Wine
Villalin Quincy Sauvignon Blanc 2022
The Quincy appellation in the east of the Loire Valley has a very long and unique history, having been named France's second AOC following Chateauneuf du Pape.
Husband and wife team make a rich and textured Sauvignon Blanc that shines as bright as its close neighbours from Sancerre and Pouilly Fume. Quincy cultivates citrus notes such as grapefruit, hints of menthol and pepper, and aromas of acacia and white flowers. Its mouthfeel is a combination of fresh and fruity.
Blandy’s Sercial Madeira 1968
"The Blandys established themselves on Madeira in 1811 and are now in charge of the Madeira Wine Company. Aged for 49 years in seasoned American oak casks before bottling in 2017, this wine is mid-deep amber in colour with an olive-green glint. Fine, lifted woodsmoke characters on the nose are redolent of autumn leaves and bonfires. It has crystallised fruit on the palate with rapier-like power and intensity. The hint of sweetness (59g/l residual sugar) is offset by a streak of acidity, leading to a mouthwateringly fresh greengage finish yielding to a touch of savoury complexity. A wine that sings contralto from the glass." - 99 points Decanter
Domaine Grosbois Clos du Noyer Chinon 2020
Sainte-Anne 2021 Cotes-du-Rhone Villages
In a hidden gem of the Cotes-du-Rhone Villages, Saint-Gervais, winemaker Guy Steinmaier channels his Burgundy roots into this classic, Grenache-forward Rhône blend. Set just northwest of Tavel and Lirac, Saint-Gervais sits along the same latitude as renowned Gigondas, yielding a wine brimming with concentrated currant, plum, and red raspberry preserves, complemented by white pepper and subtle mineral and earthy tones.
This vibrant, traditional expression pairs beautifully with slow-cooked lamb stew with apricots and warm spices or a spiced lentil and roasted red pepper curry with coconut milk and cumin.
Baumard Cremant De Loire Rose
80% Cabernet Franc, 20% Chenin Blanc
"Very pale, bright pink with a steady bead. Shy aromas of strawberry, blood orange, rose and spices, plus a hint of honeysuckle. Very fresh and expansive on the palate, offering pure red fruit and sweet citrus flavors and subtle minerality. The precise, spicy finish leaves dusty mineral and strawberry notes behind."' - Steve Tanzer
Sirkel Shiraz / Viogner 2020
Certified Organic
The Shiraz and Viognier grapes are hand-harvested and fermented with minimal intervention. After the fermentation, the wine is pressed and transferred to stainless steel tanks and oak barrels where it ages for 9 months, followed by bottling at the winery. Young, fresh and vibrant. Juicy and sweet fruits intertwine with florals and herbs to add pepperiness to the finish.
Baumard ‘La Caleche’ 2019
Low yields, hand harvesting and farmed according to organic principles. 9 months in vats on fine lees.
Aromas of pears, lemons, peaches and honey with floral and mineral hints. Great tension on the palate, which is pure with persistence and incredible precision. An easy wine to drink with well-balanced acidity and great structure.
Bodegas Gaintza Getariako Txakolina Aitako 2019
Marquis D’alesme Margaux 2018
55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 5% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot aging in 65% new oak
96 Points, Robert Parker: Deep purple-black in color, it leaps from the glass with bold, expressive black cherries, warm plums, crème de cassis and red roses scents with touches of baking spices, potpourri and fragrant earth. Full-bodied, rich and opulent, it completely fills the palate with hedonic black fruit preserves and spices, framed by firm, velvety tannins and finishing with fantastic length.
95 Points, Wine Spectator: Gorgeous mouthfeel right from the first sip, with a velvety, fine-grained texture that lets the range of dark plum, black currant and blackberry fruit flavors splay out without losing focus, while mouthwatering black tea, alder and mineral notes wait gracefully in reserve, showing just a hint, for now, of what they can do on the finish.
Ricco Bambino Sparkling Rose
An inviting bouquet of fresh strawberries, raspberries, and delicate floral notes. The palate delights with a balance of fruity sweetness and crisp acidity, creating a refreshing and playful character. A perfectly effervescent wine for the season.
Caution: Open with care next to sink. This natural wine is alive. Keep it chilled.
Egon Muller 2003 Scharzhofberger Kabinett Riesling
This wine displays a light green-yellow hue with an inviting nose of peach and subtle vegetal undertones. On the palate, it is light and refreshing, with juicy notes of stone fruit, ripe pineapple, and a hint of baby banana. The finish is layered with a fine veil of residual sugar, adding depth and a touch of sweetness. A delicate lemony note lingers, bringing a balanced freshness to the close.
Egon Muller 1976 Scharzhofberger Spatlese Riesling
94 Points, John Gillman
The 1976 Scharzhofberger Spätlese still drinks beautifully and has many years of life ahead. Its bouquet offers a complex blend of lemon curd, baked peaches, leather, and stony minerality, with a hint of lavender. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, balanced, and focused, with a mature sweetness closer to Kabinett level. Poised with good acidity and depth, this superb Spätlese promises to age gracefully for years to come.
Pillot et Laurent Romaine 2022 Bourgogne Rouge
Vibrant aromas of ripe cherry, raspberry, and red currant, accented by hints of liquorice and a touch of earthy minerality. On the palate, it delivers juicy red fruit flavors, balanced by lively acidity and supple tannins, with a subtle spice and herbaceous undertone. The finish is smooth and lingering, showcasing the wine's fresh, approachable character and classic Burgundy elegance.
