J. Denuzière Saint-Joseph Blanc 2021
The wines are well-balanced and full of flavour, yellow in colour with a glimmer of green and a structure that changes according to the planting. Marsanne requires a dry, hot climate with plenty of sunshine, but is robust and vigorous and can thrive in the poorest of soils. Its wines are powerful, with medium acidity. Floral aromas develop on ageing, alongside notes of hazelnuts.
100% Marsanne
J. Denuzière Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2021
Domaine Roc de l’Abbaye Florian Mollet L’Antique Pouilly-Fumé 2021
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Colour: Lemon yellow with green glimmers.
Nose: The nose opens us with Japanese pear, green apple, white flowers, white peach and almond.
Palate: The palate is silky and elegant. Notes of peach, nectarine, mango, candied pineapple and dried apricot are highlighted by spices. The finish is long and elegant, with delicate peppery notes.
Pairs well with Goats cheeses, Mont d'Or, seafood or a fillet of perch pike with seaweed and bamboo shoots.
"Lovely lemon zest, minerals, herbs, green mango and flint on the nose. A medium-to full-bodied Pouilly-Fumé with quite uncompromising, mouthwatering acidity and freshness. I love the texture and the fine austerity here, inviting you to drink glass after glass. Enjoy now" - 92 points, James Suckling
Domaine Roc de l’Abbaye Florian Mollet L’Antique Sancerre Rouge 2020
Terrior: 100% flint
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Colour: An intense peony red colour.
Nose: The nose is discreet at first, opening on violets and black fruit such as blackberry and blueberry and hints of menthol and grey pepper.
Palate: The wine is full-bodied, with tannins that are firm but already well rounded, and a long, juicy cherry finish.
Pairs well with lentil dahl, braised duckling with turnips or chocolate-based desserts.
"Baked strawberries, cherries and some sweet cinnamon. A light cocoa dusting to the fruit, too. Medium body with wild strawberries and sour cherries. Very juicy, with a nice, fruit-expressive finish. Drink now." - 90 points, James Suckling
Domaine Roc de l’Abbaye Florian Mollet L’Antique Sancerre Blanc 2022
Terrior: 90% Flint of St-Satur, 10% Terres, Blanches of Thauvenay
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Colour: Yellow with silver tinges.
Nose: The already expressive nose offers Sansho pepper, blackberry bud, white peach, exotic fruits and citrus fruits such as pomelos.
Palate: A rich and powerful wine with an elegant freshness. A delicate touch of bitterness lingers on the long and incredibly well balanced finish.
Pairs well with Goats cheeses, a white bean bruschetta, mushrooms and grilled white fish.
"A well-rounded white with aromas of lemon zest, apples, flint and a touch of mustard seeds. Medium body with bright acidity. Precise and well-crafted with volume on the mid-palate. Succulent finish with a mineral edge to it. Drink or hold." - 91 points, James Suckling
Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia 2020
Made with the same passion and attention to detail as Ornellaia, Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia is a true “second vin”. A blend of Merlot (32%), Cabernet Sauvignon (33%), Cabernet Franc (18%) & Petit Verdot (17%), it combines approachability and a depth of flavour with proven ageing potential.
Characterized by a lively ruby red colour, Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia 2018 is a wine of great aromatic complexity, a distinctive feature of this vintage. In the glass, aromas of berries, blackberry, raspberry and red cherry are accompanied by floral hints of wild rose and spicy notes of pink pepper and liquorice. On tasting, the wine has a good tannic structure, enveloping and balanced, with a crisp and savoury finish.
First Drop Fat of the Land Barossa Shiraz – Seppeltsfield (Single Vineyard) 2015
The Barossa is an amazing place with a diverse history from which a great community has grown living o- the Fat of the Land. Famed for its Shiraz vineyards, some dating back to the 19th century, the wines from this small, but proud region are as unique and divergent as its history and community. One can make such varied expressions of Shiraz, due to the different meso-climates of each subregion, the elevation range, and the myriad of soil types that are to be found throughout the Barossa. The Fat of the Land series seeks to showcase the sub regions of the Barossa, and the contrasting styles of Shiraz that can be made here. Shiraz from a single vineyard in Seppeltsfield.
Colour : Dark kirsch
Nose : Lifted dark cherry aromas with notes of licorice and dark chocolate
Palate : Flavour packed with kirsch, prunes, dark chocolate and liquorice. Rich and muscular, like Arnold Schwarzenegger.
First Drop Cold Sweat Eden Valley Syrah – Moculta (Single Vineyard) 2015
Eden Valley is the perfect backdrop for us to further push our vinous boundaries. At a higher elevation than the Barossa Valley below, we embrace the funk to make even more diverse expressions of Syrah that speak of their unique sites. It’s all about the one. Give the drummer some! With this Eden Valley project we are looking for the ultimate expressions of three cooler climate sites and working hard to find them, utilising all our experience. Syrah from a single vineyard in Moculta.
Colour: Garnet red with purple hues
Nose: A complex nose of dark cherry, savoury and spice aromas
Palate: A brooding palate of grainy tannins support complex dark cherry, earthy and savoury flavours.
Cellaring: Drink up, but also 8-10 years proposition.
"Deep and decadent on the nose with plum, dried-meat and leather aromas. Some tar. Full-bodied yet fresh. Round and silky tannins. Juicy finish. Tangy acidity. Drink now. " - 95 points, James Suckling
VINTAGE 2015: A condensed vintage with full fat flavour! A warmer than usual spring led to an early, yet even flowering and fruit set. Together with a dry season, this led to an early start to vintage despite mild conditions and welcome rainfall in January. With harvest progressing quickly, it was clear that yields were variable, but the wines showed full flavours. Low yielding Barossa Valley Shiraz was rich (reminiscent of 2005). Yields were up in Eden Valley Shiraz, and thus looked less primary, more savoury, with good acid (reminiscent of 2002). So the upshot is we’ve almost got two vintages in one, with some diverse, full flavoured wines. Lap it up!