Welcome to The Society s Putting on an Exhibition tasting.

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Juliet Collins
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1 Welcome to The Society s Putting on an Exhibition tasting. Our Exhibition Range represents the jewel in the crown of Society-label wines. They are the flagship wines upon which we readily stake our reputation for quality and value for money. In the words of Society buyer Marcel Orford-Williams, the wines chosen for the Exhibition range must always be better than just good ; Exhibition wines should be benchmark examples of their style, region or variety. The eminence of this range is the result of long and fruitful relationships with some of the world s finest growers. Society buyers spend a great deal of time choosing these wines and they are heavily involved in the selection and often blending processes. The Society s reputation and standing is such that top producers are often willing to open their cellars for us to select and blend a range of outstanding wines for The Society s exclusive use. The Society s sweetness code: White wines from bone dry [1] to lusciously sweet [9] = sparkling wine = white wine = red wine = fortified wine S = screwcap closure 1. [2] The Society s Exhibition English Sparkling Wine 2013 Ridgeview New to The Society this English sparkling wine from Ridgeview is a blend of the three main Champagne varieties: chardonnay (59%), pinot noir (27%) and pinot meunier (14%). The wine is light gold in colour, with a fine, persistent mousse. The clean, crisp pear and white-peach aromas are balanced by gentle honey notes with the dominant chardonnay grape providing elegance and finesse. Drink now until % ref SG bottle 240 dozen 2. [1] The Society s Exhibition Grüner Veltliner 2014 Willi Bründlmayer Made by famed winemaker Willi Bründlmayer for The Society, this Austrian white blends grapes from both terraced vineyards and some lower-placed more fertile sites, producing an expressive and complex wine. Great minerality, fresh lemon perfume and typical white-pepper notes combine to create a copybook grüner with an intensely fresh finish. Drink now to % S ref AA bottle 150 dozen Grüner veltliner is Austria s most planted grape variety comprising one third of the country s total vineyard area. When yields are high the resulting wines are crisp, fresh and inoffensive, but in the best sites, in the hands of the best growers, grüner can be concentrated, ageworthy and full-bodied, with peppery, mineral and citrusy flavours.

2 3. [2] The Society s Exhibition Alsace Riesling 2013 Domaine Josmeyer This is Alsace riesling at its best: full-flavoured, mineral and fully dry with no oak influence. The palate has a steely, citrusy character and a delicate floral touch. Persistent and with a real aptitude for food, this comes from Josmeyer s biodynamically farmed vines between the villages of Wintzenheim and Turckheim. Drink now until % ref AL bottle 150 dozen With its steely minerality, riesling is often described as the King of Grapes in Alsace. Here it is the most widely planted variety with a total of 3,382 hectares under vine in Riesling from Alsace has the same combination of fine fruit and high acidity as is found in Germany, but Alsace riesling has typically been vinified dry, so it tends to be fuller-bodied than its German counterpart. The last of all the varieties grown in the area to ripen, riesling is capable of sustained ripening even through spells of cooler autumnal weather and consequently can make exceptional late-harvest wines. It is an excellent medium for communicating the variations of terroir, be it limestone, granite or marl soils, coupled with the altitude and expositions of the sites. 4. [2] The Society s Exhibition Tasmanian Chardonnay 2014 Freycinet The 2014 vintage in Tasmania will be much sought after, with many producing high-quality wines in low quantities. Due to the fantastic quality of the 2014 vintage Freycinet have reduced the amount of oak used compared to The result is a beautiful peach-scented, apple-flavoured wine, with the usual Tasmanian fresh acidity holding firm in this complex, generous wine. Drink now until % S ref AU bottle 155 dozen Chardonnay is arguably the most versatile of all the white wine grapes. Having no dominant flavour of its own it can take on a wide array of aromas depending on where it is grown and how it is made. Grown in the cool climate of Chablis, on the local kimmeridgean clay-limestone soils, the best examples are steely and precise with marked acidity. Elsewhere in Burgundy and the rest of the world chardonnay has an extra level of ripeness with flavours ranging from melon and tropical fruit to ripe apples. 5. [2] The Society s Exhibition Chablis Premier Cru Montmains 2014 Jean-Marc Brocard Montmains is a premier cru vineyard that occupies a south-east-facing slope just south of Chablis itself. This stood out in a tasting of six premiers crus, showing wonderful concentration of flavour and pretty aromas of white peach, and so was selected for our Exhibition label. The low yields of 2012 ripened slowly in a cool season and the wines have ripeness balanced with a refreshing seam of taut acidity. Drink now to % ref BU bottle 216 dozen 6. [2] The Society s Exhibition Pouilly-Fuissé 2013 Château de Beauregard We were delighted to work with Frédéric Burrier of Château de Beauregard to produce this Exhibition Pouilly-Fuissé. It is 100% barrel-fermented chardonnay from the Mâconnais in southern Burgundy, aged for a year in oak barrels. A blend of three wines, 62% of which are from Pouilly and 38% from Fuissé, it is rich and generous, but with enough grip and freshness to support the ripe fruit. Drink now to % ref BU bottle 222 dozen

3 Pouilly-Fuissé is located in the Mâconnais district of Burgundy. An area restricted to the chardonnay grape, it includes roughly 900ha in the communes of Fuissé, Solutré (which includes Pouilly), Vergisson, and Chaintré. The wines are full-bodied and ripe with the richest grapes coming from Fuissé and Solutré, whilst those of Vergisson and Chaintré are a little lighter but more elegant. Normally bottled after a year s barrel maturation, they are capable of ageing well thereafter. 7. [2] The Society s Exhibition Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Hunter s Wines Made exclusively for The Wine Society by Jane Hunter OBE, this wine has the classic intense gooseberry, passionfruit and lemon aromas associated with Marlborough sauvignon. However, it also has great elegance on the palate with mineral notes developing. Drink now until % S ref NZ bottle 131 dozen 8. [3] The Society s Exhibition Alsace Gewurztraminer 2011 Hugel et Fils Hugel is one of the best-known Alsace houses with a reputation for excellence going back to the 17th century, having been growing grapes in Riquewihr since Their gewurztraminers have splendid fruit and the body to match the scented perfume of this spicy grape. Their 2011 is slightly richer and fuller than the 2010 with touches of peach and lychee and a very long, dry finish. Drink now to % ref AL bottle 155 dozen Gewürz is the German word for spice, and it aptly describes the wine with its intensely aromatic, spicy nose reminiscent of lychees. The grape s skin has a slightly pink hue which imparts colour to the wine, and wines made from gewurztraminer tend to be low in acidity and high in alcohol. Gewurztraminer makes an excellent match with strong French cheeses and is often served with the pungent Munster cheese. Sweeter styles of gewurztraminer can work well with white chocolate. 9. [2] The Society s Exhibition Hermitage Blanc 2011 Jean-Louis Chave This northern Rhône white wine is a fabulous example of one of the most distinctive and distinguished wine styles in the world. Chave are the masters of white Hermitage and this foodfriendly blend of marsanne and roussanne offers a bewitching combination of almonds, honey and rich citrus flavours, united with bright acidity and a long finish. A unique joy. Drink now and decant an hour in advance, or lay down and enjoy for many years to come. Drink now until % ref RH bottle 420 dozen Hermitage is the most famous of the northern Rhône appellations, producing very limited quantities of extremely long-lived and fine red and white wines. The wines all come from 132 hectares of especially well-favoured vines on the south facing, steep hill of Hermitage. A bank of heat-retaining granite, covered with extremely varied topsoils help to ripen the grapes perfectly. The reds are made from syrah and the whites from marsanne or sometimes from the less common roussanne.

4 10. The Society s Exhibition Fleurie 2013 Les Vins Aujoux Fleurie was wonderful in This blend by The Society s Marcel Orford-Williams merges wines from three top estates including an element from the famed sunbaked slope of the aptly named Grille-Midi. Absolutely textbook Fleurie: fragrant, sensuous, abundantly fruity with hints of strawberry and lots of charm. Drink now to % ref BJ bottle 107 dozen Prettily named, the wines of Fleurie are a delight to the senses: fragrant, floral, silky and charming. Vineyards closest to Morgon or Moulin-à-Vent are fuller-flavoured while those around the village itself are often more floral. Vineyard names, or climats, are much in use. Some of the best ones are Poncié, la Roilette, Chapelle des Bois and Clos des Moriers. The best known is probably La Madonne with its little chapel perched above the village. 11. The Society s Exhibition Saint-Aubin Rouge 2013 Domaine Henri Prudhon The Prudhon family have deep wine roots in the tiny community of Saint-Aubin, a well-situated village behind Le Montrachet and becoming increasingly recognised for the quality of its wines. It is here they make this pretty, black and red-cherry-scented pinot with a light body, sweet ripe tannins and just a kiss of oak. Drink now to % ref BU bottle 131 dozen 12. The Society s Exhibition Single-Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir, 2013 Prophet s Rock/Paul Pujol Prophet s Rock is a tiny, quality-focused producer in Central Otago on New Zealand s south island. Their pinot noir is grown in an area called Bendigo, a fast-expanding sub-region, where the warmer, drier climate produces a fuller, more structured style of pinot. This is a fine, pretty and aromatic pinot with generous red plum, redcurrant and sweet spice perfume. The texture is supple and round, the tannins silky and the finish incredibly moreish. Textbook Central Otago pinot. Drink now to % S ref NZ bottle 167 dozen Pinot noir is early ripening so only cooler regions have a long enough growing season to produce interesting wines. In its youth, wines made from pinot have cherry and raspberry fruit, and perhaps savoury, dried herb notes. As it ages, pinot takes on truffle and earthy forest-floor complexity. However at whatever stage in its maturity wines made from pinot noir should be soft, fruity and charming. 13. The Society s Exhibition Chianti Classico 2012 Poggiopiano Owned by the Bartoli family since 1993, Poggiopiano is situated in the countryside overlooking San Casciano Val di Pesa, in the province of Florence. Their 2012 vintage was a small crop for them but the quality is exceptional. The result is a fragrant, full and perfectly balanced example of Chianti Classico. Full of ripe fruit and abundant charm this is a great success. Drink now to % ref IT bottle 131 dozen

5 Sangiovese is the principal vine variety for fine red wine in Tuscany. The sole grape permitted for Brunello di Montalcino, Sangiovese is also the base of the blend for Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and the vast majority of Supertuscans. This late-ripening, fussy grape variety can range in flavour from mulberries and prunes to tobacco and chestnuts, with a style leaning more towards savoury than sweet. 14. The Society s Exhibition Pomerol 2011 J P Moueix Pomerol conjures up images of tiny properties, exquisite wines and stellar prices, although it has never been officially classified. Here, on the right bank of the Gironde, the two Ms Moueix and merlot reign supreme, working together to deliver a supple, red-fruit flavoured claret with subtle, underlying oak. Drink now until % ref CS bottle 204 dozen Pomerol is a small but distinctive wine region located close to the town of Libourne. The area is famous for producing opulent, velvety and glamorous red wines dominated by the merlot grape. Viticulture was much abandoned during the 100 Years War and the vineyards were not reestablished until the 15th and 16th centuries. Up until the late 19th century Pomerol was just seen as a satellite of the far larger and, at the time, more famous Saint-Émilion until its reputation started to grow and it became the well-known region it is today. 15. The Society s Exhibition Napa Valley Merlot 2012 Frog s Leap Crafted exclusively for us by Frog s Leap winemaker John Williams, this expresses the purity and class of California s Napa Valley. A full-bodied but fresh wine, with a complex red-fruit and spice perfume, vibrant red fruits on the palate with leather, cigar and vanilla developing on the finish. Drink now until % ref US bottle 179 dozen Napa Valley is California s most famous wine region. An arc stretching from the cool San Francisco bay to the much warmer western shoulder of Mount Helena, Napa Valley is roughly 40 miles from end to end. The region has a huge diversity of exposures, climates and soils which have led to several sub AVAs (American Viticultural Area) such as Howell Mountain, Oakville and Rutherford being created within the main AVA of Napa Valley. 16. The Society s Exhibition Rioja Reserva 2008 La Rioja Alta Our Exhibition Rioja is elegant, cedary and silky. It is made in the traditional style aged for five years before release by the famous La Rioja Alta bodega, whose wines are known for their finesse as well as depth of flavour. The 2008 is imbued with vibrancy and charm, typical of this cooler vintage. Decant before serving. Drink now until % ref SP bottle 155 dozen

6 Traditional Riojas were defined by maturation and blending, therefore the Consejo Regulador stipulates more stringent ageing criteria than the national authorities. Viña joven requires no ageing in oak, crianza and reserva must spend at least a year in oak barrels, with crianza then having to spend a further year in bottle, and reserva a further two years before release. Gran reserva must be aged for two years in oak and a further three years in bottle before release. 17. The Society s Exhibition Mendoza Malbec 2013 Catena Zapata The 2013 is a complex blend from five different vineyards (Agrelo, Gualtallary, Vista Flores, Eugenio Bustos and Altamira) matured for 18 months in oak barrels, 85% French and 15% American. This Argentine malbec is ripe yet fresh, with the structure coming from the Agrelo vineyard and the fleshy fruit and violet perfume contributed from the Uco valley vineyards. Drink now until % ref AR bottle 119 dozen Malbec, or cot as it is referred to in some places, originates from Cahors in France but its greatest expression is shown in Argentina. Although still grown widely throughout France its sensitivity to coulure (the failure to ripen due to poor weather) means that malbec prefers the warmer climes of South America where it produces deeply coloured, intensely flavoured wines with hints of black fruit, game and, on occasions, violets. 18. The Society s Exhibition Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011 Vignobles Mayard Having tasted through all of the Mayard family s foudres, we made up a blend which would provide enjoyment as a young wine while at the same time maintaining good potential for ageing. Grenache provides the base but there is also some fragrant syrah and cinsault. The result is a rich, dark, fullbodied Châteauneuf that is both balanced and beautifully rounded with the accent on finesse and elegance rather than power. Drink now until % ref RH bottle 210 dozen Situated between Avignon and Orange, Châteauneuf-du-Pape has a total vineyard area of 3,200 hectares. Thirteen red grape varieties are traditionally approved, but grenache forms the majority, along with syrah and mouvèdre which give the wines their colour, structure, aromas of summer fruits and, with age, their complexity. 19. [4] The Society s Exhibition Mature Medium Dry Oloroso Blend Sánchez Romate An intensely flavoured, dry oloroso where years of barrel ageing have concentrated the flavour and added layers of complexity. The entire maturation process takes place in the presence of oxygen and the result is a wine with a distinctly nutty aroma and dark amber colour. We think this is one of the best value wines in our range. Drink this year and next. 20.5% S ref SH bottle 138 dozen

7 20. The Society s Exhibition Tawny Port, 10 Years Old Fladgate Partnership (Fonseca) Delicate brick-red in colour with lovely sweet, nutty flavours on the palate that resonate with the creamy blueness of Stilton. This Tawny port is matured in cask, here on average for 10 years, before bottling in Produced for us by chief winemaker David Guimaraens, it is ideal served chilled as an aperitif, perhaps drunk after a meal, or to savour over a long evening. Drink this year. 20% ref PN bottle 204 dozen Aged tawny is port that has been left to mature in wooden casks for six or more years, where it starts to take on a tawny colour and a soft, silky character as the phenolics are polymerised. The terms 10, 20, 30 and Over 40 years old that are shown on the label are an approximation as tawny ports are blended from the produce of a number of years. The grapes used in tawny port are of the highest quality and are typically grapes set aside in undeclared years which might have otherwise ended up as vintage port.

Welcome to The Society s Putting on an Exhibition tasting.

Welcome to The Society s Putting on an Exhibition tasting. Our Exhibition range represents the jewel in the crown of Society-label wines. They are the flagship wines upon which we readily stake our reputation