55% Sauvignon - 45% Sémillon. Clear yellow colour with green tints. Floral and complexe nose with almand notes.  On the palate, fresh and crisp, a mineral and lemon finish

Wine to be served as an aperitif or with fish, at cool temperature (14-15 °C)

Black and red berry fruit, fine structure with great depth and a long finish. The wine is primarily Merlot Grapes with added Cabernet Franc.  Bouquet is packed with sweet fruit and vanilla tones.  The wine is well balanced, easy and extremely tasty.  Perfect match for the Sunday Roast.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot.  Brilliant dark robe. Spicy nose. The mouth is rich, complex and fleshy. Beautiful black fruits aromas. Tannins are generous. Beautiful persistence in mouth.

Wine Enthusiast
Firm, tense and dryly tannic, this is a solid wine, foursquare, its edges a little rough at present. The berry fruits are black, spicy from wood, creating a rich feel. In the end, black currant acidity and freshness finish the wine with a lift.
Score: 87. —Roger Voss, March 01, 2009.

EMILIO is a Merlot that combines a touch of the New World with French taste and elegance. Thirty percent of the wine is aged in oak prior to the blend for a more refined wine that doesn't break the bank! The wine displays a friendly nose of sweet black cherries, strawberries and perfume of iris blossoms. Wild berry flavors dominate, with toasty and earthy notes fleshing out the creamy mid-palate. A lingering, chalky finish is complemented by very fine and elegant tannins.

Features plushy red fruit with cedar notes and a slight mineral undertone. Medium to full bodied with soft tannins.

As in many other regions of France, 2009 was a fantastic vintage in Beaujolais and the wines are drinking superbly now.  Unashamedly fruity, with perfumed aromas which give way to fresh strawberry and red fruit characters with a pleasing weight across the palate.

Quite earthy, and nicely so, with a solid core of cherry Gamay fruit; medium-medium-full bodied, with just enough structure to work with a variety of foods.

This is a mineral wine with a great expression of fruit. Very fresh and still a touch leese, showing peach and melon notes. Has depth and balance, with citrus twinge on the finish.

6 bottles in stock.

An extremely well-balanced wine, the 'Pierres Grises' is 100% fermented and matured in stainless steel.  A delightful St. Veran, it is crisp and floral.

A beautiful, bright ruby red-colored wine. It’s made up of 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah and comes across as well balanced and fruity, with emerging flavors of black currants, plums, spices and even chocolate. All of the flavors comingle and lead up to a finish of pepper and anise so complex, it requires a few more words. “Rich,” “full-bodied” and “lingering” come to mind, though you could be seasonal and call it “generous.”  

November 2010 Wine of the MOnth Selection (Click HERE for more information)

Bright ruby-red. Spicy raspberry and cherry aromas are complicated by notes of spice cake and rose. Juicy and precise in the mouth, offering silky red berry flavors and a hint of bitter cherry pit. Gains sweetness with air and finishes with very good clarity and floral-dominated persistence. I suspect this wine will drink well young.

2009 review : 89-91 points IWC

9 bottles in stock.

Blended Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Cinsault make this fascinating Cotes du Rhone. It has the profile of a baby Chateauneauf-du-Pape, with forward fruit aromas. The flavors are soft and balanced with ripe blackberry and mocha leading to a smooth finish.

March 2009 Wine-of-the-Month

Wine Enthusiast Buying Guide 'Best Buys' - 90 points.
"This sensational blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 20% Carignan and 5% Cinsault displays knockout aromas of black cherry and cassis alongside asphalt and black olive.  It's an intense and compelling mix of fruity and savory, with a long, mouthwatering finish."

6 bottles in stock.

Forward, vivid aromas of raspberry and strawberry leadthe way with this light rosé. Engaging red berry flavors, presented in an elegant style, linger on the delicate finish. It’s a gentle, somewhat understated wine, as fresh as can be and thoroughly charming.

1 bottles in stock.

Loire Valley.  This bone dry Sauvignon Blanc drinks like an old black and white that's been updated to Technicolor. It's a seamless blend of old school charm and modern pizzaz! Filled with minerality and concentration, BAILLY SANCERRE is the perfect refreshment for the heat of summer and pairs splendidly with oysters, grilled seafood and other light summer fare.

6 bottles in stock.

The robe of white Cheverny is of a brilliant pale gold with soft green tints.

The complex and surprising bouquet gets close to lychees, flowers of acacia and ripe lemons with a light touch of blackcurrant and liquorice due to the Sauvignon grape.

In mouth, this very elegant wine concentrates its richness.  Fresh, alive and fruity, it is fleshy with a nice and long final.

March 2011 Wine Of The Month Club Selection (Click HERE for more information) 

The bouquet is fruity with some grapes and exotic fruit aromas. In the mouth a fat attack and a balance of a great fineness between the subtle aromas of chenin blanc and the "noble" light bitterness of this grape variety.

Syrah (50%), Grenache (20%), Carignan (30%). This wine has a deep strong colour. The nose is jam, plum and liquorice. Its attack is decisive, very fruity with a touch of mint and muscade at the end of the palate.

Great with Red Meat, Spicy meals, cheese Daube.

August 2011 Wine of the Month selection (click here for more info)

2 bottles in stock.

Domaine Bahourat 2008 Costieres de Nimes certainly more than justifies its small price, with scents of rhubarb, cherry and scrubby herbs, a faintly tart and bitter but well-concentrated and sappy palate, and a resintinged, faintly warm finish. Enjoy it with grilled meats and other hearty fare.

1 bottle in stock.

This wine features an intense color with a purple hue and a complex and expressive nose (red berries, spices, slightly licoriced violet notes). The generous and fruity mouth carries out the aromatic complexity of the nose with a pleasurable length. Serve at 61-64°F or slightly cold (57°F) in the summer. Drink now with red meat, game, and fresh cheeses. 

A blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah from younger vines growing on terraces hillside vineyards on the foot hills of the Mont Ventoux.

July 2010 Wine Of The Month Selection (Click here for more information)

Crisp, correct, fruit-forward, and value-minded, the Jean Rosen pinot blanc is excellent value wine from the Paul Blanck vineyards.

This Chardonnay from France's top value producer (and former pro rugby player) is an excellent example of his reputation - Crisp, clean, showcasing organically grown grapes.  Light-bodied Chard with notes of tropical and stone fruit aromas and flavors and nice acidity.

9 bottles in stock.

Deep and homogeeous purplish red color.  On the nose, it displays a wide aromatic expression of well defined spicy and sweet red pepper notes followed by mouth-filling mature red fruit.  A firm fruit flavor floods the palate.  Good structure with well balanced and integrated tanins.

"Ripe, with solid varietal character - black cherry, tobacco, blace olive and mineral - allied to fleshy, focused tannins.  Has nice length."  89 points Wine Spectator 9-30-08

A classic blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz, the 2007 Vinho Tinto has a deep ruby color with fresh berry and red fruit aromas. Abundant in fully grown blueberry and balsamic flavors, with a lingering finish and round tannins.

4 bottles in stock.

Spice and pepper in the nose - minor floral overtones. Plum chocolate spice all combine with a meaty, chalky texture and stays on the mouth.   Intense ruby color with red fruits with a hint of cassis;  Well-balanced and persistent; sweet and soft tannins that give it a general elegance.

1 bottle of 2008 vintage also in stock. Call to specify vintage.

An easy-drinking wine with black fruit aromas such as black cherries and plums. The palate is fresh and juicy with soft, ripe tannins. Recommended with beef or other red meat dishes. Serve at 62ºF.

Open, forward, almost jammy aromas and flavors. The nose has black pepper, grape jam, and ripe fruit. On the palate you get more grape jam, blackcurrant, ripe blueberry, black raspberry and hints of black pepper and vanilla spice. Acidity is low, tannins are medium. By itself, it is fine as a quaffer, and will match well with the simplest of cheeses and run-of-the-mill appetizers.

Deep and concentrated dark red in color, this modern wine has complex and abundant aromas of dark plums and blackberries together with caramel nougat and chocolate. It is full, juicy and balanced on the palate, with well integrated oak, mature tannins and a long, complex finish.

5 bottles in stock.

The nose is lemon, lime and florals with a touch of bottle age adding complexity and lift. The entry is apple/citrus with a juicy weight that pushes onto the mid palate; overall though the wine is fine, linear and tightly focused with grainy tannins adding texture. The finish is long, dry and limey with just a hint of apricot and slate.

An excellent partner to a wide range of foods, ideal with Asian dishes, or try it with mussel and kumara patties, drizzled with home-made lime-spiked mayonnaise.

1 bottle in stock.

This wine displays tropical notes and a muskmelon aroma. The sweet-fruited palate has a harmonious creamy texture redolent of stonefruit particularly peach and melon. The acidity is nicely balanced against the intense fruit creating a delightful, fruit focused example of what Hawke's Bay Chardonnay has to offer, enjoy!.

Critical acclaim:
"Supple, silky and refined, showing lovely pear and honey character, with a touch of golden raisin, as the finish sails on. This is creamy at the end. Drink now through 2013."

90 Points - Wine Spectator

10 bottles in stock.

The bouquet is a mix of sweet fruit - strawberry and plum, with savory forest floor notes. Berry fruit and earth are also found on the palate with a touch of spice, combining with finely textured tannins to produce a soft and supple wine. Great with lamb fillets, cooked pink, sliced and draped over a room temperature potato salad.

A fantastically limey, bright Riesling, with detail and charm and a fine mirabelle fruit.

"The Danube areas around Krems are the centre for Riesling production in Austria. The highly mineral content of Gneis and Mica brings the fresh characteristics in the DOMAENE GOBELSBURG Riesling. Late ripening during cool nights brings fruit, fresh pungent acidity." 
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 87 points

5 bottles in stock.

Kamptal, Austria. A lot of color, and sweeter-than-uaual aromas; mimosa and meadow and vetiver; it’s the best-ever bottling of this wine, ripe and focused and complex, juicy and extract-dense. Absurd quality in its class.

According to importer Terry Theise: "The best vintage yet, and a fantastically limey, bright Riesling, with detail and charm and a fine mirabelle fruit."

6 bottles in stock.

1 Litre. Bright, herbaceaous, clean and so very very versatile. Keep one in your fridge for last minute dinner guests, or for yourself. It goes with anything--spicy food, fried food, or no food at all!

2 bottles in stock.

Firm and chocolatey/caroby and crusty; a solid forthright wine with tight spicy fruit and length; old school old world tasty stuff but not even remotely come-hither.

3 bottles in stock.

This traditional Austrian variety is an offspring of the Pinot Noir grape. It is similar in structure and silkiness yet has a distinct spiciness and a hint of dark fruit.  It has a dark purple color with a fine and fruity nose. The structure of this wine is elegant with flavors of Morello cherry, spice and currants. It has pleasant acidity and is a great match to grilled fish and chicken.

100% Roero Arneis.  This Arneis comes from four vineyards: Trinità, Renesio, and Saglietto. It is fermented in stainless steel, where it rests on the lees for five months. It is a fresh wine with green apple, grapefruit pith, lemon, white flowers, and mineral.

Great with appetizers, fresh fish, seafood, chicken, light pastas, young cheeses.

The Ribolla Gialla is one of the oldest vine varieties known in Friuli. It is peculiar to the eastern hill area bordering to Slovenia, where it has its origins since 1300. It was one of the favourite wines of nobles and of the Habsburg family.  This wine is straw yellow in colour with golden reflections.  It smells very fresh with notes of acacia flowers and chestnut honey.   It tastes acidulous, fresh and lively, but nevertheless very full-bodied. Its aftertaste is lingering and has elegant hints of acacia honey.

8 bottles in stock.

100% Tocai Friulano is light straw in colour with citrine colour glint. Its bouquet is delicate with a typical and pleasant tart almond aroma. Overall it is smooth and intense with a dry delicate taste.
A good acidity level enjoys liveliness with a sharp almond sensation maturing into a light and pleasant aftertaste so typical of Tocai.

4 bottles in stock.

A wine of Friulian tradition, Pinot Grigio ramato distinguishes itself by its luminous copper color. The nose exhibits wild strawberry, carob and nuances of rose petals. Expanding on the palate with generous body, revealing mature fruit and a kick of spice and personality. Perfect as an aperitif or alongside baked scallops, grilled scampi…or at the end of a meal paired with fresh cheeses.

Abruzzo, Italy. Chardonnay 80% Pinot Grigio 20%.  Luminous straw yellow. Intense nose, bestowing fruity scents of pear, apple and plum together with floral notes of broom and acacia. Dry, fruity palate, fresh and sapid. This wine has a good structure and a lengthy persistence with hint of almonds. With starters, pasta, white meat and fish. 

Coda di Volpe is a straw-colored wine with golden reflections and a full, intense and flowery bouquet. It has a soft, dry, velvety palate with exotic and fresh fruit flavors and a light almond finish.

9 bottles in stock.

Carpaneto vineyard is straw-yellow with greenish highlights, and has an intense and delicate, tightly focused nose of  citrus, lemon and white flowers, with a  clean and well balanced, dry, fresh and slightly fruity taste.

Click HERE to see Nicola Biscardo discuss his wine.

7 bottles in stock.

A wine of  strong personality,dense, aristocratic.  Straw-coloured, with greenish nuances, it has sharp  characteristec,pleasant bouquet smelling fruit with lightly acidic taste, without sourness.  Perfect as aperitif, exellent with fish dishes with light sauces and hors d’oeuvres.

8 bottles in stock.

A blend of Malvasia (70%) and Chardonnay, the Chardonnay being aged on its lees. Lovely dried apricot nose with little floral touches. On the palate there is body and a creaminess to the texture, with lovely fruit definition and a really crisp, lively finish with no blowsiness. Very satisfyingly balanced, textured and crisp.

The peculiarities of Sauvignon, Tocai Friulano and Pinot Bianco shape the nature of this wine, where the aromatic union of these three grapes is the result of a scrupulous and diligent research. After a separate wine making and short aging in barrique barrels there is the assemblage that highlights the aromatics of Tocai, the crisp acidity of Pinot Bianco and the intensity and length of flavor from the Sauvignon grapes.

30% Chardonnay, 30% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Riesling, 10% Pinot Grigio.  This lush white with a nice golden yellow light offers traces of apple, lemon, acacia, citron, almond and thyme. It makes a concentrated impact on the palate with a rather long finish with hints of pulp.

5 bottles in stock.

4 bottles of 2006 Vintage also in stock. Please call to specify vintage.

Typical light red of Nebbiolo. Floral and fruity, roses, violet, raspberry and mint. Minerality, with lingering hints of sage, entices with bright red fruit, fine tannins and stunning elegance, a thoroughly enjoyable Barbaresco. Ideal with grilled food, sauced and roasted red meat and wild game.

2 bottles in stock.

The 2006 Il Colorino di Casanova is a rock-star wine, especially for the money. Vibrant dark fruit, minerals, rosemary, menthol and spices are just some of the nuances that flow from this powerful, authoritative red. The harmony of the fruit and the overall balance are simply exceptional from start to finish.

Wine Advocate: 93 Points

Friuli, Pignolo 100% (Amarone Style).  Its color is red-ruby, very intense. Its scent is characteristic and recalls blueberries, blackberries and cherries in syrup. The fruity flavors become warm and ethereal in the background because of the withering of the grapes and finish with a pleasant and persistent touch of licorice. Its taste is intense and full-bodied. The strong tannins, which are typical of this vine, are enveloped by cherries in syrup. Despite its structure, it reveals elegance and mellowness.

1500 Ml

3 bottles in stock.

Defined, vibrant red. Aromas of dried roses, currant and black cherry flower. Flavors of spices weaving through red berry flavors, perfect tannins, great elegance, hard to believe, that this is “just” a Nebbiolo.

The Dolcetto Vigneti in Rio Sordo is made with grapes from the old Dolcetto vines, and then aged in small barrels to obtain softness and depth. This Dolcetto differs from other classic Dolcettos offering a wine with fascinating complexity. On the nose, oriental spice and hints of strawberries and raspberry blend perfectly; in mouth it’s rich and full with soft tannins.

5 bottles in stock.

Sicily.  A ruby red wine with red plum and cherry aromas. On the palate, the smooth, easy-drinking red has ripe red fruit, berry and tobacco flavors. It is balanced with good complexity and a silky, fruity finish. A great wine for Italian food; enjoy with pasta, pizza, grilled meat or barbecue, salads, and soft cheeses.

The color is ruby red with violet hues. It exhibits fragrant aromas of wild fruits, and slightly herbaceous. The palate is medium bodied with soft sweet tannins and balanced structure. A delicious, soft-textured red with plenty of fruit. It reveals excellent balance and generosity, with none of the excessively herbal notes or hard edges that wines from Friuli often show.

Deep ruby red color with purple glints. The aroma is slightly herbal with a hint of raspberry, and a characteristic green peppercorn scent, typical of the varietal. The taste is dry, smooth and full bodied with elegant soft fruit flavors. The slight herbal flavor is mellowed by licorice and lingering vanilla tones. The finish is long and persistent. Excellent with meat and poultry and all variety of cheeses.

1 bottle in stock.

Taurasi is characterized by a deep ruby red color, which assumes orange reflections after aging. It has an intense, pleasant, characteristic bouquet, with a dry, full, aromatic taste. Serve at room temperature and uncork two hours before serving. Recommended with red meats, game, and mature cheeses.

9 bottles in stock.

The Princeps is a selection of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Sangiovese (20%) and Merlot (20%) grapes separately vinified. A ruby concentrated color, with hints of bitter cherry and a final evolutions of liquirice and tobacco. On the palate it is warm, silky and smooth.

5 bottles in stock.

Barbera 60% Bonarda 40%. Ruby red, very concentrated. On the nose it bestows intriguing and intense scents of spices, alternated by warm tones of fruits of forest jam. Of excellent structure and complexity, round, it is balanced and finely astringent. Long and complex finish recalling fruit and spices.  Great with red meat, roasted or stewed.

4 bottles in stock.

An IGT Negroamaro. The colour is quite a bright cherry red, with a a great deal of leafiness, giving positively nettly notes to cherry fruit. On the palate a deal of that herbal bite again, with a broader, quite liquoricy and chicory edge. Grippy, spicy and mouth-filling in the finish.

Dave Desimone wrote about this in his article about the Pittsburgh Wine Festival CLICK HERE to read it.

3 bottles in stock.

50% Aglianico, 50% Petit Verdot.  The wine possesses very definite characters, such as an impressive intensity of perfumes, coupled with the “readiness” and harmonious roundness of its tannins, as well as the extreme length of its aftertastes. Its strong personality is mainly the result of a unique balance of the microclimate and terroir of the vineyards where the grapes are produced: the Aglianico on its “white” clay soil and the Petit Verdot the extremely calcareous and rocky soil of the former cuccagna. Spending 15-16 months in new mildly “toasted” French oak donates to L’Astore a distinctive touch of elegance and complexity without altering, but rather integrating the already rich qualities of its original ingredients.

1 bottle left in stock.

Selezione del Fondatore is a weighty wine made in a concentrated, authoritative style. Dark cherries, tobacco, sweet herbs, chocolate and tar emerge from the glass with notable power. 

4 bottles in stock.

Specially selected from the best vineyards in the Riebeek Valley, the A Few Good Men Shiraz has robust red fruit with subtle vanilla and black pepper to excite the nose.

Nine months in 30% new American oak and 70% French barrels balances the upfront fruit flavours and the pallet follows through with a lingering finish of berries, spice and beautifully integrated oak.

A well-structured, accessible Shiraz with excellent ageing potential.

As a symbol of true partnership “A Few Good Men” stands proud to reflect the passion of the winemakers and dedicated growers from the Riebeek Valley.

Serving Suggestion

At room temperature. The A Few Good Men Shiraz has subtle smoky flavours which are great with grilled beef and exceptional with game.

Warm and inviting nutty aromas are nuanced with wood smoke and spice. A palate of ripe red berry fruit complemented by silky tannins. Red meat, Venison dishes, Roasts, BBQ’s and tasty cheese with a character.

A touch of residual sugar helps balance the intense acidity and minerality of this stunning wine!  'Incline' refers to the impossibly steep slopes of the Mosel river where the grapes are grown.  This is a fantastic introduction to German Riesling!

This wine vividly represents all that Mosel wine should be – Fruity with vibrant acidity, clarity, and precision; all highlighted by intense slate-driven minerality.

Proof that modestly priced Riesling doesn't have to be insipid and sugary!  Made with estate grown fruit from top msoel sites, this graceful, balanced wine expresses a true sense of place.  It's a classy Riesling: clean, piquantly fruity.

Dry and aromatic with delicious nuances of white apricots and citrus fruits. This wine has beautiful fruit character, a lovely balanced feel and a lasting, dry finish. This wine is a stunning example of dry German Riesling.

9 bottles in stock.

Apple, grapefruit and nectarine flavors are etched into the racy structure in this Riesling. Though light, it's tight and slightly hard on the finish. Give it some time. Rated 89 - Wine Spectator.

1 bottle in stock.

The ’09 is one of the ripe ones, in the sweet-hay direction like the ’99. And like that vintage, expect this will go chamomile and beeswax with 2-3 years bottle age. The wine is attractive and amenable with great balance.

Catalunya, Spain.  The crianza has notes of red fruits, with blackberry and cherry highlights alongside lively acidity. The wine spends some time in French oak, gently infusing the wood’s character.

September 2010 Wine Of The Month Selection (Click HERE for more info)

2 bottles in stock.

Penedes, Spain.  Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sauvignon Cabernet. Intense red color with blue hues. Aroma of red fruit and nuances of licorice and spices. On the palate elegant, fresh and meaty. Very well structured with toasted wood.

Cherry red. Good fruity aroma, slight hints of wood, complex, with slight traces of minerals. Round, buttery, tasty with a good fruity character on the tongue, and with a very subtle woody background.  Game and meat with complex sauces, etc.

5 bottles in stock.

80% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 10% Mazuelo. Clear and bright,very gliceric. Intense depth of colour, with deep cherry red in the heart of the glass. Complex, intense nose with just the right amount of wood. Elegant blend of ripe red berries, milkiness, spices and toasted bouquets.  Complex and fleshy on the palate. Tannic wine with good backbone. Intense retronasal effect and complex like the nose. A long, tannic, powerful finish.

1 bottle in stock.

Maceration 15 days and aging 3 months in oak barrels that confer complexity to the notes of wild fruits and liquorice typical of the variety.

Penedes, Spain.  42% Parellada, 25% Macabeu and 33% Xarel.lo. the Xarel·lo gives the body, Macabeu the fruit and Parellada the delicate freshness and floral notes characteristic of the highest mountains in the Penedes.

Soft yellow-green in color with medium body. It has an enticing nose of ripe pear and apple with a light floral background. Dry, crisp and bright, this wine has rich flavors of apple, honeydew, peach and mineral notes. It is fruit-forward and nicely balanced, with a clean finish of tropical fruits.

Enjoy Pares Balta Blanc de Pacs as the perfect summer apéritif wine and with oysters, filet of sole, grilled shrimp, paella, and summer salads.

8 bottles in stock.

100% Viura. Powerful, complex aroma, with hints of tropical fruit (pineapple, banana, grapefruit), white fruit (pear) and characteristic mineral notes of the calcareous clay soils.

Medium-bodied on the palate, with good acidity, fruity freshness and along and complex finish.

4 bottles in stock.

40% Syrah, 40% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Bright red color.  A complex bouquet of bright and dark berries, dark cherries, and tree fruit, with underlying hints of vanilla.  Soft tannins, a velvety texture, and solid structure lead to a clean, crisp finish.  Ideally suited to game, lamb, broiled or grilled red meats, and hard cheeses.

6 bottles in stock.

100% Assyrtiko.  Assyrtiko produces dry, full-bodied white wines with citrus aromas combined with a pleasing mineral character derived from the volcanic soil.  Bright yellow color with some green notes. Complex aromas of lemon, citrus and exotic fruits. Rich and well balanced in mouth with crisp, refreshing acidity and long aromatic finish.   It should be serve at 10-12oC with shellfish, seafood, grilled fish, green salads & various Mediterranean cuisines.

6 bottles in stock.

An explosive combination of Assyrtiko, Trebbiano, and Sauvignon Blanc give this wine a bright blonde color with greenish hues.  It has an intensely floral-fruit bouquet, and a rounded, balanced body with a medium-long finish.  It would be an ideal accompaniment to fresh grilled fish, shellfish, green vegetables, and fresh summer fruit.