Style |
Red |
---|---|
Country |
Argentina |
Region |
Mendoza |
Grape |
Malbec |
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Crios Malbec, Susanna Balbo
£15.95
Susana Balbo is a truly exceptional talent – a global ambassador for Argentine wine, a woman whose expertise is the very embodiment of art and science seamlessly combined. Founded in 1999, the winery is located on the famous Cochabamba road in Agrelo, with neighbours whose names read like a roll call of the true greats of Mendoza.
This mid-price Malbec really delivers and has received great reviews from James Suckling, Tim Atkin and Decanter over the last few years; one of standard bearers for the market.
With only a suggestion of oak ageing, this is rich and supple but not heavy or clunky; beautifully balanced and impressive.
Obviously, this is a good ‘Steak Wine’! Also good for ‘Just Drinking’.
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Amarone, Musella
£49.95
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.
Barolo, Giacomo Fenocchio, Piemonte
£48.95
Barbaresco, Produttori del Barbaresco, Piemonte
£43.95
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.
Henschke ‘Keyneton Euphonium’
£42.95
Available to pre-order for delivery/collection from Thursday Oct 7th
66% Syrah/Shiraz , 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
The 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!
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.
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!
Chateau Lucas
£21.95
Lussac is an up and coming satellite appellation of the renowned Saint Emilion region on the the Right Bank of Bordeaux. There is no doubt that one of Lussac's most prized properties is Château Lucas, owned by the Vauthier family of Château Ausone fame. From just 18 hectares of vines, three cuvée are produced. The top wine, aptly called Château Lucas, is produced from a 12-hectare vineyard, comprising equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc. While so much of the Right Bank focuses on Merlot, the high percentage of Cabernet Franc brings a polished lift to the cuvée, vintage in and vintage out.
A classic partner for roast lamb.
The Liberator Syrah
£11.95
Over the past 25 years, Richard Kelley MW (aka The Liberator!) has become one of the most respected authorities on South African wine in the UK and beyond. Between 1995 and 2002, he lived and worked in the Cape, witnessing the renaissance of the post-apartheid wine industry. Throughout this fruitful period, he established a healthy rapport with the great and the good of the local wine scene, affording him access to their distinguished cellars. These wines are often some of the most interesting, and best value, wines to come out of South Africa.
Ask Richard which wine The Francophile Syrah most resembles and he’d probably compare it to a young Crozes-Hermitage. Full of vibrant red-black fruit and with an aromatic nose reminiscent of Saint-Joseph lilies, the result is a thrilling young red that is free of the constraints and manipulated flavour profile that come with barrel-ageing. This is a very pure and naked example of the Syrah grape.
Great value and a good wine to go with most meaty dishes.