Champagne Canard-Duchene Blanc de Noirs Iconic
Cellar for several years. No need to decant before serving. This Blanc de Noirs Champagne is a bold and expressive bubbly wine with a rich golden hue and a fine, mousse-like perlage. The nose is bursting with aromatic notes of red apple, lemon zest, black stewed cherry, and wild berries. It is crafted from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, a majority of which were harvested from Premier and Grand Crus in Champagne, such as Aÿ, Mailly, and Cumière. In the beginning, Canard-Duchene was a love story. It was founded in 1868 by Victor Canard, a barrel maker, and Léonie Duchêne, a grape grower, in the heart of Montagne de Reims. These days, it has grown into a prestigious Champagne house, with vineyards in some of the finest plots of land across Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs. On the palate, it showcases flavors of ripe raspberry, plum, sour cherry, and subtle forest-floor earthiness, balanced by a creamy mousse and shimmering acidity. Half of the Pinot Noir grapes came from reserve wines, adding a certain depth to the experience. This is a versatile and interesting expression of Champagne, lying on the fuller-bodied side, making it perfect for pairing with rich and savoury foods, such as roasted duck, grilled meats, or mushroom risotto.
Première Rouge
Cellar for up to 10 years. Decant for up to an hour or more before serving. Figuière is a family business with a long history of producing elegant and complex French wine. Founded by wine-maker Alain Combard in 1991, the winery is now run by his three children, François, Magali, and Delphine. Located in the Côtes de Provence AOC, the 44-acre Saint-André de Figuière plot is the family’s pride and joy, providing a basis for their flagship Première range, with its mineral-rich, quartz-infused schist soils. The Première de Figuiere Red is a careful blend of lean Syrah and moody Mourvedre. The Syrah is picked slightly overripe while the Combard family wait for the Mourvedre to mature, adding to the intense fruitiness of this wine’s profile. The nose is alive with scents of blackberry, cassis and plum, liquorice, chocolate and Provencal herbs. After fermenting separately, the Syrah and Mourvedre are matured for 8 months in French oak barrels. There are hints of oak and mature tannins on the palate, but the overall impression is one of smooth, round and silky character. Look for notes of blackberry, black cherry and strawberry, supplemented by hints of cocoa, tobacco, rosemary and thyme. This red is ready to drink but also has plenty of potential for further ageing in the cellar. Pair it with rich meats or intense cheeses.
Rosé de purcari
Cellar for up to 3 years. Serve well chilled. Reminiscent of a vibrant spring day, this vivacious and aromatic Moldovan rosé is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon along with a smaller amount of Merlot and the local Rara Neagra grape. The fruit grows close to the Black Sea where the cooling impact of the water helps to preserve plenty of freshness and fragrance in the grapes. To ensure they reach the winery in perfect condition all the grapes are harvested by hand and are vinified using traditional local winemaking techniques. In the glass this charming rosé has a delicate pink hue and enticing aromas of ripe peaches, apricot blossom, lemon zest and crushed raspberries. On the palate there’s plenty of mouthwatering freshness complemented by rich orchard fruit flavours and dark berry notes which end in a pure, clean finish. Chateau Purcari is Moldova’s oldest winery, dating back to 1827 when Tsar Nicholas I issued a special decree confirming its official status. The estate enjoyed a golden age in the 19th century when the winery gained an international reputation for excellence and won gold medals both at home and at the Paris World Exhibition. More recently Purcari has experienced a revival and recently gave an outstanding performance at the Decanter World Wine Awards winning a slew of top medals including a silver medal for this elegant rosé.
Sekt
Cellar for up to 5 years. Serve chilled. Ruggeri is regarded as one of the five original Prosecco producers, working closely with 110 long-term partner growers who own small vineyards across the region. Although first established in the town of Santo Stefano, the winery later moved to the town of Valdobbiadene which is today known around the world for its exceptional sparkling wines. Ruggeri is actually the only Prosecco producer to hold the prestigious Gambero Rosso “star” award, a prestigious accolade given to wineries with 10 or more Tre Bicchieri awards. To maximise quality, all of the grapes are harvested by hand and carefully transported to the winery in small crates. The fruit is then vinified in stainless steel tanks according to the Charmat method which is traditionally used to make Prosecco, and left to mature on the lees to add polish and extra complexity. Fragrant almond blossom, flower honey, and white peaches dominate on the nose, while the first sip reveals a delicate mousse, smooth texture, and delicate citrus and orchard fruit flavours. The finish is pure and elegant with a mouthwatering freshness that gently cleanses the palate. A great wine to serve as a classy aperitif or partner for fresh seafood, sushi, leafy salads, or spicy Asian dishes.
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Vintage 2004
Drink now or cellar for up to 15 years. A classic expression of Veuve Cliquot’s enduring, inviting elegance. Luminescent medium to light yellow in colour with subtle golden glimmers. This vintage presents a very fine, subtle yet persistent mouse. The fruity and floral nose opens with springlike fragrances, lilac and violet, which open and extend delightfully into an invited complexities of aromas of toasted apples, dates, fresh raspberries unearthing spicy, minty undertones. This is a full-bodied sparkling wine that is both complex and charming with many well-structured, textural components. Generous, silky mouthfeel with a creamy texture of grilled pear, fresh almond, brioche and small red berries on the palate. Pure sensation on the tongue. Delectable flavours of apple, toast and citrus and a slight nuttiness melt together and give rise to this selection’s many layered, harmonious points of detail. The long, powerful finish lingers with a welcome mineral smokiness. This was a very strong year for the region, and in line with Madame Clicquot's revolutionary presentation of a Champagne from a single, exceptional vintage back in 1810, this is an exquisite offering that effortlessly exceeds the high expectations held of vintages from this paramount Champagne house, blending together its Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir varietals to perfection, with the Pinot Noir playing a more obvious role than in some previous vintages for a tense expression of sophistication. An iconic choice for any occasion worth remembering. Equally ideal for a luxe wedding reception or early evening aperitifs with friends. Serve on its own or with meat, seafood, sea bass or possibly lobster-stuffed ravioli. Best served chilled.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cellar for up to 2 years. No need to decant before serving. Seductive caramel, vanilla and red cherry jam aromas leap out of the glass, while the first sip reveals flavours of ripe red berries, a generous full body and a long finish. Philip Hahn sources the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for this wine from his well-sited vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco appellations in Monterey County. They are then fermented and aged in French oak barrels to add subtle sweet spice aromas and a rounded, velvety mouthfeel. Hahn Family Wines was founded by Nicky and Gaby Hahn nearly forty years ago when the couple realised the potential of land they had purchased in Monterey County. Although Spanish missionaries had grown grapes and made wine in the Santa Lucia Highlands back in the 1790s, recognizing the suitability of the climate and soils, the land had given over to cattle and sheep long before the Hahns came along. By 1991 Nicky had succeeded in his mission to get the Santa Lucia Highlands approved as a AVA or American Viticultural Area and built a solid reputation for stellar single varietal wines from Monterey. Today the winery is in the capable hands of Nicky and Gaby’s son, Philip, who continues to produce fruity, well-balanced wines which offer exceptional value.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cellar for up to 6 years. Decant 2 hours. Deep garnet in colour, this Cabernet Sauvignon is nothing short of exceptional! The nose releases a myriad of aromas including blackcurrant, blueberry, tarragon, dried herbs and coffee. The palate delivers a wide range of different flavours through the complex layers in the wine. Blackcurrant, raspberry, redcurrant and blackberry all mingle fantastically with a hint of chocolate and herbs. The balance of well integrated tannin, acid and alcohol provide a full bodied wine that is a real winner. The finish is long and lingering with a savoury note to end. An excellent match with a joint of beef, venison, game and sausages. The Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon comes from 3 different vineyards: Red Tail Vineyard; Miraval Vineyard and Geyserville Estate Vineyard. All of the vineyards work organically and all provide slightly different nuances in the wines that are produced.
Pasqua Villa Borghetti Amarone della Valpolicella 2021
Cellar for 20 years or more. Decant for up to 2 hours before serving. Appearing with an intense dark red colour in the glass, this is a classic Amarone, made from a blend of Valpolicella grapes: 65% Corvina, 25% Rondinella, and 10% Negrara. There are deep scents of ripe red fruits on the nose, with hints of dried herbs and balsamic. The notably ripe character comes from the winemaking process: for this Amarone, the grapes are left to dry for about 4 months before pressing, allowing the flavours to concentrate and mature. Pasqua Wines was established in 1925, near the city of Verona in northern Italy. It offers a variety of labels and distinct wines around Veneto, such as the Soave varietal around Verona, and the outlet of Villa Borghetti in the region of Valpolicella. Since 2014, the company has been in the hands of a third generation of Pasquas: Umberto, Riccardo, and Alessandro. It is soft and generous in the mouth, with fine, oaky tannins and flavours of raisin, prune, dried cranberry, balsamic, and dried herbs. The mixture is aged for about 16 months, before being bottled and aged further before release. It is a different kind of red wine, aged beyond its years. Consider pairing it with game meat, risotto, or a rich vegetable quiche.
Zlatan Plavac
Cellar for up to 9 years. Decant 2 hours before serving. Winemaker Zlatan Plenkovic’s family have been making wine for generations, so it seems only natural that in 1985 he decided to set up his own winery. Based on the southern coast idyllic island of Hvar, he owns a series of vineyards set on slopes with an incline of up to 60%. The delicate combination of abundant sunshine, steep slopes and cooling sea breezes helps to create warm, intense wines with powerful personalities. This impressive bottling is a single varietal Plavac Mali, an indigenous grape that is thought to be an ancestor of California’s popular Zinfandel. Zlatan ages this wine in a combination of large oak casks and stainless steel tanks for about a year until he decides it is ready to be bottled. He then ages the wine in the bottles for a further four months before release to the market. On the nose there’s a seductive core of rich blackberries and plums which is complemented by black pepper and wild herbs. Take a sip and you’ll immediately notice the full body, ripe tannins and warming spices and dark chocolate flavours. The finely-tuned balance between fresh acidity, intense flavours and firm structure mean this wine is a great candidate for extended cellar ageing.
Zero Infinito
Enjoy it now or cellar for a few more years. No need to decant before serving. Pojer e Sandri is a groundbreaking Italian winery, founded in 1975 by two friends - Mario Pojer and Fiorentino Sandri. The duo have a long history of trendsetting and experimentation. They were among the first in Italy to sell Chardonnay (in the late 70s) and have used a fascinating selection of unsung grapes throughout their career, from the native Nosiola to Solaris, the basis for this sparkling white wine. Coincidentally, Solaris was created in the same year that Pojer e Sandri was founded, in the Freiburg grape breeding institute. The grapes for this wine were grown in Maso Rella, a breezy, highly elevated vineyard in the Grumes region of Trentino. For Pojer and Sandro, Zero Infinito is the culmination of decades of work. It represents absolute purity, a wine with zero additions and zero chemical impact on the vineyard and the cellar. The nose is fruity and floral, bearing notes of elderflower, pear, peach and apple, with hints of wildflowers. Once this effervescent wine hits your palate, you can detect flavours of apricot, yellow apple and fresh peach, all folded into a thirst-quenching mouthful. It is playful and easy, perfect for drinking with friends and family. Consider serving it as an aperitif, alongside a charcuterie board.
