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Idlewild The Bee Flora and Fauna White Wine 2017Proprietor Sam Bilbro has spent virtually a lifetime around wine. His family owns Marietta, while brothers Jake and Scot are behind the reborn Limerick Lane. At Idlewild, Sam Bilbro focuses on Italian and other less well-known varieties. In addition to these wines, I also tasted the, Arneis Fox Hill Vineyard, Vin Gris Dry Creek Valley and Grenache Gris Gibson Ranch. The best wines in this range are compelling, and point to a bright future. ANTONIO GALLONI, www.vinousmedia.com
Having had a relationship with the Bilbro family as importers of the Marietta wines some years ago we were delighted to find youngest son, Sam, was behind this new venture, Idlewild. In many ways the wines are the anitpathy of what so many believe Californian wines are supposed to be. Hunting out heritage stands of Italian and Rhone varietals (mostly in Mendocino County) Bilbro makes extremely interesting wines characterised by texture, savouriness and subtlety. Skin contact is a part of the wines as is a relatively non-interventionist approach; both indicative of the preferences of the younger brigade of Calfornia producers. PWS
The 2017 White The Bee Flora & Fauna, is a classy, polished wine to drink now and over the next few years. Green pear, mint, white flowers and light tropical overtones all grace this very pretty, expressive wine. The Muscat in particular adds an attractive aromatic flair. ANTONIO GALLONI2017Arneis, Cortese, MuscatUSA362$63.00 As low as $56.70 -
Willie Smiths Pommeau de Tasmanie 18.2%Aged in small apple brandy casks for over 12 months, this rich and generous liqueur is a result of blending pressed French and British heirloom apple varieties with our apple spirit.
Complex and well-structured with baked apple and spice, balanced with firm tannins and cask influence.
Our take on the traditional aperitif from North-West France – enjoy as such or serve with blue cheese or dessert. WILLIE SMITH
NVCalvadosFrance$90.00 As low as $81.00 -
Rolet Arbois Tradition Rouge 2022A blend of 40% Poulsard, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Trousseau, the 2022 Rouge Arbois Tradition displays bright red fruits alongside spicy elements. Subtle herbaceous accents add complexity, attributable to the use of approximately 20% stems from the Pinot Noir and Trousseau during fermentation. Concentrated and savory, the 2022 is neatly framed by ripe tannins and can be enjoyed over the next four years. NICOLAS GREINACHER, Vinous2022Pinot noir, Poulsard, TrousseauFrance412$63.00 As low as $56.70 -
Von Hovel Saar Riesling Trocken 2022STAFF PICKS 2024 - MYLES THOMSON
Dry or Trocken style Rieslings from the Mosel don't get as much attention as the sweeter versions do and that is a shame. If this wine is anything to go by, I hope they are making bucket-loads more because this really floats my boat. It's all about fresh diced pear, green apple, a touch of peach and ripe citrus throughout. The palate sings with pure fruits, lemon drop and crushed white rock. Its finely shaped, zipping along buoyed by crystalline acidity that pierces the gently sweet fruits. It feels so full of life, bouncy and fresh. Love the purity of it all finishing emphatically dry but with plenty to keep you going back for more. I love the sweet stuff too, don't get me wrong, but this I could drink all day long. MYLES2022SylvanerGermany466$50.00 As low as $45.00 -
Domaine Joly Cotes du Jura Poulsard 2022Managed by Cédric Joly, Domaine Joly encompasses approximately 6.5 hectares and offers a comprehensive range of Jura wines. The reds are vinified from fully destemmed grapes and fermented with indigenous yeasts, with about 15 days of skin contact. They age for a relatively short period of six to seven months, leading to an early release. Joly explains, "When I took over from my father 30 years ago, he instilled in me the idea that it's easier to correct a wine with a little chaptalization rather than playing around with artificial acidities. That's why I'm usually the first to harvest grapes compared to neighboring vineyards.”
The 2022 Poulsard Côtes du Jura offers delicate pomegranate and red cherry alongside spicy nuances. Light-bodied and refreshing, the 2022 offers a short yet clean finish. NICHOLAS GREINACHER, Vinoous2022PoulsardFrance412$77.00 As low as $69.30 -
Weinbach Sylvaner 2022This is our second shipment of Weinbach’s Sylvaner, drawn from old vines in the Clos des Capucins. Sylvaner may have fallen down the Alsatian pecking order in recent decades, but you could hardly tell that from tasting Weinbach’s example. Old, biodynamically tended vines and low yields are just two key components to the quality and style. The fruit was pressed gently as whole clusters, then fermented with indigenous yeasts (an element of the terroir that enhances depth and complexity in the wines) in old oak vats. Sylvaner boasts relatively high acidity, which works a treat with the early-ripening, sandy and rocky terroir of Capucins. The result is a deliciously fruity, taut, salivating white with complex aromatics and plush concentration.
A biodynamic Sylvaner among thorns, the 2022 opens with golden orchard fruits, aromatic salts and a twist of savoury herbs, while the palate is packed with silky fruit and balanced by a mouth-watering spine of crystalline acidity. Impressive length, too.
2022SylvanerFrance343$84.00 As low as $75.60