Showing 10–18 of 72 results

Cartology 2022, Alheit Vineyards

£37.95
90% Chenin Blanc/10% Semillon Cartology has become one of South Africa's most iconic wines and tiny amounts are available on allocation...we have a few bottles left! Chris and Suzaan Alheit started their winery in 2011 and due to their focus on old vineyards and attention to detail at every step, they immediately caused quite a stir; they showed what was capable with Cape varieties from old, dry-farmed vineyards. "The goal was clear: we wanted to make wines with a clear Cape identity. We wanted to show that the Cape’s vinous heritage is worth celebrating and protecting, that old vineyards and “ordinary grapes” are in fact wonderful, and that we’re only just scratching the surface of what’s possible in the Cape." - Chris Alheit One of my all time favourite white wines, each vintage is an exciting discovery; the 2019 is a truly beautiful wine. It is a multi-vineyard, multi-regional blend that brings together grapes from unique vineyards across the Western Cape. The nose is complex and intriguing, with aromas of honey, toast and peach mingling to make something really unique. The palate is rich with orchard fruit flavours and has amazingly bright minerally acidity which makes the wine so alive and vibrant. This wine is young and fresh at the moment but will gain even more complexity if aged for a few years. I have older vintages at home and whenever one is opened, it is such a treat; Chenin has a great ability to age magnificently and this is a prime example. A fine accompaniment to dishes that are rich and fatty like roast pork with apples (crackling!) or a simple roast chicken. Also, buttery and herby fish dishes work well.    

Ataraxia Pinot Noir

£35.95
Ataraxia was founded by Kevin and Hanli Grant in 2004 near the coastal village of Hermanus in the Hemel-en Arde region. Hemel-en-Aarde is Afrikaans for “heaven and earth” and the claim is justified. The estate sits on a particularly heavenly stretch of land beneath a lofty peak of the Babylon’s Tower mountain range. In addition to its unrelenting beauty, Ataraxia is home to some of the most spectacular terroirs South Africa has to offer. Almost two decades on, they are associated with crafting wines of incredible finesse, balance and depth; wines that proudly hold their own on the international wine stage. This Pinot Noir is my favourite discovery of the year! Perhaps my favourite wine in our range! The wine has the perfect balance of rich fruit and light structure alongside the most gorgeous perfume. A stunning wine, that pairs perfectly with soft, mould-ripened cheeses such as Baron Bigod.

Harrow & Hope Brut Reserve NV

£35.95
From Marlow, Henry & Kaye Laithwaite make some stunning sparkling wines. This Brut Reserve is a classic Champagne blend which has real elegance and balance. A seriously good fizz that is superior to most NV Grand Marques…and it’s from Buckinghamshire. We love this wine; the quality is amazing, the packaging is beautiful, it makes the perfect gift and is a local business doing a world class job!

Family Vineyards Pinot Noir, Newton Johnson

£34.95
This family farm was founded in the mid-1990s by Cape Wine Master, Dave Johnson and his wife, Felicity (Née Newton) and within the past twenty years has built a reputation for producing some of the Cape’s best Pinot Noir. Dave’s CWM thesis was on the variety. Add to that one of South Africa’s smartest Chardonnay’s and, more recently a pair of outstanding Rhône style wines. Right from the outset, Dave and Felicity’s offspring were involved and today it is very much Gordon, partnered by his wife, Nadia, who are responsible for the winemaking, with brother Bevan looking after the commercial side. This is always my favourite South African Pinot Noir, it just has beautiful purity of fruit and perfect balance; some richness but with bright and juicy acidity. It never fails to deliver. This will age and improve for up to 10 years but is delicious now. One of the New World's best and for a wine of this quality, the price is incredible (compare to Burgundy or California!) Great with roast lamb or pork, grilled chops, fillet steak, venison...any special meal!

Saint-Joseph, Thomas Farge, Northern Rhone

£32.95
Made from a selection of old Syrah vines ranging from 40 to 70 years old. Partial oak aging in 400L barrels for 12 months completed by 2 months in tank. This Saint Joseph is offering bright aromas of dark fruits, black olive tapenade, balsam, and a touch of leather. The palate is supple and well balanced, offering a long finish of dark fruits laced with licorice and minerals. Big & powerful, this wine needs a bit of time to open up, so do decant for an hour if possible. Deliciously complex, the flavours are perfect for charred but bloody red meat!

Rioja Reserva 2006, Bodegas Urbina

£26.95
A family-run estate that practises organic methods. The bodega is situated in Cuzcurrita de Río Tirón, on the north-western edge of Rioja. Four generations of the family have dedicated themselves to the cultivation of their vineyards and the production of wine. Their sole objective, the production of quality wines, has been achieved as the result of careful viticulture using traditional techniques, harvesting by hand and avoiding the use of weed killers and pesticides. The 2006 Reserva Especial contains Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graziano and has more complex, caramelised aromas. The maturity of this wine really sets it apart from other Riojas and is a steal at this price. With the oak and fruit flavours fully integrating, this is deliciously smooth and really quite special. Drink with grilled lamb...

Vina Alberdi Reserva, La Rioja Alta

£25.95
La rioja Alta is one of Spain's most iconic producers, producing some of the country's best wines since 1890. The Vina Alberdi Reserva is perhaps their most accessible and immediately impressive wine and delivers that quitessential Rioja flavour profile in spades. Perfect with roast meats and strong hard cheeses, this is drinking well now but will continue to improve for at least a decade.

Terlaner Cuvee, Cantine Terlano

£25.95

Cantina Terlano is well known in Italian wine drinking circles for producing Italy’s longest lived white wines. Many memorable wines from the 1950s and 1960s, which rank amongst the greatest white wines of the world, were made here.

Located in the heart of the Terlan wine-growing region and founded in 1893, it is one of the oldest Alto Adige cooperatives. At that time, 24 growers set themselves the goal of joint production and sales marketing. Recognition and prosperity blossomed from there. Today Terlano has approximately 100 members, it farms 150 hectares and has an annual production of roughly 1.2 million bottles.

Under the expert eye of winemaker Rudi Kofler, the wines are sold and marketed according to three different quality categories. Furthermore, special older vintages have been stored in the valuable 'vinotheque', so that today roughly 12,000 bottles from 1955 to the present day are stored and some date back to even earlier days. This wine collection of older vintages is absolutely unique in Italy and proves that Terlano’s wines are able to age harmoniously for decades.

Brilliant pale yellow colour with green nuances. On the nose green apple and white peach combine with fine nuances of lemon balm and mint to create the typical aroma of the classic Terlano. On the palate the peach is very strong, too, lending the Terlano its lively but at the same time very mellow character. The multifaceted, well structured flavor derives from an interplay of freshness and minerality and also has a wonderfully persistent finish.

Great now, but this wine will gain richness and complexity with ageing. A perfect match for grilled fish and asparagus but this very food-friendly wine is remarkably versatile and can stand up to strongly flavoured dishes.

Botanica Pinot Noir, Botanica Wines

£25.95
Botanica Wines was founded in 2009 by owner and self-taught winemaker Ginny Povall, an intrepid American who fell in love with the beautiful Cape winelands She purchased Protea Heights Farm in Stellenbosch’s Devon Valley and relocated to the southern tip of Africa. Established in the late 1940s, Protea Heights was the first farm in South Africa to cultivate indigenous protea flowers commercially. Inspired by this horticultural history, it was only natural that Ginny would choose to develop her wine brands and labels with a botanical flair. It was a real joy when Ginny visited us last year, to share her wines with us and our customers at the shop; her warmth and humour really come through in her winemaking, giving them real personality. This small production Pinot Noir is considered one of South Africa’s best; lovely perfume and that perfect balance between fruitiness and elegance.