Showing all 12 results

• White Wine

  2020 Chardonnay, Senses

  £7995

  A beautifully textured Chardonnay with bright crunchy fruit notes complemented by hints of honeysuckle, lime blossom and beeswax through to a gingery kick on the finish.

  2020 shows excellent concentration and very clean fruit, which makes for age-worthy Chardonnay with high acidity and ripe fruit characteristics.

  The grapes come from three different vineyards within the Russian River Valley AVA, but predominantly from Bush Vineyard, near Dutton Ranch where the clones are mainly Old Wente and Hyde. Renowned as being one of California’s coolest and foggiest AVAs, the microclimate creates the perfect conditions for producing highly acclaimed Chardonnay, with warm days and cool nights. The warm climate is tempered by the cool, coastal breezes and the trademark fog that lingers over the vineyards, brings moisture and has a cooling effect on the vines. The result is a long hang-time, during which the vines slowly build aromatic complexity, concentrated flavours, superbly balanced by natural, crisp freshness.

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• White Wine

  2020 Napa Valley Chardonnay, Chateau Montelena

  £8650

  This is an incredible vintage of Chateau Montelena’s flagship Chardonnay.

  In the glass it has a bright gold in colour and is incredibly aromatic, the ripeness of the vintage is most pronounced initially; melon, perfume, and orange blossom slowly give way to fresh peach, honeysuckle and apricot. There is very little overt oak influence on the nose, although it comes across subtly in the background as pie crust and toast.

  On the palate, it’s the suppleness and silky mouthfeel that strike first, although there’s abundant mango and citrus with Meyer lemon here as well. The minerality is chalky and distinct, a beautiful contrast that layers in with the acid adding both complexity and depth.

  The finish is exceptional: There’s slightly more wood on the transition to the finish, surfacing as baking spice and crème brûlée. However, they’re handily overwhelmed by notes of Asian pear, mango and pineapple— absolutely delicious. In time, expect hazelnuts and almonds to appear.

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• White Wine

  2013 Camp Meeting Ridge Chardonnay, Flowers

  £9500

  Flowers are pioneers of the Sonoma Coast region and make extraordinary Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

  Perched on top of soaring coastal ridges that border the Pacific Ocean, Flowers’ estate vineyards were some of the first planted on the “extreme” Sonoma Coast in 1991. Flowers’ vineyards rise up just two miles from the rugged Pacific Ocean cliffs at elevations of 1,150 to 1,875 feet. The maritime breezes and coastal fog cool the vineyards during the heat of summer allowing fruit to fully mature with fresh, complex flavours and lively acidity resulting in wines with a distinct coastal minerality and bright natural acidity.

  The 2013 Camp Meeting Ridge Chardonnay is sourced from the organically and biodynamically farmed Camp Meeting Ridge Estate Vineyard.  Planted in 1991 these ‘older vines’ produce Flowers most interesting and exciting Chardonnays.   In the glass, it has aromas of chamomile and lemongrass combined with flavours of ripe stone fruits, dried apricot and lemon. On the palate, it has subtle notes of custard and caramel along with the classic sea-salt minerality that is typical of the Camp Meeting Ridge vineyard.  The finish is long and salivating with refreshing acidity.

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• White Wine

  2014 Chardonnay ‘Durell Vineyard’, TOR

  £9500

  Ed Durell planted the first vines in the rock-strewn, windy hills in 1979. Today, Durell Vineyard spans three AVAs: Sonoma Valley, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. The block TOR sources from lies in the famed Sand Hill section of the vineyard, which overlooks the Sonoma Valley. This 2014 Durell Chardonnay ranks among the best they have ever produced. “This has the classic seamless, almost oily palate weight and texture to it that the best Durells have but with a thread of focus that helps to pull the intensity of the palate together. This shows mandarin oranges, stone fruits and an almost cut wet grass note to it.

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• White Wine

  2020 Chardonnay ‘El Diablo Vineyard’, Senses

  £10500

  This wine is made from grapes from the famed El Diablo vineyard, which sits on a ridge above Eastside Road in the Russian River Valley AVA.   Aromas of flamboyant pineapple, orange blossom and hints of coriander seed, marzipan and lemongrass lead to a palate delivering lovely tension, tropical fruit and finishing with great purity.

  2020 shows excellent concentration and very clean fruit, which makes for age-worthy Chardonnay with high acidity and ripe fruit characters.

   

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• White Wine

  2020 Chardonnay ‘Charles Heintz Vineyard’, Senses

  £10500

  The grapes for this Chardonnay come from the Heintz family, who have owned their ranch in the Sonoma Coast AVA for over 100 years. Planted in 1982, Charles Heintz produces fruit for some of the top names in California. The world-class fruit that is produced here is summed up by Robert Parker, whose assessment of the vineyard is “…one of the great grand cru Chardonnay sites in California.”

  The 2020 is elegant and expressive, the palate is packed with sublime stone fruits layered with spice, cedar and candied ginger, framed by a racy backbone, with a silky texture and extraordinarily long finish.

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• White Wine

  2008 Moon Select Chardonnay, Flowers

  £12500

  Flowers are pioneers of the Sonoma Coast region and make extraordinary Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

  Perched on top of soaring coastal ridges that border the Pacific Ocean, Flowers’ estate vineyards were some of the first planted on the “extreme” Sonoma Coast in 1991. Flowers’ vineyards rise up just two miles from the rugged Pacific Ocean cliffs at elevations of 1,150 to 1,875 feet. The maritime breezes and coastal fog cool the vineyards during the heat of summer allowing fruit to fully mature with fresh, complex flavours and lively acidity resulting in wines with a distinct coastal minerality and bright natural acidity.

  Moon Select is the ultimate expression of the vintage and showcases the best barrels from the Camp Meeting Ridge vineyard.  Only 280 cases produced were produced of the 2008 vintage.   The 2008 is now mature and developed.  On the nose, it has aromas of butter, lemongrass and ripe apricots.   Caramel and brioche are abundant on the palate – that coastal acidity is still present as is the precise structure.  Very rich and textural.  The finish is savoury and long.   It’s a stunning glass of wine.

  Grapes were harvested in the early morning hours to ensure the fruit arrived at the winery at cool temperatures. The grapes were pressed as whole clusters and the juice allowed to settle for 24 hours before a gentle gravity transfer to French Oak barrels. After 100% native yeast fermentation, the wine continued to mature in-barrels: 100% French oak, 35% new for 14 months to allow the true expression of the vintage and varietal to stand out.

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• White Wine

  2012 Hapgood Chardonnay, Clifton Brewer

  £12500

  This is a stunning Chardonnay, one with all the dials were turned up, and in a good way!  It’s a full-bodied, richly textured and layered Chardonnay that has explosive aromas of honeysuckle, jasmine, lime, struck match and yeastiness.  The palate lives up to the nose and offers vivid tension with a core of pineapple leading to complex tones of exotic fruits, apple tart, brioche and toasted nuts.   The finish is long and textured with mouthwatering acidity that bounds well for a few more years of ageing.

  At Brewer Clifton they strive to remove the winemaker’s signature, allowing the voice of the vineyard to be the overriding expression.  Only neutral barrels are employed and they strive for whole cluster fermentation, interestingly the fruit from each vineyard is handled identically from harvest to bottling, allowing the true essence of each site to be expressed.

  They also farm with a focus of ripening the stems of the bunch alongside the fruit, allowing the cluster to be in harmony. Working with the stems allows for wines that are structured, earthy and balanced with the exceptional Santa Rita Hills fruit. The analogy they use is roasting fish or meat on the bone, the bone offers complex flavours very different than taking it off of the bone to cook it.

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• White Wine

  2012 3D Chardonnay, Clifton Brewer

  £12500

  This is an outstanding Chardonnay from the renowned Brewer-Clifton. The 3D vineyard is nestled between Lafond and Ampelos in the Santa Rita Hills and was the first vineyard planted by the Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton in 2007.

  This 2012 3D Chardonnay is a deeply textured wine that is brimming with complexity and nuance.   The aromas that hit you from the glass are sea spray mixed with lemon zest – also fresh shucked oyster.  It’s a fabulous combination.  The palate is dense and complex with creamy orchard fruits, lemon, minerals and nectarine.  All this is wrapped up with a mouthwatering finish that keeps all these flavours alive.  One of the standout wines of 2020 and at its peak for the next 3-5 years.

  At Brewer Clifton they strive to remove the winemaker’s signature, allowing the voice of the vineyard to be the overriding expression.  Only neutral barrels are employed and they strive for whole cluster fermentation, interestingly the fruit from each vineyard is handled identically from harvest to bottling, allowing the true essence of each site to be expressed.

  They also farm with a focus of ripening the stems of the bunch alongside the fruit, allowing the cluster to be in harmony. Working with the stems allows for wines that are structured, earthy and balanced with the exceptional Santa Rita Hills fruit. The analogy they use is roasting fish or meat on the bone, the bone offers complex flavours very different than taking it off of the bone to cook it.

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• White Wine

  2019 Chardonnay ‘B.A. Thieriot Vineyard’, Senses

  £18500

  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.

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• White Wine

  2019 Chardonnay ‘Vine Hill Vineyard’, Kistler

  £19500

  2019 marks the 40th vintage of Kistler and what a vintage it is!

  “This is a gorgeous set of wines from Kistler. The 2019 Chardonnays show the pedigree of the vintage in their nuance, character and site expression.”   Antonio Galloni of Vinous.com

  The 2019 Vine Hill Vineyard Chardonnay as described by the winemaker: Green-tinged pale yellow. Bold aromas of freshly peeled Gravensteins, lime blossom, powdered rock, deep earthen undertones and roasted grains. Expressive and deeply concentrated while tightly wound given its low pH nature. A long lingering finish speaks to the purity of the extract. One of the best examples of the mineral tones informed by the growing medium of certain soils and a classic manifestation of the seamless tension between weight and energy from the sands of the Vine Hill Vineyard.

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• White Wine

  2017 Chardonnay ‘Vine Hill Vineyard’, Kistler

  £22500

  Kistler Vineyards are one of California’s aristocrats and produce world class Chardonnays.  They are some of our favourite wines on earth – real desert island wines!

  Kistler is a single clone chardonnay house – that means one heritage Californian selection of Chardonnay planted across fifteen vineyards, from Carneros to Sonoma Valley, to the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. From those sites they produce eleven vineyard designate Chardonnays. Kistler is wholly dedicated to the ideal of wines of site. It’s an unparalleled approach in the new world.

  The Vine Hill vineyard is planted in a pure sand soils and produces Chardonnay of precise concentration, energy and verve with stone and orchard fruit toned aromas capped by a penetrating minerality. It’s an exceptional example of the tension that can be created between density and lift.

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