2019 Montresor ‘Urban Park’ Appassimento
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%An appealing appassimento style red from the Veneto - produced from classic Amarone and Valpolicella grapes.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Bright berry and black cherry aromas, and a touch of spice.
Palate
The palate has all of Valpolicella's appealing fresh cherry and ripe bramble fruit, along with added weight and complexity from maturation in oak. Supple tannins lead to a finish of delicate sweetness, offset by fresh acidity.
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
Produced from Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella grapes harvested from hillside vineyards north of Verona. 'Appassimento' refers to the process by which the grapes are dried for a few months before being pressed and vinified - this technique is more common in the Veneto than elsewhere in Italy. In this instance the grapes are dried for 30 days before vinification, and the wine spends 6 months in oak. The resulting red is rich with some residual sweetness.
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 | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 60% Corvina, 20% Corvinone & 20% Rondinella |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Blend |
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 | IGT Veneto |
2020 Cabaret Frank No.2 'The Aviary' Old Vine Cabernet Franc
Regular price £10.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A marvellous, lean, moustached celebration of the mighty Cab Franc. Meet Captain Francis Frobisher, otherwise known as CABARET FRANK. A celebration to the marvellous, lean and mighty Cabernet Franc grape variety.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Bright notes of juicy red fruits are complemented by blackcurrant leaf notes so typical of Cabernet Franc.
Palate
Smooth, medium-bodied and easy-drinking wine that strikes a lovely balance with its blackberry, plum and dark cherry fruit characters coupled with classic varietal leafy tones.
Production
Made predominantly from Old Vine Cabernet Franc (85%), the balance being a harmonious blob of sibling Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes are harvested from 'old vines' (45 years) sourced from the single biggest Cabernet Franc vineyard in the world located in Lodi, Central California. The wine has spent just two months on oak to enable the true flavours and characters of the Cabernet Franc (and touch of Cabernet Sauvignon) to shine through.
Alan's Tasting Notes
"Perfect pizza wine - full-bodied and flavoured with sweet cherry fruit and a slight smokiness. Well-balanced and very moreish - and the most interesting packaging - a real handlebar delight!" July 2022
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 85% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | USA |
Alcohol content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Good for now and up to 20 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian, Vegan |
Barrel Ageing | 100% French, 26% New |
Food Matches |
This is a food wine that really lends itself to vegetarian dishes. Try it with grilled eggplant or zucchini, or with meals containing green peppers (capsicums), cabbage, or herbs (particularly sage, thyme, rosemary or saffron). A versatile wine that is also fantastic with tomato based dishes; lighter meats such as turkey or chicken, along with game meats like duck; amd richer beef based dishes like steak or veal. |
Origin | California |
Appellation | Lodi |
2022 Miopasso Nero d'Avola Appassimento Sicilia DOC
Regular price £11.59 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Powerful yet approachable!
Tasting Notes
Nose
The bouquet is very intense, with deep notes of dark cherries, damsons and blackcurrants.
Palate
The palate is powerful, yet approachable, with silky smooth tannins, great depth of flavour and layers of complexity.
Producer
Miopasso offers an outstanding selection of Italian wines made with modern production technologies and local grape varieties. By combining resourceful grape sourcing with precise winemaking, this range has built a reputation as an excellent value-for-money option amongst its core of wine aficionados. Enjoy some of the finest Italian wines that money can buy with Miopasso.
Viticulture
The very best Nero d’Avola grapes are selected from Belice and Agrigento on Sicily’s west coast, which are two of the island’s key areas for growing Nero d’Avola. The grapes are very carefully hand-picked and then left to dry to concentrate the grape flavours before undergoing a gentle vinification process with frequent pumping over to extract the maximum amount of flavour and colour from the grapes.
Vinification
A percentage of the Nero d’Avola grapes are dried for 3 to 4 weeks, after which time they have lost around 30% of their weight. As the water in the grapes evaporates, the sugars concentrate and the alcohol level becomes a little higher. The dried grapes are vinified separately from the other Nero d’Avola grapes, then they are blended together. The resulting wine is distinctive, rich, bold and complex, yet highly approachable.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Nero d'Avola |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 14% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches |
Match with rich meat-based pasta sauces, red meats and mature hard cheeses |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Sicilia Doc |
Origin | Sicily |
2020 Artesa Rioja Crianza
Regular price £11.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A great introduction to Rioja Crianza - vibrant and appealing with plum and berry fruit backed with subtle spice and vanilla.
Tasting Notes
An attractive, modern style of Crianza with lifted aromatics of bramble fruit with some pepper and spice. Substantial on the palate, with plummy fruit, ripe tannins and a gently savoury fresh finish.
Production Method
Made from Tempranillo grapes cultivated in hillside vineyards (600 metres above sea level) in the best parts of Rioja Oriental. The vineyards have clay stone soil with some sandy areas. 80% of the vines are trained in the trellis method and 20% are bush trained. The grapes are chilled for several hours before temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel. Fermentation lasts for approximately 15 days with twice daily remontage. The wine is matured for a minimum of 12 months in American oak, plus one year in bottle, before release. The winery replaces 20% of its barrel stock, with new barrels, each year.
Producer
Bodegas Ontañón is a 5th generation family-owned and run winery in Rioja Baja (now Rioja Oriental). Here Raquel, Rubén and Maria Pérez Cuevas continue their father Gabriel's work to develop Bodegas Ontañón into one of the most highly-regarded wineries in Rioja. Ontañón has vast swathes of vineyard in this part of Rioja. Whilst wine production in the region is typically very dependent on contracts with grape growers, the Pérez Cuevas family has seen fit to invest heavily in the purchase of its own land and vines. Its 250ha is a testament to the importance it places on controlling grape quality.
The family's vineyards sit high in the Sierra Yerga mountains in the prestigious region surrounding Quel, defying misconceptions that Rioja Baja is one of the lesser sub-regions within Rioja. Many of their vineyards are actually planted at altitudes on a par with, or above, those in Rioja Alta and Alavesa; (La Pasada is their highest vineyard at 800m above sea level, planted in 1979 it is used for Reserva and Gran Reserva wines). The hot and dry Mediterranean climate allows for consistent ripening of the grapes with little disease and this has enabled them to pursue organic production across 57 hectares of vines.
Notes of Sustainability
Currently run by the fifth generation of the Pérez Cuevas family to carry on the tradition of grape growing in the southern part of Rioja, they take great pride in maintaining their vineyards in the most sustainable manner possible as it is their land that supports their family’s craft. As well as farming organically and producing a range of organic wines, Bodegas Ontañón employs a range of other sustainable processes.
These include: controlled irrigation systems to reduce water usage and evaporation; planting vineyards in cooler, well-ventilated areas in order to reduce irrigation requirements and phytosanitary treatments; using plant/grass cover in vineyards to improve soil texture, to reduce tractor working hours and to lower carbon dioxide emissions; using environmentally friendly phytosanitary products that break down quickly and harmlessly; planting several hectares of pine forest near the vineyards in Ausejo and tidying and maintaining the oak forest near the vineyards in Quel. The estate plans to install solar panels at its irrigation installations to generate the electricity they require, and it encourages its worker to carpool from its winery to its vineyards to reduce emissions.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Tempranillo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches | Casseroles, red and white meats and mature cheeses. |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Awaiting Info |
Origin | Rioja |
Appellation | DOCa Rioja |
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 |
2021 PEMO Montepulciano D'Abruzzo
Regular price £11.99 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 | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
|
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 13.5% |
|
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 |
2022 Le Fou Pinot Noir
Regular price £10.45 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Nose
Fuller than Pinot Noir from Burgundy, it has a warm, rich nose with aromas of black cherry compote.
Palate
The palate is nicely balanced with an exciting, savoury streak provided by ripe, tasty tannins.
Production
An unique take on Pinot Noir from two growers' plantings in the sun drenched vineyards of the Southern Languedoc. Picked at optimum ripeness, balancing phenolics and acidity then cool vinified to enhance the fresh fruit flavours. No oak was used to keep this wine as pure and sensual as possible.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches |
Served slightly chilled, Le Fou is lovely with grilled lamb, cold meats, wild mushroom risotto or homebaked ham. |
Region | Languedoc |
Appellation | Pays D'Oc IGP |
2016 Vega del Rayo Rioja Reserva
Regular price £11.45 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Traditional Rioja Reserva
Tasting Notes
Nose
A traditional Rioja Reserva from vineyards in Rioja Alta with a nose of warm black fruit, spice and vanilla notes.
Palate
The palate has ripe plum and damson characters balanced by well-integrated oak, supple tannins and gentle cedary spice on the finish.
Production Method
This wine is produced from selected Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano grapes sourced from 30 to 40-year-old Rioja Alta vineyards whose distinctive stony soils are ideal for the long, even ripening of quality grapes. The fruit is hand harvested in mid-October. Each variety is fermented separately in small tanks using natural yeasts at 28-30° C. After 20 days on the skins the wine is gently pressed and racked to stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation. The clear wine is then racked to 2nd and 3rd year American and Russian oak barrels for 24 months maturation before blending and bottling.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"This is good! Everything I would expect from a well made, traditional Rioja - bright fruit - some vanillin and spice from good oak integration and soft, smooth tannins giving a very well balanced and long finish." Tasted April 2024
Specifications
Year | 2016 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 90% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo & 5% Graciano |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches | Lamb and mint kebabs |
Allergy Information | Awaiting info |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan |
Appellation | DOCa Rioja |
2022 Adobe Reserva Merlot Organic
Regular price £10.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Juicy, organic Merlot with fruit and freshness in abundance.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Bright ruby-red colour
Nose
Plum and red cherry aromas and subtle black pepper notes.
Palate
The palate is juicy with ample fruit character. Supported by gently wooded influence giving good structure and rounded tannins. It has a soft palate and a fruity finish.
Production
Rapel Valley is located on the 6th Region, 160 kms south to Santiago. This zone has good drainage, excellent fertility and great characteristics for agriculture, especially for red varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Merlot. This valley has a Mediterranean climate, it has coastal influence because it limits with the Cordillera de la Costa, which is low. There’s a great concentration of rain during winter (710 mm average) and in summer this valley receives southern winds with morning mist. Summers are very hot and have big temperature fluctuation. The grapes were manually harvested in mid April. Vinification begins with a prefermentation cold soak at 8°C for a week in order to extract the fruit. Alcoholic fermentation takes place between 25°C and 28°C with a pumpover program determined by daily tasting. Malolactic fermentation takes place naturally in stainless steel tanks and 20% of the wine was aged in barrels for 6 months; after this the wine blended in order to obtain a more complex character.
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 | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Ideal with lean red meats and white meats such as chicken and turkey. Also pairs well with ripe cheeses such as Camembert, Roquefort, Mozzarella, and Gruyere, with goat cheese, and with nuts, walnuts, and dried figs. A pleasing companion to vegetable stews and pastas with mild sauces. |
Origin | Rapel Valley |
Appellation | D.O. Valle del Rapel, Chile |
2022 Cantina Di Negrar Corvina
Regular price £10.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
This is a brand new single varietal from this co-operative, located in the heart of the Valpolicella Classico area, just a few kilometres from Verona. Corvina is usually blended with Molinara and Rondinella, but an increasing number of producers are making 100% Corvina wines. The result is light and fragrant with floral notes and some blackcurrant. It has an elegant structure.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Ruby red with garnet reflections
Nose
Spicy nose with notes of vanilla and hints of cherry and black cherry
Palate
Soft and round palate with sweet tannins that blend well with the wine's texture. The finish is long ending with spicy tones.
Winery
The Cantina di Negrar brand is the soul of Cantina Valpolicella Negrar and pays homage to the philosophy of cooperative production while also recalling the territory’s historical vestiges: the effigy of St. Mark’s Lion standing tall on a column in the centre of Negrar is testimony of the Venetian Republic’s domination in the sixteenth century.
The Cantina di Negrar wines are rooted in the wine-making tradition of Valpolicella and the Veronese wine-growing areas, with a modern reinterpretation to guarantee the best price/quality ratio.
Label
The catchy and interesting label depicts Ulysses’ 10-year journey home from Troye to Ithaca. Every facet of his journey captivates the sense of discovery, self-discovery, and world discovery Ulysses experiences in those enchanted 10 years.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Corvina |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 12.5% |
Units of Alcohol |
|
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches |
It pairs well with grilled and braised red meat. |
|
Contain sulphites |
Origin | Verona |
Appellation | Verona IGT |
2021 Los Cardos Doña Paula Private Collection Malbec
Regular price £11.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Los Cardos means "The Thistles" in Spanish. Their presence indicates an unmistakable sign of good terroir. Also 100% Vegan Approved.
Tasting Notes
Deep violet red color. Spicy and rich with juicy black fruit and a long jammy finish.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested from mid to late March. In the winery, they are first destemmed and softly crushed. A cold pre-fermentative maceration takes place to preserve the primary aromas. Then, the must is cooled and traditional fermentation starts. Post-fermentation maceration lasts between 10 and 15 days. Malolactic fermentation is carried out after maceration.
The Estate
El Alto Vineyard is located in Ugarteche, in the southern part of Luján de Cuyo, at 1,050 meters (3,445 feet) above sea level. The soils range from sandy loam to clay loam, with variable content of stone. The climate typically presents warm days and cool nights, with an average temperature variation of 14 °C (57.2 °F) and an average annual rainfall of 250 mm (9.8 in). The vines yield 12 tons per hectare, and they are grown in espaliers, using drip irrigation. At Doña Paula, our vineyards have always been managed using sustainable agricultural practices.
Accolades
- Bronze Medal Winner - International Wine Challenge 2022
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Malbec |
Country | Argentina |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Aged | Oak aged |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian, Sustainable practises |
Food Matches | Enjoy alone or pair with red meat, empanadas or pasta. Serve 14-16C |
Appellation | Mendoza |
2020 Vistamar Single Estate Carmenere
Regular price £10.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
Intense black fruit aromas, blackberries along with notes of herbs and spices such as cinnamon and cloves.
Palate
The palate is rich in fresh red-fruit flavours with notes of tobacco and white pepper. Unoaked.
Accolades
- Tim Atkin MW - 90 points in the 2022 'Best of Chile' Report
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 90% Carmenere, 10% Malbec |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Goes very well with lean meats, duck, turkey and legumes |
Origin | Maule |
Appellation | Maipo Valley |
2021 Painted Wolf The Den Pinotage
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Winemaking
The bulk of the Pinotage was destalked and fermented in tanks with various staves. Malolactic and maturation was completed on staves. Approximately 25% of the wine was fermented in small open fermenters and matured in small French and American oak barrels. The wine was finished by blending 15% of a Shiraz, Grenache, and Mourvedre blend.
Background
In 2005, Emma and Jeremy Borg's vinous adventure began when they were approached to make their own wine. Despite Jeremy's two decades of experience in the world of winemaking and Emma's expertise with wine photography, the couple was thrown into the deep end and had to bottle and cork the bounty of their friend's surplus grapes by hand.
The endeavor sparked their dreams of creating their own brand and so Painted Wolf was born. The inspiration came from the endangered African wild dog - highly social, organised, persistent and efficient hunters true to Emma and Jeremy's own vineyard hunts for their expanding range of wines.
Consequently, a percentage of profits from each bottle is donated to support charities dedicated to the conservation of the species, and the painted wolf proudly graces each of their labels. From organic Swartland vineyards to Cape South Coast cool climate sites, the couple has since established a network of esteemed growers and winemakers to ensure quality as grapes are hand-selected and some wines are
Painted Wolf Wines supports the conservation of the highly endangered painted wolf (African wild dog) and the protection of the diminishing wild spaces of Africa, through its donations to the EWT – www.ewt.org.za and Tusk – www.tusk.org.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 85% Pinotage, remaining 15% Shiraz, Grenache, and Mourvedre blend |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Pinotage is the best possible red wine in the world to pair with Mexican dishes such as Fajitas or that glorious confection of chicken, chocolate, cumin seeds, smoky ancho chilli, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds which is called Mole. It is also very good with other flavoursome American regional specialities such as with Carolina Pulled Pork and smoky Texas B.B.Q beef rib. |
Appellation | W.O. Swartland |
2023 Pablo Walter Malbec
Regular price £10.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A celebration of Mendoza - the colour, culture and flavour and a celebration of friendship. Visit Mendoza in Argentina and you can't help but be struck by the vibrant street life of this exciting city. This wine was created to reflect the vibrancy and life Mendoza oozes.
It's the lovechild of Argentinean winemaker Walter Bressia and Boutinot winemaker Guillaume Letang. We've been working with Walter for many years (the Pablo referring to our original owner, Paul Boutinot) and this Malbec is the perfect way to celebrate their long friendship.
Tasting Notes
A really pure expression of Malbec, deep red almost purple in colour and wonderfully aromatic with lifted violet, red currant and cassis notes. Muy, muy fantasticó – richly bloody, vibrant, Latin and velveteen.
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!
Production
Produced from 25-year-old vines in the Agrelo district of Mendoza, close to Walter’s bodega in the rain shadow of the Cordon del Plata. The unwooded Malbec vinified in stainless steel to preserve the freshness and brightness of the fruit. Walter bought three spankingly new 25000-litre steel tanks specifically for this project and subsequently somehow crow-barred them into his small family bodega.
Awards
Bronze - Sommelier Wine Awards 2020 (2019 Vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Malbec |
Country | Argentina |
Alcohol content | 14 % alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches | A juicy steak, churrasco de chorizo marinated with garlic, parsley and olive oil, grilled vegetables with chimichurri sauce. Or try it chilled - seriously, a cool version of this wine opens up a whole new world! |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation |
Agrelo |
2022 Cicada Rouge by Chante Cigale
Regular price £10.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Cicada takes its name from the famed ‘singing cicadas’ of Provence and this is a lively, fruit-forward red from the Southern Rhône.
Tasting Notes
Fresh, ripe red berries with a bit of forest floor. Yummy, ripe red and black cherries, a pinch of spice and some softly, boisterous tannins. Lovely balancing acidity completes the picture.
Producer
Domaine Chante Cigale is located within the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and has been owned by the Sabon Favier family for several generations. Consisting of 41 hectares, the domaine benefits from old vines, some of which are veritably ancient at over 100 years old. Alexandre Favier took over from his father, Christian, and is part of a new wave of producers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, combining modern technical expertise with time-honoured winemaking practices.
Alexandre is lauded by notable journalists including Steve Danzier and Jancis Robinson for his deftly-made and reasonably-priced wines. Domaine Chante Cigale has also built a reputation for specialising in white wines, of which they produce more than any other estate in the appellation.
Production
Alex Favier sources the grapes for his IGPs from land the family owns in the Vaucluse; grapes for this come from 2 lieu-dits in Travaillan to the west of Gigondas – La Marteillère with clay soil for the Grenache & L’Hers on limestone for the Carignan, vines are 30 years old. Hand-harvested and de-stemmed, short maceration in concrete for the Grenache plus aging in 5 yr old Burgundy barrels for the Carignan to round out the tannins.
Sustainability
As you might expect from someone born and raised on an estate named after singing cicadas, Alexandre Favier keenly promotes the biodiversity of his vineyards. He is very conscious of his role as guardian of his land for future generations and Chante Cigale is currently in conversion to full organic status.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 80% Grenache Noir, 20% Carignan |
Country | Rhone France |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Great on its own or with pasta, grilled lamb and ratatouille. |
Origin | Vin de France |
Appellation | Vin de France |
2019 Marras Shiraz Cinsault
Regular price £10.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
Showing complex aromatic nuances of rose petals, violets and sappy grilled herbs.
Palate
The palate is supple and fleshy yet also displays a weightless concentration of red berry fruit, plum spice and savoury woodsmoke.
Winemakers Notes
Handpicked grapes, cooled overnight. 10% whole bunches. Grapes were cold soaked and partially natural fermented while minimal extraction was done. Maturing separately in older oak barrels.
Vineyards
If you can talk to a grape, it will tell you that the Piekenierskloof region is the ideal spot for a tough top class wine-producing grape, as it’s exposed to extreme conditions. Piekenierskloof is the mountain pass between Piketberg and Citrusdal, over the Olifants River Mountains. With warm inland temperatures rising from the Swartland during the day and cool Atlantic sea breezes rolling in overnight, these grapes grow in a dryer soil with just enough water to produce grapes that add depth and complexity to every single sip.
The Region
The Swartland begins some 50 kilometers north of Cape Town and consists of the regions between the towns of Malmesbury in the south, Darling in the west, Piketberg in the north and the Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel in the east. It is so called because of the endemic Renosterbos that appears dark mainly when it rains in winter. The Swartland area is mainly known for wheat, but the crown prince in this area is the small concentrated berries of the vines that produce well-balanced and exceptionally ripe and deep-flavoured wines.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Very soft, supple and juicy for a Shiraz-dominant wine. Red berry & plum fruits - herby more than spicy and reasonably long. Had it opened for an hour before serving which helped enormously. Medium to full-bodied and good value shiraz. It’s long, soft and smooth and everything you’d expect from a wine such as this. Fruit definitely starts to open up and come to life with time in the glass." December 2022.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Cinsault, Shiraz |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring | 2019 - 2024 |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Duck, lamb and mushrooms |
Origin | Swartland |
Appellation | WO Swartland |
2020 Elicio Grenache Merlot
Regular price £11.59 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The "Elicio" wines ("evokes", "recalls", "remembers" in Latin) were created in the early 2000s, in memory of happy days spent in the heart of Provence, between Ventoux and Luberon.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Nose
The expressive nose reveals notes of red and black fruit jam, licorice and sweet pepper.
Palate
Earthy, juicy, luscious fruit - blackberry & blueberry. A bold mouthfeel coats the entire palate and a low acid leaves balanced tannins to slowly melt away.
The Region
Elicio Red Blend hails from the southern Rhône Valley. This region has a history of delivering excellence in a bottle. Elicio builds on this reputation by bringing you a smooth Grenache and Merlot red blend. However, a blend of Grenache and Merlot is rarely seen in the wine world, which makes this bottle unique. But don’t be scared, this uncommon combination has been blended into a wine that pairs deliciously with the warm summer weather.
This wine is an excellent pair with the early warmth of the year — the subtle sun rays on pale, wintered skin. This bottle is bold, packing a punch of earthiness and juicy, dripping fruit. With a bold mouthfeel, it really coats the entire palate sliding down the sides and leaving a dusty dry feeling. The acid is low and it leaves the tannins to slowly melt away on your palate.
Specifications.
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 50% Grenache 50% Merlot |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
14.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Pairings |
Light dishes and fresh cheeses.
|
Aging Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Mediterranean IGP |
2021 Les Pivoines Beaujolais Villages
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Juicy, fresh and approachable - just what you want from Beaujolais Villages.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Juicy, super ripe and softly perfumed on the nose
Palate
Full of flavours of summer compote, with ripe tannins and vibrant acidity. Presenting an easy drinking wine with a soft, approachable finish.
Production
Gamay vines grown on the slopes of the rolling Beaujolais hills. Whole bunch Gamay is fermented using traditional carbonic maceration techniques. A short cuvaison is used in order to keep the up-front, juicy, fruit characters.
Producer
Like all good stories, that of Boutinot France is both long and a little bit complicated! Boutinot began as a tiny importer in 1980, specialising in French wines. Paul Boutinot himself began by personally selecting the wines from France, back in the UK he would unload the trailer by hand. And deliver the crates of wines to customers himself. But good things grow and by the end of the decade we had become a bigger and better company. A company that not only sought out great wines but made them too. After 10 years later, Boutinot France started in January 1990. The first office was in the middle of the vines in Julienas; perfectly located to navigate the Beaujolais and Macon regions on the quest to make beautiful wines.
Samantha Bailey, who started as a wine enthusiast, was there at the beginning of this adventure. Since then, she has grown into our Master Blender and has key responsibilities: building long-standing relationships, tasting, understanding the terroir and appellations, and pushing the boundaries. She is at the heart of the whole process from blending to quality assessment, making sure there is always a Boutinot touch in every cuvée. We are proud to also count Guillaume Letang and Julien Dugas in our winemaking team. Guillaume oversees the South of France and Languedoc, whilst Julien looks after our property in Cairanne. Together they have the local knowledge to select and blend the very best wines from throughout. Eric Monnin oversees every aspect of production and makes sure everything our winemakers blend and source is top quality.
Today, Boutinot’s French office has recently relocated to Macon, and has over 20 employees who take care of production across the whole of France, covering fresh whites and rosés from Gascony, mineral wines from Burgundy, and joyful varietal wines from Languedoc among others. We don’t use any single model to source our wines; instead, a combination of sources are used, from large-scale, high-quality co-ops to small, family growers and single domaines, as well as our own vineyards in Cairanne and Saint-Vérand. Drawing on the expertise of our four winemakers and a network of partner growers, we seek to deliver the highest quality-to-price ratio possible for every wine.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Gamay |
Country | Beaujolais / Maconnais, France |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Drinking within 2 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Good with a charcuterie platter, BBQ sausages or even a hearty salad; try the regional salade Beaujolaise - a poached egg with fried bacon strips on green salad ...and don't forget the garlic! |
Origin |
Beaujolais |
Appellation |
Beaujolais Villages |