2018 Edi Simčič Chardonnay
Regular price £23.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This sublime Chardonnay shows off the full potential of this top-rated Slovenian wine region with richness and complexity perfectly balanced by freshness and elegance.
Tasting Notes
There are enticing hints of caramel, tropical fruit, woodsmoke and vanilla while the first sip reveals a full body and bright fruit flavours held in check by a vibrant acidity. The well-defined structure makes this a good contender for additional cellaring.
The fruit is sourced from the estate’s top vines and the young wine ages in small oak barrels for 10 months to add body and intensity to the overall flavour profile.
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 | Chardonnay |
Country | Slovenia |
Alcohol content | 14.5% Alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring | Drink now through to 2028. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Food Matches | It pairs brilliantly with strongly-flavoured dishes like grilled octopus and chicken served in a rich creamy sauce. |
Origin | Goriška Brda |
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 |
2022 Domaine de la Motte Chablis Premier Cru Vau-Ligneau
Regular price £24.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
The bolder Michaut style deftly added to the more restrained style of Vau-Lignau to create a textural, elegant white.
Nose
Lightly toasted buttery oak on the nose.
Palate
The palate is complex and mineral yet ripe with plenty of fresh Chablis acidity. A wine which merits its Tastevinage award will be long-lived; expect at least five years' drinking.
Production Method
The lieu-dit of Vau-Ligneau (meaning little valley) is one of Chablis' more recent promotees to Premier Crus status, elevated for consistently producing superior quality wines. Chardonnay grapes are grown on 40-year-old vines in Kimmeridgian soil with a south-easterly exposure (giving a more mineral style than the Premier Cru Beauroy which comes from south / south-westerly vineyards). A deep layer of white clay gives the wine length, finesse and elegance. 20% of the wine is fermented in oak barrels (228l & 600l), the rest in stainless steel. The oaked proportion remains in barrel for 11 months.
Producer
Domaine de la Motte is a 25 hectare, family-run winery handed down from father to son since 1950. Now under the stewardship of Bernard Michaut, an ex-chef, who works with his son Adrien. Their winemaking is meticulous and the wines are benchmarks for the region. They are fastidious about producing concentrated, mineral and very precise wines which reflect the particular terroirs of Chablis, with vines on both Portlandian and Kimmeridgian soils. Motte's wines are regularly chosen for the Tastevinage label, a rigorous selection by the Confrérie des Chevaliers de Tastevin of wines they regard as offering the best of the region in terms of quality and style.
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 |
Cellaring Potential | At least 5 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Awaiting info |
Food Matches | Richer style of fish dishes, shellfish, chicken and creamy sauce. |
Origin | Burgundy |
Appellation | Chablis |
2021 Ataraxia Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £21.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Greek for “a serene state of mind, free from worry and preoccupation”, Ataraxia lives up to the hype. Aptly called The Skyfields, Ataraxia Wines is perfectly positioned on a commanding rise in the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde wine-growing area. Just a short distance from the coastal village of Hermanus, a picture-perfect drive brings you to the most elevated part of these winelands. Here you can experience jaw-dropping vineyard, valley and mountain views: all from the chapel-like Wine Lounge®, while sampling some of the most exciting wines South Africa has to offer.
Tasting Notes
Green-tinged pale straw. Delicate but beautifully balanced lime blossom and cut grass aromas flinty and precise on the palate with just enough wet stone nuance to deliver real detail. Unshowy but very well made.
Our cool-climate, alchemy-free unwooded white wine celebrates the virtues of elegance, vivacity and finesse. Most importantly, the Sauvignon Blanc grape is merely the chosen vehicle to express the free-draining Table Mountain Sandstone and Cape Granite soils on which the vines are planted.
In the Cellar
Hand-picked and then triaged over a sorting table, all our fruit was safely in the cellar by mid- morning on each picking day, guaranteeing that the exciting fruit flavours of the grape were preserved and are reflected in this wine.
History
Hemel-en-Aarde is Afrikaans for “heaven and earth” and the claim is justified. Our estate sits on a particularly heavenly stretch of land beneath a lofty peak of the Babylon’s Tower mountain range. In addition to its unrelenting beauty, Ataraxia is home to some of the most spectacular terroirs South Africa has to offer.
In 2004, The Skyfields Farm was visioned into the Ataraxia wine label when husband and wife, Kevin and Hanli Grant and a few friends purchased this 47-hectare prime vineyard property. More than a decade later, they are associated with crafting wines of incredible finesse, balance, and depth.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
Works well with chicken/pork in a rich creamy sauce for the acidity to cut through." Tasted 31 Dec 2023.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 5 years |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
This delicious wine pairs really well with fresh seafood dishes and light chicken based dishes. |
Origin | WO Western Cape |
Appellation | Hemel-en-Aarde Valley |
2022 Meth`Imon Acacia, Dougos Winery
Regular price £22.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Native Assyrtiko combines with a dash of Sauvignon Blanc to create a wine of great aromatic purity, fermented and matured in large Acacia barrels.
Tasting Notes
The Meth`Imon Acacia has seductive aromas of candied lemon, hay, mandarin zest and quince. Fresh and zesty in the mouth with a fleshy mid-palate. Skin contact gives this wine depth of flavour and a hint of tannin. This is a very subtle `orange` wine which still retains the typicity of Assyrtiko and shows fantastic barrel integration.
History
Dougos winery was founded in 1991 by Thanos and Louiza Dougos. Thanos is the viticulturist and Louiza is the winemaker and together they make wines from indigenous Greek varieties as well as blends with international grapes. They also operate one of Greece's oldest vine nurseries, which was established in 1950. Production is small, peaking at around 70,000 bottles per year. The winery is located in the Tempi Valley, on the foothills of Mt. Olympus, in what constitutes the PDO Rapsani, in the Thessaly region. The vineyards are planted in iron-rich schist soils at altitudes of 450-700 meters. These soils are poor and the iron content is important as it helps regulate the water capacity of the soil. The vineyards are cultivated without the use of irrigation, at low yields, and are certified organic.
The wines are very true to their origin and are always elegant, refined and expressive, and never dominated by new oak. In fact, the 300l barrels used (Acacia for the Assyrtiko and French/American oak for the reds) are always only lightly or not at all toasted, in order to not overpower the intricate qualities of the varieties. The main varieties cultivated here are the indigenous Assyrtiko, Xinomavro, Krasato, Stavroto, and Limniona. The last three varieties are local to Thessaly. By law, Rapsani PDO wines must be a blend of Xinomavro, Krasato and Stavroto. The two local varieties (Xinomavro has its home in Macedonia) are used to tame the rustic, tannic character of Xinomavro, which makes for more supple and approachable wines, though never at the expense of character or structure.
Alan's Tasting Notes
"This is different and absolutely delicious. Honeyed candied fruit, some pleasant minerality, enough acidity and length you just don’t expect from white wine - even at this price! An organic Greek triumph without a doubt. One of these truly great finds you sometimes get when you wander off the well-worn wine paths." August 2021
Accolades
- Julia Harding for Jancis Robinson - 17.5 Points
'Pale gold. Layered aroma that makes me think of gold bars (though I realise they probably don't smell), but there's a rich, seductive oily-mineral spice with ripe pear and citrus fruit. Intense flavours of citrus and cedar, and a creamy texture from the barrel ageing and lees. Fabulous acidity is a counterpoint to the power, and all at such a modest alcohol level. Long, layered finish. Really impressive. Drink 2023 - 2030.' Julia Harding
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 95% Assyrtiko, 5% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | Greece |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | White Blend |
Aging |
It is fermented and matured for 10 months “sur lies” in acacia barrels. |
Food Matches | Sea Food, white meat and hard cheese |
Origin | Thessaly Region, Mt Olympus |
2020 Black Stallion Chardonnay
Regular price £32.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Twelve years after arriving in America, in 1924, Gaspare Indelicato planted a vineyard in Manteca, California. With it, he planted the foundation of his eventual success in the California wine trade. Since that first vineyard flourished, Gaspare’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have honored his legacy through dedication to his steadfast values of family, hard work and integrity.
Tasting Notes
Black Stallion Estate Winery Chardonnay opens with aromas of yellow pear, crème brûlée and hints of pineapple and oak. The flavors are tantalizing notes of citrus, orange blossom and dried apricot. The Chardonnay from Los Carneros provides the bright acidity, citrus notes, and lean backbone of the wine, and the Chardonnay from the warmer growing regions contributes riper fuller-bodied character. Vanilla aromatics from oak and floral perfume from the fruit precede ripe fruit flavors balanced with bright acidity and a rich mid-palate weight creating a multi-layered, complex wine with a lingering finish.
Producer
More than a century ago, Gaspare and Caterina Indelicato immigrated from Sicily to the United States. With little to draw on but a long family history of grape growing and an entrepreneur's gift for seizing opportunity, Gaspare entered the wine trade by planting a single vineyard in Manteca, California, where the climate reminded the couple of their homeland.
Occupying a privileged position at the southern foot of the trail, the winery grounds eventually became the site of the Silverado Western Center, a major equestrian center that opened in September 1963.
The original riding area now houses prized wines, instead of prize-winning horses. However, Black Stallion Estate Winery carries its heritage forward. The estate’s legacy honors the world-class terroir of Napa Valley, the pioneering spirit of the Silverado Trail, and the Indelicato family’s warm hospitality and generations of wine expertise.
Winemaking Philosophy
To make great wine, a winemaker must have a deep familiarity with each lot of freshly pressed juice. At Black Stallion, the search for greatness means boots in the vineyard, checking on vine growth and grape development all year long. It means tasting grapes rather than looking at lab reports to determine the perfect moment to pick. It means harvesting and sorting fruit by hand. Black Stallion Winery’s small scale means that each lot of grapes that arrive at harvest is treated individually, and receives a unique upbringing to bring out its full potential for excellence.
Once crushed at the winery, micro-lots may be fermented in small tanks made of wood, concrete or steel. These choices of aging vessel give winemaker Ralf Holdenried exceptional flexibility to match a batch of grapes with the material best suited to bring out its greatness—key in a region as diverse as Napa Valley.
After fermentation, wine is drained using gravity (not pumps) and aged in the finest oak barrels. The gentle handling of the wine prevents the extraction of harsh components that could impart bitterness.
There’s no set recipe for a Black Stallion blend, just the finely honed palates of winemaker Ralf Holdenried and his team. It’s not uncommon for Holdenried to try dozens of trial blends before deciding on a final cuvée. The goal is always the same: To create a seamless, harmonious wine that captures the varietal’s best expression of that vintage in Napa Valley.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | USA |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Origin | California |
Appellation | Napa Valley |
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 Bouchié-Chatellier Pouilly-Fumé ‘La Renardière’
Regular price £21.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Classic single domain Pouilly-Fumé.
Tasting Notes
Floral and herbaceous, this is a concentrated wine with great elegance, complexity and power. Really special!
Production Method
The grapes are sourced from 30-year-old Sauvignon Blanc vines grown on the hill of St Andelain in a mix of Silex and Kimmerigian clay soils. The individual parcels are vinified separately. The grapes are gently pressed pneumatically. Prior to fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the must is naturally clarified by cold stabilisation and some of the grapes are macerated on the skins for a short period to maximise flavour complexity. Either wild or selected yeasts are used, depending upon the conditions - indigenous yeasts are believed to add more character. The fermentation is cool and slow over 3 weeks and the wine remains on the fine lees. The gravity-fed cellar is on two levels and is fully temperature controlled.
Producer
Robert Poirier established the La Renardière domaine close to a small wood with a healthy population of foxes ('renardière' translates as foxhole). He was a pioneer with a passion for modernism; he cleared the hillsides, planted vines in the Kimmeridgian marl, introduced new pruning methods, and won the estate’s first medals. A firm believer in the potential of Pouilly-Fumé, he expanded the estate over the years and even opened a wine bar named "Au Pouilly" in Nevers.
Eugene Bouchie bought a vineyard from the neighbouring château, on the same Saint Andelain hill as La Renardière, where the soils are composed of flinty clay and limestone. In the early 1900s, the marriage of the children of these two producers created the domaine as it stands today and it is the blending of the two terroirs which gives the La Renardière cuvées their complexity.
A Note on Sustainability
The estate undertakes disease and pest control measures by maintaining natural balance ("lutte raisonnée") and works the soil in a traditional way.
Awards
- Silver in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2019 - (2018 vintage)
- Silver in the IWSC 2018 - (2017 vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
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 |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable
|
Food Matches | Best served chilled with shellfish, grilled white fish or chicken and soft cheeses or on its own as an apéritif. |
Origin | Loire, France |
Appellation |
Pouilly-Fumé |
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 |
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 |
2019 Mac Forbes Strathbogie Dry Riesling RS3
Regular price £28.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%"A joyful wine! " ..." A very refreshing style, low alcohol (12%) and it is unbelievably bright on both nose and palate", David Crossley's Wide World of Wine.
Tasting Notes
Unusually for an RS this was a blend of first and second pick. First pick went straight to concrete for ferment which is so vivid and riveting, blended with some second pick fermented in large oak, bringing a fine supple texture that veers from the highly recognisable RS style we know to a structural clarity that seems just a little more amplified than normal.
Mac has chosen not to provide traditional tasting notes for any of his wines. His aim is that his wines hopefully capture vineyard life and vitality. As such the wines are constantly evolving. He believes that the only tasting notes that matter are yours!
The Vineyard
"Over the past 15 years, we have always been overwhelmed by the presence of our Caveat vineyard in the Strathbogie Ranges. A supposedly sealed road that wanders north from Yea climbing to the elevated granite soils that sit 600m above sea level. Generally 5 degrees cooler than the valley floor, this small vineyard is surrounded not by other vineyards but rather unforgiving grazing land."
The Vintage
A hot and exceptionally dry growing season, yields were low in 2019, but produced grapes with an intense and complex fruit profile different to what we had seen from this site previously. The RS3 is a blend of two harvest days - March 6th and 14th. It was fermented and matured mainly in neutral French oak barriques, with a small component being drawn from our brand new 2000L concrete tank. "
About Mac Forbes
If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.
Mac specialises in single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.
His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.
And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Riesling |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
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 |
2021 Chateau Montelena Potter Valley Riesling
Regular price £37.69 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Chateau Montelena shot to fame in 1976 at the iconic Judgement of Paris that shook the wine world to its core when their 1973 Napa Valley Chardonnay won first place against an enviable line-up of top French Burgundies. The result was a shock to the wine trade all over the world and changed the history of California wine - and Chateau Montelena - forever.
Tasting Notes
Riesling is a hidden gem within the Chateau Montelena portfolio. Many people don’t know it exists, and once they do – they keep coming back for more. Stylistically, it is amazingly refreshing with notes of lemon blossom, honeysuckle and rose petal that are balanced by lively acidity
Winemaker Matt Crafton best describes the experience associated with this unique wine:
“I love sharing our Riesling when I travel. Primarily, it’s because very few people actually know that we make Riesling and even fewer have tried it. But, secondarily, and this is my favorite part, I really enjoy the responses I get when I offer someone a glass. By far, the most common reply is some flavor of ‘No thank you. I don’t drink sweet wine.’ Once I coax them into a taste, however, few don’t finish the glass. “
Many years ago, Chateau Montelena selected a certified organic vineyard in the Coastal Mendocino Mountains from which, even today, it sources the fruit for the Potter Valley Riesling. The basic winemaking truth — “The Right Grape in the Right Place”—drove that decision then, and it is every bit as valid now. The Riesling grape is a noble variety that requires moderate days and cool nights to allow proper ripening and mature flavor development.
Nose
Aromas of lemon blossom, honeysuckle and rose petals are immediately apparent with a quick swirl of the glass. They’re followed by ripe strawberry, fresh-cut melon, and cinnamon.
Palate
On the palate, the wine evolves slowly but beautifully. The lively acidity is juicy and mouth-coating; gradually giving way to apricots, pineapple, and lemon candy. There’s a subtle spiciness that carries through the midpalate and balances the viscosity and texture – all hallmarks of the 2014 vintage. The finish is rich and refreshing, lingering past lemon meringue and kaffir lime.
Producer
Established in 1882 and located in Calistoga, California– the Montelena Estate is one of the oldest and most notable wine-producing properties in the Napa Valley.
Chateau Montelena Winery, originally called A.L. Tubbs winery after its founder Alfred Tubbs, was constructed in 1888 and intended as a barrel-aging facility. The Chateau was unique in materials, plan, size, and style for its era. In nineteenth-century Napa Valley, the majority of wineries were constructed of wood. Instead, the Chateau is made of stone with walls three to twelve feet thick, which provides natural insulation against outside heat or cold. Similarly, the structure built into a hillside, to further regulate temperature - something necessary for producing quality wines but uncommon at the time. Also rare among Napa Valley wineries, the Chateau resembles an English Gothic castle gatehouse complete with rusticated stone walls, battlement with crenels and merlons, narrow arched windows, large arched door in the place of a portcullis, and bartizans with faux arrow slits.
Accounts of the stone winery’s designer, masons and source of materials vary. The design has been attributed to Hamden McIntyre, the well-known local winery designer; however, McIntyre relocated to Vina in 1887 where he took charge of the vineyard and winery of Leland Stanford. The building is unlike McIntyre's other wineries, none of which were designed in a Gothic style. Some sources also suggest that while in Europe, Tubbs hired a French architect to draw plans for the building, brought back French masons to build it, and imported European stone for the walls. Other accounts suggest the design was inspired by the Cellar of Chateau Lafite in France.
Originally, the interior was one large space with a second-story crushing floor, but in 1960, a second-floor apartment was inserted so the Chateau could be used as a home. The space was then converted into our current tasting room though parts of the private residence remain and are used on occasion today for family guests and private events.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Riesling |
Country | USA |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Barrel Aging |
6 months in a combination of French oak and stainless steel |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Enjoy Potter Valley Riesling with Asian cuisines, such as spicy pad Thai, or perhaps with citrusy grilled shrimp |
Origin | California |
Appellation | Napa Valley |
2021 Off The Record Chenin
Regular price £22.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Similar to Poilly-Fumé in style with a rich mouthfeel and some weight.
The fourth vintage of a very small parcel of Chenin Blanc grapes from the cool climate region of Elgin – only 2300 bottles were produced.
Tasting Notes
Colour
The wine has an attractive pale straw colour.
Nose
The nose leads with appealing citrus notes, which unfold onto the palate with a rich, creamy mouthfeel.
Palate
The broad spectrum of citrus, underlying minerality and gentle wooding have contributed to the complexity of this Chenin Blanc and culminate in a long lingering finish.
Background
The Uncensored Version – a project of heart, and a collaboration between brothers, Mark and Bobby Wallace.
Vinification
Wild ferment and barrel aged for 10 months in 2nd , 3rd & 4th fill barriques. The wine underwent partial Malolactic fermentation in barrel. No added enzymes, yeast and fining agents were used in the making of this wine.
Accolades
- 92pts | Tim Atkin
Bobby Wallace, son of Elgin producer Paul, is an exciting new face on the South Africa wine scene. This cool climate Chenin Blanc – one of the few produced in the region – is flinty, fresh and almost Pouilly-Fumé like. Aniseed, nettle and wet stone notes are complemented by underlying grip and some leesy weight. 2023-26 | Tim Atkin 2022 SA Report
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Drink 2023-2026 |
Food Matching |
Spicy food, mild and soft cheese, shellfish, and lean fish. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Elgin |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2019 Domaine Henry Pellé Menetou-Salon Morogues
Regular price £22.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A stunning wine from the star of Menetou.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromas of ripe white peach and blackcurrant leaf, with hints of super-ripe fruit and lime notes.
Palate
The palate has lots of refreshing citrus zest, nettle and grassy characters, lovely minerality and a slightly creamy, honeyed finish. Refreshing acidity and good balance.
Production
The grapes are sourced from seven different parcels of vines in the commune of Morogues, all planted in Kimmeridgian limestone-clay marl soil which imparts elegant mineral tones. The vineyards face south-west, south or south-east and gain the maximum benefit of the morning sun to fully ripen the grapes. The individual parcels of grapes are vinified separately to allow the fullest expression of their unique terroirs and each parcel adds a different dimension to the whole. The wines are left on their fine lees until bottling to enhance complex flavours and regularly stirred to gain richness.
Producer
Straddling the Loire appellations of Sancerre and Menetou-Salon, Domaine Pellé produces world-renowned, terroir-expressive wines from its family-owned vineyards. Fourth-generation winemaker Paul-Henry Pellé pays meticulous attention to viticulture and winemaking, ensuring that the pure varietal flavours and aromas of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir and the natural characteristics of the Kimmeridgian vineyards are expressed in your glass.
A Note on Sustainability
Domaine Henry Pellé began its sustainable approach to viticulture in 2007, by using no weed killers, chemical insecticides nor anti-rot products. The 10-hectare domaine is cultivated using methods that maintain natural balance and that work the soil in the traditional way, for example weeding, clearing and grape thinning by hand. This year, the company is taking a further leap towards sustainability, aiming to become carbon neutral and seeking to develop geothermal and solar panel projects. As of 2020, the domaine will be certified as organic by ECOCERT.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian, Sustainable |
Food Matches | Serve nicely chilled before or at the beginning of a meal but also with shellfish or delicate white fish, especially with a creamy parsley or dill sauce. |
Origin | Loire |
Appellation | Menetou-Salon |
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 |
2021 Brokenwood Chardonnay
Regular price £24.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A very modern Australian Chardonnay that will age perfectly.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Perfect, pale green colour and lifted grapefruit aromas.
Nose
The finesse on both aroma and palate comes from earlier picking dates and older, large format French oak. Some ‘bran meal’ notes but the fruit takes centre stage with stone fruit and zesty citrus characters.
Palate
The minimal oak sits nicely with the fine, juicy citrus flavours on the palate accompanied by subtle bran meal. The driving force of this wine is the acidity – long and pure. Approximately 90% from Beechworth and the balance from Orange, the final components of this wine basically selected themselves. Another top-notch vintage!
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.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Astounding balance of fresh fruit and oak in this beauty. Lots of zesty citric fruits are tempered by a really soft, round oak influence. The oak is larger format and older than standard Australian practices - which tempers the influence over the fruit. Perfect balance and poise, lovely complexity - all the attributes for good bottle ageing - so will hide a few of these for later years!" May 2022
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.3 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Rich seafoods, pasta and light meat dishes. |
Origin | Hunter Valley |
Appellation | New South Wales |
2017 Tohu Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Chardonnay
Regular price £26.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'% Select fruit from our Awa Block, Awatere Valley, fermented in 500L French oak puncheons to create integrated body and complexity. Flinty, fruity and generous.
Nose
Aromas of juicy ripe stonefruit, pink grapefruit and soft smoky oak.
Palate
Richly textured palate of citrus, summer fruits and subtle mealy characteristics. Seamless balance, refinement and length.
Vineyard
Awatere Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand. Awa (River) Block. Planted 2010. 1.10ha. Silt-loam terraced block renowned for its long, cool ripening period.
Vinification
The 2016/2017 growing season began with a frost-free spring and good early shoot growth. Warm still dry conditions in the late summer, unaffected by early autumn rains in other parts of the region. Warm and settled weather in the latter part of the harvest period allowed extra ripening time.
Winemaking
Hand-harvested grapes, gently whole-bunch pressed • unsettled juice then moved to old French oak barriques for fermentation. Fermentation with natural ‘wild’ yeasts, with a cultivated yeast added partway through fermentation to assist the wine to dryness . Post-fermentation, each barrel underwent twice-weekly batonage (yeast stirring). Malo-lactic fermentation occurred once the weather warmed in the spring. Individual barrel assessment, with only the best deemed exceptional enough to make the final blend.
Bottled March 2018 - 4140 bottles produced
Accolades
- Gold - International Wine Challange 2020 - 95 points
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | New Zealand |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Chicken, truffles and Potato Gratin |
Appellation | Marlborough |
2022 Oldenburg Chenin Blanc
Regular price £22.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This vintage of Chenin Blanc displays a stunning array of aromas and flavours!
Tasting Notes
Nose
Peaches and cream, gentle citrus pith, with hints of beeswax and honey. Burnt orange peel and vibrant notes of naartjie and ginger add to floral hues of jasmine and chamomile.
Palate
The palate shows ripe pears and naartjie, accompanied by an elegant hint of vanilla and chamomile. The mouth-feel is sublime, the acidity is zesty, and the fruit is incredibly balanced. Lovely notes of honey and baking spices linger on the finish.
Winery
At Oldenburg Vineyards we believe that great wines can only come from the best quality grapes. Our intervention in the vineyards is minimal to reflect the full potential of our mountain terroir. The Oldenburg Vineyards Series is a true expression of terroir through our range of single cultivar wines. The confluence of the 8 Natural Elements that determine our unique terroir is explored through these wines and their real sense of place. The 8 elements are depicted on the intricate Oldenburg Vineyards Series label design. Wines made in an uncompromising manner intending to showcase the finest characteristics of each cultivar.
Vinification
Grapes were picked by hand from cooler climate vineyards with an average age of 40 years. Bunches were sorted by hand and whole bunch pressed in a pneumatic press on a gentle Champagne cycle. The juice was settled overnight and then racked to Austrian oak Foudre and older fill 300L French oak barrels for spontaneous fermentation. The wild yeast fermentation took 2 to 3 months to complete. Partial Malolactic conversion was done on some of the batches.
11 months in 70% Austrian oak Foudre, 30% in Old French oak barrels
Vintage Conditions
Stellenbosch, in general, played host to a perfect winter, with steady cold units being accumulated through to the end of August with even rainfall throughout the winter. The good winter cold led to a particularly even bud break. Spring was cool and dry, which favoured the flowering and fruit set for the vintage. Good summer rainfall meant the vigour needed to be kept in check. Despite a relatively hot and dry ripening period, temperatures were kept moderate due to our higher altitude and ultimately led to an exceptionally good harvest with great sugar accumulation.
Accolades
- 93pts | Tim Atkin
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.8 units |
Food matching | Goats cheese and apple salad topped with candied walnuts and a honey vinaigrette. |
Cellaring Potential | A wine that promises to reward those who choose to let it develop in the bottle for a further 8 – 12 years. |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2022 Oldenburg Chardonnay
Regular price £27.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Resounding proof that you don’t need to shell out a fortune on Burgundy. A beautiful wine that will continue to age spectacularly over the next 8 – 12 years.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Opulent nose with vibrant tropical and floral notes. Aromas of loquat, nectarines, apricots, white peaches and a slight touch of lime invite you to take a sip. As it opens up subtle whiffs of toasted almonds and vanilla come through.
Palate
Fruit forward entry with notes of white peach, apricot and lime shining through. Mid-palate has a creamy rich density to it, with a lovely rich buttery texture.
Finish
A lovely refreshing acidity balances out the richness. Lingering aromas of honeycomb, almonds and lemon zest delightfully tickle the palate.
Winery
At Oldenburg Vineyards we believe that great wines can only come from the best quality grapes. Our intervention in the vineyards is minimal to reflect the full potential of our mountain terroir.
Vinification
Grapes for the Chardonnay 2022 were harvested 14 to 22 February 2022 at 22.6° Balling, hand-picked in the cool hours of the morning from cool climate vineyards. Bunches were sorted by hand and whole-bunch pressed in a pneumatic press on a gentle Champagne cycle. The juice was settled overnight and then racked to 228-litre French oak barrels for spontaneous fermentation. The wild yeast fermentation took 2 months to complete. Partial malolactic conversion was done on some of the batches. The wine was matured for 11 months in barrel, gently fined and filtered before bottling.
Vintage Conditions
Stellenbosch, in general, played host to a perfect winter, with steady cold units being accumulated through to the end of August with even rainfall throughout the winter. The good winter cold led to a particularly even bud break. Spring was cool and dry, which favoured the flowering and fruit set for the vintage. Good summer rainfall meant the vigour needed to be kept in check. Despite a relatively hot and dry ripening period, temperatures were kept moderate due to our higher altitude and ultimately led to an exceptionally good harvest with great sugar accumulation.
Accolades
‘A recent bottle of Chardonnay 2022, however, suggested that winemaker Nic van Aarde, who joined in November 2018 having previously worked at Warwick, is settling in just fine. Matured for 11 months in 228-litre barrels of which 29% were new, the nose shows struck-match, citrus, peach, vanilla and spice while the palate has succulent, sweet fruit offset by fresh acidity before a dry finish (alc: 13.56%).’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 92/100Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnaylanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.8 units |
Food matching | Seared trout & oven-roasted baby potatoes, salted with butter and rosemary. |
Cellaring Potential |
A beautiful wine that can be enjoyed now or will continue to age spectacularly over the next 8 – 12 years. |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
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 |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food matches | A perfect accompaniment to food. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
|
Origin | Burgenland |
2014 Rainer Wess Loibenberg Riesling
Regular price £31.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Rainer Wess wines have been synonymous with high quality wines from the Kremstal. He started studying wine in the 1980's and working in Bordeaux. He moved back to Austria in the 90's and worked with some of the top wineries in the area before setting up his own winery in 2003.
Tasting Notes
2011 was a ripe vintage, producing generous powerful wines. Loibenberg has gneiss soil on top of granite rock, which helps aid minerality in the wine.
Herbs, stone fruit, multi-layered aroma, papaya, full-bodied wine, harmonious drinking flow, slightly peppery notes in the finish, long reverberation
Producer
Loibenberg is a famed vineyard site in Austria’s Wachau region, located in Niederösterreich or “Lower Austria” along the Danube, west of Vienna and Krems an der Donau.
Rainer Wess founded his own winery in 2003 after many years of diverse experience in the wine trade in both his native Austria and internationally. Rainer’s goal was to produce Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines that would not only be among the best of the region, but also express his very personal style and philosophy.
He aims to produce the purest, freshest and most elegant wines possible, with clear expressions of the varietal and site. In 2010, Wess moved his operations to Krems where he renovated a 300-year-old building that once was the wine cellar of a monastery. His 2010 vintage was the first to be vinified in the new gravity-feed winery. With the 2011 and 2012 vintages, Wess has expanded his collection by introducing new single-vineyard wines from the Kremstal vineyards near his winery.
Throughout the growing season, cool air descends from the top of the slopes. This moderates the warmth at the bottom of the slope which is further enhanced by sunlight reflecting off the Danube. The interplay of temperatures adds complexity and freshness to the wines. Wess farms his vineyards sustainably, to create a healthy natural ambiance for the vines. The soils are all worked mechanically. Rainer Wess is a member of the Certified Sustainable Austria Winegrowers Association. As Rainer explains, “my main goal is ripe and healthy fruit which can have extended hang-time on the vine.”
Specifications
Year | 2014 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Riesling |
Country | Austria |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Sustainable practices |
Food Matches |
Seafood | grilled fish | white meat | Roast goose | hard cheese | veal shanks |
Appellation | Wachau |
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 Skillogalee Trevarrick Riesling
Regular price £28.75 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The Trevarrick name is reserved for wines that are of exceptional quality and varietal character. It showcases the essence of Skillogalee!
Tasting Notes
The wine shows an intense lift of Tahitian lime, bathpowder and floral perfume on the nose with a touch of orange blossom. The palate is highly structured and the mineral notes speak strongly of the Skillogalee Dolomite soils that nurtured the vines.
- Matthew Jukes Top 100 Australian Wines 2017
History
Trevarrick was the original name of the Skillogalee property, settled by John and Anne Trestrail in the early 1850’s. In 1970 it was planted to vines and renamed. Now at Skillogalee, each individual contour block on the estate is harvested and vinified separately. The Trevarrick name is reserved for wines that are of exceptional quality and varietal character.
The grapes for this wine were selectively harvested off the highest altitude, earliest ripening contour on the property at around 500m. The stony, thin soils and topography of this part of the vineyard produce unique, high-quality grapes bursting with varietal character.
The 2012 Trevarrick Riesling was made from 100% hand-picked fruit. Only first-cut free-run juice was used to ensure the varietal character was captured in the finished wine.
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 | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Riesling |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 12.4% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.3 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Clare Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2008 Mac Forbes RS37 Medium Riesling
Regular price £30.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This Riesling follows in the footsteps of the previous off-dry Rieslings first made in 2005.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Pale Straw
Nose
Aromatic, perfume and citrus (lemon) with higher floral notes.
Palate
Fine and expressive with great length and perseverance. Sugar is textural but the wine doesn’t show the sugar.
In the Vineyard
One of the oldest vineyards in the Strathbogie ranges, Antcliff Chase vineyard was planted in 1982 by the Bennett Family and at its highest point reaches 580m above sea level. The vineyard is dry grown (no irrigation) and crops are kept to approximately 3t/ac. The soil is predominately decomposed granitic sandy loam, which is relatively unfertile.
The Vintage
2008 in the Strathbogie couldn’t have been better. A moderate summer with minimal rain and cool nights. This was ideal conditions for growing Riesling. Harvest was in late March '08.
Winemaking
2008 provided the perfect vintage albeit on the slightly warm side. They picked the off-dry Riesling first (of three picks) and crushed/destemmed the fruit into the press where they let the juice sit on skins for about 1 hour. The juice was then gently pressed into a cold settling tank where it remained for 36 hours. The clear juice was then racked with some solids into barrel and tank to ferment wild. The tank ferment was held at 9 degrees C and when the wine became drier on the palate, they arrested the ferment by dropping the temperature and adding sulphur. No other additives were made to this wine (ie. No yeast, fining, enzymes, acid or nutrients). The wine was left on lees for about 4 months before being filtered and bottled.
About Mac Forbes
If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.
Mac specialises in single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.
His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.
And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!
Alan's Personal Notes
"Just loving Mac's R37 - high in acidity and a fair whack of residual sugar, but what an extremely well made and balanced glass of wine. Searing fresh acidity matched by complex honeyed sugar characteristics. Stunning and a perfect 'pair o'teeth!"
Specifications
Year | 2008 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Riesling |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 9.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 7.13 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Pairings |
Pork, Shellfish, Poultry, Appetizers and snacks, Cured Meat |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Requirements | Vegetarian & Vegan Friendly |
Origin |
Strathbogie Ranges |
Appellation | Victoria |
2017 Mac Forbes Wesburn Chenin
Regular price £40.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Amazing Chenin Blanc from Mac's final Wesburn release. A special wine.
Tasting Notes
Mac has chosen not to provide traditional tasting notes for any of his wines. His aim is that his wines hopefully capture vineyard life and vitality. As such the wines are constantly evolving. He believes that the only tasting notes that matter are yours!
The Wine
This is the final release of Wesburn Chenin Blanc. Mac feels that this variety matches perfectly with the Wesburn vineyard. It's a textural, flinty version of the variety. Immensely cellar-worthy and finely detailed.
On the list of the country's best Chenin Blancs, this sits in the top echelon. A phenomenal final release of this unique wine, Wesburn Chenin going out with a bang. This will unwind in the bottle for the next decade or more.
The Vintage
"2016 was a year that tested the vine and tested us. Ripening was condensed in a manner we have not witnessed and freshness came and went in a blink. So with all our picking crews working overtime, not to mention the staff in the winery, we went to work and didn’t stop until the last grape was squeezed to barrel. However, it is becoming very exciting that we have sites that can and do cope with such an array of seasonal challenges."
Alan's Tasting Notes
"This is really interesting. Fully dry but with a lovely, honey mouthful initially which gives way to a refreshing, mineral acid rich mouth feel. Oozes class, depth, and interest and I suggest this will develop well in bottle and continue to change its spots over the next few years."
About Mac Forbes
If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.
Mac specialises in single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.
His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.
And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 12.5 % alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Maturation | 9 months in old oak |
Cellaring Potential | Drink until 2027 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
2022 Mac Forbes Yarra Valley Chardonnay
Regular price £26.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This may be Mac’s ‘entry level’ Chard but the wonderful 2017 vintage has offered up a top drink here. This is one of those 'cult following' wines that always sells out and offers terrific value.
Tasting Notes
Mac has chosen not to provide traditional tasting notes for any of his wines. His aim is that his wines hopefully capture vineyard life and vitality. As such the wines are constantly evolving. He believes that the only tasting notes that matter are yours!
The Vineyards
The Yarra Valley is one of the homes of Australian Chardonnay and is definitely an area of expertise for Mac Forbes.
All of his Chardonnays strike that lovely balance between old-world elegance and finesse, with new world fruit and freshness. They’re superb. It's a blend of fruit from our Healesville, Hoddles Creek and Woori Yallock vineyards, designed to capture the essence of Yarra Valley Chardy.
Critical Acclaim
The 2017 Chardonnay is a light-bodied, slightly creamy-textured wine, fermented and aged in older oak. White peach and pineapple notes dominate, with some custard-like leesiness to add layers and length. Enjoy over its first several years of life.
The 2017 will mature beautifully as noted by Gary Walsh in his 93+ point review.
About Mac Forbes
If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.
Mac specialises in single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.
His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.
And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 11.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Generally, they can be enjoyed young but cellaring will reward with increased complexity. Drink until 2027 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
2020 Project B Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £22.50 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Classically Sauvignon Blanc, refreshing and crisp, showing tropical aromas with pineapple husk and rainwater soft on the palate. A good balance of citrus and minerality on the lengthy finish, showing both restraint and opulence.
Production
This Sauvignon Blanc comes from a premium single vineyard located in Oliver, in the south end of the Okanagan Valley. A small portion of the blend is barrelaged Semillon also from Oliver. Michael Bartier and Eric Monnin set out to create wines that are Boutinot France in style, but honouring and respecting the land, viticulture, climate and vineyard sites of the Okanagan Valley. This cuvée Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from a premium single vineyard. For a little extra magic it is blended with a thimble of barrel-aged Semillon for texture and finesse.
Producer
Boutinot’s Head Winemaker, Eric Monnin, has made it his mission to explore exciting New World regions and vineyards, from South Africa to Chile and Argentina. While exploring sites in Okanagan Valley he had an immediate connection with British Columbian Winemaker, Michael Bartier, and his deep understanding of the region’s strengths and potential.
Michael and Eric set out to create a wine that is Boutinot France in style, whilst honouring the land, viticulture and climate of the Okanagan Valley.
The first cuvée, Project B Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from a premium single vineyard in Oliver and is blended with a thimble of barrel-aged Semillon from the same site for texture and finesse. A classically French, New World wine.
The name is in reference to the fact that the letter ‘B‘ surfaced as a constant in this partnership: a Boutinot-Bartier team, our first harvest from Plot B and as a special nod to the Boutinot Rhone symbol of quality, the worker Bee… a common thread that connects all elements of this project.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"There’s no doubt that this is a serious quality Sauvignon blanc - well made, multi-layered with good complexity. Stylistically it sits in the middle of the mineral, citric styles of France and the riper, tropical fruit styles of the southern hemisphere. Will make me explore Canada further. Delicious - on its own or with food." January 2023
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 97% Sauvignon Blanc, 3% Semillon |
Country | Canada |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Okanagan Valley |
2021 GlenWood Grand Duc Chardonnay
Regular price £36.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Absolute indulgence, and well-deserving of its huge critical acclaim. Full, rich and layered.
Only 2800 bottles produced.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Light straw in colour.
Nose
Refined citrus and orange peel nose.
Palate
It is full, rich and layered; expect notes of butterscotch, vanilla and marmalade, with a delicious soft fruity character of ripe peach and apricot, whilst maintaining stunning acidity.
Vineyards
A low canopy allowed optimal sunlight penetration. Minimal irrigation was used. The fruit ripened slowly allowing the development of small bunches with highly concentrated flavours.
Vinification
This Chardonnay had its fruit picked and whole-bunch pressed. The juice was left to settle for two days and transferred to barrel, where it fermented for eight days, before ageing for a further twenty-four months on its lees in French oak. This process creates a wine that is utterly exceptional.
Accolades
-
Decanter | 95pts (Gold)
Delicate hints of white flowers open into notes of lemon meringue pie and then hazelnut, dried orange peel, and thatch. The oaky, vanilla and caramel entry into the palate is tempered by fresh acidity, which presents the core of apple pie, toasted coconut and a dollop of fresh custard.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Drink now or within 7 to 12 years from vintage. |
Food Matching |
Pairs well with creamy or spicy dishes and perfect with white roasts. Excels with any seafood dish like grilled lobster, or king prawns in garlic butter. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Robertsvlei Valle, Franschhoek |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2018 Franz Hirtzberger Rotes Tor Grüner Veltliner Federspiel
Regular price £30.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%According to myth the Rote Tor (red gate) is part of the old town wall, which was saturated with blood, during the Swedish Wars in 1630.
Tasting Notes
This is a classic Grüner, savory and lean, yet elegant with just a touch of ripe stone fruit. Federspiel is the middle-level ripeness designation in the Wachau.
The Wine
Benchmark producer Hirtzberger’s top Grüner Veltliner comes from the Rotes Tor 'red gate' vineyard in the western Wachau, a cooler site on mica and schist, leading to a wine that is extraordinarily deep and complex.
A blend from their Grüner Veltliner vineyards. The grapes are picked 2-3 weeks before the Smaragd harvest.
Accolades
- 90 points Wine Advocate
"Assembling the fruit from several vineyards that were picked in the first half of October, the 2018 Spitz Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Rotes Tor offers a clear, ripe and elegant nose of tropical fruits intermixed with elegant and flinty terroir notes. Ripe and piquant on the crystalline and salty palate, this is an elegant and already pretty complex Veltliner with an aromatic and refreshing, elegant finish with good grip. 12.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in September 2019. (SR)" (3/2020)
- 91 points Robert Parker
"The 2017 Spitz Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Rotes Tor is clear, fresh and bright on the nose. Slightly buttery on the palate, this is a rich and powerful yet piquant and salty Veltliner with lush fruit and a long finish. Tasted in Spitz, September 2018." -Robert Parker
- 90 points Decanter
"Rich and sleek, this is concentrated but refreshing, with enough extract to give grip and weight. Long and complex, with good potential."
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Grüner Veltliner |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Sustainable Farming |
Origin | Wachau |
2020 Edi Simčič Malvasia
Regular price £27.00 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.
Malvasia, or Malvazija as it is known in Slovenia, is a classic Mediterranean grape variety that is perfectly suited to the warm conditions in the Gorizia Hills. The Simcics make their version in a rich, structured style which is in direct contrast to many lighter versions from more coastal regions.
Tasting Notes
Ripe peaches and apricots define the nose along with hints of cigar box spice, woodsmoke and dried herbs from the maturation period. The first sip reveals a robust medium body, subtle tannins and a bold structure which will help the wine age gracefully over the next few 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.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Malvasia |
Country | Slovenia |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring | Drink now through to 2026 - serve chilled. |
Aging | The grapes are carefully selected for optimum ripeness and the young wine is matured in oak barrels for 10 months to add extra character and complexity. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Food Matches | The intense flavour profile make this a great match for food including creamy fish and chicken dishes, risottos and even veal or lamb. |
Origin | Goriška Brda |
2018 Ten Minutes by Tractor 'Estate Chardonnay'
Regular price £35.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Awarded 94 points by famed Australian wine critic James Halliday, this delicate, elegant, citrusy and stone-fruit laden Chardonnay will impress an Burgundian wine lover.
Tasting Notes
A stylistic step forward, this 2017 Estate Chardonnay is a markedly divergent wine to those before it. Immediately more vital, more delicate, and elegant, with lemon and white peach characters on a taut and cool palate. Sophistication writ large, if just a bit shy.
Vintage
Grapes hand-harvested from early March to early April, whole bunch pressed and the unsettled juice fermented by indigenous yeasts in 15% new oak, some 228 litre French oak barrels, some 600 litre Austrian oak barrels. A 10 month aging in barrel with no bâtonnage to keep wines fresher and more taut. Natural partial (43%) malolactic fermentation before bottling unfined and filtered.
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 | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Mornington Peninsula |
Appellation | Victoria |
2018 Ten Minutes by Tractor 'Wallis Chardonnay'
Regular price £45.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Complexity is the name of the game with Wallis, and this iteration is no exception!
Tasting Notes
Despite the firm grapefruit acidity that is the Wallis hallmark, there are layers of flavour here – subtle hints of oatmeal from the malolactic fermentation, the white nectarine fruit cloaked in tight by all this structure. Fresh, but not facile, I feel this is just waiting to unfurl in bottle - Andrew Graham.
Vintage
Following an average rainfall and relatively warm winter, it was again the spring weather leading up to flowering which caused issues. October was our third wettest on record (96mm v 62mm average) and November saw our second coldest maximum and minimum temperatures (19.3° v 20.9°, 9.6° v 10.9°), consequently the budburst interval (budburst-flowering) was our longest ever – 87 days v an average of 75 days – and flowering was our latest ever (5 December v our 21 November average). In the end, due to the excellent February and March, hang time (budburst harvest) was average – 205 days v an average of 204 days – and harvest date was close to average – 1 April v an average of 29 March. Yields are down because of the problems around flowering but summer and early autumn saw long, slow ripening – perfect for our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Wine Making
Grapes hand-harvested late March, whole bunch pressed and the unsettled juice fermented by indigenous yeasts in 15% new oak, some 228 litre French oak barrels, some 600 litre Austrian oak barrels. A 10 month aging in barrel with no bâtonnage to keep wines fresher and more taut. Natural partial (88%) malolactic fermentation before bottling unfined and filtered
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 |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Cellaring | 2019-2029 |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Kingfish and scallop ceviche with chilli oil. A wonderfully fresh, light dish for a classically refreshing white. |
Origin | Mornington Peninsula |
Appellation | Victoria |
2020 Moric Hidden Treasures NR3 Balaton Riesling/Furmint
Regular price £21.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Exceptional project by Roland Velich (Weingut Moric) in collaboration with Villa Tolnay, two young Hungarian winemakers. Gourmet wine based on riesling & furmint. Of great importance is the volcanic soil north of Lake Balaton. A gastronomic wine.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Yellow-green.
Nose
This wine has very interesting and fine aromas. Very engaging, clear and fragrant, it shows a flowery, yellow stone fruit nose, pure, a little smoky and slightly herbal in the background.
Palate
This Riesling and Furmint blend is super focused and delivers lemon citrus, jasmine and steely notes. The core has a zesty acidity and is tightly wound, demonstrating excellent concentration.
Producer
The Hidden Treasures project sees the highly talented Roland Verlich of Moric Wines seeks out fellow passionate winemakers producing wines with indigenous varieties from extraordinary terroir. The 2019 collaboration is with Villa Tolnay who are located on the northern shore of Lake Balaton in Hungary. Soils here are volcanic and like all Moric wines, it's produced with minimal intervention so as to allow the truest expression of this wild terroir and the indigenous grape varieties.
Jancis Robinson's Tasting Notes
" This is a thrilling, truly unique, dry white that embodies the symbiosis of Austria and Hungary – a hark back to the Austro-Hungarian empire perhaps?
A 50:50 blend from Hungary, made by Austrian Roland Velich in conjunction with Villa Tolnay of Balaton. Such tension and refreshment here! Real grip and density. Hints of spearmint as well as the structure and acidity of these two grape varieties which, in this wine, don’t seem to cancel each other out but rather provide a brilliant combination. Dry finish and masses of substance. A sort of electric shock of a wine. Wonderful stuff. 13% alcohol 17/20 Drink 2022–2027"
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"In short - limes, honey, and white pepper - but it’s much more complex than that. Fabulous! Love it! I can't get across how fabulous this is - one of the finds of my career!" February 2023.
Specifications
Year |
2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Riesling 50%, Furmint 50% |
Country | Hungary |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Ready 2022 - 2027 |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
Organic Wine, Biodynamic - Serve at between 8°-10°C
|
Food Matches | Stinky Cheeses, goat cheese, Seafood, light meat, vegetarian. |
Origin | Tokaj |
2019 Sepp Moser Grüner Veltliner Breiter Rain
Regular price £22.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
An inviting and voluptuous nose with spicy fruit and hints of honeysuckle. Textural and weighty on the palate - slightly honeyed with smoky notes, stone fruit, fresh balancing acidity and a long, dry finish.
Production
This wine is made from Gruner Veltliner grapes from vines (with an average age of 18 years) on the fine loess soils of the Breiter Rain, Sepp Moser's exceptional single vineyard in the Kremstal region. Average yields are only 5,000 kg/ha, which accounts for the wine's amazing concentration. 80% of the de-stemmed grapes were fermented in stainless steel and 20% in 500 litre Austrian oak barrels. 50% is aged in 500 litre Austrian oak barrels, and the other 50% matured in a big oak barrels, which have a gentle influence on the wine. Then they come together in a steal tank. 20% undergoes malolactic fermentation and is matured on the lees for 6 months. Unfiltered.
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.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Grüner Veltliner |
Country | Austria |
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|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 8 years + |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Biodynamic |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Pair with sea-food such as lobster or gambas. |
Origin | Kremstal |
Appellation | Kremstal DAC Reserve |