Whites & Rosé
Roll over: An exclusive partnership of two extraordinary men who are passionate about producing wines of exceptional quality
French master winemaker Ludwig Vanneron believes the Chardonnay fruit grown in New Zealand is no different to Burgundy, it’s the understanding of terroir and the consistent effort of vine caring that is required. LVCA are looking for flavour concentration with fully ripen grape condition giving a perfect level of phenolic compounds. The fruit is grown in Maraekakaho (a small appellation of Hawkes Bay), being more inland with cooler allows extra time to hang the fruit to reach its full ripeness slowly helping to retain good acidity. Clone B95 is 100% fully fermented in tight-grained French barrels between 10-12 months with occasionally bâttonage. The result with an astonishing pleasant nose of yellow lily and popcorn, with succulent golden peach and tangerine, the rich creamy texture coating bright stone -fruit buttery taste which leaves memorable experience like their brother, Petit Frere.
Roll over: Aromas of saline, strawberry, watermelon and lime - a wonderful joint venture between Domain Dujac and Domaine de la Romanee-Conti
Pale pink. This wine has a bouquet of strawberries and white flowers with hints of vanilla. It has the harmony and elegance that has earned world-wide appreciation of the roses of Provence. Triennes Rose is the perfect accompaniment to a sunny summer afternoon
A winery with great pedigree, Triennes is a joint venture between Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac and Aubert de Villaine from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti and is located in the Var, to the East of Aix en Provence. Farmed organically since 2008, the aim of the estate is to produce wines that speak clearly of the bright sky and diverse terroirs of the region. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cinsault, Merlot, Grenache and Viognier provide the raw materials for their stunning range of wines from their pale, savoury rose through to the characterful rich reds for which Provence has become famous.
Roll over: There is a saying that once you start to fall under wine's spell, that all roads will lead you to Burgundy.
Dominique Lafon was the first Côte d'Or superstar to expand his holdings into the Mâconnais followed by Domaine Leflaive. They have breathed new life and prestige into this cooperative dominated region. Les Héritieres du Comte Lafon produces wines ranging from generic Mâcon up to four single-vineyard wines. With the same biodynamic techniques as used in his Meursault domaine, Lafon has crafted a range of delicious wines that show the regions true potential.
This Viré-Clessé from Héritiers du Comte Lafon has a delightful energy. Aromas range from green apple to nectarine and fresh white flowers, all marked with a smoky reductive quality. There is a lively acidity but enough richness to ensure a lingering finish. In 2021, the grapes came mainly from the ‘Clos Viré’ according to Pierre Lafon; this includes the oldest vines on the estate he rents in the commune of Viré. The result is refreshing indeed, yet it should hold well for several years. 92points Decanter
Roll over: Complex, floral & citrus aromas with great freshness, spice & underlying minerality.
Attractive crushed stones, grapefruit and lemon peel with some light, lees-derived, pastry-like notes, too. The palate has impressively fresh and lively flavors with bright peaches and lemons holding long and smooth. Layered yet piercing textural style here. Drink now. – James Suckling
Prophet’s Rock know that great wines begin in the vineyard. That’s why they embrace an approach to winemaking that shares the splendour of the place rather than pronounced winemaking characteristics. The result Iconic wines that invoke Central Otago’s striking, unforgettable beauty.
Roll over: Excellent nerve and acidity with real cut and potential.
Subtle wood influence can be found on the almost as elegant but beautifully layered nose of citrus confit, acacia blossom and wet stone scents. The rich, very generous and solidly powerful larger-bodied flavors are not quite as mineral-driven though they are even more concentrated, all wrapped in a beautifully balanced, long and complex finale. This is also impressive and one to consider, especially if you intend to age it. Burghound
Roll over: Full-bodied palate, with lovely roundness.
Roll over: "Charming bouquet with astonishing fruitiness and a good mineral character. The powerful, strongly constituted palate lacks neither elegance nor roundness." - William Fevre
Roll over: Aromatic and Floral - a Pinot Gris for grownups.
"A textural delight, with powerful, delicious aromas and flavours of ripe apple, Nashi pear, touches of honeysuckle. This is a truly aromatic expression of Pinot Gris and a marvelous food wine." - Prophet's Rock
The 2022 Pinot Gris is fabulously dry and textural, with crushed rocks, white flowers, hints of nashi pear (and pear drops), white tea and brine in the mouth. The wine flows seamlessly from start to finish and is a complex but silky rendition of the variety. It makes sense that Winemaker Paul Pujol has a good sense of the variety, having worked in Alsace at Maison Kuentz-Bas for three years prior to coming to Prophet's Rock. Fully matured in old oak, the wine is fresh but also very long and lingering—a sure sign that it has a long future in front of it. 14% alcohol, sealed under Diam. 94 Robert Parker.com
Roll over: Fresh, succulent stonefruit with a citrus backbone.
Vinified from grapes that were harvested as late as the 26th of September, the 2021 L'Hermitage Blanc was cropped at 38 hL/ha, above the levels of 2022. It dazzles with vivid spring blossom, honeysuckle, lemon peel, white peach, quince, apricot and discrete cedar aromas. Medium-bodied and immaculately balanced by bright acidity, this is an athletic L'Hermitage Blanc with marked freshness and energy. A saline aftertaste wraps up the sapid finish. Outstanding. 96 pts Nicolas Greinacher – Vinous
Roll over: Weingut Egon Müller crafts the most consistently magical Rieslings on the planet.
A cornucopia of ripe summer fruits and flowers pour from the glass of this spectacular Saar Auslese; it’s difficult to tear yourself away from the nose. Serious concentration on the medium- to full-bodied palate but in a self-confidently relaxed manner. No drama, much less pomposity. Instead, ever more compelling as it flows over the palate. Fabulous textural complexity at the finely nuanced finish. Decades of ageing potential! 98 points James Suckling.com
Roll over: There is a saying that once you start to fall under wine's spell, that all roads will lead you to Burgundy.
Dominique Lafon was the first Côte d'Or superstar to expand his holdings into the Mâconnais followed by Domaine Leflaive. They have breathed new life and prestige into this cooperative dominated region. Les Héritieres du Comte Lafon produces wines ranging from generic Mâcon up to four single-vineyard wines. With the same biodynamic techniques as used in his Meursault domaine, Lafon has crafted a range of delicious wines that show the regions true potential.
The entry-level wine from Lafon’s Mâconnais operation offers spectacular value. The bottling includes grapes from Viré-Clessé, Uchizy, Viré, Chardonnay and Bussières, including grapes declassified from single-vineyard sites. The grapes are pressed as whole clusters and fermented in large, upright wooden foudres before ageing for six months. Although the wine in 2022 did not have a lot of malic acid, it still has a lovely freshness and equilibrium. 92 points Decanter
Roll over: There is a saying that once you start to fall under wine's spell, that all roads will lead you to Burgundy.
Dominique Lafon was the first Côte d'Or superstar to expand his holdings into the Mâconnais followed by Domaine Leflaive. They have breathed new life and prestige into this cooperative dominated region. Les Héritieres du Comte Lafon produces wines ranging from generic Mâcon up to four single-vineyard wines. With the same biodynamic techniques as used in his Meursault domaine, Lafon has crafted a range of delicious wines that show the regions true potential.
Roll over: The meeting of two winemakers from the two hemispheres.
The 2022 Cuvée Aux Antipodes Blanc is a magnificent triumph of yields. Where previously this 1.8-hectare plot produced anywhere from six to eight barrels of wine, the 2022 produced 23 barrels of wine—very exciting for followers of this cuvée. On the nose, the wine is showing its youth, but far from being inchoate, it is long and polished through the very long finish. It's got lashings of stone fruit and preserved citrus, white pepper, star anise, shaved fennel, juniper and cold buttered toast. This is a wonderful wine of potential and kaleidoscopic complexity, although it is far tighter and more compact than previous years. Searingly good. This was an unlabeled bottle pre-release. 13% alcohol, sealed under Diam. 96+ Robert Parker.com
Prophet’s Rock know that great wines begin in the vineyard. That’s why they embrace an approach to winemaking that shares the splendour of the place rather than pronounced winemaking characteristics. The result Iconic wines that invoke Central Otago’s striking, unforgettable beauty.
Roll over: Vines that can be traced back to the 1800's.
Vines that can be traced back to the 1800's and the original James Busby collection of cuttings brought into Australia. Today Pewsey Vale Vineyard is a single vineyard dedicated to the single variety - Riesling. Decanter
Roll over: Pure crystalline nose, very little reduction - classical left bank Chablis.
Here too the nose is elegant, pure and layered but with more floral and spice nuances adding breadth to the cooler and more restrained aromas. There is both excellent intensity and density to the mineral-driven flavors that terminate in a bone-dry, sneaky long and balanced finale. This too is really very good. 91-93 Burghound
Roll over: "Floral nose, with fruity aromas enhanced by intense mineral notes and developing lightly smoky touches. Very round on the palate, both full-bodied and refined." - William Fevre
The 2021 Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses is pure and ethereal, mingling notes of citrus soil, wet stones and white flowers in a youthfully discreet bouquet. Full-bodied, satiny and suave, it's refined and glossy, with racy acids and a saline finish. Robert Parker.com
