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 - September 2023
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Kabola Malvazija Istarska 2022
Tasting notes:
Kabola is situated in Croatia’s Northwestern Istrian peninsula, sitting at 275m above sea level. On one side is a view of the Alps and the Dolomites, and on the other is lush greenery with a beautiful coastal panorama.
Country
Croatia
Region
Istria
Grape
Malvazija Istarska
Market Price
£17.99
Angel Price
£17.99
Kabola Malvazija Istarska 2022
By Marino MarkezicTasting notes: The wine has a lovely greenish-yellow colour, it is crystal clear and has a medium body. The nose opens with acacia flower, notes of fresh apple, lime peel and mint leaves. The wine is dry, partly warm and partly soft, while retaining a refined freshness, pleasant minerality and medium body. It is exceptionally balanced, with an intense flavour and lovely finish. The wine is flavourful, harmonious and highly drinkable, with notes of peach in the aftertaste.
Drinking window: Ideal to enjoy in summer and autumn 2023, but it will be in great shape in the next two years.
Serving suggestions: Best served between 8-10°C in a tulip shaped glass.
Food pairing: Malvazija is a versatile wine easy to pair with a variety of dishes from Istrian prosciutto and meats to seafood, white fish, pasta with truffles and risotto with scampi. It will perfectly pair well with poultry and veal. It won’t overshadow the flavours of these dishes, but pleasantly emphasise them.
Notes from the Winemaker: Kabola is situated in the Northwestern Istrian peninsula at 275m above sea level, with a view of the Alps and the Dolomites on one side and the lush greenery of pristine nature and a beautiful sea panorama on the other. Our vineyards are located on Stancija hill near our winery in Kanedolo near Momjan. The soil consists mainly of clay and is rich in marl, which gives the wines their special characteristics.
Our hard work in the vineyards results in grapes that are a reflection of our region and climate.
There can be no great wine without quality grapes. This means that the preparation of a good wine begins in the vineyard. We pour these grapes into your glass, revealing all the goodness and charm of the Momjan region, captured in the drops of Kabola wines. In pure and lively nature, vines grow and bear balanced fruits that express their terroir.
The main goal is to work respecting the environment in which the vine grows, constantly advocating for a healthy and correct approach to our agricultural and cellar methods.
At Kabola we produce wine from our indigenous local grape varieties Malvazija Istarska, Teran and Muškat Momjanski. Malvasia arrived in our region via the islands and coasts of the Peloponnese, where it acquired the name "Istrian". We have been cultivating this vine in our region since the thirteenth century, and the wine it produces differs from other Malvasia due to its discreet and delicate aroma.
Malvasia has a persistent taste, which goes well with various dishes, especially those of Istrian cuisine. It doesn’t overshadow or reduce the flavours of these specialties, but pleasantly emphasises them.
Monte Fitti Custoza Superiore 2021
Tasting notes:
My Custoza Superiore comes from a single plot of over 55 year old vines. They are the secret to the unique character of this DOC blend.
Country
Italy
Region
Veneto
Grape
Garganega Blend
Market Price
£18.99
Angel Price
£15.99
Monte Fitti Custoza Superiore 2021
By Marica BonomoTasting notes: In colour this wine is a gloriously bright sunshine yellow. A medium intensity on the palate with a gentle spiciness, unfurling into cascading blossom flavours alongside chamomile, apple, pear, peach, citrus, tropical fruit and ginger. Its long finish is dry and very well balanced. Finally, just like the palate, the nose is wonderfully floral and abundant.
Drinking window: Drink now all the way through to 2035.
Serving suggestions: 12°-14° (if it is too cold, you kill the aroma).
Food pairing: When the wine is young, it is super with risotto, especially made with mushroom or fish. It’s also a great pairing for Asian and Mediterranean cuisine in general. Once it has started to age a little, oysters or duck work perfectly. My favourite dish… risotto with asparagus cooked by my Mum!
Notes from the Winemaker: My Custoza Superiore comes from a single plot of over 55 year old vines. They are the secret to the unique character of this DOC blend.
Custoza Superiore Monte Fitti represents the vision handed down by the numerous generations of winemakers in my family. At the core of which is the desire to learn from our terroir and make wines that truthfully reflect and honour the region we love so much.
I drew inspiration from the Morainic Hills with its white stones which bring minerality and definition to the wine. The 140 metre altitude of the vines, which are protected by the vast Garda Lake, provides plenty of acidity and complexity to complement this.
The beauty of this wine is in its huge ageing potential. We have been honing the blend for 15 vintages, and year after year we’re astounded by the luxurious profile that is revealed once it has been given time to develop. Its character becomes increasingly harmonious and balanced - more generous and plush than the wine you’ll find when drinking it young.
Lay of the Land Ben Morven Farm Pinot Noir 2020
Tasting notes:
Pinot noir is loved all over the globe for its expressive nature. From Burgundy to South America, it provides winemakers with the perfect canvas to showcase their region and their particular winemaking style.
Country
New Zealand
Region
Marlborough
Grape
Pinot noir
Market Price
£21.99
Angel Price
£16.99
Lay of the Land Ben Morven Farm Pinot Noir 2020
By Mike PatersonTasting notes: Pinot noir is a notoriously fickle variety to grow, but for our 2020 vintage we were lucky enough to have a dry, near textbook growing season. Moderate temperatures kept the fruit on the vines for longer than usual, promoting supple, ripe tannins, and a defined acidity that runs all the way along the palate. Cooler fruit expression with a mix of red and darker forest fruit anchors the core of this wine. The deeper clay soils wrap around the fruit providing a long, layered and textured finish.
Drinking window: Drink and enjoy now all the way up to 2035. This is a wine that will continue to unwind and reward for years to come.
Serving suggestions: Serve at room temperature.
Food pairing: Marlborough pan roasted pork belly and fennel salad.
Notes from the Winemaker: Pinot noir is loved all over the globe for its expressive nature. From Burgundy to South America, it provides winemakers with the perfect canvas to showcase their region and their particular winemaking style.
It grows primarily in New Zealand’s cooler vineyard landscapes - from Martinborough in the north, through to Central Otago in the deep south. Winemakers and viticulturalists in these regions are becoming more adept at coaxing the best expressions of the grape to represent their region and vineyard sites.
New Zealand is largely known for its sauvignon blanc and the impact it’s had upon the wine world. But more recently its pinot noirs are coming to the fore. It’s a notoriously fickle variety to grow and make – some would say ‘the holy grail’ of winemaking is to capture the elusive essence of each site, and New Zealand’s climate and geography provides a unique canvas to achieve this. The right clones on the right sites, farmed in the right way through to the winery handling and maturation program have become more refined and in turn the wines have benefited.
Our focus with pinot noir in Marlborough has become more intense as we have honed in on sub-regions , vineyards, sustainable / organic viticulture and improved and adjusted our approach in the winery to suit the quality and diversity of the fruit.
Ben Morven is one of Marlborough’s southern valleys, so its soils are primarily clay and loess. They hold water and mineral content more generously than most soils, and lend much greater texture and depth of flavour to the fruit. The richness of the soil is moderated by the plant density; each hectare grows more vines, which in turn produce smaller canopies, and therefore less fruit per vine. This ultimately results in a better balance between ripeness, flavour and sugar.
All fruit is hand harvested to ensure the integrity prior to fermentation. Winery wise we focus on doing the very simple things very well. Whole berry (bunch) fermentation, minimal manual extraction – gentle and long is our mantra here. We like to press early after fermentation given the quality and density of our fruit, then transfer to barrel as soon as possible after a short settling period.
We let the wine rest while going through a 100% malolactic fermentation, keeping it topped and on original lees. Just before the next harvest the young wine is removed from the barrel, sulphur is added before a light filtration. It’s a very simple process in the winery which is hugely underpinned by the quality and integrity of the fruit we receive. Our aim with this Ben Morven Pinot is to showcase the deep core of purity it possesses and provide the structure for the wine to unfold and tell its story.
Stefano di Blasi Poggio di Guardia 2019
Tasting notes:
When Naked Wines approached me ten years ago, climate change was starting to have a noticeable effect on my Tuscan vineyards. This led me to search for more elevated sites, and by chance I discovered a beautiful vineyard near Radda in Chianti Classico, 700 metres above sea level. It boasts varieties like cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, merlot and rebo - all of which I have included to create this Super Tuscan wine.
Country
Italy
Region
Tuscany
Grape
Merlot Blend
Market Price
£59.99
Angel Price
£27.99
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Stefano di Blasi Poggio di Guardia 2019
By Stefano di BlasiTasting notes: This wine offers flavours of redcurrant from cabernet sauvignon, blackcurrant notes from the cabernet franc, and balsamic hints characteristic of most Italian reds. Merlot imparts softness without completely smoothing out the texture. Instead it contributes to building up well-structured, grippy tannins which you’ll feel on your upper gums. Over time (approximately five-eight years), these will gradually polymerize (combine) into silkiness, enhancing the overall taste even further.
Drinking window: The tannin structure allows this wine to age well (until at least 2033), but of course if you’d rather enjoy this wine sooner, I’d recommend decanting the wine two hours before serving to enhance your drinking experience.
Serving suggestions: Open/decant two hours before serving.
Food pairing: This is an effortless food wine. Great for pairing with chicken dishes, or with heartier tomato based stews and pastas with pork or rabbit.
Notes from the Winemaker: This is a wine I have always dreamt of creating.
My growth in winemaking took place at the school of Marchesi Antinori, under the influence of Giacomo Tachis, often considered the father of modern Italian winemaking. During my tenure there for over a decade, I had the privilege to craft prestigious wines such as Solaia, Tignanello and Guado al Tasso.
When Naked Wines approached me ten years ago with an opportunity to create a distinctive wine similar to those I'd made before, it was during a time when climate change was affecting many Tuscan vineyards. This led me to go in search of more elevated vineyard sites.
By chance I discovered a beautiful vineyard near Radda in Chianti Classico, 700 metres above sea level. It boasts varieties like cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, merlot and rebo - all of which I have included to create this Super Tuscan wine. .
My belief is that red wines should offer recognisable character alongside fresh acidity while maintaining structure complemented by fine tannins. I mature each grape variety separately in French oak barrels for 14 months except for Rebo which is aged in 350L and 500L terracotta casks; this method helps preserve its aromatic qualities. Following this process there is another round of maturation lasting ten months inside bottles.
Natalia Poblete Casa Bauza Atrevido 2018
Tasting notes:
Atrevido 2018 is the seventh vintage of our renowned red blend from the Northern Maipo Valley. In the blend we’ve included 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Petit Verdot, 21% Syrah, 16% Carmenere, 11% Carignan and 3% Cabernet Franc. Each grape was harvested by hand in order to capture the true expression of each specific site where these 6 varieties were grown.
Country
Chile
Region
Grape
Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Market Price
£28.99
Angel Price
£19.99
Natalia Poblete Casa Bauza Atrevido 2018
By Natalia PobleteTasting notes: The wine is a brilliant ruby red in colour, which is reflected perfectly in Atrevido’s concentrated, intensely juicy palate. This fruitiness combines with a warming touch of wood, balanced acidity and tannins - it’s a wine with tons of personality and elegance.
Drinking window: Drink now to 2028.
Serving suggestions: Open 30 minutes before drinking. Unlike other red wines we recommend serving Atrevido at no more than 17°C.
Food pairing: We highly recommend pairing the wine with spiced dishes, grilled meats, pasta, or aged cheeses. A typical Chilean dish is slow roasted Magellanic lamb paired with rustic mashed potatoes.
Notes from the Winemaker: Atrevido 2018 is the seventh vintage of our renowned red blend from the Northern Maipo Valley.
In the blend we’ve included 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Petit Verdot, 21% Syrah, 16% Carmenere, 11% Carignan and 3% Cabernet Franc. Each grape was harvested by hand in order to capture the true expression of each specific site where these 6 varieties were grown.
Despite this being the blend’s seventh vintage, we try to approach the winemaking process differently every year. We never want to feel totally comfortable or replicate past successes, but push ourselves to learn something new from each new vintage. This year I’ve included a variety of cabernet franc from the Linderos area of Maipo Alto that I’ve never worked with before. Renowned for its freshness and expressive quality, I was really excited to see what new dimensions it would bring to the blend.
On the nose this wine is elegant and discreet, after a few minutes fuller fruity notes of raspberry and blueberry unfurl. This gives way to spiced notes of white pepper, grilled red pepper, graphite and tobacco notes, all of which are characteristic of the region.
Chateau de Cremat Organic 2016
Tasting notes:
Château de Crémat is an historical winery of Provence created in 1904. Located in Nice, emblematic city of the French Riviera, it is here that the Bellet appellation was created, one of the most distinguished DOCs in France, made up of 60 hectares of vines in total. This appellation is the first one in France which was converted to 100% organic agriculture.
Country
France
Region
Provence
Grape
Grenache Blend
Market Price
£24.99
Angel Price
£18.99
Chateau de Cremat Organic 2016
By Alain VallesTasting notes: Rich and powerful. You can immediately taste that it was a very sunny year, the fruit is so full and juicy in the mouth. The tannins are smooth, and the wine is very balanced. This is a BIG WINE.
Drinking window: Drink from 2023 to 2028.
Serving suggestions: Best served at 16-18°C. Open and serve straight from the bottle after allowing the wine 15 minutes to breathe.
Food pairing: Great with any kind of Provençal Stew. My personal favourite dishes are Mediterranean-style stuffed aubergine with rice, tomato, onion, garlic… or a lamb shoulder/rack.
Notes from the Winemaker: Château de Crémat is an historical winery of Provence created in 1904. Located in Nice, emblematic city of the French Riviera, it is here that the Bellet appellation was created, one of the most confidential DOC in France, made up of 60ha of vines in total. This appellation is the first one in France to fully convert to organic agriculture.
Château de Crémat owns 10ha of vineyards planted in terraces on steep hillsides between 250 and 450 meters above sea level, the last foothills of the Alps before the sea. Between each terrace we take care to develop spontaneous Mediterranean vegetation to promote the ecosystem through agroforestry.
The vines enjoy a double sea and mountain influence, characterised by fresh air coming from the Alps in the morning and milder air coming from the Mediterranean Sea at the end of the day. We work the entire vineyard manually without the use of any mechanical equipment.
This climate, unique in Provence, combined with blends of specific grape varieties, makes it possible to produce unique and exceptional wines.
The 2016 vintage was particularly successful, ripening the grapes optimal maturity. This wine comes from vines which are over 50 years old. 70% are Fuella Nera, a grape variety native to the region. It gives the wine its structure, tannins, and aging potential. It’s a remarkable grape variety that makes the red wines of Bellet so distinctive.
To complete the blend of Château de Crémat Rouge 2016, we add 30% of very old Grenache vines, which brings to the wine delicacy, roundness, and harmony.
The wine is fermented with the natural yeasts of the grape, it is vinified and aged in 500L French oak barrels for 15 months.
