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 - March 2022
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Benjamin Laroche Chablis Vieilles Vignes En Chatillon 2020
Tasting notes:
The wine opens with the classic bouquet of Chablis wines on the nose - freshly struck flint and wet stone notes. Fresh and crisp, yet savoury on the palate with an obvious overall elegance with great fruits balanced by a blend of acidity and minerality over a long and clean finish.
Country
France
Region
Burgundy
Grape
Chardonnay
Market Price
£26.49
Angel Price
£18.99
Benjamin Laroche Chablis Vieilles Vignes En Chatillon 2020
By Benjamin LarocheThe wine opens with the classic bouquet of Chablis wines on the nose - freshly struck flint and wet stone notes. Fresh and crisp, yet savoury on the palate with an obvious overall elegance with great fruits balanced by a blend of acidity and minerality over a long and clean finish.
Drinking window: The ageing potential is quite high (>10 years) due to a very good acidity level, perfectly balanced with fruit, but already easy to drink now.
Serving suggestions: Serve at 12-14°C.
Food pairing: Should you want to drink it now, the perfect pairing will be with oysters, shellfish, or grilled fish, but also with cheeses. If you are patient and pour it in 5 to 7 years, a recipe of king prawns with coconut milk or grilled chicken might be great. The simplest and the purest food are often what matches the best with a pure Chablis.
Notes from the winemaker: Chardonnay is one of the most popular grape varietals in the world, and this is probably due to one of the most famous white wines in the world made of Chardonnay - Chablis.
The tiny Chablis appellation is very diverse and despite being very famous, the knowledge about Chablis is not that high. Chablis covers 5000 hectares across 20 different villages, including Maligny, where I live and the area is subdivided into a further 4 appellations: Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru, and Chablis Grand Cru.
The architecture of the appellation comes from history dating back to the ninth Century, based on several simple natural factors; the type of soil and subsoil, the steepness of the vineyard, the exposure to the sun, and the direct environment that can influence the maturity of the grape. This is my definition of the ‘Terroir’, and the winemaking expresses this.
This Chablis Vieilles Vignes comes from a very steep plot in Maligny, named En Châtillon, and the vines which were planted in 1987 benefit from the perfect amount of sun exposure which allows perfect maturity. This wine is a true ‘Terroir’ wine expressing the purity, crystalline freshness and elegance of what Chablis should be.
Just as the wine is about to start fermenting, I divide it up into various fermentation vessels - some into concrete tanks and some into stainless steel tanks - to achieve different qualities and fruit expressions. This is followed by an ageing of several months, with the occasional bâtonnage of the fine lees.
At the end of this ageing, only a part of the wine was kept, making the best ’picture’ possible of what a pure Chablis should be, like a painter with colours. 11 hectolitres from a stainless-steel vat, 31 from another, 500 litres from a oak ‘Demi-Muid’, and 450 litres from 2 different oak barrels.
Only 6918 bottles of this Chablis Vieilles Vignes, En Châtillon 2020 were produced, all specifically for Naked Wines.
Fattori Valpolicella Ripasso Col de la Bastia DOC 2018
Tasting notes:
An intense ruby-coloured wine, with an aroma of red fruit and ripe black cherry and a hint of spices like cinnamon and liquorice. The elegance of the tannin wraps your mouth with a velvety sensation.
Country
Italy
Region
Veneto
Grape
Corvina Blend
Market Price
£22.99
Angel Price
£19.99
Fattori Valpolicella Ripasso Col de la Bastia DOC 2018
By Antonio FattoriAn intense ruby-coloured wine, with an aroma of red fruit and ripe black cherry and a hint of spices like cinnamon and liquorice. The elegance of the tannin wraps your mouth with a velvety sensation.
Drinking window: Ready to drink but also you can age it for another 10 years due to the good acidity with a perfect balance between the fruit scent and the roundness of the body
Serving suggestions: Serve at 18°C.
Food pairing: Ripasso wine can be served with a number of dishes such as risotto and pasta. But they are at their best when paired with dishes like roasted veal, lamb, braised or barbecued red meat like steak, sausage and game. Ripasso also goes very well with aged cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano.
Notes from the Winemaker: The most probable etymological origin of the word Valpolicella would be, ‘Val’ - valley, ‘Poli’ – many, ‘Cellae’ - cellar… The valley of many cellars! This testifies its ancient winemaking tradition, dating back to the era of Roman domination.
The production area of the denomination covers the entire foothill strip of the province of Verona, involving 19 municipalities – 5 in the classic area and 14 in the DOC area and about 30,000 hectares. Its territory borders to the west with Lake Garda, while to the east and north it is protected by the Lessini mountains. The Col de la Bastia is a limestone plateau at 450 metres, at the foot of the Pre-Alps between the Val d’Alpone and the Val d’Illasi. The name derives from the Bastion still clearly visible on its summit, built by the Republic of Venice where, a few centuries later, a Napoleonic battle took place.
The climate is strongly characterised by the surrounding mountains with generally hot days but always cool nights, even in full summer, which favours fine and elegant maturation, rich but never overripe grapes, and always with good acidity, even after the malolactic fermentation.
The wines of Col de la Bastia age very well, are never oxidative and always maintain softness and complexity, as well as their vibrant colour. The air is always clean on clear days, and together with the constant winds, this creates the optimal preconditions for bio-organic management of the vineyard.
The soil is made up of clay of calcareous origin, which in combination with very fresh, sometimes cold springs naturally limit the production which never exceeds 8000 kg/hectares.
Alvarinho Terras de Monção Reserva 2020
Tasting notes:
Aromas of vibrant pineapple and citrus fruits, with fabulous freshness and acidity, you can expect a wine that will have you covered for every occasion. It manages to pull off the trick of being light and bright, whilst having a great structure, full body and a long silky finish.
Country
Portugal
Region
Vinho Verde
Grape
Albarino
Market Price
£22.99
Angel Price
£14.99
Alvarinho Terras de Monção Reserva 2020
By José DominguesAromas of vibrant pineapple and citrus fruits, with fabulous freshness and acidity, you can expect a wine that will have you covered for every occasion. It manages to pull off the trick of being light and bright, whilst having a great structure, full body and a long silky finish.
Drinking window: Drink now to 2028.
Serving suggestion: Serve at 10-12 ºC, not too chilled. Open 30 minutes before consuming or decant - it will make better use of this wine.
Food pairing: The wine is versatile so anything from Sushi, seafood, fish and some grilled meats (chicken, pork and low-fat red meats).
Notes from the Winemaker: To talk about Terras de Monção Reserva Alvarinho is to talk about Alvarinho of Monção and Melgaço wine. There have been hundreds of years in which this sub-region within Vinho Verde has built its identity, contributing profoundly to changing the way these lands have developed. Its personality and character are as striking as the land that gives it its origin.
The presence of Alvarinho of Monção and Melgaço extends from the valley of the Minho river and its tributaries, rising in the middle of the mountain slope, overcoming the obstacles of the terrain and altitude.
It remains accustomed to the little influence of the sea and prefers the thermal range in maturation with hot days and cold nights that protect the aromas and persistence of the flavour. Young or old, this is an unforgettable wine that always preserves its character over the years. Everyone recognizes the crystalline air, with an elegant aroma, with citrus notes mixed with floral nuances and tropical fruits.
Those who know it deeply know about its interior: unique, characterful, lively and minerally. For this way of being, the combination of soils essentially of granitic origin, earth temperatures and protection from the influence of the sea are preponderant and form the characteristics and rooted personality traits of the territory that gave rise to it.
In this context, the Terras de Monção Reserva Alvarinho 2020 is from a single vineyard, Solar de Serrade, in the heart of the Monção e Melgaço winegrowing region. This vineyard has been managed by the Afonso family for more than 25 years. The grapes were entirely hand-picked, then de-stemmed to release the grape must, which is cold clarified before fermenting.
The fermentation started in a stainless tank, and at the end, 50% of the wine ended in 500L French oak barrels. There followed an ageing period on fine lees with bâtonnage for 6 months.
At the end of this process, we blended the barrels and the stainless tank, to compose a unique and different wine profile. The wine stayed for some time after the blend in a still tank to better connect the different components of the wines, then clarification and a light filtration before bottling.
We now have a single wine, where the 50% from the barrels gives some tannin, toasted and vanilla notes, and the other 50% is more fruity and fresh. When mixed, we get something different!
Penley Estate Tolmer Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Tasting notes:
An unashamedly modern expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. Delightfully fragrant bursting with aromatics of blackcurrant, dried herbs and purple flowers. The palate is layered, complex and full of flavour. Seamless, savoury tannins fill the mouth in this medium-bodied wine. Notes of chocolate, vanilla and oak round out the picture.
Country
Australia
Region
Coonawarra
Grape
Cabernet Sauvignon
Market Price
£29.99
Angel Price
£19.99
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Penley Estate Tolmer Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
By Kate GoodmanAn unashamedly modern expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. Delightfully fragrant bursting with aromatics of blackcurrant, dried herbs and purple flowers. The palate is layered, complex and full of flavour. Seamless, savoury tannins fill the mouth in this medium-bodied wine. Notes of chocolate, vanilla and oak round out the picture.
Drinking window: Drink now to 2032.
Serving suggestion: Serve at room temperature.
Food pairing: So many options with this versatile wine. Braised or Roast Beef, a summer BBQ or a flavoursome mushroom risotto.
Notes from the Winemaker: Penley Estate has red wine flowing through the soul of its owners - The Tolley sisters. Ang and Bec are descendants of the Penfold and Tolley winemaking dynasties. After great consideration, our vineyard site was purchased in the early 1980s and planted to predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon. We are a red wine focused estate located in the northern part of the Coonawarra wine region in southern Australia.
Nature began crafting our wines almost a million years ago, an ocean teeming with sea-life lapped at the feet of the ancient Kanawinka escarpment. Then came an ice-age, and the great melt that followed led to the creation of the chalky white bedrock which is the foundation of this unique region. But nature had not finished, for with her winds, rain and sand she blanketed the plain with a soil rich in iron, silica and nutrients, to become one of the most renowned terroir soils in the world.
Long and narrow, this celebrated ridge of earth, together with pure underground water, cool nights and a long, mild growing season, is nature’s gift to wine lovers across the globe. This precious parcel of land is some of the most valuable agricultural land in the nation, and recognised as Australia’s premier red wine region, contributing fruit to some of the finest wines in the world.
Kate joined the team in 2016 and was blown away by the quality of the fruit grown on this estate. The vineyards are overseen by expert viticulturist Hans Loder and with over 50 years’ experience between them, the pursuit of excellence has skyrocketed. The vineyard is farmed with regenerative practices and attention to detail.
The 2019 Tolmer Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 3 blocks of cabernet. All within walking distance of each other but with their own unique characteristics. Varietal clones, row orientation, and subtle differences in soil profile all add to the complexities of this wine.
Of course, harvesting decisions are based on flavour, with each block picked at its optimum and fermented naturally. Tannin management during fermentation is the secret to Tolmer’s silky smooth profile. Not too much not too little - it’s the attention to detail that makes this wine sing. Daily cap management assists to build the wine’s structure yet retain its perfume. One third of this wine is left on skins for up to 6 weeks to expand the structure. 12 months in French oak barrels brings the wine together.
This is quite simply delicious Cabernet Sauvignon topped off with artwork designed by Spanish born, London based illustrator Helena Perez Garcia. Gather your friends, pump up the music, get cooking and pour yourself a glass.
Quevedo Alegria 2020
Tasting notes:
A deep and intense ruby-colored wine, ripe yet elegant and a fresh profile provided by the Touriga Franca with a nice structure and full-bodied character brought by the Touriga Nacional. The finish lingers on spicy, dark fruit and dark chocolate notes.
Country
Portugal
Region
Douro
Grape
Touriga Nacional Blend
Market Price
£19.99
Angel Price
£15.99
Quevedo Alegria 2020
By Oscar QuevedoA deep and intense ruby-colored wine, ripe yet elegant and a fresh profile provided by the Touriga Franca with a nice structure and full-bodied character brought by the Touriga Nacional. The finish lingers on spicy, dark fruit and dark chocolate notes.
Drinking window: Ready to drink now. You can easily keep it up to 2037 if you like your wine smoother and it will also develop nice secondary flavours.
Serving suggestion: Decanting and aerating is always a good idea with this wine. Serve at 15-16ºC.
Food pairing: Grilled meat and game stews are always a classic with Douro reds. Or a spicy vegetarian couscous dish as well.
Notes from the Winemaker: The Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage protected region, is unique with around 48 000 hectares of planted vines and is home to some of the most spectacular human-crafted scenery. The soil of the vineyards in the Douro is formed by a mix of broken shale rocks and clay, all surrounded by granite, enabling the vine's roots to reach up to 10 metres below in search of water. This is essential as the Douro receives very little rain.
In terms of temperatures, winters are harsh and cold, and summers are usually blazing warm. These extreme temperatures are on the account of the mountains that surround the valley, as they are high enough to block the fresh summer breeze from the Atlantic Ocean, and its warmth during the winter. That's why although we are only 150km East of Porto, on average we are 7 degrees warmer during the Summer and the same amount colder in the Winter.
This complex geology and weather patterns make the Douro valley an ideal place to grow vines. Through hundreds of years of natural selection, the vines have adapted themselves to those intense conditions producing low yields of thick-skinned small berries filled with intense flavours, perfect for the production of high-quality wines and Ports.
Quinta da Alegria (the Portuguese word for joy/happiness) has belonged to my mother's side of the family since the early 20th century. It was completely replanted following the devastation from phylloxera. Today’s plantations date back to the early 1980s, the 2000's and our youngest parcels are around 10 years old.
For this first edition of our Quinta da Alegria Douro Red, we have chosen the best parcels of Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca grape varieties, reaching the perfect balance between both.
2020 was a very difficult year for Douro's viticulture. The transition between winter and summer was cold and rainy. The spring rains got in the way of proper pollination, causing low yields. Added to that, with the high humidity in the soil, we had to be very careful to ensure no rot would affect the vineyards. Grape maturation was quick with very little rain combined with a warm climate during the months of July and August.
The challenge was to be able to pick the grapes at the right time with the right maturity. We visited our vineyard every other day to taste the berries to ensure the right timing. Now we can say all those visits were absolutely worth it!
The result: a deep and intense ruby-colored wine, ripe yet elegant and a fresh profile provided by the Touriga Franca with a nice structure and full-bodied character brought by the Touriga Nacional. The finish lingers on spicy, dark fruit and dark chocolate notes. Our happiest interpretation of the Douro character!
May it bring as much joy as we had producing it! Cheers, Oscar.
Jimenez-Landi El Corralon 2020
by Jose Benavides Jimenez-Landi
Tasting notes:
Bright and intense aromas of fresh strawberries and raspberries, followed by hints of spicy nutmeg and peppercorn, herbs and orange peel. On the palate you’ll get juicy dark fruit with yummy brambles and cherries, and well-balanced fine tannins to round it out.
Country
Spain
Region
Castile-La Mancha
Grape
Grenache Blend
Market Price
£17.99
Angel Price
£17.99
Jimenez-Landi El Corralon 2020
By Jose Benavides Jimenez-LandiBright and intense aromas of fresh strawberries and raspberries, followed by hints of spicy nutmeg and peppercorn, herbs and orange peel. On the palate you’ll get juicy dark fruit with yummy brambles and cherries, and well-balanced fine tannins to round it out.
Drinking window: Ready to drink now or up to 5 years.
Serving suggestions: Serve at 16°C.
Food pairing: A Madrid-style stew, stewed partridge, or a roast suckling pig!
Notes from the Winemaker: El Corralón is a blended red wine from the Jiménez-Landi vineyards, located in a small village called Méntrida, in the Northern Toledo province in Central Spain. The wine takes its name from a place inside the winery called ‘El Corralón’, which translates to ‘big coral’.
Bodegas Jiménez-Landi is a well-known Spanish winery-boutique that cultivates Grenache wines since 2004. As winegrowers, we worked hard for a number of years to evolve our vines. In 2017, after many harvests and learnings, we finally decided to create El Corralón by blending Grenache (65%), Syrah (30%) and Cabernet (5%) grapes from the vineyards in Méntrida, becoming a “village wine”. Our winemaking philosophy is always to express the typicity of every vineyard in every Jiménez- Landi wine thus El Corralón expresses the typicity of the Méntrida terroir.
The winery belongs to the Appellation of Origin “DO Méntrida”, one of the oldest in Spain, because for centuries due to Méntrida´s area proximity to Madrid, its vineyards provided wines to the Spanish House Kings. Therefore, the village of Méntrida gives its name to the wine Appellation of Origin, that recently changed its name to “DO Méntrida-Toledo”.
The Méntrida area and more specifically Sierra de Gredos is a renowned wine producing area of old Grenache vines with a very special terroir. The average altitude is 630 metres with silicious, sandy and granitic soils, and relatively low pH. The climate is Mediterranean-continental, meaning very cold winters and very hot summers. In our 8-hectare vineyards, our 20-40 year old vines are surrounded by oak, poplar and olive trees and rolling pastures with wild flowers, lavender and thyme. The winery aims to transmit all those flavours into our wines. As a result, the Méntrida´s vineyards provide to El Corralón remarkable acidity, freshness and fluidity as well as fresh red-fruits aromas.
Bodegas Jimenez-Landi works only with eco-friendly and biodynamic supplies, using native yeasts and obsessively minimising the usage of any chemical in any step of the wine production process. Harvest is done by hand every first or second week of September by a trained team. The fermentation is made in an artisanal manner, and we use the traditional method of stomping the grapes in a wooden vat.
The El Corralón is aged for 10 months in concrete tanks and French oak barrels, always respecting the identity and personality of the vineyard. We do not clarify and we do not filter the wine. The bottling process uses the very minimum doses of sulphurous in order to protect the wine for travelling and storage.
The first vintage of El Corralón was 2017. James Suckling included the wine in his Top 100 Best Wines in Spain in 2018 and 2019 and the 2020 vintage has scored 92 points and therefore positioned as “one of the 8 best Spanish Grenache wines for under $35”. El Corralón is a fresh, elegant and fine village wine with an excellent quality-price ratio.
