Greenock Creek

 

A Taste of
The Vinorium

Issue: 99 / Friday 31 January, 2019

 
 
 

Those eagle-eyed among you will have noticed a new name within our exclusivities. Artisans of Barossa is a group of seven wineries who share a like-minded approach to winemaking. The original collection included Hobbs of Barossa Ranges, Schwarz Wine Company, John Duval Wines, Sons of Eden, Lienert Vineyards and Spinifex Wines. This week, our very own Craig Stansborough (Purple Hands, which and at the 2019 Barossa Wine Show collected 8 gold medals and 2 trophies, including ‘Most Outstanding Small Winemaker’) has strengthened an already impressive line-up.

They all have a determined and heartfelt commitment to work together, to encourage and promote the art of small batch, sub-regional Barossa winemaking. Of course, their collective winemaking skills and experience is going to be a joy to work with and we are thrilled to add Artisans of Barossa to our list of exclusive partnerships. Our first order will be leaving shortly and will arrive well in time for our May tastings.

We will be offering the following:

 

Six Origins Project (only available as a mixed six-pack and only 30 x cases available). Six winemakers have presented six wines that showcase the diversity of expression in Shiraz made possible almost entirely by the diversity of the Barossa landscape. Collectively, Six Origins presents you, the wine lover with a ‘journey of discovery’ opportunity. To travel confidently across the Barossa vineyard map through a sequenced tasting guided by the insights of each winemaker into the origins and flavour, character and texture of their wine. 

2018 High Eden Shiraz - Peter Schell, Spinifex Wines
2018 Light Pass Shiraz – Jason Schwarz, Schwarz Wine Co.
2018 Keyneton Shiraz – Greg and Allison Hobbs, Hobbs of Barossa Ranges
2018 Angaston Shiraz – Corey Ryan and Simon Cowham, Sons of Eden
2018 Gomersal Shiraz – John Lienert, Jack West Wines
2018 Ebenezer Shiraz – John and Tim Duval, John Duval Wines

**Available for delivery Early April 2020**

£205.95 per case of 6

 
 

Grenache Project (only available as a mixed six-pack and only 35 x cases available). The Artisans of Barossa 2019 Grenache Project is six individual wines made by six winemakers from one Barossa Valley Grenache Vineyard. The wines are made by Peter Schell of Spinifex, John and Tim Duval of John Duval Wines, Jason Schwarz of Schwarz Wine Company, Greg and Allison Hobbs of Hobbs of Barossa, and Simon Cowham and Corey Ryan of Sons of Eden. The project also welcomed Phil Lehmann from Max and Me Wines as a special guest winemaker for last year’s project.  Each winemaker was allocated a single row of 6o-year-old bush vine Grenache in the Scheer Vineyard at Rowland Flat, in the Southern Barossa and presented with a simple brief – make a Grenache you’d like to drink. The results are outstanding and a superb reflection of the 2019 vintage, considered to be another standout year for Barossa red wine. 

**Available for delivery Early April 2020**

£155.00 per case of 6

 
 

Artisans of Barossa Barrel Blend Shiraz 2017 which we feel offers extraordinary value: This wine is blended from barrels selected by the winemakers from each of their cellars. Each parcel of wine is selected specifically for its rich and generous character. The Shiraz was sourced from vineyards across the northern and western sub regions of the Barossa Valley, including Moppa, Ebenezer, Greenock, Marananga and Eden Valley.

**Available for delivery Early April 2020**

£17.50 per bottle

 
 
 
 
 

Another exclusivity to unveil in the form of one of Barossa’s most iconic producers

Greenock Creek.

Written by Stuart McCloskey

The Future…

Now, under new ownership, Greenock Creek is putting the wheels in motion to expand their global reach, which and to be fair to the previous owners, Michael and Annabelle, has lost much ground over the past decade.  We have been provided with the freedom to represent these incredible wines throughout the UK, Europe and the USA which we will do with much vigour and with huge smiles on our faces, as these wines are simply fantastic.

We promised a special pre-arrival offer which we are delighted to present below. Please, please read the following few points as this will have direct impact on how you must order.

• The Offer closes 9.00 am Wednesday 5th February.

• There is a minimum order for Greenock Creek wines – All orders must reach the £100.00 threshold. Mix & match to your heart’s content. 

• Most importantly - Please do not include any other wine in your order from our special pre-arrival Greenock Creek offer.

I am sure you will agree that our pre-arrival offer is highly attractive, but so are our new ‘standard’ prices. The entire point of choosing The Vinorium as the exclusive agent was based on our knowledge of the global Australian market. The Greenock Creek team have listened and taken guidance regarding release prices. Take advantage, as prices will certainly rise once we have helped to find global traction.

The Past…

 

Michael Waugh was a bricklayer, a trade which brought him to Barossa in the 1970s. With his wife Annabelle, they purchased a 20-acre property near Seppeltsfield in the mid-1970s . The property was a neglected house along with an almond & apricot orchard and roughly 2 acres of old Shiraz vines. It is understood that Michael planted an acre of Chardonnay and produced several vintages from these vines. Of course, an ill-conceived idea as the Barossa climate and Chardonnay are a bad combination. Originally, Michael sold the grapes to Seppelt’s until the late 1980s when, and with the support of Chris Ringland, he began to produce his own wine from old Shiraz vines.

In mid-1990, they purchased the celebrated Roennfeldt Road property which consisted of 6 acres of Grenache, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon vines along with 8 acres of apricot orchards, which naturally enjoyed basking in the Barossa sun. 1995 saw the first vintage of the Roennfeldt Road Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz from this entirely dry-farmed vineyard. The apricot orchard was pulled out and replanted with 8 acres of Shiraz, and aptly named the Apricot Block. Alice’s Vineyard was planted on a 20-acre property adjoining the original homestead on Radford Road and produced its first vintage in 2008.

The world market became obsessed with this small, boutique winery, when and at his most prominent, Robert Parker awarded 100 points for the ’95 Roennfeldt Road Shiraz. Parker awarded a further 100 points for the ’96 & ’98 vintage. Their ’98 Roennfeldt Cabernet Sauvignon also received 100 points. Skip a few vintages until the ’01 & ’03 Creek Block Shiraz scooped 100 points and both the ’02 Roennfeldt Road Shiraz & Cabernet received the same accolade. Five wines have been awarded 99 points and nine, 98 points… To date, Greenock Creek is the most ‘Parker’ celebrated Australian winery (Penfolds Grange & Torbreck The Laird have each received three 100-point scores, two for Torbreck Run Rig & Astralis and Hill of Grace has never been awarded 100 points).

There is a new winemaker too and we spent a little time getting to know Alex (a brief Q&A is below). Exciting plans will be revealed this year. Until then, enjoy these charismatic, individual and rare wines which are produced in minute quantities…

Exclusive Q&A with
winemaker Alex Peel

When did you first want to become a winemaker?

I had finished high school and was working at a propagation plant nursery until I figured out what I actually wanted to do with my life, knowing that I eventually wanted to go to university. I was enjoying seeing the process of the seeds; germinating into plants, nurtured and then sold to market (much like the life of a grape berry in the wine industry) and the hands on aspect of the work. This led me to thinking that I would like to make/create something for others to enjoy.

My Mother’s family has a strong farming background and I had always enjoyed my time in school holidays on the farm in the countryside so that also led me to believe that I would like to make something in the country, but also combining it with the passion I had for science and mathematics.

Finally, I remembered as a child having wine on the table when we had gatherings with my Dad’s side of the family and road trips to the Barossa Valley on weekends and getting a sense that wine was something special, to be savoured.

I guess a combination of all these factors and the fact that I was just starting to appreciate and try more wines myself led me to choosing ‘winemaker’ as a career path.

How would you describe your career so far?

I completed my Bachelor of Oenology Degree in 2014 and my final year of work placement was a vintage at Grant Burge wines which really consolidated the belief that I have chosen the right career path for me. It was hard to complete my studies as a I just wanted to keep working, I enjoyed it that much!

From there I wanted to be a cellar hand only for a few years, as I thought when I eventually became a Winemaker and started instructing people what to do, there was more purpose in that if I actually knew how to do the cellar task myself! An extended vintage at Ross Estate ended with a second harvest in Sonoma Valley in the USA. That was my first travel overseas and was a life changing experience for me and made me ‘grow up’ a lot and focus my winemaking style. After a second vintage at Ross Estate, I was offered the Assistant Winemaker role and I stayed for nearly 10 years (later becoming the Head Winemaker) revitalising the brand and style.

From there I was poached to work at the Historic Chateau Yaldara as a branded winemaker, taking on the Chief Winemaker role a year later. This was a challenging role that covered everything from commercial wines made to a price point to super premium parcels. It was a role that I needed, to see all aspects of winemaking.

Now I find myself at the Iconic Greenock Creek, with the exciting opportunity to nurture a range of well-loved wines, while at the same time creating a new range/style of wines at the same time.

Is there a specific process you follow when developing a new wine?

I like to have a good grasp on a vineyard before I create a new wine from it. How does it ripen, can it handle a heat spell and what oak works best? A few years of trial and error are needed to find the best match and picking dates.

Then it is best to do a few small batch trials do see how different winemaking practices affect the fruit and structural profile, such as extended skin maceration, whole bunch ferments and even pressing regimes.  From these trials a more focused decision can be made as to where the style direction is headed, that best suits the fruit before a commercial volume is made. Saying that sometimes these ‘trials’ become limited, releasing bottles that find such a following that another new wine can be born from them that pairs with the intended wine.

What do you most love about your job?

I love the diversity in winemaking. Of course, vintage is equally fun as it is mentally and physically draining but it is the one shot each year you have to make a great wine or two. Watching and tasting the wines evolve in barrels and seeing new characters develop over time is fascinating as well. I even enjoy the marketing and branding role that comes with the job as it is always satisfying to see customers appreciating a wine that you have made and that is probably the most enjoyable thing to experience.

What is your favourite food and wine pairing?

This is a hard one as many wines pair well with so many meals in different ways, enhancing flavours of both the food and the wine. A classic pairing for me though is Eden Valley Riesling and King George Whiting. The lime and minerality of the wine matches so well with the delicate meat of the fish. And of course, another classic working in the Barossa and in particular Greenock Creek is big, silky Shiraz wines with a seared steak with creamy mushroom or pepper sauce. So inviting and satisfying on a cold winter’s night.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Hopefully, having developed and focused the new offerings from Greenock Creek as well as enhancing the already world-renowned estate portfolio. I have some great vineyards to work with and source from so I’m very excited about what we can produce with the freedom to also create some small batch wines when the wine speaks for itself and needs to be showcased.

What are your thoughts on the style of the ‘NEW RANGE?’

I envisage the ranges of new wines to be focused around my motto for winemaking; “to create wines with a perfect balance between intensity, structure and elegance.” These are wines that are being sourced from growers, whom I have been dealing with for many years in most cases, and I trust their ability to grow the style of grapes that I require to make these types of wines.

There will be some earlier drinking styles that are all about fruit forward intensity and silky tannins that will make them so inviting to drink early in their life. Another range that incorporates the wise use of high-end oak barrels and full bodied, structured wines that can meld together for extended months to create wines that will age with grace. While there is also scope for some limited release, single site offerings that will wear the name of the grower on the label to identify parcels that have stood out for the vintage or a section of the vineyard that we have worked together to create something exciting with.

 

**All wines available for delivery March 2020**

 

2017 Alice's Shiraz

Overview: Harvested from our Home Block in Seppeltsfield from 1993 plantings. Soil profile is hard clay, mingled with bluestone slate.

Winemaking: Hand harvested and de-stemmed without being crushed. Fermented in concrete open fermenters for 7-10 days with 4 pump overs to maintain a fermentation temperature of 20-22’C. Drained and pressed though our wooden basket press before being transferred into seasoned American oak for 27 months. Bottled un-fined and un-filtered.

Vintage conditions: The 2017 vintage was preceded by drenching winter rains that allowed healthy canopy development and good fruit set. The summer leading into harvest was unusually cool, with frequent rain events resulting in grapes with great natural acid balance and freshness. The resultant wines are elegant with fruit purity and definition.

 

£34.95 per bottle


£156.85 per case of 6 In Bond

 
 
 

2016 Alice's Shiraz

Overview: Harvested from the Seppeltsfield property from 1997 plantings. Soil profile is slaty silk stone though light red/brown clays.

Winemaking: Hand harvested and de-stemmed without being crushed. Fermented in concrete open fermenters for 7-10 days with 4 pump overs to maintain a fermentation temperature of 20-22’C. Drained and pressed though our wooden basket press before being transferred into seasoned American oak for 27 months. Bottled un-fined and un-filtered.

Vintage conditions: The 2016 vintage was proceeded with a wet winter and consistent rainfall through Spring. The ripening season with warm and dry, creating smaller berry size and great intensity in tannins and colour development. The resultant wines are very structured with intense flavours, balanced with a savoury edge.

 

£34.95 per bottle

Buy 2016 Alice's Shiraz

£313.75 per case of 12 In Bond

 
 

2017 Apricot Block Shiraz

Overview: Harvested from our Marananga property from 1995 plantings in what was originally an Apricot orchard. Soil profile is silty sandy over flint and quartz

Winemaking: Hand harvested and de-stemmed without being crushed. Fermented in concrete open fermenters for 7-10 days with 4 pump overs to maintain a fermentation temperature of 20-22’C. Drained and pressed though our wooden basket press before being transferred into seasoned American oak for 27 months. Bottled un-fined and un-filtered.

Vintage conditions: The 2017 vintage was preceded by drenching winter rains that allowed healthy canopy development and good fruit set. The summer leading into harvest was unusually cool, with frequent rain events resulting in grapes with great natural acid balance and freshness. The resultant wines are elegant with fruit purity and definition.

 

£36.95 per bottle

Buy 2017 Apricot Block Shiraz

£166.85 per case of 6 In Bond

 
 

2017 Seven Acre Shiraz

Overview: Harvested from our Home Block in Seppeltsfield from 1993 plantings. Soil profile is hard clay, mingled with bluestone slate.

Winemaking: Hand harvested and de-stemmed without being crushed. Fermented in concrete open fermenters for 7-10 days with 4 pump overs to maintain a fermentation temperature of 20-22’C. Drained and pressed though our wooden basket press before being transferred into seasoned American oak for 27 months. Bottled un-fined and un-filtered.

Vintage conditions: The 2017 vintage was preceded by drenching winter rains that allowed healthy canopy development and good fruit set. The summer leading into harvest was unusually cool, with frequent rain events resulting in grapes with great natural acid balance and freshness. The resultant wines are elegant with fruit purity and definition.

 

£39.95 per bottle

Buy 2017 Seven Acre Shiraz

£186.35 per case of 6 In Bond

 
 

2017 Casey's Block Shiraz

Overview: Harvested from the Seppeltsfield property from 2010 plantings that were cuttings from the Estate’s other Shiraz blocks. Soil profile is loam mixed with red/brown clays.

Winemaking: Hand harvested and de-stemmed without being crushed. Fermented in concrete open fermenters for 7-10 days with 4 pump overs to maintain a fermentation temperature of 20-22’C. Drained and pressed though our wooden basket press before being transferred into seasoned American oak for 27 months. Bottled un-fined and un-filtered.

Vintage conditions: The 2017 vintage was preceded by drenching winter rains that allowed healthy canopy development and good fruit set. The summer leading into harvest was unusually cool, with frequent rain events resulting in grapes with great natural acid balance and freshness. The resultant wines are elegant with fruit purity and definition.

 

£29.95 per bottle

Buy 2017 Casey's Block Shiraz

£131.85 per case of 6 In Bond

 
 

2017 Marananga Shiraz

Overview: Harvested from a vineyard in the heart of the Marananga sub region, which is renowned for producing rich and silky wines.

Winemaking: The hand-picked grapes had a two-day cold soak then naturally fermented using indigenous yeasts. The ferment was hand plunged three times daily for approximately ten days. Then basket pressed and filled into French oak 15-20% new and two ear old USA for three weeks of barrel fermentation followed by 20 months maturation.

Vintage conditions: The 2017 vintage was preceded by drenching winter rains that allowed healthy canopy development and good fruit set. The summer leading into harvest was unusually cool, with frequent rain events resulting in grapes with great natural acid balance and freshness. The resultant wines are elegant with fruit purity and definition.

 

£22.95 per bottle

Buy 2017 Marananga Shiraz

£202.75 per case of 12 In Bond

 
 

2017 Cabernet Sauvignon

Overview: Harvested from our Home Block in Seppeltsfield from 1991 plantings. Soil profile is a free draining sandy red/brown loam.

Winemaking: Hand harvested and de-stemmed without being crushed. Fermented in concrete open fermenters for 7-10 days with 4 pump overs to maintain a fermentation temperature of 20-22’C. Drained and pressed though our wooden basket press before being transferred into seasoned French oak for 27 months. Bottled un-fined and un-filtered.

Vintage conditions: The 2017 vintage was preceded by drenching winter rains that allowed healthy canopy development and good fruit set. The summer leading into harvest was unusually cool, with frequent rain events resulting in grapes with great natural acid balance and freshness. The resultant wines are elegant with fruit purity and definition.

 

£34.95 per bottle

Buy 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon

£161.35 per case of 6 In Bond

 
 

2016 The Sibling Cabernet Sauvignon 

Overview: Harvested from vineyards in the Northern Barossa sub-region of Ebenezer. The soil profile is sandy clay loam over solid limestone  

Winemaking: Fermented in small open fermenters, with hand plunging 3 times daily. Maturation followed for 16 months in a combination of new and seasoned French oak barrels and remained on a light layer of yeast lees to maintain fruit profile and provide a creamy structure.

Vintage conditions: The 2016 vintage was proceeded with a wet winter and consistent rainfall through Spring. The ripening season with warm and dry, creating smaller berry size and great intensity in tannins and colour development. The resultant wines are very structured with intense flavours, balanced with a savoury edge.

 

£30.50 per bottle

Buy 2016 The Sibling Cabernet

£139.10 per case of 6 In Bond

 
 

2018 Cornerstone Grenache

Overview: Harvested from our approximately 90yr old vineyard at Marananga. Soil profile is shallow sandy soil over flint and quartz.

Winemaking: Hand harvested and de-stemmed without being crushed. Fermented in concrete open fermenters for 7-10 days with 4 pump overs to maintain a fermentation temperature of 20-22’C. Drained and pressed though our wooden basket press before being transferred into seasoned oak for 15 months. Bottled un-fined and un-filtered.

Vintage conditions: The 2018 vintage saw consistent winter and spring rains that facilitated an average fruit set with open bunches. During ripening the weather was warm and dry, resulting in smaller berries with intense colour development. The wines have strong tannin structure and intensity of fruit that will allow them to age for many years.

 

£29.95 per bottle

Buy 2018 Cornerstone Grenache

£131.85 per case of 6 In Bond

 
 

Critical Lines from our portfolio

As the dust settles slowly following a few busy months of wine sales, a number of popular wines are coming to an end…

Here is a collective list of our critical lines and perhaps the last chance to snap up a few favourite bottles.

To avoid disappointment, please place your order online.

Australia

Maturing Favourites

    34 x Elderton Ashmead Cabernet 2006 - £38.95 per bottle

    * SOLD OUT *
    Fox Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 

    32 x Grant Burge Shadrach Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - £44.95 per bottle

    20 x Hobbs of Barossa Ranges Gregor Shiraz 2004 - £39.95 per bottle

    * SOLD OUT *
    11 x Kay Brothers Amery Hillside Shiraz 2006 - £16.95 per bottle

    32 x Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards Shiraz 2001 - £14.95 per bottle

    3 x Penfolds St Henri 2005 - £67.95 per bottle

    6 x Schubert Goose Yard Block Shiraz 2007 - £26.95 per bottle

    18 x Wild Duck Creek Springflat Shiraz 2005 - £34.95 per bottle

     

    The huge 99 point duo 
    from Dan Standish

    Once they're gone, they're gone...

    13 x Standish The Standish Shiraz 2016 - £64.95 per bottle

    99 Points - Joe Czerwinski (RobertParker.com) "Dan's 2016 The Standish Shiraz comes from a vineyard in the Greenock subregion. It's inky in color, loaded with plum, blueberry and raspberry fruit. Full-bodied, creamy-textured and rich, it's intense, concentrated and long beyond belief, picking up hints of licorice along the way. Nearly embryonic, it will need at least a couple of years to show more than the primary fruit."

    16 x Standish The Relic Shiraz Viognier 2016 - £64.95 per bottle

    99 Points - Joe Czerwinski (RobertParker.com) "Everything about Standish's 2016 The Relic Shiraz-Viognier is remarkable, starting with the ridiculous color. It's so dark, so purple, so vibrant. Then the nose boasts soaring florals and stone fruits, while the palate delivers fresh blueberries and dried spices. It's full-bodied but creamy-textured, with supple tannins and concentrated fruit that lingers on the plush finish. Just awesome stuff."

     

    Biggest sellers this month
    leading to low stocks

    Vinorium Award - 2019 White Wine of the Year: Gold
    35 x Sailor Seeks Horse Chardonnay 2017 £44.50 per bottle

    98-99 points Stuart McCloskey "Marine, saline, oyster shell with touches of green apple, orchard flowers and a lovely streak of minerality on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied, bright, alive with a slight chalkiness. There’s a lovely fabric to this wine. Tightly knit with subtle fruits interwoven with a tension which I find difficult to express in words. More a sense of completeness... read more

    * SOLD OUT *
    Soumah Single Vineyard Hexham Pinot Noir 2017 

    17 x John's Blend Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 - £31.95 per bottle

    32 x Petaluma Yellow Label B&V Shiraz 2015 - £22.95 per bottle

    42 x Reynella Basket Press Shiraz 2014 - £22.95 per bottle

     

    Deep Woods Estate

    The entire new release has pre-sold before stepping foot on our shores – just one case remains!

    * SOLD OUT *
    1 x Chardonnay 2018 (Case 6x75cl) - £215.70 per case of 6

    Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2019 Gold Medal & 2 Trophies 
    Royal Hobart Wine Show 2019 Gold Medal & 3 Trophies
    Sydney Royal Wine Show 2019 Gold Medal

     

     Also from Julian & Alana Langworthy

    10 x Nocturne Wines Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 - £27.95 per bottle

     

    Domaine Naturaliste 

    2 x Artus Chardonnay 2013 - £35.95 per bottle

    8 x Artus Chardonnay 2016 - £35.95 per bottle

    97+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “The wine demands some aeration and reveals a crystalline, mineral-driven bouquet with nashi pear, white flowers, oatmeal and a whiff of smoky sulphide. The palate is certainly complex with flavours ranging from stonefruit, lemon peel and touches of anise. Concentrated but at the same time supremely measured and seamless. The palate offers a lovely glossy texture and is incredibly satisfying. Flavours expand from citrus notes, limestone, smoked almond to more oatmeal. Everything is kept in check with a healthy wash of acidity. A wine of immense potential and will only improve with more cellaring (3-8 years). I love this. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware”.  Our Wine of the Week - 26 April

    97 Points - James Halliday 
    22 x Morus Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 - was £44.95 per bottle NOW £41.95

    26 x Discovery Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 - £14.75 per bottle

     

    Flowstone

    Best Sauvignon Blanc at the 2020 Halliday Wine Companion Awards

    24 x Queen of the Earth Sauvignon Blanc 2017 - £28.95 per bottle

    James Halliday "A selection of the highest quality fruit, fermented in two barriques. Upon completion, the wine remained on lees for a further 15 months with a bit of batonnage to imbue textural complexity. More reticent aromatically than the standard cuvee, the future lies tucked in between the baby fat of piercing fruit intensity and the sheer tenacity of flavour. This deserves a place among the country's few seriously fine examples - it will unravel beautifully with patience."

    35 x Cabernet Sauvignon Touriga 2012 - £21.95 per bottle

    10 x Chardonnay 2010 - £23.95 per bottle

    28 x Chardonnay 2011 - £23.95 per bottle

    3 x Chardonnay 2012 - £21.95 per bottle

    1 x Queen of the Earth Cabernet Sauv (Magnum) 2013 - £83.90 per magnum

    2 x Queen of the Earth Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 - £41.95 per bottle

    15 x Queen of the Earth Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 - £41.95 per bottle

    10 x Queen of the Earth Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 - £41.95 per bottle

    7 x Queen of the Earth Chardonnay 2012 - £31.55 per bottle

    7 x Queen of the Earth Chardonnay 2013 - £33.95 per bottle

    10 x Queen of the Earth Chardonnay 2014 - £31.95 per bottle

    13 x Sauvignon Blanc 2011 - £22.50 per bottle

    6 x Sauvignon Blanc 2012 - £22.50 per bottle

     

    Champagne

    3 x Lanson Noble Cuvee 2000 - £58.50 per bottle RRP £98.00
    Is there a better champagne deal on this planet...?

    ** Offered in a Lanson presentation case ** 

    98 Points - Stuart McCloskey "Fully mature as one would expect and all the better for it. The nose is incredibly inviting with lemon peel, orchard fruits, brioche, poached pear and finishes with deep honey notes with touches of caramel and Fino Sherry. Despite being practically 20-years of age, the palate is razor sharp, full of energy, broad and textural which are the hallmarks of great Grand Cru vineyards (Avize and Cramant). The wine offers an indescribable sense of completeness – Imagine spiced, poached pears melded with a brioche richness, paired with candied fruits and a killer thread of acidity. A Michelin Star pudding if this could be translated into a bowl… Dazzling and a highly addictive Champagne. Truly exceptional. Possibly disgorged November 2012 but that is not clear on the bottle. Served at warehouse temperature and using Zalto Universal Glassware."

      12 x Champagne Salmon 100% Meunier Rosé Brut NV - £33.95 per bottle

      Steven Spurrier - Decanter "With 10ha touching the Montagne de Reims planted 85% to Pinot Meunier, the Salmon family shows justifiable pride in Champagne’s ‘third’ variety: red summer fruits, floral and spicy notes with zest and suppleness to finish clean and dry, thanks to a low 7g/l dosage. "

       

      New Zealand

      3 x Blank Canvas Pinot Noir 2015 - £25.50 per bottle
      Bob Campbell MW and New Zealand Specialist ranks the ’15 Blank Canvas #1 of 112 and awards a mightily impressive 97 Points

       

      * SOLD OUT *
      2 x Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2015 - £25.50 per bottle

      * SOLD OUT *
      4 x Pegasus Bay Prima Donna Pinot Noir 2013 - £45.95 per bottle

       

      We are delisting – Felton Road
      Last chance to buy…

      * SOLD OUT *
      9 x Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2016 - £36.95 per bottle

      * SOLD OUT *
      12 x Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2017 - £36.50 per bottle

      4 x Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2017 - £42.95 per bottle

      2 x Felton Road Cornish Point Pinot Noir 2017 - £45.95 per bottle

       

      USA

      5 x Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 - £61.50 per bottle

      We are delisting – Anthill, Chanin, Louis Martini and Ramey. Last chance to buy…

      21 x Anthill Campbell Ranch Pinot Noir 2014 - £39.95 per bottle

      97+ - Stuart McCloskey "We thought the 2013 was something special, however the 2014 could well go down as one of the greatest ‘young’ Pinot Noirs to ever pass our lips. The ’14 is blessed with an incredibly intense, powerful nose - the perfume is extraordinary, almost exotic. Although young, the palate is showing beautiful structure, filigree tannins and is utterly sensuous. This is an irresistible Campbell Ranch, a little fatter and more generous than the previous two vintages. Effortless, mercurial and brilliant."

      30 x Anthill Farms Peters Syrah 2016 - £32.50 per bottle

       

      9 x Chanin Wines Los Alamos Pinot Noir 2014 - £49.95 per bottle

      17 x Chanin Wines Sanford & Benedict Chardonnay 2014 - £40.50 per bottle 

      99 points - Stuart McCloskey "Almost a repeat of my introduction from the 2013 vintage - “In short, this is one of the most astonishing Chardonnays which I have enjoyed for many years”,  however the 2014 just eclipses the stunning 2013. A difficult wine to describe as superlatives do little, if any justice. Incredibly graceful, almost a weightless elegance, feminine, magnificently detailed bouquet which expresses minerality like no other US chardonnay. The palate is developing all the time with a core of minerality. Presently, this is a wine that is all about finesse and elegance, as flavours will develop with a little more bottle age. Utterly magnificent! (Please decant)."

      4 x Chanin Wines Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir 2013 - £50.50 per bottle

      98+ Points - Stuart McCloskey The élevage here was 40% whole clusters and 16 months in 15% new French oak with all the hallmarks of a very serious Burgundy. The aromatics are stunning, as is the fruit and texture on the palate. Wild berries and undergrowth unfold in the glass. The palate has astonishing structure – Such tension. The wine unfolds with amazing precision to reveal layer upon layer of dark fruits that just seem to flow and flow on the never-ending finish. There is also plenty of underlying structure to allow for significant aging (should you be able to resist).

       
       

      17 x Ramey Syrah Rodgers Creek 2013 - £64.95 per bottle

      Jancis Robinson - 18 Points  "I am a horribly stingy scorer. For a young, non-classic wine to get 18 points out of 20 from me is embarrassingly rare. So today's wine really is exceptional in my view."

       
       
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