Further to this weeks emails on mixed cases, there would appear to be an appetite for wines to enjoy at home over the coming weeks.
We have therefore made a selection of some wines ready to drink, from stock and from growers we have long followed and championed. These all represent great value and are thoroughly enjoyable bottles right now.
See below the three mixed drinking cases we have available for immediate delivery:
- Burgundy Mixed Drinking Case, £250 per 6 bottle case including duty, VAT and delivery
- Mixed Drinking Dozen, £450 per 12 bottle case including duty, VAT and delivery
- Mixed Piemonte Drinking Case, £170 per 6 bottle case including duty, VAT and delivery.
1. Burgundy Mixed Drinking Case, £250 per 6 bottle case including duty, VAT and delivery
From the earliest tastings, the 2017s always suggested they would drink well early. The whites were enjoyable from bottling with juicy, ripe citrus fruit and clean, refreshing palate length, and the reds are increasingly supporting the assertion, made by numerous growers when we tasted en primeur, that they will drink early, despite many certainly having the capacity to age well. These are wines that bring you back to Burgundy with their clarity of vineyard expression, vibrant fruit profiles and elegant texture and structure. The mixed case contains 1 bottle of each of the wines below.
Domaine Patrick Javillier, Meursault Les Tillets 2017
Wonderful purity and precision due to the higher altitude of this lieu-dit, highlighting the ripe yet fresh nature of the best 2017s. Elegant and long with peach and citrus fruit and a mineral vein.
Joseph Drouhin, Puligny-Montrachet 2017
A subtle and finely focused Puligny, all citrus vibrancy and a gently honied mid-palate. Juicy, yet taut and clean.
Domaine Ponsot, Saint-Romain, Cuvee de la Mesange 2017
An astonishing white of fruit depth, breadth and character. Intense ripe orange flavours and a saline length. Very individual and really moreish.
Domaine Taupenot-Merme, Chambolle-Musigny 2017
This is drinking so well already with scented cherry fruit in evidence and a gentle palate structure. Supple, yet fresh and focused with classic Chambolle grace and tension.
Domaine Lecheneaut, Nuits-Saint-Georges, 2017
Nuits St Georges was hugely successful in 2017, the freshness has given an appealing scented quality to the fruit while the ripeness of tannins allows earlier approachability. The Lecheneauts crafted a beautiful wine which should be enjoyed before the 2016 or 2015.
Domaine Latour-Giraud, Volnay Premier Cru, Clos des Chenes 2017
Perfumed cherry and raspberry fruit and a palate of flowing textures and gentle mineral length. Again this carefully crafted wine shows the early appeal of the 2017s when ripe, fresh fruit is handled with care and understanding.
2. Mixed Drinking Dozen, £450 per 12 bottle case including duty, VAT and delivery.
The below six wines will be packed as a mixed dozen, two bottles of each, and available at £450 per twelve bottle case inclusive of duty, delivery and VAT
WHITES
Domaine Patrick Javillier, Bourgogne Cote d'Or Blanc, Cuvée Oligocène, France 2016
So consistent in its quality and value, this Bourgogne Blanc from Meursault is one of the most revered and respected, notably by other Burgundy and indeed Meursault producers. This appeals for its ripe fruit, clean freshness and wonderful sense of ease and harmony underpinned by a gentle minerality not often seen at such a humble level.
Curly Flat Chardonnay, Macedon Ranges, Australia 2015
We have long championed the tremendous quality of the wines of Curly Flat. This balances the richness of the ripe fruit one would expect of Australian Chardonnay with an uncharacteristic sense of freshness and energy.
REDS
Domaine Humbert Frères, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru, Poissenot, France 2014
Poissenot is the domaine’s calling card, through which Manou Humbert perfectly demonstrates his skill in balancing a depth of pure fruit with a vibrant freshness and length. Deep, ripe, fresh forest fruits flow through the palate and, while this will improve over a few more years, the aforementioned balance of fruit and freshness are so moreish now it seems a shame to wait.
Chateau Petit-Figeac, Saint-Emilion, France 2015
In case you didn’t yet know, Chateau Figeac has been making one of the wines of the vintage not just in St Emilion but in all of Bordeaux for several years now already. The 2015 was (is) spectacular. This, its second wine, is typically more accessible but, in such a vintage as 2015, benefits from the same supremely healthy fruit as much as the clear commitment to excellence.
Renato Corino, Barolo, Rocce dell’Annunziata, Italy 2014
Renato Corino’s Rocce dell’Annunziata continues to amaze us for the aromatic elegance through which it expresses this exceptional vineyard site in La Morra. That this wine remains so affordable in its peer group is no less astonishing. The 2014 expresses its Grand Cru credentials as it caresses the palate with grace, balancing deep but approachable fruit and fine mineral length. With such fine and approachable tannins, this is drinking beautifully already.
Bekkers, Syrah, McLaren Vale, Australia 2015
McLaren Vale is undeniably responsible for much Australia’s reputation for world class reds of depth and power. Toby and Emma Bekkers tap into this tradition but bring to it a sensibility and poise from Emma’s native France, thus opting to call this a Syrah rather than a Shiraz. But be under no illusion, this has all the underlying fruit ripeness and concentration you would hope for, even if there is a sense of restraint and an inner energy and dynamism.
As stated in the previous email:
*Deliveries to UK mainland addresses are operating as normal for now. However, during these unprecedented times, all operations are subject to change, so we advise clients to take advantage of the currently active delivery service we are able to offer. Rest assured we are checking in daily with our colleagues at LCB Vinotheque, who for now are continuing to work hard to deliver all orders as efficiently as possible. Thank you for your understanding.*
3. Mixed Piemonte Drinking Case, £170 per 6 bottle case including duty, VAT and delivery.
A number of clients have contacted us in recent days requesting drinking wines to tide them over whilst they are holed up at home. So, in response to this, and in the interest of stocking up for the weeks ahead, we will be offering a selection of mixed drinking cases, starting now with a 6-bottle Piemonte-themed mixed case, with all wines drinking well now. For clarity, the price below includes all charges – duty, VAT and delivery. Please see below for details of the wines included, with serving suggestions and food pairings.
*For now, deliveries are operating as normal. However, during these unprecedented times, all operations are subject to change, so we advise clients to take advantage of the currently active delivery service. Rest assured we are checking in daily with our colleagues at LCB Vinotheque, who are continuing to work hard to deliver all orders as efficiently as possible. Thank you for your understanding.*
Mixed Piemonte Drinking Case, £170 per 6 bottle case including duty, VAT and delivery.
2018 Roero Arneis, Vietti
This is a brilliant versatile white, refreshing but with a soft mouthfeel. With gentle floral aromatics and notes of white peach and nectarine, this makes a perfect aperitif to be drunk on its own, but will lend itself very well to a host of different dishes. Try with creamy risotto or pasta (if you can find it!!), or try it with mildly spicy foods – it is relatively low in acidity which works well with the heat. Given this is a lightly aromatic wine, there is no need to decant, simply pull the cork and enjoy.
2018 Vino Rosato ‘Rosa’, Nervi
A very attractive and refreshing rosé (rosato in Italian), this 100% Nebbiolo pale pink quaffer displays notes of sweetly scented summer berry fruits, white flowers and herbs with a zippy acidity. A wine happily drunk on its own, this rosato will stand up well to food as well with its natural acidity and good fruit concentration. Try with salads and light fish and chicken dishes. As with the Arneis, no need to decant, this wine shows well straight from the bottle.
2018 Langhe Chardonnay ‘Educato’, Elio Grasso
Made from 30 year old vines and aged partially in barrique for 7 months, this is a fantastic Chardonnay, with enough substance and complexity to stand up to most foods. I think it works particularly well with meaty fish, or try it with a chicken casserole. There is beautiful balance here, with a core of yellow orchard fruit and candied citrus peel, a light butteriness, with a vein of minerality adding energy and freshness, this medium- full-bodied white makes a brilliant contrast to the Arneis. Decant one hour before serving.
2016 Barbera d’Alba, Vigna Martina, Elio Grasso
Some may argue this is a little young, but when a wine shows such vibrant fruit, why wait? Few harness the potential of Barbera as well as Grasso - deep red, ripe fruits (2016 was a great year for Barbera) with a layered mid-palate and subtle notes of creamy, spicy oak. The juicy ripeness of the fruit is really impressive…a sleek, polished Barbera and again a versatile food partner – from red meat dishes to white meat or even pasta dishes. The touch of acidity that Barbera brings is the key. While I tend to decant this wine too, be careful not to let it warm up too much – it shows far better on the cooler side.
2016 Barbaresco, La Ca’ Nova
La Ca’ Nova remains one of Piemonte’s best-kept secrets, and their 2016 Barbaresco truly showcases the skills of winemaker Marco Rocca. Medium-bodied, with a concentrated core of vibrant red fruits, with classic Nebbiolo notes of tobacco, mint and rose adding layers of complexity, this is a stunning wine. Enjoy it on its own, or pair with light red meat dishes, fish and pasta. I would decant this 1-2 hours before serving.
2014 Barolo Albe, G.D. Vajra
A very pretty and elegant wine, Vajra’s 2014 Barolo Albe shows off Nebbiolo’s innate aromatic complexity with real style. Bright red fruits support the dried flowers and tobacco notes, and there is an attractive dried orange peel zip on the finish; this really is a beautiful Barolo for early drinking. Decant 1-2 hours before serving, and serve with gamey dishes, stews or meaty fish.
The mixed case contains one bottle of each of the above wines and is, for now, available for immediate delivery to replenish your at-home stocks!
Mixed Piemonte Drinking Case, £170 per 6 bottle case including duty, VAT and delivery.
Hoping you and your families are well and staying safe.
All the very best
Laura