Ophelia Hirst's Wine List
The sun is finally starting to come out and the temperature rising (though it doesn't always feel like it) and I certainly have a Spring in my step! To celebrate this move away from the cold winter months, nothing gets the pulse racing like a glass of Blanc de Blancs, this one from Franck Bonville, and an absolute steal at this price.
Nothing screams 'Spring' like freshly bottled Petit Chablis, and the Moreau-Naudet example is one of my personal favourites. Fresh and zesty and vibrant, this is exceptional in 2022. I've also become slightly obsessed (or rather, re-obsessed!) with the wines from Deiss - these are wacky, zany, esoteric Alsatian field blends that really make you appreciate this rich terrior. Unusual, sure, but awesome.
For reds, I've fallen for the wines from the Northern Rhone, especially tasting the different expressions of St Joseph. Lionnet make one of my favourite styles; right from the very south of the appellation, elegant and rich all at the same time. There's also a call for lighter reds such as Alain Coudert's famed Fleurie Clos de la Roilette, capable of ageing gracefully but equally stunning slightly chilled at cellar temperature today. Spring also heralds the latest vintage of Chianti from Poggerino, and the 2022 is as good a release as Piero has ever made. And for a cheeky Pinot Noir, I need look no further than the Moya Meaker made by our friend Jean Smit - classic silky New World pinot with a delicious bite.
Ophelia Hirst, Buyer
2018 A DOS MANOS Garnacha A Pie de Tierra
Méntrida Cariñena Spain 14% Red
Garnacha.
This was tasted after trawling through many a Gredos Garnacha when last in Madrid, and this little unassuming wine stole the show. The very charming Aitor and winemaker David are making ethereal styles of Garnacha from t...(read more)
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2022 EIDOS DE PADRINAN Albariño Adega dos Eidos
Rías Baixas Spain 13% White
Albariño.
Beautifully textured and deliciously tangy, this is always such a brilliant version of one of Spain's most famous white varieties. White flowers, mediterranean herbs, citrus and peach abound, the palate has lovely weight...(read more)
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2022 FLEURIE Clos de La Roilette
Beaujolais France 13.5% Red
Gamay.
Brisk and bright, some weight to the nose in an immediate supple Fleurie style, lovely spice behind which gives energy to the wine. Stylish, long, poised. To bottle in April 2023.
Jasper Morris - Inside Burgundy
2022 CHIANTI CLASSICO Poggerino
Tuscany Italy 14.5% Red
Sangiovese. Certified Organic
Radda. 100% Sangiovese. Certified organic. Deep, lustrous ruby. Brooding nose of harnessed concentration. Poised yet concentrated palate with a big dollop of almost Barolo-like tannins. Very long, complex, aromatic and t...(read more)
Walter Speller, www.jancisrobinson.com
2021 MOYA MEAKER Pinot Noir Elgin
Elgin South Africa 13% Red
Pinot Noir.
A charmingly ripe, red fruited Pinot from Elgin. Moya Meaker's five blocks of Pinot Noir are stretched across a single south-facing slope basking in the warm South African sun. Elegance is maintained from cooler summer d...(read more)
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2022 ALSACE Complantation Domaine Marcel Deiss
Alsace France 13.5% White
Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc. Bio-dynamic, Certified Organic
2022 PETIT CHABLIS Domaine Moreau-Naudet
Chablis Burgundy France 12.5% White
Chardonnay.
Tank sample, not yet fined.
Very pretty nose, great concentration of fruit. Lovely and appetising.
2020 SAINT JOSEPH Terres Neuves Domaine Lionnet
Northern Rhône Rhône France 14% Red
Syrah.
Dark but not opaque purple-edged colour. Dark, sweet blueberry nose, initially sweet supple first touch, juicy and sapid with just a little tannic astringency giving a mouthwatering freshness despite the considerable den...(read more)
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FRANCK BONVILLE Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru Champagne Franck Bonville NV
Champagne France 12.5% White
Chardonnay.
70% 2017, with 30% reserve wines (20% 2015). This fine dry Blanc de Blancs keeps all the airiness of the classic Cote des Blanc villages (it's made from Oger and Avize), while having a rounded mid-palate thanks to the ge...(read more)
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