New Arrivals at Good Wine Online

Good Wine Online > New Arrivals

For our regular customers this section is designed to put all our new additions in one place for easy browsing. We'll try and keep this page updated as we receive new wines.

Waipara Springs Chardonnay 2010 75cl
Waipara is about an hour north west of Christchurch (on South Island). It links Marlborough's Awatere Valley with Christchurch via an inland route, although we were unable to drive it in winter as the road was closed due to snow and we had to turn back toward Blenheim and take the coast road - it was a beautiful drive though. We did eventually get as far as Waipara approaching from the Christchurch diirection.

It's in a valley sheltered from the prevailing easterly wind by a range of mountains.. The valley floor is a prehistoric lake bed providing unique qualities for the vines. Waipara Springs Estate vineyard was planted in the 1980s including the Mendoza clone Chardonnay. This combination of unique mesoclimate, fine soils, rare clones and aged vines let's them produce some outstanding Chardonnay wines.

The wine is full bodied, round and full in the mouth with well integrated oak. It's very good wine and excellent value for money.

Last 2 bottles for now

Further Information on Waipara Springs Chardonnay 2010 75cl

Price: £10.20

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John's Rating
Sustainable Farming

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Maxwell Lime Cave Cabernet Mclaren Vale 2008
Nominated for the George Mackey Trophy presented by the Australian Wine & Brandy Corporation for the most outstanding wine exported from Australia

This Cabernet from Maxwell is one of their ultra premium wines, proudly representing Mclaren Vale as one of Australia's premier Cabernet producing regions.

Made from grapes selected from just 19 rows of Cabernet vines. Two years in French oak to produce this superb wine.

Further Information on Maxwell Lime Cave Cabernet Mclaren Vale 2008

Price: £20.94

Sulphite Content:
Awards:	Halliday
John's Rating

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Maxwell Lime Cave Cabernet Mclaren Vale 2008

Claymore 'Walk on the Wild Side' Shiraz Viognier Clare Valley 2008 75cl

Claymore Website

Further Information on Claymore 'Walk on the Wild Side' Shiraz Viognier Clare Valley 2008 75cl

Price: £13.97

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Claymore 'Walk on the Wild Side' Shiraz Viognier Clare Valley 2008 75cl

Indaba Mosaic 2012 75cl
Indaba in the Western Cape is a brand of wine created to celebrate the democratization of South Africa. Indaba is derived from a Zulu word for a "meeting of tribal chiefs to discuss something important". Their wines are actually made by Cape Classics and overseen by Bruwer Raats from Raats winery. They've not gone for high end wines but instead are producing some very good every day wines at excellent prices, and they've won numerous "best value" awards.

They source grapes from various regions including Robertson and Breede River Valley. A significant proportion of their profits go towards a scholarship programme for people from disadvantaged communities to train in wine related studies.

This Mosaic impressed me. It's a blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verot. There's strong red fruit on the nose with a rich oaky flavour and a slightly savoury finish. For the money it is great value.

Further Information on Indaba Mosaic 2012 75cl

Price: £8.99

Sulphite Content:
John's Rating
Fairtrade
Sustainable Farming

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Spice Route Mourvedre 2009 75cl
Another excellent wine from Spice Route, and great value too. The grapes were hand picked and lightly crushed then fermented in open concrete tanks. The wine was matured for 14 months in French oak.

It's big and spicey with plenty of fruit. Tannins are softened by a lively acidity and there is good length on the finish too. Delicious as an every day glass of wine after a hard day's work or would pair nicely with a variety of foods from roast meats to spicey curries.

This is great value.

Spice Route Website

Further Information on Spice Route Mourvedre 2009 75cl

Price: £9.98

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Awards:	Platter
John's Rating

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Organic Natural Wine Energie Yin Domaine Viret 2012 75cl
Energie Yin is the partner to our best selling Energie Yang. Predominantly Syrah, Grenache and Mouverdre. I had always liked the Yin but we decided to import just Yang to begin with. Sales of Domaine Viret have really taken off for us as our regulars enjoy the wines and get no ill effects, so we're now importing virtually Philippe's entire range. I tasted this vintage of Yin at Montpellier in January and it was delicious, his best vintage yet.

Due to their unique composition of natural anti oxidants rather than sulphur, these Domain Viret wines will all benefit from decanting or aerating before drinking (preferably for 30 minutes) to get the best out of them. They all open up remarkably once given the chance to react with the air.

Domaine Viret Website

Further Information on Organic Natural Wine Energie Yin Domaine Viret 2012 75cl

Price: £10.99

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Free Sulphur (Current)	0 mg/l
Bio Dynamic Wine
Organic Wine
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Organic Natural Wine Energie Yin Domaine Viret 2012 75cl

Kalleske Clarry's GSM Barossa Valley 2011 75cl

Barossa Valley Wine Show 2012 - Gold

London International Wine Challenge - Biodynamic Wine of the Year

London International Wine Challenge - Trophy for Best Barossa GSM Blend

London International Wine Challenge - Trophy for Best Australian Red

Kalleske are a superb family winery making some exceptional wines. Their vineyards were some of the oldest in Barossa Valley dating back to the 1850s and the family have been growing grapes there for six generations. They used to sell their premium grapes to Penfolds for use in their top wines, but the 7th generation of the Kalleske family decided to build their own winery and make their own wines. And we're very glad they did as these wines are very very good indeed. They are also biodynamic.

Made from Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro (not Mouverdre as you may have expected!). It's a delicious big wine, full yet wonderfully smooth with big fruit flavour in the peppery Rhone style. Great stuff.

Kalleske Website

Further Information on Kalleske Clarry's GSM Barossa Valley 2011 75cl

Price: £18.49

Sulphite Content:
Awards:	IWC
John's Rating	91 Points
Bio Dynamic Wine
Organic Wine
Sustainable Farming

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Kalleske Clarry's GSM Barossa Valley 2011 75cl

Kalleske Merchant Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley 2010 75cl
5 Stars James Halliday. In the 2013 edition of James Halliday's ratings Kalleske have been voted a 5 Star winery and one of the top wineries in all Barossa Valley

This wine is a single vineyard offering from premium Cabernet grapes - 2010 was an excellent year for this particular varietal which ripened perfectly in the conditions. It has big blackberry flavours with other dark fruits and some mint on the back palate. Aged for two years in French oak, the tannins are seemlessly integrated and the whole wine comes together beautifully. Medium to full bodied, very smooth, well structured and balanced. It's unmistakably Barossa, and unmistakably quality.

Kalleske Website

Further Information on Kalleske Merchant Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley 2010 75cl

Price: £23.75

Sulphite Content:
Awards:	JH
John's Rating	93 Points
Bio Dynamic Wine
Organic Wine
Sustainable Farming

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Kalleske Merchant Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley 2010 75cl

Kalleske Pirathon Shiraz Barossa Valley 2011 75cl
5 Stars James Halliday. In the 2013 edition of James Halliday's ratings Kalleske have been voted a 5 Star winery and one of the top wineries in all Barossa Valley

This Pirathon is a unique wine, made by Troy Kalleske to showcase the very best of Barossa Valley Shiraz. Grapes for this wine are sourced from several small dedicated vineyards in the north western Barossa (the best sub region) - De Fazio, Elson, Kalleske, Materne, Milhinch, Pfeiffer, Wendt, Westlake, each winery being from a different district. They're all lovingly hand crafted in open top fermenters then aged in barrel. Each cuvee is given to Troy to put together the final assemblage. As some of these small wineries are not biodynamically certified the final wine cannot be classified as "biodynamic" although it has been made in it's purest form with meticulous attention to detail.

The resulting wine is absolutely superb - as you would expect. It's big and powerful packed with complex flavours. Beautifully made, balanced and structured combining fruit power and oak perfectly. One of the very best Australian wines I've ever had the pleasure to taste.

Kalleske Website

Further Information on Kalleske Pirathon Shiraz Barossa Valley 2011 75cl

Price: £23.75

Sulphite Content:
Awards:	JH
John's Rating	94 Points
Sustainable Farming

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Kalleske Pirathon Shiraz Barossa Valley 2011 75cl

Cremant de Marinas Rose Domaine Costes Cirgues 75cl

Please excuse the picture! Their wines are only made in tiny quantities and not commercially available so we had to photoshop the only available image we could get. This is a stunningly good sparkling Rose. Like all David's wines it was made organically without the addition of any sulphites or other chemicals, then secondary fermented in bottle (as with Champagne) to create the bubbles. As a result there is a tiny amount of sulphite in there produced naturally during the second fermentation (13 mg/l free SO2) and it can't legally be classed as sulphite free. But amounts are so low it is still perfectly safe for somebody with a sulphite allergy, and this is natural sulphite of course not a chemical compound additive. Sorry, margins are tight on this wine (5 pounds is UK taxes!) so we're not able to offer case discounts. It's also very limited.

£14.99

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Font de Marinas Blanc Domaine Costes Cirgues 2011 75cl

Please excuse the picture! Their wines are only made in tiny quantities and not commercially available so we had to photoshop the only available image we could get. A delicious fresh and fruity sulphite free white wine with a crisp finish. This is excellent.

£12.98

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Montplaisir Rouge Domaine Costes Cirgues 2011 75cl

Please excuse the picture! Their wines are only made in tiny quantities and not commercially available so we had to photoshop the only available image we could get.

Carignan 40%, Grenache 25%, Mourverdre 25%, Merlot 10%. Again all picked by hand. Once the grapes reach the winery they are de-stemmed then fed by gravity into concrete fermenters to be fermented under temperature control - all varieties are fermented separately of course, then blended to produce the final wine.

Floral on the nose, fruity with a dry finish.

£13.99

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Saint Cyr Rouge Domaine Costes Cirgues 2011 75cl

Gold Medal Millesime Bio 2013

Please excuse the picture! Their wines are only made in tiny quantities and not commercially available so we had to photoshop the only available image we could get.

80% Grenache and 20% Syrah picked by hand into small trays from a tiny 1.4 hectare vineyard. De-stemmed and gravity fed into conctete fermenters. Fermented separately then blended to produce the final wine. Dark violet in colour with spice and black fruit on the nose. Black fruit flavours on the palate with an elegance and overall balance. Very smooth, delicious and very easy to drink!

£14.99

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Chateau Costes Cirgues 2011 75cl

Please excuse the picture! Their wines are only made in tiny quantities and not commercially available so we had to photoshop the only available image we could get. The flagship wine.

80% Syrah, 20% Grenache hand harvested into small trays from another tiny 1.6 hectare vineyard. Gravity fed, concrete fermented then aged in French oak for 18 months prior to blending.

Black fruit from the Grenache with some pepper from the Syrah. Big, rich and opulent.

£24.95

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Happy Hour Red Domaine D'Anglas 2010 75cl
Please excuse the picture! Their wines are only made in tiny quantities and not commercially available so we had to photoshop the only available image we could get.

This Happy Hour red is made for everyday easy drinking and is their most popular wine. (There is also a Happy Hour Rose but none available until this year's harvest is bottled).

This is soft, smooth and fruity with flavours of fresh apple (for a red wine!), and low alcohol of only 11%. It's very light and can be drunk chilled in warmer weather. Don't think of it as a "red wine" in the traditional manner, more of a refreshing drink. In France this wine is made to be consumed in quantity while sat in the sun, rather than savoured over the course of a meal on a winter's evening. It's completely natural with no additives (no sulphites) and no added tartaric acid, this wine is perfect for those looking to change their wine drinking habits to healthier wines.

Domaine D'Anglas Website

Further Information on Happy Hour Red Domaine D'Anglas 2010 75cl

Price: £10.99

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Free Sulphur (Current)	0 mg/l
Organic Wine
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Happy Hour Red Domaine D'Anglas 2010 75cl

Le Petit Roy Domaine D'Anglas 2009 75cl
Please excuse the picture! Their wines are only made in tiny quantities and not commercially available so we had to photoshop the only available image we could get.

This Petit Roy was the wine we enjoyed in the restaurant (2 bottles!). After a full day tasting at the show we asked a French sommelier contact to recommend a quality restaurant where we could get some good sulphite free wine, and he sent us to the trendy (and excellent) "Trinque Fougasse". It was pretty much French only and fully booked but our sommelier friend (Christophe) carries a lot of weight out there! A plate of excellent tapas (all fresh local food), some gypsy music played live on the fiddle and squeeze box, and a couple of bottles of delicious wine! This restaurant/bar lists over 500 wines by the bottle, all local and made properly.

100% native Carignan from a 4 hectare vineyard of old vines (35 to 45 years old). All work in the vineyard is done manually and the grapes are hand picked of course. The grapes are fermented using only native yeasts and undergo carbonic maceration - this very light pressing extracts the flavours but leaves behind most of the tannin from pips and skin, producing a lighter, fresher style of red wine. The wine is matured in vat (either stainless steel or plastic) for 8 months prior to bottling. Although intended for immediate drinking being low in tannin, this wine will keep in great condition for up to 10 years from bottling.

Domaine D'Anglas Website

Further Information on Le Petit Roy Domaine D'Anglas 2009 75cl

Price: £13.99

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John's Rating
Free Sulphur (Current)	0 mg/l
Organic Wine
Vegan
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Esprit de la Garrigue Domaine D'Anglas 2009 75cl
Please excuse the picture! Their wines are only made in tiny quantities and not commercially available so we had to photoshop the only available image we could get. It turns out that the 2009 has been bottled in a Burgundy bottle not the Bordeaux shape as in the picture - it actually looks much better now!

We're getting into seriously good wines now. From a tiny 2 hectare vineyard, this wine consists of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache. All work is done manually including hand picking and destalking. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in wooden vats. Roger recommends opening this wine 12 hours before consuming for best results. That's pretty unrealistic here in the UK but I'd recommend decanting or pouring into a jug to aerate it and leaving it for as long as you comfortably can because it does change significantly as it aerates.Great with red meats like lamb or game such as duck.

Domaine D'Anglas Website

Further Information on Esprit de la Garrigue Domaine D'Anglas 2009 75cl

Price: £18.95

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Sulphite Content:
John's Rating	91 Points
Free Sulphur (Current)	0 mg/l
Organic Wine
Vegan
Sustainable Farming

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Esprit de la Garrigue Domaine D'Anglas 2009 75cl

Chemin des Moutons Domaine D'Anglas 2008 75cl
This is the flagship red wine from Domaine D'Anglas. A blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache aged for two years in oak. A big warming wine, seriously good in it's own right. Being completely sulphite free is a major bonus of course.

Domaine D'Anglas Website

Further Information on Chemin des Moutons Domaine D'Anglas 2008 75cl

Price: £24.95

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Sulphite Content:
John's Rating	93 Points
Free Sulphur (Current)	0 mg/l
Organic Wine
Vegan
Sustainable Farming

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Chemin des Moutons Domaine D'Anglas 2008 75cl

Face au Chateau Domaine D'Anglas 2010 75cl
Please excuse the picture! Their wines are only made in tiny quantities and not commercially available so we had to photoshop the only available image we could get.

Roussane 80% Marsanne 18% Viognier 2% from a tiny vineyard - only 2000 bottles produced annually. Aged in barrel for 6 months.

Domaine D'Anglas Website

Further Information on Face au Chateau Domaine D'Anglas 2010 75cl

Price: £24.95

Case discounts available
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Sulphite Content:
John's Rating	90 Points
Free Sulphur (Current)	0 mg/l
Organic Wine
Vegan
Sustainable Farming

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Face au Chateau Domaine D'Anglas 2010 75cl

Grangehurst 2005
John Platter 4.5 Stars

The flagship wine of the estate, a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. 15 barrels of Jeremy's top wines were aged for 33 months in French oak then blended to produce 3239 bottles (and 572 magnums) of this premium wine. Jeremy describes it as both "a collector's item" and a wine to be enjoyed when you are in the mood for opening a special red.

And we agree, it is special. Big and opulent, rich, round and very smooth with a really long lingering finish. Currently our best South African red!

Grangehurst Website

Further Information on Grangehurst 2005

Price: £35.00

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Awards:	Platter
John's Rating	94 Points

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Grangehurst Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2005
John Platter 4 Stars

5 barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon were selected for this limited release Reserve vintage producing just 1269 bottles. This is a big powerful wine with strong black fruits. Full and round with a very long finish. Not as dry as many Cabs, more new world than old in style. Delicious to savour, or enjoy with roast meats.

Grangehurst Website

Further Information on Grangehurst Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2005

Price: £24.95

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Awards:	Platter
John's Rating	91 Points

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Grangehurst Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2005

Grangehurst Shiraz Cabernet Reserve 2005
John Platter 4.5 Stars

67% Shiraz, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon. 9 barrels of Jeremy's finest wine were selected to make this cuvee of just over 2000 bottles. The wines were aged for 26 months in French oak (91% with 9% American) prior to blending.

Big, opulent, rich and round. The ageing gives it a mature soft palate, not the racier style you get with younger wines. Lovely flavours of dark fruit with noticeable oak, very smooth of course with a long lingering finish. Clearly a new world wine made in an old world style! It's a wine to be savoured leisurely either on it's own by the fire or with the Sunday roast.

Grangehurst Website

Further Information on Grangehurst Shiraz Cabernet Reserve 2005

Price: £24.95

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Awards:	Platter
John's Rating	91 Points

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Grangehurst Shiraz Cabernet Reserve 2005

Grangehurst Nikela 2005
Voted one of the Top 5 Cape Blends by the Pinotage Association 2013

John Platter 4 Stars

The word "Nikela" is an adaptation of an African word and means "to offer a gift of dedication, respect or tribute to one's ancestors" and this wine has been thus named in dedication to Eddie and Betty Walker who contributed greatly to the establishment of Grangehurst.

It's a blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Pinotage, 23% Shiraz and 8% Merlot, all fermented separately and aged for 29 months in French oak (91% with 9% American).

Another fabulous wine. The Pinotage element is prominent with flavours of fruit, spice and dark chocolate. Again Jeremy's techniques of extensive barrel ageing prior to blending give this wine a complete, rounded feel with all the elements in harmony. Delicious flavours, full in the mouth yet not heavy, velvet smooth. The oak is completely integrated as are the tannins and acidity, creating an overall drinking experience not normally found in South African wines. This wine is superb.

Grangehurst Website

Further Information on Grangehurst Nikela 2005

Price: £19.94

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Awards:	Platter
John's Rating	91 Points

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Grangehurst Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2005
John Platter 4 Stars

Aged in French oak for 20 months. Unmistakably South African, big and punchy in style.

Grangehurst Website

Further Information on Grangehurst Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2005

Price: £18.95

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Awards:	Platter
John's Rating	91 Points

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Grangehurst Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2005

Grangehurst Pinotage 2003
John Platter 4.5 Stars

Aged 23 months in 75% French, 25% American oak.

This wine is fabulous! The best Pinotage on our site, and the best I've tasted anywhere. Grangehurst are set apart from the vast majority of South African wines because of the time taken to produce their wines. Jeremy aged this wine in barrel for two years prior to blending and it has also benefitted significantly from a further 8 years bottle age. The resulting wine is beautiful - full flavoured with spice and fruit, yet very rounded, full and velvet smooth with a twenty second finish. The tannins are completely integrated as is the wine's natural acidity, making for the complete drinking experience.

Too many South Africans are drunk too young and rely on racy acidity to mask the prominent tannin. Grangehurst is a whole new experience for South African fans.

Grangehurst Website

Further Information on Grangehurst Pinotage 2003

Price: £17.95

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Awards:	Platter
John's Rating	91 Points

OUT OF STOCK

O Fournier Alfa Centauri Red Blend 2008 75cl
91 points Stephen Tanzer

Selected for Decanter New World Icon Wine Master Seminar

91 points Descorchados Wine Guide 2011 Chile.

Decanter Bronze Medal

These awards were just for the cask sample! (The wine has only recently been released in bottle and is so limited they don't see the need to enter any further competitions).

O Fournier are regarded as one of the world's finest small wine companies with award winning wineries in Argentina, Chile and Spain (Ribera del Duero). Amongst a very impressive array of awards they were selected four times for Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (100 Best Wineries Worldwide) and selected five times for Wine Spectator Grand Tour (200 Best Wineries Worldwide). Take a look at their website for more info and awards.

The Chilean operation is a relatively new venture for them and this 2008 is the first vintage produced of this premium Alfa Centauri Blend. In fact José Manuel Ortega of the O.Fournier group spent nearly three years looking for the best location to site their vineyards in Chile, and found an ideal site already planted with established vines. For the red grapes he finally selected for Maule on the basis that it is "capable of producing some of the most incredible wines in the world", while for the whites they opted for Lo Abarca in the San Antonio Valley, which has helped them produce exceptional Sauvignon Blanc too.

This Alfa Centauri is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and 15% Merlot, all from low yielding old vines - some 120 years old. The vines were hand pruned, the grapes hand harvested into small 15kg boxes to avoid damage and the need for spraying with sodium metabisulphite powder, then the grapes were further hand sorted at the winery so only the best were used. The different varietals were fermented separately in stainless steel then aged for 18 months in new French oak.

To me the label looks a little plain for such a premium wine, but it represents the astrological formation Alfa Centauri which according to Chilean legend was formed by a great hunter throwing his "boleadoras" at a giant ostrich where it got stuck in the heavens creating the astrological formation! So it clearly has significant meaning locally if not internationally! Like so many of the best Spanish and Italian wines, the producers simply do not understand the importance of presentation to the UK consumer - the wine is superb, so they just expect us to know about it!

O Fournier Website

Further Information on O Fournier Alfa Centauri Red Blend 2008 75cl

Price: £24.00

Sulphite Content:
Awards:	DEC
John's Rating	92 Points

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O Fournier Alfa Centauri Red Blend 2008 75cl

Paul Cluver Close Encounter Reisling 2010 75cl
John Platter 4 Stars

Below are Cluver's official tasting notes although Platter believes the wine is more "Auslese" than "Spatelese". I don't believe it's quite that sweet myself although this could be to do with it's wonderfully fresh, clean finish. To me it was deliciously semi sweet while still refreshing with citrus notes. There's the unmistakable Reisling quality, yet more rounded and fuller than old world Reisling. I really enjoyed it and thought it was a great alternative to Chardonnay for those who like a white wine with body.

"Spatelese, sweeter style Riesling, higher residual sugar, lower alcohol. The colour is pale, with a beautiful green apple tint.

The nose is quite expressive with flavours ranging from Granny Smith apple and lime, to citrus peel, with gentle floral tones. The palate is well balanced with great interplay between the naturally retained residual sugar and the acidity. Lovely luscious, creamy mouthfeel. Will age beautifully.

Works well with spicy food and is great with sushi. Carpaccio and beef tartar are interesting partners too".

Further Information on Paul Cluver Close Encounter Reisling 2010 75cl

Price: £10.94

Sulphite Content:
Awards:	Platter
John's Rating	89 Points

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Paul Cluver Close Encounter Reisling 2010 75cl

Ernie Els Big Easy White Chenin Blanc 2012
Veritas Awards - Gold Medal.

Produced from low yielding vines, all hand harvested. Fermented under temperature control in stainless steel. This wine has had no wood contact so is light, fresh and fruity in style.

Ernie Els Website

Further Information on Ernie Els Big Easy White Chenin Blanc 2012

Price: £9.98

Sulphite Content:
Awards:	Veritas
John's Rating	90 Points

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Ernie Els Big Easy White Chenin Blanc 2012

Kaapzicht Hanepoot Jerepigo 2008 75cl
Best Value Wine Guide South Africa - Best Value Award

This unusual looking fortified wine is a stunner for the price. I tasted it at last year's London Wine Fare and loved it. Made from 100% Muscat d'Alexandria. As it's a dessert wine the sulphur levels are higher than table wines so avoid it if you have a sulphite allergy.

Steytler Website

Further Information on Kaapzicht Hanepoot Jerepigo 2008 75cl

Price: £10.80

Sulphite Content:
Awards:	Best Value
John's Rating	88 Points

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Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2010 75cl
Tri Nations Wine Awards - Trophy Best White Wine, Decanter World Wine Awards - Gold Medal, John Platter 4.5 Stars!

Paul Cluver is a fifth generation family owned vineyard and winery, and so much more in fact. It's 2400 hectares of eco tourism, cattle farm vineyard, native bush with restaurant and various other activities. They're amongst South Africa's best white wine producers.

A fantastic Chardonnay, fermented with wild yeasts and aged in French oak, both new and used (2nd, 3rd and 4th fill which shows the attention they paid to this wine during production!).

Tasting notes to follow shortly.

Further Information on Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2010 75cl

Price: £12.98

Sulphite Content:
Awards:	Platter
John's Rating	91 Points

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Cirrus Syrah 2007
Decanter World Wine Awards 2011 - Trophy Best Rhone Varietal, Veritas Wine Awards - Gold Medal, Winespectator - 92 Points.

The Cirrus Syrah is actually a collaboration between the Ernie Els team ( Ernie, Jean Engelbrecht and Louis Strydom) and Ray Duncan of Silver Oak Winery Napa Valley, who specialises in producing (only) top quality Cabernet Sauvignon. Jean and Ray became firm friends as their passion for prodcing outstanding wines brought them together.

Inevitably they decided to make a wine together and the Cirrus was born. As they decided to make it in South Africa they opted to make it from the Syrah grape (with a little Viognier).

It's deep ruby in colour with big legs. There's black fruit on the nose with some spice. On the palate there's big black fruit flavours with cherry and coffee notes, plenty of spice and vanillin oak coming through on the finish. It's very very smooth, very big, very South African and very very good!

Further Information on Cirrus Syrah 2007

Price: £19.99

Sulphite Content:
Awards:	Veritas
John's Rating	92 Points

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Squawking Magpie Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2009 75cl
2011 Bragato Wine Awards Bronze Medal

Squawking Magpie's tasting notes say:

"An exceptional Chardonnay that offers you a sophisticated, soft textured wine with restrained flavours of grapefruit, melon and a subtle blend of nut, spicy oak and lees characters."

Squawking Magpie Website

Further Information on Squawking Magpie Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2009 75cl

Price: £17.99

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Awards:	Brag
John's Rating	91 Points

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Squawking Magpie Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2009 75cl

Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011 75cl
Squawking Magpie's tasting notes say:

"The grapes used for this vintage have produced a powerful, mouthfilling wine with fresh acidity, ripe melon and lime flavours.

Fully tank fermented, this wonderful wine is fresh and vibrant with a crisp dry finish.

Enjoy now or over the next 3 years."

I agree with these comments completely. The wine is very pale in colour with a subtle nose. On the palate it's very fresh with citrus and melon flavours and a zingy natural acidity that cleanses the palate beautifully.

This wine is very good. It has clearly been well made from start to finish, as opposed to many of the more commercially styled Marlborough Sauvignons which get heavily rectified till they fit the desired style. As a result, as well as being delicious, this wine feels natural, fresh and healthy and won't induce heartburn (from acid rectification) or hangover (from masses of added chemicals).

Squawking Magpie Website

Further Information on Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011 75cl

Price: £13.96

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John's Rating	90 Points

OUT OF STOCK

Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011 75cl

Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Reserve Pinot Gris 2011 75cl
Squawking Magpie's tasting notes say:

"A fresh and vibrant wine with pear, honeysuckle and citrus tones on the nose. The palate is spicy with a long broad finish."

I agree with this. The wine is quite rich and full bodied with a long dry finish, as you'd expect from New World hot weather Pinot Gris. There's plenty of fruit with a full, viscous mouthfeel. It's a wine to be savoured and will partner well with foods such as creamy pasta or chicken salad. Be careful not to overchill though or you'll kill the delicate flavours.

This style of wine is perfect out in New Zealand sat in the sun on the terrace overlooking the vineyards, enjoying a light lunch. Back here in the UK winter we're not so blessed with hot days and sunshine, but this wine still has a place. As it's not meant to be drunk too chilled it can be enjoyed on a cold night sat in front of the fire with some cheese and biscuits - perfect!

Squawking Magpie Website

Further Information on Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Reserve Pinot Gris 2011 75cl

Price: £13.96

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Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Reserve Pinot Gris 2011 75cl

Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Chardonnay 2010 75cl
Squawking Magpie's tasting notes say:

"The wine has a buttery and toasty finish having gone through malolactic fermentation and aged in oak. Just like the "chatter" of the Magpie, fresh, full bodied and smooth. Delicious now or will cellar up to 5 years."

Squawking Magpie Website

Further Information on Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Chardonnay 2010 75cl

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Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Chardonnay 2010 75cl

Squawking Magpie The Stoned Crow Syrah 2009 75cl
2011 Air New Zealand Wine Awards - Gold

2011 Bragato Wine Awards - Gold

2011 Hawkes Bay A&P Wine Awards - Gold

2012 Winestate Hawkes Bay Region - No 1 Syrah

2012 Royal Easter Show Wine Awards - Silver

2011 International Wine and Spirit Competition - Silver

2011 Royal Easter Show Wine Awards - Bronze

2012 Boutique Wine Awards - Bronze

2011 New Zealand International Wine Show - Bronze

2012 95 Points - Huan Hooke, wine writer Sydney Morning Herald

This wine is severely limited and Gavin restricts his New Zealand customers to one case maximum!

Squawking Magpie's tasting notes say:

" Dark oak concentrated derived from aging in French Oak. Showing peppery and toasty characters, this wine has supple tannins with a firm, smooth and spicy finish.

A serious single vineyard wine."

Squawking Magpie Website

Further Information on Squawking Magpie The Stoned Crow Syrah 2009 75cl

Price: £24.95

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Awards:	ANZ
John's Rating	92 Points

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Squawking Magpie The Stoned Crow Syrah 2009 75cl

Squawking Magpie The Nest Merlot 2006 75cl
Bronze Medal Royal Easter Show 2011

A rare wine indeed - a New Zealand red with some bottle age! This wine has been receiving great reviews and is extremely limited.

Squawking Magpie's tasting notes say:

" Only the best grapes were selectively hand-picked from single vineyard low yielding older vines, producing an exceptional wine with ample ripe tannins and a firm structure with a rich, supple texture. A wine with elegance and concentration not often encountered in New Zealand red wines. Deliciously drinkable now and will cellar superbly for up to 20 years. Enjoy!"

Squawking Magpie Website

Further Information on Squawking Magpie The Nest Merlot 2006 75cl

Price: £18.95

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Awards:	RES
John's Rating	91 Points

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Squawking Magpie The Nest Merlot 2006 75cl

Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Syrah 2011 75cl
Gold Medal New World Wine Awards 2012

Squawking Magpie's tasting notes say:

" Dark and concentrated showing peppery and toasty oak characters, this wine has supple tannins with a firm, smooth and spicy finish. These grapes have been produced in the Gimblett Gravels growing region, and the quality and value has already drawn interest far and wide. This wine will not be in stock for long, secure your case today!"

Gavin makes his wines in a more classical old world style rather than the fruit driven style we're accustomed to from the new world. This Syrah needs some time to breathe and make sure it's at room temperature as it has quite delicate flavours. It's ruby in colour with good legs. On the palate there's red fruits with a creamy flavour and mouthfeel. It's medium bodied and soft. An ideal food wine.

Squawking Magpie Website

Further Information on Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Syrah 2011 75cl

Price: £17.99

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Awards:	NWWA
John's Rating	90 Points

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Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Syrah 2011 75cl

Enrique Foster Lois Sparkling Rose of Malbec 75cl

A fantastic dry sparkling Rose from this top Argentine producer. All the grapes were harvested by hand, and the winery uses a gravity flow system to reduce the need for pumps, both of which help reduce the need for manipulation in the winery (including the addition of sulphites).

Delicate pink in colour, a fine concentrated mousse with strawberry flavours and a long crisp finish. This wine is delicious, reminiscent of the Pongracz Rose when it was very good, before the blend was changed and production dramatically increased. We're delighted to have such a good replacement at last. Give this wine a try - it's fantastic.

Sorry out of stock indefinitely as the last order missed the boat in Argentina. We're looking at mid summer now at the earliest. I suggest you try the Cremant de Marinas from Costes Cirgues - it's superb

Enrique Foster Website

Further Information on Enrique Foster Lois Sparkling Rose of Malbec 75cl

Price: £12.98

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Awards:	RP
John's Rating	90 Points

OUT OF STOCK

Enrique Foster Lois Sparkling Rose of Malbec 75cl

Mauricio Lorca Gran Poetico Blend 2007 75cl
Robert Parker 93 Points

One of Mauricio's top wines. A big powerful blend of predominantly Malbec with Syrah and Petit Verdot. Silky smooth, big fruit with black cherry and dark chocolate, aged in French oak for 12 months.

Mauricio Lorca Website

Further Information on Mauricio Lorca Gran Poetico Blend 2007 75cl

Price: £30.00

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Awards:	RP
John's Rating	92 Points

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Mauricio Lorca Gran Poetico Blend 2007 75cl

Mauricio Lorca Gran Opalo Blend 2008 75cl
Robert Parker 94 Points

This is Mauricio's top wine in his Opalo unoaked range. Another big wine with purity of fruit rather than power.

Mauricio Lorca Website

Further Information on Mauricio Lorca Gran Opalo Blend 2008 75cl

Price: £25.00

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Awards:	RP
John's Rating	92 Points

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Mauricio Lorca Gran Opalo Blend 2008 75cl

Mauricio Lorca Fantasia Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 75cl
Mauricio Lorca Fantasia range are a great introduction to the quality of modern Aegentine wines. This Cabernet Sauvignon shows purity of fruit with slight earthy mineral notes, making it ideal to enjoy with food.

Mauricio Lorca Website

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Mauricio Lorca Fantasia Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 75cl

Mauricio Lorca Fantasia Malbec 2012 75cl
Mauricio Lorca Fantasia range are a great introduction to the quality of modern Argentine wines. 30% of the Malbec was oaked for complexity and a bit of body, the rest is unoaked for purity of fruit. Big cherry flavours with a little spice. Great value for everyday drinking at this price.

Mauricio Lorca Website

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Mauricio Lorca Fantasia Malbec 2012 75cl

Enrique Foster Limited Edition Malbec 2006 75cl
eRobert Parker 91 Points

Mauricio Lorca made this wine for Enrique Foster, a limited edition individually numbered wine made from handpicked grapes from old vines. Aged in French oak for 15 months then a further 8 months in bottle prior to release.

Mauricio Lorca Website

Further Information on Enrique Foster Limited Edition Malbec 2006 75cl

Price: £30.00

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John's Rating	92 Points

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Enrique Foster Limited Edition Malbec 2006 75cl

Bodegas Y Vinedos Mauricio Lorca Inspirado 2008 75cl
Robert Parker 94 Points

Mauricio Lorca is one of Argentina's best winemakers. He has been head winemaker at Enrique Foster for some years and now also produces some exceptional wines under his own brand. This Inspirado is a new wine for him and represents the pinnacle of his winemaking talents.

His vineyards are in Vista Flores, Uco Valley Mendoza - regarded by many as the best vineyard area in all Argentina. The vines are all low yielding to provide optimum quality fruit.

It's a blend with 40% Syrah, 30% Malbec, 20% Cabernet and 10% Petit Verdot. Most top Argentine blends are Malbec dominated so this is something both unusual and special. It's a huge decadent wine with rich intense dark fruit flavours. Well integrated mouth coating tannins with full body and balanced acidity, very smooth and a really long finish. Like liquid velvet.

Mauricio has produced a superb wine here - so good that we've bought all that was imported to the UK! He's only made a few hundred bottles so demand will obviously outstrip supply - it isn't even on his website. It's already drinking superbly but will age for many years to come if you wish to lay some down.

Mauricio Lorca Website

Further Information on Bodegas Y Vinedos Mauricio Lorca Inspirado 2008 75cl

Price: £59.99

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Awards:	RP
John's Rating	94 Points

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Bodegas Y Vinedos Mauricio Lorca Inspirado 2008 75cl

Zevenwacht Zeven Rood Stellenbosch 2009 75cl

This new release has not yet been rated but the 08 won Veritas Wine Awards - Bronze Medal, and both the 07 and 08 were featured in the Wine Magazine Best Value Wine Guide.

What a great wine for showing what can be achieved but still be affordable for everyday drinking! I was with Denise at the London Wine Fair tasting through her range. Normally I don't bother with wines at this price point, as I have to keep a fresh palate for the more expensive stuff, but on this occassion she persuaded me to give it a go.

It was full of different flavours - chocolate, red berries, spice, coffee - and overall lovely. I started espousing the flavours I was getting when Denise smuggly turned the bottle round and showed me the back label. It simply lists "Spice, Berries, Chocolate etc etc". There's no text explaining the growing or winemaking or even which grapes it's made from! It's good wine, enjoyed for it's own sake - no nonsense.

However I will tell you that it's made from 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Shiraz, 16% Merlot, 4% Mouvedre, 2% Primitivo, and 1% Grenache. Value for money it's one of the best wines on our site, and I heartily recommend it.

Zevenwacht Website

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Zevenwacht Zeven Rood Stellenbosch 2009 75cl

Zevenwacht Zeven Blanc 2011 Stellenbosch 75cl

Veritas Awards - Bronze Medal

This is a very pleasant easy drinking wine for a summer's day. It's 75% Sauvignon Blanc with 20% Semillon (barrel fermented) and a little Nouvelle (it's a new grape to me too!). It's fresh and light with plenty of zingy fruit and a little weight on the palate from the Semillon. They sell loads of this at the winery restaurant out on the terrace as it's a perfect wine to enjoy on a hot day.

Zevenwacht Website

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Zevenwacht Zeven Blanc 2011 Stellenbosch 75cl

Zevenwacht Chenin Blanc 2011 Stellenbosch 75cl

Platter hasn't rated this vintage yet but awarded 3 stars for 2010 and four stars for the 2009. We believe this is a big improvement on the 2010 vintage, as do Zevenwacht hence this new vintage is now part of their flagship range. They have upgraded the labelling to reflect this. Be warned - if you see this wine advertised cheaper somewhere else, it will almost certainly be the 2010 which is not in the same league quality wise!

There's plenty of poor Chenin on the market which has put many people off - but a good one like this is a delicious wine, and well worth exploring if you want a wine with flavour and body but also a crisp refreshing style.

Zevenwacht harvested the grapes in three sections - those exposed to direct sunlight, partial sunlight and those in the shade, and vinified them separately. This gave different sugar levels to each vat, giving Jacques the flexibility to blend to achieve his desired style. 50% of the wine was also barrel fermented and aged on the lees for five months lending body and weight on the palate. After final blending the wine was returned to the fine lees for more ageing before bottling.

So, after all the technical stuff, what does it taste like? Delicious. Although it's full and rich in body, it's also delightfully fresh and light, full of tropical fruit flavour, pineapple and honey, with crisp fresh grapefruit on the finish. It's a perfect warm weather wine, that also pairs well with a variety of foods - salads, buttered fish, creamy sauces.

If you've never experienced a GOOD Chenin Blanc before you should give this a try.

Zevenwacht Website

Further Information on Zevenwacht Chenin Blanc 2011 Stellenbosch 75cl

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Zevenwacht Chenin Blanc 2011 Stellenbosch 75cl

Cremant de Marinas Rose Domaine Costes Cirgues 75cl

Font de Marinas Blanc Domaine Costes Cirgues 2011 75cl

Montplaisir Rouge Domaine Costes Cirgues 2011 75cl

Saint Cyr Rouge Domaine Costes Cirgues 2011 75cl

Chateau Costes Cirgues 2011 75cl

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