Pale ruby. Fine, delicate nose of red berries with notes of fruit stones. Supple and soft on the tongue, it is not without finesse. A fine example of Pinot Noir in a rather soft-toned style, a sign of mastered winemaking. Drink or hold.
Multi-layered and complex with brilliant blackberry, blueberry, floral, mint and spice aromas that follow through to the palate with racy, firm yet silky tannins, incredible depth and balance and a long, long finish. Amazing now after being decanted for several hours, but will just get better with 5 more years to evolve. A bargain for Barbaresco.
A superb example of how good BC Riesling can be. Lifted floral, citrus and orchard notes up-front with some stony notes, followed by a lemon-lime, mineral-toned palate, buoyed by mouth-watering acidity and a powerful but elegant close.
Reserva means that the wine aged a minimum of 3 years before being released, of which 1 year minimum has to be in oak. Made from the Tempranillo grape, this wine is a classic example of old-school Rioja. Here, you will find strawberry, prunes, cedar, tobacco, tomato puree and savoury notes both on the nose and palate. The tannins will ensure another 4 to 5 years of life. Grilled lamb chops are a perfect foil for this tasty bottle.
Siblings Martine Pages and Christophe Molinier are fourth generation vignerons overseeing an estate (biodynamic since 2013) that dates back some 115 years. Concrete fermented, with the Carignan whole bunch pressed, aged 12 months in French oak. Aromas of dried fruit with earthy undertones before a mouth-filling palate supported by firm tannins.
Parts of Château Argadens date back to the 12th century, so when the Sichel family purchased the property in 2002, they underwent extensive renovations and investment to highlight and preserve the site. This is Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc on 5 hectares of clay and limestone, in a single plot on one of the highest hills of the rolling Entre-Deux-Mers wine region (one of the highest points of the Gironde). Worn cherry, red plum, smoked wood and finely ground baking spices fill the medium-bodied palate, one finely strung, framed with tobacco tannins and trailing with dusty, drying gravels. Best appreciated with roasted beef. This spent 12 to 14 months in French oak, 25% new, before gentle fining and filtering. Classically drinkable, structured Bordeaux and priced appropriately.
In many ways, this mirrors the flavour profile and structure of the Special Cuvée, but with more red flavours – wildberry, red currant, raspberry and cherry. Incredibly vibrant with mouth-watering acidity and multi-layered complexity, revealing more with every taste. 62% Pinot Noir, 24% Chardonnay and 14% Pinot Meunier. For those that still question (inexplicably) the natural affinity of bubbles for food, try this with duck or grilled langoustines and be delightfully schooled.