Region
Region
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Porto | 1 | 97 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£489.61 |
|||||
Vinous (97)The 2017 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port was picked from August 21 to September 28 under perfect conditions. It has a tightly wound bouquet that requires a lot of aeration. Eventually it reveals fabulous, detailed aromas of cassis, bilberry jam, crushed stone and pressed violets, later hints of orange blossom and quince. The palate is pure class. Saturated tannins, wonderful structure but the headline is the intensity of fruit. I cannot remember a Noval with this penetration, almost overwhelming the senses as layers of effervescent black plum and cassis fruit segue into a spicy finish that fans out like there is no tomorrow. Is this the best Quinta do Noval ever? |
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|
Porto | 1 | 100 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£1,097.00 |
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Wine Advocate (100)The 2017 Vintage Port Nacional is a field blend, mostly Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão, Sousão and Tinta Roriz, aged for 18 months in old wood. It comes in at 99 grams of residual sugar and was bottled about a month before this tasting after 18 months in wooden vats. In 2016, I might've made an argument that the regular Noval was better. In this vintage, this seems to be a clear choice, granting that Ports change constantly in their youth. Its siblings at all levels in the last few vintages are very fine, but this is an indisputable benchmark that seems to better them all. Rich and vibrant, this has plenty of stuffing and flavor, more than the regular Noval. Then, it adds layer after layer of power. A couple of hours of air makes both the flavors and tannins more intense. It is simply gripping—yet also remarkably fresh. It's a great Noval, and one of the shortlist candidates for Wine of the Vintage. There were 200 cases produced. |
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|
|
Porto | 1 | 99 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£647.80 |
|||||
James Suckling (99)This is an old-vine Port with two-thirds coming from ancient ones. Bark, black tea, crushed grapes and mahogany. Big and grippy. Old, traditional styled Port with incredible depth and power. Big yet polished tannins. This is foot-trodden. Co-fermented. Real deal. 470 cases. Try after 2030. |
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|
|
5 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£176.44 |
||||||
Vinous (95)The 2017 Rall Red is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault that is matured in 225- and 500-liter French oak. It has a perfumed, quite sensual bouquet of pressed violet and potpourri aromas entwined with black cherries and blueberry fruit. The medium-bodied palate displays very fine tannins that frame exceedingly pure black and blueberry fruit laced with truffle, Provençal herbs and white pepper. It feels very persistent as it fans out on the finish, completing an outstanding Rall Red, one of the best that Donovan Rall has produced thus far. |
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|
|
3 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£166.84 |
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Vinous (94)The 2017 White is a blend of 60% Chenin Blanc, 30% Verdelho and 10% Viognier. It is the first vintage where the Chardonnay has been left out due to the concentration. It has an intense bouquet of oyster shell, lemon thyme and crushed stone, very focused in style. The palate is very well balanced, with a lightly spiced entry, linear and racy, and a gorgeous orange pith, nectarine and white peach finish that lingers in the mouth. Outstanding. |
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|
|
Porto | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£231.86 |
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|
Experience the pleasure of the exquisite Ramos Pinto LBV 2017, a fine testament to the craft of Portuguese winemaking. Hailing from the prestigious Douro region, this late bottled vintage port was crafted entirely from grapes harvested in the celebrated 2017 season. Renowned producers, Ramos Pinto, utilise a traditional foot-treading technique in stone lagares, ensuring extensive skin contact for a robust colour and complex flavour. The wine basks in ageing in large wooden vats for four to six years, fostering a maturity beyond its years. The result is a rich, full-bodied elixir boasting sumptuous notes of ripe red fruit and subtle hints of cocoa. As it lingers on the palate, the Ramos Pinto LBV 2017 captivates with a beautifully structured balance of sweetness and acidity, leaving a tantalizing finish. Outstanding in its class, Ramos Pinto LBV 2017 is a compelling choice for any discerning aficionado of fine wine. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£258.04 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (97)After 20 harvests in South Africa, Rudiger Gretschel regards 2017 as the best vintage he's ever experienced. The quality of this world class Syrah would appear to bear him out. Dense, chewy and complex, it's a Cape Cornas, with dark, brooding damson and blackberry fruit, notes of tapenade and rosemary, subtle oak and a finish that lingers on the palate for a minute. 2022-32 |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£232.84 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)This brilliant, barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc comes from the top part of the Willow Spring parcel and is the latest in a line of brilliant releases under this label. Saline, pithy and flinty with hints of nettle and elderflower, fine oak and a finish that goes on for ever. Drink 2019-2027. |
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|
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Tokaj | 1 | 96 (DWWA) |
Inc. VAT
£259.69 |
|||||
Decanter World Wine Awards (96)Inviting youthful nose peach, mango marmalade, quince and honeyed undertones. The palate is fresh and focused, quite layered with a lovely balance and length. |
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|
|
Tokaj | 1 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£310.78 |
|||||
James Suckling (96)Intense nose of candied fig, dried pineapple, ginger, spice, candied lemon, honeysuckle and acacia honey. Sweet and luscious with zesty acidity. Lingering honey and lemon notes. Dense and tight center-palate. Blend of single vineyards. 100% furmint. Give it time to open, but already so impressive. |
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|
|
Tokaj | 1 | 99 (WE) |
Inc. VAT
£430.78 |
|||||
Wine Enthusiast (99)#19 ENTHUSIAST 100 2022 This wine comes from one of Tokaji's most famous vineyards. It is light amber in color with heady aromas of honeysuckle, freesia, beeswax and honey. It has pleasant heft on the palate and there are intense flavors of tinned peach, clover honey and apricot conserves. It is a well-made and well-balanced wine that ends on a sweet note and makes you want to go in for another and another, sip. Drink now–2050. |
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|
|
Franken | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£644.69 |
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|
|
Porto | 2 | 100 (WE) |
Inc. VAT
£451.55 |
|||||
Wine Enthusiast (100)This is going to be a major, impressive wine. All the elements are there: ripe blackberry fruit, powerful acidity, dense tannins and spice. It has the structure to live on for decades. |
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|
|
Rheingau | 2 | - |
Inc. VAT
£339.89 |
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|
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Cape South Coast | 1 | 96 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£229.24 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)One of the most beautiful and complex terroirs in South Africa supplies the grapes for this unique red, produced from a medley of Shiraz with 33% Mourvèdre, Touriga Nacional and the very rare (in South Africa) Tinta Amarella. Inky, savoury and wild, it has freshness and concentration, notes of rosemary and lavender, meaty depths and fine oak. 2023-30 |
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|
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Cape South Coast | 4 | 93 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£351.67 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (93)More conventional than the Sijnn red, this is a three-way blend of Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne that sees a little skin contact before fermentation. Honeysuckle, fresh herb and citrus flavours reminded me of the Rhône Valley. |
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|
|
Cape South Coast | 2 | 93 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£177.23 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (93)More conventional than the Sijnn red, this is a three-way blend of Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne that sees a little skin contact before fermentation. Honeysuckle, fresh herb and citrus flavours reminded me of the Rhône Valley. |
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|
|
Cape South Coast | 2 | 95 (DC) |
Inc. VAT
£266.44 |
|||||
Decanter (95)Hannes Storm makes three distinctive and very different Pinot Noirs from estate-grown fruit in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus. The Vrede Pinot comes from an elevated vineyard site on shale soils and is very Burgundian in style but with a new world flair. Lush red fruit dominates the nose and palate with cherries and violets dominating before a lick of oak leads to more tertiary characters of soil and tomato leaf. Long and delicious. |
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|
|
Porto | 1 | 99.0 |
Inc. VAT
£479.58 |
|||||
|
|
Porto | 1 | 99.0 |
Inc. VAT
£426.78 |
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|
|
Porto | 1 | 100 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£554.58 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (100)The 2017 Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha Vintage Port is a field blend of typical grapes (like Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca) aged for 20 months in French wood. It comes in with 105 grams of residual sugar. When last seen, this was only a tank sample. A darker flavor profile than the regular Taylor's, more leaning to plums and blackberries, this shows all that great Taylor's fruit and welds it to a serious backbone. The regular Taylor's seems a bit brighter, while this seems a bit sterner and richer, but at this point in their very young lives, I am not sure there is a lot to choose from qualitatively. That may change, in favor of this, I think, as they go further into their very long lives. Today, there isn't much to separate them except style and price. I'd take this, both for the style and the upside potential, but the price spike is certainly worth noting for many, while the qualitative difference is nominal. |
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|
|
Coastal Region | 3 | 92 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£146.44 |
|||||
Vinous (92)The 2017 Cat’s Cradle is John Seccombe’s new Chenin Blanc from a vineyard shared with Chris Alheit and Memento. It has quite a rich bouquet of honey, light yellow plum and a slight petrolly tincture. The palate is well balanced with a lovely waxy texture countered by a fine bead of acidity and a pithy finish that is beautifully defined. Excellent. |
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|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 90 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£132.29 |
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Vinous (90)The 2017 Man In The Moon comes from a block of Clairette Blanche that is shared with Craven, the vines 30 years old, and matured in used oak. It has a refulgent straw color with fat tears. The generous bouquet features yellow plum, nectarine, candle wax and light vervain tea aromas. The palate is quite phenolic on the entry, well balanced with a waxy texture and resinous in style; ginger and light pepper notes emerge toward the finish. More tactile than overt in fruit, this is a left-field wine from John Seccombe, one I feel is well made and fascinating. |
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|
|
Western Cape | 3 | - |
Inc. VAT
£156.29 |
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|
In the realm of South African wines, the Thorne & Daughters Paper Kite Semillon 2017 is remarkable. Produced in the highly-regarded Swartland region, this wine is crafted by John and Tasha Seccombe, bolstering a reputation for subtlety and sophistication. A limited production is achieved annually, resulting from rigorous hand-picking from venerable, dry-farmed bush vines. The Thorne & Daughters Paper Kite Semillon 2017 boasts a captivating nose of lemon cream, white flowers, and chamomile. The palate reveals underlying power with intriguing notes of beeswax, green apple, and freestone sprinkled with sea salt. Equipped with a vibrant acidity, it assures a long, resonant finish. The wine undergoes natural fermentation in old French oak, followed by 10 months of maturation featuring regular lees stirring. This process refined its texture, offering a layered, caressing mouthfeel. An Old World-style Semillon principally tailored for the contemporary palate, the Thorne & Daughters Paper Kite Semillon 2017 is undeniably a refined liquid delicacy. |
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Western Cape | 29 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£192.04 |
|||||
Vinous (93)The 2017 Rocking Horse is a blend of five grape varieties that was matured in used oak. It has a knockout bouquet of well-defined citrus peel, orange blossom, nutmeg and light peppery scents. The palate is well balanced, with a fine bead of acidity and quite saline in the mouth, and displays lovely viscosity toward a finish that feels full of tension. In a word: rocking. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | - |
Inc. VAT
£146.44 |
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|
Experience the exquisite craftsmanship of Thorne & Daughters Semillon Tin Soldier 2017. This majestic South African vintage is produced from venerable old bush vines in the Franschhoek Valley. Expertly crafted by winemaking duo John and Tasha Seccombe, it exudes an expression of fruit purity without parallel. Handpicked grapes, gentle basket pressing, and oak fermentation contribute to its distinctive profile. Bright straw in colour, the wine's bouquet is ripe with star-fruit and fennel notes, while the palate enchants with a brilliant interplay of concentrated citrus, waxy apple textures, and salivating acidity. Thorne & Daughters Semillon Tin Soldier 2017 sets itself apart in its elegance, complexity, and a clear representation of its terroir. This wine celebrates the creators' love for Semillon, offering a beguiling liquid testament to the couple's commitment to produce South African wines, unmatched in precision, purity, and nuance. |
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Western Cape | 23 | 91 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£128.44 |
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Vinous (91)The 2017 Wanderer’s Heart is a multiregional blend of Rhône varieties driven by the Grenache, matured in used oak with higher proportion of whole clusters on the Grenache. It has a floral, pure bouquet that features light scents of broom, fennel and white pepper. The palate is well balanced with gentle grip in the mouth, nice structure (perhaps more so than expected) and a precise, lightly spiced finish where the Mourvèdre imparts a subtle medicinal note. Excellent. |
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|
Mosel | 2 | - |
Inc. VAT
£531.64 |
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|
Infusing age-old tradition with modern precision, the Van Volxem Scharzhofberger Pergentsknopp Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2017 offers an elevated experience for every wine connoisseur. Deftly crafted in the hallowed Saar region of Germany, this Riesling conveys the rich terroir of the world-renowned Scharzhofberg vineyards. This exceptional wine is the result of meticulous viniculture practices, translated through the distinctive characters of the Grosses Gewachs classification. Embodying the philosophy of Van Volxem - balancing precision and passion, this vintage encapsulates the hallmark intensity and refreshing vitality of Saar Rieslings. On the palate, elegant nuances of ripe, yellow fruits and delicate minerality are underpinned by its characteristic brisk acidity, leading to a lingering, satisfying finish. The Van Volxem Scharzhofberger Pergentsknopp Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2017 offers discerning enthusiasts a harmonious blend of complexity and vivacity, a testament to the winery’s fervent commitment to quality and authenticity. Luxuriate in this transcendent Riesling experience. |
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|
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Mosel | 6 | - |
Inc. VAT
£303.64 |
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|
The Van Volxem Volz Riesling GG 2017 is a profound expression of German wine craftsmanship. Produced by the lauded Van Volxem estate, nestled in Saar - a region revered for its slate-infused soils and cool climate, critical in crafting a refined Riesling. This distinguished Grand Cru vintage spent a long 24-month maturation on fine lees, intensifying its complex flavour profile. The 2017 harvest yielded an exquisite, low-yield crop, imbuing an undisputed quality into the wine. On the palate, it reveals unparalleled minerality, superb lime citrus notes, and a refreshing acidity, framed by a pronounced backbone of precise, slate-infused terroir that is so quintessentially Saar. The Van Volxem Volz Riesling GG 2017 is a testament to the meticulousness of the Van Volxem estate, securing its position as an iconic collector's find for discerning Riesling enthusiasts around the globe. An unmissable addition to any prized wine collection. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£235.24 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Reviewed alongside the 2018 release as they are both on the market, this is Semillon dominated with 40% Sauvignon Blanc. Barrel-aged in one-third new oak, it has flinty, struck match aromas, stylish wood spice, notes of lanolin and grapefruit and a pithy, refreshing finish. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Porto | 1 | 97 (VN) |
In Bond
£383.00 |
|||||
Vinous (97)The 2017 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port was picked from August 21 to September 28 under perfect conditions. It has a tightly wound bouquet that requires a lot of aeration. Eventually it reveals fabulous, detailed aromas of cassis, bilberry jam, crushed stone and pressed violets, later hints of orange blossom and quince. The palate is pure class. Saturated tannins, wonderful structure but the headline is the intensity of fruit. I cannot remember a Noval with this penetration, almost overwhelming the senses as layers of effervescent black plum and cassis fruit segue into a spicy finish that fans out like there is no tomorrow. Is this the best Quinta do Noval ever? |
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|
|
Porto | 1 | 100 (WA) |
In Bond
£910.00 |
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Wine Advocate (100)The 2017 Vintage Port Nacional is a field blend, mostly Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão, Sousão and Tinta Roriz, aged for 18 months in old wood. It comes in at 99 grams of residual sugar and was bottled about a month before this tasting after 18 months in wooden vats. In 2016, I might've made an argument that the regular Noval was better. In this vintage, this seems to be a clear choice, granting that Ports change constantly in their youth. Its siblings at all levels in the last few vintages are very fine, but this is an indisputable benchmark that seems to better them all. Rich and vibrant, this has plenty of stuffing and flavor, more than the regular Noval. Then, it adds layer after layer of power. A couple of hours of air makes both the flavors and tannins more intense. It is simply gripping—yet also remarkably fresh. It's a great Noval, and one of the shortlist candidates for Wine of the Vintage. There were 200 cases produced. |
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|
|
Porto | 1 | 99 (JS) |
In Bond
£527.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (99)This is an old-vine Port with two-thirds coming from ancient ones. Bark, black tea, crushed grapes and mahogany. Big and grippy. Old, traditional styled Port with incredible depth and power. Big yet polished tannins. This is foot-trodden. Co-fermented. Real deal. 470 cases. Try after 2030. |
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|
|
5 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£131.00 |
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Vinous (95)The 2017 Rall Red is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault that is matured in 225- and 500-liter French oak. It has a perfumed, quite sensual bouquet of pressed violet and potpourri aromas entwined with black cherries and blueberry fruit. The medium-bodied palate displays very fine tannins that frame exceedingly pure black and blueberry fruit laced with truffle, Provençal herbs and white pepper. It feels very persistent as it fans out on the finish, completing an outstanding Rall Red, one of the best that Donovan Rall has produced thus far. |
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|
|
3 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
£123.00 |
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Vinous (94)The 2017 White is a blend of 60% Chenin Blanc, 30% Verdelho and 10% Viognier. It is the first vintage where the Chardonnay has been left out due to the concentration. It has an intense bouquet of oyster shell, lemon thyme and crushed stone, very focused in style. The palate is very well balanced, with a lightly spiced entry, linear and racy, and a gorgeous orange pith, nectarine and white peach finish that lingers in the mouth. Outstanding. |
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|
|
Porto | 1 | - |
In Bond
£165.00 |
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|
Experience the pleasure of the exquisite Ramos Pinto LBV 2017, a fine testament to the craft of Portuguese winemaking. Hailing from the prestigious Douro region, this late bottled vintage port was crafted entirely from grapes harvested in the celebrated 2017 season. Renowned producers, Ramos Pinto, utilise a traditional foot-treading technique in stone lagares, ensuring extensive skin contact for a robust colour and complex flavour. The wine basks in ageing in large wooden vats for four to six years, fostering a maturity beyond its years. The result is a rich, full-bodied elixir boasting sumptuous notes of ripe red fruit and subtle hints of cocoa. As it lingers on the palate, the Ramos Pinto LBV 2017 captivates with a beautifully structured balance of sweetness and acidity, leaving a tantalizing finish. Outstanding in its class, Ramos Pinto LBV 2017 is a compelling choice for any discerning aficionado of fine wine. |
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|
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Coastal Region | 1 | 97 (TA) |
In Bond
£199.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (97)After 20 harvests in South Africa, Rudiger Gretschel regards 2017 as the best vintage he's ever experienced. The quality of this world class Syrah would appear to bear him out. Dense, chewy and complex, it's a Cape Cornas, with dark, brooding damson and blackberry fruit, notes of tapenade and rosemary, subtle oak and a finish that lingers on the palate for a minute. 2022-32 |
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|
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Coastal Region | 1 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£178.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (96)This brilliant, barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc comes from the top part of the Willow Spring parcel and is the latest in a line of brilliant releases under this label. Saline, pithy and flinty with hints of nettle and elderflower, fine oak and a finish that goes on for ever. Drink 2019-2027. |
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|
|
Tokaj | 1 | 96 (DWWA) |
In Bond
£207.00 |
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Decanter World Wine Awards (96)Inviting youthful nose peach, mango marmalade, quince and honeyed undertones. The palate is fresh and focused, quite layered with a lovely balance and length. |
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|
|
Tokaj | 1 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
£250.00 |
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James Suckling (96)Intense nose of candied fig, dried pineapple, ginger, spice, candied lemon, honeysuckle and acacia honey. Sweet and luscious with zesty acidity. Lingering honey and lemon notes. Dense and tight center-palate. Blend of single vineyards. 100% furmint. Give it time to open, but already so impressive. |
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|
|
Tokaj | 1 | 99 (WE) |
In Bond
£350.00 |
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Wine Enthusiast (99)#19 ENTHUSIAST 100 2022 This wine comes from one of Tokaji's most famous vineyards. It is light amber in color with heady aromas of honeysuckle, freesia, beeswax and honey. It has pleasant heft on the palate and there are intense flavors of tinned peach, clover honey and apricot conserves. It is a well-made and well-balanced wine that ends on a sweet note and makes you want to go in for another and another, sip. Drink now–2050. |
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|
Franken | 1 | - |
In Bond
£518.00 |
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|
|
Porto | 2 | 100 (WE) |
In Bond
£350.00 |
|||||
Wine Enthusiast (100)This is going to be a major, impressive wine. All the elements are there: ripe blackberry fruit, powerful acidity, dense tannins and spice. It has the structure to live on for decades. |
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|
|
Rheingau | 2 | - |
In Bond
£264.00 |
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|
|
Cape South Coast | 1 | 96 (TA) |
In Bond
£175.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (96)One of the most beautiful and complex terroirs in South Africa supplies the grapes for this unique red, produced from a medley of Shiraz with 33% Mourvèdre, Touriga Nacional and the very rare (in South Africa) Tinta Amarella. Inky, savoury and wild, it has freshness and concentration, notes of rosemary and lavender, meaty depths and fine oak. 2023-30 |
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|
|
Cape South Coast | 4 | 93 (TA) |
In Bond
£261.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (93)More conventional than the Sijnn red, this is a three-way blend of Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne that sees a little skin contact before fermentation. Honeysuckle, fresh herb and citrus flavours reminded me of the Rhône Valley. |
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|
|
Cape South Coast | 2 | 93 (TA) |
In Bond
£137.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (93)More conventional than the Sijnn red, this is a three-way blend of Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne that sees a little skin contact before fermentation. Honeysuckle, fresh herb and citrus flavours reminded me of the Rhône Valley. |
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|
|
Cape South Coast | 2 | 95 (DC) |
In Bond
£206.00 |
|||||
Decanter (95)Hannes Storm makes three distinctive and very different Pinot Noirs from estate-grown fruit in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus. The Vrede Pinot comes from an elevated vineyard site on shale soils and is very Burgundian in style but with a new world flair. Lush red fruit dominates the nose and palate with cherries and violets dominating before a lick of oak leads to more tertiary characters of soil and tomato leaf. Long and delicious. |
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|
|
Porto | 1 | 99.0 |
In Bond
£374.00 |
|||||
|
|
Porto | 1 | 99.0 |
In Bond
£330.00 |
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|
|
Porto | 1 | 100 (WA) |
In Bond
£449.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (100)The 2017 Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha Vintage Port is a field blend of typical grapes (like Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca) aged for 20 months in French wood. It comes in with 105 grams of residual sugar. When last seen, this was only a tank sample. A darker flavor profile than the regular Taylor's, more leaning to plums and blackberries, this shows all that great Taylor's fruit and welds it to a serious backbone. The regular Taylor's seems a bit brighter, while this seems a bit sterner and richer, but at this point in their very young lives, I am not sure there is a lot to choose from qualitatively. That may change, in favor of this, I think, as they go further into their very long lives. Today, there isn't much to separate them except style and price. I'd take this, both for the style and the upside potential, but the price spike is certainly worth noting for many, while the qualitative difference is nominal. |
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|
|
Coastal Region | 3 | 92 (VN) |
In Bond
£106.00 |
|||||
Vinous (92)The 2017 Cat’s Cradle is John Seccombe’s new Chenin Blanc from a vineyard shared with Chris Alheit and Memento. It has quite a rich bouquet of honey, light yellow plum and a slight petrolly tincture. The palate is well balanced with a lovely waxy texture countered by a fine bead of acidity and a pithy finish that is beautifully defined. Excellent. |
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|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 90 (VN) |
In Bond
£91.00 |
|||||
Vinous (90)The 2017 Man In The Moon comes from a block of Clairette Blanche that is shared with Craven, the vines 30 years old, and matured in used oak. It has a refulgent straw color with fat tears. The generous bouquet features yellow plum, nectarine, candle wax and light vervain tea aromas. The palate is quite phenolic on the entry, well balanced with a waxy texture and resinous in style; ginger and light pepper notes emerge toward the finish. More tactile than overt in fruit, this is a left-field wine from John Seccombe, one I feel is well made and fascinating. |
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|
|
Western Cape | 3 | - |
In Bond
£111.00 |
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In the realm of South African wines, the Thorne & Daughters Paper Kite Semillon 2017 is remarkable. Produced in the highly-regarded Swartland region, this wine is crafted by John and Tasha Seccombe, bolstering a reputation for subtlety and sophistication. A limited production is achieved annually, resulting from rigorous hand-picking from venerable, dry-farmed bush vines. The Thorne & Daughters Paper Kite Semillon 2017 boasts a captivating nose of lemon cream, white flowers, and chamomile. The palate reveals underlying power with intriguing notes of beeswax, green apple, and freestone sprinkled with sea salt. Equipped with a vibrant acidity, it assures a long, resonant finish. The wine undergoes natural fermentation in old French oak, followed by 10 months of maturation featuring regular lees stirring. This process refined its texture, offering a layered, caressing mouthfeel. An Old World-style Semillon principally tailored for the contemporary palate, the Thorne & Daughters Paper Kite Semillon 2017 is undeniably a refined liquid delicacy. |
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Western Cape | 29 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
£144.00 |
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Vinous (93)The 2017 Rocking Horse is a blend of five grape varieties that was matured in used oak. It has a knockout bouquet of well-defined citrus peel, orange blossom, nutmeg and light peppery scents. The palate is well balanced, with a fine bead of acidity and quite saline in the mouth, and displays lovely viscosity toward a finish that feels full of tension. In a word: rocking. |
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Coastal Region | 2 | - |
In Bond
£106.00 |
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Experience the exquisite craftsmanship of Thorne & Daughters Semillon Tin Soldier 2017. This majestic South African vintage is produced from venerable old bush vines in the Franschhoek Valley. Expertly crafted by winemaking duo John and Tasha Seccombe, it exudes an expression of fruit purity without parallel. Handpicked grapes, gentle basket pressing, and oak fermentation contribute to its distinctive profile. Bright straw in colour, the wine's bouquet is ripe with star-fruit and fennel notes, while the palate enchants with a brilliant interplay of concentrated citrus, waxy apple textures, and salivating acidity. Thorne & Daughters Semillon Tin Soldier 2017 sets itself apart in its elegance, complexity, and a clear representation of its terroir. This wine celebrates the creators' love for Semillon, offering a beguiling liquid testament to the couple's commitment to produce South African wines, unmatched in precision, purity, and nuance. |
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Western Cape | 23 | 91 (VN) |
In Bond
£91.00 |
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Vinous (91)The 2017 Wanderer’s Heart is a multiregional blend of Rhône varieties driven by the Grenache, matured in used oak with higher proportion of whole clusters on the Grenache. It has a floral, pure bouquet that features light scents of broom, fennel and white pepper. The palate is well balanced with gentle grip in the mouth, nice structure (perhaps more so than expected) and a precise, lightly spiced finish where the Mourvèdre imparts a subtle medicinal note. Excellent. |
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Mosel | 2 | - |
In Bond
£427.00 |
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Infusing age-old tradition with modern precision, the Van Volxem Scharzhofberger Pergentsknopp Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2017 offers an elevated experience for every wine connoisseur. Deftly crafted in the hallowed Saar region of Germany, this Riesling conveys the rich terroir of the world-renowned Scharzhofberg vineyards. This exceptional wine is the result of meticulous viniculture practices, translated through the distinctive characters of the Grosses Gewachs classification. Embodying the philosophy of Van Volxem - balancing precision and passion, this vintage encapsulates the hallmark intensity and refreshing vitality of Saar Rieslings. On the palate, elegant nuances of ripe, yellow fruits and delicate minerality are underpinned by its characteristic brisk acidity, leading to a lingering, satisfying finish. The Van Volxem Scharzhofberger Pergentsknopp Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2017 offers discerning enthusiasts a harmonious blend of complexity and vivacity, a testament to the winery’s fervent commitment to quality and authenticity. Luxuriate in this transcendent Riesling experience. |
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Mosel | 6 | - |
In Bond
£237.00 |
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The Van Volxem Volz Riesling GG 2017 is a profound expression of German wine craftsmanship. Produced by the lauded Van Volxem estate, nestled in Saar - a region revered for its slate-infused soils and cool climate, critical in crafting a refined Riesling. This distinguished Grand Cru vintage spent a long 24-month maturation on fine lees, intensifying its complex flavour profile. The 2017 harvest yielded an exquisite, low-yield crop, imbuing an undisputed quality into the wine. On the palate, it reveals unparalleled minerality, superb lime citrus notes, and a refreshing acidity, framed by a pronounced backbone of precise, slate-infused terroir that is so quintessentially Saar. The Van Volxem Volz Riesling GG 2017 is a testament to the meticulousness of the Van Volxem estate, securing its position as an iconic collector's find for discerning Riesling enthusiasts around the globe. An unmissable addition to any prized wine collection. |
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Coastal Region | 1 | 95 (TA) |
In Bond
£180.00 |
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Tim Atkin MW (95)Reviewed alongside the 2018 release as they are both on the market, this is Semillon dominated with 40% Sauvignon Blanc. Barrel-aged in one-third new oak, it has flinty, struck match aromas, stylish wood spice, notes of lanolin and grapefruit and a pithy, refreshing finish. |
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