£19.05
This pinot noir is deep purple with hints of crimson. A rich and complex nose showing generous aromas of ripe dark cherry and red berry fruits dominating against a background layer of spice and savoury complexity. It has mouth-filling flavours of ripe raspberry and strawberry. The fruit flavours are balanced by a good concentration of fine, soft, silky tannins and enough acidity to give definition to the finish which is long and persistent with lingering ripe fruit. The wine is drinking well now and will develop more complex and savoury characters with some more time in the bottle. It could be cellared for another four to eight years.
£26.30
The grapes from the Helderberg region stem from an old vine block dating back to 1974. Aromatic on the nose, yet soft and smooth on the palate. Lightly tinted and medium bodied, this wine greets you on the nose with aromatic floral notes which follow through onto the palate with ripe strawberries, cherries, sweet spices and soft tannins on the mid palate.
Accolades.
NEW RELEASE 92/100 Tim Atkin MW 2017; 4 ½ * – Platter Wine Guide 2018
£16.05
60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Gris. The Chardonnay is aged in Hungarian and French oak barrels for 6 months whilst the Pinot Gris is aged and fermented in stainless steel prior to blending.
Clear and bright pale yellow in colour, the nose is pronounced stone fruit and lemon sherbert characters. The palate is zesty with delicious fleshy nectarine fruit underpinned with good acidity and minerality.
£27.65
£26.65
Simon of Domaine Capmartin has dusted off the historic traditions of Madiran and Pacherenc de Vic-Bil into a new, more progressive age.
He has set about significant changes amongst the vines and in the winery leading to his own unique versions of these truly exceptional AOP wines. Certified organic for the best part of a decade, Simon is now striving further with his sights firmly set on Biodynamic certification. Natural, low intervention winemaking are the watchwords. No added sulphur, all wild ferments and aiming for light tannins makes for previously unknown modern, fresh and delicious Madiran Tannat. The unique white blend of AOC Pacherenc de Vic-Bilh, made in part with the rare and cherished Petit Corbu variety, is wonderfully complex and a food friendly wine that will no doubt inspire sommeliers.
Punchy and ripe plum and dark berry flavours. This has plenty of depth on the palate, with a spicy finish alongside well balanced tannins.
£17.89
£21.55
Simon of Domaine Capmartin has dusted off the historic traditions of Madiran and Pacherenc de Vic-Bil into a new, more progressive age.
He has set about significant changes amongst the vines and in the winery leading to his own unique versions of these truly exceptional AOP wines. Certified organic for the best part of a decade, Simon is now striving further with his sights firmly set on Biodynamic certification. Natural, low intervention winemaking are the watchwords. No added sulphur, all wild ferments and aiming for light tannins makes for previously unknown modern, fresh and delicious Madiran Tannat.
£17.95
Simon of Domaine Capmartin has dusted off the historic traditions of Madiran and Pacherenc de Vic-Bil into a new, more progressive age.
He has set about significant changes amongst the vines and in the winery leading to his own unique versions of these truly exceptional AOP wines. Certified organic for the best part of a decade, Simon is now striving further with his sights firmly set on Biodynamic certification. Natural, low intervention winemaking are the watchwords. No added sulphur, all wild ferments
£10.75
The wine is a blend of Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Gros Manseng, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, and Folle Blanche
An attractive floral nose (acacia) showing ripe tropical fruit flavours with herbaceous undertone. On the palate the tropical fruit flavours are balanced by a fresh acidity which runs through to the finish.
A very expressive nose showing exotic fruits (mango, passion fruit, lychee).On the palate fresh and fruity with a hint of minerality.
£21.59
This is the first production of Orange wine from Domaine des Tourelles. Winemaker Faouzi Issa has been mentored by a couple of Georgian winemakers who have been teaching him their methods of producing Amber wines.
The native Merweh grapes come from 150 year old vines which grow wild in the mountains of Lebanon. Fermentation takes place in Terracotta jars where the wine spends 4 months on skins. Light amber in color. Rich in flowers, orange blossoms, jasmine, and tea on the nose. On the palate we can discern some smooth elegant tannins that come from the maceration with the skin, while displaying a taste of apricot, pears, and hints of saltiness and minerality.
£11.79
You don't see much single varietal Grenache Blanc but when you taste wines like this you find yourself asking ‘why?’ Refreshing, clean, rich depth of greengage, Amalfi lemon and crisp apple - what's not to love?
£27.66
Unevolved and intense with light purple rim. Pronounced cassis and cigar box nose with lifted floral perfume and violets. Full and unctuous on the palate with intense black fruit characters, well integrated oak and a long glyceric finish.
£9.99
DR. LO Riesling has just the right amount of fruitiness to balance the crisp acidity. On the palate it is clearly Riesling, but it walks the line between a fruity and drier style. The characteristic acidity of Mosel Riesling helps it finish fresh and clean. If shown blind it may not be recognized as alcohol-free.
£11.99
£12.99
£11.95
An elegant racy style of classic Riesling. The palate is off dry with stonefruit and honey flavours and a minerally lime character.
£23.80
Single vineyard wine from the Helderberg region with notes of cinnamon and sweet spices. Barrel matured with ripe yet soft tannin.
Accolades.
4 * – John Platter Wine Guide 2017, South Africa; Top 100 SA Wine Awards; 93/100 Robert Parker – Wine Advocate 2017; Top 100 & Double Platinum Awards 2017
£16.70
Pure aromas reminiscent of fresh apricots, ginger, saffron and fresh white flowers. The palate is long and silky with stone fruit flavours, finishing with an alluring freshness.
£28.45
£12.40
£19.45
£18.40
£13.70
Mathilde was mentored by a revered winemaker who crafted over forty 100-point rated wines--her father, Michel Chapoutier.
This Grenache/Syrah blend has intense, fiery and fruity notes of blackcurrants and raspberries. It is full bodied and powerful, the ripe fruit notes are found again on the palate along with sweet spices, pronounced silky, delicate tannins.
£15.95
Is this a slightly blush orange wine, a rose made using orange wine methods or a bit of both? Who knows and, frankly who cares - when a wine is this deliciously drinkable who cares what label we bup on it.
Made from Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris, fermented on skins and aged in 1000L Amphorae, this is an orange wine with a definate pink hue (OK, so maybe we do care what label we put on it). Seriously cool and refreshing and packed with stone fruits, mineral rocks and a hint of anise.
£26.99
£18.45
A big, robust Bulgarian red made in a very opulent Bordeaux style by master winemakers. This wine shows a deep purple colour whilst the nose explodes with vanilla and menthol aromas, followed by blackberry and raspberry strong nuances.
£6.75
This wine displays an intense ruby red colour with violet hues. The nose reveals aromas of red fruit and black fruit with balsamic tones, which complements with notes of vanilla, chocolate, cherry and plums. It has a soft palate, fine-grained tannins, and refreshing acidity.
£6.75
On the nose, this Sauvignon Blanc displays citrus aromas, of lime and tangerine. The palate features aromas of mandarin, tropical fruits and herbal notes. A wine with a refreshing acidity, great depth and persistence.
£20.55
Notes of baked apple, peach, citrus and honey are to the fore whilst on the palate it is dry with a mouthfilling richness. Following fermentation the wine is left on its lees for a period of 9 months to add concentration and depth and you can really feel this additional texture in the mouth.
£16.29
The 2021 marks the second vintage for Esk Valley for this grape variety, a relative newcomer to the Kiwi wine scene.
This wine reveals classic Albarino notes of lime, peach and an assortment of tropical fruits. It is full and rich with mouthwatering acidity providing length and delicousness with the palate weight enhanced by ageing on yeast lees. It is delicious as a young wine but will gain some complexity with time in the bottle.
£20.30
Beautifully expressive, this is deep red, with aromas that showcase the red fruit elements of Hawkes Bay Syrah, including raspberries with undertones of wood spice and pepper. In the mouth the wine is soft and generous with flavours like the nose of red berries and jam together with an underlying acidity providing elegance and leng
£35.75
Selected from selected blocks from the best and oldest of Esk Valley's vineyards, the "Great Dirt" collection are veru much chief winemaker Gordon Russell's pet passion, made to age gracefully and showcase the terroir of the different sites
This is dark-fruited wine and complex wine. Flavours tend towards red fruits, plum, dark cherry and spice. Earthy tobacco and cedar notes add further complexity. The wine is soft and mouth-filling with well-ripened tannins and although approachable as a young wine should continue to develop complexity for many years to come. Decant before serving.
£35.75
Selected from selected blocks from the best and oldest of Esk Valley's vineyards, the "Great Dirt" collection are veru much chief winemaker Gordon Russell's pet passion, made to age gracefully and showcase the terroir of the different sites
Aromas of rose petal, red berries and grilled meats are compelling. The wine is round and mouthfilling with a red fruited profile, but a firm tannic backbone provides complexity and length
£13.79
This is a dry style Pinot Gris with aromas and flavours of Nashi pear, peach, citrus and honey. A small portion of barrel fermentation has added richness and complexity to this delicious and highly drinkable wine.
£24.99
£14.29
This a very aromatic and intensely flavoured wine true to its Marlborough origins. Its flavours are a mix of ripe tropical fruits, citrus and cooler notes of green fruits and fresh herbs. It is rich and full-flavoured style with a crisp dry finish which provides freshness and length to the palate.
£15.49
This wine is a blend of fruit grown in stony Hawkes Bay vineyard sites. The vines are trained on a VSP trellis and intensively managed, employing shoot thinning, leaf plucking and bunch thinning to produce high quality fruit.
This is a very ‘varietal’ wine, displaying classic Hawkes Bay Syrah notes of plums, blackberries, pepper and exotic spice notes with subtle oak integration. It is a medium bodied and food friendly style with excellent ageing potential.
Esk Valley Wines£15.29
£29.75
The Hunter Valley gets all the attention when it comes to Australian Semillon but every now and again a little gem such as this crosses our path and reminds us that other Australian regions are also putting out truly world class Semillon. This is very definitely a case of blink or you'll miss it. Made in tiny quantities, it's already sold out in its native Australia so grab some while you can.
Flaxman's Semillon is dry grown and handpicked from a 1/2 acre (0.2 hectares for the metrically-minded) block planted in 1929. This wine is a wonderful example of how elegant and beautifully floral semillon can be. Drinking beautifully now, but will age beautifully also.
£20.15
Pronounced and complex nose with savoury, nutty aromas and hints of fennel, ginger and white spice. The palate is fine, concentrated and textural, with crisp citrus and lightly honeyed stone fruit balanced by minerality and sappy acidity.
£17.19
£9.30
Dark garnet with a violet rim. Fresh lifted berry fruit that draws you in! Full yet elegant with bramble aromas and cream, cassis and black cherry flavours on the palate with structure provided by fine tannins with a long rich, ripe finish.
£9.49
The long wild yeast ferment provides bready aromas and additional complexity to the wine. Dried herbaceous notes, including fennel and aniseed from the nearby Fynbos, dominate the nose, followed by a creamy lemon character. The palate is reminiscent of the nose, with great textural complexity (attributable to the long, slow wild yeast fermentation), and more herbal characters.
£9.30
The grapes for False Bay Whole Bunch Cinsault Mourvedre stem from bush-vine Cinsault (mostly old vines) in Stellenbosch and The Swartland, along with a small proportion of Mourvedre from Stellenbosch which adds a savoury depth to the wine. Although The Swartland is not as coastal as most of the vineyards used for the False Bay wines, it is an area where, quite frankly, grapes from old vines are available at the required prices. Thankfully, the area's old vines produce naturally low yields and retain good acidity despite being warmer and less windswept than Stellenbosch, so cooler, coastal Atlantic winds are less of a necessity for these gnarly old vines. Made by Waterkloof's talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard. Balanced grapes are hand harvested, whole-bunch pressed and fermented spontaneously with wild yeast in stainless steel and wooden foudre. The wine is left on lees for a minimum of three months before bottling. No additions other than sulphur as a preservative. Grown, made and bottled in South Africa.
Old bush vine Cinsault forms the backbone of this ‘proper’ rosé. A pale, spicy and textural Rosé mostly sourced from bush-vine Cinsault with summer fruits on the palate and a lovely clean, savoury, dry finish.
£11.40
This wine is a rediscovery of the old tradition of using partially-dried grapes to add richness and concentration. Following the traditional passito technique - a portion of ripe Barbera grapes (around 20%), left on the vine for nearly a month after the main harvest to sun dry, were blended with fresh Barbera grapes before fermentation. This sweetens, enriches and softens the resulting acidity.
A fleshy and juicy red with aromas of sweet ripe plums and cherries. The palate shows ripe fruit-forward characters of cherry and wild plum and the ripe rounded finish is balanced by fresh bramble acidity.
£35.94
£11.95
Feteasca Neagra (literally translates as Black Maiden) is one of the most widely planted red varieties in Romania (and Moldova), and easily the most widely planted native one. Late ripening, high yielding, and thick skinned, the grapes can reach high levels of sugar and acidity meaning in the past it was mainly used to make sweet and semi-sweet reds with lots of new oak. Nowadays new investment in vineyards and wineries are leading to a new wave of winemakers making much more elegant and balanced wines.
From the geniuses at Cramele Recas, this has a brilliant spicy nose of black pepper, black berry, black currant and red cherry. A bit pinot noiry but medium bodied with rich, grippy, very dry tannins and beautifully balanced acidity. A hint of coffee right at the very end.