Tolpuddle Pinot Noir
The Tolpuddle vineyard was purchased by Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith in 2011. It is situated in the Coal River Valley, in Tasmania’s south-east corner. First planted in 1988 by Tony Jordan and Garry Crittenden, it has since established a reputation for growing exceptional quality grapes, with the focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The cool but relatively dry climate allows the grapes to ripen slowly in autumn, without the disease pressure that heavy rainfall can bring.The vineyard took its name from the Tolpuddle Martyrs, who were transported to Australia in 1834 for starting an agrarian union in Tolpuddle in Dorset. The leader of the group, George Loveless, served part of his sentence working on a property near Richmond called GlenAyr, part of which is now the Tolpuddle Vineyard.This is certainly one of Australia's best Pinot Noirs with this vintage rated 99/100 on jamessuckling.com.
Elegant and balanced but with great complexity and depth. Stunning wine!
Perfect Pinot for a special occasion. On my list for Christmas Day this year!
Amarone, Musella
Musella make very special wines! What makes them unique is that they look for harmony and balance in the wine, not just power and intensity. Don't get me wrong, this is still a full-bodied wine, made with dried grapes in the usual way, but it isn't too intense or too alcoholic like a lot of modern Amarone. This is deliciously drinkable; more than one glass won't knock you out! Maddalena Pasqua is passionate about her vineyards and the land on which she lives; she makes wines that shine with this love. All the vineyards and farmed Biodynamically and the wines made by hand.
A great wine to finish the meal and can accompany a range of cheeses including complex Cheddars such as Montgomery or Pitchfork, or soft blues like Beauvale.
Vina Arana Gran Reserva, La Rioja Alta
La Rioja Alta is one of the great names in the world of wine, making truly magnificent wines. Vina Arana was always made as a Reserva, but from the 2012 vintage, they have extended the ageing to elevate it to Gran Reserva. The result is impressive – very smooth and complex; drinking well now but will improve for decades to come!
Pesquera Tinto Reserva 2018, Ribero del Duero, Spain
Now, one of Spain's most iconic wineries, famously compared to Petrus by Robert Parker.
Allesandro Fernadez makes powerful and complex wines from his Tempranillo vineyards, with the Reserva aged for 30 months in barrel. This is still young and will become smoother and more complex with time.
The perfect full-bodied wine for roast lamb.
‘Escaroth’ Pinot Noir, Blank Canvas
Blank Canvas is a winery owned by international jet-setting winemaker Matt Thomson and his Master of Wine wife Sophie. Here they produce some of New Zealand's most exciting wines from vineyards in Marlborough and Hawkes Bay. This is an organic, single-vineyard Pinot Noir which, while very light in colour, has bucket loads of flavour! Very classy Pinot.
Perfect with roast lamb or pork, or game, or mushroom dishes. Delicious with most things...
Family Vineyards Pinot Noir, Newton Johnson
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!
Chianti Classico, Isole e Olena
Bodega Atamisque Malbec
Bodega Atamisque is one of Argentina's finest wineries, making wines of wonderful poise and balance.This Malbec, whilst full-bodied and impressive, is not just a typical Malbec fruitbomb; there is great depth of flavour here with layers of plum, blackberry and fig notes.A wine that's sure to impress friends and certainly fits the bill if you're looking for a great steak-wine!
Hilltop Shiraz, Clonakilla
Clonakilla are one of Australia’s most iconic Shiraz producers. Their flagship Shiraz/Viognier is amongst the countries best (available on request), however, this wine gives you a real insight into the genius of winemaker Tim Kirk at a fraction of the price. In fact, for drinking now, this wine is more approachable and rewarding than its big brother. Not as big and jammy as Barossa Shiraz, this has a slightly more Rhône-y edge to it, making it much more food friendly in my book. Still juicy and full of delicious dark, spicy fruit but with balance and restraint.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Closerie de Vaudieu
The 18th century Château de Vaudieu has been in the Bréchet family for over 50 years and today is run by Laurent Bréchet, the grandson of the original owner. The name 'Vaudieu' originates from 'Vallée de Dieu', or 'Valley of God', a reference to the beauty of the area around Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Vaudieu has 70 hectares of vineyards in total, of which 60 hectares are planted with red varieties on prized sites that are located just east of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, neighbouring the vineyards of the famed Château Rayas.This is a blend of 55% Grenache, 33% Syrah, 7% Cinsault and 5% Mourvèdre and has lively berry fruits on the nose, with a touch of liquorice and a hint of black pepper. On the palate, it is full-bodied and the ripe tannins gently support the cherry, cassis and herb character on the finish.A great wine for stews, game, roast lamb. A classic.