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2 cases In Stock

From Riesling and the Pinots (principally Gris) on very friable limestone, Deiss’s 2007 Schoffweg mingles the spiciness of Pinot Gris with that of barrique in the nose; comes to the palate with welcome citric brightness if a certain severity; and finishes with penetration, tactile spice, adamant stone and chalk, and a hint of wood. Were there not such a sense of energy conveyed by this truly dry wine, it would come off as a bit too austere. I can imagine it being worth cellaring for a decade, perhaps longer, but would plan on re-checking it in half that time. Wine Advocate.

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1 case In Stock

This lighter style of wine is medium-bodied with crisp acids, a cooler climate fruit profile with red currants more than black ones dominating, medium body, some noticeable tannin, and a relatively short finish. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. Wine Advocate.

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1 case In Stock

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3 cases In Stock

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15 cases In Stock

A high level of austere tannin in the finish may prove to be this medium-bodied wine’s undoing. While it possesses a dense ruby/purple color, big, extracted flavors, and a sweet perfume, the tannin’s angularity/astringency is cause for concern. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2014 - Robert Parker

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5 cases In Stock

"As one would reasonably expect here the nose is both more elegant and finer with red pinot fruit aromas nuanced by earth and underbrush that are also picked up by the rich, full and sweet flavors that possess lovely depth and while the tannins are not as sophisticated as the following 1ers, this too is really quite fine for its level." - Burghound

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3 cases In Stock

"A classic Meursault nose of hazelnut, ripe orchard fruit and citrus rind aromas lead to rich and impressively concentrated flavors that possess good power for a villages level wine before culminating in a textured, agreeably dry and sappy finish. This is a big villages and will need a few years to mature."-Burghound.com

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16 cases In Stock

'The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul 100% Grenache aged in tank (50%), pyramid-shaped, truncated wood cuves (40%) and barrels (10%) will not make anyone forget the 2007. The good news is that there are 1,500 cases in 2009. Already seductive and more evolved than the 2000, 2005 and 2006 were at a similar age, the deep ruby/purple-colored 2009 reveals a sweet bouquet of blueberries, black raspberries, nori (the seaweed wrapper used in sushi restaurants), grilled meats, roasted herbs and spice. Medium to full-bodied with a plump, voluptuous texture, superb purity and silky tannins it should be one of the few Mon Aieuls that will be irresistible upon release. It will evolve for 12-15+ years.' - Robert Parker

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13 cases In Stock

'The 2008 Guado al Tasso is once again fabulous. In fact, it may be Tuscany’s most improved wine over the last few years. Firm, vibrant tannins support expressive layers of dark fruit, plums, cherries, sage, espresso and mocha. The wine shows fabulous detail and nuance in a translucent, totally seductive style, with tons of focus, drive and verve. It is a striking wine that will be a joy to follow over the coming years. The 2008 Guado al Tasso is composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028.' - Wine Advocate

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34 cases In Stock

"Reminiscent of a Rhone Valley Chateauneuf du Pape, the 2003 The Steading is an intriguing, complex blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, and 20% Shiraz. Aromas of garrigue, Provencal herbs, pepper, black cherries, raspberries, and currants are followed by a medium to full-bodied red possessing great fruit, surprising elegance, and loads of complexity. It will provide plenty of pleasure over the next 5-7 years." - Robert Parker

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4 cases In Stock

A structured, muscular Margaux, the 2005 Siran exhibits scents of minerals, earth, black currants, and incense. Meaty and rich, it is ideal for drinking between 2008-2018. Wine Advocate.

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9 cases In Stock

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8 cases In Stock

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2 cases In Stock

The 1991 Vina Tondonia Blanco Gran Reserva offers shaved almond, lemon rind, honeysuckle and dandelion on the well-defined nose that demands coaxing. The palate is crisp on the entry with dried honey, dried mango and citrus peel on the entry, fanning out towards a complex, resinous finish with a hint of rosewater on the aftertaste. Drink now-2020+ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate.

I have adored, indeed occasionally worshiped, the wines of Lopez de Heredia for many years, so I am not ashamed to admit that visiting both their vineyard and their winery was a pilgrimage. Founded by Rafael Lopez de Heredia y Landeta in 1877, it has withstood the tide of corporatization and homogeneity, and epitomizes timeless, artisan winemaking in their own individual, almost solipsistic manner. Technology is noticeable by its absence here. For example, to quote her sister Maria-Jose at a tasting that I subsequently attended in London: “Indigenous yeasts have adapted to high temperatures. To control the temperature during fermentation, we open doors and windows” and “malolactic is the invention of modern winemakers.” I had to check whether this was 2012 or 1912. If you were to award points for charisma, then this producer would be in a league of its own. That would count for nothing if their wines were not distinguished, individual, long-lived and above all, delicious. It is commonly known that if you are seeking bags of fruit and lashings of oak, this is not the place to come. My views and these scores might be irrational to someone with a penchant for lush, voluptuous Rioja. Lopez de Heredia is the apotheosis of traditional, classic wines: taut, fresh, bucolic, utterly charming and amazingly long-lived. I spent two or three hours with winemaker Mercedes Lopez de Heredia, who was celebrating her birthday with, appropriately enough, a bottle of Tondonia Gran Reserva from her year of birth. I urge readers to access the video I took of Mercedes explaining the vineyard in her own breathless style. In the meantime, I will crack on with the wines “Wines should talk by themselves,” Maria-Jose enthused to her enraptured audience at a tasting in London. “My father was a vine maker, not a winemaker. Each wine is a reflection of a different land that my great-grandfather bought. Our wines respond to the history of Rioja.” I would add to her comments that since these are mainly aged wines, a bottle of Lopez de Heredia is an individual and each time you meet, you may see a different side to its personality. So treat these reviews as they are: snapshots at a given moment. We commence with their white wines and indeed, I know of several connoisseurs who rate these even better than their reds and I can sympathize with that view. “The white wines were made as a copy of Graves and were made to be aged,” Marie-Jose continued. “So they are made like reds and are harvested at the same time. They undergo skin contact for one, two or three days to absorb the preservative from the skins and pips. Viura gives complexity as it ages - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate

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6 cases In Stock

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1 case In Stock

The 1991 Vina Tondonia Blanco Gran Reserva offers shaved almond, lemon rind, honeysuckle and dandelion on the well-defined nose that demands coaxing. The palate is crisp on the entry with dried honey, dried mango and citrus peel on the entry, fanning out towards a complex, resinous finish with a hint of rosewater on the aftertaste. Drink now-2020+ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate.

I have adored, indeed occasionally worshiped, the wines of Lopez de Heredia for many years, so I am not ashamed to admit that visiting both their vineyard and their winery was a pilgrimage. Founded by Rafael Lopez de Heredia y Landeta in 1877, it has withstood the tide of corporatization and homogeneity, and epitomizes timeless, artisan winemaking in their own individual, almost solipsistic manner. Technology is noticeable by its absence here. For example, to quote her sister Maria-Jose at a tasting that I subsequently attended in London: “Indigenous yeasts have adapted to high temperatures. To control the temperature during fermentation, we open doors and windows” and “malolactic is the invention of modern winemakers.” I had to check whether this was 2012 or 1912. If you were to award points for charisma, then this producer would be in a league of its own. That would count for nothing if their wines were not distinguished, individual, long-lived and above all, delicious. It is commonly known that if you are seeking bags of fruit and lashings of oak, this is not the place to come. My views and these scores might be irrational to someone with a penchant for lush, voluptuous Rioja. Lopez de Heredia is the apotheosis of traditional, classic wines: taut, fresh, bucolic, utterly charming and amazingly long-lived. I spent two or three hours with winemaker Mercedes Lopez de Heredia, who was celebrating her birthday with, appropriately enough, a bottle of Tondonia Gran Reserva from her year of birth. I urge readers to access the video I took of Mercedes explaining the vineyard in her own breathless style. In the meantime, I will crack on with the wines “Wines should talk by themselves,” Maria-Jose enthused to her enraptured audience at a tasting in London. “My father was a vine maker, not a winemaker. Each wine is a reflection of a different land that my great-grandfather bought. Our wines respond to the history of Rioja.” I would add to her comments that since these are mainly aged wines, a bottle of Lopez de Heredia is an individual and each time you meet, you may see a different side to its personality. So treat these reviews as they are: snapshots at a given moment. We commence with their white wines and indeed, I know of several connoisseurs who rate these even better than their reds and I can sympathize with that view. “The white wines were made as a copy of Graves and were made to be aged,” Marie-Jose continued. “So they are made like reds and are harvested at the same time. They undergo skin contact for one, two or three days to absorb the preservative from the skins and pips. Viura gives complexity as it ages - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate

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1 case In Stock