{"title":"New World Wines","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"distant-noises-cabernet-sauvignon-2019","title":"Distant Noises Cabernet Sauvignon 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn outstanding Cabernet for this price. We've tasted many at £25 to £35 that do come close.  A perfect mix of all the elements of beautiful \u003cspan class=\"il\"\u003eCabernet: \u003c\/span\u003eblackcurrants, slight herbaceous notes, pencil, cedar, tobacco, and it's now getting velvety, but with just the right amount of grip on the finish that makes it good with food.  Lots of class and quality winemaking from Tom Carson, one of Australia's most awarded winemakers.  Just 13% alc. Will keep for a few more years.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistant Noises is Tom's (Yabby Lake Winemaker) own winemaking project. The fruit is sourced from Yarra, and the winemaking is as sensitive, precise, assured as befits Tom's name. The real beauty of Distant Noises though? It's the price! Tom has set himself the challenge of making premium Mornington Peninsula wine at a price that you rarely see for wines from this region. Why, in this venal old world, would he do that? Because he wants to. He's achieved pretty much everything else there is to achieve in wine. He's reached the summit several times over. Distant Noises is his chance to do that rare thing of making a cracking wine that is accessible to many, that gives as many people as possible the pleasure of the wines he makes. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DISTANT NOISES","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":37559947329721,"sku":"AYABBYLAKR19B03","price":16.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/products\/DistantNoisesCabernetSauvignon.jpg?v=1758880668"},{"product_id":"weather-report-sands-cabernet-franc-2019","title":"Sands Cabernet Franc Weather Report 2019","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTotal production 294 bottles! Gorgeous sappiness to the nose, with ripe romano peppers, like walking into a green house on a hot day and white pepper too. There's a little celery salt and aniseed on the palate, soft leather and fresh acidity. Sands Cab Franc is from a small bush vine vineyard planted in the early 90s in the decomposed Table Mountain sandstone soils on the southern edge of Paarl.  We were utterly blown away on tasting Chris' wines on a rare Swig catch up day in late October 2022. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIt's thanks to Alex Starey of Keermont estate that we had the introduction to up-and-coming young winemaker, Chris Keet Jnr of Weather Report. Whilst his day job sees him working at Bot River Gabrielskloof estate, Weather Report is his small-production own label, so far solely exploring Cabernet Franc from a handful of tiny sites across the Western Cape. Wine positively flows in Chris' veins. His uncle is Chris Keet of Keet wines, formerly winemaker at former SA icon, Cordoba. He made the 1995 vintage of their Crescendo, one of South Africa's first cult wines.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WEATHER REPORT","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42128148496569,"sku":"SWEATHERR19B02","price":19.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/products\/Sands2019.jpg?v=1648810786"},{"product_id":"mullineux-syrah-2019","title":"Mullineux Syrah 2019","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWith fruit sourced from 7 sites - some on granite-based soils, some iron-rich and some schist, Mullineux's pure Syrah offers a wonderful snapshot of the diversity of the Swartland. The perfume is beautiful - high notes of violets, mulberries, spicy orange rind with star anise and clove, and a seamless palate with more dark fruits, black olives and cured meats, like walking into a fancy Italian deli and a sprinkling of pepper. So persistent in the mouth - this is not a big wine, but there's a great power and presence to it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFounding members of the Swartland Revolution, four times winner Platter Guide Winery of the Year, and The Wine Enthusiast's Winemaker of the Year 2016, Chris and Andrea Mullineux are one serious power couple. Based just outside of Riebeek Kasteel on their farm Roundstone, their ambition is bottle wines that are a true expression of the Swartland. Its granite, schist and iron soils, its wind swept sites, old vines, hot climate and long, dry Summers. With Chris in charge of the vineyards and viticulture, and Andrea at the helm in the cellar, it has been a joy to see the incredible quality coming out of the estate year on year. Are there any more talented duos in South Africa? I don't think anyone would question it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MULLINEUX","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42694751879353,"sku":"SMUL01R7519","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/products\/syrah_23158aeb-4807-4545-a9bc-7c1b573ed5d6.jpg?v=1660820039"},{"product_id":"keermont-topside-syrah-2017","title":"Keermont Topside Syrah 2017","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 points, Tim Atkin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSitting 350m above sea level on the west-facing slope of the Stellenbosch mountain, the Topside vineyard's elevation, exposure and the rocky sandstone-granite soils all lend a spicy character and fine tannin structure to the wine. With dense, darker briar-led fruit, some pretty floral aromas melding with anise, herbs and fine, sandy tannins, this is a Syrah with plenty of years in the tank for the future to come. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeermont Estate may well take the prize for most beautiful vineyards and views in all of South Africa. And yup, there's some pretty stiff competition! Nestled in a natural amphitheatre between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains, their ambition is to produce wines that reflect the natural wonders of this exquisite place. At the helm is the highly talented Alex Starey, a winemaker much revered by his peers and Neal Martin.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KEERMONT","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43083146854585,"sku":"SKEE05R7517","price":44.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/products\/Keermont_Topside_Syrah_1afc90a7-1d6c-4dc2-b08c-f4fea9c5a959.jpg?v=1671803243"},{"product_id":"distant-noises-chardonnay-2021","title":"Distant Noises Chardonnay 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis comes from upper Yarra, at 300m, so stylistically this is cool, and tighter, more rather Chablis-like than your typical Australia Chardonnay. It's been fermented in old French oak 500L puncheons (double size barriques). 2021 was a cool, late year, and the wine is more chiselled that many Chardonnay,  but with good juice and with a nice bit of chew on the finish. If you like the Chablis or Montagny - like fresh white Burgundy style - this is like that. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI've been sipping it for 3 nights. It's great for a cool refreshing glass of white. I've had it with bread and feta dip and it's been very good, and then drunk it with roast chicken, and that's also been a good pairing. But with fish, it will really come into its own. Rick Stein 's fish restaurants have just taken it on. It's now day four and nosing it it's got some confit citrus, apple, and just hinting on honeyed almond on the palate, although completely dry. Blind, I think I'd be saying mature, good quality Chablis. This is a seriously good buy. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistant Noises is Tom's (Yabby Lake Winemaker) own winemaking project.  The fruit is sourced from Yarra, and the winemaking is as sensitive, precise, assured as befits Tom's name. The real beauty of Distant Noises though? It's the price! Tom has set himself the challenge of making premium Mornington Peninsula wine at a price that you rarely see for wines from this region. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eDistant Noises is his chance to do that rare thing of making a cracking wine that is accessible to many, that gives as many people as possible the pleasure of the wines he makes. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DISTANT NOISES","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43263907365049,"sku":"AYABBYW21B01","price":18.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/DistantNoisesChardonnay_d7bc7273-d1e5-4d08-aa01-5fdd5bcbebac.jpg?v=1685022452"},{"product_id":"yabby-lake-single-vineyard-pinot-noir-2018","title":"Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Yabby Lake 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003eA library edition of Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Pinot Noir. \"Deep crimson, the bouquet opens with red and dark fruits, asian spice and a fragrant floral lift. The palate is finely, structured, with the finest of tannins running with a line of cherry, wild strawberry and a host of darker fruits. Super silky and exceptionally balanced at this young age we expect the best from this wine in 6-8 years, but it will carry for many years after that.\" Tom Carson, Yabby Lake\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTom Carson is a true winemaker's winemaker, an uber-geek known for his forensic attention to detail Lured to join Yabby Lake by the incredible efforts and attention to detail that were put into establishing the vineyard in terms of site and soil analysis, it's here that winemaker Tom has truly become known as a don of Pinot Noir. And his Chardonnay ain't half bad either! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"YABBY LAKE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43286705701049,"sku":"AYABBYLAKR18B01","price":48.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_58b0c2cd-dc08-45af-980b-dc9785981e62.jpg?v=1755609625"},{"product_id":"yabby-lake-single-block-release-block-5-pinot-noir-2018","title":"Pinot Noir Single Block Release Block 5 Yabby Lake 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is just the second release of Block 5 Pinot Noir in a decade, the first was made in 2008. Dark forest berries, black cherry and Asian spice dominate the aromas. The palate is concentrated and deeply saturated with dark berry fruit and a fine silky texture. This \u003cbr\u003ewine has great intensity, persistence and a long powerful finish. Drink now until 2034.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe philosophy of Yabby Lake and their Single Block wines is to craft single vineyard wines of great purity and character, reflective of the site and the season in which it was grown. It’s the attention and care in the vineyard that is most critical to allowing this expression. When a parcel stands out for its individual personality, they take a small amount of that parcel and bottle it separately under their Single Block label. The 2018 season was characterised by a warm and extended summer. The wines are intensely flavoured, yet poised and balanced, ensuring their longevity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"YABBY LAKE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43286705897657,"sku":"AYABBYLAKR18B06","price":75.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Yabby-Block-5__40707.jpg?v=1742383431"},{"product_id":"sadie-family-wines-old-vine-series-soldaat-2021","title":"Old Vine Series 'Soldaat' Sadie Family Wines 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e'95 points - The 2021 Soldaat Grenache, which includes 40% whole cluster, is markedly pale in colour, yet Sadie mentioned this wine actually contains a lot of tannin. It has a beguiling, very distinctive red cherry and redcurrant nose, a noticeable reduction (Sadie also mentioned that this Soldaat had been bottled with a lot of carbonic gas). The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, very transparent with a touch of sage and white pepper. Vibrant and poised on the brittle finish, it delivers quite a stony aftertaste. Startling purity here - magnificent.' Neal Martin, Vinous.com\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"w-full md:w-1\/5 md:mr-4 space-y-1 lg:space-y-0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"md:block\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eA founding member of the Swartland Revolution, along with Adi Badenhorst, Chris \u0026amp; Andrea Mullineux and Callie Louw, this is the man at the very heart of Swartland's old-vine story, the sine qua non of the South African New Wave. \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SADIE FAMILY","offers":[{"title":"DUTY PAID","offer_id":43286749708473,"sku":"SSAD03R7521","price":70.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/soldaat-2021-the-sadie-family.jpg?v=1773919296"},{"product_id":"tembela-wines-syrah-2022","title":"Tembela Wines Syrah 2022","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\"Tea leaf and savoury aromas on the nose follows through with white pepper as the wine opens. Notes of black fruit, a hint of fynbos and black pepper comes through on the palate. The wine shows good acidity and fine tannins, with violets and sweet spice coming through as the wine opens up. Pairs well with venison and ribeye.\" Banele Vakele, Winemaker\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"article__sub-heading\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eA man on a mission, Banele Vakele of Tembela’s journey into wine is nothing short of extraordinary. Growing up in the township of Khayelitsha outside of Cape Town, he earned a scholarship to a smart Constantia high school and it was here, and a vineyard that his classroom overlooked that Banele used to stare on to at particular moments of ennui mid-class that so drew him to wine. Today, he now works as assistant winemaker for Duncan Savage in Salt River, where he makes his own wines. In Xhosa, Tembela means to have faith, hope and belief, all sentiments that his mother had in Banele's decision to pursue a career in wine. The wine label pays tribute to the things that are most important to Banele: women wearing traditional Xhosa attire carrying wine barrels, infusing two matters that are most important to him: his culture and his love of wine. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"TEMBELA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43286752886969,"sku":"STEM02R7522","price":34.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_49e3270e-8d86-4bed-b03a-60bb0d6f2f08.png?v=1699460269"},{"product_id":"restless-river-ava-marie-chardonnay-2021","title":"Ava Marie Chardonnay Restless River 2021","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 points, Decanter - 96 points, Tim Atkin - 95 points, Jamie Goode (Wine Anorak) \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Restless River Chardonnay has come on leaps and bounds in the last few vintages. The 2020 was exceptional, and the 2021? Even finer. \"\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eA true classic that is worthy of a place in any collector’s cellar …\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e lovely lemon butter and leesy aromatic complexity with hints of white toast, lemon rind, white citrus, melted wax and a mellow kiss of salted caramel. The palate is bright and fresh but also shows a generous mid-palate concentration and textural fleshy character.\" Greg Sherwood MW\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan bgcolor=\"#ffffff\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRestless River is a rising star which has quietly achieved cult-status for its brilliant, Burgundian-style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and super fine yet intense Cabernet Sauvignon. Launched in 2012 by Craig Wessels, their farm is located in the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. It's home to some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay vines in the region (planted in 1998). At Restless River, things are done in an unhurried way, with great dedication and attention to detail.  Their production is done by hand, resulting in limited quantities of each wine, and demand far exceeding supply. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan bgcolor=\"#ffffff\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRestless River is defined by its terroir, and Craig Wessels' thoughtful and careful winemaking allows it to be the star of the show. \"At its best, South Africa is increasingly terroir-driven. Craig Wessels of Restless River says that it’s about “building wines in the vineyard, not the winery”, trying to reflect a place rather than a style that’s imposed in the cellar.\" - Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2023.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan bgcolor=\"#ffffff\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\"H\u003c\/span\u003eis Chardonnays offer real Burgundian allure and his occasionally Volnaysian Pinot Noirs.\" - Neal Martin, Vinous.com\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"RESTLESS RIVER","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43530144710841,"sku":"A1616121","price":49.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/AvaMarie2020_f497dc26-992e-42d0-a5d0-bf6f7c0c7b09.jpg?v=1701165710"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-seelug-2022","title":"Seelug Chardonnay Blank Bottle 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe grapes were picked at optimal ripeness and cooled overnight to 4 degrees celsius. The next morning the grapes were pressed as whole bunches. The juice underwent spontaneous fermentation in older French oak as well as 40% new barrels. Deep winter the wine received one sulfur addition. 10 months on the leese, blended and bottled.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43545763348665,"sku":"A1466122","price":37.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_537054a9-426f-4d0b-98cc-1fc627dcf373.png?v=1742577025"},{"product_id":"mullineux-syrah-2021","title":"Mullineux Syrah 2021","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eWith that signature dark violet perfume of fine Swartland Syrah and firm structure for long ageing, Chris and Andrea consider this to be one of their favourite releases to date.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFounding members of the Swartland Revolution, five times winner Platter Guide Winery of the Year, and The Wine Enthusiast's Winemaker of the Year 2016, Chris and Andrea Mullineux are one serious power couple. Based just outside of Riebeek Kasteel on their farm Roundstone, their ambition is bottle wines that are a true expression of the Swartland. Its granite, schist and iron soils, its wind swept sites, old vines, hot climate and long, dry Summers. With Chris in charge of the vineyards and viticulture, and Andrea at the helm in the cellar, it has been a joy to see the incredible quality coming out of the estate year on year. Are there any more talented duos in South Africa? I don't think anyone would question it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"MULLINEUX","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43959701700793,"sku":"A4166121","price":27.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_54a9f032-d22a-4c9d-9c92-fdd75546a66f.jpg?v=1713257737"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-orbitofrontal-cortex-2022-magnum-150cl","title":"Orbitofrontal Cortex Blank Bottle 2022 Magnum 150cl","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe fruits of an eccentric scientific experiment some years before, that saw a team of neuroscientists attaching probes to Pieter's scalp and skin as he blind tasted 21 samples and blended wines according. The orbitofrontal cortex is the conscious part of your brain, and thus, this is a wacky white blend produced from all the components that Pieter and his assistant like the best. Not necessarily \"the best\" technically, but their favourite barrel and tank selections from a host of sites and varieties across the winelands. It's young on release, with hint of shortbread, fresh cut apple, with a creamy, almond loaded palate, hint of honey and pithy note, with a very long finish. One to stash away in the cellar.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe tale behind the name BLANKbottle is that when Pieter was starting out, he made a small parcel of Shiraz and was left with a few unlabelled cases. One day, a woman wanted to buy a wine – “Anything but Shiraz,” she told him. Pieter shrugged and sold her the unlabelled Shiraz, neglecting to mention the variety. A few weeks later she returned demanding more, saying it was the best thing she’d ever drunk. For Pieter, it was a lesson on the gap between what people think they like (or dislike) and what they actually like (or dislike). After that, he decided not to list the varieties on his labels. Every one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44283953348793,"sku":"A2616422","price":72.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_5c6ec3ca-baf7-43fa-a303-9fecada475c8.jpg?v=1743067196"},{"product_id":"tesselaarsdal-chardonnay-2024","title":"Chardonnay Tesselaarsdal 2023","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFrom unirrigated vineyards on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, and this is just her fourth release! Crisp acidity and lean minerality underpin notes of melon and tangerine fruit and accents of lime blossom. A triumphant expression of terroir, this medium-bodied, cool climate wine is both silky and fresh and boasts a long, elegant finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBerene Sauls has probably the most unique story of all of our winemakers.\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGrowing up in a small village in the Overberg, Berene admits that she came from a beer-drinking community, and wine was never really on her radar. Her first exposure was at the age of 19, when she began working for the trailblazing Hamilton Russell family as an au pair. Lasting only a month, her talents at childcare aside, Anthony Hamilton Russell recognised her drive and thought a job working in the winery office would better suit her. Thrown in at the deep end knowing really nothing about wine, she was soon exposed to every side of the business - assisting with exports, bottling and labelling, driving forklifts and picking during harvest too, as well as on the side, \u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\"growing and developing a palate that wasn't there!\"\u003c\/em\u003e Her curiosity kept her rising through the ranks, and fifteen years after starting her career, Anthony offered her the opportunity to make her first wine, aided by proficient head winemaker Emul Ross. She leapt at the opportunity, and the rest is history. She named her business Tesselaarsdal for the small village that she grew up in, and if you look closely at the label, you can make out two people walking across the mountain. This is Berene and her grandmother.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"TESSELAARSDAL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44297278423225,"sku":"A3116123","price":39.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_89ff1982-c173-4fc3-996a-42b8bebe3d23.png?v=1718893325"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-smaug-the-magnificent-2022","title":"Smaug the Magnificent Blank Bottle 2022","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA blend of Grenache blanc, Verdelho, Grenache Gris and other bits and pieces, all sourced from the Voor-Paardeberg in the Swartland. As Pieter said: \"like with most great things in life - this wine originated with a really bad experience where the liquor board stopped with sales of the 2011 vintage.\" We couldn't be happier about it, as it's a jolly smart little wine, and it ages extremely well, likely to become nutty and mellow with time in bottle. It's complex and slowly unfurls - tangerine, lemon butter, some aniseed and quite savoury too, with a fuller, slightly tropical palate, dried mango, finishing very long and spiced. The label was drawn by Pieter's son Luca, who at the time was just 5. Now there's some talent!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe tale behind the name BLANKbottle is that when Pieter was starting out, he made a small parcel of Shiraz and was left with a few unlabelled cases. One day, a woman wanted to buy a wine – “Anything but Shiraz,” she told him. Pieter shrugged and sold her the unlabelled Shiraz, neglecting to mention the variety. A few weeks later she returned demanding more, saying it was the best thing she’d ever drunk. For Pieter, it was a lesson on the gap between what people think they like (or dislike) and what they actually like (or dislike). After that, he decided not to list the varieties on his labels. Every one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44373716467897,"sku":"A2816122","price":32.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_bd07eec1-2103-406c-8119-6adf0c30b797.png?v=1742382311"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-empire-strikes-back-2022","title":"Empire Strikes Back Blank Bottle 2022","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWith its revolutionary influenced label, The Empire Strikes Back tells the story of Pieter leaping to the defence of Stellenbosch, the original old guard and ‘empire’ of South African wine, in its fightback against the trendy new kid on the block, the Swartland. Now here’s a white with plenty in the tank for the years to come. It’s subtle on the nose to start, offering sprays of spring apple blossom, tarte fine layered with pears and ground almonds, clementines, proper cloudy apple juice and a lingering anise note. As it opens up, there’s some lychee and pineapple too, and the palate is grippy and with more of that lovely apple juice character that’s persistent all the way through to the finish. Tasting it over several days gives a glimpse to its future –we’d say drink now-2028. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe tale behind the name BLANKbottle is that when Pieter was starting out, he made a small parcel of Shiraz and was left with a few unlabelled cases. One day, a woman wanted to buy a wine – “Anything but Shiraz,” she told him. Pieter shrugged and sold her the unlabelled Shiraz, neglecting to mention the variety. A few weeks later she returned demanding more, saying it was the best thing she’d ever drunk. For Pieter, it was a lesson on the gap between what people think they like (or dislike) and what they actually like (or dislike). After that, he decided not to list the varieties on his labels. Every one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44373743829177,"sku":"A3776122","price":32.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_16453188-4625-4433-a06f-4a04685854be.png?v=1742576982"},{"product_id":"keermont-pondokrug-cabernet-franc-2018","title":"Keermont Pondokrug Cabernet Franc 2018","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHigh up on the west facing slopes of the Stellenbosch Mountain, this is a 1.8 ha parcel of Cabernet Franc planted in 2006 nearly 400m above sea level, surrounded by dense fynbos and exposed to the natural elements, resulting in very low yields, \u003cspan\u003eresulting in an incredibly intense wine\u003c\/span\u003e. \u003cspan\u003eProduced only in the best vintages, b\u003c\/span\u003eroad and deep, the tannins are present, but well-integrated, with deep blackcurrant and polished leather, bayleaf and spice. There's great structure and a succulent finish, and it's a wine built to age.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeermont Estate may well take the prize for most beautiful vineyards and views in all of South Africa. And yup, there's some pretty stiff competition! Nestled in a natural amphitheatre between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains, their ambition is to produce wines that reflect the natural wonders of this exquisite place. At the helm is the highly talented Alex Starey, a winemaker much revered by his peers and Neal Martin.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"KEERMONT","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44405555822777,"sku":"A1566118","price":44.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Keermont_PondokRug_Cabernet_Sauvignon.jpg?v=1723209552"},{"product_id":"althorne-estate-chardonnay-2022","title":"Althorne Estate Chardonnay 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFine on the nose, uplifting, and exciting, putting you in mind of a pure Meursault. Not the rich kind, but the more lithe kind, which I love. The palate has a fabulous juicy feel but it's so tightly coiled, with notes of lemon. In time, as the aromas and flavours unfurl in time, you'll get the hints of butter, beurre noisette, and toast, and very fine delicate oak. Still, every sip is a pleasure and a thrill, and the flavour is so long. I could easily derive pleasure from it without food, too. This is amazing wine. It's superb value and can go against very smart white Burgundy in blind tastings, as we saw with vintage 2021. Only 900 bottles made.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe 2021 was one of my favourite discoveries of all time. I've so enjoyed using it as my party trick at tastings in the past year by putting it in a blind tasting next to a famous Meursault. It has stunned people. Every time the majority, usually unanimous, have preferred Althorne, and is most people's minds they're thinking it must be the Meursault. And I've made sure it's a Meursault that costs not less than £80, and some have been £250 to £500 a bottle (client budget allowing, I hasten to add), to make the point! \n\u003cp\u003eI've often added a third wine, which is another amazing English Chardonnay, Danbury Ridge, which is pretty close to Althorne - Althorne is near Burnham on Crouch - and Danbury is just inland from Maldon on the Blackwater Estuary. And in that case the favourites have always been the English. It's extraordinary.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThe 2022 is quieter than the 2021 at a similar point in its evolution. The juice in the mouth is compact and coiled - focused and linear. But it's all in there. I was sipping the wine last night, and it's got a long finish. It's another brilliant wine. It probably has quite a few years ahead of it. Remarkably, the vines were only planted in 2019. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthorne Estate has only 2 acres planted to Chardonnay, and another 2 to Pinot Noir. It will always be very small. So this is always going to be special and sought after, and now is the time to get on board. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince last year, seeing the quality of wines like Althorne Estate and Danbury Ridge, Burgundians and Californians have invested in land around the Crouch Valley and the Blackwater Estuary, near Maldon. - Robin\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"ALTHORNE ESTATE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44444798550201,"sku":"A1776122","price":34.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/AlthorneChard2022.png?v=1725458465"},{"product_id":"apo-6-oak-aged-malbec-belasco-de-baquedano-2022","title":"Apo 6 (Oak aged) Malbec Belasco de Baquedano 2022","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eGreat value stuff from centenarian vines high up in Lujan de Cuyo, 1000 metres above sea level. Svelte and polished, with lots of violets and bright fruit on the nose backed up by a savoury-herbal undercurrent - blueberries, and bacon, raspberry coulis, with a gentle bitter, almost Amaro like, with a silken and seamless palate. \"Apo\" is a term used by the indigenous Mapuche tribe as a tribute to the nature's elements, to the sun that shines down on them, to the rain, and to the water from the snow melting off the snow-capped Andes, all vital elements in the lifecycle of their vines.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWoe betide the wine merchant that ignores a tip from Jancis Robinson MW. It was her that first pointed us in the direction of Belasco de Baquedano with their cracking AR Guentota Malbec. It was then made by Bertrand Bourdil, the former winemaker at Mouton-Rothschild and co-founder of Opus One.  Their wines are far from your average Malbecs down the local pub: making the most of their high elevation and old vines, the style highlights the savoury notes of the grape and draws out a more sinewy character than is usually found in these parts. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BELASCO DE BAQUEDANO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44465719017657,"sku":"A2886122","price":16.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/1129a183eda4589947b29de7f97701da_1_61e0e659-9074-41ef-821c-197baad51d59_1.png?v=1726142705"},{"product_id":"keermont-cabernet-sauvignon-2022","title":"Keermont Cabernet Sauvignon 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'Keermont is a gem of an estate, with sky-high talent on display in every bottle.' \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eMatthew Jukes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery pure blackcurrant - both coulis and cassis melding with spiced wood and a fabulous deep earthiness, meaty notes and middle eastern spice - think cloves, star anise and ras al hanout. The pallet is soft and rich, with gentle rounded tannins, dusted with cocoa and a bright strawberry and mulberry note on the finish too. Very long. Drink now to 2032.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeermont Estate may well take the prize for most beautiful vineyards and views in all of South Africa. And yup, there's some pretty stiff competition! Nestled in a natural amphitheatre between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains, their ambition is to produce wines that reflect the natural wonders of this exquisite place.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KEERMONT","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53391004336514,"sku":"A1526121","price":32.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_06b90d14-6572-4af3-9ce2-77fa0de978b3.jpg?v=1731676359"},{"product_id":"john-duval-entity-shiraz-2022","title":"John Duval Entity Shiraz 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2022 is superb wine that has deliciousness in spades, but it's not too big. It's drinkable, and that's the Duval hallmark. It starts off fairly light for a Shiraz from Barossa but as you swirl the glass within an hour it moves from red berry and violet to deeper notes with cocoa and oak starting to appear, which then fill out on the palate in the most delicious way. It's a wine to ponder and linger over as it gives you its story and evolves. I found myself enjoying it even more on day three than on day one, and that's a good sign that in this bottle we have a deep complex wine that will age well but give plenty of early pleasure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn leaving Penfold's, where John Duval had been making Australia's most amazing and collected wine, Grange, spanning three decades, including overlapping with the originator of the wine, Max Schubert, John Duval knew all of the sources of the best grapes and the growers were friends. So when he left and made his own wine in 2003 he knew exactly where to buy the grapes and how to make great wine. Quietly, you could say he's been making a junior Grange all along. In fact, you might even prefer it. I'm a great believer in it and its quality for the price. John is a humble man, and it's one of the reasons his wine remains so incredibly well priced. It's one of those weird ones, whereby if it had become £100 a bottle it might be in even more demand, but I would say, great, it's just the right price. Well, better than the right price. And thank you to John, and his son Tim, who is now just as involved.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"JOHN DUVAL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54903805903234,"sku":"A4536122","price":33.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/products\/john-duval-entity-shiraz-scaled.jpg?v=1648739216"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-orbitofrontal-cortex-2023","title":"Orbitofrontal Cortex Blank Bottle 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 points, Tim Atkin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe fruits of an eccentric scientific experiment some years before, that saw a team of neuroscientists attaching probes to Pieter's scalp and skin as he blind tasted 21 samples and blended wines according. The orbitofrontal cortex is the conscious part of your brain, and thus, this is a wacky white blend produced from all the components that Pieter and his assistant like the best. Not necessarily \"the best\" technically, but their favourite barrel and tank selections from a host of sites and varieties across the winelands. It's young on release, with hint of shortbread, fresh cut apple, with a creamy, almond loaded palate, hint of honey and pithy note, with a very long finish. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis, the 2023, Pieter is absolutely thrilled with. As are we! 12 varietals from his favourite barrel samples culminate to this absolute gem, with Chenin, Verdelho and Chardonnay to name but a few featuring grapes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tale behind the name BLANKbottle is that when Pieter was starting out, he made a small parcel of Shiraz and was left with a few unlabelled cases. One day, a woman wanted to buy a wine – “Anything but Shiraz,” she told him. Pieter shrugged and sold her the unlabelled Shiraz, neglecting to mention the variety. A few weeks later she returned demanding more, saying it was the best thing she’d ever drunk. For Pieter, it was a lesson on the gap between what people think they like (or dislike) and what they actually like (or dislike). After that, he decided not to list the varieties on his labels. Every one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54913354957186,"sku":"A2616123","price":32.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_a7ca0411-ee23-4899-8524-3d63f848bcd2.jpg?v=1742382419"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-jaaa-bru-2023","title":"Jaaa-Bru!! Blank Bottle 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you translate the word “Mal” from Afrikaans to English, it means “crazy” and “Bek” means “mouth”. And that was quite clearly the inspiration behind this label! And as you guessed it, this is a 100% Malbec from the Helderberg, farmed by a fellow surfer and good friend's of Pieter. Dark chocolate dipped oranges, with some minty notes, violets and a sweet perfume akin to opening a box of chocolates on the nose. Medium-full bodied, and very much so showing the softer, prettier side of Malbec, with gentle tannins, good freshness, and a lovely rounded mouthfeel.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tale behind the name BLANKbottle is that when Pieter was starting out, he made a small parcel of Shiraz and was left with a few unlabelled cases. One day, a woman wanted to buy a wine – “Anything but Shiraz,” she told him. Pieter shrugged and sold her the unlabelled Shiraz, neglecting to mention the variety. A few weeks later she returned demanding more, saying it was the best thing she’d ever drunk. For Pieter, it was a lesson on the gap between what people think they like (or dislike) and what they actually like (or dislike). After that, he decided not to list the varieties on his labels. Every one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"DUTY PAID","offer_id":54913358201218,"sku":"A5146123","price":32.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_606083f2-f4f6-43ac-a24f-6e9c9de8b829.png?v=1743067156"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-b-bos-i-overberg-2023","title":"B-Bos I Blank Bottle 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e'...a Sauvignon Blanc\/Semillon blend from the southernmost tip of the country, Cape Agulhas, and it would make any Loire, Graves or Marlborough winemaker blush.'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e Matthew Jukes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNamed after the sleepy little town of Baardskeerdersbos where the grapes are sourced and where the B-Bos spider creeps into your bedroom at night to steal your beard to build his nest .... From the most southerly tip of Africa, Cape L'Agulhas, Pieter makes this brilliant whites. A brilliant Sauvignon Blanc with a smidge of Semillon, this is his lovely B-Bos 1 you see here. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tale behind the name BLANKbottle is that when Pieter was starting out, he made a small parcel of Shiraz and was left with a few unlabelled cases. One day, a woman wanted to buy a wine – “Anything but Shiraz,” she told him. Pieter shrugged and sold her the unlabelled Shiraz, neglecting to mention the variety. A few weeks later she returned demanding more, saying it was the best thing she’d ever drunk. For Pieter, it was a lesson on the gap between what people think they like (or dislike) and what they actually like (or dislike). After that, he decided not to list the varieties on his labels. Every one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54913360888194,"sku":"A5156123","price":32.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Blank-Bottle-S1-copy-e1569079482347.png?v=1743067113"},{"product_id":"solstice-by-danbury-ridge-1st-edition-nv","title":"Solstice by Danbury Ridge, 1st Edition NV","description":"\u003cp\u003eA s\u003cspan\u003eensational small production release from Danbury Ridge. Just released, this first edition is absolutely gorgeous. Being fuller, more golden in colour and flavour, with notes of malt, and baked apple pie, buttery pastry, with layers of fruit and complexity, with some delicious oxidative notes, with a fine core of acidity, it is rather different from the other English fizzes we know, which are crisper. Although this is still completely dry. At just over 4g\/l dosage, that puts it in the extra brut category (if Champagne) and make it drier that most English sparklings. A triumph!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMulti-vintage, barrel-fermented Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, a part of which passes through our perpetual solera. 4.8 g\/l dosage. This is a first edition from one of England's top still wine producers, Danbury Ridge, based in one of the warmest and driest corners of the UK, the Crouch Valley in Essex.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DANBURY RIDGE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54932101169538,"sku":"A56161NV","price":55.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/danbury_solstice_ed1_L_144ae197-a820-44b1-a4a5-e990d11dea1c.jpg?v=1742383337"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-master-of-none-2023","title":"Master of None Blank Bottle 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eA madcap blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Pinot Noir and Pinotage, with 16% white grape varieties blended in too. Very juicy, very drinkable! Suited to serving chilled down - lots of strawberry juice, cherry and herbaceous and earthy notes too, blackcurrant leaf and pomegranate. It's a fun little wine to not be taken too seriously. Like Pieter's answer to a Beaujolais-villages and ultimate 'vin de soif.' This 2023 is clean, pure and brilliant. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54940190704002,"sku":"A5046123","price":24.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Blank-Bottle-Master-of-None-23.jpg?v=1775722992"},{"product_id":"danbury-ridge-octagon-block-chardonnay-2022","title":"Danbury Ridge Octagon Block Chardonnay 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eOh boy are we excited to introduce you to the wines of Danbury Ridge! A more intense nose than their signature Chardonnay, with a little hint of the new oak. Lemon curd, dried hay, baked honeyed oats, and toffee nut crisp, leading to a palate with an extraordinarily seamless, silken texture, and a quiet and persisting energy and poise. Nougat and a little honeysuckle, creamy and lush. Fermented in old Burgundian Oak and 18 months aging on the lees, the Octagon Chardonnay really is perfectly balanced. Power, focus and precision, this is a world beating Chardonnay. Already delicious, but I'm certain will cellar comfortably for years and would without doubt only get better. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocated in the warmest, dried area of the UK, the first vineyards were planted at Danbury Ridge in 2014, and 2018 was their debut vintage. And as Jancis Robinson said, \"what a debut!\" Jancis has been a fan ever since, this 2022 vintage scoring a hefty 17.5\/20 from her. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe focus here has, and always will be still wines, and with the climate they have, and the ripeness levels the grapes are reaching, one can certainly see why. When Swig was founded, who knew one day we would be talking about the brilliance of Essex terroir! We firmly believe that Danbury Ridge have raised the bar exponentially for English still wine, and we're so excited to join them at the beginning of their journey. Now onto their 2022, a year marked with glorious warmth and growing conditions, producing this rare, limited parcel of joy you see before you.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DANBURY RIDGE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54949963170178,"sku":"A5626122","price":64.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/ChardonnayOctagonBlock.jpg?v=1738840273"},{"product_id":"danbury-ridge-octagon-block-pinot-noir-2022","title":"Danbury Ridge Octagon Block Pinot Noir 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eOh boy are we excited to introduce you to the wines of Danbury Ridge! The Octagon Block Pinot Noir is the estate's top red, distinctive from the estate Pinot and certainly a baby at present! Darker fruits – blackberries, brambly fruit, cherries and a high note of Meadowsweet and a little violet. Very focused with a lifted finish, with cacao nib, dried and fresh mushrooms and mouth-coating fine tannins. \u003cspan\u003e18 months ageing in old French oak adds the extra complexity and texture Pinot of this calibre deserves and needs. Delicious and very suitable to cellaring too, s\u003c\/span\u003emart with a capital S. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocated in the warmest, dried area of the UK, the first vineyards were planted at Danbury Ridge in 2014, and 2018 was their debut vintage. And as Jancis Robinson said, \"what a debut!\" The focus here has, and always will be still wines, and with the climate they have, and the ripeness levels the grapes are reaching, one can certainly see why. When Swig was founded, who knew one day we would be talking about the brilliance of Essex terroir! We firmly believe that Danbury Ridge have raised the bar exponentially for English still wine, and we're so excited to join them at the beginning of their journey.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DANBURY RIDGE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54950119375234,"sku":"A5636122","price":64.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/PinotNoirOctagonBlock.jpg?v=1738844157"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-familiemoord-2024","title":"Familiemoord Blank Bottle 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003eA wine with quite the story behind it, based on the day that Pieter was close to being arrested for supposedly murdering his son! Panic not, it was nothing more than a simple misunderstanding, but Pieter wanted to preserve the story that made it into the local newspaper on a bottle of wine. This wine is now 100% Grenache from Piekenierskloof, a high lying ridge with some of the most fabulous old vine Grenache in South Africa. You can tell in this wine - it's hauntingly beautiful, with oh so pretty aromatics and delicate flavours, but certainly not short on flavour. Think of the Garnachas from Gredos, and dial down the tannins a little. Redcurrant coulis and raspberry ripple swirls across the palate with bruised herbs, gentle spice, soft leather, freesias, and a silken, seamless palate with just the right amount of crunch. As Pieter says, \"it was the most beautiful Grenache we could find.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tale behind the name BLANKbottle is that when Pieter was starting out, he made a small parcel of Shiraz and was left with a few unlabelled cases. One day, a woman wanted to buy a wine – “Anything but Shiraz,” she told him. Pieter shrugged and sold her the unlabelled Shiraz, neglecting to mention the variety. A few weeks later she returned demanding more, saying it was the best thing she’d ever drunk. For Pieter, it was a lesson on the gap between what people think they like (or dislike) and what they actually like (or dislike). After that, he decided not to list the varieties on his labels. Every one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55036377891202,"sku":"A5136123","price":29.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Familiemoord23.jpg?v=1760452757"},{"product_id":"yabby-lake-single-block-2-pinot-noir-2022","title":"Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Release Block 2 Yabby Lake 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHandpicked on 18 March from Block 2. Hand sorted and gently destemmed into a traditional French oak cuve. Following a five day soaking the natural yeast fermentation proceeded, peaking in temperature at 32ºC. The wine was pressed off skins after 16 days into tight grain French oak 500L puncheons for malolactic fermentation and maturation. It remained in oak until February 2023. Intense black cherry, Asian spice and a perfumed floral note highlight the aromas. The palate is finely poised, rich and concentrated. The silky texture and volume of fruit carries the long finish. Cellar for 8 - 12 years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe philosophy of Yabby Lake and their Single Block wines is to craft single vineyard wines of great purity and character, reflective of the site and the season in which it was grown. It’s the attention and care in the vineyard that is most critical to allowing this expression. When a parcel stands out for its individual personality, they take a small amount of that parcel and bottle it separately under their Single Block label. \u003cspan\u003e2022 was a vintage of tiny yields, the lowest in our hitory.  This was due to severe storms during flowering.  However, the positive is the wines are of exceptional quality - they are intense, with incredible balance and persistence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"YABBY LAKE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55048067252610,"sku":"A2266122","price":68.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/YabbyLake_SingleBlockReleaseBlock2PinotNoir2022.jpg?v=1742385429"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-aasvoel-2023","title":"Aasvoel Blank Bottle 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTiny production and not made every year, 100% Verdelho, from the oldest vineyard of the variety in the country. I\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003encredible concentration and energy here and what a great nose - swaggering out of the blocks! Concentrated lime peel and a little chalkiness too, with a super zingy palate - apples and sherbert, gloriously mouth-filling, broad and long, with a very biscuitty finish and saline streak. Pieter is becoming more and more of a fan of Verdelho, and the proof is in the bottle - the different bottlings get better each year. Perhaps you're wondering about the name? It means vulture in Afrikaans - click \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/blankbottle.co.za\/blank_bottle_wines\/aasvoel-2021\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e to read more.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tale behind the name BLANKbottle is that when Pieter was starting out, he made a small parcel of Shiraz and was left with a few unlabelled cases. One day, a woman wanted to buy a wine – “Anything but Shiraz,” she told him. Pieter shrugged and sold her the unlabelled Shiraz, neglecting to mention the variety. A few weeks later she returned demanding more, saying it was the best thing she’d ever drunk. For Pieter, it was a lesson on the gap between what people think they like (or dislike) and what they actually like (or dislike). After that, he decided not to list the varieties on his labels. Every one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55071933792642,"sku":"A1446123","price":34.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Aasvoel_8b8a9125-d3cc-4b04-9d7f-e9854f218038.jpg?v=1743006649"},{"product_id":"aa-badenhorst-grensloos-chenin-blanc-2023","title":"Chenin Blanc Grensloos AA Badenhorst 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 points, Tim Atkin - 95 points, Parker's Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e96 points and a Wine of the Year for Chenin Blanc - 'Grensloos rounds up all Adi Badenhorst's single vineyard sites, most of which used to be bottled on their own. Using grapes from five sites on Jakkalsfontein and Kalmoesfontein, it's very gently wooded in foudres and concrete tanks, with lots of leesy richness, stony concentration and layers of beeswax, white flowers, honey and citrus. More than the sum of it's parts. Drink 2025 to 2035.' Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2024.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe firmly believe that Adi Badenhorst is one of the most exciting winemaker in South Africa. He is also the most frustrating. His laid back, self-deprecating, playful manner keeps you guessing and makes you wonder whether he has any idea what he is actually doing, whether he just chucks some grapes into a vat and hopes for the best, but we know full well that there is a huge amount of expertise that goes on behind closed doors, when no one is around to witness his skill and diligence ...and spoil his reputation!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BADENHORST","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55080614101378,"sku":"A4896123","price":42.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_4171ba73-d310-4dbc-8194-39edf7429340.jpg?v=1750863465"},{"product_id":"distant-noises-pinot-noir-2023","title":"Distant Noises Pinot Noir 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA lovely Pinot Noir that will go with a wide variety of food. Made by Tom Carson of Yabby Lake, who has been awarded for quality Pinot Noirs (and Chardonnays) probably more than any other Australian winemaker. He was the producer behind the first Pinot Noir to win Oz's top wine prize in 2013, the coveted Jimmy Watson trophy. 10 months in French Oak, mean we have a touch of spice to match the perfumed red berry fruit. Great acidity and freshness, this is an expertly crafted Pinot, Tom's brilliance is clear to see with this one. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistant Noises is Tom's (Yabby Lake Winemaker) own winemaking project - and it has got us rubbing our thighs and slavvering like feral beasts in anticipation.  The fruit is sourced from Yarra, and the winemaking is as sensitive, precise, assured as befits Tom's name. The real beauty of Distant Noises though? It's the price! Tom has set himself the challenge of making premium Mornington Peninsula wine at a price that you rarely see for wines from this region. Why, in this venal old world, would he do that? Because he wants to. He's achieved pretty much everything else there is to achieve in wine. He's reached the summit several times over. Distant Noises is his chance to do that rare thing of making a cracking wine that is accessible to many, that gives as many people as possible the pleasure of the wines he makes. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DISTANT NOISES","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55122255348098,"sku":"A2470123","price":22.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_2d58aa27-54b8-4fb4-88dc-cc131b6fcb66.jpg?v=1744376749"},{"product_id":"apo-malbec-belasco-de-baquedano-2023","title":"Apo Malbec, Belasco de Baquedano 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom centenarian vines high up, 1000 metres above sea level in Lujan de Cuyo, this is one of two 'Apos', this one being produced without oak influence, unadorned, in all its fruity glory. Very glossy fruit, berry coulis, meadow sweet, blackberry and apple compote-warming and rounded. Very drinkable indeed, and such value!  \"Apo\" is a term used by the indigenous Mapuche tribe as a tribute to the nature's elements, to the sun that shines down on them, to the rain, and to the water from the snow melting off the snow-capped Andes, all vital elements in the lifecycle of their vines.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWoe betide the wine merchant that ignores a tip from Jancis Robinson MW. It was her that first pointed us in the direction of Belasco de Baquedano with their cracking AR Guentota Malbec. It was then made by Bertrand Bourdil, the former winemaker at Mouton-Rothschild and co-founder of Opus One.  Their wines are far from your average Malbecs down the local pub: making the most of their high elevation and old vines, the style highlights the savoury notes of the grape and draws out a more sinewy character than is usually found in these parts. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BELASCO DE BAQUEDANO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55152485204354,"sku":"A2876122","price":16.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_0389526f-a448-4c06-8eb3-93abce4b5a27.jpg?v=1745404248"},{"product_id":"viognier-the-age-of-grace-lismore-estate-2023","title":"Viognier The Age of Grace, Lismore Estate 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e'If you have not discovered Lismore then, well, don’t blame me when you discover what you’re missing out on.' \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNeal Martin, Vinous.com\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSamantha O'Keefe, winemaker at Lismore, is an old friend. In fact we were the first people to import this wine into the UK. It was always delicious, but it's now it's something super special. It is so balanced and fresh, just memorizing. For the price this Viognier is a superb buy.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"LISMORE ESTATE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55184831185282,"sku":"A1676123","price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Lismore_Age_of_Grace.jpg?v=1746717536"},{"product_id":"keermont-merlot-2021","title":"Keermont Merlot 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e A wine that however many bottles we buy, we always sell out! Hailing from two blocks on the farm and with a wee drop of Cabernet Franc, it has a b\u003cspan\u003eeautiful dusty, ripe strawberry fruit nose with notes of dried herbs, cigar box and cinnamon. The palate is soft, clean and elegant, with a little orange rind and dried herbs. Gently grippy tannins and good natural acidity help to maintain a fresh elegance and a long, succulent dry finish. Their is remarkable structure despite the ripeness and power of this wine, I really compare it to a right bank Bordeaux, each vintage impresses but this latest feels particularly stunning.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeermont Estate may well take the prize for most beautiful vineyards and views in all of South Africa. And yup, there's some pretty stiff competition! Nestled in a natural amphitheatre between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains, their ambition is to produce wines that reflect the natural wonders of this exquisite landscape.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KEERMONT","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55194460717442,"sku":"A2196121","price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_a05a17e8-5f0e-453e-9761-61b91381c194.jpg?v=1747129751"},{"product_id":"keermont-terrasse-2023","title":"Keermont Terrasse 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e“Chenin dominated blend of six different grapes. Really satisfying, ripe, honeyed nose transitioning through green apples to an appetizing dry, tangy finish.” Jancis Robinson MW. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Alex Starey’s captivating mille-feuille of white varieties, and it has never looked classier.\" Matthew Jukes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA gorgeous drop from the first sniff. Pear tarte tatin, butterscotch, lime and hazelnut, with almost a hint of creme anglaise - think vanilla pod, freshened by a bracing oyster shell element which leads to a stone fruit-filled palate: fuzzy skinned apricots, peach, with good weight, and a lingering sweetsour finish and good bit of grip. Though it always varies, Chenin Blanc leading, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are the main building blocks. The remainder Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne with each variety playing a key part - Chardonnay adding more weight, Sauvignon adding acidity, and some spice from the Rhone varieties. A Decanter magazine MUST TRY in a recent vintage! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeermont Estate may well take the prize for most beautiful vineyards and views in all of South Africa. And yup, there's some pretty stiff competition! Nestled in a natural amphitheatre between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains, their ambition is to produce wines that reflect the natural wonders of this exquisite place. And oh boy do they do it with aplomb. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KEERMONT","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55194507084162,"sku":"A1506123","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_7af96a95-0c17-4a52-98d1-40146c16de48.jpg?v=1747130878"},{"product_id":"ar-guentota-malbec-belasco-de-baquedano-2019","title":"Ar Guentota Malbec, Belasco de Baquedano 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConcentrated nose of cocoa-dusted redcurrants and blueberry, and a very subtle touch of mint which adds to the vibrancy and freshness. Silky and generous on the palate with more juicy, ripe, dark berry fruits all wrapped up in warm undercurrent of subtle spice from the oak ageing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMade from vines that are over 100 years old and aged for a year in french oak then a year in bottle, the utmost care has gone into this delightfully classy iteration of a Swig favourite.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWoe betide the wine merchant that ignores a tip from Jancis Robinson MW. It was her that first pointed us in the direction of Belasco de Baquedano with their cracking AR Guentota Malbec. It was then made by Bertrand Bourdil, the former winemaker at Mouton-Rothschild and co-founder of Opus One.  Their wines are far from your average Malbecs down the local pub: making the most of their high elevation and centenarian+ vines in the 'golden mile' best terroir of Mendoza.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BELASCO DE BAQUEDANO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55275442700674,"sku":"A5566119","price":19.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_faed4e4a-e78c-464f-93ca-7c62263aa6fa.png?v=1749547716"},{"product_id":"tembela-wines-syrah-2024","title":"Tembela Wines Syrah 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eVintage on vintage, you can feel Banele gaining experience and finding his voice as a winemaker. We loved his very first wines too, but they are entering a new level that is extremely exciting and we're so happy for him. This 2024 is magnificent. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery fine, elegant and not big and over ripe, but still possessing guts, beautiful guts! It's very much in the restrained Northern Rhone Hermitage kind of style, with fine pepper notes. The grapes come from one of the most sought after sources in Stellenbosch. Banele is getting noticed and we couldn't be happier for him - both Neal Martin of Vinous.com and Tim Atkin MW have praised his wines, and Banele was commissioned by the Tate Modern in London, to make a wine for the launch of a year of modern African art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eBanele (pronounce Ba-nel-ee) grew up in Cape Town's largest township, Khayelitsha. He still lives there, looking after four younger siblings, after his mum died. He earned a scholarship to a Constantia high school and his classroom looked out over a vineyard, he sat there daydreaming about what life in wine would be like. He got a degree at Elsenberg Agricultural College and enrolled on the Cape Winemaker’s Guild Protégé programme, where he did stints in Burgundy, Oregon and Yarra Valley. The final stage was with Savage wines. Such was Duncan's fondness and respect for Banele as a person and winemaker, he was there for nearly 6 years, just finishing with him before Christmas to fully focus on his own project, supported and encouraged to do so by Savage himself. Banele has named his wine after his late mother, Tembela, which means faith, hope and belief. The label pays tribute to women wearing traditional Xhosa attire carrying wine barrels. \u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"TEMBELA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55277462061442,"sku":"A4456124","price":34.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_2782e63f-817a-4b72-9a6d-1383311d54e7.png?v=1749568378"},{"product_id":"au-bon-climat-chardonnay-2023-santa-barbara","title":"Au Bon Climat Chardonnay 2023, Santa Barbara","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2022 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay is a beautiful example of the Au Bon Climat style. The flinty, stony aromas stand out, while in the background is an intriguing spice note of clove and nutmeg from sur lies barrel aging in somewhat neutral, François Frères barrels for 10 months. Flavors and aromas of citrus and stone fruit, are finished with a beautiful lemon\/lime zest note. This wine is intense, but light on its feet and is built to compliment food, not over power food. It's immediately enjoyable and it will improve for at least 10 years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNeeding little introduction, we are delighted to now have the wines of the late Jim Clendenen available. Deeply influenced by his love of Burgundy, Clendenen set up ABC with Adam Tolmach in 1982 with the ambition to make wines that spoke of their place, which emulate the restraint and finesse of Europe but with a magic touch of New World flair. The vineyards ABC source their grapes from reads as a ‘who’s who’ of Central Coast vineyards with Bien Nacido and Jim’s own “Le Bon Climat” as the biggest contributors. He passed away in 2021 and is remembered as one of the most charismatic and influential people of his vinous generation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AU BON CLIMAT","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55302960906626,"sku":"A4330123","price":34.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_49449e51-e866-435b-8869-ded577abfe13.png?v=1750253397"},{"product_id":"curator-white-2024","title":"Curator Chenin, Viognier, Chardonnay 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Curator White is consistently a feat of brilliance, and the 2024 is another easy-drinking, great-bang-for-your buck bottle. Fresh and vibrant, it's a super wine to enjoy on a warm evening. Chenin Blanc makes up the largest proportion as the backbone and structure. The Chardonnay brings in delicious notes of dried peaches and apricots, whilst the Viognier, from one of SA's favourite growers and vineyards, completes the Swartland canvas bringing body and length. This is amazing value for money.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe’re calling it: this might just be one of the best-value white wines to come out of South Africa. It’s an absolute steal. Bursting with character and charm, this bottle punches well above its price tag and fits just about any occasion, whether it’s a lazy weekend sip, a midweek glass with your 5-minute dinner masterpiece, or passed around with mates over Friday night snacks. Frankly, you’d be hard-pressed to beat it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CURATOR","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55303002816898,"sku":"A2626124","price":10.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Curator_Chenin_Blanc_Chardonnay_Viognier_2023.jpg?v=1756467439"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-luuks-2024","title":"Luuks Chardonnay Blank Bottle 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e'...a cool-climate, ripe, and dramatic Chardonnay with perfect oak augmentation, and it is breath-takingly delicious.'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e - Matthew Jukes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLuuks - it keeps getting better and better! Now in its forth release, this is at first smoky and tense, coupled with just the right level of opulence - clotted cream, crunchy biscuits and chiffon cake, white flowers and buttered toast too. Very broad and long. So well-balanced, and with a long future ahead of it. The name comes from the barrel it was aged in: the first ever new barrel that Pieter bought. Luuks roughly translates from Afrikaans to 'lux' or 'luxury' in English and it became a bit of a nickname for this wine aged in their fancy new barrel.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tale behind the name BLANKbottle is that when Pieter was starting out, he made a small parcel of Shiraz and was left with a few unlabelled cases. One day, a woman wanted to buy a wine – “Anything but Shiraz,” she told him. Pieter shrugged and sold her the unlabelled Shiraz, neglecting to mention the variety. A few weeks later she returned demanding more, saying it was the best thing she’d ever drunk. For Pieter, it was a lesson on the gap between what people think they like (or dislike) and what they actually like (or dislike). After that, he decided not to list the varieties on his labels. Every one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55348595229058,"sku":"A6536124","price":37.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_fe6fcb91-227d-4e85-bd3e-58e7388e7a22.jpg?v=1751276120"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-big-2021","title":"BIG Blank Bottle 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet franc. The name B.I.G. does not refer to the style of the wine but to the magnitude of the blend. This wine represents Bordeaux from South Africa. The blend of Cab's is taken from multiple vineyards, 9 on this 2021, all at varying altitudes and distances from the coast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePieter describes it as \"9 vineyards from different heights above sea levels. The closest vineyard to the ocean is 3km and the furthest 3 hours drive. We made them all separately and aged them all in French oak for one and a half years - picked mainly when we thought the grapes tasted best. \" \u003cstrong\u003eFull, spiced dark fruit. Very classic BDX blend, but with heart, soul and lovely acidity to carry its warmth and weight. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tale behind the name BLANKbottle is that when Pieter was starting out, he made a small parcel of Shiraz and was left with a few unlabelled cases. One day, a woman wanted to buy a wine – “Anything but Shiraz,” she told him. Pieter shrugged and sold her the unlabelled Shiraz, neglecting to mention the variety. A few weeks later she returned demanding more, saying it was the best thing she’d ever drunk. For Pieter, it was a lesson on the gap between what people think they like (or dislike) and what they actually like (or dislike). After that, he decided not to list the varieties on his labels. Every one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55354232013186,"sku":"A2826121","price":32.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/Blank-Bottle-BIG-2021.png?v=1753456444"},{"product_id":"restless-river-le-luc-pinot-noir-2022","title":"Le Luc Pinot Noir Restless River 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Pinot is straight-up stunning — deep, plush, and dripping with ripe fruit, layered with silky oak and just the first whisper of those earthy, forest-floor vibes starting to show. It’s evolving, and it’s only going to get better. I lined it up next to a couple of standout vintages of Fourrier’s Gevrey-Chambertin Vieille Vigne (yeah, the £255-a-bottle kind), and honestly? It held its own with ease. There’s something about this wine: extra dimension, that soft fullness, and a slow-unfolding complexity that promises to keep giving until at least 2033.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"\u003eRestless River is a rising star which has quietly achieved cult-status for its brilliant, Burgundian-style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and super fine yet intense Cabernet Sauvignon. Launched in 2012 by Craig Wessels, their farm is located in the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. It's home to some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay vines in the region (planted in 1998). At Restless River, things are done in an unhurried way, with great dedication and attention to detail.  Their production is done by hand, resulting in limited quantities of each wine, and demand far exceeding supply. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"\u003eRestless River is defined by its terroir, and Craig Wessels' thoughtful and careful winemaking allows it to be the star of the show. \"At its best, South Africa is increasingly terroir-driven. Craig Wessels of Restless River says that it’s about “building wines in the vineyard, not the winery”, trying to reflect a place rather than a style that’s imposed in the cellar.\" - Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2023.  \"H\u003c\/span\u003eis Chardonnays offer real Burgundian allure and his occasionally Volnaysian Pinot Noirs.\" - Neal Martin, Vinous.com \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"RESTLESS RIVER","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55387431633282,"sku":"A1626122","price":45.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/LeLuc_5f74e983-dc80-4b2f-9008-4a8d1adef4f5.jpg?v=1752068845"},{"product_id":"digby-leander-pink-brut-nv-1","title":"Digby Leander Pink Brut NV","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe official sparkling wine of world renowned Leander club. 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 15% Meunier, 2017 base vintage. The palate here is just beautiful, all muddled berries folded into whipped cream and crushed meringues, with dried rose notes and blood orange. Fab to pair with lobster rolls, smoked trout pate smeared on crispbreads or a berry laden pavlova.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of England's most awarded wineries, as made by the brilliant Dermot Sugrue. Named after Sir Kenelm Digby, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethe polymath and inventor of the first strong glass that made it possible to bottle sparkling wine, Digby \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewas established by founders \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJason Humphries and Trevor Clough after they took a life-affirming trip to the Napa Valley to escape the grind of London corporate life. After talking to top producers around the world, they opted to buy grapes from the best vineyards rather than settle on one vineyard site, establishing contracts and relationships with quality-obsessed growers across a diverse range soil types across the southeast: chalk, greensand and clay soil sites. It's given them the flexibility ever since to make blends that represent the very best vineyards in England.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DIGBY","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55467922981250,"sku":"A63861NV","price":36.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/DIGBY_LEANDER_PINK.webp?v=1773050413"},{"product_id":"restless-river-main-road-and-dignity-cabernet-sauvignon-2021","title":"Main Road and Dignity Cabernet Sauvignon Restless River 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eThe first time I tried Restless River was the 2007 in 2015. I shall not forget it. No Cabernet from South Africa had impressed me more. It put me in mind of a top vintage of Chateau Leoville-Poyferre. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eOn a recent visit to Restless River, in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, I tasted a vertical of 2016 to 2019. It was a spectacular tasting. Each vintage was so good, and a product of the conditions of the year. It was exciting to be able to pinpoint these details in each wine, which can easily be lost by too much oak, or trying too hard to impress. I've always thought Restless River was a very special Cabernet, but this was a totally convincing tasting! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eThis comes from two very small vineyards, one called Main Road and one called Dignity. Craig has planted another couple of edgy exposed vineyards nearby which look like they could produce very exciting fruit indeed. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eWhile the wine seems effortless, the work that has gone into creating the right conditions, the perfectionist attitude, is off the scale. To have come this far in just over 20 years, and to be making world class Cabernet is incredible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRestless River is a rising star that has quietly achieved cult-status for its brilliant, Burgundian-style Chardonnay and ultra-elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. Launched in 2012 by Craig Wessels, who, alongside his successful career in digital production, also raced motorbikes and flew helicopters around the Cape, along with his ex-model wife Anne, their farm is located in the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Its home to some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay vines in the region (planted in 1998). At Restless River, things are done in an unhurried way, with great dedication and attention to detail. Almost all their production is done by hand, resulting in limited quantities of each wine, and demand far exceeding supply. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"\u003eRestless River is defined by its terroir, and Craig Wessels' thoughtful and careful winemaking allows it to be the star of the show.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"RESTLESS RIVER","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55488669352322,"sku":"A1636121","price":59.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_45f50569-68d4-452d-9270-20920059cff6.jpg?v=1753689927"},{"product_id":"moment-of-silence-blank-bottle-2024","title":"Moment of Silence Blank Bottle 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eOur old favourite, Moment of Silence. Incorporating some old vine Chenin Blanc, and Viognier, fermented and aged in a mix of old oak barrels, amphora and concrete tanks.. Stunning fruit - golden delicious apples,  apricots and ripe pears with a lovely lift of acidity on the finish.  Blank Bottle at its very best. It is an amazing value wine. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePieter is getting better as a winemaker and has more say and control in the vineyards than ever before. That's a significant investment but it means the quality of fruit is higher. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55645676896642,"sku":"A4906124","price":22.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BlankBottleMomentofSilence24.png?v=1760947757"},{"product_id":"kumeu-river-estate-chardonnay-2024","title":"Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe wine that built Kumeu River's reputation, produced from 6 vineyards. \u003cspan\u003eThe 'Estate' Chardonnay is one of the finest values in the world, it's a wonder that it is still so well priced for a wine of this quality. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"The 2024 Estate Chardonnay is floral and tightly coiled, with a scratched lime backbone. It's not as complex as the Ray's Road tasted alongside, yet it's utterly composed and restrained. It is mineral and very good indeed!\" \u003cstrong\u003e92pts, Erin Larkin, RobertParker.com\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e'If you have never tried these wines, then it is time you see for yourself what New Zealand is capable of.' Neal Martin, Vinous. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKumeu River is considered unanimously to be New Zealand's top Chardonnay producer, and having sold their wines on and off for over 15 years, we are over the moon to have secured a parcel of their outstanding 2020s. Established in the 50s just 20kms north of Auckland, for several decades now the Brajkovich family have fashioned Burgundy-inspired wines that rival their finest old world counterparts - silky, complex, tantalising wines that have gained the favour of just about every wine journalist and MW worth their salt. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUMEU RIVER","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55652341678466,"sku":"A1726124","price":27.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_0e280be8-dbf4-4b1b-9df1-f9821765a5f9.png?v=1767631450"},{"product_id":"kumeu-village-chardonnay-2025","title":"Kumeu River Village Chardonnay 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is terrific value, coming from one of the leading masters of New Zealand Chardonnay. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"Sourced from 14 ha of hand-harvested vines in both Kumeu (42%) and Hawke's Bay (58%) planted between 1989 and 2016. Pale greenish straw. Real grip and zest and very much house style. Zesty citrus and mouth-filling even if not complex. Bone-dry finish.\" \u003cstrong\u003e16.5\/20pts\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eJancis Robinson MW\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e'If you have never tried these wines, then it is time you see for yourself what New Zealand is capable.' Neal Martin, Vinous. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKumeu River is considered unanimously to be New Zealand's top Chardonnay producer, and having sold their wines on and off for over 15 years, we are over the moon to have secured a parcel of their latest releases. Established in the 1950s just 20kms north of Auckland, for several decades now the Brajkovich family have fashioned Burgundy-inspired wines that rival their finest old world counterparts - silky, complex, tantalising wines that have gained the favour of just about every wine journalist and MW worth their salt.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUMEU RIVER","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55652349051266,"sku":"A1716125","price":14.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_b8a51f99-7b97-45ef-a0cd-596a914cbede.png?v=1766051718"},{"product_id":"rays-road-chardonnay-kumeu-river-2024","title":"Rays Road Chardonnay Kumeu River 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"Hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed before 100% spontaneous barrel ferment in French oak with 100% malo (20% new oak). 11 months' ageing in barrel. Always a blend of the same six Kumeu vineyards (of which they own three) and in 2024 the crop was reduced but fruit was much more concentrated. No new oak in 2023 so they had lots of (François Frères) barrels to use. It's a struggle to keep vines in the ground in Kumeu. They think they're OK for the next 20 years so long as the owners, mainly Chinese, will agree to lease the land. Average age of vines would be more than 20 years. High-toned nose then rich lemon-barley-water flavours. And real grip on the end. No hurry to drink this. Lots of concentration and masses of potential. Still youthful! Lots to chew on. Worth waiting until at least 2026 before drinking but it's already approachable.\" \u003cstrong\u003e17\/20, Jancis Robinson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e'If you have never tried these wines, then it is time you see for yourself what New Zealand is capable.' Neal Martin, Vinous. Kumeu River is considered unanimously to be New Zealand's top Chardonnay producer, and having sold their wines on and off for over 15 years, we are over the moon to have secured a parcel of their outstanding 2020s. Established in the 1950s just 20kms north of Auckland, for several decades now the Brajkovich family have fashioned Burgundy-inspired wines that rival their finest old world counterparts - silky, complex, tantalising wines that have gained the favour of just about every wine journalist and MW worth their salt. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KUMEU RIVER","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55652366549378,"sku":"A1736124","price":27.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_2a45950e-21e3-43a9-afb3-e4b53d97ac31.png?v=1765894741"}],"url":"https:\/\/swig.co.uk\/collections\/new-world\/region-darling.oembed","provider":"Swig Wines","version":"1.0","type":"link"}