Swinney Farvie Grenache 2023 75cl
£76.45
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
D Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz Magnum 2020 150cl
£82.30
The heady aroma is both powerful and pretty with notes of fennel, purple flowers and blossom mingling with ripe, varietal purple fruits and black pepper The oak is hardly evident which allows fruit and soil complexities to emerge with edges of rhubarb and red mulberry and savoury characters of dried herbs, game and spice The palate opens with anise, black pepper, graphite and restrained dark cherries before it gives way to seductive mulberry, plum, liquorice and spice It has great power, depth and length with very vibrant, gritty fruit tannins providing immense structure Notes of anise and spice linger for a long time after the last sip The Dead Arm 2008 strikes a rare balance of power, complexity and finesse with impressive structure that will reward those with patience to cellar it
Fowles Wine Are You Game? Chardonnay 2023 75cl
£16.75
This wine has a youthful straw colour Aromas of peach and papaya play with subtle oak and yeasty notes Full bodied and fruity, the palate has a delightful creaminess as a result of ten months on yeast lees
Rob Dolan White Label Chardonnay 2023 75cl
£23.68
Mineral with waxy white flower, grapefruit and clove spice aromas Fine lined and textured on the palate with nectarine, raw cashew and toasted granola flavours A wine that will develop in bottle over the next 10 years
Chaffey Bros Wine Co Dufte Punkt Riesling Gewurztraminer Kerner 2024 75cl
£17.94
This is a wine of extraordinary balance The Riesling and Gewurz complement each other fabulously well, with Kerner adding 'das gewisse etwas' The Riesling expresses itself first, with floral and lime zest aromas, and with time the more exotic Gewurztraminer personality comes out of its shell All three contribute to a fabulous texture: chalky, pithy and peppery/spicy with a lingering, mouthwatering effect The wine was made by co-fermenting all varieties from the very beginning, not by later blending
Chaffey Bros Wine Co Pax Aeterna Old Vine 'Barossa Nouveau' Grenache 2024 75cl
£22.73
Vivacious Barossa Valley Grenache: savoury and complex while also delicate and succulent, with red fruits including cranberries in the mouth and a nose-full of aniseed and spice Pure pleasure
D Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings GSM 2019 75cl
£38.93
On the nose we are struck by the typical dark fruits Plums, mulberries, fresh soil and more developed peaty like notes are all apparent, with an underlying lick of exotic Indian spice An abundance of fresh fruits on the palate marry well with the more complex characters of quince paste, cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise and earthy beetroot Driving the core of the wine is that vintage trademark in the form of graphite and wet stone This wine, while appearing open and generous already, will continue to age well thanks to the lively line of acidity and the abundance of fine gritty tannins
Pizzini Wines La Volpe Nebbiolo 2023 75cl
£17.22
Garnet in colour with brick red tones The nose shows intital notes of blackberry and tar then as the wine opens up we see violets, dried rose petals and subtle earthy undertones The palate is full and generous The tar flavours comtinue as fresh raspberries fill your mouth, followed by red currants and star anise The finish is long with hints of dark chocolate and powerful tannins which linger
Fowles Wine Are You Game? Shiraz 2021 75cl
£15.74
This Shiraz is deep cherry red On the nose black pepper, plum and cinnamon play with nutmeg and subtle oak notes The Palate is full of ripe fruits and a medley of complex spices integrated oak that leads to a velvety long finish
Stargazer Pinot Noir 2023 75cl
£48.88
An absolute stunner from this superb producer Less than 2000 bottles produced showing off one of Australiia's premium wine regions Dense purple hues give way to an opulent nose showing the red fruits which are typical of the Huon Valley: pomegranate, cranberries and rhubarb compote Long and lingering finish Effortless power and finesse
Chaffey Bros Wine Co Lux Venit Rose 2023 75cl
£18.84
A delicious, dry, structural and textural premium rose Think bright cherries and berry aromas; peaches and cream with a hint of savoury spice on the palate, the French Oak maturation and malolactic fermentation contributes to the indulgent mouthfeel and creamy finish
D Arenberg The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 75cl
£39.16
The nose exhibits classic Cabernet aromatics of blackcurrant leaf, violets and cigar box with an interesting twist of cooking spice and mustard seed These lovely savoury notes are followed through onto the palate but with an underlying sweet blackcurrant and mulberry fruitiness that builds as the wine evolves in your glass The initially cedary tannins start early and give the wine incredible length An intriguing fennel note starts adds freshness and lift to the long and lingering finish
Teusner Wines Albert Shiraz 2022 75cl
£35.54
Masses of black fruit on the nose, slightly resinous wild blackberry, star anise, menthol, concentrated beef stock and clove With a caressing, rounded texture, it is deep, rich, succulent and velvety Clearly made from beautifully ripe fruit, it has lovely freshness and balance Really, really delicious It could be cellared, but it's so irresistible, why wait?