2018 Domaine Vincent Bouzereau Corton rouge Grand Cru 'Les Fietres'
Regular price £88.40 Save £-88.40ABOUT THE WINE
The Bouzereau family has been vine growers for over 10 generations. An interesting feature of the estate is the interest of Vincent (and his father before him) for vine-stocks. Current vines are issued from pre-phylloxera selections, and Vincent keeps reproducing qualitative vines from his vineyards rather than following the common usage of cloning a couple of specimens only. This technique provides more bio-diversity in Vincent’s vineyards, and reflects in his sensational wines. Vincent wine-making technique is traditional, he does not add any yeast or enzyme.
TASTING NOTES
Light red in colour. Aromas of cherries and plums. Although still young the tannins are soft and has a very long finish. Powerful aromas and great intensity of flavours.
FOOD PAIRING
Delicious with veal with a rich sauce would benefit if you add mushrooms. Also good with duck and creamy cheeses.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Although 2018 was quite a warm vintage, the wines, especially the reds, have great power and balance. It could very well be one of the best vintages in this decade. This Corton can be drank now but will definitely improve with further ageing.
2020 Domaine Antonin Guyon, Chambolle Musigny 'Clos du Village' Monopole
Regular price £88.30 Save £-88.302017 Domaine de la Ferte, Givry
Regular price £79.70 Save £-79.702018 Reva, Barbera d'Alba
Regular price £64.70 Save £-64.702017 Capanna, Rosso di Montalcino
Regular price £58.70 Save £-58.702016 Bodega Monteviejo, Lindaflor Malbec
Regular price £56.20 Save £-56.202019 Chateau de Chamirey, Mercurey 1er Cru 'Clos du Roi' Red
Regular price £53.40 Save £-53.402015 Agriturismo Colognole, Chianti Vigna 'Rogaie'
Regular price £53.00 Save £-53.00ABOUT THE WINE
In 1892, Conte Vencesalao Spalletti, Senator to the Kingdom of Italy and owner of a fine agricultural estate in upper Emilia, purchased the Colognole and Lucciano (in Chianti Montalbano) estates. Colognole was initially utilised mainly for lumber production, thanks to its extensive forests, but in 1912, due to the interest shown from the Conte’s sons, Giambattista and Cesar, production focused on grapevines and olive trees. This development led, in the 1930s, to the construction of the Cantine Spalletti in the city of Rufina. Production significantly increased both in quantity and quality, and in the 1960s the name Spalletti had become synonymous with high-quality Tuscan wine, particularly for age-worthy reds. In the 1980s, with the addition to the shareholders of a large sparkling-wine producer, the owner gave up both the production cellar and the name Spattelli and concentrated their efforts on the Colognole Estate.
TASTING NOTES
A richer, more powerful wine than the Riserva; black cherry and bramble characterise the aromas, with red fruit on the palate. The finish shows a hint of barrel-ageing; long and promising, with grippy tannins suggesting a long life ahead.
FOOD PAIRING
Excellent with lamb loin chops and roast potatoes; or a roast butternut with trimmings.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The Colognole estate spans 700 hectares in the Tuscan hills, of which only 27 hectares are planted to vines. In 2004 the estate embarked upon a project to find out which plots produced their finest Sangiovese grapes, the result of which is this exceptional single-vineyard release.
2020 Domaine Antonin Guyon, Chorey les Beaune 'Les Champs Longs'
Regular price £45.10 Save £-45.102018 Roebuck Estates, Blanc de Noirs
Regular price £42.80 Save £-42.802020 Domaine de la Ferte Givry
Regular price £36.50 Save £-36.502018 Nittnaus, Blaufrankisch Altenberg Reserve
Regular price £33.80 Save £-33.802016 Domaine des Masques, Syrah 'Exception'
Regular price £30.20 Save £-30.20ABOUT THE WINE
An olive-grove since the time of the ancient Gauls, the plateau near Aix-en-Provence upon which Le Domaine des Masques rests was settled by the Knights Templar of the Order of Provence in the Middle Ages. Vines were first planted in 1992, and in 2003 the estate was bought by Carl and Sophie Mestdagh. The vineyards are tended according to organic principles, although the estate has not sought certification. With duties in the cellar overseen by the famous Rhone winemaker, Yves Cuilleron, the estate is in excellent hands, and producing exceptional wines.
TASTING NOTES
Destemmed and fermented without pressing, using natural yeast; the wine undergoes extensive pump-overs to extract tannin and colour, and then aged in barrel for a year prior to release. Rich, full-bodied and concentrated, with blackcurrant, blackberry and oak-spice on the palate. The finish is punctuated by white-pepper and plum nuances.
FOOD PAIRING
Excellent with feathered game or a vegetarian stew.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The region has a long history of growing medicinal plants; and has always been a haven for healers, herbalists and sorcerers; masco in the Provencal dialect, which have given the estate its name.
2018 Domaine des Masques, Syrah Cuvee Exception
Regular price £29.00 Save £-29.002016 Chateau Potensac
Regular price £21.70 Save £-21.702020 Tres Palacios, Family Vintage Merlot
Regular price £19.50 Save £-19.50ABOUT THE WINE
The 'Tres Palacios' winery is a family business, founded in 1996 by Don Patricio Palacios and his wife, Maria Inés Covarrubias. With patience—and much passion—they began their search for an area that had never before been used for winemaking.
They settled on the Cholqui sector of the Maipo Valley, 16 km (10 miles) from the city of Melipilla. The unique location of the vineyard protects them from extremes of heat and allows the grapes to ripen slowly and completely. In a setting reminiscent of the crater of a volcano, this terroir is unlike any other in Chile’s Central Valley.
This wine has 10 months in oak barrels and a further 7 months in bottle before release.
TASTING NOTES
Intense red with violet tints, this wine has aromas of black pepper and cloves, along with notes of mocha and toasted coffee which are integrated into a base of black fruit. The fruit continues on the palate. Overall a round, velvety, easy to drink, complex and balanced wine with a long and spicy finish. Has potential to age for up to 7 years and is best served at 16 - 18 degrees.
FOOD PAIRING
Ideal to accompany pasta, semi-ripe cheeses, chicken, stews and casseroles.
2012 Chateau des Landes, 'Tradition'
Regular price £12.55 Save £-12.55ABOUT THE WINE
Located in the appellation of Lussac Saint Emilion, Chateau des Landes is a family winery founded in 1952. At the start Paul Lassagne had to manage working at the local tile factory during the night and during the day in his vineyards. His dream, to leave the factory and fulfill his passion for making wine. In 1979, Daniel, Paul's son, joined with his father, his wine studies completed, to develop the family property. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc.
TASTING NOTES
Dense garnet color with haloed purple highlights. Heady aromas of red fruits entangled in menthol and spice. The taste is structured and greedy, like a giant fruit basket.
FOOD PAIRING
Steak, grilled vegetables, lasagne, roast duck, veal loin.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
This wine is probably still a bit young so give it plenty of air if drinking it now, or hold onto it for another year or two and enjoy it even more.