Cultivar
Rall Concrete Syrah 2023
"This 3 release of the Syrah made from one of the schist vineyards used for the Ava, was picked early, fermented naturally with 100% whole bunches and aged only in concrete to preserve the primary fruit and crunchy tannins of Syrah grown on these soils.
Even with a modest alc of only 12.5% this wine has a beautiful gripping structure, savoury palate and very expressive nose of fynbos, meat and dark spices. 4844 bottles produced" - Winemaker's notes
Rall Red 2022 Magnum
"Purple and red fruit, herbs, olives and white pepper from the whole-bunch fermentation with a clean focused palate. 100% Whole bunch fermented and matured in a combination of 3000 liter foudre, concrete and old French oak for 10 months before being bottled unfined and lightly filtered and then given a Further 18 months bottle maturation before release. This red wine will drink well now but should no doubt reward patience and only gain drinkability and complexity over the next decade or more." - Winemaker's notes
Rall White 2023 Magnum
"This blend of Chenin Blanc 71%, Verdelho 26% and Viognier 3% that started it all for Rall wines back in 2008 now already in its 16th vintage remains the cornerstone of what we do. No other wine in the portfolio has achieved the level of consistency year on year over the last decade or so and this 2023 is no differnet.
Even after 7 consecutive 5 star Platters ratings this wine I believe is another step up. Grapes are still grown mainly in the ancient granitic soils of the Paardeberg and now also contains a big portion of fruit from the oldest vineyard we work with planted in 1969. All components are fermented naturally and matured separately in a combination of 2000 litre foudre, seasoned small French oak, concrete eggs and amphora before blending and bottling after 10 months with minimal filtration." - Winemaker's notes
Rall Grenache Blanc 2023
"From 2 vineyards in this vintage predominantly the same high altitude bush vines from Piekenierskloof and another vineyard grown on schist.
In the cellar the grapes were whole-bunch pressed and transferred without settling straight to 2 concrete eggs for fermentation and maturation. This vintage has more texture than recent years, flintiness and a touch of reduction typical of early harvested grapes fermented in concrete. As always bottled early after only 8 months to preserve the freshness of this wine. 5652 bottles produced" - Winemaker's notes
Rall Cinsault 2023
"Now mainly from Darling old vines planted in 1982 and grown on iron rich clay soils. Semi-carbonic fermentation occurs naturally using 100% whole-bunches before aging for 8 months in 3000 liter Foudre and older small French oak barrels. The 2023 has lots of layers and some beautiful red fruit with crunchy, coated tannins from the stems and fresh acidity to bring the balance. No doubt our most serious Cinsault offering to date." - Winemaker's notes
Rall Red 2022
"Purple and red fruit, herbs, olives and white pepper from the whole-bunch fermentation with a clean focused palate. 100% Whole bunch fermented and matured in a combination of 3000 liter foudre, concrete and old French oak for 10 months before being bottled unfined and lightly filtered and then given a Further 18 months bottle maturation before release.
This red wine will drink well now but should no doubt reward patience and only gain drinkability and complexity over the next decade or more." - Winemaker's notes
Rall White 2023
"This blend of Chenin Blanc 71%, Verdelho 26% and Viognier 3% that started it all for Rall wines back in 2008 now already in its 16th vintage remains the cornerstone of what we do. No other wine in the portfolio has achieved the level of consistency year on year over the last decade or so and this 2023 is no differnet.
Even after 7 consecutive 5 star Platters ratings this wine I believe is another step up. Grapes are still grown mainly in the ancient granitic soils of the Paardeberg and now also contains a big portion of fruit from the oldest vineyard we work with planted in 1969. All components are fermented naturally and matured separately in a combination of 2000 litre foudre, seasoned small French oak, concrete eggs and amphora before blending and bottling after 10 months with minimal filtration." - Winemaker's notes
Château de Saint Cosme Micro-Cosme Grenache/Pinot Noir Non-Vintage
"We have now been experimenting with Pinot noir blended with our Grenache Solera for three years. It's an old idea which gradually took shape thanks to a wonderful source of Pinot noir we were able to access. So from this year, the wine is truly transitioning from the style of the Little James Basket Press (with Grenache made in the Solera style) to the Micro-Cosme style which is a proper blend of Grenache and Pinot noir. I should point out that the 'Grenache' part continues to be our wonderful Solera. The fusion of Grenache and Pinot is a great classic in the history of wine which I would like to resurrect. The two varieties, seemingly so remote in terms of character and the regions where they thrive, are actually fraternal twins which resemble each other and make good bedfellows." Winemaker's notes
Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge 2022 Magnum
Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge 2022," An 80-20 blend of Syrah and Grenache, sourced from the Gard and Vinsobres, the 2022 Cotes du Rhone offers up outstanding aromas of blueberries and stone fruit, with violet-like floral accents. It's medium to full-bodied, silky and concentrated—apt to make any bargain shopper very happy." - Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate
Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge 2022
Château de Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge 2022," An 80-20 blend of Syrah and Grenache, sourced from the Gard and Vinsobres, the 2022 Cotes du Rhone offers up outstanding aromas of blueberries and stone fruit, with violet-like floral accents. It's medium to full-bodied, silky and concentrated—apt to make any bargain shopper very happy." - Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate
Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Rouge 2021
Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Rouge 2021, "Deep magenta. High-toned cherry and blackberry aromas show very good clarity with black pepper and smoky mineral accents. Shows firm tension and a spicy cut to its gently sweet red and dark berry, bitter chocolate and succulent herb flavors. Youthfully gripping tannins lend framework to a long, smoky finish that echoes the spice and floral notes. This is textbook Gigondas, raised in a combination of one-third concrete tanks and two-thirds large oak barrels, 20% of those new." - Josh Raynolds, Vinous
Château de Saint Cosme IGP “Les Deux Albion” Blanc 2022
"The wine is relatively aromatic – roughly on a par with Clairette – and develops scents of marshmallow, watermelon, pear and white flowers. On the palate, the acidity is forward or even slightly disjointed. There is
great palatability. Incorporating the aptly named Saint Côme into our collection of white varieties is a worthwhile experience because it takes us back to the pre-phylloxera world of heirloom grape varieties. In 2022, the Deux Albion is fresh, clean and aromatic as always, with some great sourness on the finish – in a vintage like this, this is a surprising but welcome trait" - Winemaker's notes
Domaine Roland Lavantureux Chablis 2022
The 2022 Chablis Village is aged 25% in barrel and 75% in stainless steel. It has a more austere but refreshingly energetic bouquet with green apple and fresh lime aromas. The palate is well-balanced, with a subtle reduction and good depth for its class. The 2022 has a taut line of acidity with hints of walnut and chai on the finish. It is a well-crafted Chablis Village that will age in bottle. Tasted blind at the BIVB tasting in Chablis. - Neal Martin, Vinous
Valenciso Rioja Rosé 2022
"The not-so-pale rosé 2022 Rosa was produced with Tempranillo and aged in tank with lees for eight months. It has a bright pink color and is not a light wine, at 14% alcohol. It shows ripeness and is quite powerful for a rosé. 5,000 bottles were filled in May 2023." - Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate
Valenciso Rioja Reserva Red 2016
"The balanced, young and elegant 2016 Reserva mixes characteristics from classical and more modern Rioja reds, fruit and herbs, spicy oak and some complexity and a medium-bodied palate with very good freshness and fine tannins. It's riper than you think at 14.5% alcohol and has a pH of 3.7. It fermented in concrete and matured in French barrels for 18 months. 100,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in autumn 2020." - Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate
Elio Grasso Langhe Nebbiolo “Gavarini” 2022
"Raised and fermented entirely in stainless steel, the 2022 Langhe Nebbiolo Gavarini is a bright red concentrated hue and delivers expressive aromas of ripe orange peel, delicate clove spice, roses, and fresh raspberries. Medium-bodied, it’s fresh, energetic, and easygoing in nature, with fine tannins, good ripeness, and evenly balanced freshness. Approachable and youthful now, it’s is going to show its best over the next few years." - Jeb Dunnuck
Elio Grasso Dolcetto d’Alba 2022
Clos Cantenac Bordeaux Rosé Elégance 2022 Magnum
"Elégance rose - 100% Merlot - once again, the team behind Elégance rosé shows why, if you want good Bordeaux rosé, they are setting the pace. Pale barely-there blush in colour, savoury fruit of redcurrant and pink grapefruit, with rosebuds and a trace of white pepper spice. This is elegant and moreish." - Jane Anson
Clos Cantenac Bordeaux Rosé Elégance 2022
"Elégance rose - 100% Merlot - once again, the team behind Elégance rosé shows why, if you want good Bordeaux rosé, they are setting the pace. Pale barely-there blush in colour, savoury fruit of redcurrant and pink grapefruit, with rosebuds and a trace of white pepper spice. This is elegant and moreish." - Jane Anson
Clos Cantenac L’ Exuberance Rosé 2022 Magnum
"The 2022 L'Exuberence is pure Sémillon, aged 70% in stainless steel and 30% barrels, and has a light gooseberry and orchard fruit-scented nose. The palate is simple on the entry, perhaps lacking the tension found in the 2021, but there's decent depth with a sour lemon twist on the finish." - Neal Martin, Vinous
Clos Cantenac L’ Exuberance Rosé 2022
"The 2022 L'Exuberence is pure Sémillon, aged 70% in stainless steel and 30% barrels, and has a light gooseberry and orchard fruit-scented nose. The palate is simple on the entry, perhaps lacking the tension found in the 2021, but there's decent depth with a sour lemon twist on the finish." - Neal Martin, Vinous
Petit Cantenac Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2021 Jeroboam
"The 2021 Petit Cantenac has quite a plush nose of truffle- and leather-tinged red fruit, touches of sandalwood coming through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with plush tannins, and quite smooth and sensual – oddly New World in style, in a good way. This will have what the French call " - Neal Martin, Vinous
