Pico Mas Alto Merlot 2009

One of the smoothest, choicest reds around. A luscious Chilean wine, representing great value for money. Why such good value? This wine is actually the overstocks, relabelled, from one of Chile’s best known and respected wine brands. More than that we cannot say!

Hand-picked fruit was fermented in tank without crushing with fermentation typically lasting just over a week, followed by a maceration of nearly a month to take colour, flavour and tannin from the skins. About a third of the wine is then oak aged to provide some vanilla notes. The wine is medium-bodied, rich, ripe, quite firm but smooth, with black cherry and plums on the palate and also the traditional chocolatey notes of Merlot together with hints of cedar oak. Ref PMM09

Rockhopper Merlot / Pinotage 2009

South Africa’s signature red grape, Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (known as Hermitage is South Africa, hence the name).  At its worst, it can taste rubbery and green; at its best (and blended with Merlot as in this example), it provides a wine with complex aromas with plummy fruit and some spicy, herbal notes. The palate shows juicy cherry fruit with supple tannins and provides a long finish. Ref RMP09

Marktree Merlot / Cabernet / Syrah 2009

Quintessentially Australian, this offers appealing, up-front aromas of fresh, ripe berry fruit which  mingle with light spice and minty eucalyptus flavours in the mouth. Smooth and full on the palate with a nicely balanced structure, sweet, ripe fruit on the finish and a hint of spice. Predominantly produced from Merlot, with fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel retains the fresh fruit character of the wines. The Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon components are barrel aged in American oak which add a little richness and complexity to the blend. Great with barbeques or simple pasta and pizza dishes.

Vega del Castillo DO Navarra Flamarique 2009

From Vega del Castillo, near Olite in Navarra. Founded in 1910 by Don Victoriano Flamarique (hence the wine’s name) this wine is produced from an exceptionally consistent co-operative. With 915 hectares under vine, they grow five grape varieties but 45% of their production is Garnacha, some of it from vines over 80 years old. Cooler than central Spain, this wine is made from a blend of Tempranillo (the grape made famous by Rioja) and Garnacha (or Grenache as it is called in France). It has a garnet colour with an intense nose. On the palate it is warm, with ripe fruit and good acidity and length. Drink with light meats and cheeses. Ref VCF09

Chateau la Bastide Corbieres Rouge 2009

Regular customers will know we are fans of the wines made by Guilhelm and Anne Marie Durand near the village of Escales in the Languedoc. This is a great vintage and shows of the quality of the vineyard to perfection. Made from a mixture of Syrah (70%), Grenache (20%) and Mourvedre (10%) from vines with an average age of 30 years and a low yield (40 hl/ha) it’s perfect for drinking now. Ref CBCR09

Domaine Cros Minervois Traditional 2010

Ex-rugby player Pierre Cros grows traditional Languedoc varieties of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Carignan as well as the more exotic old varieties of  Aramon, Alicante, and Picquepoul Noir.
Located in Badens, about 15 minutes from Carcassonne, Pierre Cros has been building and steadily improving his vineyard since 1985. This wine is a mix of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre with spicy fruit and a firm mineral structure. On the palate it is savoury with good terroir character. An excellent introduction to Minervois at its best.

Domaine de Bastide Corbières l’Optimée 2006

Between the towns of Narbonne and Carcassonne stands the imposing Château la Bastide. Often Corbières are flawed by a certain rusticity that dries out the month when they are drunk. Not this one. The blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache from vines with average age of 50 years produces a concentrated wine with great length. The yield is low (35 hl / ha) and it is aged in oak barriques for 12 months. A spicy nose, with tastes of blackberry, cherry, blackcurrant Inviting minty aromas give way to a hugely complex mouthful of raspberries and menthol. Enjoy! Ref BCO06

Vineyard website -
www.chateau-la-bastide.fr

Barbera d'Asti 'Ceppi Storici' 2008

Araldica is Piemonte's largest and most progressive co-operative yet retains a small, family run company feel, thanks to the inspired guidance of winemaker/manager Claudio Manera (whose father Livio was the co-op's first winemaker in the fifties) and his wife Lella, who is also a winemaker and in charge of Quality Control. Made from 100% Barbera from 40 year old vines this Barbera shows concentrated fruit - balanced by pepper and spice. An attractive vibrant damson, curranty character dominates, whilst a subtle, smoky flavour adds interest and soft, oak tannins offer an extra dimension to the texture. A refreshing smack of juicy acidity gives plenty of definition to the ripe fruit.

Château Lamothe – Vincent Heritage2009

Since 1920, Château Lamothe-Vincent has consistently produced distinctive, award-winning wines. There are two vineyards, one near Montignac and the other situated at Castelvieil, both in the Entre-Deux-Mers area. The soil is deep clay resting on limestone and is relatively small (27 acre). Made from 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet-Sauvignon and with a low yield of 45hls/ha, production is only 53,000 bottles. The intense smoothness of the wine is achieved by micro-oxygenation, aided by aging on its lees in French and American oak barrels (33% new) for 12 months. The wine is deep cherry red with ruby tints and a complex bouquet of plum, black cherry, crushed strawberry, vanilla and cedar notes. Rich and elegant, with well-integrated tannins and a, long finish. An ideal match for red meats, lamb, roast duck, it is also well suited for pasta, red sauces and cheese. Drink now until 2016.

Vineyard website -        
www.lamothe-vincent.com

Prunatelli Chianti Rufina 2009

Gianfranco Grati and his family own over 100 hectares of vineyards spread across 3 different estates, including Prunatelli, in the hilly Rufina zone east of Florence. This is a great source of authentic, inexpensive Chianti, in fresh and vibrant styles. The Prunatelli wines are characterised by attractively ripe, forward and easily approachable fruit and this Chianti is no exception. It is a youthful, vibrant wine with plum and cherry fruit on the palate. There is mellow finish with hints of vanilla and spice from a period of ageing in oak – and only 12.5% for those who like a little less alcohol in their reds. The grapes are Sangiovese (85%) Canaiolo (8%) and Colorino (7%)

Quinta da Garrida Dao 2007

You may not have come across the grapes used to make this wine (Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional for the record) which are often used in making port. This gives a clue as to the style of this classic – and classy - Portuguese red. From the Dao region, the wine is rich, ripe and intense, despite a ABV of only 12.5˚ with powerful black fruit balanced with vanilla characters from 12 months in American oak and finishes harmonious and full. An excellent wine equally at home with barbeques or robust stews. Dense, concentrated, developed fruit. Intense, rich, sweet black cherry aroma and firm, juicy tannic structure, balanced by high acidity. A barbecue red.
 Ref QGC07

Boutinot Les Coteaux, Côtes du Rhône Villages 2009

A multi award-winning wine recognised for its elegance and excellent value. Made from Grenache (70%), Syrah (20%) and a touch of Carignan and Mourvedre, selected from vineyards in the better-known villages of the Côtes du Rhône, this wine offers elegant berry-fruit aromas backed with a hint of cedar and spice. Grapes were selected at optimum ripeness and following vinification allowed to mature in tank. Soft supple tannins marrying into the cherry-fruit flavours result in a wine that is rich and smooth.

Three Peaks Côtes du Roussillon 2006

Three Peaks is named after the three peaks which overlook the vineyards - Pic des Trois Termes, Roc de France and Pic de Canigou. It also refers back to the Three Peaks of owner and wine maker Jonathan Hesford's native Yorkshire. Jonathan is fanatical about quality. He says, "I make all the wine myself. Everything from pressing, to digging out the vats, to cleaning the barrels, to performing the analysis. This ensures that all is done to my own high standards."

A full-bodied red blended from Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre, which has been partially aged in barriques to provide a balanced wine ready for drinking upon release but which benefits from ageing for 1-7 years, the wine is dark ruby in colour. There are aromas of mixed berries and Caribbean spices. The wine is rich and complex with berry fruits leading to a long spicy finish. The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered. As a result, it loses no flavours or aromas and may form a sediment in bottle on ageing.

Three Peaks was chosen by the Roussillon Wine Promotion Board (CIVR) to represent the best of Roussillon wines for 2007/08. Jonathan and his wife Rachel were both surprised and flattered to have their first vintage recognised by the local wine authority - A fantastic match with beef and lamb stews, casseroles and medium to strong cheeses - try Cantal, Cheddar, Chaumes and farmhouse Double Gloucester.  Ref TTP06

Valpolicella Classico Capitel della Crosara Ripasso 2009

With over 100 hectares of high quality vineyard, this long established Veronese family firm produces modern classy wines. For those interested, this is a blend of Corvina Veronese, Rondinella and Molinara. More importantly, it’s a medium to full bodied red in a deep ruby red colour with deeply inviting aromas of rich fruit, almond and cinnamon and a smooth velvety palate, with hints of raisin and a long, complex finish underpinned by notes of tangy cherry and liquorice - simply outstanding.  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 16 months in French and American oak casks along with some small barriques. Try with chicken cordon bleu, calf's liver or a mushroom pasta dish. Also particularly good with dried and smoked meats, the inherent acidity working well with the natural fattiness of the meats. In the region it is a fairly common partner to 'Bollito misto' which is an assortment of boiled scrag ends and offal - o.k. if you like that sort of thing!

Fonty’s Pool Shiraz 2008

From Pemberton in Western Australia this is a much more classy and elegant Shiraz than some of the more commercial versions you may have tasted. This is as a result of the (relatively) cool climate that prevails in this part of Australia. Elegant minty aromas give way to a classy mouthful of concentrated shiraz fruit and hints of peppermint reminiscent of a top quality French syrah, with a great finish which goes on and on! This wine will keep and continue to improve until 2013 - not that you will be able to keep it that long !! Ref FP08

Vineyard website - Click Here

Clos Bagatelle Veillée d'Automne 2006

From award winning Clos Bagatelle comes their top of the range wine which is already starting to show some interesting notes of maturity. Made from Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache and aged for 12 months in oak, it is a complex wine with good structure and acidity. While still pretty and floral, it has an earthy, autumnal feel to it - but there is still lots of sweet cherry and blackberry fruit, vanilla, and a creamy, rich mouthfeel. New World drinkers looking to persuaded on the merits of French wine should try this. Ref BVA06

Chateau Fongabon Pierdon  Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion 2005 

Over the years the town of St Emilion has raised the practice of fleecing wine tourists to an art form. However, the good news is that if one ventures outside the tourist hot spots, one can find much better value. One such village is Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion. It is here that Pierre Taïx has just 8 hectares in this commune, and another 35 hectares in the adjacent commune of Côtes du Castillon. The terroir is identical to that of the adjacent Saint Emilion vineyards, but the land is much less expensive, and the wines correspondingly better value. 

Made from Merlot grapes, his Pierdon 2005 is his flagship wine, only made in outstanding vintages from 100% Merlot vines with an average age of 55 years, and low yields of only 35hl/ha. It is then aged but in 100% new Tronçais oak barrels. It has an expensive, perfumed cassis with hints of cedar, while in the mouth it is very concentrated and dense, with loads of delicious cassis flavours and great complexity. Once again there are soft ripe tannins, and great length. Gorgeous now, but this would repay keeping – drink now till 2020!

It makes a great accompaniment to roast and grilled lamb and beef. The producer is even more specific, with a list that perhaps reflects the robust French attitude to hunting: wood pigeon, ducklings with cherries, partridges and wild mushrooms, deer and wild boar! It’s also the perfect accompaniment to a range of cheeses including Brie, Saint Nectaire and Port Salut. Ref CFPSE05

Domaine Chenu Savigny-les-Beaune “Haut Jarrons” 2007

This fourth generation vineyard is now managed by Louis Chenu’s daughters, Juliette and Caroline. Together the two sisters have moved this respected Burgundy domaine on to another level. Situated only a few minutes walk from the picturesque Château de Savigny-les-Beaune, the Chenu vineyard is made up from 9 hectares, which includes three Premier Cru plots.  The oldest vines are 60 years old.  Caroline is responsible for the vineyard and wines, while Juliette manages the marketing.  They are wines of great concentration yet with the finesse and freshness, that underlines their femininity. The Hauts-Jarrons (Jarrons meaning tree branches) are located in the middle of the slope under the Mont Battois hill heading towards Beaune. Grown on deep sandy soil, the wine is very full-bodied: slightly deeper in colour than many burgundies, it has great concentration and structure, with damsony fruit, hints of cloves, some soft tannin at the finish and great length. This will continue to improve and will reward those with patience as the wine will age well up to 2015 and possibly beyond.Ref CHJ07

Vineyard website -
www.louischenu.com

Magpie Estate Rabbit's Foot Mourvedre 2008 

We are very proud to be associated with Magpie Estate of the Barossa Valley in South Australia – a recent but compelling   discovery. Magpie Estate is a joint venture, which began in 1993 between famous Barossa winemaker Rolf Binder and English wine merchant Noel Young. Both Rolf and Noel have a passion for Rhone varietals such as Mourvedre. Whilst Mourvedre is normally used as a blending grape, this wine shows what it is capable of by itself. The wine is powerful and brooding (14% alcohol), with dark, velveteen black-cherry fruit veiled in spice and pepper with a lick of creamy oak. One of the absolute stars of a recent trade tasting, and worth every penny of its price, this very limited release can be enjoyed now or cellared for up to seven years. Sourced from three low-yielding vineyard sites in the Barossa Valley, the labels celebrate a superstitious theme, saluting the magpie, and we count ourselves lucky indeed to be selling this wine!