2015 Conti di San Bonifacio, Sustinet
Regular price £45.50 Save £-45.50ABOUT THE WINE
The estate, in the Maremma region of Tuscany, was purchased in 2002 by the Conte di San Bonifacio, Manfredo, and his English wife Sarah. They have since transformed it into a spectacular wine resort and wedding venue, with olive groves, beautifully manicured vineyards and a restaurant serving exceptional meals created using locally sourced ingredients. The first vines were planted in 2004 and the vineyard now comprises 7 hectares. Winemaker Luca has an exceptional talent for crafting Tuscan wines using international varieties.
TASTING NOTES
Another powerful vintage! Dense and complex on the palate layered with spice and savoury notes. We recommend opening for 30 minutes prior to enjoying.
FOOD PAIRING
Ideal with lamb or game, barbecued or roasted.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
14 months in French oak, 6 months in bottle before release. A very impressive wine.
2015 Chateau Grand Corbin
Regular price £42.40 Save £-42.402015 Chateau Potensac
Regular price £40.45 Save £-40.452015 Bodegas Torrederos, Ribera del Duero Reserva
Regular price £35.00 Save £-35.00ABOUT THE WINE
Situated in Ribera del Duero - home to one of Spain’s most sought after and applauded wines. Founded in 1999 by Serafin and Jose Mari - Torrederos Winery owns more than 100 hectares of Tempranillo planted vineyards. Vines are situated in a maximum radius of 5 km from the winery, facilitating continual production quality control. You can expect excellent value for these true expressions of Spain's most iconic grape.
TASTE NOTES
Complex and elegant bouquet of spicy aromas with a touch of menthol. Great balance between the oak influence and fresh fruit. Mouth is round and powerful with bold tannins, a long finish and a hint of smoke.
FOOD PAIRING
Roast beef, venison stew and lamb chops! The tannin in the wine will soften with the rich meat flavours for a very enjoyable dinner.
2015 Agriturismo Colognole, Chianti Rufina Riserva del Don
Regular price £72.10 Save £-72.10ABOUT 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 medium body with a ruby red colour. Cherry fruit on the nose with darker fruit, light spice, black olive and balsamic notes and delicate earthiness on the palate. Extremely smooth, velvety tannins, and perfectly balanced acidity.
FOOD PAIRING
It goes particularly well with traditional Tuscan meat dishes, such as grilled lamb, pork ribs, stew, and antipasti.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Really impressive, subtle Chianti, the extra time in barrel adds refinement to a supremely enjoyable wine.
2015 Chateau Cantemerle, Les Allees de Cantemerle
Regular price £28.65 Save £-28.65ABOUT THE WINE
The Cantemerle estate has a long history in the Haut Medoc with the first mention as early as 1147 - of the Pons de Cantemerle - the estate's lord having proudly adopted Canta Merla (or blackbird's song) as his name. Mention of viticulture dates back to 1354 with the Ponset de Cantemerle recorded as paying a debt in wine, a tonneau of clairet. In the past the status of Cantemerle as an original 1855 classification wine had been erroneously questioned since it was not included in the first publication of the classification - it has in fact been included in all the listings dated after the 16th Sept. 1855.
Located in the far south of the Medoc peninsula, almost on the outskirts of Bordeaux itself, the estate has become renowned for producing complex, well-balanced and refined wines thanks in large part to this unique terroir. Today the Chateau owns 190 hectares of land with 87 hectares under production with Les Allees - their second wine - being produced mainly from the younger vines. It is however made just like its elder brother - with the same attention given to selection and quality - and possesses all the same personality as the grand vin.
TASTING NOTES
With expressive fruity and floral aromas and a mouth-filling richness harbouring tannic depth this is everything you'd expect from the 2015 vintage. Refined blackberry and dark cherry fruit is balanced with light mint, vanilla, spice and white pepper followed by a lingering smoky edge. Silky and supple, rich and aromatic, a quality claret.
FOOD PAIRING
Local favourites such as blanquette of lamb or roast poultry with ceps are highly recommended, as are less obvious choices such as creamed mushrooms in puff pastry or raw milk cheeses including Reblochon. Surprisingly the elengant nature of the wines from Cantemerle mean even river fish such as pike-perch are a good match, served with slow roasted tomatoes and Mediterranean vegetables.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
An outstanding second wine from an outstanding vintage. Although the aging potential is perhaps a little less than that of the grand vin this is a wine to drink and enjoy now and over the next few years.
2015 Chateau Nouret
Regular price £22.50 Save £-22.50