2019 Stephen Vincent, Chardonnay
Regular price £19.80 Save £-19.80ABOUT THE WINE
Stephen Vincent and his two business partners have combined decades of experience with working for household names such as Robert Mondavi, Louis Roederer & La Crema to create their own affordable but premium tasting wines. Stephen Vincent sources their fruit from some of the coolest pockets of the North Coast, which helps keep the alcohols in their wines low and maintain the refreshing acidity, but always delivering quality, reflecting the delicious qualities the Californian sun provides. Friarwood is proud to be the exclusive importer of these affordable gems from California.
TASTING NOTES
Fermented as whole-clusters and 100% barrel-fermented and aged in mostly neutral barrels for 15 months. Superb attention to quality and labour-intensive process to ensure freshness in wine while still preserving the rich complexity which makes California Chardonnay so irresistible. The fragrant freshness of green apples, and green citrus sing at first impression, after which the sour, ripe mango comes across with toast, sweet corn and yoghurt notes. A touch of subtle vanilla and slivered, toasted coconut accompanies the peach and the mango on the palate with bright acidity, but wraps up with a pleasant toasty finish.
FOOD PAIRING
Chicken and prawn tacos, paella and spaghetti primavera.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Stephen Vincent offers some of the best quality-to-price ratio for any American wine which could be found in the UK.
2018 Domaine des Masques, Blanc 'Essentielle'
Regular price £19.60 Save £-19.60ABOUT 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 Rhône winemaker, Yves Cuilleron, the estate is in excellent hands, and producing exceptional wines.
TASTING NOTES
Harvested a little earlier than the Exception, to preserve the fresh fruit-character of the wine. Vinification is in sealed vats to limit exposure to oxygen. Delicate citrus, peach, apple and pear aromas; fresh yet full-bodied on the palate.
FOOD PAIRING
An excellent aperitif, also perfect with grilled fish. A lovely wine with a cold lunch-spread.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The reductive (oxygen-free) winemaking allows for the bare minimum of sulphur to be used in this wine.
2022 Domaine Philippe Charmond Macon-Village
Regular price £19.10 Save £-19.10ABOUT THE WINE
Winemaking has been a tradition in the Charmond family for three generations, starting in 1950 with only a few acres. Today, Philippe Charmond owns and cultivates 8ha in the villages of Vergisson, Davayé and Prissé. This terroir of the region is ideal for grape growing, with vines situated on southeast-facing slopes to catch the sun.
TASTING NOTES
A bright and refreshing white wine with a flavoursome profile that showcases the best of this iconic Mâcon terroir. On the palate, it delivers excellent poise and balance, with lively acidity and a long, rounded finish that lingers on. Unlike some other white wines from the region, this vintage exhibits no noticeable oak character, allowing the pure fruit flavours and minerality to shine through. The nose reveals enticing aromas of citrus fruits, green apples, and subtle floral notes, which translate beautifully onto the palate. Balanced by a creamy texture and a slight nuttiness, creating a harmonious and complex profile that's delighting.
FOOD PAIRING
A versatile choice for any meal, it's particularly well-suited to seafood dishes, such as grilled prawns, seared scallops, or poached salmon. resh goat cheese, bruschetta, or raw vegetables with a yoghurt dip.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Great value from the southern part of Burgundy.
Friarwood Champagne 1er Cru, Brut NV
Regular price £29.95 Save £-29.95ABOUT THE WINE
Looking for a special bubbly to add some excitement to your next gathering? Look no further than our Friarwood Premier Cru Champagne. This luxurious beverage is produced in the village of Grauves, renowned for creating some of the finest Champagnes in the world. The Premier Cru designation means this wine is from one of the three most celebrated districts in all of Champagne.
After being aged in bottles for three years, this bubbly boasts a lovely biscuit flavor that is well balanced and delicate. It makes the perfect addition to any celebration or as a simple way to enjoy a moment of luxury.
TASTING NOTES
Straw yellow colour. A crisp Champagne, well balanced, with an elegant biscuit or nutty taste. The wine portrays a delicate and finesse character.
FOOD PAIRING
Ideal as a glass to celebrate or with appetisers like salmon blini, caviar or creamy cheeses like Mont d'Or.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
A very flavoursome and versatile Friarwood Premier Cru champagne to be enjoyed on its own or with food but always with good friends.
Be sure to check out our wide range of Fine Wines and Spirits, including our Friarwood exclusives.
2019 Castra Rubra Dominant White
Regular price £17.85 Save £-17.852021 Tres Palacios, Gran Reserve Chardonnay
Regular price £16.00 Save £-16.00ABOUT 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.
TASTING NOTES
Crystalline gold in colour, this wine is fresh with aromas of tropical fruits such as ripe pineapple, mango and banana. This freshness and fruitiness continues on the palate, with a minerality that provide balance.
FOOD PAIRING
Excellent as an aperitif, or served with salads, lean fish, fresh cheese and white meats.
2022 Jean Pierre et Alexandre Ellevin Chablis
Regular price £13.90 Save £-13.902018 Domaine Ellevin, Chablis
Regular price £50.60 Save £-50.60ABOUT THE WINE
For as far back as they can trace their history, the Ellevin family has always been making wine. In 1975, Jean-Pierre Ellevin and his wife started to develop the family domaine; in 2003, their son Alexandre joined them. The estate covers 16 hectares, planted exclusively with Chardonnay.
TASTING NOTES
Elegant, smooth and dense with rich flavours of lemons, pears, and fresh citrus on the palate. Crisp minerality and stone-fruit nuances blend seamlessly with a hint of fleur de sel. The texture is beautiful, the finish is balanced and the wine is perfection.
FOOD PAIRING
Ideal with seafood, appetisers, light fish and chicken or very good on its own as well.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
An ever-reliable favourite; this is an excellent Chablis from a small, quality-focused domaine.