A big thank you from Utopos Kym for supporting his new, 2021 collection. It goes without saying, our appreciation is sent to you all too. Just short of 1,000 bottles were sold which is a super result. As previously advised, our stock holding for the ‘21’s will be slender – we are only shipping 120 bottles (across the collection) which may seem harsh however, we are currently sitting on 1,225 physical bottles spanning the ’17, ’18 and 2019 vintages… We will look at supporting more ’21 stocks once the majority of these have been sold.

2021 Utopos Delivery Date: The ETA remains October 2023. We will keep you abreast of the UK arrival date once the wines are on-the-water.

On the subject of arrival dates. The sell-out, 2018 Maison de Grand Esprit Vougeot Premier Cru arrived at our UK bonded warehouse on 7 June. LCB has kindly landed the stock and we’re ready to commence deliveries on Wednesday 14 June.

LCB will conduct all deliveries – the wine will be delivered in their original cases. 

Important notes: 
LCB will not leave wine unless you / we provide prior instructions to do so. Please make contact if you wish to provide a safe place.

Not home on Wednesday 14 June: Please contact the team and we will schedule a new delivery date.

For those who have already provided a safe place, there is no need to make contact.
Storing your wines: There is no need to make contact as we already have your storage instructions.

2021 Standish Collection: UK arrival currently sits at late August / early September. I imagine the latter is more likely as shipping delays are inevitable. As ever, we will keep you all updated. Lamella is close to selling-out as is Standish The Standish – I believe we have 7 cases available. Stocks of the 99-point The Schubert Theorem are a little healthier as are The Relic. As previously reported, our domestic ‘private client sales’ matched last year however, it was fascinating to see the trades’ response and uptake.

Trade sales for 2020 were exceptional and could have easily run away with much of our allocation. In contrast, the high-scoring 2021 vintage flopped. As predicted, demand for The Schubert Theorem (post Erin Larkin’s scores) was substantial however, we tied this (on a 1:1 basis) with The Standish. Lamella was tied to The Relic. Alternatively, The Standish and The Relic were available to purchase untied.  Trade prices were attractive, with profit margins at levels unattainable from the likes of Bordeaux En-Primeurs.

One merchant used the excuse, ‘harsh ties’ which resulted in low sales. My rebuttal being, ‘it takes no skill in selling 99-point wine (particularly at this price point).’ Additionally, ‘you’re in the wrong job if you cannot sell Lamella and The Relic together.’ The trades’ fixation with positioning a score with a wine is flawed on almost every level. One merchant was offered their ’21 Standish Collection ‘untied’ and prior to Erin’s scores. They refused based on the lack of ‘critical recognition.’ Clearly, historical stature carried no weight. Safe to say, they came running back as soon as Erin released her scores. Their trade price had gone-up and two wines were a tied purchase. We have dozens of private customers who purchased more than they could muster.

On a different level – another trader was super-successful with their 2020 offer. 80 cases were sold which is a great result. This year, they sold 20 (all untied and prior to any critical acclaim). They are a skilled team, and their clients listen to their recommendations, which is how it should be. Why were the 2021 sales so low? Their day-to-day business revolves around the classics – Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne etcetera with sales remaining strong during economic difficulties. However, they cited that wines / regions / countries outside of the ‘classics’ have dropped off a cliff which reflected in a small order. It was an interesting viewpoint and one (being Aussie specialists) that we do not suffer from.

Last week, I was invited to walk around the new Domaine Evremond which is a ten-minute drive from our HQ.  I joined one of the owners, Patrick MW as we walked through the many vines (some 50 hectares are planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier). The winery is currently being built – I am not allowed to share photos however, it’s hugely impressive as much of the building is housed underground (the excavation pit is over 50-metres deep). Getting back to the point – Patrick (one of the UK’s largest importers) and I chewed the cud over sales, the economy, Brexit etc. A good old and ‘honest’ chinwag, if you like.

Patrick explained their own ‘new world’ sales to fine wine merchants and brokers had plummeted, which aligned with our recent experiences. Clearly, Patrick was keen to learn of our position being that 99% of our sales centres around Australia with a smattering of USA and New Zealand.

I wonder why so many customers have stopped buying new world wines? The ‘classics’ are expensive, often grotesquely overpriced – Burgundy being a regional example. My Bordeaux En-Primeur days are behind me (after selling 17 vintages) however, I do keep an eye on each campaign. Currently, the 2022s are being released with many being overpriced. The daily news bulletins (from many of the UK trade) also make for fascinating reading. With the exception of one, most merchants are advocating supporting overpriced wines and not suggesting buying a comparable ‘physical’ vintage which is cheaper.

For example, let’s grab a case of ’22 Alter Ego de Palmer for £804.00 – The Wine Advocate awards 91-93. Angélus at £4,296 (WA score of 96-98), Ausone (WA score of 94-96+) for £6,800, Clerc Milon (WA score of 93-95) at £792.00. The list is long… Alternatively, 2021 Standish The Schubert Theorem (WA score of 99 points), The Relic (98 points) and Lamella (98+ points) for £750 per dozen, the special, pre-arrival price. The full list price being £900 per dozen.

There are literally hundreds of new world wines which offer great drinking, excellent cellaring potential and are comparable in quality. The only difference being that most are significantly cheaper – The USA being omitted as they are very expensive. I am left scratching my head…

Despite fragile trade sales, we have been hoovering-up some 2017 Standish stocks which are lying abroad. Prices are razor sharp which we plan to pass-on to you all next Wednesday at 4:00pm… 

Back to Domaine Evremond – plans are to open during the summer of 2024 with their inaugural NV fizz being released around the same time (currently, there are no plans to offer still wines). The Taittinger family who are co-owners love Kentish flint which provides a distinct mineral character to the wine, a character not found in Champagne. Along with Patrick and his excellent team, we plan to host winemaker dinners as their collection of producers (along with ours) is excellent. 

The date of our move is fast approaching. Removal companies have visited to discuss logistics as downtime to HQ duty paid deliveries will be unavoidable, but it’s important it's kept to a minimum (we envisage 3-4 days). We will provide plenty of warning before we go off-air…  We may have some office furniture available (all high quality) – tables, desk pedestals and library shelving. Please make contact if you know of a school or charity who could make use of these (collection only).  

Many HQ / duty paid wines are kept to low-levels and topped-up from our bonded warehouse however, and I’m not sure how, but our HQ stocks have crept back to over 7,000 bottles which is far too many to take in the move. We need to lose (hopefully sell) between 3-to-4,000 bottles by the end of July, which requires attractive pricing.  How about the 97-point and Platinum Decanter winner (Oi, you're score dropping McCloskey!) at £150 per dozen (£12.50 per bottle including duty, vat and delivery is free) – we have 40 cases in stock. 

Frei Brothers Sonoma Reserve Merlot 2018

97 Points – Decanter “Nicely perfumed with layers of red floral elements and a spectrum of just-ripe red fruits. Big, succulent black fruit on the velvety soft and mouthcoating palate, with a wonderful textural element. Very inviting and charming.”

Varietal content : 90% Merlot, 9% Petite Sirah, 1% Zinfandel

Special Offer 12 Pack Case - SAVE £53.40

Only £12.50 per bottle 

Free Delivery - Select the 'Free Delivery' option at checkout

NEW ARRIVAL

Premium cool climate wines, cultivated and farmed by five generations of the Lange Family.

I am delighted to unveil three, new wines from Frankland River producer, Lange Estate. Six wines complete the collection – we plan to release the remaining three, next week. We sampled Lange Estate last November along with seven other producers from Western Australia. 

Those with a good memory, will recall our decision to only stock two producers (Aylesbury being the other). We found many of the samples underwhelming. Qualitatively speaking there were no issues however, my deflation came from the lack of personality from many of the submissions.  Sadly, many of the Western Aussie submissions were far too similar. Yes, they spoke of their region however, they also spoke of current, fashionable trends which I am not signed up to… 

The wines from Lange Estate delivered on every level. It was a huge tick for drinkability, they reek of personality, and like Aylesbury, they are worth every penny. More, if am being honest.

Launch prices end Friday 23rd June at 9.00am

"...pure, lustrous, polished and immensely satisfying... heroic for a wine at this price point."

2019 Lange Estate Fifth Generation Shiraz,
Frankland River

Stuart McCloskey "This is such a beautifully presented wine – pure, lustrous, polished and immensely satisfying. The bouquet is generously filled with ripe damson, blackcurrant, blueberry, mulberry, black cherry along with dark chocolate. Savoury olive, leather, sage and warm earth linger in the background. Every nourishing characteristic of the bouquet can be found on the palate – the core of juicy fruit is sweet and paired perfectly with neat, tidy tannins. Acidity slaps the chops a little – the length is heroic for a wine at this price point. The palate feel is sublime – silky and without repeating myself; immensely satisfying. Super succulent and better served on the cooler side. All-in-all, this is a beautifully balanced and integrated wine which is going to prove to be a very popular addition to our collection. Winner, winner with a BBQ dinner… Drink now to 2030. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware (not decanted)."

95 Points - Erin Larkin "The 2018 vintage of this same wine impressed in a blind line-up 6 months ago. This 2019 shows the strength of the vintage in Frankland River. It is concentrated and lively, with layers of fruit flavours, structured by fine tannins which drag the fruit across the palate into the long and unfurling finish. Beautiful today and likely beautiful for different reasons in 15–20 years."

Only 36 bottles available

£24.50 per bottle

£20.95 Launch Offer Price

Only 4 cases available

£91.35 per case (6x75cl) In Bond

"Juicy and delicious being two of the best attributes... Exceedingly good and yet again, provides lots of wine for the money."

2021 Lange Estate Fifth Generation Shiraz,
Frankland River

Stuart McCloskey "Vintage variation is on show and proves Australian wine isn’t a one trick pony. The bouquet unfurls to cherry pie, the sweetest raspberry, blueberry, sweet spice, mint-chocolate, bay leaf, fresh pencil shaving, leather and warm earth. Seaweed too, but more aeration is required to coax this fragrance out.  Characterised as ‘medium-bodied’ however, it packs a flavourful punch. Dense, ripe, red and black fruits (too numerous to reference – I love the cloak of anise). There’s lovely shape and form to the wine – the tannins are slender and the acidity thoughtfully delivered. Juicy and delicious being two of the best attributes. A sweet / sour plum compote is the final act.  Exceedingly good and yet again, provides lots of wine for the money. Drink now to 2030+. Decanted for an hour and served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware." 

95 Points - Wine Pilot ”Margaret River Shiraz is too often overlooked thanks to its illustrious compadre, Cab Sauv. A shame as there are some crackers from this region. This is dark magenta in colour. The aromas and flavours are very much dominated by gorgeous cherry notes. Fresh cherries, black cherries, cassis, cherry meringue. Black fruits and licorice round out a delicious palate. Fine tannins here and a lingering finish. This is generous and yet well focused and has a decade plus ahead of it. Love it.”

£24.50 per bottle

£20.95 Launch Offer Price

£91.35 per case (6x75cl) In Bond

"All-in-all, an excellent Chardonnay that will continue to drink beautifully for the next five years. Tremendous value."

2021 Lange Estate Providence Road Chardonnay

Stuart McCloskey "An ever-improving Chardonnay which is drinking much better than in November ’22. I doff my cap to the sheer quality - this oozes complexity and varietal purity.
Top notes of Meyer lemon, grapefruit, lime, stone fruits, fresh ginger, and a waft of salty sea spray. Minerality and more citrus continue to develop with aeration. I suggest using Zalto's Burgundy glassware (or similar) as this wine benefits from a big bowl. Noticeably linear in style however, the wine is beginning to fill out with textural richness. Slippery on the palate which creates a seductive, textural edge to the palate feel. Salinity and stone fruits vie for attention - crackles of acidity keep the wine super-clean, juicy and fresh. The flavours fade slowly – excellent length.  All-in-all, an excellent Chardonnay that will continue to drink beautifully for the next five years. Tremendous value."

£17.50 per bottle

£14.95 Launch Offer Price

£122.75 per case (12x75cl) In Bond

Special Offer Cases

A special mystery case of Greenock Creek wines, plus huge savings on wines from Eastern Peake, Shadowfax, John's Blend and Two Hands...

This month we plucked this stunning wine review from Richard out of the hat to win a couple of bottles of Vinorium wine. Richard will be receiving his prize early next week along with our our highest praise for his in-depth and entertaining review of the fabulous 2013 Wolf Blass Black Label. We're sadly sold out of this wine, but if you have one stashed away this will have you reaching for the corkscrew!

Please continue to submit your reviews of the wines you order from us. We love reading your thoughts and opinions and we are continuing to reward one lucky reviewer with free wine every month.