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2022 Showdown ‘Man with the Ax’ Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £12.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The ‘Man with the Ax’ is the nickname for the King of Diamonds in Poker-parlance, and in California, Cabernet is undoubtedly ‘King’. Rich cassis fruit and a good lick of oak make this a plush, easy-drinking example of why it is so highly prized.'.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Ripe blackcurrant and wild berry fruit on the nose complemented sweet vanilla oak.
Palate
Rich cassis and black cherry fruit on the palate with a soft, juicy, yet long finish. Framed by the subtle American oak.

Production
This wine is sourced from vineyards in the northern part of California’s Central Valley. The region around Lodi and Manteca enjoys significant influence from San Joaquin and Sacramento river deltas, which act as a natural cooling system to the often-searing heat. The effect is to provide freshness to the ripe, fruit-charged Cabernet grapes. Individual Cabernet blocks are vinified separately and then blended to produce a wine that reflects the right balance between fruit and structure. The wine then spends 6 months in oak to provide a broad frame for this rich wine.
Producer
Boutinot has been working with growers in California for over 10 years, finessing our offering from vintage to vintage, increasingly with specific estates sourcing old vine material and site-specific fruit.
The current range of wines are sourced from the warm region of Lodi in Central California, to which Samantha Bailey brings her esteemed palate and decades experience to hone these elements into the brightest wines of The Sunshine State.
Alan's Tasting Notes
"Outstanding - really easy on the palate with loads of smoky blackcurrant fruit, a hint of spice and a glug of vanilla from the oak ageing giving a really well balanced, smooth drinking red!"
Awards
- Silver at the Sommelier Wine Awards 2019 (2017 Vintage)
- Silver at Catavinum 2018 (2015 Vintage)
- Silver at the IWSC 2018 (2015 Vintage)
Specifications
| Year | 2022 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Country | USA |
|
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Features | Vegetarian, Vegan |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Food Matches | Almost any red meat, especially served rare, is going to do the trick! |
| Origin | California |
| Appellation | Central Valley |
2022 Paolo Leo Passitivo Appassimento Primitivo
Regular price £14.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Ripe cherry and black cherry, with spicy notes, smooth tannins and a finish of ripe forest fruits.
Tasting Notes
Intense ruby-red colour, with a complex bouquet, reminiscent of cherries, raspberries and redcurrants. The oak aging adds a pleasant roasted and spicy aroma. On the palate, it is full-bodied, supple, well-balanced with a long finish

Producer
The cellars occupy a total area of about 24,000 square meters. The first is located in the heart of the Salice Salentino DOC (San donaci) the second, inaugurated in August 2020, is located at the gates of the Primitivo di Manduria DOC (Monteparano).
They are equipped with a state-of-the-art winemaking plant, a large barrel cellar and a modern cutting-edge bottling line capable of reaching 7000 bottles per hour. The winery is flanked by the farm Masseria Carritelli that is surrounded by vineyards.
Viticulture
A superb full-bodied wine which is made from the Primitivo grape variety which have been dried slightly using " il giro del picciolo" technique where the stems of the grape bunches are twisted so that they no longer receive nourishment.
The grapes are left on the plant for approximately 12 days and lose around 25-30% of their weight in water, concentrating their flavours before harvest. After de-stemming, the grapes are not crushed, allowing them to remain intact, reducing damage to the skins and optimizing colour extraction.
Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature of 28-30c for 8-10 days. Frequent remontage and delestage are carried out in the early stages of fermentation in order to achieve soft extraction of aromas and gentle tannins. After racking, malolactic bacteria are added to induce malolactic fermentation. Approximately 25% of the wine is aged for 12 months in French and American barriques.
Specifications
| Year | 2022 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Primitivo |
| Country | Italy |
| Alcohol content | 14.5% |
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
10.9 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Food Matches | Main courses based on red sauces, meat and game; well-seasoned risotto, mushrooms, mature cheeses and cold cuts. |
| Cellaring Potential | 2029 |
| Features | Vegan & Vegetarian |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Appellation | Puglia IGP |
| Origin | Puglia |
2024 Miopasso Nero d'Avola Appassimento Sicilia DOC
Regular price £13.39 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Powerful yet approachable!
Tasting Notes
Nose
The bouquet is very intense, with deep notes of dark cherries, damsons and blackcurrants.
Palate
The palate is powerful, yet approachable, with silky smooth tannins, great depth of flavour and layers of complexity.

Producer
Miopasso offers an outstanding selection of Italian wines made with modern production technologies and local grape varieties. By combining resourceful grape sourcing with precise winemaking, this range has built a reputation as an excellent value-for-money option amongst its core of wine aficionados. Enjoy some of the finest Italian wines that money can buy with Miopasso.
Viticulture
The very best Nero d’Avola grapes are selected from Belice and Agrigento on Sicily’s west coast, which are two of the island’s key areas for growing Nero d’Avola. The grapes are very carefully hand-picked and then left to dry to concentrate the grape flavours before undergoing a gentle vinification process with frequent pumping over to extract the maximum amount of flavour and colour from the grapes.
Vinification
A percentage of the Nero d’Avola grapes are dried for 3 to 4 weeks, after which time they have lost around 30% of their weight. As the water in the grapes evaporates, the sugars concentrate and the alcohol level becomes a little higher. The dried grapes are vinified separately from the other Nero d’Avola grapes, then they are blended together. The resulting wine is distinctive, rich, bold and complex, yet highly approachable.
Specifications
| Year | 2024 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | Nero d'Avola |
| Country | Italy |
| Alcohol content | 14% |
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
10.5 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Food Matches |
Match with rich meat-based pasta sauces, red meats and mature hard cheeses |
| Features | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Appellation | Sicilia Doc |
| Origin | Sicily |
2021 Cabaret Frank No.2 'The Aviary' Old Vine Cabernet Franc
Regular price £12.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
A marvellous, lean, moustached celebration of the mighty Cab Franc. Meet Captain Francis Frobisher, otherwise known as CABARET FRANK. A celebration to the marvellous, lean and mighty Cabernet Franc grape variety.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Bright notes of juicy red fruits are complemented by blackcurrant leaf notes so typical of Cabernet Franc.
Palate
Smooth, medium-bodied and easy-drinking wine that strikes a lovely balance with its blackberry, plum and dark cherry fruit characters coupled with classic varietal leafy tones.

Production
Made predominantly from Old Vine Cabernet Franc (85%), the balance being a harmonious blob of sibling Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes are harvested from 'old vines' (45 years) sourced from the single biggest Cabernet Franc vineyard in the world located in Lodi, Central California. The wine has spent just two months on oak to enable the true flavours and characters of the Cabernet Franc (and touch of Cabernet Sauvignon) to shine through.
Alan's Tasting Notes
"Perfect pizza wine - full-bodied and flavoured with sweet cherry fruit and a slight smokiness. Well-balanced and very moreish - and the most interesting packaging - a real handlebar delight!" July 2022
Specifications
| Year | 2021 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 85% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Country | USA |
|
|
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | Good for now and up to 20 years |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Dietary Information | Vegetarian, Vegan |
| Barrel Ageing | 100% French, 26% New |
| Food Matches |
This is a food wine that really lends itself to vegetarian dishes. Try it with grilled eggplant or zucchini, or with meals containing green peppers (capsicums), cabbage, or herbs (particularly sage, thyme, rosemary or saffron). A versatile wine that is also fantastic with tomato based dishes; lighter meats such as turkey or chicken, along with game meats like duck; amd richer beef based dishes like steak or veal. |
| Origin | California |
| Appellation | Lodi |
2023 Cave de l'Ormarine Duc de Morny Picpoul de Pinet
Regular price £12.29 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Vibrant and fresh, a perfect Picpoul!
Tasting Notes
Gently perfumed ripe melon fruit on the nose. The palate is ripe but retains excellent freshness, balanced by a touch of white pepper spice that is very typical of its grape variety. Deliciously long, the finish shows bright fruit and a clean, saline/mineral edge.

Production
Cave de l'Ormarine's vineyards lie at approximately 40 metres above sea level on a chalky clay plateau, rich in Cretaceous limestone and quartz. The vineyards lie to the North of the Lac de Thau and slope towards it. Ormarine's head winemaker Cyril Payon makes this Duc de Morny cuvée with a premium selection of grapes from 15+ year old vines, harvested at night to retain their aromatic freshness. They are de-stemmed and macerated on their skins followed by a fifteen-day fermentation without malolactic fermentation.
Producer
Cave de l'Ormarine is an award-winning co-operative which produces wines from the tiny Pinet de Picpoul appellation in the Hérault. The l'Ormarine cellar was established in 1922 when vignerons from Pinet joined forces and formed a winegrowers' association.
Today, the Cave de l'Ormarine is a conglomeration of five separate co-operatives from across the Hérault, each with their own specific terroirs and styles of wine. It is proud to have 470 members farming more than 2,500 hectares of vines.Its flagship Picpoul wines are fresh and terroir-driven, and hugely influenced by both the Mediterranean Sea and the Etang de Thau, which act as a thermal regulator for the vineyards. In fact, it is said of Picpoul that, "Son terroir, c'est la mer (Its terroir is the sea)."Cave de l'Ormarine has made significant investment in its winery, and prides itself on the high-quality standard and traceability of its grapes.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Spot on - clean, fresh as a daisy, lovely melon fruit titillated with a touch of pepper and a delightful, saline finish. Perfectly balanced and great for salads, shellfish, and chicken dishes. A bottle of this and a dozen oysters s’il vous plait. Bang on for a tenner - great value - over delivers and proves that coming off the well-worn path pays dividends." September 2022
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Piquepoul Blanc |
| Country | France |
|
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment and up to 3 years |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved, Organic |
| Food Matches |
|
| Appellation | AOP Picpoul de Pinet |
| Origin | Languedoc Roussillon |
2020 Montresor ‘Urban Park’ Appassimento
Regular price £12.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%An appealing appassimento style red from the Veneto - produced from classic Amarone and Valpolicella grapes.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Bright berry and black cherry aromas, and a touch of spice.
Palate
The palate has all of Valpolicella's appealing fresh cherry and ripe bramble fruit, along with added weight and complexity from maturation in oak. Supple tannins lead to a finish of delicate sweetness, offset by fresh acidity.

Producer
The illustrious Montresor family moved from France to Italy at the start of the 19th Century and settled in the Veneto region near Lake Garda. In 1892 Cantina Giacomo Montresor was established in Verona, and remains family-owned to this day.
Giorgio Montresor produces a portfolio of wines which increasingly rival the offerings of the region's more fashionable names - harnessing modern technology to craft the best wines from each site, across their 100ha of vineyard, in Valpolicella and Garda.
Production Method
Produced from Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella grapes harvested from hillside vineyards north of Verona. 'Appassimento' refers to the process by which the grapes are dried for a few months before being pressed and vinified - this technique is more common in the Veneto than elsewhere in Italy. In this instance the grapes are dried for 30 days before vinification, and the wine spends 6 months in oak. The resulting red is rich with some residual sweetness.
A Note on Sustainability
At the end of 2019, Montresor received its organic certification. Some of its wines are already bottled in a lighter weight glass bottle (less than 420g) to reduce carbon dioxide emissions during transport, with the added benefit of reducing the amount of glass to be manufactured.
Over the next two years, solar panels will be installed at the winery to provide some of the electricity required in the production process. Alongside this, Montresor is about to install a water purification system to recover and recycle the water used at the winery.
Specifications
| Year | 2020 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 60% Corvina, 20% Corvinone & 20% Rondinella |
| Country | Italy |
|
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
| Type | Red Blend |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Dietary Information |
Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable
|
| Food Matches | Perfect with mature hard cheeses and blue cheeses. Also excellent with game and mature beef. |
| Origin | Veneto |
| Appellation | IGT Veneto |
2023 Tohu Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £16.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Sourced entirely from vineyards located in Marlborough’s stunning Awatere Valley, this vibrant wine displays aromas of ripe tropical fruit and passionfruit with lifted notes of currant and tomato leaf.
The concentrated palate is layered with flavours of sweet juicy pineapple, pink grapefruit, fresh green apple and hints of black olive. With herbal notes and a zesty minerality, this wine leads to a pure, lively and focused dry finish that has both freshness and length.

Viticulture
Grapes for this wine are sourced from blocks located in the upper, mid, and lower areas of the Awatere Valley. The Awatere Valley is cooler, drier and windier overall than other sub-regions of Marlborough, with a longer and cooler growing season. These climatic factors combined with vineyards located on young, fertile river terraces result in distinctive wines with a mineral drive and fruit-forward flavours. The 2018/2019 growing season in the Awatere began with unsettled weather resulting in lower yields overall, however a warm and dry summer with perfect growing conditions. grapes were able to be picked at optimal ripeness over harvest resulting in a wine with outstanding aromatics, palate weight and texture.
Vinification
Select blocks from the Awatere Valley are harvested using modern machine harvesters allowing ultimate extraction of flavour and aroma compounds from the skins of the grapes. Once at the winery the grapes are pressed into stainless steel tanks for cold settling, before being gently racked and inoculated with select yeasts chosen to naturally enhance the aromatic and flavour profiles of the wine.
Fermentation is carried out at cool temperatures allowing the wine to retain its bright aromas; with each batch fermentation typically lasting around 21 days. After fermentation is complete the wines are left to settle on their yeast lees for a short period before being racked again into stainless steel tanks for maturation. Meticulous classification of each batch results in a final blend that truly captures the exceptional characteristics of the vineyards. Once blended the resulting wine is stabilised and filtered without the need for fining, ready for bottling in mid-July 2019.
Producer
Tohu produces award-winning New Zealand wine crafted from grapes grown in our breathtakingly beautiful, Awatere Valley vineyard. When Tohu launched in 1998 we were the world's first Maori-owned wine company. Since then we’ve grown a reputation for producing premium wine in a range of varieties, winning awards for our Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Méthode Traditionnelle.
Alan's Tasting Notes
"I haven’t tasted this since it came in last year - and boy has it changed! Last year it was all fresh, clean, refreshing acidity and subdued fruit - but with some time in bottle all that citric acidity has died down and really lets the passion fruit and pineapple flavours we associate with Marlborough Sauvignon shine through - absolutely delicious.
I think this is now our best value New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Vegan & vegetarian too is a bonus!" March 2022
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
| Country | New Zealand |
|
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
| Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.8 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
| Food Matches |
Mussel fritters with lime zest, caper and fresh basil aioli |
| Appellation | Marlborough |
2022 Ventisquero 'Grey Glacier' Carménère
Regular price £18.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Head Winemaker Felipe Tosso joined Vina Ventisquero in 2000. After seriously considering alternate careers as a tennis pro and classical guitarist, he elected to enter the wine business, describing it as “one of my big passions because it’s more than work – it’s a lifestyle. ”
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep cherry red with violet hues.
Nose
The nose has black fruits with blackberries, blueberries and black cherries that are mixed with notes of pepper and spices, additionally damp earth with minerals such as graphite.
Palate
In the mouth, is a vibrant body, which is fresh and very tense. It starts soft with firm and velvety tannins, a fresh acidity with a long and persistent finish.

Oak treatment - 18 months Oaked
Vinification
Just 50% of the grapes were crushed. A pre-fermentative maceration was carried out at 8°C for 5 days. When the temperature began to increase, pumping-over started and the must fermented at between 22°C and 26°C. The wine was tasted daily to determine the level of pump-overs. The wine spent a total of 32 days in the tank and was then decanted into oak barrels, where the malolactic fermentation took place.
This is part of the ageing process for Grey and is key to achieving harmony between the fruit and the oak. 100% of this wine matured for 18 months in extra fine-grain French oak barrels, 34% of them first-use, 66% second- and third-use. Then the wine was aged in the bottle for 8 months. It was racked three times.
Winemaker
Tosso’s winemaking travels have taken him to Napa, Sonoma, Argentina, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, back to Concha Y Toro in Chile and then finally to Vina Ventisquero. In 2003, Felipe began a close collaboration with John Duval (ex Penfolds) in the production of icon wines Pangea and Vertice, a partnership that continues to this day.
Alans' Personal Tasting Notes
"Well – with the label showing 14% alc by volume you would expect this to be a big, brooding monster of a masculine wine – and it is – but it certainly shows it’s feminine side on the palate – where it slips down like silk knickers!!
Full flavoured and full-bodied with lots of rich, dark black fruits – think black cherries and blackberries – with lots of layers and textures of flavour!! Spending 18 months in oak has also given it some spice and creaminess – but more importantly – must help deliver the silky and velvety tannins that make this such a big, smooth, satisfying mouthful. Quite simply, one of the best reds I’ve tasted in a long time!"
Specifications
| Year | 2022 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100%
|
| Country | Chile |
|
|
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.2 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan Approved |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Food Matches | This wine pairs well with gamey meats such as deer, wild boar, and also pork and lamb. |
|
|
Maipo Valley |
2023 Paolo Leo Mora Mora Malvasia Nera
Regular price £14.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Full-bodied and well balanced, with a lively tannin and a pleasantly lingering finish of ripe red fruits.
Malvasia nera is one of the oldest indigenous grape varieties in Puglia and it is likely that it arrived in southern Italy starting from the Dalmatian coasts beyond the Adriatic Sea. The aromatic black grape variety, is distinguished by a high sugar concentration and the almost total absence of tannin in the skins, a characteristic that makes it unique and unexpected especially when sipped even slightly cool in the sunny Salento summers.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Mora Mora is presented in the glass with a beautiful intense ruby red color.
Nose
On the nose, it offers small red fruits such as blackberries and mulberries in full ripeness. Then there are hints of dried plums and sweet spices such as cinnamon and cloves that give an enveloping tertiary perception.
Palate
In the mouth, it is warm, juicy, fresh with a slightly hinted acidity. Final with a very light sweetish aftertaste given by the typical fruit of black malvasia.

Vinification
The harvest is carried out in the second decade of September with a manual harvest of the grapes completed in the early hours of the morning, in the coolest hours of the day. After harvesting, the grapes are destemmed and the crushed grapes ferments in stainless steel at a controlled temperature of 22-24 ° C for 8-10 days. The must is subjected to various pumping over and delestage that offer a technological extraction of color and tannins. Subsequently the wine is drawn off in a soft press. After the first racking, again in stainless steel, the malolactic fermentation takes place. Finally, the wine finishes its maturation for 3 months in second and third passage French oak barriques and is already ready to be drunk very young.
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Malvasia Nera |
| Country | Italy |
| Alcohol content | 14.5% |
| Units of Alcohol |
10.9 units
|
| Type | Red Wine |
| Food Matches |
The aromaticity of the Black Malvasia di Moramora combines with slow cooking ragù. The best embers of meat enhance the structure of the wine. Combined with cold cuts and cheeses it becomes a great company guest.
|
| Cellaring Potential | 10-15 years |
|
Allergen Information
|
Contain sulphites |
| Region | Puglia |
| Appellation | IGP Salento |
2023 Novas Gran Reserva Riesling
Regular price £13.69 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%"Amazingly delicious organic Riesling from Chile. Fresh limes with a mineral and saline undertones with a hint of developed Riesling kerosene - stunningly complex and a real steal at this price!" Alan's personal notes.
Tasting Notes
Expressive Chilean Riesling with a broad appeal.
Nose
Quietly complex on the nose with fresh lime notes combining with a steely minerality and gentle honeysuckle flora.
Palate
The palate is mid-weight and off-dry with persistent flavours of lime, there is a natural salinity which gives contrast yet lovely balance. It finishes clean with a lingering flinty character.

Production
Vines were planted in 1993 at the Fundo Quitralman, Mulchén vineyard in the Bio-Bio Valley, 500km south of Santiago. Grapes are handpicked then placed in a pneumatic press to obtain the different musts, which were kept separate. Once ferment was complete, the wine was left in contact with its fine lees in stainless steel tanks for 5 months, with periodic stirring (batonnage) before being fined and bottled.
Producers
Voted by Wines of Chile as "Winery of the Year 2016", Emiliana is one of Chile's most exciting producers and pioneers in organic and biodynamic winemaking. Since 1998, this Chilean winery has been producing award-winning wines from almost 1,000 hectares of vineyards in prime sites including Casablanca, Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchagua and Bio Bio.
Its spectacular biodynamic vineyard and winery at Los Robles is a model that attracts visiting viticulturalists and winemakers from across the world. Emiliana's innovative and natural-leaning wines are made with great care and attention and the results are inspiring.
Sustainable
Emiliana began its conversion to organic production in 1998, and today 100% of its properties are organically managed. It is the world’s largest organic winery. It holds organic certifications in accordance with the standards of the United States, Canada (NOP), Brazil, Chile, Japan, South Korea, China, and Europe. In 2006, Emiliana was the first winery in Latin America to produce a wine with biodynamic certification. Since then, the use of biodynamic practices at its farms and cellars has been accredited and today 100% of its properties are certified. Emiliana received its Fairtrade and Fair For Life certifications in 2011 and 2017 and has been selling fair trade wines since 2012.
Emiliana was a pioneer in the implementation of the Wine of Chile Sustainability Code certification in 2012. This standard was developed for the Chilean wine sector to support the implementation of sustainable practices at a national level, as well as social and environmental responsibility at Emiliana.
Emiliana is certified to use the Vegan Society trademark, which attests that its wines are produced without any animal-derived products.
Emiliana also produces an annual sustainability report.
Awards
- Bronze - Sommelier Wine Awards 2018 (2016 vintage)
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Riesling |
| Country | Chile |
|
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.2 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
| Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Food Matches | Oysters and shellfish, white meats and smoked salmon. Also great with vegetarian dishes and Asian cuisine. |
| Origin | Bio-Bio Valley |
| Appellation | D.O. Valle de Bio Bio |
2023 Menade Organic Verdejo
Regular price £15.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Wild ferment' organic and high altitude Verdejo - another beautiful example from Menade.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Fresh stone fruit aromas with notes of fennel and thyme.
Palate
The palate is ripe and textural with white peach and herbal characters, balanced by crisp acidity and minerality.

Production
The Verdejo grapes are selected from parcels of vines, 20-25 years old, grown in pebbly, clay and chalky soils at between 700 and 800m altitude. Harvesting takes place by 3 different processes: part green daytime harvest by hand, part mechanised and part night-time harvest. Each parcel is vinified separately using wild yeasts in stainless steel. Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature of 18-22ºC, and the wine remains on lees for a short period.
Producer
Bodegas Menade was established in 2005 by Alejandra, Marco and Richard Sanz - the 6th generation of this wine-producing family - just a kilometre west of the village of Rueda. Their winery incorporates a cellar hewn out of the solid rock of La Seca at the beginning of the 19th century. Richard is the winemaker at the estate, whilst his brother Marco is the viticulturalist, and sister Alejandra looks after exports and communications.
Their philosophy is grounded in nature, and respect for the vineyards and terroir. All wines are certified organic, no sulphur or copper sulphate is used in their vineyards, and fermentation is with only natural yeasts present on the grape skins. This is a producer of seriously interesting and innovative Rueda wines; their portfolio focuses predominantly on Verdejo and includes the stunning 'La Mision', which is part fermented in tinajas (traditional clay fermenting vessels) made from clay from their own vineyards, and a (non-Jerez) Palomino Verdejo flor aged wine.
Sustainability
Menade’s by-line is ‘Made by Nature’ – the winery doesn’t use chemical treatments, opting instead for a natural approach using plant-based infusions (for example using nettles, cinnamon) which are kinder on the soil, plants and naturally occurring yeasts. All wines are certified organic, and no sulphur or copper sulphate is used in their vineyards. They use green harvesting to control yields.
Their ecosystem includes mobile trees and bushes – to allow them to understand which are the most beneficial across their different vineyard parcels. They also have a garden boasting more than 40 species, many of the plants indigenous to Castilla y Leon, and pollination gardens with aromatic plants. These micro-systems, together with insect ‘hotels’, have created ideal habitats for insects and other wildlife - increasing biodiversity in their vineyards.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Lovely peachy fruit, some minerality, good acidity and a little creaminess giving a lovely textural mouthfeel- all in all a very balanced and full mouthful. A delicious bottle of wine for the price - love it!!" June 2024
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Verdejo |
| Country | Spain |
|
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic & Sustainable farming |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites and no other allergens |
| Food Matches | Baked fish with fennel |
| Appellation | VDT Castilla Leon |
2022 Novas Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £13.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Classic fruit-driven Maipo Cabernet sourced from some of the best organic vineyards in the valley.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Ruby red in colour.
Nose
The nose is intense, with a pronounced presence of blackcurrant backed up with notes of cherries and strawberries as well as a hint of chocolate.
Palate
Medium-bodied and well balanced with ripe black fruits, smooth tannins and refreshing acidity, resulting in a juicy and approachable Cabernet.

Production
Grapes for this wine are organically grown in very deep soils on terraces of alluvial origin with loam to clay-loam textures and abundant stones in the profile that provides excellent drainage. The Alto Maipo zone has ideal conditions for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. The Maipo River naturally regulates the temperatures and prevents extreme cold or frost as well as excessive summer heat. The absence of rainfall in the spring encouraged good fruit set and excellent plant health. It turned cloudy as summer began, however, and rainfall in early April forced an early harvest. The early harvest returned wines that are perfumed, expressive, and elegant. Vinification begins with a 4–5-day pre-fermentation cold soak at 8ºC followed by alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks with native yeasts at 26ºC and a pumpovers program determined by enological criteria. Malolactic fermentation takes place naturally in tanks and barrels, where the wine is aged at controlled temperatures for 12 months. It is neither fined nor stabilized; it is just lightly filtered prior to bottling. The wine is aged for 12 months, 60% in French oak barrels, 10% in a French foudre, and 30% in stainless steel.
Producer
Voted by Wines of Chile as "Winery of the Year 2016", Emiliana is one of Chile's most exciting producers and pioneers in organic and biodynamic winemaking. Since 1998, this Chilean winery has been producing award-winning wines from almost 1,000 hectares of vineyards in prime sites including Casablanca, Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchagua and Bio Bio.
Its spectacular biodynamic vineyard and winery at Los Robles is a model that attracts visiting viticulturalists and winemakers from across the world. Emiliana's innovative and natural-leaning wines are made with great care and attention and the results are inspiring.
Sustainable
Emiliana began its conversion to organic production in 1998, and today 100% of its properties are organically managed. It is the world’s largest organic winery. It holds organic certifications in accordance with the standards of the United States, Canada (NOP), Brazil, Chile, Japan, South Korea, China, and Europe. In 2006, Emiliana was the first winery in Latin America to produce a wine with biodynamic certification. Since then, the use of biodynamic practices at its farms and cellars has been accredited and today 100% of its properties are certified. Emiliana received its Fairtrade and Fair For Life certifications in 2011 and 2017 and has been selling fair trade wines since 2012.
Emiliana was a pioneer in the implementation of the Wine of Chile Sustainability Code certification in 2012. This standard was developed for the Chilean wine sector to support the implementation of sustainable practices at a national level, as well as social and environmental responsibility at Emiliana.
Emiliana is certified to use the Vegan Society trademark, which attests that its wines are produced without any animal-derived products.
Emiliana also produces an annual sustainability report.
Awards
- Silver - 2018 International Wine Challenge (2015 vintage)
Alan's Personal Notes
"Full-on classy damson and cherry fruit - beautifully balanced with a touch of oak. Such a good glass of wine for £9.95 a bottle - organic & vegan to boot!"
Specifications
| Year | 2022 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Country | Chile |
|
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
| Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Food Matches |
Ideal with meat-based dishes and stews, slow-cooked beef, and pastas such as gnocchi with blue cheese.
|
| Origin | Maipo Valley |
| Appellation | D.O. Valle del Maipo |
2024 Domaine de la Vieille Tour Rosé
Regular price £15.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A perfect pale pink that screams Provence!
Tasting Notes
This is a perfect, pale, raspberry-pink wine that is very drinkable. Delicate aromas are followed by lovely sweet fruit from Grenache grapes. Clean and well balanced with good depth.
Production Method
The Domaine's vineyards are situated in the best area of the AC Côtes de Provence with a very particular micro-climate and sandstone clay soils. A classic blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, the grapes are picked by hand. This is a rosé de presse produced in an ultra-modern gravity-fed winery.
Producer
Domaine de la Vieille Tour is a 22-hectare estate in the Côtes de Provence, situated between Pierrefeu and Cuers and not far from Château Gairoird. The Domaine's vineyards benefit from lying in a slight geographical depression which has a particular microclimate, encouraging the long and even ripening of the grapes. Grapes for the rosé, Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, are cultivated on sandstone clay soils and harvested by hand, before being transported to a very modern, gravity-fed winery.
A Note on Sustainability
As a négociant, Gilardi is very keen to minimize its own environmental impact and to work with sustainably-minded growers. For example, on its bottling line, Gilardi has switched from a traditional sediment filtration system to a more efficient cross-flow filtration system and chooses eco-friendly dry goods such as Normacorc’s carbon neutral "Select Green" corks which are made from plant-based polymers from renewable resources and which are recyclable. Gilardi is expanding its collaboration with HVE Level 3 certified winemakers and currently, two of the wines it offers are organic.
Specifications
| Year | 2024 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 45% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, 20% Syrah |
| Country | France |
|
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
| Type | Rosé |
| Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites and Milk |
| Dietary Information |
Vegetarian, Sustainable
|
| Food Matches | Lovely on a summer’s day - serve chilled and accompany with seafood, mediterranean dishes or just by itself. |
| Origin | Provence |
| Appellation | Côtes de Provence |
2023 Waterkloof 'Circumstance' Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £14.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
Crushed laurel on the nose with more than a nuance of residual seaside salt.
Palate
This has a big and textured palate with stone fruit and fennel hints – it is rich and minerally, showing even a slight rocky quality about it. As bracing as the wind through the vines at Waterkloof.

Production
Living soils and a natural approach to winemaking means that each of the single-varietal wines in the Circumstance range is truly defined by the circumstances influencing the chosen varietal and vineyard blocks, including soil, aspect, altitude, and vintage. These factors combine to produce low yields, balanced grapes, and wines with a true sense of place. The Sauvignon Blanc is from three windswept, south-facing (less sun exposure) blocks 270-300m above and a mere 2 miles from The Atlantic. The vines are 20 years old and production was a miserly 4 tons per hectare. Waterkloof follows a traditional, minimalistic approach in their gravitational cellar which means interfering as little as possible with the winemaking process. This allows the flavours prevalent in that specific vineyard to ultimately express themselves in the wine. To achieve this goal, all grapes are whole-bunch pressed, which ensures that juice is extracted in the gentlest way. The juice is then settled naturally for 24 hours. Naturally present wild yeast is employed to ferment the juice, mainly in old 600litre barrels (90%). This leads to a longer fermentation process with a slow release of aromas and a more structured palate. The natural fermentation process took 7-8 months to complete, after which the wine was left on the gross less for another 6 months. There are no added acid or enzymes during the winemaking process, with only a light filtration and a small addition of sulphur added as a preservative prior to bottling.
Awards
- The Wine Merchant Top 100 2019 - 2017 Vintage
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
| Country | South Africa |
|
|
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
| Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable, Natural |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Food Matches | Ideal with fresh oysters or fresh crayfish on the grill. Great with a goat's cheese too. |
| Origin | Stellenbosch |
| Appellation | South Africa |
2024 Waterkloof 'Circumstance Cape Coral Mouvèdre Rosé'
Regular price £15.29 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Mourvedre is perfect for Waterkloof, with its head in the sun and feet in the sea. So, not one to follow fashion, Paul Boutinot has made it the most planted red grape on this biodynamic farm. Cape Coral Rosé has vindicated that decision, promptly proving itself to be one of the finest rosés in The Southern Hemisphere, if not The World. Pale in colour and discreet of fragrance, yet with a palate weight and texture that makes it a decidedly gastronomic rosé.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Pale salmon colour
Nose
Delicate aromas of peach, spice and herbs are prominent on the nose.
Palate
A fresh, yet broadly textured mouthfeel with a long, savoury and deeply satisfying finish. This rather grown-up wine makes a wonderful partner to almost any dish you care to prepare.

'Rooibos! Distinct terroir character here – whether it’s fynbos or tea or whatever, it certainly seems to reflect its home. Excellent softness and complexity. As valid a fine wine as many reds or whites – really shows what great rosé can do. Finishes with a long, mealy length.' – Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20
'A delightfully pale coloured Rosé. Delicate red berry aromas combined with a flinty note are prominent on the nose. The palate is soft with a lingering fresh acidity on the aftertaste. Traditionally the wine is served chilled on its own, but also marries well with spicy, tuna-based sushi.' – Nadia Barnard
Awards
The Wine Merchant Top 100 2016 - 2015 Vintage
Production
Living soils and a natural approach to winemaking means that each of the single-varietal wines in the Circumstance range is truly defined by the circumstances influencing the chosen varietal and vineyard blocks, including soil, aspect, altitude and vintage. The Mourvedre vines are dry-farmed, windswept and low-yielding. Production is a minuscule (for rosé) 5 tons per hectare. Grapes were hand-harvested followed by a gentle whole-bunch pressing in a horizontal basket press, to extract only the finest juice. No further maceration of the juice with the skins was allowed. The juice was run down via gravity into tank and left to settle naturally for 12 hours. From there the clean juice was racked off to wooden fermenters to start the natural fermentation spontaneously, relying on wild yeasts that occur naturally in the vineyard. The reason why Waterkloof ferment in older wooden fermenters is to ensure a slow ingress of oxygen throughout the process and therefore a longer fermentation without picking-up any oak aromas. The wine was then left on the primary lees to add further complexity before bottling. The wine then spent a minimum of six months on lees. No fining, just a light filtration. The only addition was a small amount of sulphur before bottling.
Producer
Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004, Waterkloof is a family-owned, organic, biodynamic and WWF Biodiversity Champion farm perched high up on the windswept Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay and The Atlantic Ocean. Living soils, naturally low yields and a long growing season help provide talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard with naturally balanced grapes that are imbued with a truly defining sense of origin. Those grapes are then transformed into wine with a minimum of intervention. The resulting wines are fine, inimitable and best enjoyed with food.
Sustainability
As well as being ECOCERT certified as organic, and working biodynamically, Waterkloof goes much further than many in its efforts to be a highly sustainable winery. To learn more please visit their website.
Specifications
| Year | 2024 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Mourvèdre |
| Country | South Africa |
|
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.2 units |
| Type | Rosé |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
| Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable, Natural |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Food Matches | Anything goes, whether it be sushi, spice or even steak! |
| Origin | Stellenbosch |
| Appellation | WO Stellenbosch |
2022 Artesa Rioja Crianza
Regular price £13.29 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A great introduction to Rioja Crianza - vibrant and appealing with plum and berry fruit backed with subtle spice and vanilla.
Tasting Notes
An attractive, modern style of Crianza with lifted aromatics of bramble fruit with some pepper and spice. Substantial on the palate, with plummy fruit, ripe tannins and a gently savoury fresh finish.

Production Method
Made from Tempranillo grapes cultivated in hillside vineyards (600 metres above sea level) in the best parts of Rioja Oriental. The vineyards have clay stone soil with some sandy areas. 80% of the vines are trained in the trellis method and 20% are bush trained. The grapes are chilled for several hours before temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel. Fermentation lasts for approximately 15 days with twice daily remontage. The wine is matured for a minimum of 12 months in American oak, plus one year in bottle, before release. The winery replaces 20% of its barrel stock, with new barrels, each year.
Producer
Bodegas Ontañón is a 5th generation family-owned and run winery in Rioja Baja (now Rioja Oriental). Here Raquel, Rubén and Maria Pérez Cuevas continue their father Gabriel's work to develop Bodegas Ontañón into one of the most highly-regarded wineries in Rioja. Ontañón has vast swathes of vineyard in this part of Rioja. Whilst wine production in the region is typically very dependent on contracts with grape growers, the Pérez Cuevas family has seen fit to invest heavily in the purchase of its own land and vines. Its 250ha is a testament to the importance it places on controlling grape quality.
The family's vineyards sit high in the Sierra Yerga mountains in the prestigious region surrounding Quel, defying misconceptions that Rioja Baja is one of the lesser sub-regions within Rioja. Many of their vineyards are actually planted at altitudes on a par with, or above, those in Rioja Alta and Alavesa; (La Pasada is their highest vineyard at 800m above sea level, planted in 1979 it is used for Reserva and Gran Reserva wines). The hot and dry Mediterranean climate allows for consistent ripening of the grapes with little disease and this has enabled them to pursue organic production across 57 hectares of vines.
Notes of Sustainability
Currently run by the fifth generation of the Pérez Cuevas family to carry on the tradition of grape growing in the southern part of Rioja, they take great pride in maintaining their vineyards in the most sustainable manner possible as it is their land that supports their family’s craft. As well as farming organically and producing a range of organic wines, Bodegas Ontañón employs a range of other sustainable processes.
These include: controlled irrigation systems to reduce water usage and evaporation; planting vineyards in cooler, well-ventilated areas in order to reduce irrigation requirements and phytosanitary treatments; using plant/grass cover in vineyards to improve soil texture, to reduce tractor working hours and to lower carbon dioxide emissions; using environmentally friendly phytosanitary products that break down quickly and harmlessly; planting several hectares of pine forest near the vineyards in Ausejo and tidying and maintaining the oak forest near the vineyards in Quel. The estate plans to install solar panels at its irrigation installations to generate the electricity they require, and it encourages its worker to carpool from its winery to its vineyards to reduce emissions.
Specifications
| Year | 2022 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Tempranillo |
| Country | Spain |
|
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Food Matches | Casseroles, red and white meats and mature cheeses. |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Dietary Information | Awaiting Info |
| Origin | Rioja |
| Appellation | DOCa Rioja |
2024 Ca’Vittoria Appassimento
Regular price £14.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A sumptuous, full-bodied red wine!
Tasting Notes
It begins with a rich bouquet of dried cherries, figs, and plums, highlighted by notes of chocolate, vanilla, and a hint of spice. On the palate, it is smooth and velvety, featuring flavors of ripe dark fruits, raisins, and a touch of caramel, balanced by gentle tannins and moderate acidity. finish is long and luxurious, with lingering impressions of dried fruit and a hint of sweet spice.

Producer
Botter was founded in 1928 by Carlo Botter and his wife Maria, in a village near Venice. Originally selling local wines direct from barrel and demijohns, the company has grown to become one of the leading exporters in the north of Italy. Cà Vittoria represents their foray into southern Italy, using indigenous varieties and ‘appassimento’ drying techniques to create full bodied, silky red wines.
Specifications
| Year | 2024 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Primitivo |
| Country | Italy |
| Alcohol content | 14.5% |
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
10.9 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Food Matches | Main courses based on red sauces, meat and game; well-seasoned risotto, mushrooms, mature cheeses and cold cuts. |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
| Features | Vegan & Vegetarian, |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Appellation | Puglia IGP |
| Origin | Puglia |
2023 La Battistina Gavi
Regular price £13.79 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromatic, zesty nose with notes of apple, lime and white flower.
Palate
The wine has juicy apple and lemon characters, and is textural with attractive minerality. The finish is balanced, with a zesty mouthwatering quality.

Production
The vineyards are south facing and the soil, chalky and mineral, which allows full ripening and excellent drainage. The 35 year old vines are trained Piemonte style on low Guyot trellis, planted with 4,000 - 4,500 vines per hectare and yielding 6600 lt/ha. The whole process of winemaking is undertaken at Araldica's winery, Azienda Agricola La Battistina, in stainless steel tanks. The hand harvested grapes are pressed in a pneumatic press and subjected to a temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel. The wine remains in contact with the lees for 4 months before being fined, filtered and bottled.
Producer
The La Battistina estate consists of 26ha of mature vineyard including 5ha in Gavi del Comune di Gavi. The property was acquired by leading Piemonte producer Araldica in 2002, establishing their reputation as a Gavi specialist, with the largest vineyard holdings in the region. La Battistina (and the neighbouring 20ha estate of La Lancellotta, from which grapes are also sourced) are renowned as among the best sites in Gavi.
The estate consists of eight separate vineyard plots along one prime south-facing slope - the distinct areas producing very different wines. The vineyard has a unique combination of limestone and clay soil which allows full ripening of the local Cortese grape. This, together with vines of average age 35 years, gives complexity and weight to what is one of Italy's most fashionable white wines.
The majority of grapes go to produce the unoaked 'La Battistina', while 'Nuovo Quadro' comes from a small, plot at the foot of the Battistina hill which lies within the Comune di Gavi sub-zone. The 'La Battistina' range is produced by the Araldica winemaking team, overseen by Claudio Manera and Lella Burdese's son Carlo.
Sustainability
Production at La Battistina has obtained the SQNPI trademark - Sistema di Qualità Nazionale di Produzione Integrata (National Quality System of Integrated Crop Management). Wines and vintages that are now fully compatible with this system have a bee symbol on the label, which guarantees that each phase of production has complied with the strict parameters of integrated crop management. In other words, it is sustainable and eco-compatible, certified by an independent third party.
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Cortese |
| Country | Italy |
| Alcohol content | 12.5% |
|
|
9 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Food Matches |
Delicious with appetisers and light fish courses. |
| Cellaring Potential | 1 year |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Origin | Piedmont |
| Appellation |
|
2023 Cline Cellars North Coast Viognier
Regular price £19.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
It’s thought the Romans took Viognier to the Rhône 1700 years ago yet incredibly, as recently as the 1980’s, there were thought to be only 32 ha planted in the entire world. Now, Viognier, with its full-bodied richness and gentle acidity is an international superstar again. Fred Cline specializes in growing Rhône cultivars and giving them a modern twist whilst maintaining their original character... and this one is a beauty!
Nose
Wonderfully fragrant with notes of pithy stone fruits, bright jasmine and honeysuckle.
Palate
The palate follows through with a richness of fruit including ripe peach and apricot. The finish is given finesse by the refreshing acidity.

Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Absolutely delicious - lots of ripe peaches, apricot, and pineapple fruits with a lovely honeyed, creamy follow-through - from a small family business formed in 1982 - the year I started in the wine trade - and they have a real keen eye on sustainability and non-intervention winemaking - so ticking all my key objective boxes! And tasting delightfully into the bargain - absolutely love it!" May 2022
Producer
Cline Cellars is a family-owned vineyard and winery in Sonoma’s Carneros Valley. Established in 1982 by Fred Cline, a descendant of Italian US settlers, he originally founded the winery in Oakley, Contra Costa County, cultivating Rhône varieties and Zinfandel on vines dating back to 1906.
In the 1990s, the family moved their winemaking operation to a 350-acre ranch in Carneros Valley, adopting sustainable farming in 2000, and building the largest solar paneled winery in California. While others in California were focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, Fred Cline saw the potential of Rhône varieties and Zinfandel in his vineyards and continues to produce focussed terroir-driven wines.
A Note on Sustainability
Cline is proud to be a Certified California Sustainable Vineyard and Winery. The program acknowledges a long-term commitment to continual improvement in the field of sustainable winegrowing and business practices, from grape to glass. It is located in Sonoma County, which is committed to becoming the first 100% sustainable wine region in the US by 2019.
Fred Cline and Bob Cannard founded Green String Farm and the Green String method of sustainable farming in 2003. Green String Farm is a 57-hectare natural process, sustainable farm near Petaluma, California. The Green String method meets the highest standard of environmental sustainability practices, which is different from certified organic. The methods reduce soil erosion, pesticide dependency, and loss of biodiversity; and increase resistance to natural predators.
In 2005, Cline was one of the first wineries to fully adopt solar energy. In 2018 it upgraded the original array with the latest technology, designed to offset 100% of its winery’s electrical consumption.
Instead of herbicides, Cline has 1,500 sheep and 500 goats that roam its vineyards, tasked with removing invasive weeds and instead of harmful pesticides, Cline provides owl boxes and raptor perches in the vineyard. These birds of prey are the predators of gophers and mice and help to maintain ecological control.
Cline composts and re-uses all digestible organic waste and materials from its winery, including 3,000 tons of grape pomace per year, prunings from trees and vines, plus chipped materials from the landscape. This waste is turned into a biological stimulant and food for the soils. Cline also grinds its own volcanic rock and then spreads the crushed cinder onto the soil. Having a wide spectrum of mineralogy, these cinders provide the vineyards with a complex array of nutrients and trace minerals, ensuring that the vines have all the necessary components to build fullness of character in the wine.
Production Method
Viognier is a tricky grape to grow in that it buds out early and is susceptible to frost. Also, it's thick skins require patience to get the full flavour potential of the grape. The vines basked in the sun during the day and were cooled at night which contributes to this Viognier's full-body weight and nice acidity. This varietal comes from the Northern Rhône Valley in France. Presumed to have arrived from Dalmatia and transported to the Rhone 1,700 years ago by Romans. There are only 2,000 acres of this variety in California at this time. The grapes were handpicked and de-stemmed without being crushed then immediately pumped to the tank press where the juice was gently squeezed from the grapes. Juice was pumped to a stainless steel fermenting tank and the wine was chilled and settled overnight. The juice was then racked (decanted) off the grape solids and inoculated with a pure strain of wine yeast. Fermentation proceeded at a cool 50 degrees F to preserve the lovely fruit character and kept in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks.
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Viognier |
| Country | USA |
|
|
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Dietary Information |
|
| Food Matches | Pairs well with Gruyere or Camembert cheese, sushi, or tarragon chicken. |
| Origin | California |
| Appellation | North Coast |
2020 Ben Glover BOB/Short for Kate Pinot Noir
Regular price £22.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
A bright, brambly, seductive cherry red hue with aromas of wild berries, cherries, raspberry, sous bois and a hint of green spice.
The flow through to the palate is sublime with a continuation of these precise red fruits with some green olive notes, wound up with a sinewy tautness. This provides a chewy supple elegant warmth to the palate with an elegant deportment providing a long and intelligent finish.

Producer
When it comes to professional wine people, Ben Glover is about as top-of the-tree as it gets. Ben’s role call includes almost too many accolades: previously a Wine Marlborough committee member, chair of the Bragato Wine Show (New Zealand’s only single vineyard wine show) and was chair of Pinot Noir 2017 New Zealand, the world’s largest and most prestigious pinot noir event. He was an inaugural Len Evans scholar in 2001 and has over 25 years of experience as a national and international wine judge. This is all to say that, when you open a bottle of Bob/short for Kate, you are in safe hands.
Nicknamed ‘Bob’ by her family (some of you may recognize the Blackadder reference), Bob /short for Kate is a tribute to Kate Glover, an amazing young drama teacher and Ben’s sister, who heartbreakingly passed away in 2018. Ben explains that he has looked to produce a wine that characterises the honesty, purity and confidence of Kate. These are organic, Marlborough wines, small-batch Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, reliant on selected blocks from the family’s vines and exceptional fruit selection. Not to mention the skill of one of the region’s most well-regarded winemakers.
Specifications
| Year | 2020 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | Pinot Noir |
| Country | New Zealand |
|
|
|
| Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.75 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | Now to 2025 |
| Features | Organic, Vegan and Vegetarian |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Food Matches | This wine has the class and capacity to handle numerous dishes from cassoulet to more sophisticated game meats. |
| Origin | New Zealand |
| Appellation | Marlborough |
2019 Waterkloof 'Circumstance Merlot'
Regular price £19.59 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Serious Merlot - think St Emilion with guts... and legs.
Tasting notes
A fine wine with persistence, complexity and great purity - dense black cassis and bramble fruit aromas combined with plums, spice and a creamy oak on the palate. Showing real character and personality, supreme poise and balance, Waterkloof's ability to express their unique terroir improves with each vintage.

Production
Living soils and a natural approach to winemaking means that each of the single-varietal wines in the Circumstance range is truly defined by the circumstances influencing the chosen varietal and vineyard blocks, including soil, aspect, altitude and vintage. The Merlot is from two adjoining, windswept, south-facing (less sun exposure) blocks 240-60m above and a mere 2 miles from The Atlantic. These factors combine to produce low yields, balanced grapes and wines with a true sense of place. Production was a miserly 5 tons per hectare. Hand-picked grapes were destemmed, hand sorted and placed into our open-top wooden fermenters via gravity. Natural fermentation started spontaneously by utilising the wild yeasts present on the fruit. Punch downs (twice a day) were used during fermentation to ensure a soft and slow, colour and tannin extraction. The wine spent 30 days on the skins to help integrate the tannins and stabilise the colour. The skins were separated from the juice through a gentle basket pressing. The wine went through malolactic fermentation in barrel and was then aged in new (15%), second and third fill (85%) French barrels for 18 months. The wine was aged for another year in wooden fermenters to ensure a wine with silky soft tannins. The wine received no fining, which allowed the grape to be purely expressed in the wine. Only sulphur was added and no other additions, such as tartaric acid or enzymes were allowed.
Producer
Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004, Waterkloof is a family-owned, organic, biodynamic and WWF Biodiversity Champion farm perched high up on the windswept Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay and The Atlantic Ocean. Living soils, naturally low yields and a long growing season help provide talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard with naturally balanced grapes that are imbued with a truly defining sense of origin. Those grapes are then transformed into wine with a minimum of intervention. The resulting wines are fine, inimitable and best enjoyed with food.
Sustainability
As well as being ECOCERT certified as organic, and working biodynamically, Waterkloof goes much further than many in its efforts to be a highly sustainable winery. To learn more please visit their website.
Specifications
| Year | 2019 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
| Country | South Africa |
|
|
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.8 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
| Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable, Natural |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Food Matches | Garlic roast lamb, or venison roasted with root vegetables. |
| Origin | Stellenbosch |
| Appellation | WO Stellenbosch |
2023 Rag and Bone Riesling
Regular price £15.29 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The rationale behind this label is a quirky one! Our product manager found out that due to the tiny production of a particular wine, half the vineyard fruit was to be discarded....so he stepped in to say we would be interested to play with this other half given the quality of the wine over previous years. This lead to thinking about up-cycling the near-discarded, how one man’s trash is another man’s treasure etc and whilst humming over a potential moniker for the wine, God’s honest truth, a rag & bone van parked up outside his house calling for any old iron etc. Albeit a man in a white van, rather than horse & cart, the name stuck. The label reflects a collection of discarded items that together make up an eclectic assortment greater than the sum of its parts.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The nose classically expresses the vineyard... it's like having a fresh lime in your hand that you crush gently over minerals... literally lime on the rocks!!
Palate
The palate is bright, zingy, singing with natural acidity and really textural. It reflects the vineyard with its fine sandy texture with really bright, white pithy fruit. Just a cracking Eden Valley Riesling!

Awards
- The Wine Merchant Top 100 2019 - 2018 vintage
- Silver at the Sommelier Wine Awards 2019 - 2018 vintage
- Silver IWC 2018 - 2017 vintage
- Gold IWC 2017 - 2016 vintage
- Silver IWSC 2016 - 2015 vintage
Production
Eden Valley Riesling is prized for its vibrancy, purity and longevity and has produced many of Australia’s greatest Rieslings. The fruit for Rag & Bone is sourced from Binder’s single-vineyard, high up on the Eastern side of Eden Valley. Warm days and cool nights ensure that the grapes develop ripe, intense fruit flavours whilst retaining appealing zing and acidity. The fruit was delivered to the winery immediately after harvesting in the cool hours of the morning, then processed very gently through our tank press. Free run and pressing portions were determined by Christa, using her vast experience with this variety. A Ratafia style wine was made from the pressings and the free-run juice was used to make this wine. The juice was cold settled and 3 days later the clear juice was transferred into fermentation tanks. Bottling took place in the middle of June.
Specifications
| Year | 20223 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Riesling |
| Country | Australia |
|
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Food Matches | Well suited to seafood dishes, spicy cuisine and anytime in the company of those who enjoy a quality riesling! Try chili prawns, green Thai curry, fish and chicken laksa (with chili, coconut, ginger and lime). |
| Origin | Eden Valley |
| Appellation | South Australia |
2023 Les Coteaux Côtes du Rhône Villages
Regular price £13.59 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Each vintage, from our base in Cairanne, we are able to select exceptional Grenache and Syrah from the best Côtes du Rhône Villages to make Les Coteaux, which we then enrich with classified wine from Séguret and Sablet.
Tasting Notes
Immediately impressive, this wine reveals its class from the start. Brambly fruit underpinned by subtle oaky nuances, lovely sweet spice - warm star anise with a touch of cinnamon. This classic Côtes du Rhône Villages is enriched with specially-selected parcels from Séguret and Sablet.
Production Method
Common practice in the Côtes du Rhône is to bottle the best cuvées as a single, named, village wine and the rest as more basic Côtes du Rhône Villages. Boutinot’s philosophy, on the other hand, is to start with the intention of making the very best Côtes du Rhône Villages possible by sourcing wine from the vineyards of named villages, and enriching them with a small proportion of barrel-aged wine from Sablet and Séguret.
Boutinot's Côtes du Rhône Villages 'Les Coteaux' is therefore a selection of the best Grenache Noir and Syrah from some of the 17 named Côtes du Rhône Villages. We source wine from a number of growers with exceptional terroir and so have the flexibility to select only the very best fruit each vintage (rejecting parcels which do not meet our high standards). Mostly unoaked, a small proportion (15%) is part-aged for up to 20 months in a few new, but mostly older, oak barrels to bring depth and subtle notes of complexity.
Producer
Boutinot’s love affair with the Southern Rhône spans thirty years of making wine in the region. In 2010, the relationship was sealed with the purchase of a winery and vineyards above the village of Cairanne. Domaine Boutinot’s seven vineyards are planted with classic southern Rhône grape varieties – old vine Grenache Noir and Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan Noir – and they all sit within the Cairanne Cru boundaries, sanctioned in 2016 when Cairanne was granted its own appellation status.
Working with our vigneron neighbours we are helping to revive traditional grape varieties such as Cinsault and Counoise, and in the cellar we prefer time-honoured winemaking methods such as a long cuvasion aided only by natural yeasts, gentle remontage, manual pigeage and patient maturation in a nursery of French oak barrels.
Awards
- A Bronze Medal in the 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards (2020 Vintage)
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah |
| Country | France |
|
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
| Type | Red Blend |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Dietary Information |
Vegan, Vegetarian
|
| Food Matches | A delicious accompaniment to hearty food: grilled meats, meaty sausages with mash or, as would be served in France, with puy lentils; shepherd's pie, mushroom ragoût or simply a good pizza. |
| Origin | Rhône |
| Appellation | Côtes du Rhône Villages |
2023 Vila Nova Alvarinho
Regular price £12.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The Portuguese cousin to the ever-popular Albarino.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Bright citrus aromas with hints of mandarin.
Palate
Fresh and lively on the palate with citrus characters, textural stone fruit and appealing minerality on the finish.

Production
Casa de Vila Nova is located in the sub-region of Sousa, the Vinho Verde Demarcated Region in the North of Portugal, the Vinho Verde lands are exposed to the Atlantic Ocean winds and influence. Soils, microclimate, grape varieties and the unique characteristics of the wine culture, distinguish it from all other wine regions of the world. The grapes are harvested by hand in 20 kg boxes that are quickly transported to the winery where the grapes are destemmed then a soft pressing takes place and fermentation in temperature controlled vats.
Producer
Casa de Vila Nova is owned by the Lencastre family, of aristocratic Portuguese lineage (one of their ancestors became the first Baron of Varzea do Douro in the 1800s). This land has been in their family since the 12th century - the ivy-clad tower that still remains from that time is now surrounded by Vila Nova (new house) that was built in the 1700s, and the property was gradually extended over the centuries.
The estate is near the town of Penafiel, close to the eastern border of Portugal's Vinho Verde wine region, around a 30-minute drive east from Oporto. In the late 1970s the family planted vines over 12 hectares - mainly local Portuguese varieties. In 2008 Bernardo Lencastre and his brothers took over the running of the property, revitalised the vineyards and began making Vinho Verde and bottling their own wines - the first generation to do so. They now have around 42 hectares of vineyard.
Here, in the Entre-Douro-e-Minho sub-region of Sousa, their vineyards are influenced by winds from the Atlantic Ocean - creating the perfect climate to ripen varieties such as Avesso, Loureiro, and Alvarinho.
Awards
- Bronze - Sommelier Wine Award 2020 (2019 vintage)
- Best Value White - The Wine Merchant Top 100 2019 (2018 Vintage)
- Top 100 - The Wine Merchant Top 100 2019 (2018 Vintage)
- Gold - Sommelier Wine Awards 2019 (2018 Vintage)
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Alvarinho |
| Country | Portugal |
| Alcohol Content | 12.5% alc vol |
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
| Features | Vegan, Vegetarian |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Food Matches | A good match for chicken salads, fish and sushi. Or perhaps Vietnamese meatballs? |
| Origin | Vinho Verde |
| Appellation | Vinho Regional Minho |
2019 Campogiovanni Brunello di Montalcino
Regular price £56.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
This prized Brunello from San Felice's distinguished Campogiovanni estate is a complex, richly-flavoured and robust wine that will evolve beautifully.
Nose
Offers up aromas of well-ripened wild berry fruit, plum, aromatic cedar, tobacco leaf and tanned leather.
Palate
An expansive, generous palate displays rich fruit and mouthfeel with fine-grained tannins; developing into a long, persistent and fruit-filled finish with notes of graphite.

Producer
The Tenuta Campogiovanni is a sister estate to Agricola San Felice, and is located on the southern slope of the Montalcino hill, near San Angelo in Colle.
This 65ha estate comprises 19ha of vineyard across three separate parcels - amongst olive trees, woods and fields. Production here (and 14ha of vineyard) is strongly focused on Brunello, with the remainder largely used for Rosso di Montalcino. Campogiovanni Brunello is amongst the very best in the region.
1990 saw the first production of a Riserva, entitled Il Quercione, made from fruit rigorously selected from the vineyard of the same name and made only in exceptional years.
Production Method
Campogiovanni's 12-hectare vineyards are on the south quadrant of the Montalcino hill, where weather conditions and a particular combination of soils allow optimal ripening of the grapes. Harvesting is in late September. The grapes then undergo a 20-day maceration at 28-30 degrees C, and malolactic fermentation in steel. Maturation is for 36 months in large Slavonian oak botti, followed by a further 12 months in bottle.
Awards
- Gold at the Sommelier Wine Awards 2018 (2013 vintage)
- Gold at the Sommelier Wine Awards 2017 (2012 vintage)
Specifications
| Year | 2019 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Brunello |
| Country | Italy |
|
Alcohol content
|
14.5%alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Food Matches | Pairs well with rich meats such as game and boar. |
| Origin | Toscana |
| Appellation | DOCG Brunello Di Montalcino |
2023 Smalltown Vineyards The Black Craft Shiraz
Regular price £15.39 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Germans were the first free immigrants into Australia in the 1850s onwards. They planted Shiraz in Barossa. Germans also invented letterpress in the 1500s. The suspicion around the “magick” of a printing press coupled with the inky hands of the printers meant that the art became known as the Black Craft. The wine is an homage to both the German influence of the oldest wine-making in Australia, as well as the letterpress.
Tasting Notes
A compelling, dark and rich chocolately beast. A classic Barossa Shiraz with intense savoury flavours of thick blackberry compote, black pepper and typical iron-rich beefy flavours. Not a hint of jam here, no sweetness, this is serious Shiraz for grown-ups with balanced acidity, a touch of cocao powder in the finish and tremendous length.

Production Method
This Shiraz is sourced from the finest available vineyard sites across the premium Northern Barossa Valley including for the most part Greenock, Western Ridge and Ebenezer. Aged 11 months in a variety of oaks, all American and French, new and old, around 35% new. All oaks were AP John, Barossa coopered. As usual withSmalltown, it was fermented in open fermenters. They don’t set the blades too close together during crushing so a fair bit of whole berry in the ferment which gives the wine generous fruit and soft tannins.
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Syrah |
| Country | Australia |
|
Alcohol content
|
14.5% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Food Matches | As the name implies, black is the key - anything chargrilled would be superb here, so think griddle pans and barbecues! |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Origin | South Australia |
| Appellation | Barossa |
2024 Castel del Lupo Pinot Grigio ‘Della Ginestra’
Regular price £13.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Castel del Lupo’s impressive new release was made especially for Boutinot from grapes grown on the south-facing, chalky Ginestra vineyard. Like their Pinot Nero, this PG from the gently hilly Oltrepo Pavese DOC, the ‘Tuscany of Northern Italy’, has subtlety, depth and character. It’s a pure, gently aromatic style, crisp and lightly nutty, with fine citrus and peach fruit characters and savoury, textural finish from 4 months on fine lees.
Nose
A subtle, delicately aromatic and lightly floral nose with citrus and white peach notes.
Palate
The palate has fresh stone fruit and lemony characters leading to a gentle, textured mid-palate and an attractively crisp, saline finish.

Production Method
The Pinot Grigio grapes are organically grown, harvested by hand, and undergo careful selection. Alcoholic fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature (17°C), and the wine is then kept on fine lees for at least four months.
Producer
Castel del Lupo, in the heart of Oltrepò Pavese, dates back centuries - and includes the eighteenth-century Palazzo Pegazzera. In 1974 three entrepreneurs took over this historic estate and began a regeneration process. Giovanni Doglio, whose father and grandfather were both Piemontese winemakers, has over 40 years of experience managing wineries. Recently joined by his daughter Federica, he has worked tirelessly to develop the estate. They have purchased more vineyards (to cover 100ha at around 300m altitude), planted new vines and built a new cellar. The vineyards are now certified organic. The winery's main focus is high quality bottle-fermented sparkling wine, and much of the vineyard is planted with Pinot Noir for this purpose. However, these vines are also the source of fine still red wines.
A Note on Sustainability
A proportion of the cantina’s vineyards are in conversion from sustainable to organic cultivation and will be certified as organic from 2020.
Awards
- Bronze Sommelier Wine Awards 2019 (2018 vintage)
Specifications
| Year | 2024 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Pinot Grigio |
| Country | Italy |
|
Alcohol content
|
12.5% 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, Organic
|
| Food Matches | Ideal as an aperitif, excellent with summery appetizers and fish dishes. |
| Origin | Lombardia, Italy |
| Appellation | DOC Oltrepo Pavese |
2023 La Reine de l’Arenite, Fleurie la Madone
Regular price £16.69 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Pretty, floral, elegant and aromatic. Spot on Fleurie!
Tasting Notes
Very pretty indeed, a heady perfume of freshly picked irises and peonies drifts above the crushed berry fruit nose. Ripe tannins and fresh acidity support a palate of Morello cherries, strawberries with a wonderful savoury finish.

Production Method
'Arenite' is the terroir of pinky, crumbly sandstone of the La Madone vineyards, rated as one of the best vineyards in Fleurie. At up to 450m altitude and with soils still untouched by phylloxera, goblet trained vines on the east and southeast facing vineyards lie below the Chapel of the Madonna at the top of the hill. Gamay Noir vines range from 40 to 90 years of age. Grapes are hand-picked and whole-berry fermented for 8-10 days (traditional maceration carbonique) followed by a further 2 or 3 days on the skins to assist with aromas. No use of cultured yeasts. Pressed after an 8-10 day cuvaison. First press wine was returned to vat and left for 8 months before bottling.
Producer
Like all good stories, Boutinot France's is both long and a little bit complicated! Boutinot began as a tiny importer in 1980, specialising in French wines. After 10 years, the business had grown and Samantha Bailey packed her bags to set up an office in Burgundy. Today, Boutinot has over 20 employees who take care of production across the whole of France, covering fresh whites and rosés from Gascony, mineral wines from Burgundy, and joyful varietal wines from Languedoc among others. We don't use any single 'model' to source our wines; instead, a combination of sources are used, from large-scale, high-quality co-ops to small, family growers and single domaines as well as our own vineyards in Cairanne and Saint-Véran. Drawing on the expertise of our 4 winemakers and network of partner growers, we seek to deliver the highest quality to price ratio possible at every price point.
Specifications
| Year | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Gamay |
| Country | France |
|
|
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Dietary Information |
|
| Food Matches | In winter, match with a roast leg of lamb. During the summer, chill lightly and serve with roasted or barbecued chicken or pork. |
| Origin | Beaujolais / Maconnais |
2024 Iona Monipole, Elgin Highlands Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £18.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%An elegant, well-balanced Sauvignon Blanc - Iona's Wine Making Philosophy - 'The Winemaker is the Custodian of the fruit'
Tasting Notes
Beautiful purity of limes and ripe gooseberry, with tropical, floral and fine herbal notes, ruby grapefruit and white pear drop on the finish. This is cool climate Sauvignon Blanc – vibrant, mineral, elegant, balanced and delicate, with a long, layered and complex finish.

Producer
At 420m above sea-level, set high above the picturesque Elgin Valley Andrew Gunn founded Iona. It is here overlooking the Atlantic ocean that he has secured some of the coolest vineyards in the Cape. In a country where cool climate vineyards are like gold dust, these vineyards are veritable nuggets. There is an extremely long growing season, allowing Andrew to create wines with complex flavours and a fresh, elegant style. The approach is hands off and the land is farmed according to organic and biodynamic practices with a particular focus on ensuring the health of the soils whilst pests are kept under control by the resident flock of geese that roam the vineyards.
Production
"We aim for elegance, balance and to express the unique terroir of the Elgin Highlands. Grapes were hand-picked into crates early in the morning to ensure that the grapes stayed cool. Each of the 9 blocks are harvested and vinified separately. After gentle pressing, the must was settled, maintaining a temperature of 6-8°C. Fermentation occurred at 14-16°C, using different commercial yeast strains particularly suited to Sauvignon Blanc. The wine was kept on the gross lees for 5 months and stirred regularly to enhance the richness of the mid-palate. The Sémillon component was fermented naturally in 2nd and 3rd fill 500L French oak barrels to enhance the mid palate weight and to add complexity to the wine. A selection of different Sauvignon Blanc vineyard sites were naturally fermented in 500L French oak barrels. The barrel fermentation component made up 4% of the final blend.
Accolades & Awards
Tim Atkin South Africa Report 2024 91 Points
Iona's spectacularly sited parcels are some of the highest and most dramatic in Elgin, producing a quintessential cool climate Sauvignon Blanc. Perfumed, salty and stony, this has layers of lime and grapefruit, a touch of vanilla and a briney finish. 2024-27. 91 Points, TA, 2024.
Specifications
| Year | 2024 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 96% Sauvignon Blanc, 4%Semillon |
| Country | South Africa |
|
|
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units per bottle |
| Type | White Wine |
| Food Matching | Fresh asparagus complements chicken and seafood dishes beautifully, yet it's also delightful on its own. |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Origin | Elgin |
| Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2023 Domaine de la Motte Chablis
Regular price £21.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A classic Chablis from vines grown on the famous Kimmeridgian clay, and from the2013 IWSC French Wine Producer of the Year.
Tasting Notes
From a warmer vintage, this shows riper yet still mineral fruit with added depth from a small (around 10%) addition of oak-aged wine into the blend. This is very typical of the Motte style and gives richness and balance to the wine. A deliciously precise expression of classic chalky Chablis terroir.
Production Method
Grapes are machine harvested to preserve the freshness and purity of flavour. Pneumatic pressing immediately after harvest is then followed by a gravity settling period of 24 hours in stainless steel vats. Fermentation takes place in thermo-regulating stainless steel tanks for approximately 15 days at 21 degrees Celcius. The wine then undergoes malolactic fermentation in stainless for approximately 5 weeks at 20 degrees. Following this, the wine is racked between December to January, and it is fined between February and March. Cold stabilization at -3 degrees for 5 days before filtration and finally bottling.
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 that 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 | 2023 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | France |
|
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
| Type | White Wine |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
| Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
| Food Matches | Chicken with a creamy sauce, Thai dishes, or fish with salad greens. |
| Origin | Chablis, Burgundy |
| Appellation | Chablis |
2016 Vega del Rayo Rioja Reserva
Regular price £13.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Traditional Rioja Reserva
Tasting Notes
Nose
A traditional Rioja Reserva from vineyards in Rioja Alta with a nose of warm black fruit, spice and vanilla notes.
Palate
The palate has ripe plum and damson characters balanced by well-integrated oak, supple tannins and gentle cedary spice on the finish.

Production Method
This wine is produced from selected Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano grapes sourced from 30 to 40-year-old Rioja Alta vineyards whose distinctive stony soils are ideal for the long, even ripening of quality grapes. The fruit is hand harvested in mid-October. Each variety is fermented separately in small tanks using natural yeasts at 28-30° C. After 20 days on the skins the wine is gently pressed and racked to stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation. The clear wine is then racked to 2nd and 3rd year American and Russian oak barrels for 24 months maturation before blending and bottling.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"This is good! Everything I would expect from a well made, traditional Rioja - bright fruit - some vanillin and spice from good oak integration and soft, smooth tannins giving a very well balanced and long finish." Tasted April 2024
Specifications
| Year | 2016 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 90% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo & 5% Graciano |
| Country | Spain |
|
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
| Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.1 units |
| Type | Red Wine |
| Food Matches | Lamb and mint kebabs |
| Allergy Information | Awaiting info |
| Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan |
| Appellation | DOCa Rioja |
2022 Salvaje Syrah
Regular price £16.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep violet-red.
Nose
The nose is very fruity with a predominance of black fruits such as blackberries and blueberries on the forefront followed by light notes of blackcurrants and violets.
Palate
The fruity intensity is present at all times and pairs with the very velvety, elegant palate to make this wine very easy to drink.

Production
The Syrah and Rousanne grapes were picked into bins, transported to the winery and immediately chilled. The reception process begins with a double selection system on conveyor belts both before and after being destemmed. The grapes are then crushed and deposited into stainless steel tanks, where they undergo a 3-day cold maceration at 6º–8ºC. The temperature was then raised for the alcoholic fermentation with native yeasts at temperatures controlled to 24º–27ºC with a pump over program managed according to enological criteria. The new wine remained on its skins for an additional 6–7-day post-fermentation maceration and a total vinification of approximately 20 days. Malolactic fermentation took placed naturally in stainless steel tanks, where the wine was aged for 12 months. The wine was the stabilized naturally without treatments. It was filtered with a 1-micron cartridge filter prior to bottling. The wine is aged for 5 months in stainless steel tanks.
Producers
Voted by Wines of Chile as "Winery of the Year 2016", Emiliana is one of Chile's most exciting producers and pioneers in organic and biodynamic winemaking. Since 1998, this Chilean winery has been producing award-winning wines from almost 1,000 hectares of vineyards in prime sites including Casablanca, Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchagua and Bio Bio.
Its spectacular biodynamic vineyard and winery at Los Robles is a model that attracts visiting viticulturalists and winemakers from across the world. Emiliana's innovative and natural-leaning wines are made with great care and attention and the results are inspiring.
Awards
- Bronze - Decanter World Wine Awards 2019, 2018 Vintage
Specifications
| Year | 2022 |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Cultivar | 97% Syrah, 3% Roussanne |
| Country | Chile |
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| Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
| Type | Red Blend |
| Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
| Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
| Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
| Food Matches | A great match with lamb, sirloin, or other red meats. |
| Origin | Casablanca Valley |
| Appellation | D.O. Valle De Casablanca |
