Consistency is key at Veuve, and Yellow Label is their epitome of sameness. 50 different vineyards and 25 to 40% reserve wine (from 5 to 6 vintages) is blended back into the blend of 50 to 55% Pinot Noir, 15 to 20% Pinot Meunier and 28 to 33% Chardonnay. This is always a richer, doughier style, with brioche, dough, red apple and a fine shaking of nutmeg spicing. The cushy palate is plumped with a generous dosage, and stunted by a shorter finish. Easy, approachable and still complex and rich. Consistency is key and perfectly achieved.
Crushed boysenberries, mulberries, black plums, medicinal cherry sides this Montepulciano from Abruzzo. Medium-bodied with a swell of acidity and finely gritty tannins to a smoked, bitter cherry finish, welcoming lamb or pork loin. This was vinified in stainless before 10 months in French oak. The Sorricchio family has owned the baronial fief of Valforte since the 13th century and the Tenute Barone di Valforte vineyards cover 42 hectares in various communes in the Teramo hills, a prized place for Montepulciano.
More complexity on the nose than is usual for a Cava, with fruity notes, chalky minerality and even a touch of rancio. Very dry; clean acidity and a neat finish. Very good.
Savoury red fruits on the nose with blackberry, spice, game and earth chiming in. It’s inviting on the palate with spiced plums, ripe cherry, good acidity and a silky-smooth finish.
Made at Stratus, this small-batch Riesling is very pale in colour offering a minerally citrus and pear nose with a honeyed note; on the palate, light-bodied, off-dry, minerally, apple, pear and citrus flavours, beautifully balanced. Lovely mouthfeel with a lime and honey finish.
A rich red at a great price. Deep purple-ruby in colour with a savoury-herbal nose of blackberries and dried rose petals; full-bodied, dry, firmly structured with blackberry and black plum flavours carried on lively acidity to a firm tannic finish. Match with red meat dishes.
This inaugural release comes from a single block of old vines planted in 1985 by the pioneering Den Dulik. A fine stream of bubbles with apple and some brioche notes on the nose, before a palate of red fruits and citrus hints with grippy, earthy undertones and a lengthy close.