GIANTS OF THE NEW WORLD

Transcription

1 GIANTS OF THE NEW WORLD Ag ed tre asures First r ele ases A specia l pinot noir selectio n GNDEC17 thewinesociety.com/giants

2 GIANTS OF THE NEW WORLD The new world s top producers are making more exciting and varied wines than ever, and in fine-wine terms offer superb value too. For our selection of highlights, we ve drawn on an enviable array of treasures set aside in our cellars, awaiting the right time for release. Now is that time. We ve also secured a number of new and first-release wines for you to enjoy. The results include a mouthwatering selection of limited-release mixed cases to cover all tastes and preferences, along with a spotlight on the incredible finesse and elegance being achieved with the pinot noir grape. Happy browsing! Joanna Locke MW, Sarah Knowles MW and Toby Morrhall The Society s new world buyers Please note many of these wines are in very limited supply so early ordering is recommended. All can be enjoyed now, but will benefit from decanting to reveal their true colours. CHILE Reds Chile s only constant is change, with improvements and refinements being made every time we revisit. This six-bottle snapshot of the country s world-class red credentials shows the delicious diversity now available, with the biggest and best-established names rubbing shoulders with newer finds. Argentina Outstanding reds from Susana Balbo & Mendel Susana Balbo is one of the most talented winemakers of her generation, and our close partnership has enabled us to source a number of outstanding wines, several of which are only available from The Wine Society. At Mendel, Roberto de la Mota is making a stunning selection of wines whose generosity of fruit is complemented by exceptional finesse and food-friendly structure. A mixed case of wines from both is available. Susana Balbo Chacayes Single-Vineyard Mendoza Malbec 2016 We were so wowed by this single-vineyard malbec that we asked for it to be bottled separately for us. The result of a cooler vintage in the Uco Valley, this has a beautiful floral perfume supported by both intensity and persistence on the palate. Now to % ref GN-AR bottle 155 dozen NEW Susana Balbo Private Edition Blend for The Wine Society 2016 Exquisite blend from Susana Balbo, this time made up of cabernets sauvignon and franc, whose bold blackcurrant and cedar flavours are given a touch of spice by the well-judged addition of some petit verdot. The final blend was then given ten months barrel ageing, contributing extra complexity rather than oaky flavour. Now to % ref GN-AR bottle 179 dozen De Martino Alto de Piedras Isla del Maipo Carmenère 2011 One of the first of the new style of wines from this venerable Chilean estate. This is fresher and finer than before, with less use of oak. Nevertheless, it remains a rich and concentrated red, thanks to the exceptional raw material used: a top-quality example of the carmenère grape from a well-managed mature vineyard. Now to % ref GN-CE bottle 204 dozen Concha y Toro Terrunyo Rapel Carmenère 2015 Made by one of Chile s greatest winemakers, Ignacio Recabarren, Terrunyo is a pure and generous fruit-driven carmenère of great class. A short time in French oak has rounded out the rich yet fresh fruit, with ripeness balanced by a pepper-and-spice note that cries out for good food. Now to % ref GN-CE bottle 252 dozen NEW Neyen Apalta 2012 In this warmer vintage, Neyen s blend boasts a voluptuous black-fruited palate from its 50% carmenère, planted in the 1950s, and structure and freshness from the 50% cabernet sauvignon planted in the 1890s. Matured in a range of oak casks for 20 months for greater harmony and complexity, this is a special wine. Now to % ref GN-CE bottle 348 dozen Koyle AUMA Alto Colchagua 2010 The cream of the crop at the Undurraga family s exciting project: an unusual Chilean blend of carmenère, cabernet sauvignon, malbec, syrah and petit verdot aged for a couple of years in barrel. The resulting wine is rich and dense, with a fine cedary aroma and caressing velvety texture. Now to % ref GN-CE bottle 432 dozen NEW Cono Sur Silencio Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo 2011 Extraordinarily fine, cedar-scented cabernet sauvignon from one of Chile s biggest and best. Rich yet elegant with many textures and layers of fruit, and a long, long finish. Now to % ref GN-CE bottle 744 dozen Free UK Delivery minimum purchase applies thewinesociety.com/delivery

3 Mendel Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 A fine cassis-and-cedar scented Argentine cabernet with a touch of oak. This comes from a young vineyard at Perdriel at about 1,100m altitude, which tempers the effect of this warmer vintage and brings freshness to the wine. Now to % ref GN-AR bottle 186 dozen Mendel Mendoza Malbec 2014 Mendel s wines are quite European in approach, firm and structured as opposed to the more usual soft and fruity style. This richly flavoured old-vine malbec offers unforced concentration, round, sweet tannins and delicious brambly fruit. Now to % ref GN-AR bottle 192 dozen Susana Balbo Brioso Mendoza 2014 Brioso is Susana Balbo s top Bordeaux-style blend, a mixture of cabernet sauvignon, malbec, cabernet franc and petit verdot. Matured for 15 months in new French oak, this is riper than Bordeaux, with the velvety richness of malbec noticeable in the flavour. A fine, cedar-scented red which sits at the top of its class. Now to % ref GN-AR bottle 276 dozen Mendel Unus Mendoza 2013 From a cooler year, which gives a lovely floral quality to the aroma, this blend of 60% malbec, 30% cabernet sauvignon and 10% petit verdot is concentrated yet balanced and utterly delicious. Now to % ref GN-AR bottle 300 dozen SOUTH AFRICA Boekenhoutskloof s Marc Kent, a maverick spirit, has long been a pioneering figure in the South African wine industry. He was the first to put the syrah grape on the Cape map and under his determined leadership, Boekenhoutskloof has become one of the country s leading names. We are thrilled to present this selection, albeit in limited quantities, including plus-sized bottles of the celebrated Chocolate Block, two vintages (a decade apart!) of Boekenhoutskloof s remarkable semillon and a special mixed case of rarities (). Our Cape collection also features a scintillating sauvignon blanc from Stellenbosch s Reyneke, now part of the same stable as Boekenhoutskloof, and which we couldn t resist including. Reds Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block, Swartland 2016 With garrigue-infused Swartland syrah at its heart, this is a generous blend given extra complexity by portions of grenache and cabernet sauvignon with splashes of cinsault and viognier. This celebrated red boasts fruit, spice and a smooth long flavour. Now to % ref GN-SA bottle 228 dozen Magnum of Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block, Swartland 2016 Now to ref GN-SA bottle NEW Jeroboam of Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block, Swartland 2016 Now to ref GN-SA bottle Boekenhoutskloof Syrah, Coastal 2013 Incorporating fruit from their Porseleinberg farm in the Swartland, this world-renowned syrah is rich and savoury, with beguiling floral perfume, fine-grained tannins, sweet oak flavour and fine clean-cut finish. Now to % Boekenhoutskloof Syrah, Coastal 2014 The 2014 vintage of this celebrated wine is at once heady and mineral, with lifted floral and pepper notes and long silky mouthfeel. A treat already, but it will continue to develop further complexity to % Franschhoek 2013 Elegant ageworthy cabernet from Boekenhoutskloof s wonderful old Franschhoek vineyards. With sweet blue-fruit aroma, smart oak now integrating with the fruit and complex notes of cedar and graphite, this is a delicious red. Now to % Franschhoek 2014 With its splash of homegrown cabernet franc, the 2014 vintage of this cabernet offers a gorgeous floral and black-fruit perfume with a touch of graphite and fine, silky texture, rounded by 18 months in smart new oak. Now to % Stellenbosch 2014 Boekenhoutskloof s Stellenbosch cabernet is set to be one of the Cape s finest examples of the grape. Relatively new to their range, it is an elegant, balanced and fresh wine, with blue and black fruits, and a glorious lick of spicy oak. Now to % Whites Reyneke Organic Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Stellenbosch 2015 A noble South African white made from a vineyard selection that represents a real step up in both depth and complexity from Reyneke s regular sauvignon. With greengage and citrus fruit, fine freshness, intensity, purity and length, this is a delight. Now to % ref GN-SA bottle 234 dozen Boekenhoutskloof Semillon, Franschhoek 2014 Lauded as one of the great Cape whites, this wine represents part of Franschhoek s, and South Africa s, history. From vines of up to 80 years of age, which give the wine an intense richness and concentration reminiscent of classic white Bordeaux, this opulent wine s waxy lanolin and yellow-peach aromas unfurl and seduce. Now to % ref GN-SA bottle 276 dozen Boekenhoutskloof Semillon, Franschhoek 2004 A chance to compare this aged example was too good to miss! Our original drink date (to 2010) proved overcautious for this relatively new wine at the time and, though fully mature, with more lanolin and hazelnutty flavours, it is still in fine shape, lifted by a strong backbone of acidity. Enjoy it over the next couple of years. 13% ref GN-SA bottle 312 dozen Key - bone dry to intensely sweet screwcap new vintage

4 NEW ZEALAND Whites Kevin Judd s genre-defying Greywacke Wild pushes the envelope and shows the complexity and texture New Zealand sauvignon blanc can achieve. A new vintage of Kumeu River s Auckland chardonnay is always a cause for celebration: famed for their Burgundy-beating performances in blind tastings and exceptional value, they are available here and in a special mixed case. Don t miss them! Greywacke Wild Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Think you know Marlborough sauvignon? Think again! Greywacke s Wild is fermented in oak with wild yeasts, lending it a more natural character and medium-bodied creamy palate. Bold passionfruit, asparagus, peach and melon aromas and flavours bring even greater complexity to this extraordinary wine. Now to % ref GN-NZ bottle 270 dozen Kumeu River Coddington Vineyard The fine but low-yielding 2015 vintage at Kumeu River puts an accent on peachy, apricot-like fruit notes characteristics that are particularly prevalent in the fruit from the Brajkovich family s Coddington vineyard. A mouthwatering, concentrated and supremely classy chardonnay. Now to % ref GN-NZ bottle 288 dozen Kumeu River Hunting Hill Vineyard Recognised for its distinct mineral character, especially apparent in this vintage, Hunting Hill displays chalky notes on the nose which complement the fresh apple aromas, followed by melony notes coming through on the refined palate. Now to % ref GN-NZ bottle 330 dozen Kumeu River Maté s Vineyard More concentrated than ever in the small 2015 vintage, Kumeu s flagship chardonnay is a wonderfully harmonious fine wine, balancing elegance with great depth. Its lovely aromas of toasty oak, citrus, apple, chalk and flint all continue onto the palate, with a long refined finish. Superb. Now to % ref GN-NZ bottle 384 dozen NEW WORLD PINOT NOIR The haunting ethereal beauty of fine pinot noir is matched only by the difficulty it takes to grow this notoriously finicky variety. We ve assembled some of the new world s most exciting exponents of the grape here, spanning North America, New Zealand, Australia and Canada, to show the incredible diversity, value and quality available. Norman Hardie Niagara Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2015 A very fine Canadian pinot noir from a vintage that benefited from superb harvest conditions. Though delicate and precise, this is also a very inviting wine, with fresh red-berry fruit flavours complemented by a little spice and held together beautifully by wellintegrated tannins. Now to % ref GN-CA bottle 276 dozen Dog Point Marlborough Pinot Noir 2011 This highly perfumed, stylish wine possesses a delightfully silky palate and shows just why Dog Point has become such a trailblazer for New Zealand s fine wines. The chance to try this aged example should not be missed! Enjoy it this year or next. 14% ref GN-NZ bottle 288 dozen Lemelson Thea s Selection Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2014 A perfumed, elegant and complex Oregon pinot in a strong vintage. Its aromas of leather, spice and redcurrant are joined on the palate by delicious sappy cranberry notes, fine-grained tannins and beautiful bright acidity. A fine wine that really shows what Oregon can do. Now to % ref GN-US bottle 300 dozen Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 Made only in limited quantities, this is a deeply coloured and concentrated New Zealand pinot with generous black-cherry fruit and the complexity that comes with a few years ageing. Now to % ref GN-NZ bottle 324 dozen Au Bon Climat Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir 2013 A Californian classic with glorious depth and character. This has plenty of cherry fruit and earthy spice on the nose, and a fine-grained palate of concentrated red-berry flavours. Now to % ref GN-US bottle 420 dozen Mac Forbes Woori Yallock Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2015 From the cool, south-facing Woori Yallock vineyard in Victoria, this is a remarkable, pure and refreshing pinot with pristine currant and cranberry fruit, a sprinkling of pepper and formidable finesse. We recommend you decant this wine to reveal the beauty of its true colours! Now to % ref GN-AU bottle 474 dozen Order online at thewinesociety.com/giants or call

5 AUSTRALIA Red wines: Wirra Wirra, With a history that stretches almost as far back as The Wine Society s, Wirra Wirra is one of Australia s leading names with a reputation for intense, well-crafted red wines. RSW shiraz (named after founder Robert Strangways Wigley) and Dead Ringer cabernet (originally named The Angelus before a clever name change was needed due to legal pressure from Château Angelus in Bordeaux!) are two of Australia s great reds. Buy them by the bottle, or snap up two limited-edition vertical tasting cases This full-throttle Aussie shiraz boasts intense, blackberry, bramble and black-pepper flavours. Aged in French oak for 20 months to add to the complexity and structure, the wine s very long, ripe and complex finish suggests it will age for another ten years, developing spicy leathery complexity as it does so. Now to % ref GN-AU bottle 420 dozen 2012 From a great vintage across South Australia, this wine s very focused and tight blackcurrant nose is starting to open up. Its concentrated plum, blackberry and mocha flavours are conveyed with fresh acidity, grippy tannins and the intensity of flavour that comes with such a good harvest. Now to % ref GN-AU bottle 420 dozen 2010 The 2010 RSW is a fantastic success, deep in colour and multi-layered, with ripe blackberry and mocha flavours. A near-perfect expression of the bold, powerful style of top-quality McLaren Vale shiraz. Now to % ref GN-AU bottle 420 dozen Wirra Wirra Dead Ringer McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 The Dead Ringer (formerly known as The Angelus) is Wirra Wirra s top example of McLaren Vale cabernet. Full-bodied and cassis laden, this wine has great concentration, elegance and length combined with great potential. Now to % ref GN-AU bottle 420 dozen Wirra Wirra Dead Ringer McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 The 2013 is intensely flavoured with concentrated black-fruit flavour and ripe tannins providing structure. This will continue to develop in bottle and is best decanted if enjoyed earlier in its drinking window of now to % ref GN-AU bottle 420 dozen Wirra Wirra Dead Ringer McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon was an excellent vintage here, offering classic pure cassis and notes of tomato leaf on the nose, with concentrated complex blackberry flavours and hints of cigar and coffee on the palate. Now to % ref GN-AU bottle 432 dozen See back page for 6 mixed cases To order thewinesociety.com/whiteburgundy White wines: first releases from Grosset Jeffrey Grosset s sought-after rieslings are among the world s very best examples of their kind. We have been championing his wines for many years, and were one of the very first to import his wines in the UK, and the newly arrived 2017s fully justify their international renown. Their purity, precision and class have to be tasted by every wine lover at least once! Grosset Alea Riesling 2017 Jeff Grosset considers this to be his most Germanic riesling. It comes from a narrow strip of vines planted on hard, thin red-rock soils, which produce very particular mineral flavours. The 2017 has wonderful fresh lemon and flint notes on the nose and a very linear texture that will soften with a little time. Now to % ref GN-AU bottle 240 dozen Grosset Springvale Clare Valley Riesling 2017 A vibrant and elegant Australian riesling with juicy lemon and grapefruit flavours. Mouthwatering, bone-dry and a note of green apple on the long finish. A delicious fine wine that will age gracefully too. Now to % ref GN-AU bottle 252 dozen Grosset Polish Hill Clare Valley Riesling 2017 A world-class riesling, fresh, bone-dry and concentrated with lemon-peel and flint flavours that last on the long elegant finish. A wine with real tension that will cellar excellently, although it can be enjoyed young. Now to % ref GN-AU bottle 312 dozen

6 MIXED CASES FREE UK DELIVERY WIRRA WIRRA DEAD RINGER VERTICAL TASTING CASE The Dead Ringer, formerly known as The Angelus, is one of Australia s great cabernets. This is a rare chance to own a collection of three vintages. Quick ordering is advised. A six-bottle case containing two bottles of each of the following: Wirra Wirra Dead Ringer McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Wirra Wirra Dead Ringer McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Wirra Wirra Dead Ringer McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 ref GN-MX KUMEU RIVER 2015 CHARDONNAY FIRST RELEASES CASE The Brajkovich family s stunning New Zealand chardonnays offer incomparable value for their quality, and the fine low-yielding 2015 vintage showcases their trademark mineral finesse and pristine fruit beautifully. A six-bottle case containing two bottles of each of the following: Kumeu River Coddington Vineyard Kumeu River Hunting Hill Vineyard Kumeu River Maté s Vineyard Chardonnay 2015 ref GN-MX WIRRA WIRRA RSW VERTICAL TASTING CASE The second of two unmissable tasting cases from Aussie giant Wirra Wirra, showing off three vintages of their RSW shiraz. Hurry these will sell out quickly! A six-bottle case containing two bottles of each of the following: ref GN-MX17312 NEW WORLD CLASSIC WHITES MIXED CASE Classicism and complexity await in this collection of white wines from some of the new world s very top addresses, with names including Kumeu River and Greywacke (New Zealand), Reyneke (South Africa) and Grosset (Australia). A six-bottle case containing one bottle of each of the following: Kumeu River Coddington Vineyard Kumeu River Hunting Hill Vineyard Greywacke Wild Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Reyneke Organic Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Stellenbosch 2015 Grosset Springvale Clare Valley Riesling 2017 Grosset Alea Riesling 2017 ref GN-MX BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF MIXED CASE Snap up our precious stocks of these sought-after reds from one of South Africa s leading lights. A six-bottle case containing one bottle of each of the following: Boekenhoutskloof Syrah, Coastal 2013 Boekenhoutskloof Syrah, Coastal 2014 Franschhoek 2013 Franschhoek 2014 Stellenbosch 2014 Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block, Swartland 2016 ref GN-MX17317 SUSANA BALBO & MENDEL MIXED CASE Enjoy six reds from two of Argentina s great winemakers via Susana Balbo s eponymous venture and Roberto de la Mota s glorious food-friendly Mendel bottlings. A six-bottle case containing one bottle of each of the following: Susana Balbo Chacayes Single-Vineyard Mendoza Malbec 2016 Susana Balbo Private Edition Blend for The Wine Society 2016 Susana Balbo Brioso Mendoza 2014 Mendel Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Mendel Mendoza Malbec 2014 Mendel Unus Mendoza 2013 ref GN-MX This offer is available until Sunday 21st January, 2018 while stocks last. Uncork with confidence The Wine Society is a mutual organisation, so our members satisfaction is paramount. If, for any reason, you haven t enjoyed a wine we want to hear about it and will happily offer a credit, a replacement or a refund. thewinesociety.com/promise To order thewinesociety.com/giants OF THE YEAR 2017