December Mixed Dozen 2023 - Christmas Drinking Dozen

De Chanceny loire Valley NV

Needs Note

This Soave is from the 'Classico' zone in the heart of the region, and is composed of mostly local variety Garganega, with just splash of Trebbiano. The team at Ca Erto utilise a combination of both modern and traditional techniques to coax the most out of their wines. It's all about purity of fruit and freshness here which they deliver in spades.

 Fresh cut peaches and green apple with a touch of white pepper spice lead into a bright but delicate nose. Plenty of zippy fruit darts around the palate. The palate is clean and clear, vibrant and snappy with a little green hazelnut twang on the finish. Delicious stuff and we be you will be coming back for more after you try this.

The first vintage of Village Chardonnay I tasted was from the 2002 vintage and it has been my "house Chardonnay" ever since. BOB CAMPBELL MW

If Michael Brajkovich MW were a Burgundian rather than a New Zealander, he would be among the most celebrated white winemakers in the Côte de Beaune...TIM ATKIN MW

A delicious chardonnay with a sour lemon, cooked apple and grapefruit undertone. Medium body. Tangy and fruity. Drink now. Screw cap. JAMES SUCKLING

Honestly, how does Michael do it? This is one of the best value and most consistent chardonnay releases anywhere in the world. In fact, we dare you to put forward another! It never fails to deliver a little bit of that chardonnay richness we like with beautifully handled winemaking, the perfect amount of oak and plenty of juicy deliciousness. The 2023 looks to be one of the better early releases we have seen too so get yourself a few extras before they run out.

NEEDS NOTE
 

The P & V wines are from our friend and Brugundy madman Nicolas Potel. These are the wines that epitomise the term vin-de-soif. These are absolutely gluggable, definitely chillable and straight-up delicious fair from the southern reached of France where Nicolas, via is network of winemaking legends sources fruit from top growers.

Dried cranberry, cherries, spicy plumb sauce, fresh lifted spice and demerara sugar entice on the nose. It's a mid-weight style with some fine tannins that etch the red and black fruits and spicy core. Lush and round with a gentle warmth and plush finish. Just perfect for a little beach-side BBQ.

A vibrant, crunchy blend of tempranillo, graciano and garnacha. A joy to drink with its spicy red and dark berry and plum fruits, hints of souky spice, dried citrus rind and pressed wildflowers and fine, sandy tannin base. Bright, with just the right dosage of slurpiness and lots of enjoyment in each glass. DAVE BROOKES, Halliday Wine Companion

We absolutely love what is going on at Chaffey Bros. We have always been fans of the wines and recently we tired through the whole range and were, unsurprisingly, thoroughly impressed. The Chaffey boys don't own any fruit and this works to their advantage being able to source the best old vine material and best plots gives them an edge over mother nature while allowing access to some awesome fruit. They have long-term relationships with some of the best growers throughout the region and they understand each plot as intimately as if they were growing it themselves.

This is approx. 65% Barossa tempranillo, 25% old vine Barossa grenache, and 10% graciano from Eden Valley.

Could Mark Messenger be Mr Malbec? JANE FAULKNER, James Halliday

He could be if this anything to go buy. Juniper Estate have long been a go-to value proposition and its for 2 very simple reasons; the winemaking is always spot-on and the price is laughable given the quality.

We recently tried the tempranillo along with the malbec and it was a tough, tough decision deciding which to put in here. What we liked about the Malbec was that extra depth, a little more dark fruit and a little more of a serious edge all-round that pushed it just above the tempranillo.

Lovely mulberry and broody black fruit with delicate violet florals and earthy ground spice. Forest fruits all, wild black berry, that spice mulberry again along all wrapped up in a buoyant and bouncy package. Its not simple or one dimensional either with a touch of meaty reduction and savoury, provincial herb-like profile that elevates the fruit and ads some light and dark shade to the wines. What a cracker!

It's an impressively modern affair here with state-of-the-art equipment and winemaking facilities. However, the team here is committed to making what they see as the traditional expressions of the wines of the region while embracing contemporary craftsmanship. That includes very little oak if any at all and steel tank, temperature controlled ferments to preserve freshness and vitality.
These are impressive wines that capture the warmth, heart, and soul of the region with modern styling and a nod to the many generations of quality wine producers that came before them.

Black currants, wild foresty black fruits rimmed with a hint of raspberry, thyme and dried bay. It leads in with a ripe and lush palate that gently washes through the mouth with gorgeous sweet dark fruits. It tightens up on the close with fine silty tannins and refreshing acidity. Warm and vibrant in a textbook varietal form. It captures the warmth of it southern home beautifully but never feels overblown or extracted. Everything you could want at this level and whole lot more

Moving to the 2019s, the 2019 Côtes Du Rhône offers just about everything you could want from Côtes Du Rhône and is medium-bodied and textured, with complex notes of ripe darker cherries, violets, and pepper, supple tannins, and outstanding length. While I always say you should drink these in the first 4-5 years or so, these actually are capable of evolving for at least a decade. JEB DUNNUCK

Dark ruby. Spice-accented cherry and black raspberry aromas are complemented by suggestions of pungent flowers and cola. Fleshy and energetic in the mouth, offering nicely concentrated red and blue fruit flavors that tighten up steadily with air. Shows very good energy and lift on a long, gently tannic finish that leaves behind repeating red fruit and spice notes. JEB DUNNUCK

A benchmark entry-level Côtes du Rhône from a classic Rhône Valley producer. A medium aromatic intensity of blackberries, spice, and black pepper. The palate is textured and serves the same dark fruit plus spice notes. The wine (like most Côtes du Rhônes) shines with food. DECANTER

What can we say about the Guigal CDR that hasn't already been said. Not only one of the best value southern Rhone reds around but one of the most cosistent. This one comes in the big sizes so are you getting even more bang for your buck. A steal!