An homage to the traditional top-fermented beer of Cologne, this slightly hazy blond brew has a lightly frothy, persistent head with soft nutty and yeasty aromas. Lightly sweet fruity malt on the medium-weight palate, finishing with an attractive hit of bitterness.
Bucelas, northeast of Lisbon, is one of the most famous dry whites regions of Portugal. It was here that Arinto was first cultivated by the Romans 2000 years ago, and where the grape still shines today, with the coastal limestone and marl soils ideally suited to this local citrus and herbal-driven white. Quinta da Murta's biodynamic vineyards are located around 250 m in the chalky hills. After a spell of skin contact and gentle pressing, this light-bodied white was tank-fermented on full lees for up to 6 months, resulting in crisp, saline-brisk lemon, pine nuts and hay woven amidst finely creamy lees. Subtly textural, humming with acidity, with ample saline notes on the lingering finish (a beauty 12.5%). Tastes of the sea; pairs with oysters, gooseneck barnacles or any fresh shellfish. Drinking beautifully now, and with capacity to age. Fantastic value.
Dense purple-black in colour with a spicy, cedary plum nose; full-bodied, dry, with a spicy plum and mocha-chocolate flavour. Firmly structured. A great barbecue wine.
Deep ruby in colour. Cedary, cigar box, cherry nose with a floral top note. Medium-bodied, ripe black cherry flavour expands on the palate with lively acidity. Well balanced and delicious.
Comfortably worn leather, dried raspberry and dried cherry pervade this Barolo from the commune of La Morra. Worn leather, worn cherry, ripe and savoury and finely salted on the mellow palate, showing much more age than its age. Tannins are softly tuggy, and dried rose petals linger on the finish. This is from Cabot Berton’s 8 ha of hillside Nebbiolo on sandy, marl and calcareous clay soils. After maceration on the skins for 16 days in concrete, this spent 18 months in Slovenian oak casks, followed by a tightening 6 months in stainless before bottling.
The ever-reliable Rainer Lingenfelder has a way with Riesling. Straw-coloured with a spicy, honey, melon and citrus nose; off-dry, peach and honey flavours. Great mouth feel, great price.
Dark ruby. Red and black berries, a few notes of red meat. In the mouth, you feel its freshness first followed by the tannic structure, very firm and slightly astringent but very finely grained. The abundant fruity extract will ensure a positive evolution. Finish is intense and compact at this early stage. The 2013 coming soon is even better.