From Chavignol's steep Côte des Monts Damnés comes this lees-cushioned Sancerre. Domaine Brochard dates to the 16th century. Here, 40-year-old vines bring quiet and persistent concentration to this medium-bodied white. A blanket of cream carries Meyer lemon and green apple over a bed of river stones to a crisp, stony finish. There's a lovely breath of fresh herbal grasses on the finish. This will age very well, so lay a couple down to enjoy in the future.
This wine is unofficially known as the “Bistro” Chardonnay and is only sold at restaurants. Barrel-fermented and aged for 12 months, the wine exudes ripe pear, apple, peach, honey, spice, white flower, vanilla, cream and toast. It is medium-bodied with excellent length and refreshing acidity. Lobster ravioli in a beurre noisette sauce or filet of halibut are well suited to this wine.
This wine captures Viognier’s perfumed attributes of peach, pineapple, apricot, bananas, white flowers, spice and citrus. There is lifted acidity and a long aftertaste. Try with coconut-based curries or piri-piri chicken.
Somewhat brooding nose nonetheless reveals fine red cherry with a dusting of cinnamon and refined oak. Classic cherry fruit with full-bodied, solid backbone and well-integrated fruit, oak and a splash of milk chocolate on the finish.
A lot of wine here for the money. The nose reveals pear, butter, citrus and subtle spice notes from the French oak barrels. It’s well balanced on the palate with a mélange of pear, apple and citrus, integrated spice and good vibrancy through the finish.
Clear, deep, young-looking purple despite its age. Nose of smoky vanilla oak and raspberry jam. Medium-bodied with adequate acidity and tannins but the sour cherry fruit is fading. Drink up.
At a period when there are a dearth of traditional English IPAs being produced, the fuggle and golding hop character is reassuringly like a late summer hedgerow, with herbal and citric flourishes in the aroma and on the palate. In combination with fruity, nutty malts, it is a fine reminder of the inspiration for the modern craft boom.