Chateau Leoville Barton, St Julien 2003

Outstanding Sancerre from Bourgeois; intensely flavoured with a bone-dry finish.

Famille Bourgeois Sancerre

Super Champagne from one of the regions smaller, independent houses. This wine is meticulously well made and has a fresh and lively style with good depth of flavour and plenty of character.

45% Pinot Noir, 45% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay

Yellow honey gold in colour with winey and full aromas. On the palate it gives white stone fruits bolstered by a fine acidity and a balance between creamy and bold. Altogether fresh, with a full-bodied consistency that holds together.

Champagne Gardet

Citronella and lemongrass aromatics envelop more subtle primary fruit that include peach skin and naartjie peel. Then also hints of vanilla, baked apple, marzipan and honey. The palate possesses verve and savoury grip, with elements of crushed river pebble, rock salt and flint, but also a grainy, pithy textural element akin to walnut and hard pear. There is real weight and mouth-filling substance, even at 12,5% ABV with complexity gained from lees contact and completely integrated oak. Bone dry, savoury finish.

Longridge Wine Estate