Including the 98 Point Virtuoso Chardonnay

Unquestionably one of the best collections which we thoroughly look forward to receiving each year. Sadly, and selfishly, the growing popularity of their wines directly impacts on our allocation, which diminishes with each passing year. There isn’t a duff wine amongst the new releases – every one represents astonishing value. I am sure that a little rebrand would add an additional fiver to each release as the content surpasses the rather outdated label - we shall leave this marketing observation in-house!

What do I love about their wines? Their unapologetic style of delivering waves of flavour along with mouthcoating, silky texture.

Their Chardonnays are a dream (do not overchill and I strongly advise on decanting for 30-minutes). Outside of Europe, Bel Canto is one of the best dry Rieslings. It is, by far, the best value without competition. Fans of great German / Austrian / Alsace Rieslings should give both wines a try. They will never disappoint and will take you by surprise – I give you my word.

"One of the very best New Zealand Chardonnays that continues not to shy away from a full throttle experience, which I personally love."

2019 Pegasus Bay Virtuoso Chardonnay

45 bottles available

£37.95 per bottle

Stuart McCloskey "Only made eight times (2005 to 2019) which demonstrates the serious nature and selection behind Virtuoso. Essentially, it is a selection from the best barrels, coming from some of the oldest plantings in their vineyard. Traditional Burgundian winemaking methods are used - the fruit is hand-picked in stages during late March and earl April and then gently pressed. The non-clarified juice was transferred to large French oak barrels, 40% of which were new to achieve optimal oak balance. Post primary fermentation (by the grape’s natural yeasts) the wine was then matured in the puncheons on its natural deposits of yeast lees (sur lie). In the summer after harvest, it started to go through spontaneous secondary (malolactic) fermentation.

Et voilà – We are presented with one of the very best New Zealand Chardonnays that continues not to shy away from a full throttle experience, which I personally love (as long as there’s balance).

Glorious colour – golden ginkgo leaves and raw honey. The bouquet is a towering goliath that explodes from the glass with popcorn, bacon fat, lanolin, confit lemon, orange blossom, wood smoke, warmed oyster shell, a melange of ripe orchard fruits, raw honey, spice, white pepper – I genuinely could go on… One’s palate is hit by a tsunami of intensity. Lots of richness and wonderful mouthcoating viscosity yet, the levels of acidity match and provide perfect balance. The flavours drench the palate – every facet is coated with ripe deliciousness. Unctuous and moreish it is – golden orchard fruits, raw honey straight from the hive, the Yin and Yang from confit lemon and minerality adds another layer of brilliance. I could happily spend 24-hours with this wine and write a one-thousand word tasting note (there’s a challenge). It’s truly the Brigitte Nielsen of Chardonnay… served using Zalto Burgundy glassware. Drink now to 2030 and I hope you enjoy the experience as much as I did.

Sadly, our allocation has fallen from 240 bottles 50. I’m dreading next years’ numbers!"

98 Points - James Suckling “Fantastic aromas of ripe apple, smoke, flint and stone. Sandalwood as well. Full-bodied and very reductive with dry ice to the ripe and dried apple character. Dense and very layered, yet fresh and vivid. So long and intense. Great finish. Drink now.”

19/20 Points – Raymond Chan “Bright, pale yellow with a gold hue, even colour throughout. This has a full and compelling bouquet with softened aromas of roasted cashew, acacia, black sesame, flint and spice, interwoven stonefruit and grapefruit. The wine is full-bodied with softness and elegance; aromas of nectarines, apple and grapefruit entwined with roasted cashew, black sesame, flint, acacia and delicate spice. The wine is integrated harmoniously, with softened nutty aromas and flint added strength and maturity; lacy acidity brought energy and freshness to the multi-layered palate. This Chardonnay is harmonious with a complex range of flavours, balance and strength. Match with hazelnut-crusted grouper and crayfish Thermidor over the next 6-8 years. Handpicked, foot-trotted, the non-clarified juice fermented in large French oak barrels (puncheons), 40% new oak, wild fermented, aged in puncheons on lees for 12 months, underwent MLF.”

"Provides a real sense of elegance and purity. Alsatian in style without some of the harsh chiseling." 

2020 Pegasus Bel Canto Dry Riesling

30 bottles available

£24.95 per bottle

Stuart McCloskey "Such a fascinating and beautiful bouquet, constantly evolving with more aeration. Honeyed richness framed with candied lemon and lime peel, confit orange, quince, mint, and sea spray. Floral too… After an extended hang time, the bunches were hand selected with a portion of botrytis and a ripeness of approximately 25.5 Brix. Alcoholic fermentation was left to continue until dryness was achieved, resulting in 15.5% alcohol. Previous releases were full-on whereas, the 2020 provides a real sense of elegance and purity. Alsatian in style without some of the harsh chiselling. The palate is medium-bodied, precise and packed with ripe orchard and citrus fruits. I love the salty finish. It will age for decades but is approachable today. You will note a little spritz which is due to retaining a little, natural carbon dioxide. Served using Zalto Universal glassware."

19/20 Points - Raymond Chan "Bright, pale yellow with a gold hue and some depth, even colour throughout. The nose is full and complex, filled the glass with aromas of lilies, beeswax, honey, unfolding mandarin, grapefruit zest, melon, along with ginger spice. Full-bodied, dry to taste, intense aromas packed on the palate. Mandarin, lemon, grapefruit zest melded with plush melon, unfolding beeswax, honey, white lilies and a spicy layer of ginger dusting. The fruit is rich and concentrated, enriched by the complexing characters of botrytised grape, showing profound nuances of beeswax, honey and white lilies. The ginger spice layer has clarity, elevated by integrated, mouthwatering acidity. A slightly unctuous mouthfeel retains complex flavours and contributes to an opulent appeal. This complex flavour bomb made from Riesling with a portion of botrytis infected grapes shows a sophisticated range of flavours with depth and intensity. Match with pan-fried chicken liver and squid ink pasta over the next 5-8 years. Only produced in exceptional years."

2013 Pegasus Bay Riesling Aged Release

30 bottles available

£30.00 per bottle

18.5/20 Points – Raymond Chan “Bright, full, medium yellow-gold, even colour throughout. The nose is full and complex, with marmalade, citrus preserve, dried apricot, honeysuckle, beeswax, ginger and nutmeg aromas. Full-bodied, off-dry to taste, aromas of lemon preserve, dried apricot intertwined with marmalade, honeysuckle, unfolding beeswax, crystalised ginger and nutmeg. The wine is complex, rich and refreshing; the acidity provides vitality and tension, buoyant spices linger to an extended finish. This 10-year-old Riesling shows strength and complex development with excellent concentration and length. Match with spice-rubbed pork ribs and Korean fried chicken over the next 5 years.”

2015 Pegasus Bel Canto Dry Riesling

30 bottles available

£26.50 per bottle

18.5+ Points - Raymond Chan “… concentrated, dense heart packed with harmoniously integrated flavours of ripe citrus fruits, marmalade, honeysuckle and musk. This has real body and presence, and the palate has a rounded and gently unctuous mouthfeel….concentrated dry Riesling with ripe citrus fruits, honey, musk and marmalade botrytis flavours on a rounded, unctuous palate.”

2013 Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir Aged Release

46 bottles available

£41.50 per bottle

18.5 Points – Raymond Chan “Moderately deep ruby-red with a hint of garnet, lighter on the rim. The nose is rich and deep with aromas of plum, dried cherry, liquorice, herb, autumn leaves and savoury elements. Medium-full bodied, aromas of plum and dried cherry interweaved with dried raspberry hold a savoury edge, unfolding dried herb, autumn leaves, liquorice, mushroom and cedar. The wine shows concentration with a depth of flavour and a long linger, carrying fine cinnamon and nutmeg spices. The ripe and velvety tannins flow along smoothly with power and rich flavours. This readily aged Pinot Noir shows a rich, ripe palate with excellent concentration, depth, and a savoury lingering finish. Match with smoked duck and roasted lamb shoulder over the next 5 years. Fermented with 10% whole bunches, cold soaked for 1 week, then fermented naturally, post-ferment maceration for a week approx. Aged in French oak barriques, 30% new oak for 18 months.”

Tolpuddle 2022 Pinot Noir

£65.00 per bottle

SOLD OUT 

But we do have these, two beauties from Ata Rangi
(same 98-point scores too)

"Wonderful depth and complexity.
So long as well. Seamless balance. Superb."

Ata Rangi is to Pinot Noir what Te Mata Estate is to Bordeaux style blends – Number one in New Zealand and widely regarded as producing a global masterclass in their varietal(s). For years, the full Ata Rangi collection was offered in our wine shop and online. Why we moved away from this producer, is, and being perfectly honest, is a mystery to me. More recently, domestic demand has outstripped availability and rightly so as the wines are getting better with each passing vintage…

I am genuinely excited to present the newly released, 2020 Martinborough Pinot Noir. Additionally, this is the first time in several years that I get the opportunity to purchase for my home cellar. In youth, the wine is a textural perfection and difficult to resist and reason for the plethora of high scores. With age (circa a decade) you will be rewarded with Pinot Noir perfection – I kid you not. I would urge you to purchase a six-pack and leave it under bond. One, you are not paying Duty and VAT and the other, this should quell temptation. Alternatively, and perfectly understandable, purchase a bottle or two.

2020 Ata Rangi Martinborough Pinot Noir

98 Points – James Suckling

Number 1 New Zealand Wine of 2022

“A beautiful nose of sliced strawberries, crushed cherries, violets, grated nutmeg and a hint of white pepper. Some hibiscus, too. Supremely vibrant and perfumed with fine tannins that run the length of the medium-bodied palate. Textural. Ground spice and fresh fruit are intertwined, providing wonderful depth and complexity. So long as well. Seamless balance. Superb.”

£64.20 per bottle

Only 14 bottles remain

Also available under bond - One case remains

2019 Ata Rangi Martinborough Pinot Noir

98 Points — Nick Stock, James Suckling.com 

A complex wine from the outset with gently reductive notes and modern oak spice threading into fresh cherry, spiced bread, rose, forest wood and blood orange, as well as darker cherry notes. The palate tells the full story. This displays real power and definition with clear-cut and powerful tannins. The intensity of the red-cherry fruit is impressive and the way it occupies the finish with length and uplift is the thing that defines great pinot noir per se. Strong vintage. Drink over the next decade.

£61.95 per bottle

Incredible Value

Multi-Trophy Winner that beat some of the very best…

Only £15.50 (six pack price)

45 Bottles Remain - In stock and ready to be delivered...

Every year in October, the great producers of the McLaren Vale wine community prepare their most prized wines for judging at the annual McLaren Vale Wine Show - one of the most significant regional wine shows in Australia.  From over 700 entries, Thistledown’s 2022 The Cunning Plan Shiraz scooped Top Gold and Trophies for the Best Shiraz and Best Young Shiraz which is an extraordinary achievement (especially considering the incredible price) beating the likes of Brokenwood, MMAD, S.C. Pannell and Yangarra handsomely. 

Thistledown The Cunning Plan Shiraz 2022

Stuart McCloskey "This really needs a respectful amount of time in the decanter (the day) as the bouquet is unwilling to let go (without sufficient aeration). Of course, it’s young and will be drinking fabulously in 5-8 years. Prepare yourself for a structured and serious wine rather than quaffing / slosher which the price tag denotes. Black raspberry, plum, frangipane, cherry, liquorice, sage, rose, dried herbs, a twist of fresh pepper along with warmed earth and a little smoke… The palate is assertive and provides mouth-filling stature. Blackberries and cherries playoff against raspberry, violets, warm earth and lots of spice. Pliable tannins along with energetic and cooling acidity frame the fruit perfectly. Very long finish – it keeps driving on. A serious bottle, that’s for sure… Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware."

£17.95 per bottle
Or
£15.50 when you buy 6 or more bottles