Bright and fruity Spanish red with - the eyecatching label design and 'El Ninot de Paper' name are inspired by the 'paper dolls' of the Las Falles de Valencia festival.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Aromas of ripe black fruits with a hint of spice. 

Palate

The palate is bright and juicy - blackberries and plums are balanced by soft tannins, juicy acidity, and a touch of pepper.

Awards

• Bronze at the 2020 Sommelier Wine Awards for the 2018 Vintage

Alan's Personal Tasting Notes

"This is a bit of a revelation. Loadsa ripe, juicy black fruits with more a touch of herbs than spice I think? Really soft tannins and a touch more serious than I expected. Overall a real pleasant surprise. Medium-bodied, soft, juicy & fruity, and would be really versatile with food although it drinks really easily on its own. Value but also decent quality for a crowd pleasing easy-drinking style." June 2022

Specifications

A distinctive, intense and organic Châteauneuf-du-Pape, rich and concentrated yet with lovely balance and great elegance.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Made from organically-grown grapes, this very deeply-coloured red offers aromas of dried fruit and dark roast coffee on the nose. 

Palate

Typically bright and fresh despite its full body and intense colour, the palate shows ripe berry fruit, subtle savoury spice, and bright, upright tannins. Both savoury and fruity, with a very long finish.

Production

Château Maucoil’s vineyards are located in the northwest of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape area (on the left bank of the River Rhône) on the appellation’s four soil types: pebbles, clay-sandstone, Urgonian limestone and, more unusually, sand. Unlike the famous pebbles of the area, sand doesn’t retain and transfer heat during the night, resulting in slower ripening and more finesse. The youngest vines average 40 years old, so roots run deep to sustain the vines during the hot summer months.

For the Tradition Rouge, four main grape varieties are selected solely from sandy soils - Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Yields are around 25 hl/ha and harvesting is carried out by hand, with the grapes individually sorted by variety and by parcel before vinification in concrete tanks. After around 30 days in vat, with pumping over, rack-and return and punching down, the wine is matured separately for different lengths of time, in tanks and in 2-3-year-old barrels. The wine is then blended and bottled.

Producer

Château Maucoil (pronounced “moh-kwahl”) in Châteauneuf-du-Pape has a longer history than most estates we represent. It served as a base for Roman legions who were attracted by the spring that runs through the property and by the proximity of the Via Agrippa; it was the home of Joseph de la Pise, archivist to the Dutch royal family; and from the 17th century onwards it was owned by a succession of winegrowing families. The Arnaud family, who already owned vines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, decided to purchase the estate in 1995 and devoted a great deal of energy and passion to Château Maucoil.

The estate's old vines (the youngest are merely 40 years old; the oldest date back to 1895!) grow on the appellation’s four soil types: pebbles, clay-sandstone, Urgonian limestone and, more unusually, sand. Unlike vineyards littered with the famous pebbles of the area, the fine, sandy soil doesn’t retain and transfer heat during the night, resulting in slower ripening and giving wines with more finesse.

Bénédicte, the Arnauds’ youngest daughter, and her husband, Charles Bonnet, took up the torch in 2009, with a strong desire to secure the future of the estate and to manage it in an environmentally responsible manner. They began the process of converting to organic viticulture in 2011, becoming fully certified in 2014. Along the way, in 2013, they partnered with Frédéric and Benoît Lavau and the four now run the estate together.

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.

Specifications

A rich, savoury satisfying mouthful!

Since the elevation of Cairanne to a southern Rhône cru, 'La Côte Sauvage' continues to be characterised by its finesse and finely-grained texture, due in part to the famous ‘argilo-calcaire’ of our hilltop vineyards such as La Pauline and Les Six Terrasses, slow winemaking methods and gentle maturation in different sized barrels of old French oak.

Tasting Notes

A serious, restrained and complex example of cru Cairanne. This is rich, intense and drenched in dark red fruits. With morello cherry and a touch of cinnamon spice on the nose, soft dark plummy fruit, liquorice, chocolate, a hint of black tea on the palate, this wine is full-flavoured and smooth with supple tannins.

Method of Production

The cru of Cairanne lies in the heart of the Southern Rhône valley, northeast of Orange. For this La Côte Sauvage, fully ripe Grenache and Syrah grapes are hand-picked from old bush vines on selected hillside slopes within Cairanne. The vineyards have the classic argilo-calcaire soil of limestone pebbles over clay and the vines are harvested by hand. Vinified traditionally with only the natural yeasts present on the grapes, followed by a long cuvaison period with gentle remontage and manual pigeage. A blend of four varieties (Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre) matured for 22 months in French old oak barrels and demi-muids to develop great concentration, complexity and finesse in the wine.

Specifications

Take a seat, because this is a piece of craftsmanship!

Tasting Notes

Colour

Nose

Palate

Manual Harvest

The vineyards of Domaine Saint Paul are known throughout the area. Besides the fact that the soil here is perfect, with a lot of lime and marl, it also has the best position in relation to the sun. The sun can easily ripen the harvest and especially gives the Syrah more strength. The fresh wind from the ocean provides the right cooling, so that the right balance is found. 

Both Grenache and Syrah vines have deep roots that allow them to absorb moisture easily. In addition to moisture, there is also a lot of nutrition, which makes the harvest really fantastic. All bunches are harvested by hand early in the morning. In order to process only the best bunches in this red wine.

Estate

Tasting Notes

Colour

With an intense color with reflections of garnet and ruby, this red wine has everything of a seducer. 

Nose & Palate

With aromas of ripe red fruits, herbs & spices, it offers an intense, fruity and fresh palate, with a solid structure and a long finish.

Producer

The vineyards of AOP Limoux can be found between Carcassonne and the Pyrenees. This is one of the oldest wine regions in France and, incidentally, also an area that produces great wines. 

The vineyards are located in Saint Hilaire which is blessed with a Mediterranean climate. The diversity of soil of lime, pebbles and clay provides complexity in the wines. 

Traditional vinification in vats by maceration after de-stemming. Aging in two-wine oak barrels for 10 to 12 months. 

Specifications

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

Please contact Alan directly if you are interested in these wines - as En Primeur they are currently in barrel and not in stock.

The pleasure of hedonists... or, quite simply, one of the best Châteauneuf-du-Pape cuvées!

Tasting Notes

Colour

Deep garnet with crimson hues.

Nose

Powerful nose with notes of spices (black pepper), black fruits (blue and blackberry), black olives, leather, kirsch liqueur.

Palate

Hint of menthol keeps the wine well balanced. Plush tannins dominate the mid palate; they are ripe and remarkably elegant at this young age. Long finish led by an overall impression of freshness and elegance. Showing its restrained power today, the 2019 Cuvée des Cadettes will last for decades. A worthy successor to the acclaimed 1998 vintage.

A blend of Grenache 17%, Syrah 25%, Mourvèdre 55% and other varieties 3%, this special cuvée comes from ten different plots of old vines. The backbone of the blend is from Grand Plantier, a single vineyard with 70-yearold Mourvèdre vines. The Syrah comes from the Clos des Jeunes parcel and the famed walled vineyard directly in front of the Chȃteau.

Producer

Ch. la Nerthe is a stunning, 500-year-old property that has become one to watch over the past few years. Working organically since 1998, its impressive range of 57 parcels on various soil types and expositions helps to produce wines that are not only a seamless and complete expression of Châteauneuf-du-Pape but also have wonderful complexity. The noticeable care and attention taken in both the vineyards and cellar has, over the past few years, resulted in seriously impressive wines here. This property is, in every way, a worthy rival to the likes of Ch. de Beaucastel.

Vintage

The 2019 vintage was challenging here, as it was across the Rhône Valley, given the multiple heatwaves in the summer months and the extreme drought between May and September. But these tricky conditions have revealed the true magic of vines which are so perfectly adapted to manage the majority of nature’s whims; 2019 ended up becoming an exceptional vintage here.

Key to its success this year is the remarkable terroir at Ch. la Nerthe. The mix of rocky, clay and sandy soils, as well as the natural springs at the property, bring a wonderful freshness and minerality to the wines. The very special top white cuvée, Clos de Beauvenir, comes from a single, walled plot – an old castle garden, right in front of the historic château.

Specifications

No Tricks, Just Wine

Organically produced 

Tasting Notes

Buddy Talk Red is a unique blend of organically grown Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt and Roesler grapes. It exhibits aromas of black and red fruits like blackberry and cherries, and plums along with light spice notes on the palate.

Producer

Modest Michael Opitz feels passionately about sustainability and quality and so decided to take the small family winery into being organic and as natural as possible on every level. All the wines are defined by their environment. The Neusiedlersee or Seewinkel, is a saltwater lake that, in this flat, warm part of Austria, brings tempering breezes, freshness and protection from disease. The wines as a result are tremendously pure, fresh, fragrant and yet salty.

Specifications

Tasting Notes

The Rapsani Old Vines shows a lifted and elegant bouquet of macerated strawberries and hedgerow fruits with undertones of sundried tomato, chestnut, pepper and just a hint of meatiness. A wonderfully harmonious wine with fully-integrated and very subtle oak, bright acidity and a great structure. There is a savoury core to this wine and firm yet very fine tannins. Long and rewarding. 

History

Specifications

Elegant, fruity and more velvety than a classic Xinomavro - awarded 17/20 from Jancis Robinson! Delicious with tomato based dishes.

Tasting Notes

The Rapsansi exhibits a perfume of roses and red fruit compote with hints of peppery spice and tobacco; and subtle herbal undertones. Fresh and lively on the palate with a fruit profile of macerated cherries and red plums. This is an elegant and medium-bodied red with moderately firm but fine tannins, reminiscent of powdered cocoa.

History

Specifications

A critically acclaimed, award-winning, powerful, intense, rich, medium-bodied red wine with red berry, red currants, cassis, floral and spicy notes on the nose and palate.

Tasting Notes 

Colour

Youthful in colour with a dark, deep red core unwinding into a bright and lively garnet rim.

Nose

Forthcoming nose with expressive red and black fruit flavours. Beyond these initial ripe fruit flavours, there is complex collection of savoury dried-herb flavours intermingled with lingering notes of white pepper, blackcurrant and cedar.

Palate

The dark fruit and distinct savoury notes on the nose follow effortlessly onto that first sip where elegant, velvety tannins grip the palate in a vibrant intensity of flavour. This incredible richness and concentration of fine-grain tannins is further echoed by an earthy minerality and the wine’s inherent freshness brings about a long, well-defined finish. This opulent, full-bodied wine possesses old world authenticity with its delicate herbal fynbos notes that reign in the powerful fruit flavours.

A classic Constantia blend of the three most revered Bordeaux varieties – Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. A cool maritime climate and strict crop control results in perfectly ripened grapes that are hand harvested, meticulously sorted and batch vinified.

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.

Vintage

2017 was really a fantastic vintage for the red varieties at Constantia Glen and the wines from this vintage have garnered the same respect as those made in 2015. The flavour of the grapes at the time of picking was concentrated and intense with bright aromatics. Although dry, the summer period preceding the harvest was incredibly cool, which meant slow and long ripening that allowed for the slow accumulation of sugars, and grapes that retained phenomenal acidity despite fairly dry conditions in what was considered a particularly severe period of drought in the Cape. The estate vineyards showed remarkable buffering capacity during the drought and the 2017 vintage has delivered extremely elegant and refined red wines with great richness, texture, aromatic purity, and persistent, mouth-coating tannins. The wines also have great structure and acidity, which will allow for superlative bottle-ageing. 

The range includes a 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. 

Accolades

• Decanter World Wine Awards - 87 pts

Specifications

Constantia Glen's Flagship Wine!

Tasting Notes 

A classic Constantia blend of the five archetypal Bordeaux varieties – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. A cool maritime climate and strict crop control results in perfectly ripened grapes that are hand-harvested, meticulously sorted and batch vinified.

Colour

Youthful in colour with a very dark magenta core unwinding into a bright and lively garnet rim.

Nose

Bright aromas of ripe blackcurrant, juicy plums and fragrant dried herbs. This first impression is underpinned by a multitude of savoury notes that demand further exploration. Graphite, cedar and floral aromas start emerging from the glass, and finally once the whirling liquid comes to rest; the bouquet concludes with hints of violet, cassis and wild fynbos florae.

Palate

The palate has a dramatic entry as one consumes the concentrated dark fruit flavours that were evident on the nose, but the mid-palate displays fantastic balance between refinement and power. The textbook ripening conditions of the vintage combined with meticulous attention to extraction- and maturation methods in the cellar, have led to a compellingly structured wine with excellent freshness and depth. The delicious, fine-grain tannins provide a structured backbone and incredible mouth-coating texture. The wine comes across as tightly wound in its youth with enormous ageing potential. The ever-present Constantia freshness provides for a long, lingering finish that will have you beckoning for another sip.

Vintage

“2018 was really a fantastic vintage for the red varieties at Constantia Glen. The flavour of the grapes at the time of picking was concentrated and intense with bright aromatics. Good winter rains in June and July of 2017 provided the ideal foundation for our dryland vineyards before they embarked on a cool, yet dry growing season, stretching from September 2017 to March 2018, when the harvest commenced. The slow and long ripening allowed for the slow accumulation of sugars, and grapes that retained phenomenal acidity right up until picking. Our estate vineyards showed remarkable buffering capacity and the 2018 vintage has delivered extremely elegant and refined red wines with great richness, texture, aromatic purity, and persistent, mouth-coating tannins.

The wines also have great structure and acidity, which will allow for superlative bottle-ageing. The 2018 harvest was quite late, commencing with the first blocks of Merlot and Malbec on 26 March 2018, and we picked the red varieties over 4 weeks with the last block of the Cabernet Sauvignon coming into the winery on 18 April 2018.

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Grange is arguably Australia's most celebrated wine and is officially listed as a Heritage Icon of South Australia. Grange boasts an unbroken line of vintages from the experimental 1951 and clearly demonstrates the synergy between Shiraz and the soils and climates of South Australia. Penfolds Grange displays fully-ripe, intensely-flavoured and textured Shiraz grapes. The result is a unique Australian style that is now recognised as one of the most consistent of the world's great wines. The Grange style is the original and most powerful expression of Penfolds multi-vineyard, multidistrict blending philosophy.

Colour 

Deep blood-red, dense core.

Nose

Very Penfolds, very Barossa, very Grange! Scents, now five years in the making, weave their charm - this aromatic quilt's first-noted brightest colours are panaforte fig and quince paste alongside cured/smoked meats. Its fabric is meshed with spice - cinnamon, vanillin pod, nutmeg and black pepper - tempered by teppanyaki sauces, amaretto/almond. A dark thread connects - black liquorice, olive and fresh Arabica coffee-bean and soy. Background nutty oak (Brazil nut) beneath, yet barely noticed.

Palate

Freshness and balance are welcomed, yet confuse... a few sips remind of the oft-used reference 'iron fist in a velvet glove'. All is not as it seems! Firm throughout and across palate - reverent tannins and oak convey & propel flavours of slow-roasted lamb (avec jus), dark chocolate, cola, maraschino, with a menthol/rosemary lift to finish. Alluringly, a plush satin/cashmere mouthfeel compounds the initial confusion - accessible, yet poised to evolve and complex over many decades.

Remarks

"A profound and complete offer - akin to a mix of the 2002 and 2004 Grange vintages respectively... not a bad credential on any curriculum vitae!
If one were to propagate the Penfolds 'sixes' vintage roll-out pattern - it's probably more like the '86 & '96 than the '76" - P.Gago, April 2011

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Colour

Almost impenetrable ruby red wine. 

Nose

Intense aromas of raspberry, followed by vegetable notes of cypress and spicy hints. 

Palate

Warm and gently tannic on the palate, but always well balanced with spice that return in the elegant and deep finish.

Production Method

Harvested by hand, 15 days of fermentation with the skins in maceration

Producer

Here at Corvezzo, our 100% certified organic winery with over half a century of winemaking tradition, we pursue this goal every day, thanks to our extraordinary expertise in the delicate art of organic viticulture.

The knowledge we gained experimenting innovative agronomic techniques for more than 10 years now, has made us sector leaders in the production of organic Prosecco and Pinot Grigio for vineyard surface of property.

The family’s winery and vineyard (154ha) are located near Treviso, between the Dolomites and the Adriatic Sea, a perfect area for the production of organic grapes.

"My name is Giovanni Corvezzo and I have been an Italian producer of organic grapes and wines for 10 years. My story, as a farmer and economist, has led me to understand that a wine is much more than a perfume or a flavor, it is a continuous research with the aim of improving. In my opinion, a good wine - which can truly be defined as better - must be respectful of the environment and the health of consumers. This is precisely the mission to which I have dedicated all my efforts over the past ten years and to which I will continue to devote myself incessantly in the future. I could talk for hours and hours about how strenuous and rewarding a path towards sustainability is, but I decided to let my wines speak for me. Never tire of improving by looking for perfection!" Giovanni Corvezzo

Specifications

Please contact Alan directly if you are interested in these Corvezzo Wines - as En Primeur they are currently in barrel and not in stock.

Tasting Notes

Colour

Golden yellow with greenish reflections.

Nose

Intense hints of pineapple, with a clear mineral note. 

Palate

The taste is full, very refined, with a great intensity and persistence.

Production Method

Harvested by hand,  cold maceration and soft cold pressing

Producer

Here at Corvezzo, our 100% certified organic winery with over half a century of winemaking tradition, we pursue this goal every day, thanks to our extraordinary expertise in the delicate art of organic viticulture.

The knowledge we gained experimenting innovative agronomic techniques for more than 10 years now, has made us sector leaders in the production of organic Prosecco and Pinot Grigio for vineyard surface of property.

The family’s winery and vineyard (154ha) are located near Treviso, between the Dolomites and the Adriatic Sea, a perfect area for the production of organic grapes.

"My name is Giovanni Corvezzo and I have been an Italian producer of organic grapes and wines for 10 years. My story, as a farmer and economist, has led me to understand that a wine is much more than a perfume or a flavor, it is a continuous research with the aim of improving. In my opinion, a good wine - which can truly be defined as better - must be respectful of the environment and the health of consumers. This is precisely the mission to which I have dedicated all my efforts over the past ten years and to which I will continue to devote myself incessantly in the future. I could talk for hours and hours about how strenuous and rewarding a path towards sustainability is, but I decided to let my wines speak for me. Never tire of improving by looking for perfection!" Giovanni Corvezzo

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Colour

An almost impenetrable ruby-red wine.  

Nose

It has dried plums and red fruit jam notes on the nose, with elegant hints of wood and white pepper.

Palate

Full-bodied, well balanced and harmonious, elegant and gently tannic, persistent.

Production Method

Harvested by hand,  manual treading in opened tonneaux, soft cold crushing and pressing, then fermentation. 

Producer

Here at Corvezzo, our 100% certified organic winery with over half a century of winemaking tradition, we pursue this goal every day, thanks to our extraordinary expertise in the delicate art of organic viticulture.

The knowledge we gained experimenting innovative agronomic techniques for more than 10 years now, has made us sector leaders in the production of organic Prosecco and Pinot Grigio for vineyard surface of property.

The family’s winery and vineyard (154ha) are located near Treviso, between the Dolomites and the Adriatic Sea, a perfect area for the production of organic grapes.

"My name is Giovanni Corvezzo and I have been an Italian producer of organic grapes and wines for 10 years. My story, as a farmer and economist, has led me to understand that a wine is much more than a perfume or a flavor, it is a continuous research with the aim of improving. In my opinion, a good wine - which can truly be defined as better - must be respectful of the environment and the health of consumers. This is precisely the mission to which I have dedicated all my efforts over the past ten years and to which I will continue to devote myself incessantly in the future. I could talk for hours and hours about how strenuous and rewarding a path towards sustainability is, but I decided to let my wines speak for me. Never tire of improving by looking for perfection!" Giovanni Corvezzo

Specifications

Widely considered to be one of the best producers in Slovenia, Edi Simčič’s wines are truly unique, stoically traditional, and proudly Slovenian.

Duet was inspired by the dual concept of making a wine that offers both something satisfying to drink as well as appealing to true wine connoisseurs. 

Tasting Notes

It is reminiscent of blackberries, red cherries and a little of pepper. A wine of medium body and a more complex character of robust reds from the Goriška Brda region holding a soft texture and nice length, it has an ageing potential of up to five years.

Information about Edi Simčič

Three generations are still at work here, passing knowledge and experience from father to son every day. Edi himself is still very much a key character at the centre of the business, with his son Aleks working alongside him and taking the winery into a new era, while Aleks’ two sons learn their trade to take up the family mantle one day. Historically, Slovenia has experienced more than its fair share of hardships, re-shaping the lives of the whole population. In the case of Goriška Brda, the whole region was under fascist rule by Mussolini’s Italy up until the end of World War II, after which it passed into Communist rule as part of the reestablished Yugoslavia.

Like many other regions in the area, Goriška Brda’s whole agricultural industry suffered greatly under Communist rule, as all growers were expected to surrender a large portion of their grapes to the government, thus leaving growers with no resources to even consider quality growing and winemaking.

Upon independence and the formation of the Repubic of Slovenia in 1991, the family spared little time in pursuing their true calling as one of the leading winemakers of the country. Today their reputation is well-established, very deservedly so. Everything about Edi himself exudes gentleness, and this certainly comes across in the wines, thanks to patient growing, gentle handling in the cellar and utter perfectionism when it comes to ageing. Down in the cool cellars, none of the wines are rushed to be ready, and a masterful use of oak results in complex and slightly (but very attractively) oxidative wines.

Within Edi’s wheelhouse is a delicious Chardonnay, a wine he considers to be the first step everyone must take to fully understand his approach, after which comes the Sivi Pinot, the local name and style of Pinot Gris. The defining grape and wine of this project and indeed region is the indigenous Rebula, the true jewel in the Edi Simčič crown. Finally the range is rounded off with a red called Duet, a harmonious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. These wines are very special, and Edi and family have worked tirelessly to show the world what their region and country is capable of. This is Slovenia. 

Specifications

This is one of the most consensual and consecrated wines of Ravasqueira, which seeks to take advantage every year of a unique terroir where, before being planted grapes, there was an orchard of pomegranates.

Tasting Notes

Dense incarnate colour, dark and opaque. Closed nose, at first. Followed by a complexity of black fruits, cedar, forest fruits, squaw mint, spice mix, cardamom, and earthy. Tasteful, solid, growing tannins yet solid and elegant at the end. Very fresh, granite mineral finish.

Information about Monte da Ravasqueira

Located in the municipality of Arraiolos, about an hour’s drive from Lisbon, the Monte da Ravasqueira estate occupies a vast area of typical Alentejan landscape. The excellent geological conditions and the unusually cool climate are well suited to the production of some of the best wine that the Alentejo has to offer. A great deal has been invested in planting vines and acquiring sophisticated, modern winemaking equipment.

The vines are planted in clay limestone soil with granite outcrops which lend the grapes their distinctive minerality and freshness. The Vinha das Romãs Tinto is a premium blend of Syrah and Touriga Franca, grown on 7.5 hectares of a vineyard that used to grow pomegranate trees (Vinha das Romãs means ‘the Pomegranate Vine’), this is a fabulous expression of the modern Alentejo. The wine spends 9 months in French oak barrels, showing complex black fruit, cedar, wild berries, mix of spices, cardamom and earthy characteristics, a lot of freshness and a granitic mineral finish.

Specifications

Elegance and freshness mark this wine with an elegant, harmonious, and gastronomic profile.

Tasting Notes

Composed of grape varieties typical to the region, together with international castes that are usually planted in the Alentejo region. 

Colour

Dense garnet red with purple hues.

Nose

Intense aromas of blackberries, strawberries and plums.

Palate

Tasteful, solid, growing tannins yet solid and elegant at the end. Very fresh, granite mineral finish.

Winemaking

In the wine cellar, these grapes were vinified at low temperatures in order to preserve the intensity of the aromas and flavours so typical of this region’s grape varieties. The wine was then fermented in stainless steel vats and partially aged in barrels of French oak. It goes well with intense flavours.

Information about Monte da Ravasqueira Estate

Located in the municipality of Arraiolos, about an hour’s drive from Lisbon, the Monte da Ravasqueira estate occupies a vast area of the typical Alentejan landscape. The excellent geological conditions and the unusually cool climate are well suited to the production of some of the best wine that the Alentejo has to offer. A great deal has been invested in planting vines and acquiring sophisticated, modern winemaking equipment.

The vines are planted in clay-limestone soil with granite outcrops which lend the grapes their distinctive minerality and freshness. The Guarda Rios Tinto is a blend of Aragonez (70%) and Trincadeira (30%), from a 44-hectare vineyard, grown on clay-limestone with granite. These grapes are harvested late at night before being cool fermented for two days. 

Specifications

Tasting Notes 

Colour

Excellent colour and mid-density.

Nose

Being 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Shiraz it is more of the classic Aussie blend Cabernet/Shiraz. Lifted dark fruit and cedar notes on the nose. Riper dark fruit aromas than previously vintages, due to a warm year in McLaren Vale.

Palate

The vanillin oak background adds extra lift to the dark cherry/plum aromas, and finishes with a ripe tannin mouthfeel. Turkish delight and dark chocolate from the Shiraz component, makes this a very enjoyable Cricket Pitch blend.

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 highquality expressions of Australian terroir.

Specifications

"Possibly the single greatest dry red wine value in the world, this is an unbelievable wine … any wine retailer worth his weight should be stockpiling this wine next to the cash register ...I don’t understand how anyone can make wines this good to sell at this price… 90 points.” Robert Parker, the Wine Advocate #203.

Tasting Notes 

Nose

Rich, plum and red berry fruit with a touch of spice on the nose.

Palate

Balanced yet concentrated red fruit mingles with darker spice and chocolate characters to give weight and layers to the palate. Plump ripe tannins add grip to this classic style of Garnacha.

Production

From selected 15 to 30-year-old vines grown in low yielding hillside vineyards around 600m above sea level. Soils are stony with some sand. The Tempranillo and Syrah grapes are trellised, but Garnacha is bush vine. Harvest usually takes place in the first two weeks of October. Varieties are vinified separately (22-24º C) in stainless steel with 10-15 days maceration.

History

The winery was established as a co-operative in 1959. In 2001 it joined with two other progressive, co-operative, cellars in the Campo de Borja region to become the Bodegas Borsao that we know today.

Grapes are sourced from over 375 member growers covering 2,400 hectares - nearly a third of the region's total. Vineyards lie in the undulating foothills of the Moncayo mountain, ranging from around 350m to 800m above sea level. At lower altitudes vines are younger and may require some irrigation, but higher up the slopes the vines are older, unirrigated bush vines.

The climate is rather severe and arid, with hot dry days, and cool nights - which allow optimium acidity levels to be maintained within the grapes. Garnacha thrives in these conditions and represents 65% of total production. The Cierzo wind from the Moncayo sweeps across the foothills of the mountain. This cold, dry wind reduces humidity levels and allows grapes to be picked a couple of weeks later in the harvest, at full maturity.

Borsao has access to a large number of vineyard plots at different altitudes, and hence to a wide selection of fantastic quality grapes. They are recognised for their entry-level varietals - as outstanding examples of easy-to-drink inexpensive wines - as they are for their premium wines, in particular the iconic, multi-award-winning Tres Picos.

Sustainability

With 2,400 hectares of vineyards, Bodegas Borsao is a substantially sized operation in a warm, dry region and as a result the availability and usage of water is a major issue. All new plantings have reverted to the traditional style of bush training to preserve water. Inter-row plantings are used to improve the water-holding capacity of the soil and protect it from erosion. These cover crops mean that less spraying and tending of the vines is required, thus fewer passes are made by tractors which reduces the compaction of the soil and the consumption of diesel. Pheromone treatments are also employed to sexually confuse predatory insects, reducing their populations significantly.

These cover crops mean that less spraying and tending of the vines is required, thus fewer passes are made by tractors which reduces the compaction of the soil and the consumption of diesel. Pheromone treatments are also employed to sexually confuse predatory insects, reducing their populations significantly.

Awards

• 2019 Vintage - Silver at the 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards
• 2016 Vintage - Silver at the 2017 Sommelier Wine Awards

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Colour

Midnight black core with a deep dark red hue.

Nose

Elevated scents of blackcurrant laced with mint move through the olfactory senses trailed by some liquorice, spicy vanillin oak and earthy black olive notes.

Palate

Medium to full-bodied, rich blackcurrant, liquorice and choc mint flavours fill the mouth underpinned by vanillin cedar, earth and spice. Grainy tannins provide good structure and a touch of grip to the finish. Excellent depth with a long rich and wholly satisfying aftertaste.

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

Glaetzer Anaperenna is a seamless fusion of the two varieties Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Voluptuous, opulent and yet refined, with a very long and satisfying finish.

Tasting Notes

The name Anaperenna has been inspired by Anna Perenna, the Roman goddess of the New Year. Anna Perenna symbolises the year's cycle and her name translates as 'enduring year'. Romans honoured Anna Perenna with a festival held on the first full moon of the Roman calendar. On March 15th they would ask Anna to grant them longevity, and a healthy year for each glass of wine they drank on that day.

The symbol on the label is the Egyptian Ankh (pronounced: onk). Historically the ankh symbolised sunrise, regeneration, regrowth and renewal.

Colour

Impenetrable black with a hint of purple.

Nose

A spectrum of spicy yet plummy fruit, intense notes of liquorice and mixed herbs.

Palate

Displaying dense dark flavours yet with freshness and drive.

Vineyards

Exceptional old vine fruit was sourced from the famed Ebenezer sub district at the northern tip of the Barossa Valley. Vine age 30—100 year old Shiraz and 30—130 year old Cabernet. Yield 2.5 tonnes per hectare.

Vintage Conditions

A wet winter and spring coupled with cooler than average spring temperatures resulted in slower yet balanced canopy development and healthy flowering and fruit set. A mild summer with regular rainfall events followed allowing the fruit to be in no rush to mature, perfect for consistent ripening. Harvest commenced a few weeks later than recent years. The 2017 wines are of excellent quality exhibiting purity and lift with firm tannins and exceptional length.

Vinification

Fermented in 1 and 2 tonne open fermenters, hand plunged 3 times daily. Matured for 16 months in 100% new oak hogshead barrels (92% French and 8% American) and matured on lees to maintain fruit profile and animation. Bottled unfiltered to ensure minimal intervention with the wine’s natural characteristics.

About Glaetzer

This family-owned boutique winery was founded in 1995 and dedicates itself to the production of super-premium, sitespecific red wine made in small volumes. Originally from Germany, the Glaetzer family settled in Australia in the late 19th century and were some of the earliest recorded viticulturalists in the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley. Today the winery is run by internationally acclaimed winemaker Ben Glaetzer, who is responsible for driving the brand’s considerable loyal following. Ben sources all their fruit from the northern sub-region of the Barossa, Ebenezer, which is known for its ancient dry-grown vineyards. Glaetzer’s most exceptional fruit is sourced from 80-110 year-old, nongrafted bush vines. In the cellar, Ben believes in minimal intervention and treating musts as gently as possible. 

Though only limited Glaetzer wines are produced every year, the winery is known for producing wines that are unique and intense. 

2018 Anaperenna from Glaetzer Wines on Vimeo.

Specifications

Tasting Notes

Colour

Vibrant youthful red hues of good depth.

Nose

Ripe berry fruits with chocolate mint characters typical of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon.

Palate

Good concentration of ripe sweet berry fruits with impressive mid-palate fleshiness. Soft round palate profile with ripe tannin at finish.

Producer

We have worked with Michael Kerrigan for more than 25 years, and we are continually impressed with his talent and capacity for reinvention. Former winemaker at Howard Park and Madfish, Michael struck out on his own when his dream vineyards in the key quality region of Wilyabrup came up for sale. With more than 30 years of winemaking under his belt, and 12 years going solo with Hay Shed Hill, this man is one of the most experienced, respected and revered winemakers in Australia - and rightly so.

He is also a strong purveyor of classically blunt Aussie pearls of wisdom: “It’s all in the detail - you quite simply visit the vineyard every day. I’m not interested in being epic, I just want to make wine I like to drink”. He likens Margaret River’s climate to “Bordeaux in a perfect year”, and attributes the region’s success to its maritime climate, meaning a low diurnal range, very important in a country that is known for its extremes in temperature, and pretty much everything else!

Michael produces wines under two labels - the entry-level ‘Pitchfork’ range and the estate, single vineyard ‘Hay Shed Hill’ wines. The Pitchfork range represents unprecedentedly good value considering that all of the grapes are grown in Margaret River – very unusual for a wine at the entry-level from this region, and yet another example of Michael’s commitment to quality over all else. There are 4 lip-smackingly good, everyday wines in this range. Everything under the Hay Shed Hill label is single-vineyard, which Michael explains: “I make single vineyard and single block wines because they express a particular character – otherwise what’s the point?” All of the vines are dry-farmed and made from free-run juice only. The vineyards are around 20 years old and they are all farmed organically, but without certification. 

Specifications

Old world savoury Tempranillo meets new world vibrant fleshy flavoursome Shiraz in this new interpretation of a classic Australian wine style.

Tasting Notes

Colour

Vibrant red/black colour with a deep opaque centre.

Nose

The nose displays a complex blend of violets and spicy black pepper notes of the Shiraz with the more savoury liquorice aromas from the Tempranillo. 

Palate

Shiraz and Tempranillo are wonderful partners; two old varieties coming together to make a new vibrant blend. The Shiraz brings all the Australian fruit power, deep plum flavours with a peppery edge in a fleshy fruit sweet palate. The Tempranillo adds savoury elements and complex tannin structure to the wine resulting in a more complete wine than either of the two components could make on their own. This wine has all the sweet fleshiness that we expect in Shiraz with the added benefit of textural complexity. 

Vintage

It can get a bit repetitive describing vintages in Margaret River, our lesser vintages are still pretty good and our good vintages are just perfect. 2018 will, I believe, be proven to be in time one of the great vintages. Season 2018 can be described in short as ‘dry and mild’. The growing of fine wine grapes requires lots of good sunshine but not necessarily lots of heat. Hot weather will certainly aid the development of sugar but it seems to have very little to do with the development of all the desirable things like colour, aromas, flavours and tannins. So in fact milder seasons with good sunshine but cooler temperatures are usually the best; maximizing the development of aromas and flavours without ending up with high alcohols and over ripe jammy fruit characters. It was an early start, perhaps a bit surprisingly considering a very mild spring and start of summer. The weather records will show that the summer months of February and March in the South West of WA were generally fine, very little rain and with no days over 40°, in fact at Hay Shed Hill we had no days over 35°. The mild weather allowed even, gradual ripening and moderate accumulation of sugar, ideal conditions for the key varieties.

Winemaking

Both Shiraz and Tempranillo were de-stemmed and fermented separately in open vessels with extensive pump over cap management to aid colour and flavour extraction as well as optimize the tannin development. The wines were pressed off skins and matured in French oak barriques, approximately one-third new oak with the balance one and two year old. After 15 months in barrel the wines were blended according to taste.

We have worked with Michael Kerrigan for more than 25 years, and we are continually impressed with his talent and capacity for reinvention. The former winemaker at Howard Park and Madfish, Michael struck out on his own when his dream vineyards in the key quality region of Wilyabrup came up for sale. With more than 30 years of winemaking under his belt, and 12 years going solo with Hay Shed Hill, this man is one of the most experienced, respected and revered winemakers in Australia - and rightly so. He is also a strong purveyor of classically blunt Aussie pearls of wisdom: “It’s all in the detail - you quite simply visit the vineyard every day. I’m not interested in being epic, I just want to make wine I like to drink”. He likens Margaret River’s climate to “Bordeaux in a perfect year”, and attributes the region’s success to its maritime climate, meaning a low diurnal range, very important in a country that is known for its extremes in temperature, and pretty much everything else!

Michael produces wines under two labels - the entry-level ‘Pitchfork’ range and the estate, single vineyard ‘Hay Shed Hill’ wines. The Pitchfork range represents unprecedentedly good value considering that all of the grapes are grown in Margaret River – very unusual for a wine at the entry-level from this region, and yet another example of Michael’s commitment to quality over all else. There are 4 lip smackingly good, everyday wines in this range. Everything under the Hay Shed Hill label is single-vineyard, which Michael explains: “I make single vineyard and single block wines because they express a particular character – otherwise what’s the point?” All of the vines are dry-farmed and made from free-run juice only. The vineyards are around 20 years old and they are all farmed organically, but without certification. The Chardonnay sees 25% new oak and represents the ‘modern Australian Chardonnay’, in the words of its maker.

Specifications

A fine, harmonious, first-class wine.

LL’ Amor De’ Santi

This  is  the  title  of  a  15th-century  prayer  in  the  Tuscan language that the farmer,  together with the parish priest,  used to recite in the fields,  invoking the protection of the saints against misfortunes and to have a good harvest.

Introducing Fattorie dei Dolfi

Born from ancient family vineyards and the infectious passion of a career-change winemaker, Fattorie dei Dolfi is a relatively young estate with a remarkably bright future. Giovanni Dolfi initially pursued a very successful career as a horse trainer during which he had the opportunity to meet the Queen Mother and began working for Marchese Incisa della Rocchetta, the owner of the legendary Tenuta San Guido which produces Sassicaia. Through this connection he was introduced to the estate’s winemaker, Giacomo Tachis, who is regarded as the father of Sassicaia and was named Decanter’s Man of the Year in 2011. From then on Giovanni’s fate was sealed and it was only a matter of time before he and Giacomo began exploring how to unlock the potential of his family’s century-old vineyards close to the city of Pisa. Oeno Director and Co-founder Daniel Carnio describes Giovanni’s project as “a small paradise” thanks to his relentless commitment to quality in his vineyards. Most of Fattorie dei Dolfi’s plots are surrounded by woodland which helps to shield the vines from contamination from other forms of agriculture and preserves a high degree of biodiversity. As well as creating a very low incidence of disease, this also means the estate does not need to use any chemicals on the vines. To allow the remarkable quality of the fruit to shine through, Giovanni uses a light touch in the winery as well with his wines ageing in oak barrels previously used for Sassicaia. The estate’s top wines will be produced in tiny quantities of a few thousand bottles a year, making them highly attractive for investors and collectors of fine and rare Italian wines.

The Artorius and Imeneus red wines are both crafted using the Prugnolo Gentile grape which is the Sangiovese clone typically used in Montalcino. The former is an easy-going style ideal for enjoying with family and friends alongside a simple, wholesome meal. Imeneus, which is named after the beautiful son of Aphrodite and Bacchus in Greek mythology, is a more serious red which ages in oak barrels for up to 36 months. This bottling is a true collector’s wine with a remarkably complex flavour profile and high investment potential.

Finally, Bianco Per Amore is Giovanni’s personal project, created to be a wine that he himself would like to drink. Reminiscent of fine white Burgundy, this generous and full bodied white is made from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot grapes. Giovanni only produces around 150 bottles of this very special wine of which he retains a significant proportion for his own drinking pleasure!

Tasting Notes

LL’ Amor De’ Santi named after a 15th century Tuscan prayer, but is modern is style. Red currants and cranberry come through with hints of spice. There is a rich texture, with an elegenat and unique taste of medium tannins.

Colour

Full ruby-red tending to garnet, balanced and brilliant.

Fragrance

Full, noble and developed bouquet with intense notes of black fruits and hints of plum and blackberry.

Flavour

Also full, of great finesse and authority. Rich texture. elegant and unique, deep and soft with a long and pleasantly tannic closing.

Specifications

A unique and elegant wine.

L'Bruno de' Venti

The  story  is  told  that  many  years  ago, the  woods  surrounding  this vineyard were  the  refuge  of  a  dark  skinned reclusive  with  piercing  eyes, very  attractive  to  women. He  lived  by  poaching  game and  doing  whatever  he could. No  one  knew  exactly  where he  lived,  but  from  time  to  time he  appeared  near  Poggio  ai  Venti vineyard,  and  so  the  people hereabouts  called  him “’l  Bruno de’  Venti ” (the  Dark  Fellow  of  the  Winds).

Introducing Fattorie dei Dolfi

Born from ancient family vineyards and the infectious passion of a career-change winemaker, Fattorie dei Dolfi is a relatively young estate with a remarkably bright future. Giovanni Dolfi initially pursued a very successful career as a horse trainer during which he had the opportunity to meet the Queen Mother and began working for Marchese Incisa della Rocchetta, the owner of the legendary Tenuta San Guido which produces Sassicaia. Through this connection he was introduced to the estate’s winemaker, Giacomo Tachis, who is regarded as the father of Sassicaia and was named Decanter’s Man of the Year in 2011. From then on Giovanni’s fate was sealed and it was only a matter of time before he and Giacomo began exploring how to unlock the potential of his family’s century-old vineyards close to the city of Pisa. Oeno Director and Co-founder Daniel Carnio describes Giovanni’s project as “a small paradise” thanks to his relentless commitment to quality in his vineyards. Most of Fattorie dei Dolfi’s plots are surrounded by woodland which helps to shield the vines from contamination from other forms of agriculture and preserves a high degree of biodiversity. As well as creating a very low incidence of disease, this also means the estate does not need to use any chemicals on the vines. To allow the remarkable quality of the fruit to shine through, Giovanni uses a light touch in the winery as well with his wines ageing in oak barrels previously used for Sassicaia. The estate’s top wines will be produced in tiny quantities of a few thousand bottles a year, making them highly attractive for investors and collectors of fine and rare Italian wines.

The Artorius and Imeneus red wines are both crafted using the Prugnolo Gentile grape which is the Sangiovese clone typically used in Montalcino. The former is an easy-going style ideal for enjoying with family and friends alongside a simple, wholesome meal. Imeneus, which is named after the beautiful son of Aphrodite and Bacchus in Greek mythology, is a more serious red which ages in oak barrels for up to 36 months. This bottling is a true collector’s wine with a remarkably complex flavour profile and high investment potential.

Finally, Bianco Per Amore is Giovanni’s personal project, created to be a wine that he himself would like to drink. Reminiscent of fine white Burgundy, this generous and full bodied white is made from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot grapes. Giovanni only produces around 150 bottles of this very special wine of which he retains a significant proportion for his own drinking pleasure!

Tasting Notes

‘L Bruno De’ Venti is a Bordeaux blend. Dark currents pervade with a muscular back bone. Pure of fruit, the tannins are well rounded. Merlot vines from massal selection or between 50-70 years old. Cabernet Franc vines from massal selection of old vines.

Colour

Ruby red tending to garnet, velvety yet brilliant.

Fragrance

Very fragrant and rich with intense notes of cherry, plums and hints of toasted spices.

Flavour

Authoritarian and persistent, with soft and elegant tannins.

Bottles Produced

• Vintage 2008: 1743 (non more available).    
• Vintage 2009: 1790 (non more available).    
• Vintage 2010: 1696 (non more available).
• Vintage 2011: 1811 (non more available).
• Vintage 2012: 1432 

Specifications

Tasting Notes 

Nose

Showing complex aromatic nuances of rose petals, violets and sappy grilled herbs. 

Palate

The palate is supple and fleshy yet also displays a weightless concentration of red berry fruit, plum spice and savoury woodsmoke.

Winemakers Notes

Handpicked grapes, cooled overnight. 10% whole bunches. Grapes were cold soaked and partially natural fermented while minimal extraction was done. Maturing separately in older oak barrels.

Vineyards

If you can talk to a grape, it will tell you that the Piekenierskloof region is the ideal spot for a tough top class wine-producing grape, as it’s exposed to extreme conditions. Piekenierskloof is the mountain pass between Piketberg and Citrusdal, over the Olifants River Mountains. With warm inland temperatures rising from the Swartland during the day and cool Atlantic sea breezes rolling in overnight, these grapes grow in a dryer soil with just enough water to produce grapes that add depth and complexity to every single sip. 

The Region

The Swartland begins some 50 kilometers north of Cape Town and consists of the regions between the towns of Malmesbury in the south, Darling in the west, Piketberg in the north and the Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel in the east. It is so called because of the endemic Renosterbos that appears dark mainly when it rains in winter. The Swartland area is mainly known for wheat, but the crown prince in this area is the small concentrated berries of the vines that produce well-balanced and exceptionally ripe and deep-flavoured wines.

A Southern Rhone styled red - juicy & bursting with flavour that finishes with a very moreish, lingering aftertaste.

Tasting Notes 

Nose

Cherry, raspberry, perfumed fruit notes with subtle pepper and spice on the nose.

Palate 

The elegant palate reveals dark choc and supple, cedary notes, underpinned by vanilla oak flavours. Incredibly soft on palate entry. 

History

The Megan is a tribute to Megan Mackenzie, wife of Ken "Stork" Mackenzie whose family still owns Hartenberg Wine Estate. Megan met Ken whilst still at school and once time passed, they got married and so started a twenty-four year love story. Initially assisting in the family business, but also a celebrated harpist, Megan sowed the early seeds for the decision to later buy Hartenberg Wine Estate, whilst on their honeymoon vacation to the Cape in 1952. Megan sadly passed away in the prime of her life and Ken never remarried. 

The Estate

On the slopes of Bottelary Hills bordering Stellenbosch, is a family estate where nature provides the perfect backdrop to grow, produce and share award-winning wines. Summer at Hartenberg brings picnics on the lawns followed by buoyant games of boule. Winter invites you to intimate fireside lunches and sumptuous reds, smoky charcuterie and olives, and sensorial cellar tours. Our Wetland Conservation Area, alongside the vineyards, makes for a beautiful setting for walks and shared family fun.

"Home of the Worlds Best Shiraz"

The most sold wine in the Hartenberg portfolio, now celebrating 26 vintages. At a previous Classic Wine Trophy competition ten Gold medals were awarded by the French judges to the 385 red wines. Most estates entered their flagship wines. Due to Hartenbergs' uncompromising approach to standards they felt comfortable entering the pocket-friendly Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz. The wine won Gold.

Tasting Notes 

Colour

Vibrant red in colour.

Nose

An alluring blend of wild herbs and spices on the nose with hints of freshly picked dark fruits and berries on the palate, ending in a savoury finish. 

Palate 

Ripe, soft tannins balance well with the lingering finish.

The Estate

On the slopes of Bottelary Hills bordering Stellenbosch, is a family estate where nature provides the perfect backdrop to grow, produce and share award-winning wines. Summer at Hartenberg brings picnics on the lawns followed by buoyant games of boule. Winter invites you to intimate fireside lunches and sumptuous reds, smoky charcuterie and olives, and sensorial cellar tours. Our Wetland Conservation Area, alongside the vineyards, makes for a beautiful setting for walks and shared family fun.

Accolades

It’s pretty easy-going and the tannins are soft enough for you to keep wanting more. The finish is long and very pure.

“A family estate where enthusiasm is still cultivated by the slightly off-beat joy of creating natural, sincere and authentic wines” Nicolas Despagne.

Tasting Notes

Aromas of cassis and dark berry fruits lead to a rounded palate with supple blackberry and plum flavours and a delicate spice note. Always delivers excellent value Bordeaux.

Producer

The Château Maison Blanche takes its name from a large and beautiful building in white stone located in the heart of a large park. This is the family estate of Nicolas Despagne: an illustrious family of wine producers. Nicolas Despagne runs this 32 hectare estate and makes lovely, distinct wines. “Les Piliers” de Maison Blanche is a great value wine, with a lovely vibrant colour and a nose of supple berries with just the beginnings of spice and dried fruits.

Production

Les Piliers de Maison Blanche is the second wine of the domain. It is made up of wines from young vines enhanced by “coupes” of great wine from old vines planted on the estate's historic terroirs. It is a medium aging wine which is tasted young for its firmness and power, between two and four years, then in its period of maturity, during which its fragrances are fully expressed, from age of seven.
Cultivation without pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers containing synthetic chemical molecules; tillage & grassing conversion to organic farming in 2006 (Écocert certificate), part of which in bio-dynamism since 2002.

According to traditional vinification rules, respecting the expression of the terroir in the fruit without adding yeasts, bacteria, nitrogen, tannins, enzymes, shavings, tartaric acid (etc.) without recourse, automated thermoregulation, artificial concentration, micro-bubbling (etc.) Malolactic fermentations in vats without seeding.

Specifications

The wine is fresh and fruity with red and black fruit aromas on the nose and an elegant yet firm palate. A fine and elegant wine.

Tasting Notes

Colour

A rich, deep color that immediately announces the tone of the vintage. It appears as a highly concentrated wine.

Nose

The rich, complex nose confirms this impression, with a blend of black fruit and spices such as black pepper, cinnamon and vanilla.

Palate

In the mouth, the attack is at once fresh and profuse. The sense of volume continues mid-palate while velvety tannins gradually develop, giving the wine its body without ever becoming overbearing. Everything is in perfect balance. A few notes of cocoa and coffee complement the broad aromatic palette right up to the prolonged finale, supported by extremely mature tannins.

Charmes de Kirwan is typically a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot and represents a quarter of the total château production. It is the main wine’s “little brother” and is generally made from the fruit of the youngest vines and parcels of the vineyard that are less gravelly, but sandier. 

Producer

Introduced in 1993, Les Charmes de Kirwan is the second wine of Château Kirwan, a third growth Margaux property in the commune of Cantenac, which has been owned by the Schyler family since 1925. Today, Jean-Henri Schyler lives in the Château and shares his passion of the terroir with his children Sophie, Nathalie and Yann. Thanks to their efforts alongside winemaker Philippe Delfaut, Château Kirwan has been producing superb wines in recent years. 

Awards

• Silver Medal - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, 2019

Specifications

This is a cracking wine with a generously fruity nose, good firm structure, supple tannins and a lovely mouthfeel. 

Tasting Notes

Colour

Beautiful deep Garnet hue

Nose

Fine and generous on the nose with red fruits aromas laced with spice. Full-bodied red wine with blackcurrant, vanilla spice and liquorice notes.

Palate

The rich palate has great attach with a firm structure, supple tannins and superb mouthfeel with all elements well-integrated.

Producer

Lagorce, also known as the Great Gorce refers to a type of vegetation that is found in the Haux commune. It is based on this 16th-century vegetation that the wine estate, Chateau Lagorce got its name. Located in the southwestern part of France, this estate was originally a castle in the administrative region of Gironde. In the 17th century, the Faux family members planted the first Barsac and Sauternes vines in the Lagorce vineyards.

Château La Gorce is run by the enthusiastic and devoted Fabre family who have made first-rate Médoc at this Domaine since 1980. There are 45 hectares in total planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. For the Cru Bourgeois, 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon are combined to form a classic Médoc blend. Only the best grapes selected from oldest vines make it into the Cru which is then aged for 12-18 months in oak. 

Awards

• 1 Star - Le Guide Hachette des Vins, 2016
• Bronze - Challenge International du Vin, 2014
• Gold - Concours des Grands Vins de France

Specifications

This good-value Bordeaux, produced by the Compagnet family, shows wonderful, deep rich berry fruit with an excellent smooth texture and firm spicy structure. This was a particularly wonderful vintage!

Tasting Notes

Palate

Deep rich ripe berry fruit with an excellent smooth texture, firm tannins and good aging potential. The aftertaste is fruity and spicy.

Producer

Over the last four decades, the Compagnet family has built their reputation on the sheer quality of their wines, as well as the great value for money they provide.

Château Le Pey has a total of 49 hectares of vines and is the oldest and most important property of the Compagnet family. The château was classified a Cru Bourgeois in 2003 and is now a member of the Cru Bourgeois Alliance. Françoise and Claude along with their children Olivier and Pierre, cultivate, vinify and commercialise 100% of the production so it is a real family affair.

The soil at Château Le Pey is made up of clay and limestone and the vineyards are planted with 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot. The terroir lends itself to the rich, earthy flavour of the wine and with 12 months’ ageing in French oak barrels (25% new).

Chateau Le Pey is made up of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot and comes from a vineyard area of 32 hectares. The soils here are clay and limestone and the average age of the vines are 20 years of age. The wine spends 12 months in oak of which 25% is new. This Château is situated just north of St-Estèphe.

Awards

• SILVER MEDAL - Concours General Agricole Paris 2016 (2015 Vintage)
• 91 points Wine Enthusiast - from the superb 2015 vintage.

Specifications

Summertime Claret! This lovely Bordeaux blend pairs easy to meats, cheeses and flavourful vegetable dishes.

Tasting Notes

Colour

With the first pour, the wine is visually striking, with a dark ruby body and a scarlet rim.  

Nose

On the nose, it is aromatic with fresh red fruit (think wild cherry and ripe raspberry) rising from the glass, mixed with notes of cassis and spice.

Palate

On the palate, more dark cherry and silky lavender fill the mouth with a light mineral presence and a soft, elegant finish.

Producer

This domaine is owned by Pascal Pallaruelo, a Frenchman with Spanish heritage who produces generous and enjoyable wines year after year. Part of a new generation of Bordeaux producers, Pascal runs his 20-hectare domaine with his wife Karine. The vineyards are in Entre-Deux-Mers, the village of Saint Andre-du-Bois and are farmed with “lutte raisonnee” methodology. 

Alan's Personal Tasting Notes

Specifications

Very well made and incredibly well balanced

Tasting Notes

Château Haut-Grelot was established in 1920 in the village of Les Grelots by the Bonneau family. Today the Domaine is comprised of 58 hectares of vineyards and is run by Céline and Julien, who have been awarded the title of “Best Young Talent” in Bordeaux. The vineyards are made up of sandy gravel on the hillsides bordering the Gironde Estuary and sand clay-silt on the hillsides further inland. Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux benefits from an ideal microclimate where there is a high level of sunshine and just enough rain. The reds are fruity and concentrated and the whites are fresh, vibrant, and delicate. The Rouge is produced from 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and spends some time in oak barrels creating rich, plummy fruit supported by silky tannins.

Colour

Ruby red colour 

Palate

Lovely flavors of red berry fruit with vanilla, spicy nuances. On the palate, the wine is round, fruity, and well balanced with a long aromatic finish.

Sustainability

Since 2015, Euralis and Château Haut Grelot have set up a program called OPTIDOSE to reduce phytosanitary products. Their philosophy is to preserve the landscape and ensure the best quality of their wines.

Alan's Personal Tasting Notes

"All the cassis and blackcurrant aromas and flavours we come to expect from quality Bordeaux - but the plum mines of the merlot isn’t far behind in concentration. Like the white, it is very well made and incredibly well balanced with the forward fruit tamed by a mix of vanilla and spice - no doubt from some oak aging.

Extremely silky tannins with good length, finishes this off nicely.

To summarise the Haut Grelot Red & White are a fantastic pair of very well-made and well-balanced wines that show Bordeaux well at this price point - not something you can always say at this price point!" January 2022

Specifications

"Gentlemen (and ladies), grab your Claret, for the game is afoot. Wonderful, sophisticated wine." Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

Mac's much-loved Cabernet blend named in honour of his father. An Australian Bordeaux.

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

Mac Forbes believes the Yarra Valley's best wine is, in fact, the Cabernet blend, rather than Pinot Noir or Chardonnay. He's been inspired by the likes of Mount Mary where he worked for many years, and this blend, named after Mac's father Hugh, is every bit the highly fragrant, medium-bodied and elegant style of Bordeaux blend the region is famous for.

The 2016 season in the Yarra Valley brought lovely ripeness to the Cabernet et. al. in this blend and has resulted in one of Mac's best releases of the wine to date. This site offering perhaps a little more 'flesh' on release than previous versions of Hugh. If you like your Cabernet blends in a more subtle and elegant style, this is simply stunning. Only made in tiny quantities and just a pleasure to drink.

The "Hugh" Cabernet Blend

The Bordeaux blend is still arguably the most successful of all grapes or blends from the Yarra Valley. At relatively low alcohols the wines are elegant, perfumed and ripe. While approachable as a young wine – the 2017 Hugh will age gracefully for twenty plus years. In this wine Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant variety and is complimented by Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

The Vintage

2017 started slowly and took a more leisurely stroll through to harvest in March. Punctuated with regular rainfall and a moderate warmth, 2017 was a gorgeous season with near-perfect conditions for ripening fruit. Low sugars and higher acids dancing with glorious fruit weight define 2017.

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