An 'Aladdin's Cave of Wines await you here!
2020 Ben Glover BOB/Short for Kate Pinot Noir
Regular price £21.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
A bright, brambly, seductive cherry red hue with aromas of wild berries, cherries, raspberry, sous bois and a hint of green spice.
The flow through to the palate is sublime with a continuation of these precise red fruits with some green olive notes, wound up with a sinewy tautness. This provides a chewy supple elegant warmth to the palate with an elegant deportment providing a long and intelligent finish.
Producer
When it comes to professional wine people, Ben Glover is about as top-of the-tree as it gets. Ben’s role call includes almost too many accolades: previously a Wine Marlborough committee member, chair of the Bragato Wine Show (New Zealand’s only single vineyard wine show) and was chair of Pinot Noir 2017 New Zealand, the world’s largest and most prestigious pinot noir event. He was an inaugural Len Evans scholar in 2001 and has over 25 years of experience as a national and international wine judge. This is all to say that, when you open a bottle of Bob/short for Kate, you are in safe hands.
Nicknamed ‘Bob’ by her family (some of you may recognize the Blackadder reference), Bob /short for Kate is a tribute to Kate Glover, an amazing young drama teacher and Ben’s sister, who heartbreakingly passed away in 2018. Ben explains that he has looked to produce a wine that characterises the honesty, purity and confidence of Kate. These are organic, Marlborough wines, small-batch Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, reliant on selected blocks from the family’s vines and exceptional fruit selection. Not to mention the skill of one of the region’s most well-regarded winemakers.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Noir |
Country | New Zealand |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Now to 2025 |
Features | Organic, Vegan and Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | This wine has the class and capacity to handle numerous dishes from cassoulet to more sophisticated game meats. |
Origin | New Zealand |
Appellation | Marlborough |
2020 Ventisquero 'Grey Glacier' Pinot Noir
Regular price £17.99 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 | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Chile |
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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 |
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Exton Park RB|23 Brut Rosé NV
Regular price £44.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Delicate & dry. White peach, red berries & a floral finish. Selected as the house pour by 4 Michelin Star chef Simon Rogan.
“Our Rosé is a reflection of the synergy between our vineyard and the special way we craft and blend our wine. Refreshing and elegant, it will surprise you in many ways.”
Corinne Seely, Director & Head Winemaker
Tasting Notes
This captivating Rosé combines precisely ripened Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes, pressed with exceptional care and patience until the wine blushes pink. With a stylish blend of our reserve wines, Exton Park’s Rosé is a fragrant and enticing example of our innovative house style.
Colour
English rose in colour
Nose
With a seductive strawberry liquorice nose, this wine reveals rich fruit characters in the mouth.
Palate
Pressed slowly and gently to draw out the distinctive colours and flavours. The result is a delicate, dry Rosé with a balanced floral character and complex notes of white peach and red berries.
The Winery
Exton Park is a Hampshire sparkling wine producer with a 60-acre single vineyard planted on a south-facing slope in the South Downs National Park. Their first vines were planted in 2003, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier and their state-of-the-art winery was built in 2011. A luxurious, private event space overlooking the vineyard is also under construction and will be opening later this year. With a 60-acre single vineyard, a bespoke winery and a breath-taking promotional facility all on one estate, Exton Park will be able to offer guests an unrivalled English wine experience.
2021 marks the release of their Reserve Blend range. These are traditional method sparkling wines that challenge classic winemaking conventions. They do not rely on a base vintage like other English sparkling wine producers. Over 80% of each blend is composed from their extensive archive or reserve wines.
The number of reserves in each blend is reflected in the name of each wine. For example, Exton Park RB28 Blanc de Noirs is created from a blend of 28 wines. This unique approach has been pioneered by Head Winemaker Corinne Seeling to ensure consistency, quality and complexity with each bottling.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 70% Pinot Noir & 30% Pinot Meunier |
Country | England |
Alcohol content | 11.5% alc vol |
Residual Sugar | 9 g/l |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.63 units |
Type | Fizz |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Well-balanced and complex, this subtly fruity sparkling wine is delicious with cured meats, shellfish or fresh fruit desserts, or as a show-stealing aperitif. |
Origin | Hampshire |
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 |
Joseph Perrier Cuvée Royale Brut NV
Regular price £45.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The Cuvée Royale Brut offers the experience of a Champagne all in elegance, freshness and balance. The house has been passed down through six generations and has been chosen for the royal courts of both Queen Victoria and Edward VII.
Tasting Notes
Colour
On tasting, the Cuvée Royale Brut of the House of Joseph Perrier has a beautiful pale golden yellow colour with copper highlights, highlighting the finesse of the bubble's effervescence and great vivacity.
Nose
Initially discreet, the nose then gives way to beautiful fruity notes evoking green apple or the sweetness of vine peach.
Palate
From the attack, the power of the palate gives way to a round and lively substance offering a beautiful freshness on the finish.
History
Founded in 1825, Joseph Perrier has been owned and run by the same family since 1888. Current director Benjamin Fourmon represents the 6th generation. Champagne Joseph Perrier owns 21 hectares of vineyards, situated in the heart of the region on the right bank of the River Marne, around Hautvillers and Cumières – two villages classed 93% in the ‘échelle des crus’.
They are mostly planted with Pinot Noir but include 2 hectares of Chardonnay. The cellars stretch over three kilometers and date back to the Gallo-Roman period. The chosen name for these cuvées is no accident, nor any false claim to grandeur - ‘Cuvée Royale’ alludes to the historic relationship between Joseph Perrier and Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, as the royals’ Champagne of choice - probably the highest honour any Champagne House can hope to earn.
All the wines are made with a keen focus on freshness and purity, a theme which runs right through the range and really shows its worth in the vintage cuvées which show impressive energy and poise and remarkable ageing potential. Aside from the royal connection, Joseph Perrier has been associated with some pivotal events, which represent great human achievements, from the celebrations around Concorde’s inauguration in 1976 to, more recently, the Noble Prize in Medicine.
Aged for 3 years, the Cuvée Royale Brut of Maison Joseph Perrier brings together more than 20 different vintages with great terroirs such as Cumières, Damery, Hautvillers and Verneuil.
Accolades
- Vinum : 16/20
- James Suckling : 91 pts
Specifications
Year | Non-vintage |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 35% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, including about 20% reserve wines. |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Champagne |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dosage |
7g/L |
Food Matches | A perfect balance between freshness and richness, it is best enjoyed as an aperitif though it can be enjoyed throughout a meal. Ideal with salmon gravlax or parmesan shavings. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
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 |
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 |
Champagne Gremillet Sélection Brut NV
Regular price £26.39 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A stunning Champagne that delivers on all fronts!
Tasting Notes
Fresh floral aromas combine with characteristic sweet brioche overtones, balanced by peach skin and baked biscuit flavours with a crisp citrus finish.
Production
The vineyards, situated in the southern reaches of Troyes achieve greater ripeness which leads to a richer fruit and classic baked biscuit flavours mixed with characteristic toasty yeast overtones. Only the first, lightest pressings are used, as is usual for fine Champagne. Classic slow second fermentation in bottle followed by maturing on the lees for at least 18 months before being disgorged and released for sale.
Producer
The Gremillet estate was founded by Jean-Michel Gremillet in 1979 when he inherited a plot of vines from his mother, Lulu. Today, the house possesses over 40 hectares of vineyards and is situated in a small village 45 kilometres from Troyes - the historic capital of Champagne - and 180 kilometres south of Reims. The vines lie on steep, sun-drenched hillsides in Kimmeridgian clay-limestone soils. Pinot Noir is king here, and constitutes around 94% of Gremillet’s plantings, with the remainder dedicated to Chardonnay, ideal for creating a classic, baked biscuit, rich, fruit-flavoured Champagne.
A Note on Sustainability
This family-owned and run Champagne house is HVE 3 certified, and as much as possible it restricts its use of chemicals in the vineyards. One of its cuvées is certified organic by ECOCERT and hopefully, this is the start of a bigger process.
Awards
- Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2021
- Silver at the IWSC 2021
- Silver at the Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships 2020
- Gold at the Sommelier Wine Awards 2020
- Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2019
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Champagne |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Matured on the Lees | 18 Months |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites & Milk |
Food Matches | Drinks very nicely well chilled on its own of course (but not on your own - this is the sociable drink par excellence after all!), but also recommended with light nibbles, salads and simple fish dishes. |
Features | Vegetarian |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
Henners Brut N/V
Regular price £31.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Benchmark quality which highlights the brilliance of the Henners vineyard and winemaking skills.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Sourdough aromas combine with crunchy green apple fruit to provide a wonderfully welcoming nose.
Palate
The palate is fine with a lively and persistent mousse. Green apple and pear fruit characters mix with a toasted brioche leesy flavour helping to provide a complex and moreish palate. Balanced acidity and a long finish make this a very classy sparkling wine.
Producer
When it comes to English wine there’s a lot to shout about, not least the stunning sparkling wines from Henners. Based just 4 miles from the sea in Herstmonceux, East Sussex, the 7 acre vineyard was created in 2007 by ex-Formula One engineer, Lawrence Warr. The winery was named in honour of Larry's French ancestor, Henners Dubois, who was forced to flee Paris for England during the French Revolution in the in the late 18th Century.
Boutinot was the sole distributor of Henners from this time and developed strong ties with the winery and its wines… so when the opportunity arose 10 years later to buy the estate, they jumped at the chance. Planted with traditional Champagne varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the vines thrive in an idyllic microclimate created by the vineyard’s proximity to the sea, low altitude (only 24 metres above sea level) and steep, sunny, south-facing slopes.
All Henners wines are hand-crafted from start to finish; with separate fermenting of varietals and their vine clones to allow a broader range of wines for final blending; extended lees ageing for added complexity; and holding back of all bottles for at least 3 years prior to release to add depth and richness to every wine. Hand-crafted with every attention to detail, our winemakers create award-winning wines of depth, complexity and elegance that are perfect for any occasion.
Production Method
Henners Brut is produced solely from grapes grown on our outstanding estate, in Herstmonceux East Sussex. We found the unique combination of warm well-drained soils, southerly aspect slope coupled with low altitude. The result is perhaps the finest vineyard microclimate in the country. We take a non-interventionist approach in the winery, made possible by the quality of the fruit. Vine clones and varieties are fermented separately to allow a broad palette of wines for final blending. Approximately 85% of the wine goes through malolactic fermentation. A proportion (10%) is fermented in aged oak barrels to add subtle character and layers to the wine. This wine spent approximately 36 months on its lees. Dosage of 7g/l.
A Note on Sustainability
Already a founder member of WineGB’s Sustainability Programme Henners Vineyard can now announce it is one of just 18 accredited members to have been certified as sustainable by Wine GB. This is an endorsement to Henners’ commitment to winemaking and winery management that have minimal environmental impact, as well as the ongoing promotion of biodiversity in the vineyards and protection of soils. This is no easy task to attain, requiring annual review for accreditation and ongoing improvement in methodology.
Awards - Non Vintage
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2020 - Silver
- IWC 2020 - Gold
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2019 - Silver
- IWSC 2019 - Silver
- Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships 2018 - Silver
- IWC 2018 - Gold
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Chardonnay 40%, Pinot Noir 35%, Pinot Meunier 25% |
Country | England |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Fizz |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Perfect aperitif or celebration wine. |
Origin | East Sussex |
Appellation | Herstmonceux |
2022 Luigi Bosca Signature Range Pinot Noir
Regular price £19.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
Bright ruby red wine
Nose
Intense and balanced aromas, with black fruit and spicy notes.
Palate
It is voluptuous and warm in the mouth, with a smoked aftertaste and incipient tannins. It is clean and vivacious in the palate, featuring a well- defined character and an expressive finish with a floral touch. Having great potential to add complexity after storage, this is a wine that reflects the vineyard’s age and varietal purity.
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
Manual harvest, bunch selection, stalking and manual berry selection, followed by pre-fermentation cold maceration at a temperature of 8°C. Fermentation takes place in small stainless steel barrels at a controlled temperature of 28°C using selected yeasts. After the alcoholic fermentation, part of the wine is aged for eight months in French oak barrels. Once it concludes, the wine is bottled by gently filtering it.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Argentina |
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Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For up to 5 years |
Ageing in Barrels | Partially aged for 8 months in French oak barrels |
Suggested Serving Temp | Between 16°C and 18°C. |
Food Matches |
Perfect to pair with special dishes such as grilled prawn, pepper magret de canard or pesto dried pasta ai Funghi. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation |
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2017 Tohu Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Pinot Noir
Regular price £26.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Nose
Intense ripe dark fruit aromas, underlined with bright florals and harmonious spicy oak notes.
Palate
Flavours of red and dark fruits balanced with soft, silky tannins. Long, lingering and mouth-filling finish.
Vineyard
Awatere Valley Marlborough, New Zealand. Blocks: Araroa, Moana, Rotokaro, Taumauri & Tohu. Planted 2002. 19.22 ha. Loam soils varying from shallow to deep silt, and fine sand.
Viticulture
A relatively frost-free spring resulted in good early shoot growth. Leaf plucking facilitated bunch exposure and promoted fruit flavour development. Slightly lower than normal brix levels resulted in clean, concentrated flavours.
Winemaking
Hand-harvested grapes gently destemmed then chilled for seven days in open top vessels. Warmed for a fast ferment; the wine was pressed directly into dedicated Pinot Noir French oak barriques for the winter. Malolactic fermentation once the temperatures started to warm again in spring. Rigorous blending and barrel section, with the final blend left to settle a few more months before being bottled without the need for fining or filtration.
Bottled May 2018 – 3276 bottles produced
Awards
- Gold - 2020 IWC
- 91 points James Suckling
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | New Zealand |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Until 2024 |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Lamb Rack, baba ganoush, tomato & coriander salad. Light enough to pair with a grilled salmon pasta, but it will also compliment rich red meats. |
Appellation | Marlborough |
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 |
Exton Park RB|32 Brut Reserve NV
Regular price £45.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Our signature Brut harmonises an average of 32 skillfully selected reserve wines, for an elegant expression that sings with subtle intrigue.
Colour
Pale gold in colour
Nose
The Brut has a generous nose and a bright lemony character with notes of passion fruit and honey.
Palate
Minerality in the mouth indicates a good, balanced structure, with an intense backbone and a lengthy finish with a whisper of white pepper.
The Winery
Exton Park is a Hampshire sparkling wine producer with a 60-acre single vineyard planted on a south-facing slope in the South Downs National Park. Their first vines were planted in 2003, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier and their state-of-the-art winery was built in 2011. A luxurious, private event space overlooking the vineyard is also under construction and will be opening later this year. With a 60-acre single vineyard, a bespoke winery and a breath-taking promotional facility all on one estate, Exton Park will be able to offer guests an unrivalled English wine experience.
2021 marks the release of their Reserve Blend range. These are traditional method sparkling wines that challenge classic winemaking conventions. They do not rely on a base vintage like other English sparkling wine producers. Over 80% of each blend is composed from their extensive archive or reserve wines.
The number of reserves in each blend is reflected in the name of each wine. For example, Exton Park RB28 Blanc de Noirs is created from a blend of 28 wines. This unique approach has been pioneered by Head Winemaker Corinne Seeling to ensure consistency, quality and complexity with each bottling.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay |
Country | England |
Alcohol content | 11.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.63 units |
Time on Lees | 3 years minimum |
Residual Sugar | 7g/l |
Type | Fizz |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | This fresh, elegant and versatile wine makes an ideal accompaniment to sweet and savoury dishes. Its delicate citrus notes pair perfectly with smoked trout, white meats or even a light Victoria sponge cake. |
Origin | Hampshire |
2018 Ten Minutes by Tractor 'Estate Pinot Noir'
Regular price £46.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Aged in a mixture of new and old French oak barriques. Semi-translucent dark red colour with a light red hue. Perfumed scents of violets, ripe cherries and strawberries meld into anise, hints of toasty oak, traces of forest floor and spice notes. Light and expressive the palate has flavours of ripe dark cherries and strawberries which are carried by anise, light smoky cedar, forest floor and spicy dried herb elements. Supple mouthfeel, silky tannins and well-balanced acidity concluding with good power.
Producer
Ten Minutes by Tractor needs little introduction, nor does the man in charge – Martin Spedding. A gently-spoken man with a background in finance and IT, in 2002 he finally acknowledged the fact that his true passion lay in wine. Despite his origins in New South Wales, he simply couldn’t get enough of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and would travel down to Victoria to immerse himself in Australia’s heartland of these noble varieties. In 2003 he visited one of his favourite small wineries on Mornington Peninsula, and was delighted to discover that it was for sale. Without a moment’s hesitation, he snapped it up, and so began Martin’s journey with Ten Minutes by Tractor. And what a journey it has been!
Along with a trusty team and his loving family, he has overseen the rise of the estate to the cult status it holds today. In 2016 Sandro Mosele (ex-Kooyong and Port Philip Estates) joined the team as head winemaker, only adding to their ‘force to be reckoned with’ status. The ‘home’ vineyards (McCutcheon, Wallis and Judd) are the three original vineyards that formed the Ten Minutes By Tractor estate. They are all located in Main Ridge, the coolest and highest part of the Mornington Peninsula. Despite their close proximity and the use of similar vinification methods, the single-vineyard wines are distinctly different from one another. This is a result of their different elevations, orientations and soils.
These wines can challenge Burgundy in quality and elegance and range from fine and elegant examples to richer and more opulent cuvées. They are all made with indigenous yeasts and are a true expression of each unique ‘terroir’. These much sought after single vineyard wines are only produced in outstanding years and continue to go from strength to strength. Production is usually less than 200 dozen; they are truly limited edition wines. Outside of the original single vineyard range, the newest Coolart Road is remarkably different from the others – coming from the lowest vineyard of them all at 72m, the Pinot Noir made here is markedly different in style from the higher elevation sites. All of the wines are made with the utmost sustainability and are bottled unfined.
Acclaim
- 94 points by Campbell Mattinson – James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion
- 92 points by Tina Gellie, Decanter - This estate Pinot is now split into the Up the Hill and Down the Hill cuvées, but in this vintage was a barrel selection of Martin Spedding's four vineyards. This is seductively savoury wine, with bold earthy beetroot and undergrowth tones to join autumnal plum and black cherry. Vanilla chai oak spice and supple tannins too. Drink 2023-2028
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Oak | 12 months - 21% new French oak barriques (medium toast; very tight grain) |
Cellaring potential | 2018-2026 |
Food Matching |
That bright fruit means that it will match well with more savoury meat. Soy marinated pork with grape jus would do nicely here. Serve at 14–17°C. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Mornington Peninsula |
Appellation | Victoria |
2014 Joseph Perrier Cuvée Josephine
Regular price £135.52 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Cuvée Joséphine celebrates the touching story of Joseph Perrier, a father who, on the occasion of the wedding of his daughter Josephine, offered her the very best champagne he could make.
For that occasion, he designed the most beautiful hand-painted bottle which was decorated with fine gold. Today’s cuvée, named for Joséphine and celebrating our history, has only been made in the years 1982, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2004, and 2008.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The nose opens with fresh and sweet notes intertwined. A succession of captivating aromas suggests great complexity: butter, sweet spices, dried fruits, and candied fruits. The mineral freshness predominates.
Palate
On the palate one finds an intense and finely fruity vinous expression. The balance is perfect. The flavours of spices, dried fruit and candied citrus dominate within a taut mineral frame.
History
Founded in 1825, Joseph Perrier has been owned and run by the same family since 1888. Current director Benjamin Fourmon represents the 6th generation. Champagne Joseph Perrier owns 21 hectares of vineyards, situated in the heart of the region on the right bank of the River Marne, around Hautvillers and Cumières – two villages classed 93% in the ‘échelle des crus’.
They are mostly planted with Pinot Noir but include 2 hectares of Chardonnay. The cellars stretch over three kilometers and date back to the Gallo-Roman period. The chosen name for these cuvées is no accident, nor any false claim to grandeur - ‘Cuvée Royale’ alludes to the historic relationship between Joseph Perrier and Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, as the royals’ Champagne of choice - probably the highest honour any Champagne House can hope to earn.
All the wines are made with a keen focus on freshness and purity, a theme which runs right through the range and really shows its worth in the vintage cuvées which show impressive energy and poise and remarkable ageing potential. Aside from the royal connection, Joseph Perrier has been associated with some pivotal events, which represent great human achievements, from the celebrations around Concorde’s inauguration in 1976 to, more recently, the Noble Prize in Medicine.
Accolades
- Bettane & Desseauve 2020 - 18,5/20
- RVF 2020 - 17,5/20
- Vinum - 19/20
- Decanter - 96 pts
- James Suckling - 92 pts
- Wine Advocate - 90 pts
Specifications
Year | 2014 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 52% Chardonnay and 48% Pinot Noir. |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Champagne |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dosage | 4.5g/l |
Food Matches | The fresh style of Cuvée Josephine works perfectly with a dish such as a carpaccio of Saint-Jacques. It will complement the tender flesh of a sea-bass and intensify its flavours. Its vinosity can balance the richness of smoked game. The ripe fruit can also partner a dessert of candied apricots and nuts, picking up on the rich pastry notes. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
2020 Sunny with a Chance of Flowers Pinot Noir (Zero Sugar and Low Cal)
Regular price £14.79 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%85 Calories | Zero Sugar | 9% Alcohol | Gluten Free | Vegan Friendly | Certified Sustainable
Sunny with a Chance of Flowers is a healthy lifestyle wine created to make you feel good inside and out. Zero sugar, low calorie, low alcohol and flat-out delicious, it seems too good to be true. But Sunny is the real deal – better for you and mindfully made. Sustainably farmed and produced by a family-owned winery in Monterey County, California.
Tasting Notes
Sunny Pinot Noir is a riveting red wine full of juicy berry flavours and pure joy. Sweet black cherries kick off the palate, followed by luscious pomegranate and a hint of toasted oak.
Winemaking
Winemaker Casey Di Cesare likes to say that flavours are made in the vineyard. That’s why our grapes are left to hang on the vine to reach full maturity and flavor development before harvesting. Upon arrival at our estate winery, the grapes are crushed and fermented to dryness, resulting in zero residual sugar. Using proprietary technology, the alcohol is gently pulled from a portion of the wine. The result? A mindfully made wine that is zero sugar, 9% alcohol and 85 calories per serving (about 30% fewer calories than an average serving).
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | United States of America |
Alcohol content
|
9% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 6.75 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Calories |
85 |
Carbohydrates |
3.4g |
Food Matches | The silky-smooth texture of our Sunny Pinot Noir pairs perfectly with rotisserie chicken, tomato basil pasta and grilled burgers, best enjoyed outdoors on the patio at sunset. |
Origin | California |
Appellation | Monterey County |
2019 Fontessa Prosecco Rosé
Regular price £10.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The inaugural Prosecco Rosé - Fontessa has an appealing balance of delicate berry fruit, bright acidity and a refreshing mousse.
Tasting Notes
A fresh and delicately fruity Prosecco Rosé with red berry and floral aromas. Lively on the palate with ripe strawberry and raspberry notes and a clean, refreshing finish.
Production
From selected parcels of Glera grapes grown northeast of Treviso, and with the addition on 10% Pinot Noir, also from the DOC region, to give colour and flavour. Hand-harvested at optimum ripeness to give the required balance between aromatics and good acidity. Gentle pneumatic pressing followed by slow, cool fermentation in stainless steel. Second fermentation takes place in pressure tanks, where the wine spends 2 months on lees.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 90% Glera 10% Pinot Noir |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 11.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.63 units |
Type | Fizz |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Serve chilled - with appetisers, or perfect on its own too. |
Origin | Veneto, Italy |
Appellation | DOC Veneto |
2021 Soumah of the Yarra Valley d'Soumah Pinot Noir
Regular price £16.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Pinot Noir is a very selective grape. It does not like the heat but does like the sun. It likes to be on well-drained soils so not good on flat landscapes. It likes warm days but more important, cold summer nights. It is so demanding that only a few Australian regions can aspire to produce a Pinot Noir of any pedigree...the Yarra Valley being one of them.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Bright, cherry and raspberry aromas are supported by a palate of brooding dark fruit and deep earthy flavours.
Palate
Elegantly balanced on the palate of soft tannins and subtle spice with a lengthy finish
'
Producer
Soumah of the Yarra Valley is a producer of fine wines from the region. A hidden gem located down a country lane, in the dress circle of the cool Warramate foothills of Gruyere. Soumah set out to make wine with the charm of northern Italy but the provenance of the Yarra Valley. Situated an average of 120 meters above sea level, the vineyard is elevated above the valley floor. The ancient sandy-clay loams with broken sandstone shape the small yield and define the detail in these precise, focused expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Production Method
There are four clones of Pinot Noir on Hexham Vineyard and once combined they create a classic, cool climate style wine showing elegance and savoury spice. Fermentation is completed using indigenous yeasts followed by a lengthy maturation in premium French oak to add a layer of earthy complexity.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"More a savoury Pinot than a fruity one. There is good fruit but it’s dark and brooding and overlaid with a smoky oakiness - but it’s the savoury notes that shine through from start to finish. Very well made - smooth and with some complexity held together with soft tannins. Very good value! April 2023
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Grilled spatchcock with braised lentils or roasted mushrooms and pecorino polenta. |
Origin | Victoria |
Appellation | Yarra Valley |
Henners Brut Rose N/V
Regular price £33.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Elegant and beautifully crafted rosé from this highly regarded English sparkling wine producer.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Henners Rosé NV is made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, using the saignée method to draw colour from the grapes at the pressing stage.
Palate
This sparkling rosé delivers classic English red berry fruit flavours including raspberries, redcurrants and rhubarb. A minimum of 18 month ageing on the lees brings a delicate creaminess to the wine.
Producer
When it comes to English wine there’s a lot to shout about, not least the stunning sparkling wines from Henners. Based just 4 miles from the sea in Herstmonceux, East Sussex, the 7 acre vineyard was created in 2007 by ex-Formula One engineer, Lawrence Warr. The winery was named in honour of Larry's French ancestor, Henners Dubois, who was forced to flee Paris for England during the French Revolution in the in the late 18th Century.
Boutinot was the sole distributor of Henners from this time and developed strong ties with the winery and its wines… so when the opportunity arose 10 years later to buy the estate, they jumped at the chance. Planted with traditional Champagne varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the vines thrive in an idyllic microclimate created by the vineyard’s proximity to the sea, low altitude (only 24 metres above sea level) and steep, sunny, south facing slopes.
All Henners wines are hand-crafted from start to finish; with separate fermenting of varietals and their vine clones to allow a broader range of wines for final blending; extended lees ageing for added complexity; and holding back of all bottles for at least 3 years prior to release to add depth and richness to every wine. Hand-crafted with every attention to detail, our winemakers create award winning wines of depth, complexity and elegance that are perfect for any occasion.
Production Method
Henners Rosé is produced solely from grapes grown on our outstanding estate in Herstmonceux, East Sussex. We found the unique combination of warm well drained sandstone soils, a southerly aspect slope coupled with low altitude, three miles from the sea and at just 24m above sea level. Harvest usually takes place in late September. The result is perhaps the finest vineyard microclimate in the country. We take a non-interventionist approach in the winery, made possible by the quality of the fruit. Vine clones and varieties are fermented separately to allow a broad palette of wines for final blending. This wine will have spent a minimum of 18 months on lees at time of release, and a minimum of 5 months in cellar post-disgorgement to create a deliberately vibrant and fresh sparkling Rosé. Dosage of 7.5g/l.
A Note on Sustainability
Already a founder member of WineGB’s Sustainability Programme Henners Vineyard can now announce it is one of just 18 accredited members to have been certified as sustainable by Wine GB. This is an endorsement to Henners’ commitment to winemaking and winery management that have minimal environmental impact, as well as the ongoing promotion of biodiversity in the vineyards and protection of soils. This is no easy task to attain, requiring annual review for accreditation and ongoing improvement in methodology.
Awards - Non Vintage
- IWC 2020 - Silver
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2017 - Gold
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Meunier 65%, Pinot Noir 35% |
Country | England |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Rose Fizz |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan Approved |
Food Matches | Perfect for every occasion - treat yourself. |
Origin | East Sussex |
Appellation | Herstmonceux |
2017 Mac Forbes Coldstream Pinot Noir
Regular price £31.68 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Utterly charming and generous wine from Mac's warmest Pinot site.
An understated, elegant Pinot with fine ripe red fruit well balanced with freshness and hints of spicy oak. Subtle and long, hints of minerality with great purity.
Tasting Notes
Mac has chosen not to provide traditional tasting notes for any of his wines. His aim is that his wines hopefully capture vineyard life and vitality. As such the wines are constantly evolving. He believes that the only tasting notes that matter are yours!
The Wine
"This is our warmest Pinot vineyard," says Mac, "so we are conscious of protecting the fruit from hot prevailing winds and high temperatures. The soils hold much of the afternoon heat so this is usually the first vineyard picked. Due to the increased exposure, this wine displays greater fruit punctuation supported by a firm yet dense tannin bed."
Critical Acclaim
"Mac Forbes’s pinot noirs – not to mention his gorgeous rieslings – are the epitome of elegant freshness, with this equivalent of a Burgundy village all about purity and clarity of red fruit and subtle savouriness."
David Williams, The Observer Magazine, 14th April 2019
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!
Alan's Personal Notes
"This is delicious!! Not many times I reach for a second bottle but I did tonight!! Delicate soft berry fruit, fresh acidity but not overwhelming, soft, supple tannins. Light bodied but with great length, structure and complexity- a true masterpiece!!"
Specifications
Year | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 11.5 alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.63 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Drink until 2027. We recommend decanting this wine prior to serving. (14-16 degrees) |
Maturation | 11 months in old oak |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Coldstream, Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
2017/18 Ataraxia Pinot Noir
Regular price £26.40 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%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.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The wine has an intriguing luminous hue that reflects rather than absorbs light. The svelte nose offers up a fine blend of red cherries, pomegranate, delicate forest floor and a hint of spice and new oak.
Palate
On the palate the wine is sensual and embracing, with a captivating mid-palate depth, lovely transparency and excellent focus on a suavely tannic finish.
In the Cellar and in the Vineyards
Grapes were hand-picked into small crates and then sorted, destemmed and gently crushed at the cellar. A 10 day pre-fermentation cold soak period in open fermenters was followed by a temperature-controlled ferment, peaking at 28°C for a total cuvaison of 22 days. The cap was gently punched down twice a day during alcoholic fermentation. The wine was then pressed and racked to carefully-selected French oak barrels, 22% of which were new and where 100% malolactic fermentation occurred.
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.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Noir |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 13.39 alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 5-10 years |
Ageing |
Aged 11 months in 225L French oak barrels |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Crispy duck pancakes, grilled quail, pulled or char siu pork, tuna. |
Origin | WO Western Cape |
Appellation | Hemel-en-Aarde |
2022 Baleia Pinot Noir
Regular price £13.19 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Baleia is Portuguese for whale and the striking labels are inspired by St Sebastian Bay, the Whale Nursery of South Africa.
Discover a place of whales and wonder, where wines are born from rocky limestone soil in a remote and unspoilt corner of the Cape South Coast.
Here vines overcome fierce elements to create fruit with singular character and depth of flavour. Beyond evocative wine, Baleia is also about finding harmony between self, others and nature in pursuit of life's perfect equilibrium.
Tasting Notes
A Pinot Noir with a bouquet of ripe strawberry, cedar leaf and Cyprus with a palate of sour cherry and Turkish delight. Elegant white meat dishes and warm salads pair well with this wine. Serve slightly chilled. This wine will benefit from decanting.
Winemaking Philosophy
When showcasing this wine amongst some of the top winemakers in South Africa, a comment emerged from the discussion: Baleia will have to re-write the Pinot Noir book with that terroir. Working with such extreme minerality, wind and hard, limestone-rich soils require a refined approach. This is a journey of discovery.
Inoculated with selected yeast strains from Burgundy, France. Primary fermentation in open fermenters with manual punch downs at 22-28 °C. After 8 days of skin contact; pressed directly to Foudre, 3rd fill, and 1 new 300L French oak barrel where malolactic fermentation completes naturally. Matured for 10 months in French oak.
Vineyard Philosophy
Baleia believes that living soils = strong roots = healthy vines = perfectly ripened fruit. They believe that through science and meticulous farming with attention to detail, they can produce grapes that truly reflect the terroir in which they are grown.
Vintage Notes
The 2022 Vintage was characterised by heavy winter rains and a wet Spring which resulted in optimum reserve build-up. A drier flowering and ripening period ensured for a decent crop size.
Accolade
- Jancis Robinson 16.5 points
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content | 12.23% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.17 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | St Sebastian Bay, Cape South Coast |
Appellation | Western Cape |
2019 Ten Minutes by Tractor 'Up The Hill' Estate Pinot Noir
Regular price £46.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Ten Minutes by Tractor started in 1997 with three vineyards in Main Ridge, all ten minutes by tractor apart. Soft and savoury, with impressive length, this is an elegant Mornington Pinot.
Tasting Notes
Perfume and spice dance around licorice, cumquat and lavender notes that are expressed willingly in the glass. The fine mineral tannins groove the palate and complete a well-structured and enjoyable wine, typical of ‘Up the Hill’.
10X wines are sourced from several vineyards on the Mornington Peninsula and are therefore a regional expression of each variety. From shining star Mornington Peninsula winery Ten Minutes By Tractor comes the Estate Up the Hill Pinot Noir. With fruit from four of the wineries impressive vineyard holdings (Wallis, McCutcheon, Spedding and Judd), it is a fresh cool climate Pinot. Made with a blend of whole bunch and whole berry fruit, grapes are harvested by hand and wild fermented. It is matured in a quarter new French oak.
Vintage
Lower than average rainfall and relatively standard temperatures over winter, and cooler temperatures in August and September, led to late budburst (our second latest) and flowering.
However, above-average temperatures and low rainfall during summer meant an early veraison and harvest. The period between flowering and veraison saw our warmest ever average minimum and second warmest maximums. Veraison to harvest was our fourth warmest maximums and our driest (47mm v 136mm average). Five days of above-average temperatures at the beginning of harvest compressed the vintage further. Yields are normal and fruit quality is outstanding.
Fruit was handpicked, fermented on skins in a combination of concrete tanks and stainless steel for 14-21 days. 10% whole bunch fermented & 10 months in a combination of new (18%) and old oak.
Producer
Ten Minutes by Tractor needs little introduction, nor does the man in charge - Martin Spedding. A gently-spoken man with a background in finance and IT, in 2002 he finally acknowledged the fact that his true passion lay in wine. Despite his origins in New South Wales, he simply couldn't get enough of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and would travel down to Victoria to immerse himself in Australia's heartland of these noble varieties. In 2003 he visited one of his favourite small wineries on Mornington Peninsula, and was delighted to discover that it was for sale. Without a moment's hesitation, he snapped it up, and so began Martin's journey with Ten Minutes by Tractor. And what a journey it has been! Along with a trusty team and his loving family, he has overseen the rise of the estate to the cult status it holds today. In 2016 Sandro Mosele (ex-Kooyong and Port Philip Estates) joined the team as head winemaker, only adding to their `force to be reckoned with` status.
The 'home' vineyards (McCutcheon, Wallis and Judd) are the three original vineyards that formed the Ten Minutes By Tractor estate. They are all located in Main Ridge, the coolest and highest part of the Mornington Peninsula. Despite their close proximity and the use of similar vinification methods, the single-vineyard wines are distinctly different from one another. This is a result of their different elevations, orientations and soils. These wines can challenge Burgundy in quality and elegance and range from fine and elegant examples to richer and more opulent cuvées. They are all made with indigenous yeasts and are a true expression of each unique 'terroir'. These much sought after single vineyard wines are only produced in outstanding years and continue to go from strength to strength. Production is usually less than 200 dozen; they are truly limited edition wines. Outside of the original single vineyard range, the newest Coolart Road is remarkably different from the others - coming from the lowest vineyard of them all at 72m, the Pinot Noir made here is markedly different in style from the higher elevation sites. All of the wines are made with the utmost sustainability and are bottled unfined.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Drink now to 2029 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matching |
Roast pork belly and crackling with a fennel salad :: serve at 13- 16 C |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Mornington Peninsula |
Appellation | Victoria |
N/V Schloss Gobelsburg Brut Reserve
Regular price £34.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The Kamptal DAC region is one of the three top wine-growing areas of the Danube region. The estate was founded in the 12th Century by Cistercian monks, who produced wine until the late 1990’s, when Michael Moosbrugger took over.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Yellow with silver reflections.
Nose
Intense, complex nose showing bready, yeast characters and toast.
Palate
Hints of lemon come trough in the mouth with an overall round palate suggesting barrel-fermentation before crisp acidity on the finish.
Production
The base wine of this sparkling is a selection of varieties (Pinot Noir Riesling Grüner Veltliner from throughout the wine estate and its locations. The grapes from Heiligenstein, Gaisberg, Grub and Lamm are harvested at the right moment, laid in small boxes and immediately pressed, whereby only the heart of the basic wine is used.
After six months of cask storage, it is filled into bottles for the second fermentation. It then rests for two to three years on the yeast, which contributes to a creamy texture, until it is turned slightly and riddled by hand, then degorged.
Producer
SCHLOSS GOBELSBURG, a Cistercian monastic estate, is one of the oldest wineries in the Austrian Danube area with a documented history that dates back to 1171. All the vineyards are located on slopes and terraces around the valley of the river Kamp near the town of Langenlois and the village of Gobelsburg. Schloss Gobelsburg specialises in Grüner Veltliner and Riesling and produces authentic and noble wines from different single vineyards, villages, and regional appellations. The winery is a member of the association 'Österreichische Traditionsweingüter', which is working on a vineyard classification project for the Danube area.
Accolades
Wine Enthusiast - 90 points: A hint of straw and fragrant hay appears alongside the citrus notes on the nose. The palate has fresh lively lemony fizz that accentuates the freshness and slenderness of the palate and turns this into an ideal and totally appetizing aperitif.
Gourmet Traveler - 91 points (4/5 stars): NV Schloss Gobelsburg Brut Reserve has an intense, complex nose showing bready, yeast characters and toast. Hints of lemon come through in the mouth with an overall round palate suggesting barrel-fermentation before crisp acidity on the finish. “It is showing hints of development, butter, nuts and croissant,” found Yallop. “Tight structure, ripe and green apple and a thick acid line. A touch of reduction adds interest “
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Noir, Riesling, Grüner Veltliner |
Country | Austria |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Fizz |
Dosage | Brut |
Cellaring Potential | 5-10 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matching | Serve at between 6-8C with fish and seafood or on its own as an aperitif! |
Origin | Kamptal |
Exton Park RB|28 Blanc de Noirs NV
Regular price £39.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Expressive, tropical fruit, white pepper & a touch of richness. A limited production wine, with only small amounts produced each year.
Tasting Notes
Our iconic Blanc de Noirs masters an average of 28 Pinot Noir reserve wines from our library, many from our very earliest plantings, to create a complex and sophisticated sparkling wine. Favoured by gourmets and gastronomes, Exton Park’s Blanc de Noirs is a true showcase for the precision of sparkling Pinot Noir.
Colour
Pale gold in the glass
Nose & Palate
The Blanc de Noirs opens with notes of freshly baked brioche and a touch of lime tree blossom, moving to rich rounded fruit and a long, delicately spiced finish.
Made from 100% Pinot Noir from our single vineyard, this expressive and fruity wine is precise, charming and English to its core.
The Winery
Exton Park is a Hampshire sparkling wine producer with a 60-acre single vineyard planted on a south-facing slope in the South Downs National Park. Their first vines were planted in 2003, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier and their state-of-the-art winery was built in 2011. A luxurious, private event space overlooking the vineyard is also under construction and will be opening later this year. With a 60-acre single vineyard, a bespoke winery and a breath-taking promotional facility all on one estate, Exton Park will be able to offer guests an unrivalled English wine experience.
2021 marks the release of their Reserve Blend range. These are traditional method sparkling wines that challenge classic winemaking conventions. They do not rely on a base vintage like other English sparkling wine producers. Over 80% of each blend is composed from their extensive archive or reserve wines.
The number of reserves in each blend is reflected in the name of each wine. For example, Exton Park RB28 Blanc de Noirs is created from a blend of 28 wines. This unique approach has been pioneered by Head Winemaker Corinne Seeling to ensure consistency, quality and complexity with each bottling.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | England |
Alcohol content | 11.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.63 units |
Residual Sugar | 10.1g/l |
Time of Lees | 3 years minimum |
Type | Fizz |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | This famed expression is favoured by foodies. The perfect accompaniment to nuts as an aperitif, fresh or smoked trout, or sushi. |
Origin | Hampshire |
Pierre Moncuit Cuvée Brut Rosé Grand Cru Mesnil N/V
Regular price £45.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Colour
Salmon pink, with fine and persistent perlage.
Nose
Fresh and mineral, with notes of red berries and brioche.
Palate
Elegant, clean and juicy, with savory aromas.
History
The Moncuit family has been making superb champagne in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, for more than 100 years. Pierre Moncuit had recognised the intrinsic quality of his terroir and, together with his wife Odile, strove to make the best possible champagnes from his grapes. Nicole Moncuit and her brother Yves, along with her daughter Valérie, are now in charge of the domaine and make sublimely complex, delicate wines from 20 hectares of Grand Cru vineyards. The palate of the Cuvée Pierre Moncuit Delos Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is delicate and refined with citrus fruit and yeasty notes. It is perfect as an apéritif. The vintage Cuvée Millésimée Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is an outstanding wine, truly representative of the perfect vintage conditions and expressing the full potential of the terroir and the grapes. The Vintage wines are always aged for between 5-10 years. The Grand Cru Brut Rosé is made from 75% Chardonnay from Le Mesnil and 25% Vin Rouge d’Ambonnay
Awards
- The Champagne Brut Rosé Grand Cru by Pierre Moncuit won the Silver Medal at the Concours Mondial du Rosé 2015
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 75% Chardonnay and 25% Vin Rouge d`Ambonnay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Champagne |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment but can be cellared for 3-4 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dosage | 8g/L |
Food Matches | Wonderful as an aperitif but also with bowls of fruit and sabayon. |
Serving Suggestion | To be served between 8 and 10°C. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
2019 Tohu Awatere Valley Pinot Noir
Regular price £18.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Colour
A bright ruby hue in the glass
Nose
Aromatic layers of red fruit and spicy florals with hints of crushed herbs.
Palate
The palate is smoothly textured with flavours of bright cherry, red berries and finely integrated French oak. Mid-weight on the palate, this wine is balanced with refined silky tannins that lead to a long and elegant finish.
Vinification
Grapes for this wine are handpicked at optimal ripeness before being transported back to the winery for processing. Once at the winery the fruit is gently destemmed and then lightly crushed using state of the art processing equipment. Batch fermented according to block and clone in small open-top fermenters, the must undergo a cold soak lasting around 7 days before being warmed and inoculated either with selected yeasts or left to undergo a ‘wild’ ferment using indigenous yeasts found naturally on the grapes.
Once fermentation is complete the wine undergoes a short period of post-fermentation maturation on skins before being pressed directly to a combination old and new French barriques. These barrels are kept cool in a temperature controlled cellar over the winter months, before being warmed in spring, allowing the wine to undergo a secondary malolactic fermentation. Barrels are carefully monitored over this period and once the malolactic fermentation is determined to be 100% complete the final blend is carefully put together before being filtered and bottled in late March
Producer
Tohu produces award-winning New Zealand wine crafted from grapes grown in our breathtakingly beautiful, Awatere Valley vineyard. When Tohu launched in 1998 we were the world's first Maori-owned wine company. Since then we’ve grown a reputation for producing premium wine in a range of varieties, winning awards for our Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Méthode Traditionnelle.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | New Zealand |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches |
Portobello mushrooms, bacon on sourdough bruschetta with roasted garlic and drizzled truffle oil |
Appellation | Marlborough |
2020 MOKOBlack Pinot Noir Marlborough
Regular price £15.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Nose
This Pinot Noir reveals a bright nose of fresh cherries and raspberry jelly.
Palate
On the palate, there's dark cherry flavours with a lick of oak.
Production
Our Pinot Noir came from 2 vineyards - 87% Rapaura Gravels and 13% Omaka Valley clay soils which included a number of clones, 667,777,115, Abel and Clone 5. Both vineyards were pruned to 2 cane VSP and yields were naturally around the 7T/Ha mark. After green thinning on the vine the fruit was harvested over a period of 10 days from late March through to early April. Each parcel was kept separate and fermented in small open-top tanks and hand plunged up to 4 times daily. Post pressing, wine was sent to a mixture of stainless steel and French oak for Malo and ageing.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | New Zealand |
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 |
Serve slightly chilled with delicate, rich and aromatic food such as duck dim sums, tempura fried vegetables and oriental salads. |
Appellation | Marlborough |
2019 Domaine Roblin Sancerre Rouge 'Terres Blanches'
Regular price £24.50 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A fresh bright and charming expression of Loire Pinot Noir.
Tasting Notes
Warm, red berry fruit characterizes this fresh Pinot Noir. Ripe tannins are balanced by fresh acidity and subtle oak on the finish.
Method of Production
Grapes are grown on 15-year-old vines, planted at 8,000 vines per hectare on clay and chalk soils with areas of Portlandian clay. Yields are usually between 40 and 50hl/ha. The grapes are 100% destemmed after harvest and are allowed to cold soak for several days before temperature-controlled fermentation. Pigeages and pump-overs take place during maceration, which lasts between 20 and 30 days depending upon the vintage. Malolactic fermentation is carried out in cuves and demi-muids, followed by ageing for 10 to 12 months. This wine is bottled straight from the barrel without fining or filtration.
Producer
The small village of Maimbray, just to the north of Sancerre itself, is home to both Domaine Roblin and to Domaine du Pré Semelé. In fact the Roblins are just across the road from the Raimbaults and share a similar story of two brothers – 4th generation Matthias and Emile in this case – taking over from their father and implementing new ideas to move the family Domaine forward.
They have a total of 19 hectares of vines with a terroir made up of Kimmeridgian and Portlandian chalky clay (Terres Blanches) soils, spread across 45 separate parcels of vines, on the slopes around the villages of Maimbray and Sury-en-Vaux. Their vineyards are planted with 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Pinot Noir, and in the winery their intervention is minimal: gravity does the work of pumps, and the wines see long lees ageing. The wine style is very pure, fruit-forward yet fine, and really top quality.
Sustainability
Vineyards are worked with the greatest of respect to the environment; no chemical pesticides or herbicides are used; carbon dioxide emissions are kept as low as possible; there is crop cover between rows of vines to help combat soil erosion, and green harvesting is practised to restrain yields and improve ripeness. Although not yet HVE accredited or certified organic, the Roblins employ many of the practices of both.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
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 |
Food Matching |
Would work deliciously with a well-ripened Brie or Camembert. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Sustainable farming methods, Vegan & Vegetarian |
Origin | Loire |
Appellation | Sancerre |
2017 Mac Forbes EB38 'Showdown' #2 Pinot Noir, Syrah
Regular price £26.40 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Drink this slightly chilled for a super Summer red.
Tasting Notes
Mac has chosen not to provide traditional tasting notes for any of his wines. His aim is that his wines hopefully capture vineyard life and vitality. As such the wines are constantly evolving. He believes that the only tasting notes that matter are yours!
Mac Forbes loves to tinker with new blends in his EB ('experimental batch') range: 2016 was Nebbiolo/Pinot, 2017 Pinot/Syrah.
This meeting of varieties was made famous in the Hunter Valley where some of the country's greatest wines were made half a century ago. Mac brings the blend to the Yarra with great results. The richness and spiciness of the Syrah, the prettiness of the Pinot, the varieties get along brilliantly.
Slippery, spicy, floral and delicious, this is one experiment that has definitely paid dividends for Mac.
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 | 2017 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Noir & Syrah |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Now - 2024 |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matching | BBQ lamb chops. |
Origin | Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
Champagne CH de L’Auche Brut Sélection N/V
Regular price £25.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A great, well rounded, fruit-forward Champagne!
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromatic notes of juicy pear and apricot on the nose are underpinned by more mature aromas of hazelnut and fresh bread.
Palate
The texture is creamy and full-bodied with well-balanced acidity and plenty of bubbles!
Production
Grapes for this cuvée are grown in the lieu-dit of "Auche" around the village of Janvry which lies just to the west of Reims. Firstly they are pressed in small stainless steel vats, before being transferred to ceramic vats for 12 hours to allow for natural clarification of the juice. Next, the clarified juice is moved to large steel containers where it remains from September to March, during which time fermentation takes place before finally being bottled for the secondary fermentation and lees ageing. Dosage is between 9g and 10g per litre to give a richness of profile and this Brut Sélection is comprised of 60% wine from 2017 with 40% reserve wines from 2014-2016.
Producer
The Cave Co-opérative de Germigny was created in the early '60s by a handful of winegrowers who wanted to pool their resources and craft their own Champagne. They aimed to celebrate the local terroir - the western slopes of the Montagne de Reims. Today the Co-operative works 115 hectares of vineyards covering 40 different crus, of which 5 are classified as Premier Cru. The Co-op members remain passionate about their shared values of respect for nature, protecting their heritage and working together.
Awards
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2022 - Silver
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 - Bronze
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Meunier 85%, Pinot Noir 15% |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Champagne |
Dosage | 9g/l |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | A highly versatile style of champagne which could accompany canapés, mushroom-based starters, cheese and all manner of poultry dishes. Although, simply sipping it as an aperitif works very well too. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
2020 Vistamar Single Estate Pinot Noir
Regular price £8.79 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
Fresh red fruits such as raspberries, lightly spicy notes, herbs, and damp earth.
Palate
The palate is very fresh with good balance between acidity and a fine weave of tannins. With notes of red berries, cloves, dark chocolate and a delicate finish of roasted coffee beans.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 93% Pinot Noir, 7% Chardonnay |
Country | Chile |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Dietary Information | Vegetarian & Vegan friendly - Certified Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Goes very well with lean meats, duck, turkey and legumes |
Origin | Casablanca |
Appellation | Casablanca Valley |
2018 Mac Forbes Yarra Junction Pinot Noir
Regular price £31.68 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Succulent, vibrant single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Mac Forbes. A fine-boned Pinot of great elegance and finesse - a real crowd pleaser!
Tasting Notes
Mac has chosen not to provide traditional tasting notes for any of his wines. His aim is that his wines hopefully capture vineyard life and vitality. As such the wines are constantly evolving. He believes that the only tasting notes that matter are yours!
The Wine
The Yarra Junction Pinot Noir is the softest and perhaps the most generous of the 2018 suite of single-vineyard wines from Mac Forbes. It feels like the vintage has given it an extra width, not something generally associated with Mac's exquisitely fine-boned Pinot Noir expression. The perfume is sweet and floral, the mouthfeel is light and devastatingly easy to drink. It's the wine that you won't be able to keep your hands off.
The Vineyard
Yarra Junction is his coolest site located in the far eastern Yarra Valley, next to Wesburn. Situated on gravelly soils, this northeastern site receives cooling influences of the surrounding mountains and is protected from the afternoon sun. Yarra Junction will appeal to those who prefer a more accessible style. It offers femininity and fragility almost within the context of a classic European Pinot.
The Vintage
2018 growing season was broken into two halves. With a wet winter and spring, the vines surged into summer with good vigour and available soil moisture (coupled with high disease pressure). Summer shifted gear into above-average temperatures and below-average rainfall.
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 | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content | 11.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.25 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Drink until 2027 - we recommend decanting this wine prior to serving (14-16° C). |
Maturation | 11 months in old oak |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Yarra Valley |
Appellation | Victoria |
2019 Paul Wallace Braveheart Pinot Noir
Regular price £25.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The name is a tribute to William Wallace, a man of great principle and heart, who we would like to believe is one of our ancestors. It is also a play on the Pinot Noir cultivar’s nickname – the Heart Break grape!
Tasting Notes
Colour
The Brave Heart Pinot Noir proudly introduces itself with a bright ruby red colour enticing you to explore it further.
Nose
A complex nose defined by a combination of ripe black and sour red cherries, watermelon and white pepper, together with a hint of salinity prepares your tastebuds for a sensorial sensation.
Palate
The palate reveals cherry and cranberry, supported by a spicy core that is further embellished by fine silky tannins imparted by the subtle use of Burgundian oak barriques. Finishes with a lovely, lingering aftertaste so typical of Elgin's cool climate Pinot Noirs.
Winery
Paul Wallace Wines is a small family-run business with the farm located in Elgin, previously best known for its apples and pears, which is one of the most exciting developing wine regions within the South African wine industry and indeed internationally.
Vinification
The 2019 Paul Wallace Brave Heart Pinot Noir is our seventh vintage. The name is a tribute to William Wallace, a man of great principle and heart, who we would like to believe is one of our ancestors. It is also a play on the Pinot Noir cultivar’s nickname – the Heart Break grape. Fortunately, our 2019 Pinot Noir offering has once again captured our hearts and is anything but a disappointment. Production was very limited – only 10 barrels / 2400 liters of this vintage were vinified.
Pristine grapes (Clone PN115, Guyot pruned) selected from three different slopes on our farm Wallovale Vineyards, were vinified with much love and gentle attention at the Almenkerk Wine Estate. Whole berry fermented in open fermenters, basket pressed and taken to barrel where it completes malolactic fermentation. After 10 months on wood (20% new wood, 45% second fill, 35% third and fourth fill), the wine was prepared for bottling. Bottling date: 7th February 2020.
Accolade
- National Wine Challenge 2020 - Double Silver
- IWSC 2020 - Bronze Medal
- Michelangelo International Wine Awards – Bronze
- Platter Wine Guide 2021 – 4*
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12.3% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.2 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Brave Heart Pinot Noir is so very versatile and will complement a wide range of foods. Too delicate to serve with a curry or very creamy dish but superb with plum-glazed duck, roast turkey, chicken dishes, mushroom risotto, or a beautiful side of salmon. It is recommended that in the hot summer months you serve this wine ever so slightly chilled. |
Origin | Elgin |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2021 De Grendel Op die Berg Pinot Noir
Regular price £21.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A consistent winner of both national and international wine awards, our Pinot Noir is nourished by the unique ‘terroir’ of the Graaff family farm in the Witzenberg Mountain range in Ceres. A fabulous vintage!
Tasting Notes
Clear, bright garnet in colour with a plush array of fresh strawberries, ripe cherries, and a hint of forest mushrooms. A complex wine delivering excellent balance between fruit and oak flavours.
Vintage
High on the Witzenberg Mountain range in Ceres, at an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level, this unique ‘appellation’ exhibits South Africa’s only truly continental climate with winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. The later-than-usual and slow harvest of 2021 was definitely worth the wait.
Wine lovers can really look forward to remarkable wines from the 2021 crop. The cooler weather enabled producers to harvest their grapes at exactly the right time, and we are especially excited about good colour extraction, low pH levels and high natural acidity, which all point to exceptional quality wines. These growing conditions ensure that the new 2021 Op Die Berg Pinot Noir will age remarkably well over the next few years.
Vinification
30% of the hand-picked harvested batch was destalked while the remaining 70% was whole-bunch fermented. Before fermentation, cold maceration was allowed for 4 days. The juice was inoculated with yeast and the fermenting must gently, and only partially, punched down twice a day using the aerated pumpover method. The partial punch-down ensures a longer fermentation period resulting in more colour and flavour development. Following a gentle basket pressing, the wine was transferred to new French Oak barrels for malolactic fermentation before being transferred to a combination of older barrels to mature for 13 months.
Accolades
2021 Vintage
- Veritas Awards 2022 Double Gold
2020 Vintage
- IWSC 2022 Silver (90 Points)
- Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards 2022 Gold
- SA Terroir Wine Awards 2022 National Winner
- Tim Atkin Report 2022 90 Points
2019 Vintage
- Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2021 Gold
- Platter's Guide 2022 4 ½ Stars (94 Points)
- Veritas Awards 2021 Gold
- Winemag Pinot Noir Report 2021 Top 10 (93 Points)
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Mushroom risotto will complement the earthy notes of the wine beautifully. Pinot Noir is light and elegant enough to be enjoyed with poached salmon or even a leek and pecorino tart. Also try it with chicken liver fettuccine, cripsy duck, and trout. |
Origin | Ceres |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
Joseph Perrier Cuvée Royale Brut Rosé Champagne NV (375ml Half Bottle)
Regular price £22.87 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The Drinks Business Gold Medal Winner
'Aged on the lees for 3-to-5 years in cellars dug out of ancient Gallo-Roman chalk pits, this rosé Champagne is serious, and seriously delicious. Displaying a medium ‘vieux rose’ hue and narrow cordon, the wine exudes summer pudding fruits and fresh bread notes. On the palate, the wine shows finesse in its light body, zippy acidity and ‘crackling’ mousse texture. Nicely balanced with good length. Quite vinous, this wine is a lovely aperitif but will also work well with wild salmon or even light desserts.' Patricia Stefanowicz MW
Tasting Notes
This champagne has a special place in the history of the House. It is from a family plot of Pinot Noir in Cumières that this precious red wine comes, giving our blend a unique personality.
Colour
An elegant light pink colour with shards of gold. Extremely delicate, lively and regular bubbles.
Nose
The first aroma reveals gourmet aromas of cherries and red currents, followed by notes of blood orange after aeration.
Palate
Delicately straightforward in the mouth. Flavours of wild strawberries enhanced by notes of mint produce a freshness combined with a very pleasant sweetness.
History
Founded in 1825, Joseph Perrier has been owned and run by the same family since 1888. Current director Benjamin Fourmon represents the 6th generation. Champagne Joseph Perrier owns 21 hectares of vineyards, situated in the heart of the region on the right bank of the River Marne, around Hautvillers and Cumières – two villages classed 93% in the ‘échelle des crus’.
They are mostly planted with Pinot Noir but include 2 hectares of Chardonnay. The cellars stretch over three kilometers and date back to the Gallo-Roman period. The chosen name for these cuvées is no accident, nor any false claim to grandeur - ‘Cuvée Royale’ alludes to the historic relationship between Joseph Perrier and Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, as the royals’ Champagne of choice - probably the highest honour any Champagne House can hope to earn.
All the wines are made with a keen focus on freshness and purity, a theme which runs right through the range and really shows its worth in the vintage cuvées which show impressive energy and poise and remarkable ageing potential. Aside from the royal connection, Joseph Perrier has been associated with some pivotal events, which represent great human achievements, from the celebrations around Concorde’s inauguration in 1976 to, more recently, the Noble Prize in Medicine.
Aged for 3 years, the Cuvée Royale Brut of Maison Joseph Perrier brings together more than 20 different vintages with great terroirs such as Cumières, Damery, Hautvillers and Verneuil.
Accolades
- Gold Medal - The Drinks Business
- Vinum: 17/20
- The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships: Silver
Specifications
Year | Non-vintage |
Bottle Size | 375ml |
Cultivar | 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier, of which about 10% is red wine from our own vineyards in Cumières. |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Champagne |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dosage |
7g/L |
Food Matches | With its strong personality based upon a vinous and robust fruity heart combined fresh fragrances, this wine is perfect as a summer aperitif, or as a partner to white meats, a dish of wild salmon, and desserts that are not too sweet. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |