- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carmenère
- Chardonnay
- Corvina
- Gewürtztraminer
- Goldmuskateller
- Grenache / Garnacha
- Grüner Veltliner
- Malvasia Fine
- Merlot
- Molinara
- Mourvèdre / Mataró / Monastrell
- Muscat
- Nebbiolo
- Palomino
- Pinot Bianco/ Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
- Pinot Meunier
- Pinot Noir
- Riesling
- Rondinella
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
- Shiraz / Syrah
- Zweigelt
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carmenère
- Chardonnay
- Corvina
- Gewürtztraminer
- Goldmuskateller
- Grenache / Garnacha
- Grüner Veltliner
- Malvasia Fine
- Merlot
- Molinara
- Mourvèdre / Mataró / Monastrell
- Muscat
- Nebbiolo
- Palomino
- Pinot Bianco/ Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
- Pinot Meunier
- Pinot Noir
- Riesling
- Rondinella
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
- Shiraz / Syrah
- Zweigelt
2020 Ben Glover BOB/Short for Kate Pinot Noir
Regular price £21.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
A bright, brambly, seductive cherry red hue with aromas of wild berries, cherries, raspberry, sous bois and a hint of green spice.
The flow through to the palate is sublime with a continuation of these precise red fruits with some green olive notes, wound up with a sinewy tautness. This provides a chewy supple elegant warmth to the palate with an elegant deportment providing a long and intelligent finish.
Producer
When it comes to professional wine people, Ben Glover is about as top-of the-tree as it gets. Ben’s role call includes almost too many accolades: previously a Wine Marlborough committee member, chair of the Bragato Wine Show (New Zealand’s only single vineyard wine show) and was chair of Pinot Noir 2017 New Zealand, the world’s largest and most prestigious pinot noir event. He was an inaugural Len Evans scholar in 2001 and has over 25 years of experience as a national and international wine judge. This is all to say that, when you open a bottle of Bob/short for Kate, you are in safe hands.
Nicknamed ‘Bob’ by her family (some of you may recognize the Blackadder reference), Bob /short for Kate is a tribute to Kate Glover, an amazing young drama teacher and Ben’s sister, who heartbreakingly passed away in 2018. Ben explains that he has looked to produce a wine that characterises the honesty, purity and confidence of Kate. These are organic, Marlborough wines, small-batch Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, reliant on selected blocks from the family’s vines and exceptional fruit selection. Not to mention the skill of one of the region’s most well-regarded winemakers.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Noir |
Country | New Zealand |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Now to 2025 |
Features | Organic, Vegan and Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | This wine has the class and capacity to handle numerous dishes from cassoulet to more sophisticated game meats. |
Origin | New Zealand |
Appellation | Marlborough |
2022 Domaine Roblin Sancerre Blanc 'Terres Blanches'
Regular price £21.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Pure, fruit-forward and fine.
Tasting Notes
Vibrant aromas of green apple and citrus. The palate is complex with ripe citrus and pear fruit, pithy grapefruit notes and an appealing stony edge to the long finish. The grapes were picked early to maintain their freshness.
Method of Production
Produced from the family's 19 hectares of vines growing in 'terres blanches' - chalky clay - soil. Vineyards are worked sustainably, organically where possible. It was cool-fermented in stainless steel and aged upon its lees for 5 to 6 months.
Producer
The small village of Maimbray, just to the north of Sancerre itself, is home to both Domaine Roblin and to Domaine du Pré Semelé. In fact the Roblins are just across the road from the Raimbaults and share a similar story of two brothers – 4th generation Matthias and Emile in this case – taking over from their father and implementing new ideas to move the family domaine forward.
They have a total of 19 hectares of vines with a terroir made up of Kimmeridgian and Portlandian chalky clay (Terres Blanches) soils, spread across 45 separate parcels of vines, on the slopes around the villages of Maimbray and Sury-en-Vaux. Their vineyards are planted with 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Pinot Noir, and in the winery their intervention is minimal: gravity does the work of pumps, and the wines see long lees ageing. The wine style is very pure, fruit-forward yet fine, and really top quality.
Sustainability
Vineyards are worked with the greatest of respect to the environment; no chemical pesticides or herbicides are used; carbon dioxide emissions are kept as low as possible; there is crop cover between rows of vines to help combat soil erosion, and green harvesting is practised to restrain yields and improve ripeness. Although not yet HVE accredited or certified organic, the Roblins employ many of the practices of both.
Awards
Gold Sommelier Wine Awards 2017 - for the 2015 vintage
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Sustainable farming methods, Vegan & Vegetarian |
Origin | Loire |
Appellation | Sancerre |
Joseph Perrier Cuvée Royale Brut NV
Regular price £45.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The Cuvée Royale Brut offers the experience of a Champagne all in elegance, freshness and balance. The house has been passed down through six generations and has been chosen for the royal courts of both Queen Victoria and Edward VII.
Tasting Notes
Colour
On tasting, the Cuvée Royale Brut of the House of Joseph Perrier has a beautiful pale golden yellow colour with copper highlights, highlighting the finesse of the bubble's effervescence and great vivacity.
Nose
Initially discreet, the nose then gives way to beautiful fruity notes evoking green apple or the sweetness of vine peach.
Palate
From the attack, the power of the palate gives way to a round and lively substance offering a beautiful freshness on the finish.
History
Founded in 1825, Joseph Perrier has been owned and run by the same family since 1888. Current director Benjamin Fourmon represents the 6th generation. Champagne Joseph Perrier owns 21 hectares of vineyards, situated in the heart of the region on the right bank of the River Marne, around Hautvillers and Cumières – two villages classed 93% in the ‘échelle des crus’.
They are mostly planted with Pinot Noir but include 2 hectares of Chardonnay. The cellars stretch over three kilometers and date back to the Gallo-Roman period. The chosen name for these cuvées is no accident, nor any false claim to grandeur - ‘Cuvée Royale’ alludes to the historic relationship between Joseph Perrier and Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, as the royals’ Champagne of choice - probably the highest honour any Champagne House can hope to earn.
All the wines are made with a keen focus on freshness and purity, a theme which runs right through the range and really shows its worth in the vintage cuvées which show impressive energy and poise and remarkable ageing potential. Aside from the royal connection, Joseph Perrier has been associated with some pivotal events, which represent great human achievements, from the celebrations around Concorde’s inauguration in 1976 to, more recently, the Noble Prize in Medicine.
Aged for 3 years, the Cuvée Royale Brut of Maison Joseph Perrier brings together more than 20 different vintages with great terroirs such as Cumières, Damery, Hautvillers and Verneuil.
Accolades
- Vinum : 16/20
- James Suckling : 91 pts
Specifications
Year | Non-vintage |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 35% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, including about 20% reserve wines. |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Champagne |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dosage |
7g/L |
Food Matches | A perfect balance between freshness and richness, it is best enjoyed as an aperitif though it can be enjoyed throughout a meal. Ideal with salmon gravlax or parmesan shavings. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
2016 Pierre Bourée Gevrey-Chambertin
Regular price £42.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Classic Gevrey-Chambertin, 'The King of Burgundy'.
Tasting Notes
Delicate sweet strawberry fruit, fresh acidity and a clean, vibrant palate. A restrained style, with elegance and a savoury, autumnal finish.
Method of Production
Regular ploughing, limited fertilising as well as minimal pruning is used to reduce both vigour and yield. The grapes are hand picked and transported to the winery in small containers. Hand sorting is followed by wooden vat maceration and fermentation, with regular pigeage before pressing and followed by oak barrel maturation.
Producer
In the latter years of the nineteenth century, Pierre Bourée took over a wine business in Gevrey-Chambertin and gave it his name. In 1922, his son, Bernard, succeeded him and renamed the house as Pierre Bourée Fils. In 1945, Bernard Bourée began to train his nephew, Louis Vallet, who eventually became director of the house, assisted by his brother, François. Together, they expanded the cellars and the winery, and developed the business outside Europe. As well as putting their own unique stamp upon the business, each successive generation added to the house's vineyard holdings. Today, Bernard and Jean-Christophe Vallet run the house alongside their sons, Pierre and Louis Henry.
This winery represents everything that we are proud to be associated with: attention to detail, careful selection of the best grapes, and above all a passion for making superb wines. All Pierre Bourée wines are vinified in their cuverie in Chambolle-Musigny, and are then matured in their cellars at Gevrey-Chambertin.
A Note on Sustainability
Pierre Bourée et Fils is keen to work in an as environmentally friendly method as possible, using techniques such as regular maintenance of the soil by ploughing, applying the minimum of phytosanitary treatments and the controlling of vine vigour and yields through careful pruning. The Vallets tend their vines very traditionally and advancements in the vineyards have been limited: for example, only manure has been used as fertiliser for the last half a century which has encouraged wild asparagus to grow amongst the vines. Harvesting is manual, as the family is opposed to the use of mechanical techniques.
Specifications
Year | 2016 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Traditionally matched with game, fine red Burgundy works extremely well with strongly flavoured dishes including mushrooms, cheese, duck and liver. |
Origin | Burgundy |
Appellation | Gevrey-Chambertin |
Pierre Moncuit Cuvée Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru N/V
Regular price £47.26 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
A lively Champagne with lovely clarity of expression made exclusively from Grand Cru vines. 100% Chardonnay, it reveals delicate scents of apple blossom and green pears. A zesty mineral freshness provides wonderful balance on the palate.
History
The Moncuit family has been making superb champagne in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, for more than 100 years. Pierre Moncuit had recognised the intrinsic quality of his terroir and, together with his wife Odile, strove to make the best possible champagnes from his grapes. Nicole Moncuit and her brother Yves, along with her daughter Valérie, are now in charge of the domaine and make sublimely complex, delicate wines from 20 hectares of Grand Cru vineyards.
The palate of the Cuvée Pierre Moncuit Delos Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is delicate and refined with citrus fruit and yeasty notes. It is perfect as an apéritif. The vintage Cuvée Millésimée Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is an outstanding wine, truly representative of the perfect vintage conditions and expressing the full potential of the terroir and the grapes. The Vintage wines are always aged for between 5-10 years. The Grand Cru Brut Rosé is made from 75% Chardonnay from Le Mesnil and 25% Vin Rouge d’Ambonnay.
Awards
- 91/100 Parker Wine Advocate
- 90/100 Wine Spectator
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Champagne |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matching |
To be served cool, around 10-12°C. |
Dosage | 8g / L |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
2019 Heartland Directors Cut Shiraz
Regular price £27.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Directors’ Cut is Heartland’s most powerful expression of Langhorne Creek’s classic varietals. Only the best fruit makes the “cut”.
Tasting Notes
In appearance, an opaque mulberry core softens to a thin crimson rim. The nose is blackberry jam with complimentary aromas reminiscent of a Turkish spice bazaar. The palate offers purple fruit with hints of refreshing rosewater and rich aniseed. The finish is long and refreshing.
Vinification
The grapes are selected from some of the best Shiraz vineyards in the region. These vineyards are chosen for the consistent intensity and texture of the fruit. The strictest pruning techniques are used. The fruit for Directors’ Cut Shiraz was harvested at night and then crushed to small open top stainless-steel fermenters. After 24 hours of skin contact fermentation was commenced with our Rhône isolate yeast. Following 10 days of cool fermentation on skins and pumped over 3 times daily, the wine was transferred to French and American oak hogsheads for 12-14 months maturation. In the 2019 vintage we have limited ourselves to 40% new oak to ensure the fruit remained the focus.
Vintage
Ben reckons this might be the finest vintage he has ever seen from Langhorne Creek. Only time will tell. Harvest was more generous than the previous few years, with above average quantity and quality. Total degree days were up from the last three years, with wonderful ripeness levels recorded leading to amazing fruit intensity. This may supersede the 2012 vintage for overall quality and has led to a very happy winemaker.
Information on Heartland Wines
Heartland Wines is a joint venture from industry veterans and lifelong mates Ben Glaetzer (of Glaetzer Wines fame) and Nick Keukenmeester in Langhorne Creek, South Australia. From its inception in 1999, Heartland’s ethos has been to create wines of balance, texture and a distinctive Australian identity, with a focus on Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Langhorne Creek’s exceptional terroir is the soul of Heartland. One of Australia’s oldest viticultural regions, the area is unique in South Australia due to its cool maritime climate and significant diurnal range. The resulting long growing season, along with ancient alluvial soils, makes it particularly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon. Many local growers have been cultivating the variety for generations, which explains the prevalence of old vines; Langhorne Creek boasts the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the world. In addition to purchasing old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz from the region’s top growers, Heartland has also experimented successfully with plantings of Dolcetto and Lagrein, which make up a few of their unique blends. Sustainability is the cornerstone of Heartland’s approach to viticulture: they encourage plantings of indigenous trees, grasses and bushes, practice rational water management, and eschew chemical treatments in the vineyards. They even have a herd of goats to keep the weeds down. Heartland’s wines are made at Ben Glaetzer’s Barossa Vintners winery in Tanunda, Barossa. Completed in 1995, Barossa Vintners is a purpose-built, pioneering solar-powered and gravityfed winery. Here Ben Glaetzer takes his characteristic minimum-intervention approach, with gentle handling and long, cool fermentations to guarantee freshness, elegance and drinkability in the wines. The whole range truly reflects the terroir of the region and demonstrates the stylistic differences that can be achieved in this beautiful area of Australia
Accolades
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Shiraz |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
14.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Infomation | Contains Sulphites |
Cellaring | 15 years + |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Langhorne Creek |
Appellation | South Australia |
2017 Amarone della Valpolicella ‘La Colombaia’
Regular price £25.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
A richly flavoured and approachable Amarone with layers of ripe plum and cherry fruit, mocha and spice.
Nose
Ripe, warm and generous on the nose with abundant plum and cherry aromas, roasted coffee beans and hints of dried fruits.
Palate
Full-bodied and richly flavoured with rich berry and plum fruit, supple tannins and a spicy finish, with the characteristic dry bite of good Amarone. A balanced and very approachable style.
Producer
The illustrious Montresor family moved from France to Italy at the start of the 19th Century and settled in the Veneto region near Lake Garda. In 1892 Cantina Giacomo Montresor was established in Verona, and remains family-owned to this day.
Giorgio Montresor produces a portfolio of wines which increasingly rival the offerings of the region's more fashionable names - harnessing modern technology to craft the best wines from each site, across their 100ha of vineyard, in Valpolicella and Garda.
Production Method
Made from a blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes. The grapes are hand-harvested at the end of October. The late harvested grapes are dried for four months (until January following the vintage) and then crushed. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel for four months followed by maturation in Slavonian oak casks and small barrels for 2 years.
A Note on Sustainability
At the end of 2019, Montresor received its organic certification. Some of its wines are already bottled in a lighter weight glass bottle (less than 420g) to reduce carbon dioxide emissions during transport, with the added benefit of reducing the amount of glass to be manufactured.
Over the next two years, solar panels will be installed at the winery to provide some of the electricity required in the production process. Alongside this, Montresor is about to install a water purification system to recover and recycle the water used at the winery.
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Molinara |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 15% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11.2 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable |
Food Matches | Perfect with mature hard cheeses and blue cheeses. Also excellent with game and mature beef. |
Origin | Veneto |
Appellation | DOCG Amarone Della Calpolicella |
2019 Hartenberg Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £20.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The King of Red Wines, consistently a show stopper and delivers even better with some aging to it.
94 points Tim Atkin
'Granite and ferricrete soils on the estate are the source of this ultra-reliable estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Intense, concentrated and possessing the backbone of a guardsman, this has grippy, well-integrated tannins, perfumed 50% new wood and classic cassis, coffee bean and pencil shaving characters. 2023-2030.'
Tasting Notes
Nose
Delightfully perfumed with spicy vanilla oak and an abundance of red fruit and cherry aromas.
Palate
Soft silky tannins on the palate with flavours of lead pencil, cigar box and sandalwood. A lingering finish persists.
The Estate
On the slopes of Bottelary Hills bordering Stellenbosch, is a family estate where nature provides the perfect backdrop to grow, produce and share award-winning wines. Summer at Hartenberg brings picnics on the lawns followed by buoyant games of boule. Winter invites you to intimate fireside lunches and sumptuous reds, smoky charcuterie and olives, and sensorial cellar tours. Our Wetland Conservation Area, alongside the vineyards, makes for a beautiful setting for walks and shared family fun.
We are passionate about preserving our natural wealth as evidenced by our sustainable farming practices and conservation programs. We are proud members of Biodiversity and Wine (BWI) and Integrated Production of Wine (IPW), and the estate is home to plentiful wildlife and over 120 species of birds – inspiring us to combine the best of nature with fine wine. Our stated intention is for a pristine environment where nature thrives.
History
The first settlers to cultivate the virgin land of the estate now known as Hartenberg were friends Cunraad Boin and Christoffel Esterhuizzen who were granted permission to work 60 morgen (20 ha) of the land in 1692. In 1704, Christoffel Esterhuizzen was granted the title deed to "Het Hartenberg" by Governer (Willem Adriaan van der Stel) and by 1718, he had 10 000 vines on his property.
The well-known elephant hunter, Paulus Keyser, bought Hartenberg in 1721 and continued the practice of vineyard cultivation and winemaking on the farm until he sold it to Jacob van Bochen in 1725. Van Bochen, a former accountant of the Dutch East India Company butchery and holder of the liquor retail monopoly, also bought Weltevrede adjoining Hartenberg.
For about one hundred years after van Bochen, the farm passed through the hands of various owners. Some with colourful names like Arrie Lekkerwyn (delicious wine), and Aaron van Ceylon (a freed slave) and in 1838 it became the property of the brothers Jacobus and Johannes Bosman.
An important period in the farm's development was ushered in by the Hampf family when they bought Hartenberg in 1928. Mrs Hampf extended the vineyards and planted the many beautiful trees still to be seen around the farm and cellar, while her husband became the first officially recorded winemaker on the estate.
In 1948, Hartenberg was bought by the late Dr Maurice Finlayson (a well-known Cape Town pathologist) and his wife, Eleanor. Discovering the true potential of the estate, they soon began marketing their wines under the label "Montagne". Besides good wine, the Finlaysons also produced two sons, Peter and Walter, who were to become renowned South African winemakers. Uncompromising and sophisticated, Eleanor Finlayson's presence is still felt on Hartenberg today.
Gilbeys were the next owners of the estate, purchasing it from the Finlaysons in 1977. They eventually released the present Hartenberg range as their flagship brand in 1985. On 1 January 1987, Ken Mackenzie, purchased Hartenberg, having seen the potential that the perennial under-achiever offered.
His daughters continue a program of investment in the farm, focusing on three key areas: the replanting to specific sites of premium varietals, the development of production facilities, and upliftment, through knowledge and skills for employees.
The Mackenzie vision, though extremely ambitious, remains simple: to do whatever it takes to produce wines of outstanding quality.
Accolades
-
2019 Vintage 94 points Tim Atkin
Specifications
Vintage | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 2023-2030 |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Excellent with grilled ribeye steak. A classic match for richer savoury dishes, springbok fillet or black mushroom stroganoff. |
Origin | WO Western Cape |
Appellation | Stellenbosch |
2021 Brokenwood Hunter Valley Shiraz
Regular price £31.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Typical medium-bodied Hunter Valley Shiraz from a great year that will reward for many years.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Superb colour with dark red and purple hues.
Nose
Lifted aromas of red fruit and ginger spice. While there is some oak, it is very much in the background.
Palate
Soft entry on the palate, fine tannins and perfect acid carry through to the finish. A typical medium-bodied Hunter Valley Shiraz that will give drinking pleasure now and over the long term.
Vinification
Winemaker Comments
About Brokenwood Wines
Founded in 1970 as a hobby venture by three Sydney-based solicitors - Tony Albert, John Beeston and Australian wine critic James Halliday - Brokenwood is perhaps best known for their Cricket Pitch label, which was first sourced from a 4-hectare block at the foothills of the Hunter Valley’s Brokenback Ranges. The block was originally earmarked as the local cricket ground before they decided to plant a vineyard instead.
Similarly, Brokenwood purchased their neighbouring block, which was intended to be the local cemetery, and instead planted Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, becoming their critically acclaimed flagship wine, the Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz. Chief Winemaker and Managing Director Iain Riggs joined Brokenwood in 1982 and introduced new winery equipment and facilities specifically for premium white wine production.
Since 1983, white wine makes up a significant part of total production and their Semillon is widely recognized as one of the finest in the world. Iain has also been the driving force behind Brokenwood’s expansion into the McLaren Vale in South Australia, Beechworth in Victoria, Margaret River in Western Australia, and Orange in New South Wales. Despite their expansion, they have managed to remain fiercely committed to producing unique and high quality expressions of Australian terroir.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Shiraz |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Very enjoyable over the medium term, and will reward long term cellaring |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Veal, duck and cheese. |
Origin | Hunter Valley |
Appellation | New South Wales |
2021 Edi Simčič Duet
Regular price £29.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
It is reminiscent of blackberries, red cherries and a little of pepper. A wine of medium body and a more complex character of robust reds from the Goriška Brda region holding a soft texture and nice length, it has an ageing potential of up to five years.
Information about Edi Simčič
Three generations are still at work here, passing knowledge and experience from father to son every day. Edi himself is still very much a key character at the centre of the business, with his son Aleks working alongside him and taking the winery into a new era, while Aleks’ two sons learn their trade to take up the family mantle one day. Historically, Slovenia has experienced more than its fair share of hardships, re-shaping the lives of the whole population. In the case of Goriška Brda, the whole region was under fascist rule by Mussolini’s Italy up until the end of World War II, after which it passed into Communist rule as part of the reestablished Yugoslavia.
Like many other regions in the area, Goriška Brda’s whole agricultural industry suffered greatly under Communist rule, as all growers were expected to surrender a large portion of their grapes to the government, thus leaving growers with no resources to even consider quality growing and winemaking.
Upon independence and the formation of the Repubic of Slovenia in 1991, the family spared little time in pursuing their true calling as one of the leading winemakers of the country. Today their reputation is well-established, very deservedly so. Everything about Edi himself exudes gentleness, and this certainly comes across in the wines, thanks to patient growing, gentle handling in the cellar and utter perfectionism when it comes to ageing. Down in the cool cellars, none of the wines are rushed to be ready, and a masterful use of oak results in complex and slightly (but very attractively) oxidative wines.
Within Edi’s wheelhouse is a delicious Chardonnay, a wine he considers to be the first step everyone must take to fully understand his approach, after which comes the Sivi Pinot, the local name and style of Pinot Gris. The defining grape and wine of this project and indeed region is the indigenous Rebula, the true jewel in the Edi Simčič crown. Finally, the range is rounded off with a red called Duet, a harmonious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. These wines are very special, and Edi and family have worked tirelessly to show the world what their region and country is capable of. This is Slovenia.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Love this - a classic Bordeaux blend of Cab Sauv, Cab Franc & Merlot aged in oak for 30 months. Medium bodied with lots of black & red fruits and a silky smooth finish. Being slightly oxidative means it’s drinking perfectly now but will age for a few years yet. Absolutely delicious! 17/20 "
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc |
Country | Slovenia |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Aging |
The wine is composed of the classic Bordeaux varietals Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and matured in oak barrels for 24-30 months to add extra complexity and depth of flavour. |
Cellaring | Drink now through to 2028 - no need to decant before serving |
Allergens | Contains Sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Suitable for all occasions, it can be offered with appetizers and with most main courses. |
Origin | Goriška Brda |
2018 Skillogalee Basket Pressed Shiraz
Regular price £23.79 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Aromas of blue fruits, leather and tobacco on the nose, segue into a myriad of flavours on the palate, including plum, blackberry, spearmint and dark chocolate, all solidly conveyed atop a smoky persistence. The palate is bold, fleshy and yet medium-bodied.
Vinification
The fruit was vinified in open fermenters, then gently basket-pressed to create a wine that is fruit-driven and concentrated with velvety tannins, needing no fining. Maturation in a combination of French and American oak hogsheads has added considerably to the wine’s character, balance and complexity. The wine will cellar well for at least 10 years but, for those without that kind of patience, enjoy sooner with red or game meats, rich pasta dishes and fantastic company. This Shiraz is vegetarian and vegan friendly.
Winery
A family-owned and operated winery located in the heart of the Clare Valley in South Australia, Skillogalee is known for the exceptional quality of their red and white wines and is widely recognised as one of the region’s top estates. They also lead the way in responsible farming, having practised sustainable methodologies in the vineyard and the winery for many years. The original Skillogalee vineyards were planted in the early 1970’s on stony soils and steep, eastern-facing slopes at almost 500 metres above sea level.
The first wines were released in 1976 and quickly gained acclaim: the 1978 Dry Riesling won major trophies at the Adelaide Wine Show and the National Wine Show, putting Skillogalee firmly on the Australian winemaking map. Aware of the exceptional quality of the vineyards and their potential to produce world-class wines, current owners David and Diana Palmer acquired the property in 1989. In 2002 they purchased next-door neighbour Waninga Vineyards, with 30 hectares of 30-year-old vines, bringing the size of the estate to 60 hectares.
While production increased, the Palmers have taken great care to maintain the quality and characteristic style of the wines. Deciding to avoid the bureaucracy of organic or biodynamic certification does not stop a producer from holding soil health and sustainability as a top priority, and this is the case at Skillogalee. Every effort is taken to ensure the best quality grapes are harvested each year, the vines are hand-pruned, and the fruit is mainly hand-picked, with yields kept extremely low. All wines are produced exclusively from estate-owned vineyards.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Shiraz |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Clare Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2018 Despagne-Rapin Les Piliers de Maison Blanche
Regular price £25.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%It’s pretty easy-going and the tannins are soft enough for you to keep wanting more. The finish is long and very pure.
“A family estate where enthusiasm is still cultivated by the slightly off-beat joy of creating natural, sincere and authentic wines” Nicolas Despagne.
Tasting Notes
Aromas of cassis and dark berry fruits lead to a rounded palate with supple blackberry and plum flavours and a delicate spice note. Always delivers excellent value Bordeaux.
Producer
The Château Maison Blanche takes its name from a large and beautiful building in white stone located in the heart of a large park. This is the family estate of Nicolas Despagne: an illustrious family of wine producers. Nicolas Despagne runs this 32 hectare estate and makes lovely, distinct wines. “Les Piliers” de Maison Blanche is a great value wine, with a lovely vibrant colour and a nose of supple berries with just the beginnings of spice and dried fruits.
Production
Les Piliers de Maison Blanche is the second wine of the domain. It is made up of wines from young vines enhanced by “coupes” of great wine from old vines planted on the estate's historic terroirs. It is a medium aging wine which is tasted young for its firmness and power, between two and four years, then in its period of maturity, during which its fragrances are fully expressed, from age of seven.
Cultivation without pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers containing synthetic chemical molecules; tillage & grassing conversion to organic farming in 2006 (Écocert certificate), part of which in bio-dynamism since 2002.
According to traditional vinification rules, respecting the expression of the terroir in the fruit without adding yeasts, bacteria, nitrogen, tannins, enzymes, shavings, tartaric acid (etc.) without recourse, automated thermoregulation, artificial concentration, micro-bubbling (etc.) Malolactic fermentations in vats without seeding.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 40 to 60% Cabernet Franc & 40 to 60% Merlot |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Read above! |
Features | Organic, Biodynamic, Vegan, Vegetarian |
Food Matches |
This wine goes very well with roast chicken with chanterelles. It also pairs well with red meat served with a sauce and venison |
Origin | Montagne de Saint Émilion |
Appellation |
Bordeaux |
Henners Brut N/V
Regular price £31.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Benchmark quality which highlights the brilliance of the Henners vineyard and winemaking skills.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Sourdough aromas combine with crunchy green apple fruit to provide a wonderfully welcoming nose.
Palate
The palate is fine with a lively and persistent mousse. Green apple and pear fruit characters mix with a toasted brioche leesy flavour helping to provide a complex and moreish palate. Balanced acidity and a long finish make this a very classy sparkling wine.
Producer
When it comes to English wine there’s a lot to shout about, not least the stunning sparkling wines from Henners. Based just 4 miles from the sea in Herstmonceux, East Sussex, the 7 acre vineyard was created in 2007 by ex-Formula One engineer, Lawrence Warr. The winery was named in honour of Larry's French ancestor, Henners Dubois, who was forced to flee Paris for England during the French Revolution in the in the late 18th Century.
Boutinot was the sole distributor of Henners from this time and developed strong ties with the winery and its wines… so when the opportunity arose 10 years later to buy the estate, they jumped at the chance. Planted with traditional Champagne varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the vines thrive in an idyllic microclimate created by the vineyard’s proximity to the sea, low altitude (only 24 metres above sea level) and steep, sunny, south-facing slopes.
All Henners wines are hand-crafted from start to finish; with separate fermenting of varietals and their vine clones to allow a broader range of wines for final blending; extended lees ageing for added complexity; and holding back of all bottles for at least 3 years prior to release to add depth and richness to every wine. Hand-crafted with every attention to detail, our winemakers create award-winning wines of depth, complexity and elegance that are perfect for any occasion.
Production Method
Henners Brut is produced solely from grapes grown on our outstanding estate, in Herstmonceux East Sussex. We found the unique combination of warm well-drained soils, southerly aspect slope coupled with low altitude. The result is perhaps the finest vineyard microclimate in the country. We take a non-interventionist approach in the winery, made possible by the quality of the fruit. Vine clones and varieties are fermented separately to allow a broad palette of wines for final blending. Approximately 85% of the wine goes through malolactic fermentation. A proportion (10%) is fermented in aged oak barrels to add subtle character and layers to the wine. This wine spent approximately 36 months on its lees. Dosage of 7g/l.
A Note on Sustainability
Already a founder member of WineGB’s Sustainability Programme Henners Vineyard can now announce it is one of just 18 accredited members to have been certified as sustainable by Wine GB. This is an endorsement to Henners’ commitment to winemaking and winery management that have minimal environmental impact, as well as the ongoing promotion of biodiversity in the vineyards and protection of soils. This is no easy task to attain, requiring annual review for accreditation and ongoing improvement in methodology.
Awards - Non Vintage
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2020 - Silver
- IWC 2020 - Gold
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2019 - Silver
- IWSC 2019 - Silver
- Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships 2018 - Silver
- IWC 2018 - Gold
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Chardonnay 40%, Pinot Noir 35%, Pinot Meunier 25% |
Country | England |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Fizz |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Perfect aperitif or celebration wine. |
Origin | East Sussex |
Appellation | Herstmonceux |
N/V Skillogalee Liqueur Muscat
Regular price £32.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
It is bright, red/amber in colour with a light young sweet raisin nose.
Palate
The palate shows nutty raisin apricot flavours, very full and sweet but not cloying. The finish is lingering – very smooth and liqueur-like!
Vinification
This fortified wine is made in the same way that tawny port is made. It is a blend of different vintages all made from fruit growing on Skillogalee vineyards. These separate wines are fermented and fortified and left to age in oak puncheons (500L). The current blend is made from 1992 and 1993 vintages predominantly, with a little older material to contribute some aged, rancio character and some younger wine to give freshness and lift.
Around 2000 litres are made each year depending on the vintage.
Winery
A family-owned and operated winery located in the heart of the Clare Valley in South Australia, Skillogalee is known for the exceptional quality of their red and white wines and is widely recognised as one of the region’s top estates. They also lead the way in responsible farming, having practised sustainable methodologies in the vineyard and the winery for many years. The original Skillogalee vineyards were planted in the early 1970’s on stony soils and steep, eastern-facing slopes at almost 500 metres above sea level.
The first wines were released in 1976 and quickly gained acclaim: the 1978 Dry Riesling won major trophies at the Adelaide Wine Show and the National Wine Show, putting Skillogalee firmly on the Australian winemaking map. Aware of the exceptional quality of the vineyards and their potential to produce world-class wines, current owners David and Diana Palmer acquired the property in 1989. In 2002 they purchased next-door neighbour Waninga Vineyards, with 30 hectares of 30-year-old vines, bringing the size of the estate to 60 hectares.
While production increased, the Palmers have taken great care to maintain the quality and characteristic style of the wines. Deciding to avoid the bureaucracy of organic or biodynamic certification does not stop a producer from holding soil health and sustainability as a top priority, and this is the case at Skillogalee. Every effort is taken to ensure the best quality grapes are harvested each year, the vines are hand-pruned, and the fruit is mainly hand-picked, with yields kept extremely low. All wines are produced exclusively from estate-owned vineyards.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Muscat |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 18.6% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 13.95 units |
Type | Fortified and Dessert |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Clare Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2016 Hartenberg 'The Megan'
Regular price £41.69 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A Southern Rhone styled red - juicy & bursting with flavour that finishes with a very moreish, lingering aftertaste.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Cherry, raspberry, perfumed fruit notes with subtle pepper and spice on the nose.
Palate
The elegant palate reveals dark choc and supple, cedary notes, underpinned by vanilla oak flavours. Incredibly soft on palate entry.
History
The Megan is a tribute to Megan Mackenzie, wife of Ken "Stork" Mackenzie whose family still owns Hartenberg Wine Estate. Megan met Ken whilst still at school and once time passed, they got married and so started a twenty-four year love story. Initially assisting in the family business, but also a celebrated harpist, Megan sowed the early seeds for the decision to later buy Hartenberg Wine Estate, whilst on their honeymoon vacation to the Cape in 1952. Megan sadly passed away in the prime of her life and Ken never remarried.
The Estate
On the slopes of Bottelary Hills bordering Stellenbosch, is a family estate where nature provides the perfect backdrop to grow, produce and share award-winning wines. Summer at Hartenberg brings picnics on the lawns followed by buoyant games of boule. Winter invites you to intimate fireside lunches and sumptuous reds, smoky charcuterie and olives, and sensorial cellar tours. Our Wetland Conservation Area, alongside the vineyards, makes for a beautiful setting for walks and shared family fun.
We are passionate about preserving our natural wealth as evidenced by our sustainable farming practices and conservation programs. We are proud members of Biodiversity and Wine (BWI) and Integrated Production of Wine (IPW), and the estate is home to plentiful wildlife and over 120 species of birds – inspiring us to combine the best of nature with fine wine. Our stated intention is for a pristine environment where nature thrives.
Specifications
Year | 2016 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvèdre Blend |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Up to 10 years from vintage |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Slow roasted shoulder of pork, lamb rogan josh, caramelized roasted root vegetables, rib-eye steak or nutty hard cheeses
|
Origin | WO Western Cape |
Appellation | Stellenbosch |
2018/9 Domaine Berthelemot Meursault
Regular price £39.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%An elegant Burgundian classic from an excellent domaine.
Tasting Notes
Restrained and elegant as you might expect from this excellent domain. Aromas of citronella and ripe lemons, the palate is fresh and mineral with a persistent finish. Still youthful, this will develop complexity and character as it ages whilst retaining its balance and poise.
Production Method
The soil is worked mechanically to facilitate good aeration and microbial action and also allow the vine roots to penetrate as deeply as possible which in time will give the future wine its character. Vines are only treated by approved methods in accordance with “agriculture raisonnée” standards: the products used and the period of application depend on the state of the vegetation, the degree of fungi or pest infestation and weather conditions. Grapes are sorted and the must cool before filling into casks for the fermentation. The wine stays on its lees until July. New oak is restricted to around 25% to ensure it does not mask the pure, elegant style.
Producer
Berthelemot is a young domaine, created as recently as 2006, as a result of the merging of the mature holdings of the Jean Garaudet and Yves Darviot estates. As well as initial acquisitions in Beaune, Pommard, Monthélie and Meursault, in 2012, the estate purchased established plots in Puligny, Chassagne, and again in Meursault to meet the demand for its white wines.
The success of the domaine is down to the hard work and talent of its founder, Brigitte Berthelemot, together with her estate manager and winemaker, Marc Cugney. The vines are planted in limestone soils in very good sites at a density of around 10,000 per hectare, they are kept in top condition, and the team responds quickly to regular analyses of the soil and the vines in order to assess appropriate cultivation methods using the bare minimum of herbicides and phytosanitary treatments.
Although each harvest differs in regards to the degree of maturity and the levels of sugar, acidity and tannins within the grapes, the goal is always to produce the best wine possible reflecting the nature of the land and the characteristics of the year.
A Note on Sustainability
As well as the Agriculture Raisonnée certification awarded in 2009, the domain is committed to the specifications of the HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) programme and it attained Level 3 in 2015. Berthelemot is currently in the second year of its conversion to organic farming and should receive its formal certification next year.
Specifications
Year | 2018/9 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting information |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Poached halibut with lemon butter sauce, posh fish pie, roast chicken, pork fillet and mushrooms in a creamy sauce. |
Origin | Burgundy, France |
Appellation | Meursault AOC |
2022 Domaine G. Saumaize Pouilly Fuissé Grande Réserve Maillettes
Regular price £29.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Fine, full-bodied white Burgundy.
Tasting Notes
Expressive, almost exotic aromas and flavours with a lovely touch of oak that adds a slightly nutty character to the lush, ripe Chardonnay fruit. Rich but restrained, there is a real finesse and elegant balance to this very classy white Burgundy.
Production
Grapes are grown on the limestone and clay soils of Solutré and Vergisson. Fermented in barriques, this wine then spent 12 months in a mixture of new and older French oak.
Producer
The 14.5 hectare Domaine G. Saumaize (formerly Domaine des Maillettes) is now wholly run by Guillaume Saumaize, follwing the recent retirement of his mother, Annie. Tending to more than forty parcels of vines (up to 80 years old) spread across four Mâconnais communes (Vergisson, Davayé, Solutré and Prissé), he produces Pouilly-Fuissé and a range of other Mâcon AOC wines.
In 2018, the Saumaize family invested in a new barrel cellar, giving them much more flexibility to vinify individual parcels of grapes separately and thus express their terroir even more clearly. The Chardonnays are classically styled, with part or full vinification in oak for richness and complexity.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites & no other allergens |
Serving Suggestion | Serve between 10°C and 12°C |
Food Matches | A versatile white that will drink beautifully with poultry, fish and hearty salads. |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Appellation | Mâconnais |
Origin | Burgundy |
2021 Edi Simčič Rebula
Regular price £23.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
On the nose there are intense notes of peach, lychees and other tropical fruits while the first sip reveals a medium body, smooth texture and hints of stony minerality balanced by a refreshing acidity.
Usually used for everyday wines, this example is made from the very finest grapes hand-selected from 25-35 year old vines. The young wine is aged in used and new oak barrels for 12 months followed by another 6 months in the bottle to craft a rich, well-rounded white with good ageing potential.
Information about Edi Simčič
Three generations are still at work here, passing knowledge and experience from father to son every day. Edi himself is still very much a key character at the centre of the business, with his son Aleks working alongside him and taking the winery into a new era, while Aleks’ two sons learn their trade to take up the family mantle one day. Historically, Slovenia has experienced more than its fair share of hardships, re-shaping the lives of the whole population. In the case of Goriška Brda, the whole region was under fascist rule by Mussolini’s Italy up until the end of World War II, after which it passed into Communist rule as part of the reestablished Yugoslavia.
Like many other regions in the area, Goriška Brda’s whole agricultural industry suffered greatly under Communist rule, as all growers were expected to surrender a large portion of their grapes to the government, thus leaving growers with no resources to even consider quality growing and winemaking.
Upon independence and the formation of the Repubic of Slovenia in 1991, the family spared little time in pursuing their true calling as one of the leading winemakers of the country. Today their reputation is well-established, very deservedly so. Everything about Edi himself exudes gentleness, and this certainly comes across in the wines, thanks to patient growing, gentle handling in the cellar and utter perfectionism when it comes to ageing. Down in the cool cellars, none of the wines are rushed to be ready, and a masterful use of oak results in complex and slightly (but very attractively) oxidative wines.
Within Edi’s wheelhouse is a delicious Chardonnay, a wine he considers to be the first step everyone must take to fully understand his approach, after which comes the Sivi Pinot, the local name and style of Pinot Gris. The defining grape and wine of this project and indeed region is the indigenous Rebula, the true jewel in the Edi Simčič crown. Finally the range is rounded off with a red called Duet, a harmonious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. These wines are very special, and Edi and family have worked tirelessly to show the world what their region and country is capable of. This is Slovenia.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Ribolla |
Country | Slovenia |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring | Drink now through to 2026 - serve chilled |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Food Matches |
A great wine to pair with creamy fish or chicken dishes as well as cheeses and risottos. |
Origin | Goriška Brda |
2018 Ten Minutes by Tractor 'Estate Pinot Noir'
Regular price £46.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Aged in a mixture of new and old French oak barriques. Semi-translucent dark red colour with a light red hue. Perfumed scents of violets, ripe cherries and strawberries meld into anise, hints of toasty oak, traces of forest floor and spice notes. Light and expressive the palate has flavours of ripe dark cherries and strawberries which are carried by anise, light smoky cedar, forest floor and spicy dried herb elements. Supple mouthfeel, silky tannins and well-balanced acidity concluding with good power.
Producer
Ten Minutes by Tractor needs little introduction, nor does the man in charge – Martin Spedding. A gently-spoken man with a background in finance and IT, in 2002 he finally acknowledged the fact that his true passion lay in wine. Despite his origins in New South Wales, he simply couldn’t get enough of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and would travel down to Victoria to immerse himself in Australia’s heartland of these noble varieties. In 2003 he visited one of his favourite small wineries on Mornington Peninsula, and was delighted to discover that it was for sale. Without a moment’s hesitation, he snapped it up, and so began Martin’s journey with Ten Minutes by Tractor. And what a journey it has been!
Along with a trusty team and his loving family, he has overseen the rise of the estate to the cult status it holds today. In 2016 Sandro Mosele (ex-Kooyong and Port Philip Estates) joined the team as head winemaker, only adding to their ‘force to be reckoned with’ status. The ‘home’ vineyards (McCutcheon, Wallis and Judd) are the three original vineyards that formed the Ten Minutes By Tractor estate. They are all located in Main Ridge, the coolest and highest part of the Mornington Peninsula. Despite their close proximity and the use of similar vinification methods, the single-vineyard wines are distinctly different from one another. This is a result of their different elevations, orientations and soils.
These wines can challenge Burgundy in quality and elegance and range from fine and elegant examples to richer and more opulent cuvées. They are all made with indigenous yeasts and are a true expression of each unique ‘terroir’. These much sought after single vineyard wines are only produced in outstanding years and continue to go from strength to strength. Production is usually less than 200 dozen; they are truly limited edition wines. Outside of the original single vineyard range, the newest Coolart Road is remarkably different from the others – coming from the lowest vineyard of them all at 72m, the Pinot Noir made here is markedly different in style from the higher elevation sites. All of the wines are made with the utmost sustainability and are bottled unfined.
Acclaim
- 94 points by Campbell Mattinson – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion
- 92 points by Tina Gellie, Decanter - This estate Pinot is now split into the Up the Hill and Down the Hill cuvées, but in this vintage was a barrel selection of Martin Spedding's four vineyards. This is seductively savoury wine, with bold earthy beetroot and undergrowth tones to join autumnal plum and black cherry. Vanilla chai oak spice and supple tannins too. Drink 2023-2028
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Oak | 12 months - 21% new French oak barriques (medium toast; very tight grain) |
Cellaring potential | 2018-2026 |
Food Matching |
That bright fruit means that it will match well with more savoury meat. Soy marinated pork with grape jus would do nicely here. Serve at 14–17°C. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Mornington Peninsula |
Appellation | Victoria |
2019 Michael Opitz Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Gris
Regular price £23.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%No Tricks, Just Wine
This Sauvignon-Pinot Gris blend is a revelation! A truly sophisticated wine, full of finesse and soft tones, with Burgundy elegance and reserved coolness. A fascinating, sensuous palate, with fully mature flavours, which impresses from the first sip. The herbaceous tang of Sauvignon creates a fine balance of sweet fruitiness and crisp acidity.
Tasting Notes
Producer
Organic, Biodynamic, young, trendy, and Austrian! Michael Opitz is part of the new generation of wine growers, no longer producing mainstream but rather, distinctive, confident wines. The personality of this winegrower is reflected in the style of the wines, which are considered and confident without excessive inclination towards the dramatic. Michael Opitz also particularly values sustainability in the winery. This includes improvements in the vineyard and in the cellar as well as considerations concerning transport, packaging materials and many other aspects.
Alan's Personal Notes
"This one was labelled 'natural' not orange but still a decent colour extracted. With Sauv Blanc being the lead varietal - it’s certainly the more commercial of the two whites he produces. Equally magnificent but still difficult to recognise any particular fruit aromas or flavours - but again multi-layered, complex, and with great length - and again that saline finish. Just shades it to be my favourite of the two - but Di preferred last night. Definitely a winemaker to watch." January 2022
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Sauvignon Blanc & Pinot Gris |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Orange Wine |
Aging |
10 months in Austrian oak and Accacia Barrels |
Allergen Information | Almost Sulfur Free |
Dietary Information | Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian |
Origin | Burgenland |
2020 Weingut Hajszan Neumann Natural Zweigelt
Regular price £28.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Biodynamically Farmed & Vegan Approved
Our lively wines have subtle corners and edges. And it’s good this way, because we love natural, authentic wines. Each one has a characteristic soul, which develops from the natural flavours of the grapes and the terroir. All this comes to fruition thanks to our biodynamic cultivation. We also work gently and reductively in the wine cellar.
Tasting Notes
The grapes for this Natural Zweigelt come from two particularly old vineyards in Ried Weisleiten on Vienna`s Nussberg. This bright, polished Zweigelt is quite dark and intense, with aromas of black cherries and plum fruit, as well as a subtle touch of herbs and spices. Fine texture and freshness on the palate with an engaging spiciness that leads to a fruity, cool finish.
In the Cellar
Zweigelt from old vines on the Nussberg forms the basis, maceration and longer storage on the skin (9 weeks) leads to an intense and dark berry fruit, as well as a lively tannin structure.
The wine is then not aged in wood, but in concrete eggs, which can breathe in the same way as wooden barrels, but do not bring those typical oak tones nor toasty aromas. Of course, the wine is neither fined, nor filtered, nor sulfurized, just as we do with the mash-fermented white wines of the NATURAL series. After about 6 months of storage, the wine is put together and bottled, and after several months of aging in the bottle, the NATURAL Zweigelt goes on sale in September immediately before the next harvest.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Zweigelt |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Biodynamic and Vegan |
Food Matches | Great companion for stews. |
Origin | Vienna |
2021 Chateau Maucoil Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Regular price £28.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A very proper, full-bodied, organic white from the southern Rhône.
Tasting Notes
Intense and vinous on the nose, leading into a bright, mineral-inflected yet rich palate that is subtly floral and beautifully textured with a full, long finish.
Producer
Château Maucoil’s vineyards are primarily located in the sandy-soiled northwest of Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, but its white grape varieties are planted in Urgonian limestone soils close to the river in the southwest of the region.
Vineyards have been managed organically (certified in 2014) and yields are kept to around 25 hl/ha. Harvesting is by hand and grapes are sorted before vinification.
After a cold skin maceration and pressing, alcoholic fermentation is maintained at 18°C and malolactic fermentation is prevented in order to preserve the wine’s freshness and acidity. The wine is unfined and aged in vats to bring out the varietal aromas and body, synonymous with white wines from the southern Rhône.
Did you know?
Maucoil is one of the few Châteauneuf-du-Pape estates that has conserved all thirteen of this famous appellation's original grape varieties, and grapes must pass through three rigourous stages of manual sorting before being deemed of high enough quality to be made into wine.
The estate's old vines (the youngest are merely 40 years old; the oldest date back to 1895!)
Château Maucoil (pronounced “moh-kwahl”) originally served as a base for Roman legions who were attracted by the spring that runs through the property!
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
Grenache Blanc 90%, Bourboulenc 8%, Clairette 2% |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Organic |
Food Matches | Pair with rich cuisine, shelfish, grilled salmon, veal cutlets with chanterelle mushrooms. |
Origin | Rhône, France |
Appellation | Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
2018 Sepp Moser Zweigelt Reserve
Regular price £21.50 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A delicious example of this classic Austrian varietal elegant - juicy, ripe and generous. A wine that would appeal equally to Argentinian Malbec drinkers as to your Austrian Zweigelt drinkers.
Tasting Notes
Ripe cherry, herbal and cedar wood aromas. The palate has good weight with juicy plum and red berry fruit, bright acidity, supple balancing tannins and a bitter cherry twist on the finish.
Production
Zweigelt Reserve is made from 100% Blauer Zweigelt grapes cultivated in Sepp Moser's Hedwighof vineyard, in the warm southern Neusiedlersee village of Apetlon. The vineyard is around 117 metres above sea level (comparitively low), with deep dark topsoil and gravel beneath, which benefits from plenty of sunshine. The grapes are hand harvested towards the end of September / start of October. The grapes are de-stemmed and crushed, with spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel and 3 weeks spent on the skins. The wine is aged for 18 months in used 225 litre oak barrels.
Producer
The Sepp Moser Estate was founded by the famous Austrian wine producing pioneer, Lenz Moser. Lenz Moser's son, Sepp Moser, began operating under his own name in 1987 and handed over the direction of this family-owned estate to his own son Nikolaus in the year 2000.
The Sepp Moser Estate comprises of 50 acres of vineyards in two prominent wine regions; Kremstal (22 ha) and Neusiedlersee (28 ha). In the Kremstal, Nikolaus produces an international range of varieties as well as the ever more important local varieties of Gruner Veltliner and Riesling. The reds are produced on the gravelly soils of the warm southern Neusiederslee village of Apetlon. All Sepp Moser wines have been organic (and all estate wines biodynamic) since 2007.
Sustainability
The Sepp Moser estate produces a wide range of wines every year thanks to its vineyards in two diverse regions. There is one main aim in the cellar: the quality of the grapes shall be brought with as little influence as possible to the bottle. The grapes in the Sepp Moser vineyards are harvested by hand and at the cellar of the Atrium House Nikolaus Moser emphasizes gentle vinification and tries to interfere as little as possible with the process so that each wine can develop its own individual style. The fermentation starts spontaneously, and the maturing of the wine takes place on its own.
In 2006, Nikolaus officially moved the estate to biodynamic viticulture – one of the first to do so in Austria – and became Demeter certified. 2009 saw the release of Sepp Moser’s first certified organic wines. Nikolaus is very keen to reduce the amount of copper and sulphur used in the vineyards, and this year saw a reduction of two thirds over what was sprayed previously. He composts all the estates' pomace and vine trimmings, and there is an ongoing effort to plant trees around the vineyards.
Accolades
- 2017 Vintage - Silver at the 2020 Sommelier Wine Awards
- 2015 Vintage - Gold at the 2018 Sommelier Wine Awards
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Blauer Zweigelt |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential |
Drink over the next 8-10 years. |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Why not try with pork dishes, goulash or ratatouille. |
Origin | Burgenland |
Appellation | Burgenland Qualitatswein Trocken |
2021 Domaine de Maltaverne Pouilly-Fumé ‘L’Ammonite’
Regular price £20.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A very ripe and unusually rich example of Loire Sauvignon Blanc.
Tasting Notes
Nose
A honeyed and gently aromatic nose with a savoury, toasted fennel seed note.
Palate
The palate is a rich and ripe reflection of this warm vintage, balanced by smoky, grassy flavours typical of Sauvignon Blanc.
Production
The vineyards are planted on Kimmeridgian soil (fossilised clay-chalk, superb for low yields and mineral content) and face south-southwest, giving increased exposure to the sun. They are fertilised organically. Harvesting is done partly by hand and partly by machine, depending on the vintage. Vinification is old fashioned and hands-off. Fermentation is done by indigenous yeasts and is followed by naturally occurring malolactic fermentation. This helps to soften the wines by converting the harsher acids to more palatable ones. Most unusually for a producer of Loire Sauvignon Blanc, winemaker Gilles Maudry believes in allowing full malolactic fermentation to run its natural course. The wine remains on its fine lees for 15 months after harvest, intensifying and enriching the flavours to balance the incredible freshness.
Producer
Domaine de Maltaverne is one of the few producers in the Loire that allows full malolactic fermentation to run its natural course. The owner, Gilles Maudry, is a former biologist who returned to his family’s Tracy-sur-Loire estate in 1984 when his father retired. Now working with his son Matthieu, who finished his viticultural and oenological studies in 2015, Gilles is a firm believer in minimal intervention: as long as his vineyards produce healthy grapes, picked at optimum maturity and vinified with care, then the wine can be left to determine its own evolution. The beautiful label features an illustration of the fossilised ammonite shells found in the vineyard, sketched by an artistic wine lover following a tasting to represent what he visualised upon tasting this wonderful wine.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites & no other allergens |
Serving Suggestion | Serve between 10°C and 12°C |
Food Matches | Goes with just about anything! Traditionally salmon, mussels or crab/lobster and chicken or veal, but also mushroom dishes, particularly an omelette. |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Appellation | Pouilly-Fumé |
Origin | Loire |
2017 Sepp Moser Riesling Gebling
Regular price £25.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Textured, rich style of Riesling from the famous Gebling vineyard.
Tasting Notes
Honeyed nose with aromas of red apple skin and dried apricots. The palate has more honeyed apricot and white spice notes - rich and textural with a long, broad and dry finish.
Production
The Gebling vineyard soils are calcareous conglomerate, loess. Grapes are harvested mid October. Grapes are produced biodynamically. Grapes are de-stemmed and crushed, then macerated for 15 hours prior to fermentation in stainless steel.
Producer
The Sepp Moser Estate was founded by the famous Austrian wine producing pioneer, Lenz Moser. Lenz Moser's son, Sepp Moser, began operating under his own name in 1987 and handed over the direction of this family-owned estate to his own son Nikolaus in the year 2000.
The Sepp Moser Estate comprises of 50 acres of vineyards in two prominent wine regions; Kremstal (22 ha) and Neusiedlersee (28 ha). In the Kremstal, Nikolaus produces an international range of varieties as well as the ever more important local varieties of Gruner Veltliner and Riesling. The reds are produced on the gravelly soils of the warm southern Neusiederslee village of Apetlon. All Sepp Moser wines have been organic (and all estate wines biodynamic) since 2007.
Sustainability
The Sepp Moser estate produces a wide range of wines every year thanks to its vineyards in two diverse regions. There is one main aim in the cellar: the quality of the grapes shall be brought with as little influence as possible to the bottle. The grapes in the Sepp Moser vineyards are harvested by hand and at the cellar of the Atrium House Nikolaus Moser emphasizes gentle vinification and tries to interfere as little as possible with the process so that each wine can develop its own individual style. The fermentation starts spontaneously, and the maturing of the wine takes place on its own.
In 2006, Nikolaus officially moved the estate to biodynamic viticulture – one of the first to do so in Austria – and became Demeter certified. 2009 saw the release of Sepp Moser’s first certified organic wines. Nikolaus is very keen to reduce the amount of copper and sulphur used in the vineyards, and this year saw a reduction of two thirds over what was sprayed previously. He composts all the estates' pomace and vine trimmings, and there is an ongoing effort to plant trees around the vineyards.
Accolades
- 2106 Vintage - 2018 Sommelier Wine Awards - Silver
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Riesling |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Biodynamic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Serve with trout, pike and other, similar- flavoured fish. Also good with Asian food. |
Origin | Kremstal |
Appellation | Kremstal DAC Reserve |
2019 Hartenberg The Eleanor Chardonnay
Regular price £28.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%95 points Tim Atkin
‘Year after year, this is among South Africa's best Chardonnays, a single clone (CY95) white that combines structure, intensity, concentration and precision. Finely oaked in 40% new wood, it has notes of lemon butter and cashew, lots of texture and a taut, stony finish. 2022-26’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2021, 95/100
Only 16 barrels of The Eleanor Chardonnay 2019 were produced and the wine has just been released.
Tasting Notes
Hartenberg`s self-styled `super premium` Chardonnay earns its title. this wine combines creamy and nutty fruit with refreshing acidity, a sleek minerality and sharp citrus fruit. It spends a whole year in all-new French oak and on the palate, you can tell – rich body, warm vanilla and an enduring round finish.
Nose
An expressive bouquet with lime zest and stone fruit at its core. Elegantly integrated oak shows notes of butterscotch opening up to a roasted nut aroma and a clean, chalky minerality.
Palate
An initial bright acidity on the palate balances the rich and creamy texture of the wine with the peach and lime note following through to a lingering, toasty finish.
Estate
On the slopes of Bottelary Hills bordering Stellenbosch, is a family estate where nature provides the perfect backdrop to grow, produce and share award-winning wines. Summer at Hartenberg brings picnics on the lawns followed by buoyant games of boule. Winter invites you to intimate fireside lunches and sumptuous reds, smoky charcuterie and olives, and sensorial cellar tours. Our Wetland Conservation Area, alongside the vineyards, makes for a beautiful setting for walks and shared family fun.
We are passionate about preserving our natural wealth as evidenced by our sustainable farming practices and conservation programs. We are proud members of Biodiversity and Wine (BWI) and Integrated Production of Wine (IPW), and the estate is home to plentiful wildlife and over 120 species of birds – inspiring us to combine the best of nature with fine wine. Our stated intention is for a pristine environment where nature thrives.
History
The first settlers to cultivate the virgin land of the estate now known as Hartenberg were friends Cunraad Boin and Christoffel Esterhuizzen who were granted permission to work 60 morgen (20 ha) of the land in 1692. In 1704, Christoffel Esterhuizzen was granted the title deed to "Het Hartenberg" by Governer (Willem Adriaan van der Stel) and by 1718, he had 10 000 vines on his property.
The well-known elephant hunter, Paulus Keyser, bought Hartenberg in 1721 and continued the practice of vineyard cultivation and winemaking on the farm until he sold it to Jacob van Bochen in 1725. Van Bochen, a former accountant of the Dutch East India Company butchery and holder of the liquor retail monopoly, also bought Weltevrede adjoining Hartenberg.
For about one hundred years after van Bochen, the farm passed through the hands of various owners. Some with colourful names like Arrie Lekkerwyn (delicious wine), and Aaron van Ceylon (a freed slave) and in 1838 it became the property of the brothers Jacobus and Johannes Bosman.
An important period in the farm's development was ushered in by the Hampf family when they bought Hartenberg in 1928. Mrs Hampf extended the vineyards and planted the many beautiful trees still to be seen around the farm and cellar, while her husband became the first officially recorded winemaker on the estate.
In 1948, Hartenberg was bought by the late Dr Maurice Finlayson (a well-known Cape Town pathologist) and his wife, Eleanor. Discovering the true potential of the estate, they soon began marketing their wines under the label "Montagne". Besides good wine, the Finlaysons also produced two sons, Peter and Walter, who were to become renowned South African winemakers. Uncompromising and sophisticated, Eleanor Finlayson's presence is still felt on Hartenberg today.
Gilbeys were the next owners of the estate, purchasing it from the Finlaysons in 1977. They eventually released the present Hartenberg range as their flagship brand in 1985. On 1 January 1987, Ken Mackenzie, purchased Hartenberg, having seen the potential that the perennial under-achiever offered.
His daughters continue a program of investment in the farm, focusing on three key areas: the replanting to specific sites of premium varietals, the development of production facilities, and upliftment, through knowledge and skills for employees.
The Mackenzie vision, though extremely ambitious, remains simple: to do whatever it takes to produce wines of outstanding quality.
Accolades
-
Tim Atkin rated The Eleanor 2019 an outstanding 95 points and offers the following tasting note:
“Year after year, this is among South Africa’s best Chardonnays, a single clone (CY95) white that combines structure, intensity, concentration and precision. Finely oaked in 40% new wood, it has notes of lemon butter and cashew, lots of texture and a taut, stony finish.”
Alan's Tasting Notes
"A stunning South African - peachy fruits punctuated by zingy lime zest intermingled with creamy butterscotch and a long lingering toasty finish from 12 months in new French oak - an absolute stunner that is made in limited quantities - who needs premium white burgundy which is unavailable when South Africa can produce sublime substitutes like this - pricey but solid good value well worth every penny!" September 2022
Accolade
- 95 points Tim Atkin (2019 vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Chardonnay |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Up to 5 years from vintage |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | The Eleanor Chardonnay is the perfect wine to enjoy with food or on its own. |
Origin | WO Western Cape |
Appellation | Stellenbosch |
2020 Glaetzer Bishop
Regular price £30.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Icon's of Barossa
Glaetzer Bishop is a true expression of Barossa Shiraz that is elegantly structured with a long finish.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep inky red with purple hues.
Palate
An explosion of brooding dark tones with bright cassis and coffee bean
hints. Subtle richness with flavours of dark plum and blackberry intermingled with dark chocolate and dried spice. Generous yet restrained tannin provides exceptional palate length and persistence
Background
Bishop is the family name of Colin's wife' Judith. Fittingly the sign of Venus, a symbol which has come to represent women and feminine energy, is the centrepiece of the Bishop label. In mythology, the symbol meant the Roman goddess Venus or her Greek equivalent Aphrodite. But the sign has also been linked back to ancient Egypt – a nod to Bishop’s link to Amon-Ra and Anaperenna.
About Glaetzer
This family-owned boutique winery was founded in 1995 and dedicates itself to the production of super-premium, site specific red wine made in small volumes. Originally from Germany, the Glaetzer family settled in Australia in the late 19th century and were some of the earliest recorded viticulturalists in the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley. Today the winery is run by internationally acclaimed winemaker Ben Glaetzer, who is responsible for driving the brand’s considerable loyal following. Ben sources all their fruit from the northern sub-region of the Barossa, Ebenezer, which is known for its ancient dry-grown vineyards. Glaetzer’s most exceptional fruit is sourced from 80-110 year-old, nongrafted bush vines. In the cellar, Ben believes in minimal intervention and treating musts as gently as possible.
Though only limited Glaetzer wines are produced every year, the winery is known for producing wines that are unique and intense.
2019 Bishop from Glaetzer Wines on Vimeo.
Review
"The 2019 Bishop Shiraz is all Shiraz and all from the Ebenezer district of the northern Barossa Valley. Aged almost exclusively in second, third and fourth use oak (mostly French), it features slight herbal overtones to the black cherry and black olive notes. It’s medium to full-bodied on the palate, supple, generous and reasonably concentrated, folding in hints of peppery spice and mocha shadings on the velvety, mouthwatering finish." 91 points, Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"This is a real delight - loads of dense fruits with spice, herbs and vanillin in support. Super smooth tannins give it great complexity, structure and length. A real triumph Barossan beauty. Well worth double the retail price!" January 2023
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Shiraz |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Cellaring | Great drinking now but this wine will also benefit from 10—12 years of careful cellaring. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Barossa Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2020 Michael Opitz Traminer Pinot Gris
Regular price £25.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%No Tricks, Just Wine
This is an 'Orange Wine' - produced like a classic red wine, but from white grapes. The intensive aroma of Traminer and the creaminess of Chardonnay are complemented by a fine tannin structure.
Tasting Notes
Producer
Modest Michael Opitz feels passionately about sustainability and quality and so decided to take the small family winery into being organic and as natural as possible on every level. All the wines are defined by their environment. The Neusiedlersee or Seewinkel, is a saltwater lake that, in this flat, warm part of Austria, brings tempering breezes, freshness and protection from disease. The wines as a result are tremendously pure, fresh, fragrant and yet salty.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 50% Traminer & 50% Pinot Gris |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Orange Wine |
Aging |
10 months in Austrian oak and Accacia Barrels |
Allergen Information | Almost Sulfur Free |
Dietary Information | Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian |
Origin | Burgenland |
2019 Ten Minutes by Tractor '10X Chardonnay'
Regular price £26.50 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The crew at Ten Minutes By Tractor don't do too much wrong. What a delight this Chardonnay is!
Tasting Notes
Peach, honeydew and citrus characters pair perfectly with the crunchy phenolics, depth of fruit and elegant edge of this inviting and irresistible Chardonnay.
10X wines are sourced from several vineyards on the Mornington Peninsula and are therefore a regional expression of each variety. All of our fruit is Estate grown and managed.
Vintage
Lower than average rainfall and relatively standard temperatures over winter, and cooler temperatures in August and September, led to late budburst (our second latest) and flowering. However, above-average temperatures and low rainfall during summer meant early veraison and harvest. The period between flowering and veraison saw our warmest ever average minimum and second warmest maximums. Veraison to harvest was our fourth warmest maximums and our driest (47mm v 136mm average). Five days of above-average temperatures at the beginning of harvest compressed the vintage further. Yields are normal and fruit quality is outstanding.
Producer
Ten Minutes by Tractor needs little introduction, nor does the man in charge – Martin Spedding. A gently-spoken man with a background in finance and IT, in 2002 he finally acknowledged the fact that his true passion lay in wine. Despite his origins in New South Wales, he simply couldn’t get enough of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and would travel down to Victoria to immerse himself in Australia’s heartland of these noble varieties.
In 2003 he visited one of his favourite small wineries on Mornington Peninsula and was delighted to discover that it was for sale. Without a moment’s hesitation, he snapped it up, and so began Martin’s journey with Ten Minutes by Tractor. And what a journey it has been! Along with a trusty team and his loving family, he has overseen the rise of the estate to the cult status it holds today.
In 2016 Sandro Mosele (ex-Kooyong and Port Philip Estates) joined the team as head winemaker, only adding to their ‘force to be reckoned with’ status. The ‘home’ vineyards (McCutcheon, Wallis and Judd) are the three original vineyards that formed the Ten Minutes By Tractor estate. They are all located in Main Ridge, the coolest and highest part of the Mornington Peninsula. Despite their close proximity and the use of similar vinification methods, the single-vineyard wines are distinctly different from one another. This is a result of their different elevations, orientations and soils.
These wines can challenge Burgundy in quality and elegance and range from fine and elegant examples to richer and more opulent cuvées. They are all made with indigenous yeasts and are a true expression of each unique ‘terroir’. These much sought after single vineyard wines are only produced in outstanding years and continue to go from strength to strength.
Production is usually less than 200 dozen; they are truly limited edition wines. Outside of the original single vineyard range, the newest Coolart Road is remarkably different from the others – coming from the lowest vineyard of them all at 72m, the Pinot Noir made here is markedly different in style from the higher elevation sites. All of the wines are made with the utmost sustainability and are bottled unfined.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Australia |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Cellaring Potential | 2020 - 2025 |
Food matching | Salmon Fishcakes - serve at 7–10°C |
Origin | Mornington Peninsula |
Appellation | Victoria |
2020 Constantia Glen Two
Regular price £20.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%93 Points Tim Aktin
'Two is an impressive, separately fermented cuvée of Sauvignon Blanc with 29% Semillón. Fermented in 15% new 600-litre barrels, this is spicy and textured, with creamy lees, grapefruit and fynbos flavours and a saline, refreshing finish. Classy stuff. 2023-28.'
An elegant wine with exceptional balance and length and fantastic ageing potential.
Tasting Notes
A rich and concentrated blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, this barrel-fermented wine combines oak and tropical fruit flavours with a well-integrated minerality.
Colour
Clear and bright with a straw-like gold colour, tinged with lime green.
Nose
Elegant notes of white peach and blackcurrant, with delicate aromas of lime, green fig, and orange blossom. The wine is tightly wound but shows fantastic purity of fruit as well as some citrus and waxy notes, which will integrate and develop into a very refined wine.
Palate
The entry is fresh with bright acidity, good fruit concentration and depth. Good restraint and elegance with stony mineral nuances, the fresh acidity is beautifully balanced with a mouthcoating creamy texture on the palate, which is brought about by barrel fermentation and maturation on the gross lees for 8 months. Furthermore, 29% of this blend is Sémillon, which contributes weight and texture, making this a truly harmonious blend with an intriguing saline quality that lingers well onto your next sip.
Vintage
2020 was yet another fantastic vintage for the white varieties at Constantia Glen. The flavour of the grapes at the time of picking was concentrated and intense with good acidity. The harvest was preceded by a cool summer growing-season, but a warmer-than-usual month of February hastened the ripening at the end ever so slightly. This meant that we harvested a week earlier than the two previous vintages. Thanks to well established vineyards with excellent root systems, the grapes retained phenomenal acidity despite fairly warm conditions just before harvest. Our dryland vineyards showed remarkable buffering capacity and the 2020 vintage has delivered extremely elegant and refined white wines with great richness, texture, and delicious, mouth-coating acidity that lingers on the palate. Picking of the Sauvignon Blanc commenced on 18 February 2020 and continued for 3 weeks as each different clone and vineyard block achieved optimal ripeness and flavour concentration. The white grape harvest came to a close on 6 March 2020 when the block of Sémillon, making up 29% of this classic Constantia white blend, was safely harvested and processed into the winery.
Vineyards
Constantia Glen has a unique position cradled between the Constantiaberg and Table Mountain (World Heritage Site) ranges, with predominantly north-east facing slopes. This singular location allows for exposure to late afternoon sun, ideal for the slow ripening that shapes our classically expressed wines. Decomposed granite and Table Mountain sandstone are the dominant soil types that lend minerality and the graceful character to our wines. High water retention of the rich clay sub-soils allows for sustainable dryland cultivation, while ecologically sound practices include biological insect and pest control by means of natural predators.
History of the Cellar
Ideally located below Constantia Nek, just moments from the bustling Cape Town city centre, Constantia Glen is a picturesque wine estate producing ultra-premium, cool climate white and red wines. The 60-hectare property, situated 103-2790 meters above sea level, has a mere 29 hectares under vine with product of wines limited to 120, 000 bottles per annum. Although winemaking began in 1685, recent history begins with the Waibel family, who purchased the land in 1960. Although this land is difficult to farm - as evident by rapid change of ownership from 1813-1960 - the dedication, patience and passion of the Waibel family has proven reward.
Having used the land predominantly as a stud farm, it was in 2000 that the Waibel family planted their first grapes and they now produce four wines. Perhaps most unique about Constantia Glen is its location. Although this region is predominantly known for its white wines, Constantia Glen is situated between the mountains, providing red grapes with the conditions needed to mature. Dryland cultivation under these cool climatic conditions results in slow ripening, low yields with exceptional grape quality and flavour concentration, thereby producing elegant Bordeaux blends. In addition to Sauvignon Blanc and the `Two` (a blend of Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of Sémillion), Constantia Glen produces the `Three` - a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon Franc and Merlot` and a `Five` - which includes the addition of Malbec and Petit Verdot.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 61% Sauvignon Blanc and 29% Sémillon |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Blend |
Cellaring Potential | 3 - 8 years |
Food Pairing | Asparagus Risotto. Bacon and Leek Quiche. Grilled Kingklip with Salsa Verde. Char Siu pork belly with citrus spice and fresh coriander. Oak-smoked trout with dill & lemon crème fraiche and a cucumber pickle. |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Constantia |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2018 Edi Simčič Sivi Pinot Gris
Regular price £23.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Widely considered to be one of the best producers in Slovenia, Edi Simčič’s wines are truly unique, stoically traditional and proudly Slovenian.
Tasting Notes
A richly-textured and stylish Pinot Gris bursting with ripe tropical fruits and hints of smoke, oak and toasted hazelnuts from the oak maturation.
This bold, full-flavoured profile perfect with risottos, creamy chicken dishes and pastas!
Information about Edi Simčič
Three generations are still at work here, passing knowledge and experience from father to son every day. Edi himself is still very much a key character at the centre of the business, with his son Aleks working alongside him and taking the winery into a new era, while Aleks’ two sons learn their trade to take up the family mantle one day. Historically, Slovenia has experienced more than its fair share of hardships, re-shaping the lives of the whole population. In the case of Goriška Brda, the whole region was under fascist rule by Mussolini’s Italy up until the end of World War II, after which it passed into Communist rule as part of the reestablished Yugoslavia.
Like many other regions in the area, Goriška Brda’s whole agricultural industry suffered greatly under Communist rule, as all growers were expected to surrender a large portion of their grapes to the government, thus leaving growers with no resources to even consider quality growing and winemaking.
Upon independence and the formation of the Repubic of Slovenia in 1991, the family spared little time in pursuing their true calling as one of the leading winemakers of the country. Today their reputation is well-established, very deservedly so. Everything about Edi himself exudes gentleness, and this certainly comes across in the wines, thanks to patient growing, gentle handling in the cellar and utter perfectionism when it comes to ageing. Down in the cool cellars, none of the wines are rushed to be ready, and a masterful use of oak results in complex and slightly (but very attractively) oxidative wines.
Within Edi’s wheelhouse is a delicious Chardonnay, a wine he considers to be the first step everyone must take to fully understand his approach, after which comes the Sivi Pinot, the local name and style of Pinot Gris. The defining grape and wine of this project and indeed region is the indigenous Rebula, the true jewel in the Edi Simčič crown. Finally the range is rounded off with a red called Duet, a harmonious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. These wines are very special, and Edi and family have worked tirelessly to show the world what their region and country is capable of. This is Slovenia.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Gris (otherwise known as Pinot Grigio) |
Country | Slovenia |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring | Drink now through to 2026. Serve chilled. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Aging |
The grapes are harvested at optimum maturity while there is still ample acidity to ensure balance in the finished wine. After fermentation the young wine is aged in oak barrels for 10 months to add complexity and body. |
Food Matching | A great match for all manner of cuisines ranging from risottos and creamy chicken dishes to gnocchi and lasagne. |
Origin | Goriška Brda |
Lustau Manzanilla Pasada de Sanlúcar Almacenista Cuevas Jurado (500ml)
Regular price £28.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This Manzanilla Pasada of Sanlúcar is aged for 7 years in a solera of 80 barrels and the butts used for this are over 80 years old!
Tasting Notes
Pale straw in color, this Pastured Chamomile is deliciously aromatic, with almond and aniseed hints and the characteristic nuance of the sea breeze. Dry, fresh and light, still with the essence and body of a Chamomile and with a refreshing acidity.
Producers
Accolades
- 2019 IWSC Silver Award Winner
Specifications
Year | Non Vintage |
Bottle Size | 500ml |
Cultivar | Palomino |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 17% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.5 units |
Type | Fortified Wine - Dry Sherry |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Serve at 7 - 9ºC. Perfect as an aperitif, with tapas or as an accompaniment to seafood, oysters, white fish, smoked salmon and asparagus. |
Origin | Cadiz, Andalucia |
Appellation |
DO Manzanilla Sanlúcar de Barrameda |
Henners Brut Rose N/V
Regular price £33.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Elegant and beautifully crafted rosé from this highly regarded English sparkling wine producer.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Henners Rosé NV is made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, using the saignée method to draw colour from the grapes at the pressing stage.
Palate
This sparkling rosé delivers classic English red berry fruit flavours including raspberries, redcurrants and rhubarb. A minimum of 18 month ageing on the lees brings a delicate creaminess to the wine.
Producer
When it comes to English wine there’s a lot to shout about, not least the stunning sparkling wines from Henners. Based just 4 miles from the sea in Herstmonceux, East Sussex, the 7 acre vineyard was created in 2007 by ex-Formula One engineer, Lawrence Warr. The winery was named in honour of Larry's French ancestor, Henners Dubois, who was forced to flee Paris for England during the French Revolution in the in the late 18th Century.
Boutinot was the sole distributor of Henners from this time and developed strong ties with the winery and its wines… so when the opportunity arose 10 years later to buy the estate, they jumped at the chance. Planted with traditional Champagne varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the vines thrive in an idyllic microclimate created by the vineyard’s proximity to the sea, low altitude (only 24 metres above sea level) and steep, sunny, south facing slopes.
All Henners wines are hand-crafted from start to finish; with separate fermenting of varietals and their vine clones to allow a broader range of wines for final blending; extended lees ageing for added complexity; and holding back of all bottles for at least 3 years prior to release to add depth and richness to every wine. Hand-crafted with every attention to detail, our winemakers create award winning wines of depth, complexity and elegance that are perfect for any occasion.
Production Method
Henners Rosé is produced solely from grapes grown on our outstanding estate in Herstmonceux, East Sussex. We found the unique combination of warm well drained sandstone soils, a southerly aspect slope coupled with low altitude, three miles from the sea and at just 24m above sea level. Harvest usually takes place in late September. The result is perhaps the finest vineyard microclimate in the country. We take a non-interventionist approach in the winery, made possible by the quality of the fruit. Vine clones and varieties are fermented separately to allow a broad palette of wines for final blending. This wine will have spent a minimum of 18 months on lees at time of release, and a minimum of 5 months in cellar post-disgorgement to create a deliberately vibrant and fresh sparkling Rosé. Dosage of 7.5g/l.
A Note on Sustainability
Already a founder member of WineGB’s Sustainability Programme Henners Vineyard can now announce it is one of just 18 accredited members to have been certified as sustainable by Wine GB. This is an endorsement to Henners’ commitment to winemaking and winery management that have minimal environmental impact, as well as the ongoing promotion of biodiversity in the vineyards and protection of soils. This is no easy task to attain, requiring annual review for accreditation and ongoing improvement in methodology.
Awards - Non Vintage
- IWC 2020 - Silver
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2017 - Gold
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Meunier 65%, Pinot Noir 35% |
Country | England |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Rose Fizz |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan Approved |
Food Matches | Perfect for every occasion - treat yourself. |
Origin | East Sussex |
Appellation | Herstmonceux |
2019 Ten Minutes by Tractor 'Up The Hill' Estate Pinot Noir
Regular price £46.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Ten Minutes by Tractor started in 1997 with three vineyards in Main Ridge, all ten minutes by tractor apart. Soft and savoury, with impressive length, this is an elegant Mornington Pinot.
Tasting Notes
Perfume and spice dance around licorice, cumquat and lavender notes that are expressed willingly in the glass. The fine mineral tannins groove the palate and complete a well-structured and enjoyable wine, typical of ‘Up the Hill’.
10X wines are sourced from several vineyards on the Mornington Peninsula and are therefore a regional expression of each variety. From shining star Mornington Peninsula winery Ten Minutes By Tractor comes the Estate Up the Hill Pinot Noir. With fruit from four of the wineries impressive vineyard holdings (Wallis, McCutcheon, Spedding and Judd), it is a fresh cool climate Pinot. Made with a blend of whole bunch and whole berry fruit, grapes are harvested by hand and wild fermented. It is matured in a quarter new French oak.
Vintage
Lower than average rainfall and relatively standard temperatures over winter, and cooler temperatures in August and September, led to late budburst (our second latest) and flowering.
However, above-average temperatures and low rainfall during summer meant an early veraison and harvest. The period between flowering and veraison saw our warmest ever average minimum and second warmest maximums. Veraison to harvest was our fourth warmest maximums and our driest (47mm v 136mm average). Five days of above-average temperatures at the beginning of harvest compressed the vintage further. Yields are normal and fruit quality is outstanding.
Fruit was handpicked, fermented on skins in a combination of concrete tanks and stainless steel for 14-21 days. 10% whole bunch fermented & 10 months in a combination of new (18%) and old oak.
Producer
Ten Minutes by Tractor needs little introduction, nor does the man in charge - Martin Spedding. A gently-spoken man with a background in finance and IT, in 2002 he finally acknowledged the fact that his true passion lay in wine. Despite his origins in New South Wales, he simply couldn't get enough of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and would travel down to Victoria to immerse himself in Australia's heartland of these noble varieties. In 2003 he visited one of his favourite small wineries on Mornington Peninsula, and was delighted to discover that it was for sale. Without a moment's hesitation, he snapped it up, and so began Martin's journey with Ten Minutes by Tractor. And what a journey it has been! Along with a trusty team and his loving family, he has overseen the rise of the estate to the cult status it holds today. In 2016 Sandro Mosele (ex-Kooyong and Port Philip Estates) joined the team as head winemaker, only adding to their `force to be reckoned with` status.
The 'home' vineyards (McCutcheon, Wallis and Judd) are the three original vineyards that formed the Ten Minutes By Tractor estate. They are all located in Main Ridge, the coolest and highest part of the Mornington Peninsula. Despite their close proximity and the use of similar vinification methods, the single-vineyard wines are distinctly different from one another. This is a result of their different elevations, orientations and soils. These wines can challenge Burgundy in quality and elegance and range from fine and elegant examples to richer and more opulent cuvées. They are all made with indigenous yeasts and are a true expression of each unique 'terroir'. These much sought after single vineyard wines are only produced in outstanding years and continue to go from strength to strength. Production is usually less than 200 dozen; they are truly limited edition wines. Outside of the original single vineyard range, the newest Coolart Road is remarkably different from the others - coming from the lowest vineyard of them all at 72m, the Pinot Noir made here is markedly different in style from the higher elevation sites. All of the wines are made with the utmost sustainability and are bottled unfined.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Drink now to 2029 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matching |
Roast pork belly and crackling with a fennel salad :: serve at 13- 16 C |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Mornington Peninsula |
Appellation | Victoria |
Pierre Moncuit Cuvée Brut Rosé Grand Cru Mesnil N/V
Regular price £45.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
Salmon pink, with fine and persistent perlage.
Nose
Fresh and mineral, with notes of red berries and brioche.
Palate
Elegant, clean and juicy, with savory aromas.
History
The Moncuit family has been making superb champagne in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, for more than 100 years. Pierre Moncuit had recognised the intrinsic quality of his terroir and, together with his wife Odile, strove to make the best possible champagnes from his grapes. Nicole Moncuit and her brother Yves, along with her daughter Valérie, are now in charge of the domaine and make sublimely complex, delicate wines from 20 hectares of Grand Cru vineyards. The palate of the Cuvée Pierre Moncuit Delos Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is delicate and refined with citrus fruit and yeasty notes. It is perfect as an apéritif. The vintage Cuvée Millésimée Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is an outstanding wine, truly representative of the perfect vintage conditions and expressing the full potential of the terroir and the grapes. The Vintage wines are always aged for between 5-10 years. The Grand Cru Brut Rosé is made from 75% Chardonnay from Le Mesnil and 25% Vin Rouge d’Ambonnay
Awards
- The Champagne Brut Rosé Grand Cru by Pierre Moncuit won the Silver Medal at the Concours Mondial du Rosé 2015
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 75% Chardonnay and 25% Vin Rouge d`Ambonnay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Champagne |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment but can be cellared for 3-4 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dosage | 8g/L |
Food Matches | Wonderful as an aperitif but also with bowls of fruit and sabayon. |
Serving Suggestion | To be served between 8 and 10°C. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
2022 Weingut Prieler Ried Seeberg Pinot Blanc
Regular price £24.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The white “Prieler Classic” - a very classy wine - an elegant and juicy alternative to the Grüners and Rieslings for which Austria is better known.
Tasting Notes
Bright gold yellow, delicate fresh pear, a touch of orange zest, subtle herbal spice, refreshing structure, sweetly extracted on the elegant finish.
Producer
Georg Prieler, aided in the vineyards by his sort-of-retired father Engelbert, is in charge now. They are a long and well-established family, and at any visit, tasting or conversation there is a clear sense that they have found “their” style and know exactly what to do. That’s not at all to say they rest on their laurels, despite being enormously successful in Austria, and Georg is well-travelled with a strong enthusiasm to learn and experiment. The vineyards are situated on the Western side of Lake Neusiedl, and lie mostly on sun-exposed Southern and Eastern slopes. The lake provides a perfect micro-climate with mild temperatures throughout the year.
The flagship wine is the Blaufränkisch from the Goldberg vineyard which is highly reputed as one of the top red wines in Austria. Challenging Goldberg however is Leithaberg. Like Goldberg, it is 100% Blaufränkisch, but it uses no new oak, so is perhaps more in tune with the style of our times. Its name is shared, of course by the new DAC Leithaberg. This is named after the Leitha hills, where slate and marine limestone dominate, giving a very fresh, almost chalky note to the wines and a tightly woven structure.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Blanc |
Country | Austria |
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Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food matches | A perfect accompaniment to food. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
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Origin | Burgenland |
2019 Domaine Roblin Sancerre Rouge 'Terres Blanches'
Regular price £24.50 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A fresh bright and charming expression of Loire Pinot Noir.
Tasting Notes
Warm, red berry fruit characterizes this fresh Pinot Noir. Ripe tannins are balanced by fresh acidity and subtle oak on the finish.
Method of Production
Grapes are grown on 15-year-old vines, planted at 8,000 vines per hectare on clay and chalk soils with areas of Portlandian clay. Yields are usually between 40 and 50hl/ha. The grapes are 100% destemmed after harvest and are allowed to cold soak for several days before temperature-controlled fermentation. Pigeages and pump-overs take place during maceration, which lasts between 20 and 30 days depending upon the vintage. Malolactic fermentation is carried out in cuves and demi-muids, followed by ageing for 10 to 12 months. This wine is bottled straight from the barrel without fining or filtration.
Producer
The small village of Maimbray, just to the north of Sancerre itself, is home to both Domaine Roblin and to Domaine du Pré Semelé. In fact the Roblins are just across the road from the Raimbaults and share a similar story of two brothers – 4th generation Matthias and Emile in this case – taking over from their father and implementing new ideas to move the family Domaine forward.
They have a total of 19 hectares of vines with a terroir made up of Kimmeridgian and Portlandian chalky clay (Terres Blanches) soils, spread across 45 separate parcels of vines, on the slopes around the villages of Maimbray and Sury-en-Vaux. Their vineyards are planted with 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Pinot Noir, and in the winery their intervention is minimal: gravity does the work of pumps, and the wines see long lees ageing. The wine style is very pure, fruit-forward yet fine, and really top quality.
Sustainability
Vineyards are worked with the greatest of respect to the environment; no chemical pesticides or herbicides are used; carbon dioxide emissions are kept as low as possible; there is crop cover between rows of vines to help combat soil erosion, and green harvesting is practised to restrain yields and improve ripeness. Although not yet HVE accredited or certified organic, the Roblins employ many of the practices of both.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matching |
Would work deliciously with a well-ripened Brie or Camembert. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Sustainable farming methods, Vegan & Vegetarian |
Origin | Loire |
Appellation | Sancerre |
2018 Franz Hirtzberger Ried Kirchweg Grüner Veltliner Smaragd
Regular price £40.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
Medium yellow-green, silver reflections.
Nose
Inviting bouquet with fine herbal savouriness, fine blossom honey and delicate yellow tropical fruit.
Palate
Complex, juicy palate with fine notes of honeydew melon, well balanced with dark minerality on the finish and good length.
Producer
The Wachau valley is one of the most beautiful historic landscapes in the world and has been included, since 2000, as part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Here in between the Danube on the one side and the mountains on the other side is the of the village of Spitz located
Five generations of Hirtzbergers have lived here, tending the vines which have been planted in the Wachau Valley the 13th Century. Today wine is produced with all the modern know-how at our disposal, but still following the tradition of the Wachau valley and our family.
Accolades
- 91 points Stephen Reinhardt, Wine Advocate (March 2020)
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Grüner Veltliner |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Definite ageing potential. |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan Approved |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Origin | Wachau |
2017 Weingut Hajszan Neumann Natural Traminer
Regular price £35.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Biodynamic & Vegan Approved
Our lively wines have subtle corners and edges. And it’s good this way, because we love natural, authentic wines. Each one has a characteristic soul, which develops from the natural flavours of the grapes and the terroir. All this comes to fruition thanks to our biodynamic cultivation. We also work gently and reductively in the wine cellar.
Tasting Notes
Piquant and firm on the palate, this full-bodied Traminer is rich, tight and powerful but also finessed. The wine opens with a pure, spicy and aromatic bouquet of apricots and roses. Months of skin-on fermentation result in a strong flavour profile and delightful orange wine.
The Winemaker and Winemaking
Hajszan Neumann Natural Traminer is a natural, biodynamic and organic orange wine made with the Traminer variety by Hajszan Neumann in Weinland Österreich, in the heart of Vienna (Austria). Hajszan Neumann is synonymous with quality Austrian white wines. Wines which are made in the city of Vienna itself, in the Grinzing district and which defend biodynamic precepts.
Managed by the prestigious winemaker Fritz Wieninger, this winery produces fresh, elegant and very expressive wines. Hajszan Neumann Natural Traminer originates from vineyards located at the foot of Nussberg, a mountain composed of limestone, clay and high chalk content soils. According to anthroposophist Rudolf Steiner, 100% biodynamic agriculture is practiced and the harvest is hand-selected after a meticulous selection process.
In the cellar, the crushed grapes for making Hajszan Neumann Natural Traminer ferment in concrete eggs with their skins, without any additives, for 5 months. The wine is then separated from the skins and racked in used 500-liter barrels for 6 weeks. It's bottled without clarifying or filtering. Made with the indigenous red and yellow Traminer varieties, Hajszan Neumann Natural Traminer is presented as an urban orange wine which is also sustainable. A very natural wine made in an authentic urban environment.
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Traminer (Mash-fermented Traminer - 50% red Traminer, 50% yellow Traminer) |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.38 units |
Type | Orange Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Biodynamic and Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Food Matches | Mushrooms, Oriental dishes, Roasted Pork |
Origin | Vienna |