(2023) A rosé made from Zweigelt, this pours a relatively deep cherry-pink, the nose appetising and fresh, crisp citrus and raspberry scents. Plenty of juicy and sweet red fruits, but fine and quite dry on the palate, a certain lusciousness here, but swept along with fine natural acidity. There is fullness here, with texture and presence, but luminosity too. Very nice.
(2023) From clay loam soils, fruit is gently pressed then racked to both French oak casks and stainless tanks. Toast, vanilla and spices on the nose, a touch of flintiness and cool apple fruit. In the mouth this has a fat lemony fruit and acidity, more of that toasty character and a full texture. It stays relatively lean, just hinting at a peachiness on the mid-palate.
(2022) Garnacha Blanca, from a highly regarded small estate run by passionate academic, Miguel Pérez Cerrada. The colour and aroma suggests some sensitive oak ageing, a sheen of almond and oatmeal over pristine stone fruits. The palate has wonderful ripeness and a depth of juicy, succulent fruit, the texture quite rich and mouthfilling, the acid balance gently saline and citrussy into a long finish. Most impressive.
(2022) Selected, hand-harvested Tempranillo is aged mainly in 300-litre French oak, with a small percentage of high quality American oak, medium toast. It spends at least 12 months in barrel. Plenty of vanilla and red fruit on the nose, strawbery-soft with some juicy bramble character too. In the mouth medium bodied, some clove-like, spicy oak adds seasoning to the red fruit. Smooth and well balanced, and drinks well.
(2020) Yes, a very nicely pitched Viognier here from Calmel & Joseph's Languedoc range called 'Villa Blanche'. With 13% alcohol it has avoided the tendency of this variety to become a little blowsy if left to ripen to 14% or 14.5%, and yet it is ripe and fruit-filled. Peach and orange dominate the nose, open, inviting aromas, touched with almond, then masses of sweet apricot and nectarine fruit as it strikes the palate. There is a good core of citrus around which this more lush fruit is draped, giving the wine good balance through to the finish. Could work nicely with Chinese or Thai cuisine.
(2016) With 10g/l of dosage as opposed to the Extra Brut's 14g/l, a difference in sweetness is barely discernable. This is again crisp and delicately floral in tone, perhaps a touch of custardy creaminess, but the fresh, lively palate has a similar elegant raciness and dry finish.
