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Free delivery over £100 (excludes under bond wines) Same day dispatch up to 12 noon (Mon-Thur) No Minimum order We are closing for our summer break. Last orders will be dispatched on Thursday 8th August. We return to the office on Tuesday 27th August when all orders will be dispatched.   "Arguably one of the best and most consistent producers in Oz. Their ‘Gaia’ is equally considered special, yet few people talk of it…" Our final weekend read prior to our summer break. We thought signing off with one of Australia’s best red wines seems a fitting arrivederci, albeit we’re back on the 27 August… Grosset, we know very well for their Rieslings – arguably one of the best and most consistent producers in Oz. Their ‘Gaia’ is equally considered special, yet few people talk of it… The Wine Front boys described the 2021 as “Very excellent,” Campbell Mattinson had it in his best three Australian red wines of the year, and Huon Hooke (The Real Review) goes one step further by awarding 99-points… The isolated and windswept Gaia vineyard was established in 1986. Planted at an elevation of 560 metres, it is the highest vineyard in the Clare Valley and consists of two hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Tiny in vineyard terms as are the yields. Grosset named the vineyard ‘Gaia’ after scientist James Lovelock’s theory of symbiosis, which posits that the earth is a single living organism of immense complexity; one that depends on the full diversity of its species to remain in balance, sustain its ecological health, and restore itself in the face of the changing environmental conditions precipitated by human activity. Our allocation is small, and the wines are ready Please, please, please take note of our closing / shipping schedule. Last orders will be dispatched on Thursday 8th August. We return to the office on Tuesday 27th August when all orders will be dispatched. Respectfully, if you order is not on DPD’s van (by 12 noon on the 8th), it will remain unpicked until we return.   2021 Grosset Gaia, Clare Valley Huon Hooke - 99-points Gary Walsh, Wine Front Australia’s Most Collected Wines 2023  Guess which wines took the top, two positions? Polish Hill Riesling was #1  Grosset Polish Hill Riesling 2023 This surprises with its almost riotous aromatics. Delightful floral aromas with hints of lime juice and beeswax - though it's white flowers that dominate. It's almost joyful or playful. On the palate, tight, fine and intense; a pure and unevolved thread of lime juice at its core. It has depth of flavour and intensity in its infancy with the suggestion that these will become hallmarks of the aged wine. And the aromatics! Cellar? ‘As long as you like’ says Jeff – up to 25 years, or drink now. Produced from Riesling grown at the Grosset Polish Hill Vineyard, an A-Grade Certified Organic and Biodynamic (ACO) vineyard. Unfined – vegan and vegetarian friendly James Halliday - 98 Points Erin Larkin - The Wine Advocate Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front Mike Bennie - Halliday Wine Companion   Grosset Springvale Riesling 2023 After 23 years, Grosset Springvale Vineyard has ‘come of age’. This rare combination of Riesling clones planted entirely on red loam-over-limestone, with slate at its base, offers bright, floral perfumes, intensity and finesse in the mid-palate, delicacy and yet power and generosity on its finish: the persistence, harmony and balance arising from extended time on lees, vine maturity and impact of site. Produced from Riesling grown at Grosset Springvale Vineyard, an A-Grade Certified Organic and Biodynamic (ACO) vineyard. Unfined – vegan and vegetarian friendly Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front Mike Bennie - Halliday Wine Companion Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate   2022 Standish Sailing / Delivery Update The monster that is named Pusan C (a colossal 337 metre long container ship) will be carrying our cherished Standish to the port of Felixstowe. Current ETA being 8 October (into port not LCB). We will provide an update during September… Oliver's Taranga HJ Reserve A quick sellout (less than 24-hours) which is great to see (thank you). Sadly, and for those who requested our ‘I want it when it’s back in stock’ notification – this is not going to be possible. We’ve asked and we received a firm, but polite ‘no’. We will provide a delivery update mid-September. Our Margaret River Extra Virgin Olive Oil Understandably, the announcement of our first EVOO was met with lots of excitement. One trade customer would like our entire shipment (300 bottles + 30-tins). Not on your nelly! Currently, this shipment (along with 1,200+ bottles of wine) is heading from The Margaret River to the port of Adelaide, a journey of over 2,000km. After factoring the additional road-freight cost, we still save circa £350 per pallet when we ship from Adelaide rather than Freemantle. Once this is booked on a vessel – we shall let you know as we have received over sixty customer enquiries. Most wanting to place ‘pre-arrival’ orders, which we are mulling over. Stay tuned… New   Château des Jacques Moulin A Vent 2019 William Kelley, Robert Parker.com “The 2019 Moulin-à-Vent Clos du Grand Carquelin has turned out especially well this year, wafting from the glass with notes of dark berry fruit, cherry preserve, warm spices and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping, with melting tannins and an ample core of succulent fruit, it's seamless and sensual, deriving from parcels located near Champ de Cour this year” Jancis Robinson MW "“Even more burgundian than the Rochegrès. Heady and dense. Rich and racy and sui generis. Neither one thing nor the other. But good vibrant wine. Very long." Drink 2022–2030 You win some & you lose some… We thought the wines from Frankland River producer, Lange Estate would fly out the door as their respective RRPs to quality was out of kilter. Too cheap, but what the heck do we know as they struggled to sell unless they were discounted. They have clearly found favour with many of you as several wines are close to selling out - Providence Road Riesling 2021, ’21 Providence Road Chardonnay and their ’20 Providence Road Cabernet Sauvignon. We have informed the vineyard that our first order (a mix of 1,200 bottles) will be our last as it makes no commercial sense to offer wines that only sell when they are discounted. Moreover, and most importantly, it is not a good look for their brand which I fully respect. Grab the remaining bottles while you can… Personally, their 2021 Fifth Generation Shiraz (a step-up in quality) is one of the best sub-twenty-five-quid wines you will experience from Australia.  Buy a six pack @ £124.95 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.” 2022 Torbreck The Struie Torbreck has kindly provided an additional allocation of ’22 The Struie. Going by Mathew Jukes scores and tasting notes, arguably the best bang for the buck… Delivery ETA: January / February 2025 “A perfectly dimensioned weapon – purring, ready to tear away from the blocks with the perfect balance of power and poise.”  19+/20 Points - Matthew Jukes 20 cases (3x75cl) £118.50 per case duty paid and delivered  Last chance to buy our Limited stock remains on these special cases with savings of up to £149.00… Our Mystery Cases are coming to an end When? 9:00am Monday 5 August… "This glides across your palate in waves of buttered citrus ecstasy, coupled by oceanic wonderment. This is the ultimate achievement at this price level."  Robert Oatley Finisterre Chardonnay 2020 Only £21.95 per bottle Stuart McCloskey "I whiled Thursday evening away with a sample bottle of 2020 Finisterre. It’s not always practical to spend hours with a relatively low-value wine however, I wonder how many wines fall under the tasters’ radar as we hastily move from one wine to another, and at pace… I opted for Zalto’s Bordeaux glass which aided the development of the bouquet, and what a beauty she is - soulful music in my glass. Classic Margaret River aromatics rush for no one - confit lemon, yuzu, ginger syrup, touches of crustacea, sea spray, barley, mineralité, white flowers (Jasmine). The bouquet is terroir driven to say the least. I am equally bowled over by the divine nature of the palate. The harmony is incredible – so expressive on the one hand whilst retaining a sense of restraint and dignity on the other. There’s precision, banks of intensity and yet, not one element dominates. She feels flawless, perfectly proportioned and without a single crack. This glides across your palate in waves of buttered citrus ecstasy, coupled by oceanic wonderment. The long lick of juiciness and crisp acidity continue to demonstrate the quality of the fruit and winemaking. I hate to use the term ‘intellectual’, but I cannot find a better way of projecting how good the wine / winemaking is. Unforced to say the least – the flavours seem to be released incrementally – akin to a chef showcasing a dish that has hidden layers of amazement and flavours. Flavours build with aeration along with a slight rise in temperature (fridge cold is too cold). This is the ultimate achievement at this price level. Clearly, a beauty today however, I would love to see this in 2030." "She’s interesting, she will get people talking and she’s just outright delicious."  Domaine Naturaliste Floris Chardonnay 2021 New Tasting Note (Tuesday, with elevenses). Stuart McCloskey “The bouquet is dreamy and works a treat with elevenses on a hot day. Almond, fresh fennel, the light scent from grapefruit, yuzu, lemon zest, a salty spritz of ocean spray, a kiss of jasmine which falls away to flint. I do admire Bruce’s calming style. It’s such a difficult quality to nail without falling flat. Wouldn’t this be great therapy and best prescribed as a daily timeout? The soothing aromatics, flavours and palate feel would offer comfort to most. Just a thought, mind you! The palate feel keeps you hooked and swaying gently. She’s tender but does deliver lots of flavour, along with creamy texture, and a thrill of acidity. Stone fruits meld to citrus – there’s spice and flint too. Super length. There’s no getting away from the maritime, salty climate which adds another level of sophistication. She’s interesting, she will get people talking and she’s just outright delicious. Drink now to 2028+. I served my sample in Zalto’s Burgundy stem. Try the Universal as it may be the better choice (let me know).” Tasted 30 July 2024. Was £20.95 Now only £18.95 per bottle  "Quintessentially Rhône and a very good example too… This feels so sexy whilst providing ample freshness."  2022 LA COMBE PILATE Michel Chapoutier, the biodynamic pioneer of the region. 100% Viognier Only £16.50 per bottle Stuart McCloskey “A fantastic wine from the get-go and shows Viognier in the very best light. The bouquet feels like summer in a glass (albeit a tad reticent). Ripe apricots lead the way followed by honey, fresh fennel, pear, quince, bee pollen, spring blossom, which are all juxtaposed with minerality (wet stones), cold steel and citrus. Wonderful textural appeal and, if I am being perfectly honest, drinks much better than I was expecting (apologies, Michel). There’s richness, palate filling viscosity - quintessentially Rhône and a very good example too… This feels so sexy whilst providing ample freshness. Flavours are long and broaden out to honeysuckle, ripe orchard fruits, lashings of minerality, anise, along with bountiful acidity which keeps those opulent flavours in-check. Fleshy, ample (at its most controlled) and very moreish. Of course, there’s quality for this to cellar however, I like where she is today. Highly recommended… Served using Zalto’s Universal stem.” Winemaking: Direct pressing of the whole bunches. Selection of the best juices from the pressing. Light settling. Fermentation followed by 8-9 months ageing in stainless vats. Undergoes malolactic fermentation. Very light stirring up of the lees (batonnage) during the first months of ageing. Knowledge: Collines Rhodaniennes is the IGP title for red, white and rosé wines from an area which essentially corresponds to the northern Rhône Valley wine region of eastern France. The catchment area for this title stretches from Lyon in the north to Montélimar in the south. The area is also home to some of southern France's most famous AOC appellations, including Côte Rôtie, Condrieu and Hermitage. As its name suggests, a Protected Geographical Indication (IGP), refers to the characteristics of a wine that are directly linked to the geographical area of its production and processing. "This is overwhelmingly underpriced… “I would happily pay double and perhaps a little more”  Villa Maria Reserve Albarino 2022 Stuart McCloskey “Albariño and skin-contact Malvasia are my guilty, wine pleasures. I seek-out both varietals (with some bottle age) during the winter months and gorge on them over the summer. Nothing beats a long, hard day’s work in the garden followed by a grippy, textural wine that puts the tingles back into my tired bones… Salty sea spray is a classic characteristic of Albariño however, at the other end of the spectrum comes an exoticism of fruit and texture which is what I look for. The bouquet is fabulously inviting (I opted for the Zalto Bordeaux glass) with orange peel, ripe peach, mango, lychee, orchard fruits, alpine herbs and sea spray. Tick, tick, tick – thank you very much. The palate provides a voluminous profile whilst retaining the varietal’s tautness. The fattiness of the fruit is immediately put in line with a smack of salty freshness. Super long and addictive. Good God – I could easily decant a bottle and take it out on my bike for a 50-miler. I would come back slightly inebriated, but my palate would be refreshed! A flavourful continental Albariño – the old world varietal with the new world style. There’s much to like and there’s nothing to criticise. Of course, you cannot drink a price-tag, but this is overwhelmingly underpriced… “I would happily pay double and perhaps a little more” he says with a hand on his vinous heart. Drink now to 2028…" Special 6 pack price - £9.94 per bottle   |
