- Abruzzo
- Alentejo Region
- Amarone DOCG
- Aude
- Bardolino DOC
- Barossa Valley
- Bordeaux
- California
- Casablanca Valley
- Castilla y León
- Chianti DOCG
- Clare Valley
- Colchagua Valley
- Coonawarra
- Dao Region
- Douro Valley
- IGP Collines Rhodaniennes
- Maipo Valley
- New South Wales
- Pays du Gard
- Piedmont
- Rapel Valley
- Rioja
- Sicily
- South Australia
- Tuscany DOCG
- Valpolicella DOC
- Victoria
- Vin de France
- Western Cape
- Aglianico
- Alicante Bouschet
- Aragonês
- Bobal
- Bonarda
- Brunello
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carignan
- Carmenère
- Cinsault
- Corvina
- Frappato
- Grenache / Garnacha
- Malbec
- Malvasia Nero
- Merlot
- Molinara
- Mourvèdre / Mataró / Monastrell
- Nebbiolo
- Petit Verdot
- Pinot Meunier
- Pinot Noir
- Pinotage
- Prieto Picudo
- Rondinella
- Roussanne
- Sangiovese
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
- Shiraz / Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Tinta Roriz
- Touriga Franca
- Touriga Nacional
- Trincadeira Preta
- Zweigelt
- Abruzzo
- Alentejo Region
- Amarone DOCG
- Aude
- Bardolino DOC
- Barossa Valley
- Bordeaux
- California
- Casablanca Valley
- Castilla y León
- Chianti DOCG
- Clare Valley
- Colchagua Valley
- Coonawarra
- Dao Region
- Douro Valley
- IGP Collines Rhodaniennes
- Maipo Valley
- New South Wales
- Pays du Gard
- Piedmont
- Rapel Valley
- Rioja
- Sicily
- South Australia
- Tuscany DOCG
- Valpolicella DOC
- Victoria
- Vin de France
- Western Cape
- Aglianico
- Alicante Bouschet
- Aragonês
- Bobal
- Bonarda
- Brunello
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carignan
- Carmenère
- Cinsault
- Corvina
- Frappato
- Grenache / Garnacha
- Malbec
- Malvasia Nero
- Merlot
- Molinara
- Mourvèdre / Mataró / Monastrell
- Nebbiolo
- Petit Verdot
- Pinot Meunier
- Pinot Noir
- Pinotage
- Prieto Picudo
- Rondinella
- Roussanne
- Sangiovese
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
- Shiraz / Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Tinta Roriz
- Touriga Franca
- Touriga Nacional
- Trincadeira Preta
- Zweigelt
An 'Aladdin's Cave of Wines await you here!
2020 Hartenberg Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz
Regular price £12.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%"Home of the Worlds Best Shiraz"
The most sold wine in the Hartenberg portfolio, now celebrating 26 vintages. At a previous Classic Wine Trophy competition ten Gold medals were awarded by the French judges to the 385 red wines. Most estates entered their flagship wines. Due to Hartenbergs' uncompromising approach to standards they felt comfortable entering the pocket-friendly Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz. The wine won Gold.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Vibrant red in colour.
Nose
An alluring blend of wild herbs and spices on the nose with hints of freshly picked dark fruits and berries on the palate, ending in a savoury finish.
Palate
Ripe, soft tannins balance well with the lingering finish.
The Estate
On the slopes of Bottelary Hills bordering Stellenbosch, is a family estate where nature provides the perfect backdrop to grow, produce and share award-winning wines. Summer at Hartenberg brings picnics on the lawns followed by buoyant games of boule. Winter invites you to intimate fireside lunches and sumptuous reds, smoky charcuterie and olives, and sensorial cellar tours. Our Wetland Conservation Area, alongside the vineyards, makes for a beautiful setting for walks and shared family fun.
We are passionate about preserving our natural wealth as evidenced by our sustainable farming practices and conservation programs. We are proud members of Biodiversity and Wine (BWI) and Integrated Production of Wine (IPW), and the estate is home to plentiful wildlife and over 120 species of birds – inspiring us to combine the best of nature with fine wine. Our stated intention is for a pristine environment where nature thrives.
Accolades
- 2016 Vintage 90 points Tim Atkin
- 2016 Vintage 3.5 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide
- 2015 Vintage 4 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide
- 2014 Vintage 90 points Tim Atkin; 3.5 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide
- 2013 Vintage 3.5 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide
- 2012 Vintage 3.5 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide
- 2011 Vintage 3.5 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide
- 2010 Vintage 3.5 stars Platter’s SA Wine Guide & 90 Points Robert Parker
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Shiraz/Syrah, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Mourvedre |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Up to 10 years from vintage |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Pizza with all its various toppings (but not too much chilli), all traditionally prepared meat dishes (i.e. stews and grills), grilled or roasted game fish (ideally without a lemon based sauce) or for pudding. Pears in red wine will find a partner with this versatile wine.
|
Origin | WO Western Cape |
Appellation | Stellenbosch |
2019 Ventisquero 'Grey Glacier' Pinot Noir
Regular price £16.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Head Winemaker Felipe Tosso joined Vina Ventisquero in 2000. After seriously considering alternate careers as a tennis pro and classical guitarist, he elected to enter the wine business, describing it as “one of my big passions because it’s more than work – it’s a lifestyle.”
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep ruby red with violet hues.
Nose
The nose initially reveals aromas of black and red berries, such as murtillas (commonly known as Chilean guava, or strawberry myrtle), cranberries, black plums and raspberries.
Palate
The palate has balanced acidity and flavours of juicy black fruit, along with smooth, well-rounded tannins sustained by the notes of soft French oak.
Vinification
The grapes first underwent a cold pre-fermentative maceration to extract their colour and aromas. They were then fermented in open stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of between 24°C and 26°C. Manual pump-overs were used for 100% of the extraction during fermentation. 100% of the wine was aged in 300lts French oak barrels for a period of 12 months. 15% of them were new, 30% second-use and 55% third-use.
Winemaker
Tosso’s winemaking travels have taken him to Napa, Sonoma, Argentina, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, back to Concha Y Toro in Chile and then finally to Vina Ventisquero. In 2003, Felipe began a close collaboration with John Duval (ex Penfolds) in the production of icon wines Pangea and Vertice, a partnership that continues to this day.
Alan's Tasting Notes
"Another Grey Glacier triumph- red and black fruits vye for your attention balanced by a fresh acidity - all framed in soft tannins from some subtle oak ageing. Incredible balance with an extended finish that stops you reaching for your glass - except that it’s so delicious that you want more. This really is an over-delivering range that demands tasting that will never disappoint. Try it once - any varietal - and you’ll be hooked. One of our fuller, richer, riper styles of Pinot noir." Tasted July 2022
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Best served at between 14°C and 15°C. This wine pairs well duck, with oily fish, pasta, creamy soups, different lean meats and hard cheese. |
Appellation | Leyda Valley |
2019 Signos de Origen 'Los Morros' Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £19.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Genuine non-interventionist winemaking from Emiliana, this matches up to all levels of the natural wine criteria. A lovely example of cabernet sauvignon with beautiful purity.
Colour
Ruby red in colour
Nose
A bright nose that offers aromas of ripe blackcurrant and licorice along with cedarwood notes.
Palate
The palate recalls black currants and red cherry fruit with star anise spice, ripe tannins and a full juicy finish.
Production
Soils are alluvial with good porosity and drainage. The land is flat, rich in minerals with a loamy-clay and muddy texture, irrigated by water coming from snow thaw in the mountains. The season 2014-2015 in the Valley of Maipo was characterized by being warm. The spring was favourable as there were no rains in flowering, which gave rise to a healthy and good harvest. The few frosts that occurred did not affect cabernet sauvignon since they were prior to sprouting. The rains, following the trend, were and concentrated in winter with a total of 230 mm fallen. The temperatures during maturation were high with maximum averages of 30 ° C in January and February and averages of 12.5 ° C for the same months. This led to an early harvest, together the oscillation thermal helped maintain natural acidity. The reception included a triple selection using conveyor belts before and after passing through the destemmer-crusher. The grapes then dropped gently (by gravity) into the fermentation tanks, where they underwent a 5-day pre-fermentation cold soak at 8ºC. Alcoholic fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks using only native yeasts at 24º–26ºC with a program of pump-overs determined by enological criteria. The new wine remained on its skins for an 8-day post-fermentation maceration at 22º–24ºC, for a total maceration (skin contact) time of 28–30 days. Malolactic fermentation took place naturally in barrels. The wine was then aged for 12 months. The wine is stabilized naturally, without treatments, and is only very lightly filtered at bottling with a 3–5 micron (absolute) cartridge. The wine was aged for 12 months, 48% in French oak barrels, 28% in concrete eggs, and 24% in a 2,000-liter French oak foudre.
Producers
Voted by Wines of Chile as "Winery of the Year 2016", Emiliana is one of Chile's most exciting producers and pioneers in organic and biodynamic winemaking. Since 1998, this Chilean winery has been producing award-winning wines from almost 1,000 hectares of vineyards in prime sites including Casablanca, Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchagua and Bio Bio.
Its spectacular biodynamic vineyard and winery at Los Robles is a model that attracts visiting viticulturalists and winemakers from across the world. Emiliana's innovative and natural-leaning wines are made with great care and attention and the results are inspiring.
Sustainable
Emiliana began its conversion to organic production in 1998, and today 100% of its properties are organically managed. It is the world’s largest organic winery. It holds organic certifications in accordance with the standards of the United States, Canada (NOP), Brazil, Chile, Japan, South Korea, China, and Europe. In 2006, Emiliana was the first winery in Latin America to produce a wine with biodynamic certification. Since then, the use of biodynamic practices at its farms and cellars has been accredited and today 100% of its properties are certified. Emiliana received its Fairtrade and Fair For Life certifications in 2011 and 2017 and has been selling fair trade wines since 2012.
Emiliana was a pioneer in the implementation of the Wine of Chile Sustainability Code certification in 2012. This standard was developed for the Chilean wine sector to support the implementation of sustainable practices at a national level, as well as social and environmental responsibility at Emiliana.
Emiliana is certified to use the Vegan Society trademark, which attests that its wines are produced without any animal-derived products.
Emiliana also produces an annual sustainability report.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | An interesting wine with meat-based dishes and stews. Ideal with oven-roasted pork ribs, grilled beef, or slow-cooked lamb. It is also excellent with duck magret and with strong, aged cheeses such as Emmental or rich, creamy cheeses such as Camembert. |
Origin | Maipo Valley |
Appellation | D.O. Valle del Maipo |
2020 Smalltown Vineyards The Black Craft Shiraz
Regular price £12.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Germans were the first free immigrants into Australia in the 1850s onwards. They planted Shiraz in Barossa. Germans also invented letterpress in the 1500s. The suspicion around the “magick” of a printing press coupled with the inky hands of the printers meant that the art became known as the Black Craft. The wine is an homage to both the German influence of the oldest wine-making in Australia, as well as the letterpress.
Tasting Notes
A compelling, dark and rich chocolately beast. A classic Barossa Shiraz with intense savoury flavours of thick blackberry compote, black pepper and typical iron-rich beefy flavours. Not a hint of jam here, no sweetness, this is serious Shiraz for grown-ups with balanced acidity, a touch of cocao powder in the finish and tremendous length.
Production Method
This Shiraz is sourced from the finest available vineyard sites across the premium Northern Barossa Valley including for the most part Greenock, Western Ridge and Ebenezer. Aged 11 months in a variety of oaks, all American and French, new and old, around 35% new. All oaks were AP John, Barossa coopered. As usual withSmalltown, it was fermented in open fermenters. They don’t set the blades too close together during crushing so a fair bit of whole berry in the ferment which gives the wine generous fruit and soft tannins.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Syrah |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches | As the name implies, black is the key - anything chargrilled would be superb here, so think griddle pans and barbecues! |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | South Australia |
Appellation | Barossa |
2021 Cortese Nostru Nero d'Avola No added Sulphur
Regular price £12.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The Rooster, a symbol of pride, courage and honesty, watches over the vineyards. The ancient Greeks believed that the Rooster greeted the sun every morning with its cordial song, which symbolized the victory over the night but at the same time also serves as an alarm clock to mark the beginning of the day for both the animals and the winemakers!
In Cortese, early morning is a key time to work in the vineyards thus avoiding the impetuousness of the Sicilian sun.
Tasting Notes
Our NSA Nostru Nero d’Avola is really something quite different. It has a unique mouth-feel, it is soft and well-rounded, with the purest of black fruits flavours coming through.
What is a wine with no added sulphites?
Sulfur dioxide is naturally produced by wine during fermentation. In this case we do not add any further. This is possible because during the winemaking process we carry out all the operations meticulously so that it is not necessary to add sulphites.
Viticulture
The grapes are 100% Nero d’Avola from Azienda Agricola Cortese, our organic estate in Vittoria, south-eastern Sicily. The grapes are very carefully selected by hand in the middle of September, brought to the winery in small containers and processed immediately.
Vinification
The prime aim when producing a NSA wine is to keep everything in the winery meticulously clean in order to avoid any possible microbiological growth, except for yeast for the primary fermentation and bacteria for the malolactic fermentation. Fermentation is done in the usual way and we do the pumping over in the early stages of the process. After fermentation, we keen the wine in contact with the skins for 3-4 days, doing some pumping over in order to keep the cap wet. The wine is racked and then stored, with meticulous care not to allow any contact with oxygen.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Nero d'Avola |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Dietary Information | Certified Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Perfect to be served with Mediterranean dishes, roasts of red meat, game, mushrooms and tasty cheeses. |
Origin |
Sicily, Vini DOC |
2022 Paolo Leo Mora Mora Malvasia Nera
Regular price £12.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Full-bodied and well balanced, with a lively tannin and a pleasantly lingering finish of ripe red fruits.
Malvasia nera is one of the oldest indigenous grape varieties in Puglia and it is likely that it arrived in southern Italy starting from the Dalmatian coasts beyond the Adriatic Sea. The aromatic black grape variety, is distinguished by a high sugar concentration and the almost total absence of tannin in the skins, a characteristic that makes it unique and unexpected especially when sipped even slightly cool in the sunny Salento summers.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Mora Mora is presented in the glass with a beautiful intense ruby red color.
Nose
On the nose, it offers small red fruits such as blackberries and mulberries in full ripeness. Then there are hints of dried plums and sweet spices such as cinnamon and cloves that give an enveloping tertiary perception.
Palate
In the mouth, it is warm, juicy, fresh with a slightly hinted acidity. Final with a very light sweetish aftertaste given by the typical fruit of black malvasia.
Vinification
The harvest is carried out in the second decade of September with a manual harvest of the grapes completed in the early hours of the morning, in the coolest hours of the day. After harvesting, the grapes are destemmed and the crushed grapes ferments in stainless steel at a controlled temperature of 22-24 ° C for 8-10 days. The must is subjected to various pumping over and delestage that offer a technological extraction of color and tannins. Subsequently the wine is drawn off in a soft press. After the first racking, again in stainless steel, the malolactic fermentation takes place. Finally, the wine finishes its maturation for 3 months in second and third passage French oak barriques and is already ready to be drunk very young.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Malvasia Nera |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14.5% |
Units of Alcohol |
10.9 units
|
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches |
The aromaticity of the Black Malvasia di Moramora combines with slow cooking ragù. The best embers of meat enhance the structure of the wine. Combined with cold cuts and cheeses it becomes a great company guest.
|
Cellaring Potential | 10-15 years |
Allergen Information
|
Contain sulphites |
Region | Puglia |
Appellation | IGP Salento |
Primordial Soup Red Blend N/V
Regular price £7.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%At the Western Cape’s Pinnacle Point, evidence remains in maritime caves of our earliest known ancestors - a primitive culture that combed the beaches and fished in the same rock-pools from whence they came. Our aim with Primordial Soup is to introduce South African wine in its most accessible form, red and white familial twins made up of multiple classical cultivars, named without variety. The design inspiration is from the illustration’s of Ernst Haeckel, German naturalist, who identified then drew some of the simplest forms of life on Earth. We then use these to relate to Darwinism and the subject of Creation and evolution as a whole. It’s the story of everything.
Tasting Notes
A rich and bloody bouillabaisse of the Western Cape’s classical cultivars, packed with juicy life, red in tooth and claw. It has a nose of creamy summer pudding and a palate of crushed cherries with a cranberry tang and texture. It’s the Natural Selection.
Production
This cultured concoction is derived from the Western Cape’s classical cultivars, blended to represent nature’s selection and packed with juicy life. An artful mix of classic South African varieties chosen and blended by our winemaker Ryno Booysen.
Producer
Boutinot South Africa is driven by our passion for discovery and desire to capture the real essence of South Africa in every bottle. It was the simple love of Loire Chenin Blanc that first led us to South Africa in 1994, where we pioneered the wild ferment style that has now been adopted by many producers in this region.
Since then we have been exploring the country's amazing vineyards to make fabulous wines from specific sites and plots that scream location, location, terroir. Our home-grown South African winemaking team of JD Rossouw, Ryno Booysen and Pierre Louw drive the energy and enthusiasm for expressing the loveliest wines from their country, along with Samantha Bailey's expertise in finesse. The key is knowing the characteristics of each plot, understanding the benefits each cultivar can bring, breaking rules and pushing boundaries. We use a combination of knowledge, a love of nature and science to create versatile, expressive and food-friendly wines from a country that has been making wine for 360 years.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Blend |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan Friendly |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
A fantastic match to a huge variety of dishes from steak and chips, bangers and mash, juicy pink sunday roast, to beef stirfry. |
Origin | Swartland |
Appellation | Western Cape |
2022 Bodega Vinecol Malbec Quinde Reserve
Regular price £15.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
Palate
The Estate
Established in 2000 the Vinecol estate is located in La Paz at the eastern end of Mendoza. Their 60 hectares adjoin the UNESCO protected biosphere at Nacunan and thus benefits from its unpolluted waters. At around 1000m, their 100 hectares are all hand-harvested and are planted mostly with Malbec, Cabernet, Chardonnay, and Torrontes. They've invested in their local environment with a reforestation programme and have a vegetable garden for their staff and sponsor local schools!
Why Organic?
- Because as from the production of the grapes up to the winemaking process, it is based on the application of a set of techniques that do not allow the use of chemical products.
- Because in order to produce the raw material, the ecosystem's biological balance is intensified by favoring the presence of microorganisms that are typical of the fauna and of the environment to enhance fertility in the long run.
- Because spices and varieties are chosen according to their adaptation to the environment and to the resistance to plagues and diseases.
- Because the control carried out by the certifying organization lets anyone find the origin, nature, and quantities of supplies, additives and other substances involved in the whole wine-making process.
- Because it is produced in a clean and neat environment avoiding any contamination whatsoever.
- Because it is intended for a healthy diet pursuant to IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement) regulations worldwide.
Did you know?
The province of Mendoza is larger than England!
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Malbec |
Country | Argentina |
Alcohol content | 13.5 % alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Suggested Serving Temp | Between 15°C and 18°C. |
Food Matches | Steak, Grilled Meats, Pasta |
Oak Aging | 6 months in French Oak |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved & Organic |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | La Paz, Mendoza |
2021 Peculiar Mr Pat Merlot
Regular price £8.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Tasting Notes
Bright, plush, deeply tasty Merlot from Riverland vineyards, this is abundant in freshly picked red fruit with a soft tannic profile and a long, moreish finish.
Production
The Merlot grapes that make this wine were grown in the glorious Australian sunshine. Merlot thrives along the banks of Australia’s largest river, the Murray, near the bustling inland town of Mildura, in the middle of Australia’s food bowl. A Mediterranean climate, with plenty of sunshine, we carefully tend the vines and enrich the ancient, sandy soils with recycled organic matter from other crops that also thrive locally, to make the most of every precious drop of water. Speckled light reaches through lush green vine canopies to ensure the berries ripen steadily throughout late summer in time for harvest in Autumn.
Producer
Quintessentially Australian, this range offers consistent quality, hugely appealing, commercial wine styles that have gained a loyal following. Reflecting our skill and experience in seeking out the very best of Australia, our wines capture ideal climatic conditions and pure varietal definition.
Boutinot's Samantha Bailey brings her signature palate and decades of experience to finessing our components into the loveliest Boutinot expressions of Oz.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.3 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches | This wine can be enjoyed with a wide range of meat dishes, and minimal winemaking intervention means that this wine can also be enjoyed, guilt-free by Pescatarians, Vegetarians and Vegans. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian and Vegan Approved |
Origin | South East Australia |
2016 Pierre Bourée Gevrey-Chambertin
Regular price £42.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Classic Gevrey-Chambertin, 'The King of Burgundy'.
Tasting Notes
Delicate sweet strawberry fruit, fresh acidity and a clean, vibrant palate. A restrained style, with elegance and a savoury, autumnal finish.
Method of Production
Regular ploughing, limited fertilising as well as minimal pruning is used to reduce both vigour and yield. The grapes are hand picked and transported to the winery in small containers. Hand sorting is followed by wooden vat maceration and fermentation, with regular pigeage before pressing and followed by oak barrel maturation.
Producer
In the latter years of the nineteenth century, Pierre Bourée took over a wine business in Gevrey-Chambertin and gave it his name. In 1922, his son, Bernard, succeeded him and renamed the house as Pierre Bourée Fils. In 1945, Bernard Bourée began to train his nephew, Louis Vallet, who eventually became director of the house, assisted by his brother, François. Together, they expanded the cellars and the winery, and developed the business outside Europe. As well as putting their own unique stamp upon the business, each successive generation added to the house's vineyard holdings. Today, Bernard and Jean-Christophe Vallet run the house alongside their sons, Pierre and Louis Henry.
This winery represents everything that we are proud to be associated with: attention to detail, careful selection of the best grapes, and above all a passion for making superb wines. All Pierre Bourée wines are vinified in their cuverie in Chambolle-Musigny, and are then matured in their cellars at Gevrey-Chambertin.
A Note on Sustainability
Pierre Bourée et Fils is keen to work in an as environmentally friendly method as possible, using techniques such as regular maintenance of the soil by ploughing, applying the minimum of phytosanitary treatments and the controlling of vine vigour and yields through careful pruning. The Vallets tend their vines very traditionally and advancements in the vineyards have been limited: for example, only manure has been used as fertiliser for the last half a century which has encouraged wild asparagus to grow amongst the vines. Harvesting is manual, as the family is opposed to the use of mechanical techniques.
Specifications
Year | 2016 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Traditionally matched with game, fine red Burgundy works extremely well with strongly flavoured dishes including mushrooms, cheese, duck and liver. |
Origin | Burgundy |
Appellation | Gevrey-Chambertin |
2022 Ananto Organic Bobal Tempranillo
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
A juicy, fruity organic red from Utiel-Requena, showcasing the region's increasingly fashionable, indigenous, Bobal variety.
Nose
Vibrant aromas of blueberry and blackberry
Palate
The palate has juicy plum and spice notes wrapped in supple tannins, offering a smooth, harmonious finish.
Producer
The 67 hectare Finca Fuenteseca estate lies in Utiel Requena, a high, rugged plateau, nearly 1,000 meters above sea level just inland from Valencia. The combination of hot, dry summers, cold nights and poor, limestone soil make the area relatively free of vine diseases and so ideal for organic farming. The entire estate is now dedicated to organic production and producing blends combining indigenous and international varieties.
Production Method
Vineyards are located in the north-west corner of Utiel Requena, 900 meters above sea level. Wines are made from organically grown grapes in vineyards cultivated using natural fertilisers, cover crops, biological control of pests and not using any chemical products that may damage the health of the environment. Grapes are cooled and undergo pre ferment whole bunch maceration before temperature-controlled tank fermentation.
A Note on Sustainability
Along with all its wines being certified organic and vegan, Sierra Norte is keenly involved in projects run by its D.O. that benefit local people and which defend the products of its region. In a wider environmental sense, Sierra Norte is developing a wastewater project by installing a treatment system plant to reuse water, as well as being involved in a photovoltaic solar panel installation project.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 65% Bobal, 35% Tempranillo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Organic, Sustainable |
Food Matches | Superb with roasts and stews, red meat dishes, small game, cheese or cold meats. |
Origin | Utiel Requena |
Appellation | DOP Utiel Requena |
2019 Chateau Montelena Estate Calistoga Zinfandel
Regular price £59.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Chateau Montelena shot to fame in 1976 at the iconic Judgement of Paris that shook the wine world to its core when their 1973 Napa Valley Chardonnay won first place against an enviable line-up of top French Burgundies. The result was a shock to the wine trade all over the world and changed the history of California wine - and Chateau Montelena - forever.
Tasting Notes
Zinfandel is California’s heritage grape, and as anyone who has tasted long-lived examples from the 1970s, it can produce wines of tremendous quality, both immediate pleasure and age-worthiness, and all in a rich and spicy berry profile that is unique in the world of wine. Like every wine they produce, Montelena looks first and foremost to take the tremendous fruit they work with and transmit it in a complex, balanced package.
Colour
Beautiful and dark garnet in colour.
Nose
This Zinfandel opens with aromas of bright raspberry and floral top notes; followed by cedar, dried berries, dried plums, and the classic Zinfandel briar-berry along with hints of pipe tobacco and dusty cocoa.
Palate
The palate opens softly, with exceptional balance, and builds nicely into a good full finish. Dried fruit notes are perfectly complemented by fresh, red currant and mature black fruit flavors. Very juicy on the palate, it is ripe and sweet, with good length and just a hint of herbs on the finish. It shows good weight and velvety tannins throughout – very fleshy without being overbearing.
Vintage Weather
Not a hot or incredibly early vintage like ‘96 or ‘87, respectively, the weather cooperated and helped us produce wines of finesse, elegance, and balance – aspects that are critical for wines that exhibit a purity of expression and our wonderfully unique growing site.
Producer
Established in 1882 and located in Calistoga, California– the Montelena Estate is one of the oldest and most notable wine-producing properties in the Napa Valley. Click below to explore our beautiful grounds and see for yourself.
Chateau Montelena Winery, originally called A.L. Tubbs winery after its founder Alfred Tubbs, was constructed in 1888 and intended as a barrel-aging facility. The Chateau was unique in materials, plan, size, and style for its era. In nineteenth-century Napa Valley, the majority of wineries were constructed of wood. Instead, the Chateau is made of stone with walls three to twelve feet thick, which provides natural insulation against outside heat or cold. Similarly, the structure built into a hillside, to further regulate temperature - something necessary for producing quality wines but uncommon at the time. Also rare among Napa Valley wineries, the Chateau resembles an English Gothic castle gatehouse complete with rusticated stone walls, battlement with crenels and merlons, narrow arched windows, large arched door in the place of a portcullis, and bartizans with faux arrow slits.
Accounts of the stone winery’s designer, masons and source of materials vary. The design has been attributed to Hamden McIntyre, the well-known local winery designer; however, McIntyre relocated to Vina in 1887 where he took charge of the vineyard and winery of Leland Stanford. The building is unlike McIntyre's other wineries, none of which were designed in a Gothic style. Some sources also suggest that while in Europe, Tubbs hired a French architect to draw plans for the building, brought back French masons to build it, and imported European stone for the walls. Other accounts suggest the design was inspired by the Cellar of Chateau Lafite in France.
Originally, the interior was one large space with a second-story crushing floor, but in 1960, a second-floor apartment was inserted so the Chateau could be used as a home. The space was then converted into our current Tasting room though parts of the private residence remain and are used on occasion today for family guests and private events.
Vineyards
The vineyard is comprised of varied terrain, from flat to steep hillsides. Extending out from the Napa River is the alluvial soil, the most prevalent type on the property. In the back and outside areas of the vineyard are volcanic soils, formed by ancient lava flows caused by tectonic uplifting. The decades-old Zinfandel, planted in craggy volcanic soil, combined with 10-year-old vines in cobbly alluvial soil, produces a wine with complex character.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Zinfandel |
Country | USA |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle |
10.5units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | The Chateau Montelena Zinfandel can stand up to the big, meaty flavors, such as barbeque pork ribs, leg of lamb or a well-seasoned beef dish. The spicy notes of the wine will also complement dark chocolate dishes quite well. |
Origin | California |
Appellation | Napa Valley |
2023 Camarada Malbec
Regular price £8.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A wine with a conscience! It was bottled using only clean and renewable energy. So you can drink this wine and know that it didn’t ‘cost the earth’ (in more ways than one).
Tasting Notes
Nose
Rich and vibrant with notes of blueberry and blackberry on the nose.
Palate
This Malbec is well-balanced with lush fruit flavours of boysenberry and brambles, complimented by hints of dark chocolate, vanilla and spice with a long, spicy finish.
Production
Grapes are hand-harvested at the beginning of March and delivered to the winery in the same day. Stems are removed, then traditional fermentation at 22-24C for 6 - 10 days. Grapes are crushed using gentle pneumatic bag presses. Malolactic fermentation takes place to give organoleptic complexity to the wine. 50% of the wine is aged in new inner-staves for 5 months (70% French Oak and 30% American Oak) and micro-oxygenation.
Did you know?
The province of Mendoza is larger than England!
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Wow - this is stunning - I bought it because it hits a price point between entry toro Pintado/ steakmaket and the more premium la Linda/quinde etc. if ever a wine was needed to demonstrate ‘bang for buck’ - this is it!! Delicious red and black fruits with great balance, complexity and length - this is close to knocking quinde off my ‘best Malbec’ trophy in our range - Almost but not quite but it is much better value!! 17/20 for taste/flavour but 20/20 for value!!" November 2022
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Malbec |
Country | Argentina |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Suggested Serving Temp | Between 15°C and 18°C. |
Features | Vegan, Vegetarian approved & Sustainable practises |
Food Matches | It may be a cliché but this big red will go very well with a medium-rare sirloin steak, served with peppercorn sauce or other grilled meats, and pastas. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Mendoza |
2021 Smalltown Vineyards 'The Good Luck Club' Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £16.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Summer pudding reaches from the glass, there is an abundance of blackberry and cassis fruit with a naughty creaminess of oak that marries on the palate for a bold pastiche of old vine Barossa Cabernet.
Production
The Smalltown block was purchased in 2016, 40 hectares of 28-year-old Shiraz and Cabernet in the premium Ebenezer District of the Barossa Valley. This wine was aged in new and tertiary French oak for 24 months. The oak lends a subtle texture and structure to the fruit leaving the palate fresh so this is a bright, varietal Cab that wears its oak lightly as a structural veil rather than anything more monstrous.
Producer
Smalltown Vineyards express many of the Barossa’s prized districts form Gomersal, Kalimna as well as the Eden Valley and beyond. We work with exceptional vineyards simply expressed using minimal intervention, basket press where relevant, natural ferments in open-top fermenters to best capture the Barossa’s magical flavours. We have a lot of fun with labels because, well because we can. It’s only wine after all…
A note about Sustainability
As of the 1st July, 2019, Australia changed from its previous sustainable programme called EntWine to Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. Smalltown Vineyards is a participant in this programme, which assists with tools and resources to enhance business sustainability, meeting customer sustainability requirements and sustainability claims made by participants.
Awards
- 2020 IWC Bronze (2017 Vintage)
Alan's Tasting Notes
"This is a cracker - loads of red berry and blackcurrant aromas and flavours with a structural creaminess as scaffolding in the background. Balance, complexity and length are all perfect - a real well put together glass of wine - sublime and great value at £13.99" Tasted Dec 2021.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | It’s lovely with steak tartare, seared tuna, roast Mediterranean veg and some crunchy, matured hard cheese. |
Origin | South Australia |
Appellation | Barossa Valley |
2021 Nicosia Frappato Bio
Regular price £11.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A really pretty and perfumed example of the Frappato grape from south-eastern Sicily.
Tasting Notes
This organic red has delicious floral and red berry characters and is surprisingly fresh and delicate given the hot climate.
Nose
Delicate and lightly floral aromas of strawberry, redcurrant and wild berries, with hints of aromatic herbs.
Palate
The palate has vibrant red berry characters balancing fresh acidity.
Producer
Is there a more dynamic place to make wine in Italy than on Mount Etna in Sicily? Cantine Nicosia is based at the foot of Etna, on the east coast of Sicily, where Carmelo Nicosia, along with his sons Franceso and Graziano (5th generation), have developed their family business into one of the area's most important wine producers. Their Trecastagni winery is where tradition meets ultra-modern technology.
Trecastagni, at the base of one of the extinguished craters dotting Mount Etna and at an altitude of around 700m, is home to the ancient vineyards of Monte Gorna, with their distinctive lava terraces. The vineyards have been completely restructured and replanted, focusing on the native varieties used for Etna DOC wines: Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio for the red, and Catarratto and Carricante for the whites. The extraordinary wealth of minerals found in Etna's volcanic soils can be credited with the very rich flavour and unique character of the wines produced here.
Just a few miles from the southernmost tip of the Italian peninsula is the lively agricultural center of Vittoria and the Contrada Bonincontro district - home to the large and impeccably groomed Cerasuolo di Vittoria vineyards planted exclusively with Nero d’Avola, Frappato and Syrah.
Production Method
Frappato grapes are grown on sandy soil situated at approximately 200m above sea level. Grapes are hand-picked in September. The grapes undergo maceration and fermentation for approximately 10-15 at a controlled temperature of between 22-24°C. The wine is aged in stainless steel vats and 2 months in the bottle.
A Note on Sustainability
A proportion of Cantine Nicosia’s vineyards are certified organic by SIDEL, and its wines are certified as vegan by the Istituto Certificazione Etica e Ambiente.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Frappato |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable, Organic |
Food Matches | Pairs very well with vegetable tempura, couscous, tabbouleh and Caprese salad. Or enjoy with pasta alla Norma - a classic Sicilian pasta dish with aubergine, ricotta, basil and tomatoes. |
Origin | Sicilia |
Appellation | Terre Siciliane IGT |
2017 Amarone della Valpolicella ‘La Colombaia’
Regular price £25.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
A richly flavoured and approachable Amarone with layers of ripe plum and cherry fruit, mocha and spice.
Nose
Ripe, warm and generous on the nose with abundant plum and cherry aromas, roasted coffee beans and hints of dried fruits.
Palate
Full-bodied and richly flavoured with rich berry and plum fruit, supple tannins and a spicy finish, with the characteristic dry bite of good Amarone. A balanced and very approachable style.
Producer
The illustrious Montresor family moved from France to Italy at the start of the 19th Century and settled in the Veneto region near Lake Garda. In 1892 Cantina Giacomo Montresor was established in Verona, and remains family-owned to this day.
Giorgio Montresor produces a portfolio of wines which increasingly rival the offerings of the region's more fashionable names - harnessing modern technology to craft the best wines from each site, across their 100ha of vineyard, in Valpolicella and Garda.
Production Method
Made from a blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes. The grapes are hand-harvested at the end of October. The late harvested grapes are dried for four months (until January following the vintage) and then crushed. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel for four months followed by maturation in Slavonian oak casks and small barrels for 2 years.
A Note on Sustainability
At the end of 2019, Montresor received its organic certification. Some of its wines are already bottled in a lighter weight glass bottle (less than 420g) to reduce carbon dioxide emissions during transport, with the added benefit of reducing the amount of glass to be manufactured.
Over the next two years, solar panels will be installed at the winery to provide some of the electricity required in the production process. Alongside this, Montresor is about to install a water purification system to recover and recycle the water used at the winery.
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 10% Molinara |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 15% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11.2 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable |
Food Matches | Perfect with mature hard cheeses and blue cheeses. Also excellent with game and mature beef. |
Origin | Veneto |
Appellation | DOCG Amarone Della Calpolicella |
2019 Heartland Directors Cut Shiraz
Regular price £27.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Directors’ Cut is Heartland’s most powerful expression of Langhorne Creek’s classic varietals. Only the best fruit makes the “cut”.
Tasting Notes
In appearance, an opaque mulberry core softens to a thin crimson rim. The nose is blackberry jam with complimentary aromas reminiscent of a Turkish spice bazaar. The palate offers purple fruit with hints of refreshing rosewater and rich aniseed. The finish is long and refreshing.
Vinification
The grapes are selected from some of the best Shiraz vineyards in the region. These vineyards are chosen for the consistent intensity and texture of the fruit. The strictest pruning techniques are used. The fruit for Directors’ Cut Shiraz was harvested at night and then crushed to small open top stainless-steel fermenters. After 24 hours of skin contact fermentation was commenced with our Rhône isolate yeast. Following 10 days of cool fermentation on skins and pumped over 3 times daily, the wine was transferred to French and American oak hogsheads for 12-14 months maturation. In the 2019 vintage we have limited ourselves to 40% new oak to ensure the fruit remained the focus.
Vintage
Ben reckons this might be the finest vintage he has ever seen from Langhorne Creek. Only time will tell. Harvest was more generous than the previous few years, with above average quantity and quality. Total degree days were up from the last three years, with wonderful ripeness levels recorded leading to amazing fruit intensity. This may supersede the 2012 vintage for overall quality and has led to a very happy winemaker.
Information on Heartland Wines
Heartland Wines is a joint venture from industry veterans and lifelong mates Ben Glaetzer (of Glaetzer Wines fame) and Nick Keukenmeester in Langhorne Creek, South Australia. From its inception in 1999, Heartland’s ethos has been to create wines of balance, texture and a distinctive Australian identity, with a focus on Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Langhorne Creek’s exceptional terroir is the soul of Heartland. One of Australia’s oldest viticultural regions, the area is unique in South Australia due to its cool maritime climate and significant diurnal range. The resulting long growing season, along with ancient alluvial soils, makes it particularly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon. Many local growers have been cultivating the variety for generations, which explains the prevalence of old vines; Langhorne Creek boasts the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the world. In addition to purchasing old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz from the region’s top growers, Heartland has also experimented successfully with plantings of Dolcetto and Lagrein, which make up a few of their unique blends. Sustainability is the cornerstone of Heartland’s approach to viticulture: they encourage plantings of indigenous trees, grasses and bushes, practice rational water management, and eschew chemical treatments in the vineyards. They even have a herd of goats to keep the weeds down. Heartland’s wines are made at Ben Glaetzer’s Barossa Vintners winery in Tanunda, Barossa. Completed in 1995, Barossa Vintners is a purpose-built, pioneering solar-powered and gravityfed winery. Here Ben Glaetzer takes his characteristic minimum-intervention approach, with gentle handling and long, cool fermentations to guarantee freshness, elegance and drinkability in the wines. The whole range truly reflects the terroir of the region and demonstrates the stylistic differences that can be achieved in this beautiful area of Australia
Accolades
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Shiraz |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
14.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Infomation | Contains Sulphites |
Cellaring | 15 years + |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Langhorne Creek |
Appellation | South Australia |
2021 Glaetzer Wallace
Regular price £19.75 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Glaetzer Wallace takes on the traditional Barossa Valley blend of Shiraz and Grenache in a modern way.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Vibrant purple with bright red hues.
Nose
Wild cherries with a hint of blueberry and rose petal.
Palate
Upfront red berry fruit, midpalate richness and brightness from the Grenache. Finishes fresh and long.
Glaetzer Wallace takes on the traditional Barossa Valley blend of Shiraz and Grenache in a modern way. The Shiraz brings backbone, flesh and body to the wine with the Grenache adding a soft, vibrant juiciness.
Vineyards
Exceptional old vine fruit was sourced from the famed Ebenezer sub district at the northern tip of the Barossa Valley. Vine age 50—80 year old Shiraz and 50—100 year old Grenache. Yield 3.5 tonnes per hectare.
Vintage Conditions
A wet winter and spring coupled with cooler than average spring temperatures resulted in slower yet balanced canopy development and healthy flowering and fruit set. A mild summer with regular rainfall events followed allowing the fruit to be in no rush to mature, perfect for consistent ripening. Harvest commenced a few weeks later than recent years. The 2017 wines are of excellent quality exhibiting purity and lift with firm tannins and exceptional length.
Vinification
Old vine Barossa Grenache has a liveliness and structure that does not benefit from oak maturation—oak contact was thus minimised for the Grenache component to preserve the purity and animation of the fruit. The Shiraz was matured for 16 months in 2—3 year old oak hogshead barrels (80% French / 20% American).
About Glaetzer
This family-owned boutique winery was founded in 1995 and dedicates itself to the production of super-premium, sitespecific red wine made in small volumes. Originally from Germany, the Glaetzer family settled in Australia in the late 19th century and were some of the earliest recorded viticulturalists in the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley. Today the winery is run by internationally acclaimed winemaker Ben Glaetzer, who is responsible for driving the brand’s considerable loyal following. Ben sources all their fruit from the northern sub-region of the Barossa, Ebenezer, which is known for its ancient dry-grown vineyards. Glaetzer’s most exceptional fruit is sourced from 80-110 year-old, nongrafted bush vines. In the cellar, Ben believes in minimal intervention and treating musts as gently as possible.
Though only limited Glaetzer wines are produced every year, the winery is known for producing wines that are unique and intense.
2018 Wallace from Glaetzer Wines on Vimeo.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 72% Shiraz and 28% Grenache |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Cellaring | A wine to enjoy in its youth that will also develop additional complexity over 6 to 8 years of cellaring. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Barossa Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2021 Villa la Pagliaia Chianti Classico (375ml Half Bottle)
Regular price £7.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A fresh, approachable style of Chianti Classico (in a half bottle) with vibrant, juicy red fruit. Villa la Pagliaia lies in the south of the Chianti Classico zone, adjacent to sister property San Felice.
Tasting Notes
Aromas of ripe plum and cherry with spicy, savoury notes. This is a fruit-forward style of Chianti - the palate is bright and sappy, with redcurrant and bramble fruit providing fresh acidity, and supple tannins giving structure.
Production
The grapes come from the estate's own 350-400m altitude vineyards in the Chianti Classico zone, near Castel Berardenga. The vines are on average 25 years old (yielding about 1.5kg of fruit per vine) - 'guyot' trained and planted in rocky clay soil. Fermentation and maceration on the skins last for 8-10 days (at 28-30ºC) followed by malolactic fermentation in stainless steel. Matured in Slavonian oak casks for 10-12 months.
Producer
The Villa La Pagliaia property in Castelnuovo Berardenga, around 15km from Siena, has a long and aristocratic history. The elegant 18th Century villa is amidst a striking landscape of vines, olive groves and cyprus trees. Their vineyards, here in the south of the Chianti Classico region, are at 300-450m altitude, with clay and limestone soils.
Fruit from these, predominantly Sangiovese, low-yielding mature vines (over 25 years old) - combined with traditional vinification methods overseen by neighbouring property (and sister estate) San Felice - ensures consistent production of very classic and quietly impressive wines.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 375ml |
Cultivar | 95% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 4.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | A good match for spicy pasta dishes, sausages and red meat. |
Origin | Toscana, Italy |
Appellation | DOCG Chianti Classico |
2021 Les Coteaux Côtes du Rhône Villages
Regular price £9.77 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Each vintage, from our base in Cairanne, we are able to select exceptional Grenache and Syrah from the best Côtes du Rhône Villages to make Les Coteaux, which we then enrich with classified wine from Séguret and Sablet.
Tasting Notes
Immediately impressive, this wine reveals its class from the start. Brambly fruit underpinned by subtle oaky nuances, lovely sweet spice - warm star anise with a touch of cinnamon. This classic Côtes du Rhône Villages is enriched with specially-selected parcels from Séguret and Sablet.
Production Method
Common practice in the Côtes du Rhône is to bottle the best cuvées as a single, named, village wine and the rest as more basic Côtes du Rhône Villages. Boutinot’s philosophy, on the other hand, is to start with the intention of making the very best Côtes du Rhône Villages possible by sourcing wine from the vineyards of named villages, and enriching them with a small proportion of barrel-aged wine from Sablet and Séguret.
Boutinot's Côtes du Rhône Villages 'Les Coteaux' is therefore a selection of the best Grenache Noir and Syrah from some of the 17 named Côtes du Rhône Villages. We source wine from a number of growers with exceptional terroir and so have the flexibility to select only the very best fruit each vintage (rejecting parcels which do not meet our high standards). Mostly unoaked, a small proportion (15%) is part-aged for up to 20 months in a few new, but mostly older, oak barrels to bring depth and subtle notes of complexity.
Producer
Boutinot’s love affair with the Southern Rhône spans thirty years of making wine in the region. In 2010, the relationship was sealed with the purchase of a winery and vineyards above the village of Cairanne. Domaine Boutinot’s seven vineyards are planted with classic southern Rhône grape varieties – old vine Grenache Noir and Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan Noir – and they all sit within the Cairanne Cru boundaries, sanctioned in 2016 when Cairanne was granted its own appellation status.
Working with our vigneron neighbours we are helping to revive traditional grape varieties such as Cinsault and Counoise, and in the cellar we prefer time-honoured winemaking methods such as a long cuvasion aided only by natural yeasts, gentle remontage, manual pigeage and patient maturation in a nursery of French oak barrels.
Awards
- A Bronze Medal in the 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards (2020 Vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
Vegan, Vegetarian
|
Food Matches | A delicious accompaniment to hearty food: grilled meats, meaty sausages with mash or, as would be served in France, with puy lentils; shepherd's pie, mushroom ragoût or simply a good pizza. |
Origin | Rhône |
Appellation | Côtes du Rhône Villages |
2019 De Toren Fusion V
Regular price £42.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The iconic Left Bank-based blend from De Toren Fusion V is meticulously crafted from Bordeaux’s ‘Noble Five’ varietals and, with its complex flavours of liquorice, black cherry, cedar and dark berries, it offers a stylish departure for sophisticated oenophilic tastes. Soft as spun silk, with a lingering hint of sweet fruit on the back palate, this is a wine that will only improve with age.
Tim Atken - UK (95 Points)
Tasting Notes
Nose
On the nose, a bouquet of ripe sweet red cherries, blueberries, sweet spice, and subtle nuances of oak prevail, accentuating the fruit. Seamlessly integrated and immensely elegant.
Palate
The taste profile of Fusion V 2019 is vibrant and moderately full bodied. Fine-grained, yet polished tannins are present in this wine. The red cherry bouquet is unmistakable, leaving the 2019 vintage creamy, layered and delightfully well-balanced for its age.
Producer
De Toren proprietors Emil and Sonette den Dulk left Johannesburg in 1991 to establish their vineyards in the Polkadraai Hills of Stellenbosch. Situated on southern-facing slopes overlooking False Bay De Toren enjoys the cooling effect of constant ocean breezes. Taking a holistic approach to keeping vineyard soils healthy and balanced viticulturalist Ernest Manuel employs sustainable farming practices throughout the property. Infrared Aerial Imaging is used extensively in order to monitor ripeness in various vineyard blocks and determine optimal picking times although actual harvesting and production are done almost entirely by hand. The winery is operated on gravity flow principles; a 4000 liter pressure tank in an elevator shaft (the Tower from which the winery takes its name) is cleverly used to exploit gravity in transporting wine between tanks and barrels without the use of mechanical pumps. As a result of De Toren’s innovative minimal intervention production methods their wines were among the first South African bottlings to qualify for IP (Integrated Production) certification by the Wine and Spirit Board.
The Den Dulks and winemaker Albie Koch seem to have found the key to success with their simple winemaking philosophy: gentle handling no pumps and minimum manipulation. Armed with this winning formula the boutique farm has quickly risen to the ranks of South Africa’s winemaking elite with their duo of dazzling stylish and complex five-varietal Bordeaux blends: the flagship Fusion V (which debuted in the 1999 vintage and has been hailed by Wine Spectator as a consistently polished outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend) and the Merlot-based Z introduced with the 2004 vintage.
Barrel Maturation
Aged in a climatized barrel/ maturation room (16 degrees Celsius at 80% humidity) for 12 months in approximately 50% new and 50% second fill, 225 Litre Oak barrels. French Oak is predominantly used during maturation, with a portion of the Malbec receiving the benefit of American Oak.
Accolades
- Tim Atken - UK (95 Points)
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml (also available in a Magnum Gift Pack) |
Cultivar | Cabernet Sauvignon 56.9%, Malbec 14.4%, Cabernet Franc 9.6%, Merlot 14.4%, Petit Verdot 4.7% |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14.48% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Cellaring Potential | If stored in optimal conditions, this wine should last up to 20 years plus. |
Food Matches |
With nuanced and complexed flavours, our renowned De Toren Fusion V wine pairs exceptionally well with perfectly tender grilled or roast lamb, with garlic, rosemary and a hint of honey lemon. For optimum enjoyment, decant at least one hour before consumption. It is recommended to serve this wine at optimal temperature (15 – 18 degrees Celcius). |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2019 Hartenberg Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £20.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The King of Red Wines, consistently a show stopper and delivers even better with some aging to it.
94 points Tim Atkin
'Granite and ferricrete soils on the estate are the source of this ultra-reliable estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Intense, concentrated and possessing the backbone of a guardsman, this has grippy, well-integrated tannins, perfumed 50% new wood and classic cassis, coffee bean and pencil shaving characters. 2023-2030.'
Tasting Notes
Nose
Delightfully perfumed with spicy vanilla oak and an abundance of red fruit and cherry aromas.
Palate
Soft silky tannins on the palate with flavours of lead pencil, cigar box and sandalwood. A lingering finish persists.
The Estate
On the slopes of Bottelary Hills bordering Stellenbosch, is a family estate where nature provides the perfect backdrop to grow, produce and share award-winning wines. Summer at Hartenberg brings picnics on the lawns followed by buoyant games of boule. Winter invites you to intimate fireside lunches and sumptuous reds, smoky charcuterie and olives, and sensorial cellar tours. Our Wetland Conservation Area, alongside the vineyards, makes for a beautiful setting for walks and shared family fun.
We are passionate about preserving our natural wealth as evidenced by our sustainable farming practices and conservation programs. We are proud members of Biodiversity and Wine (BWI) and Integrated Production of Wine (IPW), and the estate is home to plentiful wildlife and over 120 species of birds – inspiring us to combine the best of nature with fine wine. Our stated intention is for a pristine environment where nature thrives.
History
The first settlers to cultivate the virgin land of the estate now known as Hartenberg were friends Cunraad Boin and Christoffel Esterhuizzen who were granted permission to work 60 morgen (20 ha) of the land in 1692. In 1704, Christoffel Esterhuizzen was granted the title deed to "Het Hartenberg" by Governer (Willem Adriaan van der Stel) and by 1718, he had 10 000 vines on his property.
The well-known elephant hunter, Paulus Keyser, bought Hartenberg in 1721 and continued the practice of vineyard cultivation and winemaking on the farm until he sold it to Jacob van Bochen in 1725. Van Bochen, a former accountant of the Dutch East India Company butchery and holder of the liquor retail monopoly, also bought Weltevrede adjoining Hartenberg.
For about one hundred years after van Bochen, the farm passed through the hands of various owners. Some with colourful names like Arrie Lekkerwyn (delicious wine), and Aaron van Ceylon (a freed slave) and in 1838 it became the property of the brothers Jacobus and Johannes Bosman.
An important period in the farm's development was ushered in by the Hampf family when they bought Hartenberg in 1928. Mrs Hampf extended the vineyards and planted the many beautiful trees still to be seen around the farm and cellar, while her husband became the first officially recorded winemaker on the estate.
In 1948, Hartenberg was bought by the late Dr Maurice Finlayson (a well-known Cape Town pathologist) and his wife, Eleanor. Discovering the true potential of the estate, they soon began marketing their wines under the label "Montagne". Besides good wine, the Finlaysons also produced two sons, Peter and Walter, who were to become renowned South African winemakers. Uncompromising and sophisticated, Eleanor Finlayson's presence is still felt on Hartenberg today.
Gilbeys were the next owners of the estate, purchasing it from the Finlaysons in 1977. They eventually released the present Hartenberg range as their flagship brand in 1985. On 1 January 1987, Ken Mackenzie, purchased Hartenberg, having seen the potential that the perennial under-achiever offered.
His daughters continue a program of investment in the farm, focusing on three key areas: the replanting to specific sites of premium varietals, the development of production facilities, and upliftment, through knowledge and skills for employees.
The Mackenzie vision, though extremely ambitious, remains simple: to do whatever it takes to produce wines of outstanding quality.
Accolades
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2019 Vintage 94 points Tim Atkin
Specifications
Vintage | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 2023-2030 |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Excellent with grilled ribeye steak. A classic match for richer savoury dishes, springbok fillet or black mushroom stroganoff. |
Origin | WO Western Cape |
Appellation | Stellenbosch |
2018 Bodegas Palacio Glorioso Rioja Selección Especial
Regular price £14.79 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%"Delicious and smoother than a dolphin in silk pajamas!"
A special edition of excellent wine launched in limited quantities on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Bodegas Palacio winery located in the prestigious Spanish wine region of Rioja DOCa.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep garnet red
Nose
Of great intensity and cleanliness where highlights the details of red fruit of the forest like blackcurrant and blackberries and in second term we find delicate aromas of spices contributed by the French oak such as menthol, black pepper and cinnamon. A delicate and subtle finish where a slight mineral touch can be seen.
Palate
In the mouth it is silky and enveloping, with a fine and sweet tannin that brings sensations of a wine with structure but at the same time respectful. A refreshing ending due to its tight acidity with memories of sweet coffee.
Glorious Centenary Selection is a red wine of the D.O.C. Rioja elaborated by Bodegas Palacio in homage to a century elaborating great wines in the Rioja Alavesa. For this, the best Tempranillo grape has been selected and it has been raised for 13 months in French oak casks.
Maturation
At least 13 months in French oak barrels and at least 6 months in bottle before being placed on the market.
Awards
- Silver IWC 2021
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Tempranillo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
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14% alc vol
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Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 4-7 years from the year of bottling |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Stews, Roasted chicken, Semi-mature Cheese, Roasted red meats, fatter fish like tuna or swordfish. Serve at 14-16C |
Appellation |
Rioja D.O.C.
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2019 Cortese Nostru Nerello Mascalese
Regular price £12.75 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Leathery, resistant, attached to life: the Agave embodies the spirit of the territory that hosts it. Able to survive in all conditions, he never forgets to explode into the sky in a flowery tower.
An extremely versatile wine. Perfect with pasta, either with white meat or tomato-based sauces, but equally with roasted meats, tuna or swordfish cooked on the grill.
Tasting Notes
This lovely midweight red wine is made from Mount Etna's premium red grape.
Colour
Ruby Red in colour which will tend to Garnet with aging, with a modest concentration of color typical of the variety.
Nose
The aroma is fine and varied, prevailing over all the small red berried fruits accompanied by an elegant spicy character. Intense yet delicate it has a silky fine texture with redcurrant and blackcurrant notes.
Palate
In the mouth the Nerello Mascalese excels for its elegance thanks to silky tannins and contrasted by a marked minerality.
Vineyards
The name Nerello Mascalese derives from the small town of Mascali on the slopes of Etna, the area of origin of the vine. It is a variety that in recent years has returned to production not only on Etna but also in other areas of Sicily with different expressions.
Our Nerello Mascalese grows at an altitude of about 400m above sea level, and is harvested entirely by hand in small boxes of 10-15 kg. After harvesting, the grapes are immediately separated from the stalk and vinified with an extremely soft pressing.
Vinification
The must is fermented on the skins with frequent remontage during the early stages of fermentation. Once fermentation is finished,we continue the skin contact for about 15 days with one very soft remontage a day. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally once separated from the skins. The wine is kept on its very fine lees for about 6-8 months before being bottled.
Awards
91 points - Luca Maroni - I MIGLIORI VINI ITALIANI (2019 Vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Nerello Mascalese |
Country | Italy |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Certified Organic, Vegan & Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Try with succulent burgers and grilled flavoursome fish dishes. |
Origin |
Sicily, Vini IGP |
2020 Ataraxia Serenity
Regular price £24.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
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.
Nose
A wine that possesses a finely scented, vibrant nose with hints of red berry fruit and intriguing mineral and spicy notes.
Palate
Mouth-watering and polished grape tannins are wrapped in an elegant structure that subtly occupies all corners of one’s palate. Intriguing, unusual and lingering.
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.
Production
The fruit used to make this wine was sourced from radical and individual vineyards sites with one goal in mind – to have the confidence to “whisper” style through the true expression of these sites rather than “shout” brashness through winemaking excesses. This wine is a seamless blend of three varietals, Pinot noir, Cinsault and cool-climate Pinotage. However, the emphasis of this blend remains entirely on style rather than cultivar make-up. Cultivars are after all merely vehicles to express terroir and not the expression of a wine itself.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Noir, Cinsault, Pinotage |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | 5 to 10 years |
Ageing |
Careful maturation in tight-grain French oak barriques, 21% of which were new, for a period of 11 months followed before the wine was blended and bottled in January 2018. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Beef and Venison |
Origin | WO Western Cape |
Appellation | Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge |
2022 Sepp Moser Classic Style Organic Zweigelt
Regular price £14.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A vibrantly fruity, organically produced, red from this characterful indigenous Austrian variety.
Tasting Notes
Fruity and perfumed nose showing blackberries, white pepper and spice. Bright sappy palate with fresh acidity, crunchy redcurrant and raspberry fruit, and layers of spice, liquorice and herbs.
Production
Blauer Zweigelt is the most important red grape variety grown on Sepp Moser's Apetlon Estate, situated in the Neusiedlersee region of Austria. The summers in this region are very hot and dry; the vineyards are less than 1 km away from the Hungarian border. The deep, dark humous soils (well streaked with gravel) contribute to the smoothness of the wines produced here. The grapes are organically produced and hand harvested in September. All Sepp Moser wines are vinified centrally at the Sepp Moser Winery in Rohrendorf (Kremstal). The grapes in Sepp Zweigelt were de-stemmed, crushed and underwent partial cold maceration. The must was then fermented and given a brief period of ageing in stainless steel before being bottled in February.
Producer
The Sepp Moser Estate was founded by the famous Austrian wine producing pioneer, Lenz Moser. Lenz Moser's son, Sepp Moser, began operating under his own name in 1987 and handed over the direction of this family-owned estate to his own son Nikolaus in the year 2000.
The Sepp Moser Estate comprises of 50 acres of vineyards in two prominent wine regions; Kremstal (22 ha) and Neusiedlersee (28 ha). In the Kremstal, Nikolaus produces an international range of varieties as well as the ever more important local varieties of Gruner Veltliner and Riesling. The reds are produced on the gravelly soils of the warm southern Neusiederslee village of Apetlon. All Sepp Moser wines have been organic (and all estate wines biodynamic) since 2007.
Sustainability
The Sepp Moser estate produces a wide range of wines every year thanks to its vineyards in two diverse regions. There is one main aim in the cellar: the quality of the grapes shall be brought with as little influence as possible to the bottle. The grapes in the Sepp Moser vineyards are harvested by hand and at the cellar of the Atrium House Nikolaus Moser emphasizes gentle vinification and tries to interfere as little as possible with the process so that each wine can develop its own individual style. The fermentation starts spontaneously, and the maturing of the wine takes place on its own.
In 2006, Nikolaus officially moved the estate to biodynamic viticulture – one of the first to do so in Austria – and became Demeter certified. 2009 saw the release of Sepp Moser’s first certified organic wines. Nikolaus is very keen to reduce the amount of copper and sulphur used in the vineyards, and this year saw a reduction of two thirds over what was sprayed previously. He composts all the estates' pomace and vine trimmings, and there is an ongoing effort to plant trees around the vineyards.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Blauer Zweigelt |
Country | Austria |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Biodynamic |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Try with veal or fish, as well as pizza and pasta with tomato based sauces. Also very pleasant drunk on its own slightly chilled. |
Origin | Niederösterreich |
Appellation | Burgenland Qual. Troc |
2021 Brokenwood Hunter Valley Shiraz
Regular price £31.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Typical medium-bodied Hunter Valley Shiraz from a great year that will reward for many years.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Superb colour with dark red and purple hues.
Nose
Lifted aromas of red fruit and ginger spice. While there is some oak, it is very much in the background.
Palate
Soft entry on the palate, fine tannins and perfect acid carry through to the finish. A typical medium-bodied Hunter Valley Shiraz that will give drinking pleasure now and over the long term.
Vinification
Winemaker Comments
About Brokenwood Wines
Founded in 1970 as a hobby venture by three Sydney-based solicitors - Tony Albert, John Beeston and Australian wine critic James Halliday - Brokenwood is perhaps best known for their Cricket Pitch label, which was first sourced from a 4-hectare block at the foothills of the Hunter Valley’s Brokenback Ranges. The block was originally earmarked as the local cricket ground before they decided to plant a vineyard instead.
Similarly, Brokenwood purchased their neighbouring block, which was intended to be the local cemetery, and instead planted Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, becoming their critically acclaimed flagship wine, the Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz. Chief Winemaker and Managing Director Iain Riggs joined Brokenwood in 1982 and introduced new winery equipment and facilities specifically for premium white wine production.
Since 1983, white wine makes up a significant part of total production and their Semillon is widely recognized as one of the finest in the world. Iain has also been the driving force behind Brokenwood’s expansion into the McLaren Vale in South Australia, Beechworth in Victoria, Margaret River in Western Australia, and Orange in New South Wales. Despite their expansion, they have managed to remain fiercely committed to producing unique and high quality expressions of Australian terroir.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Shiraz |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Very enjoyable over the medium term, and will reward long term cellaring |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Veal, duck and cheese. |
Origin | Hunter Valley |
Appellation | New South Wales |
2020/21 Mac Forbes Yarra Valley Pinot Noir
Regular price £26.40 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Outstanding value Pinot Noir from one of the Yarra Valley's most loved small producers.
Tasting Notes
A stunning vintage with near-perfect conditions during flowering and fruit set.
Colour
Semi-translucent red colour with a light red hue.
Nose
Fragrant violet, red cherry, strawberry and subtle anise aromas are intermeshed with dried herbs, forest floor and spice.
Palate
Fresh and light in weight the palate has a savoury profile of red cherries and delicate rhubarb over forest floor, infusions of fresh herbs and spice. Bright finish with polished tannins and an elegant aftertaste.
"Our philosophy towards pinot is to look after the detail, keep it simple and respect the fruit. The onus is on fruit quality and balance and not on winemaking solutions or corrections. For us winemaking is an extension of the vineyard where we aim to capture the fruit expression and carry this through to bottle. We pick when the fruit is ripe but still crunchy to taste. The Yarra Valley Pinot is a blend of our declassified barrels from each of our single-vineyard wine." Mac Forbes, Owner/Winemaker
About the Wine
Mac Forbes is passionate about Pinot Noir, and his 'Yarra Valley' release is the perfect way to get to know his unique style. It comes from declassified portions of Mac's six single-vineyard Pinots, taking on characters of each to present a beautifully balanced wine that reflects what quality Yarra Pinot is all about.
This gives the drinker an immediate insight into what Mac Forbes Pinot Noir is all about. He stands for quality, and this characterful Pinot this is sensational value. Tiny volumes were made so get in quick!
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 | 2020/21 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
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11.5% alc vol
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Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.63 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Drink until 2022-27. We recommend decanting this wine prior to serving. (14-16 degrees) |
Maturation | 11 months in old oak |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin |
The Yarra Valley Pinot is a blend of fruit from Coldstream, Woori Yallock, Yarra Junction, and Gladysdale vineyards.
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Appellation | Victoria |
2020 Gnarly Head Pinot Noir
Regular price £21.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Gnarly Head Pinot Noir takes “the heartbreak grape” for a walk on the wild side.
This wine tastes ripe and generous, bursting with dark-berry and plum flavors that are uncomplicated by oak. The texture is mouth-filling and the wine is easy to sip. Jim Gordon
Tasting Notes
Nose
Ripe cranberry, raspberry and cherry notes in these wines.
Palate
This powerful Pinot Noir touts voluptuous aromas of red cherry, vanilla, earth and spice, followed by a rush of black cherry and plum with hints of toasted hazelnut, tobacco and cigar box on the palate.
Vineyards
Grapes for our Gnarly Head Pinot Noir came from California growing regions notorious for growing great Pinot Noir: Monterey, Lodi and the North Coast. Fruit from each area brought a different layer to the overall blend. Vineyards in the Lodi region—a little-known source of fruit for many sparkling wine houses—provided the bold backbone for Gnarly Head Pinot Noir. North Coast fruit brought a wild element of smoky, savory aromas and flavors, while the Monterey fruit added a pure, ripe Bing cherry characteristic made famous by the region.
Winemaking
Grapes for the Gnarly Head Pinot Noir were harvested in the cool hours around dawn, delivered immediately to the winery, and then destemmed into fermenters and allowed to rest for 24-36 hours before beginning fermentation. The fermentation temperature was adjusted slightly cooler than normal to allow for better control of extraction and to preserve the delicate fruit that is expected in a Pinot Noir. After primary fermentation, the wine was pressed and then immediately racked onto French and American oak for malolactic fermentation, as well as aging to both harmonize fruit flavors and add complexity. The resulting wine is a Pinot Noir that punches well above its weight, in true Gnarly Head fashion.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Delicious! Lush, generous soft red fruits with no oak influence or tannins - just pure red fruits and a touch of herby spice! So easy drinking with great balance and length but no complexity - simples! I defy people who say they don’t like red wine not to be blown away by this.' August 2021
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Noir |
Country | USA |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Serving Suggestions |
Serve at 16-18C - slightly below room temperature |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Supple, sleek tannins and lush fruit make this wine a perfect pair for salami and arugula pizza, slow-roasted pork loin, or dry brined chicken stuffed with sausage and peppers. |
Origin | California |
Appellation | Napa Valley |
2017 Barolo DOCG Antario
Regular price £22.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Nobody knows with certainty when humans began to grow wines, but we do know that for thousands of years they have looked to the sky and the stars for guidance in making the best choices. Antario takes its name from Antares, the brightest star of the Scorpio constellations, and is a selection of iconic wines coming from the best vineyards in Piedmont.
Tasting Notes
Deep ruby red with a bouquet of violet, spices and pepper. Great depth of character on the palate with classic damson fruit flavours and a good amount of spice.
Vineyard
The grapes are selected from the sunny vineyards located on the Langhe hills.
Harvest
The grapes are carefully picked by hand in the second half of October.
Vinification
After picking the grapes are immediately destemmed and crushed. Fermentation takes place exclusively with indigenous yeasts, naturally reaching around 30˚C. Frequent remontage is carried out during fermentation for optimum extraction of colour and tannins. Malolactic occurs naturally.
Ageing
The wine is aged for 6 months in stainless steel, then for 30 months in traditional large Slavonian oak barrels.
Specifications
Year | 2016 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Nebbiolo |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches | Ideal with roast meats and aged cheeses. |
Cellaring Potential | 2 years |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Piedmont |
2021 Cave de Tain Exploration Syrah, IGP Collines Rhodaniennes
Regular price £12.79 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
From Syrah experts Cave de Tain, whose vineyard and winemaking practices easily lend themselves to making a low sulphites wine, comes this IGP Syrah to complement their Crozes-Hermitage Sans Sulfites.
This has the intense dark berry fruit of the very ripe 2020 vintage with smooth tannins but still the edge and freshness of proper northern Rhône Syrah.
Production Method
For Cave de Tain making a 'Sans Sulfites' Syrah isn’t just an experiment or attempt to keep up with trends; it is the epitome of Tain’s philosophy. Syrah, a variety in which Cave de Tain excel, is sourced from vineyards in the hills (collines) of the northern Rhône. All growers practice reasoned (or even organic) viticulture as part of the strict sustainable practices laid down by the Vignerons en Development Durable (VDD), which Cave de Tain has followed since 2007. Vine health is paramount with practices such as 'epillonnage' (removing secondary shoots to aerate the grapes, increasing the vines restistance to humidity without the use of treatments) regularly monitored in each plot. All vineyards are within 15km of the cellar, meaning the grape harvest is delivered quickly and in prime condition, negating the need to add sulphur. In the winery (which benefitted from considerable investment in 2014) hygiene control measures are impeccable, another key factor in making a wine ‘sans sulphites’.
Producer
At the foot of the famous hill of Hermitage, the Cave de Tain co-operative produces five appellation d'origine contrôlée wines: Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, St-Joseph, Cornas and St-Péray. Cave de Tain also owns a 21 hectare domaine within the prestigious Hermitage appellation where the head winemaker, Xavier Frouin, supervises every stage of vinification from grape sorting to bottling.
The Cave has established an enviable reputation for authentic wines that express the full character of their individual terroirs, thanks to careful and non-intrusive vinification methods. Over the years, traditional techniques have been enhanced by the latest developments in modern winemaking. Cave de Tain's new cellars were completed in late 2014; a total investment of €10m has dramatically reinvigorated winemaking facilities, increasing the Cave's ability to produce top-quality wines.
A Note on Sustainability
Cave de Tain is a dynamic and forward-thinking co-operative, proud of its sustainability programme and a certified member of Vignerons en Développement Durable since 2009. Natural means of improving vine health such as épillonnage and pheromone sprays to disrupt insect pests’ breeding patterns are employed, and they are committed to using organic viticultural practices wherever possible. This also serves to increase the biodiversity of the vineyards, further boosting vine health, reducing the need for chemical phytosanitary treatments and improving the quality of the fruit.
They work to reduce their carbon footprint by utilising natural sources of energy, e.g. by fitting farms with solar panels, by the methanisation of grape marc to generate electricity, and by grinding up and composting the vine prunings instead of burning them so as to improve the quality of the soil and to hold onto the carbon trapped within them. Currently, up to 75% of their production waste is recycled, rainwater is captured for use on the estates, and a collective “river contract” has been drawn up to prevent the pollution of the local groundwater. Water usage in the cellar has been reduced by 90% simply by re-examining all of the ways in which it is used.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Syrah |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable |
Food Matches | As an aperitif, grilled meats or duck terrine. Try with Saint-Marcellin and Picodon cheeses. |
Origin | Rhône, France |
Appellation | IGP Collines Rhodaniennes |
2020 Luigi Bosca De Sangre Malbec DOC
Regular price £24.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
A bright violet-coloured red wine featuring varied aromas, highlighting sharp red fruit, reminiscent of ripe cherry. Spicy notes can also be perceived, thus adding complexity and very well integrated slightly roasted hues evoke coffee - the result of its aging process.
Palate
A round wine, rich in red fruity notes, that is also a little spicy in the palate. Including firm tannins of balanced acidity, this robust red of great character vigorously fills the mouth with ripe fruit and offers a lingering and compact finish.
Producer
The winery that today produces Luigi Bosca wines was founded in 1901 by Leoncio Arizu, a Spanish citizen from Navarra who settled in Mendoza in 1890. Located in the Vistalba valley, in the Luján de Cuyo region, an area that, due to its characteristics, achieved the first " Denomination of Controlled Origin "of America. Luigi Bosca launched the first Malbec DOC in Argentina and Latin America.
Winemaking
The grapes are manually harvested in 18 to 20-kilogram boxes, followed by the bunch selection and stalking processes, and, subsequently, berry selection. The grape juice is cold macerated at a temperature ranging between 8 and 10 °C for five to seven days. After that, it is fermented in small stainless steel tanks, undergoing various extractions, such as plunging and rack and return (délestage). Once maceration is completed, wine is aged for 12 months in oak barrels, where it goes through malolactic fermentation. The wine is then filtered and bottled, and then stowed in the wine cellar for at least six months before it enters the market.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Malbec |
Country | Argentina |
Alcohol content | 14.4 % alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.6 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For up to 10 years |
Ageing in Barrels | 12 months in oak barrels |
Suggested Serving Temp | Between 16°C and 18°C. |
Food Matches | Perfect to enjoy with special dishes, such as a rack of lamb with sautéed mushrooms, or a rib eye steak with quinoa risotto, and a semi-hard cheese platter. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Mendoza |
2020 Villa la Pagliaia Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
Regular price £17.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Villa La Pagliaia is the sister estate of neighbouring San Felice. It produces a similarly full-flavoured and spicy style of Chianti Classico Riserva but in a slightly more traditional style - and offers exceptional value.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Archetypal Chianti with bramble fruit notes as well as cedar and spice aromas.
Palate
The palate is richly-flavoured and complex with black cherry, plum and dried fruit characters, along with notes of spice, leather, pepper and liquorice. Supple tannins and bright acidity lead to a rich, savoury and satisfying finish.
Production
The grapes come from Villa la Pagliaia's 350-400m altitude vineyards around Castelnuovo Berardenga, in the south of the Chianti Classico zone, and are hand-picked. The vines are on average 25 years old - yielding about 1.5kg of fruit per vine - 'guyot' trained and planted in pliocene soil with 25% rocky clay. Fermentation and maceration on the skins is carried out at a controlled temperature of 28 to 30 degrees Centigrade and lasts for 18 to 20 days. This helps to extract the required amount of fruit, colour and tannins. This is followed by malolactic fermentation in stainless steel. The wine is matured for 24 months in Slavonian oak barrels.
Producer
The Villa La Pagliaia property in Castelnuovo Berardenga, around 15km from Siena, has a long and aristocratic history. The elegant 18th Century villa is amidst a striking landscape of vines, olive groves and cypress trees. Their vineyards, here in the south of the Chianti Classico region, are at 300-450m altitude, with clay and limestone soils.
Fruit from these, predominantly Sangiovese, low-yielding mature vines (over 25 years old) - combined with traditional vinification methods overseen by neighbouring property (and sister estate) San Felice - ensures consistent production of very classic and quietly impressive wines.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sangiovese |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Great with grilled or roast meats and steaks as well as sharp, mature cheeses. |
Origin | Toscana, Italy |
Appellation | DOCG Chianti Classico |
2018 Ventisquero 'Grey Glacier' Single Block GCM
Regular price £15.50 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Head Winemaker Felipe Tosso joined Vina Ventisquero in 2000. After seriously considering alternate careers as a tennis pro and classical guitarist, he elected to enter the wine business, describing it as “one of my big passions because it’s more than work – it’s a lifestyle.”
Tasting Notes
Colour
An intense red colour with violet hues.
Nose
Notes of fresh red fruits, such as raspberries and cassis, are very noticeable on the nose. It also has some earthy notes and a hint of black pepper.
Palate
This medium-bodied wine is highly expressive and very refreshing because of its high acidity, with lots of fruit, such as cherries. It has smooth tannins and is long in the finish. This wine reflects its origins and, being a blend of three varieties, it is a complex wine. It has red fruit from the Garnacha, structure from the Cariñena and some animal notes from the Mataro. Unfiltered and unfined.
Vinification
First the clusters of grapes were selected and 50% of them were crushed. Next, the grapes were put into small open 400-kilo containers, where they underwent a pre-fermentative maceration for 3 to 5 days. en they were fermented gently and slowly, at a low temperature of between 22°C and 26°C (72°F and 79°F), with 2-3 pump-overs each day. Next came a post-fermentative maceration for one to two weeks to ensure balanced tannins. 100% of this wine is aged in 2,500-litre foudres for approximately 1 year
Winemaker
Tosso’s winemaking travels have taken him to Napa, Sonoma, Argentina, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, back to Concha Y Toro in Chile and then finally to Vina Ventisquero. In 2003, Felipe began a close collaboration with John Duval (ex Penfolds) in the production of icon wines Pangea and Vertice, a partnership that continues to this day.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 58% Garnacha (Grenache), 27% Cariñena (Carignan), 15% Mataro (Mourvedre) |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | It is recommended to drink at a temperature between 16-18°C. Accompany mature cheeses and grilled red and well seasoned meats. It is recommended to decant 30 minutes before consuming. |
Appellation | Maipo Valley |
2020 PEMO Montepulciano D'Abruzzo
Regular price £9.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The wine is soft on the palate and goes down very easily.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromas of black cherries and violets on the nose.
Palate
A deeply characterful wine, it is really soft and velvety, with red berry fruits, and a smooth, gentle finish. It has noticeable, but subtle and well-integrated tannins which help give this wine a lovely structure and mouthfeel. The wine is soft on the palate and goes down very easily.
Producers
The PEMO range of wines celebrates two grapes from Abruzzo – Pecorino (PE) and Montepulciano (MO). These two grapes have been growing in this region since 200 AD.
- Produced in a modern way, while respecting local wine making traditions.
- Eat anything from barbecued meats to stews to pizza with PEMO Montepulciano.
- Montepulciano is a native Italian grape variety from Abruzzo.
- Originates from the rugged, mountainous Abruzzo region of central Italy.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Medium bodied with red berry/cherry fruits. A bit of spice gives it an extra dimension. Low acidity gives it a real softness and smoothness - a real easy drinker.
No oak characteristics coming through so it’s a fruity, modern, stainless steel style. As montepulciano in this area is pretty prolific these wines were historically used for blending or ended up in the German market. Now production is cut back and wines recognised on their own merits! Got to be one of our best value reds right now!" October 2022
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Montelpulciano |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13.5% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red |
Food Matches | Ideal with red meats, stews and pizza. |
Cellaring Potential | Up to 2 years |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Abruzzo |
2020 Château Maucoil Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tradition Rouge
Regular price £29.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A distinctive, intense and organic Châteauneuf-du-Pape, rich and concentrated yet with lovely balance and great elegance.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Made from organically-grown grapes, this very deeply-coloured red offers aromas of dried fruit and dark roast coffee on the nose.
Palate
Typically bright and fresh despite its full body and intense colour, the palate shows ripe berry fruit, subtle savoury spice, and bright, upright tannins. Both savoury and fruity, with a very long finish.
Production
Château Maucoil’s vineyards are located in the northwest of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape area (on the left bank of the River Rhône) on the appellation’s four soil types: pebbles, clay-sandstone, Urgonian limestone and, more unusually, sand. Unlike the famous pebbles of the area, sand doesn’t retain and transfer heat during the night, resulting in slower ripening and more finesse. The youngest vines average 40 years old, so roots run deep to sustain the vines during the hot summer months.
For the Tradition Rouge, four main grape varieties are selected solely from sandy soils - Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Yields are around 25 hl/ha and harvesting is carried out by hand, with the grapes individually sorted by variety and by parcel before vinification in concrete tanks. After around 30 days in vat, with pumping over, rack-and return and punching down, the wine is matured separately for different lengths of time, in tanks and in 2-3-year-old barrels. The wine is then blended and bottled.
Producer
Château Maucoil (pronounced “moh-kwahl”) in Châteauneuf-du-Pape has a longer history than most estates we represent. It served as a base for Roman legions who were attracted by the spring that runs through the property and by the proximity of the Via Agrippa; it was the home of Joseph de la Pise, archivist to the Dutch royal family; and from the 17th century onwards it was owned by a succession of winegrowing families. The Arnaud family, who already owned vines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, decided to purchase the estate in 1995 and devoted a great deal of energy and passion to Château Maucoil.
The estate's old vines (the youngest are merely 40 years old; the oldest date back to 1895!) grow on the appellation’s four soil types: pebbles, clay-sandstone, Urgonian limestone and, more unusually, sand. Unlike vineyards littered with the famous pebbles of the area, the fine, sandy soil doesn’t retain and transfer heat during the night, resulting in slower ripening and giving wines with more finesse.
Bénédicte, the Arnauds’ youngest daughter, and her husband, Charles Bonnet, took up the torch in 2009, with a strong desire to secure the future of the estate and to manage it in an environmentally responsible manner. They began the process of converting to organic viticulture in 2011, becoming fully certified in 2014. Along the way, in 2013, they partnered with Frédéric and Benoît Lavau and the four now run the estate together.
Maucoil is one of the few Châteauneuf-du-Pape estates that has conserved all thirteen of this famous appellation's original grape varieties, and grapes must pass through three rigourous stages of manual sorting before being deemed of high enough quality to be made into wine.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 60% Grenache Noir, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
15% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11.25 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | 20 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Delicious with beef casserole or mushroom risotto.
|
Origin | Rhône, France |
Appellation |
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
|
2020 Luigi Bosca De Sangre Malbec Uco Valley
Regular price £24.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
A bright red garnet-coloured
Nose
It is a wine featuring black fruit aromas and spicy notes, in addition to its highly appealing mineral hues.
Palate
It is compact, robust and very concentrated in the mouth, with a clearly defined and very smooth palate. Fine tannins of pleasant texture, great acidity, firmness and balance, and a long and complex finish.
Producer
The winery that today produces Luigi Bosca wines was founded in 1901 by Leoncio Arizu, a Spanish citizen from Navarra who settled in Mendoza in 1890. Located in the Vistalba valley, in the Luján de Cuyo region, an area that, due to its characteristics, achieved the first " Denomination of Controlled Origin "of America. Luigi Bosca launched the first Malbec DOC in Argentina and Latin America.
Winemaking
The grapes are manually harvested in 18 to 20-kilogram boxes, followed by the bunch selection and stalking processes, and, subsequently, berry selection. The grape juice is cold macerated at a temperature ranging between 8 and 10 °C for five to seven days. After that, it is fermented in small stainless steel tanks, undergoing various extractions, such as plunging and rack and return (délestage). Once maceration is completed, wine is aged for 12 months in oak barrels, where it goes through malolactic fermentation. The wine is then filtered and bottled, and then stowed in the wine cellar for at least six months before it enters the market.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Malbec |
Country | Argentina |
Alcohol content
|
14.5 % alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.6 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For up to 10 years |
Ageing in Barrels | 12 months in oak barrels |
Suggested Serving Temp | Between 16°C and 18°C. |
Food Matches |
Ideal to enjoy with special dishes such as cotoletta alla milanese or pork fillet with sweet potato purée. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Region |
Made from grapes grown in select plots of vineyards located in Finca Los Miradores (Villa Seca) and Finca Miralejos (Paraje Altamira). |
Appellation |
Mendoza
|
2018 Skillogalee Basket Pressed Shiraz
Regular price £23.79 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Aromas of blue fruits, leather and tobacco on the nose, segue into a myriad of flavours on the palate, including plum, blackberry, spearmint and dark chocolate, all solidly conveyed atop a smoky persistence. The palate is bold, fleshy and yet medium-bodied.
Vinification
The fruit was vinified in open fermenters, then gently basket-pressed to create a wine that is fruit-driven and concentrated with velvety tannins, needing no fining. Maturation in a combination of French and American oak hogsheads has added considerably to the wine’s character, balance and complexity. The wine will cellar well for at least 10 years but, for those without that kind of patience, enjoy sooner with red or game meats, rich pasta dishes and fantastic company. This Shiraz is vegetarian and vegan friendly.
Winery
A family-owned and operated winery located in the heart of the Clare Valley in South Australia, Skillogalee is known for the exceptional quality of their red and white wines and is widely recognised as one of the region’s top estates. They also lead the way in responsible farming, having practised sustainable methodologies in the vineyard and the winery for many years. The original Skillogalee vineyards were planted in the early 1970’s on stony soils and steep, eastern-facing slopes at almost 500 metres above sea level.
The first wines were released in 1976 and quickly gained acclaim: the 1978 Dry Riesling won major trophies at the Adelaide Wine Show and the National Wine Show, putting Skillogalee firmly on the Australian winemaking map. Aware of the exceptional quality of the vineyards and their potential to produce world-class wines, current owners David and Diana Palmer acquired the property in 1989. In 2002 they purchased next-door neighbour Waninga Vineyards, with 30 hectares of 30-year-old vines, bringing the size of the estate to 60 hectares.
While production increased, the Palmers have taken great care to maintain the quality and characteristic style of the wines. Deciding to avoid the bureaucracy of organic or biodynamic certification does not stop a producer from holding soil health and sustainability as a top priority, and this is the case at Skillogalee. Every effort is taken to ensure the best quality grapes are harvested each year, the vines are hand-pruned, and the fruit is mainly hand-picked, with yields kept extremely low. All wines are produced exclusively from estate-owned vineyards.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Shiraz |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Clare Valley |
Appellation | South Australia |
2021 Cantina Di Negrar Valpolicella Ripasso D.O.C. Classico Superiore
Regular price £14.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Cantina di Negrar Valpolicella Ripasso is a serious red at a "not so serious red" price point!
Tasting Notes
Nose
Intense and persistent, with fruity aromas of cherry and plum, floral notes of violets and a touch of spiciness from black pepper.
Palate
Fresh, fruity, with an elegant balance between structure and body, harmonised by the perfect acidity and tannins, warm, medium-bodied, velvety and balanced tannins.
History
With a history of wine-making going back to 1933, Cantina Valpolicella Negrar has been at the forefront of development in the Valpolicella region since its inception. The winery was the first to make the world-renowned Amarone, and soon after, in recognition of this, was awarded the Certificate of Special Mention by the Brussels International Exposition. This firmly put Cantina Valpolicella Negrar on the map and it has continued to look forward ever since.
Awards
- IWSC Italian Winery of the Year 2013
- Bronze Medal, Decanter World Wine Awards 2018
- Bronze Medal, The International Wine & Spirit Competition 2018
- 92 Points, James Suckling 2017
- Gold Medal, Sélections Mondiales des Vins Canada 2017
- Bronze Medal, International Wine Challenge 2017
- Silver Medal, WOW! The Italian Wine Competition 2016
- Bronze Medal, International Wine Challenge 2016
- Bronze Medal, International Wine Challenge 2015
- Gold Medal, Mundus Vini 2012
Personal Tasting Notes
"Lovely - full bodied and rich with an alluring blend of juicy red and black fruits, a touch of spice and a super smooth finish. Extremely well made and well balanced. A great £15’s worth. Not cloying or offering overly ripe, sweet fruit - very fresh and clean on the palate meaning each glass is a fresh mouthfeel." Tasted April 2024
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Corvina 70%, Rondinella 15%, Corvinone 15% |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13.5% |
Units of Alcohol |
|
Type | Red Blend |
Food Matches |
It pairs wonderfully with all types of red meat, both grilled and braised. Excellent with traditional Veronese dishes, such as Pastissada de caval, lesso con Pearà and lasagnette with black truffles from Mount Baldo. |
|
Contain sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian approved |
Origin | Valpolicella Classica - Veneto |
Appellation | Valpolicella Ripasso DOC |
2022 Melea Organic Tempranillo
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Background
The creation of Melea Organic was a labour of love for us all. William Long spent years searching for the right winery to supply the organic, vegan-certified and wild-fermented wines, his son Freddie handled the launch and the label features an original bee motif created by his wife, artist Barbara Long, from recycled threads.
Named after a rare species of bee, everything about the range is created with sustainability in mind, from the lightweight bottles to the stone paper labels, made from a by-product of the quarrying process using a lot less water than normal paper. Melea was also the first Spanish wine brand to become a member of 1% for the Planet. Melea has donated thousands of dollars to bee conservation charities since its launch in 2020. Melea Organic also has an Instagram page to share information on the brand’s sustainable values.
The Vineyards
Fruit comes from organically certified, bush-trained, dry-farmed vines in the Cuenca area of La Mancha. The vineyards were planted in 1999 and are at an altitude of 660m with sandy-clay soils, low in organic matter and high in chalk and limestone. This suppresses yields to just 3-4kg per plant, giving greater quality grapes and red wines with the structure to age well. The extreme continental climate means there is a high diurnal temperature range conserving freshness and increasing aromatic intensity. The lack of rainfall reduces the risk of fungal diseases.
Production
Fermented with native yeasts, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in tank. Fined using vegan-friendly pea protein.
Producer
The family winery is located in Alicante and is a leader in the production of high-quality, organic wines. They are IFS-certified and produce wines with organic and vegan certification.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Tempranillo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Features | Vegan, Vegetarian & Organic |
Food Matches | Simple Tapas dishes including olives, Manchego cheese and sundried tomatoes. |
Origin | Alicante |
Appellation | VdiT Castilla |