12 products
- White Wine
- Chenin Blanc
- Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.50% alc./vol
About the Winery
Château de Parnay
Château de Parnay is the flagship of the AOC Saumur Champigny. The property is located along the Loire river, classified as UNESCO World Heritage, on the most reputable clay and limestone terroirs of the appellation. The historic property was taken over by Mathias Levron & Régis Vincenot in 2006 with the aim of restoring the nobility of this special place.
Drawing their strength from the authenticity of their values, they now cultivate 50 hectares of vines with the aim of producing exceptional wines in a way that respects the environment. They have been certified organic since 2013 and are about to be certified biodynamic too.
The Clos of Chemin des Murs is the jewel of the property! Coming from the imagination of it's orginal owner, Antoine Cristal, this Clos was built, planted and cultivated according to an unprecedented technique. On this half hectare of Chenin Blanc, each vine was planted on the north face of a stone wall. Through a hole in the stone the vine crosses through the wall and allowing the grapes to grow facing the southern sunshine. The vine is said to have its 'foot in the cool and belly in the sun'.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
92 points - David Lawrason
This is from a leading Saumur producer of Loire chenin blanc with vines planted in calcerous clay soils near the Loire River outside of classical town. It is both rich and delicate, a juxtaposition I find in some of the world's best whites. It is not however an intense, flashy, acid and mineral driven chenin. Fermentation in neutral barrels has created a pale gold hue and softened the nose to gentle honeyed, spicy state along with ripe pear/apricot jam fruit. It is medium-full bodied, smooth and dry, almost creamy, with the grape's acidity and minerality arriving more on the finish. The complexity and length are excellent, with a touch of wood spice and bitterness as well. Tasted August 2022
94 points - John Szabo
2019: This leads with a terrific nose very much in the varietal/regional idiom, honeyed, floral, apple and lemon zest-scented, complex and exotic, not to mention stony. The palate displays a similar level of poise and composure, cool, transparent yet with a heavy freight of flavour , and terrific length. This is really quite extraordinary wine, delicious now, but surely capable of a decade or so in the cellar. Top notch. Tasted March 2019.
93 points - Michael Godel
2019: The rare and elusive 100 per cent chenin blanc from Samur makes full use of clay-calcaire-tuffeau soils for this dry and piqued white wine. So crunchy and expressive with an expansive character that fills the mouth by making contact withy every nerve and pour. Benchmark and controlled explosive example, rare or otherwise. Drink 2020-2025. Tasted March 2020.
91 points - David Lawrason
2019: It is rare to come across fine Saumur chenin, a central Loire Valley appellation overshadowed by Vouvray. This is mid-weight, dry and quite firm classic with a fairly generous nose of pear, spice, vague fresh herbs and wet stone. It becomes quite dry and somewhat grapefruity bitter on the finish, trailing solid minerality as well. Very good to excellent length. Tasted March 2020.
- White Wine
- Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Picpoul
- Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.50% alc./vol
About the Winery
Château de Montfaucon
Just across the Rhone river from the beautiful vineyards of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the Lirac appellation extends itself on the low hills alongside the river. The history of Château de Montfaucon dates back to the 11th century when the castle's first tower was built. The castle's role in history was strategic; the Rhône River was the border between the French Kingdom and the Holy Roman German Empire. Montfaucon was one of many castles and fortresses along the Rhône River constructed to guard the border.
Rodolphe de Pins took over the family estate of Montfaucon in 1995 and subsequently rebuilt the winery and began practicing sustainable agriculture. He honed his winemaking skills in Barossa at Henschke and Vieux Telegraphe in Châteauneuf du Pape before returning to Lirac, so needless to say, his familiarity with the local varieties is well established.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
92 points - Michael Godel
Comtesse Madeleine may not be a Rhône original out of the Lirac appellation but my if it does not strike as something profound. The blend is 40 per cent each marsanne and clairette with (10) grenache blanc (plus perhaps a splash of picpoul) for a devilishly flinty white with a veritable scent of animal musk, like porchetta releasing that tell-tale aroma just after the skin begins to render at heat. This is the real deal in French white wine for which the blending process and subsequent elévage can pull out meaning to change the way wine will speak to those that are listening. Intently in this case and for great reason. Drink 2023-2026. Tasted February 2023.
92 points - Sarah d'Amato
A lively and characterful blend of marsanne, clairette and grenache blanc. Expressive and concise with freshness created through a combination of acidity and minerality. Features notes of rosebud, honeysuckle and ginger spice along with thyme, pear, lanolin, fresh fig and lemon. A compelling assemblage that brings new dimension and complexity through a succession of undulating sensorial waves. Honestly made with a light-handed touch. Balanced and lengthy. Tasted February 2023.
91 points - Megha Jandhyala
This is an aromatically expressive blend of clairette, grenache blanc, marsanne, and picpoul, from Lirac, an appellation that lies just across the Rhône river from famed Châteauneuf-du-Pape. I really like its glossy, smooth texture and flavours of apricots, lemons, and grapefruits, alongside subtle notes of vanilla and wet stones. The palate is integrated and balanced, with a sense of both richness and freshness. The finish is graceful and long-lasting. Tasted February 2023 by Critic Understudy Megha Jandhyala.
Decanter
90 points
Distinctly nutty from the oak, macadamia, gently grilled elements to the fruit. Good acidity. Little touch of honeycomb on the finish. Acidity is balanced. Drinking window 2020 - 2022.
- Red Wine
- Sangiovese
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 2 g/l
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 14% alc./vol
About the Winery
Cortonesi
“I’m a lucky man who has been given the opportunity to realize my dream and continue my family’s efforts making wine in the land where I was born.” – Tommaso Cortonesi
Tommaso is third-generation winemaker at Cortonesi that owns some of the most prized vineyards in the north and south-east of Montalcino. Favourable geography, rocky soils, and ingenious winemaking all come together to create some of the region's deepest and most elegant Brunello wines.
The Cortonesi family has been making wine since the 1970s. At first, wines were made to be enjoyed by family, friends and neighbours, but then in 1985, Cortonesi had gained enough traction within their community that they began to offer their wines commercially. Today, Cortonesi remains a family business that continues to work according to tradition, while employing modern technologies to the enhance the quality of their production.
Lovers of Sangiovese must experience “La Mannella”, a collection of wines exclusively sourced from Cortonesi's private vine land. This farm covers 56 hectares, eight of which are devoted to the production of some of the world's most coveted and age-worthy Brunello di Montalcino.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
93 points - Michael Godel
The elephant in the room is obvious and Tommaso Cortonesi answers before the question is even posed. "You will be surprised by the freshness and acidity of the 2017, despite the warm vintage." So how exactly can that be? Picked as usual, for one thing, at the end of September. "Montalcino can approach each kind of season and situation during the production process," explains Cortonesi, meaning climate events, extremes and change be anathematized the vines have been nurtured and equipped to handle stress, especially drought, to sleep if necessary, call upon reserves and take full advantage of late season miracles. The '17 is smartly piquant, wisely wily, youthful above reproach, even if technically requiring some correction. Levels of acidity and even volatility are high, as per the vintage but in reality drying fruit and tannin are not. Take your time with La Mannella, don't rush or make any immediate demands of its emotions or time. Drink 2023-2029. Tasted November 2021.
- Red Wine
- Mourvèdre / Monastrell, Syrah
- Natural, Organic, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.5% alc./vol
Press Reviews
Wine Align
93 points - John Szabo
Clos Sauveplan is a blend of about 3/4 high density planted mourvèdre and the balance in half-century-old syrah from the lieu-dit of the same name, a plateau in the Faugères AOC in southern France. It's showing beautifully at the moment, rich, redolent of fresh black forest fruits, blackberry coulis, wild violets and cracked black peppercorn, really quite a tour de force. The palate is broad but fresh, impeccably balanced and so lively considering the warm vintage, declared at 12.5% alcohol but coming across as riper and denser than the numbers would imply. Tannins are silky and resolving nicely, and length, depth, and ultimately complexity, are excellent. One of Brouca's best to date I'd say; drink or hold a half dozen years - the stuffing augurs well for development. Tasted January 2024.
92 points - Michael Godel
The source for this co-ferment of mourvèdre and syrah is a “clos,” meaning an isolated walled vineyard in a lieu-dit called “Sauveplane”, plateau at the eastern limit of the Faugères appellation. A mix of 20 and 40 year-old vines, volcanic soils, some whole cluster fermentation. Exotically spiced, sweetly volatile. Low-level Brettanomyces, so bloody Faugères, exemplary and expected for a wine to speak up on behalf of this particular sense of place. The kind of Languedoc red that sommeliers and naturalists will share and swig with reckless abandon while those who have never tried this style and origin may be left to wonder in confounded disarray. Just know that this is very correct for producer, style and place. Drink 2024-2027. Tasted January 2023.
91 points - Sara d'Amato
From old vines farmed with minimal intervention on the plateau of "Sauveplane", a lieu-dit on the eastern edge of Faugères. Spontaneously co-fermented syrah and mourvèdre grapes are left unfined and unfiltered in the low-interventionist style of Fredric Brouca. Subsequently aged 13 months in oak resulting in very gentle spice and pleasantly mellow tannins. Offers a notable sense of place and varietal character. Relatively speaking, the wine is quite clean and still exhibits plenty of fresh fruit and very good length. Tasted January 2024.
- Red Wine
- Corvina, Rondinella
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 15.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Ca' del Monte
Ca del Monte is situated on the hillsides overlooking the village of Negrar, in the heart of Valpolicella. It has belonged to the same family for generations, and is now run by brothers Umberto and Giuseppe Zaconte. There’s nothing fancy about this place. The house and winery are modest - and are attached to a 17th century monastery.
The estate is approximately 50 acres, and its 15-65 year old vines lie on gentle slopes at 800-900 meters. They grow on four soils including clay, limestone, red volcanic soil with red stones, and “Toar,” a green volcanic soil. The vineyards of Ca Del Monte are planted with 20-40 year old vines of Corvina, Rodinella and Molinara grapes that are planted in poor soils that stress the vines and nurture the fruit. All of the farming is done traditionally and non-certified organic.
- Red Wine
- Syrah
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 1.9 g/l
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines
Mullineux Family Wines, established in 2007 in the Swartland region of South Africa, is owned and managed by Chris and Andrea Mullineux. Since its inception the winery has established itself as one of South Africa’s most celebrated wine brands, both locally and internationally. Originally from Northern California, Winemaker Andrea Mullineux studied Viticulture and Oenology at UC-Davis before working in Stellenbosch and meeting Chris at a wine festival in Champagne. Chris is the Viticulturist in charge of the vineyards on their farm on Kasteelberg Mountain as well as fruit sourcing for their value Kloof Street wines.
To add to their acclaim, Andrea Mullineux was named Wine Enthusiast’s Winemaker of the Year in 2016 and in 2016 Chris & Andrea were Tim Atkin’s South African Winemakers of the Year. . By focusing on producing handcrafted wines from the granite and shale based soils of the Swartland and it is quickly becoming South Africa's wine frontier. Located an hour's drive away from Stellenbosch, the Swartland is rolling hills of wheat and jagged outcrops of old vines.
Press Reviews
Wine Align - John Szabo, MS
95 Points
I love the finesse and elegance in this wine, born of slightly more generous granite soils yielding bigger canopies and more shaded, protected fruit. It's fermented in 500l upright barrels with gentle hand punch downs, more of an infusion than extraction. the 2nd year of ageing takes place in large oak vats for aromatic refinement. The nose is all wild violets, and black currants right off the bush, crushed mint and thyme, cracked black pepper and cinnamon stick. The palate is sleek and linear, flowing, structured and firm but in the raw silk fashion. Length and depth are spectacular. Best after 2026 or so, or hold late into the '30s. Tasted twice in September 2022 and April 2023.
Robert Parker
94 Points
Bursting from the glass with bright, sweet red fruit, the 2020 Granite Syrah is fresh and floral with an instantly pleasing aromatic nose. Medium to full-bodied and subtly spiced, the palate offers flavors of crunchy red fruit with hints of potpourri that sway with elegance and finesse. The wine reveals a nimble brightness to the mid-palate, showing purity with youthful, gripping tannins. The Syrah concludes with a gracefully elegant finish that brings me back for more.
James Suckling
94 Points
A lovely nose of red cherries, black licorice and dried rosemary. Medium- to full-bodied with fine, textured tannins. Lovely grip on the palate with an array of red and blue fruit. Layered and expressive with steady intensity and a persistent finish. Tense now. Best after 2024.
- Red Wine
- Syrah
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 1.9 g/l
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines
Mullineux Family Wines, established in 2007 in the Swartland region of South Africa, is owned and managed by Chris and Andrea Mullineux. Since its inception the winery has established itself as one of South Africa’s most celebrated wine brands, both locally and internationally. Originally from Northern California, Winemaker Andrea Mullineux studied Viticulture and Oenology at UC-Davis before working in Stellenbosch and meeting Chris at a wine festival in Champagne. Chris is the Viticulturist in charge of the vineyards on their farm on Kasteelberg Mountain as well as fruit sourcing for their value Kloof Street wines.
To add to their acclaim, Andrea Mullineux was named Wine Enthusiast’s Winemaker of the Year in 2016 and in 2016 Chris & Andrea were Tim Atkin’s South African Winemakers of the Year. . By focusing on producing handcrafted wines from the granite and shale based soils of the Swartland and it is quickly becoming South Africa's wine frontier. Located an hour's drive away from Stellenbosch, the Swartland is rolling hills of wheat and jagged outcrops of old vines.
Press Reviews
Wine Align - John Szabo, MS
93 Points
Pure syrah on a mix of granite, schists, quartz and iron-rich soils, the flagship bottling of syrah from Mullineux. 100% crushed whole cluster (not carbonic), fermented in upright, large wooden vats. Lifted, clean and perfumed, with attractive florals, sweet-fresh dark fruit, wild herbs, and more in a complex guise. The palate delivers a raft of sun-soaked black fruit framed by fine, grainy tannins, with excellent length. A syrah of class and sophistication, drinking surprisingly well now, though surely better after 2023. Tasted twice in September 2022 and April 2023.
James Suckling
92 Points
Aromas of grilled plums, grilled meat, coriander and clove. Medium- to full-bodied with silky tannins. Succulent and deep with steady intensity. Chocolate and blueberry come through. Lovely. Drink now.
- Red Wine
- Syrah
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 2.00 g/l
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 14.00% alc./vol
Press Reviews
Jeb Dunnuck
95 Points
An Hermitage-like nose of red and black currants, smoked meats, leather, and iron emerges from the 2019 Syrah In The Hills, a balanced, medium to full-bodied, concentrated Syrah that shows the pure, elegant, cooler style of the vintage nicely. It's already drinking well yet will cruise for 10-12 years in cool cellars. This is a beautiful, complex, incredibly impressive Washington State Syrah.
- White Wine
- Chardonnay
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 2.1 g/l
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 14% alc./vol
About the Winery
Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines
Mullineux Family Wines, established in 2007 in the Swartland region of South Africa, is owned and managed by Chris and Andrea Mullineux. Since its inception the winery has established itself as one of South Africa’s most celebrated wine brands, both locally and internationally. Originally from Northern California, Winemaker Andrea Mullineux studied Viticulture and Oenology at UC-Davis before working in Stellenbosch and meeting Chris at a wine festival in Champagne. Chris is the Viticulturist in charge of the vineyards on their farm on Kasteelberg Mountain as well as fruit sourcing for their value Kloof Street wines.
To add to their acclaim, Andrea Mullineux was named Wine Enthusiast’s Winemaker of the Year in 2016 and in 2016 Chris & Andrea were Tim Atkin’s South African Winemakers of the Year. . By focusing on producing handcrafted wines from the granite and shale based soils of the Swartland and it is quickly becoming South Africa's wine frontier. Located an hour's drive away from Stellenbosch, the Swartland is rolling hills of wheat and jagged outcrops of old vines.
Press Reviews
Robert Parker
95 Points
The 2020 Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Chardonnay is more generous and shows more ripeness than the previous vintage, with a touch more approachability and youth, as it encapsulates a broader-shouldered expression. Medium to full-bodied, the wine explodes on the palate with flavors of lemon pastry cream, popcorn kernel and sweet citrus and a lingering nutty and creamy sensation across the mid-palate. The wine glides to a gracefully long finish that persists with flavors of peach yogurt. Bravo!
Wine Align - Michael Godel
96 Points
Chris and Andrea Mullineux started the project in 2013 with the help of viticulturist Rosa Kruger. "New" vineyards were unearthed and rehabilitated through four solid years of re-pruning, re-training and re-working of the soils. Then the wines could begin being made. A deconstruction and reconstruction, now seven years in and entering the opening gambit of true maturity stage for what is one of South Africa's most unique heritage collections. Leeu means lions, a reference to a meandering walkabout, personified in these wines. They are made in the Franschhoek winery, certified organic, coming of age in their foray into regenerative agriculture, which says Andrea Mullineux, "in the southern hemisphere also means cultural and worker sustainability practices." The 2020 is as fine a reductive but mainly lightning acidity charged chardonnay as a vineyard can determine. Located in the upper mid-slopes of the Helderberg facing the Strand with a clear view of False Bay. That said or perhaps out of necessity this is made in an oxidative way, which makes sure to keep the flinty and salty faith alive. The '20 is possessive of fibres, threads, strings and wires braided to make a layered whole. Finesse and sophistication co-exist in a vacuum where waves crash upon one another in great open space, with no shore for to finish. If you would like to experience chardonnay in a way you’ve not likely done before than swim all the way out, well offshore, all in, all the way to this place. Turn around and off into the deep distance, gaze upon the strand. Drink 2022-2028. Tasted October 2022.
James Suckling
95 Points
Aromas of sliced lemon, crushed thyme, green apple and flint. Medium-bodied, but don’t let that fool you, because this is so expressive and vibrant on the palate. Complex, too. It rides the line between fresh and nutty wonderfully. Succulent, bright and persistent. A pleasure. Sustainable. Drink or hold.
Vinous
95 Points
The 2020 Chardonnay Stellenbosch comes from a single vineyard in Helderberg just above the Cabernet. This has a wonderful, slightly flinty bouquet with outstanding precision. The palate is very well balanced with a perfect line of acidity, extremely pure, hints of white peach and orange pith, augmented by grapefruit and crushed stone of the finish that's as nervous as a child with stage fright doing school panto for the first time. Brilliant.
- Red Wine
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 2.00 g/l
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 14.50% alc./vol
About the Winery
Bodegas Exopto
Exopto is Latin for “to long for” or “to desire greatly” and it is the dream of Frenchman Tom Puyaubert and his family to endeavor to craft and assemble wines where the whole adds up to more than the sum of their parts. Tom relocated from France to Rioja in 2000 after falling in love with the region and working for the French cooperage Saury as its Spain representative.
When Tom began Exopto, he wanted to do a project that produced wines within this historical context of Rioja - combining both worlds in a unique way. His idea is to remain true to the blending of the principle grape varieties and to do so from the best terroirs/villages for those varieties crossing sub-regions of Rioja. Each wine though, has a majority of a different principle grape – showcasing that variety specifically within the context of a blend. The viticulture and winemaking model is that of the “vigneron” days – small plots of vines in the extremes, wild yeast fermentation in concrete or old oak vats and then aging in a way to showcase the fruit, minerality and terroir not the wood or aged flavours that people often associate with Rioja.
Press Reviews
James Suckling
91 Points - Zekun Shuai, Senior Editor
Distinctive aromas of briar, peppercorn and tarry fruit with mulberries and blueberries. Medium-bodied on the palate saturated with fresh, pulpy blue fruit and some lavender. Silky wrapping of tannins here. Maturana tinta. Drink now.
- Red Wine
- Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese
- Organic, Sustainable
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 2.00 g/l
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 14.00% alc./vol
Press Reviews
James Suckling
92 Points
Aromas of fresh blackberries, cherries, bay leaf and olives extend to a medium-to full-bodied palate, full of savoury cocoa powder and blackberries. Resolved tannins give a tight yet caressing feel. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
- Red Wine
- Pinot Noir
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 3.00 g/l
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 14.00% alc./vol
Press Reviews
Wine Spectator
92 Points - Tim Fish, Senior Editor
A structured red, with a lively backbone of acidity that powers deep black raspberry, dusky spice and black tea flavours, which build toward broad-shouldered tannins. Drink now through 2030.