Barbaresco, Produttori del Barbaresco, Piemonte
In 1958, the priest of the village of Barbaresco, recognizing that the only way the small properties could survive was by joining their efforts, gathered together nineteen small growers and founded the Produttori del Barbaresco. The first three vintages were made in the church basement, and then in the winery built across the square from where the Produttori is still located. United once again, the small growers continued the work started by Domizio Cavazza, producing only Barbaresco wine and enhancing both the reputation of the wine and the village.
The Produttori del Barbaresco now has 50 members and 100 hectares (250 acres) of Nebbiolo vineyards in the Barbaresco appellation, which amounts to almost a sixth of the vineyards of the area. The most important thing, however, is that quality is always the highest priority and in Aldo Vacca, they have one of the World's most respected winemakers.
We buy this wine every year and it never disappoints; every vintage is different, reflecting the year itself, but has the hallmark of class and quality. The thing I like most about this is the amazing perfume; great Nebbiolo has a unique nose that is hard to beat! These wines age gracefully for decades and really represent great value in the context of Piemonte's top producers.
A great wine for the cheeseboard but also, venison and duck; when young the tannins are firm, so the food does need some richness and fat. As they age, the tannins soften but strong, hard cheeses (Old Winchester, Double Barrel, Cornish Kern...) are still my favourite match.
Sancerre Cuvee d’Antan, Henri Bourgeois
Domaine Henri Bourgeois is one of the top producers in Sancerre, whose wines exhibit the complexity of the terroir of Chavignol, being chalky with a touch of gunflint, initially steely, then ripening in the mouth with a broad array of flavours and wonderful length.
Cuvée d’Antan is made in “the old style” from 70 year old vines on south-facing slopes. Viticulture is biodynamic, grapes are harvested by hand and after pressing and maceration the wine is left in old wooden barrels for eighteen months batonnage. Racking is done after the full moon. The style is sui generis: the wine fills the mouth with layer after layer of creamy fruit, a touch of breadiness from the lees and the terroir notes of truffle and warm stone.An incredible wine with complexity that is rare in Sauvignon Blanc, this is a wine for the finest meals, think lobster with garlic butter or Dover sole with a brown butter sauce. Very special.
Mas de Daumas Gassac Rouge 2018
The story of Mas de Daumas Gassac is one of vision, enterprise, passion and pride. When the Guiberts first purchased their farm (the mas) in the charming Gassac valley they little realised that they had a particular micro-climate which would give them the potential to make great wines. A visiting professor from Bordeaux, one Henri Enjalbert, identified a particular red soil that was common to certain great estates in the Médoc and Grand Cru Burgundies. Under the thick garrigue scrub and shrubs covering the Arboussas hills, he found some 40 hectares of perfectly drained soil, poor in humus and vegetable matter, rich in mineral oxide (iron, copper, gold etc). Formed from deposits carried in by the winds during the Riss, Mindel and Guntz glacial periods (ranging from 180,000 – 400,000 years ago) the terroir provides the three elements necessary for a potential Grand Cru: deep soil ensuring the vines’ roots delve deep to seek nourishment; perfectly drained soil ensuring vines’ roots are unaffected by humidity; poor soil meaning that vines have to struggle to survive, an effort which creates exceptionally fine aromas.The wines have gone on to earn plaudits from all over the wine world and this red is considered truly iconic, up with the best from Bordeaux (and still a fraction of the price). Whilst drinking well now, this will age beautifully for decades to come, developing great complexity along the way. Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, however, the vineyards are planted with vines of many varieties, with rootstock sourced from the greatest vineyards of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Cahors, Piemonte....A fine wine to compliment rich roast meat dishes, especially game. And a really special gift for someone who knows their wines.
Solomon Hills Pinot Noir
The Solomon Hills Vineyard is known to many as the coldest vineyard in the Santa Barbera region. The cold ocean wind off of the Pacific whistles directly through the hills, on its way towards the desert. Located only 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean, this vineyard always shows a special balance between bright and fruity tones, of which California are always know, and more secondary flavours of underbrush, dried florals and damp vegetation.Complex and beguiling, this is proper Pinot for real Pinot lovers.
Gaia 2011, Grosset
Jeffrey Grosset is best known for his amazing Rieslings but he can turn his hand to World class reds as well; this is regarded as one of Australia's best Cabernet blends.Planted at 570 metres, at the highest point of the Clare Valley, the Gaia vineyard is a rocky, isolated, wind-swept two hectare block close planted by Grosset in 1986. From Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this is a powerful, brooding red.The 2011 Gaia provides a delicious example of what can be achieved in a cooler, more European season. Bursting with a fleshy immediacy, bright and ripe yet showing classic Grosset restraint, this is a satisfying drink. With lively brambly aromas, blackcurrant and black plum flavours, the wine is dense with refined power yet almost juicy. It has the structure and silky tannins to age as Gaias do. There's a touch of the plushness of the 2009 with a slightly leaner frame: so drink some bottles early for the youthful pleasure they will give and save some to savour the mature Gaia experience.Drink with steak, roasts of all types, big game dishes.
Hyland Vineyard Pinot Noir, Kelley Fox Wines
Kelley Fox has been a full-time, on-the-floor winemaker for over sixteen years. Most of the canopy work in her blocks at
Maresh she does personally and in solitude, including the biodynamic sprays. The wines are touched only by Kelley, but they
are not a personal expression as she always says… “No stylistic intentions are imposed. They are silent, living songs of these
beautiful farms.”The Hyland Vineyard Pinot has aromas full of black cherries, minerals, a bit of spice, and a feeling of fresh ocean air, and in the mouth it’s light on its feet considering the attack. This very balanced Pinot is fine and velvety, and the flavours are much the same as the nose. Very delicious. The Hyland 2018 has red energy-all of the good things red.A beautiful wine that deserves the finest foods; lamb and pork dishes work well as does good fillet steak.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Mas Saint-Louis
Mas Saint Louis, located at the centre of the appellation, has been in the Geniest family since 1890. The cellar is located on the ancient route from Avignon, on the edge of the town. There are 30 hectares of vines planted on a combination of gravel sand and galets, with an average age of 40 years. The oldest Grenache vines make up 80% of the red cuvée. Syrah, which is planted in the heart of the village, accounts for around 8% of the blend. Cinsault and gobelet pruned Mourvèdre make up the balance. Everything is hand-harvested and sorted in the vines, before being delivered to the cellar.
Very drinkable and complex. Old fashioned, but in a positive way. The 2014 shows real freshness and has a lovely fruit profile. Drawing comparisons to the wines produced by the family Reynaud might be dangerous, but that is what comes to mind. It certainly shows Pinot-like character.Proper Chateuneuf-du-Pape from a great producer, miles away from the dreary, disappointing bottles often sold in supermarkets.Perfect with roast lamb with all the trimmings.
Henschke ‘Keyneton Euphonium’
Available to pre-order for delivery/collection from Thursday Oct 7th66% Syrah/Shiraz , 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet FrancThe Henschke family have been making wine at their estate in the Eden Valley since 1868. Fifth-generation winemaker Stephen Henschke took over running the winery in 1979. Through a combination of great viticulture from Prue, named ‘Outstanding Viticulturalist 2020’, who is at the forefront of re-introducing native plants into their vineyards to improve biodiversity, and winemaking from Stephen, they have built upon their inheritance and turned this traditional producer into one that is celebrated all around the world.Keyneton Euphonium is a beautiful composition of Shiraz from up to 50-year-old vines growing in the Eden and Barossa Valleys, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from selected vineyards in both regions, some of which were planted by Cyril Henschke at his Eden Valley property in the 1960's. The Barossa hills village of Keyneton, pioneered by pastoralist Joseph Keynes in 1842, was a musical and cultural focus for the early settlers, and was home to the Henschke Family Brass Band, founded in 1888. It featured wind instruments such as a B flat euphonium, a large brass wind instrument, which has been lovingly restored and remains in the Henschke family.While the Hill of Grace and Mount Edlestone Shiraz fetch high prices, i think this wine is the jewel in the Henschke crown; The depth of fruit and complexity is incredible and it is affordable!A wine for big steaks, roast beef and classy barbecues!
