2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape ‘Barbe Rac’ (per 6x75cl) This vines that produce this wine are the oldest Chateuneuf-du-Pape vines in existence (about 90 years of age) grown on a complex and varied mixture of red clay and ferruginous sand. The topsoil is littered with the famous ‘galets’ or pudding stones. Its biodynamic viticulture ensures the low yields of 15-20 hl/ha necessary to create a wine with amazingly fresh, exotic, pure and dense aromas of herby black/redcurrant and cherry. The palate is pure and juicy, low acidity, low to medium tannins. Again the wine displays an almost port like intensity of juicy red cherry pie fruits and herbs. Superb length with a slight floral note on the finish.
202.00
2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape ‘Croix de Bois’ (per 6x75cl) The vines are situated in the town of Bedarrides, and the terroir is characterized by large rolled quartz peoples. This terroir is distinctly different to the Barbe Rac and produces a wine which is more aromatic in style. Very fresh and exuberant it exudes aromas of plums, redcurrant, herbs and a slight spice and smoke. The palate is rich and juicy, low acidity, low to medium tannins and possesses a wonderful fruit sweetness and purity. Like the nose it has an abundance of plum, redcurrant and cherry flavours. Mouthfilling, generously endowed and creamy with spice notes evident on the finish.
166.00
2007 St Joseph Rouge ‘Les Granite’ (per 6x75cl) This is a selection of Chapoutier’s oldest vines in the appellation, grown on very poor, very stony granite soils. A very herby and animally nose. Deep and spicy with a lovely depth of fruit and a background of spicy oak. Over time it develops a leafy/ tobacco/ fruit skin note. The palate displays and amazing purity, low acidity, low ripe tannins. Juicy and full flavoured with generous sweet blackcurrant/ cherry, spice and oak. It is actually drinking quiet will albeit it is still a bit edgy. Great length and an absolute bargain!
109.00
2007 Crozes Ermitage Rouge ‘Les Varonnieres’ (per 6x75cl) From the ‘lieu-dit’ plot called ‘Varagne’. These are Chapoutier’s oldest Crozes Ermitage vines (over 60 years of age) grown on alluvium soil from the former bed of the Rhone. The aromas are similar to the St Joseph, big and animally, slightly reductive yet imbued with deliciously sweet blackcurrant fruit, herbs, tobacco and ginger. Again a lovely purity and freshness. The palate is leafy, animally and herby. Low to medium acidity, low to medium tannins. Slightly sauvage but there is an underlying depth of sweet, pure, blackcurrant/ cherry. Fleshy and balanced it has a lovely length which is presently masked by its mineral acidity.
109.00
2007 Cote Rotie ‘La Mordoree’ (per 6x75cl) From 70 year old vines, mainly from the Cote Brune, the very steep, terraced vineyard of limestone scist above Ampius, with some fruit coming from the Cote Blonde vineyard with its more acidic and sandy soils. This gives the nose an amazingly masculine character. Big, powerful earthy, smoky and meaty with a stunning depth of pure juicy blackcurrant and black olive fruit. Initially on the palate it is almost floral a complete counterpoint to the masculine nose. Low acidity, low to medium tannins. Wow! What a journey, next comes waves of pure, peppery blackcurrant fruit, followed by spice, flint, garrigue, olives, rosmary and thyme. The finish is almost provincial in charater. One word – Stunning!
330.00
2007 Ermitage Rouge ‘Le Greffieux’ (per 6x75cl) This vineyard is situated at the foot of Hermitage hill, with a pebble and clay topsoil overlaying glacial alluvium terraces. It is a very flashy wine, with the toasty oak currently dominating the nose, yet there is a lovely depth of smoky, sooty, meaty blackcurrant fruit with a touch of gun flint. The palate is stunning! Low acidity, low to medium tannins. Like the nose it’s flashy. If it were a guy it would drive a Ferrari and steal your girlfriend! It’s juicy and succulent with oodles of toasty/ spicy oak, and blackcurrant/ cherry fruit. For all the oak it was a wonderful balance, freshness and length.
330.00
2007 Ermitge Rouge ‘L’Ermite’ (per 6x75cl) These vines grow on very poor granitic and shallow soils surrounding the chapel of ‘Ermite’ at the top of Hermitage hill. The vineyards elevated position allows a long ripening seasons and is often the last plot to be picked. The nose is ultra-dense and rich. It has the sexy fruit of the Pavillon, but is more restrained and brooding. Amazingly complex there is a touch of smoke, gun flint and granite nestling amongst the pure black fruits. On the palate it is pure and displays that youthful fruit skin intensity. Low acidity, medium super-smooth tannins. Again it resembles the Pavillon, but is a more serious version. It is possibly more fleshier and fresher with less glycerol, but it is no less complex with an array of blackcurrant/ cherry, spice, coffee and hickory notes. Amazing length, slightly masked by its tannins.
587.00
2007 Ermitage Rouge ‘Le Meal’ (per 6x75cl) The Meal vineyard is a broad swathe of the hill at an elevation of 150-200 metres, it takes its name from the French for ‘The Best. The vines are some 50 years old and grown on a sandy gravel. Le Meal has a more perfumed nose. It is pure, harmonious, soft, juicy and sexy with herby blackcurrant/ berry, delicate spice, along with a slightly smoky/ leafy note, which could also be found in the white. The palate is pure and very spicy. Low acidity, medium velvety tannins. The flavours come in waves of blackcurrant/ berry, plums, granite and a slight pepper note. Amazingly powerful yet held inside a velvet glove!
402.00
2007 Ermitge Rouge ‘Le Pavillon’ (per 6x75cl) The Wine comes from the 4 hectare ‘lieu-dit’ Les Bessards, a fine layer of sediment lying on granite slopes. With tiny yields of 20 kl/ha it imbues the nose with dense almost port-like aromas of blackcurrant/ cherry and licourice. Very intense and with an amazing fruit sweetness it reminds me of a young Fonseca. Dry and rich on the palate, low acidity, low to medium tannins. Possibly the star of the show! Glorious globs of glycerol intermingle with sexy, sweet, pure blackcurrant/ cherry, licourice, sweet spices, and with a slight note of capcicum. Huge and mouthfilling. Amazing length and structure.
474.00
Anniversary Vintages We are frequently asked to source whiskies and Armagnacs for anniversaries and birthday.
So if you're looking for a particular vintage to celebrate a special occasion, look no further. Vintage whisky, armagnac & cognac.
