LORCOU20
£18.79
The estate, dating back to the early 1300s lies just to the north west of the town of Chinon and comprises around 18ha made up of a number of extremely well sited and famous plots on the coteaux. The estate has for many years employed a strict policy of ‘selection massale’ so as well as a high average vine age there is an extra element to the quality that shines through in the wines. Fully organic since 1997.
Young vines, wild yeasts, fermented in concrete and then aged in a mixture of old oak and concrete.
Fragrant, bright with an attractive leafy character and dark cherry notes. Serve very lightly chilled with cold meats or if you're feeling adventurous a wild seabass would also fit the bill nicely.
£90.80
The "other" wine made by Ch. Palmer, first made 1998 the grapes come from different plots than those of Ch. Palmer and with a different blend Alter Ego is produced (and marketed) as very much it's own thing alongside Ch. Palmer. Generally the Alter Ego has slightly more Merlot than "normal Palmer, but the 2020 vintage is actually the other way round, with this being the Cabernet Sauvignon dominated version.
"Chocolate shavings and smoked coffee bean on the nose, it's a vintage where you can't get away from the tannins, but here they have sinew and juice, like the best translation of the tannins in the year. This has real purity of fruit (very low SO2 addition at Palmer), together with the gourmet touch that you want in Alter Ego. 45% of overall production. 3.73pH. Survived mildew better than in 2018 because of experience in dealing with the conditions. August 15 to 29 for the harvest. A yield of 31hl/ha." Jane Anson, Decanter (May 2021)
£14.29
£13.45
A gorgeous ruby red colour. The nose is intense and deliciously seductive. Red fruit such as cherry and redcurrant stand out, then spicy notes dominate the very agreeable finish. Supple, well-balanced, with extremely fine tannins and good length, its individual touch and its notes of garrigue underline the fresh fruitiness of the palate. This is a vintage and a blend that perfectly matches our vision of what a red Languedoc should be: Mediterranean in character, bright, fruity, and lip-smackingly delicious.
£16.25
Gautier Marion is the fifth generation of the family to manage Domaine de la Couvette, tucked into the gently undulating countryside of Southern Beaujolais. If you could picture what a quintessentially small French producer should look like then Gautier's property would come very close. He takes great pride in making wines in the traditional carbonic macerated style using his trusty, old concrete vats, which he uses to age the wines as well. Respecting not only the winemaking traditions, but also their 11 hectares of land and the vines that are up to 50 years old, they demonstrate their commitment by making a fully organic Beaujolais.
Light yellow in colour the wine has a fruity, floral and mineral nose, and citrus notes. An elegant subtle Chardonnay that is supple, balanced and delightfully fruity.