Digital Gift Certificates

Running out of time to get to the shops? 
We are here to help!

A DiscoverVin digital gift voucher is a fantastic gift for any wine loving family and friends.

Our digital gift cards are available online.  A mobile Gift Card is delivered to your loved ones mobile phone as a picture message. Choose an amount, schedule delivery time (for example 9 a.m. Christmas Day) , add a message and hit send! They be redeemed by the recipient online, using an individualised code. 

Indeed these are always available and are suitable for Birthdays/Thankyou/Congratulations etc as well as Christmas.

So forget the traffic and the crowds, grab some gift certificates and relax and enjoy the festive season!
 
TO ORDER: Jump online or please call us on 02 6020 6016 or  0414 596 395 for assistance or send us an email  info@discovervin.com.au . 

Our usual terms and conditions apply.

Seasons Greetings from all the team at DiscoverVin!

A tradition of unique grapes add flavor to South West vintages

Dave de Simone writes about wine for Trib Total media out of Pennslyvania in USA.

He recently wrote about the wines of South West France.  In the article he describes the wonderful food and wines of Gaillac and Fronton.  Two areas we love.

"Never heard of négrette, fer servadou, duras and gros manseng , let alone prunelart, ondenc and loin de l'œil ?

Not to worry.

These wine grapes represent just a smattering of more than 130 varieties scattered across the storied vineyards of South West France. The region's viticulture blossomed during the Roman era. In the Middle Ages, industrious monks produced wines to quench thirsty pilgrims traversing the region on the way to St. Jacques de Compostela in northwestern Spain.

Later, the tumultuous French Revolution, the devastating 19th-century phylloxera infestation and economically disruptive wars sorely challenged the region's wine culture. Through it all, generations of undaunted South West wine growers persevered and, somehow, preserved the region's unique traditions and wines. Today, a new, well-travelled and outward-looking generation of vignerons — and female vigneronnes — has emerged poised to share their diverse wines with a wider audience.

Faubourg 73, a charming, hip bistro in the town of Montauban, embodies the region's confident, vibrant spirit. With a musical backdrop ranging from the Doors' “Soul Kitchen” to Frank Sinatra's “Fly Me to the Moon,” engaging proprietor Pierre Cantagel efficiently serves “bistronomie” cuisine. The fun, laid-back approach incorporates fresh, local ingredients served in delicious small plates.

Thin slices of jambon noire de Bigorre — ham made from local black pigs — precede small cups of cream of pumpkin soup, mussels Basquaise with fresh chorizo sausage, Vietnamese venison eggrolls and braised duck pieces with caramelized shallot in a rich red wine sauce. Winegrower Frédéric Ribes matches each successive dish with whites and reds from Fronton, a 5,000-acre appellation making terrific wines seldom known in America.

Ribes, along with his brother Jean-Luc and the polyglot jack-of-all-trades Pierre Salama, specializes in négrette, a grape also known as folle noire (“crazy black”). The vines grow in Boulbènes, soils of silt and clay mixed with quartz and oxidized red stones called rougets .

Nearby Gaillac (pronounced guy-ack ) producers offer a glittering galaxy of dry sparklers, crisp, exotic whites, fruity rosés, earthy reds and luscious, sweet dessert wines. The Romans planted vineyards here as part of their Mediterranean Narbonne province. Monks at Abbey-Saint Michel solidified Gaillac's winemaking traditions and prosperity for centuries. English kings long preferred the wines.

Today, vibrant producers such as Domaine Plageoles, Domaine Causse Marines, and L'Enclos des Braves have embraced Gaillac's traditional varieties to export hand-crafted, attractively priced, terroir- driven wines.

Read more: http://triblive.com/lifestyles/davedesimone/7279732-74/wine-wines-black#ixzz3LbIsnlxf
Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook

Discover a New Tradition

The perfect wine to accompany summer fruit has arrived. Domaine Bellegarde, Cuvée Tradition, Jurançon Moelleux has luscious complex fruit, balance and length.  The finish is not too sweet, making it an elegant and gorgeously structured wine.

DiscoverVin have just taken delivery of the 2012 vintage of what has been one of our most popular dessert style wines.

Jancis Robinson gave it a very good score of 17 points and featured it on her "tip-top whites and fortifieds". December 5th 2014..."Not much nose but fabulous balance of tang, acidity and sweetness. A perfect sweet wine for foie gras? So direct and revitalising. Exceptional value for a full 75-cl bottle although half bottles are also available".

The sweet wines of Jurançon are amongst the great sweet/dessert wines of the world and great value for money. This is an excellent example and the 375ml bottle is ideal to serve to complete summer meals.

Cuvée Tradition is made from Manseng grapes. This wine uses 65% Gros Manseng and 35% Petit Manseng.

The wines are not botrytised, in fact it is said that the thick skin of the manseng grapes protects against rot.  A long dry autumn allows the wines to dry on the vine and concentrate flavours. Fermentation and vinification occurs in oak barrels for the Petit Manseng, which gives an added complexity. The Gros Manseng is fermented and vinified in stainless steel.

Jurançon is a beautiful, hilly area in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains in the south west of France.  The snow capped mountains can be seen from the vineyards and winery at Domaine Bellegarde, which is one of the best producers in the area.  It is a family estate with 14 hectares of vineyards.  They use organic practices and combine modern technology while maintaining the traditions of past generations.

Our tasting notes: Shiny gold/yellow colour. On the nose complex citrus and peach tones. The balance is excellent, complex citrus and stone fruits. Moelleux means sweet but unlike many dessert wines from Australia this wine has a drier finish. They can be consumed on their own (often the French would have them as an aperitif) with pate, cheeses and it is absolutely delicious with fruit desserts.

DiscoverVin - looking for everything unmodern.

Luc de Conti, winemaker at Château Tour des Gendres in the Bergerac appellation in South West France is emphatic about the natural evolution of his biodynamic wines. “We’re looking for everything unmodern” ("On cherche l'anti vin moderne par excellence"), he says. When asked to describe his wines in one phrase de Conti said “Wines that follow the heart more and more, and Parker less and less”.

DiscoverVin has released of two Château Tour des Gendres wines. Known as the “Prince of Bergerac”, De Conti has gained a reputation as a leading French wine maker. Working with his brother Jean and his cousin Francis, they produce biodynamic wines that concentrate on fruit, balance, power and freshness.

The wines are an ideal fit with DiscoverVin’s wine portfolio. Our portfolio places emphasis on independent wine makers and grape growers that typically adhere to the practice of meticulous hand nurturing from vineyard to bottle.

Driven by passion as much as by perfectionism, de Conti has introduced organic and biodynamic farming practices to the family domain. He is pragmatic about working with the appellation’s historic grape varieties and doesn’t hesitate to sacrifice vines at the altar of ‘terroir’ and quality.

Certified fully organic in 2005, the estate’s approach was very much a family-orientated decision. Authenticity and excellence are the buzzwords that he lives by and produces in his wines.

And according to Jancis Robinson MW: “A handful of producers such a Luc de Conti at Château Tours des Gendres ...are now producing ambitious wines to rival some of Bordeaux’s smartest offerings.”

The white wine, Cuvée des Conti, Bergerac Blanc 2013, is a fresh Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc/Muscadelle blend made using biodynamic principles. It is an excellent expression of ripe Semillon that offers a superb aromatic complexity, combining roundness and vivacity in the mouth. 

And the red wine Tour des Gendres, Le Classique, Bergerac Rouge, 2012 is a velvety, approachable Merlot, ideal for drinking now.

Chateau Haut-Peyrous, Rouge. 2009 Vintage now available

Hard work in the vineyard at Chateau Haut Peyrous in 2014 now leads to work in the cellar.

While vintage 2014 is almost complete at Chateau-Haut Peyrous in Graves, DiscoverVin are excited about the arrival of the 2009 vintage on Australian shores.

The 2009 Chateau Haut-Peyrous rouge, Retours de Palombières is available on line for $39.90.

 

2009 was a great year in Bordeaux and the red wine, Retours de Palombières from Chateau Haut-Peyrous is a great example of this vintage.

Chateau Haut-Peyrous is a biodynamic and organic producer, with all work since 2008 carried out in accordance with organic production criteria.  The soil is worked mechanically with grass left to grow between rows to encourage microbial activity.

Retours de Palombières is Merlot based (65%)  with Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and small amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec.

DiscoverVin have sold out of

2008 but now have 2009 in stock

On opening,  immediate complexity on the nose is evident with red fruits and violets. Great mouth feel.  It is round, complex and gorgeous. The tannins are restrained, but add structure. It has lovely minerals and the spice typical of good Graves red wine.

Rich and soft now we think the wine will continue to improve with cellaring for the next two to five years.

Wine Enthusiast Reviewer, Roger Voss, described the 2009 wine as "A powerful yet youthful wine.  It balances blackberry fruit character with smoky tannins and delicious , bright and juicy acidity."

The Wine Gang Focus on Gaillac

The Wine Gang, five UK wine critics experienced the diversity of wines from South West of France.  This is their description of visiting Gaillac, an wine producing area near Toulouse.

Gaillac

The Wine Gang have graciously let us reproduce their blog on the DiscoverVin blog.

Diversity is the name of the game in South West France: from a vinous perspective, there really is something for everyone if you put together all the appellations in this beautiful corner of Europe. If there was a single area that expressed this versatility in microcosm, however, it would have to be an historic appellation that straddles the Tarn River: Gaillac.

"The diversity starts, of course, in the vineyard, or, rather, beneath the vineyards: Gaillac has three distinctive terroirs, each offering a different character to the wines, from the power and structure offered by the stone, sand and gravel terraces on the left bank of the Tarn to the elegance and succulence brought by the chalky clay of the right bank and the poise and vibrant fruit of the limestone Plateau Cordais.

Harvest in Cotes de Tarn

But that’s really just the beginning. On those soils, Gaillac producers work with nine different grape varieties to produce seven distinct wine styles. The permutations are, therefore, as fascinating as they are delicious. In Gaillac you can find vividly berry-fruited, explosively juicy youthful reds made from Gamay and bottled shortly after harvest, alongside intense, structured but elegant reds made from the local favourites Braucol and Duras as well as Syrah, offering fine tannins and freshening acidity to go with their spicy flavours.

Whites, from Mauzac, Loin de L’Oeil, Ondenc and Muscadelle, can be oak-aged, dry and savoury, with concentrated juicy apple offset by minerals and rippling acidity. Or they can be lusciously sweet and honeyed, like a liquid tarte-tatin, enlivened by a line of fine citrus."

DiscoverVin import two wines from Chateau de Saurs in Gaillac.
This chateau has been in the hands of the same family since the 16th century. It is now in the process of conversion to organic production (from the  2012 vintage the wines will be labelled as certified organic).
The vineyard extends for 42 ha, growing selcted grape varities to produce wines of the Gaillac appelation (white, rosé and red).

Chateau de Saurs AOC Gaillac Blanc Doux is made from a selected parcel of Loin de l'Oeil of more than 40 years old. The grapes are late-picked at the peak of ripeness during October. Loin de l'Oeil ('Lew-an-de-le-oh-eye") translates as eye of the lion. This gorgeous dessert wine has a sweet honey flavour on the palate.

Chateau de Saurs Tradition Rouge has been one of our most popular wines.
 "This is easily the best Gaillac wine that I have tried" Sean Mitchell, Grape Observer, June 2014.  
From an ancient vineyard that has been producing quality grapes for many centuries, premium grapes are now being made into modern, organic and clean wines while retaining characteristics typical of the terroir. 
Great value for money! The Tradition Rouge is from the great vintage of 2010.

The Wine Gang Visit Producteurs Plaimont

The Wine Gang, five UK wine critics put on berets to visit Saint Mont in the South West of France.  This is their description of visiting the charming town of Saint Mont and touring the area including spending time at  Producteurs Plaimont.   

The Wine Gang have graciously let us reproduce their blog on the DiscoverVin blog.

Eric shows Grace how to wear the beret Saint Mont style

Leaving Côtes de Gascogne, we headed to Saint-Mont, a charming town surrounded by vineyards and blessed with beautiful ancient stone buildings including a magnificent monastery (which is also a hotel). Eric Fitan (president of the Saint Mont Wines trade body), Charlotte Grizeaud (communications manager) and Xavier Didelon (area sales manager, Plaimont Producteurs) stuck a beret on our heads (the beret is almost a uniform in Saint Mont!) and took us for a walk around the town.

Ferme Descoubet’s owner shows us his sustainable farming methods

We then joined Christine Cabri in Plaimont Producteurs tasting room for a brief introduction on the three main Saint Mont terroirs and their influences on the wines from the appellation.

We tasted a selection of Saint Mont white and red wines, including a rare wine made from vines that date from before phylloxera destroyed most of the French vineyards in 1863.

Saint Mont is a world-famous site for grape variety and vine research, and international amphelographic (grape and vine) experts come here to study the region’s unique heritage.

Not only does Saint Mont have some vines that are more than 180 years old, but it also has grape varieties that are so rare that they have not been identified yet!

Saint Mont terroirs

Eric shows us around the Saint Mont classified plot

Visit of Saint Mont monastery with Eric, Charlotte and Xavier

We moved on to Château de Sabazan and then Château Saint Go, where we tasted a flight of Saint Mont reds, including a vertical tasting (several vintages of a same wine), showing the ageing potential of these tannat-based wines.

Saint Mont vineyards

Plaimont Producteurs have played a key role in preserving andidentifying Saint Mont’s grape variety heritag

We then drove to the Maison des Vins in the tiny village of Madiran, where Paul Dabadie (President of Madiran wines trade body) was expecting us. Paul had prepared a special blind tasting of 20 Madiran and Pacherenc du Vic Bilh wines to introduce us to the denominations.

What a great way it was to discover the two appellations! We tasted our way through the different expressions of the local varieties: Tannat, complemented by Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon for the reds of Madiran; and Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, Petit Courbu, and Arrufiac for Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh’s dry whites and sweets.

Pacherenc du Vic Bilh’s barrique d’or

We moved on to dinner at the restaurant Le Prieuré, our appetites whetted by all the lovely wines we had just tasted.

We were joined there by Frédéric Richevaux (Plaimont Producteurs) who had brought wines from their respective properties to complement our dinner.

We first enjoyed a homemade foie gras terrine with sweet Pacherenc du Vic Bilh. Followed by a white fish in a creamy saffron sauce, paired with dry Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh.

We then had duck served with a sauce and vegetables. It was brilliant to taste Madiran wines with food, after having tasted them on their own an hour earlier. We could see how the tannins of the wine cut through and lifted a rich dish like the duck.

Our hosts had prepared another surprise for dessert, pairing chocolate fondant with a 100% tannat Madiran wine. And what a success!

Our trip ended with a lunch at the restaurant de la Tour in Lembeye, where the chef and winemakers had worked together to pair a Moroccan inspired meal with their wines.

It highlighted how modern these wines are, and how they can be a perfect match for not only local cuisine, but international dishes, including spicy food.

So, next time you order a curry from the take-away, try and match it with a Madiran or a Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh!

A million thanks to all the producers and representatives involved in the trip, who made it a great voyage of discovery, and who made us fully experience the warmth, the hospitality and the passion of South West French wine producers!

With Roland et Emmanuel

http://www.thewinegang.com
http://southwestfrancewines.com

Discovervin is pleased to sell the wines of Producteurs Plaimont in Australia, including this mixed pack of 6 bottles of their wines.

International Cabernet Day 2014 is upon us

The last Thursday of August each year is Cabernet Day...a global celebration of The King of Grapes.

Tomorrow Australian boutique French wine importer, DiscoverVin, will celebrate the 5^th Annual Cabernet Day with Château Haut Vigneau, 2009, a captivating, great value Pessac-Leognan cabernet from Bordeaux, the home of cabernet sauvignon.

International Cabernet Day (28 August) will focus on tasting and talking about cabernet with social media as the platform to connect the global conversation. Most of the action will take place on Twitter using the hashtag #CabernetDay to link the conversation.

DiscoverVin’s Craig Underhill is urging cabernet fanciers to be part of the day and to follow DiscoverVin’s cabernet tweets on @discovervin where 2009  Château Haut Vigneau in particular will be sniffing, swirling and sipping its way across the Twittersphere.

‘This wine was one of Gourmet Traveller Wine’s  “Bordeaux Beauties” in the current August/September edition and has scored 89/100 from Wine Spectator‘, so it is something to tweet about – and tasting it is an even better reason. So tweet up and tipple,” he says. 

“The 2009 Château Haut Vigneau is complex and rich with sweet fruit, mocha and beef-stock flavours, yet finely structured with good length. “Power and flesh on the mid-palate,” said panelist Forrestal.  It’s ready now but will age well for several years.”

Château Haut Vigneau, 2009 Online RRP $38.00 www.discovervin.com.au

The Producer

Situated in the commune of Martillac, this 20-hectare property once belonged to Baron de Montesquieu. Today, Mr. Eric Perrin owns the estate.  He set up a vast land clearing and plantation programme in the 1980s, rejuvenating the vineyard from the ground up.

The Appellation

The appellation of Pessac-Leognan was created in 1987 from the section of the Graves district south of Bordeaux city. Some of the vineyards are surrounded by the development of the Bordeaux suburbs. Pessac and Leognan, the key towns in the appellation, form part of the suburban sprawl, with vineyards next to houses and industrial estates.

Graves means gravel and Bordeaux’s reputation as a great wine region for Cabernet has been built on the gravel.

The red wines of Pessac-Leognan have a rich and flamboyant style, developing deep and spicy flavours with age. 

The Wine

Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (30%)

Cellaring Potential

Can be enjoyed now but will keep for many years (2014-2025)

Our Tasting notes

A wine with very pleasing aromas of black fruits (blackberries, black currant), red fruits (raspberries) and with subtle roasted notes (grilled and smoky). Good fruit weight and fine gravel tannins giving it a lovely mouth feel. Hints of minerals and chocolate.

Its style typifies the silky tannins, minerals and structure of the cabernet wines of Pessac-Leognan.

Review for our new white wine from Bordeaux-Grand Bateau

This week we were really pleased to see a review for our new white wine from Bordeaux called Grand Bateau. This is the first time this wine has been imported to Australia. It is available online and to trade exclusively through DiscoverVin. It is one of only a few white wines made in the Medoc- one of the premium red wine growing regions of world. I guess the Bordelais can't drink red all the time!

The bateau refers to the famous sailing ship that symbolises Chateau Beycheville. Ships sailing on the Gironde estuary coming to and from the port of Bordeaux would be saluted by a retired Admiral (the "Amiral of Beycheville") who would lower the flag on the tower of the Chateau.

Sean Mitchell in the Grape Observer published the following review:

"Produced by Château Beychevelle, the Grand Bateau Bordeaux blanc is a lovely wine.  A blend of 80% sauvignon blanc and 20% semillon, it has reticent aromatics of apple skin, bruised peach, lemon, stone fruit kernels, hay, grass and gooseberry.  The palate is medium to full bodied, the acid medium and its flavours remind of lemon, apple skin, grass and gooseberry.  The finish is medium in terms of length and depth of flavour.  This is overall a good wine due to the complexity on offer.  Good

Abv: 12.5%
Price: $24.50
Source: sample"

We think this is a great quality/value for money white wine from a famous Bordeaux producer.

Grand Bateau – Discover an excellent white wine from an elite Bordeaux producer

DiscoverVin is excited to be importing Grand Bateau Blanc, a Bordeaux white from the well-known Bordeaux Cru Classé producer Chateau Beychevelle.  Chateau Beychevelle is a classified Saint-Julien producer with a tradition of growing vines on the Garonne gravel of the Médoc dating back to the Middle Ages.

The boat (bateau) on the label refers to the mythical galleon of Chateau Beychevelle.  Ships on the Gironde estuary sailing past the Chateau would lower their sails to honour the Admiral who began growing vines there over three hundred years ago.

With a rich winemaking history Chateau Beychevelle has collaborated with Bordeaux negogiant Maison Barrière to produce this exciting, value for money wine.

The same team that produces the prestigious Chateau Beychevelle red wine makes this wine Philippe Blanc, the chief winemaker of Chateau Beychevelle guides the assemblage of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc wines, based on a selection of the best wines from the Beychevelle estates.  Chateau Beychevelle follows “Terra Vitis” and “Sustainable Viticulture” practices, to produce high quality grapes using environmentally friendly methods.

This was a standout wine at Vinexpo 2013.   A perfect wine for the summer months, it offers value for money and exquisite drinking.

Grapes:  Semillon (20%), Sauvignon Blanc (80%).

Alcohol: 12.5 % VOL

Wine making:  Pre-fermentation maceration results in a wonderful aromatic structure.  Seventy percent of the juice is fermented in new oak barrels for four months, with accompanying batonnage (stirring of the lees).

Our Tasting notes:  Aromatic nose with buttery-vanillin oak notes and exotic fruit.  On the palate the wine is round, fleshy with wonderful minerality and delightful exotic fruit flavours.  Lovely balance between the oak, fruit and acidity.  Excellent finish.

Online price is $24.50.
Trade price on application.

Please call DiscoverVin on 0260 206 016 for more information or to place an order.

DiscoverVin at Le Tour Lounge

Le Tour is over.  

The Olympic track cycling, while exciting, lacks the French scenery and cows.

DiscoverVin were happy to be involved with Le Tour Lounge in Oxford Streeet, Sydney.  

This was a hub to watch the Tour de France live. 

An exciting use of an otherwise vacant retail space, the lounge proved to be very popular.

•              Open from 11am to 2am daily.

•              200+ people a day through the doors

•              Featured on Triple J (national radio station)

•              Featured on National ABC news

•              160 or so new Facebook friends with a FB reach of over 7000 people per day

•              Featured on multiple bike blogs through Sydney.

•              Featured in “Time out” and “What’s on” in Sydney. Made the front page of the City of Sydney Website, Lord Mayor Clover Moore has been tweeting……etc

DiscoverVin's "Taste of the Tour Pack" was promoted at the Lounge, through tastings and as you can see in the photos, framed as a wine of the day.

The pack is still available through our shop.  www.discovervin.com.au

DiscoverVin sponsor Le Tour Lounge

Can Cadel back it up for  2012?

DiscoverVin is sponsoring Le Tour Lounge at 

118 Oxford St, Sydney.

Shhh! Bikes along with Under New Management and Ride Magazine, official magazine for the Tour de France are organising le Tour Lounge.

For the Casual and the Committed

There will be a Projector replaying each stage during the day. Selected live stages at night.

Be there on Sunday 15 July when the Tour reaches  the Pyrenees Cols.  DiscoverVin's  Taste the Tour Pack will be available for tasting and orders can be made.

 

Genovese Coffee available all day,  Bikes for sale and even French Classes.

http://shhhbikes.com/news/le-tour-lounge/

DiscoverVin introduces four wines from Bordeaux Petits Châteaux-Part 2

“Some of Bordeaux's best wine value is to be found at the most conscientious petits châteaux.”  

Jancis Robinson

Four wines from three different vintages, from four producers on the left bank illustrate of the value for money and quality of wine made by conscientious petit châteaux.

DiscoverVin are very pleased to be bringing these high quality boutique wines to Australia at an affordable price: wines from high pedigree sites, owners and makers, sitting just outside the highest vineyards under the 1855 classification but representing great value for money.

1.       Château Senilhac Le Prade, 2009

  Website Price $25.00

The Producer

Chateau Senilhac la Prade is a small producer on 4 hectares east of Saint Seurin de Cadourne in the Haut-Médoc.

Appellation

Haut Médoc

The Wine

Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (35%), Cabernet Franc (10%)

Grapes are machine harvested and made using traditional Medoc winemaking methods in a modern winery.  The wine is aged in oak barrels for 12 months.

Cellaring potential

Well balanced with layers of fruits and tannins so will develop over many years.

Our Tasting notes

 Dark colour, a bouquet full of freshly picked berries from the forest, tobacco notes, mid dense structure and a long finish.  The layers of tannins give the wine good ageing potential.

So many good Médocs to choose from the 2009 vintage but this was a standout value-for-money wine, in a large line-up.

2.           Chateau Moulin Pey-Labrie, 2006

    Website Price $39.99

The Producer

Benedicte and Gregoire Hubau made their first vintage in the Bordeaux commune of Fronsac at Chateau Moulin Pey-Labrie in 1988. They have worked with influential Bordeaux based oenologist Michel Rolland to make wines with finesse, elegance and balance. Their philosophy is

“To make a fine wine one needs beautiful grapes, clean and ripe, grown in a vineyard in touch with its "terroir".

Appellation

Canon-Fronsac

Possessing similar soil and climate to Saint Émilion and Pomerol a few kilometers across the Dordogne River to the east, Canon-Fronsac has a picturesque landscape made up of woodland and hills. It also has a rich history reaching back hundreds of years, when the area was much favored by French nobility. Canon-Fronsac is encompassed by the wider Fronsac appellation.

The Wine

70% Merlot (70%) Cabernet Sauvignon (20%) Cabernet Franc (10%)

France’s prestigious Guide Gault-Milau gave the 2006 vintage 15/20 and a “good value for money” rating.

Cellaring Potential

Drinking well but will keep for several years (2012-2020)

Our Tasting Notes

Lovely purple colour. Red fruit and plums on the nose. Palate is soft, round in the mouth with minerals and fine chalky tannins. Great balance and length. Delicious, classy Merlot!

When we were in Bordeaux for Vinexpo 2011, this wine was being served at Bar à Vin run by the CIVB (Conseil Interprofessionnel du vin de Bordeaux) or local Vignerons association. From the many hundreds of wines available this wine was being served on their short wine list, which is updated on a regular basis.

3.    ChâteauHaut Vigneau, 2009

Website Price $38.00

The Producer

Situated in the commune of Martillac, this 20-hectare property once belonged to Baron de Montesquieu. Today, Mr. Eric Perrin owns the estate

and has set up a vast land clearing and plantation programme in the 1980s, rejuvenating the vineyard from the ground up.

The Appellation

The appellation of Pessac-Leognan was created in 1987 from the section of the Graves district south of Bordeaux city. Some of the vineyards are surrounded by the development of the Bordeaux suburbs. Pessac and Leognan, the key towns in the appellation form part of the suburban sprawl, with vineyards next to houses and industrial estates.

Graves means gravel and Bordeaux’s reputation as a great wine region has been built on the gravel.

The red wines of Pessac-Leognan have a rich and flamboyant style, developing deep and spicy flavours with age. 

The Wine

Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (30%)

Cellaring Potential

Can be enjoyed now but will keep for many years (2012-2025)

Our Tasting notes

A wine with very pleasing aromas of black fruits (blackberries, black currant), red fruits (raspberries) and with subtle roasted notes (grilled and smoky). Good fruit weight and fine gravel tannins giving it a lovely mouth feel. Hints of minerals and chocolate.

 Typifies the silky tannins, minerals and structure of the wines of Pessac-Leognan.

4.       Clos de Quatre Vents, 2007

  Website Price $110.00

The Producer

Clos des Quatre Vents is a tiny 1.2 hectare plot planted with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  The proprietor is Luc Thienpont, former owner of Château Labégorce-Zédé. The estate produces 6000 bottles/500 cases from a vineyard planted with very old vines with an average age of 80 years old. 

Quatre vents means ”four winds”.  The passage of the four winds across this elevated vineyard throughout the year ensures a fresh and healthy crop each vintage, and this purity is translated through careful harvesting and vinification into a wine of real elegance backed by restrained power.

Appellation

Margaux

The vineyard is situated on a plateau at the entrance to the town of Margaux, surrounded by Cru Classé vineyards.

The Wine

Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (40%),Petit Verdot (5%)

This wine was made by Jacques Boissenot, wine consultant to four of the five First Growths of the Médoc, and named Winemaker of the Decade in 2010 by the Chinese Bordeaux Guide to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the publication.

Grapes were picked by hand, fermented in cement tanks with malolactic fermentation in new oak, followed by ageing in new French oak for 18-20 months.

Cellaring potential

 A wine that will achieve full maturity a decade from the vintage, but which enjoys such balance that it can be enjoyed in its youth.

Our Tasting notes

Brilliant dark garnet/purple colour.  A very savoury nose with red fruits and some meaty tones.  The palate is soft and rounded with complex layers of red fruits (raspberry, strawberry etc.), fine tannins, very long and well balanced.  We wrote down sexy when we first tried it!  Very approachable - an amazing wine.