Organic Wine

93 points, Tim Atkin
The Fynbos Vineyard has well drained soils with north facing slopes that result in a rich, fleshy, generous wine. This wine was 100% wild fermented in a selection of 228L and 300L French oak barrels (25% new, the rest in 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill barrels). It remained on the lees for a total of 12 months with no battonage. Nuanced and multi-layered – this vineyard produces wines with depth and weight, and great structure that allows for significant ageing potential. Sandstone is the dominant soil type in this north-facing vineyard on Iona's spectacular farm. More open and aromatic than its stablemate Kloof, it has top notes of fynbos and aniseed, flavours of honey and stone fruit and attractive patisserie spices from 25% new oak. TA

Country: South Africa

Region: Elgin

ABV: 13%

Grapes: Chardonnay

In early 1997, Andrew Gunn, an engineer by training was contemplating his next career move. Having always loved the outdoors, the prospect of farming appealed to him and feeling young and energetic enough to start a new career, left the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg to begin the search for the ‘perfect’ farm.

After months of searching and 40 farm visits later, Andrew and a very tired estate agent stumbled upon a solitary run down apple farm on a mountain top overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The prospect of a suitable farm in Elgin intrigued Andrew and on driving through the valley, he became excited by the beauty of the area. Surrounded by the Kogelberg Biosphere and Forestry the property had no agricultural neighbours. The rolling hills and the drive up the mountain to where the farm was situated, 420 meters above sea level, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, was unlike anything he had ever seen. It was love at first sight.

As he drove in and stopped in front of a rather run down Herbert Baker homestead, he felt, “this is where I would like to live”, and the view from the front of the house overlooking the Elgin Valley below, made up his mind.

Powerful, rich and full bodied with aromas and flavours of blackberries, baked plum and sweet spice. Concentrated, long finish. 

Country: Spain

Region: Castilla a Mancha, Jumilla

ABV: 14.5%

Grapes: Monastrell

Food Match: Barbequed lamb with rosemary

The Gil family have been major wine producers in Jumilla since the early 20th Century. Bodegas Juan Gil is dedicated to producing powerful, yet approachable and modern wines, mainly based on Monastrell (aka Mourvedre) which is grown on about 80% of the vineyard.

The winery has invested heavily in its Organic and Sustainability programmes in recent years.

Sweet, but balanced, powerful, rich and full bodied with aromas and flavours of blackberries, baked plum and sweet spice. Concentrated, long finish with notes of cocoa and baking spice. 

Country: Spain

Region: Castilla a Mancha, Jumilla

ABV: 11.5%

Grapes: Monastrell

Food Match: Dark chocolate mousse or Christmas pudding

The Gil family have been major wine producers in Jumilla since the early 20th Century. Bodegas Juan Gil is dedicated to producing powerful, yet approachable and modern wines, mainly based on Monastrell (aka Mourvedre) which is grown on about 80% of the vineyard.

The winery has invested heavily in its Organic and Sustainability programmes in recent years.

Earthy, meaty nose with hints of black berry and forest berries. Morello Cherry, juicy, structured, but soft tannins, very long, elegant finish.

Country: Portugal

Region: Lisboa

Grapes: Castelao

ABV: 13.5%

COZs is a partnership between two Portuguese wine grape growers, Tiago Teles (Gilda, RAIZ) and António Marques-da-Cruz (Quinta da Serradinha), that started in 2015, in a 60-year-old vineyard of the Baga variety. In 2017, acquired the historic Vinha da Pena in Serra de Montejunto – a limestone formation from the Jurassic period, located 15 km from the Atlantic Ocean, in the Lisbon region. Pioneers in the introduction of organic agriculture as well as new concepts of pruning and soil fertilization in the Serra de Montejunto, we initiated an important transformation of practices and mentalities in mountain viticulture.

Dark ruby colour with flecks of bright purple in the rim. Ripe, dark fruit character with, delicate herbal savouriness and hints of sweet cherry. On the palate, juicy, elegant, with fresh black cherry and fine tannic structure. A lingering red berry freshness which gives this wine a definite ageing potential.

St Laurent is a beautiful little-known grape variety. Very similar to low yield Pinot Noir but more tannic and full bodied. 

Country: Austria

Region: Thermenregion, Lower Austria

ABV 13%

Grape Variety: St Laurent

Food Match: This wine works well with game meat or rich duck dishes. If you're veggie then enjoy with creamy mushroom or truffle risottos or pasta dishes.

ORGANIC

Now in its fourth generation of winemakers, the 40 hectare estate is run by Johann Reinisch's three sons: Hannes, Michael and Christian. With a 2,000 year legacy of wine growing in the region, the Reinischs maintain traditions with vineyards planted with 65 % red and 35 % white vines. The winery is best known for their excellent Pinot Noir and St. Laurent grown in vineyards from both the stony, alluvial gravel soils of Tattendorf (rich in both chalk and lime) near the winery and the elevated, nutrient rich soils of Gumpoldskirchen.

Bright purple red colour, violets and cherries on the nose with crunchy red fruit on the palate and a long fresh finish. Chateau Coulaine is a family owned estate in 

Country: France

Region: Loire Valley

Grapes: Cabernet Franc

ABV: 13%

Beautiful golden colour. The nose is very floral, with strong notes of elderflower, as well as citrus fruit, spices, and some verbena. On the palate, it shows amazing freshness despite its age, elegance, and refinement. On the palate, there are flavours of lemon, freshly cut grass, cedar, verbena, and it has remarkable salinity. The wine has a persistent length and great finesse.

Country: Italy

Region: Cirò, Calabria

ABV: 12.5%

Grapes: Trebbiano Toscano: 50%
Greco Bianco: 50%

Food match: Fish based dishes, risotto, salumi

The Cirò DOC is a picturesque corner of the Mediterranean, along the Ionian coast, in the eastern foothills of the Calabria region, a large peninsula that forms the toe to Italy’s boot. The Parrilla family, who own and run Tenuta del Conte, have been making wine here for four generations, the latest of which to take over the estate are Mariangela, Giuseppe, and Caterina.

In 2011 Mariangela Parrilla took over as winemaker. Mariangela takes a philosophical approach to winemaking, with the aim to let these traditional indigenous grape varieties speak for themselves and their terroir. Her wines are all organic, no herbicides or chemicals are used at any stage of the production process, she opts for spontaneous fermentations using indigenous yeasts, no filtration, and solely stainless-steel and bottle aging. Taking each wine vintage by vintage she lets them evolve and age “according to their own natural rhythm”, making each wine unique. This could be just one year in bottle before release or over 10 years. Not only does she capture the unique character of the grape variety but that of the vintage it's from too.


Together with a handful of other wineries in the area, Mariangela is part of “The Cirò Revolution”, a group formed to promote and protect their territory’s identity. They are dedicated to organic viticulture and minimal intervention winemaking, they make traditional wines, in homage to their ancestors, from native grape varieties.

Deep dark cherry colour. The complexity of this beautifully crafted wine is shown through mature red and dark fruit aromas with some cacao and herbs. Generous in body with soft powerful tannins and cooked fruit notes and so beautifully balanced on the finish. Food Match: Venison, veal, BBQ, roasted beef, stew, game, roasted lamb chops with ratatouille, grilled vegetable, cheeses, roasted oxtail.

Vinified under the strict supervision of the Rabbi from the Habat Jewish Community of Barcelona. This is a Certified kosher wine: Lo mevushal (not pasteurized) and Le Pessaj.

Country: Spain

Region: Montsant

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon 35% Grenache 35% Cariñena 30%

ABV: 15%

Kosher

Nestled in the rugged hills of the Catalan countryside, in the tiny village bearing its name, is the well-respected Celler de Capçanes. It was this wild Montsant landscape which first captivated Jürgen Wagner back in the early 90s, but the huge potential he recognised in this unique village co-operative that determined what followed. Pouring all his efforts into working with the growers to nurture the best from their vineyards and the most honest expressions of their terroir, Celler de Capçanes has established itself as one of the most engaging wineries in the area.

The nose is quite forward with some big black cherry and milk chocolate notes, you expect the palate to follow and yet it doesn’t. Instead you get super bright, silky raspberry notes with some properly exciting acidity – we’re rocking along at 15.5% abv but you’d never know – the thread which starts here and runs through the entire range is one of unadulterated purity and drinkability.

Country: Spain

Region: Priorat

Grapes: Grenache

ABV: 15.5%

Super star super Tuscan!

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Sangiovese. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon

Organic

Inviting scents of ripe red berries intertwined with delicate yeasty undertones grace the nose, offering a tantalizing introduction. The palate unveils its dry, lightly sparkling nature, accompanied by a harmonious balance of vibrant acidity and luscious fruity nuances. Approachable and effortlessly enjoyable.

Grape: Nero di Troia

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

ABV: 12%

This is a great deal! 12 bottles of Zensa spread across their fantastic range of red, white and rosé.

Zensa in Italian means “without” referring to the absence of any chemicals or pesticides in the winemaking process. 

2 x Zensa Rosé 2019
2 x Zensa Fiano 2019
2 x Zensa Nero d'Avola Appassimento
3 x Zensa Primitivo
3 x Zensa Nero Di Troia 

Corpinnat is a Spanish wine designation for sparkling wines aged a minimum of 18 months made of manually-harvested organic or biodynamic grapes in Penedès. This very sophisticated rosé has fresh notes of strawberries and raspberries and a long elegant finish.

Country: Spain

Region: Penedès

Grapes: Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada

ABV: 12.5%

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

Tim Atkin MW  

Porseleinberg Syrah 2022

99 points

Produced in the teeth of what Callie Louw calls a "crazy year", with lots of winter rain and one of the hottest Januarys ever, this is the latest in a series of world-class Syrahs from the brilliant Callie Louw. Fermented and aged in foudres and 15% concrete, using the submerged cap technique that has transformed the style here, this has 95% whole bunches, fynbos and Mediterranean herb aromas, sculpted, detailed tannins and layers of plum, blackberry and raspberry and impressive freshness for a wine with a pH of 4.1. A refined wine from a brutal site.

Drinking 2025-40

Classic Merlot nose of ripe dark plum and leafy notes, following through on the palate with rich, fleshy fruit, earthy notes and dark spice.

Country: Chile

Region: Wine of Chile

Grapes: Merlot

ABV:14%

Notes of  bay leaf, citrus zest, and grapefruit on the nose followed by a gentle, textural palate with bright citrus acidity and green apple.

Country: Chile

Region: Wine of Chile

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

ABV:12.5%

Food Match: Shellfish and seafood dishes

Bellissimo Vino Rosato     Beautiful Rose Wines 

Maria Novella - dry, clean, with red fruit characteristics delicious and moreish 

Zensa Rose - Redcurrant, strawberry and rasberry seriously lovely stuff

Il Cascinone Monferrato - Fresh, crisp & clean, hint of rasberries, citrus & red cherries

Included with gift bundle is a wonderful wine themed Mother's Day/ Father's Day/ Valentine's or Birthday Card card Hand Made by Alex Smith-Orr