David Porter's Wine List
At this time of year I find my self reaching to the wine-rack for something red and juicy. Of course there is always a moment when I just want some White and I love pure, bright wines full of energy and vim. The ludicrously joyful wines from Manni Nossing are often opened, and the chiselled bright Chenin Blanc from Tim Hillock in South Africa's Swartland, has fast become a go-to as it always hits the spot. Virginie Moreau at Moreau Naudet in Chablis makes such a winning village wine - I like to always have this on hand too. Fresh but wonderfully textured a wine for all occasions.
I can always find a reason to open some bubbles, surely the perfect start to an evening whether celebrating or not. Roger Coulon's remarkably well priced 'Heri Hodie' is mostly Pinot Meunier fine and bright but with real depth and power too. Clever stuff and dangerously drinkable or our newest signing the fabulous English Sparkler from the chalky slopes of the Test Valley in Hampshire Black Chalk is another house favourite.
For reds at this time of year Italy often jumps out, I relish the bright fruit and delicate lick of acidity you often find in Tuscan reds which keeps the wine incredibly moreish and these wines just work so well with food. Bordeaux too always takes up a good stretch of the wine rack at home. When you find a good quality Claret - that does not break the bank - yet still offers the poise and cut of sophistication possible in Bordeaux, it's a rare joy. Old friend Chateau Montaiguillon is unbelievably charming and yet has a really refined claret-like feel.
Yet variety is key and so these mainstays are peppered with bottles from all corners of the world like the magic Pinot Noir Willamette Valley from the lovely team at Illahe Vineyards in Oregon. Or Jayden Ong's stunning The Hermit Syrah - a gentle doffing of his hat to the famous wines of Hermitage. This is pure joy in a glass at this time of year.
Beaujolais too is just such a versatile joy - Here we have a raft of incredibly well-crafted wines, soft and generous - yet with a sophistication you would be paying at least twice the price for if they were made just an hour further north, in Burgundy. These offer guilt-free drinking and real plesure.
2020 CHÂTEAU MONTAIGUILLON Montagne Saint Emilion
Right Bank Bordeaux France 14.5% Red
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot.
Simply delicious Bordeaux from the talented young Mathieu Ternault. A recent visit reminded us of the immense quality of the work he is doing here at this well placed family estate. As we stood in front of the winery loo...(read more)
L&S
2022 KERNER Manni Nössing
Alto Adige Italy 13.5% White
Kerner.
Manni Nossing's is one of Italy's most talented winemakers - crafting precise, limpid wines that are so satisfying it is hard to resist. Pure mountain wines that express their high alpine roots in the Valle Isarco of the...(read more)
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2022 LA DULA Garnachas de Altura Sierra de Toloño
Rioja Alavesa Rioja Spain 14% Red
Garnacha.
This is only the fifth vintage of La Dula, but it has already established itself among the best Garnachas in Rioja. Featuring what Sandra Bravo calls "white wine acidity", this hails from vineyards over 600 met...(read more)
Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com
2021 MOULIN A VENT Vignes du Tremblay Domaine Paul Janin et Fils
Beaujolais France 13% Red
Gamay. Certified Organic
Tremblay is the original Lieu-dit at the heart of Moulin a Vent, here the Janin family bought a handful of parcels in the 1930s. Recently renamed Les Burdelines the family cling to this special historic name. With vines...(read more)
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2022 CHENIN BLANC La Cosmica Swartland Tim Hillock
South Africa 13% White
Chenin Blanc.
This year Tim's sensational Chenin has a new name as he felt it was lacking some personality - and he wanted it to make more sense alongside his Paradiso Syrah - Cosmica is from the Spanish for The Cosmos and refers to t...(read more)
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2022 CHABLIS Domaine Moreau-Naudet
Chablis Burgundy France 12.5% White
Chardonnay.
Lovely ripe nose, great tension too. Salinity on the palate, but great roundness to the fruit, but all kept in check by the great driving acidity. Warmth of the vintage evident, but not too much at all – the verve and te...(read more)
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2022 PINOT NOIR Willamette Valley Illahe Vineyards
Oregon USA 14% Red
Pinot Noir.
The Willamette Valley cuvée from Illahe is their 'calling card' wine and one we simply cannot get enough of! They bolster their own estate fruit with some extra parcels that they carefully select in the neighbourh...(read more)
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2022 ROSSO DI MONTALCINO Ginestreto Fuligni
Tuscany Italy 14% Red
Sangiovese Grosso.
Lovely aromatic lift, spice, red fruit, good deep fleshy woodland fruit, some nice sinew, tobacco, grip, but brisk acid gives balance. Shapely tannins frame the palate with some lovely succulence.
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2019 MARSANNAY Champs Perdrix Domaine Derey Frères
Côte d'Or Burgundy France 14% Red
Pinot Noir. Practising Organic
Transparent crimson. Really quite a rich nose with real structure and fruit in the middle. Reminds me of Gypsy Cream biscuits which probably don’t exist any more – or have certainly been renamed. Long, subtle and, in the...(read more)
Jancis Robinson OBE MW
2018 THE HERMIT Syrah Yarra Valley Jayden Ong
Yarra Valley Victoria Australia 13.5% Red
Syrah.
Great Syrah nose. 'Rhoney' for sure as it jumps out of the glass. A gorgeous fine line of saline savour. Palate is more supple and open. Well-ripened small black berries. Nice lift and flow. Touch of spicy grip on the fi...(read more)
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2021 BLACK CHALK Classic
English Sparkling Wine United Kingdom 12% White
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier.
The Classic Cuvee is always vintage led, never an NV. For Jacob and Zoe, it's all about the fruit profile of the vintage, first and foremost. The 2021 Classic is the result of a rather tricky vintage, where Pinot perform...(read more)
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HERI HODIE Brut 1er Cru Champagne Roger Coulon NV
Champagne France 12% White
Pinot Meunier. Certified Organic
£53.50 £47.50 by the bottle£49.95 £42.95 in a case of 6*
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