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The UK's No.1 Australian Wine Specialist   September welcomes the Autumn Equinox, contrasted by a week of unseasonably hot weather and a raft of international releases via La Place de Bordeaux, which is my old stomping ground. La Place de Bordeaux is not a physical place. Instead, it is a complex selling and distribution system used by négociants, courtiers and Châteaux to sell wines, which works rather well. It is rare to purchase wines directly from producers in Bordeaux which is unique in itself. Even special, requested wines / parcels are channeled through one of the many négociants (wine merchants come wholesalers). Courtiers are also involved, adding a further layer of complexity to the Bordeaux cake. The courtier system dates to the days when France was under English rule and law, when brokers were needed to act as middlemen between producers and buyers of Bordeaux wine. Today, they continue to act as intermediates between the producers and the négociants. Clearly, there are benefits of selling via La Place. Primarily, a vast network of merchants and distribution channels. Some believe it’s cost effective however, the end user is paying four levels of profits – The producer, the courtier, the négociant and the end wine merchant. Buying direct, as we do from Australia, eliminates three layers and provides more value. On the other hand, the wine producer can spend less time promoting, sending samples and dealing with their dedicated (by country) agents which is a valid point. But, and post the wine being launched (unless it sells out), who takes on the mantle of promoting. Often, today's release is forgotten tomorrow. Nonetheless, La Place is no longer limited to Bordeaux wines. September sees a wave of releases covering the Rhône, Italy, Napa, Chile, Argentina and South Africa. Several Aussie producers have also joined La Place too… This week, Napa icon Opus One launched their 2018 and 2019 for £1,620.00 IB per case of six (circa £325.00 per bottle, delivered). Suckling awards 99 points / Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (formerly of Parker.com) 97-99 points / 97 points Galloni and 98 from Jane Anson. Not cheap, but I am sure they will find a home. Alternatively, and proof that a four-layered profit system can add too much icing to one’s cake, how about this beauty which one critic described as, “Like a great young Cos d’Estournel.” High praise indeed… The wine in mention is the sensational 2018 Cherubino Budworth Cabernet Sauvignon, Frankland River. As pointed out in the tasting note – only 200 cases were produced. Our allocation is a tiny 36 bottles, but it’s a bargain (relatively so) at £67.00 per bottle. It’s here and ready to be delivered. Sadly, there is no under bond stock available…  99 points - Suckling.com “Such impressive red plums and mulberries are delivered in bright, pure style here with dark, violet florals. Then there’s a wealth of savory notes, such as cedar, gun flint and cloves. It is so complex already. The palate delivers a very convincing array of purple-berry and plum flavors that completely coat the mouth. So harmonious, the resolve, depth and purity this wields is so impressive. Long and pure dark-berry flavors abound. Like a great young Cos d’Estournel! Drink or cellar for 15 plus years. Screw cap. 200 dozen made.”  "So harmonious, the resolve, depth and purity this wields is so impressive. Like a great young Cos d’Estournel!"  2018 Cherubino Budworth Cabernet SauvignonFrankland River Only 36 bottles available £67.00 per bottle Last weekend we were bombarded with requests for the 2020 Rebus Cabernet Sauvignon from Domaine Naturaliste. Decanter awarded 97-points and a ‘Best in Show’ medal which is quite the honour given the £20.00 price tag. Save-to-say, we didn’t have any as it was a domestic sell out (back home), which came as a disappointment to many Decanter readers. On the positive, some opted for the ’17 which we stocked – only 3 bottles remain. The ’21 Purus Chardonnay (97 points – Gold Award, James Halliday) is close to selling out too. 12 bottles are available duty paid and six, six packs under bond. “This is an excellent, distinct wine. Polarizing, very special,” says Erin Larkin. We love it and cant wait to see this in 6-8 years’ time… Well done to Bruce as he and his team deserve the recognition as Domaine Naturaliste is pushing the boundaries for quality to value. Talking of awards. Well done to Margaret River super-star, Julian Langworthy who received (this week) an IWC gold medal for his Nocturne Single Vineyard Forrest Vineyard Chardonnay 2022. Sadly, we will not be seeing Julian’s ‘22s as, and to quote, “I wanted to let you know that I have decided to move my UK Sales. This is largely due to their ability to take more volume on an annual basis and in no way a reflection on what I see your premium position is for Australian wines in the UK market.” I genuinely don’t blame Julian and would do the same if I were in his shoes as sales of the current collection (at The Vinorium) have been woefully slow… Baffling as Julian is one of Australia’s best winemakers (Winner of the Jimmy Watson Trophy) along with bringing great Margaret River wines at respectable prices. It goes without saying – we wish Julian all the very best and hope Nocturne flourishes in the UK (it deserves to). So, we now offload our stocks as quickly as possible as it paves the way for the new importer. Enjoy the discounts… Cape Landing Blackwood Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 has been one of biggest selling Margaret River wines (2022 / 2023). The praise is fully justified, and we are down to our last 21 bottles. If the 2018 Cherubino Budworth Cabernet Sauvignon is a tad too rich, this, like the courtiers, should sit nicely in the middle…  Cape Landing Blackwood Cabernet Sauvignon 2019Margaret River £40.95 per bottle 98 Points - Decanter Tasted by: Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW, Stefan Neumann MS, Matt Walls (at Decanter tasting room, London, 02 Oct 2021) “Cape Landing is an independent, family-owned winery making classic Margaret River wines. Single-vineyard wines are made in order to reflect the style of each plot, integrating biodiversity, restoration and the maintenance of native species in the vineyards. The finest parcels of fruit from each vintage are selected for Blackwood Cabernet Sauvignon, and production is generally restricted to 1,800 bottles per year. Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW: Fragrant with notes of dill and rosemary. Loads of blackcurrant mixed with woodsmoke and spice. Acidity adds an element of freshness. Stefan Neumann MS: This is a highly perfumed style. Shows ripeness of dark fruit but it’s not too fruity or intense. Has a remarkable balance of power and concentration yet elegance. Matt Walls: A perfumed, pure Cabernet Sauvignon that feels very Margaret River; elegant, refined, pure. Very silky, velvety, plush, but still fresh and harmonious. Very seductive.” Stuart McCloskey, Tasted November 2022 Slow braised beef ribs is one of my Sunday favourites. Preparation is quick (once I have caramelised the thick, ribs). A mirepoix of vegetables, herbs from the garden and at least three-quarters of a bottle of good wine, topped up with rich, beef stock. Plonk in the ribs, add a cartouche as I don’t want my gravy evaporating, place in the oven (160 degrees) and return six-hours later to sumptuous, meaty heaven. The gravy is so good, it should be served in Zalto… What wine to add to the dish? I opened a sample bottle of the ’21 Uovo Cabernet Touriga and thought little of it until I returned from a days' gardening and sampled the remnants. Sensational, in one word. In more, a bloody idiot for not sampling before I added it to the pot… We haven’t offered a Cabernet Touriga Nacional since the days of Flowstone. This is better and provides the purest translation. The wine is made in a clay, cement, ovoid tank - a giant egg if you like and rather fashionable these days. The lees are continuously forced upward by an internal current resembling a vortex. This gives the wine voluptuousness, exquisite purity and sublime texture. Additionally, and to highlight its ‘purity’ there’s no added tannin, acid or animal fining products. There is zero sulphur used throughout the winemaking, and only a minimal amount at bottling. "this is outright delicious, incredibly moreish, fresh and satisfying. For the price, it ticks all my boxes. Impressive. Very impressive."  Larry Cherubino Uovo Cabernet Touriga 2021Frankland River, WA Stuart McCloskey “The bouquet is simply gorgeous and invites you in to rose petal, violet, blackberry, tobacco, lead pencil, earth, black olive, new leather, sweet anise and alpine herbs. The palate is wonderfully ripe and succulent, yet perfectly balanced. You’ve got to love the texture – plush, evolving, juicy and ripe. Acidity quenches and sets the palate up for more. I don’t believe this wine attempts to be the most complex, but and in anyone’s language, this is outright delicious, incredibly moreish, fresh and satisfying. For the price, it ticks all my boxes. Impressive. Very impressive. Drink now to 2030. Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.” £20.50 per bottle  Winning Review from AugustThis month we plucked this review from self confessed French wine snob, Tom. 😉 Tom will receive his prize later this week... more new world goodies to continue tempting him away from the French bottles! Please continue to submit your reviews of the wines you order from us. We love reading your thoughts and opinions and we are continuing to reward one lucky reviewer with free wine every month.
 "It has the character that Nocturne’s SV Chardys are famous for. Flint, funk, just-ripe stone fruit, grilled limes and hope…"  2021 Nocturne Single Vineyard Chardonnay£33.95 per bottle Also available under bond - £125.00 per case (6x75cl) "Ladies and gentlemen, drum roll if you please. Cabernet is back... If ya wanna drink cordial, find some overpriced Pinot and marvel at its lack of complexity."  2021 Nocturne Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon£33.95 per bottle Also available under bond - £125.00 per case (6x75cl) "Unsurprisingly, super cool yet different... something non-Margaret Riveresque - something distinctly international on the nose. Maybe it’s season, maybe it’s terroir but it’s pretty fkn cool."  Nocturne Wines Sub Regional Chardonnay 2021£24.00 per bottle Also available under bond - £83.00 per case (6x75cl) "A welcome addition to the Nocturne family. It's made as a fleshier, more slurpable style of Margaret River Cabernet blend, built for drinking while you wait for the excellent Nocturne Single Vineyard Cabernet to mature."  2019 Nocturne Sub Regional Cabernets£24.00 per bottle Also available under bond - £83.00 per case (6x75cl)  Back in stock "This is an ambitious creation and very different to many Aussie Chardonnays. Utterly captivating. This is a marvellous expression of Australian Chardonnay."  Soumah Equilibrio Chardonnay 201997 - 98 Points - Stuart McCloskey “Buttered popcorn vies with flinty characters, which effortlessly slip to white toast, yeasty bread, cashew, nutty nougat and camomile. There’s a sense of savouriness over fruit, save for the confit lemon and pear. The palate is glossy, bordering viscous without any sense of heaviness. Complex and in a fascinating savoury style. Lemon buttered toast, nutty (creamed cashew), camomile, baked apple and crème pat? Floral – really, quite extraordinary. The length is mindbogglingly long, spicy and goes on for minute after minute. This is an ambitious creation and very different to many Aussie Chardonnays. Utterly captivating. Acidity is delivered thoughtfully along with a sense and feel of salinity. This is a marvellous expression of Australian Chardonnay. Unique without trying to be. Sculpted without effort. Precise without being measly. Mesmerising, it’s as simple as that. Decant for 30 minutes and do not overchill. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware. Drink now to 2030 and possibly beyond.” £36.50 per bottle SAVE £6.00  Many previously sold-out stems arrived back in stock on Wednesday however, Universal six packs have already sold-out – only one six pack of the Bordeaux remains. Click the link below to see the range and availability. Our summer discount continues with 10% off all Zalto orders using the code summer10. Use code summer10 |
