This Rhône white shows deeply scented floral and ripe yellow fruit on the nose, with full-flavoured stone fruit and ripe pear, supported by firm mineral and good acid balance. Still drinking well but needs to be drunk up soon.
Of all the ’14 Rare Vintage reds, this is my favourite. Ripe, the style leans more to the Rhône model with a bouquet of cassis, violets, black pepper, oregano and hickory. Excellent density and aftertaste with enough structure to take it until 2022.
Lifted notes of green apple, pear and apple skin precede a generous palate of stone fruit, citrus and tangerine before a luscious, lingering, zesty finish.
Piquant blackcurrant and fresh green herbal scents with cinnamon and clove on the nose move to agreeably rounded ripe dark fruit flavours supported by light tannic grip, a splash of vanilla and milk chocolate, finishing quite dry.
Medium-deep garnet, with sediment. Nose of raisins and stewed plums and apricots. A little hot with alcohol at 19.5%, but otherwise well balanced. Fruit, including cherries, dates and strawberry jam, is still fresh-tasting. Very like a vintage port, only affordable. Ready to drink but will cellar well for a few more years.
A blend of l’Acadie Blanc and Seyval Blanc, this bottle-fermented bubble is aged on the lees for 4 years. Showing bright green/gold in the glass with lively persistent fine mousse, it boasts aromatic honeysuckle, apple, pear and a touch of vanilla spiciness. Creamy and rounded in the mouth with flavours of grapefruit citrus and orchard fruit, it finishes with good mineral grip and zesty acidity.
This one-of-a-kind blend of 45% Riesling and 55% Sauvignon Blanc reveals a huge perfume of passion fruit, honey, sweet peach, cassis, violets, guava and white flowers. The same follows through on the palate, where bergamot and citrus chime in. Fresh acid, off dry and ready to drink.