Wine

"I should have to admit approaching our meeting with Arendsig with a degree of scepticism as Robertson still struggles to command the respect afforded to Stellenbosch and Hermanus but my doubts proved to be totally unfounded as these were some of the most exciting wines that we tasted during our visit. Lourens Van Der Westhuizen's winery may lack the grandeur and, let's be honest, size of some of his peers to the west but this is a property that just screams ‘authenticity’. We had been fortunate to visit some stunningly beautiful wineries over the previous 10 days, many with stylish restaurants and showpiece cellars but this is the reality of winemaking for so many – battling against shortage of space and ferments that won't do as they're told, to create wines of unbelievable class.

All the wines are very site specific with the block no. stated on the label together with the (frequently tiny) number of bottles produced. Neutral vessels are used for maturation such that the character of the vineyard is allowed to shine through and only natural yeasts are used for the fermentation. Elegance and balance are the keywords here, together with length; these are wines that just beg to be drunk.

Wasn't looking forward to this as I find so much Viognier just too intense but this is really lovely. Great minerality, everything is restrained and toned down – beautiful balance and very, very food friendly." - Chris Connolly

A delicious and approachable Madiran produced from a sustainably farmed blend of Tannat and Cabernet Franc.

Soft and generous, showing a wealth of dark berry fruit. Despite the richness and ample fine, ripe tannins this still boasts a charming freshness.

Domaine Laougué

Fresh and dry with a persistent with foam. Soft and approachable with red berry charaters on the nose and palate.

The name of this unusual Bourgogne Pinot Noir refers to the latitude of Burgundy, and it is a blend of out best Bourgogne Rouge, Cote de Nuits Village, Marsannay and Vosne-Romanee.

Fresh and dry with a persistent with foam. Soft and approachable with red berry charaters on the nose and palate.

Modest and passionate about his vineyards, Abel and his wife Maite have been making understated wines in San Vicente since 1988.

Lying in the shadow of the Sierra Cantabria, Abel has vineyards in the finest parts of the Alavesa. His knowledge and understanding of the soils is enthralling and to taste in his cellar can be an education on the effects different soils have in different years. He wants only to express the fruit and the soil and unlike many Riojans, he leaves it more or less at that. He does not want to stamp the wines with any particular style or mark of his own other than his respect for the very natural quality of the grapes and for the magical places that they were grown.

Straw yellow. Intense aromas, floral, very perfumed, with good fruit expression in the foreground, and well integrated wood notes of balsamic and dried grass. In the mouth it has superb acidity with a bright, smooth, silky and pleasant finish.

Modest and passionate about his vineyards, Abel and his wife Maite have been making understated wines in San Vicente since 1988.

Lying in the shadow of the Sierra Cantabria, Abel has vineyards in the finest parts of the Alavesa. His knowledge and understanding of the soils is enthralling and to taste in his cellar can be an education on the effects different soils have in different years. He wants only to express the fruit and the soil and unlike many Riojans, he leaves it more or less at that. He does not want to stamp the wines with any particular style or mark of his own other than his respect for the very natural quality of the grapes and for the magical places that they were grown.

Modest and passionate about his vineyards, Abel and his wife Maite have been making understated wines in San Vicente since 1988.

Lying in the shadow of the Sierra Cantabria, Abel has vineyards in the finest parts of the Alavesa. His knowledge and understanding of the soils is enthralling and to taste in his cellar can be an education on the effects different soils have in different years. He wants only to express the fruit and the soil and unlike many Riojans, he leaves it more or less at that. He does not want to stamp the wines with any particular style or mark of his own other than his respect for the very natural quality of the grapes and for the magical places that they were grown.

Cherry red, purple and traces of violet. Subtle notes of cocoa, liquorice, and balsamic. It enters the mouth dry and structured.

Modest and passionate about his vineyards, Abel and his wife Maite have been making understated wines in San Vicente since 1988.

Lying in the shadow of the Sierra Cantabria, Abel has vineyards in the finest parts of the Alavesa. His knowledge and understanding of the soils is enthralling and to taste in his cellar can be an education on the effects different soils have in different years. He wants only to express the fruit and the soil and unlike many Riojans, he leaves it more or less at that. He does not want to stamp the wines with any particular style or mark of his own other than his respect for the very natural quality of the grapes and for the magical places that they were grown.

A very classy and compelling wine. Deeply coloured with a pure, intense bouquet of crushed fruits, spice and oak. Elegant oak aging enhances the wine’s complexity and class.

This ‘Alto’ Carmenère is made from premium grapes grown 1837 feet above sea level in Errazuriz’s Max Vineyards in the heart of the Aconcagua Valley. Intensely spicy, fruity and beautifully balanced, Francisco Baettig has created a brilliant example of Carmenère

Viña Errázuriz

The nose has jasmine tea notes with white pepper held together by a fine sandy structure. On the palate there are bright floral and mineral nuances with a lingeringly spicy, ginger and exotic finish. A hugely and broadly appealing and accessible Gewürz.

Lifted aromas of blackcurrant and blueberries. The palate is bright and well-defined with layers of black cherry, plum and dark spice, over ripe tannins.

Bacalhoa

Black fruit aromas, with some savoury, spicy and gently floral characters. Complex and richly flavoured with black cherry, bramble and a hint of violet on the palate. Good structure and fine tannins lead to a long rich finish.

Araldica

Dark plum, leather and delicate violet aromas, plus notes of woodsmoke and brown spice. A full, firm and ripe red with rich, powerful flavours. All balanced by ripe tannins, complex savoury notes and a long finish.

Araldica

Ripe bramble fruit and plum aromas with hints of toasty oak and vanilla. More ripe dark fruits on the palate balanced by juicy acidity, sweet spice, and supple tannins.

The 2018 is sourced from a very special parcel of over 100-year-old vines in Nezingnan l'Eveque (east of Beziers). This "Old Vines Series" release Carignan is a real treat. Large pudding stones cover the floor of the vineyard; gently warming the fruit, ensuring full ripeness and flavours. a combination of handpicking, extremely low yields, minimal traditional winemaking techniques and time in a combination of American and French oak produces this wine of fantastic concentration.

Great, deep, royal purple-black colour, fresh nose of blackcurrants, with thyme and mint notes, intense dark red and black fruits, as well as dark chocolate, joined by the addition of chocolate and treacle toffee on the palate. Very focussed, backed by a strong backbone of rich tannins and a long peppery and savoury finish.

Sourced from highly selective parcels of 100-Year-Old Vines in central Spain. These low yielding vines bare fruit with the most wonderful natural balance. The vineyards sit approximately 600 metres above sea level with a warm continental climate. The grapes mature over the growing season to their optimal ripeness, they are hand-picked and then the bunches are hand selected before fermentation. This 100-Year-Old Vine Tempranillo has spent 6 months in French and American oak giving it some lovely layers of complexity. Garnet red in colour, hints of spice and summer fruits on the nose, with a lengthy finish with apparent tannins and integrated acidity.

Alchemy Wines

This is a marriage made in heaven! It is made from a field blend of Argentina’s most iconic and widely planted varietals. Though these grapes mature at different times, the Malbec three weeks before the Bonarda, we harvest both together (the Malbec ten days later than typical, the Bonarda ten days early). Planted in alternating rows, the Malbec brings luscious sweetness while the Bonarda provides firm acidity. This 1946 vineyard blend was designed with this in mind, even though it took us many years before we realized what our predecessors were aiming to achieve.

Smoke, blueberries and deep structured fruits fill the nose. The palate is full bodied with crunchy black cherry, currants and toasty oak flavours.

Intense ruby colour with violet reflections. The aromas express the varietal typicality with ripe plum and violet flower with smoky notes obtained from the barrel. The palate is juicy, fruity and delicate with sweet tannins, while flavours envelop the palate highlighting the aftertaste. It is an elegant wine with a fruity and toasty finish.

Immediate nose of beetroot juice poured over graphite shavings sets you up for quite a journey. The palate shares the same dense minerality and graphite texture as the nose with a quiet but growing presence of forest floor and frozen berries. On opening, this fruit thaws to release fresh summer pudding and cream served in a pencil case. Bonkers!

Alpha Box & Dice

One of my favourite white discoveries of last year; crisp, fresh and elegant with classic varietal character and a mouthwatering finish. - Chris Connolly

A complex nose showing notes of black cherry, plum, violets, coffee and raisins. The palate is smooth and rounded, with a richly-textured mid-palate and a medley of spice, dried fruit characters and supple tannins. The wine remains elegant, being so beautifully integrated and sweetly rich, but with a long and complex, dry finish.

Montressor

Truly fantastic Amarone produced from a selection tiny bio-dynamically farmed vineyards of just 3.7ha total, from a blend of 40% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 40% Corvina Grossa. The grapes are allowed to dry in the traditional wooden boxes in the vineyard until February when, having lost 60-65% of their moisture they are are pressed at the peak of their concentration.

The wine then benefits from a further 3 years of aging in a variety of different sized oak barrels to ensure additional complexity and smoothness

Corte Sant'Alda

It presents an intense ruby colour with a red fruit and black tea flavour along with soft tannins and a balanced acidity. - Filipe Sevinate Pinto & Susana Correia, winemakers

A juicy, fruity red from Valencia's indigenous Bobal grape. Vineyards are located in the north-west corner of Utiel Requena, 900 metres 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.

A youthful clean, dark garnet-cherry colour. Complex aromas of red berry fruit, strawberry and blackberry. The wine shows an impressive array of flavours on the palate, great intensity and very good balance. Ripe, soft tannins bring a harmonious finish.

Bodega Sierra Norte

This tiny, thin skinned grape has produced a marvellously refreshing red, bursting with red fruit character. Really lovely, summertime style of red – mid-weight and with a long, supple finish.

Complex back cherry flavours with some spice and well integrated tannins. A great example of quality Tempranillo produced outside of its Spanish homeland.

Awards. 90+ pts Wine Advocate, 4 stars Harpers Wine Stars

This alluring wine displays intense aromas of raspberries, dry plum and figs with just a hint of eucalyptus. Juicy and rich with round tannins, a touch of coffee and chocolate and a long finish.

Odfjell Organically Farmed Wines

Norwegian wine via Chile! Odfjell is actually a Norwegian shipping firm. This wine is made from 100% carmenere grapes, sourced from the central valley, grown on 10 - 20 year old vines. Intense aromas of black fruits and liquorice, with spicy notes of black pepper, cloves, vanilla and bitter chocolate. The palate is ripe, soft with some spice.

Dark with shades of violet. The nose is concentrated and deep, with aromas of cherries, figs, violets and white fruit aromas such as apricots and pears. The palate is long, complex and juicy with soft tannins.

Odfjell Organically Farmed Wines

No Added Sulphites!!!

Fresh and aromatic nose with notes of violet, wild berries. Concentrated yet very soft palate with blueberry & blackberry aromas. A delicate structure with velvety tannins and a long and harmonious finish.

Bodega Piedra Negra

Pale gold in colour with a fine mousse. It is rich and aromatic on the nose, well balanced on the palate and shows great finesse and complexity.

A fresh Champagne with lots of finesse. Aromas of strawberries, raspberries and a touch of cassis.

In 2013, the Champagne region faced unique weather conditions - a long winter punctuated by snow and frost - was one of the latest harvest’s since 1988. However despite these turbulent conditions, this vintage champagne embodies the excellence of the Bollinger vineyards on the Montagne de Reims and the resulting wine is delightful.

Bollinger are famed for their Pinot Noir so there is little surprise that its signature rich, open style shines through. The wonderful smoky, nutty and caramel tones imparted by Bollinger’s distinct foudre ageing are already present and the reserve wines, aged for up to 7 years in magnum, add to its exceptional aromatic intensity

• To the eye: A colour with golden undertones.
• To the nose: Rich and complex. Opening with notes of ripe fruits, fruit jellies and almond paste leading to aromas of mirabelle plum and vine peach.
• On the palate: Generosity and elegant fruit with flavours of pear, fresh almonds and tarte Tatin are marked by the chiselled, mineral expression of Pinot Noir bringing citrus and candied lemon notes. Velvety persistence with a saline hint on the finish.

Bollinger

Aromas of ripe berry and plum. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh raspberry and black fruits, supple tannins, and well-balanced acidity.

Bacalhoa

The palate is rich and generous with juicy cherry and more plum fruit, and meaty, spicy notes beneath. Soft oak tannins offer an extra dimension to the texture. A refreshing smack of fruity acidity on the finish gives plenty of definition to the ripe fruit.

Araldica

Guerila Wines

Barolo Liste is a signature wine of Piedmont, cultivated in the small, prestigious zone of Liste within the Barolo zone.

Nebbiolo grown in calcareous-clay soil gives this pure expression of Barolo its intense, garnet red color, with a few orange highlights. Its nose is moderately intense with notes of wild fruit, liquorice, tobacco and cocoa.

The vineyard carries its 35 years well and enjoys ample sunshine from the east.

On the palate it is dry and full-bodied with a velvety persistence that marries well with the great Piedmont culinary tradition. It is an ideal accompaniment to braised meats and truffle dishes.

95/100 - The Wine Advocate

Damilano Barolo

A light aromatic wine with an abundance of juicy red fruit aromas. Bright and flavoursome with supple tannins that are beautifully integrated. The acidity is just right to keep the wine lively and refreshing.

Domaine de Colette