Organic and Biodynamic

Possibly the last Rosé to be produced at Trinités? The wine has always been produced for the home market, for the restaurants and bars, in all the major cities. But since the market for such in the last few years has dried up/been somewhat difficult, vigneron Simon Coulshaw has decided to take a break for a while. This 2020 is unlike any previous effort, mostly explained below in Tamlyn Currin's note for jancisrobinson.com. It really is truly wonderful Rosé with real minerality, precision and class. an absolute stunner. 40% Cinsault, 40% Grenache Noir, 20% Mourvèdre. Hand-picked, organically and biodynamically farmed grapes. 100% saignée ie no pressing, just bleeding from the tanks. Winemaker Simon Coulshaw points out that the distinct difference in colour between the 2019 and 2020 (the latter being distinctly lighter in colour) is purely down to the maturity of the anthocynanins in the grapes. In 2019 he left the grapes for an hour and the colour was already dark; in 2020 it spent three or four hours and still didn't throw much colour. Bone dry (less than 0.5 g RS). "This is an outstanding rosé. If only Languedoc producers would sit up and take notice – this is what you can do with rosé. Real wine. Real depth, real texture, acidity so full and exciting and ripe that it made me want to helter skelter, go boogie on Brighton Pier, lick seashells dipped in raspberry sherbet, make cherry bombs filled with lime sorbet and eat them sitting fully clothed in the sea with salt on my tongue and fingers and toes. All of which sounds like fun fun fun, but don't be deceived. This is a serious wine, framed in spice and pink-grapefruit-peel bitterness. Very Good Value (TC)". Score 17/20 jancisrobinson.com When to drink 2021 - 2023 Published on 29 Nov 2021 Date tasted 29 Nov 2021

Established in 1446, Etienne Parahy is known as the first owner of the vineyards and the estate 'Puig Parahy'. In those near 600 years, the estate has passed through 19 generations to current owner and vigneron Georges Puig (the first son of each new generation is named 'Georges'). Nestled in Les Aspres region, a wonderful mixed-soil and fresh terroir of the Roussillon which is found between Mt. Canigou and the Mediterranean sea. The estate has a rich history producing outstanding rancio sweet wines that develop and live for decades, sometimes even centuries. Bottles from the 1800s are still available today. The estate was replanted in 1878 after phylloxera wiped out all of the vineyards. Many of these vines are still producing wonderful old vine fruit of outrageous quality that is carefully and naturally handled to produce a great range of dry table wines and VdNs of many styles. This is special wine. Ancient vines of Carignan, Grenache and Mourvedre and native, wild yeasts from this historic Roussillon estate have produced this pale, bright and gorgeous mid-red coloured wine - looking exactly like a current hipster favourite. The nose is alive with prickly bright fruits intermixed with beautiful secondary and tertiary aromas of old books, furniture and childhood memories of churches and other magnificent and curious things of wonder. The palate is equally as interesting and as equally sparkly bright and refreshing. But so rewarding, resolved and complex. An utter marvel from this unsung fresh terroir in the magnificent Roussillon.

A pure, fresh and approachable Barolo from talented winemaker Gian Luca Colombo. Award-winning winemaker and consultant Gian Luca has a tiny 4 hectare of vines and whose winery is located in his garage (literally a garagiste producer) in the small northern Barolo commune of Roddi. He works organically in the vineyards and has a low interventionist approach in the winery the absolute key being to allow the vineyards and vintages to show their individual characteristics in the bottle. The grapes for his Barolo come from the Bricco Ambrogio cru in Roddi itself, Roere di Santa Maria, and the noted cru of Bussia, all harvested in October and maturing for at least 18 months in Austrian oak before a further 3 months in clay amphorae. This quite simply has to be among the most approachable and enjoyable young Barolos we have tried and although has decades left in it yet is a pleasure to drink now. Intense aromas with great depth and concentration of pure fruit with slight, lifted floral and minerally notes. The palate is fresh and smooth with loads of juicy, ripe fruits, fine elegant tannins and a long length. "Pale orangey garnet. Heady, complex nose suggests bonfires overlaying pungent fruit. Fine, tamed tannins still definitely present. Appetising dry (but not drying) finish". 17/20 jancisrobinson.com

This is a lovely dessert wine with a bright, golden colour. On the nose, it offers aromas of ripe apricot, honey, and orange blossom, along with hints of jasmine and citrus zest. On the palate, it is rich and full-bodied, with flavours of candied citrus, stone fruit, and a touch of tropical fruit. The sweetness is well-balanced with a refreshing acidity that keeps the wine from being cloying. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving lingering notes of honey and apricot.

A beautiful and pure expression of young Nebbiolo from one of the most exciting winemakers in Italy. After Gian Luca completed his Masters in Viticulture and Oenology after 11 years of study and worked as a wine consultant across Italy in 2011 he started his own small winery in the heart of his native Langhe. Within 3 years he won the Gambelli award for Young Winemaker of the Year. His small Segni di Langa estate is located in Roddi in Barolo country and working sustainably he takes a very minimal interventionist approach allowing each vintage to showcase itself. Making his wines in the 'garage' beneath his house he typifies the small scale, high quality, personal style of winemaking. Roddi, 220 m. South./South East facing. Two small vineyards planted by Gian Luca to Pelaverga Piccolo. Fermented wild and raised in clay Amphora. Something really rare! Verduno Pelaverga is the smallest DOC in the Barolo region in the far north, where the indigenous variety Pelaverga Piccolo grows. Quite a light colour, pale but brilliant and bright and oh-so fragrant with floral aromas dominated by roses, violets and super pure raspberry - both the berry and the leaves. Vibrant, charming and simply a wonderful, curious drink.

The Guimberteau family has owned the Château Franc-Baudron estate since 1923. This is a vineyard on a human scale where each generation has left its footprint on the family heritage. Since 2010, the new generation of Château Franc-Baudron has embarked on an environmental approach by converting the entire vineyard to organic farming. The area hosts bee-hives, uses plants for treatments (horsetail, nettle and ferns) and seeds flowers to encourage biodiversity of wildlife in the vines. They have begun implementing new winemaking techniques by using minimal inputs to express at its best the nature of the grapes and the type of soil. Most of the family’s plots of Montagne Saint-Emilion are located on a clay-limestone plateau. Bright and intense in colour with aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry and oak notes.Well balanced, powerful and velvety.

An absolute classic Roussillon 'house' blend from the master Daniel Laffite (the hardest working man with the hands to prove it!). The classic Soulanes recipe of richness, purity of beautiful fruit, freshness and seamlessness. Delicious and underpriced. This wine never lets you down.

After Gian Luca completed his Masters in Viticulture and Oenology after 11 years of study and worked as a wine consultant across Italy in 2011 he started his own small winery in the heart of his native Langhe. Within 3 years he won the Gambelli award for Young Winemaker of the Year. His small Segni di Langa estate is located in Roddi in Barolo country and working sustainably he takes a very minimal interventionist approach allowing each vintage to showcase itself. Making his wines in the 'garage' beneath his house he typifies the small scale, high quality, personal style of winemaking. 60% Barolo village, 370m. 40% Dogliani Village, 350 to 550m. North / North-East facing. From north facing vineyards that are well-protected from the hot sun. After fermentation with only natural, wild yeasts the wine is then aged in amphora and large Stockinger barrels. Gian Luca is a bit a dab hand with Pinot Nero, having started producing it prior to turning his hand to Nebbiolo and the rest. Truffley, with the scents of sous bois and woodland earth. Leading to spicy cinnamon and clove and piercing fruit - cherries, redcurrants and pomegranate. Fine, long, pure and vibrant Pinot Nero.

"I like wines that are direct, with tension, a vertebral column, for both the reds and the whites". Romain Delhome This is an interesting newcomer to the ranks in the northern sector of Crozes-Hermitage, with vineyards in the communes of Crozes itself, Larnage, Gervans and Erôme. There are almost 11.5 hectares of Crozes across 20 plots, Romain is the fifth generation; his great-grandfather Flavien Delhome had vineyards, while, on his mother’s side there were vineyards under her family in the shape of Severin Habrard, so there are two old roots at play here. Father Gérald took over the domaine in 1993, and concentrated on apricots and vines, the grape harvest sent to the Cave de Tain. Son Romain came on to the domaine in 2018; he had worked locally at Gigondas and in the Ventoux at Chêne Bleu, as well as in Virginia in the USA. The cellar was built in 2019. The domaine is HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) registered, a green credential, and the 2022 harvest will be officially organic.

A very special wine from ancient plants of two of the rarest and very best vines for Soualnes terroir, Grenache Gris and Carignan Gris. This really does have everything. It's floral, honeyed orchard and citrus fruits added to its sumptuousness, its layers of texture and bright but not too spiky acidity. Very long with great balance and so much interest. Divine stuff that is here in tiny quantities.

After Gian Luca completed his Masters in Viticulture and Oenology after 11 years of study and worked as a wine consultant across Italy in 2011 he started his own small winery in the heart of his native Langhe. Within 3 years he won the Gambelli award for Young Winemaker of the Year. His small Segni di Langa estate is located in Roddi in Barolo country and working sustainably he takes a very minimal interventionist approach allowing each vintage to showcase itself. Making his wines in the 'garage' beneath his house he typifies the small scale, high quality, personal style of winemaking. Magliano Alfieri village, 290m, 88y-old vines. Roddi village 200-250m, 45 to 60y-old vines. Part of this wonderful Barbera d'Alba comes from a vineyard by Gian Luca's house. The wines has so much lovely fruit and richness with such vibrant freshness. It isn't in the least bit 'blockbuster'. No heaviness, no 'make up'. Simply a beautiful drink that delivers sheer class and great pleasure. Not blockbuster, but it is knock-out good.

A beautiful and pure expression of young Nebbiolo from one of the most exciting winemakers in Italy. After Gian Luca completed his Masters in Viticulture and Oenology after 11 years of study and worked as a wine consultant across Italy in 2011 he started his own small winery in the heart of his native Langhe. Within 3 years he won the Gambelli award for Young Winemaker of the Year. His small Segni di Langa estate is located in Roddi in Barolo country and working sustainably he takes a very minimal interventionist approach allowing each vintage to showcase itself. Making his wines in the 'garage' beneath his house he typifies the small scale, high quality, personal style of winemaking. His Nebbiolo d'Alba is from a single 50 year old vineyard just a few hundred yards from the renowned Barolo Cru site of Monvigliero and is only labelled a Nebbiolo rather than Barolo due to not following the rather exacting rules required to do so! Aged in Austrian oak and clay amphora for around 1 year this is a refined, fresh and perfumed expression of Nebbiolo. The palate is filled with very pure ripe, juicy red and dark fruits with touches of spice and herbal notes, ripe tannins which balance nicely with the fresh acidity on a lovely long finish. Drinking well now though will have the capacity to age and develop for the rest of the decade. Try with red meats, roasted root vegetables, and mature hard cheeses.

100% Grenache Noir, made as a Vin Doux Naturel (fermentation is stopped with the addition of spirit to preserve natural sugars and fruit character). Outstanding. Floral, herbal and gorgeous bright red and black fruit on the nose, The palate is divine with it's exquisite purity and balance. Great at the table with both savoury and sweet dishes.

"I knew our terroirs very well, and knew that we could exploit them to the full. With Romain’s experience of vinifications all around the world, I was happy to launch the domaine". Gérald Delhome "This is an interesting newcomer to the ranks in the northern sector of Crozes-Hermitage, with vineyards in the communes of Crozes itself, Larnage, Gervans and Erôme. There are almost 11.5 hectares of Crozes across 20 plots, Romain is the fifth generation; his great-grandfather Flavien Delhome had vineyards, while, on his mother’s side there were vineyards under her family in the shape of Severin Habrard, so there are two old roots at play here. Father Gérald took over the domaine in 1993, and concentrated on apricots and vines, the grape harvest sent to the Cave de Tain. Son Romain came on to the domaine in 2018; he had worked locally at Gigondas and in the Ventoux at Chêne Bleu, as well as in Virginia in the USA. The cellar was built in 2019. The domaine is HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) registered, a green credential, and the 2022 harvest will be officially organic. A 100% Viognier from a south-facing granite hillside sheltered from the north wind, in the commune of Larnage to the north of the Crozes-Hermitage AOC. Grown organically, picked by hand, grapes directedly pressed in whole bunches. A slow and low temperature fermentation takes place at 14c. Afterwards, the wine is left to age on fine lees in stainless steel for 6 months. Malolactic fermentation is blocked. In the glass the wine shows a pale yellow colour with sparkly, pearly highlights. On the nose, we find fresh and bright stone fruit, citrus hints and fresh white flowers. The palate is fleshy, round, with a nice acidity, making for a delicious and true Viognier. A fresh style, but a serious one. A lovely wine.

CWM Rating - Frist Clas; 98% Merlot, 2% Cabernet franc. 14.5% 3.55pH. A brilliant example of Merlot grown on limestone. Plenty of extraction but the tannins are ripe and supple and helps the fruit persist . Long and impressive finish. This is excellent and has been lauded by most wine critics.

Outstanding Chianti Classico Riserva from the cooler north west of Chianti. Grown on soils very similar to Felsina's vineyards in Berardenga, this cooler terroir in Argiano helps produce a wine of great energy, elegance and inherent harmony. La Vigna di San Martino ad Argiano is the personal project of Giampaolo Chiettini. Giampaolo spent a good number of years working alongside Paolo di Marchi at Isole e Olena where he fell deeply in love with Sangiovese and honed his skills and became a very highly regarded winemaker of the region. Antinori and Ca' del Bosco have also used Giampaolo's services over the years. He still consults and makes wine for the outstanding Castagnoli and brilliant newcomers Ejamu amongst others. This personal project comes from a beautiful, tiny (1ha!) vineyard in Argiano in the San Casciano Val di Pesa commune. Organic Sangiovese grapes are destemmed and gently crushed then undergo wild fermentation with natural yeasts. The wine is bred in used tonneaux. Giampaolo's trained, light hand in the cellar has helped produce a really rather wonderful Chianti Classico Riserva. This 2021 knocked us out. Immense energy and focus to the wonderful fruit and character. Only 2,000 bottles produced. This wine proves utterly marvellous drinking now, but shall age gracefully and beautifully for many years. We can't wait to follow the evolution! The Chianti Classico Riserva 2021 was one of only a handful of wines to scoop the score of 17.5/20 from Walter Speller on jancisrobinson.com in the "Chianti Classico Riserva 2021" section of his full report on 2021 and 2020 Riserva and 2021 Gran Selezione, published earlier in 2024.

For price to quality ratio, this is an astonishing bottling, being produced from the perimeter rows of their two cru vineyards, Cerretta and Gianetto. Gorgeous, almost weightless nose of violets, plums, pot pourri and dried mushrooms. It floats across the palate, with stunning length fine-boned tannins. These are Barolo for the ages. These are like fine, restrained Burgundies, that at first nosing and taste, you could miss, but give them the time they need, and they are glorious, with the classical Serralunga terroir nose of roses and minerals. Sharing vineyards with Giacomo Conterno and Altare, their cellar is located between their two cru sites, Ceretta and Gianetto. They farm organically, but as the sites both border non-organic neighbouring vineyards, they do not declare it. All wines are vinifed and aged in the same way so as to best express their identity and terroir. Walter Speller on jancisrobinson.com Serralunga d’Alba. A relative newcomer, founded in 2013. The grapes came from the Gianetto and Cerretta crus. A single-vineyard Gianetto will be released with the 2016 vintage. "Maturing ruby with orange tinges. A touch reduced with brooding minerality underneath. Peppery cherry fruit on the nose with a suggestion of new leather. Integrated, lively acidity on the palate that is filled to the brim with compact cherry fruit of enormous length but never out of kilter. Concentrated and packed with muscular tannins. Can be approached now". 17+/20

The 2023 Salt River combines fruit from a 34 year old bushvine vineyard in Stellenbosch and another coastal site in Walker Bay. Named for the trendy area of Cape Town that Savage Wines calls home, it drinks more like a Pouilly Fume than a Marlborough Sauvignon, with a real lushness to the palate, flavours of yellow plums, semi-dried pineapple, moringa flowers, a tiny hint of reduction and this amazing intense tanginess. Think sun-ripened yellow peppers blended up, with grapefruit pith and the faintest hint of blackcurrant. Terrific body and stunningly long in the mouth, it's tasting great now, and we're sure it will age with grace too.

Ibizkus Wine, founded in 2007, has now established itself as one of the finest wineries on the island of Ibiza. They produce wine from nearly half the island’s registered vineyards, all originally planted for auto-consumption, of which the vast majority is the black grape, Monastrell. Seen as one of the founding and iconic grapes of Ibiza’s long winemaking past, Ibizkus use it to produce fine reds and flagship rose. About 40% of its production is dedicated to national and export markets, and to promoting its fabulous wines, quality and winemaking potential of this famous Balearic Island across Europe. The grapes are destemmed, inoculated with indigenous starter yeasts and fermented in concrete then aged in second and third use 500 l. French oak barrels for 5 months. The Can Basso Tinto is an brilliant, intriguing wine with savoury, smoky aromatics and a touch of florality reminiscent of Nebbiolo. Full-bodied but not heavy, with lots of dark black fruits and spice, with a wonderful earthiness and well-defined but soft (surprising for Monastrell) tannins.

The nose reminds of the aromas in the vineyard during flowering. It expresses delicate flowers, some fruits, never overpowering, just like a very delicate perfume. The palate follows perfectly with a delicate structure, almost aerial and lingers on for a long time. Dry finish with the classic varietal tannic structure but also a certain roundness induced by the fruity flavour of the wine. The mouth feels like soft velvet and is already so easy to enjoy. This wine will go with seafood, salads, crab, fish dishes.

Duncan Savage matriculated at Rondebosch Boys High School in 1995. In 2016. Savage Wines was set up in the heart of Cape Town in Salt River. Vineyards for his wines are leased and grapes sourced from around the Western Cape, maritime in nature where possible. Granitic soil is the focus. "This blend of 76% Sauvignon Blanc and 24% Sémillon, matured in 20% new oak, offers a complex bouquet with beeswax, wild mint, and fennel. The Sémillon beautifully complements the Sauvignon Blanc, and the palate is well-balanced with acidity and impressive weight. The pretty, floral finish makes this a standout wine from the vintage". 93/100 Vinous Neil Martn

This domaine's showpiece wine is made using the best Chardonnay grapes, fermented and matured in French oak. Burgundian and silky in style, "Lemon zest and lemon juice to the fore here, a bright, zesty expression, with pear and apple too, lightly on its feet....it has lovely freshness". Natalie Earl, Decanter Magazine From jancisrobinson.com Certified organic. From four plots of 26 to 46-year old vines grown amongst oak trees at 350m and on rolled pebbles and limestone. Hand-picked and hand-sorted, low-pressure pressing, free-run juice only. Malolactic fermentation is in 225-litre oak barrels, which is where the wines are aged. Gentle lees stirring for the first four months. Unfined. Château Rive-Blanques now belongs to Pierre Bories’ Artisans & Partisans group of estates. "Rich, nutty (even a little caramelised) and streaked with fresh garrigue. As with their Dédicace Chenin, the acidity feels softer and more muted than I’ve come to expect with R-B wines, but there is a firm hazelnut and walnut framework around the fruit, so the texture and structure is there. Touch of liquorice on the finish gives it a nice twist". 16.5/20

This is the most grown up Cornish Point yet. It has all the classic components (vibrantly fruited, voluptuous and rounded mouthfeel...), but with a structural complexity we have rarely seen before. Indulgent but serious tannins demand a thoughtful conversation in this 15th rendition. Baritones and altos all in harmony leading to a crescendo of a finish.

Bright yellow in colour with vibrant citrus, pear and spice notes on the nose. The palate is full but extremely well balanced, with fresh Picpoul acidity and pure fruit flavours.