This is a classic example of a Bavarian wheat beer. It’s amber-hued and cloudy with notes of banana, cloves and toasty bread. The mouthfeel is creamy thanks to the wheat with tingling carbonation. Pro tip: wheat beers are best imbibed with a huge fluffy white head. Pour the beer on a 45-degree angle down the side of a tall glass and then tilt the bottle straight down centre of the glass to tease up the foam. Leave some liquid in the bottle, then give it a swirl to rouse the yeast at the bottom and top up the brew.
The nose is still somewhat closed but does reveal typical cherry and dark plum character. More forward on the palate, though, with a generous mouthful of powerfully concentrated yet refined dark fruit, fine spice and Baker’s Chocolate. Well-balanced, solid tannic structure and long harmonious finish.
Ripe melon, creamy pear, greengage and fleshy nectarine is textured with spicy apricot fuzz. Lees plumps out the round mid-palate, before a bright bitter citrus and herb finish. Though a tad clumsy, this incredible-value, youthful wine brings all of Chenin's orchard-creamy richness and is a worthy buy.
Deep ruby colour. Spicy, smoky, black raspberry nose with an oaky note. Full-bodied, dry, ripe strawberry and plum flavours with vanilla oak spice. Juicy and ripe.
Pale gold with plenty of bubbles. Full aromas of toast, fresh bread dough, yeast, lime and green apple. Slightly sweet and hence does not present the acidity of typical Brut champagnes. This is a throwback to an older style of Champagne, with rich and ripe flavours of apple, rhubarb, even blueberries or saskatoons. I tried it over ice, as suggested, but am not yet a convert to that experience. Happily, it is very tasty straight up. Drink any time.
Reveals lively fresh cherry, floral and spicy herbal scents with bitter cherry flavour, pleasantly firm tannic bite and sweetish fruit with dark chocolate on the finish.
Made from Cabernet Franc, this is a characterful wine showing fleshy berry and plum flavours with herbal and savoury notes, somewhat astringent tannins and a splash of dark chocolate on the finish. Pair with Mediterranean-style spicy grilled meats or firm-ripened cheeses.