Red Wine

From Sholto Broderick at Basket Range Wines: This wine is the evolution of the style my father made using the same fruit; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. These vines were planted first in the early 1980s and at our new adjacent vineyard in 2001. Growing these varieties and making them into wine, I see the quality of the site and concentration of the fruit. Each block sits at a northern facing aspect on loamy clay over sandstone. The wine shows ripeness of tannin, structure and balance, while having energy and elegance. A reflection of an excellent site for these varieties. This is a Cabernet Sauvignon predominant blend (75%) with Merlot (19%) and Petit Verdot (6%). Each component was fermented in 2000L vats and matured in French barriques for 10 months. The 2022 Estate Cabernet is a pretty special wine for me. The 2021 Estate Cabernet was awarded the "Best Cabernet Trophy" at the Adelaide Hills Wine Show in 2022. I feel the 2022 vintage release is the best job of it I have made so far. Only 230 dozen produced. From Mike Bennie in The Wine Front: "From the Basket Range, of course, and a blend of 75% cabernet sauvignon, 19% merlot, 6% petit verdot. Sholto Broderick guides the process here, a young fella with a lot of clever stuff going on in his head, and a steady hand on the idea of legacy for the family estate. This feels like a very mature human made it. So even, so precise, so balanced, so serious yet so drinkable. Succulent texture, a freshness in the mix, dark cherry, faint mocha, liquorice, clove, blonde tobacco, alpine amaro characters in bouquet and palate. A web of emery board tannin shapes things nicely, the persistence is notable with graphite and crushed rock minerality finishing things in the distance, with a lick of clove spice there too. So wonderfully poised and offers concentration yet lift throughout. It’s decidedly serious. It’s fabulous". 94/100 The Wine Front

Natural, organic Syrah from a beautiful vineyard in Baixas, Roussillon. Grown with great care and wildly fermented and aged in old oak barrels for 12 months. Lifted, expressive Syrah with pretty floral notes and minerally fresh red and black fruits with some spicy, meaty notes and soft texture but with some matter and with a welcome, silky fruit character. Charming Syrah. The name 'Chimichurri' is a nod to Vincent's beloved Argentina (see below) because of the wines spicy, meaty character. Vincent Carreras has been working in wine industry for 13 years. For nine years he worked for a winery in the south of the Roussillon, Andy Cook’s Mas Cristine and Coume del Mas. Working in the vineyard, cellar and commercial activities - the whole shebang! For four years now he has been employed by a family winery based in Maury - Clos des Vins d'Amour. Who work 25 hectares organically in the west of Roussillon. Mostly in commercial activities, but also working in the cellar. Alongside this, in 2016, Vincent started a new project - Domaine Odyssée. The 3.5ha of vineyards are in Calce and Baixas, in a heart of Roussillon. The sites are small, but unquestionably some of the most beautiful we have seen. Vincent draws on the experiences mentioned above and his time in New Zealand (2011), Argentina (2012) and Bordeaux 2011 to help fully realise what he has there in his exceptional terroir. Vincent works organically, using no weedkillers, no chemical products. He works by hand and with organic fertilizer (he is in conversion right now). He harvests his parcels by himself with friends and family. In the cellar, Vincent’s philosophy is a minimum of intervention "To keep the fruit and the terroir.". The wines are extracted gently with just a little pump over. No filtration, no fining. The only preservative is a little dose of sulphites in very low quantities at bottling "It is important for me the stabilise the wine in respect of the future customers".

Fruity, brambly and supple, this distinctly Argentinian Malbec will impress with generous lashing of plum, blackberry and hints of vanilla spice. About the winery: Bodega Sottano was founded in 1890 by Mr. Fioravante Sottano who settled in Mendoza after moving from Italy. Today the estate is a byword for quality, modern Mendoza wines that express a delicious sense of place.

A classic Northern Rhône Syrah, aged for 24 months in 10% new oak barrels. Full of dark fruits, black pepper and toasty spice.

The Saumur Champigny appellation covers red wines made in the 8 communes closest to Saumur. The name Champigny supposedly derives from the Latin campus igni (field of fire), named for the area’s exceptionally warm microclimate. 100% Cabernet Franc, this Saumur Champigny sees no oak giving a light, fresh style with abundant red cherry fruit. This is from the same producer as our superb Crémant.

Barbaresco DOCG Nervo is 100% Nebbiolo grown 350 meters in Treiso, with exposure to the south (three-fourths of the vineyard is surrounded by the Mazzalupo forest, providing great biodiversity). The soils are Lequio (the oldest type of soil found in Piedmont), comprised of layers of marl and sand, cultivated organically. The plot of Nervo appears in the municipal maps dated 1906, as evidence of presence of vineyard in this area in past times. The hill, in even more ancient times, was "protected" by anthropomorphic stones, depicting human faces, found among the rows of vines. After the stalk and grape seeds removal and pressing, the natural fermentation takes place at controlled temperatures of 28-30° C in steel tanks. Maceration for 20 days, malolactic is completed. The wine is then bred in large Slavonian/Hungarian/Swiss oak barrels for 30 months. Pale ruby red with orange tones - it appears stunningly clear and utterly beautiful to the eye. Clean and clear aromas of gorgeous forest fruits with high floral notes. Beautiful structure and finesse, with gently kicking tannins typical of the area. An absolutely gorgeous Barbaresco that seems ready now, but we're sure can be enjoyed for at least 10++ years. "Treiso. Just mid ruby. Lifted, aromatic raspberry fruit on the nose. Fresh acidity and ripe red fruit on the palate with supple tannins. A hedonistic whole but with real zip and style". 17+/20 Walter Speller on jancisrobinson.com "This wine opens with a medley of warmed fruits - boysenberries, wild strawberries, and raspberries - in a luscious compote. Notes of herbs, dried leaves, and flowers quickly add a juxtaposition to the lush fruit aromas. The palate is delightful, with juicy cherry-jam and mulberry-pie flavors, accented by nutmeg and clove. A touch of fennel leads to a finish adorned with light floral hints that lift the finish of the wine. Drink from 2026" 91/100 Jeff Porter in Wine Enthusiast

Very much a product of its volcanic, maritime terroir, this has really super freshness and minerality, allied with bright cherry fruit, blood orange notes, dried herbs and white pepper. Medium-bodied with nice grip and a savoury smack on the finish (from Decanter). Borja Perez is a rising star of the Canary Island wine scene. A former racing car mechanic, Borja inherited the family business in 2011 and decided to bottle his own wine rather than sell off the fruit. He set about refocusing on local varieties like Listan Blanco, Listan Negro, Marmajuelo, Vijariego Negro and Baboso Negro by restoring old ungrafted vineyards back to full health and establishing new sites – work he is still engaged in today. In that pursuit, Borja has developed a reputation as one of the best viticulturists in the Canaries.

Natural, organic Syrah from a beautiful vineyard in Baixas, Roussillon. Grown with great care and wildly fermented and aged in old oak barrels for 12 months. Lifted, expressive Syrah with pretty floral notes and minerally fresh red and black fruits with some spicy, meaty notes and soft texture but with some matter and with a welcome, silky fruit character. Charming Syrah. The name 'Chimichurri' is a nod to Vincent's beloved Argentina (see below) because of the wines spicy, meaty character. Vincent Carreras has been working in wine industry for 13 years. For nine years he worked for a winery in the south of the Roussillon, Andy Cook’s Mas Cristine and Coume del Mas. Working in the vineyard, cellar and commercial activities - the whole shebang! For four years now he has been employed by a family winery based in Maury - Clos des Vins d'Amour. Who work 25 hectares organically in the west of Roussillon. Mostly in commercial activities, but also working in the cellar. Alongside this, in 2016, Vincent started a new project - Domaine Odyssée. The 3.5ha of vineyards are in Calce and Baixas, in a heart of Roussillon. The sites are small, but unquestionably some of the most beautiful we have seen. Vincent draws on the experiences mentioned above and his time in New Zealand (2011), Argentina (2012) and Bordeaux 2011 to help fully realise what he has there in his exceptional terroir. Vincent works organically, using no weedkillers, no chemical products. He works by hand and with organic fertilizer (he is in conversion right now). He harvests his parcels by himself with friends and family. In the cellar, Vincent’s philosophy is a minimum of intervention "To keep the fruit and the terroir.". The wines are extracted gently with just a little pump over. No filtration, no fining. The only preservative is a little dose of sulphites in very low quantities at bottling "It is important for me the stabilise the wine in respect of the future customers".

The 30 hectares of Coudoulet are located just east of the vineyard of Beaucastel on the other side of the A7 motorway. For reasons that have now become obvious, Coudoulet is often considered the baby Beaucastel. The Coudoulet soil has many similarities to that of Beaucastel. It is made out of Molasse seabed covered by diluvial alpine deposits. These pebbles called 'Galets Roulés' play a big role: They take in the heat during the day and let it if off slowly at night which gives a good start to the vines in the Spring.

The 'house' Barolo from Rivetto. The only producer who grows organically and biodynamically and is certified in the DOCG. This beautiful Serralunga is grown on soils of serravallian origin, which are clay-limestone. Soil with sub-alkaline reaction, with presence of magnesium, calcium and iron. On east, south-east and north-east slopes at between 340-420 metres altitude from the vineyards of Serra, Manocino and San Bernardo. Selection in stages, carried out three times in the 45 days before the start of the harvest. Manually harvested as late as possible. The must sees stem and grape seeds removal, pressing and room temperature maceration for two days. Total duration of maceration is 20-25 days. The wine then see natural fermentation on its wild yeast at 28-30° C. Malolactic completed. The wines is then aged in large Slavonian oak barrels (30hL) for 30 months, aged in bottle for further ten months before release. . A pale, elegant example of Barolo from Serralunga. Violets, rose hips, tobacco and leather are surrounded by gorgeous red fruits and elegant tannins. Enrico works wonders in this area to produces such ethereal, beautiful wines with grace and power that shall drink well on release and develop further interest for at least twenty years from this superb vintage. Awarded 93/100 Monica Larner in Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Recent vintages 2018 95/100 Wine Enthusiast, 92/100 James Suckling, 17/20 jancisrobinson.com 2017 93/100 JS, 95/100 WE 2016 93/100 WA, 92/100 Decanter Magazine, 93/100 JS, 17+/20 jancisrobinson.com, 95/100 WE 2015 94/100 JS, 17.5/20 jancisrobinson.com

Walter Speller on jancisrobinson.com October 2023 17++/20 (Walter Speller) "Mid to deep ruby. Compact, youthful, perfumed red-fruit nose with hints of spice and minerally, salty notes. Focused, sleek, tangy fruit with jewel-like acidity and tightly knit tannins on the palate". Decanter November 2023 94/100 (Michaela Morris) "This Brunello is an assemblage of plots in two distinct sectors: fruit from Montalcino’s warmer, southeastern reaches near Castelnuovo dell’Abate gives density and mid-palate weight with grainy, mouth-filling tannins, while the cooler, more elevated sites around the town of Montalcino itself seem to brighten and lift the whole. From start to finish, the enchanting perfumes of the vintage pervade. Juniper, cedar, pressed rose and candied mint follow through to the palate, where juicy watermelon and strawberry take hold. It finishes with an appetizing bitter herbal twist, and while this is hard to resist, another year in the bottle will bring further cohesion". Kerin O’Keefe November 2023 95/100 & #62 Top 100 Wines of 2023 "Forest floor, camphor, new leather and wild rose aromas come to the forefront on the lovely 2019 Brunello from Il Palazzone along with whiffs of spice. Smooth and juicy, the savory palate features ripe raspberry, cherry, star anise, hints of chocolate and a cool graphite note alongside enveloping, polished tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2028-2039". Abv 14% Kerin O’Keefe November 2023

We've shipped this wonderful 'Baby Brunello' from Il Palazzone for over a dozen years now. 100% Sangiovese from a blend of different vintages (the blend always includes some of the estates own Brunello barrels), the 05/04 from 2020, 2022 and 2023 vintages. This long time favourite offers true character and unbelievable value at its price.

Le Due Porte is 540 metres above sea level. Budbreak is later here, often avoiding issues with late frosts and snow. Ripening is slow and constant. The soil profile preserves humidity; important when making a wine such as Brunello that does not contemplate irrigation. Alberese has high levels of calcium carbonate which favors acidity, aided and abetted by the slower ripening and later harvest due to the exposition and altitude. We generally pick Le Due Porte as much as two weeks after our vineyards in Castelnuovo dell’Abate and are often amongst the last in Montalcino to harvest. The grapes develop organoleptic complexity from that extra hang-time and from the pronounced difference between day and night temperatures. In fact the altitude guarantees extreme thermal excursion even in hotter years which is wonderful for aromatic development. Over the last two decades we have seen, year after year, a pronounced character emerge in the fruit from this vineyard, a wine that maintains the typical structure of a Brunello vecchio stampo and epitomises finesse and elegance."

Generally regarded by all at CWM as one of the very best wines that we import. Truly wonderful old school, fine, vibrant and utterly extraordinary Brunello di Montalcino from a wonderful single site. This wine is produced with grapes from the vineyard Le Due Porte which surrounds the cellar at 540 metres above sea level. This wine maintains the typical structure of a Brunello vecchio stampo and epitomizes finesse and elegance. Vinified to take advantage of its notable tannins and acidity to evolve beautifully over the next decade and beyond, it is juicy and complex. With only a few vintages in the bottle so far, this special wine is elegant and distinguished and drinks well in its youth, while promising to age beautifully.

The wine is dealcoholised by using spinning cone columns in a form of low temperature vacuum steam distillation to gently extract alcohol from the wine while minimising the effect on the taste of the wine.

The wine is deep red with youthful violet hues, with a nose that offers an intriguing mix of cherries, raspberry sweets and pink pepper. The palate offers wild cherry, blackberry and a hint of balsamic balanced by spicy oak. This wine has a high level of natural acidity, well-balanced by the fine, rounded tannins.

Le Due Porte is 540 metres above sea level. Budbreak is later here, often avoiding issues with late frosts and snow. Ripening is slow and constant. The soil profile preserves humidity; important when making a wine such as Brunello that does not contemplate irrigation. Alberese has high levels of calcium carbonate which favors acidity, aided and abetted by the slower ripening and later harvest due to the exposition and altitude. We generally pick Le Due Porte as much as two weeks after our vineyards in Castelnuovo dell’Abate and are often amongst the last in Montalcino to harvest. The grapes develop organoleptic complexity from that extra hang-time and from the pronounced difference between day and night temperatures. In fact the altitude guarantees extreme thermal excursion even in hotter years which is wonderful for aromatic development. Over the last two decades we have seen, year after year, a pronounced character emerge in the fruit from this vineyard, a wine that maintains the typical structure of a Brunello vecchio stampo and epitomises finesse and elegance."

"Selections from the estate's top parcels and aging in new wood for two years have produced an immensely rich wine. Polished and spicy, the wine has serious tannins as well as layers of black fruits. The wine is just there, and it is impressively ready to drink". 94/100 Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast

This Roboul cuvée exudes lifted fruit aromas in abundance with blackberries, blueberries, pomegranates and also gentle garrigue notes. On the palate it is velvety with curious, beautiful interest. There is a perfect balance between alcohol and acidity and it ends with a striking freshness. It's a marvelous wee wine. Full bottle 1,341 g. Single vineyard. 60% Mourvèdre (20 years old), 40% Grenache (30 years old) on pudding stone, clay, sand and limestone tuffeau. Hand-picked; whole-bunch, spontaneous fermentation; minimal cap work; very gently pressed. Fermented separately because the Mourvèdre ripens so much later than the Grenache. 12 months in old oak barrels of 600, 500 and 400 litres. "If I’d not known what this wine was, and put it to my nose, my first guess would be Pinot Noir, Tasmania. Rosehips. Nectarine skin. Hibiscus tea. Morels. Then, after tasting it, I’d change my mind. I’d wonder if this was Cinsault, one of Alex Milner’s wraith-like beauties, perhaps: the bruised rose petals, the jasmine tea, the taste of prickly pears and dust and pungent-peppery-green at the back of my throat. Then I smell garrigue - cistus, broom heather, wild thyme, the smell of the wind blowing through holm oaks and twisted pines and I am in the south of France. This is the fey child of Roussillon. This is a wine that dances in the thin places". Very Good Value. Tamlyn Currin on jancisrobinson.com 18/20 jancisrobinson.com

One of our best-selling Rhone wines, the new 2023 reflects the joy of this vintage. Big and grunty, naughtily purple, with that classy Lirac sweet-fruited lift. Hard to beat with grilled lamb and rosemary. A must-try. Sabon is a Chateauneuf super-star and this their only Cru wine beyond Chateauneuf itself. Robert M. Parker, Jr (the world?s most influential wine reviewer), who awarded their 1988 vintage a perfect 100 rating, the first Chateauneuf-du-Pape so honoured, has this to say about Domaine Roger Sabon: "This estate has been at the top of its game for many years and any partisan of Rhone Valley wines (especially the southern Rhone) who has not yet tried a wine from Domaine Roger Sabon should make every effort to do so."

Deep purple, almost opaque in colour with an expressive nose of black fruits, pepper, cinnamon, spice and violets. A seductive palate of dark hedgerow fruits, very open and welcoming with an explosion of fruit and spice. Mineral undertones.