White Wine El Enemigo Chardonnay 2019. El Enemigo was founded by Catena Zapata chief winemaker Alejandro Vigil and Nicolas Catena’s youngest daughter, Adrianna Catena who is a historian. This exciting Argentinian project celebrates their shared interest in history, philosophy and literature, creating innovative, boundary-pushing wines with authentic Argentinian soul. This characterful Chardonnay is sourced from superb vineyards in Mendoza’s Gualtallary sub-region which sit at 1400-1500 metres above sea level. This lofty altitude ensures cool nights even during the summer as well as plenty of bright sunshine which helps ripen the grapes evenly and slowly. In the winery Alejandro uses an unusual technique common in France’s Jura wine region, covering the young wine with a thin veil of flour or yeast and leaving it to age in old oak barrels for 10 months. This distinctive process gives the Chardonnay striking notes of bitter almonds and dried fruit along with ripe tropical fruit notes from the grape variety itself. On the palate there are savoury notes of cream and toasted nuts along with peach and apricot which linger long on the tongue. This characterful white represents the very best of Argentina’s up-and-coming new wineries and will pair beautifully with pan-fried salmon, tuna steaks or herby roast chicken.
2019
White Wine El Enemigo Chardonnay 2019
White Wine Amisfield Pinot Gris 2019. Serve well chilled. Pale yellow in colour, this Pinot Gris is a joy! The nose brings multiple layers of aromatic fruits such as nectarine, ripe pear, quince and some citrus notes along with some mineral and floral nuances. The palate shows melon, pear, stone fruit, pineapple and a hint of toast. The wine dry and clean with great acidity that integrates well with a richness and full bodied mouth feel – this is a complex and multi-layered wine that is sheer delight. The finish is long and ends crisply. This is a great wine to drink on it’s own, as an aperitif, or with spicy Asian food, chicken, pasta or fish. Barrel aging for 7 months on the lees adds complexity and body to this very good Pinot Gris. Amisfield’s single-estate vineyard is situated beneath the stunning Pisa mountain range in the Cromwell Basin in Central Otago, New Zealand. Previously known as Rocky Knoll Vineyard, Amisfield has concentrated on a much more natural way to produce phenomenal wines – minimum intervention during growth of the grapes and making of the wine, and strict yield management combined with hand harvesting. The resulting fruit (and ultimately the wine) delivers concentrated fruit flavours along with complexity and balance that underlines the quality and character of the wine.
2019
White Wine Inama Vigneti di Carbonare Soave Classico 2019. From the 1950s Giuseppe Inama began piecing together prized small plots in the Soave Classico region of the Veneto as and when he had enough money. Today his legacy is continued by his family who look after more than 30-hectares of vines which are all farmed organically and according to sustainable agricultural practices as much as possible. This impressive single vineyard Soave is made with top quality fruit from Carbonare, a stunning vineyard set overlooking a steep valley where 40-year old vines grow on historic pergolas. The name comes from the property’s previous use as a place to source wood which was then used to make coal. Cool air from the nearby Piccole Dolomiti, or little Dolomites”, and remarkably pure streams that surround the property help to produce refined yet focused wines with great aromatic complexity. The natural character of the grape and the terroir is highlighted by fermenting the wine in stainless steel tanks for 12 months, followed by 6 months of bottle ageing. Fragrant hints of honeysuckle, bright citrus, and orchard fruit dominate on the nose, with the first sip revealing a zingy freshness, light body, and clean finish. Ideal to serve as an aperitif or partner for oysters, leafy salads, or sushi.
2019