White Wine Jean-Paul Benoit Droin Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2018. Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin is a traditional domaine run by a local family who have been involved in winemaking here in Chablis for over four centuries. Jean-Paul started working in the family business at the age of just 14 in 1965, while his son joined the winery in 1999 shortly before his father retired. Their vineyards include several excellent Premier and Grand Cru sites such as this Le Clos bottling. The 40 year old vines are planted on a prized hillside slope where several different soil types intermingle, including pebbles, calcareous soils, and deeper clay. The family try to fight pests and weeds in a sustainable way, using ploughing to maintain soil health. Once in the winery the fruit is pressed and vinified in stainless steel tanks and barrels for 8-10 months before bottling. The result is a powerful and energetic Grand Cru with a well-built structure that will help the wine age over the next decade and beyond. Hints of peach, oyster shell, and lemon dominate on the nose, followed by richer orchard fruit and honeyed notes on the palate. Serve with rich dishes like monkfish and turbot or even sushi.
2018
White Wine Jean-Paul Benoit Droin Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2018
White Wine Jordan Winery Chardonnay 2018. Jordan Winery was founded in 1972 by Tom and Sally Jordan in Sonoma’s Alexander Valley and has been in the same family ever since. In 1974 the couple built their iconic chateau which is the centrepiece of the 1200 acre estate. The Jordans are deeply committed to preserving the estate for future generations, including obtaining sustainability certification for the winery and vineyards and powering the winery almost entirely by solar power. The Jordans also partnered with André Tchelistcheff, the legendary winemaker who was known as the “the dean of American winemaking André was the creator of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon the Jordans had ever tried. With his help the Jordans established their estate as one of California’s top producers of powerful yet elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. The Jordans also produce some exceptional Chardonnay wines like this bottling which is made in a refined Burgundian-style. Grapes are sourced from a dozen prime vineyard blocks in the Russian River Valley where the cool climate preserves the aromatics and freshness in the fruit. The result is a rich and creamy Chardonnay with ample tropical fruit, ripe peaches and apricots with hints of brioche, toasted hazelnuts and vanilla spice.
2018
White Wine Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2018. One of the world’s oldest wine estates, Constantia was founded in 1685 by the first governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel. The historic winery sits in the foothills of the Constiaberg looking out over nearby False Bay, a picturesque setting that is ideal for producing premium wines thanks to the cooling ocean breezes and granitic soils. Prized by 18th century royal courts across Europe and drunk by Napoleon, Frederick the Great and Bismarck, Vin de Constance is easily South Africa’s most famous wine. This lusciously sweet dessert wine was revived in 1986 after detailed study of the winemaking methods and grape varieties which had traditionally been used. Much of the wine’s character comes from the cool night time temperatures which allow the grapes to ripen very slowly and retain good acidity levels to balance out the intense sweetness. Following the harvest and vinification the final blending process takes place which can last up to six months. The young wine is then matured for at least 3 years in barrels and larger French oak foudres. The result is an incredibly complex wine with rich layers of ginger, marmalade, honeysuckle and mango overlaid with a lively freshness and rich sweetness. Ideal to pair with fruity desserts or to simply enjoy on its own after a delicious meal.
2018