Fine Wine Club Archive
Explore your previous cases here in The Archive, with downloadable tasting notes from the winemakers behind your bottles. Plus catch up on live tastings.
Your case & tasting notes - June 2022
We buy our fine wines to order for club members so sometimes there's only enough for one bottle per person. Shop our in stock bottles here.
Villebois Pouilly Fume 2020
by Joost & Miguela de Villebois
Tasting notes:
Pouilly Fumé is one of few premium French wine regions which requires little introduction. Considered the home of Sauvignon Blanc, the Loire Valley has set the benchmark for some of the greatest wines made from this variety, namely Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé which are located only a few miles apart. Sancerre sits on soil formations from different eras laid out side by side, Pouilly Fumé is more like a mosaic of soils; a combination of many in one place.
Country
France
Region
Loire Valley
Grape
Sauvignon blanc
Market Price
£21.99
Angel Price
£19.99
Villebois Pouilly Fume 2020
By Joost & Miguela de VilleboisThis 2020 vintage gives a beautiful glossy, textural mouthfeel with a nice balance of zesty gooseberry and grapefruit along with riper fruit characteristics of pear and passionfruit.
Drinking window: Drink now to 2026
Serving suggestion: Serve 10-12C
Food pairing: We recommend fish in a creamy sauce to match the beautiful texture of the wine. It's also a great companion for goats cheese.
Notes from the winemaker: Pouilly Fumé is one of few premium French wine regions which requires little introduction. Considered the home of Sauvignon Blanc, the Loire Valley has set the benchmark for some of the greatest wines made from this variety, namely Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé which are located only a few miles apart. Sancerre sits on soil formations from different eras laid out side by side, Pouilly Fumé is more like a mosaic of soils; a combination of many in one place. Pouilly Fumé sits 50-100m lower in altitude than Sancerre which results in warmer conditions producing fruit with greater ripeness. There tends to be an added juiciness and zestiness in Pouilly Fumé wines and therefore the goal in the winemaking is to preserve this purity of fruit. The key is to extract as much flavour and texture from the pulp of the grapes as possible for early drinking and appreciation. When drunk young (up to around 2 years old) this wine will show real purity and vibrancy before it heads towards a heavier, truffle-like profile.
Tom Puyaubert Vinas Antiguas 2020
Tasting notes:
A fantastic deep, crimson colour and the palate is generous in texture and viscosity. Raspy redcurrant fruits come from the Graciano and the oak enhances the wine with a lightly charred taste. Drinking window Ready to drink now but will continue to develop complexity within the next few years - 2024 being the ideal time to open.
Country
Spain
Region
Rioja
Grape
Graciano Blend
Market Price
£20.99
Angel Price
£18.99
Tom Puyaubert Vinas Antiguas 2020
By Tom PuyaubertA fantastic deep, crimson colour and the palate is generous in texture and viscosity. Raspy redcurrant fruits come from the Graciano and the oak enhances the wine with a lightly charred taste.
Drinking window: Ready to drink now but will continue to develop complexity within the next few years - 2024 being the ideal time to open.
Serving suggestion: Serve at 16ºC
Food pairing: Perfect when served with most red meat and poultry, especially when grilled.
Notes from the Winemaker: This wine is a tribute to the Graciano grape, originally a native of Rioja but almost disappeared after Phylloxera hit. Nowadays, Graciano only represents 2% of the total vineyard of Rioja (i.e. 1200ha out of 60000). Graciano is actually a winemaker’s grape more than a viticulturist’s grape. It is not a very productive variety and yields are rather low. This is why viticulturists wouldn’t see it as a profitable grape. Nevertheless it is characterized by a high acidity and dark color... all things that winemakers like! Most of the time, winemakers use it as a part of a blend with Tempranillo (being Graciano minoritary) to adjust acidity and pH and give a dark colour to the wine. I wanted to give more protagonism to Graciano, this is why I decided to work on the following blend: 60% Graciano, 40% Tempranillo. The Graciano part comes from southern Rioja where there is a very warm Mediterranean climate. River-rocks soils are the main components of this terroir, and it allows for a perfect ripening of this long cycle variety in order to avoid green characters and instead pick up black fruit, spices and Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and thyme. I’ve thought many times about making a 100% Graciano but my Bordeaux background always pushes me to work on blends and see how grapes can complement each other. In this case I’ve added Tempranillo from northern Rioja to the blend (40%). It comes from a very old plot (around 80 years) at around 500 meters altitude in the village of Abalos, where the soils are limestone and clay. This Tempranillo brings freshness and elegance, the limestone brings a good length on the palate and the ripe tannins of these old vines add silkiness to the blend. We could say this wine is a ‘debate’ between the Atlantic Rioja Alta and the Mediterranean Rioja Oriental! Regarding the winemaking process, all the grapes are picked by hand into 12kg cases and the alcoholic fermentation takes place in small 225 litre French oak barrels. No pump-overs and no punch down as we don’t want to over extract - we just roll the barrels 3 to 4 times a day so the fermentation process is more like a very light infusion that gently adds grace and elegance to the wine. The ageing then takes place in big 600 litre barrels for 18 months (French oak). The reason why we use these large barrels is to control the oak impact. We want it to be very integrated and discrete. This wine is actually quite different from the classical standard of Rioja you might be used to (Tempranillo, American oak, Crianza, reserva, etc) - you’ll certainly find more fruit expression and freshness, more depth and concentration also. This wine sometimes reminds me of a Northern Rhone Syrah, which demonstrate the huge potential of Rioja - a fantastic region I fell in love with 20 years ago!
Lagoon View Winemakers Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Tasting notes:
Deep garnet with a purple/ruby hue. Medium to full bodied, the wine displays a rich array of dark fruits including blackberry, blackcurrant and bramble – hallmarks of a long and warm growing season. Maturation in French and American oak hogsheads have imparted a nice line of vanilla spice and oak seasoning without dominating the primary fruit.
Country
Australia
Region
Goulburn Valley
Grape
Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Market Price
£25.99
Angel Price
£17.99
Lagoon View Winemakers Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
By Glenn EberbachDeep garnet with a purple/ruby hue. Medium to full bodied, the wine displays a rich array of dark fruits including blackberry, blackcurrant and bramble – hallmarks of a long and warm growing season. Maturation in French and American oak hogsheads have imparted a nice line of vanilla spice and oak seasoning without dominating the primary fruit. You will find another layer of complexity with nuances of raspberry and confected cherry on the nose and palate. An elegant wine finishing long and true, owing to the pedigree of this great variety in a premier wine growing region.
Drinking window: Ready to drink now but will also reward further cellaring for up to 10 years.
Serving suggestion: We suggest decanting prior to drinking to allow the wine to fully open and express itself in the glass. Serve at 18 degrees or just below room temperature
Food pairing: Try pairing with either an Eye Fillet with Stuffed Mushrooms, or Stir-Fried Wagyu Beef diced with Pate de Foie Gras.
Notes from the winemaker: The Goulburn Valley Wine Region is home to our Lagoon View Wines. The first thing you’ll notice about the sun-drenched Goulburn Valley is the Goulburn River, Victoria’s longest river and the abundance of lakes and creeks that meander through the landscape. The combination of sun and water provides idyllic conditions for horticulture and agriculture, with many labelling the Goulburn Valley as the ‘food bowl’ of Australia for its ideal climate and excellent soils and the wonderful produce that feeds Australia and international export markets. Vineyards occupy only a section of this vast Victorian region, but they have been consistently producing award-winning wines since the first vines were planted in the 1860s. The climate is gently warm with four distinct seasons and a generous annual rainfall that falls predominantly in the winter months. The cool evening air that flows from the nearby Great Dividing Range creates a large diurnal temperature range which provides a long and even growing season. The Lagoon View range is inspired by the picturesque 15-acre lagoon which surrounds the vines at our single estate family operated vineyard. The Goulburn River’s close proximity and the lagoon provide a unique macroclimate with slightly warmer evening temperatures during the growing season. This produces elegant, sweeter and darker flavours in our reds and tropical notes in our whites. The lagoon is fed by an ancient artesian spring which is high in natural microelements and minerals and is the vine’s natural water supply. A sandy loam subsoil base, coupled with a distinct layer of limestone provides the perfect balance between free drainage and water retention during the critical last phase of grape ripening. The grapes are harvested by our state-of-the-art mechanical harvesters which are fitted with roller sensors that selectively harvest only the ripe berries discarding any MOG (matter other than grape) therefore the grape stems, leaves, or any plant material are eliminated around 99% allowing us to craft fruit driven wines with less intervention in the winery. It also enables us to pick our grapes in the early morning hours when the grapes are cool and firm. This ensures that the grapes arrive at the winery in pristine condition. Our award-winning vineyard produces wines across 16 varietals, both red and white. One variety that stands tall and has a close affinity with the terroir is Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2014 vintage was one such vintage that allowed the Cabernet Sauvignon to truly shine. The fruit was of such a high calibre that we decided to craft our Lagoon View Winemakers Reserve. In the cellar, we incorporated a number of winemaking techniques to fully express the inherent characters of Cabernet Sauvignon. Heading down boards were used to maintain the skins in constant contact with the fermenting wine and ensure maximum extraction of colour, flavour and soft tannins. A small proportion was fermented using carbonic maceration which enhances the aromatics and front palate fruit spectrum. Thereafter, the wines were matured in a mix of French and American oak barrels for 24 months. The extended maturation in barrel allows those Cabernet tannins the right amount of time to soften and fully integrate with the wine. We are very proud of our 2014 Lagoon View Winemakers Reserve and believe it’s a fine example of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon at its best. As testament to this, it has received the following accolades on the domestic and International wine show circuit; ‘2019 Australian Wine of the Year’ at the London Women’s Wine & Spirits Awards ‘2019 Goulburn Valley Winery of the Year’ at the Melbourne International Wine Competition We look forward Angels to you tasting our Lagoon View Winemakers Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon that we think will enrich your senses. Cheers to your good health Angels! Glenn
Domaine Henri Ruppert Riesling La Selection 12 2019
Tasting notes:
Bright in colour, light yellow. It has a pleasant bouquet - aromatic with white fruit and floral notes. After airing the wine, flavours of Mirabelle plums, lime zest and white flowers. Pleasant aromas of citrus fruit and rich minerality will pamper your palate. Drinking window Drink from now up to 2023, but it will continue maturing in the bottle with storage potential up to 2029.
Country
Luxembourg
Region
Moselle Luxembourgeoise
Grape
Riesling
Market Price
£19.99
Angel Price
£16.99
Domaine Henri Ruppert Riesling La Selection 12 2019
By Stephan WeberBright in colour, light yellow. It has a pleasant bouquet - aromatic with white fruit and floral notes. After airing the wine, flavours of Mirabelle plums, lime zest and white flowers. Pleasant aromas of citrus fruit and rich minerality will pamper your palate.
Drinking window: Drink from now up to 2023, but it will continue maturing in the bottle with storage potential up to 2029.
Serving suggestion: Serve at 10ºC
Food pairing: Raw and smoked fish, sushi, all sorts of seafood carpaccio.
Notes from the winemaker: The particularity of Domaine Henri Ruppert is that the current owner, Henri Ruppert, is the ninth generation, combining tradition and modernity with the consistent pursuit of quality. The winery is located in Schengen, Luxembourg, in the small village where the Schengen Agreement was signed. Schengen is part of the “AOP Moselle” - a cold climate region located in the southern part of the country, where wine has been cultivated since Roman times. Here we have exactly the right climate for growing Riesling, as the temperatures are high during the day and rather cold during the night, which leads to a stronger aroma. The Riesling characterises the Moselle region and is the most common variety here. The soils go back to the Triassic period. There are sandstone, shell limestone, gypsum keuper and quartz soils. The grapes for our Riesling La Sélection 12 grow in several of these soil types. The vineyards in Schengen are located on the left bank of the Moselle and the orientation of these vineyards extends over east to south and south-west slopes. The slopes of our vineyards range between 15% and 60%. We limit the yield for this Riesling to half of the legal maximum. The harvest is done manually which allows us to guarantee the highest possible grape hygiene, which we consider being very important for wholesomeness. After harvesting our grapes, they are gently processed, and the grape musts are clarified naturally. The grape juice is fermented in stainless steel via spontaneous fermentation with yeasts from our vineyards. The whole fermentation lasts about 6 months and causes the yeast to remain in suspension and in contact for a very long time. This gives more mano proteins to the wine. The wine is bottled before summer to preserve the natural carbonation. At Domaine Henri Ruppert we love to produce Riesling. Due to the climate and environment, it is the perfect wine for our region. What makes it even more interesting is that it changes its taste profile depending on the vintage and the type of soil. Enjoy our Riesling. Cheers.
Benjamin Darnault Maris Primitive Organic Syrah 2021
Tasting notes:
A subtle red fruit nose and very pure aromas. White pepper characteristics come from cool climate Syrah grapes, then there are layers of tapenade, black olive, and garrigue (Mediterranean shrubland). The mouth shows some super velvety tannins, with a long finish. Some juiciness, big, but light, and terribly easy drinking.
Country
France
Region
Languedoc-Roussillon
Grape
Syrah | Shiraz
Market Price
£21.99
Angel Price
£16.99
Benjamin Darnault Maris Primitive Organic Syrah 2021
By Benjamin DarnaultA subtle red fruit nose and very pure aromas. White pepper characteristics come from cool climate Syrah grapes, then there are layers of tapenade, black olive, and garrigue (Mediterranean shrubland). The mouth shows some super velvety tannins, with a long finish. Some juiciness, big, but light, and terribly easy drinking.
Drinking window: Ready to drink now up to 2027.
Serving suggestions: Serve at 16°C.
Food pairing: A family favourite of Roti de Porc au Lait. You can find the recipe on our blog, ‘The Vigneron’s Wife'.
Notes from the winemaker: The Syrah grapes we use for this wine come from the Chateau Maris vineyard. This is the land of La Livinière, the premier wine-making village of AOC Minervois-La Livinière - the first appellation of Languedoc Roussillon to gain ‘Cru’ status. A land where vines were first planted by the Romans - nurturing the grapes and making the first wines here 2,000 years ago. Biodynamic farming was a natural choice for this wine, in more ways than one, as Maris vineyard has been certified organic for 20 years and has been the leader in the use of biodynamic farming, and by restoring virtuous circles within the soil, between the soil and the plant, the plant and the sky, Man and the elements, we can preserve our environment for future generation, but also produce purer, finer and more elegant wines. The winemaking technique follows much of the ‘primitive’ farming methods of ancient times. No addition of Sulphur or yeast and no fining, just the pure product of a wonderful fruit fermentation where there’s very little intervention. With a small pump extraction done, the fruit was ripe and balanced, so need to risk over-extraction. The fruit, the flavor and the soft tannins come naturally. When you taste Primitive, imagine old gnarly vines surrounded by wild shrubland, far in the South of France; a land that exhibits the marks of various geological periods spanning millions of years. This wine means a lot to me; this is the achievement of many years of work in our vineyards, finding real balance between the plants and the environment, giving us her pure and wonderful grape quality.
Danie Steytler Barrel Selection Pinotage Reserve 2019
Tasting notes:
The wine shows notes of blackberries and cassis, with a powerful and intense palate. The acidity is balanced and elegant, making this wine the epitome of refined Pinotage. Drinking window Ready to drink now but can easily lay down for a minimum of 7 years. Serving suggestion If opening within 3 years of the bottling year, decanting is recommended.
Country
South Africa
Region
Stellenbosch
Grape
Pinotage
Market Price
£24.99
Angel Price
£16.99
Danie Steytler Barrel Selection Pinotage Reserve 2019
By Danie SteytlerThe wine shows notes of blackberries and cassis, with a powerful and intense palate. The acidity is balanced and elegant, making this wine the epitome of refined Pinotage.
Drinking window: Ready to drink now but can easily lay down for a minimum of 7 years.
Serving suggestion: If opening within 3 years of the bottling year, decanting is recommended.
Food pairing: This wine should be paired with any game meat like Springbok, Gemsbok or Kudu. Seared, of course, over hot coals on the ‘braai’, the true South African way. No sushi as it would be like Owen Farrel trying to scrum Os du Randt. Big food with big wine.
Notes from the winemaker: Pinotage is our passion, livelihood and South Africa's signature grape variety. Most people know me as a passionate ‘braai’ enthusiast (South Africa’s answer to the BBQ), as any South African would be. With that in mind, I wanted to craft a powerful wine that goes excellently with meat cooked on a fire but can also be consumed to mark special occasions. Kaapzicht (‘Cape View’) like the names says, is high up on the Bottelary Hills. We can see False Bay 18km away to the south and Table Bay 23km to the east, with Table Mountain as a beautiful backdrop in between. The Bottelary Hills is the second lowest yielding ward in South Africa after the Swartland. Our Pinotage vineyard is situated on ‘koffieklip’ soils, which are clay rich, promoting incredible density in our wines. The low potential weathered granite soils give few but very good quality grapes. Pinotage finds its home here, first planted only 5km away on the farms ‘Bellevue’ and ‘Kanokop’ in 1953. Since then, we have also been busy with the quest to make the best possible wine from these indigenous grapes. The wine made for the Reserve Pinotage comes from bush vines planted in 1996 (just one year after we became world champions at Rugby Union for the first time). Intense small bunches with tiny berries give this wine it’s concentration. We use the technique of whole-berry fermentation on our Pinotage to preserve freshness and fruit aromas and fermentation is quick like a good ‘Springbok’ winger. We need to be on our toes though, so that we don’t extract too much or too little - increasing the ferment temperature at the later stages to 28 degrees gives the wine it’s beautiful plush mouth feel. We like to pick over two days – the first section slightly earlier which brings the red fruit cherries and the second part which brings darker fruit like plums and cassis. We use French oak 300L barrels, in which the wine spends a maximum of 18 months, and this balances the natural sweet fruit of the Pinotage with some drier elegant tannins, also adding to the length. It also helps to reflect finesse, concentration and terroir. I am extremely proud of this wine, and I've gone the extra mile to bring you the best expression of Pinotage from our farm. I hope you enjoy drinking this wine, as much as I enjoyed making it.
