£28.45
£26.00
The Azienda Agricola Il Borghetto do things differently in this most well-known and prestigious of Italian wine regions. By treating Sangiovese more like Pinot Noir, winemaker Antonio manages to explore new and thrilling nuances of the variety through harnessing all the vivacity of organically and biodynamically cultivated fruit. The wines are then bottled in burgundy-shaped bottles as it’s his firm belief that this aids the wine’s development, as opposed to the region’s more traditional bordeaux-shaped bottle. But such bold divergence from the norm has resulted in the wines being declassified to IGP status. Yet with a plethora of top accolades from the well regarded L’Espresso guide and praise from the likes of Jancis Robinson, their approach has been unequivocally validated.
The wine undergoes a natural fermentation in concrete tank with native yeasts and is racked off the skins very early, followed by 8 months ageing in concrete tank for beautiful integration whilst retaining all the life and freshness of the wine.
A delightful pale garnet red wine with lifted aromas that instantly charm with delicate wild strawberry and tangy cranberry fruit. The palate is complex, the finish is long, and the tannins are fine, supple and effortless. A rare expression of Sangiovese showcasing its versatility.
£20.70
A man of conviction but by no means a zealot, Eric Texier likes to push the boundaries. Despite having no experience or contacts in wine, Eric decided to give up his career as a nuclear engineer and study winemaking in 1992, interning with Jean-Marie Guffens at Verget in Mâcon. Lacking the network to buy his own vineyard, Eric did his time with established winemakers then made négoce wines with the fruit of like-minded purists. Although he considers his approach to viticulture to be that of an old-fashioned paysan, don’t be fooled. Eric is more of a pioneer than he would have you believe. His fresh take on an old terroir has been instrumental in reviving appellations of the Northern Rhône that would otherwise have been lost. The estate consists of two very distinct terroirs - Brézème in the Drôme (left bank of the Rhône) and the Ouvèze valley in the Ardèche (right bank). Brézème is a limestone hillside facing south, the last ridge of the Vercors Massif at the mouth of the Drôme river, whilst the Ouvèze valley, on the Ardèche side, marks the geological separation between the Massif Central and the Cévennes, where the vineyards facing south, are granitic with a mixture of schist and gneiss on its surface and islands of limestone.
Declassified to Vin de France, as opposed to the more usual Côtes-du-Rhône due to its production method, a blend of 55% Grenache, 30% Cinsault and 15% Clairette (a white grape).
All fruit is organic, harvested by hand, partly de-stemmed and co-fermented with native yeasts in open-top concrete tanks. As with all Texier wines, no extraction techniques are employed, aged in concrete for 12-18 months, unfined, unfiltered and bottled with only the smallest amount of sulphur. The blend of red and white grapes producing a joyfully bright wine, with crunchy red fruit, beautiful texture from the concrete fermentation, and incredible purity and drinking pleasure.
£26.65
Simon of Domaine Capmartin has dusted off the historic traditions of Madiran and Pacherenc de Vic-Bil into a new, more progressive age.
He has set about significant changes amongst the vines and in the winery leading to his own unique versions of these truly exceptional AOP wines. Certified organic for the best part of a decade, Simon is now striving further with his sights firmly set on Biodynamic certification. Natural, low intervention winemaking are the watchwords. No added sulphur, all wild ferments and aiming for light tannins makes for previously unknown modern, fresh and delicious Madiran Tannat. The unique white blend of AOC Pacherenc de Vic-Bilh, made in part with the rare and cherished Petit Corbu variety, is wonderfully complex and a food friendly wine that will no doubt inspire sommeliers.
Punchy and ripe plum and dark berry flavours. This has plenty of depth on the palate, with a spicy finish alongside well balanced tannins.
£25.99
Made from low-yielding old vines of Grenache and Carignan Noir, with Syrah and Mourvèdre grown in the hills above the village of Cairanne in the southern Rhône valley. Hand-picked grapes are vinified only by naturally occuring yeasts, aided by manual pigeage and gentle remontage in open topped oak vats (tronconique). Les Deux Barriques is matured for 24 months in French oak demi-muid (600 litre barrels); the wine is neither fined or filtered before botting at Domaine Boutinot in Cairanne.
Only made in the very finest vintages, this is the fifth release of Les Deux Barriques and it embodies the phenomenal concentration and complexity of the 2015 vintage. Primary fruit and overt oak have evolved into rich, autumnal aromas of dried fruit, with flavours of blueberries and black tea on the finish.
£20.45
Alpha Estate is located in Amyndeo, North West Greece. This pristine estate in the cool highlands of Western Macedonia comprises 220 hectares of privately owned single block vineyards, which are certified sustainable, and employs the most up to date vineyard techniques.
The Malagouzia grapes come from a single vineyard site, known as "Turtles" because it is a nesting site for the local turtle population. The vineyard covers 36.35 hectares in the Amyndeon plateau. The vines are grown at an altitude of 620 to 710 metres above sealevel. Planted at a density of 5,900 vines per hectare, they yield 65 hectolitres per hectare, following green harvest and selection. The soil is sandy to sandy-clay over limestone which offers the vines excellent drainage. When the grapes have reached optimal maturity, they are hand-harvested in 15 kilogram baskets, to preserve the quality of the fruit.
The grapes were destemmed, carefully sorted and then lightly crushed, before being cold soaked with skin contact. The must was fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks and was then maintained on its fine lees or "sur lie" for two months with regular stirring, imparting a creamy texture and added complexity to the wine
A lively nose of grapefruit, nectarine and hints of almond blossom leads to a richly textured palate, has superb length, balance and plenty of finesse. Bright and zesty on the finish.
91 Pts, Robert Parker, 2023 16.5 Pts, Jancis Robinson , 2023 91Pts, Decanter, 2023
£26.50
From a single block vineyard in the cool highlands of western Macadonia (the Greek one), this is made from the Xinomavro (pronounced Ksee-NOH-mav-roe) grape.
A pale and lively pink coloured rosé with an aromatic and fresh bouquet of peach and strawberry, layered with rose petals, spice and mineral notes. Crisp with a creamy, fruity palate through to a long finish.
£21.50
Fiona and Niall Shiner had been living in Hong Kong for 18 years when they returned to Britain to take on Niall's parents' property at Amberley. Niall continued with his career, but mother-of-three Fiona decided to plant some vines at the property following a comment by her mother-in-law that the Romans could have grown vines there. The first acre was planted in 2007, with the acquisition of an old cattle farm on the (really quite steep) hill opposite and converting an old barn into a winery in 2016. A third vineyard side since been acquired taking the current area under vine (but not all producing grapes yet) to 58 acres (23ish hectares), still firmly in the ‘tiny’ bracket.
This perfect warm weather rosé has an initial aroma of raspberries and fresh cut roses with a hint of lemon zest. Its pale salmon colour complements the subtle strawberry notes. While it is reminiscent of a Provence-style rosé on the nose; on the palate, there is so much more to offer. There are copious amounts of lush strawberries and fresh picked raspberries to accompany those beautiful floral aromas. This rosé also offers us a well-balanced and refreshing acidity, that leaves you wanting more.
£26.00
Fiona and Niall Shiner had been living in Hong Kong for 18 years when they returned to Britain to take on Niall's parents' property at Amberley. Niall continued with his career, but mother-of-three Fiona decided to plant some vines at the property following a comment by her mother-in-law that the Romans could have grown vines there. The first acre was planted in 2007, with the acquisition of an old cattle farm on the (really quite steep) hill opposite and converting an old barn into a winery in 2016. A third vineyard side since been acquired taking the current area under vine (but not all producing grapes yet) to 58 acres (23ish hectares), still firmly in the ‘tiny’ bracket.
Made only in exceptional years and from the oldest parcels of Bacchus the Orpheus is a richer and heavier proposition than most UK produced Bacchus. Aromatic with gooseberry and elderflower on the nose and hints of tropical fruits, on the palate it builds from rich, creamy lemon to subtle tropical fruits. It has great flavour length and structure, lingering long on the finish which is dry and well rounded.
£20.50
£26.50
Dark scarlet with purple hues in colour. Aromas of dried herbs, wisps of sage. Bramble and blackcurrant, with some red fruit notes of pomegranate and cranberry. Hints of nutmeg and clove. Balanced and complex. On the palate it is intense and vibrant up front, leading with black fruits, sarsaparilla and clove. Mid-palate is full and balanced with fine silky tannins and notes of of mocha and umami.
£25.80
£21.99
£26.30
The grapes from the Helderberg region stem from an old vine block dating back to 1974. Aromatic on the nose, yet soft and smooth on the palate. Lightly tinted and medium bodied, this wine greets you on the nose with aromatic floral notes which follow through onto the palate with ripe strawberries, cherries, sweet spices and soft tannins on the mid palate.
Accolades.
NEW RELEASE 92/100 Tim Atkin MW 2017; 4 ½ * – Platter Wine Guide 2018
£25.80
Chenin vines grown on sandy clay and limestone soils. Natural fermentation lasts 2-3 months. Aged in used oak for 4 months.
Green apple with sherbert citrus notes and tight, clean acidity.
£22.30
The white Santenay Clos de Malte is a rich and structured wine. It is elegant and fresh, with fruity, citrusy aromas and a hint of woody notes.
£23.30
£26.75
£23.45
45% Cabernet Sauvignon/47% Merlot/8% Petit Verdot
Deep intensity and very dark colour with purple hints. The nose is very open and complex with smooth oak aromas and notes of ripe fruits. On the palate, the attack is silky and fresh. The tannins evolution is very nice giving a full bodied wine with a round feel. The fruity aromas along with some light oaky notes are very elegant and increase the beautiful aromatic length of the wine.
£24.80
£27.95
£26.45
An extraordinary barrel-fermented wine from ancient, pre-phylloxera vines.
Intense aromatics of ripe melon and pears balanced by leesy, yeasty notes. The palate is broad, textural and intense with well-integrated, toasty oak characters, kiwi and grapefruit acidity and impeccable balance. A deliciously bitter twist on the finish maintains the complexity of this fine Spanish white.
Bodegas Naia£24.05
Vines grown on limestone and clay soils, vinified and aged in concrete.
Deep, earthy, incredibly tight in its youth this will certainly benefit from a few hours in a decanter. Upon opening up the herbaceous, spicy notes and elegant shapes come to the fore.
£21.55
Simon of Domaine Capmartin has dusted off the historic traditions of Madiran and Pacherenc de Vic-Bil into a new, more progressive age.
He has set about significant changes amongst the vines and in the winery leading to his own unique versions of these truly exceptional AOP wines. Certified organic for the best part of a decade, Simon is now striving further with his sights firmly set on Biodynamic certification. Natural, low intervention winemaking are the watchwords. No added sulphur, all wild ferments and aiming for light tannins makes for previously unknown modern, fresh and delicious Madiran Tannat.
£24.75
Wonderfully aromatic and pungent Sauvignon Blanc. From just outside the Sancerre region. Crisp and dry with a distinctive flavour of gooseberries and asparagus.
£26.75
A single vineyard Pinot Noir from the cool Elgin region near Grabouw. Elegant and light in style, with an abundance of ripe red berries, juicy strawberries and subtle spices on the nose which follow through on the palate where it marries perfectly with a savoury meatiness.
£29.75
£27.65
£29.75
Nose: Powerful nose dominated by red berries and delicate oak aromas.
Palate: Powerful attack. Round and supple tannins.
£22.00
£28.80