"quickly bring me a beaker of wine so that I may whet my mind and say something clever"
aristophanes

this wine from 50 year old vines is impressive and then some. the aromas suggest cinnamon butter and warm brioche on the nose, the mouth is full with white peaches and comice pears to the fore, while the finish is spicy with a recurrence of the cinnamon notes, hints of vanilla from the oak and a fine citrus acidity to provide balance and definition. uncompromising wine making.

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this has stunning aromatic complexity and harmonious mineral and fruit nuances as well as a purity and freshness that suggest good ageing potential. it combines gentle passion fruit and citrus blossom characters unusual in new zealand sauvignon blanc, with more leanness of texture and complex intensity in the citrus to passion fruit spectrum.

containing 70% sauvignon and 30% semillon, this wine exudes buttery white-apricot fruit; the oak is beautifully integrated. There is no filtration or fining. Intense buttery texture, super-rich warm spiced apricots, peaches and quinces, incredible definition and well-defined minerality.

dark ruby colour, super attractive nose of cassis then on the palate: rich, ripe fruit flavours; mouthfuls of cherry and blackcurrant. this is smooth and elegant with great purity and length.

from a bodega situated in cuzcurrita de rio tiron on the north-western edge of rioja - a splendid ripe, complex nose, reddish-garnet colour, harmonious and well-balanced oak and fruit tannins, intense rich fruit, great finesse & velvet smoothness and wondrous length

hochar's cult wine made from cabernet and cinsault needs little introduction. the nose is aromatic, fragrant, warm and mellow and it prepares the palate for fruits of cherries, strawberries and redcurrants. the palate is indeed full of these softer summer red berry fruits and, combined with soft tannins, the wine is very well balanced.