Croix de Labrie
Canon la Gaffelière (BIO ORGANIC)
Paul Jaboulet Hermitage Maison Bleue
Ferraton Hermitage les Miaux Red
Colour : deep ruby colour. Nose : black fruit, spices and liquorice. Palate : powerful and fleshy wine with smooth tannins. Aromas of very ripe black fruit. Long lasting and persisting wine.
Cellier Saint Benoit Arbois Pupillin Les Charots Chardonnay
Nestled between La Marcette and Champ-Berrand, Les Charots in one of Pupillin’s smaller lieu-dits. It sits on a very steep slope under La Marcette on orange-tinted soils rich in iron. There’s a lot of yellow Bajocian limestone, too, which Benjamin finds gives this wine a more chiselled personality and citrusy, mineral edge. From 30-year-old vines, this was first made in 2021. To emphasise the different terroirs of each parcel, the winemaking for all the Chardonnays remains very similar. All the grapes are pressed as whole bunches into used 600-litre barrels for fermentation and 12 months of lees-aging. Benjamin then decants off the gross lees, and the wine rests on clean lees in stainless steel for a further six months, allowing him to bottle the wines without filtration. It’s a stunning wine, well summed up by the note below.
Cellier Saint Benoit Arbois Pupillin Courbes Raies Chardonnay
The Cellier Saint Benoit Arbois Pupillin Courbes Raies Chardonnay 2022 is a stunning example of the Jura region's mastery of cool-climate Chardonnay. Aromas of crisp green apple and ripe pear are complemented by delicate notes of toasted almond and a touch of honey. On the palate, the wine is vibrant and refreshing, with a bright acidity that balances out the creamy texture. The limestone soils of Pupillin lend a mineral complexity to the wine, adding layers of flint and wet stone to the already complex flavour profile. The 2022 vintage is a standout, with a beautiful pale gold colour and a long, lingering finish. This is a wine that will continue to evolve and develop over the next few years, making it a great addition to any cellar. A true gem from Cellier Saint Benoit that showcases the best of Jura's Chardonnay.
Cellier Saint Benoit Arbois Pupillin Chambines Savagnin Naturé
Wedged between the lieux-dits of La Rouge and Les Charots on red marl soils, Les Chambines is one of three different Savagnins farmed by the domaine. The steep slope, planted in the mid-1980s, reaches 40 degrees in some places, meaning this vineyard must be ploughed by horse (there is also a fault bisecting the vineyard, which the small Caterpillar cannot cross). The Savagnin of Les Chambines is usually selected for the Vin Jaune, but in 2022, Benjamin was so happy with the fruit that he selected two barrels to age in the ouillé (topped-up) style. Benjamin presses his Savagnin long and slow directly into his oldest barrels, where the wine ferments without any additions until the malolactic fermentation has finished. He loves the style of his 2022 Savagnin wines, which he notes have beautiful aromas of confit citrus and mouthwatering ripe acidity. Of the two wines we have shipped, Les Chambines is the fruiter version, with fleshy Anjou pear fruit offset by green herbs and peppery spice.
Ferraton Ermitage Les Dionnieres Syrah
The Ferraton Ermitage Les Dionnieres Syrah 2019 is a bold and complex wine from the renowned Rhône Valley in France. The deep ruby color hints at the intensity of this vintage, while the aromas of dark berries, black pepper, and a touch of earthy herbs tantalize the senses. On the palate, this Syrah is full-bodied and rich, with layers of juicy blackberry, plum, and hints of smoky oak. Firm tannins and a long, lingering finish make this wine a true standout. The 2019 vintage from Ferraton Pere et Fils showcases their expertise in crafting exceptional wines from this region. This Ermitage Les Dionnieres Syrah is a must-try for any lover of Rhône Valley wines. Enjoy it now or cellar it for even greater complexity in the years to come.
Guigal Hermitage
One of the powerhouses of the Rhône and a name synonymous with beautifully crafted wines from some of the regions finest vineyard sites. Deep ruby red in colour with violet tinges. Spices, red berries and delicate oak aromas. A powerful and tannic Shiraz. Aromas of blackcurrant buds and vanilla, liquorice and spicy finish. A racy and seductive wine by Guigal, perfect for putting down.
Château Talbot St-Julien
The old school of the UK wine market have long loved the wines of Chateau Talbot, and the 2010 would have them purring. Chateau Talbot is a producer that occupies a large (102 hectares) swathe of land under vine in Medoc and makes wines that are set to a more traditional style, including rich wood scents, firm tannins, some rustic charm and a cassis-meets-violet fruit profile. This is a superb release of the wine, reminscent of classic Talbots that are sinewy when young, but still approachable, and for enthusiasts, glorious with cellar time.