White Wine Marcel Deiss Altenberg de Bergheim Grand Cru 2016. Regarded as a maverick and innovator by his fellow Alsatian winemakers, Jean Michel has succeeded in turning his family’s domaine into one of the region’s most sought-after producers since taking over from his father. The Deiss family have been making wine here for generations, and the earliest record of the family in the charming village of Bergheim dates back as far as 1744. Jean Michel’s unconventional methods have included replanting his Grand Cru sites as field blends with a range of different grape varieties and rediscovering forgotten old Alsatian varieties which are not on the appellation’s authorised list. This Grand Cru is Jean Michel’s iconic wine which begins life in the magnificent Altenberg vineyard. Here the limestone-rich soils, southern exposure, and especially warm and dry microclimate help to craft an intense, complex wine which is bursting with delicate aromatics and a steely minerality. The vineyard is planted with a diverse array of varieties, as per Jean Michel’s passion for field blends, which includes Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Muscat à Petit Grain, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer. The result is a richly-layered cuvee with seductive hints of rose petals, citrus zest, and tropical fruit which will deepen and evolve if cellared over the next decade or so.
2016
White Wine Marcel Deiss Altenberg de Bergheim Grand Cru 2016
White Wine Game of Thrones Chardonnay 2016. Cellar for up to 1 year. This succulent Chardonnay bursts with tropical fruit like guava, mango and honeydew melon along with zesty lime, peach and white blossom aromas. On the palate the first impression is of bright, refreshing citrus notes followed by a creamy, well-rounded texture and juicy stone fruit flavours. Producer Bob Cabral has added a touch of Riesling to this Central Coast Chardonnay to add a subtle floral fragrance and a balancing touch of freshness. Part of the wine was then fermented in oak barrels to give the wine a fuller body and hints of vanilla and sweet spices from the wood. The result is an incredibly easy-going and likeable wine that’s perfect to enjoy alongside your favourite show while munching on a bowl of nachos, salted popcorn or fried chicken. Bob’s passion for winemaking was sparked when he was just a child, helping his grandfather out in the family winery. He went on to study at Fresno State University before becoming the fourth generation of his family to make wine. In 2011 Wine Enthusiast magazine named him Winemaker of the Year” for making some of Sonoma County’s best Pinot Noir while working for the prestigious Williams Selyem winery. As a Game of Thrones devotee, Bob relished the challenge of crafting wines that would reflect the spirit of the series and satisfy his fellow fans
2016
White Wine Gini Contrada Salvarenza Vecchie Vigne Soave Classico 2016. Founded in 1980 by the Gini family who have records in the region dating back to the 7th century, Gini Contrada is a fairly young producer in Soave with around 58 hectares of vineyards. This stunning old vine or vecchie vigne” Soave is crafted from some of the region’s oldest vines, many of which are over 100 years old. The vineyard is a small sub-plot of the famous La Frosca cru and is planted at 150 metres above sea level on calcareous soils which help to give great elegance and freshness to the grapes. Once in the winery the fruit is macerated on the skins for a short time and then fermented in wooden barrels. The ageing process consists of 8 months in steel tanks, 12 months in barrels and then another 6 months in the bottle. This long maturation gives the wine a gorgeous golden-yellow hue and enchanting notes of tropical fruit, peach, apricot and honeysuckle. On the palate there’s a creamy texture, full body, and a long, graceful finish seasoned with toasted oak, spice and vanilla. The intense flavour profile makes it a great partner for roast chicken, risottos, and vegetarian dishes like ratatouille and Provencal stuffed tomatoes.
2016