Impress

Frogs Leap Chardonnay 2008, Napa Valley

Optimum 2010 - 2014

Fresh and vibrant, the 2008 Frog’s Leap Chardonnay (from Carneros sites) abandons contemporary trends of big oak and butter for crisp acidity and a bright finish. Aromas of pear and white peaches are layered with delicate notes of honeysuckle and peach blossoms.

RRP	Our price	Equivalent	Quantity
£23.00 per bottle	£132.00	£22.00
	£252.00	£21.00

Gaja Costa Russi 2003, Piemonte

Optimum 2009 - 2018

Until 1995 Costa Russi carried the Barbaresco D.O.C.G. appellation. The Gaja single-vineyard philosophy remains the same as it has always been: to express the extraordinary quality potential of each vineyard site in order to produce wines of distinctive personality and unique, inimitable character. 

RRP	Our price	Equivalent	Quantity
£175.00 per bottle	£175.00	n/a
	£1032.00	£172.00
	£2040.00	£170.00

Cotes du Rhone CLAVIN Domaine Vieille Julienne 2007

2011 - 2018

One of the truly great names of Cotes du Rhone, the Clavin vineyard situated around the house was the first to be planted on the estate and so has the oldest vines. With an average age of 70 years, it is suspected that some are a generation older. "Quite simply the finest Cotes du Rhone I've ever tasted" Ed Wells.

RRP	Our price	Equivalent	Quantity
£14.95 per bottle	£14.95	n/a
	£84.00	£14.00
	£168.00	£14.00

Trinity Hill Homage Syrah 2007, Hawkes Bay

Drink 2010 - 2020

Gerard Jaboulet, from that famed Rhone estate, provided some of the vine cuttings and much of the inspiration for a wine that is dedicated to his memory. Strongly spicy Syrah with dense, sweet fruit forming a solid core. The wine offers an impressive array of flavours. In addition to the black pepper and star anise there is violets, toast, coffee, blackcurrants and plum. Big but supple with impressive potential. A relatively high proportion of Viognier (9%) adds to the wine’s elegance and lifted aromatics. 19.5/20 5 Stars, Decanter Magazine.

RRP	Our price	Equivalent	Quantity
£75.00 per bottle	£75.00	n/a
	£435.00	£72.50
	£840.00	£70.00

Glen Carlou Quartz Stone Chardonnay 2008, Paarl

Drink by end 2012

Glen Carlou is situated on the northern foothills of Simonsberg Mountain in the Paarl Wine Region. This limited-release wine derives its name from a single, mature vineyard planted in soils containing a generous percentage of quartz stone shards. It's a powerful wine, but one which commands respect.  It retains elegance and freshness despite the full-throttle style. 

RRP	Our price	Equivalent	Quantity
£14.50 per bottle	£82.50	£13.75
	£162.00	£13.50

Seresin Leah Pinot Noir 2008, Marlborough

Optimum 2010 - 2020

'Leah' is a delicious NZPN grown on clay rich hillside vineyards in Marlborough. The grapes are hand-picked and there are no stems in the fermentations. The fermentation uses natural yeasts and small, open-top fermenters. The final wine is aged in French oak barriques, some 20% of which are new. The 07 is a dead-ringer for better premier cru wines of the Cote de Nuits.

RRP	Our price	Equivalent	Quantity
£19.75 per bottle	£108.00	£18.00
	£210.00	£17.50

Shaw & Smith Pinot Noir 2008, Adelaide Hills

Best 2010 - 2015

This is only the second release of the Pinot Noir and the first to be launched beyond their cellar door, even though the grapes were planted in 2000. They are searching for “Central Otago opulence with the structure of Burgundy” and judging by this wine they have the soils, fruit and knowhow to find it.

RRP	Our price	Equivalent	Quantity
£22.65 per bottle	£123.00	£20.50
	£243.00	£20.25

Cognac Tesseron Lot 29 XO

XO based on 1929 harvest

The 100 Point Parker Cognac was described by F Paul Pacult as: "Bronze/copper/topaz color; ideal purity... nut paste/oak scent..; with further air exposure, the bouquet takes on an orangy/citrusy leaning as the smell turns fruitier the more it aerates; lovely and compelling. The palate entry is supple, fruity sweet, and ripe; the midpalate stage highlights melded flavors of light caramel, marzipan, and nougat. Ends up oaky sweet, lightly spiced, and satiny. Like this cognac very much." Or Malcolm Gluck "This liquid can represent the planet in the cognac, armagnac and malt whisky class. It has the qualities of an elixir."

RRP	Our price	Equivalent	Quantity
£425.00 per bottle	£400.00	n/a

Joseph Drouhin Beaune Clos des Mouches Blanc 2007

Drink 2010 - 2019

The name "mouches" means flies. There were once bee-hives in this sun-drenched "clos" (vineyard enclosure); the bees in the local dialect were called "mouches à miel" (honey flies), hence the name Clos des Mouches. It is one of the first vineyards acquired by Maurice Drouhin (the founder's son) in the 1920's. With great determination, he bought 41 different parcels from 8 proprietors. It is planted equally in red and white grapes and both wines have achieved mythical status for the House of Joseph Drouhin.

RRP	Our price	Equivalent	Quantity
£70.00 per bottle	£372.00	£62.00
	£732.00	£61.00

Joseph Drouhin Nuits St Georges 2007

Optimum 2010 - 2016

The 2007 Nuits St Georges from Drouhin has a lovely deep red colour. The aromas are powerful and elegant, with notes of cherry and blackberry, as well as hints of cedar wood evolving towards gamey touches. On the palate: beautiful balance between structure and softness. The long aftertaste is reminiscent of fruit syrups and mild spices.

RRP	Our price	Equivalent	Quantity
£35.00 per bottle	£198.00	£33.00
	£390.00	£32.50

Chateau Soutard St Emilion Grand Cru 2005

Drink 2013 - 2020

Château Soutard can trace its history back to 1775. The owners in 2005 were Isabelle, Hélène and François de Ligneris, the family having owned the Chateau since 1836. From 1988 Soutard's winemaking was in the hands of François, who initially trained as an architect before switching his studies to wine. He then spent time working with the Hill-Smith family in Australia before beginning to take over from his father. And like his father, François was a born agitator.

RRP	Our price	Equivalent	Quantity
£30.00 per bottle	£168.00	£28.00
	£324.00	£27.00

Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatieres 2008

Enjoy 2013 - 2022

The highest of the Domaine’s Premier Cru vineyard sites, with very shallow, chalky soil. The wines of Folatières are remarkable for their great finesse and mineral structure. The 08 provides a sense of feather-light elegance that beautifully compliments the wafting floral character of its long finish. This refined Puligny should develop well for at least the next 6-8 years.

RRP	Our price	Equivalent	Quantity
£112.00 per bottle	£636.00	£106.00