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Written by Henry Conway

Category: News

Published: 14 June 2018

Hits: 1588

We had a few requests for this absolute beauty to return to our store. If you never managed to have a go with this stuff then you seriously have something to look forward to! Let's find out more!

Marina Coppi is the daughter of the legendary cyclist Fausto Coppi, the first man ever to win the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France in the same year. Though vines have always been planted at Castellania, a small village in southeastern Piemonte, it was only when Marina's son Francesco, along with his wife Anna, took over the property that they began bottling their own wine. They focus on the native varieties of Barbera, Nebbiolo, Croatina, Freisa, Favorita and Timorasso to make wines that are vibrant and well defined.

Vigne Marina Coppi was established in 2003 in the town of Castellania, the birthplace Fausto. The family has taken the traditional heritage of the area and applied a modern approach in the winery to produce wines of excellent quality. The estate has concentrated on the native varieties of Timorasso, Favorita, Barbera, Nebbiolo and Croatina and works on a small scale with four hectares of vineyard to ensure the quality of the vines shows through. Parents Marina and Giovanni work closely with son Francesco and his wife Anna, using sustainable methods in the vineyard and employing great expertise in the winery.

Vigne Marina Coppi "I Grop" 2011 @ £25.95 - Buy it here!

Bright ruby-red in colour. The nose is intensely scented, with aromas of plum, pomegranate and sweet spices. On the palate it is fresh, yet concentrated, with fine tannins and spicy vanilla flavours that linger on the finish.

Sounds quite fantastic doesn't it? Well I can assure you with a taste before you buy it that it really is amazing. Cheers!

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Written by Henry Conway

Category: News

Published: 08 June 2018

Hits: 1674

Morning wine lovers! A brand new one for us with this one. It was a bit of a surprise for us. Let's have a read about this incredible winery...

Montes was established in 1988 by Aurelio Montes, Douglas Murray, Alfredo Vidaurre and Pedro Grand, with the aim to produce the best wines in Chile from the best regions. We have long admired Montes and what they have done for Chilean wine over the past three decades. Their wines are consistently good because they are meticulous throughout the entire production process. The Outer Limits wines were born out of Aurelio Montes' desire to push Chilean viticulture in a new direction. The 45 hectare Zapallar Vineyard in the Aconcagua Valley was Montes' first venture into the 'outer limits'. Due to the balance and concentration in the Outer Limits wines, they can be enjoyed now or allowed to age for a few years, rewarding with a wonderfully complex bouquet.

Montes "Outer Limits" Zapallar Coast Sauvignon Blanc 2017 @ £16.95 - Buy it here!

A very intense and elegant nose with notes of passion fruit and grapefruit mingled with boxwood, tomato leaf and a line of minerality. The minerality reappears on the palate - it is fresh and crisp with tremendous volume and a very long fruity finish. The delicious acidity makes it very fresh and juicy, which contrasts with its elegance and expression.

Have you ever seen such an amazing tasting note for a Sauvignon Blanc?! It is truly incredible. Come and give it a go! Cheers!

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Written by Henry Conway

Category: News

Published: 06 June 2018

Hits: 1912

This one is brand spanking new into the shop! The Jean Leon '3055' Merlot 2015 is an absolute stonker. Come and have a read...

Did you know Jean Leon, the winery's founder, was really called Ceferino Carrión? That he opened one of the most exclusive restaurants in Beverly Hills and served five US presidents? That the wine chosen for Ronald Reagan's official inaugural dinner in 1981 was a Jean Leon? That Jean Leon was close friends with Hollywood stars like James Dean and Marilyn Monroe? There's a lot to know about this incredible man. With wild ideas that all just seemed to turn to gold, his wine is no exception.

Jean Leon '3055' Merlot 2015 @ £12.95 - Buy it here!

Gorgeous plum notes, black pepper, full in the mouth with rounder plum notes and a medium finish. Engaging and perfectly integrated and could even sit for a while.

Hopefully you love it as much as we do. Cheers!

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Written by Henry Conway

Category: News

Published: 31 May 2018

Hits: 1602

A soft photo for a soft wine. This has always been one of our most popular. Let's have a read and find out why...

Gérard Bru, owner of the Puech-Haut estate, is a man of great personal resources. An industrialist who decided to go into wine production, he returned to his oldest passion: working on the land. His habit is to think big! For him, half-measures will never do. He knows where he's going and how to get there. From his years in industry, he has honed the skills of management and development. He is a man of the "land" and he has always been someone who insists on concrete results and not just talk.

While some dream and plan, he is a doer. Starting with a land devoid of any grapes, he has built what is now one of the largest vineyards in the region, and at its heart was born the "Château Puech-Haut", built from the stones of the old Prefecture of Montpellier. This was originally a bourgeois residence built in Italian style between the 17th and 18th centuries, and it was slated for demolition.

Gérard Bru bought the structure and then transplanted it stone by stone in the middle of his new property. During this work, he discovered an ornamental stone ram's head from a 12th or 13th century chapel, and it became the emblem of Château Puech Haut. Given the things he has achieved, Bru is something of a magician.

Chateau Puech Haut, Prestige Rosé 2016 @ £14.95 - Buy it here!

"Beautiful as always, the 2016 Saint Drezery Prestige Rose offers clean, crisp notes of white peach, strawberries and hints of flowers. It’s a terrific, medium-bodied, elegant beauty to buy by the case." ~ Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate 92/100

With rave reviews across the board we think we've hit on a winner! Come and give it a go. Cheers!

Details

Written by Henry Conway

Category: News

Published: 25 May 2018

Hits: 1708

It's been a long time coming but it's finally back. The gorgeous Chateau Teyssier from St. Emilion. Many of you asked for it well it's finally here! Let's find out a bit more...

The estate was predominantly a farm in the 18th century until it was acquired by the historian Jules Roy in 1869, who constructed the château and structured the vineyards. Château Teyssier was reduced to a neglected 5 hectare estate when Jonathan and Lyn Maltus arrived in 1994. The new owners modernised the winery and cellar, constructed a second winery and acquired additional plots in Vignonet, Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens and Saint-Émilion.

Jonathan Maltus, frequently termed a "Garagiste" and "Cult winemaker" collaborates with the oenologist Neil Whyte and consultant oenologist Gilles Pauquet. Among Maltus' other winemaking projects was The Colonial Estate in Barossa Valley and Eden Valley incorporating some vines previously used for Penfolds Grange, producing labels such as Exile, and Émigré. His involvement there ended in 2009. A venture in Napa Valley produced its first wines in 2011 under the Estate name, World's End.

In February 2008, Maltus acquired the remainder of Vieux Château Mazerat, neighboring estate of Château Angélus, adding 6 hectares (15 acres) to the plot bought in 1996 which produces the fruit for Le Dôme.

Chateau Teyssier, Montagne Saint-Emilion 2014 @ £16.95 - Buy it here!

"Love the nose to this with ripe strawberries and peaches with orange-peel undertones. Full body, soft and velvety tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Delicious already. Why wait?"

James Suckling 91/100

Perfection? I think so. Cheers!