It’s Friday and herewith a enticing, eclectic offer of wines - perfect for the time of year. In the whites is an unusual but highly regarded appellation for those in the know and a foremost producer. Plus an elegant Sancerre rosé. In the reds we have, in my opinion, one of the finest Pinotages around. Very Pinot Noir-like but with more body. Drinking beautifully. Then a rare, 100% Syrah, Cotes-du-Rhone, which punches well above its weight. And finally, South Africa’s very good answer to a Cru Bourgeois.
As ever, please let me know if I can tempt you.
With kind regards,
Stuart
Whites:
Menetou-Salon is just west of, and very much smaller than, the much more famous Sancerre, near the city of Bourges, producing a not dissimilar range of red, white, and rosé wines which can often offer better value. Sauvignon Blanc grown here is capable of making wines every bit as refreshingly aromatic as Sancerre. Soils in the appellation are mainly limestone and can be very similar to those in the more famous zone to the east, although Menetou's vineyards are flatter and less compact, resulting in a less favourable mesoclimate. The best zone is around the village of Morogues, a name used on the labels of producers such as Henry Pellé....
Menetou-Salon Morogues 2009, Domaine Henry Pellé // £144.00 per case of 12 inc. VAT
100% Sauvignon. This wine shows what good value can be found in the lesser known 'appellation' of Menetou-Salon located to the west of Sancerre; fresh and floral with aromas of citrus and blackcurrant leaves, it's zesty and racy but with rounder fresh fruit balanced by minerally length.
Menetou-Salon Morogues Blanchais 2009, Domaine Henry Pellé // £192.00 per case of 12 inc. VAT
100% Sauvignon Blanc. The individual 'Clos des Blanchais' is made from a plot of land identified in the early 1980s for producing the best grapes from the oldest vines, resulting in a wine with the greatest intensity and complexity and consistently of excellent quality. It usually takes a year or two before the nose opens up - fine mineral tones giving way to citrus then a riper, more exotic fruit but cut back by lively acidity and stunning length of crisp steely flavour.
Sancerre Rosé 2009, Michel Girard // £150.00 per case of 12 inc. VAT
Soft, silky red summer fruits with refreshing minerality and acidity. A delicate, true style of rosé, good as an aperitif or drinking on its own.
Reds:
Scali Pinotage 2005, Voor Paarderberg // £168.00 per case of 12 inc. VAT
“Fresh spicy dark berries. Very fresh and lots of the Pinot red fruit character of the variety’s parent. Silky, fresh, dry and fine, almost delicate on the mid palate but then dense and finely grippy on the finish. Fragrant and one of the best Pinotages I have tasted thanks to that combination of even phenolic ripeness and delicacy of aroma. Like a grippy version of Pinot Noir.” Julia Harding MW, JANCIS ROBINSON.COM
Cotes-du-Rhone 2008, Saint-Cosme // £129.00 per case of 12 inc. VAT
“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
Ansela Van de Caab 2006, Muratie Estate, Stellenbosch // £156.00 per case of 12 inc. VAT
The Estate’s flagship wine is a blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a little shiraz. The Cabernets dominate this vintage, which is just beginning to open up. It reminds me of a youthful Bordeaux with spice, cedar and cassis. Firm tannins, fresh acidity. Drinking well.
ORDER HERE
Stuart Rankine
Rankine Fine Wines
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7193 2907
Mobile: +44 (0) 7968 79 79 39
Email: info@rankinefinewines.co.uk
http://rankinefinewines.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com//RankineFineWine
Brook Cottage
Petworth Road
Chiddingfold
Surrey
GU8 4UA
Terms:
* All cases are 12 x 75cl unless otherwise stated.
* Minimum delivery is one case of 12 bottles or two cases of 6 bottles.
* Delivery to UK mainland to one address is charged at £15.00 on orders less than £300.00 otherwise delivery is free. Delivery charges apply to Scotland.
* Payment on receipt of invoice – cheques or bank transfers only.
* All wines are offered subject to final confirmation E&OE.
* If you are not satisfied with any wine on delivery simply return any unopened bottles to me for a full refund.
* Any breakage must be reported to me within three days of receipt.
