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2022 Felton Road, Cornish Point Pinot Noir, Central Otago 6x75cl
"How can one not love that instant bath of flowers, fruits and spice that this wine delivers? No hold- ing back, no reticence at all, just a wash of Cor- nish Point indulgence - all leading to a... flowing silky finish. Through the entire palate there is a gentle mineral seam that stops anything from tipping over into excess, so it seduces rather than hollers. There will be no lack of complexity to come for those with patience, but it is very hard to resist now."
Felton Road tasting Note
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2022 Felton Road, MacMuir Pinot Noir, Central Otago 6x75cl
"Sometimes it can be hard to find a word to match what seems so clear to the senses. The nose is dark, as is the colour, beguiling, but restrained. There is a stature to the palate here; a sort of... authority to the way it stands back and allows you to explore its detail. A definite sprig of herbs, chocolate notes, but still so transparent that every nuance is revealed. It seems extraordinary that this is just the second time we’ve made MacMuir as a single vineyard release: it’s Felton Road, to be sure, but in a different dimension."
Felton Road tasting Note
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2020 Antinori, Tignanello, IGT 6x75cl
“The 2020 Tignanello is so primary, so intensely fruit-driven, that it almost tastes like a barrel sample. A burst of red Sangiovese fruit opens first, followed by hints of blood orange, cinnamon,... spice, dried flowers and mocha develop later. Time in the glass brings out striking dimensions. In 2020, Tignanello is wonderfully sleek and racy, with fine tannins that lie below a core of bright, sculpted fruit. The balance here is just sublime. I can’t wait to revisit the 2020 with age.” Drink 2028 – 2045.
96-100, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, Feb 2023
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2022 Kumeu River, Mates Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu 6x75cl
" The flagship wine of the estate, Maté's was originally planted by Maté Brajkovich in 1990 with the first grapes from this exceptional, sheltered site in the clay foothills of Hunting Hill slopes... used in 1993. For a wine of this stature and tender years it is already surprisingly expressive on the nose. Butterscotch and toasted brioche to the fore, yet this this is balanced by beautifully textured, mineral lemon and lime fruit with an underlying elegance and minerality that will easily go head-to head with, and seduce lovers of the Grands Crus in Puligny and Chassagne. Patience is required in spades here; leave it for 7 to 10 years to really express the sense of place for this very special vineyard and you will not be disappointed. But also defend it judiciously with a few cases of the Estate or Ray’s Road so you can enjoy the wares of this fantastic estate whilst this masterpiece matures"
Mr Wheeler tasting note.
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2022 Kumeu River, Hunting Hill Chardonnay, Kumeu 6x75cl
"The most Puligny-like of the single vineyards opens up with a gorgeously elegant nose of citrus and acacia flower, followed on the palate by a crème fraiche texture and zesty lime notes, and the... tell-tale spine of incredibly fine acidity that characterizes this clay terroir. Pause to let the wine express itself and Wow! it build and builds, that structure carrying through the impressively long finish with layer upon layer of flavour. Absolutely stunning."
Mr Wheeler tasting note.
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2022 Kumeu River, Estate Chardonnay, Kumeu 6x75cl
" The cuvée that built Kumeu River’s reputation in the 1980s, long before any of the single vineyards were ever produced, and to this day it is easy to see why. The consistency is simply... awe-inspiring, and the 2022 displays superb balance, subtle notes of very smart oak bringing a counterpoint to the gorgeous, creamy palate and zingy acidity. This oozes class and breeding, the acidity supplies perfect structure for medium to long-term ageing and carries the long finish. What a finish, too - rich and lifted all at once, with fabulous energy. Yum!"
Mr Wheeler tasting note.
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NV Krug, Grande Cuvee 170eme Edition 6x75cl
“A subtle nose of maple syrup and candied lemon opens up to reveal a hint of maize meal and shiitake. It leads onto a palate that is utterly streamlined and lemon-scented. This is serene but it... comes with beautiful depth and a lovely note of autolysis, expressed as lemony, creamy polenta, enhanced by fine mousse. There are highlights of grapefruit zestiness with the lovely signature savouriness of Krug, expressed in just a hint of salty, grilled shiitake mushroom, revealed on the long and mouth-watering finish. A most brisk, taut, bright, but also rather subtle and profound iteration of Krug.” 95 points, Anne Kriebehl MW, www.falstaff.com
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2022 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Premier Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
"The 2022 Mouton Rothschild, 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot, is aging in 100% new oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, it is incredibly closed to start off, needing a lot of shaking to wake up... subtle notes of blackcurrant jelly, ripe blackberries, and fresh mulberries, leading to hints of espresso, crushed rocks, iris bulb, and star anise. Compared with the nose, the mouth wows with explosive, intense flavors of cassis, black cherries, and licorice that fill the palate, framed by very firm, beautifully ripe tannins and a lively backbone, finishing very long with mineral and floral sparks. It is amazing how classical this Mouton this is, considering the extreme vintage. A legend in the making. pH 3.89, TPI 76."
98/100 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, May 2023
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2022 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Premier Cru Classe, Pauillac 3x75cl
"The 2022 Mouton Rothschild, 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot, is aging in 100% new oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, it is incredibly closed to start off, needing a lot of shaking to wake up... subtle notes of blackcurrant jelly, ripe blackberries, and fresh mulberries, leading to hints of espresso, crushed rocks, iris bulb, and star anise. Compared with the nose, the mouth wows with explosive, intense flavors of cassis, black cherries, and licorice that fill the palate, framed by very firm, beautifully ripe tannins and a lively backbone, finishing very long with mineral and floral sparks. It is amazing how classical this Mouton this is, considering the extreme vintage. A legend in the making. pH 3.89, TPI 76."
98/100 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, May 2023
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2016 Domdechant Werner, Domdechaney Riesling Trocken, Rheingau 6x75cl
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2015 Pol Roger, Sir Winston Churchill 6x75cl
"A strong effort in a less-acclaimed vintage, Pol Roger's newly released 2015 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill opens in the glass with aromas of confit citrus, ripe orchard fruits and dried white flowers... mingled with hints of honeycomb, freshly baked bread and anise. Medium to full-bodied, vinous and concentrated, with bright acids, chalky structuring extract and a pinpoint mousse, this inherently rather rich, gastronomic Champagne is quite tightly wound out of the gates and will reward a bit of bottle age. Stylistically, it is somewhat reminiscent of a modern-day version of the 1985." 94+ pts., William Kelley, robertparker.com
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2020 Philippe Livera (Tilleuls), Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru 6x75cl
*ON ALLOCATION - £1150 per case of 6 bottles IB*
A new find for Mr.Wheeler in the 2019 vintage and one we are pleased to follow since then; Domaine Livera is widely considered the “next Burgundian... star” tellingly both by consumers of their exceptional wines together with their winemaking contemporaries. The Livera family have been settled on the Domaine for almost 100 years, but Damien, who has been in charge for 13 years now, has taken the wines to a different level altogether. His style is one of purity, precision of fruit and impressive depth, quite reminiscent of the wines produced by Arnaud Mortet (who is a close friend and advisor). This is an up-and-coming address and very much one to watch.
Such a complete wine the Domaine Livera Chapelle-Chambertin. Mind-blowingly powerful yet ever so precise, seamless harmony even at this early stage, and a finish that unfurls layer upon layer of flavour: notes of violets and raspberry, followed by cherry then more savoury hints of winter spice and an almost umami finish. Impossibly delicious.
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2020 Domaine Albert Bichot (Long-Depaquit), Chablis Grand Cru, Moutonne 6x75cl
*ON ALLOCATION - £570 per case of 6 bottles IB*
Domaine Long-Depaquit can be traced back to 1791 when Jean Depaquit and his brother Simon moved to Chablis. They purchased vineyards and developed... their domaine into one of the most renowned producers of Chablis today. Now owned by Albert Bichot in Beaune, Domaine Long-Depaquit offers an impressive range of Premier and Grand Crus. A sustainable approach, limited yields and skilful winemaking creates incredibly invigorating and mineral-edged wines. ‘La Moutonne’, a monopole in the heart of the Grand Cru vineyards, between Vaudésir and Les Preuses is one of their most celebrated cuvées, known for its incredible precision, elegance and staying power. Whichever cuvée you choose, these are delicious, mineral rich Chardonnays of the highest order.
Opening the proceedings at a Bichot tasting in London, the 2020 La Moutonne quite simply blew us away. Crushed oyster shell and citrus on the nose, followed on the palate by a superb energy with an exquisite texture. Laser-like, yet with excellent weight and power on the long finish, this is very, very special.
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2020 Comte Armand, Auxey-Duresses, Rouge 6x75cl
*ON ALLOCATION - £228 per case of 6 bottles IB*
One of the very finest producers in all of Burgundy, Domaine du Comte Armand is approaching its 200th anniversary very much at the top of its game.... After Pascal Marchant from 1985 to 1998, Benjamin Leroux from 1999 to 2013, Paul Zinetti is the third highly talented winemaker at the helm of this grand estate, and he is producing wines of rare depth, purity and character. The monumental Clos des Epeneaux, for a long time the only wine produced here, still gives the best Grands Crus a run for their money, but just as impressive is the unbeatable value delivered by the Auxey-Duresses cuvées and the delicacy and perfume of the Volnays. You can't go wrong at this address.
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2018 Chateau Laroque Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 6x75cl
"The 2018 Laroque fulfills the promise it showed from barrel last year. It has an irresistible bouquet of layered black cherry and blueberry fruit, fresh and lively with beautifully integrated oak.... The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity and a spicy, black-pepper-tinged finish that feels ever so slightly attenuated. Give this 3–4 years in bottle if you can." 92 pts., Neal Martin, www.vinous.com
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate