Musar Jeune is one of our most complex reds in store right now and rocks deliciously earthy dark flavours of black cherries, dates, figs and luscious dry decadence. This maverick blend of Cinsault, Syrah and Cabernet is made from grapes grown in the Beqaa Valley, a fertile area in eastern Lebanon, which is also an active war zone. The Beqaa Valley is also known as Bekaa, Biqâ and Becaa and is home to the Hochar family’s famous Chateau Musar, winery renowned by producing complex, unconventional blends of French red grapes. 

100% Harslevelu from the  Siklós, Zuhánya Cru

Age of vine - stocks:    plantation in 2006

Yield:    1-2 kg/vine - stock

Cultivation  method:    Middle- high cordon training system

Harvest:    End of October 2020

Vinification+ maturation:   After light crush and destemming, 1 night maceration then fermentation in  stainless steel tanks. After fermentation finished, 10 months aging in 5 hl oak barrels on fine lees.

Bottled:    February 2014.    3.300 bottles

Tasting notes:   Floral aromas explodes as wine gets into glass. Oak fermentation and aging promises a complex, vigorous, exciting wine. Concentrated, deep and mineral at once, a great gun amongst white wines. The elegancy and richness shows how excellent a white wine can be amongst the reds in Villany wine region.

This outstanding Malbec is made from grapes grown high altitude vineyards in Mendoza, which were fermented with wild yeasts for 12 days with post ferment maceration for 19-22 days followed by 12 months aging in barrel, including first, second and third use barrels. It tastes smooth, dark, full bodied, fleshy, succulent and complex… An incredible red wine.

Argentina’s signature grape, Malbec, was introduced to the country’s biggest wine region, Mendoza, by Frenchman Michel Pouget in the mid 1850s, but it has since been discovered that not all Malbec vines brought into the country were exactly the same. And the family that has done more to advance the understanding, high quality expression and understanding of Argentinian Malbec is the Catena family, whose Zapata Malbec is one of our favourite wines in store; big, bold and full bodied but with elegance to burn, thanks to its silkiness. 

The Catena family has arguably done more for the quality and reputation of both Malbec and the Argentinian wine industry than any other company, advancing the understanding of growing grapes at altitude, high up in the foothills of the Andes where hot days, high sunshine hours and cool nights ripen the grapes and retain elegance.

Biodynamic. 

100% Cabernet Franc. 

Germain’s calling card is drawn from the domaine’s many parcels in Saumur. These varied sites grow on tuffeau/limestone soils around the communes of Varrains, Chaintres, Dampierre and Saumur. The vines range from 10 to 70 years old (with the average at around 30) and include the domaine’s ‘home’ vineyard, Le Clos, a site ploughed by the family’s Ardennais draft horse. Germain harvests by hand, employs cold soak infusion for some parcels and carries out the wild yeast fermentation and maturation mostly in tank. Aside from a minor 10 ppm SO2 at bottling, the wine sees no additions. Packed with youthful Saumur joie de vivre, this is a pure, elegantly floral red with perfumed dark cherry, anise and graphite notes and a juicy, supple, mouthwatering personality that pairs beautifully with cheese, paté, pork chops and roast chicken. In other words, the perfect bistro wine (that goes with every course)! The colour of the label this year is a kind of bluish slate.

100% Furmint from four vineyards growing on volcanic sites in the famous Tokaj region of Hungary. Fermentation and maturation are both in 100% stainless steel to preserve the fruit forward nature of the wine. That said there is plenty to texture and complexity with almond notes and refreshing minearlity.  

Made in the Valpolicella Classica region from a blend opf the traditional Veronese grapes: Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara. 

Medium intensity cherry red in the glass this opens with an intense bouquet of ripe cherry aromas. The palate is fresh with good acidity and soft and silky tannins. Cherries and red fruits are the dominant flavour bolstered by hints of oak.

Food pairing - Typically versatile and good throughout the meal; excellent with soups, pasta and risotto. Enhances both simple food and more complicated dishes based on red meat and moderately aged cheeses.

Contreras Ruiz is located in Condado de Huelva which borders the National Park of Doñana to the south and east. The stunning winery was constructed in 1868 and sports five naves separated by arches 30m high, made from forged iron, typical of the south of Spain and boasts state of the art wine tech within.

Vallehondo is a 100% Syrah that expresses the extremes of the D.O. Condado de Huelva terroir, famous for its warmth, saline notes from the Atlantic and soils predominated by sand and limestone.

The wine is Intense and elegant on the nose which is dominated by ripe red fruits, and nuanced by black pepper and vanilla notes. The palate is silky and unctuous reflecting the warmth of Southern Spain, but is kept fresh by decent acidity, round elegant tannins and well integrated oak.

APPELLATION: DHC - Villany wine region

SOIL: dolomite, marl, limestone or occasionally sandy loess

HARVEST: Lots of sunshine and the right amount of rainfall ..

GRAP VARIETIES: Cabernet Franc

WINEMAKING:
HUNGARIAN OAK: 63% aged for 24 months
HUNGARIAN BARRIQUE: 37% aged for 24 months

ORGANOLEPTIC SPECIFICATION
A darker shade of ruby. The nose is of a slightly Mediterranean character, rich in spices, forest fruits and discreet oaky notes. On the palate, dominating fruity characters with some toasty notes, which contribute to the richness of flavours in the wine. This is a wine full of flavours with a long aftertaste. Taste it with pleasure!

TECHNICAL DATA
ALCOHOL:14%
ACIDITY: 4.9 g/l

Marques de Riscal Reserva is an exceptional Rioja made from old vines, planted pre 1970s. A touch of Graciano and Mazuelo (10%) adds complexity and crisp acidity. This is a medium-full bodied red wine with bright red fruit flavours, integrated oak and a long, juicy finish.

The Lovegrass Shiraz is an easy drinking yet full bodied wine. Juicy ripe fruits, earthiness and integrated spicy oak are present on the nose. The palate is rich with blackberry and chocolate notes which are complemented with moderate acidity. This is a great example of a robust Australian Shiraz. 

Lovely plush Shiraz with peppery notes and bold plum flavours in a full bodied, beautiful expression of South Australia's most popular and most widely planted red grape. Dry, impressive and long on flavour. This wine will age for at least seven to eight years. 

Langmeil is owned by the Lindner family, which has been making wine for six generations in the Barossa Valley.

Vouvray is a French wine appellation devoted to the great Chenin Blanc grape, which is expressed vibrantly in this gorgeously fresh and light bodied but intensely flavoursome white wine. Its high acidity and expansive fresh flavours make Chenin Blanc one of the most versatile wines with its bold and bright lemon, honey and floral aromas. High acidity adds length and backbone to the palate of this lovely wine. 

The history, mystery of a long established winery

The Domaine Marc Bredif winery is one of the great names of the Loire. The estate has enjoyed a long and colourful history, having been established in 1893 under the original name of Château les Roches. In 1919, not long after the end of the First World War, Marc Bredif took over from his Uncle and renamed the property to mark the change of ownership. His focus was simple, to forge an unrivalled reputation for excellence amongst the estates of the Loire Valley.
He invested heavily in the estate during the 1930’s, building a tremendous circular storage room in the heart of its cellars, which today houses venerable vintages of sweet Vouvray, some of which date back to the 1900’s. The property managed to survive the Second War World War relatively unharmed and remained under family control until the 1980’s. As is so often the case, family intrigue and financial necessity meant that the Domaine had to be sold, and in 1980 Baron Patrick de Ladoucette acquired the estate. Thankfully, the Baron was every bit the conscientious owner and has given new life to Marc Bredif – investing heavily and expanding their holdings to include some of the most prized Vouvray vineyards – 20 hectares in total. Picking exclusively by hand, the Domaine produces some of the most profound and immortal expressions of Chenin Blanc, in a range of styles to suit all wine lovers.

A lovely little bubbly from the Loire Valley made with a mix of Chenin Blanc and  Ugni Blanc. A vibrant fine bead is balanced with keen acidity, abundant fruit and a long crips and dry finish. Happiness in a bottle at a great price.