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Click
HERE to read the House recommendations.
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White Wines
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| 1 | S.W. France | Duc de Chapelle Blanc | Colombard Chardonnay | A fresh, medium dry fruity white blended from Colombard and Chardonnay grapes | 2004/5 | | 2 | France | Sauvignon Blanc | Cotes de Duras | Andrew Gordon, an English wine – merchant, bought this abandoned vineyard in 1985 and transformed it into a showcase winery in the Cotes de Duras , south west of Bordeaux. The Sauvignon is their flagship wine producing 95,000 bottles from 27.6 acres – a fruity, ripe and concentrated aroma, supple and well structured with a lovely refreshing finish - a marvellous accompaniment to fish and shellfish or as an aperitif. | 2005/6 | | 3 | Italy | Pinot Grigio | Portenova | A lively floral bouquet, medium bodied with a spicy, rich flavour | 2006 | | 10 | Chile | Sauvignon Blanc | La Playa, Colchagua Valley | A fresh, grassy seductively perfumed wine showing gooseberry and tropical fruit flavours. | 2006 | | 12 | Burgundy | Chablis | Domaine Nathalie and Gilles Fevre | Full 'toasty' bouquet, firm supple fruit and a long lasting finish. Domaine bottled. | 2005 | | 13 | Burgundy | Chablis 1er Cru ‘Les Fourneaux’ | ‘Vieilles Vignes’. Domaine Alain Gautheron | From some of the best vineyards on the upper slopes with a more complex persistent and aromatic bouquet and a certain nuttiness. | 2004 | | 14 | Australia | Chardonnay | Simon Hackett, Barossa Valley | A lovely rich white with a bright straw colour. Tastes of rock melon, white peach and honeydew melon skin with tasty, fine oak and creamy toffee hints in the background. | 2005 | | 15 | South Africa | Sauvignon Blanc | Laibach Estate, Stellenbosch | From this 'boutique' estate this has very fresh green pepper and herbaceous aromas with vibrant zesty acidity which lifts the fruit. A delicious Sauvignon. | 2006 | | 16 | Australia | Riesling | Icely Road, Orange, New South Wales (GOLD MEDAL and TROPHY) | Pale straw with youthful green tones, attractive aromas of lemon,lime and orange blossom, honeyed lime flavours with good mineral acidity and a fine long finish. | 2005/06 | | 17 | Burgundy | Puligny Montrachet | Domaine Jean Pascal. Domaine bottled | Puligny at its very best; an intoxicating flowery perfumed bouquet with hints of French fern and wild mint. | 2004 | | 19 | South Africa | Chenin Blanc | Backsberg, Western Cape | This Chenin possesses a ripe tropical bouquet of vanilla, mango and peach. It is balanced and smooth on the palate with a lemon-zesty finish. A good match for seafood, veal and chicken dishes. | 2006 | | 20 | Spain | Albarino | Condes de Albarei, Galacia | Albariño is the white varietal which dominates the Rias Baixas appellation of Galicia. It is ideally adapted to the harsh wet climate to yield fresh elegant wines with a captivating floral bouquet and peach flavours. | 2005/06 | | 22 | Italy | Gavi di Gavi | Ca’ da Bosio, Piedmont | A perfumed mineral character with lively aromas of ripe fruit and flowers. Further refined by extended lees contact which imparts eloquent, complex, lingering hints of vanilla to the soft-textured dry finish. | 2005 | | 23 | Loire Valley | Sancerre | Domaine Gerard Morin. Domaine bottled | A fragrance of elderflower and gooseberries, fresh Sauvignon fruit, full with a long finish. | 2005/06 | | 24 | New Zealand | Sauvignon Blanc | Astrolabe, Marlborough | Deliciously lively fragrant Sauvignon with hints of citrus/tropical fruits. Exceptional quality. | 2006 | | 25 | Chile | Viognier | La Playa, Colchagua Valley | Pale greenish yellow with aromas of dried apricots, pineapple, banana, and notes of lychee. Well-balanced and lovely on the palate, touching off multiple sensations. | 2005/06 | | 26 | Germany | Piesporter Michelsberg | Schmitt Sohne, Mosel QmP | A wonderful tangy, lime-blossom and lemon-zest fruit with a tingling fresh acidity in the finish. | 2005/06 | | 31 | Italy | Verdicchio Classico | Satarelli, Molise | A stunning white from the Verdicchio grape showing outstanding richness of fruit and complexity. Satarelli were awarded Overall White Wine of the Year at the International Wine Challenge. | 2005 | | 32 | Burgundy | Meursault | “Les Grands Charrons”. Domaine Michel Bouzereau et Fils | A bouquet of intense aromas (oak, vanilla and cinnamon), fresh, clean palate, rich soft and delicious. A dazzling wine. Domaine bottled. | 2004 |
Rose Wines
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| 4 | Italy | Pinot Grigio Rose | “Ramato” | Made from naturally copper skinned Pinot Grigio grapes this is a light coloured fresh dry rose showing a perfumed bouquet and subtle smooth flavours. Excellent as an aperitif, with fish and white meat. | 2005/6 | | 33 | South Africa | Pinotage Rosé | Laibach Vineyards, Stellenbosch | A delightful pale salmon pink dry rosé with delicate perfumed aromas of summer fruits. The careful addition of a little Merlot ensures a soft rounded finish. | 2006/07 | | 34 | Spain | Marques de Caceres | Rioja Rosado | Medium with delicious flavours of ripe berries and a lovely salmon pink colour. Made from 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha grapes. | 2005/06 |
Red Wines
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| 47a | New Zealand | Astrolabe Pinot Noir | Marlborough | Deep, rich raspberry bouquet, flavoursome palate with just a hint of oak. A remarkable wine - highly recommended. | 2005 | | 49a | Burgundy | Gevrey Chambertin 'Vieille Vignes' | Domaine Geantet Pansiot | This small domaine consistently produces wines that show good colour, a spicy robust, minty fruitiness and competent winemaking. Domaine bottled. | 2003/04 | | 5 | S. W. France | Duc de Chapelle Rouge | Cabernet Merlot | This is a very stylish blend of the Cabernet Sauvignon for body, backbone and blackcurranty flavours whilst adding the very soft plummy notes of the Merlot grape. | 2005/6 | | 6 | Argentina | Shiraz Malbec | ‘Avanti’ ~ San Juan | Malbec is the flagship red variety of Argentina, producing beautiful ripe cherry fruit. Combined with spicy character of Shiraz it gives a soft easy drinking red with sweet cherry and autumn berry fruits and rounded structure. | 2005 | | 7 | Chile | Carmenere Merlot | Los Caminos, Colchagua Valley | This easy drinking red wine is a distinguished and vibrantly fruity blend of Chile’s most prestigious red varietals, Carmenère and Merlot. It is produced by the La Playa Winery in the cool climate of Colchagua Valley, considered one of Chile’s best regions for these varieties. The palate is rich with black cherry and plum flavours with a hint of mineral character and soft, rounded structure. | 2005 | | 36 | South Africa | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rietvallei Estate, Robertson | The best Cabernet Sauvignon we’ve tasted for many years! A real fruit-bomb, ripe blackberry jam aromas, acid cuts deftly through rich fruit. - a blockbuster. | 2003/04 | | 37 | Rhone | Cotes du Rhone Villages | Domaine Beaumalric | Lovely colour and ripe, spicy fruit with a warm, peppery finish. Domaine bottled. | 2004/05 | | 38 | W. Australia | Rampant Red | Shiraz Cabernet Merlot, Hamelin Bay, Margaret River | A full bodied blend made from the same grapes used to make Hamelin Bay's premium varietals. The wine has had full oak treatment in mostly French barriques imparting toasty oak flavours to the rich plummy Shiraz and red berry Cabernet. | 2004/05 | | 39 | France | Coteaux du Languedoc | ‘St Christol’, Domaine Sainte Sophie | This wine has been blended from Syrah, Carignan and Mouvèdre, and is a soft, velvety red with a floral bouquet of violets and red berries. A wonderful example of the amazing quality that is coming from the more inspired Languedoc wine makers. | 2005 | | 40 | S. E. Australia | Simon Hackett Shiraz | McLaren Vale | Exciting peppery spices leap out of the glass followed by luscious sweet berry fruit. Soft, approachable tannins are followed by sweet fruit and oaky flavours. A rich balanced and elegant wine. | 2004 | | 41 | Spain | Navarra Crianza Cabernet Merlot | Bodegas Asensio | A combination of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with Merlot and given structure and spice by ageing in American oak barrels but the overriding character is of rich fruit flavour and sweet aromas that makes it instantly appealing. | 2003 | | 42 | Rhone Valley | Chateauneuf du Pape | Domaine du Grand Tinel | Dark ruby colour, whiffs of Provencal herbs, pepper and black cherry fruit, medium to full bodied, luscious and generous in flavour. Domaine bottled. | 2001/03 | | 43 | Chile | Montes Pinot Noir | (limited selection) Casablanca Valley | A fragrant bouquet of redcurrants and cherries makes this mid-bodied ripe Pinot instantly attractive. Flavours of vanilla, spice and summer fruits combine on the palate with a long finish and supple tannins. Estate bottled. | 2005 | | 44 | Bordeaux | Montagne St Emilion | Chateau Gachon | Made from 70% Merlot and equal parts of both Cabernets the wine is a deep ruby with purple hues and has a soft nose of cherry, cassis, and spice. On the palate it is quite well balanced with a solid tannic structure and a complementary soft mid-palate of ripe red berry fruit. | 2004 | | 45 | Italy | Merlot | di Lenardo, Grave del Friuli | Extraordinary quality from Massimo di Lenardo's family estate in the Grave district of Friuli in north east Italy. A lovely roundness and intensity of soft plummy fruit. Delicious! | 2005 | | 46 | Bordeaux | Chateau Paveil de Luze | Cru Bourgeois Superieur, Margaux | Generous bouquet with a hint of game, harmonious, elegant and nicely balanced and showing a lovely fleshy structure. Chateau bottled. | 2003 | | 47 | Australia | Shiraz Viognier | Parri Estate | The elegant character of Shiraz together with the subtle, lifted influence of Viognier has created an intriguing red wine with excellent colour and aromas of rhubarb, red cherry and white pepper | 2004/05 | | 48 | South Africa | Pinotage | Laibach Vineyards, Stellenbosch | A deep, full, crimson coloured wine with strong fruit aromas and light oak character. This is a perfect example of what can be achieved with this native South African grape variety offering accessible summer fruits, pleasant tannins with a persistent soft plumy finish. | 2005 | | 49 | Rhone Valley | Hermitage | “La Chapelle”. Paul Jaboulet Ainé | One of France's top reds: very deep ruby colour, very full and dominated by soft tannins, rich and meaty and very long in the mouth. A marvellous wine | 1996 | | 50 | Beaujolais | Fleurie | 'La Madone'. Georges Blanc | Full, distinguished and harmonious with a deep ruby colour and a bouquet reminiscent of peaches, peonies and apricots. | 2005 | | 51 | Burgundy | Savigny les Beaune | ‘les Gollards’. Domaine du Prieuré | This elegant, perfumed 1er Cru Savigny preserves the complex raspberry fruit flavours, distinct mineral character and power inherited from the iron rich soil. | 2002/04 | | 52 | Spain | Marques de Caceres | Rioja Crianza | Aged in oak for 18 months this is a velvety smooth red showing good depth of flavour and a touch of spice in the finish. | 2003 | | 53 | Spain | Ribero del Duero Reserva | Bodegas Vina Vilano, Castilla y Leon | This rich and intense oaked Reserva has won the prestigious `Tempranillos al Mundo` for Viña Vilano. The nose is scented with pepper, spice and vanilla with a complex palate of autumn berries and leather. Ample in the mouth, with a rounded and harmonious finish. | 2001/03 | | 57 | Italy | Ripasso della Valpolicella | Tommasi | A subtle and wonderfully charasmatic cherry scented red wine, given an extraordinary depth of flavour by refermenting the blend of Valpolicella grape varieties (70% Corvina Veronese, 20% Rondinella and 10% Molinara) on the skins left from the Amarone wine and matured for 18 months in large oak barrel. Ripasso has a richness and body unmatched by ordinary Valpolicella, regarded as a 'meditation wine' it should be enjoyed with roasted joints of meat, game and cheeses. | 2004 |
Champagne
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| 61a | France | Laurent Perrier | Rosé | One of the few rose Champagnes made by a technique called `saignee`, where the red grape skins are left on the wine for up to 3 days, giving the wine its unique deep salmon pink colour. On the nose the wine shows hints of red and black fruit, reminiscent of raspberries, black cherries and blackcurrants. The wine is fresh, rounded and supple, with a long finish. | NV | | 60 | France | Vauban Freres | Brut. Special Cuvee | Vauban is a generous, lively Champagne, fresh and lively and well balanced on the palate. The inclusion of 10% reserve wine and significant bottle age ensures that the acidity is well rounded and the structure makes it equally suitable as an aperitif or accompaniment to fish or white meats. | NV | | 61 | France | Lenoble | Brut Rosé Vintage | This pink champagne, Lenoble's speciality, is produced only in vintage years when nature generously endows the grape vines with exceptional quality. Destemmed Pinot Noir are combined with Chardonnay to yield a tender, delicate salmon-pink wine characterized by elegance, fruitiness and finesse. Refined and original as an aperitif, ravishing and appealing with a meal. | 2000 | | 62 | France | Veuve Clicquot | Brut. Yellow Label | Madame Clicquot:- "One Quality - the Best" | NV | | 63 | France | Taittinger | Brut Reserve | Pale straw colour with a consistent and fine mousse. The nose is light and delicate with hints of biscuit and brioche. The palate is lean, but has considerable depth and is elegant with a long fresh finish. | NV | | 64 | France | Krug | Grand Cuvee | Considered to be their finest achievement the Grand Cuvee has a beautiful bouquet, elegant and length | NV |
Dessert Wine
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| 71 | Australia | Orange Flora and Muscat | Brown Brothers, Victoria | A lively tangy orange zest flavour from the Muscat while the Flora brings a fullness and softness to the wine | 2004/05 | | 72 | France | Muscat de Rivesaltes | Chateau Montesquieu | Intensely fruity bouquet, rich sweet fruit almost syrupy and a lovely harmonious finish | 2005 | | 73 | South Africa | Red Muscadel | Rietvallei Estate, Robertson | The bouquet is enticing with a perfumed Muscat aroma, which follows on the palate with complex raisiny sweetness and rose petal fragrance. | 2005 |
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Click
HERE to read the House recommendations.
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