A selection of some of our favourite wines - some of which are now sold out in-store (ooh! Special!).
Fresh, bright and energetic is the order of the day. A line-up sure to make you feel enlivened and positive, even if this strange, wet and muggy almost-summer hasn't. Grab a bunch of friends (because friends are a thing again!), fire up the BBQ and feel safe in the knowledge that this mixed pack is definitely one of the best decisions that you'll make all year.
BRUNO ROCHARD, Des Boires et des Bulles,
2020.
Precise and energetic pet nat
chenin blanc from 20 year old vines planted on clay and gravel outside of
Rablay-sur-Layon, about 30 minutes south of Angers. Bright and mineral upfront, with soft notes of
apple,
quince and
pear and just the right suggestion of texture from the 4-5 grams of residual sugar left at bottling. Delicious.
MATASSA, Olla Banc,
2020.
Fleshy, saline & aromatic
macabeu and
muscat from low yielding, old vines. theres complexity here and a hint of structure from time spent on skins but vigneron Tom Lubbe manages to keep a freshness and vitality on board that lifts and delights the senses.
NINO BARRACO,
Zibibbo,
2019.
Nino's wines are well known and much beloved in our pocket of the wine world, and year after year he produces cuvée's that reinforce this passion, and that exhibit a true sense of place.
Saline and bright, and with perhaps a little more delicacy and clarity than in previous years, the
2019 Zibibbo sings a song of the sun and the sea. A few days maceration adds a note of something faintly herbal and waxy that blends harmoniously to create this effortlessly refreshing drop.
CÔME ISAMBERT, Chenin,
Pineau d'Aunis,
2020.
Minerality plus! The wildly exciting wines from the miniscule necogiant project of
Côme Isambert never fail to enliven and excite, and this blend of direct pressed
pineau d'aunis and
chenin blanc is no exception. Pure, crisp fruit and the softest hint of spice, layered seamlessly over a pert and assertive acidty, this is a wine that gives and gives and gives and is even better the next day - if it even lasts that long.
LA GAPETTE, Jonchère,
2019.
At 10% alcohol, we’re in bottle-per-person territory here. The wine shows plenty of ripe, bursting, juicy red fruit with just a little tickle of crunch behind it. One to drink chilled, thirstily, and amongst good company.
AXEL PRÜFER, Fou du Roi,
2019.
Grenache,
carignan, and
cinsault, with the
carignan purchased from a friend and neighbour this vintage, and the
grenache and
carignan coming from a limestone-heavy site. A 15 day semi-carbonic maceration gives a freshness that counters a lovely, dusty green tannin and a slight density of fruit. The balance of these opposing elements makes for a wine of wonderful drinkability.