St Antony Nierstein Riesling
$37.99
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.
Seghesio Roero Arneis White
$43.99
Arneis is the grape in this wine. It is a variety native to Piedmont, and raises comparisons to Chardonnay and Verdelho in style and body.
Renzo Seghesio has worn many shoes, farmer and winemaker, cartographer and former mayor of Monforte d’Alba: upon studying winemaking in Alba, Renzo has received a master's degree in biology from the University of Turin and, since returning to Monforte in the 1960s and founding his winery, his intent and focus have been dedicated to the single goal of growing and selecting the best possible fruit from the unique terroir of the family parcels.Since 1968 Renzo has gone from making his first wine in his family's garage to producing over 70,000 bottles per year from the own-grown grapes of the family estates currently spanning over 14 hectares of land
San Leonardo Gemma Rose
$38.99
Gemma di San Leonardo was created as a tribute to Gemma de Gresti, who owned the estate in the early 1900s. A woman of great courage and strong personality, who saved countless lives during the First World War. The wine is elegant yet with character and fresh. It's made from the indigenous lagrein grape. Like summer in a glass.
St Antony Hipping Riesling GG
$69.99
St. Antony, 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.
Hansel Estate Chardonnay
$44.99
In the 1970s Walter Hansel enlisted the help of his son Stephen to plant 257 Chardonnay vines. Throughout the 1980's the winery grew, as did the quality of the wine. It's still a relatively small winery but their Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs are now highly regarded and offer a Burgundian esthetic in a Sonoma setting. The Estate Chardonnay from Walter Hansel is one of the best showcases of what this winery can do with the grape. It avoids extreme oak and over-the-top flavour in exchange for balance, elegance and food-friendly compatibility.
Trossos Lo Mon Grenache Priorat
$54.99
A Kensington Wine Market exclusive. We have fallen in love with the wines from Trossos a small family winery in the Priorat region of Spain devoted to organic farming. Made from a blend of 60% Grenache, 15% Carignan,15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah, this is a gorgeous and elegant Priorat. Deep crimson red in colour, the nose offers black fruit compote together with black spices and notes of licorice. Smooth and velvety in the mouth with tannin tension for structure. The classic Priorat minerality frames the lovely black and red fruits. It finishes with long and satisfying dark fruit notes, with the aromas of sweet spices reemerging on the finish. Best food bets are rich and hearty fare like braised wild game, earthy vegetarian stews, or strong cheese.
A. Margaine Extra Brut Champagne
$106.99
The Champagnes from father-daughter duo Arnaud & Mathilde Margaine are a KWM exclusive, and they are exceptional. With vineyards based in Montagne de Reims, they specialize in Chardonnay (90%) although they also have a small plot of Pinot Noir. This small estate (7 hectares) was started by Arnaud's father (Bernard) in the 1950s and is organically farmed. The vines average 35 years of age and the Chardonnay is produced from a clone unique to the area.
Poggio al Sole Syrah
$65.99
Second-generation winemaker Johannes Davaz isn't from Tavernelle. Originally, he worked for his father in the family's Swiss vineyards and wine cellar before going to college to study enology. Years later, when the Davaz family took over the Poggio al Sole estate, Johannes (known locally as "Giovanni") undertook the responsibility of overseeing the new venture. There are not a lot of Chianti producers making syrah but when we first tasted this we wondered why. Stylistically, it's closer to the Rhone style than an Aussie shiraz. There's a great interplay of fruit and savouriness on the nose, with ripe cherry, pepper and cloves as well as a hint of violets. Structured on the palate, starts with lots of juice, ripe tannins, dancing acidity, savoury, persistent finish. Organic and vegan-friendly.
Hansel South Slope Pinot Noir
$68.99
The South and North Slope vineyards of Hansel lie in the Russian River Valley. The two vineyards face each other, side by side, but show very different characteristics despite their proximity. Here is what Stephen Hansel has to say about the South Slope and the French Clone 777 Pinot Noir planted there: "The South Slope begins at the highest elevation and the furthest South of all of our Vineyards blocks. It slopes from South to North about 45 feet and it's soils are predominantly sandy loam. The berry size is medium with a high berry count giving cluster weight that has yields approaching 2 1/4 tons/acre (our highest yields). It is 100% French clone 777, and tends to show it's earthy side far more then our other clones. Although this wine definitely has a French origin, each year it becomes more and more new world."