- Alicante Bouschet
- Bonarda
- Brunello
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carmenère
- Chardonnay
- Chenin Blanc
- Cinsault
- Corvina
- Gewürtztraminer
- Goldmuskateller
- Grenache / Garnacha
- Grüner Veltliner
- Malbec
- Malvasia Fine
- Merlot
- Molinara
- Mourvèdre / Mataró / Monastrell
- Muscat
- Nebbiolo
- Palomino
- Petit Verdot
- Pinot Bianco/ Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
- Pinot Meunier
- Pinot Noir
- Pinotage
- Prieto Picudo
- Riesling
- Rondinella
- Roussanne
- Sangiovese
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
- Shiraz / Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Tinta Barroca
- Touriga Nacional
- Viognier
- Viura Blanco / Macabeu / Macabeo
- Zweigelt
- Alicante Bouschet
- Bonarda
- Brunello
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carmenère
- Chardonnay
- Chenin Blanc
- Cinsault
- Corvina
- Gewürtztraminer
- Goldmuskateller
- Grenache / Garnacha
- Grüner Veltliner
- Malbec
- Malvasia Fine
- Merlot
- Molinara
- Mourvèdre / Mataró / Monastrell
- Muscat
- Nebbiolo
- Palomino
- Petit Verdot
- Pinot Bianco/ Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
- Pinot Meunier
- Pinot Noir
- Pinotage
- Prieto Picudo
- Riesling
- Rondinella
- Roussanne
- Sangiovese
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
- Shiraz / Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Tinta Barroca
- Touriga Nacional
- Viognier
- Viura Blanco / Macabeu / Macabeo
- Zweigelt
An 'Aladdin's Cave of Wines await you here!
2017 Tohu Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Chardonnay
Regular price £26.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'% Select fruit from our Awa Block, Awatere Valley, fermented in 500L French oak puncheons to create integrated body and complexity. Flinty, fruity and generous.
Nose
Aromas of juicy ripe stonefruit, pink grapefruit and soft smoky oak.
Palate
Richly textured palate of citrus, summer fruits and subtle mealy characteristics. Seamless balance, refinement and length.
Vineyard
Awatere Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand. Awa (River) Block. Planted 2010. 1.10ha. Silt-loam terraced block renowned for its long, cool ripening period.
Vinification
The 2016/2017 growing season began with a frost-free spring and good early shoot growth. Warm still dry conditions in the late summer, unaffected by early autumn rains in other parts of the region. Warm and settled weather in the latter part of the harvest period allowed extra ripening time.
Winemaking
Hand-harvested grapes, gently whole-bunch pressed • unsettled juice then moved to old French oak barriques for fermentation. Fermentation with natural ‘wild’ yeasts, with a cultivated yeast added partway through fermentation to assist the wine to dryness . Post-fermentation, each barrel underwent twice-weekly batonage (yeast stirring). Malo-lactic fermentation occurred once the weather warmed in the spring. Individual barrel assessment, with only the best deemed exceptional enough to make the final blend.
Bottled March 2018 - 4140 bottles produced
Accolades
- Gold - International Wine Challange 2020 - 95 points
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | New Zealand |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Chicken, truffles and Potato Gratin |
Appellation | Marlborough |
Lustau Manzanilla Pasada de Sanlúcar Almacenista Cuevas Jurado (500ml)
Regular price £28.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This Manzanilla Pasada of Sanlúcar is aged for 7 years in a solera of 80 barrels and the butts used for this are over 80 years old!
Tasting Notes
Pale straw in color, this Pastured Chamomile is deliciously aromatic, with almond and aniseed hints and the characteristic nuance of the sea breeze. Dry, fresh and light, still with the essence and body of a Chamomile and with a refreshing acidity.
Producers
Accolades
- 2019 IWSC Silver Award Winner
Specifications
Year | Non Vintage |
Bottle Size | 500ml |
Cultivar | Palomino |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 17% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.5 units |
Type | Fortified Wine - Dry Sherry |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Serve at 7 - 9ºC. Perfect as an aperitif, with tapas or as an accompaniment to seafood, oysters, white fish, smoked salmon and asparagus. |
Origin | Cadiz, Andalucia |
Appellation |
DO Manzanilla Sanlúcar de Barrameda |
2018 Edi Simčič Sivi Pinot Gris
Regular price £23.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Widely considered to be one of the best producers in Slovenia, Edi Simčič’s wines are truly unique, stoically traditional and proudly Slovenian.
Tasting Notes
A richly-textured and stylish Pinot Gris bursting with ripe tropical fruits and hints of smoke, oak and toasted hazelnuts from the oak maturation.
This bold, full-flavoured profile perfect with risottos, creamy chicken dishes and pastas!
Information about Edi Simčič
Three generations are still at work here, passing knowledge and experience from father to son every day. Edi himself is still very much a key character at the centre of the business, with his son Aleks working alongside him and taking the winery into a new era, while Aleks’ two sons learn their trade to take up the family mantle one day. Historically, Slovenia has experienced more than its fair share of hardships, re-shaping the lives of the whole population. In the case of Goriška Brda, the whole region was under fascist rule by Mussolini’s Italy up until the end of World War II, after which it passed into Communist rule as part of the reestablished Yugoslavia.
Like many other regions in the area, Goriška Brda’s whole agricultural industry suffered greatly under Communist rule, as all growers were expected to surrender a large portion of their grapes to the government, thus leaving growers with no resources to even consider quality growing and winemaking.
Upon independence and the formation of the Repubic of Slovenia in 1991, the family spared little time in pursuing their true calling as one of the leading winemakers of the country. Today their reputation is well-established, very deservedly so. Everything about Edi himself exudes gentleness, and this certainly comes across in the wines, thanks to patient growing, gentle handling in the cellar and utter perfectionism when it comes to ageing. Down in the cool cellars, none of the wines are rushed to be ready, and a masterful use of oak results in complex and slightly (but very attractively) oxidative wines.
Within Edi’s wheelhouse is a delicious Chardonnay, a wine he considers to be the first step everyone must take to fully understand his approach, after which comes the Sivi Pinot, the local name and style of Pinot Gris. The defining grape and wine of this project and indeed region is the indigenous Rebula, the true jewel in the Edi Simčič crown. Finally the range is rounded off with a red called Duet, a harmonious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. These wines are very special, and Edi and family have worked tirelessly to show the world what their region and country is capable of. This is Slovenia.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Gris (otherwise known as Pinot Grigio) |
Country | Slovenia |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring | Drink now through to 2026. Serve chilled. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Aging |
The grapes are harvested at optimum maturity while there is still ample acidity to ensure balance in the finished wine. After fermentation the young wine is aged in oak barrels for 10 months to add complexity and body. |
Food Matching | A great match for all manner of cuisines ranging from risottos and creamy chicken dishes to gnocchi and lasagne. |
Origin | Goriška Brda |
2021 Brokenwood Chardonnay
Regular price £24.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A very modern Australian Chardonnay that will age perfectly.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Perfect, pale green colour and lifted grapefruit aromas.
Nose
The finesse on both aroma and palate comes from earlier picking dates and older, large format French oak. Some ‘bran meal’ notes but the fruit takes centre stage with stone fruit and zesty citrus characters.
Palate
The minimal oak sits nicely with the fine, juicy citrus flavours on the palate accompanied by subtle bran meal. The driving force of this wine is the acidity – long and pure. Approximately 90% from Beechworth and the balance from Orange, the final components of this wine basically selected themselves. Another top-notch vintage!
About Brokenwood Wines
Founded in 1970 as a hobby venture by three Sydney-based solicitors - Tony Albert, John Beeston and Australian wine critic James Halliday - Brokenwood is perhaps best known for their Cricket Pitch label, which was first sourced from a 4-hectare block at the foothills of the Hunter Valley’s Brokenback Ranges. The block was originally earmarked as the local cricket ground before they decided to plant a vineyard instead.
Similarly, Brokenwood purchased their neighbouring block, which was intended to be the local cemetery, and instead planted Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, becoming their critically acclaimed flagship wine, the Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz. Chief Winemaker and Managing Director Iain Riggs joined Brokenwood in 1982 and introduced new winery equipment and facilities specifically for premium white wine production.
Since 1983, white wine makes up a significant part of total production and their Semillon is widely recognized as one of the finest in the world. Iain has also been the driving force behind Brokenwood’s expansion into the McLaren Vale in South Australia, Beechworth in Victoria, Margaret River in Western Australia, and Orange in New South Wales. Despite their expansion, they have managed to remain fiercely committed to producing unique and high-quality expressions of Australian terroir.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Astounding balance of fresh fruit and oak in this beauty. Lots of zesty citric fruits are tempered by a really soft, round oak influence. The oak is larger format and older than standard Australian practices - which tempers the influence over the fruit. Perfect balance and poise, lovely complexity - all the attributes for good bottle ageing - so will hide a few of these for later years!" May 2022
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.3 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Rich seafoods, pasta and light meat dishes. |
Origin | Hunter Valley |
Appellation | New South Wales |
2017 Mac Forbes Coldstream Pinot Noir
Regular price £31.68 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Utterly charming and generous wine from Mac's warmest Pinot site.
An understated, elegant Pinot with fine ripe red fruit well balanced with freshness and hints of spicy oak. Subtle and long, hints of minerality with great purity.
Tasting Notes
Mac has chosen not to provide traditional tasting notes for any of his wines. His aim is that his wines hopefully capture vineyard life and vitality. As such the wines are constantly evolving. He believes that the only tasting notes that matter are yours!
The Wine
"This is our warmest Pinot vineyard," says Mac, "so we are conscious of protecting the fruit from hot prevailing winds and high temperatures. The soils hold much of the afternoon heat so this is usually the first vineyard picked. Due to the increased exposure, this wine displays greater fruit punctuation supported by a firm yet dense tannin bed."
Critical Acclaim
"Mac Forbes’s pinot noirs – not to mention his gorgeous rieslings – are the epitome of elegant freshness, with this equivalent of a Burgundy village all about purity and clarity of red fruit and subtle savouriness."
David Williams, The Observer Magazine, 14th April 2019
About Mac Forbes
If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.
Mac specialises in single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.
His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.
And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!
Alan's Personal Notes
"This is delicious!! Not many times I reach for a second bottle but I did tonight!! Delicate soft berry fruit, fresh acidity but not overwhelming, soft, supple tannins. Light bodied but with great length, structure and complexity- a true masterpiece!!"
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 11.5 alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.63 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Drink until 2027. We recommend decanting this wine prior to serving. (14-16 degrees) |
Maturation | 11 months in old oak |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Coldstream, Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
2018 Mac Forbes EB42 Summer Lovin' Pinot Meunier
Regular price £30.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Pinot Meunier made for smashing in the sunshine. Such a gluggable delight from Mac Forbes!
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!
"This is our second go at a Pinot Meunier. Like its predecessor (EB26) this light red is best served chilled on a balmy day….because sometimes, all you want is a refreshing thirst quenching red." says Mac.
Mac's had a few digs at Pinot Meunier over the last few years, it's as light as a feather. A crunchy nouveau light red that loves a little chill before being served.
Mac's got great feel when crafting Pinot Noir, same deal here with the cousin variety. Chill it down and drink in the warmer months!
About Mac Forbes
If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.
Mac specialises in single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.
His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.
And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Meunier |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 10.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 7.88 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 2022 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
2021 Gnarly Head Unoaked Viognier
Regular price £16.50 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A refreshing, full-bodied wine with light fruit - a delicious summer wine! Perfect for a family event, barbecue, or cooking with friends.
Tasting Notes
Colour
In the glass, this wine shines in a bright golden yellow with glittering reflections.
Nose
It has fruity aromas of citrus blossom, ripe peach and just a hint of minerality.
Palate
On the palate, the flavors of white nectarine and peach mix and give this wine its fresh taste - simply delicious. The freshness harmonises wonderfully with the well integrated acidity and the full-bodied texture.
Producer
The unoaked Viognier from Gnarly Head from the North American wine-growing region of California is a pure grape variety, refreshing and full-bodied white wine.
The grapes for this American white wine grow in the vineyards of Lodi.
After harvesting, the grapes are immediately taken to the Gnarly Head cellar. There the grapes are destemmed, gently pressed and filled into stainless steel tanks for alcoholic fermentation. This white wine is not matured in wood.
Alan's Tasting Notes
"Just Wow!! The clue is in the label - unoaked - so no oak used in fermentation or maturation - which lets the fruit shine through in all its majesty - pure peach and nectarine - enhanced by refreshing acidity and a touch of minerality. Pure quality at a reasonably affordable price point for California - love it - and so will our customers - they just have to try it and it’ll hook all in its path." Tasted July 2022
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Viognier |
Country | USA |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Serving |
Best served chilled at 10-12C |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Try with Indian vegetable or chicken korma, shrimp and cheese quiche or black label Emmental. It also goes well with truffled risotto, curry chicken, spicy prawns, smoked fish or lightly grilled meat and schnitzel. |
Origin | California |
Appellation | Napa Valley |
2017/18 Ataraxia Pinot Noir
Regular price £26.40 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Greek for “a serene state of mind, free from worry and preoccupation”, Ataraxia lives up to the hype. Aptly called The Skyfields, Ataraxia Wines is perfectly positioned on a commanding rise in the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde wine-growing area. Just a short distance from the coastal village of Hermanus, a picture-perfect drive brings you to the most elevated part of these winelands. Here you can experience jaw-dropping vineyard, valley and mountain views: all from the chapel-like Wine Lounge®, while sampling some of the most exciting wines South Africa has to offer.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The wine has an intriguing luminous hue that reflects rather than absorbs light. The svelte nose offers up a fine blend of red cherries, pomegranate, delicate forest floor and a hint of spice and new oak.
Palate
On the palate the wine is sensual and embracing, with a captivating mid-palate depth, lovely transparency and excellent focus on a suavely tannic finish.
In the Cellar and in the Vineyards
Grapes were hand-picked into small crates and then sorted, destemmed and gently crushed at the cellar. A 10 day pre-fermentation cold soak period in open fermenters was followed by a temperature-controlled ferment, peaking at 28°C for a total cuvaison of 22 days. The cap was gently punched down twice a day during alcoholic fermentation. The wine was then pressed and racked to carefully-selected French oak barrels, 22% of which were new and where 100% malolactic fermentation occurred.
History
Hemel-en-Aarde is Afrikaans for “heaven and earth” and the claim is justified. Our estate sits on a particularly heavenly stretch of land beneath a lofty peak of the Babylon’s Tower mountain range. In addition to its unrelenting beauty, Ataraxia is home to some of the most spectacular terroirs South Africa has to offer.
In 2004, The Skyfields Farm was visioned into the Ataraxia wine label when husband and wife, Kevin and Hanli Grant and a few friends purchased this 47-hectare prime vineyard property. More than a decade later, they are associated with crafting wines of incredible finesse, balance, and depth.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Noir |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13.39 alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 5-10 years |
Ageing |
Aged 11 months in 225L French oak barrels |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Crispy duck pancakes, grilled quail, pulled or char siu pork, tuna. |
Origin | WO Western Cape |
Appellation | Hemel-en-Aarde |
2022 Oldenburg Chenin Blanc
Regular price £22.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This vintage of Chenin Blanc displays a stunning array of aromas and flavours!
Tasting Notes
Nose
Peaches and cream, gentle citrus pith, with hints of beeswax and honey. Burnt orange peel and vibrant notes of naartjie and ginger add to floral hues of jasmine and chamomile.
Palate
The palate shows ripe pears and naartjie, accompanied by an elegant hint of vanilla and chamomile. The mouth-feel is sublime, the acidity is zesty, and the fruit is incredibly balanced. Lovely notes of honey and baking spices linger on the finish.
Winery
At Oldenburg Vineyards we believe that great wines can only come from the best quality grapes. Our intervention in the vineyards is minimal to reflect the full potential of our mountain terroir. The Oldenburg Vineyards Series is a true expression of terroir through our range of single cultivar wines. The confluence of the 8 Natural Elements that determine our unique terroir is explored through these wines and their real sense of place. The 8 elements are depicted on the intricate Oldenburg Vineyards Series label design. Wines made in an uncompromising manner intending to showcase the finest characteristics of each cultivar.
Vinification
Grapes were picked by hand from cooler climate vineyards with an average age of 40 years. Bunches were sorted by hand and whole bunch pressed in a pneumatic press on a gentle Champagne cycle. The juice was settled overnight and then racked to Austrian oak Foudre and older fill 300L French oak barrels for spontaneous fermentation. The wild yeast fermentation took 2 to 3 months to complete. Partial Malolactic conversion was done on some of the batches.
11 months in 70% Austrian oak Foudre, 30% in Old French oak barrels
Vintage Conditions
Stellenbosch, in general, played host to a perfect winter, with steady cold units being accumulated through to the end of August with even rainfall throughout the winter. The good winter cold led to a particularly even bud break. Spring was cool and dry, which favoured the flowering and fruit set for the vintage. Good summer rainfall meant the vigour needed to be kept in check. Despite a relatively hot and dry ripening period, temperatures were kept moderate due to our higher altitude and ultimately led to an exceptionally good harvest with great sugar accumulation.
Accolades
- 93pts | Tim Atkin
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.8 units |
Food matching | Goats cheese and apple salad topped with candied walnuts and a honey vinaigrette. |
Cellaring Potential | A wine that promises to reward those who choose to let it develop in the bottle for a further 8 – 12 years. |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2020 Painted Wolf Black Tip Mourvédre
Regular price £20.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Background
The Vineyards
The grapes are from Kasteelsig vineyard, owned by Billy (Guillermo) Hughes, and are organically certified. Soil is red Glenrosa with some Oakleaf – shale-rich duplex soils. The vineyards are not irrigated.
Winemaking
The grapes were fermented with natural yeast in open tanks and a small, manually-rotating steel tank (20% whole-bunches). Malolactic conversion and maturation took place in small French and American oak barrels (20% new) for 8 months. Total production 2,800 bottles.
Painted Wolf Wines supports the conservation of the highly endangered painted wolf (African wild dog) and the protection of the diminishing wild spaces of Africa, through its donations to the EWT – www.ewt.org.za and Tusk – www.tusk.org.
Awards
- 2020 Painted Wolf wins trophy for Most Successful Producer Overall at 2019 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show
- Bronze at the 2023 IWC
- Double Silver at the NWC
- 4.5 starts Platters Guide
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Mourvèdre 85%, Syrah 15% |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential |
This wine is delicious now but will continue to develop over ten years from vintage. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Try with braised beef shanks, sweet and sour pork, wild mushroom risotto or Mexican-style ostrich in mole, melted cheese toastie or salt-baked Gruyere |
Appellation | W.O. Swartland |
2016 Pieter Ferriera Blanc de Blanc
Regular price £38.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%No introductions are required for Mr and Mrs Bubbles themselves. Ann, the owner, and Pieter, the winemaker, at Pieter Ferreira are nothing short of South African legends.
Pieter has always been a fearless boundary breaker when it comes to producing some of the world’s best bubbly – his journey started out with three harvests in Champagne before returning to South Africa where he chairs the Cap Classique Association and is a member of the Cape Winemakers Guild. The Blanc de Blancs 2016 is no exception to his rule of excellence.
Tasting Notes
Colour
In the glass, the wine smiles at the eye with an enchanting luminous straw yellow colour, enlivened by a fine beady mousse.
Palate
The experience on the palate is a display of classic yeasty tones beneath an ocean of fine bubbles, these being layered with flavours of lime pith, citrus peel and green almond, the wine finishing on a comforting brioche note. The experience is memorable, a Cap Classique focus and precision with a firm, well-integrated mousse and persistent bead – the universal lifeblood of a great bottle-fermented sparkling wine.
Vintage
The Chardonnay was selected from various vineyard blocks in the famous Robertson wine region, some 160km east of Cape Town. Here the region’s unique soils of weathered shale-rich limestone deposits have ensured Robertson’s status as South Africa’s leading region for the growing of Cap Classique grapes.
Viticulture
In the quest for optimum terroir expression of the Cape Winelands, Chardonnay grapes for this Blanc de Blancs are sourced from a diversity of sites located in a spectrum of spectacular pockets of the Western Cape’s geography. Grapes are hand-picked whereafter each bunch undergoes a thorough selection process ensuring only the finest and healthiest fruit is approved to partake in the magical journey of Cap Classique crafting.
Vinification
Whole-bunch press separates the cuvée from the taille, with only the pure, unblemished cuvée portion used to further the process. After settling, most of the beautiful clear juice is fermented in stainless steel tanks, with a small portion set aside to undergo fermentation in traditional French oak barrels from Tonnellerie Artisanale de Champagne (Pièce Champenoise). This oaked component offers complexity and depth, as well as the focus point required to establish the wine’s exceptional status. The various individual parcels are then selected through a rigorous tasting process to choose individual sections for the Blanc de Blancs.
After the initial fermentation, the wine is prepared for secondary fermentation in the bottle. Here the wine is allowed to live on the lees for six years, drawing structure, palate weight and, of course, creating the millions of magical bubbles. The sediment is removed through the traditional process of remuage and dégorgement, after which the bottles are corked and laid down for six months cork maturation.
6 years on the lees adds layers of brioche character and the limey, almondine mouthful of soft and fluffy mousse leaves you wishing you had bought an extra case!
Accolades
- 94pts | Tim Atkin
Specifications
Year | 2016 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Fizz |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Pairs deliciously with freshly shucked oysters and other seafood. |
Origin | Robertson |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2018 De Grendel Cap Classique Brut
Regular price £19.80 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
Pale lemon colour with an exceptionally fine mousse.
Nose
Fresh, crisp and crunchy green apple, Asian pears, lemon zest and white guava comes to the fore on the nose.
Palate
Warm brioche and yeast complexity broaden the palate, leading to a long and elegant finish. Rich, velvety and effortlessly elegant, the De Grendel Cap Classique is truly one of our stalwart picks among sparkling wine aficionados.
The base wine is bottled with ‘Liquer de Tirage’ to bring about the second fermentation. The wine is then aged in the bottle for 30 months, to create a deeper complexity. Superbly elegant and multi-award winning.
Vintage
The 2018 vintage was affected by the worst drought conditions ever experienced in the Western Cape. Meticulous irrigation management supplied the precise quantity of water at the correct times to the vines. During such dry conditions diseases are restricted, resulting in the 2018 crop being entirely disease free. Furthermore, it resulted in our winemaking team having to preserve the grapes’ aromatic potential through careful viticultural practices such as limited thinning, managing nitrogen nourishment, allowing adequate plant vigour, appropriate water supply and careful selection of harvest dates.
Viticulture
The well-established Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards are trellised using the VSP system and are located on the slopes of the Tygerberg at approximately 7 kilometres from, and in sight of, the Atlantic Ocean. The 2018 vintage delivered yields varying from 8 to 10 tons per hectare.
Vinification
The De Grendel Cap Classique is a classic blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir. Grape bunches were whole bunch pressed. After settling and racking, the juice was inoculated and fermented in stainless steel tanks where it underwent malolactic fermentation. The base wine was filtered and bottled with ‘Liqueur de Tirage’, a yeast and sugar mixture which facilitates secondary fermentation in the bottle creating natural carbonation. The wine was aged on the lees in the bottle for 30 months to create that delicious biscuit like richness before ‘dégorgement’ – the process whereby the yeast is removed to leave the wine beautifully clear.
Accolades
- 89 points - Platters Guide
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 80% Chardonnay & 20% Pinot Noir |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.93% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.5 units |
Type | Fizz |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
This Cap Classique is the ideal drink for all occasions and is the most versatile wine for food pairings. Enjoy it as an aperitif before dinner, with creamy Mascarpone scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and cream cheese canapé or a warm baked apple tarte tatin. |
Origin | Durbanville |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2012 Champagne Mandois Vieilles Vignes Victor Brut
Regular price £48.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A magnificent, carefully-crafted blend: the Champagne is delicate on the nose and shows a creaminess on the palate created by its very fine bubbles. It possesses perfect harmony and long-lasting flavours.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Straw yellow gold with golden reflections
Nose
Notes of white peach and citrus, then evolved aromas ranging from yellow fruit, toasted brioche and hazelnut.
Palate
Victor 2012 is marked by freshness, delivering whites and citrus fruits. The aerial structure of this champagne persists in the mouth and brings a saline and mineral finish.
This “symphonic” Champagne is essentially composed of grapes from old vines of over 50 years of age growing in Mandois vineyards in Chouilly and Vertus. The low yields produced by these old vines provide both the structure and the balance between concentration and finesse essential to the creation of a fine Champagne.
In addition, in order to develop smoothness and complexity, a proportion of the harvest is vinified in oak barrels in the traditional method used by Victor Mandois over a century ago.
History of Mandois
The “birth certificate“ of the Mandois vineyards dates back to 1735 when the family decided to acquire some vineyards in Champagne. At that time, Jean Mandois, a contemporary of Brother Oudart, possessed and worked a few plots of vines on the hillsides of Epernay. 1860 was a revolutionary year in the long family history. This was the year when Jean Mandois' great-grandson, Victor Mandois, a visionary and trailblazer, took the decision that he would vinify and sell the wines of Champagne in Epernay.
Thanks to Victor's passion for his craft, shared by the ensuing generations inspired by his work, Champagne Mandois is now available around the world and is reputed to be among the great Champagne Houses.
Vinification
- 70% in stainless steel vat
- 30% in oak barrel
Awards
- 93 points - Wine Enthusiast
- Gold Mundus Vini
Specifications
Year | 2012 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Champagne |
Dosage | 5g/l |
Aging | 9 years on lees in 18th centuary vaulted cellars |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Bistro - Scallops with vegetables & Gastro - Bresse chicken with morels |
Villages |
Chouilly, Vertus and the old vineyard of La Côte de Sézanne |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
2019 Doña Paula Altitude Series 1100
Regular price £21.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are blended to create this complex and balanced wine of a deep violet color. In the nose, it has floral aromas – such as violet and rosehip – typical of the Malbec variety. The Syrah contributes spicy notes, good volume in the mouth and silky tannins, whereas the Cabernet Sauvignon complements the blend with a great structure.
Vineyards
Doña Paula 1100 comes from 3 blocks in our Los Indios Vineyard, which is located in El Cepillo, San Carlos, Uco Valley, at 1,100 meters (3,610 feet) above sea level. The sandy loam soil here has great drainage; in some sectors, there are gravel and stone deposits of colluvial origin, always bound by a thick, 70 cm (27.5 in) deep layer of black caliche. Days are warm and nights cold; the average temperature variation is 16 °C (60.8°F), and the average annual rainfall reaches 300 mm (11.8 in). The vines yield 7 to 9 tons per hectare. At Doña Paula, our vineyards have always been managed using sustainable agricultural practices.
Vinification
The harvest starts with Syrah in the first week of April, it continues with Malbec by mid-April, and it finishes with Cabernet Sauvignon at the end of the same month. The grapes are hand-picked and then they are destemmed gently, without breaking the berries. Each variety undergoes cold maceration separately, in stainless steel tanks, to extract the primary aromas. Once the alcoholic fermentation is complete, the blend is made, and the aging process is carried out in 20% new French oak barrels, for 16 months.
Awards
- 92 points in the Tim Atkin Argentina Report
- 92 points James Suckling
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
60% Malbec, 30% Syrah & 10% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | Argentina |
Alcohol content
|
15% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11.3 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Suggested Serving Temp | Between 15°C and 18°C. |
Food Matches | Beef tenderloin, blue cheese and spinach wrapped in pastry, and served with sweet potato purée and roasted pepper coulis. You cannot think of peppers without thinking of Cabernet Sauvignon. |
Dietary Information | Gluten-free and Vegan & Vegetarian Friendly |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation |
Los Indios, El Cepillo, San Carlos, Uco Valley
|
Champagne Mandois Brut Origine
Regular price £34.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Hugh Johnson has written that Mandois is a "house to watch" and the Wine Spectator has previously awarded this fizz a terrific 91 points, outperforming some rather more famous rivals...
Tasting Notes
Colour
A pale golden yellow color with a rich perlage
Nose
The nose releases a bouquet rich in fragrance and intensity with ginger brioche, white flowers and fresh plums.
Palate
The flavor is straight and elegant but pleasantly opulent: candied cedar, salted caramel and honeysuckle.
Production
Champagne Brut Origine from Mandois represents the purest and most typical expression of the elegance of this great Maison. Produced from a traditional assembly of the 3 prince vines of Champagne (40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier) from all the crus of the property in the Epernay area, it is further enriched in elegance and intensity by wines of 3 consecutive vintage.
History
The Mandois family have been growers in Pierry, a suburb of Epernay since 1735. Their estate grown fruit still supplies them with 70% of their needs for the 20,000 cases per year that they produce. Claude Mandois believes firmly in the use of barrels for making top-notch Champagne, and his whole range of wines are produced in oak. The Origine is a brand new cuvee from the family that is tank fermented and then aged in old barrels for 6 months before being aged an additional three years on the lees.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Nero, 30% Pinot Meunier |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Champagne |
Cellaring Potential | Can be cellared for 15-25 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dosage | 7g/L |
Food Matches | Wonderful as an aperitif but also with bowls of fruit and sabayon. |
Serving Suggestion | To be served between 6 and 8°C. |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
2019 Ten Minutes by Tractor 'Up The Hill' Estate Pinot Noir
Regular price £46.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Ten Minutes by Tractor started in 1997 with three vineyards in Main Ridge, all ten minutes by tractor apart. Soft and savoury, with impressive length, this is an elegant Mornington Pinot.
Tasting Notes
Perfume and spice dance around licorice, cumquat and lavender notes that are expressed willingly in the glass. The fine mineral tannins groove the palate and complete a well-structured and enjoyable wine, typical of ‘Up the Hill’.
10X wines are sourced from several vineyards on the Mornington Peninsula and are therefore a regional expression of each variety. From shining star Mornington Peninsula winery Ten Minutes By Tractor comes the Estate Up the Hill Pinot Noir. With fruit from four of the wineries impressive vineyard holdings (Wallis, McCutcheon, Spedding and Judd), it is a fresh cool climate Pinot. Made with a blend of whole bunch and whole berry fruit, grapes are harvested by hand and wild fermented. It is matured in a quarter new French oak.
Vintage
Lower than average rainfall and relatively standard temperatures over winter, and cooler temperatures in August and September, led to late budburst (our second latest) and flowering.
However, above-average temperatures and low rainfall during summer meant an early veraison and harvest. The period between flowering and veraison saw our warmest ever average minimum and second warmest maximums. Veraison to harvest was our fourth warmest maximums and our driest (47mm v 136mm average). Five days of above-average temperatures at the beginning of harvest compressed the vintage further. Yields are normal and fruit quality is outstanding.
Fruit was handpicked, fermented on skins in a combination of concrete tanks and stainless steel for 14-21 days. 10% whole bunch fermented & 10 months in a combination of new (18%) and old oak.
Producer
Ten Minutes by Tractor needs little introduction, nor does the man in charge - Martin Spedding. A gently-spoken man with a background in finance and IT, in 2002 he finally acknowledged the fact that his true passion lay in wine. Despite his origins in New South Wales, he simply couldn't get enough of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and would travel down to Victoria to immerse himself in Australia's heartland of these noble varieties. In 2003 he visited one of his favourite small wineries on Mornington Peninsula, and was delighted to discover that it was for sale. Without a moment's hesitation, he snapped it up, and so began Martin's journey with Ten Minutes by Tractor. And what a journey it has been! Along with a trusty team and his loving family, he has overseen the rise of the estate to the cult status it holds today. In 2016 Sandro Mosele (ex-Kooyong and Port Philip Estates) joined the team as head winemaker, only adding to their `force to be reckoned with` status.
The 'home' vineyards (McCutcheon, Wallis and Judd) are the three original vineyards that formed the Ten Minutes By Tractor estate. They are all located in Main Ridge, the coolest and highest part of the Mornington Peninsula. Despite their close proximity and the use of similar vinification methods, the single-vineyard wines are distinctly different from one another. This is a result of their different elevations, orientations and soils. These wines can challenge Burgundy in quality and elegance and range from fine and elegant examples to richer and more opulent cuvées. They are all made with indigenous yeasts and are a true expression of each unique 'terroir'. These much sought after single vineyard wines are only produced in outstanding years and continue to go from strength to strength. Production is usually less than 200 dozen; they are truly limited edition wines. Outside of the original single vineyard range, the newest Coolart Road is remarkably different from the others - coming from the lowest vineyard of them all at 72m, the Pinot Noir made here is markedly different in style from the higher elevation sites. All of the wines are made with the utmost sustainability and are bottled unfined.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Drink now to 2029 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matching |
Roast pork belly and crackling with a fennel salad :: serve at 13- 16 C |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Mornington Peninsula |
Appellation | Victoria |
N/V Schloss Gobelsburg Brut Reserve
Regular price £34.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The Kamptal DAC region is one of the three top wine-growing areas of the Danube region. The estate was founded in the 12th Century by Cistercian monks, who produced wine until the late 1990’s, when Michael Moosbrugger took over.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Yellow with silver reflections.
Nose
Intense, complex nose showing bready, yeast characters and toast.
Palate
Hints of lemon come trough in the mouth with an overall round palate suggesting barrel-fermentation before crisp acidity on the finish.
Production
The base wine of this sparkling is a selection of varieties (Pinot Noir Riesling Grüner Veltliner from throughout the wine estate and its locations. The grapes from Heiligenstein, Gaisberg, Grub and Lamm are harvested at the right moment, laid in small boxes and immediately pressed, whereby only the heart of the basic wine is used.
After six months of cask storage, it is filled into bottles for the second fermentation. It then rests for two to three years on the yeast, which contributes to a creamy texture, until it is turned slightly and riddled by hand, then degorged.
Producer
SCHLOSS GOBELSBURG, a Cistercian monastic estate, is one of the oldest wineries in the Austrian Danube area with a documented history that dates back to 1171. All the vineyards are located on slopes and terraces around the valley of the river Kamp near the town of Langenlois and the village of Gobelsburg. Schloss Gobelsburg specialises in Grüner Veltliner and Riesling and produces authentic and noble wines from different single vineyards, villages, and regional appellations. The winery is a member of the association 'Österreichische Traditionsweingüter', which is working on a vineyard classification project for the Danube area.
Accolades
Wine Enthusiast - 90 points: A hint of straw and fragrant hay appears alongside the citrus notes on the nose. The palate has fresh lively lemony fizz that accentuates the freshness and slenderness of the palate and turns this into an ideal and totally appetizing aperitif.
Gourmet Traveler - 91 points (4/5 stars): NV Schloss Gobelsburg Brut Reserve has an intense, complex nose showing bready, yeast characters and toast. Hints of lemon come through in the mouth with an overall round palate suggesting barrel-fermentation before crisp acidity on the finish. “It is showing hints of development, butter, nuts and croissant,” found Yallop. “Tight structure, ripe and green apple and a thick acid line. A touch of reduction adds interest “
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Noir, Riesling, Grüner Veltliner |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Fizz |
Dosage | Brut |
Cellaring Potential | 5-10 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matching | Serve at between 6-8C with fish and seafood or on its own as an aperitif! |
Origin | Kamptal |
2019 Rapsani Old Vines, Dougos Winery
Regular price £26.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%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
The wines are very true to their origin and are always elegant, refined and expressive, and never dominated by new oak. In fact, the 300l barrels used (Acacia for the Assyrtiko and French/American oak for the reds) are always only lightly or not at all toasted, in order to not overpower the intricate qualities of the varieties. The main varieties cultivated here are the indigenous Assyrtiko, Xinomavro, Krasato, Stavroto, and Limniona. The last three varieties are local to Thessaly. By law, Rapsani PDO wines must be a blend of Xinomavro, Krasato and Stavroto. The two local varieties (Xinomavro has its home in Macedonia) are used to tame the rustic, tannic character of Xinomavro, which makes for more supple and approachable wines, though never at the expense of character or structure.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
Accolades
- Julia Harding for Jancis Robinson 17 points
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Xinomavro, Krasato, Stavroto |
Country | Greece |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Aging |
18 months in French and American oak barrels and then aged for 6 months in the bottle |
Food Matches | Classic Greek Foods as well as Pizza with ham, sausages, rich and flavourful cheeses, pasta with red, spicy sauces. Serve between 16-18C |
Origin | Mount Olympus, Valley of Tempi |
Exton Park RB|28 Blanc de Noirs NV
Regular price £39.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Expressive, tropical fruit, white pepper & a touch of richness. A limited production wine, with only small amounts produced each year.
Tasting Notes
Our iconic Blanc de Noirs masters an average of 28 Pinot Noir reserve wines from our library, many from our very earliest plantings, to create a complex and sophisticated sparkling wine. Favoured by gourmets and gastronomes, Exton Park’s Blanc de Noirs is a true showcase for the precision of sparkling Pinot Noir.
Colour
Pale gold in the glass
Nose & Palate
The Blanc de Noirs opens with notes of freshly baked brioche and a touch of lime tree blossom, moving to rich rounded fruit and a long, delicately spiced finish.
Made from 100% Pinot Noir from our single vineyard, this expressive and fruity wine is precise, charming and English to its core.
The Winery
Exton Park is a Hampshire sparkling wine producer with a 60-acre single vineyard planted on a south-facing slope in the South Downs National Park. Their first vines were planted in 2003, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier and their state-of-the-art winery was built in 2011. A luxurious, private event space overlooking the vineyard is also under construction and will be opening later this year. With a 60-acre single vineyard, a bespoke winery and a breath-taking promotional facility all on one estate, Exton Park will be able to offer guests an unrivalled English wine experience.
2021 marks the release of their Reserve Blend range. These are traditional method sparkling wines that challenge classic winemaking conventions. They do not rely on a base vintage like other English sparkling wine producers. Over 80% of each blend is composed from their extensive archive or reserve wines.
The number of reserves in each blend is reflected in the name of each wine. For example, Exton Park RB28 Blanc de Noirs is created from a blend of 28 wines. This unique approach has been pioneered by Head Winemaker Corinne Seeling to ensure consistency, quality and complexity with each bottling.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | England |
Alcohol content | 11.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.63 units |
Residual Sugar | 10.1g/l |
Time of Lees | 3 years minimum |
Type | Fizz |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | This famed expression is favoured by foodies. The perfect accompaniment to nuts as an aperitif, fresh or smoked trout, or sushi. |
Origin | Hampshire |
Pierre Moncuit Cuvée Brut Rosé Grand Cru Mesnil N/V
Regular price £45.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
Salmon pink, with fine and persistent perlage.
Nose
Fresh and mineral, with notes of red berries and brioche.
Palate
Elegant, clean and juicy, with savory aromas.
History
The Moncuit family has been making superb champagne in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, for more than 100 years. Pierre Moncuit had recognised the intrinsic quality of his terroir and, together with his wife Odile, strove to make the best possible champagnes from his grapes. Nicole Moncuit and her brother Yves, along with her daughter Valérie, are now in charge of the domaine and make sublimely complex, delicate wines from 20 hectares of Grand Cru vineyards. The palate of the Cuvée Pierre Moncuit Delos Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is delicate and refined with citrus fruit and yeasty notes. It is perfect as an apéritif. The vintage Cuvée Millésimée Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is an outstanding wine, truly representative of the perfect vintage conditions and expressing the full potential of the terroir and the grapes. The Vintage wines are always aged for between 5-10 years. The Grand Cru Brut Rosé is made from 75% Chardonnay from Le Mesnil and 25% Vin Rouge d’Ambonnay
Awards
- The Champagne Brut Rosé Grand Cru by Pierre Moncuit won the Silver Medal at the Concours Mondial du Rosé 2015
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 75% Chardonnay and 25% Vin Rouge d`Ambonnay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Champagne |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment but can be cellared for 3-4 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dosage | 8g/L |
Food Matches | Wonderful as an aperitif but also with bowls of fruit and sabayon. |
Serving Suggestion | To be served between 8 and 10°C. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
2016 Mac Forbes Healesville Syrah
Regular price £36.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A great intro to cool climate Syrah from the cool climate master Mac Forbes.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Vivid purple
Nose
Fresh fruit scent.
Palate
Very intense, bittersweet, with crunchy blackcurrant flavours. Pepper and spice on the finish.
Is this a look-alike for Hermitage? Whatever, it’s very convincing. One of Matthew Jukes’ 100 best Australian Wines 2018/19.
The Vintage
In 2017, the warmer conditions offered fruit ripeness with plenty of flavour from the fruit grown on his home block near Healesville. This Syrah is filled with spice and plenty of juicy fruit. It sits well and truly in the cool-climate style, however, there is no shortage of flavour. Lovers of the spicy side of Syrah will find plenty of joy here. Very high quality Yarra Syrah for a modest price.
Alan's Tasting Notes
Such a wolf in sheep’s clothing, iron fist in velvet glove kinda wine, very attractive, super smooth with lots of supple fruit and no real tannins or rough edges. But it’s complex and packs a real punch at the same time!! Stupendous from young Mac - maybe he should spend more time on Syrah/Shiraz!!
About Mac Forbes
If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.
Mac specialises in single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.
His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.
And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!
Specifications
Year | 2016 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Syrah |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Drinking Potential |
Now until 2024 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
2019 Paul Wallace Crackerjack Bordeaux Blend
Regular price £25.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This wine came about as an indulgence to the lady of the house, who is particularly partial to fine Bordeaux-styled blend. Together Paul and Nicky Wallace have put together a "cracker" of a wine, blending and showcasing the versatility of Elgin.
Tasting Notes
The alluring bright colour immediately invites one to explore this wine further. Merlot driven (think Bordeaux Right Bank) and power packed with fresh fruits encompassing both the red and black fruit spectrums, with a savoury core.
Notes of fresh cherry, cranberry, plum and blackcurrant on the palate, with chocolate and vanilla on the finish. Rich and opulent, yet bright and feminine, this little “cracker” is the perfect example of how the whole sum is better than the parts and of how the individual components support and enhance one another.
Winery
Paul Wallace Wines is a small family-run business with the farm located in Elgin, previously best known for its apples and pears, which is one of the most exciting developing wine regions within the South African wine industry and indeed internationally.
Vinification
The grapes all originate for the Elgin region, a high-lying basin surrounded by mountain ranges. Naturally the Malbec hails from Paul and Nicky’s farm, Wallovale Vineyards, whilst the other three grape varieties were bought in from Elgin grape producers with whom Paul has a direct involvement. A Cabernet Franc vineyard has been planted on Paul and Nicky’s farm but the first commercial harvest is only expected in 2020.
Each parcel of grapes was harvested at its own optimum ripeness and vinified separately at Eikendal Winery, Somerset West. Each wine was inoculated with Zymalore Xpure, a yeast recommended for wines with high aromatic purity, enhanced expression of black fruit notes and a great smoothness of mouthfeel. Post fermentation the wine was left for 14 days on the skins. Thereafter each wine was transferred to barrel where they completed Malolactic fermentation. The wines spent a minimum of 24 months in 225 lit French oak barriques prior to blending. The wine received a light filtration before bottling on 8th July 2021.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 40% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Malbec. |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red White |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
We recommend the Crackerjack as the perfect accompaniment to your Sunday roast lamb, lasagna and tomato-based stews. Enjoy! |
Origin | Elgin |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
Lustau East India Solera Sherry (500ml)
Regular price £21.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%East India Solera is a sweetened Oloroso. The name refers to the East India Company, a British trading company that transported cotton, silk, spices, tea, saltpetre and other commodities from the East Indies. As a fortified wine (which lasted longer), sherry was taken along as ballast and to serve the ship’s crew on its transatlantic journey.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Dark mahogany in colour with green-amber edge.
Nose
It offers vibrant notes of maple syrup, brown sugar, shoe polish, raisin and chocolate beer nuts, all very well integrated.
Palate
On the palate, it is smooth and rich at the beginning, full of prune and burned oranges peel flavours. Provocative spicy notes appear just before the nuttiness and terrific acidity cuts through the sweetness. With a truly unforgettable finish.
Production
Each wine (Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez) is matured, separately in its own solera for 12 years. Once blended together, the resulting sherry is returned to a 45-cask solera for a further 3 years ageing. In centuries gone by, casks with sherry were lashed to ships sailing for the Indies and were found to develop an extraordinary smoothness and complexity. Lustau has revived this style of sherry in the East India wine.
Producers
Founded in 1896, Lustau has been a standard bearer for Sherry for more than a century. For more than the last few decades, it has been applying a boutique concept to its winemaking, building up a selection of some thirty wines from its own Soleras and others chosen from the stocks of the small Almacenista producers, and independent Sherry artisans. These are aged in all three of the cities of the Sherry area: Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Now Lustau has taken this quality approach a step further, releasing two Finos and a Manzanilla all En Rama. “En Rama” means “from the branch”, the idea being that this is Sherry in its rawest and most natural form, straight from the barrel with no filtering or fining. For us, this is the finest way to drink Sherry.
History
In the 17th century, they started to notice that the wine actually improved after such a trip, becoming smoother and more complex. This can be explained by the constant movement (i.e. more interaction with air and wood) and by the exposure to high temperatures. East India Sherry which was brought back after a trip became very popular (and expensive), just like East India Madeira. Even whisky was ‘improved’ this way.
The tradition faded in the 19th Century with the introduction of steamships, but the idea had a small revival in 1958 when a butt of Valdespino Solera 1842 was shipped on the Ben Line and compared to bottles that had stayed at home. The improvement was clear.
Awards
- Gold Mundus Vini
- IWSC Silver 2020
- Decanter Silver
- 90 points Wine Enthusiast
- 90 points Decanter
Specifications
Year | Non-Vintage - Average age 15 years |
Bottle Size | 500ml |
Cultivar | 80% Palomino & 20% Pedro Ximénez |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
20% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol | 10 units |
Type | Fortified Wine - Sweet Sherry |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
This wine is a perfect companion to light desserts and cakes, but can also be served with creamy cheeses or foie-gras. Try it also on the rocks with a slice of orange, simply delicious. Serve slightly chilled, between 10 – 12ºC.
|
Origin | Cadiz, Andalucia |
Appellation | Jerez |
2022 Weingut Prieler Ried Seeberg Pinot Blanc
Regular price £24.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The white “Prieler Classic” - a very classy wine - an elegant and juicy alternative to the Grüners and Rieslings for which Austria is better known.
Tasting Notes
Bright gold yellow, delicate fresh pear, a touch of orange zest, subtle herbal spice, refreshing structure, sweetly extracted on the elegant finish.
Producer
Georg Prieler, aided in the vineyards by his sort-of-retired father Engelbert, is in charge now. They are a long and well-established family, and at any visit, tasting or conversation there is a clear sense that they have found “their” style and know exactly what to do. That’s not at all to say they rest on their laurels, despite being enormously successful in Austria, and Georg is well-travelled with a strong enthusiasm to learn and experiment. The vineyards are situated on the Western side of Lake Neusiedl, and lie mostly on sun-exposed Southern and Eastern slopes. The lake provides a perfect micro-climate with mild temperatures throughout the year.
The flagship wine is the Blaufränkisch from the Goldberg vineyard which is highly reputed as one of the top red wines in Austria. Challenging Goldberg however is Leithaberg. Like Goldberg, it is 100% Blaufränkisch, but it uses no new oak, so is perhaps more in tune with the style of our times. Its name is shared, of course by the new DAC Leithaberg. This is named after the Leitha hills, where slate and marine limestone dominate, giving a very fresh, almost chalky note to the wines and a tightly woven structure.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Blanc |
Country | Austria |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food matches | A perfect accompaniment to food. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
|
Origin | Burgenland |
2020 Prieler Leithaberg Blaufrankisch
Regular price £39.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The small Burgenland town of Schützen am gebirge, on the edge of the Neusiedler See nature park, is an oasis of sensual pleasure and enjoyment. Deep, sandy loam, very rich in iron, can be found on the Johanneshöhe. There, the Blaufränkisch variety produces fruity, juicy wines with a peppery flavor - Burgenland classics with real character. It is particularly important to the Prielers to cultivate this traditional wine and make it shine, and so international wine critics agree: this wine from the Prielers has class!
Tasting Notes
Bouquet of ripe, dark berries, delicately of dried figs, complex yet fine, salty minerality, aging in oak barrels. Fresh, lively, and wonderfully balanced on the palate, with an elegant texture and an enchanting glaze.
From the Producer
Blaufränkisch is in our genes. By “our”, I mean my family and the vintners of Leithaberg. We know this variety’s moods and demands. Blaufränkisch in not an easy variety – whether for us or for you. It is capricious, challenging and stubborn. Rooted in limestone, it wants the sun; growing on schist, it requires refreshing winds. It rests preferably in wood, yet the barrels shouldn’t be too small. Of you, it demands patience. Blaufränkisch needs time. If you yield yourself to Blaufränkisch, you will understand why we fulfil all of this variety’s desires. For me, it is one of the few varieties in the world that perfectly balances two elements: energy and clarity.
In the Cellar & Vineyards
The grapes are carefully crushed and fermented at closely controlled temperatures in steel tanks or wooden casks. The character of the variety and the vineyard determines where the wine will mature. For example, the Seeberg pinot blanc will remain in stainless steel to maximize freshness and clarity, the blaufränkisch from Johanneshöhe will be raised in large oak casks, and top crus like Goldberg will mature in barrique.
Prieler’s meticulous work in the vineyard and in the cellar has earned them awards from Falstaff Magazine (2009 “Vintner of the Year”), Vinaria Magazine (“Best wines of Austria” 2012/2013) and was among Jancis Robinson’s top picks for Austrian red wines. Peter Moser, editor-in-chief of Falstaff wrote, “We were extremely impressed by the Prieler family’s high standards in all wine categories and by their sensitive approach to the specific properties of the respective types of vine and the selection of just the right terroir.”
Accolade
-
Critic tasting note: "A touch of tar, a hint of bitter almond and brooding black cherry fruit mark the nose and spread freely across the palate with dark but delicious intent. This is dense and firm, with drying tannins but no heaviness. There is freshness and intensity to the dark, brooding fruit that will show its true colors with some more age—but all the aromatic promise is already here. Drink 2020–2035." - 95/100, Wine Enthusiast
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Blaufränkisch |
Country | Austria |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring | 2020 - 2035 |
Food matches | Enjoy with entrecote, fillet of beef, wildfowl, pigeon |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
|
Origin | Leithaberg DAC |
2020 Prieler Ried Johanneshöhe Blaufränkisch
Regular price £23.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This wine represents outstanding value. The red “Prieler Classic”: a typical Blaufränkisch vinified in large wooden cask.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Brilliant cherry to ruby red
Nose
Classic varietal bouquet with lush fruit aromas (juicy blackberries), fine notes of pepper and elegant spice
Palate
Robust on the palate with a strong structure and fullness, the clear blackberry fruit is juicy the entire palate and lingers on for a long time in the finale!
From the Producer
Blaufränkisch is in our genes. By “our”, I mean my family and the vintners of Leithaberg. We know this variety’s moods and demands. Blaufränkisch in not an easy variety – whether for us or for you. It is capricious, challenging and stubborn. Rooted in limestone, it wants the sun; growing on schist, it requires refreshing winds. It rests preferably in wood, yet the barrels shouldn’t be too small. Of you, it demands patience. Blaufränkisch needs time. If you yield yourself to Blaufränkisch, you will understand why we fulfil all of this variety’s desires. For me, it is one of the few varieties in the world that perfectly balances two elements: energy and clarity.
In the Cellar & Vineyards
The grapes are carefully crushed and fermented at closely controlled temperatures in steel tanks or wooden casks. The character of the variety and the vineyard determines where the wine will mature. For example, the Seeberg pinot blanc will remain in stainless steel to maximize freshness and clarity, the blaufränkisch from Johanneshöhe will be raised in large oak casks, and top crus like Goldberg will mature in barrique.
Prieler’s meticulous work in the vineyard and in the cellar has earned them awards from Falstaff Magazine (2009 “Vintner of the Year”), Vinaria Magazine (“Best wines of Austria” 2012/2013) and was among Jancis Robinson’s top picks for Austrian red wines. Peter Moser, editor-in-chief of Falstaff wrote, “We were extremely impressed by the Prieler family’s high standards in all wine categories and by their sensitive approach to the specific properties of the respective types of vine and the selection of just the right terroir.”
Accolades
91 points James Suckling
"A very attractive blaufrankisch that shows wild cherries, dark plums and a light touch of mocha and coffee. Full-bodied with grippy, chewy tannins and lots of bright blueberries and roasted herbs. Drink now." (12/2019)
91 points Wine Enthusiast
"A hint of tar clings to the plummy and dark-fruit notes on the nose. The palate is laced with freshness that tames that dark dense juicy fruit while peppery hints add interest. It is a very juicy, compact but layered wine with a dry finish. (AK) " (7/2019)
Wine Spectator
"Light- to medium-bodied, with a juicy core of dark berry fruit, blood orange and rooibos tea hints. Sufficient tannins impart a slight grip on the moderately long finish. (AZ, Web Only-2020) "
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Blaufränkisch |
Country | Austria |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matching | Serve with juicy roast beef with gently braised vegetables, wild game ragouts and wild fowl or with medium-strong soft cheeses. Serve at around 18°C. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
|
Origin | Burgenland |
2014 Rainer Wess Loibenberg Riesling
Regular price £31.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Rainer Wess wines have been synonymous with high quality wines from the Kremstal. He started studying wine in the 1980's and working in Bordeaux. He moved back to Austria in the 90's and worked with some of the top wineries in the area before setting up his own winery in 2003.
Tasting Notes
2011 was a ripe vintage, producing generous powerful wines. Loibenberg has gneiss soil on top of granite rock, which helps aid minerality in the wine.
Herbs, stone fruit, multi-layered aroma, papaya, full-bodied wine, harmonious drinking flow, slightly peppery notes in the finish, long reverberation
Producer
Loibenberg is a famed vineyard site in Austria’s Wachau region, located in Niederösterreich or “Lower Austria” along the Danube, west of Vienna and Krems an der Donau.
Rainer Wess founded his own winery in 2003 after many years of diverse experience in the wine trade in both his native Austria and internationally. Rainer’s goal was to produce Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines that would not only be among the best of the region, but also express his very personal style and philosophy.
He aims to produce the purest, freshest and most elegant wines possible, with clear expressions of the varietal and site. In 2010, Wess moved his operations to Krems where he renovated a 300-year-old building that once was the wine cellar of a monastery. His 2010 vintage was the first to be vinified in the new gravity-feed winery. With the 2011 and 2012 vintages, Wess has expanded his collection by introducing new single-vineyard wines from the Kremstal vineyards near his winery.
Throughout the growing season, cool air descends from the top of the slopes. This moderates the warmth at the bottom of the slope which is further enhanced by sunlight reflecting off the Danube. The interplay of temperatures adds complexity and freshness to the wines. Wess farms his vineyards sustainably, to create a healthy natural ambiance for the vines. The soils are all worked mechanically. Rainer Wess is a member of the Certified Sustainable Austria Winegrowers Association. As Rainer explains, “my main goal is ripe and healthy fruit which can have extended hang-time on the vine.”
Specifications
Year | 2014 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Riesling |
Country | Austria |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Sustainable practices |
Food Matches |
Seafood | grilled fish | white meat | Roast goose | hard cheese | veal shanks |
Appellation | Wachau |
2018 Franz Hirtzberger Ried Kirchweg Grüner Veltliner Smaragd
Regular price £40.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
Medium yellow-green, silver reflections.
Nose
Inviting bouquet with fine herbal savouriness, fine blossom honey and delicate yellow tropical fruit.
Palate
Complex, juicy palate with fine notes of honeydew melon, well balanced with dark minerality on the finish and good length.
Producer
The Wachau valley is one of the most beautiful historic landscapes in the world and has been included, since 2000, as part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Here in between the Danube on the one side and the mountains on the other side is the of the village of Spitz located
Five generations of Hirtzbergers have lived here, tending the vines which have been planted in the Wachau Valley the 13th Century. Today wine is produced with all the modern know-how at our disposal, but still following the tradition of the Wachau valley and our family.
Accolades
- 91 points Stephen Reinhardt, Wine Advocate (March 2020)
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Grüner Veltliner |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Definite ageing potential. |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan Approved |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Origin | Wachau |
2017 Château Kirwan Les Charmes de Kirwan
Regular price £39.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%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
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Food Matches |
Red meat (beef and duck) and then, when it goes older, match it with a filet mignon accompanied with prunes or noble mushrooms. |
Origin |
Margaux |
Appellation | Bordeaux |
2017 Mac Forbes EB38 'Showdown' #2 Pinot Noir, Syrah
Regular price £26.40 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Drink this slightly chilled for a super Summer red.
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!
Mac Forbes loves to tinker with new blends in his EB ('experimental batch') range: 2016 was Nebbiolo/Pinot, 2017 Pinot/Syrah.
This meeting of varieties was made famous in the Hunter Valley where some of the country's greatest wines were made half a century ago. Mac brings the blend to the Yarra with great results. The richness and spiciness of the Syrah, the prettiness of the Pinot, the varieties get along brilliantly.
Slippery, spicy, floral and delicious, this is one experiment that has definitely paid dividends for Mac.
About Mac Forbes
If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.
Mac specialises in single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.
His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.
And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Noir & Syrah |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Now - 2024 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matching | BBQ lamb chops. |
Origin | Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
2017 Weingut Hajszan Neumann Natural Traminer
Regular price £35.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Biodynamic & Vegan Approved
Our lively wines have subtle corners and edges. And it’s good this way, because we love natural, authentic wines. Each one has a characteristic soul, which develops from the natural flavours of the grapes and the terroir. All this comes to fruition thanks to our biodynamic cultivation. We also work gently and reductively in the wine cellar.
Tasting Notes
Piquant and firm on the palate, this full-bodied Traminer is rich, tight and powerful but also finessed. The wine opens with a pure, spicy and aromatic bouquet of apricots and roses. Months of skin-on fermentation result in a strong flavour profile and delightful orange wine.
The Winemaker and Winemaking
Hajszan Neumann Natural Traminer is a natural, biodynamic and organic orange wine made with the Traminer variety by Hajszan Neumann in Weinland Österreich, in the heart of Vienna (Austria). Hajszan Neumann is synonymous with quality Austrian white wines. Wines which are made in the city of Vienna itself, in the Grinzing district and which defend biodynamic precepts.
Managed by the prestigious winemaker Fritz Wieninger, this winery produces fresh, elegant and very expressive wines. Hajszan Neumann Natural Traminer originates from vineyards located at the foot of Nussberg, a mountain composed of limestone, clay and high chalk content soils. According to anthroposophist Rudolf Steiner, 100% biodynamic agriculture is practiced and the harvest is hand-selected after a meticulous selection process.
In the cellar, the crushed grapes for making Hajszan Neumann Natural Traminer ferment in concrete eggs with their skins, without any additives, for 5 months. The wine is then separated from the skins and racked in used 500-liter barrels for 6 weeks. It's bottled without clarifying or filtering. Made with the indigenous red and yellow Traminer varieties, Hajszan Neumann Natural Traminer is presented as an urban orange wine which is also sustainable. A very natural wine made in an authentic urban environment.
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Traminer (Mash-fermented Traminer - 50% red Traminer, 50% yellow Traminer) |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.38 units |
Type | Orange Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Biodynamic and Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Food Matches | Mushrooms, Oriental dishes, Roasted Pork |
Origin | Vienna |
2017 Skillogalee Trevarrick Riesling
Regular price £28.75 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The Trevarrick name is reserved for wines that are of exceptional quality and varietal character. It showcases the essence of Skillogalee!
Tasting Notes
The wine shows an intense lift of Tahitian lime, bathpowder and floral perfume on the nose with a touch of orange blossom. The palate is highly structured and the mineral notes speak strongly of the Skillogalee Dolomite soils that nurtured the vines.
- Matthew Jukes Top 100 Australian Wines 2017
History
Trevarrick was the original name of the Skillogalee property, settled by John and Anne Trestrail in the early 1850’s. In 1970 it was planted to vines and renamed. Now at Skillogalee, each individual contour block on the estate is harvested and vinified separately. The Trevarrick name is reserved for wines that are of exceptional quality and varietal character.
The grapes for this wine were selectively harvested off the highest altitude, earliest ripening contour on the property at around 500m. The stony, thin soils and topography of this part of the vineyard produce unique, high-quality grapes bursting with varietal character.
The 2012 Trevarrick Riesling was made from 100% hand-picked fruit. Only first-cut free-run juice was used to ensure the varietal character was captured in the finished wine.
Winery
A family-owned and operated winery located in the heart of the Clare Valley in South Australia, Skillogalee is known for the exceptional quality of their red and white wines and is widely recognised as one of the region’s top estates. They also lead the way in responsible farming, having practised sustainable methodologies in the vineyard and the winery for many years. The original Skillogalee vineyards were planted in the early 1970’s on stony soils and steep, eastern-facing slopes at almost 500 metres above sea level.
The first wines were released in 1976 and quickly gained acclaim: the 1978 Dry Riesling won major trophies at the Adelaide Wine Show and the National Wine Show, putting Skillogalee firmly on the Australian winemaking map. Aware of the exceptional quality of the vineyards and their potential to produce world-class wines, current owners David and Diana Palmer acquired the property in 1989. In 2002 they purchased next-door neighbour Waninga Vineyards, with 30 hectares of 30-year-old vines, bringing the size of the estate to 60 hectares.
While production increased, the Palmers have taken great care to maintain the quality and characteristic style of the wines. Deciding to avoid the bureaucracy of organic or biodynamic certification does not stop a producer from holding soil health and sustainability as a top priority, and this is the case at Skillogalee. Every effort is taken to ensure the best quality grapes are harvested each year, the vines are hand-pruned, and the fruit is mainly hand-picked, with yields kept extremely low. All wines are produced exclusively from estate-owned vineyards.
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Riesling |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 12.4% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.3 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Clare Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2019 Hay Shed Hill Chardonnay
Regular price £21.99 Sale price £16.99 Save 23%This wine showcases the strength of Margaret River for Chardonnay with a restrained, modern, elegantly structured wine from one of the great Margaret River vineyards.
Tasting Notes
Colour
The wine displays fresh green tinges on a pale straw colour.
Nose
The nose exhibits aromas of fresh-cut pear and honeydew melon with some zesty citric notes. There are no overt woody or buttery aromas with the primary fruit characters expressed with clarity and definition.
Palate
The palate is fresh and lively with clean crisp acidity complementing the vibrant fruity flavours. The palate has very good extension and ends clean and bright. This is a restrained style of Australian Chardonnay and highlights how far we have come with this style of wine over the last decade.
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. The Chardonnay sees 25% new oak and represents the ‘modern Australian Chardonnay’, in the words of its maker.
Reviews
95 Points | James Halliday Estate-grown. The bouquet is very pure, pointing to the restraint of the palate, where white stone fruit, apple and grapefruit do the talking. It was barrel-fermented, which has left its imprint on both the bouquet and palate. The way the wine has developed to date makes me certain it will grow old with grace a long way down the track. Great value.
93 Points | Ray Jordan, Wine Guide 2020 Great fruit from this vintage has pumped some seriuos quality into this excellent chardonnay. Retains a bright and lively mouthfeel, but with layers of complex meal and grapefruit character. Oak is neatly judged, with the 11 months maturation adding further complexity. Rich middle palate with a fine edge of melon and pear to finish. Nice wine.
92 Points | Sam Kim, Wine Orbit Delightfully fruited and elegantly expressed, the wine shows white flesh nectarine, rockmelon, nougat and lemon zest aromas on the nose, leading to a beautifully rounded palate that’s succulent and creamy. It’s splendidly composed and styled, offering lovely drinking.
91 Points | James Suckling, UK This has an array of lemons, lime juice, pears and melon with quite a fine, pared-back and taut textural stance.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Australia |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Features | Vegan |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Margaret River |
Appellation | Western Australia |
2017 Mac Forbes Wesburn Chenin
Regular price £40.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Amazing Chenin Blanc from Mac's final Wesburn release. A special wine.
Tasting Notes
Mac has chosen not to provide traditional tasting notes for any of his wines. His aim is that his wines hopefully capture vineyard life and vitality. As such the wines are constantly evolving. He believes that the only tasting notes that matter are yours!
The Wine
This is the final release of Wesburn Chenin Blanc. Mac feels that this variety matches perfectly with the Wesburn vineyard. It's a textural, flinty version of the variety. Immensely cellar-worthy and finely detailed.
On the list of the country's best Chenin Blancs, this sits in the top echelon. A phenomenal final release of this unique wine, Wesburn Chenin going out with a bang. This will unwind in the bottle for the next decade or more.
The Vintage
"2016 was a year that tested the vine and tested us. Ripening was condensed in a manner we have not witnessed and freshness came and went in a blink. So with all our picking crews working overtime, not to mention the staff in the winery, we went to work and didn’t stop until the last grape was squeezed to barrel. However, it is becoming very exciting that we have sites that can and do cope with such an array of seasonal challenges."
Alan's Tasting Notes
"This is really interesting. Fully dry but with a lovely, honey mouthful initially which gives way to a refreshing, mineral acid rich mouth feel. Oozes class, depth, and interest and I suggest this will develop well in bottle and continue to change its spots over the next few years."
About Mac Forbes
If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.
Mac specialises in single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.
His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.
And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 12.5 % alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Maturation | 9 months in old oak |
Cellaring Potential | Drink until 2027 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
2022 Mac Forbes Yarra Valley Chardonnay
Regular price £26.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This may be Mac’s ‘entry level’ Chard but the wonderful 2017 vintage has offered up a top drink here. This is one of those 'cult following' wines that always sells out and offers terrific value.
Tasting Notes
Mac has chosen not to provide traditional tasting notes for any of his wines. His aim is that his wines hopefully capture vineyard life and vitality. As such the wines are constantly evolving. He believes that the only tasting notes that matter are yours!
The Vineyards
The Yarra Valley is one of the homes of Australian Chardonnay and is definitely an area of expertise for Mac Forbes.
All of his Chardonnays strike that lovely balance between old-world elegance and finesse, with new world fruit and freshness. They’re superb. It's a blend of fruit from our Healesville, Hoddles Creek and Woori Yallock vineyards, designed to capture the essence of Yarra Valley Chardy.
Critical Acclaim
The 2017 Chardonnay is a light-bodied, slightly creamy-textured wine, fermented and aged in older oak. White peach and pineapple notes dominate, with some custard-like leesiness to add layers and length. Enjoy over its first several years of life.
The 2017 will mature beautifully as noted by Gary Walsh in his 93+ point review.
About Mac Forbes
If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.
Mac specialises in single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.
His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.
And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 11.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Generally, they can be enjoyed young but cellaring will reward with increased complexity. Drink until 2027 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
2008 Mac Forbes RS37 Medium Riesling
Regular price £30.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This Riesling follows in the footsteps of the previous off-dry Rieslings first made in 2005.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Pale Straw
Nose
Aromatic, perfume and citrus (lemon) with higher floral notes.
Palate
Fine and expressive with great length and perseverance. Sugar is textural but the wine doesn’t show the sugar.
In the Vineyard
One of the oldest vineyards in the Strathbogie ranges, Antcliff Chase vineyard was planted in 1982 by the Bennett Family and at its highest point reaches 580m above sea level. The vineyard is dry grown (no irrigation) and crops are kept to approximately 3t/ac. The soil is predominately decomposed granitic sandy loam, which is relatively unfertile.
The Vintage
2008 in the Strathbogie couldn’t have been better. A moderate summer with minimal rain and cool nights. This was ideal conditions for growing Riesling. Harvest was in late March '08.
Winemaking
2008 provided the perfect vintage albeit on the slightly warm side. They picked the off-dry Riesling first (of three picks) and crushed/destemmed the fruit into the press where they let the juice sit on skins for about 1 hour. The juice was then gently pressed into a cold settling tank where it remained for 36 hours. The clear juice was then racked with some solids into barrel and tank to ferment wild. The tank ferment was held at 9 degrees C and when the wine became drier on the palate, they arrested the ferment by dropping the temperature and adding sulphur. No other additives were made to this wine (ie. No yeast, fining, enzymes, acid or nutrients). The wine was left on lees for about 4 months before being filtered and bottled.
About Mac Forbes
If you love premium and artisanal Australian wine, Mac Forbes is a name you need to know. He’s not only one of the country’s most talented winemakers, but he’s one of the most influential spokesmen for promoting the concept of Australian ‘terroir’, believing that wine should represent a time and a place.
Mac specialises in single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet from the Yarra Valley. His wines are delicate and finely etched, characterised by subtlety and grace.
His Pinot Noirs are fine-boned, Chardonnays are loved by those who look for fruit purity rather than winemaking artifice in the variety, his array of off-dry Rieslings from the Strathbogie Ranges are some of the country's most unique.
And his ever-expanding range of experimental wines is a treasure-trove for the curious drinker and he is honestly one of the most genuine and affable winemakers you'll ever meet!
Alan's Personal Notes
"Just loving Mac's R37 - high in acidity and a fair whack of residual sugar, but what an extremely well made and balanced glass of wine. Searing fresh acidity matched by complex honeyed sugar characteristics. Stunning and a perfect 'pair o'teeth!"
Specifications
Year | 2008 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Riesling |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 9.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 7.13 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Pairings |
Pork, Shellfish, Poultry, Appetizers and snacks, Cured Meat |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Requirements | Vegetarian & Vegan Friendly |
Origin |
Strathbogie Ranges |
Appellation | Victoria |
2021 Campogiovanni, Rosso di Montalcino
Regular price £21.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Sourced from a 6 hectare plot on the Campogiovanni estate, where the vines naturally produce a brighter, more approachable and early ripening style of Sangiovese well suited to Rosso di Montalcino.
Tasting Notes
Nose
An inviting nose, warm and open, with ripe cherry and blackberry fruit combined with cedarwood and spice notes
Palate
The palate has rounded plum and red fruits balanced by fresh acidity. Spice and savoury characters and fine tannins lead to an elegant finish.
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 year.
Production Method
These 6 hectares of Sangiovese vines were planted in the 1990s on the Campogiovanni estate. The vineyard is at a 250-300m altitude, south to southeast-facing. After a 12-day maceration, and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel, the wine was matured for 12 months in Slavonian oak botti, followed by a further 2 months in bottle.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sangiovese |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14% 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 pasta in meat sauces with mushroom or truffles, pork, or veal dishes. |
Origin | Toscana |
Appellation | Rosso Di Montalcino DOC |
Champagne CH de L’Auche Brut Sélection N/V
Regular price £25.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A great, well rounded, fruit-forward Champagne!
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromatic notes of juicy pear and apricot on the nose are underpinned by more mature aromas of hazelnut and fresh bread.
Palate
The texture is creamy and full-bodied with well-balanced acidity and plenty of bubbles!
Production
Grapes for this cuvée are grown in the lieu-dit of "Auche" around the village of Janvry which lies just to the west of Reims. Firstly they are pressed in small stainless steel vats, before being transferred to ceramic vats for 12 hours to allow for natural clarification of the juice. Next, the clarified juice is moved to large steel containers where it remains from September to March, during which time fermentation takes place before finally being bottled for the secondary fermentation and lees ageing. Dosage is between 9g and 10g per litre to give a richness of profile and this Brut Sélection is comprised of 60% wine from 2017 with 40% reserve wines from 2014-2016.
Producer
The Cave Co-opérative de Germigny was created in the early '60s by a handful of winegrowers who wanted to pool their resources and craft their own Champagne. They aimed to celebrate the local terroir - the western slopes of the Montagne de Reims. Today the Co-operative works 115 hectares of vineyards covering 40 different crus, of which 5 are classified as Premier Cru. The Co-op members remain passionate about their shared values of respect for nature, protecting their heritage and working together.
Awards
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2022 - Silver
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 - Bronze
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Meunier 85%, Pinot Noir 15% |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Champagne |
Dosage | 9g/l |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | A highly versatile style of champagne which could accompany canapés, mushroom-based starters, cheese and all manner of poultry dishes. Although, simply sipping it as an aperitif works very well too. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
2019 Oldenburg Cabernet Franc
Regular price £35.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%An incredibly focused and pure Cabernet Franc that echoes the Loire. In the words of the Decanter World Wine Awards: ‘Texturally very impressive, with balance, concentration and zesty vigour!’
Tasting Notes
Nose
This wine has an incredibly generous nose, with vanilla pod, mulberry black plums and liquorice at the heart of it.
Palate
The palate showcases a depth of flavour with blackcurrant leaf, thyme and grapefruit-pith adding to the plethora of aromas and flavours. A stunning acidity, well-structured chalky tannins and a delightful finish bring this wine to life.
Winery
Oldenburg; a hot topic from a cool climate. Anyone who knows anything about South African wine should have Oldenburg fully on their radar – they are producing outrageously good wine and have, very arguably, the most beautiful tasting room to visit in the Cape. Oldenburg, situated in the Banghoek Valley of Stellenbosch, has one of the coolest microclimates in the region. A combination of a mountain amphitheatre, high altitude and cooling winds result in growing conditions about 5 degrees cooler than the rest of Stellenbosch.
Oldenburg aims to best reflect their remarkable terroir through the Oldenburg Vineyards (OV) range of wines – a range of single-cultivar wines. There is minimal intervention in the vineyards and the wines are made in an uncompromising manner.
Cabernet Franc seems to have found its home in the Banghoek Valley, and ours grows exceptionally well at the foot of Rondekop, our mystical hill.
Vintage Conditions
While winter had a late start, it was characterised by good rainfall, leading to an even budbreak. A turbulent start to flowering season improved towards the onset of summer. Warmer weather in November contributed to even vineyard growth. A moderate January and February was followed by an initially hot February, while cool and wet conditions dominated from the end of February through March, creating challenging harvest conditions. Despite the wetter conditions, our microclimate allowed the grapes to achieve ideal ripeness.
Winemaking & Maturation
Grapes were harvested and sorted carefully by hand, and cold soaked for 5 days before fermentation was initiated. Pumpovers were performed up to three times daily. Malolactic conversion was in barrel. The wine was matured in French oak barrels for 18 months. 29% of barrels used were 225L with the balance in 300L. The wine was bottled in November 2020.
Accolades
- 93pts | Platter's
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Franc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Food matching |
A delicate game meat such as ostrich or deer served with a cranberry and thyme jus. |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential |
This wine is from a cooler vintage, and has a brilliant future ahead of it, promising spectacular development over the next 15 years. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |