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.
Marie Courtin Efflorescence Brut 2019
$144.99
A Kensington Wine Market exclusive! The champagnes from Marie-Courtin are truly something special. An ultra-fine, elegant style with amazing freshness. Delicate and racy, yet absolutely unique in style thanks in part to biodynamic viticulture. All her grapes are grown in a single plot of 2.5 hectares, which is also the total size of the domain that Dominique Moreau founded in 2000. Because all her wines come from a single vineyard, she has decided to emphasize the differences in champagnes through vinification. There are wines matured in barrique, amphorae, enamel tanks and one without sulfur. All come from the 2.5 hectares of single vineyard on the Kimmeridge marl soil of the Soden, on the Côte des Bar. Winemaker Dominique Moreau, who named the estate after her grandmother, is a master of purism. Her champagnes are delicate and elegant, yet with underlying power and a high degree of drinking pleasure.
Brut Efflorescence (100% Pinot Noir) is at first rather cool and inward, then explodes on the palate with great intensity. It is a fabulous wine endowed with tons of persistence and sheer energy. The aromas and flavors build towards the rich, generous finish.
Bulliat Beaujolais Village
$29.99
The father-son team of Noël and Loïc Bulliat is currently in charge of the family estate. Loïc is the seventh generation to operate the domaine. There have been many changes with the acquisition of parcels since its creation in 1780, with vineyards now covering over almost 28 hectares distributed over eight appellations, including five “crus”, Morgon, Fleurie, Chénas, Chiroubles, and Moulin à Vent. Concern for the environment, respect for nature and the desire to express the terroir led the domaine towards the conversion to organic viticulture in 2010.
"Simple, delicious, uncomplicated...carefree Beaujolais wines that I would happily polish off over dinner," according to Robert Parker's Wine Advocate! That's the cool thing about Beaujolais wines — they're well-made, well-priced and very easy to drink. Drink this one now alongside a roast chicken and a baguette.
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.
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.
Bulliat Morgon
$36.99
Noël Bulliat and his son Loïc run this family estate that covers 27 ha in 8 different crus in the heart of the Beaujolais region. It began in 1978 when Noël bought 4 ha of Beaujolais Villages straight after graduating from viticultural school. The grapes are hand-picked and fermented with the whole clusters intact. Morgon is arguably the most important of the Beaujolais crus (there are 10 in total) and - along with Moulin-A-Vent- the most powerful in terms of concentration of fruit. The grapes undergo a cold maceration to preserve aromatic profile before being moved to cement tanks for semi-carbonic maceration, lasting 10 to 12 days using indigenous yeasts. They are certified organic and offer bright, expressive notes of red berries, minerality, subtle spice and lively acidity to tie it all together. Try it with duck or roast chicken.
Poggio al Sole Chianti Casasilia
$84.99
From a prized single vineyard at high elevation, Casasilia (the estate's original name) is the winery’s most structured and age-worthy wine. 100% Sangiovese, aged in large oak casks for 18 months, it shows layered aromas of dark cherry, fennel seed, tobacco leaf, with a hint of Tuscan underbrush. It's deep, refined, and savoury Chianti Classico Gran Sezelione, ideal for the cellar, but drinkable now with a good decant. Pair with bistecca alla Fiorentina, slow-cooked lamb, or spaghetti with fresh truffles. We have some magnums and 3-litre bottles as well, ideal for the cellar. The 2021 vintage is widely considered as one of the best ever in Chianti.
Lamadrid SV Cabernet Sauvignon
$24.99
A Kensington Wine Market exclusive! This Argentine favourite, from the famous Mendoza wine-growing region, is made by the Durigutti brothers. Unfined, unfiltered and, according to Barnivore, vegan-friendly. Look for a deep purple red colour- spicy to the nose with clove, fresh berries, plum and raspberry notes. It shows a soft palate with a long and persistent finish. As far as food pairings go, go for food with richness; Grilled Alberta Beef, Wild Boar, hearty stews and lamb chops.
Best Buy, Wine Enthusiast (’22)
91 Points,
James Suckling (’18, ’19, ’20 & ’22) Agrelo is historically known for it's Malbec, but is becoming more and more renowned for world-class Cabs. Juicy blackberry flavors with hints of tobacco and red pepper.
Burgos Porta Mas Sinen Clos
$65.99
This aromatic red bursts out of the glass with a big bouquet of aromas that includes black licorice, tea, campfire smoke and black fruits. On the palate, it's all cassis, black fruits and spice, with firm but ripe and well-integrated tannins. It spends its time 90% French and 10% American oak barrels and will continue to improve for another 8 -10 years.