THE AUTUMN FINE WINE LIST - SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2018 An unmissable collection of world-class bottles - The Wine Society
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THE AUTUMN
FINE WINE LIST
S E P T E M B E R – O C T O B E R 2 018
An unmissable collection of world-class bottles
PAGES OF PLEASURE
Brimming with keenly priced acorns and mighty fine-wine oaks alike, this autumn collection has you covered. Whether
your preference is for Cava, California, Chianti, Cairanne, Chile or claret (and that’s just the Cs), our Fine Wine List will
have something special to fall for. We hope you enjoy turning its leaves!
CONTENTS
SMALL WONDERS: FINE WINE AT £20 AND UNDER 3 NEW-WAVE CALIFORNIA:
Our latest collection of thrilling reds, whites and a pink, all for the SASHI MOORMAN & RAJAT PARR 12
price of a purple note or less. Domaine de la Côte, Piedrasassi and Sandhi are three stunning
projects from two exciting new faces of California’s new wave of
DISCOVER FIRST-CLASS CAVA 6 winemaking. Act quickly: we don’t have much!
Few fine fizzes offer such sparkling quality and value – Pierre
Mansour invites you to sample some of Spain’s best with this CAIRANNE: RAVISHING RHÔNES FROM L’ORATOIRE
personal selection. SAINT MARTIN 13
Beautiful wines from the best-known grower in a part of the
CAPTIVATING CHIANTI: BROLIO 7 Rhône that’s finally getting the plaudits it deserves: it’s all well
One of Tuscany’s grandest estates is now resolutely back on form: worth raising a glass to.
Sebastian Payne MW’s selection offers the perfect opportunity to
celebrate. HENSCHKE 2005–2015: AUSSIE TREASURE 14
Sarah Knowles MW has been squirreling away our precious
DEPENDABLY DELICIOUS: OUR FINE-WINE BANKERS 8 allocations from this new world icon, and now is the time to share
The two metal objects in this List aren’t its only staples! These the spoils.
failsafe fine wines will instantly make you the host with the most, or
guest with the best. KUMEU RIVER CHARDONNAY: THE CLASS OF 2016 15
A fresh vintage to seize from one of the world’s top addresses for
ARTISTS OF AUSTRIA 10 fine chardonnay, plus a brand-new sparkling wine to try.
Freddy Bulmer can’t contain his excitement about Austria’s artisan
winemakers: here he sets out his case with some handcrafted finds NEYEN: A CHILEAN STAR Back Page
full of bottled personality. Made from vines dating all the way back to the 1890s, this special
Chilean red is a must-try. Toby Morrhall has set aside three vintages
2007 BORDEAUX: DOUBLE-0 HEAVEN! 11 to compare and enjoy.
Ready-to-drink Bordeaux alert! Tim Sykes presents some of the
stars of this stylish claret vintage.
2 To order thewinesociety.com/finewines 01438 741177
SMALL WONDERS
FINE WINE AT £20 AND UNDER
Making up some of the most consistently popular pages of
our Fine Wine List, Small Wonders offers you a thrilling
fine-wine world tour, and charges only a modest fee for the
ticket! Here you’ll find delicious proof of the stunning quality
and diversity that can be found at £20 or less… as well as
our buyers’ insatiable hunger, and talent, for finding them.
RED bottle dozen
M-AU20661 Heartland Langhorne Creek Dolcetto-Lagrein 2014 £11.50 £138
Dolcetto and lagrein are grapes that hail from Italy, but they have found a very happy home in
Australia’s warm Langhorne Creek region. Under the watchful eye and inventive winemaking
hand of Ben Glaetzer, they produce a full-bodied, rich red brimming with dark-cherry, raisin and
chocolate. Drink now to 2020. 14.5%
M-NZ7341 Te Mata Hawke’s Bay Cabernet-Merlot 2013 £12.95 £155
One of New Zealand’s loveliest ‘Bordeaux’ blends from a magnificent vintage, now with five
years of cellaring under its belt, this is an opportunity that’s too tasty to miss. The time in bottle
has allowed a touch of spicy cigar-box complexity to complement the wine’s layered forest-fruit
flavours. Ripe, round and ready to go. Drink now to 2020. 14%
M-LO13431 Vin de France ‘Sans Les Mains’ Pineau d’Aunis, Frédéric Mabileau 2015 £13.50 £162
The Loire’s relatively rare pineau d’aunis grape variety isn’t often bottled as an unblended,
single-varietal wine, but this hit the spot for us in considerable style. Sweet, strawberry-
flavoured and peppery, this refreshing red would be a great bottle for charcuterie or grilled
meats and vegetables. Drink now to 2020. 12%
M-SP13041 Los Autores El Brujo Vieja Reserva, Rioja 2011 £13.95 £167
The late Ezequiel García, who made the legendary CVNE Riojas of the 1950s-1970s, was
known as El Brujo (‘the wizard’) and this, his selection from top vineyards in the Alavesa and
Alta region, goes some way to show why the mercurial nickname stuck. Aged the traditional
way, this is a savoury, mellow and soft Rioja to savour with good food. Drink now to 2021. 13.5%
M-FC34081 Faugères Premières, Domaine Alquier 2016 £14.95 £179
Alquier is the top estate in the southern French region of Faugères, making beautifully refined
reds from syrah and grenache. This comes from some of their younger vines, giving a fruity,
relatively approachable black-cherry fruited style that may remind some of reds from the
northern Rhône, with a touch of spice and a long fine finish. Drink now to 2023. 14.5%
M-AA2281 Fritsch Exlberg Pinot Noir, Wagram 2014 £15 £180
We were bowled over by the purity, softness and charm of this Austrian pinot noir, made by an
excellent producer committed to biodynamic winemaking. The results are plain to see, smell
and taste in this lovely, approachable wine, now starting to show some of the delicious savoury
notes that come with maturity. Drink now to 2021. 12.5%
M-BJ6821 Domaine Louis Boillot, Moulin-à-Vent Vieilles Vignes 2014 £15.50 £186
Proper, food-friendly Beaujolais from the talented Louis Boillot via a special plot of 50-60-year-
old vines in the region of Moulin-à-Vent. The unforced concentration of the fruit is allowed to
shine thanks to a gentle extraction and sensitive use of oak, producing an intense yet fine-
flavoured red with a delightful silky texture. Drink now to 2022. 12.5%
M-US7201 Sobon Estate Rocky Top Amador County Zinfandel 2014 £16 £192
Amador County can produce some of California’s most powerful zinfandels and this 2014
manages to combine ripeness and richness with excellent balance. Satisfying black-cherry,
chocolate and blackberry flavours abound, but there is freshness and sophistication too, making
this a conspicuously smart buy. Drink now to 2023. The 2016 vintage follows.14.5%
M-CK101 Tomáš Čačík Frankovka 2016 £16 £192
This incredibly pleasant surprise from the Czech Republic, made from the blaufränkisch grape,
was too good to pass up. Former chef Tomáš Čačík has stripped the winemaking process back
to bare bones in this minimal-intervention, unfiltered red. Light in alcohol, this has fresh red fruit
on the nose, while the crisp crunchy and bright palate delivers succulent strawberry fruit and
impressive savoury complexity. Drink now to 2020. 12.5%
For advice thewinesociety.com/advice or 01438 741177 3
SMALL WONDERS
RED bottle dozen
M-PW6461 Filipa Pato ‘Territorio Vivo’ Baga, Bairrada 2015 £16.50 £198
Filipa is one of the most talented winemakers of her generation. This is made from her beloved
baga grape, the mainstay of Portugal’s Bairrada region, which often produces rather gruff and
rustic wines; in her hands, however, this offers remarkable freshness and purity, with red rather
than black-fruit flavour and silky tannins that would appeal to fans of lighter reds such as
Beaujolais. A great vintage, too. Drink now to 2022. 12%
M-JU1201 Arbin Vin de Savoie Mondeuse ‘La Belle Romaine’ Château de Merande 2015 £17 £204
A dark, husky red, full to the brim with forest fruits yet light in alcohol. This Savoie find is
made from the local mondeuse grape and would make the perfect autumnal treat served
ever-so-slightly cool with charcuterie or a hearty stew. Drink now to 2022. 12%
M-SA11261 Miles Mossop ‘Max’, Stellenbosch 2011 £17 £204
This Bordeaux blend from the Cape, named after winemaker Miles Mossop’s son, blends 56%
cabernet sauvignon with 22% each merlot and petit verdot to create a perfectly poised beauty
of a red. With a sprinkling of five-spice on the nose, a real sense of structure on the palate and
the finest of tannins, this is lovely now or to 2023. 14.5%
M-SP13431 Manda Huevos Garnacha, Calatayud 2014 £17.50 £210
A glorious find from a small vineyard in Calatayud, one of Spain’s less famous wine regions but
one that grows some of the country’s finest examples of the garnacha grape. This is a ‘field
blend’ from this special site – including tiny amounts of bobal, moristel and white garnacha –
and including the fruit of vines planted as far back as 1908. Expect lovely, herby fruit flavours
and glorious intensity. Drink now to 2023. 14%
THE SMALL WONDERS REDS CASE £89
Drink or store to 2020
A six-bottle case containing one bottle each of the following:
Faugères Premières, Domaine Alquier 2016
Vin de France ‘Sans Les Mains’ Pineau d’Aunis, Frédéric Mabileau 2015
Los Autores El Brujo Vieja Reserva, Rioja 2011
Fritsch Exlberg Pinot Noir, Wagram 2014
Sobon Estate Rocky Top Amador County Zinfandel 2014/2016
Tomáš Čačík Frankovka 2016
ref M-MX18220
WHITE bottle dozen
M-AU21041 Pauletts Polish Hill River Riesling 2017 £10.95 £131
A mouthwatering, zesty and bone-dry white from Australia’s foremost riesling region, the
Clare Valley. Lemon and lime leap out of the glass while the palate’s poised and zingy citrus
flavours leave you refreshed and ready for a second helping. Already lovely, but there’s no
hurry! Drink now to 2027. 12.5%
M-RH50001 Costières de Nîmes, Cuvée Excellence Blanc, Mas des Bressades 2016 £12.50 £150
A full-bodied, rich and creamy Rhône white, made mainly from the roussanne and viognier
grape varieties. Though fermented in oak, it doesn’t show, and the wine has a real sense of
balance, not to mention great texture and complexity. Drink now to 2024. 14.5%
M-AA2311 Geyerhof StockWerk Grüner Veltliner, Kremstal 2017 £12.50 £150
A highlight from Austria buyer Freddy Bulmer’s most recent trip: a pure and charming grüner
veltliner from a small, family-owned winery. This biodynamic beauty’s bright peach, pear and
lemon flavours strike a delicious balance, and are supported by an elegant flinty backbone,
meaning that while it’s gorgeous already, it will continue to age and develop to 2024. 12%
M-NZ10351 Mahi Marlborough Chardonnay 2016 £13.95 £167
Modern, bright New Zealand chardonnay made with sensitivity and acumen by Brian Bicknell.
He picks his chardonnay bunches by hand and ferments the juice in old French oak barrels to
create a rich, textured wine, but without any of the sweet vanilla-like flavour some might
expect. Instead, the wine is all refreshment and intensity, with delightful lemon and green-apple
flavours and a lovely bright finish. Drink now to 2022. 13%
4 To order thewinesociety.com/finewines 01438 741177
WHITE bottle dozen
M-IT25181 Roero Arneis Bric Ceniciurio, Pittatore Sacchetto Fiorella 2017 £13.95 £167
A delightful Italian white from a producer who specialises in the aromatic arneis grape, so well
adapted to the sandy soils of Roero. Rich and creamy, but balanced with freshness, it will work
beautifully on its own but is able to stand up to a wide array of dishes. Drink now to 2020.
13.5%
M-FC31881 Domaine Chabanon, Petit Trelans 2015 £15 £180
A maverick vigneron and an intriguing southern French blend, this happy (if unusual) marriage
of vermentino with 20% chenin blanc is remarkably fresh-tasting, with lovely fruity hints of
citrus and melon. Drink this year and next. 12.5%
M-SA13231 Miles Mossop Saskia, Coastal 2014 £16 £192
Renowned winemaker Miles Mossop has left his full-time day job at the Tokara winery to
better concentrate on his own range of wines, and this seductive Cape White offers a
mouthwatering testament to his efforts. The blend is based on the wonderfully intense fruit
of old-vine chenin blanc, with 22% viognier contributing heady perfume and silky texture, and
11% clairette giving freshness and a fine mineral twist. Drink this year and next. 14%
M-SP14231 Valdesil Sobre Lias Godello, Valdeorras 2016 £16.50 £198
An immensely classy Spanish gem that proves wine writer Jancis Robinson MW’s assertion that
‘when the wine is well made, godello is one of the noble white grapes.’ This scented, soft white
is given extra time on the lees that occur naturally during fermentation, adding an appetising
bready complexity to its perky citrus fruit and beautiful structure. Now to 2020. 14%
M-JU1311 Apremont ‘1248’, Vin de Savoie, Château de Mérande 2017 £17 £204
A lovely Savoie white with an intriguing name: 1248 was the date of a massive landslide when
part of the Mont Granier collapsed and buried countless villages. The name Apremont, or bitter
mountain, seems therefore appropriate. This delicious, light and flinty wine offers much less
risky exploration, even if it is perilously quaffable! Drink now to 2020. 11%
M-NZ9941 Greywacke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 £17.50 £210
Kevin Judd, formerly the winemaker at Kiwi grandee Cloudy Bay and now well established
with his glorious Greywacke wines, always pushes this sauvignon to the max. His 2017 is one
of the finest we’ve tasted: despite the softer style of the vintage, this is opulently perfumed
with passionfruit and gooseberry, making for a mouthcoating but multi-faceted sauvignon with
a wonderful long finish. Drink now to 2021. 13%
M-LO13551 Saumur ‘La Dame’, Domaine de Roche Ville 2014 £17.50 £210
Philippe Porché’s elegant, fine food-friendly Loire chenin blanc spent around 15 months in large
oak foudres and barrels to round out the palate and temper the acidity, and the result is a joy,
delivering appetising minerality and fine length of flavour. Drink now to 2020. 14%
M-HU1181 Tokaji Classic Mád Betsek Grand Cru Furmint 2015 £19 £228
This winery is producing some of the finest bottles from Hungary’s world-renowned Tokaji
region and this shows that the dry wines deserve as much of the limelight as the more famous
sweet examples. Its haunting incense aromas reveal a crisp yet weighty palate with a long and
generous finish. A perfect match for roast pork belly. Drink now to 2023. 13.5%
ROSÉ bottle dozen
M-SP13681 Muga, Flor de Muga Rosado, Rioja 2017 £18.50 £222
A new top-end Rioja rosé from the unfailingly excellent Muga family. Made from 100%
garnacha and with no oak, it is dry, pale in colour, delicate and finely tuned. Drink this year
and next. 13.5%
THE SMALL WONDERS WHITES CASE £89
Drink or store to next year
A six-bottle case containing one bottle each of the following:
Geyerhof StockWerk Grüner Veltliner, Kremstal 2017
Mahi Marlborough Chardonnay 2016
Roero Arneis Bric Ceniciurio, Pittatore Sacchetto Fiorella 2017
Miles Mossop Saskia, Coastal 2014
Valdesil Sobre Lias Godello, Valdeorras 2016
Tokaji Classic Mád Betsek Grand Cru Furmint 2015
ref M-MX18221
For advice thewinesociety.com/advice or 01438 741177 5
DISCOVER
FIRST-CLASS CAVA
Spain’s fine fizz, Cava, is the only sparkling wine
outside of France bound by the same ageing
requirements as Champagne, yet it suffers from a
less sparkling reputation than we feel it deserves.
This has spurred me on to scour Spain for some
of the very best for you to try. Each offers its
own individual expression, ranging from the time-
honoured (El Gran Amigo and Gran Juve) to
fuller-bodied styles (in the form of extraordinary
tiny-production gems Claverol and Homenatge).
Try them by the bottle or stock up on a mixed
vertical case; just don’t miss them. They are
world class and offer fantastic value.
Pierre Mansour
bottle dozen
M-SG2151 Cava Sumarroca El Gran Amigo Gran Reserva 2012 £10.95 £131
An exceptionally fine fizz for the money by Sumarroca. This is their gran reserva and it’s gentle,
dry and lemony with a delightful nutty character – the result of three years’ ageing on the lees
before being disgorged and dispatched, ready to enjoy now and next year. 12%
M-SG2431 Cava Conde de Haro Brut 2015 £13.50 £162
Muga’s unique Cava, made in Rioja from the region’s viura and malvasia grapes, is one of
Spain’s classiest and most consistent. It’s fermented in bottle and aged for two years just like
Champagne, and it has similar depth and complexity, balancing youthful freshness and toasty
richness with fine bubbles and excellent length of flavour. Drink now to 2020. 12%
M-SG2631 Cava Nuria Claverol Finca Rosendo, Blanc de Noirs Gran Reserva 2014 £18 £216
A pristinely elegant Cava made entirely from a small single vineyard of pinot noir in the hills
to the west of Barcelona. Aged for three years on its lees, just like vintage Champagne, this
gentle, round and biscuity Cava really shows the heights Spanish sparkling wine can reach.
Drink now to 2021. 12%
M-SG2641 Cava Nuria Homenatge Gran Reserva 2014 £24 £288
From a tiny single plot of 50-year-old xarel-lo vines, the local grape behind many of the best
Cavas, this extraordinary fizz spends around four years on its lees to impart depth and
complexity. This results in a wine that is poised, integrated and complex with subtle notes
of brioche and fruit. Drink now to 2021. 12.5%
M-SG2651 Cava Juvé & Camps Gran Juve, Gran Reserva 2013 £28 £336
This wonderfully complex, floral gran reserva Cava is only released after long ageing on its lees.
A traditional blend of macabeu. xarel-lo and parellada with 25% chardonnay for finesse, this is
poised between creamy texture and fresh precision. Drink now to 2021. 12%
THE VERTICAL CAVA COLLECTION £110
Drink or store to 2019
A six-bottle case containing two bottles each of the following:
Cava Sumarroca El Gran Amigo Gran Reserva 2012
Cava Juvé & Camps Gran Juve, Gran Reserva 2013
Cava Nuria Claverol Finca Rosendo, Blanc de Noirs Gran Reserva 2014
ref M-MX18219
6 To order thewinesociety.com/finewines 01438 741177
CAPTIVATING
CHIANTI
BROLIO
Francesco Ricasoli took back control of
his family property, Brolio, in 1993, after
two decades of misguided big business
management. He made a new detailed soil
analysis, replanted where necessary and
put together a talented team with a
mission to realise these vineyards’ great
potential. After 25 years, this hard work
has rewarded him with some superb
wines fully deserving of their reputation
as among the region’s best. It’s time to
celebrate, in the form of this collection of
gems from the estate. Sebastian Payne MW
bottle dozen
M-IT25921 Chianti Classico, Brolio 2016 £14.50 £174
The best vintage we can remember of this yardstick Chianti, and a triumph for Francesco
Ricasoli, who has done so much in vineyard and cellar to realise Brolio’s potential. With a
bouquet of iris and violet and a lovely balanced palate, this is full and charming. Drink now
to 2023. 13.5%
M-IT22561 Chianti Classico Riserva Brolio, Barone Ricasoli 2013 £21 £252
From a magnificent south-facing hillside amphitheatre looking towards its old rival Siena, this
2013 riserva is a lovely fragant and harmonious wine made from a selection of the year’s best
grapes. Excellent balance has ensured a graceful ageing period and now is a lovely time to pull
the cork. Drink now to 2023. 13.5%
M-IT25951 Chianti Classico Riserva Brolio, Barone Ricasoli 2015 £22.50 £270
2015 is a lovely vintage here, offering black fruit and spices on the bouquet followed by
seductively creamy palate. It will maintain this excellent balance until at least 2025. 14%
M-IT21151 Casalferro, Castello di Brolio 2011 £38 £456
Merlot has been grown on the estate for many years and it is planted at altitude in one of the
best parts. Very fine, scented and distinguished wine, which Francesco Ricasoli calls ‘chiantified
merlot’, because it has the full richness of the grape but great elegance too. Drink now to 2020.
14.5%
M-IT21131 Colledilà Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, Brolio 2011 £39 £468
I was particularly struck by the superb quality of this wine, which demonstrates the great
potential of Brolio and is the result of the improvements made since Francesco Ricasoli took
back the estate. Francesco prefers this 2011 to his 2010 because the grapes are so ripe but fine
and of course the vines are getting better all the time. Spicy, elegant, rich and creamy and with
the balance to age gracefully. Drink now to 2025. 14.5%
M-IT22671 Colledilà Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, Brolio 2013 £41 £492
First tasted with a small group of Society members at Brolio, this wine, we all agreed, had star
quality. Wonderfully fragrant and gentle, beautifully balanced and long-lasting on the finish, it will
be delicious young or old. Colledilà is the ‘hill over there’ on a perfect site, opposite the castle,
planted with pure sangiovese. Drink now to 2027. 13.5%
BROLIO CHIANTI CASE £175
Drink or store to 2020
A six-bottle case containing one bottle each of the above wines
ref M-MX18223
For advice thewinesociety.com/advice or 01438 741177 7
DEPENDABLY
DELICIOUS
OUR FINE-WINE
BANKERS
‘Dependable’ doesn’t have to be
dull! We asked our buyers to
ransack their respective patches for
a selection of failsafe fine wines.
Ranging from pinot noir to Pouilly-
Fumé, each represents a
guaranteed classic for the money.
Find the perfect bottle for a dinner
party, or bag a bankers’ half-dozen
in the form of a tried, trusted and
ever-so-tasty mixed case.
RED bottle dozen
M-US8051 Parker Station Pinot Noir 2017 £13.50 £162
A rare beast indeed: a pinot noir from California that’ll steal the show without breaking the
bank. With a pure redcurrant perfume and a sweet red-berry fruited palate, this fresh and
succulent red is a wonderful foil for game or root vegetables, and offers outstanding value.
Drink now to 2022. 13.5%
M-CS10371 Jean-Pierre Moueix, Saint-Emilion 2015 £13.50 £162
From one of the most trustworthy titans of Bordeaux (which counts Petrus, Trotanoy,
La Fleur-Pétrus and Magdelaine among its mammoth portfolio), this plush and succulent
Saint-Emilion is a great buy. In the excellent 2015 vintage, it has a pleasure-first polished,
dark-fruit character and a long, satisfying finish. Drink now to 2023. 14%
M-AR3891 Mendel Mendoza Malbec 2015 £16 £192
Dinner-party Argentine malbec par excellence, purpose-built for food and worth decanting if
possible. Mendel make wines that combine big-hearted character with a certain European food-
friendly restraint. It’s an irresistible combination and this, made from a vineyard planted in 1928,
offers pretty floral aromas and fine flavour in the cool 2015 vintage. Drink now to 2023. 14.5%
M-RH46761 Crozes-Hermitage Les Jalets, Paul Jaboulet Aîné 2015 £16 £192
A deliciously fruity, vibrant northern Rhône syrah from one of the region’s great names,
Jaboulet. Much of the fruit comes from their vines at the renowned Domaine de Thalabert,
and in this very ripe year the generous black-fruit flavour and soft tannins are already delivering
real pleasure. Drink now to 2022. 13%
M-IT23491 Aglianico del Vulture Alvolo, Alovini 2013 £16 £192
Aglianico is sometimes referred to as ‘the Barolo of the south’ and Oronzo Alo has long
experience of making outstanding examples of this classy Italian grape. Preserving the variety’s
trademark perfume and weight, but keeping the tannins deliciously supple, this is his top wine
made from the oldest vines on his friend Donato’s estate. Fantastic quality for the money.
Drink now to 2025. 14%
M-SP12561 La Rioja Alta Viña Arana Reserva, Rioja 2009 £19.50 £234
The traditional, trusted and tremendous La Rioja Alta bodega was among the first names we
thought of for this section of our List: their wines always strike the right note year-in, year-out,
as evidenced by their consistently towering performances in our Wine Champions blind
tastings. 2009 is a delicious vintage for their Arana reserva, offering a smoky aroma, fleshy
texture, lovely ripe fruit and oaky maturity. Drink now to 2023. 13.5%
M-CM19731 Château Malescasse, Haut-Médoc 2009 £20 £240
A top-drawer claret from an outstanding vintage at the peak of its drinking window: what’s not
to like?! With an attractive garnet colour, a very lovely mature nose of cassis and mocha coffee
and sweet, dark-fruit character on the palate, this is textbook traditional Bordeaux rouge.
If possible, decant for 30 minutes before drinking to reveal its full gamut of aromas and flavours.
Drink now to 2022. 13.5%
8 To order thewinesociety.com/finewines 01438 741177
RED bottle dozen
M-LE971 Chateau Musar 2011 £24 288
The 2011 vintage of Lebanon’s most famous wine is generously flavoured, smooth and
concentrated with lots of dark-fruit flavours to support the exotic spice and personality typical
of this much-loved property. A real treat. Drink now to 2027. 14%
M-BU54271 Domaine de Bellene, Nuits-Saint-Georges Vieilles Vignes 2012 £31 £372
A ripe and full style of red Burgundy, made from vineyards to the north of the village of Nuits,
which produce finer and sweeter-tasting wines than those to the south. In this cool but low-
yielding year, the results are delicious. Drink now to 2026. 13%
WHITE bottle dozen
M-LO14451 Pouilly-Fumé, Domaine Seguin 2017 £14.50 £174
A benchmark of this much-loved Loire sauvignon blanc – bright, fresh, mineral, and with that
classic hint of flintiness. This comes from an immaculate cellar where we get to taste every tank,
and in a great vintage. Drink now to 2022. 13%
M-SP13841 Fefiñanes Albariño, Rías Baixas 2017 £16.50 £198
The most historic producer of Galicia’s albariño grape, Fefiñanes’ 2017 is simply delicious.
Gentle, round and peachy with a lovely line of lemony freshness to revitalise the palate, this
invigorating Spaniard would suit seafood to a tee or make an invigorating aperitif before a meal.
Drink now to 2020. 13%
M-US7331 Fess Parker Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2016 £17 £204
A modern classic? This is a great example of the newer style of California chardonnay, keeping
all the body and spice that many may associate with the style but handled with fantastic skill and
sensitivity to ensure none of its pure apple, lemon or pear fruits are overpowered along the
way. Drink now to 2020. 14%
FINE-WINE BANKERS HALF-DOZEN £89
Drink or store to 2020
A six-bottle case containing one bottle each of the following:
Parker Station Pinot Noir 2017
Mendel Mendoza Malbec 2015
Aglianico del Vulture Alvolo, Alovini 2013
Jean-Pierre Moueix Saint-Emilion 2015
Pouilly-Fumé, Domaine Seguin 2017
Fess Parker Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2016
ref M-MX18222
For advice thewinesociety.com/advice or 01438 741177 9
ARTISTS OF AUSTRIA
I continue to be amazed by the quality I find in Austria, and by the
uncanny way that so many of my favourite artisan winemakers
seem able to convey their personalities and values so beautifully
and vividly into the wines they make.
This six-bottle selection comes from three such growers: the
party-loving Pittnauers, the amiably traditional Michael
Moosbrugger and the thoughtful purists Rainer and Christina
Wess. All three are completely different in terms of their beliefs
and characteristics, and so are the wines; but each bottle offers
something of this remarkable sense of bottled personality. I hope
you enjoy getting to know them. Freddy Bulmer
RED bottle dozen
M-AA2171 Pittnauer Red Pitt, Burgenland 2015 £13.95 £167
Gerhard and Brigitte Pittnauer are based in Burgenland, where some of the country’s top red
wines are produced. They are certainly not traditional in either their winemaking or their
approach to life, with a passion for partying, a winery full of risqué artwork and a belief in
hands-off, minimal-intervention winemaking. This juicy red certainly put me in the party mood:
a vivacious blend of zweigelt, blaufränkisch and merlot, striking a fun balance between serious
quality and effortless approachability. Try with pulled pork. Drink now to 2020. 13%
M-AA2231 Gobelsburg Cuvée Bertrand Red 2015 £16 £192
Michael Moosbrugger of Schloss Gobelsburg is a true legend of the industry. Like him, his wines
are elegant, traditional and sophisticated, and never overbearing. As well as making some of the
best white wines of Austria, he also produces some superb red, evidenced by this is blend of
pinot noir, St Laurent and zweigelt. Elegance, sophistication and approachability unite in this ripe
red-fruited, juicy and soft wine. Drink now to 2023. 12.5%
M-AA2321 Pittnauer Burgenland Dogma Blaufränkisch 2016 £20 £240
Vibrant, whacky and simply excellent! The most impressive thing about this pure and
unadulterated blaufränkisch is the silky and utterly irresistible texture. Made with very little
intervention, this is a direct reflection of the grape through the eyes of Gerhard Pittnauer;
with pretty red-fruit flavours and a crisp, light-bodied palate. Decant for an hour or so before
serving if you can. Drink now to 2022. 12.5%
WHITE bottle dozen
M-AA2331 Rainer Wess Kremstal Alte Reben Grüner Veltliner 2017 £16.50 £198
This father-and-daughter team from the Kremstal region focus on white wines that all embody
something of their own patience, warmth and gentleness. This remarkable old-vine grüner is
thought-provoking, elegant and crisp with a mineral freshness running through it. A special wine
with bright acidity and a spicy twist to the flavour. Drink now to 2023. 13.5%
M-AA2351 Schloss Gobelsburg Steinsetz Kamptal Grüner Veltliner 2017 £18 £216
With impressive focus and tension, this is a traditional but very well-polished example of
Austria’s signature grape. Steinsetz is a vineyard just south of the Gobelsburg castle and
although it is not an Erste Lage (premier cru), the wine offers equivalent quality, without the
price tag. A complex and impressive grüner with aromas of stone fruit, flint and rose petal.
The crisp acidity on the palate provides the perfect framework for the fleshy fruit to hang from,
ensuring structure, generosity and finesse. Drink now to 2021. 12.5%
M-AA2341 Rainer Wess Pfaffenberg 1er Kremstal Grüner Veltliner 2016 £24 £288
One of Austria’s finest wines, which comes from a best-of-the-best vineyard that would surely
be classed as a grand cru if Austria had an equivalent classification. The poise, freshness and
texture are typical of Rainer Wess’s wines, as is the stunning purity. Already generous in its
youth, but with plenty of life ahead. Drink now to 2027. 13%
THE ARTISTS OF AUSTRIA COLLECTION £106
Drink or store to 2020
A six-bottle case containing one bottle each of the above wines.
ref M-MX18225
10 To order thewinesociety.com/finewines 01438 7411772007 BORDEAUX
DOUBLE-0 HEAVEN!
For some time now I have been recommending the
2007s to members who are looking for pure Bordeaux
pleasure. It’s now ten years since the wines were first
released, and the top bottles are ready to go, maintaining
all the elegance, charm and purity of fruit that they
hinted at when young.
The six I have selected here were all bought upon
release and have been slumbering in our cellars over the
past decade. All come from top-drawer properties that
had the human and financial muscle to cope with 2007’s
tricky weather, keep their yields down, moderate
extraction in the winery and rein back on the use of new
oak. The results are succulent, flattering and refreshing
wines with moderate alcohol and harmonious balance.
Enjoy! Tim Sykes
bottle dozen
M-CM12721 Château Duhart-Milon Rothschild, Pauillac 2007 £69 £828
This has been a property to watch since the mid-1990s, when the vines replanted by new
owners the Rothschilds started to show their worth, and the 2007 is a fantastic Pauillac
distinguished by classic cabernet-led flavour. Drink now to 2025. 12.5%
M-CS6601 Vieux Château Certan, Pomerol 2007 £84 £1008
Beautiful claret: all elegance, soul and pure pleasure. Vieux Château Certan is indisputably one
of Pomerol’s finest and most consistent properties. Owner Alexandre Thienpont always brings
out the best of each vintage, as he has with this bewitching blend of 70% merlot and 30%
cabernet franc. Drink now to 2024. 13%
M-CS6591 Château La Conseillante, Pomerol 2007 £85 £1020
Perfectly situated between right-bank titans Petrus and Cheval Blanc, Conseillante was bought
by the Nicolas family in 1871, and they still own and run it to this day. The 2007 (85% merlot
and 15% cabernet franc) has an enchanting fragrant bouquet, the hallmark of this property, with
sweet fruit, finesse and a fine, creamy-textured palate. Drink now to 2024. 13.5%
M-CM12441 Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac 2007 £95 £1140
Seductively ripe, fruity and attractive, this is a proper Pauillac with considerable charm. The
blend is 75% cabenet sauvignon, 15% merlot, 8% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot, and is
absolutely delicious. Drink now to 2025. 13%
M-CM12791 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac 2007 £99 £1188
A fine Pauillac showing all the charm of this vintage. Careful selection at harvest has ensured a
long and rewarding life and the wine is now in a lovely place within its drinking window. Drink
now to 2030. 13%
M-CS6571 Château La Fleur Pétrus, Pomerol 2007 £205 £2460
Owned by the Moueix family since 1952, La Fleur Pétrus now includes the fruit of some
outstanding old vines that used to be part of Le Gay, next to Petrus, but on different soil, stony
with large gravel but no clay or sand. The result is an elegant and spicy claret with superb, fine-
grained tannins. Drink now to 2024. 13.5%
A 2007 PAUILLAC TRIO £260
Drink or store to 2025
A three-bottle case containing one bottle each of the following:
Château Duhart-Milon Rothschild, Pauillac 2007
Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac 2007
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac 2007
ref M-MX18215
For advice thewinesociety.com/advice or 01438 741177 11NEW-WAVE CALIFORNIA
SASHI MOORMAN & RAJAT PARR
It is a real thrill to be able to offer these precious allocations from Domaine de la Côte, Piedrasassi and Sandhi, three of the most
exciting newer names in California and run by two of its most exciting new faces: Sashi Moorman and Rajat Parr. I first met Sashi
over dinner in San Francisco and was captivated by his obvious love of fine wine and great food. With shrewd thoughts on topics
ranging from Rhône vintages to Champagne cellaring times via how to make the best sourdough, it was certainly one of my more
memorable introductions! He set up Sandhi in 2010 with his partner in wine, Raj Parr (aptly described by Jancis Robinson MW as a
‘sommelier turned vigneron and social media king’), before establishing Domaine de la Côte in 2013. Along with Piedrasassi, these
projects focus on the importance of terroir, attempting to realise the remarkable potential of California’s cooler sites. The results are
sensational, but these elegant, subtle and poised wines are in high demand, and quantities in short supply. Be sure to act quickly!
Sarah Knowles MW
RED bottle dozen
M-US7691 Domaine de la Côte Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2014 £43 £516
A supremely stylish tiny-production pinot noir, made with a painstaking focus on balance. The
grapes are harvested when just ripe, and 50% are whole-bunch pressed to contribute stunning
freshness and herbal complexity. No new oak is used in order to protect the wine’s pure,
elegant red-berry fruit flavours and subtle, sophisticated character. Drink now to 2024. 12.5%
M-US7781 Domaine de la Côte Santa Rita Hills Memorious Pinot Noir 2015 £50
Exciting, savoury and complex, Memorious comes from a small block of vines planted on clay
with direct sight of the Pacific Ocean. This is often the last of Domaine de la Côte’s plots to be
harvested, giving a slightly fuller character, with wonderful, tart, saline redcurrant and cranberry
flavours that develop beautifully in a decanter or a large glass. It’s delicious now, but would also
cellar easily to 2025. 13.5% Low stock: limited to six bottles per member.
M-US7831 Piedrasassi Rim Rock Syrah 2015 £60 £720
A captivating oddity, this extremely fine, handcrafted syrah, from Sashi Moorman really stands
out from the crowd. Perfumed with cherry, plum and leather notes, this really opens up in the
glass with its deep black-fruited flavours, firm tannins and abundance of spice, before a stunning,
long, Mirabelle-led finish. Drink now to 2025. 13.5%
M-US7701 Domaine de la Côte Blooms Field Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2015 £65
A truly delicious ambassador for the low-intervention new-wave style of California pinot, the
2015 Blooms Field bursts from the glass with a fascinating and inviting perfume of savoury
redcurrant, cranberry, earth and sage. Fine-grained on the palate and gloriously long on the
finish, this is a beautiful wine to decant and linger over. Drink now to 2025. 13%
Low stock: limited to six bottles per member.
M-US7711 Domaine de la Côte La Côte Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2015 £79
Superb, complex pinot noir with a gorgeous herbal red-berry perfume and palate. Its fine
texture and leathery, spicy, cranberry-flavoured finish are all in exquisite balance. Drink now to
2025. 13% Low stock: limited to six bottles per member.
WHITE bottle dozen
M-US7801 Sandhi Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2015 £27 £324
With its inviting baked-apple and intriguing ginger aromas, this fine chardonnay is mouthwateringly
refreshing. Lemon, spice and apple all linger on the lovely, long finish. Drink now to 2024. 12.5%
M-US7791 Sandhi Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay 2014 £32 £384
Don’t be afraid to decant this textured but taut modern-style California chardonnay. Its complex
lemon, brioche and struck-match aromas, and fine-flavoured palate of citrus pith and oak deserve
a little air, and will sing very tunefully! Drink now to 2023. 13%
M-US7821 Sandhi Bentrock Chardonnay 2015 £47
A chardonnay that shows what wonderful things can happen when a great site and hugely
talented winemakers combine. Flinty on the nose (again, it’s worth a decant to bring the
minerality to life and calm the ‘struck-match’ quality to the aroma) and complex on the palate,
offering crisp, exuberant citrus-pith flavours, this is a special wine. Drink now to 2024. 13%
Low stock: limited to six bottles per member.
M-US7811 Sandhi Sanford and Benedict Chardonnay 2015 £49
A modern-style chardonnay using fruit from the long-established Sanford and Benedict vineyard
in Santa Barbara. Its lovely aromas of hazelnut and lemon rind are joined by grapefruit and flint
notes on the textured palate. Gorgeous now, but a great prospect for the cellar too. Drink now
to 2024. 13% Low stock: limited to six bottles per member.
12 To order thewinesociety.com/finewines 01438 741177THE DOMAINE DE LA CÔTE £265
& SANDHI CASE
Drink or store to 2023
A six-bottle case containing one bottle each of the following:
Domaine de la Côte Blooms Field Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2015
Domaine de la Côte Santa Rita Hills Memorious Pinot Noir 2015
Domaine de la Côte Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2014
Sandhi Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2015
Sandhi Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay 2014
Sandhi Sanford and Benedict Chardonnay 2015
ref M-MX18224
CAIRANNE
RAVISHING RHÔNES FROM L’ORATOIRE SAINT MARTIN
The charming Provençal village of Cairanne is one of the best-known in the southern Rhône. After a long time battling with the
powers that be, the region finally won full recognition as a ‘cru’… just in time for the fabulous 2015 vintage!
The Alary family of Domaine de L’Oratoire Saint Martin have been the custodians of some of Cairanne’s finest vineyards since the
17th century. With the tenth generation now at the helm, the estate, much like the region, is going from strength to strength. Much
of the work is done by hand, even with the help of a horse for ploughing between the rows, and the wines fully deserve both their
recent recognition and members’ attention. Marcel Orford-Williams
RED bottle dozen
M-RH50501 Cairanne Reserve des Seigneurs, Domaine de L’Oratoire Saint Martin 2015 £14.50 £174
Made from the fruit of 50-year-old vines, this is very dark with plummy spicy fruit
complemented by hints of fig, pepper and leather. A wonderful introduction to Cairanne in the
vintage where it finally received its long-deserved status as a fully fledged ‘cru’. Drink now to
2024. 14.5%
M-RH50521 Cairanne Les Douyes, Domaine de L’Oratoire de Saint Martin 2015 £19.50 £234
From a very old parcel of mainly grenache vines, this is a fabulous, concentrated and very long-
flavoured red with a finish hinting at cherry pips. Drink now to 2025. 14%
M-RH50491 Cairanne Haut Coustias, Domaine de L’Oratoire Saint Martin 2015 £20 £240
A big full-flavoured grenache, syrah and mourvèdre blend aged in oak for 24 months to create
a bountiful, spicy flavour. Drink now to 2021. 14.5%
WHITE bottle dozen
M-RH50511 Cairanne Blanc Réserve, Domaine de L’Oratoire Saint Martin 2016 £12.95 £155
White Cairanne is quite rare, yet there are patches of limestone here that suit the grapes
ideally, and this offers delicious proof. 40% of the blend is clairette, with almost as much
roussanne and grenache blanc in support, giving a generous and full-flavoured wine with hints of
lemon, pear and herbs. Drink now to 2021. 13.5%
THE CAIRANNE COLLECTION £106
Drink or store to 2021
A six-bottle case containing two bottles each of the following:
Cairanne Reserve des Seigneurs, Domaine de L’Oratoire Saint Martin 2015
Cairanne Les Douyes, Domaine de L’Oratoire de Saint Martin 2015
Cairanne Haut Coustias, Domaine de L’Oratoire Saint Martin 2015
ref M-MX18218
For advice thewinesociety.com/advice or 01438 741177 13HENSCHKE 2005–2015: AUSSIE TREASURE
The opportunity to snap up these remarkable wines from Australia’s legendary Henschke is something that should be grabbed with
both hands. Their popularity is so strong that we don’t get an opportunity to buy them often…which is why I’ve squirreled away
our allocations ready to offer this bespoke collection of older and newer vintages. So, as well as a mixed case of the exceptional
2015 vintage, you’ll find tempting releases from back to 2005 here. These are among Australia’s very top wines, and I urge members
to get in quick! Sarah Knowles MW
RED bottle dozen
M-AU20711 Henschke Henry’s Seven Barossa Valley 2015 £22 £264
Bright, brambly and intense, this gorgeous blend of shiraz, grenache and mataro (aka mourvèdre)
can be enjoyed now for its sweet black-fruited indulgence or kept longer to develop layers of spicy
complexity. Drink now to 2028. 14.5%
M-AU20761 Henschke Johann’s Garden Barossa Valley 2015 £30 £360
A truly charming grenache-led blend with striking strawberry, rhubarb and sweet-cherry scents
that continue on the full but soft palate alongside complex notes of spice, vanilla and sage, all
lasting beautifully on the finish. Drink now to 2025. 14.5%
M-AU20701 Henschke Keyneton Estate Eden Valley Euphonium 2013 £32
This full-throttle blackberry-and-vanilla scented red combines shiraz (45%), cabernet sauvignon
(36%), merlot and cabernet franc to delicious effect. Laden with intense cherry, plum and
coffee notes, this is a bountiful and rewarding bottle. Drink now to 2033. 14%
Low stock: limited to six bottles per member.
M-AU20721 Henschke Abbotts Prayer Adelaide Hills 2013 £49
An Aussie take on the Bordeaux blend (59% cabernet and 41% merlot), this has a gorgeous
cassis, leather and spice perfume. After 18 months in French oak and the intervening years in
bottle, the 2013 is still structured and youthful, with concentrated black fruit, pomegranate,
tobacco and fruitcake notes lasting impressively on the finish. Drink now to 2033. 14%
Low stock: limited to six bottles per member.
M-AU13881 Henschke Cyril Henschke Eden Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 £79
An unapologetically rich and concentrated cabernet sauvignon, packing gloriously gratifying dark-
berry fruit flavours. Firm but ripe tannins and a lovely backbone of acidity keep the wine fresh
and revitalising. At 13 years old, this is ready to enjoy after a spot of time in a decanter (which
will really open up the blackcurrant, mulberry and tobacco flavours), but will also continue to
develop until at least 2023. 14.5% Low stock: limited to six bottles per member.
M-AU15761 Henschke Mount Edelstone Eden Valley Shiraz 2009 £79
A complex sweet, spicy nose showing lifted fragrant aromas of plum and blackberry with hints
of sage and pepper supported by toasty oak. The intensely fruity dark-berry led palate is
complex and fleshy, with great structure, velvety tannins and a long finish. A superb vintage
from one of Australia’s, and the world’s, greatest estates. Drink now to 2024. 14.5%
Low stock: limited to three bottles per member.
M-AU13891 Henschke Mount Edelstone Eden Valley Shiraz 2006 £85
The prized fruits of Henschke’s renowned old vines (some up to 150 years old!), Mount
Edelstone is a benchmark of Australian wine. The savoury, muscular 2006 is still youthful and
remarkably concentrated with a seemingly endless finish. Drink now to 2027. 14%
Low stock: limited to three bottles per member.
WHITE bottle dozen
M-AU20691 Henschke Louis Eden Valley Semillon 2015 £20 £240
A complex and classy semillon with lovely lightness of touch but not skimping on substance.
Cooler biodynamically farmed vines contribute irresistible freshness and after three years the
wine has developed a touch of wax on the nose to complement the delicate lemon-pith and
lime-led palate. Well worth trying. Drink now to 2025. 12%
THE HENSCHKE 2015 CASE £144
Drink or store to 2025
A six-bottle case containing two bottles each of the following:
RED WHITE
Henschke Henry’s Seven Barossa Valley 2015 Henschke Louis Eden Valley Semillon 2015
Henschke Johann’s Garden Barossa Valley 2015
ref M-MX18217
14 To order thewinesociety.com/finewines 01438 741177KUMEU RIVER CHARDONNAY
THE CLASS OF 2016 (WITH BONUS FIZZ!)
Although now famed for their Burgundy-beating performances in blind
tastings, Kumeu River’s chardonnays have long been a favourite of savvy
Society members, and I’m delighted to be able to unveil their class of 2016.
Offering extraordinary value for their quality, these are rich but refreshing
wines, showing off attractive, subtle peachy fruit and a sense of energy that
both delights the senses and ensures a long life for those who are canny, and
patient, enough to cellar them. After a very promising start and a terrific
summer, the autumn rain drove 2016’s quantities down; but the quality is
excellent, and the wines are showing serious concentration and poise.
Sarah Knowles MW
SPARKLING bottle dozen
M-SG2391 Kumeu River Traditional-Method Sparkling Wine 2013 £25
A new Kumeu vintage is always a cause for celebration, so we’ve also got the fizz out… in the
form of a ‘bonus’ bottle of this dry, fresh and crisp 2013 sparkling wine, which I hope you’ll agree
represents a fantastic addition to their range. Made the traditional way, this blend of 60%
chardonnay and 40% pinot noir, spends nearly four years on its lees (yeasts) to add extra
complexity and bottled with very low dosage (sugar). The result offers glorious tart-lemon,
green-apple and fresh toast notes that last on the finish. Drink now to 2023. 13.5%
Low stock: limited to three bottles per member.
WHITE bottle dozen
M-NZ10181 Kumeu River Estate Auckland Chardonnay 2016 £18.50 £222
The much-loved Estate chardonnay is on excellent form in the 2016 vintage. Made with carefully
selected hand-picked fruit, this is pressed gently in whole bunches to contribute freshness before
being lavished with 11 months in French oak for a lovely full texture. It’s a delicious combination,
brimming with apple and lemon aromas, and a juicy peachy palate. Drink now to 2026. 14%
M-NZ10161 Kumeu River Coddington Vineyard Chardonnay 2016 £25 £300
Coddington stands out among Kumeu River’s single-vineyard chardonnays for its slightly fruitier
character, derived from the clay soils in this part of the estate. The 2016 expresses this quality
beautifully, showing ripe peach and apricot on the refreshing vibrant palate, and ending with an
intense and long-lasting finish. Drink now to 2026. 14%
M-NZ10191 Kumeu River Hunting Hill Vineyard Chardonnay 2016 £28 £336
Hunting Hill is recognised for its distinct mineral character, and though the 2016 is tightly wound
at the moment, it suggests fantastic potential and will age beautifully. Its elegant lemon and flint
aromas continue on the complex, vibrant palate alongside bewitching notes of chalk, apple and
pear. Superb. Drink now to 2026. 14%
M-NZ10171 Kumeu River Maté’s Vineyard Chardonnay 2016 £32 £384
The most concentrated of Kumeu River’s chardonnays in its youth, but also showing the
incredible ageing potential of this vintage, the 2016 Maté’s Vineyard is wonderful. Subtle on the
nose for now, hinting at the golden peach and mineral notes to come with a little more time, it
offers remarkable depth on the palate, with complex flavours of apple, lemon, peach and flint.
Drink now to 2033. 13.5%
2016 KUMEU RIVER £169
SINGLE-VINEYARD COLLECTION
Drink or store to 2026
A six-bottle case containing two bottles each of the following:
Kumeu River Coddington Vineyard Chardonnay 2016
Kumeu River Hunting Hill Vineyard Chardonnay 2016
Kumeu River Maté’s Vineyard Chardonnay 2016
ref M-MX18216
For advice thewinesociety.com/advice or 01438 741177 15NEYEN
A CHILEAN STAR
This is the chance to try a three-vintage ‘vertical’
tasting of this magnificent Chilean wine in the
comfort of your own home, with each available to
buy separately and a pre-mixed case available
featuring two bottles of each.
Neyen is made from a small vineyard in Apalta, a
warm spot in the central part of Chile’s Colchagua
Valley. What really makes it special is the amount
of old vines planted there: Neyen have carmenère
planted in the 1950s and cabernet sauvignon that
was brought over from Bordeaux and planted in
the 1890s!
As a result, this wine has always had impressive
power and substance. A new winemaker, Rodrigo
Soto (who blended the 2012 and made the 2013),
has slightly shortened the ageing in barriques which
has contributed a little more freshness and
refinement. Toby Morrhall
RED bottle dozen
M-CE9121 Neyen Apalta 2009 £29
A remarkable blend of about 55% cabernet sauvignon and 45% carmenère, aged for 18 months
in barriques. Ripe, cedary aromas from the cabernet and a rich voluptuous palate from the
carmenère with a fresh finish. Drink now to 2025. 13.5%
Low stock: limited to three bottles per member.
M-CE9311 Neyen Apalta 2012 £29 £348
The 2012, a 50:50 blend of carmenère and cabernet, derives its voluptuous black-fruited
perfume from this warm year and the enviable old vines at Neyen. Aged for 14 months in
barrique, before being finished in 3,000-litre foudres for six months to round out the texture.
Drink now to 2024. 14%
M-CE9791 Neyen Apalta 2013 £34 £408
In this fine, cool year, the blend went back to 55% carmenère and 45% cabernet. A vintage with
the power of the two wines above, but with greater finesse and more aromatic complexity.
A great success. Drink now to 2030. 14%
NEYEN VERTICAL TASTING CASE £180
Drink or store to 2024
A six-bottle case containing two bottles each of the wines featured above.
ref M-MX18214
KEY
- bone dry to intensely sweet screwcap synthetic closure Our buyers only source the wines they truly
believe in, so you can explore with 100%
confidence. And if you don’t like a wine for any
This offer is available until Sunday reason, we’ll give you a refund. Find out more at
thewinesociety.com/passionbeforeprofit
28th October, 2018 while stocks last.
thewinesociety.com/finewines
01438 741177 OF THE YEAR 2017
The Wine Society, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2BT
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