France
-
Vilmart Ratafia de Champagne 500mlSTAFF PICKS 2024 - KAYLEEN REYNOLDS
Easily the best Ratafia I have ever tasted. Yes, the sample size is not large but it comes as no surprise knowing Vilmart's track record of making fine wines. Ratafia de Champenois AKA Champagne's vin de liqueur.
100% chardonnay from premier cru sites in village Rilly-la-Montagne of Montagne de Reims. Fermentation is stopped before completion by adding young grape spirit resulting in a sweet, full-flavoured wine that is delicate and oh so elegant. A must have for the festive season alongside Nan's pavlova or a stinky wash rind cheese. (serve chilled)
Candied apricots, lemon curd and cashew nut, instantly we know we are onto a great thing here! On tasting, we see wild honey on buttered toast with orange peel and white nectarine, all laced around stoney minerality. The impeccable balance of flavour intensity, residual sugar and grape spirit is remarkable. Persistent length is matched with refreshment. Finesse through and through. KAYLEEN REYNOLDS, pws
The 2013 Ratafia (Chardonnay) is laced with hints of dried fruit, almond, dried flowers and chamomile. It offers gorgeous complexity, along with notable energy and freshness. It is a very fine, elegant Ratafia. ANTONIO GALLONI
NVchardonnayFrance376$90.00 As low as $81.00 -
-
Rene Mure Clos St Landelin Vorberg Grand Cru Riesling SGN 2016 500mlBright straw. Deep, refined aromas of peach, nectarine, lemon jelly and tangerine jam, complicated by spicy botrytis. Rich, dense and juicy, this luscious beauty has a remarkable light-on-its-feet quality; the very pure orchard fruit, smoky and honeyed flavors are neatly extended on the long, suave, concentrated finish by lively, harmonious acidity. Knockout SGN from an estate with a long history of excellence (96) IAN D’AGATA, Vinous Media
An exotic fruit extravaganza! Luscious and seductive. This remains totally straight, all thanks to the vibrant acidity and the purity of the flavors. Right through the very long clean finish. Delicious now, but this wine will develop magnificently over at least a quarter of a century. (98) SRUART PIGOTT, jamessuckling.com
2016RieslingFrance343$190.00 As low as $171.00