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Wine Heroes

This page is dedicated to our wine heroes – the wines, winery, winemakers that have shaped our vinous journey over the past 20 years.
We followed, bought and collected all the wines that feature on this page for many years and their quality vintage upon vintage is without question.
In short, these are the wines we drink, and we hope you will love them as much as we do.

Wine Heroes

Showing 61–75 of 167 results

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  • 2020 Chardonnay, Lismore Wine Republic Heros White Wine

    2020 Chardonnay, Lismore

    £3200

    Lismore Estate is based in Greyton within the Overberg region of the Western Cape of South Africa.  It’s here with the Sonderend mountains as a backdrop that winemaker & proprietor Samantha O’Keefe makes her fabulous wines.   ‘ I had a farm in Africa….’  The opening line of Karen Blixen’s classic memoir Out Of Africa comes to mind when you hear Samantha’s amazing story.  A native Californian, Berkeley educated, Sam realised her dream and bought a mountain in Africa.

    In December 2019 Samantha’s farm, home, cellar and just-opened wine cellar was all lost in a bush-fire. Samantha has proven herself to be one of the winemaking stars of South Africa and gaining respect from all around the world. The day this tragedy took place Samantha was receiving calls from winemakers all around the Cape, giving her some of their top grapes and asking her to make the wine in their cellars in order for her to continue making wine and not miss a harvest. A remarkable woman making remarkable wines.

    The 2020 Lismore Chardonnay is delicious in the glass.  The nose is a complex, expressive bouquet of citrus and tropical fruits layered with brioche, honey and walnut. The palate is carried through by a distinct minerality and crisp acidity through to a lingering citrus finish.

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  • 2017 Viña Ardanza Reserva, La Rioja Alta Wine Republic Heros Red Wine

    2017 Viña Ardanza Reserva, La Rioja Alta

    £3250

    La Rioja Alta’s Viña Ardanza Reserva is one of the finest Reserva’s available and a benchmark for the region.  Every vintage is outstanding and never fails to elicit a smile upon drinking.    La Rioja Alta is the gold standard for traditional bodegas: a winery that ages their wines the old-fashioned way, meaning three years in barrel with two rackings a year, followed by three years in bottle.

    Outstanding aromatic intensity on the nose, with spicy and balsamic liquorice, clove, nutmeg and black pepper notes, enveloping a subtle hint of ripe red fruit: brandied cherry and raspberry jam. The palate is well-balanced and fresh, with a broad range of flavours and soft, round tannins, leading to a spicy, balsam-like aftertaste on the finish.

    A Viña Ardanza in its prime and with a long life ahead of it.

    The 2016 vintage comprises 80% Tempranillo from Fuenmayor and Cenicero blended together with 20% Garnacha from the famous ‘La Pedriza’ vineyard in Tudelilla.

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  • 2020 Bishop, Glaetzer Wine Republic Heros Red Wine

    2020 Bishop, Glaetzer

    £3275

    Bishop is a true expression of Barossa Shiraz that is elegantly structured with a long finish.

    Made from exceptional old vine fruit was sourced from the famed Ebenezer sub district at the northern tip of the Barossa Valley. These old vines are between 35-120 years old.

    In the glass there is an explosion of brooding dark tones with bright cassis and coffee bean hints. The palate has a subtle richness with flavours of dark plum and blackberry intermingled with dark chocolate and dried spice. Generous yet restrained tannin provides exceptional palate length and persistence.

    Peak Drinking: Great drinking now but this wine will also benefit from up to 10 – 15 years of careful cellaring.

    Bishop is the family name of Colin’s wife’ Judith. Fittingly the sign of Venus, a symbol which has come to represent women and feminine energy, is the centrepiece of the Bishop label.  In mythology, the symbol meant the Roman goddess Venus or her Greek equivalent Aphrodite. But the sign has also been linked back to ancient Egypt – a nod to Bishop’s link to Amon-Ra and Anaperenna.

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  • 2018 The Florita Riesling, Jim Barry Wine Republic Heros White Wine

    2018 The Florita Riesling, Jim Barry

    £3350

    The 2018 Florita is a wine of immense purity and drive that is bursting with intense aromas of lemon, lime and citrus blossom. The tightly wound palate delivers laser focussed acidity and crisp lime juice at its core and shows all the hallmarks of Florita Riesling.

    The famed Florita Vineyard is synonymous with the classic grape variety and was planted with Riesling grapes by Leo Buring in 1962. In 1986, the Barry family acquired the 32-hectare property. Florita’ is Spanish for ‘little flower’ and the first release of this micro-batch of premium Riesling was in 2004; it was the fruit of years of patience. Individual rows are selected where the terra rossa and loam soils barely cover the deep limestone below and the vines deliver a wonderful elegance. The Clare Valley climate is continental, with a high diurnal temperature difference. The cool nights allow the Riesling vines to preserve the crisp natural acidity and delicate flavours.

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  • 2021 The Florita Riesling, Jim Barry Wine Republic Heros White Wine

    2021 The Florita Riesling, Jim Barry

    £3350

    Jim Barry’s iconic and outstanding single-vineyard Riesling, The Florita, stands tall at the top of the tree for Clare Valley Riesling.

    Located fifteen kilometres south of Clare township in the tiny village of Watervale, Florita – Spanish for ‘little flower’ – comes from a famous Riesling vineyard planted to Palamino in 1946 for making Fino Sherry but was replanted to Riesling in 1962. This was the birthplace of Leo Buring Watervale Riesling and the Florita vineyards, where legendary winemaker John Vickery sourced his grapes for his great Watervale Rieslings of the 1960s and 1970s.

    The 80-acre vineyard was bought by Mark, Peter and John Barry in 1986. First released as the ‘Florita Riesling’ in 2004 by Jim Barry Wines, this micro-batch Riesling is made from grapes hand-selected from individual rows. Its best fruit comes from vines planted in shallow loamy soils and the vineyard has good air-drainage which alleviates the risk of frost. A wine with a reputation second to none for consistency and a true benchmark wine.

    The 2021 is a simply astonishing incarnation that Riesling lovers would be remiss to not have in their cellar. Drink 2027 – 2050 +

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  • 2020 Barbera d’Alba, Bruno Giacosa Wine Republic Heros Red Wine

    2020 Barbera d’Alba, Bruno Giacosa

    £3500

    Bruno Giacosa is considered to be one of Piedmont’s most highly regarded producers, their wines are some of the most highly sought after in the world.

    Bruno Giacosa’s Dolcetto d’Alba is an immediately appealing wine produced from grapes grown on exceptional hillside vineyards. The bouquet is full of vibrant red cherry and cassis notes and there is lovely depth of pure, ripe fruit on the palate. Dark strawberry and red cherry fruit flavours mingle with wild herbs and juicy, ripe tannins.

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  • 2021 Hunter Valley Shiraz, Brokenwood Wine Republic Heros Red Wine

    2021 Hunter Valley Shiraz, Brokenwood

    £3500

    Brokenwood Hunter Valley Shiraz is an icon of the region, it typifies the excellence of the Brokenwood winery.    This 2021 is a stunning example of young Hunter Shiraz, fresh, supple with impressive length. Dry herbs and unctous dark fruits are completed by a lovely texture in the mouth.

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  • 2013 Eileen Hardy Pinot Noir, Hardys Wine Republic Heros Red Wine

    2013 Eileen Hardy Pinot Noir, Hardys

    £3750

    This fabulous Pinot Noir from Hardy’s is at its absolute peak now and is an incredible glass of wine.   Medium red in colour with vibrant hues with a perfumed, rich and complex nose full of star anise spice and red fruit intermingled with black cherry, blueberry, plum and harmonious oak influence. The use of whole bunches in the press adds subtle complexity.  The palate is a mirror image of the bouquet: this wine has a superb length of flavour, a wonderful sweet fruit overlay, mineral acid drive and silky fine tannins.

    This really is worthy of your time!

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  • 2021 Estate Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, Talbott Wine Republic Heros White Wine

    2021 Estate Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, Talbott

    £3750

    Talbott Vineyards is defined by its iconic Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, where the conditions are ideal for exceptional, cool-climate Chardonnay.  Located in the northern area of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA in Monterey County, it has been designated one of California’s Grand Cru vineyards by Wine Enthusiast in 2016, for its ability to produce exceptional wines year after year. The vines were first planted in 1972 at an elevation of 168 metres and cover 228 hectares. Due to the proximity of the Pacific Ocean and the east-to-northeasterly exposure, cooling fog and frequent ocean breezes temper the warm sunshine, giving Sleepy Hollow one of the longest growing seasons in California and allowing each grape to develop concentrated flavours.

    A bright, elegant Chardonnay, with aromas of Pink Lady apple, juicy pineapple, pear and caramelised brown sugar. Unctuous and opulent on the palate, with refreshing acidity offering beautiful balance to the ripe tropical fruit.

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  • MV Cuvee Chérie Demi Sec, Nyetimber Wine Republic Heros Champagne & Sparkling Wine, Dessert Wine, English & Welsh Sparkling Wine

    MV Cuvee Chérie Demi Sec, Nyetimber

    £3795

    A unique English dessert sparkling wine.

    Light golden hues illuminate this delicately effervescent wine. Aromas of pure lemon and Acacia honey are followed by a hint of tangerine. The palate of lemon curd is balanced by crisp acidity and a clean, pure structure.

    With a silky texture and refined decadent feel, this is the perfect partner for creamy desserts. At only 12% abv it would also make a wonderfully risqué accompaniment to high tea.

     

     

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  • 2013 Central Coast Viognier, Alban Vineyards Wine Republic Heros White Wine

    2013 Central Coast Viognier, Alban Vineyards

    £3850

    John Alban is more than a wine producer: Robert Parker has described him as the “spiritual and qualitative leader of the Rhône Ranger movement”: his impact on wine production in California is not to be understated.  Established in 1989, Alban Vineyards represents California’s first winery and vineyard dedicated exclusively to the varietals of the Rhône at a time when anything that was neither Cabernet nor Chardonnay was barely grown in California, Alban was a groundbreaking project and has gone on to be regarded as one of the U.S.A’s best and most influential producers.

    The Central Coast Viognier from Alban has always been fantastic value and rarely overshadowed by its big brother, the Estate Viognier.  This 2013 vintage has aromas of ripe peach, flowers and exotic honey.  It’s rich, unctuous and concentrated on the palate, offering the classic Alban richness and texture. The finish is a heady rich blockbuster.  Brilliant when young but exceptional when it has a few years of age, like this now 7-year-old beauty.

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  • Liqueur Muscat, Skillogalee Wine Republic Heros White Wine

    Liqueur Muscat, Skillogalee

    £3850

    This old vine Muscat is one of our all time favourite wines.  Exceptional quality.

    This Muscat is produced in a similar method to tawny port, with a blend of different vintages of sweet wine. These separate wines are fermented, fortified and left to age for decades in oak puncheons using a solera method. While released as non-vintage, each bottle contains a blend on muscat going back many decades. The resulting blend of fortified wine is sweet, dark, and with a higher alcohol component than typical still wine.

    The current blend is made from a blend of vintages predominantly late 1990’s, with a little older material to contribute some aged, rancio characters of butterscotch and complex fruit, with some younger wine to give freshness and lift.

    It is bright, red-amber in colour with a light young sweet raisin nose. The palate shows nutty raisin apricot flavours, very full and sweet but not cloying. The finish is lingering – very smooth and liqueur like!

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  • 2019 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Trocken GG, Selbach-Oster Wine Republic Heros White Wine

    2019 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Trocken GG, Selbach-Oster

    £3850

    With a rich history that traces it back to the 17th century, Selbach-Oster is a family-owned wine estate based in the Mosel Valley. They produce a full range of Rieslings, from bone-dry expressions to sweet styles. This release from the 2019 vintage is made with grapes grown in one single vineyard, Zeltinger Sonnenuhr.

    This 2019 opens with a haunting nose of floral notes, herbs, slate spice, minerality and a hint of honey and apricot. On the palate, there is a lot of texture, gripping, feisty extract and enormous density, integrated acidity, mineral and long

    The GG in the title of the wine stands for Großes Gewächs and is a mark of quality.  A wine from one of the best producers and from one of the best vineyard sites making dry wines.

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  • 2008 The Florita Riesling, Jim Barry Wine Republic Heros White Wine

    2008 The Florita Riesling, Jim Barry

    £3900

    This legendary dry Riesling from Jim Barry has matured under optimum conditions and displays the complexities that fine Australian Riesling develops over time.

    The Florita Story

    This story is best told by famous Australian wine writer, Huon Hooke and head of the Barry Family, Peter Barry who below tell the wonderful story of Florita…..

    It starts in 1946, just after the war, when Leo Buring bought land at Watervale and planted Pedro ximénez for sherry – the preferred wine of Australians at the time. He named the vineyard Florita, which is Spanish for ‘little flower’ – a reference to the sherry flor (or flower), the film of yeast that covers the dry flor sherry as it matures in its ullaged casks.  Public tastes shifted, table wine became fashionable, and in 1962 Buring’s winemaker John Vickery began to remove Pedro and plant riesling. “He started to make riesling (wine), which began to be seen as the future of Australian white wine,” says Barry. Indeed, Vickery and the Leo Buring brand became almost synonymous with riesling.   “In 1986 Philip Morris (the tobacco company which owned the Leo Buring brand at the time) had six years supply of riesling in its cellars, and no-one was drinking it – chardonnay was the new fashion. They decided to sell the Florita vineyard.

    My brothers and I went to the auction. I was 24.  Mum said ‘You’re not allowed to buy it’. She said we already had plenty of vineyards. We told Dad he’d better buy it, and that would let us off the hook.
    Southcorp (the precursor of Treasury Wine Group) owned the Florita trademark at the time, and although the Barrys began using the grapes immediately, they couldn’t use the name.
    “I had to wait eight years until the registration period was up, but then Southcorp renewed it for another 10 years, so I had to wait 18 years all told, and I registered the name Florita two days after it lapsed.

    Eighteen years is a long time to wait for a drink.”

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  • 2009 The Florita Riesling, Jim Barry Wine Republic Heros White Wine

    2009 The Florita Riesling, Jim Barry

    £3900

    This legendary dry Riesling from Jim Barry has matured under optimum conditions and displays the complexities that fine Australian Riesling develops over time.

    The Florita Story

    This story is best told by famous Australian wine writer, Huon Hooke and head of the Barry Family, Peter Barry who below tell the wonderful story of Florita…..

    It starts in 1946, just after the war, when Leo Buring bought land at Watervale and planted Pedro ximénez for sherry – the preferred wine of Australians at the time. He named the vineyard Florita, which is Spanish for ‘little flower’ – a reference to the sherry flor (or flower), the film of yeast that covers the dry flor sherry as it matures in its ullaged casks.  Public tastes shifted, table wine became fashionable, and in 1962 Buring’s winemaker John Vickery began to remove Pedro and plant riesling. “He started to make riesling (wine), which began to be seen as the future of Australian white wine,” says Barry. Indeed, Vickery and the Leo Buring brand became almost synonymous with riesling.   “In 1986 Philip Morris (the tobacco company which owned the Leo Buring brand at the time) had six years supply of riesling in its cellars, and no-one was drinking it – chardonnay was the new fashion. They decided to sell the Florita vineyard.

    My brothers and I went to the auction. I was 24.  Mum said ‘You’re not allowed to buy it’. She said we already had plenty of vineyards. We told Dad he’d better buy it, and that would let us off the hook.
    Southcorp (the precursor of Treasury Wine Group) owned the Florita trademark at the time, and although the Barrys began using the grapes immediately, they couldn’t use the name.
    “I had to wait eight years until the registration period was up, but then Southcorp renewed it for another 10 years, so I had to wait 18 years all told, and I registered the name Florita two days after it lapsed.

    Eighteen years is a long time to wait for a drink.”

    Purchase & earn 39 points!Add to Basket