| Rankine Fine Wines - September 2011 | | | | | | | | |
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| Name/Description | Region | Vintage | | Price per case | | |
| (12) inc VAT | | |
| Reds: | | | | |
| South Africa: | | |
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| Scali Syrah | Voor Paardeberg | 2004 | 75cl | £ 180.00 | | |
| Just beginning to get into it's stride. Black pepper and black fruits with meaty complexity from bottle age. Great wine. | | |
| Scali Syrah | Voor Paardeberg | 2006 | 75cl | £ 198.00 | | |
| Fresh, sweet herby nose with a hint of mint and distinctive spiciness. The palate is savoury and pure with robust, spicy, slightly earthy structure. Ripe, full and quite robust. | | |
| Scali Pinotage | Voor Paardeberg | 2005 | 75cl | £ 180.00 | | |
| This wine shows what Pinotage (a Pinot Noir and Cinsault cross) can do if made well. Full of vibrant, bramble fruit with balanced acid and tannin. | | |
| Scali Pinotage | Voor Paardeberg | 2006 | 75cl | £ 198.00 | | |
| The palate is fresh and savoury with warm, sweet herbal notes under the spicy fruit. Quite elegant and bright with some smooth, warm, subtly earthy notes. A lovely wine. | | |
| Meerlust Red | Stellenbosch | 2008 | 75cl | £ 132.00 | | |
| Meerlust Red is the baby brother to the more expensive and world-renowned Rubicon. Produced largely from younger vines in the same vineyard, it is excellent value, having a lot of the class of the Rubicon at a far more attractive price. A bargain. | | |
| Meerlust Pinot Noir | Stellenbosch | 2006 | 75cl | £ 228.00 | | |
| Exuberant floral and gamey nose with hints of violets, cherries and baking spice. The palate is youthful with bright acidity, juicy red fruit flavours and silky, supple tannins giving the wine a good length. | | |
| Meerlust Pinot Noir | Stellenbosch | 2008 | 75cl | £ 228.00 | | |
| Forward, perfumed red summer fruits. Hints of spice and richness on the palate. Deep and intense with very silky tannins. Very fine. Balancing acidity lifting the wine. | | |
| Meerlust Merlot | Stellenbosch | 2005 | 75cl | £ 216.00 | | |
| Made in the 'right-bank' tradition, this is a blend of 89% Merlot with 11% Cabernet Franc added for structure and aromatic complexity. | | |
| Meerlust Rubicon | Stellenbosch | 2004 | 75cl | £ 240.00 | | |
| Meerlust, one of South Africa's leading lights, make one of the country's top Bordeaux blends in the form of Rubicon. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc are expertly blended to produce a wine every bit the equal of top Bordeaux. As one might expect, this is delicious now but ages extremely well. | | |
| Meerlust Rubicon | Stellenbosch | 2006 | 150cl | £ 250.00 | | |
| Very deep, youthful colour, intense almost purple hue. Very classic Rubicon nose with violets, ripe plum, cedarwood and spice. Youthful but with a log life ahead. | | |
| Muratie Shiraz | Stellenbosch | 2007 | 75cl | £ 156.00 | | |
| Lovely violet Syrah colour. Ripe, powdery red and black berry fruit. Pepper spice complexity and sweet tannins. Great oak integration and balance. A long, lingering finish. Drink or keep for 8+ years. | | |
| Muratie Melck's Red | Stellenbosch | 2009 | 75cl | £ 108.00 | | |
| Lovely, soft, red fruits and perfect for everyday quaffing. | | |
| Muratie Ansela Van de Caab | Stellenbosch | 2007 | 75cl | £ 168.00 | | |
| A Cabernet dominated nose, Bordeaux-esque with minty complexity. Velvety tannins balance the fruit and fresh acidity follows in the finish. Cedar, chocolate complexity already as well as pure black fruit . Alcohol in check. Drink or keep for 10+ years. | | |
| Muratie Pinot Noir | Stellenbosch | 2008 | 75cl | £ 156.00 | | |
| A Pinot worthy of this great estate. Fresh strawberry and cherries on the nose. Some Pinot earthiness. Gentle oaking. Harmonious and elegant finish. Drink now and over the next 2-3 years. | | |
| Muratie Cabernet Sauvignon | Stellenbosch | 2007 | 75cl | £ 156.00 | | |
| Old World restrain on the nose. Good concentration of cassis fruit with pencil lead complexity. Firm tannins give structure. Fresh acidity on the finish. Great overall balance and only 13% alcohol. Drink or keep for 8+ years. | | |
| Muratie 'Cape Vintage' Port | Stellenbosch | 2006 | 75cl | £ 144.00 | | |
| SA's version of an LBV port style - with great results. | | |
| Boschkloof Cabernet | Stellenbosch | 2006 | 75cl | £ 138.00 | | |
| Classic New World Cabernet with cassis and chocolate / minty complexity. Rich but balanced. Very good. | | |
| Boschkloof Conclusion | Stellenbosch | 2004 | 75cl | £ 192.00 | | |
Cabernet Sauvignon 59%, Merlot 18%, Cabernet Franc 14%, Petit Verdot 5%, Shiraz 4%. Cassis fruit with cedar, chocolate complexity and a long finish.
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| Rudi Schultz Syrah | Stellenbosch | 2007 | 75cl | £ 156.00 | | |
| Gorgeous and pure, displaying blueberry, raspberry and boysenberry fruit that is well-harnessed by cocoa powder, red licorice and mineral notes. Nice fresh acidity carries the racy finish. - J.M. Wine Spectator, July 2010 | | |
| Keermont Estate | Stellenbosch | 2007 | 75cl | £ 258.00 | | |
| 40% Cabernet, 40% Merlot and the rest Syrah. Very pure cassis fruit. Classic structure, fine-grained tannins, concentrated and a very long finish. Keep 5-10 years | | |
| Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir | Walker Bay | 2007 | 75cl | £ 294.00 | | |
| Rich, Cotes de Nuits style Pinot. Silky texture with savoury French oak. SA's best Pinot? | | |
| Boekenhoutskloof Chocolate Block | Franschhoek | 2009 | 75cl | £ 228.00 | | |
| A big, bold, new world red made in the style of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but showing its own distinctive character, that has seen this become one of South Africa's most sought-after 'cult' wines. | | |
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| Bordeaux: | | |
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| Chateau Lanessan Cru Bourgeois | Haut Medoc | 2001 | 75cl | £ 210.00 | | |
| “Lanessan's 2001 is a consistent overachiever in Haut-Medoc. This wine nearly rivals the outstanding 2000. It is a seriously-extracted, dark ruby/purple-colored offering with ripe cassis fruit, notes of leather and earth, and a hint of truffles. It is medium-bodied, pure, and savory, with copious tannin. It will age well for 10-15 years. Drink 2002-2017” 87-89 points Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate | | |
| Chateau Bernadotte | Haut Medoc | 2007 | 75cl | £ 150.00 | | |
“Rich and sweet and round...not bad at all” 16/20 Jancis Robinson MW
“Deep colour, full and really good spicy, plummy fruit, tannins still quite firm, but good Pauillac-style Médoc with more ripeness than many.” Decanter | | |
| Chateau Beaumont Cru Bourgeois | Haut Medoc | 2004 | 75cl | £ 155.00 | | |
| This 2004 vintage sits neatly between the extreme heat and overblown wines (and prices) of 2003 and the near perfect but expensive 2005. It is a vintage that can be drunk young, particularly at this level but will also reward short to mid-term aging on some wines. For me, this wine is perfect now as an everyday, drinking claret. Seductive cassis fruit with classic Médoc cedar complexity and silky tannins. A reliable bargain. | | |
| Haut Medoc de Maucaillou | Haut Medoc | 2005 | 75cl | £ 150.00 | | |
| Very typical Haut Médoc cassis fruit with pencil lead and savoury oak complexity. It shows the bright fruit of the vintage but with supple tannins. Very approachable. | | |
| Chateau Potensac | Medoc | 2008 | 75cl | £ 205.00 | | |
| “Perhaps the finest Potensac made since the 1982, the 2008 is undoubtedly a sleeper of the vintage. Harvested between October 4-16, this blend of 42% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 18% Cabernet Franc was fashioned from modest yields of 44 hectoliters per hectare. While lacking the prestige of a grand cru classe, it offers an amazing display of sweet black cherry and cassis fruit intermixed with notions of earth and spice. Good purity, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, a seamless balance, ripe tannins, and fresh acids result in an amazing wine that should sell for a song. It should evolve for a decade or more.” Robert Parker 90-92/100: | | |
| Chateau Grand Village Rouge | France, Bordeaux | 2006 | 75cl | £ 156.00 | nil stock | |
| One of the most reliable and best value Bordeaux wines I have ever come across. Perhaps not all that surprising as it is made by Jaques Guinaudeau who also happens to make one of the world's great wines - Chateau Lafleur. This 2006 vintage is perfect now with cassis and plummy fruit, spice and pencil lead. Ripe tannins and firm acidity add structure. | | |
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| Rest of the world: | | |
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| Cotes-du-Rhone, St Cosme | France, Rhone | 2008 | 75cl | £ 129.00 | nil stock | |
| With respect to Barruol's negociant line of wines, called Saint-Cosme, the very good 2008 Cotes du Rhone is primarily Syrah, much of it coming from such cool areas as Vinsobres. Attractive notes of creosote, blackberries, black currants, licorice, and truffles are followed by a medium-bodied, admirably textured wine with excellent fruit and definition. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate | | |
| Il Borghetto Collina 21 | Italy, Tuscany | 2006 | 75cl | £ 174.00 | nil stock | |
| Just a few hills from the famous Antinori Tignanello, is the small estate of Il Borghetto. Made in a similar style of primarily Sangiovese and Cabernet, the Collina features 10% Merlot for the final touch. | | |
| Rioja Montelciego Vendimia Seleccionada | Spain, Rioja | 2009 | 75cl | £ 96.00 | nil stock | |
| Modern, unoaked Rioja made from the classic Tempranillo grape. Fresh, red berry fruit without the heavy vanilla oak. Very drinkable. | | |
| Paper Road Pinot Noir | New Zealand | 2009 | 75cl | £ 132.00 | nil stock | |
| Juicy plum and berry fruit with a hint of smokiness. Fine and silky smooth tannins, fresh acidity and long length. Balanced 13% alcohol. Extremely drinkable. | | |
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| Whites: | | | | |
| South Africa: | | |
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| Hamilton Russell Chardonnay | Walker Bay | 2009 | 75cl | £ 225.00 | | |
| The competition to make the Cape's best Chardonnay gets more ferocious by the vintage, but Hamilton Russell is still (just) out in front. This is a deliciously Burgundian style white, with oak, minerality and citrus fruit in near perfect harmony. Tim Atkin MW, The Times | | |
| Meerlust Chardonnay | Stellenbosch | 2008 | 75cl | £ 204.00 | nil stock | |
| "Complex, appealing nose with quince, citrus and floral notes developing into lemon cream, oatmeal and marzipan richness. On the palate the wine is full bodied & generous, but still balanced by crisp acidity. There is ripe tropical fruit & creaminess balanced by a pure minerality typical of the variety. The wine has a long , very pleasant lingering finish indicating the richness and persistence of the vintage." Chris Williams, winemaker. | | |
| Boschkloof Chardonnay | Stellenbosch | 2009 | 75cl | £ 120.00 | | |
| Delicious and elegant Chardonnay made in a fresh style with gentle oak. Combination of tropical and citrus flavours with a lingering finish. Good balance. | | |
| Noble Hill Viognier | Paarl | 2009 | 75cl | £ 156.00 | | |
| Full-bodied with peachy, nutty varietal aromatics and flavours. Good balance, freshness and a long finish. | | |
| Noble Hill Sauvignon Blanc | Paarl | 2010 | 75cl | £ 108.00 | | |
| Fresh asparagus and nettles. Green, crisp style. Good quaffer. | | |
| Fryers Cove Sauvignon Blanc | Bamboes Bay | 2010 | 75cl | £ 138.00 | | |
| One of the Cape's best kept secrets. Made on the Atlantic coast. A cool climate, steely style with white asparagus and grassiness. Persistent length. Stunning Sauvignon. | | |
| Mulderbosch Cabernet Rose | Stellenbosch | 2010 | 75cl | £ 107.88 | | |
| Cabernet Sauvignon based, everyday rose. Lovery berry fruit and crisp, dry finish. | | |
| Muratie Isabella Chardonnay | Stellenbosch | 2009 | 75cl | £ 132.00 | | |
| In many ways this is the estate's piece de resistance. An elegant, Burgundy style with good integration of creamy French oak. (7 months in 30% new barrels.) A combination of tropical and citrus fruit with balancing acidity. 13% Drink now and over the next 2-3 years. | | |
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| Rest of the World: | | |
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| Sauvignon de Touraine, Cuvee Prest | France, Loire | 2010 | 75cl | £ 95.88 | | |
| Crisp and clean style Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley in Northern France. A perfect Summer wine. | | |
| Sancerre, Fernand Girard | France, Loire | 2009 | 75cl | £ 156.00 | | |
| Focused and intense with citrus and grassy aromas. The palate is precise, bright, filled with zesty, crisp lemon and lime balanced by a seemless acidic backbone. Stone minerality complexity. | | |
| Gruner Veltliner, 'Loss', Heidler | Austria, Kamptal | 2009 | 75cl | £ 138.00 | nil stock | |
| Made in stainless steel from young vines. Displaying delicate, floral characteristics with peachy notes and a touch of white pepper. Very fine. | | |
| Borthwick Riesling | New Zealand | 2009 | 75cl | £ 126.00 | nil stock | |
| Floral aromas with lime and pertol character. Steeliness on the palate, which is crisp and dry. Very fresh with a lingering finish. | | |
| Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume | Pascal Bouchard | 2009 | 75cl | £ 225.00 | | |
| Linear and steely, classic Chablis. Crisp citrus fruit and creamy complexity developing with bottle age. Almost Cote d'Or in style. | | |
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| Champagne & Sparkling: | | | | |
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| Beaumont des Crayeres NV | France | NV | 75cl | £ 264.00 | | |
| Lovely, golden color and an attractive, rich and biscuity nose. An award-winning Champagne with fine bubbles and an excellent concentrated flavor on the palate. 91 points. The Wine Spectator | | |
| Prosecco di Valdobbiadene | Italy | NV | 75cl | £ 130.00 | | |
| This is a great example of the Prosecco style. This lively, sparkling wine is all about white summer fruit and ripe apples. The palate offers elegance and finesse supported by zesty acidity and a long, refreshing finish. Decanter.com | | |
| Pol Roger | France | NV | 75cl | £ 354.00 | | |
| The blend the usual one-third each of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier, and the dosage 10 g/l. A very pale hue in the glass, fresh and crisp and feminine in style, followed by a rather rich and fleshy style on the palate. Quite accessible at present, more so than expected from that crispy-fruit nose, with a broad and fresh presence of fruit here, highlighted by a beautiful floral character. Very fine. | | |
| Pol Roger Vintage | France | 2000 | 75cl | £ 471.00 | | |
| And so to the wine, the Pol Roger Brut 2000, which has a rich, soft golden glow in the glass, with a good central bead surrounded by plenty of small-to-moderate sized bubbles. The nose is just gorgeous, broad and seductive, with elements of brioche, toasted almonds over notes of sweet stone fruit, white peach and more. The palate is just as the nose suggests it will be, generous but not flabby, soft and welcoming like a plumped-up down-filled pillow, enveloping the tastebuds and gently caressing them one by one. And yet it remains bright and lively, with a very linear core of acidity flanked by a finely poised mousse. This is absolutely delicious stuff, so approachable and easy-going and yet clearly of very fine, well-defined quality too. This, to my palate, is ready now - so I suggest you drink on. I've certainly been doing so! 18+/20 (28/6/10) The Wine Doctor | | |
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| Stuart Rankine | | | |
| Rankine Fine Wines | | | |
| Tel: +44 (0) 20 7193 2907 | | | |
| Mobile: +44 (0) 7968 79 79 39 | | | |
| Email: info@rankinefinewines.co.uk | | | |
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| Brook Cottage | | | |
| Petworth Road | | | |
| Chiddingfold | | | |
| Surrey | | | |
| GU8 4UA | | | |
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