Contratto Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2019 75cl
£38.87
Intense, deep bouquet of white flowers, apple and citrus with purity and precision
Swinney Farvie Grenache 2022 75cl
£78.91
This smells very like fine red Burgundy, with rosehip and red cherry character on the nose In keeping with all 'even' vintages to date, 2022 was a warmer year, and this shows in the relative richness of texture - super-supple, refined, with subtle, integrated acidity and an extra layer of sophistication It has potentially a long life ahead of it, but it s pretty much irresistible already People told Matt Swinney that he was insane when he planted Grenache in the Frankland River region The 'Albany Doctor' wind blows along the river valley direct from the Southern Ocean, meaning that summertime afternoons and evenings can be distinctly chilly Combined with reliable sunshine, this promotes the long, slow ripening shared by many of the world's finest wine regions Was Matt right? Does the Grenache ripen? Absolutely, and reliably so: under cool but dry and sunny conditions, and helped by the impoverished ironstone gravel soils, well-drained hilltop sites and established bush vines Farvie Grenache is the result of a ridiculously painstaking selection effort, involving visiting each vine three times to pick out the fruit that has reached the 'sweet spot' of optimal ripeness - neither too exposed to the sun, nor too shaded
Swinney Farvie Syrah 2022 75cl
£78.91
The Swinney label wines represent the top 2% of the family's vineyard production, and Farvie is the utmost pinnacle - with only a few hundred cases made each year This is an awe-inspiring wine with cool-climate Syrah aromas and the ethereally sumptuous texture of Le Musigny The fruit of a very special vineyard site, painstaking viticulture ensures that the bunches are protected from direct exposure to the sun's rays, helping to ensure a wine of vibrancy and finesse Scents of wild blueberry, damson, clove, star anise, freesia,and white pepper greet the nose, while in the mouth, it is super-refined, intense and concentrated in flavour; with gorgeoust succulence of texture There is a sprinkling of powdery tannin - discernible but utterly delicate This harnonious wine is exceptional to drink already, and it should age effortlessly for 15 years or longer
Domaine Ferret Pouilly-Fuisse Tete de Cru Clos des Prouges 2021 75cl
£54.05
Despite its typically Fuisse opulence, this wine is also capable of demonstrating great precision Intense, with a texture at once fresh and creamy, it is characterised by notes of fresh hazelnut and bergamot A wine that will keep and develop beautifully over time Situated right in the centre of the village of Fuisse, this Clos (walled enclosure) is just over two hectares in size and is planted on a shallow slope that faces east Although a small parcel of vines was planted in 2003, most of the vineyard dates back to 1956, and is therefore more than 60 years old, making it one of the oldest owned by the domaine The soil is derived from limestone-rich marls deposited during the upper Bathonian period
Bodega Maranones Pena Caballera 2020 75cl
£39.52
It is the expression of the Garnacha from the point of view of the floral, the acidity, the length, the finesse, the delicacy, the elegance of the wine
Frescobaldi Lamaione 2020 75cl
£75.25
The ruby-red colour with tinges of purple is intense and impenetrable The bouquet offers a wonderful array of aromas Fruit is the star of the show, with pervasive hints of blueberry balanced out by fresh balsamic and minty notes The fragrance of the fruit seems beautifully crisp Lamaione 2016 has a pleasant tannic attack when tasted The level of alcohol and freshness are perfectly balanced, and the finish is long and persistent
Joseph Drouhin Puligny-Montrachet 2021 75cl
£103.96
A wine of great finesse, distinguished and elegant The colour is pure and bright, with light glints of white gold The aromas evoke trees in bloom and white flesh fruit, like white peaches With age, the aromas evolve towards almond and lightly grilled dried fruit On the palate, there is a sensation of fresh silkiness Long and persistent in the aftertaste, ending on an exceptional wealth of flavors, both floral and fruity
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 75cl
£304.99
The awesome 2019 Cask 23 boasts Fay's finesse, harnessed to the warmth and weight of SLV It takes some time in the glass to give much away, but with patience it reveals a wonderful, subtle, ripe sweetness alongside beefy heft While ripe, it is definitely not overripe, and expresses a minty character, so typical of First and Second Growths from Pauillac or Saint-Estephe Beautifully complete and balanced, it is powerful, succulent and delicious, with plush-textured tannins It will be very tempting to start guzzling this soon, but it's worth waiting a few years at least Drink 2027-2050+ Originally named after a barrel whose contents was of such exceptional quality that it was bottled as a separate wine, Cask 23 later became a complimentary combination of some of the finest parts of the SLV and Fay vineyards While all the Stag's Leap estate wines boast impressive cellaring capability, this 'Napa First Growth' in particular requires keeping several years to show its best