This month's hosts were Julie and Jerry who (it turns out) went for an uplifting theme of hopefully named wines...
Phoenix
Wroxeter Vineyard
A fascinating new variety of English grape, pale in colour with hints of lime offers an amazing array of fruits, which leap from the glass. With gooseberry, mango, vanilla and citrus all adding to rich and complexity of fruits. The promise of the aroma is delivered on the palate with a balance and depth of flavour on this off dry white wine that is unique to Wroxeter. Best served chilled.
ABV 11.5%
Estate grown and bottled at Wroxeter
Bought directly from the vineyard for £11.95
Dawn Star
Sauvignon Blanc 2018
It’s a little known fact, but New Zealand is always first to greet a new day. The skies above the Marlborough vineyards are split by sunlight, the vines craning to meet the rays. It’s time for the grapes to get to work. They steal a march on the rest of the planet – every single morning.
Across the globe, and throughout the ages, the desire to recognise the dawn has been a constant. This is our celebration of that first dawn, and the blazing golden star we call our own. With bright tropical flavours, a fulsome ripe guava and passionfruit backdrop – the legacy of the sun’s rise. Perfect, just as it is setting
ABV 13%
Bought from Majestic in late December 2020 for £7.99 (but no longer available online)
93% of 275 would buy it again
Cape of Good Hope
Chenin Blanc 2017
Anthonij Rupert Wyne
The Cape of Good Hope Chenin Blanc pays tribute to Swartland's ancient soils and is made from 32-year-old vines. It's made from hand-picked grapes, partially aged in French oak and stirred on lees for eight months. This creates a complex, textured wine with notes of stone fruit, melon, kiwi and creamy spice.
ABV 13.5%
Bought from Majestic in late December 2020 for £16.99
100% of 1 would buy it again!
The Comeback King
Merlot 2019
This big, all-spice, velvety Merlot is from an estate in Robertson in South Africa’s Western Cape. It's named after Jacobus de Wet, son of the founder of the property (in 1859) and great grandfather of its current owner, Peter de Wet. Jacobus always had a very positive attitude – whenever he encountered a setback he just picked himself up and started again. His biggest financial hiccup was ostrich feathers – his thriving business, supplying plumage to milliners, collapsed due to the advent of cars and streamlined hats. Luckily he'd kept up the estate’s prime vineyards, so niftily turned his focus to winemaking instead. Nowadays, not only do the de Wets make great wine, but they also support many community projects. A top choice with lamb.
Tasting notes
Velvety, ripe black fruit with a good helping of warm spice
Aroma
Warm, ripe, black plum, damson and spice ABV 14.5%
Bought from Laithwaites for £9.39 (mixed case rate)
Shot in the Dark
Cabernet Shiraz 2019
When ripened by the Aussie sunshine, cassis laden Cabernet and rich, spicy Shiraz make the perfect partnership. Shot in the Dark, from John Quarisa’s family winery in New South Wales, is the perfect example of this style. Easy going, but with plenty of substance, it’s as good sipped solo as it is with food. It’s the type of red John longed to make while crafting wine for some of the biggest names in Australia. Today, with the help of his wife Josephine and his three children, he creates winners like this. ‘Passion is Everything’ is the family motto, and already, despite its fledgling status, their winery boasts four stars from Aussie wine guru James Halliday. Supple and fruit laden, this red is tasty on its own and versatile with food.
Tasting notes
Cracked pepper and bramble fruits; subtle mocha and fine tannins
Aroma
Summer berries, bramble fruit and hints of eucalyptus ABV 14%
Bought from Laithwaites for £9.39 (mixed case rate)
House of Fun
Shiraz Malbec 2020
Shiraz and Malbec are grapes we normally associate with Australia and Argentina. House of Fun shows just how delicious they are when grown in Cape sunshine. It’s from the Gabb family, whose 20 hectare farm, Mount Rozier, is named after Annie Rozier, a flower merchant who in the 19th century harvested flowers growing on the hills surrounding Stellenbosch. Though her business flourished, these hills have long been planted with vines. On the Schapenberg slopes above Somerset West, near Cape Town, Mount Rozier enjoys commanding views, undulating slopes, varied soils and an idyllic microclimate. It’s a natural amphitheatre in which to produce world class wines. Some are all elegance and finesse, others like this are packed full of fruit and fun.
Tasting notes
Fresh and lively flavours of cherry and berries. Nice balance
Aroma
Dark cherry, blueberry, blackberry and spice ABV 13.5%
Bought from Laithwaites for £9.39 (mixed case rate)