense citrus and crushed nettle aromas. Ripe, concentrated fruit is offset by a grapefruit tang and leafy characters. Taut and mineral with a long, textural finish.
Production
Hand harvested grapes from Elgin, supplemented by small parcels from cooler sites in Paarl and Franschhoek, were gently pressed and the juice settled for 48 hours. Naturally fermented in stainless steel tanks, with no additions other than a small dose of sulphur, and kept on the gross lees for 5 months.
Producer
Wild House is a lifestyle range which reflects a place of raw energy, a weather-beaten hut exposed to the storm-swept slopes of the Cape's mountains. Inspired by the ever-shifting views of the landscape and weather from each aspect of the house, we crafted this range of wines to reflect the land we call home.
Sustainability
Wild House 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.
Awards
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 - Silver 2022 Vintage
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Simply cooked sea bass with a salsa verde, lemon roasted chicken or aromatic thai dishes. |
Origin | Coastal Region |
Appellation | W.O. Coastal Region |
2020 Cycles Gladiator Zinfandel
Regular price £16.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Fruit driven American Zinfandel with Best Buy Ratings
Tasting Notes
Nose
Rich, sweet aromas of cherry and raspberry lead into jammy flavours of red plum, red currant and blackberry, with a dash of baking spices and a touch of smokiness.
Palate
Structured and textured, velvety tannins weave their way from mid-palate to a lingering finish.
Winemaking Notes
Working with top growers in Lodi where Zinfandel reigns supreme, our Cycles Gladiator Zinfandel embodies all the beloved characteristics of the grape.
Background
Cycles Gladiator was founded in 2005 with the mission to create high quality, affordable wines that honour the iconic artwork on the label by empowering and inspiring women. Proudly sourced from some of California’s top wine growing regions , award- winning winemaker Adam LaZarre crafts each wine with passion and care from grape to glass.
Accolades
- 20+ Best Buy Ratings by Wine Enthusiast
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Zinfandel |
Country | United States of America |
Alcohol content | 14% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Features | Vegetarian approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matching |
Try this fruit-driven Zinfandel with lamb or hearty pasta dishes. |
Appellation | Lodi |
Origin | California |
Zero Regrets Primitivo (Alcohol Free)
Regular price £7.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%0% Alcohol, Vegetarian/Vegan certified.
Made with grapes from a Puglian origin - this alcohol free wine is a juicy, plush alternative to the 'real thing'!
Tasting Notes
This Primitivo is rich and ripe, with an abundance of dark berry fruit on the nose, and a plush, smooth texture on the well-balanced palate.
Production
Primitivo grapes are transported in small containers and softly destemmed, taking care to keep the skins intact. Temperature controlled fermentation around 22°C with frequent pumping over of the must achieves optimal extraction of colour, a fruity bouquet and soft tannins in the finished wine. Vacuum distillation at around 30°C to preserve primary aromas.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Primitivo |
Country | Puglia/Belgium |
Alcohol content
|
0% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 0 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Calories |
83 per 100ml |
Carbohydrates |
4.5g per 100ml |
Food Matches |
The perfect accompaniment to meaty pasta dishes. |
Origin | Puglia |
Appellation | Puglia/Belgium |
Zero Regrets Pinot Grigio (Alcohol Free)
Regular price £7.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%0% Alcohol, Vegetarian/Vegan certified.
Made with grapes from a Sicilian origin - this alcohol free wine is a vibrant delicious alternative to the 'real thing'!
Tasting Notes
Straw yellow in colour, this wine has vibrant tropical and citrus fruit aromas and flavours. On the palate it is refreshing and perfectly balanced, with a clean, crisp finish.
Production
The grapes are destemmed and very gently pressed in a pneumatic press. Prior to fermentation the juice is chilled and racked after settling. Selected yeasts are added to initiate the alcoholic fermentation, which takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at 8°C. Vacuum distillation at around 30°C to preserve primary aromas.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Grigio |
Country | Sicily/Belgium |
Alcohol content
|
0% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 0 units |
Type | White Wine |
Calories |
20 per 100ml |
Sugar |
4,5g per 100ml |
Food Matches | A versatile wine, pairing well with a great variety of dishes, or enjoyed on its own as an aperitif. |
Origin | Sicily/Belgium |
Appellation | Sicily |
2021 Cave de Turckheim Baron D'Alsace Gewurztraminer
Regular price £15.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A great introduction to the heady delights of Gewurztraminer.
Tasting Notes
Intensly perfumed Gewurztraminer with a rich palate of honeyed and rose-scented flavours.
Production
Produced in the traditional manner by winemaker Jean Michel Lihrmann in Cave de Turckheim's gravity fed cellar - pneumatic pressing, temperature controlled fermentation, no finings and light filtration before bottling - all to preserve fruit and aromatic qualities and elegance. His philosophy is to make wines with good acidity and fruit balance, based on the belief that all the qualities of the wine are already present in the grapes.
Producer
Widely regarded as one of the best co-operatives in the world, Cave de Turckheim lies at the mouth of the Munster Valley. Working closely with 180 partners, its vineyards span the full breadth of Alsatian terroir and grape varieties. Cave de Turckheim only produces wine from the grapes of its member growers, it is a récoltant not a négociant.
Substantial investment in the winery has enabled the team to vinify many parcels of grapes separately, offering Michel Lihrmann (senior winemaker for 25 years) the chance to highlight each wine's nuances in his signature dry, yet fruit forward, style.
Committed to producing the highest quality wines, growers are encouraged to keep yields low - for example, Cave de Turckheim voluntarily caps yields for its Grands Crus vineyards at 45hl/ha rather than the permitted 55hl/ha - and to pick the grapes by hand. This is part of a long term and innovative strategy of sustainability that includes developing the largest holdings of organic vineyards in Alsace, using natural alternatives to chemical treatments, and a green overview of all vineyard practices. Alongside some great organic wines, the extensive range runs from the excellent value Tradition wines right through to individual Grand Cru bottlings, plus fantastic Crémants d’Alsace and Vendange Tardive dessert wines.
Sustainability
An awareness of social and environmental concerns has always been high on the agenda for the Cave de Turckheim’s growers. They were among the first in France to practice integrated agriculture, an approach that combines the best of modern tools and technologies with traditional practices, lowering the consumption of energy and other resources, reducing environmental pollution, conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainability. In 2014, all the members of the co-operative obtained Agri Confiance Volet Vert (Green Section) certification and in 2015, they all obtained High Environmental Value Level 2 certification. The growers are aiming for HVE Level 3 certification in late 2019.
In 2008, a number of growers decided to commit to the rigorous standards of organic viticulture. As part of Alliance Alsace, approximately 70 hectares of vines are now cultivated organically, having obtained organic certification in 2011, with a further 30 hectares in transition. These vignerons have revived ancestral practices, tilling the soil and undertaking work that facilitates the elimination of weeds and the combat against the two major diseases: powdery mildew which is tackled with sulphur and mildew which is treated with copper sulphate. Natural fertilisers are also used (nettle, horsetail, comfrey, and dandelion), fortifying the vines and increasing their natural resistance. Organic winegrowers meticulously observe their vines, enabling them to intervene in the right place and at the right time, rather than treating the plants systematically.
Turckheim’s commitment to the environment extends to the winery where it strives to conserve natural resources. Sorting waste for recycling, reducing its carbon footprint, using solar panels, and preventing pollution are just some examples of how environmental considerations are present in every aspect of its daily work. Committed to both the environment and its customers, Cave de Turckheim also plays an important role in the local economy.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Gewürztraminer |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable farming |
Food Matches | A classic match for spicy dishes (especially Thai) but can also be served as an alternative to red wine with strong cheeses. |
Origin |
Alsace, France
|
2022 The Tea Leaf
Regular price £13.50 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A naturally fermented old bush vine brew, Tea Leaf hails from vineyards where the vines grow amongst South Africa’s native rooibos (red tea) plants that grow wild alongside the vines.
Tasting Notes
Aromas of ripe citrus and peach with savoury, gently nutty notes. The palate combines firm, high-key fruit with a gentle, sandy texture true to the source vineyards’ soil leading to a long, lightly honeyed finish. A deeply satisfying wine, taut and concentrated, from a blend of high quality bush vine fruit.
Production
From selected coastal vineyards of Chenin, Grenache Gris and Marsanne where the indigenous rooibos tea plant grows wild. Grapes are harvested in the early hours and then a further selection is made by hand at the winery to select the best fruit. The wine is naturally fermented and aged a few months in older 600 litre French oak barrels. No fining and coarse filtered (above 1 micron).
Producer
What’s this then? SKU is a casual band of happy ferments. A circus tent of the Cape’s stranger grapes and blends. We will champion the unfashionable, experiment with the known and express the found before it gets lost. Mistakes are likely, fun certain. Welcome to Strange Kompanjie, a Kultivar Club for the Underdog.
Sustainability
Strange Kompanjie Unlimited 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.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 80% Chenin Blanc, 12% Grenache Gris, 7% Marsanne |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan |
Dietary Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Match | Simply cooked fish dishes, scallops, salt & pepper squid or fishcakes, light seafood pasta, risotto, rich salads and sushi. |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2022 Wildeberg Red
Regular price £19.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A fine, distinctive blend of 90% Syrah with 10% Cabernet Franc, each from a single vineyard parcel in the Franschhoek valley. A natural approach to winemaking gives a fresh, expressive style with attractively wild berry fruit characters.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Warm and spicy on the nose, aromas of fresh crushed raspberries and black cherry mingle with black pepper, allspice and woodsmoke.
Palate
The palate has breadth and natural juiciness combining fresh cranberry and red berry fruit with spicy, peppercorn flavours. Best served at cool room temperature.
Production
Wildeberg is our small farm in Franschhoek. Only 10ha can be planted to vines, the rest is wild. 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. A blend of roughly 90% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Franc, both parcels of fruit were hand-harvested then allowed to macerate carbonically without press. These wild ferments were left to themselves with just one daily manual punchdown followed by 12 months ageing in 600 ltr French oak 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.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 90% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Franc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan |
Dietary Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Great with charcuterie, a juicy steak or traditional South African Bobotie. |
Appellation | WO Franschoeck |
2022 Coterie by Wildeberg Semillon Sauvignon 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 cuvées that are go into Coterie by Wildeberg. Semillon from Franschhoek is barrel fermented in 600 litre French and Austrian oak then aged for 10 months in barrel. Sauvignon Blanc is fermented in stainless steel and kept on the gross lees for 10 months. Once the blend is decided the wine is allowed to marry in tank for 6 weeks prior to coarse filtration and bottling. Semillon is aged in 36% new barrels, 44% 2nd fill, 20% stainless steel.
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
- 2022 - Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards (2021 Vintage)
- 2023 - Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards (2022 Vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 80% Semillion, 20% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13% ABV |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches | Great with white fish, roast chicken dishes, or tiger prawns with chilli. |
Appellation | W.O. Coastal Region |
2021 Logan Apple Tree Flat Shiraz
Regular price £12.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Once upon a time, in a little town called Apple Tree Flat, a humble winemaker created quality, true varietal wines that were affordable enough to enjoy every day.
Luckily, this story is true.
The beauty of these wines can be found inside the bottle and out. The labels feature hand-drawn illustrations depicting the people, places and experiences of our winemaker’s home and winery. Whilst inside the bottle you'll find fruit driven wines with excellent regional expression that represent astounding value for mone
Despite such humble beginnings, Apple Tree Flat wines make big waves in Australia and around the world.
Tasting Notes
The lovely 2021 Apple Tree Flat Shiraz has inviting aromas of raspberry, bayleaf and a slight floral lift, before a warm welcome to the palette of red berries, clove, smooth peppers and soft tannins.
Winemaking
After crushing the grapes were fermented in stainless steel. The cap was pumped over twice a day during the 7- day fermentation period, then 100% matured in stainless steel. The wine was filtered before bottling.
Vintage
The Shiraz grapes for this dry red were harvested at 12.63° Baumé on the 29th March 2021. The 2021 growing season was a tough one in the NSW Central Ranges, although overall quality was high. Yields in the Orange region were pitifully low, about 10-15% of an average year, due to a hangover from the 2018-2020 drought, snow in November and some large rain events late in the growing season which required us to remove any mould or fungus affected grapes.
Yields in Mudgee were healthier but still a little down on average. Temperatures were cooler than average leading to slow, steady ripening, however the sunshine throughout produced clearly varietal wines, generally with lower alcohol levels.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Shiraz |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 13% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
9.75 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Features | Sustainably Farmed |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Australia |
2021 Logan Apple Tree Flat Chardonnay
Regular price £12.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Once upon a time, in a little town called Apple Tree Flat, a humble winemaker created quality, true varietal wines that were affordable enough to enjoy every day.
Luckily, this story is true.
The beauty of these wines can be found inside the bottle and out. The labels feature hand-drawn illustrations depicting the people, places and experiences of our winemaker’s home and winery. Whilst inside the bottle you'll find fruit driven wines with excellent regional expression that represent astounding value for mone
Despite such humble beginnings, Apple Tree Flat wines make big waves in Australia and around the world.
Tasting Notes
Floral honeysuckle, peach and pear make up the aroma, with a smooth palate of lemon, nashi pear and nectarine before a long lingering finish.
Winemaking
After crushing and gentle pressing, the juice was clarified by flotation. The pressings were oxidatively handled as juice while the free run was treated anaerobically. The fermentations were carried out by wild yeasts and took place over 18 days in stainless steel tanks. The wine remained on yeast lees for 8 months
Region
The chardonnay grapes for this dry white were harvested at 12.5° Baumé on the 26th February and 14th March 2019 in Mudgee and Orange, New South Wales. The chardonnay vineyards were 46 and 19 years old respectively.
The 2019 growing season was warm and very dry in the NSW Central Ranges, however enough well-spaced rain events across the season allowed the grapes to progress through to ripeness without suffering undue stress. These conditions resulted in a compact harvest period with clean fruit and yields per vine a little lower than average. Ripeness occurred at low sugar levels resulting in generally low alcohol in the wines.
One vineyard is trained to Geneva Double Curtain Trellis type, with the other being Vertical Shoot Position (VSP).
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 12.5% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Mudgee & Orange Regions |
Origin | Australia |
2020 Boneshaker Old Vine Zinfandel
Regular price £27.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Boneshaker is a robust, full-throttle “old vine” Zinfandel from Lodi, California, a region known for its warm growing season and sandy soils
Tasting Notes
Colour
A vibrant ruby red in colour
Nose
Dark cherry, blackberry, subtle notes of spice and a hint of leather on the nose
Palate
Perfectly ripe red berry and fruit flavours are accompanied by a balanced structure with firm ripe tannins and a touch of warm spices on a gentle toasty finish.
Background
Older vines make bolder Zinfandel. Bruella Vineyard and Fathom Ranch are owned by Jason and Kimberly Eells, whose multi-generational family has sold grapes to Hahn Family Wines for over 20 years. These vineyards produce exceptional fruit with a character only found in California, yielding Zinfandel as rich and spicy as their history.
Region
This Old Vine Zinfandel is sourced from two historical vineyards – Bruella Vineyard and Fathom Ranch – both located in the Mokelumne River AVA, a sub-appellation of the Lodi AVA that is home to more Old Vine Zinfandel vineyards than any region in the U.S. The heritage, head-trained Zinfandel vines in these lowyielding vineyards range from 60 to over 100 years old, with roots that reach deep into well-drained, sandy loam soils. With a Mediterranean climate featuring warm, sunny days and evenings cooled by breezes off the Sacramento River Delta, the Lodi AVA has long been recognized as one of the finest AVAs for growing intensely flavored Zinfandel. Certified sustainable under the highly respected Lodi Rules for Sustainable Farming program, these vineyards promote biodiversity, soil and water health, and community and employee well-being.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Zinfandel |
Country | United States of America |
Alcohol content | 15% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
11.3 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Features | Sustainably Farmed |
Food Matches | BBQ ribs, tri-tip, grilled vegetables. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Lodi |
Origin | California |
2021 Cycles Gladiator Chardonnay
Regular price £16.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This Chardonnay showcases the richness and complexity of its terroir.
Tasting Notes
Colour
The golden colour in the glass
Nose
Bright aromas of stone fruit and golden apple, underscored by rich, toasted oak.
Palate
Ripe, round tropical flavours of pineapple and mango are complimented by notes of vanilla and butter.
Winemaking Notes
The 2021 vintage saw a late harvest with great quality fruit. All grapes were taken directly to press as whole clusters, gently pressed into tanks, cold-settled, racked as clean juice, and fermented over a two-month period at very cool temperatures. Once primary fermentation was completed, select lots ofthe wine went through a complete secondary fermentation to add a rich, buttery component.
Background
Cycles Gladiator was founded in 2005 with the mission to create high quality, affordable wines that honour the iconic artwork on the label by empowering and inspiring women. Proudly sourced from some of California’s top wine growing regions , award- winning winemaker Adam LaZarre crafts each wine with passion and care from grape to glass.
Accolades
- Top 25 Best Buy Ratings by Wine Enthusiast
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | United States of America |
Alcohol content | 12.5% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Features | Vegetarian approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | California (68% Monterey, 32% Paso Robles) |
Origin | California |
2023 Ermita de San Felices Rioja Tinto Joven
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Light, elegant with plenty of summer-pudding red berry fruit. Light oak adds weight and concentration. The vibrant violet, cherry fruit is typical of good Tempranillo Rioja.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Red colour with blackish tones
Nose
Good intensity, fresh, floral and red berries.
Taste
Medium body, easy drinking, fruity and fresh with mouth-watering acidity.
Producer
Santiago Ijalba has been making wines for over half a century and founded Bodegas Santalba (a fusion of his first and last name) in 1964. Joined by his son Roberto and daughter Laura over the last decade, Roberto concentrates his wine making expertise on the more modern styles, while Laura focuses her attentions on the marketing side, making Bodegas Santalba a real family affair.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Tempranillo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 14% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches |
Drink with barbecues, rice dishes such as risottos, beef carpaccio with parmesan, beans or pulses and vegetables, pork in mustard, fresh pasta, curried chicken, Eastern and spicy dishes. Serve around 16C. |
Features | Vegetarian approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Rioja Alta |
Origin | DOCa Rioja |
2023 Malat 'Crazy Creatures' Gruner Veltliner
Regular price £18.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Located a mere one-hour drive outside Vienna, the Weingut Malat wine estate has been mastering its art and building its strong reputation for over three centuries. A pioneer in the Kremstal region, this domain is among Austria's most respected. With four different labels featuring strange insects, this Grüner Veltliner-based white is from its Crazy Creatures range!
Beautifully biting, it offers charming minerality, citrus and spice notes.
This wine has four different labels. Illustrations will therefore vary.
Tasting Notes
This is gorgeous, fresh, vibrant and broad Grüner Veltliner that comes from the Kremstal region in Austria. It is a fresh and bright, mouth-watering style of Grüner that begins to show more culinary herbal characteristics so associated with this variety. It's a superb all-rounder of a white that is delicious with a very wide range of cuisine.
History
The brainchild of Michael Malat, the grapes for "Crazy Creatures" are grown in the small Austrian village of Palt, in the wine-growing region of Kremstal. The traditional Malat winery has been making wines in the region since 1722.
Varietal
The flagship grape of Austria, Grüner Veltliner is a natural cross of Traminer and St. Georgen. Grüner accounts for almost 30% of all grapes planted with around 13,500 hectares under vine in the country. The Austrian native has become an international sensation amongst sommeliers worldwide as the perfect food wine due to its high acidity. In Austria it is prized for the easy drinking wine it produces but can also wow the palate with complexity in the right winemaker’s hands. The typical flavor profile is often described as displaying elements of green apple with an unmistakable white pepper spiciness.
Alan's Personal Tasting Note:
This is very interesting. Zesty citric lime fruit, a gravelly minerality, some white pepper spice with a hint of sage intermingle beautifully to give a really interesting complex and flavoursome long lasting white. Definitely a food wine that sommeliers would have a great time matching up!
What 3 words? - Zesty, Prancing, complex
Specifications
Vintage | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 75cl |
Cultivar | 100% Grüner Veltliner |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per bottle | 9.4 units of alcohol |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matching |
A favourite among sommeliers and wine enthusiasts alike. A white wint that goes remarkably well with a great many dishes. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Origin |
Niederösterreich
|
Appellation |
Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC), Kremstal |
2021 Domaine de la Rochette Touraine Gamay
Regular price £12.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This is Gamay Noir with white juice. The vines resulting from massal and clonal selections are between between 10 and 30 years old. Planting density is 6500 vines per hectare. Average yields are 50 to 55 Hl/Ha, barely a liter of grape juice per vine.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Ruby-red colour, bold, garnet red highlights.
Nose
Aromatic, elegant, subtle violet aromas, intense fresh fruit aromas, subtle strawberry aromas, generous raspberry aromas, subtle cinnamon aromas.
Palate
Elegant, delicate, smooth, violet overtones, generous fresh fruit hints, vanilla hints, fresh tannin, round, slightly mineral, light body, good intensity, long length.
Soil
The soil type "Perruche" is made of flint clay with more or less silica and gravel. Most of the plots are on the first Cher's hillsides, with good exposure and a fairly large slope allowing the flow of excess water.
Vinification
The berries are picked and sorted for quality. Fermentation takes place in concrete vats, which allows a natural micro-oxygenation of the juice. The fermentation is of “semi carbonic” type, which is to stay shielded from air and in an environment of carbon dioxide, making it possible to obtain more elegant and fruity aroma.
The history of Domaine de la Rochette en Loire
Domaine de la Rochette has been in Vincent Leclair's family for four generations. Taking over his father's fifty hectares of vines in 2014, Vincent Leclair has made a few changes to the management of the vineyard, adding his own touch. For example, he keeps the grass in the rows to enrich the soil via other types of plant, and he has also stopped using insecticides, preferring instead sexual confusion hormones: a highly effective means of combating insects harmful to the vines. He then invested in new equipment, much more precise in its application.
These include new tanks and new tractors. Although he is an enthusiast of organic viticulture, he admits that it is rather difficult to implement because the Touraine region experiences a lot of rain throughout the year, resulting in a higher risk of disease. With his new equipment, he has nevertheless managed to reduce his treatments by around 50%. Treatments against mildew and powdery mildew, two diseases that are rampant in the vineyards, are therefore carried out as little as possible. The estate is HVE certified.
Accolades
- Silver Medal - Concours des vins des Vignerons Indépendants 2023
- Gold Medal - Concours international Gilbert et Gaillard 2023
Specifications
Vintage | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 75cl |
Cultivar | 100% Gamay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per bottle | 9 units of alcohol |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential |
Drink within 3 years at a temperature of around 8-10°C. |
Food Matching |
Enjoy with red meats, cold cuts, and goat's cheese |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Origin | Loire Valley |
Appellation |
AOC Touraine |
2022 Coterie by Wildeberg Grenache Syrah
Regular price £13.49 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 8 months before the blend is decided. This blend is then allowed to marry for 6 weeks prior to coarse filtration and bottling on the farm.
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 2022 Vintage
- Bronze - 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 67% Grenache, 33% Syrah |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14% ABV |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches | Grilled meats, especially lamb and spiced meat dishes. |
Appellation | W.O. Coastal Region |
2022 Waterkloof Circle of Life White
Regular price £13.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Circle of Life celebrates farming in harmony with nature, telling a story of preserving and regenerating biodiversity. This harmonious combination of 3 classic grape varieties captures the essence of Waterkloof's biodynamic viticultural amphitheatre. 94 points, Decanter July 2023.
Tasting notes
A fine and seamless blend of 3 classic white grapes. Sauvignon Blanc aromas are prominent on the nose, with lime and prickly pear notes. A tight mineral core and creamy mid palate from the Chenin Blanc gives complexity and a persistent finish while a small proportion of Semillon adds texture and depth.
Awards
- Vintage 2022 - Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 - Silver
Production
Circle of Life White is neither defined by grape varietals, nor indeed a specific block within the vineyard, but instead encapsulates the myriad soils, aspects, altitudes and grape varieties found on this windswept, biodynamic farm. The windswept vineyard blocks are all, south facing (less sun exposure), 200-350m above sea-level and a mere 2 miles from The Atlantic. These factors combine to produce low yields, balanced grapes and wines with a true sense of place. Production is a miserly 4 tons per hectare. Bunches are picked early in the mornings, when they are still cool, which helps to preserve the flavours. Extracting juice from the grapes is achieved through whole-bunch pressing in our modern basket press. This is the most delicate way to extract the juice. No additions of enzymes or settling agents were made to the juice. After a settling period of 24 hours, a large proportion of the juice was destined for co-fermentation. We determined a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc prior to fermentation which went into old 600-liter barrels where it fermented for four months. After the fermentation was completed the blend was racked to a stainless-steel tank to which they added the rest of the Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Semillon. To have the varietals integrate the wine was left in barrel on the fine lees until its bottling date six months later. This helped to add more complexity and weight to the palate. The wine is produced as naturally as possible, with no additions of acids or enzymes.
Producer
Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004, Waterkloof is a family-owned farm using organic practices. The farm is perched high up on the windswept Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay and The Atlantic Ocean. Living soils, naturally low yields and a long growing season help provide talented Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard with naturally balanced grapes that are imbued with a truly defining sense of origin. Those grapes are then transformed into wine with a minimum of intervention. The resulting wines are fine, inimitable and best enjoyed with food.
Sustainability
As well as being ECOCERT certified as organic, and working biodynamically, Waterkloof goes much further than many in its efforts to be a highly sustainable winery. A member of The Integrated Production of Wine Scheme, a voluntary environmental sustainability scheme established by the South African wine industry in 1998, and of The Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trading Association, a multi-stakeholder, non-profit voluntary organisation which actively promotes ethical trade in the wine industry, it is has also been a member of the World Wildlife Fund’s Biodiversity & Wine Initiative from its inception. Through a partnership between the IPW and the BWI, Waterkloof is a WWF Conservation Champion and has in place a formal nature conservation plan that includes: clearing approximately 55 hectares of land from alien invader species and restoring the Cape’s precious indigenous flora and fauna; re-establishing natural vegetation in previously disturbed areas; introducing preventive erosion control measures; providing migration corridors for species between isolated areas of natural vegetation; mulching of winter cover crops to create a healthy environment for the natural predators of vine pests and installing perches for birds of prey for natural rodent control measures.In the vineyards, drip irrigation is used only on young vines as a more efficient system to conserve water. Most of Waterkloof is dry-farmed; the biological control of pests is employed as an alternative to chemical spraying; annual legume cover crops are sown to add nitrogen to the soil and annual grain cover crops are sown in alternate rows as a carbon source and to return nutrients to the soil; earthworms are farmed and their casts are used to make a tea, which is used on the cover crops and soil as a living fertiliser; 380-400 tons of compost a year are made each year to boost carbon matter in the soil, to enhance its water holding capacity, and to boost the level of microbes in the soil keeping it fertile and alive; and, as part of the estate’s biodynamic regime, various foliar feeds are made. No damaging herbicides, pesticides or fungicide are used, only natural predatory fungi and metabolites to control mildew and to build the plants’ immunity. Six Percheron horses are used to plough, compost, spray and harvest the vineyards to reduce damage to the soil and vines and to reduce carbon emissions. Using the horses also teaches the handlers the rare skill of training these horses. A flock of chickens reduces the number of pests in the vineyard and returns nitrogen to the soil and compost, as well as providing fresh, free-range eggs for the restaurant. A small herd of cows is kept, which is key to producing biodynamic composts and teas, and a flock of sheep and a herd of goats are allowed to graze in the vineyards in winter to naturally reduce the level of weeds and vegetation between vine rows, as well as to put nitrogen back into the soil.
In the cellar, waste water gets pumped through a stainless-steel filter into a bioreactor where it is combined with the rest of the waste water from the building. Aerobic bacteria remove most of the contaminants before the water is pumped into a sand bed to remove any solids. From there, it runs into a reed bed for a final clean up and it is then used to irrigate the young vines. Peroxide is used a cleaning agent in the cellar as it breaks down in water after 15 minutes, leaving no residue. The cellar itself is built into the hillside to maintain a stable temperature, to avoid pumping the wines and hence reducing energy usage. Used boxes, dividers, bottles, screwcaps, plastics, paper and labels are recycled with an external company that take everything away for recycling. Old, unused bottles are sold to bottle recyclers who wash and resell them.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 49% Sauvignon Blanc, 41% Chenin Blanc, 10% Semillion |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | White Wine Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable, Natural |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Try with Sashimi of Tuna, smoked potato gnocchi or red snapper. |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Stellenbosch |
2022 Strange Kompanjie Old Vine Palomino
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The label reflects the wine's provenance high up on the Piekenierskloof plateau, where stumpy bush-vines appear frozen in poses of agony. Their meagre yield gives a wine that's bright, tangy, textural and distinctly salty on the finish. Drink slowly to take all this in!
Tasting Notes
Fresh and zesty aromas with notes of almond skin, fennel and even a little jasmine. A bright natural acidity on the palate with a teasing top note of grassy fennel, almond nuttiness and the residual salinity of an old dry grown vineyard. Drink slowly to take all this in.
Production
On the fecund plateau of Piekenierskloof there exists some extraordinary bush. Dwarfish, seemingly petrified stumps punctuate a high rolling landscape of rye-grass and rooibos. Amongst these are old plantings of Grenache Noir, Chenin Blanc and, here and there, Palomino. Strange Kompanjie has isolated one such block for a teeny release of old vine Palomino, planted in 1977.
Producer
What’s this then? SKU is a casual band of happy ferments. A circus tent of the Cape’s stranger grapes and blends. We will champion the unfashionable, experiment with the known and express the found before it gets lost. Mistakes are likely, fun certain. Welcome to Strange Kompanjie, a Kultivar Club for the Underdog.
Sustainability
Strange Kompanjie Unlimited 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.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Palomino |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan |
Dietary Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Match | Simply cooked fish dishes, scallops or fishcakes or an asparagus and lemon risotto. |
Appellation | Piekenierskloof |
Krohn 10 Year Old Tawny, DOC Porto NV
Regular price £14.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This 10 year old is a classic Tawny with the typical appealing aromas and flavours of wood-aged Ports, particularly nuts and caramel.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Lovely tawny colour with golden hues.
Nose
Complex aromas of ripe red fruits, damson jam, raisins and toasted nuts.
Palate
Smooth and rounded on the palate, with notes of caramel balanced by fresh acidity to give great length. A very well balanced, elegant and harmonious port wine.
Production
Made from selected red ports produced from the best vineyards of the Douro Valley, and varieties including: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Cão and Tinta Roriz. Aged in small oak casks, typically of around 630 litres. As the wine ages it gradually loses the ruby red colour of its youth, becoming tawny in colour, more smooth and mellow on the palate, and aromas gaining richness and complexity.
Producers
Wiese & Krohn was founded in 1865 by two Norwegians - Theodor Wiese and Dankert Krohn - shipping initially to Scandinavia and Germany. In the century and a half since its foundation, Krohn has built up an outstanding reputation. Long renowned for the quality of their sublime Colheitas (single vintage tawnies), they produce a remarkably complete range for a small house, and each wine excels in its category. Much of the secret lies in the high quality of their vineyards - the magical combination of terroir, locality, aspect, incline and low-yielding vines. Their Quinta do Retiro Novo estate in Sarzedinho, in the Rio Torto valley (where vinification takes place), is all A grade vineyard. Indeed Krohn only work with grapes from A-graded vineyards across all of their ports, and their top wines are still trodden by foot. Since 2013 Krohn has been part of the Fladgate Partnership - alongside Taylor's, Fonseca and Croft.
Reviews
-
Wine Enthusiast Magazine
“Elegant and balanced, with a good acidity. Fresh and delicious, exactly as it should be a 10 year old.”
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinto Cão, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca |
Country | Portugal |
Alcohol content
|
20% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 15 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Dietary Information |
Vegetarian, Vegan |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Serving | The wine benefits from being served slightly chilled, between 12ºC to 16ºC. The particular qualities of this wine allow it to be enjoyed over an extended period of time once opened, without losing its freshness and vibrancy. Optimum drinking time after opening the bottle is within two to three months. |
Food Matches | The Krohn 10 Year Old Tawny is a delicious dessert wine, and harmonizes particularly well with flavours of almonds, wild berries or dark chocolate. You can also pair it with rich, blue veined cheeses. It is excellent at the end of the meal, as a culminating moment of a pleasant evening, served alone or with walnuts or toasted almonds. |
Storage | This wine is ready to drink and does not require decanting. The bottle should be kept upright, protected from light and at a cool and constant temperature. |
Origin | Douro Valley |
Appellation | DOC Porto |
2020 Cortese 'Senia' Nero d'Avola Sicilia DOC (Organic)
Regular price £20.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%When they created Senia, they took their inspiration from traditional fermentation techniques. For this reason the Nero d’Avola is fermented in open top barriques, in small quantities of around 150 litres. Senia has a extremely limited production of about 8.000 bottles per year.
Tasting Notes
Colour
An extremely intense ruby red in colour.
Nose
On the bouquet there are prominent dark fruit notes of plums and blackberries, with nuances of balsamic, liqorice and carob.
Palate
A very full-bodied wine, with a refreshing acidity, and a long finish showing soft and intense tannins.
Vineyards & Vinification
We ferment the grapes in open top barriques in small lots of around 150 litres. Using this method, it’s not possible to control the temperature during fermentation, but it never exceeds 18-24C°. The small volume allows it to adjust itself naturally.
The grapes undergo fermentation for 10-12 days. The use of open top barrels allows us to carry out “follatura” (manually pushing down the skins) as often as is necessary for the natural and delicate extraction of colour and tannins from the skins.
We leave the wine in contact with the skins for about 20 days after the fermentation and then for a total of 30-35 days.
Once the maceration on the skins has ended, the wine is placed in barriques for the malolactic fermentation, after which it remains in barrel for 12 months before bottling. The wine stays a further 6 months in bottle before being released on to the market.
Accolades
91 pts points | James Suckling
I like the dried-spice, tobacco and ash character to the black plum and black cherry fruit. It’s medium- to full-bodied with plenty of spicy and smoky flavours. Soft tannins. Delicious now.
17/20 points | Jancis Robinson
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Nero d'Avola |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
14.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Organic |
Origin | Sicilia DOC |
2017 Cortese 'Sabuci' Cerasuolo Di Vittoria Classico DOCG (Organic)
Regular price £20.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Sabuci is the name of the contrada or hamlet where Cortese has been situated since 1930. It is an historical area, perfectly suited to the production of Cerasuolo di Vittoria, which is the reason why we have given the name “Sabuci” to this wine.
Sabuci has a very limited production of about 7.000 bottles per year.
Tasting Notes
Colour
The wine is ruby red, with flecks of garnet.
Nose
The bouquet is fruit-driven, with aromas of cherries, pomegranate and fruits of the forest, plus cocoa, leather and caramel.
Palate
The palate is elegant and complex. Hugely concentrated, the tannins are at the same time firm and persistent.
Vineyards& Vinification
The area around Cortese, in the region of Vittoria, was strongly influenced by Greek culture and the very important ancient Greek site of Kamarina is located nearby.
We have been inspired by ancient Greek culture in the way we have chosen to make our Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico.
Sabuci is made with the best selection of grapes – Nero d’Avola (60%) and Frappato (40%). The grapes carefully hand-harvested at the end of September and beginning of October. The grapes are put into small containers and we lower the temperature to around 10°C.
The two grape varieties are vinified separately, in different ways: the Nero d’Avola is fermented in open top barriques, enabling us to follow a really scrupulous process. We carry out “follatura” (immersion of the skins) by hand and extremely delicately. The Frappato, on the other hand, is fermented in 7hl terracotta amphorae. The natural porosity of terracotta allows the ideal oxygen exchange during the fermentation process. At the same time it also allows the wine to remain in contact with the skins for an extended period of up to 12 months. The wines are blended together and are aged for six months in barriques and botti of various sizes. The wine remains in bottle for at least 3 months before being introduced to the market
Awards
- 17/20 points - Jancis Robinson
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Nero d’Avola (60%) and Frappato (40%) |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
14.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Organic |
Origin | Sicily |
2022 Coterie by Wildeberg Cinsault Rosé
Regular price £13.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A delicate free run Rosé of serious quality from a 30 year old bush-vine vineyard in Paarl, whose appetisingly savoury bite offsets the gentle, creamy texture.
Tasting Notes
A pale, lightly savoury Rosé of depth and purity. The older oak wraps this dry, mineral wine in a delicate creamy veil leading to a bright, structured and fine finish.
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
-
2022 Vintage - Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 - Silver
- 2021 Vintage - Decanter World Wine Awards 2022 - Silver
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cinsault |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12,5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Rose Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Drink chilled on its own or serve with fresh seafood, a quinoa and pomegranate salad or herb marinated grilled chicken tenders. |
Origin | WO Coastal Region |
2020 Waterkloof 'Circle of Life' Red
Regular price £14.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A rewarding and satisfyingly juicy mix of Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Syrah. Circle of Life tells the story of Waterkloof: a once conventionally farmed property transformed into a living, breathing organic and regenerative vineyard by Farm Manager Christiaan Loots and his team.
Tasting notes
A harmonious blend that combines the spiciness of Syrah, the ripe, youthful fruits of Petit Verdot and the juiciness from Cabernet Franc. The beginning is fresh and full of fruit with good acidity, evolving into riper flavours with lightly spicy notes. Elegant tannins and fine, bright acid on the finish.
Production
Circle of Life Red is neither defined by grape varietals, nor indeed a specific block within the vineyard, but instead encapsulates the myriad soils, aspects, altitudes and grape varieties found on this windswept, biodynamic farm. The windswept vineyard blocks are all south facing (less sun exposure), 200-350m above sea-level and a mere 2 miles from The Atlantic. These factors combine to produce low yields, balanced grapes and wines with a true sense of place. Production is a miserly 4 tons/hectare. Grapes are hand-harvested and brought to the cellar by horses for hand-sorting. Bordeaux varietals are de-stemmed, whilst Rhone varietals are whole bunch pressed. Fermentation takes place spontaneously with wild yeast in large, open-top wooden fermenters with foot-pressing or manual punch-downs 1-2 times per day. The wine is left on skins for 30 days before going through malolactic fermentation in mainly old barrels, then ageing for 20 months in the same vessels. The components are then blended and the wine ages futher in large wooden foudre. No fining, just a light filtration. No additons other than sulphur. Vegan friendly, biodynamic wine.
Producer
Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004, Waterkloof is a family-owned farm using organic practices. The farm is perched high up on the windswept Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay and The Atlantic Ocean. Living soils, naturally low yields and a long growing season help provide talented Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard with naturally balanced grapes that are imbued with a truly defining sense of origin. Those grapes are then transformed into wine with a minimum of intervention. The resulting wines are fine, inimitable and best enjoyed with food.
Sustainability
As well as being ECOCERT certified as organic, and working biodynamically, Waterkloof goes much further than many in its efforts to be a highly sustainable winery. A member of The Integrated Production of Wine Scheme, a voluntary environmental sustainability scheme established by the South African wine industry in 1998, and of The Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trading Association, a multi-stakeholder, non-profit voluntary organisation which actively promotes ethical trade in the wine industry, it is has also been a member of the World Wildlife Fund’s Biodiversity & Wine Initiative from its inception. Through a partnership between the IPW and the BWI, Waterkloof is a WWF Conservation Champion and has in place a formal nature conservation plan that includes: clearing approximately 55 hectares of land from alien invader species and restoring the Cape’s precious indigenous flora and fauna; re-establishing natural vegetation in previously disturbed areas; introducing preventive erosion control measures; providing migration corridors for species between isolated areas of natural vegetation; mulching of winter cover crops to create a healthy environment for the natural predators of vine pests and installing perches for birds of prey for natural rodent control measures.In the vineyards, drip irrigation is used only on young vines as a more efficient system to conserve water. Most of Waterkloof is dry-farmed; the biological control of pests is employed as an alternative to chemical spraying; annual legume cover crops are sown to add nitrogen to the soil and annual grain cover crops are sown in alternate rows as a carbon source and to return nutrients to the soil; earthworms are farmed and their casts are used to make a tea, which is used on the cover crops and soil as a living fertiliser; 380-400 tons of compost a year are made each year to boost carbon matter in the soil, to enhance its water holding capacity, and to boost the level of microbes in the soil keeping it fertile and alive; and, as part of the estate’s biodynamic regime, various foliar feeds are made. No damaging herbicides, pesticides or fungicide are used, only natural predatory fungi and metabolites to control mildew and to build the plants’ immunity. Six Percheron horses are used to plough, compost, spray and harvest the vineyards to reduce damage to the soil and vines and to reduce carbon emissions. Using the horses also teaches the handlers the rare skill of training these horses. A flock of chickens reduces the number of pests in the vineyard and returns nitrogen to the soil and compost, as well as providing fresh, free-range eggs for the restaurant. A small herd of cows is kept, which is key to producing biodynamic composts and teas, and a flock of sheep and a herd of goats are allowed to graze in the vineyards in winter to naturally reduce the level of weeds and vegetation between vine rows, as well as to put nitrogen back into the soil.
In the cellar, waste water gets pumped through a stainless-steel filter into a bioreactor where it is combined with the rest of the waste water from the building. Aerobic bacteria remove most of the contaminants before the water is pumped into a sand bed to remove any solids. From there, it runs into a reed bed for a final clean up and it is then used to irrigate the young vines. Peroxide is used a cleaning agent in the cellar as it breaks down in water after 15 minutes, leaving no residue. The cellar itself is built into the hillside to maintain a stable temperature, to avoid pumping the wines and hence reducing energy usage. Used boxes, dividers, bottles, screwcaps, plastics, paper and labels are recycled with an external company that take everything away for recycling. Old, unused bottles are sold to bottle recyclers who wash and resell them.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 38% Cabernet Franc, 28% Merlot, 18% Syrah, 16% Petit Verdot |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable, Natural |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
This very versatile wine will complement numerous dishes from a tomato based stew to meat on the bone. | |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Stellenbosch |
2022 Waterkloof Circumstance 'Seriously Cool' Cinsault
Regular price £13.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Vibrant red fruits on the nose with a savoury, fynbos finesse. On the palate it has ripe, black cherry fruit offset by cranberry freshness and texture with taut acidity on the finish.
Production
Seriously Cool Cinsault is crafted from 30 to 35 year old bush-vine vineyards on the outskirts of Stellenbosch. The vineyards are close to the ocean, which ensure a long growing season and allows for ripe fruit with good concentration and a balanced acidity. Production from these grand dames of South African viticultural heritage is a miserly 4 tons/hectare. Grapes are hand-harvested and brought to the cellar, where the bunches are hand-sorted and fermented whole-bunch in large wooden fermenters. Alcoholic fermentation starts spontaneously inside the berry from the naturally occurring yeast. After around 3 days of this intracellular fermentation the grapes are punched down twice daily with feet to ensure that the berries are broken slowly and softly and not over extracted. The wine is kept on the skins for a minimum of 30 days. ‘Powered’ through gravity alone, the wine runs down to a tank below. The remaining berries, fall into the basket press where they are gently pressed. The soft pressing and the free-run are then placed together in second and third fill 600L French oak barrels to finish malolactic fermentation and the wine is then aged for 8 months. This wine expresses the grapes in their purest form and no fining agents were added. Only sulphur was added and no other additions, such as tartaric acid or enzymes were allowed.
Producer
Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004, Waterkloof is a family-owned farm using organic practices. The farm is perched high up on the windswept Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay and The Atlantic Ocean. Living soils, naturally low yields and a long growing season help provide talented Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard with naturally balanced grapes that are imbued with a truly defining sense of origin. Those grapes are then transformed into wine with a minimum of intervention. The resulting wines are fine, inimitable and best enjoyed with food.
Sustainability
As well as being ECOCERT certified as organic, and working biodynamically, Waterkloof goes much further than many in its efforts to be a highly sustainable winery. A member of The Integrated Production of Wine Scheme, a voluntary environmental sustainability scheme established by the South African wine industry in 1998, and of The Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trading Association, a multi-stakeholder, non-profit voluntary organisation which actively promotes ethical trade in the wine industry, it is has also been a member of the World Wildlife Fund’s Biodiversity & Wine Initiative from its inception. Through a partnership between the IPW and the BWI, Waterkloof is a WWF Conservation Champion and has in place a formal nature conservation plan that includes: clearing approximately 55 hectares of land from alien invader species and restoring the Cape’s precious indigenous flora and fauna; re-establishing natural vegetation in previously disturbed areas; introducing preventive erosion control measures; providing migration corridors for species between isolated areas of natural vegetation; mulching of winter cover crops to create a healthy environment for the natural predators of vine pests and installing perches for birds of prey for natural rodent control measures.
In the vineyards, drip irrigation is used only on young vines as a more efficient system to conserve water. Most of Waterkloof is dry-farmed; the biological control of pests is employed as an alternative to chemical spraying; annual legume cover crops are sown to add nitrogen to the soil and annual grain cover crops are sown in alternate rows as a carbon source and to return nutrients to the soil; earthworms are farmed and their casts are used to make a tea, which is used on the cover crops and soil as a living fertiliser; 380-400 tons of compost a year are made each year to boost carbon matter in the soil, to enhance its water holding capacity, and to boost the level of microbes in the soil keeping it fertile and alive; and, as part of the estate’s biodynamic regime, various foliar feeds are made. No damaging herbicides, pesticides or fungicide are used, only natural predatory fungi and metabolites to control mildew and to build the plants’ immunity. Six Percheron horses are used to plough, compost, spray and harvest the vineyards to reduce damage to the soil and vines and to reduce carbon emissions. Using the horses also teaches the handlers the rare skill of training these horses. A flock of chickens reduces the number of pests in the vineyard and returns nitrogen to the soil and compost, as well as providing fresh, free-range eggs for the restaurant. A small herd of cows is kept, which is key to producing biodynamic composts and teas, and a flock of sheep and a herd of goats are allowed to graze in the vineyards in winter to naturally reduce the level of weeds and vegetation between vine rows, as well as to put nitrogen back into the soil.
In the cellar, waste water gets pumped through a stainless-steel filter into a bioreactor where it is combined with the rest of the waste water from the building. Aerobic bacteria remove most of the contaminants before the water is pumped into a sand bed to remove any solids. From there, it runs into a reed bed for a final clean up and it is then used to irrigate the young vines. Peroxide is used a cleaning agent in the cellar as it breaks down in water after 15 minutes, leaving no residue. The cellar itself is built into the hillside to maintain a stable temperature, to avoid pumping the wines and hence reducing energy usage. Used boxes, dividers, bottles, screwcaps, plastics, paper and labels are recycled with an external company that take everything away for recycling. Old, unused bottles are sold to bottle recyclers who wash and resell them.
Alan's Personal Tasting Note
"This is divine - lots of vibrant soft attractive fruits - but are they black or red or a combo of both? There’s also a lovely savouriness to the palate plus prominent herb notes - all kept fresh with a beautiful balancing activity. Real quality winemaking and lots of moreish flavour for the price. Fabulous value. It is seriously cool and serving it cool sounds attractive. It’s more a bright, vibrant lunchtime summer red than a heavier, warm, rich autumnal style." tasted August 2024
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cinsault |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable, Natural |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Would pair nicely with duck, pigeon and also a rack of lamb. Lightly chilled it's a great match with a plate of spicy charcuterie. |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | South Africa |
2023 Waterkloof Seriously Cool Chenin Blanc
Regular price £12.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
A bright, vibrant style of Chenin with aromas of citrus, white flowers and a hint of honey. Ripe and full flavoured with a rounded mouthfeel thanks to long fermentation and extended lees contact. Nice concentration of stone fruit characters with hints of dried apricot and mango. Good balancing acidity on the clean, fresh finish.
Production
Crafted from 30-40 year old bush-vine vineyards in the Helderberg area supplemented by fruit from another dry grown block in Stellenbosch. The vineyards are close to the ocean, which ensure a long growing season and allows for ripe fruit with good concentration and a balanced acidity. Production from these grand dames of South African viticultural heritage is a miserly 4 tons/hectare. Waterkloof follow a traditional, minimalistic approach in their gravitational cellar which means interfering as little as possible with the winemaking process. This allows the flavours prevalent in that specific vineyard to ultimately express themselves in the wine. To achieve this goal, all grapes are whole-bunch pressed, which ensures that juice is extracted in the gentlest way. The juice is then allowed to settle for 24 hours after which it is racked from the settling tank into stainless steel tanks, concrete eggs and older 600 liter barrels. They do not inoculate the juice with commercially cultivated yeast, but allow the wild yeast prevailing in the vineyard to ferment the juice. No additional acid or enzymes are added during the process. The natural fermentation process took 5 months to complete and only a light filtration was used prior to bottling. The only addition is a small amount of sulphur before bottling.
Producer
Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004, Waterkloof is a family-owned farm using organic practices. The farm is perched high up on the windswept Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay and The Atlantic Ocean. Living soils, naturally low yields and a long growing season help provide talented Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard with naturally balanced grapes that are imbued with a truly defining sense of origin. Those grapes are then transformed into wine with a minimum of intervention. The resulting wines are fine, inimitable and best enjoyed with food.
Sustainability
As well as being ECOCERT certified as organic, and working biodynamically, Waterkloof goes much further than many in its efforts to be a highly sustainable winery. A member of The Integrated Production of Wine Scheme, a voluntary environmental sustainability scheme established by the South African wine industry in 1998, and of The Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trading Association, a multi-stakeholder, non-profit voluntary organisation which actively promotes ethical trade in the wine industry, it is has also been a member of the World Wildlife Fund’s Biodiversity & Wine Initiative from its inception. Through a partnership between the IPW and the BWI, Waterkloof is a WWF Conservation Champion and has in place a formal nature conservation plan that includes: clearing approximately 55 hectares of land from alien invader species and restoring the Cape’s precious indigenous flora and fauna; re-establishing natural vegetation in previously disturbed areas; introducing preventive erosion control measures; providing migration corridors for species between isolated areas of natural vegetation; mulching of winter cover crops to create a healthy environment for the natural predators of vine pests and installing perches for birds of prey for natural rodent control measures.
In the vineyards, drip irrigation is used only on young vines as a more efficient system to conserve water. Most of Waterkloof is dry-farmed; the biological control of pests is employed as an alternative to chemical spraying; annual legume cover crops are sown to add nitrogen to the soil and annual grain cover crops are sown in alternate rows as a carbon source and to return nutrients to the soil; earthworms are farmed and their casts are used to make a tea, which is used on the cover crops and soil as a living fertiliser; 380-400 tons of compost a year are made each year to boost carbon matter in the soil, to enhance its water holding capacity, and to boost the level of microbes in the soil keeping it fertile and alive; and, as part of the estate’s biodynamic regime, various foliar feeds are made. No damaging herbicides, pesticides or fungicide are used, only natural predatory fungi and metabolites to control mildew and to build the plants’ immunity. Six Percheron horses are used to plough, compost, spray and harvest the vineyards to reduce damage to the soil and vines and to reduce carbon emissions. Using the horses also teaches the handlers the rare skill of training these horses. A flock of chickens reduces the number of pests in the vineyard and returns nitrogen to the soil and compost, as well as providing fresh, free-range eggs for the restaurant. A small herd of cows is kept, which is key to producing biodynamic composts and teas, and a flock of sheep and a herd of goats are allowed to graze in the vineyards in winter to naturally reduce the level of weeds and vegetation between vine rows, as well as to put nitrogen back into the soil.
In the cellar, waste water gets pumped through a stainless-steel filter into a bioreactor where it is combined with the rest of the waste water from the building. Aerobic bacteria remove most of the contaminants before the water is pumped into a sand bed to remove any solids. From there, it runs into a reed bed for a final clean up and it is then used to irrigate the young vines. Peroxide is used a cleaning agent in the cellar as it breaks down in water after 15 minutes, leaving no residue. The cellar itself is built into the hillside to maintain a stable temperature, to avoid pumping the wines and hence reducing energy usage. Used boxes, dividers, bottles, screwcaps, plastics, paper and labels are recycled with an external company that take everything away for recycling. Old, unused bottles are sold to bottle recyclers who wash and resell them.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable, Natural |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Great with seafood, pasta, salads, chicken... just give it a go with anything you want. |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | South Africa |
2022 False Bay Old School Syrah
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%RedProduction is ‘old-school’ with wild yeast (partially whole-bunch) fermentation and maturation in large wooden casks. A fine, spicy style...definitely more Syrah than Shiraz.
Tasting Notes
Full yet elegant with bramble fruits and also some earth and meaty aromas. The palate is structured and well balanced with fresh red fruit characters, gently spicy notes, fine tannins and a refreshing natural acidity.
Production
The grapes for False Bay Old School Syrah stem primarily from two vineyards in Stellenbosch. The attraction to these coastal, vineyards were the cooler temperatures and low yields of small, naturally balanced and concentrated berries. Made by Waterkloof's talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard. Balanced grapes are hand harvested, fermented spontaneously with wild yeast (a small portion whole-bunch) and then raised in large wooden casks (or 'foudre' en Francais). No additions other than sulphur as a preservative. Grown, made and bottled in South Africa. Vegan friendly wine from sustainably faremed vineyards.
Producer
An independent company, owned by Waterkloof founder Paul Boutinot, False Bay Vineyards aims to make 'real' wine affordable. These are sustainable certified wines bottled in South Africa and naturally crafted from mature and often old vineyards that, crucially, are naturally in balance. This means that, unusually at the price, the grapes from these coastal gems can be transformed into wine with wild yeast and an absolute minimum of intervention.
False Bay Vineyards is proud to be a WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Biodiversity Champion and certified by WIETA (Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association). All of their wines are Vegan friendly.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Syrah |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14 % alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Ideal with spicy dishes, red meats and rich Mediterranean dishes. |
Origin | WO Coastal Region |
2019 Hermanuspietersfontein Swartskaap
Regular price £26.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%‘Swartskaap’ translates to ‘Black Sheep’ from Afrikaans. HPF’s iconic Cabernet Franc that really stands out from the herd!
The odd one out. He goes about life in ways different to the rest of the Family. He’ll zig while others zag. When they shake their heads, it means deep down they’re proud of him…
Tasting Notes
This wine is the heart and soul of HPF. Delicious now, but also has very good ageing potential.
Nose
Bright red and purple fruit, raspberries and blackcurrants; black olive; green herbal spice
Palate
Generous offering; density and fruit intensity; milk chocolate praline; supple and full with persistent length; sweet herbal spice (rosemary, thyme, mint) providing freshness on the palate
Vinification
Our iconic Cabernet franc! This wine is the heart and soul of who we are and what we do…no surprise that this vineyard is planted in the “heart” of our property! As a single varietal wine, Cabernet franc poses a great challenge both in the vineyard and the cellar due to its robust nature. The wine ages in old (50%) and new (50%) French oak barrique (50%) and pigeons (50%) for a 24 month period. Post bottling, we then cellar the wine for a further 24 months before the wine is released onto the market. Our aim is to be meticulous creating something that will not just please but hopefully shift boundaries. On the palate this wine embodies our wine philosophy of BALANCE,ELEGANCE, FRESHNESS, DRINKABILITY, LONGEVITY! These wines will age for 10 years and beyond, provided stored under optimum conditions.
History
You’ve probably heard of the quaint beach town of Hermanus, situated on South Africa’s famous Whale Coast. Between 1855 and 1902, it was called Hermanuspietersfontein. In 1902, the local postmaster decided to shorten the name of the town to make addressing letters to the locals easier.
150 years later, the wine farm Hermanuspietersfontein, or HPF for short, craft outstanding wines with a serious sense of place. Their grapes come from Sondagskloof, which competes with Elgin and the Ceres Plateau for South Africa’s coolest wine growing region.
Accolades
- 94 points - Platters 2024
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Franc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14.05% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 10 years and beyond, provided stored under optimum conditions |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Maturation in Oak |
The wine is aged in old (50%) and new (50%) French oak 225L barrique (50%) and 500L pigeons (50%) for a 24 month period. It then undergoes a further 24 months of cellaring before release. |
Food Matches |
A hearty homemade beef lasagna, be generous with the italian herbs as they’ll compliment the slight herbaceousness of Cabernet Franc perfectly. |
Origin | Sondagskloof, Walker Bay near Hermanus |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2020 Hermanuspietersfontein Kleinboet (Bordeaux Blend)
Regular price £18.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%‘Kleinboet’ translates to ‘Little Brother’ from Afrikaans. This alludes to the fact that this Bordeaux Blend is incredibly elegant, with only 12.5% alcohol, compared to other South African Bordeaux Blends.
Although quite the lad, he’s not too big for his boots
Larger than life, there’s nothing small about him! The agile charmer, living life to the full. Simple, down to earth. With energy and a second breath, he’s not the kind to be second guessed…
Tasting Notes
Nose
Bright red and purple fruit such as raspberries and blueberries; savoury notes; dried herbs (oregano and rosemary).
Palate
Generous offering form entrance to finish; supple and full without over-saturating the palate with tannin; persistent with good length.
Vinification
A Bordeaux blend that is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and comprises of all five ‘noble’ varietals (Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet franc and Malbec). The use of 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill oak over 24 months ensures a beautiful “marriage” between the different varietals. The wine showcases bright red and purple fruit such as raspberries and blueberries; savoury notes; dried herbs (oregano and rosemary). On the palate this wine presents a generous offering from entrance to finish.
History
You’ve probably heard of the quaint beach town of Hermanus, situated on South Africa’s famous Whale Coast. Between 1855 and 1902, it was called Hermanuspietersfontein. In 1902, the local postmaster decided to shorten the name of the town to make addressing letters to the locals easier.
150 years later, the wine farm Hermanuspietersfontein, or HPF for short, craft outstanding wines with a serious sense of place. Their grapes come from Sondagskloof, which competes with Elgin and the Ceres Plateau for South Africa’s coolest wine growing region.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
48% Cabernet Sauvignon 18% Merlot 11% Petit Verdot 11% Cabernet franc 11% Malbec. |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 5 years and beyond, provided stored under optimum conditions |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Maturation in Oak |
24 months in French Oak 80% in old (4-10 years of age) French oak Foudres (6000L) 10% in new French oak barriques (225L) 10% in second/third fill French oak barrique (225L) |
Food Matches |
Roast or grilled lamb chops (or other richly flavoured cuts of red meat). Barbequed or ‘braai-ed’ aubergine topped with rich sun-dried and oregano tomato sauce is a great option for non-meat eaters. |
Origin | Sondagskloof, Walker Bay near Hermanus |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2022 Hermanuspietersfontein Posmeester Merlot
Regular price £14.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%‘Posmeester’ translates to ‘Postmaster’ from Afrikaans. This is a nod of the cap to the old postmaster that renamed Hermanuspietersfontein to Hermanus in 1902.
The One that gave us our Identity.
Long before the mobile phone he delivered Telegrams with important messages to families, friends, and lovers’ front doors. They knew he knew, before they knew, that made him an important man in their lives…
Tasting Notes
A wine designed for everyday enjoyment with a focus to be approachable and accessible to all palates. A small percentage of Mourvedre (8%) blended with the Merlot brings a warmth and finishing touch to this wine.
Colour
Brick red to purple
Nose
Red and purple fruit such as raspberries and blueberries, showing milk chocolate undertone; fruit freshness.
Palate
Perfect balance between freshness and texture, effortless weight and length.
History
You’ve probably heard of the quaint beach town of Hermanus, situated on South Africa’s famous Whale Coast. Between 1855 and 1902, it was called Hermanuspietersfontein. In 1902, the local postmaster decided to shorten the name of the town to make addressing letters to the locals easier.
150 years later, the wine farm Hermanuspietersfontein, or HPF for short, craft outstanding wines with a serious sense of place. Their grapes come from Sondagskloof, which competes with Elgin and the Ceres Plateau for South Africa’s coolest wine growing region.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
Merlot 92%, Mourvedre 8% |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 2-3 years, provided stored under optimum conditions |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Maturation in Oak |
3-6 months with old French oak barrels (3rd, 4th and 5th fill). |
Food Matches |
Slow braised beef cheek with heirloom vegetables or beef short-rib ragu pappardelle. |
Origin | Sondagskloof, Walker Bay near Hermanus |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2022 Hermanuspietersfontein Kat met 'n Houtbeen (Sauvignon Blanc)
Regular price £16.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%‘Kat Met Die Houtbeen’ translates to ‘Cat With The Wooden Leg’ from Afrikaans.
"Humbly hobbling along while counting her blessings
She once wandered onto our yard, cool, calm, and confident and made herself at home. Independently comfortable. Where she came from no one knows. Her adventures didn’t start here, it is here where it continues…"
This alludes to the lithe nature of the wine as well as the use of oak. This is a fuller style Sauvignon Blanc that ferments and ages in both new (40%) and older oak for 12 months.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Bright, clear, live green straw
Nose
Elegant aromas of exotic fruit (starfruit, dragon fruit), undertones of tropical aromas (passionfruit and ripe pineapple) and yellow fruit (peach).
Palate
Harmonious, elegant, and well-rounded supported by crisp freshness, good length with minerality at the end.
Vinification
A fuller style Sauvignon blanc that ferments and ages in oak for 10-12 months depending on the vintage. We use old (75%) and new (25%) French oak pigeons (500L). Certain leaner vintages might contain a smidgeon of Sémillon to broaden the texture and palate.
The earlier vintages (2012-2017) are more in a linear style and will start to showcase some tertiary flavours, where the younger vintages (2018-2022) will have elegant aromas of exotic fruit (starfruit, dragon fruit), undertones of tropical aromas (passionfruit and ripe pineapple) and yellow fruit (peaches). On the palate we strive to create a fine balance between elegant and a well-rounded wine, supported by crisp freshness, good length and minerality at the end. These wines will age for 7 years and beyond, provided stored under optimum conditions
History
You’ve probably heard of the quaint beach town of Hermanus, situated on South Africa’s famous Whale Coast. Between 1855 and 1902, it was called Hermanuspietersfontein. In 1902, the local postmaster decided to shorten the name of the town to make addressing letters to the locals easier.
150 years later, the wine farm Hermanuspietersfontein, or HPF for short, craft outstanding wines with a serious sense of place. Their grapes come from Sondagskloof, which competes with Elgin and the Ceres Plateau for South Africa’s coolest wine growing region.
Accolades
- 94 points - Platters 2024
Alan's Personal Tasting Note
"Cat with the wooden leg! - is delicious. It’s quite an expressive and fat sauvignon blanc with lots of lovely tropical fruit, refreshing acidity and a woody oakiness that all marries together in a wonderful feline way. It works and it’s an absolute stunner that’s worth every penny asked for it." Sept 2024
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
Sauvignon blanc, with a potentially small percentage of Semillon |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.1% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential |
Vibrant acidity and a lingering finish gives the wine at least 5 years ageing potential. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Maturation in Oak |
12 months in French Oak 60% in old (2-3 years of age) French oak pigeons (500L) 40% in new French oak pigeons (500L). Then 3 months in tank, 6 months in bottle before release. |
Food Matches |
Garlic and herb roast chicken or a classic chicken Caesar Salad if you’re in the mood for something a bit lighter. |
Origin | Sondagskloof, Walker Bay near Hermanus |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2023 Hermanuspietersfontein Bloos Rosé
Regular price £14.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%‘Bloos’ is the Afrikaans word for blush, which describes the delicate pink hue of this wine.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Fresh red fruits with creamy undertones and pleasant floral notes
Palate
Perfect balance between freshness and texture, effortless weight and length
Vinification
A wine designed for everyday enjoyment with a focus to be approachable and accessible. The wine is predominantly a blend of Malbec and Merlot to create a fruit-forward rosé aimed to please all palates. A small percentage of the wine ferments in contact with French oak to broaden the palate without compromising the refreshing sensation of this wine. Our aim is to create a wine that showcases fresh red fruit (strawberries) and floral notes, with a creamy finish.
On the palate this wine presents the perfect balance between freshness and texture, with effortless weight and length. This wine was not made with the intention to age, but rather to be enjoyed immediately.
History
You’ve probably heard of the quaint beach town of Hermanus, situated on South Africa’s famous Whale Coast. Between 1855 and 1902, it was called Hermanuspietersfontein. In 1902, the local postmaster decided to shorten the name of the town to make addressing letters to the locals easier.
150 years later, the wine farm Hermanuspietersfontein, or HPF for short, craft outstanding wines with a serious sense of place. Their grapes come from Sondagskloof, which competes with Elgin and the Ceres Plateau for South Africa’s coolest wine growing region.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
Predominantly Malbec and Merlot (85%) |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.84 units |
Type | Rosé |
Cellaring Potential |
This wine was not made with the intention to age, but rather to be enjoyed immediately |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Maturation in Oak |
1 month with French oak alternatives |
Food Matches |
Salmon gravlax with lemony creme fraiche and dill on crostini. |
Origin | Hermanus |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2023 Hermanuspietersfontein Kaalvoet Meisie (Sauvignon Blanc)
Regular price £15.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%‘Kaalvoet Meisie’ is the Afrikaans word for ‘Barefoot Girl’, which alludes to this wine being the lighter style of Sauvignon Blanc from HPF.
"She’s the Soul of Sondagskloof. She gets a thrill kissing the earth with the souls of her feet and loves wriggling her toes in the soils of Sondagskloof.. Known for her natural freshness and mouthfeel, she offers European minerality with nuances of fresh fynbos spice and green apple. Single varietal Sauvignon blanc. Wine of Origin Sondagskloof."
Tasting Notes
Nose
Dominant yellow fruit (peaches) with undertones of pacific fruit (star fruit, dragon fruit and white pear). Also shows fresh fynbos and buchu.
Palate
Characterised by freshness and minerality. Good texture, consistency, and length.
Vinification
A lighter style of Sauvignon blanc including components from three different vinification processes. The early ripening blocks (25-35%) are subjected to a hyper-oxidation treatment. The biggest part of the blend (50-65%) undergoes skin contact for 2 days at 10 degrees C, while the last (latest ripening or final) riper blocks (10%) are treated reductively. We use small percentages of varietals such as Nouvelle and Viognier to add the proverbial ‘sugar and spice’, while the smidgeon of Sémillon adds fullness to the blend.
The earlier vintages are more in a linear style and will start to showcase some tertiary flavours, where the younger vintages will have dominant yellow fruit aromas (peaches and pineapple), with undertones of pacific fruit (star fruit, dragon fruit and white pear) and fresh fynbos/buchu. On the palate we strive to create a fine balance between freshness and minerality, supported by good texture and length.
History
You’ve probably heard of the quaint beach town of Hermanus, situated on South Africa’s famous Whale Coast. Between 1855 and 1902, it was called Hermanuspietersfontein. In 1902, the local postmaster decided to shorten the name of the town to make addressing letters to the locals easier.
150 years later, the wine farm Hermanuspietersfontein, or HPF for short, craft outstanding wines with a serious sense of place. Their grapes come from Sondagskloof, which competes with Elgin and the Ceres Plateau for South Africa’s coolest wine growing region.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Sauvignon blanc (more than 85%), Nouvelle, Viognier and Sémillon. |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | These wines will age for 3-5 years and beyond, provided stored under optimum conditions. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Maturation in Oak |
12 months in old French oak pigeons (500l) |
Food Matches | Pan seared Coley (Pollock) with tarragon beurre blanc. Blanched asparagus will complete a dish like this perfectly. |
Origin | Hermanus |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2023 False Bay Slow Chenin Blanc
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Chenin crafted the wild way – old vine fruit, fermented with yeast found naturally on the grapes. Up to six months lees ageing after fermentation gives a slow and natural evolution and a harmonious and balanced wine.
Tasting Notes
Ripe citrus and green plum fruit on the nose, with lightly bready aromas and notes of dried herbs including fennel and aniseed. Good concentration of zesty fruit with a creamy lemon character offset by taught acidity. The finish is long with great textural complexity, attributable to the long, slow, wild yeast fermentation.
Production
The grapes for False Bay Slow Chenin Blanc stem from old bush vines in the coastal region. Old vines are key to making stand-out chenin and although The Swartland is not as coastal as most of the vineyards used for the False Bay wines, it is an area where, quite frankly, grapes from old vines are available at the required prices. Thankfully, the area's old vines produce naturally low yields and retain good acidity despite being warmer and less windswept than Stellenbosch, so cooler, coastal Atlantic winds are less of a necessity for these gnarly old vines. Made by Waterkloof's talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard. Balanced grapes are hand harvested, fermented spontaneously with wild yeast in stainless steel tanks and then left on lees for a minimum of ten months before bottling. No additions other than sulphur as a preservative. Grown, made and bottled in South Africa. Vegan friendly wine, sustainably farmed and naturally crafted.
Producer
An independent company, owned by Waterkloof founder Paul Boutinot, False Bay Vineyards aims to make 'real' wine affordable. These are sustainable certified wines bottled in South Africa and naturally crafted from mature and often old vineyards that, crucially, are naturally in balance. This means that, unusually at the price, the grapes from these coastal gems can be transformed into wine with wild yeast and an absolute minimum of intervention.
False Bay Vineyards is proud to be a WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Biodiversity Champion and certified by WIETA (Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association). All of their wines are Vegan friendly.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | A versatile wine equally well suited to partner lobster and other seafood, risotto or herb roast chicken. Can also handle spice very well. |
Origin | WO Coastal Region |
2023 False Bay Crystalline Chardonnay
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Crisp, unoaked, naturally fermented Chardonnay with purity of fruit and good depth of flavour from extended lees ageing.
Tasting Notes
Classy Chardonnay with flinty minerality and great purity and restraint. A citrus core with ripe apple, pear and delicate tropical notes, produces a wine with great poise. Extended time on the lees adds nutty and toasty notes. Intense yet delicate right through to the finish.
Production
The grapes for False Bay Crystalline Chardonnay stem primarily from a single vineyard in Stellenbosch located next door to one of the region's most lauded proponents of this noble cultivar. This coastal vineyard, gives lower yields, smaller berries which maintain their own natural acidity, thus obviating the need to add acid during the winemaking process. Made by Waterkloof's talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard. Balanced grapes are hand harvested, fermented spontaneously with wild yeast in stainless steel tanks and then left on lees for a minimum of six months before bottling. No additions other than sulphur as a preservative. Grown, made and bottled in South Africa.
Producer
An independent company, owned by Waterkloof founder Paul Boutinot, False Bay Vineyards aims to make 'real' wine affordable. These are sustainable certified wines bottled in South Africa and naturally crafted from mature and often old vineyards that, crucially, are naturally in balance. This means that, unusually at the price, the grapes from these coastal gems can be transformed into wine with wild yeast and an absolute minimum of intervention.
False Bay Vineyards is proud to be a WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Biodiversity Champion and certified by WIETA (Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association). All of their wines are Vegan friendly.
Specifications
Year | 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 |
Dietary Information | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Serve with roast chicken, pasta and creamy sauce or grilled tiger prawns. |
Origin | WO Coastal Region |
2023 False Bay Whole Bunch Cinsault Mourvèdre Rosé
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This wine comes from low-yielding, coastal vineyards, delicately whole-bunch basket pressed for only the purest juice. A fine wine that happens to be pink!
Tasting Notes
A pale, spicy and textural Rosé mostly sourced from bush-vine Cinsault with summer fruits on the palate and a clean, savoury, dry finish. A subtle and delicate style makes this a versatile and food friendly wine.
Production
The grapes for False Bay Whole Bunch Cinsault Mourvedre stem from bush-vine Cinsault (mostly old vines) from Stellenbosch and Swartland, along with a small proportion of Mourvedre from Stellenbosch which adds a savoury depth to the wine. These old vines produce naturally low yields and retain good acidity. Made by Waterkloof's talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard. Balanced grapes are hand harvested, whole-bunch pressed and fermented spontaneously with wild yeast in stainless steel and wooden foudre. The wine is left on lees for a minimum of three months before bottling. No additions other than sulphur as a preservative. Grown, made and bottled in South Africa. Vegan friendly wine. Coastal Vineyards, Sustainably Farmed, Hand Picked, Naturally Crafted, Wild Ferment.
Producer
An independent company, owned by Waterkloof founder Paul Boutinot, False Bay Vineyards aims to make 'real' wine affordable. These are sustainable certified wines bottled in South Africa and naturally crafted from mature and often old vineyards that, crucially, are naturally in balance. This means that, unusually at the price, the grapes from these coastal gems can be transformed into wine with wild yeast and an absolute minimum of intervention.
False Bay Vineyards is proud to be a WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Biodiversity Champion and certified by WIETA (Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association). All of their wines are Vegan friendly.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 85% Cinsault, 15% Mourvedre |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12,5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Rose Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Perfect with Mediterranean dishes especially juicy pan-fried garlic prawns... or drink chilled on its own. |
Origin | WO Coastal Region |
2022 Domaine de la Motte Petit Chablis
Regular price £19.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A proper baby Chablis!
Tasting Notes
Aromatic fruit with the tiniest hint of sandalwood smoke on the nose. The palate has lovely weight with ripe, fleshy cooked lemons, a touch of stone fruit and a good mineral backbone. Far superior than the name "Petit" might suggest.
Production Method
Vineyards are in the Hautes Côtes, at the top of the slopes just above Domaine de la Motte's Chablis classified plots and so achieve good ripeness. The soil is Portlandian, which is less chalky than Kimmeridgian, and typically produces wines which are less mineral and more fruity, well suited to earlier drinking. Having said that, Motte’s wine has real finesse with good fruit character – very much their house style. Cool-fermented in stainless steel, malolactic fermentation is also in stainless steel and the wine is unoaked.
Producer
Domaine de la Motte is a 25 hectare, family-run winery handed down from father to son since 1950. Now under the stewardship of Bernard Michaut, an ex-chef, who works with his son Adrien. Their winemaking is meticulous and the wines are benchmarks for the region. They are fastidious about producing concentrated, mineral and very precise wines which reflect the particular terroirs of Chablis, with vines on both Portlandian and Kimmeridgian soils. Motte's wines are regularly chosen for the Tastevinage label, a rigorous selection by the Confrérie des Chevaliers de Tastevin of wines they regard as offering the best of the region in terms of quality and style.
Sustainability
Having been already committed to sustainable viticulture, Domaine de la Motte are HVE Level 3 certified. This underlines the quality of the work carried out by the teams to support the ripening grapes, whilst protecting the biodiversity of the vineyard.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
This Petit Chablis is a light fruity wine that marries perfectly with oysters and all shellfish. | |
Origin | Chablis, Burgundy |
Appellation | Chablis |
2017 De Toren Z
Regular price £39.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Reveals subtle hints of spices, ripe blackberries, plum and cherries. The integrated, complex and beautifully rounded tannins of this expressive and superbly vibrant blend ensure a velvety, lingering finish. At the olfactory level, there is a subtle hint of aniseed on the nose. This full-bodied blend maintains a sleek tannin structure with an immaculate developing palate.
Charles Williams | Cellar Master
Tasting Notes
This soft, approachable ruby-hued beauty is a true testament to vines lovingly reared and winemaking raised to an art form. A Right Bank-style Bordeaux blend, De Toren Z comprises a symphonic blend of five Bordeaux varietals. You’ll find it tantalizingly soft on the tongue, with a hint of aniseed, liquorice, raspberry and cranberries lending a fresh acidity to its polished finish… plus, of course, all the finesse that makes Bordeaux-style wines so prized among the world’s most enthusiastic wine lovers.
Vintage
When the stars and all the elements collide to produce a spectacularly good harvest, the results are always felt (and tasted, of course) in the wine. Industry wide the season of 2017 was earmarked as spectacular, and for De Toren, it was no different. The year 2017 is fondly remembered by our team for the incredible craftsmanship that went into producing one of the most outstanding vintages yet of De Toren Z, our famed Right Bank Bordeaux-styled blend.It was a season when perfectly ripened vine fruits were optimally harvested; gently reaped and sorted by the hands of our team of ladies, so that only the finest grapes were put forward for pressing and maturation in the cellar. This is the journey that our cellar team at De Toren undertook to co-create a superlative wine, i.e., De Toren Z 2017 vintage, in partnership with our key collaborator, Mother Nature. The favourable weather conditions of the season contributed to making the 2017 vintage one of the finest yet. It was a year in which the vines were perfectly balanced and restrained, producing the smallest, most concentrated berries. These hand-harvested grapes were transformed by sustainable and intelligent viniculture, resulting in this coveted vintage of De Toren Z being the highest awarded vintage yet and a true collector’s prize. At De Toren, the noble Bordeaux varietals are an expression of ancient South African soils and our signature winemaking style. As a result of all these factors – terroir, timing, technique and passion – commands attention on the palate when savouring the acclaimed De Toren Z 2017.
Producer
De Toren proprietors Emil and Sonette den Dulk left Johannesburg in 1991 to establish their vineyards in the Polkadraai Hills of Stellenbosch. Situated on southern-facing slopes overlooking False Bay De Toren enjoys the cooling effect of constant ocean breezes. Taking a holistic approach to keeping vineyard soils healthy and balanced viticulturalist Ernest Manuel employs sustainable farming practices throughout the property. Infrared Aerial Imaging is used extensively in order to monitor ripeness in various vineyard blocks and determine optimal picking times although actual harvesting and production are done almost entirely by hand. The winery is operated on gravity flow principles; a 4000 liter pressure tank in an elevator shaft (the Tower from which the winery takes its name) is cleverly used to exploit gravity in transporting wine between tanks and barrels without the use of mechanical pumps. As a result of De Toren’s innovative minimal intervention production methods their wines were among the first South African bottlings to qualify for IP (Integrated Production) certification by the Wine and Spirit Board.
The Den Dulks and winemaker Albie Koch seem to have found the key to success with their simple winemaking philosophy: gentle handling no pumps and minimum manipulation. Armed with this winning formula the boutique farm has quickly risen to the ranks of South Africa’s winemaking elite with their duo of dazzling stylish and complex five-varietal Bordeaux blends: the flagship Fusion V (which debuted in the 1999 vintage and has been hailed by Wine Spectator as a consistently polished outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend) and the Merlot-based Z introduced with the 2004 vintage.
Accolades
This is indeed a decidedly beautiful wine. As a result, UK-based Master of Wine (SA), Greg Sherwood, granted the De Toren Z 2017 a remarkable 95 points. British Master of Wine, Tim Atkin, was of the same opinion and awarded it a stellar 93 points. These scores make the renowned De Toren Z 2017 vintage the highest awarded vintage to date.
Such has been the demand for this superior wine that most of this reputable vintage’s production, limited-edition bottles have already found their place with eager oenophiles. There is however a small reserve still available since De Toren has finally released the last few cases for acquirement one last time. Lovers of fine wine and serious collectors alike should not hesitate to claim the last few remaining bottles. This wine will reward at nearest enjoyment and promises to be even more exceptional in time as it carries an aging potential of 18 years plus.
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
16% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 54% Merlot, 12% Malbec, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Cellaring Potential | Drink from 2022 to 2036 |
Food Matches | This wine is a very versatile food pairing wine due to its great acidity and weight. It works exceptionally well with very fine spicy foods. Its aromass of mulberries and blueberries perfectly complements rich fish, lamb, duck, beef and poultry. |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |