Maubet Cotes De Gascogne Blanc
$24.99
The Fontan family has an amazing history. The story began over a century ago, and is the tale of four generations of Gascons, driven by a passion for their land, vines, wines and Armagnacs. In the 2000s, Sylvain and Nadège Fontan, brother and sister, took over the reins of the vineyard. They continued to develop the winery. As a winemaker and cellar master, Sylvain enhances the estate’s grapes, making a range of characterful Armagnacs and Côtes de Gascogne wines. The Maubet is a blend of gros manseng, ugni blanc, colombard, and sauvignon blanc, a crisp white wine with a refreshing citrus- and stone-fruit core and a touch of minerality. This is a crisp and fresh white wine that is ready to be enjoyed on the deck or patio!
Mas Blanch i Jove Sao Abrivat
$37.99
Mas Blanche I Jove is a small, family-owned winery in the Costers del Segre DO, an area of Les Garrigues, on the western border of Priorat, in a mountainous area more than 700 meters above sea level. The unique soil, the low rainfall, the long hours of sunshine and the drastic temperature fluctuations between day and night allow the wines to retain freshness and character. The winery features an open-air art museum, a great excursion as it's about a 2-hour drive from Barcelona. This is a terrific modern red blend (40% Tempranillo, 35% Grenache and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon) for the wine geeks in the crowd. Intense cherry red colours. A well-blended aroma of mature red fruits with highlights of spices (vanilla, cinnamon, a touch of black pepper, etc) A Kensington Wine Market exclusive.
Vidbertus Menut
$36.99
Made from 100% garrut, better known as mataro or mourvedre. Vibertus is located in the Conca de Barbera, at the south-eastern end, inland region of Camp de Tarragona, the central Catalan depression behind the coastal mountain range of Tarragona, 500 metres above sea level. The winemaking process begins in the vineyard with an ecological and environmentally friendly cultivation. On the palate it shows the breeding of an aged wine coming from well matured grapes. There's a voluminous mouthfeel, consistency and structure, velvety texture, all wrapped up in a big core of black fruits.
Poggio al Sole Chiara Bianco Toscana
$31.99
There's not a lot of Chardonnay planted in Tuscany, being a French transplant and all, but this example from one of our favourite Tuscan producers makes you wonder why they don't plant more. While this organic wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation, it's kept on the lees for an extended period for added complexity. Expect a lively and fresh white wine that can pair with goat cheese, arugula pizza, salads, or all on its own on a summer day when you need a lift!
San Leonardo Vette Sauv Blanc
$38.99
Vette is named for the imposing peaks that rise above its Sauvignon Blanc vineyard, and it's the true height of refreshing crispness and earthy minerality. Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc it sees 12 hours of low-temperature maceration on the skins, followed by gentle pressing and fermentation for 20 days. It spends five months sur lie solely in stainless steel. The previous vintage sold out quickly and was a staff favourite, always a good sign. It walks the line stylistically between Sancerre and New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc flavour profiles, the best of both worlds.
Durigutti Cabernet Franc
$24.99
Brothers Héctor and Pablo were born in Mendoza, the cradle of Argentinian wine, and grew up together surrounded by wine culture. Their childhood was linked to a sensory world with aromas, ingredients, and flavours that, over time, led them to the winemaking path in Mendoza. Hector started at Alto Las Hormigas at the age of 15 and has completed 25 projects at various well-known wineries, learning old-world techniques and agriculture. Pablo started at La Rural, a winery now owned by Catena, and they began their final journey in 2002, starting with a small family winery with the brothers assuming the dual role of owners/winemakers. In 2008 they moved into an old recovered winery (Las Compuertas) and by 2010 their wines started receiving accolades in the wine press, including their 2008 Malbec which made the Wine Spectator's Top 100. A few years ago they introduced the Las Compuretas range of wines produced from their oldest vineyards.
Anselmo Mendes Antigos Alvarinho
$32.99
Anselmo Mendes is recognized not only for the excellence of the wines he produces but also for the surprising and consistent way he innovates. Combining the use of age-old techniques, such as fermentation on skins, with bold winemaking methods such as the fermentation of Alvarinho in oak casks, he is established in Portugal and abroad with an original design and his own identity. Anselmo Mendes wines are the result of a long, faithful connection to the land, an experimentalist and studious spirit and a philosophy of respect for the ecosystem that translates into methods of integrated production. He is widely regarded as the best producer of white wines in Portugal.
St Antony Pettenthal Riesling GG
$66.99
St. Antony is a top-shelf riesling producer making high-quality wine since 1912. The ultra-modern winery they built sits on top of cellars that hold decades of premium riesling, a white grape that ages as well, if not better, than any first-growth Bordeaux or Burgundy (and for a lot less).
These are dry wines, brimming with minerality and acidity, and three of the four we received are GG (Grosses Gewächs), the grand cru designation for dry German riesling. They are situated in the town of Nierstein, a charming village that is effectively the epicentre of wine in the Rheinhessen. Praised by critics and adored by riesling lovers, these are beautiful, mineral-driven wines that are delicious now and even better over time. All of their wines are certified biodynamic as well.
Villa Franciacorta Emozione Brut
$72.99
Villa Franciacorta is located in the municipality of Monticelli Brusati, in the heart of Borgo Villa (in the province of Lombardy). Since 1978, the production of Franciacorta Millesimati wine made exclusively from estate-grown grapes has been the hallmark of the philosophy of the Bianchi family and the Villa Franciacorta estate. The Villa estate covers a total of 100 hectares, of which only 38 are planted with vines, 28 of which are in a single site around the village of the same name. In 1960, the Bianchi family began work on the restoration of the medieval hamlet, which over the last few decades has been returned to its former glory. Franciacorta is effectively Italy's answer to Champagne, and can often rival the wines of that storied region. Bright golden yellow with a subtle mousse. Peach, vanilla and a hint of honeydew melon on the nose. On the palate, it has an airy mousse and a rich fruity texture, subtly salty, with a toasted almond finish. It's a blend of 80% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir, and 5% Pinot Blanc, a truly great bottle of sparkling wine.