Pansal del Calàs 2017, 50cl — Celler de Capçanes (Sweet Red)
Montsant sweet red from old-vine Grenache and Carignan. Plum, cassis and dark cherry; coffee and mocha notes. 16.5% ABV. Vegan-friendly.
Bobal, Academia de Los Nocturnos, Pago de Tharsys, Utiel-Requena, Spain
Located in the unheralded region of Utiel-Requena, Pago de Tharsys is an old estate which dates back to 1805. It was purchased by the Garcia family in 1981 and they began adding plots of vines in the early 1990s. Therefore, despite the fact it is an estate steeped in history, it is very much a modern project that remains in progress. Known as “The Godfather of Valencian Cava” for his work to grow the reputation of D.O. Cava wines in this area, Vicente Garcia has always strived to find harmony between traditional and modern winemaking techniques in order to bring out the best of the indigenous varieties of Valencia – particularly Bobal. Their Academia de Nocturnos range is an homage to the mythical ‘Nocturnal Academy’ of 16th century Valencia, where well-known artists and novelists used to meet – always with a glass of wine in hand
Chardonnay Fleur de Charlotte, Vin de Pays, France
Along with the help of Floris Lemstra at Chateau Canet, we have successfully developed the ‘Fleur de Charlotte’ selection of wines that we believe offer excellent value for money. Floris and his team are best known for their Minervois production and in this case, they have utilised the same approach, based on attention to detail, in order to produce a range of fresh, clean and easy-drinking wines that offer excellent varietal examples
Chardonnay Umbrele, Vilie Timisului, Romania
The Cramele Recas Estate, owned by Englishman, Philip Cox and his Romanian wife Elvira, have put in a huge amount of work into transforming their slice of grape growing history into a contemporary winemaking haven.
The immaculate vineyards are a combination of evolved plantings from 1447 and much more recent plantings too. With recent investments into modernising and improving their winery, they regularly host world class flying winemakers, vintage to vintage, to work with their team. This enables them to create top quality wines and constantly challenge themselves push innovations and approach winemaking with an open mind.
Coteaux du Layon, Domaine des Baumards, Loire Valley, France
One of the Loire’s most lauded producers, Florent Baumard has courted controversy by pursuing his own ideas and challenging the status quo.
In a deeply traditional region, Florent’s early adoption of screwcaps and different vine trellising systems marked him out as the enfant terrible of Savennières. His mantra now encompasses a belief in the individuality of each vintage, believing it should be made with minimal intervention to allow the wine to reflect its vintage and unique character. His Savennières from the famous vineyards of Clos St Yves and Clos du Papillon are rich, yet with a balance and elegance that are unrivalled. His top cuvée of ‘Trie Speciale’ is only made in very exceptional vintages when grape quality is optimal. It is a wine full of paradox, honeyed and yet dry, rounded and yet firm. The rich fruit, tremendous weight and concentration ensure that it is a thoroughly memorable experience.
Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Cesar, Domaine Roche-Audran, Southern Rhone, France
Vincent Rochette comes from a long line of grape growers rather than winemakers. In 1998, he bucked that trend by investing in a cellar and the necessary equipment to allow him to vinify his own grapes, which for five generations had been sold to other winemakers in the area. Vincent is an ardent believer in the benefits of biodynamics, fully converting his estate to follow that philosophy in 2006. He uses only natural products in the vineyard and carries out all his work in keeping with the cosmic cycles of the earth, not only among the vines but also in the cellar
Cotes du Rhone, Domaine Roche-Audran, Southern Rhone, France
Vincent Rochette comes from a long line of grape growers rather than winemakers. In 1998, he bucked that trend by investing in a cellar and the necessary equipment to allow him to vinify his own grapes, which for five generations had been sold to other winemakers in the area. Vincent is an ardent believer in the benefits of biodynamics, fully converting his estate to follow that philosophy in 2006. He uses only natural products in the vineyard and carries out all his work in keeping with the cosmic cycles of the earth, not only among the vines but also in the cellar
Gruner Veltliner Funkstille, Austria
We all need a little ‘Funkstille’ (radio silence) in our life now and again.
Kick back and take a moment to enjoy the silence with a glass of Grüner Veltliner. With its subtle exotic hints, ripe pear and fresh citrus flavours, it’s a dry wine with complex flavours. The palate is rich with flavours of melon and grapefruit with a refreshing, zippy finish.
Malbec Manos Negras, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina
Alejandro Sejanovich is arguably Argentina’s most knowledgeable viticulturist, working as vineyard director for Bodega Catena Zapata for 16 years, he pioneered high altitude vineyard planting and conducted ground breaking research on Mendoza Malbec clones.
Manos Negras focuses on latitude winemaking, planting Torrontes in the northern stretches of Cadayate in Salta, Pinot Noir in the southern-most region of Neuquen in Patagonia and cultivates 50 year old Malbec vines in the prized Altamira appellation in the Uco Valley.
Muscadet sur Lie, Domaine des Herbauges, Cotes de Grandlieu, Loire valley, France
This family estate has been in production since 1864 and is now the largest single estate in the region.
The vineyards benefit from an exceptional microclimate; the warmth of the Atlantic brings spring early, while the huge Lac de Grandlieu acts like a giant storage heater through growing season. Fourth generation winemaker, Jérôme is committed to the sustainability of the vineyards as well as to the health of the vineyard workers he has even grassed over 100% of the vineyards to reduce the vigour of the vines and to soak up rain at harvest. Each terroir of Domaine des Herbauges expresses its own subtle nuances, and reveals specific particularities and characteristics of the AOC Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu Sur Lie appellation.
South African Mixed Case
A mixed case of 6 South African wines – 3 reds and 3 white
- Sauvignon Blanc ‘Enita’, Niel Joubert, Paarl
- Grenache Blanc, Piekenierskloof, Swartland
- Chenin Blanc ‘Moment of Silence’, Blankbottle, Wellington
- Pinotage, Du Plevaux, Stellenbosch
- Red Secateurs, Badenhorst, Swartland
- Cabernet Franc, Raats, Stellenbosch
Syrah Fleur de Charlotte, Vin de Pays, France
Along with the help of Floris Lemstra at Chateau Canet, we have successfully developed the ‘Fleur de Charlotte’ selection of wines that we believe offer excellent value for money. Floris and his team are best known for their Minervois production and in this case, they have utilised the same approach, based on attention to detail, in order to produce a range of fresh, clean and easy-drinking wines that offer excellent varietal examples