Superstars

Aromatic and lifted nose of raspberry, plumb, white pepper and red berries. A beautifully layered, textural palate with wild strawberry and spice on the finish.

Country: Australia

Region: McLaren Vale

Grapes: Grenache

ABV: 14%

Food Matches: Moroccan lamb tagine

A beautiful, pale rosé with crisp, refreshing acidity, perfect for summer. The palate is bright and lively, with red berries, vibrant citrus, delicate tropical notes and a touch of salinity, reflecting the vineyard's close proximity to the river.

Country: England

Region: Crouch Valley, Essex

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 13.5%

A wonderful new addition to our range of English wines. Husband and wife team Umut and Katie Yesil manage their Essex vineyard with a low-intervention and sustainable approach. They don’t use herbicides and manage the vineyard mechanically rather than chemically where possible, to protect soil health and biodiversity which is hugely important to them. 

Complex, precise and elegant Nebbiolo from the region's most well known producer

Country: Italy

Region: Piemonte, Barbaresco

Grapes: Nebbiolo

ABV: 14.5%

93
Drinking Window: 2024 - 2033
Antonio Galloni, September 2024
The 2021 Barbaresco is a gorgeous, deep wine. Although the aromatics are a bit
closed, the 2021 shows gorgeous depth and a touch more palate presence than is
typically the case for this bottling. Dark and enveloping, the 2021 will offer a number
of years of very fine drinking. It is an impressive, classy wine from Produttori del
Barbaresco.

This property has historical importance, being farmed by a pioneering family of the wine industry in the Uco Valley. The Italian José Zingaretti immigrated to Argentina at the beginning of the 20 th century, bringing along his knowledge of vine growing and winemaking from his homeland. He was one of the first settlers of Tupungato, which at the time was a remote and nearly inaccessible area. This wine comes from vines of more than 80 years old. Aged for 18 months in a combination of new, second and third use French oak barrels. 50% of the wine underwent full malolactic and 50% partial. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Only 400 cases made. Drinking beautifully now or hold for up to 6 years.

Stunning old-vine chardonnay shows beautiful density and concentration Precise with a round, creamy texture. It’s full- bodied, refined, soft and fluffy. Fresh and bright. Intense, yet subtle with notes of pear and cherry blossom. Wonderful white with unique character.

Country: Argentina

Region: Mendoza

ABV: 14.5%

Grapes: Chardonnay

After visiting Argentina in 1989, Californian trail-blazer Paul Hobbs became deeply interested in both the terroir and Argentine culture, noticing the unique potential for Malbec and other varietals in the region. After meeting two kindred spirits, Andrea Marchiori and Luis Barraud, they founded Viña Cobos in 1997 and since then there has been no looking back. Utilising gnarly old vines, careful vineyard selection, very low yields and an unerring empathy for the raw materials, Viña Cobos craft intense yet balanced wines that showcase the elegance and beauty of this region. The wines from Cobos have branched into four different brands – Felino, Bramare appellation, Bramare Single Vineyard and the super premium Cobos. Binding all of the wines from Viña Cobos is the true identity of each variety and the unique terroir of Mendoza, truly world class wines from a world class producer.

100% Semillon from Elgin, made after Pieter had his second epileptic fit. The label is a scan of his brain, the resulting wine is incredibly complex. Savoury nutty notes interspersed with stone fruit and saline finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Elgin

Grapes: Semillon

ABV: 13.5%

Winemakers don't come much more creatively brilliant than the genius that is Pieter Walser. He's the sort of man that's had more fantastic ideas before breakfast than we manage in a whole week and that talent shines through in his wines. Each comes with a story often as captivating as they are mystifying so we've asked him to record a few to give you an insight into the magic behind the vino!

Stunning, perfumed nose, dark and intense colour. Concentrated blackberry and bramble fruit characters on the palate with a precise structure and very long finish. Beautifully structured elegant red wine with red berry and cherry notes with fine tannins. Fresh, silky and juicy with lots of fruit and berry aromas mixed with floral notes and a hint of anise on the finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmont

Grapes: Nebbiolo

ABV: 14.5%

Food match: roast red meats or rich mushroom based dishes.

Made only from a selection of the best grapes from organic vineyards. A rich and complex Rioja with a true sense of place; a serious and sophisticated wine that ages fantastically.

Country: Spain 

Region: Rioja Alavesa

Grapes: Tempranillo, Graciano & Maturana

ABV: 14%

Intense ruby ­red colour, deep and complex nose; fruity with a prune and cherry jam aroma, notes of tobacco, slightly spicy. A full­ bodied, but elegant wine, soft and rich in fine tannin, with notes of cedar, cocoa, coffee and vanilla on the finish

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

ABV: 14.5%

Grapes: Primitivo

Food Match: BBQ Beef rib!

Carema is high on the northern border of the alpine region Aosta in northern Piedmont. It is made of Nebbiolo grown on glacial soil in this high altitude region which creates powerful, perfumed wines with delicate fruit. 

Pale ruby to tawny. Complex and elegant nose of small, wild red fruits, forest undergrowth, crushed stones and hints of cinnamon. Weightless palate, light to medium body, refined with lively acidity, noble tannins and a long spicy finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Alto Piedmont

Grapes: Nebbiolo

ABV: 13.5%

Special Limited parcel wine from talented South African winemaker Izele Van Blerk. Drinking window 2025 - 2035. Only 1000 bottles made!

Full-bodied, intense and concentrated. Aromas and flavours blackcurrant, black cherry and ripe plum, with notes of tobacco, eucalyptus and subtle capsicum. The palate is rich and full with prominent fruit ripeness. Great tannic structure and a well balanced, lingering finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 14.5%

If tasted blind, you would never in a million years guess that this wine was English! Perfumed, vibrant, juicy Pinot with violets, lavender, cherries, rhubarb, cinnamon, and pepper. Smooth and silky with a long finish. Excellent.

Country: England

Region: Grapes sourced from Essex Vineyards (Martin's Lane in Crouch Valley) wine vinified in Gavin Carver's winery in The Cotswolds

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 12.5%

Food match: Tagliatelle, con porcini e crema

Dark cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant and blueberry aromas are complimented by cassis, tea leaves, dried rosemary and dried spices. Delicious savoury characters are followed by succulent berry fruit on the finish.

Country: New Zealand

Region: Marlborough

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 14%

Certified organic vineyards

Dry, complex and textured Chenin from a part of the Loire typically famed for its sweet wines.  Beautifully rich and ripe on the nose that suggesting it may not be bone dry - and yet it is! Notes of beeswax, honey, white peach. There is a touch of vanilla on the nose on the palate. Wonderfully complex and special wine that is a steel for this price.

Country: France

Region: Loire Valley

Grapes: Chenin Blanc

ABV: 12%

A fresh and fruit forward expression of Bordeaux with a lovely light to medium body. 

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Merlot

Wine has been in the blood of the Petit family since the eighteenth century but they did not buy this particular Château until 1998. Situated in the commune of Néac, what makes this property so special is the south-west facing, clay/gravel slope on which it sits, just across the Barbanne valley from its near neighbour Pétrus. These conditions are perfect for the ripening of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

An elegant, concentrated Grenache from a very old vine plot in the Piekenierskloof mountains. Violet and fynbos aromas with red berries and sweet spice notes.

Country: South Africa

Region: Piekenierskloof

 Grapes: Grenache Noir

ABV: 14%

Food match: lamb cutlets or roast duck

The label is based on the extraordinary but true story of how the police thought Pieter had killed his son and buried him in a shallow grave in the vacant property next to their house. The Cape Argus' article on 11 May 2013 about the incident titled “The mystery of the boy in the sandpit” serves as this wine label ... but panic not! It was nothing more than a misunderstanding!

A fresh, elegantly oaked, limey and delicious Chardonnay - more to the serious side of things, and named after the sea air or SEELUG! pulled in by on-shore winds across this small (as yet) unnamed vineyard on the lower Helderberg, spraying a whack of cool, misty oyster extract over the grapes.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Chardonnay

ABV: 13.5%

Food Match: grilled white fish, creamy seafood dishes

Winemakers don't come much more creatively brilliant than the genius that is Pieter Walser. He's the sort of man that's had more fantastic ideas before breakfast than we manage in a whole week and that talent shines through in his wines. Each comes with a story often as captivating as they are mystifying so we've asked him to record a few to give you an insight into the magic behind the vino!

A pure and concentrated Bordeaux blend, packed with dark damson and black berry fruit. This wine has real presence, yet underlying freshness and grip from the iron-rich clay soils. A wine dedicated to farmers all over the world, and here's why 'The X-factor - The Pierre-Le-Cois effect as Pieter calls it. The guy and nowadays often, the girl in the bakkie. The eyes who look holistically at the big picture and apply knowledge and experience within the comfort of like-minded wise minds - enabling the application of practices to guide these vines to the ultimate expression of themselves. Season upon season.

Country: South Africa

Region: Ceres Plateau

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon 46%,
Cabernet Franc 36%,
Merlot 18%

ABV: 13%

Food match: Grilled rump or sirloin steak

Floral aromas of violets.  A rich plum and red cherry character is balanced with bright acidity and silky tannins. From organically grown grapes.

Country: Italy

Region: Montepulciano, Tuncany

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Sangiovese/ Prugnolo Gentile

Rich plum and cherry character, buttressed with bright acidity and dusty tannins. It’s chewy yet polished.

Country: Italy

Region: Montalcino, Tuscany

ABV: 14.5%

Grapes: Sangiovese

Deep ruby red colour. Concentrated and rich with aromas of blueberry, mulberry, dried cherries, leather and cedar. The palate follows through with concentrated red and black fruit characters and a long, silky tannin finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany, Bolgheri D.O.P.

Grapes: 50% Cabernet Franc 30% Cabernet Sauvignon  20% Merlot

ABV: 14%

Food Match: It pairs wonderfully with rustic Tuscan dishes, such as pici with wild boar
ragu or Tuscan pappardelle, as well as with the delicate flavour of white
truffle.

The single vineyard wines from Mount Difficulty are made in limited quantities and are not produced every year. This wine has the distinctive classic Pipeclay cherry and blackberry with a slight spice kick and lovely light violet floral notes. Rich and sensuous mid palate
the wine finishes strongly with a combination of fruit and finely grained structured
tannins.

Country: New Zealand

Region: Bannockburn, Central Otago

ABV: 14%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Mt Difficulty is Central Otago’s leading artisan winegrower with a pioneering heritage
based in Bannockburn. With their founding vineyards established in 1992, Mt Difficulty owns some of the oldest vines having harnessed this once brutal terrain to produce premium wines that are among the finest in New Zealand. Mount Difficulty is Bannockburn’s highest peak and the backdrop to their vineyards – some of Bannockburn’s oldest. Sustainability is at the heart of everything they do including using recycled glass made locally, a living roof to encourage biodiversity and new waste reduction technology to list just a few things they do.

Ripe, round and elegant with classic, subtle butter, toast and pineapple notes balanced by juicy acidity. On the palate there are notes of lemony cream biscuits and key lime pie. A broad, decadent and ripe long finish. A top quality white Burgundy with more than 10 year aging potential.

Country: France

Region: Burgundy

Grapes: Chardonnay

ABV: 13%

Regarded as one of the best sites in the region, Montestefano does not disappoint! Complex aromas of red fruit, blood orange, sweet spice and cedar wood. Juicy, rich and full bodied with a mid palate and finish that goes on forever. Very elegant and refined. Special wine!

Country: Italy

Region: Piemonte

Grapes: Nebbiolo

ABV: 14.5%

97
Drinking Window: 2025 - 2035
Antonio Galloni, September 2024
The 2020 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is one of the most elegant, polished wines in this range. Bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, spice, mint and cedar are beautifully lifted. The tannins are remarkably polished for a young, recently bottled Riserva. I admire its poise and elegance. This is an especially refined edition of the Montestefano. In 2020, the mix of vineyards is a bit younger than in the past, as one of the blocks of older vineyards was replanted and not used. If I could have only one of the Riservas in 2020, this would be it!

Deep-ruby in colour with red fruit and cedar notes on the nose. The wine is fresh on the palate with notes of redcurrant, cranberry and pencil shavings. The finish is long and silky.

Country: France

Region: Pomerol. Bordeaux

Grapes: 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 13.5%

Pomerol is a much respected red wine appellation in the Bordeaux region of South ­Western France. Both historically and physically, it stands apart from other Bordeaux appellations. It does not conform to the accepted image of a Bordeaux wine­ district as being a wealthy, Chateau-­laden area with an all ­important classification system. Pomerol is none of these things, yet has managed to earn itself a place among the world's most revered wine region.

A mature Saint-Émilion Grand Cru from the Janoueix family, grown on clay-limestone soils. Now showing the benefits of bottle age, ripe plum and dark berry fruit are complemented by savoury, evolved notes. Rounded and harmonious on the palate, with fine tannins and a long, elegant finish.

Country: France

Region: St Emilion, Bordeaux

ABV: 14.5%

Grapes:  70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon