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IN VINO VERITAS
If you’re anything like me, you’ll be delighted that winter has gone and Spring is well under way. Not only does it mean longer evenings and the promise of sitting outside with a glass of wine or two but, here at Falernian, it gives us the chance to try a raft of new wines and new vintages of old favourites.
I’ve included many of these in my choice of case that perfectly suits this time of year. Everything from light, zingy whites for those warmer days, to big reds full of character and flavour for the occasional chilly night.
I’m often asked what my personal favourite wine is. It’s impossible to say as there are many things that affect our perception of how good a wine actually is! Your mood, who you’re with, what you’ve eaten and many more all go some way to framing that particular wine or moment in your memory.
There are always some that stand out though and, recently for me, those have been the Two Hands range of wines from Greenock, in the Barossa Valley in Australia. One of their wines, the Two Hands Canny Butcher, has made it into my case but there are many more available to choose from and we supply them exclusively in South Wales. Both the US and UK markets have been blown away by the purity of fruit, concentration and attention to detail that is lavished upon every one of their bottles. With the pick of the best barrels, exceptional fruit and gentle, stylish wine-making this is a tremendously exciting range of wines. Labelling is original, classy and compelling. The wines have been described by Jancis Robinson as “exceptional, densely charming, gently oaked style.” Fragrant, textured, supple and juicily ripe the wines are of fantastic quality. Parker commented on the “near perfect” 98 pt 2002 Ares whilst Matthew Jukes places Two Hands wines in his Top 100 two years in a row. Along with a whole host of other reviews and accolades, these are wines to be taken seriously indeed. However, no matter how seriously they have to be taken, we must not forget they are made to be drunk and enjoyed!
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WHITE
Pinot Grigio IGT Delle Venezie
Casa Defra 2007 £5.49
The wines of Puglia have never received as much interest as they do now, and it is easy to see where this new found enthusiasm has come from. The wines are powerful and complex, yet easy drinking and have attracted many new converts to Italian wine. A deep, velvety red in colour and enormously attractive on the nose, with aromas of dark, bitter cherry and mature red fruit. The palate has all these flavours and more, with deliciously earthy fruit and a wonderful vein of acidity that prevents the wine from being too heavy or overpowering. |
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WHITE
JB Adam Pinot Blanc ‘Tradition’
Alsace 2006 £8.99
Founded in the 17th Century, the house of Jean- Baptiste Adam has a vineous heritage second to none. They use this knowledge to fine effect with this lovely example of Pinot Blanc, expressing all the fresh blossom and peach flavours. Best on its own or as an aperitif, this pure, fruitdriven style is also lovely with warm chicken and bacon salad. |
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WHITE
Cousiño-Macul Antiguas Reservas Chardonnay,
Chile 2006 £8.99
Family owned since 1856, the estate extends to some 267 hectares of vineyards and has attached racing stables. Always at the forefront of quality wine and wine development they are now considered a ‘1st growth’ of Chile. Steeped in history, bottles in the cellars date back to 1927, this forward looking estate has a fantastic reputation worldwide, and after tasting the wine, which is beautifully balanced between fresh melon fruit, gently, toasty oak and lively acidity, you can see why. |
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RED
Rosso di Puglia
San Mario (Negroamaro) 2006 £5.49
The wines of Puglia have never received as much interest as they do now, and it is easy to see where this new found enthusiasm has come from. The wines are powerful and complex, yet easy drinking and have attracted many new converts to Italian wine. A deep, velvety red in colour and enormously attractive on the nose, with aromas of dark, bitter cherry and mature red fruit. The palate has all these flavours and more, with deliciously earthy fruit and a wonderful vein of acidity that prevents the wine from being too heavy or overpowering. |
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RED
Nostros, Reserva Carmenère
Chile 2007 £6.99
Now the wine producers in Chile have got their heads around this old Bordeaux variety they are making some rich and luscious wines. Late picking and the best slopes are crucial top get as much fruit character and complexity as possible. Attractive plum purple in colour with a rich, spicy nose with red and black berry fruits predominating. Medium palate with soft, approachable tannins and lots of sweet berry fruit balancing well with the acidity and a touch of vanilla. |
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RED
Cousiño-Macul Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon,
Chile 2005 £8.99
This spectacular wine comes from an estate on the outskirts of Santiago The wine is aged for one year in the best French oak with further ageing in bottle to add complexity and allow the wine time to begin its full expression. Traditional, almost European, in style with excellent blackcurrant and cassis flavours, and subtle toasty oak. |
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WHITE
Zephyr Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough, New Zealand 2007 £9.99
After its great write up in the Observer Magazine, demand for this wonderful wine has gone through the roof. Once you’ve tasted it, though, it’s easy to see why. Pale straw in colour in a green hue, this wine has an aroma which is a complex mix of bell pepper, lime and passionfruit with some mineral and floral tones. It is medium bodied with classic varietal flavours that linger on a persistent finish. Fabulous! |
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WHITE
Sancerre, Domaine Crochet Loire,
France 2006 £11.99
Robert and Marie-Solange are descended from two families with long associations with Bué, a village 4km from the town of Sancerre itself and with a great and long standing reputation for producing some of the appellations best wines. A complex, concentrated example of Sancerre with well balanced, crisp gooseberry and blackcurrant fruit overlaid with hints of honey and mineral. The finish is elegant and long with tinges of flint and ripe apple. |
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ROSÉ
Santa Rosa Syrah Rosé
Argentina 2007 £5.99
Argentina has been described as a sleeping giant for many years now, but they now seem to be coming good on their promise. Santa Rosa is a landmark estate bringing modern technology and fanatical vineyard management to the superb climate and winemaking conditions. A vivid, bright pink with all the ripe, juicy fruit one would expect. Soft, well rounded and amazingly drinkable, this is the perfect accompaniment to long sunny days. Soft red fruits and an inherent spiciness give this wine all round appeal. The acidity is well balanced and finish long and succulent. |
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RED
Two Hands Canny Butcher Grenache,
Australia 2004 £12.99
Few producers in Australia can claim to have had the meteoric rise that Two Hands have witnessed. Right from the start, we knew that Two Hands were destined for great things but no-one could have predicted the staggering array of reviews and points that have come their way. Luscious McLaren Vale Grenache with a dash of Shiraz for a little more weight makes a sensuous, silky smooth wine with hoppers full of juicy yet savoury fruit and a brilliantly complex finish. |
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RED
Brancaia Tre, Podere di Brancaia Tuscany,
Italy 2005 £12.99
Tre’s success lies in the careful selection of the fruit in the vineyard. The wine is a blend of Sangiovese (80%) Merlot (10%) and Cabernet (10%) sourced from the estate’s three main vineyard sites in Chianti and Maremma. The blend is then aged for 12 months in second year French oak. The joy of the wine is that it represents a fantastic introduction to the often complex world of Tuscan wines, especially the famed ‘Super-Tuscan’ genre that are usually stratospheric in price and not at all approachable young. |
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ROSÉ
Skuttlebutt Shiraz/Merlot Rosé
Western Australia 2005/06 £8.49
Despite the theory that Australians only ever choose names for their wines when they’ve had a few themselves, this wine is part of the celebrated Stella Bella range from Western Australia. This is a vibrant strawberry filled concoction laden with ripe exotic berry fruits with hints of spice and turkish delight, crisp zingy and enticingly moreish. The perfect summer rosé! |
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