Meursault ‘Cuvee Jean’, Jean Javillier
Cartology 2022, Alheit Vineyards
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.
Sancerre ‘La Vignes Blanche’, Henri Bourgeois
Pouilly-Fume ‘Pierre-Louis’, Domaine Landrat-Guyollot
Saint-Veran ‘Tradition’, Domaine des Deux Roches
This domaine is based in the village of Davayé, in the Mâconnais, and is jointly owned by Jean-Luc Terrier and Christian Collovray. Their 50 hectares of vineyards largely lie between the twin escarpments of Solutré and Vergisson and showcase the diverse terroirs of this region. The wines of Deux Roches are known for their drinkability and offer great value for money; the domaine is particularly known for its excellent Saint-Véran.
The cuvée Tradition emits a floral scent reminiscent of honeysuckle and acacia flowers. Pear, green apple, peach and apricot, are all well-integrated on the palate and reinforced by creamy notes, and a long floral finish.
Versatile with food but particularly good with roast chicken.
‘O Rosal’, Terras Gauda
Terras Gauda was the first Galician winery to really make me think that World class wines could be produced here. Their vineyards are located in the subzone of O Rosal on the terraces that rise steeply above the river Miño which divides Spain from Portugal. This wine is a selective blend of the best Albariño grapes in the O Rosal subzone, mixed with the indigenous Loureira and Caiño Blanco, it is greenish-yellow, evoking white flowers and green plums on the nose and filling out on the palate with fresh grape and apple compote flavours as well as peach kernel. Edged with superb acidity and a bristling minerality this reminds me of a cross between really good Riesling and Premier Cru Chablis.
The perfect wine for seafood, salads or simple fish dishes.
Chablis, Gerard Tremblay
Gérard Tremblay and his wife, Hélène, oversee a domain that they inherited in a line of five generations, but which they have mostly built themselves. With 80 acres of vines under production, most of them in the best Premier Cru and Grand Cru appellations, their list of Chablis is among the most prestigious in the region.
Their wines are mostly sold direct from the winery, or are snapped up by top restaurants, they don't often appear for retail.
This wine has all the hallmarks of great Chablis, clean and minerally but with a depth and length of flavour that lets you know you're dealing with serious a winemaker here.
Perfect with shellfish..how about a lobster salad? Or big garlicy prawns? Oh yes please!
Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie, Domaine de la Pepiere
Marc Ollivier of Domaine de la Pépière is an example of a winemaker who has grown with his vines. In the early 1980’s Marc, who
was an engineer at the time, decided to move to the country for a slower pace of life. His father owned some vineyards in the cool
Atlantic-influenced zone of Muscadet-Sèvre et Maine but was not a winemaker. Marc took over his father’s vineyards and bought a
parcel called Clos de Briords from an elderly neighbour. Marc’s first vintage was 1985 and his primary goal as a winemaker at the
time was to simply complete fermentation. As such, he began fermentation using cultured yeasts and finished the wine off with a
dose of SO2. As Marc matured as a winemaker, he experimented with ambient yeasts and began bottling with minimal amounts of
SO2. The results were extraordinary; the wines showed greater depth, richness and complexity. Encouraged by his success, Marc
began transitioning all his vineyards to organic and continued his minimalist approach in the winery. His racy, lemon-tinged,
mineral-driven Muscadets have since become the benchmark for the region and have opened up a world of previously unknown
potential in the area. Marc’s success is combination of good fortune (his vineyards were never touched by wine consultants
encouraging new, higher yield clones) and an open minded, experimental approach to making the best possible wines.
Many of Marc’s vines are 40+ years old and some of his vineyards are planted on granite soils, a rarity in the region. All
the vineyards are from original stock: Ollivier is the only grower in the Muscadet who does not have a single clonal selection in his
vineyards. He also hand harvests (a rarity in the region) and uses only natural yeasts for fermentation. Extended lees
contact, often till April or May of the following year, adds added depth to the wines,
The Muscadet from Pepière is an excellent example. The wine is lemony, stony and bracing on the palate.
Excellent with shellfish dishes, especially oysters!
Three Lions Chardonnay, Plantagenet
Fiano, Caiaffa
Caiaffa works to the principle of synergistic agriculture. They believe that nature is man's greatest collaborator, and that nature maintains balance. Certified organic, they do not use insecticides or pesticides in order to encourage a balanced ecosystem and work at one with nature.
They are especially protective of the insects which live on and around their vines; they work in harmony with them and have established a symbiotic relationship in which both parties benefit. For the bugs make it possible for micro-oxygenation and provide the means for nutrients needed to make passage through the soil. This is reflective in their branding and their packaging.Caiaffa is located in Cerignola, a coastal town in the beautiful Tavoliere delle Puglie, northern Puglia. The Tavoliere area was once completely submerged in sea water, which has influenced a very special climate, in abundance of flora and fauna. The soils here are rich in limestone and the vines benefit from the mild Mediterranean weather. Through these wines, you can truly taste the authentic flavour of the land.
A lively and fresh white wine, with delicate flavours and aromas of ripe citrus fruit, stone fruits and white flowers. Great acidity and well balanced with a lovely long finish.
A great aperitif wine or perfect with salads, asparagus or light fish and shellfish dishes.
Le Carillon de Vendome, Cave Co-op du Vendomois
The Vendomois region is located along the banks of the river Loir (a tributary of the Loire proper) to the north of Touraine.
This Co-operative makes great value wines and this Chenin Blanc is a great example. It comes from a single vineyard and has all the lovely Chenin qualities of food-friendliness and complexity.
A great wine for fish pie or fish and chips!
Hacienda Grimon, Rioja Blanco Sauvignon Blanc
Hacienda Grimón is run by the Oliváns, a family with a long winemaking tradition in Rioja. Grimón was established by Paco
Grimón who runs the bodega and his brother Eliseo who takes care of the viticulture. Their 25 hectares of vineyards are
based in the Valle de Jubera, a secluded and little-known corner of Rioja Alta with a great viticultural history. Viticulture is
organic – “always has been here, why do I need certification?” – with no use of herbicides and pesticides, sheep manure is
used as fertilizer. Hand harvesting is employed for all their vineyards. Great care is taken to provide the healthiest grapes of
the highest quality.
This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is aged in old 225-litre barrels following fermentation for a short period before bottling, giving up a floral and aromatic white with a lovely texture on the palate.
Goes particularly well with grilled shellfish.