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White WineA rare magnum of Savigny Les Beaune ‘Dessus Les Gollardes’ from Pierre Guillemot.
The vineyard was planted in 1957. It is 30% Chardonnay and 70% Pinot Gouges, a rare strain of albino Pinot Noir discovered by the great Henri Gouges. In the 1930’s some of his Pinot Noir vines mutated from red to white grapes. Monsieur Gouges propagated these cuttings and distributed some to various vigneron friends.
Legendary Romano Dal Forno has made wine at his family estate since 1983. His Amarone is the pinnacle of his production, but he uses the same care and attention to his Valpolicella, which is superior to many other producers’ Amarone. A traditional Corvina-based blend, fermented in steel before 24 months in oak barrique.
It is an Amarone in all but name, made entirely from appassimento berries – grapes dried for 20-25 days. The 2015 vintage was exceptional for Valpolicella, as in much of Northern Italy, bringing incredible levels of concentration to the wine. The wine has a deep crimson, rim-staining colour. The nose is rich, full of high-toned aromatics, neroli floral scents, dried cherry, raisins and sweeter vanilla tones. The palate is impressively structured, the oak tannins melding with the rich red cherry fruit, bringing great depth to the palate. There is a great balance of flavours beyond the sweet, dried fruit, with savoury fresh tobacco and sweeter almond pastry notes. Despite the immense concentration, there is plenty of acidity keeping the palate vibrant. With such richness and structure, this will give a good 10-15 years’ drinking pleasure.
The Ürziger Würzgarten vineyard is blazing red and insanely steep, it fills a picturesque amphitheatre formed by a dramatic bend in the Mosel river. Although it is directly adjacent to the vineyards of Erden, this site produces a completely different kind of wine, with exotic, spicy aromas and a mesmerizing earthiness. No other vineyard on the Mosel produces wines so bursting with tropical fruit flavours. Many of the Dr Loosens estate’s oldest vines are found here.
This Auslese is which means selected out of the harvest is a luscious, medium-sweet wine made from clusters of very ripe grapes that have been partially affected by botrytis. This classic example is now 20 years old and in majestic condition. Stored since purchase many moons ago in our cellar and last sampled in 2019 with its sister the 2001 Riesling Auslese, Wehlener Sonnenuhr – both were extraordinary.
Pouilly Fumé and Sancerre are the global benchmarks for Sauvignon Blanc, and there is no bigger name or more highly regarded producer in the area than Domaine Didier Dagueneau. Now under the guidance of Didier’s talented son Louis-Benjamin, the wines still follow his ethos that authentic Pouilly Fumé requires healthy fruit from low yielding, old vines to produce the purest, and most intense and vibrantly fresh wine. That’s not to say these wines are typical of the appellation. Given the severely low yields and approach to élevage, Dagueneau wines emphasise a creamy texture rather than bracing acidity, and combine mineral flavours with exotic fruits to supreme effect.
Pur Sang is a superstar in the Dagueneau cellar, and is widely considered one of the great white wines of the world.
Pur Sang translates as thoroughbred, this wine coming from a densely planted, 30-year-old vineyard called La Folie, five kilometres north of Saint-Andélain. Hidden between two parcels of woodland, the vineyard – whose name literally translates as `madness` – is named for the local farmers who thought Didier Dagueneau was crazy when he purchased the land, which was not a vineyard and was full of huge boulders. It was not even registered as part of the Pouilly-Fumé appellation. But Didier had done his homework, as not only was La Folie an historical Pouilly vineyard, but its vein of pure flint, as well as its gently sloping, south/south-east exposure, made it potentially one of Pouilly’s finest. Very pale colour, aromas recall grilled pink grapefruit with a hint of white peach – beautifully expressive. Palate is full, having a rich, floral, complex, aromatic core, creamy texture, and a satisfyingly long finish.
Galatrona is a Merlot cru from the ten-hectare vineyard Galatrona planted in during the 1990s with low vigour Bordeaux clones. This is Petrolo’s flagship wine, it is extremely aromatic and has great structure.
This 1998 has aromas of dark berry compote and oaky vanillin, these are brightened by suave floral and spice cake notes. The palate is broad and fleshy but energetic, featuring vibrant blackberry and bitter red cherry flavours that gain weight in the glass. Powerful but very well balanced, with a strong finishing tannic kick and strong hints of underbrush and rosemary.
This Chardonnay comes from the famed Thieriot Vineyard,over the years, the grapes from these blocks have been sold to top- class producers in the region. Vintage after vintage, this vineyard consistently produces high-scoring single vineyard wines and is renowned as being one of the premier vineyards on the Sonoma Coast.
With incredibly salty minerality, this racy style shows beautiful lemon curd, floral notes and brioche notes through to toasty, hazelnut nuances and a rich palate with flawless balance and an exquisite finish.
2019 stands out as one of the more exceptional vintages in recent memory. Cooler temperatures and stable weather throughout the growing season allowed for slow maturation of flavours without any heat events spiking sugar accumulation in the berries. Although 2019 also saw the devastating Kincade fire in Sonoma County, the fruit was harvested by then, so the smoke did not affect the grapes.
Classic aromas of mulled red and black fruits, forest floor, conifer, and spiced orange carry through to a velvety palate showing wonderful purity of fruit, a precise texture and supreme balance.
The fruit comes from the Hillcrest Vineyard, a single vineyard site purchased by Myles’ parents, Carleton Briggs and Lisa Lawrence in 1988. Located just outside of Occidental, this site borders the Charles Heintz Vineyard to the west and is home to the original Chardonnay planting in the West Sonoma Coast. It has however since been replanted to Pinot Noir, which thrives in the warm microclimate which is tempered by the cool, coastal breezes and the trademark fog that lingers over the vineyards, bringing moisture and cooling the vines. The result is a long hang-time, during which the vines slowly build aromatic complexity, concentrated flavours, superbly balanced by natural, acidity.
2019 stands out as one of the more exceptional vintages in recent memory. Cooler temperatures and stable weather throughout the growing season allowed for slow maturation of flavours without any heat events spiking sugar accumulation in the berries. Although 2019 also saw the devastating Kincade fire in Sonoma County, the fruit was harvested by then, so the smoke did not affect the grapes.
The Occhio di Pernice is made from Sangiovese grapes, locally known as Prugnolo Gentile. It undergoes the same process as the Vin Santo, resulting in a wonderful array of liquid caramel, candied berry fruits and plum marmalade.
The winemaking process is fascinating and starts with the grapes being carefully placed in small wooden boxes. They are then laid out on straw mats to dry and only pressed the following spring. The winemaker receives only small amounts of juice, but it is full of extracts and with a very high density (Oechsle). The grape must is then sealed for 10 years in used wooden barrels called Caratelli where it vinifies and matures in them without the barrels ever being opened. The Occhio di Pernice Vin Santo then matures in the bottle for a further six months before release.
The name Occhio di Pernice means “eye of the partridge” in German and is derived from the amber colour of the grapes as they ripen.
Red WineBruno 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.
The great man passed away in 2018 but since 2011 winemaking has been overseen by his protegé Dante Scaglione, together with his daughter Bruna Giacosa.
Asili represents one of the most important and celebrated single vineyards of Barbaresco – a magical combination of muscle and refinement. Bruno Giacosa purchased vineyards in Asili in the 1980s, which now total 2.5 hectares.
This 2019 is a seriously exciting vintage. Boasting noteworthy power and persuasive elegance, the 2019 has pure, crystalline palate with a silky but firm body. Notes of raspberry and wild strawberry with floral tones are found on the nose. On the palate, good structure is matched with freshness of fruit and fine tannins. Drink 2024-2034.
A magnificent Jeroboam (3L) of 2017 Viña Ardanza Reserva packed in a beautiful Gift Box.
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.
The 2017 comprises 78% Tempranillo from Fuenmayor and Cenicero blended together with 22% Garnacha from the famous ‘La Pedriza’ vineyard in Tudelilla.
“The nose stands out for its power, a highly complex blend of spicy and balsamic aromas of sweet liquorice, patisserie, vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa, coffee and nutmeg, and notes of stewed red fruits. Outstanding balance, pleasant freshness and great structure in the mouth, with supple, round tannins. Very pleasant mouthfeel. An ample aftertaste of spicy notes, sweet liquorice and ripe fruit makes Viña Ardanza 2015 a timeless wine, with tremendous laying-down potential and one of the best vintages of the XXI.” Head winemaker – Julio Saénz
A magnificent Jeroboam (3L) of 2015 Viña Ardanza Reserva packed in a beautiful Gift Box.
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.
The 2015 comprises 78% Tempranillo from Fuenmayor and Cenicero blended together with 22% Garnacha from the famous ‘La Pedriza’ vineyard in Tudelilla.
“The nose stands out for its power, a highly complex blend of spicy and balsamic aromas of sweet liquorice, patisserie, vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa, coffee and nutmeg, and notes of stewed red fruits. Outstanding balance, pleasant freshness and great structure in the mouth, with supple, round tannins. Very pleasant mouthfeel. An ample aftertaste of spicy notes, sweet liquorice and ripe fruit makes Viña Ardanza 2015 a timeless wine, with tremendous laying-down potential and one of the best vintages of the XXI.” Head winemaker – Julio Saénz
This single-vineyard, ultra-premium, ultra-rare jeroboam of Vina Carmen’s Gold Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was imported by us many years ago along with a jeroboam of 2004 and has with its sibling been in our cellars ever since. Yes, the label is slightly battered but the levels are perfect and it is a magnificent celebration drink! As with all top end Cabernet Sauvignon it has the ability to age very well and the winemaker suggested a maturity date of 2025 for this vintage and wine. The fact it is a Jeroboam should add another 5 years to that! We recently opened a magnum of both the 2004 & 2005 and the wines were sensational.
This 2005 is brimming with ripe berries, espresso, chocolate syrup and cassis with sweet, exotic spice aromas. Velvety on the palate with dense berry and mocha flavours, the tannins are powerful but ripe and the linger is substantial. A family celebration bottle if ever there was!
No one does Vin Santo like Avignonesi! Crafted from only the best Trebbiano and Malvasia, the Vin Santo is dried for several months on reed mats and aged for a decade in caratelli, small 50-litre oak barrels, owing much of its character to the madre, a century-old yeast.
The 1993 Vin Santo has a glowing brownish amber colour in the glass with an inebriating nose of fig jam, roasted apricots, smoke, and tar, a sumptuous, viscous palate of dates, figs, and dried apricots. A refreshing, invigorating acidity which maintains the balance. Enjoyment phase: now until 2033
