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2017 Paul Cluver, Seven Flags Chardonnay, Elgin 6x75cl
"The 2017 Seven Flags Chardonnay was matured in French oak barrels for nine months using 31% new oak, the rest second- and third-fill. The nose is a little more closed than the Estate Chardonnay at... this early juncture, although there is a brooding intensity here. This is well defined, displaying hints of dried honey and white peach with aeration. The palate is fresh and crisp with hints of Golden Delicious and orange peel, the oak very well integrated and with an almost Meursault-like, nutty finish. Give this two or three years in bottle. Excellent. " 93 pts, Neal Martin, www.vinous.com
£280 / Case£46.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2016 Ben Glaetzer, Amon Ra, Barossa Valley 6x75cl
"Dramatic, intense and powerful, the 2016 Amon Ra Shiraz recalls the 2004 in its youth, crammed with layers of fruit, complex, savory elements and rich, velvety tannins. It's full-bodied,... characterized by notes of grilled meat, espresso, black olive, cassis, vanilla, baking spices and an undercurrent of loamy earth. Yes, it's unapologetically big and bold, the product of a warm, sunny climate and ripe grapes, but it does show a sense of decorum, restraint and elegance on the long finish." 96 pts., Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com
£260 / Case£43.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2019 Guidalberto, Tenuta San Guido, Toscana 6x75cl
"Mid ruby with a touch of sediment – a sample blend, rather than a finished wine, as with the last two release presentations. Quite reticent on the nose, just giving hints of what it’s got – a... flash of creamy vanilla, a scent of ripe, plummy, black fruit and some toasted tobacco. Full bodied, with mouth-coating but fine-grained tannins. Plump and velvety – Merlot making its presence felt here. Pretty good length too. This is embryonic and a little closed, but I think has plenty to give – an attractive Guidalberto that will reward cellaring." 17 pts., Tim Jackson MW, jancisrobinson.com
£150 / Case£25 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2018 Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal 5eme Cru Classe, Pauillac 6x75cl
"The 2018 Haut-Bages Libéral is super-impressive right out of the gate. It shows all the depth and intensity I saw from barrel, with maybe a bit more tannic impact. Ripe red cherry, plum, orange... peel, cedar and sweet spice all build in the glass. The 2018 is going to need a few years to come into its own, but it is a gorgeous Pauillac." 94+ pts., Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com
£168 / Case£28 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2017 Paul Cluver, Seven Flags Chardonnay, Elgin 6x75cl
"The 2017 Seven Flags Chardonnay was matured in French oak barrels for nine months using 31% new oak, the rest second- and third-fill. The nose is a little more closed than the Estate Chardonnay at... this early juncture, although there is a brooding intensity here. This is well defined, displaying hints of dried honey and white peach with aeration. The palate is fresh and crisp with hints of Golden Delicious and orange peel, the oak very well integrated and with an almost Meursault-like, nutty finish. Give this two or three years in bottle. Excellent. " 93 pts, Neal Martin, www.vinous.com
£280 / Case£46.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2020 Kumeu River, Rays Road Chardonnay, Kumeu 12x75cl
Kumeu River’s newest site in Hawkes Bay is a north-facing, limestone hillside at 180 metres. Dry-farmed, its fruit is also hand-harvested, pressed and fermented whole bunch in used French oak.... Zesty, fragrant and full of mineral complexity.
“Neat and well-integrated, quite restrained. And already very accessible though with light, fine tannins and quite opulent fruit on the front palate. Sprightly. Lemon-pastille flavour. Very long. Beautifully made.” 17 pts. Jancis Robinson 2021-2027
£200 / Case£16.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2019 Yann Chave, Hermitage 3x150cl
"A complex bouquet evokes ripe blackberry, cherry compote, licorice and violet, energized by a spicy cracked pepper nuance. Broad and fleshy in the mouth, offering densely packed, smoke-tinged... black/blue fruit, exotic spice and floral pastille flavors that pick up a minerally nuance as the wine opens up. Shows superb delineation and spicy lift on a long, silky finish framed by steadily building tannins. There were five demi-rnuids of this wine in 2019, all of them new."
94-96, Josh Raynolds, www.vinous.com
£370 / Case£123.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2019 Yann Chave, Hermitage 6x75cl
"A complex bouquet evokes ripe blackberry, cherry compote, licorice and violet, energized by a spicy cracked pepper nuance. Broad and fleshy in the mouth, offering densely packed, smoke-tinged... black/blue fruit, exotic spice and floral pastille flavors that pick up a minerally nuance as the wine opens up. Shows superb delineation and spicy lift on a long, silky finish framed by steadily building tannins. There were five demi-rnuids of this wine in 2019, all of them new."
94-96, Josh Raynolds, www.vinous.com
£370 / Case£61.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate