£30 or more

Decanter 94/100

A deeply golden colour leads onto a wonderfully serene nose that shows its evolution in an expression of chamomile tincture with a lifted, ethereal scent that will thrill Riesling lovers. Around all this is an edge of candle wax. The palate is super-smooth, brimming with Mirabelle plum compote and a mouthwatering element of noble bitterness, expressed as candied orange peel. Wonderfully balanced, rich, yet not tooth-breakingly sweet at all. A lovely feat of rich, bold, yet elegant balance. The finish spells orange zest all over again.

Country: New Zealand

Region: North Canterbury

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Riesling

Produced from low yields of optimally ripened, high quality, flavourful grapes: fully expressive of the free draining, low-fertility, glacially formed soils.
Extended “hang time” and picking the grapes where possible with a small proportion of noble botrytis results in a bouquet packed full of citrus, particularly orange zest that so defines North Canterbury Rieslings. Hints of stone-fruit, lychees, pineapple and tropical spices makes for a satisfyingly concentrated wine, which is off-set by a core of minerality and tangy acidity.

Sarah Jane Evans MW: Gloriously mature fruit profile, giving a fine autumnal feeling, with neat darts of acidity. Red fruits, vanilla and cumin, and a long, elegant finish. Made for enjoyment over many years.

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Grapes: Tempranillo (80%), Mazuelo (15%) and Graciano (5%).

Food Match:

Great on it's own everyday drinking or with grilled red meats and hearty sausage or lentil casseroles.

The 2004 vintage, classified as “Excellent” by the Regulatory Council of the Rioja
denomination of origin, was one of the Rioja’s historic vintages.

The abundant rainfall, snow and absence of frost during the winter allowed for a good
fruit set. The weather was ideal along the entire vegetative cycle of the vine, especially
from mid-September on through to the end of the harvest.

The wines obtained of this vintage have offered the best quality parameters in recent
years.

Made with destemmed grapes following a long maceration. In 2004, the wine making
incorporated micro-oxygenation processes with which from the very first phases of the
winemaking it was possible to improve the work of the yeasts, avoid reductions and
stabilize the colour. Micro-oxygenation was also used between alcoholic and malolatic
fermentations in order to stabilize the colour. Aged for 36 months in second-use
American oak barrels and further 36 months in the bottle prior to market release.

Fermentation was in oak barrels using the wild yeasts from the juice. The wine is creamy and textured; full of ripe stone fruit flavours and notes of acacia, nougat and citrus. Mineral finish.

Country: New Zealand

Region: Central Otago

Grapes:  Chardonnay (100%)

Food: serve with scallops and lobster in a beurre blanc sauce or grilled chicken.

ABV: 13.5%

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux, Medoc

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot

ABV: 13.5%

Bright golden colour, wide aromatic complexity ranging from granny smith apple to lemon and honey with a hint of brioche. Dense and elegant with a persistent mousse.

Country: France

Region: Champagne, Epernay

ABV: 12%

Grapes:  33% Pinot Meunier, 33% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir

The nose shows notes of vanilla, toast and some exotic pineapple and lemon nuances. The palate is broad, textured and leesy with hints of honeycomb and some yellow citrus. The acidity is piercing due to no malolactic fermentation in this vintage and gives great focus and backbone to a wine as textured as this.

Country: South Africa

Region: Ceres Plateau

Grapes: Chardonnay

ABV:13.5%

The holy grail of South African Chardonnay.

Rich, and ripe with Burgundian- style elegance. Very special.

Region: Hermanus, Hemel en Aarde

Country: South Africa

Grape: 100% Chardonnay

Low Yielding Vines, maritime influence, stoney/ clay soils

Made by traditional Burgundian winemaking methods: the various blocks were picked at different stages. Approximately 1/3 of the grapes were put at the bottom of the fermentation vats as whole bunches, with the balance being destemmed on top. When fermentation completed, the grape remnants were left to steep in the wine for up to a week, followed by gentle pressing and transfer to oak barriques (40% new). Following a natural malo-lactic fermentation, and maturation for 18mths, the batches from the many
different plots and clones were carefully blended. The bouquet evokes black cherries, raspberries and mulberries, interlaced with savoury hints of grilled mushrooms, barbequed meats and wood-smoke.

Country: New Zealand

Region: North Canterbury

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Wow, great privilege to have 23 year old Grüner Veltliner in the shop...proves that the grape really does have ageing potential.

Country: Austria

Region: Wachau

Grapes: Grüner Veltliner

ABV: 13.5%

Achleiten is a legendary vineyard in the Wachau village of Weissenkirchen. It is famous for wines with inimitable mineral character. Dry stone walls dating back to the 12th century. The silicate-rich soil commands this vineyard’s landscape. On the upper terraces, gneiss is the prevailing subsoil, the lower terraces are dominated by dark, schistous amphibolites.

The Domäne Wachau is deeply rooted in the Wachau region of Austria. Close to 440 hectares of vineyards are cultivated by the members of this quality-oriented cooperative – that makes 30 percent of the entire Wachau vineyard area. These vineyards are found on steep terraces reinforced by old dry stone walls and are part of a World Cultural Heritage. Famous names like Achleiten, Kollmitz, Loibenberg and Tausend-Eimer-Berg are found on the Domäne Wachau’s vineyard map and make it the only winery in the Wachau with wines from all of the most prestigious sites in the region.

Domäne Wachau strives for the highest quality and as a member of the Vinea Wachau Nobils Districtus quality association, produces wines in the categories Steinfeder, Federspiel and Smaragd. Grapes are sourced from our own vineyards in the Wachau; the purchase of grapes, must or wine from outside the Wachau is not permitted.

Classic red Burgundy! Red fruit aromas: red currants and raspberries. Full and fruity on the palate, with great length and minerality. The tannins are silky and ripe. This wine has a complex profile that combines power and femininity. Aromas of small red berry fruits and violet, and a supple, rounded and superbly balanced palate.

Country: France

Region: Burgundy, Cote de Nuits

Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir

ABV: 13%

Maison Chanzy is a highly respected Burgundian producer, their wines are a classical demonstration of premium vineyard sites in Côte Chalonnaise, Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits.

Their range has been carefully engineered by winemaker Max Blondelle, whose primary task is to create wines that eloquently communicate their respective terroir, whilst remaining hands-off in his approach. As such, Chanzy are one of the few Burgundy producers to achieve Haute Valeur Environnementale level 3; the most highly regarded certification for agriculture in France.

Fresh floral aromas combine with characteristic sweet brioche overtones, balanced by peach skin and baked biscuit flavours with a crisp citrus finish.

Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Country: France

Region: Champagne 

Food match: Drinks very nicely well chilled on its own of course (but not on your own - this is the sociable drink par excellence after all!), but also recommended with light nibbles, salads and simple fish dishes.

Straw colour with a citrus orange blossom and white flower bouquet. A textured lemon and lime palate with chalky mineral notes finishing with trademark subliminal spice and fine acidity.

Country: Australia

Region: Yarra Valley 

Grape: Savignin 

ABV: 13.5%

Food Match: Pan fried calamari with gremolata or grilled zucchini, feta and pine nut salad with a squeeze of fresh lemon.

Gorgeous cherry red in colour. Aromas of ripe summer fruits with a hint of flint. Full-bodied with a silky balance, fruity with hints of sweet spice.

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Sangiovese

The 'Clos de Bellecroix' site borders Chagny and faces gently north meaning it’s almost always the last vineyard to be picked. Classic violet and cherry nose. Tightly knit structure, with a seductive mix of crunchy red and black fruits and a touch of balsamic. Lots of aging potential. Drink 2024 to 2030

Country: France

Region: Burgundy

Grapes:  Pinot Noir

Food Match:  Roast duck or partridge

A superior example of Chardonnay from this appellation that only does white wine.

Country: France

Region: Côte-d'Or, the heart of the Côte de Beaune region Burgundy

Grapes: Chardonnay

ABV: 13.5%

Elegant and refined, with stone fruit and toasted brioche notes. On the palate , it is oily and voluptuous, balanced by fresh acidity. Persistent finish.
Limited quantity, individually numbered and signed by the winemaker: only 2,202 bottles made.

Country: Portugal

Region: Douro

Grapes: Folgazao and Rabigato 

ABV: 13%

Rich and warm with beautiful ripe dark berry fruit characters. A great example of top quality aged Nero D'avola from Sicily's top producer Gulfi.

Country: Italy

Region: Pachino, Sicily

Grapes: Nero D’Avola

ABV: 14%

Food match: Red meat, game and mature cheese

Porseleinberg is the result of Marc Kent’s search for the best Syrah grapes, a journey
that inevitably took him to the Swartland. It was here that Kent found an isolated and
windswept wine farm perched atop the Porseleinberg mountain.
The site is now recognised as one of the greatest Syrah vineyards in the world.

Country: South Africa

Region: Swartland

ABV: 13.9%

Grape: Syrah

Organic

The 4th vintage of applying the submerged cap technique, which continues to emphasise Porseleinberg's unique tannin profile. A reserved start is noticeable, after which the wine opens to red and black fruit, with a mineral and savoury spice. A crunchy, dry and grippy, yet fine tannin soundly carries the fruit to cover ones palate. The finish is long and fresh with good fruit concentration and some salty minerality. Drink from 2031-35. Winemaker Callie Louw

The colour is deep and rich, from the Rondo grape. The nose is floral, the palate is full of crunchy red berries with a hint of creaminess.

Country: England

Region: Norfolk

Grapes: Rondo, plus 10 other grapes

ABV: 12.5%

This wines has English summer berries aroma with a delicate mousse. Its complex and concentrated flavours are accompanied by creamy, soft textures, balanced with refreshing acidity and bright red fruit character.

Country: England

Region: West Sussex

ABV: 12%

Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier 

Nestled in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in West Sussex, one of the UK’s most stunning landscapes, Highweald Wine Estate is an exciting new project from a team of highly qualified and passionate young individuals, with the goal of making the best quality wine possible from their unique area of land. And it’s been a strong start for this newly established winery, winning Best English Sparkling and Best Wine in First Year of Production (World-Wide) at the International Wine Challenge 2022.

The notes of dark fruit and spices on the nose. The tannins are firm and are carried by dark, inky fruit and fresh acidity. It would show best after some time in bottle and being decanted.

Country: South Africa

Region: Western Cape - Durbanville / Stanford

Grapes: 100% Pinotage

ABV: 12%

Rich, concentrated and ripe with aromas of black berries with a hint of tobacco, full-bodied with a wonderfully rich finish of ripe red fruits, vanilla and chocolate. A super Super Tuscan made with 100% Malbec.

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Malbec

Country: Italy

Region: Treviso, Cartizze

Grapes: Glera

ABV: 12%

Villa Sandi lies in the heart of Treviso in the north east of Italy and has a history that goes back to the 17th century.The Moretti Polegato family have been devoted to wine culture for many generations and their winemaker Stefano Gava has consistently won prestigious awards for their range of Proseccos.

Beautiful dark red colour, with purple reflections. The bouquet is very expressive with notes of sour cherry, liquorice and chalky notes. It is a wine with finesse and a very long finish.

Country: France

Region: Burgundy

Grapes:  Pinot Noir

Food Match: Poultry and red meats, spring rolls, grilled ribs and braised pork.

This large premier cru site (37ha) has many different micro terroirs and this cuvee is taken from 4 different parcels. 40% of the wine is whole bunch fermented, and 15% is fermented in new oak; the resulting wine is packed with ripe wild raspberry and damson fruit.

Lifted, perfumed, red berry nose with peppery, smoky notes. Ripe and fleshy on the palate with fine, fresh plummy fruit leading to a long, savoury, structured finish.

Country : South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grape: Syrah

ABV: 14%

Waterkloof Wine

Hand-picked and hand-sorted. Whole bunch wild yeast ferment in an old open-top French oak fermenter. Foot-treading and manual punch-downs followed by 24 months ageing in old 600l French oak barrels. No additions other than sulphur.

The third release under the Waterkloof label, an elegant, northern Rhone-ish Syrah with lovely purity of crushed red berry fruit. Supple and plush but built to last.