Guy's Wine Club Tasting Notes

Welcome to Guy's Wine Club Tasting notes.

Please click the month to see the tasting notes and receipt ideas.

Month 14

The sun is out, and spring is in the air! Birds fill the trees, and everyone seems to immediately get at least 20% happier, isn’t it lovely! 

The Wines

Granbazán Etiqueta Ambar Albariño

Country

Portugal

Grape

Albariño

Vintage

2023

Style

Dry white

Tasting Notes

Fresh almost tropical aromas then stone fruit and citrus on the palate with a creamy texture, mineral notes, vibrant acidity and classic saline characters. Quite ripe and complex in style but with fresh balancing acidity and a classic saline character. This is an absolute benchmark Albariño from one of the top producers - the '23 vintage being oe of the best in recent memory, according to winemaker Diego Ríos.

Food Matching

Grilled fish and seafood, a near perfect match.

Vinification

Produced from 100% estate-grown Albariño sourced from the warmest plots of Finca Tremoedo vineyard in Vilanova de Arousa - just a kilometre from the sea. The vines are around 35 years old, and are pergola-trained in sandy granite soils. Grapes are hand-harvested into 17kg crates. All free-run juice, with long skin contact (12 hours) and fermentation in stainless steel using indigenous yeasts. The wine is aged on fine lees for 8 months.

The Wines

Primitivo Cantele

Country

Italy

Grape

Primitivo

Vintagb

2023

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Ruby red color with a garnet edge. Mineral aromas emerge on the nose and a fruity range of cherry, black cherry and plum that is enriched with delicate floral and spicy notes in the finish.

Food Matching

Red meat, Meat ragout, Aged cheeses

Vinification

Once the harvest operations are completed in the last decade of August, the vinification in the cellar takes place with maceration of 6-8 days in contact with the skins, at a controlled temperature of 22-24 ° C. Maturation in barriques for about 6 months follows.

Mano a Mano Tempranillo

Country

Spain

Grape

Tempranillo

Vintage

2019

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Cherry, black berries, violets and cassis mingle with smoked meat and black pepper on the nose; an intensely structured wine with robust flavours, dark dense fruits and a mineral yet juicy finish.

Food Matching

Serve with lamb, or chicken and chorizo dishes.

Vinification

The Tempranillo grapes are sourced from 30 year old vines. The wine is aged for 6 months in French oak.

Alasia Barolo

Country

Italy

Grape

Nebbiolo

Vintage

2020

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

A fine, expressive style with Barolo's classic combination of mature, lightly floral aromas with richness and structure. Dark plum, leather and delicate violet aromas, plus notes of woodsmoke and brown spice. A full, firm and ripe red with rich, powerful flavours. All balanced by ripe tannins, complex savoury notes and a long finish.

Food Matching

Decant and drink with roasted red meats and game.

Vinification

Vines are trained on a low Guyot trellis at 4-5,000 vines/ha. The grapes were hand-harvested, de-stemmed and then crushed to small fermenters, for 12 days, with daily pumping-over. The wine was drained off at dryness, and the skins transferred to a small press. After pressing the wine was settled for two days, and then racked to stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation. After three years maturation in 50hl Slavonian oak casks it was racked from oak and gently fined.

Castel Serranova Fiano

Country

Italy

Grape

Fiano

Vintage

2023

Style

Dry white

Tasting Notes

Aromas of white flowers, tropical fruit and citrus. The palate is fresh, bright and well-structured with pear and apricot characters balanced by lightly savoury notes.

Food Matching

Chicken Apulia pasta or stuffed aubergine

Vinification

The Fiano grapes are sourced from a 5 hectare vineyard with limestone-clay soils in the Carovigno area, near Tenuta Castel Serranova. They are hand-harvested in the first half of September, de-stemmed and pressed with a short pre-fermentative cryomaceration. Then they undergo temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless-steel for 20 days. The wine stays in stainless steel, on fine lees, for 4 months before bottling.

The Wines

Primitivo Cantele

Country

Italy

Grape

Primitivo

Vintagb

2023

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Ruby red color with a garnet edge. Mineral aromas emerge on the nose and a fruity range of cherry, black cherry and plum that is enriched with delicate floral and spicy notes in the finish.

Food Matching

Red meat, Meat ragout, Aged cheeses

Vinification

Once the harvest operations are completed in the last decade of August, the vinification in the cellar takes place with maceration of 6-8 days in contact with the skins, at a controlled temperature of 22-24 ° C. Maturation in barriques for about 6 months follows.

Mano a Mano Tempranillo

Country

Spain

Grape

Tempranillo

Vintage

2019

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Cherry, black berries, violets and cassis mingle with smoked meat and black pepper on the nose; an intensely structured wine with robust flavours, dark dense fruits and a mineral yet juicy finish.

Food Matching

Serve with lamb, or chicken and chorizo dishes.

Vinification

The Tempranillo grapes are sourced from 30 year old vines. The wine is aged for 6 months in French oak.

Alasia Barolo

Country

Italy

Grape

Nebbiolo

Vintage

2020

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

A fine, expressive style with Barolo's classic combination of mature, lightly floral aromas with richness and structure. Dark plum, leather and delicate violet aromas, plus notes of woodsmoke and brown spice. A full, firm and ripe red with rich, powerful flavours. All balanced by ripe tannins, complex savoury notes and a long finish.

Food Matching

Decant and drink with roasted red meats and game.

Vinification

Vines are trained on a low Guyot trellis at 4-5,000 vines/ha. The grapes were hand-harvested, de-stemmed and then crushed to small fermenters, for 12 days, with daily pumping-over. The wine was drained off at dryness, and the skins transferred to a small press. After pressing the wine was settled for two days, and then racked to stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation. After three years maturation in 50hl Slavonian oak casks it was racked from oak and gently fined.

Domaine du Pré Baron Sauvignon Blanc Vieilles Vignes

Country

France

Grape

Sauvignon Blanc

Vintage

2023

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

The nose is heady and herbaceous. The wine has significant palate weight, almost New World in style, with ripe passionfruit complemented by that herbaceous edge again. Very rounded with a rich texture and long finish.

Food Matching

Fish or chicken in a creamy sauce

Vinification

Hand-picked, carefully selected estate fruit from the best parcels of old vines, 30-35 years old, grown on gentle south-facing slopes with sandy gravel soils. 20-25% of the harvest will be macerated on the skins, depending on the characteristics of the vintage. This is followed a slow fermentation at 18°C for three weeks in stainless steel vats. There is no malolactic fermentation. Wines are matured on their fine lees until bottling in the following spring.

The Wines

Primitivo Cantele

Country

Italy

Grape

Primitivo

Vintage

2023

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Ruby red color with a garnet edge. Mineral aromas emerge on the nose and a fruity range of cherry, black cherry and plum that is enriched with delicate floral and spicy notes in the finish.

Food Matching

Red meat, Meat ragout, Aged cheeses

Vinification

Once the harvest operations are completed in the last decade of August, the vinification in the cellar takes place with maceration of 6-8 days in contact with the skins, at a controlled temperature of 22-24 ° C. Maturation in barriques for about 6 months follows.

Mano a Mano Tempranillo

Country

Spain

Grape

Tempranillo

Vintage

2019

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Cherry, black berries, violets and cassis mingle with smoked meat and black pepper on the nose; an intensely structured wine with robust flavours, dark dense fruits and a mineral yet juicy finish.

Food Matching

Serve with lamb, or chicken and chorizo dishes.

Vinification

The Tempranillo grapes are sourced from 30 year old vines. The wine is aged for 6 months in French oak.

Alasia Barolo

Country

Italy

Grape

Nebbiolo

Vintage

2020

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

A fine, expressive style with Barolo's classic combination of mature, lightly floral aromas with richness and structure. Dark plum, leather and delicate violet aromas, plus notes of woodsmoke and brown spice. A full, firm and ripe red with rich, powerful flavours. All balanced by ripe tannins, complex savoury notes and a long finish.

Food Matching

Decant and drink with roasted red meats and game.

Vinification

Vines are trained on a low Guyot trellis at 4-5,000 vines/ha. The grapes were hand-harvested, de-stemmed and then crushed to small fermenters, for 12 days, with daily pumping-over. The wine was drained off at dryness, and the skins transferred to a small press. After pressing the wine was settled for two days, and then racked to stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation. After three years maturation in 50hl Slavonian oak casks it was racked from oak and gently fined.

Month 13

Spring is around the corner.

The Wines

Bottega Vinai Pinot Grigio

Country

Italy

Grape

Pinot Grigio

Vintage

2023

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

Lightly honeyed spicy nose with distinct floral, apple and citrus notes. Added complexity from white spice, honey and almond characters. On the palate it shows ripe fruit and lightly nutty flavours balanced by crisp, lemony acidity. Good weight and texture through to the finish.

Food Matching

Excellent with seafood risottos, baked fish and cold white meats.

Vinification

Cultivated Made from Pinot Grigio grapes grown in the Valle dei Laghi, a valley with a sub-Mediterranean climate and medium fertile, well-drained soils. Grape yield is medium low (70 hl/ha). The grapes are softly pressed and fermented in stainless steel and a controlled temperature of 20 degrees Centigrade. The wine is matured in stainless steel tanks for 4 months before bottling. Vinification is carried out off the skins and the must is obtained from a soft crushing of the whole bunches, to prevent the pink colour of the skins from being extracted. Selected yeast and a controlled temperature of 20 degrees C are used to aid fermentation. Maturation for 4 months in stainless steel vats before bottling. the Monferrato hills in the south of the province of Asti, Piemonte on southwest facing vineyards at altitudes between 250 and 400m. The soils here are a rich combination of limestone and clay. 100% tank fermented under temperature control with 3 months on the lees.

The Wines

Pyren Vineyard Earthscape Cabernet Franc

Country

Australia

Grape

Cabernet Franc 100%

Vintagb

2021

Style

Medium-bodied

Tasting Notes

Aromas of violet flora and raspberry. Raspberry fruit continues on the palate, together with strawberry, cacao and white pepper. Tannin is subtle and integrated, weaving through fruit and lightly toasted oak.

Food Matching

Turkey pairs well along with roast lamb and an earthy mushroom risotto.

Vinification

The Earthscape label is named according to the lie of the land on which Pyren is planted, from the soil structure in its quartz laden mass, to the rolling valleys, and skyward facing peaks. 50 % whole berry and 50% whole bunch carbonic maceration. Wild yeast fermentation. Aged exclusively in 2nd/3rd use Hungarian 500L barrels for 6-8 months.

Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Mourvèdre

Country

America

Grape

Mourvèdre

Vintage

2022

Style

Medium-full bodied

Tasting Notes

Distinct and luscious. Flavours of dark plum,cherry liqueurs, cola cube and old fashioned root beer leads to complex flavours of integrated oak, spice and a smooth and juicy finish. A wine which combines plenty of ripe cherry fruit with a unique soul and character.

Food Matching

This scrumptious and unusually delightful wine goes exceptionally well with grilled lamb or pork, sautéed asparagus and curried deviled eggs. Also fab with rack of lamb, duck confit are steak tartare.

Vinification

The Ancient Vines Mourvèdre draws from some of our oldest, most historic and shyest-bearing vineyards. These blocks produce fruit of stunning concentration as a result of sensitive farming practices, the singular Oakley terroir, and an unique cooling band of air that flows in from the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers. By naturally restricting yields to only 2 to 3 tonnes per acre, we achieve a sublime expression of the Mourvèdre fruit. These grapes hold characteristics of dark, dusty berry fruit that makes their Ancient Vines Mourvèdre so lustrous. Individual lots of grapes were harvested separately according to ripeness and balance of acidity. Grapes undergo total de-stemming and a very gentle crushing to ensure a large proportion of whole berries in the must. Fermentation occurred in stainless steel tanks with select cultured yeasts. It was then maintained at the ideal temperature to aid in the extraction of flavor and colour. The wine was pressed off its skins at dryness before being racked to dark toasted American Oak (approximately 30% new) where it was gently aged for 10 months and then stored in neutral cooperage.

The Laughing Magpie, d'Arenberg

Country

Australia

Grape

Shiraz 93% -Viognier 7%

Vintage

2018

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

A Shiraz-Viognier blend from this well-known South Australian producer, predominantly a mouthful of black plum, earth and spice, with a pleasing hit of black olive, sage and dried herbs adding complexity on the finish.

Food Matching

Barbecued meats, steaks, rich meat dishes.

Vinification

Small batches of grapes are gently crushed and then transferred to open fermenters, where the Viognier and Shiraz are co-fermented. Foot treading is undertaken two thirds of the way through fermentation, the wine is basket pressed and transferred to a mixture of old French and American oak to complete fermentation and mature. The barrel ferments are aged on lees, there is no racking until final blending and no fining or filtration.

The Stump Jump Riesling, d'Arenberg

Country

Australia

Grape

Riesling

Vintage

2023

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

Lovely aromatic wine, fully ripened with extraordinary natural acidities were the norm. The Stump Jump Riesling is loaded with notes of frangipani and citrus. The palate also displays white floral notes, combining nicely with ruby grapefruit and fresh lime characters.

Food Matching

Cold salads, sashimi

Vinification

After passing through the rubber-toothed crusher, the juice is extracted from the skins via a basket press. This gentle process ensures the wine maintains its natural delicacy. Fermentation is long and cool, using neutral yeasts that enhance the natural aromatics in temperature-controlled vessels.

The Wines

Pyren Vineyard Earthscape Cabernet Franc

Country

Australia

Grape

Cabernet Franc 100%

Vintagb

2021

Style

Medium-bodied

Tasting Notes

Aromas of violet flora and raspberry. Raspberry fruit continues on the palate, together with strawberry, cacao and white pepper. Tannin is subtle and integrated, weaving through fruit and lightly toasted oak.

Food Matching

Turkey pairs well along with roast lamb and an earthy mushroom risotto.

Vinification

The Earthscape label is named according to the lie of the land on which Pyren is planted, from the soil structure in its quartz laden mass, to the rolling valleys, and skyward facing peaks. 50 % whole berry and 50% whole bunch carbonic maceration. Wild yeast fermentation. Aged exclusively in 2nd/3rd use Hungarian 500L barrels for 6-8 months.

Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Mourvèdre

Country

America

Grape

Mourvèdre

Vintage

2022

Style

Medium-full bodied

Tasting Notes

Distinct and luscious. Flavours of dark plum,cherry liqueurs, cola cube and old fashioned root beer leads to complex flavours of integrated oak, spice and a smooth and juicy finish. A wine which combines plenty of ripe cherry fruit with a unique soul and character.

Food Matching

This scrumptious and unusually delightful wine goes exceptionally well with grilled lamb or pork, sautéed asparagus and curried deviled eggs. Also fab with rack of lamb, duck confit are steak tartare.

Vinification

The Ancient Vines Mourvèdre draws from some of our oldest, most historic and shyest-bearing vineyards. These blocks produce fruit of stunning concentration as a result of sensitive farming practices, the singular Oakley terroir, and an unique cooling band of air that flows in from the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers. By naturally restricting yields to only 2 to 3 tonnes per acre, we achieve a sublime expression of the Mourvèdre fruit. These grapes hold characteristics of dark, dusty berry fruit that makes their Ancient Vines Mourvèdre so lustrous. Individual lots of grapes were harvested separately according to ripeness and balance of acidity. Grapes undergo total de-stemming and a very gentle crushing to ensure a large proportion of whole berries in the must. Fermentation occurred in stainless steel tanks with select cultured yeasts. It was then maintained at the ideal temperature to aid in the extraction of flavor and colour. The wine was pressed off its skins at dryness before being racked to dark toasted American Oak (approximately 30% new) where it was gently aged for 10 months and then stored in neutral cooperage.

The Laughing Magpie, d'Arenberg

Country

Australia

Grape

Shiraz 93% -Viognier 7%

Vintage

2018

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

A Shiraz-Viognier blend from this well-known South Australian producer, predominantly a mouthful of black plum, earth and spice, with a pleasing hit of black olive, sage and dried herbs adding complexity on the finish.

Food Matching

Barbecued meats, steaks, rich meat dishes.

Vinification

Small batches of grapes are gently crushed and then transferred to open fermenters, where the Viognier and Shiraz are co-fermented. Foot treading is undertaken two thirds of the way through fermentation, the wine is basket pressed and transferred to a mixture of old French and American oak to complete fermentation and mature. The barrel ferments are aged on lees, there is no racking until final blending and no fining or filtration.

Montresor Valpolicella Ripasso ‘Capitel della Crosara’

Country

Italy

Grape

Corvina 70%, Rondinella 20%, Molinara 10%

Vintage

2020

Style

Medium-bodied

Tasting Notes

A warm, inviting, richly fruity nose, with aromas of fresh morello cherry, ripe plum and hints of dried fruits. The palate is similarly full-flavoured with concentrated, crunchy black cherry, brown spice and vanilla notes and a hint of liquorice. The long finish has the classic bitter cherry fruit finish typical of ripasso.

Food Matching

Try with lamb shank, calf's liver or a mushroom pasta dish. Hard cheeses would also suit.

Vinification

The grapes are cultivated on traditional trellised vines planted in marl soil at Montresor's 'Capitel della Crosara' vineyard on the hills of Negrar within the Classico zone. Grapes are picked by hand in October. Made by the Ripasso (literally 'repassed') method, which involves adding the unpressed skins from the dried grapes which were used to make an Amarone to a young Valpolicella wine. This helps to add extra flavour and alcohol to the wine (causing it to start re-fermenting) and gradually the luscious flavours of Amarone are imparted to the wine. After this the wine is aged for 12 months in French and American oak casks along with some small barriques.

The Wines

Pyren Vineyard Earthscape Cabernet Franc

Country

Australia

Grape

Cabernet Franc 100%

Vintage

2021

Style

Medium-bodied

Tasting Notes

Aromas of violet flora and raspberry. Raspberry fruit continues on the palate, together with strawberry, cacao and white pepper. Tannin is subtle and integrated, weaving through fruit and lightly toasted oak.

Food Matching

Turkey pairs well along with roast lamb and an earthy mushroom risotto.

Vinification

The Earthscape label is named according to the lie of the land on which Pyren is planted, from the soil structure in its quartz laden mass, to the rolling valleys, and skyward facing peaks. 50 % whole berry and 50% whole bunch carbonic maceration. Wild yeast fermentation. Aged exclusively in 2nd/3rd use Hungarian 500L barrels for 6-8 months.

Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Mourvèdre

Country

America

Grape

Mourvèdre

Vintage

2022

Style

Medium-full bodied

Tasting Notes

Distinct and luscious. Flavours of dark plum,cherry liqueurs, cola cube and old fashioned root beer leads to complex flavours of integrated oak, spice and a smooth and juicy finish. A wine which combines plenty of ripe cherry fruit with a unique soul and character.

Food Matching

This scrumptious and unusually delightful wine goes exceptionally well with grilled lamb or pork, sautéed asparagus and curried deviled eggs. Also fab with rack of lamb, duck confit are steak tartare.

Vinification

The Ancient Vines Mourvèdre draws from some of our oldest, most historic and shyest-bearing vineyards. These blocks produce fruit of stunning concentration as a result of sensitive farming practices, the singular Oakley terroir, and an unique cooling band of air that flows in from the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers. By naturally restricting yields to only 2 to 3 tonnes per acre, we achieve a sublime expression of the Mourvèdre fruit. These grapes hold characteristics of dark, dusty berry fruit that makes their Ancient Vines Mourvèdre so lustrous. Individual lots of grapes were harvested separately according to ripeness and balance of acidity. Grapes undergo total de-stemming and a very gentle crushing to ensure a large proportion of whole berries in the must. Fermentation occurred in stainless steel tanks with select cultured yeasts. It was then maintained at the ideal temperature to aid in the extraction of flavor and colour. The wine was pressed off its skins at dryness before being racked to dark toasted American Oak (approximately 30% new) where it was gently aged for 10 months and then stored in neutral cooperage.

The Laughing Magpie, d'Arenberg

Country

Australia

Grape

Shiraz 93% -Viognier 7%

Vintage

2018

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

A Shiraz-Viognier blend from this well-known South Australian producer, predominantly a mouthful of black plum, earth and spice, with a pleasing hit of black olive, sage and dried herbs adding complexity on the finish.

Food Matching

Barbecued meats, steaks, rich meat dishes.

Vinification

Small batches of grapes are gently crushed and then transferred to open fermenters, where the Viognier and Shiraz are co-fermented. Foot treading is undertaken two thirds of the way through fermentation, the wine is basket pressed and transferred to a mixture of old French and American oak to complete fermentation and mature. The barrel ferments are aged on lees, there is no racking until final blending and no fining or filtration.

Month 12

Are we glad it's coming into Spring? Lighter nights , warmer days but still cold at night! Those heavy reds by the fire haven't been replaced by cold rose by the BBQ quite yet!

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The Wines

Viognier Roussanne, Sutherland

Country

South Africa

Grape

70% Viognier 30% Roussanne

Vintage

2022

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

Glorious, expansive South African Viognier, exuding apricot, marzipan and rose petal, with leaves of rosemary and a crumbling of toast.

Food Matching

A perfect accompaniment with buttery fish dishes, bouillabaisse and mildly spicy dishes.

Vinification

The grapes are de-stalked, crushed, pressed, settled, and then fermented in 2nd/3rd fill barrels french oak barrels. Fermentation is controlled at 15-16 degrees.

The Wines

Are You Game? Shiraz

Country

Australia

Grape

Shiraz

Vintagb

2020

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Plum-filled Shiraz from Victoria, south-east Australia, that fills the nostrils with cinnamon, black pepper and spice.

Food Matching

Wild Game, especially venison or mutton.

Vinification

Vineyard: Sharing latitudinal pedigree with Gisborne in New Zealand; Sonoma and Napa Valleys in the USA; Mendoza in Argentina; Sicily in Italy and Jerez in Spain, Victoria is the southern-most and coolest State of mainland Australia, famed for its diverse wine regions and cool climate. Home to Fowles Wine vineyards and winery, the Strathbogie Ranges is characterised by massive granite boulders – the very boulders that have given rise, over millions of years, to the sandy loam soils in which our vines grow. This is a harsh Australian landscape with soil that is nutrient poor and retains very little water – difficult for farmers to grow livestock, but a wonderful landscape for grape growers seeking to grow fruit with great intensity. Couple these attributes with the cool climate, gentle aspect and glorious summer sunshine and the Strathbogie Ranges is an ideal region for growing grapes and making wine. The mean January temperature is 19.15°C and the average annual rainfall in our family vineyards is 700 mm (28 inches). Harvest in the Strathbogie Ranges generally occurs from late February through to early May. The Fowles Wine vineyards and winery are located in the dramatic granite landscape of Strathbogie Ranges region of Victoria, Australia. Fowles Wine crafts some of Australia’s finest cool climate wines, winning many of Australia’s most prestigious wine medals and trophies. The Fowles Wine team is energetic and enterprising, continuing to break new ground by proudly taking the Strathbogie Ranges ‘message in a bottle’ to the world with some of Australia’s most exciting wines. Vinification: Fermented in sweep-arm fermenters to maximise colour and flavour. Wine was fermented around 24C in stainless steel tanks to preserve primary fruit flavours. Matured using new and old French and American oak.

Project Malbec, Project Wine Co.

Country

Argentina

Grape

Malbec

Vintage

2024

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

This unique blend was specially selected for the Project Wine Co. It is Brooding and deep red in colour. It is a juicy Malbec with notes of baked plums, raisins, and a hint of chocolate and vanilla. It is well-balanced and has a soft and pleasing finish. It is warm and spicy.

Food Matching

Grilled meats, especially a BBQ steak on a summers day!

Vinification

Soft plum, with an earthy richness.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Thelema

Country

South Africa

Grape

Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage

2021

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

This wine has a complex nose of mint, blackcurrant, and chocolate, and the palate is juicy and ripe. There is a good layer of toasty oak in the background to complement the black cherry and cassis fruit flavours and grippy mid-palate tannin. Very long, clean, and elegant in the finish.

Food Matching

The intense berry fruit in this wine makes it an excellent partner to dishes like roast turkey or try with a fine piece of British beef.

Vinification

Harvest was carried out by hand. The bunches were de-stalked and the berries were hand sorted before crushing and fermenting in stainless steel tanks. Pump overs were performed for 6 days before a further maceration of 5 days. After pressing, the wine was then racked into 50% new French oak barrels for malo-lactic fermentation and 20 months of ageing. 

Are You Game? Chardonnay

Country

Australia

Grape

Chardonnay

Vintage

2021

Style

Medium-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Medium-bodied yet well-corseted Chardonnay from Victoria in south-east Australia, creamy and tropical, with peach, papaya, and a trace of biscuit

Food Matching

Wild Game, especially pheasant or quail

Vinification

The wine was fermented between 13C and 16C with 85% fermented in stainless steel and 15% in barrel to add complexity and texture. Matured in new and old French oak with lees stirring.

The Wines

Are You Game? Shiraz

Country

Australia

Grape

Shiraz

Vintagb

2020

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Plum-filled Shiraz from Victoria, south-east Australia, that fills the nostrils with cinnamon, black pepper and spice.

Food Matching

Wild Game, especially venison or mutton.

Vinification

Vineyard: Sharing latitudinal pedigree with Gisborne in New Zealand; Sonoma and Napa Valleys in the USA; Mendoza in Argentina; Sicily in Italy and Jerez in Spain, Victoria is the southern-most and coolest State of mainland Australia, famed for its diverse wine regions and cool climate. Home to Fowles Wine vineyards and winery, the Strathbogie Ranges is characterised by massive granite boulders – the very boulders that have given rise, over millions of years, to the sandy loam soils in which our vines grow. This is a harsh Australian landscape with soil that is nutrient poor and retains very little water – difficult for farmers to grow livestock, but a wonderful landscape for grape growers seeking to grow fruit with great intensity. Couple these attributes with the cool climate, gentle aspect and glorious summer sunshine and the Strathbogie Ranges is an ideal region for growing grapes and making wine. The mean January temperature is 19.15°C and the average annual rainfall in our family vineyards is 700 mm (28 inches). Harvest in the Strathbogie Ranges generally occurs from late February through to early May. The Fowles Wine vineyards and winery are located in the dramatic granite landscape of Strathbogie Ranges region of Victoria, Australia. Fowles Wine crafts some of Australia’s finest cool climate wines, winning many of Australia’s most prestigious wine medals and trophies. The Fowles Wine team is energetic and enterprising, continuing to break new ground by proudly taking the Strathbogie Ranges ‘message in a bottle’ to the world with some of Australia’s most exciting wines. Vinification: Fermented in sweep-arm fermenters to maximise colour and flavour. Wine was fermented around 24C in stainless steel tanks to preserve primary fruit flavours. Matured using new and old French and American oak.

Project Malbec, Project Wine Co.

Country

Argentina

Grape

Malbec

Vintage

2024

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

This unique blend was specially selected for the Project Wine Co. It is Brooding and deep red in colour. It is a juicy Malbec with notes of baked plums, raisins, and a hint of chocolate and vanilla. It is well-balanced and has a soft and pleasing finish. It is warm and spicy.

Food Matching

Grilled meats, especially a BBQ steak on a summers day!

Vinification

Soft plum, with an earthy richness.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Thelema

Country

South Africa

Grape

Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage

2021

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

This wine has a complex nose of mint, blackcurrant, and chocolate, and the palate is juicy and ripe. There is a good layer of toasty oak in the background to complement the black cherry and cassis fruit flavours and grippy mid-palate tannin. Very long, clean, and elegant in the finish.

Food Matching

The intense berry fruit in this wine makes it an excellent partner to dishes like roast turkey or try with a fine piece of British beef.

Vinification

Harvest was carried out by hand. The bunches were de-stalked and the berries were hand sorted before crushing and fermenting in stainless steel tanks. Pump overs were performed for 6 days before a further maceration of 5 days. After pressing, the wine was then racked into 50% new French oak barrels for malo-lactic fermentation and 20 months of ageing. 

Are You Game? Pinot Noir

Country

Australia

Grape

Pinot Noir 85.1% - Sangiovese 14.9%

Vintage

2021

Style

Light to Medium Bodied

Tasting Notes

Pinot Noir with a leavening dash of Mourvèdre from Victoria, south-east Australia, delivering baskets of cherry and strawberry to the mouth, complemented by bracken, fresh earth, and a touch of oak on the nose.

Food Matching

Pair with wild game but especially dishes including duck.

Vinification

The wine was fermented in sweep arm fermenters between 25C to 28C in stainless steel tanks to maximise flavour and colour and to preserve primary fruit flavours. Matured using new French oak with a small component aged in old French oak.

The Wines

Are You Game? Shiraz

Country

Australia

Grape

Shiraz

Vintage

2020

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Plum-filled Shiraz from Victoria, south-east Australia, that fills the nostrils with cinnamon, black pepper and spice.

Food Matching

Wild Game, especially venison or mutton.

Vinification

Vineyard: Sharing latitudinal pedigree with Gisborne in New Zealand; Sonoma and Napa Valleys in the USA; Mendoza in Argentina; Sicily in Italy and Jerez in Spain, Victoria is the southern-most and coolest State of mainland Australia, famed for its diverse wine regions and cool climate. Home to Fowles Wine vineyards and winery, the Strathbogie Ranges is characterised by massive granite boulders – the very boulders that have given rise, over millions of years, to the sandy loam soils in which our vines grow. This is a harsh Australian landscape with soil that is nutrient poor and retains very little water – difficult for farmers to grow livestock, but a wonderful landscape for grape growers seeking to grow fruit with great intensity. Couple these attributes with the cool climate, gentle aspect and glorious summer sunshine and the Strathbogie Ranges is an ideal region for growing grapes and making wine. The mean January temperature is 19.15°C and the average annual rainfall in our family vineyards is 700 mm (28 inches). Harvest in the Strathbogie Ranges generally occurs from late February through to early May. The Fowles Wine vineyards and winery are located in the dramatic granite landscape of Strathbogie Ranges region of Victoria, Australia. Fowles Wine crafts some of Australia’s finest cool climate wines, winning many of Australia’s most prestigious wine medals and trophies. The Fowles Wine team is energetic and enterprising, continuing to break new ground by proudly taking the Strathbogie Ranges ‘message in a bottle’ to the world with some of Australia’s most exciting wines. Vinification: Fermented in sweep-arm fermenters to maximise colour and flavour. Wine was fermented around 24C in stainless steel tanks to preserve primary fruit flavours. Matured using new and old French and American oak.

Project Malbec, Project Wine Co.

Country

Argentina

Grape

Malbec

Vintage

2024

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

This unique blend was specially selected for the Project Wine Co. It is Brooding and deep red in colour. It is a juicy Malbec with notes of baked plums, raisins, and a hint of chocolate and vanilla. It is well-balanced and has a soft and pleasing finish. It is warm and spicy.

Food Matching

Grilled meats, especially a BBQ steak on a summers day!

Vinification

Soft plum, with an earthy richness.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Thelema

Country

South Africa

Grape

Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage

2021

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

This wine has a complex nose of mint, blackcurrant, and chocolate, and the palate is juicy and ripe. There is a good layer of toasty oak in the background to complement the black cherry and cassis fruit flavours and grippy mid-palate tannin. Very long, clean, and elegant in the finish.

Food Matching

The intense berry fruit in this wine makes it an excellent partner to dishes like roast turkey or try with a fine piece of British beef.

Vinification

Harvest was carried out by hand. The bunches were de-stalked and the berries were hand sorted before crushing and fermenting in stainless steel tanks. Pump overs were performed for 6 days before a further maceration of 5 days. After pressing, the wine was then racked into 50% new French oak barrels for malo-lactic fermentation and 20 months of ageing. 

Month 11

Are we glad January is over? How were the wines in try January? We jump into the start of February with another 4 reds and 2 whites, and something ideal to be watching the Six Nations with! 

The Wines

Puente de Salceda Verdejo, Vina Salceda

Country

Spain

Grape

Verdejo

Vintage

2023

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

Bright straw yellow color with greenish reflections.Intense and very aromatic on the nose, with notes of stone fruits, white fruits, and citrus. Aromas of hay and hints of aniseed are appreciated. Very balanced and intense on the palate with a long persistence where fresh fruit notes reappear.

Food Matching

Ideal for tapas and midday and afternoon drinks. Its excellent pairing with cured ham. Salads, fish dishes, paella and soft, creamy cheeses that even have a curing time.

Vinification

Made by direct pressing with a slight maceration in the press itself. Medium settling, to accentuate the varietal aromas of the musts and fermentation at low temperature.

The Wines

BenMarco Malbec, Susana Balbo

Country

Argentina

Grape

Malbec

Vintagb

2022

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Los Chacayes is an extraordinary terroir. Its sandy and rocky loam soil guarantees good permeability, limits the growth of the plant, and ensures perfect ripening. BenMarco Malbec is a testimony of Valle de Uco, endowed with aromas of blackberries, notes of violets, pronounced acidity, firm tannins, and great length.

Food Matching

Grilled red meats, sausages, seasoned or roasted pork, hard cheeses and pasta with meat-based sauces.

Vinification

Hand-selected grapes. Destemming and soft crushing. Daily push-downs. Extended maceration for 30 days. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with selected yeasts at no more than 28°C (82°F).

Repasso Malbec Renacer

Country

Argentina

Grape

Malbec

Vintage

2021

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Delicious and rich style of Malbec which uses dehydrated grapes to create an Amarone-esque wine, all figs and spices, leather, and dark, intense berries. A popular wine for our customers!

Food Matching

Hard, full-flavoured cheeses and cold cuts are well-suited. Beef in all its glory, grilled, roasted, barbecued... are an ideal match.

Vinification

Renacer RePasso Malbec is made using the Ripasso technique, renowned in Italy, using partially dried grapes in the winemaking process which intensifies the flavours, enriching the fruit and creating full-bodied, medium-toned, wines with rich blackberry, plum, and floral notes.

Haut-Médoc, Château de Villegeorge

Country

France

Grape

Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage

2014

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Spice-scented Bordeaux red, with red and black cherries jostling for prominence in the mouth.

Food Matching

Roasted duck with honey, quail cooked with figs, cheese.

Vinification

15 to 28 days of maceration depending on the plot. 12 months aging into oak barrels with 30% new.

Furmint, Sauska

Country

Hungary

Grape

Furmint

Vintage

2021

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

A beautifully aromatic expression of Furmint, packed with flavours of ripe figs, mango, kiwi, lemon zest, and green tea. Crisp, clean, perfectly balanced - the very definition of Tokaj Furmint.

Food Matching

This wine is a good friend to seafood such as clams, trout, sushi, mild white fish, or pasta dishes. Steamed mussels, bouillabaisse, and crab salad work particularly well.

Vinification

The grapes are hand-harvested and hand-sorted berries. Before fermentation, they are briefly cold-soaked and pressed gently. Fermentation is in stainless steel at 18-20 degrees C using indigenous yeast. Aging on lees for 2 months.

The Wines

BenMarco Malbec, Susana Balbo

Country

Argentina

Grape

Malbec

Vintagb

2022

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Los Chacayes is an extraordinary terroir. Its sandy and rocky loam soil guarantees good permeability, limits the growth of the plant, and ensures perfect ripening. BenMarco Malbec is a testimony of Valle de Uco, endowed with aromas of blackberries, notes of violets, pronounced acidity, firm tannins, and great length.

Food Matching

Grilled red meats, sausages, seasoned or roasted pork, hard cheeses and pasta with meat-based sauces.

Vinification

Hand-selected grapes. Destemming and soft crushing. Daily push-downs. Extended maceration for 30 days. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with selected yeasts at no more than 28°C (82°F).

Repasso Malbec Renacer

Country

Argentina

Grape

Malbec

Vintage

2021

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Delicious and rich style of Malbec which uses dehydrated grapes to create an Amarone-esque wine, all figs and spices, leather, and dark, intense berries. A popular wine for our customers!

Food Matching

Hard, full-flavoured cheeses and cold cuts are well-suited. Beef in all its glory, grilled, roasted, barbecued... are an ideal match.

Vinification

Renacer RePasso Malbec is made using the Ripasso technique, renowned in Italy, using partially dried grapes in the winemaking process which intensifies the flavours, enriching the fruit and creating full-bodied, medium-toned, wines with rich blackberry, plum, and floral notes.

Haut-Médoc, Château de Villegeorge

Country

France

Grape

Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage

2014

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Spice-scented Bordeaux red, with red and black cherries jostling for prominence in the mouth.

Food Matching

Roasted duck with honey, quail cooked with figs, cheese.

Vinification

15 to 28 days of maceration depending on the plot. 12 months aging into oak barrels with 30% new.

Les Mougeottes Pinot Noir

Country

France

Grape

Pinot Noir

Vintage

2023

Style

Light-medium bodied

Tasting Notes

Clean and precise bouquet with black cherries and raspberry aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit and a silky long finish.

Food Matching

Great by the glass and could be taken even slightly chilled. Would match very well with duck breast, crispy bacon, pasta, cold cuts & soft cheeses.

Vinification

Optimal ripe grapes are essential for a good Pinot Noir. The full aromatic potential has already been developed, but the sugar content should be relatively low in order to preserve the variety's elegant style. For that, a part of the crop is harvested quite early and ferments at low temperatures exalting fruity aromas. The other part, fully ripe, undergoes a traditional, long maceration. About one-third ages in French oak barrels for several months adding complexity to the wine.

The Wines

BenMarco Malbec, Susana Balbo

Country

Argentina

Grape

Malbec

Vintage

2022

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Los Chacayes is an extraordinary terroir. Its sandy and rocky loam soil guarantees good permeability, limits the growth of the plant, and ensures perfect ripening. BenMarco Malbec is a testimony of Valle de Uco, endowed with aromas of blackberries, notes of violets, pronounced acidity, firm tannins, and great length.

Food Matching

Grilled red meats, sausages, seasoned or roasted pork, hard cheeses and pasta with meat-based sauces.

Vinification

Hand-selected grapes. Destemming and soft crushing. Daily push-downs. Extended maceration for 30 days. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with selected yeasts at no more than 28°C (82°F).

Repasso Malbec Renacer

Country

Argentina

Grape

Malbec

Vintage

2021

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Delicious and rich style of Malbec which uses dehydrated grapes to create an Amarone-esque wine, all figs and spices, leather, and dark, intense berries. A popular wine for our customers!

Food Matching

Hard, full-flavoured cheeses and cold cuts are well-suited. Beef in all its glory, grilled, roasted, barbecued... are an ideal match.

Vinification

Renacer RePasso Malbec is made using the Ripasso technique, renowned in Italy, using partially dried grapes in the winemaking process which intensifies the flavours, enriching the fruit and creating full-bodied, medium-toned, wines with rich blackberry, plum, and floral notes.

Haut-Médoc, Château de Villegeorge

Country

France

Grape

Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage

2014

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Spice-scented Bordeaux red, with red and black cherries jostling for prominence in the mouth.

Food Matching

Roasted duck with honey, quail cooked with figs, cheese.

Vinification

15 to 28 days of maceration depending on the plot. 12 months aging into oak barrels with 30% new.

Month 10

January 2025. 2 Whites, 4 Reds

The Wines

Château Mercian Iwasaki Koshu

Country

Japan

Grape

Koshu

Vintage

2021

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

Citrus aromas of kabosu and yuzu with notes of white flowers, vanilla, almonds, and hazelnuts. With refreshing balanced acidity, rich fruit flavours, and concentrated citrus oil that marries well with the time spent in the barrel.

Food Matching

White fish tempura or grilled chicken with yuzu pepper.

Vinification

This wine is made from Koshu, Japan’s indigenous wine grape which can be traced back to 1186 when it was discovered growing wild at Katsunama in Yamanashi prefecture. Koshu grapes are grown in the Iwasake District of the Yamanashi Prefecture where the soil, gravel, and clay with good drainage. Harvest took place from late September to early October. Fermentation in oak barrel at 18-21℃ for approximately 14 days, the wine was aged for 4 months in oak barrel.

The Wines

Alasia Nebbiolo

Country

Italy

Grape

Nebbiolo

Vintagb

2022

Style

Tasting Notes

Attractively aromatic with dried red fruits, floral notes, and hints of sweet spice. The palate offers ripe cherry and berry fruits balanced by a lightly toasty, earthy, savoury complexity with finely-grained tannins.

Food Matching

Rich meat stew; pasta with fresh pesto, aubergine and smoked bacon.

Vinification

Alasia Langhe Nebbiolo is produced from Nebbiolo grapes cultivated in the Langhe hills around the town of Alba in the Piemonte region. The vineyards have a south westerly aspect and are situated at altitudes between 200 and 300m above sea level. The vines have an average age of 30 years. Planting density is 4,000 to 4,500 vines per hectare and the soil is limestone-clay. Piemonte low Guyot trellis system is used. Grapes are typically hand harvested in early October. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks at 25 - 30 C; pressed when dry and transferred to stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation. The wine is then racked to a mixture of French oak barrels (40%) and large traditional Piedmont oak vats for 12 months maturation. Finally these two components are blended and bottled.

Little Beauty Sauvignon Blanc

Country

New Zealand

Grape

Sauvignon Blanc

Vintage

2023

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

This Sauvignon Blanc is packed full of fresh honeydew melon aromas, tomato leaves, gooseberry, and elderflower. Its glorious freshness is a joy to your taste buds. 

Food Matching

The flavours of these Little Beauty wines are expressive but refined – capable of being enjoyed on their own or matching very sophisticated food.

Vinification

The team at Little Beauty, headed by former Cloudy Bay winemaker Eveline Fraser, have established a reputation for producing elegant, refined, and sophisticated wines from their corner of Marlborough. They are blessed with a unique micro-climate, nestled between the Waihopai River and the picturesque Richmond Range, which ensures excellent ripening conditions. Under the careful management of Eveline, the wine-making process delivers true Marlborough wines, yet they remain exquisitely elegant and feminine.

The Wines

Alasia Nebbiolo

Country

Italy

Grape

Nebbiolo

Vintagb

2022

Style

Tasting Notes

Attractively aromatic with dried red fruits, floral notes, and hints of sweet spice. The palate offers ripe cherry and berry fruits balanced by a lightly toasty, earthy, savoury complexity with finely-grained tannins.

Food Matching

Rich meat stew; pasta with fresh pesto, aubergine and smoked bacon.

Vinification

Alasia Langhe Nebbiolo is produced from Nebbiolo grapes cultivated in the Langhe hills around the town of Alba in the Piemonte region. The vineyards have a south westerly aspect and are situated at altitudes between 200 and 300m above sea level. The vines have an average age of 30 years. Planting density is 4,000 to 4,500 vines per hectare and the soil is limestone-clay. Piemonte low Guyot trellis system is used. Grapes are typically hand harvested in early October. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks at 25 - 30 C; pressed when dry and transferred to stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation. The wine is then racked to a mixture of French oak barrels (40%) and large traditional Piedmont oak vats for 12 months maturation. Finally these two components are blended and bottled.

Boutinot ‘Les Coteaux’ Côtes du Rhône Villages

Country

France

Grape

Grenache Noir 80%, Syrah 20%

Vintage

2023

Style

Medium bodied

Tasting Notes

Immediately impressive, this wine reveals its class from the start. Brambly fruit underpinned by subtle oaky nuances, lovely sweet spice - and warm star anise with a touch of cinnamon. This classic Côtes du Rhône Villages is enriched with specially selected parcels from Séguret and Sablet.

Food Matching

A delicious accompaniment to hearty food: grilled meats, meaty sausages with mash, or, as would be served in France, with puy lentils; shepherd's pie, mushroom ragoût, or simply a good pizza.

Vinification

Common practice in the Côtes du Rhône is to bottle the best cuvées as a single, named, village wine and the rest as more basic Côtes du Rhône Villages. Boutinot’s philosophy, on the other hand, is to start with the intention of making the very best Côtes du Rhône Villages possible by sourcing wine from the vineyards of named villages, and enriching them with a small proportion of barrel-aged wine from Sablet and Séguret. Boutinot's Côtes du Rhône Villages 'Les Coteaux' is therefore a selection of the best Grenache Noir and Syrah from some of the 17 named Côtes du Rhône Villages. We source wine from a number of growers with exceptional terroir and so have the flexibility to select only the very best fruit for each vintage (rejecting parcels that do not meet our high standards). Mostly unoaked, a small proportion (15%) is part-aged for up to 20 months in a few new, but mostly older, oak barrels to bring depth and subtle notes of complexity.

The Wines

Alasia Nebbiolo

Country

Italy

Grape

Nebbiolo

Vintage

2022

Style

Tasting Notes

Attractively aromatic with dried red fruits, floral notes, and hints of sweet spice. The palate offers ripe cherry and berry fruits balanced by a lightly toasty, earthy, savoury complexity with finely-grained tannins.

Food Matching

Rich meat stew; pasta with fresh pesto, aubergine and smoked bacon.

Vinification

Alasia Langhe Nebbiolo is produced from Nebbiolo grapes cultivated in the Langhe hills around the town of Alba in the Piemonte region. The vineyards have a south westerly aspect and are situated at altitudes between 200 and 300m above sea level. The vines have an average age of 30 years. Planting density is 4,000 to 4,500 vines per hectare and the soil is limestone-clay. Piemonte low Guyot trellis system is used. Grapes are typically hand harvested in early October. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks at 25 - 30 C; pressed when dry and transferred to stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation. The wine is then racked to a mixture of French oak barrels (40%) and large traditional Piedmont oak vats for 12 months maturation. Finally these two components are blended and bottled.

Month 9

With Christmas fast approaching we've mixed things up a little this month, including a fizz and a fantastic bottle of PX Sherry.

The Wines

Sparklehorse, Ken Forrester Wines

Country

South Africa

Grape

Chenin Blanc

Vintage

2020

Style

Sparkling

Tasting Notes

Sparkling wine from South Africa, creamy and delicate but bubbling with apple, pear and quince.

Food Matching

An ideal bubbly to celebrate with and equally at home with light creamy chicken and fish dishes.

Vinification

Made by the Cap Classique or traditional method, this wine aged for 14 months on less to develop a creaminess and delicate mousse while still maintaining bright, fresh apple, pear, and quince aromas.

The Wines

Boutinot Cairanne La Cote Sauvage

Country

France

Grape

Grenache Noir 60% , Syrah 20% , Mourvèdre 10%

Vintagb

2021

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

A serious, opulent and complex example of cru Cairanne. This is rich, intense and drenched in dark red fruits. With morello cherry and a touch of cinnamon spice on the nose, soft dark plummy fruit, liquorice, chocolate, a hint of black tea on the palate, this wine is full flavoured and smooth with supple tannins. A rich, savoury satisfying mouthful that shows greater elegance with air.

Food Matching

Rich, complex and delicious with dishes that take time to prepare: a slow-cooked duck cassoulet, or warming beef casserole – try a Daube Niçoise, the southern French variation of the traditional beef daube which includes tomato, orange zest and black olives. Hearty vegetable dishes can work too – grilled aubergine with a herby tomato Provençal sauce or a tofu burger with all the trimmings.

Vinification

A ‘named’ Côtes du Rhône Villages since 1967, Cairanne was granted ‘cru’ appellation status in 2016, in recognition of the quality of the wines and terroir. Located in the heart of the southern Rhône valley, to the east of Orange, its 1,087ha of vineyards lie between the two Rhône tributaries of Ayges and Ouvèze, rising from the alluvial valley floor to the hillside slopes of La Monté de Ventabren. On the various soils of this Mistral buffeted hill are to be found the majority of Domaine Boutinot’s vineyards with La Pauline and Les Six Terrasses, two of the appellation’s best plots, nudging the summit. Both are broad terraces of ‘argilo-calcaire’ - heat-retaining limestone pebbles over water-retentive clay. The pebbles help maintain diurnal temperature variances and aid ripening, while the roots find water in the clay to sustain the vines during the summer growing season. As with all Domaine Boutinot’s plots, they are managed by minimal intervention and both vineyards benefit from the all-day sun and the cleansing Mistral winds. Planted mostly in 1969, the old bush vine Grenache Noir ripens slowly and evenly to produce low yields of deeply concentrated grapes, all harvested by hand into small baskets and destined to form a significant part of the blend of La Côte Sauvage. Vinification is traditional, in open-topped tronconique (6,000l oak vats) and using only the natural yeasts present on the grapes, with long cuvaison, gentle remontage and manual pigeage. Parcels of Grenache Noir, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre are then selected to be matured for twenty two months in French oak, a combination of 228l barrels and 600l demi-muids of differing ages, carefully chosen so that the oak is integrated and the wine retains the finesse for which Cairanne is noted. Selecting the final assemblage of La Côte Sauvage involves tasting each barrel and each demi-muid (at least 110 barrels) to create this luxuriously elegant wine.

Pinot Noir, Sutherland

Country

South Africa

Grape

Pinot Noir

Vintage

2020

Style

Light to Medium Bodied

Tasting Notes

Burgundy-styled Pinot Noir, packed with cranberry, walnut, leather anise, and root beer aromas. This herby, spicy, woody, nuanced wine is an absolute delight

Food Matching

Roast duck with a cherry jus or roast lamb with a redcurrant reduction.

Vinification

Yeasts Natural occurring yeasts Fermentation temp 28 °C Method De-stalked, hand sorting of berries, crushed, pumped into s/s tanks, pumped over for 5 days, left for 2 days before pressing, racked to barrel for malolactic fermentation. Wood Maturation 10 months in barrel. 10 % new French oak, balance 3rd and 4th fill barrels

Diatomists PX Jerez De La Frontera 5 Year Old Sherry

Country

Spain

Grape

Vintage

Style

Fortified Wine

Tasting Notes

The palate is structured, bright and energetic with layers of flavours including walnuts and salted caramel, without sweetness. The finish is long and complex with tobacco at the end

Food Matching

Serve slightly chilled with charcuterie, cheese or with a game.

Vinification

Terebinto Grillo, Planeta

Country

Italy

Grape

Grillo

Vintage

2023

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

Aromatic, rounded white from a native Sicilian variety that's full of tropical fruit: apricots, lychees, and pineapples jostle for prominence on the tongue.

Food Matching

Raw fish, pasta with sea urchins, fried vegetables and fish. Also good with creamy white cheese as well as vegetables with dips.

Vinification

After destalking and soft pressing, the must is decanted at a low temperature and ferments at 15°C. When fermentation is complete, maturing on the lees for 6 months in stainless steel vats where a bâtonneur keeps the lees in suspension.

The Wines

Boutinot Cairanne La Cote Sauvage

Country

France

Grape

Grenache Noir 60% , Syrah 20% , Mourvèdre 10%

Vintagb

2021

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

A serious, opulent and complex example of cru Cairanne. This is rich, intense and drenched in dark red fruits. With morello cherry and a touch of cinnamon spice on the nose, soft dark plummy fruit, liquorice, chocolate, a hint of black tea on the palate, this wine is full flavoured and smooth with supple tannins. A rich, savoury satisfying mouthful that shows greater elegance with air.

Food Matching

Rich, complex and delicious with dishes that take time to prepare: a slow-cooked duck cassoulet, or warming beef casserole – try a Daube Niçoise, the southern French variation of the traditional beef daube which includes tomato, orange zest and black olives. Hearty vegetable dishes can work too – grilled aubergine with a herby tomato Provençal sauce or a tofu burger with all the trimmings.

Vinification

A ‘named’ Côtes du Rhône Villages since 1967, Cairanne was granted ‘cru’ appellation status in 2016, in recognition of the quality of the wines and terroir. Located in the heart of the southern Rhône valley, to the east of Orange, its 1,087ha of vineyards lie between the two Rhône tributaries of Ayges and Ouvèze, rising from the alluvial valley floor to the hillside slopes of La Monté de Ventabren. On the various soils of this Mistral buffeted hill are to be found the majority of Domaine Boutinot’s vineyards with La Pauline and Les Six Terrasses, two of the appellation’s best plots, nudging the summit. Both are broad terraces of ‘argilo-calcaire’ - heat-retaining limestone pebbles over water-retentive clay. The pebbles help maintain diurnal temperature variances and aid ripening, while the roots find water in the clay to sustain the vines during the summer growing season. As with all Domaine Boutinot’s plots, they are managed by minimal intervention and both vineyards benefit from the all-day sun and the cleansing Mistral winds. Planted mostly in 1969, the old bush vine Grenache Noir ripens slowly and evenly to produce low yields of deeply concentrated grapes, all harvested by hand into small baskets and destined to form a significant part of the blend of La Côte Sauvage. Vinification is traditional, in open-topped tronconique (6,000l oak vats) and using only the natural yeasts present on the grapes, with long cuvaison, gentle remontage and manual pigeage. Parcels of Grenache Noir, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre are then selected to be matured for twenty two months in French oak, a combination of 228l barrels and 600l demi-muids of differing ages, carefully chosen so that the oak is integrated and the wine retains the finesse for which Cairanne is noted. Selecting the final assemblage of La Côte Sauvage involves tasting each barrel and each demi-muid (at least 110 barrels) to create this luxuriously elegant wine.

Pinot Noir, Sutherland

Country

South Africa

Grape

Pinot Noir

Vintage

2020

Style

Light to Medium Bodied

Tasting Notes

Burgundy-styled Pinot Noir, packed with cranberry, walnut, leather anise, and root beer aromas. This herby, spicy, woody, nuanced wine is an absolute delight

Food Matching

Roast duck with a cherry jus or roast lamb with a redcurrant reduction.

Vinification

Yeasts Natural occurring yeasts Fermentation temp 28 °C Method De-stalked, hand sorting of berries, crushed, pumped into s/s tanks, pumped over for 5 days, left for 2 days before pressing, racked to barrel for malolactic fermentation. Wood Maturation 10 months in barrel. 10 % new French oak, balance 3rd and 4th fill barrels

Diatomists PX Jerez De La Frontera 5 Year Old Sherry

Country

Spain

Grape

Vintage

Style

Fortified Wine

Tasting Notes

The palate is structured, bright and energetic with layers of flavours including walnuts and salted caramel, without sweetness. The finish is long and complex with tobacco at the end

Food Matching

Serve slightly chilled with charcuterie, cheese or with a game.

Vinification

Juan Gil Yellow Label

Country

Spain

Grape

Monastrell

Vintage

2023

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

The nose has rich plum and bramble characters, with delicate vanilla spice and cedar. The palate has layers of ripe fruit, blackcurrant, blackberry, spicy plum and cherry, and fine tannins balanced by bright acidity.

Food Matching

Hearty meat and vegetable stews, roast pork.

Vinification

Grapes come from 40 year old bush vines. Vineyards are 700 metres above sea level to the north east of Jumilla, on sandy, chalky, rocky soil. The grapes were hand-harvested. Fermented in stainless steel. Aged in French and American oak for around 4 months.

The Wines

Boutinot Cairanne La Cote Sauvage

Country

France

Grape

Grenache Noir 60% , Syrah 20% , Mourvèdre 10%

Vintage

2021

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

A serious, opulent and complex example of cru Cairanne. This is rich, intense and drenched in dark red fruits. With morello cherry and a touch of cinnamon spice on the nose, soft dark plummy fruit, liquorice, chocolate, a hint of black tea on the palate, this wine is full flavoured and smooth with supple tannins. A rich, savoury satisfying mouthful that shows greater elegance with air.

Food Matching

Rich, complex and delicious with dishes that take time to prepare: a slow-cooked duck cassoulet, or warming beef casserole – try a Daube Niçoise, the southern French variation of the traditional beef daube which includes tomato, orange zest and black olives. Hearty vegetable dishes can work too – grilled aubergine with a herby tomato Provençal sauce or a tofu burger with all the trimmings.

Vinification

A ‘named’ Côtes du Rhône Villages since 1967, Cairanne was granted ‘cru’ appellation status in 2016, in recognition of the quality of the wines and terroir. Located in the heart of the southern Rhône valley, to the east of Orange, its 1,087ha of vineyards lie between the two Rhône tributaries of Ayges and Ouvèze, rising from the alluvial valley floor to the hillside slopes of La Monté de Ventabren. On the various soils of this Mistral buffeted hill are to be found the majority of Domaine Boutinot’s vineyards with La Pauline and Les Six Terrasses, two of the appellation’s best plots, nudging the summit. Both are broad terraces of ‘argilo-calcaire’ - heat-retaining limestone pebbles over water-retentive clay. The pebbles help maintain diurnal temperature variances and aid ripening, while the roots find water in the clay to sustain the vines during the summer growing season. As with all Domaine Boutinot’s plots, they are managed by minimal intervention and both vineyards benefit from the all-day sun and the cleansing Mistral winds. Planted mostly in 1969, the old bush vine Grenache Noir ripens slowly and evenly to produce low yields of deeply concentrated grapes, all harvested by hand into small baskets and destined to form a significant part of the blend of La Côte Sauvage. Vinification is traditional, in open-topped tronconique (6,000l oak vats) and using only the natural yeasts present on the grapes, with long cuvaison, gentle remontage and manual pigeage. Parcels of Grenache Noir, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre are then selected to be matured for twenty two months in French oak, a combination of 228l barrels and 600l demi-muids of differing ages, carefully chosen so that the oak is integrated and the wine retains the finesse for which Cairanne is noted. Selecting the final assemblage of La Côte Sauvage involves tasting each barrel and each demi-muid (at least 110 barrels) to create this luxuriously elegant wine.

Pinot Noir, Sutherland

Country

South Africa

Grape

Pinot Noir

Vintage

2020

Style

Light to Medium Bodied

Tasting Notes

Burgundy-styled Pinot Noir, packed with cranberry, walnut, leather anise, and root beer aromas. This herby, spicy, woody, nuanced wine is an absolute delight

Food Matching

Roast duck with a cherry jus or roast lamb with a redcurrant reduction.

Vinification

Yeasts Natural occurring yeasts Fermentation temp 28 °C Method De-stalked, hand sorting of berries, crushed, pumped into s/s tanks, pumped over for 5 days, left for 2 days before pressing, racked to barrel for malolactic fermentation. Wood Maturation 10 months in barrel. 10 % new French oak, balance 3rd and 4th fill barrels

Diatomists PX Jerez De La Frontera 5 Year Old Sherry

Country

Spain

Grape

Vintage

Style

Fortified Wine

Tasting Notes

The palate is structured, bright and energetic with layers of flavours including walnuts and salted caramel, without sweetness. The finish is long and complex with tobacco at the end

Food Matching

Serve slightly chilled with charcuterie, cheese or with a game.

Vinification

Month 8

This month we've got 2 whites and 4 reds. The weather just can't decide what it's doing nor can we with the wines!

The Wines

Sancerre White Le Rochoy Organic, Laporte

Country

France

Grape

Sauvignon Blanc

Vintage

2022

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

Discover Rochoy: a light yellow wine with silvery highlights, crystal-clear and limpid. The nose offers white flowers, ripe yellow-fleshed fruit, and a hint of angelica. Fresh, expressive, and well-balanced on the palate, with flinty minerality and a subtle smokiness. Rochoy unfolds with splendid fullness and astonishing generosity.

Food Matching

Fine fish and shellfish: lobster papillotes with three citrus fruits, scallop carpaccio

Vinification

Hand-harvested grapes undergo gentle extraction in a pneumatic press. Must naturally settle in cold conditions. Alcoholic fermentation, driven by natural yeasts, occurs at 15-18°C for 15 days, preserving fruit aromas and terroir minerality. Coarser particles are eliminated, retaining fine ones for stirring until bottling.

The Wines

"Canon du Marechal" Organic Red, Domaine Cazes

Country

France

Grape

Syrah 50% ; Grenache 50%

Vintagb

2022

Style

Medium-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Spicy red from the French south, packed with red fruit, including redcurrants, raspberries and cherries, with that dusting of spice on the finish.

Food Matching

A supple wine ideal for drinking throughout a meal. Great with cheeses and pork.

Vinification

Pre-fermentation maceration for a part of the cuvee and traditional maceration during one or 2 weeks at 23/25°C with light pump over. After pressing, the fermentation process is completed at 20°C.

Montresor Valpolicella Ripasso ‘Capitel della Crosara’

Country

Italy

Grape

Corvina 70%, Rondinella 20%, Molinara 10%

Vintage

2020

Style

Medium-bodied

Tasting Notes

A warm, inviting, richly fruity nose, with aromas of fresh morello cherry, ripe plum and hints of dried fruits. The palate is similarly full-flavoured with concentrated, crunchy black cherry, brown spice and vanilla notes and a hint of liquorice. The long finish has the classic bitter cherry fruit finish typical of ripasso.

Food Matching

Try with lamb shank, calf's liver or a mushroom pasta dish. Hard cheeses would also suit.

Vinification

The grapes are cultivated on traditional trellised vines planted in marl soil at Montresor's 'Capitel della Crosara' vineyard on the hills of Negrar within the Classico zone. Grapes are picked by hand in October. Made by the Ripasso (literally 'repassed') method, which involves adding the unpressed skins from the dried grapes which were used to make an Amarone to a young Valpolicella wine. This helps to add extra flavour and alcohol to the wine (causing it to start re-fermenting) and gradually the luscious flavours of Amarone are imparted to the wine. After this the wine is aged for 12 months in French and American oak casks along with some small barriques.

Chateau Gros Caillou St Emilion Grand Cru

Country

France

Grape

Merlot

Vintage

2018

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Full of raspberries and stewed red fruit, with a compelling fragrance of leather.

Food Matching

Grilled lamb chops and rosemary baked potatos.

Vinification

Vinification by thermo-regulation, aging in barrels, it is recognized Grand Cru.

Country

Grape

Vintage

Style

Tasting Notes

Food Matching

Vinification

The Wines

"Canon du Marechal" Organic Red, Domaine Cazes

Country

France

Grape

Syrah 50% ; Grenache 50%

Vintagb

2022

Style

Medium-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Spicy red from the French south, packed with red fruit, including redcurrants, raspberries and cherries, with that dusting of spice on the finish.

Food Matching

A supple wine ideal for drinking throughout a meal. Great with cheeses and pork.

Vinification

Pre-fermentation maceration for a part of the cuvee and traditional maceration during one or 2 weeks at 23/25°C with light pump over. After pressing, the fermentation process is completed at 20°C.

Montresor Valpolicella Ripasso ‘Capitel della Crosara’

Country

Italy

Grape

Corvina 70%, Rondinella 20%, Molinara 10%

Vintage

2020

Style

Medium-bodied

Tasting Notes

A warm, inviting, richly fruity nose, with aromas of fresh morello cherry, ripe plum and hints of dried fruits. The palate is similarly full-flavoured with concentrated, crunchy black cherry, brown spice and vanilla notes and a hint of liquorice. The long finish has the classic bitter cherry fruit finish typical of ripasso.

Food Matching

Try with lamb shank, calf's liver or a mushroom pasta dish. Hard cheeses would also suit.

Vinification

The grapes are cultivated on traditional trellised vines planted in marl soil at Montresor's 'Capitel della Crosara' vineyard on the hills of Negrar within the Classico zone. Grapes are picked by hand in October. Made by the Ripasso (literally 'repassed') method, which involves adding the unpressed skins from the dried grapes which were used to make an Amarone to a young Valpolicella wine. This helps to add extra flavour and alcohol to the wine (causing it to start re-fermenting) and gradually the luscious flavours of Amarone are imparted to the wine. After this the wine is aged for 12 months in French and American oak casks along with some small barriques.

Chateau Gros Caillou St Emilion Grand Cru

Country

France

Grape

Merlot

Vintage

2018

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Full of raspberries and stewed red fruit, with a compelling fragrance of leather.

Food Matching

Grilled lamb chops and rosemary baked potatos.

Vinification

Vinification by thermo-regulation, aging in barrels, it is recognized Grand Cru.

Tinto Sobre Lias, Care

Country

Spain

Grape

Grenache 75% ; Syrah 25%

Vintage

2023

Style

Medium-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Complex, appealing red left on the lees - the remains of fermentation - for added texture and packed with raspberries and blackberries, with a faint, insistent aroma of spice.

Food Matching

A very pleasing match with Grilled ribs and spicy dishes.

Vinification

Rocky soil with slate, quartz, and clay. The Vineyard sits between 450 and 700 meters above sea level, with very little rain, strong winds, and a lot of sun. The fruit is harvested at night and managed in as sustainable a way as possible reducing the necessity for excessive spraying treatments. Bodegas Care also supports the local conservation areas and national parks to help enrich the region's ecosystem and biodiversity

The Wines

"Canon du Marechal" Organic Red, Domaine Cazes

Country

France

Grape

Syrah 50% ; Grenache 50%

Vintage

2022

Style

Medium-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Spicy red from the French south, packed with red fruit, including redcurrants, raspberries and cherries, with that dusting of spice on the finish.

Food Matching

A supple wine ideal for drinking throughout a meal. Great with cheeses and pork.

Vinification

Pre-fermentation maceration for a part of the cuvee and traditional maceration during one or 2 weeks at 23/25°C with light pump over. After pressing, the fermentation process is completed at 20°C.

Montresor Valpolicella Ripasso ‘Capitel della Crosara’

Country

Italy

Grape

Corvina 70%, Rondinella 20%, Molinara 10%

Vintage

2020

Style

Medium-bodied

Tasting Notes

A warm, inviting, richly fruity nose, with aromas of fresh morello cherry, ripe plum and hints of dried fruits. The palate is similarly full-flavoured with concentrated, crunchy black cherry, brown spice and vanilla notes and a hint of liquorice. The long finish has the classic bitter cherry fruit finish typical of ripasso.

Food Matching

Try with lamb shank, calf's liver or a mushroom pasta dish. Hard cheeses would also suit.

Vinification

The grapes are cultivated on traditional trellised vines planted in marl soil at Montresor's 'Capitel della Crosara' vineyard on the hills of Negrar within the Classico zone. Grapes are picked by hand in October. Made by the Ripasso (literally 'repassed') method, which involves adding the unpressed skins from the dried grapes which were used to make an Amarone to a young Valpolicella wine. This helps to add extra flavour and alcohol to the wine (causing it to start re-fermenting) and gradually the luscious flavours of Amarone are imparted to the wine. After this the wine is aged for 12 months in French and American oak casks along with some small barriques.

Chateau Gros Caillou St Emilion Grand Cru

Country

France

Grape

Merlot

Vintage

2018

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Full of raspberries and stewed red fruit, with a compelling fragrance of leather.

Food Matching

Grilled lamb chops and rosemary baked potatos.

Vinification

Vinification by thermo-regulation, aging in barrels, it is recognized Grand Cru.

Month 7

Getting into stew season, I'll be bring in some more reds but still having a wide mix of wines.

The Wines

Smalltown Vineyards The Next Big Thing Chardonnay

Country

Australia

Grape

Chardonnay

Vintage

2022

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

With the faintest whiff of biscuity oak this bright, tangy Barossa Chardonnay is an absolute delight. It has that classical Barossa charm, elegance, poise, tang and naggingly more-ish elusive something-or-other which makes one wonder why there isn't more Australian Chardonnay.

Food Matching

Anything with chicken, pork, prawns, seafood... Brilliant as a quaffer or perfect with a lovingly cooked meal.

Vinification

Grapes are hand-harvested from an old block on the Binder family Barossa vineyards. Small batches of Chardonnay are picked and pressed through a tank press with some skin contact. 25% is fermented in French puncheons and American hogsheads for 6 months, aged on lees then blended with the 75% unoaked juice, settled, and bottled. Into the main Barossa blend a small component of Eden Valley Chardonnay is blended and the whole sees a tiny bit of secondary use oak for some fine structure.

The Wines

Passitivo Primitivo Appassimento

Country

Italy

Grape

Primitivo

Vintagb

2022

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Ruby-red, with a complex bouquet reminiscent of cherries, raspberries, and redcurrants. The particle aging adds a pleasant roasted and spicy aroma.

Food Matching

Great with cheese and hearty meat dishes.

Vinification

A Primitivo grape variety that has been dried slightly using " il giro del picciolo" technique where the stems of the grape bunches are twisted so that they no longer receive nourishment. They are left for about 12 days and in that time they lose 25-30% of their weight, which concentrates the juice and natural sweetness of the grapes.

Ciliegiolo Organic Tenuta Santa Lucia

Country

Italy

Grape

Ciliegiolo

Vintage

2018

Style

Medium-bodied

Tasting Notes

Tuscan red, light and fruity, a cascade of cherry and raspberry on the tongue plus a whiff of herbs on the nose.

Food Matching

Tuscan bean soup and crusty bread dipped in olive oil.

Vinification

This wine is fermented for 10 days in stainless steel tanks and further settled for 4 months before being bottled.

Murviedro Series Old Vine Bobal

Country

Spain

Grape

Bobal

Vintage

2020

Style

Medium-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Aromas of dark fruits and light spice. Plum and bramble fruit balanced by toasty characters on the structured palate. The tannins are nicely woven in, there is a chunky texture but good fruit intesity which balances this wine out nicely.

Food Matching

Enjoy with roast lamb or beef dishes and robust enough to partner quite spicy food.

Vinification

Made exclusively from low-yielding, old vine Bobal fruit grown in the area known as ‘Medio Dia’ - where the soil is chalk/clay with little organic content. This, together with long hours of sunshine, and large variations between day and night temperatures, result in very low, yet high quality, yields. The grapes are destemmed and gently pressed followed by a long maceration at controlled temperature. Malolactic fermentation takes place, and then the wine is aged in new French ‘Allier’ barrels for eight months.

Traminer Aromatico DOP Friuli, Puiatti

Country

Italy

Grape

Traminer

Vintage

2024

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

Bright color with a fresh herbaceous aroma mixed with hints of peach and apricot. The taste stays smooth and balanced, ending with a long, satisfying finish.

Food Matching

Makes an excellent aperitif. Ideal with fish dishes, shellfish, and seafood.

Vinification

Romans d’Isonzo, specifically Zuccole area, is made entirely from aromatic traminer grapes. soil is alluvial, layered with gravel and reddish clay rich in ferrous oxide. The vines are cultivated using the double-arched Guyot system, with 4600 vines per hectare. Harvest yields around 95 quintals per hectare from 15-year-old vines. Following careful vinification, the wine is aged for four months in stainless steel tanks. This meticulous process results in a wine that captures the essence of its terroir, showcasing the unique characteristics of the aromatic traminer grape.

The Wines

Passitivo Primitivo Appassimento

Country

Italy

Grape

Primitivo

Vintagb

2022

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Ruby-red, with a complex bouquet reminiscent of cherries, raspberries, and redcurrants. The particle aging adds a pleasant roasted and spicy aroma.

Food Matching

Great with cheese and hearty meat dishes.

Vinification

A Primitivo grape variety that has been dried slightly using " il giro del picciolo" technique where the stems of the grape bunches are twisted so that they no longer receive nourishment. They are left for about 12 days and in that time they lose 25-30% of their weight, which concentrates the juice and natural sweetness of the grapes.

Ciliegiolo Organic Tenuta Santa Lucia

Country

Italy

Grape

Ciliegiolo

Vintage

2018

Style

Medium-bodied

Tasting Notes

Tuscan red, light and fruity, a cascade of cherry and raspberry on the tongue plus a whiff of herbs on the nose.

Food Matching

Tuscan bean soup and crusty bread dipped in olive oil.

Vinification

This wine is fermented for 10 days in stainless steel tanks and further settled for 4 months before being bottled.

Murviedro Series Old Vine Bobal

Country

Spain

Grape

Bobal

Vintage

2020

Style

Medium-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Aromas of dark fruits and light spice. Plum and bramble fruit balanced by toasty characters on the structured palate. The tannins are nicely woven in, there is a chunky texture but good fruit intesity which balances this wine out nicely.

Food Matching

Enjoy with roast lamb or beef dishes and robust enough to partner quite spicy food.

Vinification

Made exclusively from low-yielding, old vine Bobal fruit grown in the area known as ‘Medio Dia’ - where the soil is chalk/clay with little organic content. This, together with long hours of sunshine, and large variations between day and night temperatures, result in very low, yet high quality, yields. The grapes are destemmed and gently pressed followed by a long maceration at controlled temperature. Malolactic fermentation takes place, and then the wine is aged in new French ‘Allier’ barrels for eight months.

Ladies who Shoot their Lunch, Shiraz

Country

Australia

Grape

Syrah-Shiraz

Vintage

2020

Style

Medium to Full Bodied

Tasting Notes

Superb Shiraz smells invitingly of juicy ripe blackberries and black cherries, with slightly resinous, spicy, incense notes, toasted oak, and raspberry jam. In the mouth, it is irresistibly delicious, with gorgeously pronounced black fruit, black pepper, and liquorice notes, alongside subtle, suave oak. The tannins are beautifully rounded and velevety and there is fabulous freshness.

Food Matching

Served perfectly alongside juniper berry rubbed roast Venison fillet with red wine jus.

Vinification

10% of the must was held cold prior to inoculation to encourage aromatic intensity. Wine was fermented at around 24C in stainless steel tanks and matured in a combination of old and new, small and large, English and French oak. One third of the wine was matured in 140 year old 5000L English oak casks.

The Wines

Passitivo Primitivo Appassimento

Country

Italy

Grape

Primitivo

Vintage

2022

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Ruby-red, with a complex bouquet reminiscent of cherries, raspberries, and redcurrants. The particle aging adds a pleasant roasted and spicy aroma.

Food Matching

Great with cheese and hearty meat dishes.

Vinification

A Primitivo grape variety that has been dried slightly using " il giro del picciolo" technique where the stems of the grape bunches are twisted so that they no longer receive nourishment. They are left for about 12 days and in that time they lose 25-30% of their weight, which concentrates the juice and natural sweetness of the grapes.

Ciliegiolo Organic Tenuta Santa Lucia

Country

Italy

Grape

Ciliegiolo

Vintage

2018

Style

Medium-bodied

Tasting Notes

Tuscan red, light and fruity, a cascade of cherry and raspberry on the tongue plus a whiff of herbs on the nose.

Food Matching

Tuscan bean soup and crusty bread dipped in olive oil.

Vinification

This wine is fermented for 10 days in stainless steel tanks and further settled for 4 months before being bottled.

Murviedro Series Old Vine Bobal

Country

Spain

Grape

Bobal

Vintage

2020

Style

Medium-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Aromas of dark fruits and light spice. Plum and bramble fruit balanced by toasty characters on the structured palate. The tannins are nicely woven in, there is a chunky texture but good fruit intesity which balances this wine out nicely.

Food Matching

Enjoy with roast lamb or beef dishes and robust enough to partner quite spicy food.

Vinification

Made exclusively from low-yielding, old vine Bobal fruit grown in the area known as ‘Medio Dia’ - where the soil is chalk/clay with little organic content. This, together with long hours of sunshine, and large variations between day and night temperatures, result in very low, yet high quality, yields. The grapes are destemmed and gently pressed followed by a long maceration at controlled temperature. Malolactic fermentation takes place, and then the wine is aged in new French ‘Allier’ barrels for eight months.

Month 6

And just like that we’re in autumn, transitioning into reds rather than white wines – including some big ones!  

The Wines

Alpha Box & Dice ‘Golden Mullet Fury’

Country

Grape

Vintage

Style

Tasting Notes

Food Matching

Vinification

The Wines

Mountain Red Blend, Thelema

Country

South Africa

Grape

Merlot 28%; Grape Cabernet Sauvignon 28%; Grape Petit Verdot 21%; Grape Grenache 21%; Grape Shiraz 1%; Grape Cabernet Franc 1%.

Vintagb

2021

Style

Medium bodied

Tasting Notes

Spicy aromas of black pepper and mulberry mingle with the plum flavours in this soft and approachable wine. 

Food Matching

Particularly good with light and medium flavoured meals, such as pizza and braai (BBQ). 

Vinification

Vineyard: Portions of Thelema's younger vineyards are selected for this fruit-driven yet complex wine  Vinification: All components 18 months in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fill barrels.

Cuma Organic Malbec

Country

Argentina

Grape

Malbec

Vintage

2024

Style

Medium-bodied

Tasting Notes

Rich, thrilling Malbec, full of black cherries and black plums, topped off with a scattering of spice.

Food Matching

Match it with grilled pork tenderloin and rosemary-roasted potatoes.

Vinification

Both practices in the vineyards and the winery have followed strictly certified organic processes. In the vineyards, the fertilisers are waste of sheep, ants are fought with diatom earth and weed control is with machetes, all of them are natural elements. In the winery the sulphur levels are lower than with conventional wines. The expression of the wine is empowered, flavours and tastes are more intense, fresher, and more natural. The grape expresses itself in the most genuine way.

Catalina Sounds Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

Country

New Zealand

Grape

Sauvignon Blanc

Vintage

2022

Style

Tasting Notes

This wine is quintessentially Marlborough in profile with bright aromas of guava, citrus fruits, and sweet crushed herbs. The palate is elegantly proportioned with lovely soft acid carrying the fruit flavours to a long, pure finish.

Food Matching

Enjoy with fresh seafood, Summer salads and fine Asian cuisine.

Vinification

Sourced predominantly from grower vineyards in the Fairhall, Renwick and Waihopai sub regions of Marlborough. Clean juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks with selected yeast strains to maintain aromatic purity. The wine was allowed to build additional interest and texture through extended lees aging post fermentation.

The Wines

Mountain Red Blend, Thelema

Country

South Africa

Grape

Merlot 28%; Grape Cabernet Sauvignon 28%; Grape Petit Verdot 21%; Grape Grenache 21%; Grape Shiraz 1%; Grape Cabernet Franc 1%.

Vintagb

2021

Style

Medium bodied

Tasting Notes

Spicy aromas of black pepper and mulberry mingle with the plum flavours in this soft and approachable wine. 

Food Matching

Particularly good with light and medium flavoured meals, such as pizza and braai (BBQ). 

Vinification

Vineyard: Portions of Thelema's younger vineyards are selected for this fruit-driven yet complex wine  Vinification: All components 18 months in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fill barrels.

Cuma Organic Malbec

Country

Argentina

Grape

Malbec

Vintage

2024

Style

Medium-bodied

Tasting Notes

Rich, thrilling Malbec, full of black cherries and black plums, topped off with a scattering of spice.

Food Matching

Match it with grilled pork tenderloin and rosemary-roasted potatoes.

Vinification

Both practices in the vineyards and the winery have followed strictly certified organic processes. In the vineyards, the fertilisers are waste of sheep, ants are fought with diatom earth and weed control is with machetes, all of them are natural elements. In the winery the sulphur levels are lower than with conventional wines. The expression of the wine is empowered, flavours and tastes are more intense, fresher, and more natural. The grape expresses itself in the most genuine way.

The Dog Strangler Mataro, Teusner

Country

Australia

Grape

Mataro

Vintage

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Mataro, 'The Dog Strangler' , translated from Estrangle-Chien, as it is known in parts of France. Rarely seen as a single varietal - this wine is a standout. A lovely, deep, darkly impenetrable, purple/black colour. Deep purple, good name for a band. Blueberries, anise, smoked-meats, Asian spice, really lovely aromatics and evocative things happening in the glass. Deliciously fleshy blue fruits, dark cherry, spice and licorice. This has a really attractive dark fruit-weight and the tannins and acid work in tandem seamlessly to give the dark, slurpy fruit the structure and cut this wine requires. 95 pts - Aaron Brasher - The Real Review - 27 FEB 2021.

Food Matching

Dishes that highlight the wonderful spice elements, including game and slow cooked meats.

Vinification

Vineyard: The Dog Strangler Mataro is sourced predominantly from vineyards in the Northern Barossa. These vines have an average age of 25 years, and tend to yield with moderate crop levels of highly flavoured fruit. Due to it's natural upright growth habit, Mataro vines embrace the full sun in the Barossa and are some of the latest blocks harvested each vintage. Vinification: All components are fermented in open fermenters, where the presence of whole berries is encouraged. Pumped over twice daily, flavours colours and tannins are gently extracted from the grapes until pressing off skins after 7 days. All batches are retained separately and matured in seasoned hogsheads for 18 months prior to careful blending and bottling.

The Wines

Mountain Red Blend, Thelema

Country

South Africa

Grape

Merlot 28%; Grape Cabernet Sauvignon 28%; Grape Petit Verdot 21%; Grape Grenache 21%; Grape Shiraz 1%; Grape Cabernet Franc 1%.

Vintage

2021

Style

Medium bodied

Tasting Notes

Spicy aromas of black pepper and mulberry mingle with the plum flavours in this soft and approachable wine. 

Food Matching

Particularly good with light and medium flavoured meals, such as pizza and braai (BBQ). 

Vinification

Vineyard: Portions of Thelema's younger vineyards are selected for this fruit-driven yet complex wine  Vinification: All components 18 months in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fill barrels.

Cuma Organic Malbec

Country

Argentina

Grape

Malbec

Vintage

2024

Style

Medium-bodied

Tasting Notes

Rich, thrilling Malbec, full of black cherries and black plums, topped off with a scattering of spice.

Food Matching

Match it with grilled pork tenderloin and rosemary-roasted potatoes.

Vinification

Both practices in the vineyards and the winery have followed strictly certified organic processes. In the vineyards, the fertilisers are waste of sheep, ants are fought with diatom earth and weed control is with machetes, all of them are natural elements. In the winery the sulphur levels are lower than with conventional wines. The expression of the wine is empowered, flavours and tastes are more intense, fresher, and more natural. The grape expresses itself in the most genuine way.

Month 5 –

A mixture of wines for this month's box, a lot of Europe and a little hello from Chile! An array of lovely summer vibes and something to go with grilled lamb or BBQ.  I visited the De Martino vineyards in Chile in February to see how the family have grown and adapted to produce a lower intervention style of wine. Gallardia comes from Muscat of Alexandria grapes grown in the Itata valley (5 hours south of Santiago) that's really far south for growing grapes! Hand harvested then a spontaneous fermentation, for wild yeasts, French oak for softness and then lees ageing for depth curates a wine that is superbly match with bright summer salads or oily fish dishes. You’ll be able to add favourites into you “cellar” now as well so you can remember the wines enjoyed the most.

No PDF uploaded yet.

The Wines

Gallardia Old Vine White, De Martino

Country

Chile

Grape

Muscat of Alexandria

Vintage

2019

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

A distinctive wine that shows the intensity and character arising from the fruit of old, dry-farmed vines. The nose displays typical floral and zesty notes of Muscat with a complex smoky mineral hint. The dry palate is very well balanced between crisp acidity, intense fruit and a soft texture, and the finish lingers beautifully.

Food Matching

Wonderful with a wide array of fresh Chilean seafood, summer salads and cheeses, or simply on its own, fresh and chilled to perfection.

Vinification

Bunches are destemmed and the berries pressed. Spontaneous fermentation in used French oak barrels. The wine does a partial malolactic fermentation and is aged on its fine lees for 6 months prior to bottling.

The Wines

Ontañón Rioja Reserva

Country

Spain

Grape

Tempranillo

Vintagb

2015

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Aromas of bramble fruit with spice and lightly floral notes. On the palate plum and ripe blackberry, fruit flavours combine with ample acidity, minerality, and earthy notes. Tannins are smooth and supple as you would expect from an eight-year-old wine, and it is drinking beautifully

Food Matching

Drink this Reserva with lamb, roast pork, or mushroom risotto.

Vinification

Reservas are only produced in years of exceptional quality - and from the most select vineyards. The Tempranillo is sourced from La Pasada, and the Graciano from La Montesa vineyard. After a long maceration the wine spends 12 months in 60% American and 40% French oak (both used and new), followed by 24 months in bottle.

Rippa Dorii Ribera del Duero Crianza

Country

Spain

Grape

Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo)

Vintage

2020

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Aromas of bramble fruit, vanilla, nutmeg and sweet spice. The palate is rich and complex with blueberry and blackberry fruit, ripe tannins and good length.

Food Matching

Great with lamb chops, dishes with chorizo, and hearty vegetable casseroles.

Vinification

100% Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo) grapes are selected from a number of different plots near Fuentecén, at 900m altitude. Soils here are a combination of stone, clay and white limestone and vines are over 25 years in age. A first selection of grapes takes place in the vineyard, where those from the highest and coolest areas are chosen, which have experienced a slower and smoother ripening of the berries. A pre-fermentation maceration of the grapes takes place at 10ºC for 3 days, followed by alcoholic fermentation over 18 days at 22-26ºC - with pumping over and daily pumping-down. Malolactic fermentation takes place in batches, both in tank at the start of fermentation and also in barrel at its end. The wine matures for 12 months in oak barrels - 70% French (with different levels of toast) and 30% American. Between 25-30% of the barrels are new, with the rest coming from 2nd, 3rd and 4th use oak.

Cubardi Primitivo

Country

Italy

Grape

Primitvo

Vintage

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Rich and warm on the nose, with raisin and prune notes and fresher red berry fruits. Very sweet and fruited on the palate, this is a big, rich, and warming wine, with gentle ripe tannins and enough acidity to balance it.

Food Matching

Great wine to pair with sweet and savory sauces on grilled meats, also pairs well with dishes featuring tomato sauce such as pizza, and pasta with Bolognese.

Vinification

Grapes are harvested by hand and 6 months in French oak and 8 months in bottle.

Loureiro, Vinho Verde

Country

Portugal

Grape

Loureiro

Vintage

2024

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

Loureiro from northern Portugal, as floral as its name, with a mouthful of green apples and white currants and a fine, long finish.

Food Matching

It pairs perfectly with mussels, squid, octopus & oysters.

Vinification

Fermentation takes place in stainless tanks at a low temperature between 12- 14ºC for around three weeks, followed by a period of aging on its lees.

The Wines

Ontañón Rioja Reserva

Country

Spain

Grape

Tempranillo

Vintagb

2015

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Aromas of bramble fruit with spice and lightly floral notes. On the palate plum and ripe blackberry, fruit flavours combine with ample acidity, minerality, and earthy notes. Tannins are smooth and supple as you would expect from an eight-year-old wine, and it is drinking beautifully

Food Matching

Drink this Reserva with lamb, roast pork, or mushroom risotto.

Vinification

Reservas are only produced in years of exceptional quality - and from the most select vineyards. The Tempranillo is sourced from La Pasada, and the Graciano from La Montesa vineyard. After a long maceration the wine spends 12 months in 60% American and 40% French oak (both used and new), followed by 24 months in bottle.

Rippa Dorii Ribera del Duero Crianza

Country

Spain

Grape

Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo)

Vintage

2020

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Aromas of bramble fruit, vanilla, nutmeg and sweet spice. The palate is rich and complex with blueberry and blackberry fruit, ripe tannins and good length.

Food Matching

Great with lamb chops, dishes with chorizo, and hearty vegetable casseroles.

Vinification

100% Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo) grapes are selected from a number of different plots near Fuentecén, at 900m altitude. Soils here are a combination of stone, clay and white limestone and vines are over 25 years in age. A first selection of grapes takes place in the vineyard, where those from the highest and coolest areas are chosen, which have experienced a slower and smoother ripening of the berries. A pre-fermentation maceration of the grapes takes place at 10ºC for 3 days, followed by alcoholic fermentation over 18 days at 22-26ºC - with pumping over and daily pumping-down. Malolactic fermentation takes place in batches, both in tank at the start of fermentation and also in barrel at its end. The wine matures for 12 months in oak barrels - 70% French (with different levels of toast) and 30% American. Between 25-30% of the barrels are new, with the rest coming from 2nd, 3rd and 4th use oak.

Cubardi Primitivo

Country

Italy

Grape

Primitvo

Vintage

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Rich and warm on the nose, with raisin and prune notes and fresher red berry fruits. Very sweet and fruited on the palate, this is a big, rich, and warming wine, with gentle ripe tannins and enough acidity to balance it.

Food Matching

Great wine to pair with sweet and savory sauces on grilled meats, also pairs well with dishes featuring tomato sauce such as pizza, and pasta with Bolognese.

Vinification

Grapes are harvested by hand and 6 months in French oak and 8 months in bottle.

Domaine de la Motte Chablis Vielles Vignes

Country

France

Grape

Chardonnay

Vintage

2022

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

The flavour profile of this sits somewhere in between the Chablis and Petit Chablis from Domaine de la Motte. It has a restrained savoury, citrus and herbal nose followed by greater intensity on the palate. Cooked lemons, green apples and a stoney minerality are complemented by a nice citrus acidity to the end with a lovely clean finish.

Food Matching

Anything that calls for a clean, crisp Chablis.

Vinification

Grown on Kimmeridgian soils, on south and south-eastern facing slopes in the commune of Beine. This 1.5 hectare plot of vines with an average age of 40 years old only produces about 9000 bottles per year. After traditional vinification and fermentation at 18 degrees, the wine is aged for 9 months with 66% in steel tanks and 33% in 600l oak vessels.

The Wines

Ontañón Rioja Reserva

Country

Spain

Grape

Tempranillo

Vintage

2015

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Aromas of bramble fruit with spice and lightly floral notes. On the palate plum and ripe blackberry, fruit flavours combine with ample acidity, minerality, and earthy notes. Tannins are smooth and supple as you would expect from an eight-year-old wine, and it is drinking beautifully

Food Matching

Drink this Reserva with lamb, roast pork, or mushroom risotto.

Vinification

Reservas are only produced in years of exceptional quality - and from the most select vineyards. The Tempranillo is sourced from La Pasada, and the Graciano from La Montesa vineyard. After a long maceration the wine spends 12 months in 60% American and 40% French oak (both used and new), followed by 24 months in bottle.

Rippa Dorii Ribera del Duero Crianza

Country

Spain

Grape

Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo)

Vintage

2020

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Aromas of bramble fruit, vanilla, nutmeg and sweet spice. The palate is rich and complex with blueberry and blackberry fruit, ripe tannins and good length.

Food Matching

Great with lamb chops, dishes with chorizo, and hearty vegetable casseroles.

Vinification

100% Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo) grapes are selected from a number of different plots near Fuentecén, at 900m altitude. Soils here are a combination of stone, clay and white limestone and vines are over 25 years in age. A first selection of grapes takes place in the vineyard, where those from the highest and coolest areas are chosen, which have experienced a slower and smoother ripening of the berries. A pre-fermentation maceration of the grapes takes place at 10ºC for 3 days, followed by alcoholic fermentation over 18 days at 22-26ºC - with pumping over and daily pumping-down. Malolactic fermentation takes place in batches, both in tank at the start of fermentation and also in barrel at its end. The wine matures for 12 months in oak barrels - 70% French (with different levels of toast) and 30% American. Between 25-30% of the barrels are new, with the rest coming from 2nd, 3rd and 4th use oak.

Cubardi Primitivo

Country

Italy

Grape

Primitvo

Vintage

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Rich and warm on the nose, with raisin and prune notes and fresher red berry fruits. Very sweet and fruited on the palate, this is a big, rich, and warming wine, with gentle ripe tannins and enough acidity to balance it.

Food Matching

Great wine to pair with sweet and savory sauces on grilled meats, also pairs well with dishes featuring tomato sauce such as pizza, and pasta with Bolognese.

Vinification

Grapes are harvested by hand and 6 months in French oak and 8 months in bottle.

Month 4 –

Well, maybe I spoke too soon about ‘summer’ wines! Hopefully we do better in July! I’m starting with a rosé to try and manifest some sun and Chateau Leoube, Provence, France produces some of the best. The wine maker, Romaine Ott has been making wine of this crisp clean style for years. Soft strawberries, bit of pear and a lovely acidity. Hand harvested, direct pressing, natural yeasts along with the organic growing, make this a real winner for me!You’ll be able to add favourites into you “cellar” now as well so you can remember the wines enjoyed the most.

No PDF uploaded yet.

The Wines

Côtes de Provence Rosé Léoube, Château Léoube

Country

France

Grape

Grenache 40%, Cinsault 40%, Syrah 10% and Mourvèdre 10%

Vintage

2022

Style

Light

Tasting Notes

There's a lovely freshness reminiscent of white fleshy fruit, that combines with the delicate red and dried fruits with a hint of spices. This is a drinkable and elegant style of rosé.

Food Matching

Antipasti, Red & white meat, BBQ, Asian food, Mediterranean dishes, and just By the Glass

Vinification

Hand harvested and direct pressed. Natural yeast are used for fermentation, full malolactic fermentation. Stainless tank.

The Wines

Are You Game? Pinot Noir

Country

Australia

Grape

Pinot Noir 85.1% - Sangiovese 14.9%

Vintagb

2021

Style

Light to Medium Bodied

Tasting Notes

Pinot Noir with a leavening dash of Mourvèdre from Victoria, south-east Australia, delivering baskets of cherry and strawberry to the mouth, complemented by bracken, fresh earth, and a touch of oak on the nose.

Food Matching

Pair with wild game but especially dishes including duck.

Vinification

The wine was fermented in sweep arm fermenters between 25C to 28C in stainless steel tanks to maximise flavour and colour and to preserve primary fruit flavours. Matured using new French oak with a small component aged in old French oak.

Ramnista, Kir-Yianni, Naoussa

Country

Greece

Grape

Xinomavro

Vintage

2019

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Savoury, aromatic Xinomavro from its best-known home region, perfumed with rose petals, strawberry, cherry, and vanilla, yet the sweetness is kept in check by notes of tomato, olive tapenade, and pleasant fumes of tobacco.

Food Matching

An excellent pair for red meat, such as lamb and game.

Vinification

The grapes are handpicked, chilled overnight, and sorted on a conveyor belt before crushing. After a six-day pre-fermentation cold soak at 8-10°C, they must undergo a 12-15 day vinification at controlled temperatures. Fermentation temperature does not exceed 25°C. Roughly one-third of the wine ferments in open-top tanks with pigeage. The final blend is made five months after harvest and the last racking takes place about six months later. Matured in both French and American oak, new oak up to 25%, and about 25% 500-litre casks. Filtered lightly before bottling.

Country

Grape

Vintage

Style

Tasting Notes

Food Matching

Vinification

The Wines

Are You Game? Pinot Noir

Country

Australia

Grape

Pinot Noir 85.1% - Sangiovese 14.9%

Vintagb

2021

Style

Light to Medium Bodied

Tasting Notes

Pinot Noir with a leavening dash of Mourvèdre from Victoria, south-east Australia, delivering baskets of cherry and strawberry to the mouth, complemented by bracken, fresh earth, and a touch of oak on the nose.

Food Matching

Pair with wild game but especially dishes including duck.

Vinification

The wine was fermented in sweep arm fermenters between 25C to 28C in stainless steel tanks to maximise flavour and colour and to preserve primary fruit flavours. Matured using new French oak with a small component aged in old French oak.

Ramnista, Kir-Yianni, Naoussa

Country

Greece

Grape

Xinomavro

Vintage

2019

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Savoury, aromatic Xinomavro from its best-known home region, perfumed with rose petals, strawberry, cherry, and vanilla, yet the sweetness is kept in check by notes of tomato, olive tapenade, and pleasant fumes of tobacco.

Food Matching

An excellent pair for red meat, such as lamb and game.

Vinification

The grapes are handpicked, chilled overnight, and sorted on a conveyor belt before crushing. After a six-day pre-fermentation cold soak at 8-10°C, they must undergo a 12-15 day vinification at controlled temperatures. Fermentation temperature does not exceed 25°C. Roughly one-third of the wine ferments in open-top tanks with pigeage. The final blend is made five months after harvest and the last racking takes place about six months later. Matured in both French and American oak, new oak up to 25%, and about 25% 500-litre casks. Filtered lightly before bottling.

Soave DOC Sereole, Bertani

Country

Italy

Grape

Garganega

Vintage

2022

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

Pretty, fragrant Soave, with a nose that's sweetly scented with pear blossom, apricot, and pineapple, and fruit dusted with spice in the mouth.

Food Matching

Has body and a lick of oak making this the perfect accompaniment for anything from roast pork to fish in complex sauces.

Vinification

The grapes are harvested late, around the middle of October to capture the benefits of extended hangtime. After destalking and gentle crushing, the wine is macerated with partial skin contact. Fermentation is carried out in 75hl French oak vats at a temperature of around 16C. The wine is kept in the same vats after fermentation for six months of maturation on the fine lees. The wine is kept in the winery for three months of further aging after bottling.

The Wines

Are You Game? Pinot Noir

Country

Australia

Grape

Pinot Noir 85.1% - Sangiovese 14.9%

Vintage

2021

Style

Light to Medium Bodied

Tasting Notes

Pinot Noir with a leavening dash of Mourvèdre from Victoria, south-east Australia, delivering baskets of cherry and strawberry to the mouth, complemented by bracken, fresh earth, and a touch of oak on the nose.

Food Matching

Pair with wild game but especially dishes including duck.

Vinification

The wine was fermented in sweep arm fermenters between 25C to 28C in stainless steel tanks to maximise flavour and colour and to preserve primary fruit flavours. Matured using new French oak with a small component aged in old French oak.

Ramnista, Kir-Yianni, Naoussa

Country

Greece

Grape

Xinomavro

Vintage

2019

Style

Full-Bodied

Tasting Notes

Savoury, aromatic Xinomavro from its best-known home region, perfumed with rose petals, strawberry, cherry, and vanilla, yet the sweetness is kept in check by notes of tomato, olive tapenade, and pleasant fumes of tobacco.

Food Matching

An excellent pair for red meat, such as lamb and game.

Vinification

The grapes are handpicked, chilled overnight, and sorted on a conveyor belt before crushing. After a six-day pre-fermentation cold soak at 8-10°C, they must undergo a 12-15 day vinification at controlled temperatures. Fermentation temperature does not exceed 25°C. Roughly one-third of the wine ferments in open-top tanks with pigeage. The final blend is made five months after harvest and the last racking takes place about six months later. Matured in both French and American oak, new oak up to 25%, and about 25% 500-litre casks. Filtered lightly before bottling.

Month 3 –

Summer wines for BBQ’s, fresh salads and long evenings spent outside... Or weekend lunch's... This month I’ve picked out a few of my favourites from the last few years which are forever in my top draw of our wines balanced with a couple newer characters to the shelves. Whites, Assyritiko – a native Greek grape, not often seen but something we absolutely love.Bright, green grassy with a great almost Chalbis-esk minerality. BBQ? - Bogle Chardonnay. Big buttery Californian Chard, it's a belter. Red’s hailing from Italy and Spain finishes this month's line up bolder in styles but still perfectly summery. Tasting notes and more information can be found on the Guy’s Wine Club page and you’ll be able to add favourites into you “cellar” now as well so you can remember the wines enjoyed the most.You’ll be able to add favourites into you “cellar” now as well so you can remember the wines enjoyed the most.

No PDF uploaded yet.

The Wines

Assyrtiko, Ktima Kir-Yianni

Country

Greece

Grape

Assyrtiko

Vintage

2024

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

Lovely, stony white wine from this admired Greek grape variety, perfumed with citrus and flowers and rounded out by flavours of white peach.

Food Matching

Assyrtiko is a wine ideal for food pairings: roasted or poached fish fillet, fried cod, oven-roasted stuffed squid, pasta in white sauce, white cheeses.

Vinification

The grapes are chilled overnight and cold soaked in order to maximize the extraction of aroma precursors into the must. Following racking, the must is inoculated with selected yeasts. At the end of the fermentation, the wine matures for a period of 4-5 months on its lees, gaining more volume and complexity.

The Wines

Juan Gil Yellow Label

Country

Spain

Grape

Monastrell

Vintagb

2023

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

The nose has rich plum and bramble characters, with delicate vanilla spice and cedar. The palate has layers of ripe fruit, blackcurrant, blackberry, spicy plum and cherry, and fine tannins balanced by bright acidity.

Food Matching

Hearty meat and vegetable stews, roast pork.

Vinification

Grapes come from 40 year old bush vines. Vineyards are 700 metres above sea level to the north east of Jumilla, on sandy, chalky, rocky soil. The grapes were hand-harvested. Fermented in stainless steel. Aged in French and American oak for around 4 months.

Plumbago" Nero d'Avola Sicilia DOC, Planeta

Country

Italy

Grape

Nero d'avola

Vintage

2021

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Named for a pretty, purple Sicilian flower, this is a lovely, purple wine, its aromas of ripe plums, wild blackberries, and jasmine surpassed in the mouth by chocolate, forest floor, and black truffle.

Food Matching

Perfect for matching with grilled meat with its affinity for smokey tones and its natural sweetness which goes with any sauce.

Vinification

Plumbago – named after the beautiful purple wild flower that grows in the woods surrounding the farmhouse and vineyards of Ulmo – is a single-variety Nero d’Avola. It is produced from the old vineyard at Lake Arancio which gives us this soft fruity version of this great Sicilian grape variety. Rounded tannins and perfectly judged wood makes it an immediately pleasurable wine. Ideal for Mediterranean cooking based on vegetables and all types of meat. Vinification: "Vinification: after destalking and pressing, the grapes ferment in stainless steel vats and remain on the skins for 14 days at 25⁰C with repeated mixing; at the end of the period racking by soft pressing. The wine thus obtained undergoes malolactic fermentation in stainless steel, in January it is transferred to wooden barrels for 10 months. Maturation: barriques and tonneaux used 3 and 4 times. "

Alasia Barolo

Country

Italy

Grape

Nebbiolo

Vintage

2020

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

A fine, expressive style with Barolo's classic combination of mature, lightly floral aromas with richness and structure. Dark plum, leather and delicate violet aromas, plus notes of woodsmoke and brown spice. A full, firm and ripe red with rich, powerful flavours. All balanced by ripe tannins, complex savoury notes and a long finish.

Food Matching

Decant and drink with roasted red meats and game.

Vinification

Vines are trained on a low Guyot trellis at 4-5,000 vines/ha. The grapes were hand-harvested, de-stemmed and then crushed to small fermenters, for 12 days, with daily pumping-over. The wine was drained off at dryness, and the skins transferred to a small press. After pressing the wine was settled for two days, and then racked to stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation. After three years maturation in 50hl Slavonian oak casks it was racked from oak and gently fined.

Cicada Blanc by Chante Cigale

Country

France

Grape

Viognier (30%), Picpoul Blanc (30%) and Grenache Blanc (40%)

Vintage

2023

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

Easy-drinking, unoaked and a classic french-style table wine. Citrus and pear on the nose with citrus flesh and nice weight on the palate, quite a ripe, round finish.

Food Matching

Coconut flavoured Thai and Vietnamese dishes, or as a delicious foil to barbecued or grilled mackerel.

Vinification

An unusual blend of Viognier (30%), Picpoul Blanc (30%) and Grenache Blanc (40%). Sourced from clay limestone soils in Richerenes in the Vaucluse for the Grenache Blanc and Picpoul, with the Viognier sourced in the Northern Rhône (so the wine is classified as Vin de France). Vinified in stainless steel, with a short maceration of one week. Alex Favier then puts the final blend together.

The Wines

Juan Gil Yellow Label

Country

Spain

Grape

Monastrell

Vintagb

2023

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

The nose has rich plum and bramble characters, with delicate vanilla spice and cedar. The palate has layers of ripe fruit, blackcurrant, blackberry, spicy plum and cherry, and fine tannins balanced by bright acidity.

Food Matching

Hearty meat and vegetable stews, roast pork.

Vinification

Grapes come from 40 year old bush vines. Vineyards are 700 metres above sea level to the north east of Jumilla, on sandy, chalky, rocky soil. The grapes were hand-harvested. Fermented in stainless steel. Aged in French and American oak for around 4 months.

Plumbago" Nero d'Avola Sicilia DOC, Planeta

Country

Italy

Grape

Nero d'avola

Vintage

2021

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Named for a pretty, purple Sicilian flower, this is a lovely, purple wine, its aromas of ripe plums, wild blackberries, and jasmine surpassed in the mouth by chocolate, forest floor, and black truffle.

Food Matching

Perfect for matching with grilled meat with its affinity for smokey tones and its natural sweetness which goes with any sauce.

Vinification

Plumbago – named after the beautiful purple wild flower that grows in the woods surrounding the farmhouse and vineyards of Ulmo – is a single-variety Nero d’Avola. It is produced from the old vineyard at Lake Arancio which gives us this soft fruity version of this great Sicilian grape variety. Rounded tannins and perfectly judged wood makes it an immediately pleasurable wine. Ideal for Mediterranean cooking based on vegetables and all types of meat. Vinification: "Vinification: after destalking and pressing, the grapes ferment in stainless steel vats and remain on the skins for 14 days at 25⁰C with repeated mixing; at the end of the period racking by soft pressing. The wine thus obtained undergoes malolactic fermentation in stainless steel, in January it is transferred to wooden barrels for 10 months. Maturation: barriques and tonneaux used 3 and 4 times. "

Alasia Barolo

Country

Italy

Grape

Nebbiolo

Vintage

2020

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

A fine, expressive style with Barolo's classic combination of mature, lightly floral aromas with richness and structure. Dark plum, leather and delicate violet aromas, plus notes of woodsmoke and brown spice. A full, firm and ripe red with rich, powerful flavours. All balanced by ripe tannins, complex savoury notes and a long finish.

Food Matching

Decant and drink with roasted red meats and game.

Vinification

Vines are trained on a low Guyot trellis at 4-5,000 vines/ha. The grapes were hand-harvested, de-stemmed and then crushed to small fermenters, for 12 days, with daily pumping-over. The wine was drained off at dryness, and the skins transferred to a small press. After pressing the wine was settled for two days, and then racked to stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation. After three years maturation in 50hl Slavonian oak casks it was racked from oak and gently fined.

Bogle Vineyards Chardonnay

Country

USA

Grape

Chardonnay

Vintage

2022

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

A treat of a Chardonnay from California, with green apples, pears and pineapples on the nose and butterscotch and vanilla, balanced by fresh acidity, on the tongue.

Food Matching

Enjoy this wine with just about everything!

Vinification

Winemaking is both an art and a science, and Bogle winemakers have again hand-crafted a perfectly balanced, easy-to-drink Chardonnay. Using the techniques of barrel fermentation, surlies aging and partial malolactic fermentation, winemakers have layered flavour upon flavour, creating a complex wine with generous character. Fermentation takes place in 50% new American oak and also has sur-lies ageing. Once fermentation is complete the wine spends a further 9 months in new American oak.

The Wines

Juan Gil Yellow Label

Country

Spain

Grape

Monastrell

Vintage

2023

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

The nose has rich plum and bramble characters, with delicate vanilla spice and cedar. The palate has layers of ripe fruit, blackcurrant, blackberry, spicy plum and cherry, and fine tannins balanced by bright acidity.

Food Matching

Hearty meat and vegetable stews, roast pork.

Vinification

Grapes come from 40 year old bush vines. Vineyards are 700 metres above sea level to the north east of Jumilla, on sandy, chalky, rocky soil. The grapes were hand-harvested. Fermented in stainless steel. Aged in French and American oak for around 4 months.

Plumbago" Nero d'Avola Sicilia DOC, Planeta

Country

Italy

Grape

Nero d'avola

Vintage

2021

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Named for a pretty, purple Sicilian flower, this is a lovely, purple wine, its aromas of ripe plums, wild blackberries, and jasmine surpassed in the mouth by chocolate, forest floor, and black truffle.

Food Matching

Perfect for matching with grilled meat with its affinity for smokey tones and its natural sweetness which goes with any sauce.

Vinification

Plumbago – named after the beautiful purple wild flower that grows in the woods surrounding the farmhouse and vineyards of Ulmo – is a single-variety Nero d’Avola. It is produced from the old vineyard at Lake Arancio which gives us this soft fruity version of this great Sicilian grape variety. Rounded tannins and perfectly judged wood makes it an immediately pleasurable wine. Ideal for Mediterranean cooking based on vegetables and all types of meat. Vinification: "Vinification: after destalking and pressing, the grapes ferment in stainless steel vats and remain on the skins for 14 days at 25⁰C with repeated mixing; at the end of the period racking by soft pressing. The wine thus obtained undergoes malolactic fermentation in stainless steel, in January it is transferred to wooden barrels for 10 months. Maturation: barriques and tonneaux used 3 and 4 times. "

Alasia Barolo

Country

Italy

Grape

Nebbiolo

Vintage

2020

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

A fine, expressive style with Barolo's classic combination of mature, lightly floral aromas with richness and structure. Dark plum, leather and delicate violet aromas, plus notes of woodsmoke and brown spice. A full, firm and ripe red with rich, powerful flavours. All balanced by ripe tannins, complex savoury notes and a long finish.

Food Matching

Decant and drink with roasted red meats and game.

Vinification

Vines are trained on a low Guyot trellis at 4-5,000 vines/ha. The grapes were hand-harvested, de-stemmed and then crushed to small fermenters, for 12 days, with daily pumping-over. The wine was drained off at dryness, and the skins transferred to a small press. After pressing the wine was settled for two days, and then racked to stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation. After three years maturation in 50hl Slavonian oak casks it was racked from oak and gently fined.

Month 2 

Spring has finally sprung and with that some great Spring wines and a couple inspired from a recent trip to Portugal. This month we still have the big hitters but with the warmer weather we also welcome lighter fresher flavours along with a couple of brand-new wines to us.You’ll be able to add favourites into you “cellar” now as well so you can remember the wines enjoyed the most.

No PDF uploaded yet.

The Wines

Barão da Várzea do Douro Colheita Branco, DOC Douro

Country

Portugal

Grape

Gouveio 40%, Viosinho 30%, Arinto 30%

Vintage

2023

Style

Light

Tasting Notes

Citrus aromas with delicate floral notes and hints of white peach. A crisp white with apple and lemon peel characters, juicy acidity, and a refreshing finish.

Food Matching

Enjoy with tuna empanadas

Vinification

The Gouveio, Viosinho and Arinto grapes, indigenous to the north of Portugal, grow in fine soils with some schist. The vineyards are situated near Cambres, in the western part of the Douro valley, south of the river. Some of the vines are over 50 years old, and they enjoy a warm and dry climate. After harvesting the grapes are fermented in stainless steel at controlled temperatures.

The Wines

Barão da Várzea do Douro, Colheita Douro Tinto

Country

Portugal

Grape

Touriga Franca 50%, Touriga Nacional 25%, Tinta Roriz 25%

Vintagb

2022

Style

Medium- bodied

Tasting Notes

Bright aromas of wild blackberry and spice. The palate has ripe bramble fruit, supple tannins and juicy acidity.

Food Matching

Perfect with a hearty bean and lentil casserole, with or without sausages.

Vinification

The local grapes - Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa and Tinta Roriz - grow in fine soils with some schist in vineyards near Cambres, in the western part of the Douro valley and south of the river. The climate here is warm and dry, and some of the vines are over 50 years old. After harvesting fermentation takes place in stainless steel, with a small portion (around 10%) ageing for 4 months in 2nd year French oak barrels, before the final blending and bottling.

Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon

Country

USA

Grape

Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage

2019

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Glorious California Cabernet Sauvignon, reminiscent of a red apple dipped in dark chocolate, with additional strawberry, blueberry and spice.

Food Matching

Superb with your favourite steak, red sauce pastas, or a juicy burger!

Vinification

The grapes are de-stemmed and crushed, undergoing a cold soak for 3 days. Gentle pumping over occurs during fermentation in stainless steel followed by malolactic fermentation. 50% of the wine spends 9 months in French oak while the other 50% is aged in American oak for 11 months before blending and bottling.

Château La Croix Romane, Lalande de Pomerol

Country

France

Grape

80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage

2020

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Very ripe black fruits and soft spices with a discreet oak note in the background.

Food Matching

Roast beef, lamb. Cheddar, Camembert. Pepperoni pizza or amatriciana pasta. Duck breast and roasted vegetables.

Vinification

Grapes are sorted after picking, alcoholic fermentation, and maceration (3 to 4 weeks in total) in temperature-controlled stainless vats, 12 to 18 months ageing in French oak barrels (30 % new oak barrels).

Domaine Ménard-Gaborit Pour l’Histoire

Country

France

Grape

Melon de Bourgogne

Vintage

2021

Style

Light bodied

Tasting Notes

Bright and vivid stone fruit with racy acidity, brimming with vim and attitude.

Food Matching

Prawns, salmon, grilled sea bream or goat cheese.

Vinification

45 year old vines from a selection of the best plots, vinified in underground concrete tanks, matured on lees for 10 months.

The Wines

Barão da Várzea do Douro, Colheita Douro Tinto

Country

Portugal

Grape

Touriga Franca 50%, Touriga Nacional 25%, Tinta Roriz 25%

Vintagb

2022

Style

Medium- bodied

Tasting Notes

Bright aromas of wild blackberry and spice. The palate has ripe bramble fruit, supple tannins and juicy acidity.

Food Matching

Perfect with a hearty bean and lentil casserole, with or without sausages.

Vinification

The local grapes - Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa and Tinta Roriz - grow in fine soils with some schist in vineyards near Cambres, in the western part of the Douro valley and south of the river. The climate here is warm and dry, and some of the vines are over 50 years old. After harvesting fermentation takes place in stainless steel, with a small portion (around 10%) ageing for 4 months in 2nd year French oak barrels, before the final blending and bottling.

Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon

Country

USA

Grape

Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage

2019

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Glorious California Cabernet Sauvignon, reminiscent of a red apple dipped in dark chocolate, with additional strawberry, blueberry and spice.

Food Matching

Superb with your favourite steak, red sauce pastas, or a juicy burger!

Vinification

The grapes are de-stemmed and crushed, undergoing a cold soak for 3 days. Gentle pumping over occurs during fermentation in stainless steel followed by malolactic fermentation. 50% of the wine spends 9 months in French oak while the other 50% is aged in American oak for 11 months before blending and bottling.

Château La Croix Romane, Lalande de Pomerol

Country

France

Grape

80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage

2020

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Very ripe black fruits and soft spices with a discreet oak note in the background.

Food Matching

Roast beef, lamb. Cheddar, Camembert. Pepperoni pizza or amatriciana pasta. Duck breast and roasted vegetables.

Vinification

Grapes are sorted after picking, alcoholic fermentation, and maceration (3 to 4 weeks in total) in temperature-controlled stainless vats, 12 to 18 months ageing in French oak barrels (30 % new oak barrels).

Hautes Pistes Chardonnay, Aubert and Mathieu

Country

France

Grape

Chardonnay

Vintage

2022

Style

Medium-full bodied

Tasting Notes

Young bright straw colour. Discreet and youthful nose offering some chalky hints, hazelnut, ripe citrus and fine oak underneath. Good bite on the palate, medium weight, with a digest salty presence, chalky with pale stone fruit and nutty flavours leading to a long pure finish.

Food Matching

Sushi, cod fillet, goats cheese

Vinification

Fermentation is done in barrels for 3 weeks. Then aged for 6 months in 500L oak barrels

The Wines

Barão da Várzea do Douro, Colheita Douro Tinto

Country

Portugal

Grape

Touriga Franca 50%, Touriga Nacional 25%, Tinta Roriz 25%

Vintage

2022

Style

Medium- bodied

Tasting Notes

Bright aromas of wild blackberry and spice. The palate has ripe bramble fruit, supple tannins and juicy acidity.

Food Matching

Perfect with a hearty bean and lentil casserole, with or without sausages.

Vinification

The local grapes - Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa and Tinta Roriz - grow in fine soils with some schist in vineyards near Cambres, in the western part of the Douro valley and south of the river. The climate here is warm and dry, and some of the vines are over 50 years old. After harvesting fermentation takes place in stainless steel, with a small portion (around 10%) ageing for 4 months in 2nd year French oak barrels, before the final blending and bottling.

Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon

Country

USA

Grape

Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage

2019

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Glorious California Cabernet Sauvignon, reminiscent of a red apple dipped in dark chocolate, with additional strawberry, blueberry and spice.

Food Matching

Superb with your favourite steak, red sauce pastas, or a juicy burger!

Vinification

The grapes are de-stemmed and crushed, undergoing a cold soak for 3 days. Gentle pumping over occurs during fermentation in stainless steel followed by malolactic fermentation. 50% of the wine spends 9 months in French oak while the other 50% is aged in American oak for 11 months before blending and bottling.

Château La Croix Romane, Lalande de Pomerol

Country

France

Grape

80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage

2020

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Very ripe black fruits and soft spices with a discreet oak note in the background.

Food Matching

Roast beef, lamb. Cheddar, Camembert. Pepperoni pizza or amatriciana pasta. Duck breast and roasted vegetables.

Vinification

Grapes are sorted after picking, alcoholic fermentation, and maceration (3 to 4 weeks in total) in temperature-controlled stainless vats, 12 to 18 months ageing in French oak barrels (30 % new oak barrels).

Our first month! Welcome

Month 1 – You trail blazers! You’re all marvellous and thank you for joining. Each month you’ll enjoy my selection of seasonal goodies from around the world and a few recipe ideas to go with them too. This first month I've draw inspirations from a few different angles, some brand-new numbers to our list and one from a recent trip to Chile on my honeymoon...You’ll be able to add favourites into you “cellar” now as well so you can remember the wines enjoyed the most.

No PDF uploaded yet.

The Wines

The Wines

Cotes du Roussillon Villages "Chimeres", Chateau Saint-Roch

Country

France

Grape

Grenache, Carignan, Syrah

Vintagb

2020

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

Amplified aromas of squeezed black cherries, with just a touch of prune juice. It is vibrant, sumptuous, honest, and delicious, with a wealth of fruit character and hints of cured meat and rusty nails underneath. There is fresh acidity to balance all the concentration and ripeness, bringing about a well-proportioned whole.

Food Matching

Vinification

Hand-harvested into small crates with a first selection as the bunches are cut, and then a second sorting of grapes at the cellar door. The fermentation is kept between 20-23°C to maximise the fruit expression and the wine is macerated for 4 weeks with both pumping over and pigeages. 60% of the wine is matured in newand one wine oak barrel during 6 months.

Single Vineyard Carmenere 'Alto de Piedras', De Martino

Country

Chile

Grape

Carménère

Vintage

2021

Style

Red, Warm and Spicy

Tasting Notes

Complex aromas of dark berry fruit, tobacco and black pepper, joined by a smoky minerality and cedar notes coming from the well integrated use of oak. Enjoyable while young, it has sufficient structure to develop greater complexity over the next 15-20 years.

Food Matching

Superb with red meats such as lamb or beef, pasta dishes and some Indian meals that are not too hot and spicy. Also a perfect partner with cheese.

Vinification

The grapes were destemmed and lightly crushed. A pre-fermentation maceration of 4 days was carried out at below 10°C. Spontaneous fermentation with ambient yeasts at a moderate temperature (25-27°C). After 12 days, the alcoholic fermentation was completed and the wine underwent an extra 7 days of maceration. Malolactic fermentation was carried out in tank before racking the wine to 5,000-litre Austrian (Stockinger) foudres for ageing.

Finca Bancales, Care

Country

Spain

Grape

Garnacha

Vintage

2021

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Aromas of clean blackberry fruit accompanied by mocha and spice. The palate displays sweet fruit characters dominated by blackberry and plum, complimented by cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg characters. The wine is full-bodied with natural tannin and oak maturation adding texture and complexity to the wine.

Food Matching

Roast lamb and game dishes.

Vinification

Traditional method, beginning with a pre-fermentative cold maceration. Fermentation is induced at 25ºC with native yeast. A maceration is carried out for 2 weeks, seeking a selective extraction of tannins in truncated cone-shaped deposits of 20,000L. Malolactic fermentation takes place in 2nd use French oak barrels.

A Descoberta Branco, Casa da Passarella

Country

Portugal

Grape

Encruzado, Malvasia Fina and Verdelho

Vintage

2023

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

Pale, smoky, and mineral on the nose. The searing acidity comes from the Encruzado, which is fleshed out by the Verdelho's slight tropical grapefruit characteristics

Food Matching

Vinification

This wine is a blend of the Encruzado, Malvasia and Verdelho grapes which are hand-picked once ripe, and partially vinified together. After a slight skin contact, the grapes and very lightly pressed and left to settle. The fermentation is in stainless steel with controlled temperature, where it then ages on the lees for 6 months to add flavour and texture. It also stabilises the wine, allowing minimal intervention.

The Wines

Cotes du Roussillon Villages "Chimeres", Chateau Saint-Roch

Country

France

Grape

Grenache, Carignan, Syrah

Vintagb

2020

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

Amplified aromas of squeezed black cherries, with just a touch of prune juice. It is vibrant, sumptuous, honest, and delicious, with a wealth of fruit character and hints of cured meat and rusty nails underneath. There is fresh acidity to balance all the concentration and ripeness, bringing about a well-proportioned whole.

Food Matching

Vinification

Hand-harvested into small crates with a first selection as the bunches are cut, and then a second sorting of grapes at the cellar door. The fermentation is kept between 20-23°C to maximise the fruit expression and the wine is macerated for 4 weeks with both pumping over and pigeages. 60% of the wine is matured in newand one wine oak barrel during 6 months.

Single Vineyard Carmenere 'Alto de Piedras', De Martino

Country

Chile

Grape

Carménère

Vintage

2021

Style

Red, Warm and Spicy

Tasting Notes

Complex aromas of dark berry fruit, tobacco and black pepper, joined by a smoky minerality and cedar notes coming from the well integrated use of oak. Enjoyable while young, it has sufficient structure to develop greater complexity over the next 15-20 years.

Food Matching

Superb with red meats such as lamb or beef, pasta dishes and some Indian meals that are not too hot and spicy. Also a perfect partner with cheese.

Vinification

The grapes were destemmed and lightly crushed. A pre-fermentation maceration of 4 days was carried out at below 10°C. Spontaneous fermentation with ambient yeasts at a moderate temperature (25-27°C). After 12 days, the alcoholic fermentation was completed and the wine underwent an extra 7 days of maceration. Malolactic fermentation was carried out in tank before racking the wine to 5,000-litre Austrian (Stockinger) foudres for ageing.

Finca Bancales, Care

Country

Spain

Grape

Garnacha

Vintage

2021

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Aromas of clean blackberry fruit accompanied by mocha and spice. The palate displays sweet fruit characters dominated by blackberry and plum, complimented by cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg characters. The wine is full-bodied with natural tannin and oak maturation adding texture and complexity to the wine.

Food Matching

Roast lamb and game dishes.

Vinification

Traditional method, beginning with a pre-fermentative cold maceration. Fermentation is induced at 25ºC with native yeast. A maceration is carried out for 2 weeks, seeking a selective extraction of tannins in truncated cone-shaped deposits of 20,000L. Malolactic fermentation takes place in 2nd use French oak barrels.

Timorasso, Derthona DOC, Cantine Volpi

Country

Italy

Grape

Timorasso

Vintage

2022

Style

Medium Bodied

Tasting Notes

Intense nose with hints of white flowers, apricot, and peach. In the mouth it is savoury, and mineral, with a characteristic note of honey.

Food Matching

Vinification

Manual harvest around the beginning of September. Grape is desteemed and softly pressed. Fermentation in steel tanks at controlled temperature (12-15°C). Malolactic fermentation is not done. Maturation for 10 months in concrete tanks on its lees. Batonnage. Bottle aging around 3 months.

The Wines

Cotes du Roussillon Villages "Chimeres", Chateau Saint-Roch

Country

France

Grape

Grenache, Carignan, Syrah

Vintage

2020

Style

Dry

Tasting Notes

Amplified aromas of squeezed black cherries, with just a touch of prune juice. It is vibrant, sumptuous, honest, and delicious, with a wealth of fruit character and hints of cured meat and rusty nails underneath. There is fresh acidity to balance all the concentration and ripeness, bringing about a well-proportioned whole.

Food Matching

Vinification

Hand-harvested into small crates with a first selection as the bunches are cut, and then a second sorting of grapes at the cellar door. The fermentation is kept between 20-23°C to maximise the fruit expression and the wine is macerated for 4 weeks with both pumping over and pigeages. 60% of the wine is matured in newand one wine oak barrel during 6 months.

Single Vineyard Carmenere 'Alto de Piedras', De Martino

Country

Chile

Grape

Carménère

Vintage

2021

Style

Red, Warm and Spicy

Tasting Notes

Complex aromas of dark berry fruit, tobacco and black pepper, joined by a smoky minerality and cedar notes coming from the well integrated use of oak. Enjoyable while young, it has sufficient structure to develop greater complexity over the next 15-20 years.

Food Matching

Superb with red meats such as lamb or beef, pasta dishes and some Indian meals that are not too hot and spicy. Also a perfect partner with cheese.

Vinification

The grapes were destemmed and lightly crushed. A pre-fermentation maceration of 4 days was carried out at below 10°C. Spontaneous fermentation with ambient yeasts at a moderate temperature (25-27°C). After 12 days, the alcoholic fermentation was completed and the wine underwent an extra 7 days of maceration. Malolactic fermentation was carried out in tank before racking the wine to 5,000-litre Austrian (Stockinger) foudres for ageing.

Finca Bancales, Care

Country

Spain

Grape

Garnacha

Vintage

2021

Style

Full-bodied

Tasting Notes

Aromas of clean blackberry fruit accompanied by mocha and spice. The palate displays sweet fruit characters dominated by blackberry and plum, complimented by cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg characters. The wine is full-bodied with natural tannin and oak maturation adding texture and complexity to the wine.

Food Matching

Roast lamb and game dishes.

Vinification

Traditional method, beginning with a pre-fermentative cold maceration. Fermentation is induced at 25ºC with native yeast. A maceration is carried out for 2 weeks, seeking a selective extraction of tannins in truncated cone-shaped deposits of 20,000L. Malolactic fermentation takes place in 2nd use French oak barrels.