Thursday 3 July 2014

July Newsletter


Summer Case

Bottega Vinai Trentino Gewurztraminer
Intense rose petal and lychee aromas typical of the grape, with hints of ginger and honeysuckle. Ripe and opulent on the palate, with plenty of citrus fruit and flowers leading to a long, spicy finish.
The Cloud Factory Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Perfumed with nettle and ripe tropical fruits, this is a classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Fresh and deliciously fruity with plenty of richness and some minerality.
Vetiver Rioja Blanco
Made from 100% Viura, this is a very stylish white wine from the Rioja Baja. Open and appealing on the nose with lemon and pineapple notes and floral hints, the mouthfeel is voluptuous, with tropical fruits and some toasted smoky character which is balanced perfectly by plenty of fine natural acidity.
Mon Vieux 'Old Dutch' Chenin Blanc - Swartland
This is a fine and concentrated old-vine Chenin. Rich and honeyed, with red apple and stone fruit flavours balanced by a core of wonderful minerality.
Soldiers Block Chardonnay - Western Australia
This is an elegant easy drinking Chardonnay with fresh, white peach fruit flavours and a subtle hint of spice. Bright and fruit driven, this is an unashamedly modern interpretation of the classic Chardonnay grape.
Domaine de L'Olibet Cinsault Rose
Lovely sweet fruity-floral aromas, reminiscent of scented pink spring flowers lead onto a palate which is immediately soft and round with abundant ripe fruit, lifted by a natural zing and finishing with a characterful texture and richness.
Le Fou Pinot Noir - Pays d'Oc
This is a fairly full style of Pinot with warm, ripe cherry fruit flavours that are lusciously smooth and effortlessly fruity. A well rounded and sweetly fruited red that is very easy to drink.
Cabaret Frank Old Vine Cabernet Franc - California
This is a smooth, medium bodied red that strikes a lovely balance with its blackberry, plum and dark cherry fruit characters coupled with classic leafy tones.
Les Pivoines - Beaujolais Village
This is a classic example of a quality, fresh and fruity Beaujolais Village. Juicy crushed strawberry and cherry fruit are complimented by some vibrant, peppery notes on the finish.
Pedera Monastrell - Jumilla
Ripe, juicy and forward with crunchy red berries, cherry and plum fruit flavours. Fruit driven in style, with good weight and complexity, yet another fantastic wine from the dynamic Juan Gil estate.
False Bay Pinotage - Western Cape
Hints of spice and red fruits on the nose with clean, bright and juicy black fruit flavours on the palate. Full and spicy with excellent concentration and some interesting earthy notes on the finish.
Bottega Vinai Trentino Lagrein Dunkel
Rich and robust with smoky wood aromas which mingle with red berries, spices and chocolate on the nose. The palate is dry and finely structured with smooth tannins, and a typically Italian sweet and sour twist.
£79.99 if collected from the shop
£88 delivered anywhere in the UK
Free delivery within a 30 mile radius. 

Cru Beaujolais Case















Domaine de la Porte du Paradis, St. Amour, Le Cru des Amoureux
Appealing aromas of fruit compote and perfumed with hints of violets, ripe and seductive on the palate which has a delicate minerality and wonderful freshness.
La Madone, Fleurie La Reine de L'Arenite
A heady perfume of freshly picked irises and peonies. The palate is fleshy and luscious, with cherry fruit flavours and a hint or roses, there is good depth and a touch of spice. Perfect Fleurie - floral, juicy and elegant.
Domaine les Roches Bleues, Brouilly, Le Cru du Volcan
This is bursting with flavours to tanlalize the taste buds. Lovely floral notes on the nose with a hint of violets. The palate is fresh and fruity with hints of raspberry and liquorice, a silky texture is complimented by a steely mineral core.
Domaine Les Roches Bleues, Cote de Brouilly, Vieilles Vignes
The nose is fresh with some fruits of the forest and sweet crushed cherries. Complex on the palate with plenty of spice to lift the flavours of plum and olive, the finish is herbal and slightly minty.
Cote de Py, Le Cru aux Roche Pourries
A fantastic Morgan that is filled with fruit and spice. Perfumed on the nose with a heady aroma of strawberry, the palate is vibrant and juicy fruited with crisp raspberry flavours complimented by some minerality.
Domaine Champs du Chene, Julienas
This is one of the lightest and most elegant of the Cru Beaujolais, with plenty of ripe, sappy red fruits and a comforting earthiness on the finish. A very easy drinking wine that is light and charming.
£52.50 if collected from the shop
£60.50 delivered anywhere in the UK
Free delivery within a 30 mile radius. 

Barbecue Case
Le Dolci Colline Prosecco Spumante
Fresh and gently fruity fizz from the Veneto. Citrus and green apple fruit flavours, delicate and lively in the mouth with plenty of zest on the refreshing finish.
Cien Malvasia - Toro
A fresh, floral and gently aromatic white wine with plenty of ripe stone fruit flavours on the palate and a twist of exotic spice on the finish.
Les Oliviers Sauvignon Blanc/Vermentino - Vin de Pays d'Oc
A delicious and refreshing blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Vermentino from the south of France. the perfect combination of exotic fruit aromas from the Vermentino and a clean, zingy palate provided by the Sauvignon Blanc.
Les Cepages Oublies Gros Manseng/Colombard - Pays de Gascogne
Lovely grassy, aromatic nose balanced by ripe tropical melon and pink grapefruit aromas, soft and creamy on the palate with real depth of flavour finishing with a lemon tang.
Castanzu Vermentino di Sardegna
Rich and spicy on the nose with citrus and tropical fruit aromas, gently floral and vibrant on the palate with lovely weight and some minerality.
Percheron Grenache Rose - Western Cape
This is a lovely pale salmon pink in colour, with delicate floral aromas of young vine Grenache fruit. The palate is filled with bright and juicy strawberry fruit flavours giving the wine real drinkability.
Mon Vieux 'Sheer' Syrah/Tannat - Stellenbosch
Black and warmly spicy with notes of star anise and flavours of earthy forest fruits, this has real character and a restraining minerality on the finish. An inspired blend of elegant Syrah wrapped in flavoursome Tannat.
Vista Tinta Roriz/Touriga Nacional - Beiras
Aromas of ripe cherry and plum fruit with a touch of pepper, this is warming and full of flavour with black fruits and some wonderfully savoury, meaty notes.
Manon Tempranillo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla
A very soft, fruit forward wine that is robust and rich in black fruits. This is juicy and delicious with plum and damson compote tinged with sweet vanilla spice.
Longue-Dog Rouge - Pays d'Oc
This is instantly fruity and warming on the nose, plump and luscious in texture with pure blackberry fruit flavours and an underlying hint of spice.
Chianti Colli Senesi 'Panezio'
Elegant aromas of cherry, plum and red berry fruits mingle in this attractive light Chianti. Ripe red cherry flavours on the palate mix with mellow oak characters adding a hint of spice to the finish.
Emiliana Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
A very pretty cassis driven Cabernet from Chile's leading organic producer. Pure damson and blackcurrant fruits balanced by elegant toasted notes of wood.
£72.99 if collected from the shop
£81 delivered anywhere in the UK
Free delivery within a 30 mile radius. 

The Essential Wines of Summer..................
A personal selection of our most favourite wines for drinking throughout the summer.

White Wines
Domaine Papagiannakos 2013 Retsina - Greece per 50cl £5.59
This is amazing and must be tasted to be believed, dispelling any of the previous prejudice bestowed upon the lowly Retsina. The key of course is in the base wine which is fabulously fresh and lean, this is then blended with the finest quality resin wrought from the pine trees of Attica. The resulting wine has a totally unique aroma and flavour profile which bears an uncanny resemblance to rosemary and is absolutely perfect paired with pink lamb cutlets.
Domaine Francis Mabille Vouvray Demi-Sec 'La Croix Picaussee' - France £7.99
An elegant aroma of 'pain d'epice' and the zest of Seville orange peel lead on to a palate which is rich, infused with notes of acacia honey and white meadow flowers, streaked throughout with minerality drawn from the 'causse' (chalky) soils. A light and moreish, medium white wine with notes of candied peel and zesty lime that dance on the palate.
Giacomo Montressor 2012/13 Lugana 'Campo Valentino' - Italy £8.39
A stunning example of one of northern Italy's most in vogue white wines. Subtle and restrained on the nose with delicate stone fruit and lightly nutty aromas. A textural palate which displays more nutty characters and a broad mouth-feel, all beautifully balanced by peachy fruit, a dash of lime, and taut acidity on the finish.
Friedrich Wilhelm Gymnasium 2012 Fritz Willi Riesling - Germany £9.59
A classic Mosel from one of the region's most respected growers. Fragrant aromas of ripe apricots and red apples, delicious citrus characters balanced by refreshing minerality. Only 11% vol and medium dry.
El Tesoro Verdejo 2013 - Spain £5.49
Great value for money here, this is a super fresh and crisp dry white bursting with citrus and tropical fruit flavours.
Cave de Turckheim 2011/12 Reserve Gewurztramminer - Alsace £9.99
A fine Gewurzt that is the very essence of summer, floral and exotically spicy.
Pazo de Monterrey 2012/13 Godello - Monterrei £8.59
A crisp, aromatic white with a lifted nose of apricot, citrus fruits and a hint of pear drops. Very fresh acidity and mineral notes balance rich, ripe fruit characters of apple and pear.
Torre de Menagem 2013 Vinho Verde - Portugal £8.59
Blended from the superior grapes of Alvarinho and Trajadura, this is a superior Vinho Verde in every sense. Tangy and citrusy with lemon and pink grapefruit characters.
Txakoli Gorka Izagirre 2013 - Spain £11.39
Grown in the hills above Bilbao, this wine is crisp, saline, mineral and focused yet with depth and concentration reminiscent of the purest expression of Chablis. A sublime and unusual treat from one of the region's most accomplished producers.

Rose Wines
Domaine du Petit Chaumont 2013 Gris de Gris £6.99
Easily the finest quality £6.99 rose in the country. This is absolutely delicious, dry, full of fruit and elegant, with fabulous texture and real drinkability. The perfect rose to compliment the perfect summer.

Fantastic Fizz






Magpie Estate 2008 'Tight Cluster' Sparkling Shiraz - Barossa Valley £16.99
Very concentrated, medium dry, fizzy Shiraz - not my bag at all, but they love it with a BBQ down under, give it a try!
Stephane Breton N.V. Rose Brut £18.99
The rose sister of our sensational House Champagne. This is very fine, full-bodied and rich in soft red fruits, and what's more it is better and £30 a bottle cheaper than many more famous rose Champagne equivalents.
Henners 2009 Vintage Brut - East Sussex £22.99
Biscuity brioche on the nose, with delicate white flower and full fruit. Citrus, apple and 'leesy' characters add complexity to the palate. A very fine, patriotic fizz.
Ferghettina N.V. Franciacorta Brut - Italy £16.59
A blend of the classic Champagne grapes, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Soft and persistent with hints of white flowers and hazelnuts. Easy drinking and approachable.

Ferghettina 2010 Milledi Gift Box £25.99
Packaged like am ultra premium Grandes Marques Champagne, with contents to match, a stunning bottle in every sense. At this price this is surely a no brainer.

Red Wines
Domaine de Vedilhan 2011 Syrah - Pays d'Oc £6.59
A ripe, smoky Syrah with tonnes of easy fruit and plenty pf spice, ideal with barbecue fare.
Tenuta Roncaglie 2012/13 Dolcetto d'Alba Pian Balbo - Italy £9.99
An outstanding Dolcetto from a leading Barbaresco estate. Very fresh and vividly fruity with sour cherry, violets and dried herbs, delicious served with antipasti.
Kloster Eberbach 'Crescentia' Hollenberg 2011 Spatburgunder - Rheingau £19.99
A sublime Pinot Noir with ripe, wild, red berry fruit, fantastic concentration and great depth. Think fine, full-bodied Chambolle 1er cru, from a rich vintage, at 1980's prices and you're well on the way to discovering a very, very rare Pinot bargain.
Sierre Grande 2012 Pinot Noir - Central Valley £5.69
The same as the above only 1960's prices!
Macia Batle Crinza 2010/11 - Mallorca £12.59
Powerful and spicy aromas of black cherries, blackberries and warm, oaky notes. A rich, smooth, supple palate, juicy and beautifully balanced, with savoury layers of tobacco, coffee and bitter chocolate.
Allianca 2011 Bairrada Reserva - Portugal £5.99
2013 IWC - Great value red wine under £7 award.
Hearty and rustic with supple dark fruits and a warming spicy edge. Perfect with a barbecue.
Circumstance 'Seriously Cool' Cinsault 2013 £11.99
Fresh and fruity with plenty of old vine intensity. Delicious served slightly cool.
Burlesque 2012 'Old Vine' Zinfandel - Lodi £6.79
Great value fruit packed Zin whose abundance of sweet, fresh raspberry fruits couldn't fail to please.

We still have available our wonderful Everyday case and the Wines of Chile & Argentina, just click HERE

If you would like to order any of the wines you have seen in this newsletter, please give us a ring on 01200 423152 or 422281