Experience the best of both worlds with this exceptional selection of premium white wines from France and New Zealand. This 6-pack showcases the refined elegance of French winemaking alongside the vibrant, fresh expressions of New Zealand's top vineyards. From crisp, mineral-driven Chardonnays to aromatic and lively Sauvignon Blancs, each bottle embodies the unique character of its origin. Perfect for wine enthusiasts seeking variety and sophistication, this collection offers a delightful journey through two of the world's most celebrated wine regions.
1 x Nanny Goat Cross Breed (Organic) 2022 - Central Otago, New Zealand
91/100 Bob Campbell, The Real Review
Bronze - Bob Campbell, The Real Review (2021 vintage) 93/100 Bob Campbell, The Real Review (2019 vintage) Bronze - New Zealand Wine Rater (2019 vintage)
Organic
Bob Campbell, The Real Review "A field blend of gewürztraminer, pinot gris and riesling co-fermented on the skins to produce a wine with a blush of colour. Gewürztraminer dominates, giving the wine a strong floral/lychee character together with other tree fruit flavours. Intriguing wine with an off-dry finish.
Bob Campbell, The Real Review "Pinot gris, gewürztraminer and sauvignon blanc co-fermented on the grape skins. A blush of colour from skin contact with toffee, floral and spice flavours supported by peppery tannins and gentle acidity." (2021 vintage)
Bob Campbell, The Real Review "A field blend of co-fermented gewürztraminer 63%, pinot gris 32% and chardonnay 3%. Pale orange wine, with a mix of floral and fruit flavours. An attractive dry wine with appealing purity (2019 vintage)
New Zealand Wine Rater "Bright red potato-skin, copper hue. Intensely aro matic with notes of apricot, Turkish delight, lavender and complex sulphides. Dry, and lean with taut acidity. Has plenty of merit and moderate tannins but could do with a bit more concentration." (2019 vintage)
54% Gewürztraminer, 30% Pinot Gris,16% Muscat
Organic wines are made from grapes grown without pesticides, following strict organic standards. Organic wines are produced in vineyards that do not use synthetic chemicals. Certified organic wines have been certified by BioGro Organic certification in New Zealand.
Highly awarded and acclaimed, wine-maker Alan Peters-Oswald is a specialist premium pinot noir maker. The Central Otago wine region is the world's southern-most commercial wine-growing region, and famous for its Pinot Noir. It differs from all other New Zealand wine areas in that it is inland, in the foothills of the Southern Alps. The level of sunlight is very high, something that accounts for the high levels of alcohol that are often found in Central Otago wines.
Nestled within a timeless and sensual landscape, Nanny Goat Estate Vineyard sits between 270m and 290m above sea level spread across two ancient, North East facing terraces. This is a region of climatic extremes with typically very hot summers, short autumns and bitterly cold winter days. Challenging conditions for producing world-class cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Successive periods of glaciation and recession, followed by erosion by Mata Au / Clutha River have shaped the Nanny Goat Estate landscape by creating distinct terraces of alluvial soils that are pastiche of loess, gravel, schist and mineral quartz. Generations of farming and the associated cultivation of lucerne and other feed crops have added organic matter to the wind blowen loessial topsoil providing us with a nice balance between vine vigor and free draining attributes.
1 x Dog Point Chardonnay 2020 ~ Marlborough, New Zealand
96/100 & 5 Stars Bob Campbell MW 95/100 James Suckling 94/100 Cameron Douglas 94/100 Gary Walsh 93/100 Vinous Bronze - CellarTracker 93/100 Wine Spectator (2018 vintage) Bronze - CellarTracker (2018 vintage) 93/100 Tom Cannavan (2017 vintage) 18/20 Vinum Wine Magazine (2017 vintage) 91/100 Wine Spectator (2016 vintage) 17/20 Vinum Wine Magazine (2016 vintage) 95/100 The Wine Front (2015 vintage) 93/100 Robert Parker (2015 vintage) 93/100 Tim Atkin (2015 vintage) 92/100 Wines & Spirits (2015 vintage) 92/100 Jasper Morris - Inside Burgndy (2015 vintage) 91/100 Decanter (2015 vintage)
5 Stars - Michael Coopers
Organic
Bob Campbell MW "Seductive chardonnay with white peach, citrus, grapefruit, oyster-shell and subtle spicy oak underpinned by delicious acidity. Intense wine with a lengthy finish."
James Suckling "Smoke, hay, dried mango, preserved lemon and buttered toast on the nose. Full-bodied with sharp acidity and a phenolic texture. Tight, concentrated and long."
Michael Cooper "This classy wine is estate-grown and hand-harvested on the south side of the Wairau Valley, fermented and matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (10 per cent new in 2019), and given a full, softening malolactic fermentation. The 2019 vintage is bright, light yellow/green, with a fragrant bouquet. Full-bodied, it is still very fresh and youthful, with concentrated, ripe stonefruit flavours, hints of toast and butterscotch, lively acidity, and impressive vigour and length. Certified organic."
Gary Walsh, The Wine Front "Intense sort of Chardonnay here, kind of like sticking your head out of a car window while driving at 110 km/h, which I’m sure is also the sort of thing that a dog would love too. Plenty of struck match, pink grapefruit, oatmeal and bran, BBQ chicken, guava and spice. And more, but that’ll do for now. Tight and tangy, but also bold and packed with flavour, biscuit oak, a mix of ripe lime and stone fruit, flint and funk, and a mouth-watering finish of excellent length and energy. Really very good."
Cameron Douglas MS "Alluring scents of ripe citrus and apple, peach, quince and a touch of golden kiwifruit followed by spices and mild toasty barrel layers, vanilla and raw sugar then a gun-flint soil complexity. On the palate – youthful and vibrant with layers of barrel spice and wood underpinning flavours of stone fruit and citrus reflecting the bouquet. Fine wood tannins, medium+ acidity, knocking on the door of full-bodied and a satin texture showcases both this wines deliciousness now, potential for cellaring and readiness for food."
Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous "The 2019 Dog Point is one hell of a mouthful of a Chardonnay with its full-bodied, concentrated, vanilla-infused core, offering density and richness of white stone fruit and oak-derived grilled nut and bacon flavors. It would be difficult to call this wine subtle, but what it lacks in demureness, it makes up for in impressiveness. Hailing from Marlborough, its volume is kept in check by natural acidity, creating a fine, precise and lengthy finish."
Tasting Note "Dog Point Chardonnay 2019 is a very young aromatic white. On the nose there are smoky notes, hay, dried mango and lemon. The palate is crisp and tight. Concentrated and long, with strong (but very pleasant) citrus. Full-bodied."
Oz Wine Review 2019 “Part of the secret to this label’s success is the Dog Point Vineyard itself, which is one of the oldest privately owned vineyards in Marlborough. Planted by Ivan and Margaret Sutherland back in the late 1970s, it remains not only the backbone of the Dog Point label but also a key source of fruit for a whole swathe of premium Marlborough producers.”
Robert Parker "...Zesty and refreshing, with a long, mouthwatering finish, this is a compelling example of Marlborough Chardonnay....The 2015 Chardonnay is a smoky, toasty, medium to full-bodied effort marked by a terrific acid line. That grapefruit note provides the backbone over which riper notions of white peach, toasted hazelnut and pineapple rest. " (2015 vintage)
Wines & Spirits "What’s great about this wine is its ability to maintain its size and scope without the flavors becoming overbearing. From vines planted in 1981, this wine ferments in French oak (15 percent new), and integrates the wood notes into the fruit seamlessly. It’s a full-bodied wine that moves well, with notes of chamomile, ripe lemon and raw hazelnuts tethered to breezy acidity. It has lively energy and will cellar well for up to five years." (2015 vintage)
Tim Atkin "Not as well known as the Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc releases, but every bit as good in my opinion, this is frequently among my favourite South Island chardonnays. Toasty, savoury and enticing, it has citrus and beeswax notes supported by fresh, palate cleansing acidity and a nutty finish." (2015 vintage)
Tina Gellie "When Cloudy Bay was bought by LVMH, viticulturalist Ivan Sutherland and oenologist James Healy left to start Dog Point. Aromas of white peach an grapefruit with a firm citrus backbone, balanced by buttery oak. Intensely flavoured white to enjoy with fish." (2015 vintage)
Decanter "Aromas of white peach and grapefruit with a firm citrus backbone, balanced by buttery oak. Intensely flavoured white to enjoy with fish." (2015 vintage)
The Real Review "Dog Point Vineyard, one of Marlborough’s brightest stars." (2015 vintage)
Organic wines are made from grapes grown without pesticides, following strict organic standards. Organic wines are produced in vineyards that do not use synthetic chemicals.Certified organic wines have been certified by Biogro New Zealand.
Dog Point is one of New Zealand's most loved wineries formed by famous Cloudy Bay's wineries former viticulturalist and winemaker Ivan Sutherland and James Healy. Some years ago they decided to go out on their own creating Dog Point. Dog Point vineyards are some of the earliest vineyards to be planted in Marlborough and have some of the oldest vines in the region. Dog Point is named for the sheep-herding history of the area.
Organic philosophies drive Dog Point's approach to wine growing and in March 2012, 150 hectares of Vineyards were certified organic by BioGro New Zealand, with another 60 hectares certified as C1 (2 years in conversion). A flock of around 2,000 sheep including Romney, Perendale Cross and Merino Wiltshire Cross are grazed in the winter to keep the grass low and fertilise as they go.
1 x Château d’Estoublon ‘Roseblood’ Blanc 2022 - Provence, France
New launch! Owned by former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and his Supermodel & singer-songwriter wife, Carla Bruni, and Jean-Guillaume Prats of Château Lafite fame.
92/100 James Suckling
Decanter "Château d’Estoublon has a long winemaking history, and is today owned by some of France’s big names, including Jean-Guillaume Prats of Château Lafite fame, and former President and First Lady Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni.
James Suckling "Notes of sliced apples and pears with lemon peel and acacia. Medium-bodied with vivid acidity and a juicy core of lemon pith. Minerally and fresh. "
Winemaker "Bright yellow color. Lively nose of citrus fruits and fresh zest, very airy. The attack is precise, very fresh with aromas of passion fruit. A finale that stretches thanks to controlled tension. Ideal to accompany an aperitif, an oyster basket, a sea bream ceviche."
Rolle and Grenache blanc Alcohol: 12.50%
Roseblood is the iconic celebrity wine brand of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, his wife, model-turned First lady, Carla Bruni, and Jean-Guillaume Prats of Château Lafite fame.
Roseblood wines are produced at the famous Château d'Estoublon, a prestigious winery nestled in the heart of Provence, France. Château d'Estoublon was established in 1489 and embodies the best of French elegance, a legacy of wine-making excellence, and the essence of Provence's terroir and heritage.
Château d'Estoublon wines benefit from the South of France's unique microclimate and limestone-rich soils, imparting wines with unparalleled depth and complexity. From the sun-kissed slopes to the cool, mistral-kissed valleys, each parcel of land contributes to the harmonious symphony of flavors found in every bottle.
Château d'Estoublon combines traditional winemaking and contemporary techniques to create wines of exceptional quality and character. From hand-harvesting the estate grapes, to its comittment to sustainability, and organic agriculture, the estate is currently converting to biodynamics.
Provence is a wine region in the far southeastern corner of France best known for the quality of its rosé wines and for its warm, mild climate. The vineyards of Provence cover an area of France's south-eastern coastline that measures roughly 200 kilometres from east to west. In this definitively Mediterranean climate – no Provencal vineyard is more than 55km (25 miles) from the Mediterranean – the vines enjoy around 3000 sunshine hours per year.
1 x Man O' War Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2023 - Waiheke Island, New Zealand
90/100 New Zealand Wine Rater (2021 vintage) 93/100 New Zealand Wine Rater (2020 vintage) 93/100 Bob Campbell (2018 vintage) 16+/20 Raymond Chan (2017 vintage) Bronze - Rober Parker, Wine Advocate (2016 vintage)
Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards (2016 vintage) Silver - Global Sauvignon Blanc Master (2016 vintage)
New Zealand Wine Rater "An intensely aromatic and wildly herbal nose, with edamame, broad beans, fennel, and fire ember notes. Quite European in style on the palate... vinous, dry and textural with stone sucking acidity and some lees richness. A distinctive style that is sure to find fans, especially with food." (2021 vinatge)
New Zealand Wine Rater "A lush, rich, intense, voluminous style of Sauvigno n. Pronounced aroma of ripe citrus, white peach, rock melon combined with more herbal characters and crushed green peas. A dry, concentrated, weighty wine that speaks of different picking dates and the balance of different ripeness levels. Well done." (2020 vinatge)
Raymond Chan "...The mouthfeel is fresh with crisp, lacy acidity and the wine flows along a soft-textured line leading to a moderately lingering, mouthwatering finish. This is a cool-spectrum fruited Sauvignon Blanc with surprisingly soft care and line with balanced acid zestiness...The nose is very fresh with intense and penetrating aromas of grass, nettles, stalky elements and fresh herbs. This is very cool-spectrum in expression. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is elegant and slender in proportion with a gently concentrated core of gooseberries, fresh herbs, nettles, cut-grass and stalky notes." (2017 vintage)
Bob Campbell "A fruit-focused Bordeaux-style sauvignon blanc...gains added complexity from a blend of 5% Semillon." (2017 vintage)
Rober Parker, Wine Advocate "A small portion (12%) of the 2016 Sauvignon Blanc went into barrel, which has given this wine a pleasantly creamy mid-palate and silky texture. There's a bit of a green streak to the aromas and flavors, hinting at beans or asparagus, but that's mostly balanced by citrus and stone fruit notes." (2016 vintage)
Decanter Wine Awards "Lovely concentration and depth of vanilla, nut, lime, apple and spice flavours. A memorable wine with decent acidity and weight. Lengthy finish with a pinch of spice." (2016 vintage)
Sam Kim "Handpicked from their estate vineyard, the wine was blended with a small amount of Semillon for added complexity. The beautifully fragrant bouquet shows grapefruit, green apple, lemongrass and stone fruit characters. It is vibrant and brightly flavoured on the palate, and displays fine texture and lovely focus, brilliantly structured by crisp acidity." (2016 vintage)
Bob Campbell "Appealing purity and a perfect balance of tangy acidity that helps drive a lengthy finish"
The Winemaker "Stylish and restrained with herbaceous aromas intertwined with fresh mint, lemongrass and sea spray. Focused and light with a nice hint of texture from the barrel to balance the fresh acidity and vibrancy of fruit that the variety is known for. As with all our fruit, the sauvignon blanc is hand-harvested before being gently whole bunched pressed.."
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate "Man O’ War is without a doubt one of New Zealand’s greatest wineries in the making and one to watch."
Jancis Robinson “Waiheke Island, home to one of the country’s best Syrah producers Man O’ War…New Zealand is second only to the Rhône in the consistency of quality it achieves.”
Raymond Chan "Man O’ War is arguably Waiheke Island’s most significant wine producer.."
Man O'War Vineyards is a leading New Zealand wine producer on Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf. It is known for its consistently high-quality range of wines made from grape varieties like Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Each small parcel of vines is carefully tended and harvested by hand, then vinified separately, fusing classic Old World techniques with innovative New World ideas.
Waiheke Island is a wine-producing region just 18km east of Auckland city. This hilly island is home to a healthy population of hippies and artists, as well as some of Auckland's most famous vineyards. Waiheke Island's specialty is elegant Bordeaux Blend wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but Syrah and Chardonnay are also important grape varieties planted here.
The Sauvignon Blanc taste is one of the most identifiable in the world of white wines for a few reasons. First, it always has crisp, high acidity. Second, it has a chemical compound called pyrazine which gives grassy, herbal or bell pepper flavors. When grown in cooler climates or picked early, the herbaceous green character is most prominent. In warmer climates or allowed to hang longer on the vine, the pyrazine character diminishes in favor of riper fruit flavors ranging from grapefruit, to passion fruit and guava.
1 x Hudelot-Baillet Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits Blanc 2022 - Burgundy, France
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "Aromas of peach, pear and orange oil introduce the 2018 Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Blanc, a medium-bodied, pretty and perfumed wine that's lively, pure and delicate. It will drink well in the near term." (2018 viintage)
Winemaker "Intense yellow color. Brioche, slightly floral aromas. A well-balanced wine with great complexity"
100% Chardonnay
Domaine HUDELOT-BAILLET is located in CHAMBOLLE-MUSIGNY, a small village in the heart of the Côte de Nuits, not far from the famous Clos Vougeot and midway between Gevrey-Chambertin and Nuits-Saint-Georges in Burgundy.
A rare white crafted by one of Chambolle-Musigny's artisanal domaines, this Bourgogne white is from a higher classification than a typical Bourgogne Blanc. Dominique's Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Blanc comes from 0.84 hectares spread across three parcels located in the Hautes-Côtes above Chambolle in an area called Vergy. The wine kicks off fermentation in tank but finishes in barrel where it continues to age for around 12 months. Around 15% of the total volume is aged in new barrels.
Domaine Hudelot-Baillet is a true Chambolle-Musigny producer with cellars in the town as well as holdings entirely within the appellation. The domaine was created in 1981 by Joël Hudelot (inherited largely from his father Paul) and his wife Chantal Baillet. Joël retired in 2004 and passed along the reins to his son-in-law Dominique Le Guen, who had been working with him at the domaine since 1998. The viticultural philosophy at Hudelot-Baillet is organic though the domaine is not technically certified. The fruit is 100% destemmed, and the new oak program averages 30% for the villages wines, 40% for the premiers and 50% for the Bonnes Mares. The wines are given 12 to 18 months before being bottled, generally without fining or filtration. Hudelot describes his intended style as one of finesse, succinctly explaining that "all of my appellations are in Chambolle and finesse is what we do best."
The domaine produces wines that are typical of their appellations (Chambolle-Musigny and Bonnes Mares Grand Cru). They work the vineyards in a sustainable manner, which requires very close surveillance. Ploughing is carried out methodically to avoid the need for weed killer and to restore the micro-organic richness to the earth. Harvesting is carried out by hand and the grapes are sorted and selected in the pursuit of optimum quality.
1 x Chateau Marjosse Pierre Lurton Cuvee Palombre White 2020 - Bordeaux, France
92/100 James Suckling 93/100 James Sucking (2019 vintage) 92/100 Jean Marc Quarin (2019 vintage) 90/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (2019 vintage) 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson (2019 vintage)
Owned by one of the world's most famous winemakers, Pierre Lurton - president of two of Bordeaux's best-known chateaux, the Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) owned Château Cheval Blanc and Château d’Yquem.
James Suckling, ''..I like the density and concentration, with a delicious creaminess undercut by herb and spice...Almonds, fennel, yoghurt, grapefruit and pear skins on the nose, with some cloves and white pepper.''
Jancis Robinson "Cuvée Palombe, a startlingly rich white based on 45- to 70-year-old vines named after a pigeon. The blend is a third each of Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and the more perfumed Sauvignon Gris but seems to me to be dominated by the lovely beeswax and lanolin flavours of fully ripe Sémillon, a grape variety more often encountered in sweet white bordeaux. I originally tasted the wine at room temperature when it seemed almost fat, until a nice cooling breeze of Sauvignon Blanc blew across my palate on the finish. The wine benefited from being restored to the cellar before I tasted it a second time, when it was, again, such a welcome and characterful contrast to the technically perfect Sauvignon-dominated style that has become typical of Bordeaux Blanc." (2019 vintage)
James Suckling, "..Focused and elegant...A medium-to full-bodied white with complex aromas of dried lime, apricot, green mango, flint and toast. It’s textured and creamy with crisp acidity and flinty, subtly smoky layers." (2019 vintage)
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider "Flowers, lemon rind, spearmint and honeysuckle notes are all over the place. Fresh, forward, fruity and with a creamy, yellow, citrus rind finish, with just a drizzle of honey, you can enjoy this on release." (2019 vintage)
Château Marjosse is owned by French 'wine royalty', Pierre Lurton - president of two of Bordeaux’s best-known châteaux; the Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) owned, Château Cheval Blanc and Château d’Yquem, Château Marjosse. Pierre Lurton comes from two of the great Bordeaux families. His father Dominique was the youngest son of the paterfamilias François Lurton; his uncle André Lurton who founded the eponymous wine company; his many cousins run châteaux from Pauillac to Pomerol. His mother is from the famous Lafite family.
The influential Club Enologique asserts that Pierre is the most accomplished wine personality of his famous family. Trained as a doctor but swapping his studies for wine making after four years. At 23 he took over Clos Fourtet in St Emilion, one of the fine Lurton properties, and in 1991 he was appointed head of Château Cheval Blanc (it was bought by Bernard Arnault of LVMH in 1998); in 1999 he took on Château d’Yquem, which had just been added to the Arnault portfolio.
Club Enologique describes Pierre Lurton as having the world’s most corporate wine job. "However he divides his time between two of the world’s most exalted wine properties, but comes down to earth in Entre-deux-Mers, the leafy, unpretentious appellation to the east of Bordeaux at Château Marjosse."
The Château Marjosse estate is located in Entre-deux-Mers, on the right bank of Bordeaux. Initially owned by the wine merchant Bernard Chénier, Château Marjosse was acquired by the Deleuze family, who, in 1990, gave some plots to Pierre Lurton to rent. In 1992, Pierre Lurton, who grew up in Château Reynier, neighbour to this magnificent Chartreuse, moved to a second home in Château Marjosse and, over successive years became the owner of the entire vineyard, as well as the Chartreuse in 2013.
Decanter "Since Lurton bought Château Marjosse in 1994, the estate has improved beyond recognition. Pierre's father, Dominique Lurton, also made over a further 30ha so that, under the Château Marjosse label, Lurton now exploits 42ha of vineyard, six hectares of white and 36ha of Bordeaux red – a total of 300,000 bottles a year. Pierre insists his wine is Bordeaux and not Bordeaux Supérieur because ‘my wine is only supérieur in the bottle’. His objectives are ambitious. As the quality of the terroir with clay-limestone soil is similar to some of the better areas in Saint-Emilion, he hopes to prove that wines from this area can rival those from more prestigious regions."
Sommeliers International "At Château Marjosse the land possesses yet another specific feature, known locally as “la Boulbène”, a silty-clayey texture that has developed on ancient alluvions. The fertility of these soils no longer needs to be proved, because, by chance, they are also found in Saint-Emilion, a terroir that is extremely familiar to the man who manages “Cheval Blanc” …. Pierre Lurton. Assisted in this transformation by Consultant-Oenologist Pascal Poussevin, whose recommendations range from vine growing to wine-making, Pierre Lurton’s estate has now reached its cruising speed … Beyond the fabulous adventures he experiences in his role as manager of Châteaux d’Yquem, Cheval Blanc, as well as estates in South Africa, Latin America and in Australia … it is undoubtedly with “the salt of this land here in the Entre-deux-Mers” that his years of quest for perfection will be revealed. It is clear that this region needs winegrowers of such calibre, those who possess a sixth sense and, using techniques that almost resemble intentional alchemy, transform the grapes they touch into wines that exude the unique character of a specific area."
The Entre-deux-Mers region, nicknamed by wine experts as “Little Tuscany”, is unique and jealously protected by its inhabitants. "There are fifteen appellations that constitute the Entre-deux-Mers. The most well-known of them all, reputed for its dry, lively white wines, is certainly the one which bears the name of this region! The Entre-deux-Mers cultivates a certain speciality in producing white wines, due to its basic geological assets, possessing gravelly-limestone soils, upon which Sémillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle and even Ugni Blanc grape varieties are planted. But the variety of soils and sub-soils associated with such a complex landscape provides a diversity of terroirs … These are favourable for producing red wines, that are regrettably not sufficiently well-known, but highly prized for the complexity of their aromas, their deep, vivid colour, as well as the concentration and elegance of their tannins." Sommeliers International.
Bordeaux, in the southwest of France, needs little introduction as one of the world's most famous, prestigious and prolific wine regions. Its three trump cards are diversity, quality and quantity. The majority of Bordeaux wines (nearly 90 percent of production volume) are the dry, medium- and full-bodied red Bordeaux Blends that established its reputation. The finest (and most expensive) of these come from the great châteaux of the Haut-Médoc and the Right Bank appellations Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. The legendary reds are complemented by high-quality white wines, both dry styles (particularly from Pessac-Léognan) and the sweet, botrytized nectars of Sauternes.
Sauvignon Gris is a pink-berried mutation of the Sauvignon Blanc grape. It most likely originated around Bordeaux, but has found itself quite at home in Chile. Sauvignon Gris is thinly scattered across other parts of the wine world, including Uruguay, New Zealand, the United States and Switzerland.
Its popularity among growers was historically severely limited by its low yields; in France in 2009 there were (officially) only 463 hectares (1144 acres) of vines. However plantings may be on the increase, in the Loire, in Bordeaux to add body to Sauvignon Blanc, and elsewhere around the world. While the clone is not legally permitted in some Loire appellations – such as Sancerre – it is generally agreed that Sauvignon Gris vines are present in a good number of vineyards in such zones.
Sauvignon Gris is less aromatic than its Sauvignon Blanc sibling, but certainly capable of producing interesting wines. Wines produced from Sauvignon Gris tend to be richer and more voluptuous in texture than Sauvignon Blanc, with ripe fruit flavors of mango and melon as well as citrus notes. The wines are usually dry and tend to have some of the herbaceous notes so typical of the Sauvignon family. The type of color mutation seen in Sauvignon Gris is a naturally occurring phenomenon and reasonably common. For example, Roter Riesling is a pink-skinned mutation of Riesling, Chardonnay Rosé is a mutation of Chardonnay and Pinot Gris is a light-berried variant of Pinot Noir. Sauvignon Gris is also often blended with Sauvignon Blanc, including examples where the former is a minor (usually uncredited) component of New World varietal Sauvignon Blanc wines.
The Sauvignon Blanc taste is one of the most identifiable in the world of white wines for a few reasons. First, it always has crisp, high acidity. Second, it has a chemical compound called pyrazine which gives grassy, herbal or bell pepper flavors. When grown in cooler climates or picked early, the herbaceous green character is most prominent. In warmer climates or allowed to hang longer on the vine, the pyrazine character diminishes in favor of riper fruit flavors ranging from grapefruit, to passion fruit and guava.
Sémillon is one of the wine world's unsung heroes. The gold-skinned grape produces France's most famous and revered sweet wines, notably Sauternes, and some of the greatest dry white wines of Australia - particulary those in the Hunter Valley.
Experience the best of both worlds with this exceptional selection of premium white wines from France and New Zealand. This 6-pack showcases the refined elegance of French winemaking alongside the vibrant, fresh expressions of New Zealand's top vineyards. From crisp, mineral-driven Chardonnays to aromatic and lively Sauvignon Blancs, each bottle embodies the unique character of its origin. Perfect for wine enthusiasts seeking variety and sophistication, this collection offers a delightful journey through two of the world's most celebrated wine regions.
1 x Nanny Goat Cross Breed (Organic) 2022 - Central Otago, New Zealand
91/100 Bob Campbell, The Real Review
Bronze - Bob Campbell, The Real Review (2021 vintage) 93/100 Bob Campbell, The Real Review (2019 vintage) Bronze - New Zealand Wine Rater (2019 vintage)
Organic
Bob Campbell, The Real Review "A field blend of gewürztraminer, pinot gris and riesling co-fermented on the skins to produce a wine with a blush of colour. Gewürztraminer dominates, giving the wine a strong floral/lychee character together with other tree fruit flavours. Intriguing wine with an off-dry finish.
Bob Campbell, The Real Review "Pinot gris, gewürztraminer and sauvignon blanc co-fermented on the grape skins. A blush of colour from skin contact with toffee, floral and spice flavours supported by peppery tannins and gentle acidity." (2021 vintage)
Bob Campbell, The Real Review "A field blend of co-fermented gewürztraminer 63%, pinot gris 32% and chardonnay 3%. Pale orange wine, with a mix of floral and fruit flavours. An attractive dry wine with appealing purity (2019 vintage)
New Zealand Wine Rater "Bright red potato-skin, copper hue. Intensely aro matic with notes of apricot, Turkish delight, lavender and complex sulphides. Dry, and lean with taut acidity. Has plenty of merit and moderate tannins but could do with a bit more concentration." (2019 vintage)
54% Gewürztraminer, 30% Pinot Gris,16% Muscat
Organic wines are made from grapes grown without pesticides, following strict organic standards. Organic wines are produced in vineyards that do not use synthetic chemicals. Certified organic wines have been certified by BioGro Organic certification in New Zealand.
Highly awarded and acclaimed, wine-maker Alan Peters-Oswald is a specialist premium pinot noir maker. The Central Otago wine region is the world's southern-most commercial wine-growing region, and famous for its Pinot Noir. It differs from all other New Zealand wine areas in that it is inland, in the foothills of the Southern Alps. The level of sunlight is very high, something that accounts for the high levels of alcohol that are often found in Central Otago wines.
Nestled within a timeless and sensual landscape, Nanny Goat Estate Vineyard sits between 270m and 290m above sea level spread across two ancient, North East facing terraces. This is a region of climatic extremes with typically very hot summers, short autumns and bitterly cold winter days. Challenging conditions for producing world-class cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Successive periods of glaciation and recession, followed by erosion by Mata Au / Clutha River have shaped the Nanny Goat Estate landscape by creating distinct terraces of alluvial soils that are pastiche of loess, gravel, schist and mineral quartz. Generations of farming and the associated cultivation of lucerne and other feed crops have added organic matter to the wind blowen loessial topsoil providing us with a nice balance between vine vigor and free draining attributes.
1 x Dog Point Chardonnay 2020 ~ Marlborough, New Zealand
96/100 & 5 Stars Bob Campbell MW 95/100 James Suckling 94/100 Cameron Douglas 94/100 Gary Walsh 93/100 Vinous Bronze - CellarTracker 93/100 Wine Spectator (2018 vintage) Bronze - CellarTracker (2018 vintage) 93/100 Tom Cannavan (2017 vintage) 18/20 Vinum Wine Magazine (2017 vintage) 91/100 Wine Spectator (2016 vintage) 17/20 Vinum Wine Magazine (2016 vintage) 95/100 The Wine Front (2015 vintage) 93/100 Robert Parker (2015 vintage) 93/100 Tim Atkin (2015 vintage) 92/100 Wines & Spirits (2015 vintage) 92/100 Jasper Morris - Inside Burgndy (2015 vintage) 91/100 Decanter (2015 vintage)
5 Stars - Michael Coopers
Organic
Bob Campbell MW "Seductive chardonnay with white peach, citrus, grapefruit, oyster-shell and subtle spicy oak underpinned by delicious acidity. Intense wine with a lengthy finish."
James Suckling "Smoke, hay, dried mango, preserved lemon and buttered toast on the nose. Full-bodied with sharp acidity and a phenolic texture. Tight, concentrated and long."
Michael Cooper "This classy wine is estate-grown and hand-harvested on the south side of the Wairau Valley, fermented and matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (10 per cent new in 2019), and given a full, softening malolactic fermentation. The 2019 vintage is bright, light yellow/green, with a fragrant bouquet. Full-bodied, it is still very fresh and youthful, with concentrated, ripe stonefruit flavours, hints of toast and butterscotch, lively acidity, and impressive vigour and length. Certified organic."
Gary Walsh, The Wine Front "Intense sort of Chardonnay here, kind of like sticking your head out of a car window while driving at 110 km/h, which I’m sure is also the sort of thing that a dog would love too. Plenty of struck match, pink grapefruit, oatmeal and bran, BBQ chicken, guava and spice. And more, but that’ll do for now. Tight and tangy, but also bold and packed with flavour, biscuit oak, a mix of ripe lime and stone fruit, flint and funk, and a mouth-watering finish of excellent length and energy. Really very good."
Cameron Douglas MS "Alluring scents of ripe citrus and apple, peach, quince and a touch of golden kiwifruit followed by spices and mild toasty barrel layers, vanilla and raw sugar then a gun-flint soil complexity. On the palate – youthful and vibrant with layers of barrel spice and wood underpinning flavours of stone fruit and citrus reflecting the bouquet. Fine wood tannins, medium+ acidity, knocking on the door of full-bodied and a satin texture showcases both this wines deliciousness now, potential for cellaring and readiness for food."
Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous "The 2019 Dog Point is one hell of a mouthful of a Chardonnay with its full-bodied, concentrated, vanilla-infused core, offering density and richness of white stone fruit and oak-derived grilled nut and bacon flavors. It would be difficult to call this wine subtle, but what it lacks in demureness, it makes up for in impressiveness. Hailing from Marlborough, its volume is kept in check by natural acidity, creating a fine, precise and lengthy finish."
Tasting Note "Dog Point Chardonnay 2019 is a very young aromatic white. On the nose there are smoky notes, hay, dried mango and lemon. The palate is crisp and tight. Concentrated and long, with strong (but very pleasant) citrus. Full-bodied."
Oz Wine Review 2019 “Part of the secret to this label’s success is the Dog Point Vineyard itself, which is one of the oldest privately owned vineyards in Marlborough. Planted by Ivan and Margaret Sutherland back in the late 1970s, it remains not only the backbone of the Dog Point label but also a key source of fruit for a whole swathe of premium Marlborough producers.”
Robert Parker "...Zesty and refreshing, with a long, mouthwatering finish, this is a compelling example of Marlborough Chardonnay....The 2015 Chardonnay is a smoky, toasty, medium to full-bodied effort marked by a terrific acid line. That grapefruit note provides the backbone over which riper notions of white peach, toasted hazelnut and pineapple rest. " (2015 vintage)
Wines & Spirits "What’s great about this wine is its ability to maintain its size and scope without the flavors becoming overbearing. From vines planted in 1981, this wine ferments in French oak (15 percent new), and integrates the wood notes into the fruit seamlessly. It’s a full-bodied wine that moves well, with notes of chamomile, ripe lemon and raw hazelnuts tethered to breezy acidity. It has lively energy and will cellar well for up to five years." (2015 vintage)
Tim Atkin "Not as well known as the Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc releases, but every bit as good in my opinion, this is frequently among my favourite South Island chardonnays. Toasty, savoury and enticing, it has citrus and beeswax notes supported by fresh, palate cleansing acidity and a nutty finish." (2015 vintage)
Tina Gellie "When Cloudy Bay was bought by LVMH, viticulturalist Ivan Sutherland and oenologist James Healy left to start Dog Point. Aromas of white peach an grapefruit with a firm citrus backbone, balanced by buttery oak. Intensely flavoured white to enjoy with fish." (2015 vintage)
Decanter "Aromas of white peach and grapefruit with a firm citrus backbone, balanced by buttery oak. Intensely flavoured white to enjoy with fish." (2015 vintage)
The Real Review "Dog Point Vineyard, one of Marlborough’s brightest stars." (2015 vintage)
Organic wines are made from grapes grown without pesticides, following strict organic standards. Organic wines are produced in vineyards that do not use synthetic chemicals.Certified organic wines have been certified by Biogro New Zealand.
Dog Point is one of New Zealand's most loved wineries formed by famous Cloudy Bay's wineries former viticulturalist and winemaker Ivan Sutherland and James Healy. Some years ago they decided to go out on their own creating Dog Point. Dog Point vineyards are some of the earliest vineyards to be planted in Marlborough and have some of the oldest vines in the region. Dog Point is named for the sheep-herding history of the area.
Organic philosophies drive Dog Point's approach to wine growing and in March 2012, 150 hectares of Vineyards were certified organic by BioGro New Zealand, with another 60 hectares certified as C1 (2 years in conversion). A flock of around 2,000 sheep including Romney, Perendale Cross and Merino Wiltshire Cross are grazed in the winter to keep the grass low and fertilise as they go.
1 x Château d’Estoublon ‘Roseblood’ Blanc 2022 - Provence, France
New launch! Owned by former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and his Supermodel & singer-songwriter wife, Carla Bruni, and Jean-Guillaume Prats of Château Lafite fame.
92/100 James Suckling
Decanter "Château d’Estoublon has a long winemaking history, and is today owned by some of France’s big names, including Jean-Guillaume Prats of Château Lafite fame, and former President and First Lady Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni.
James Suckling "Notes of sliced apples and pears with lemon peel and acacia. Medium-bodied with vivid acidity and a juicy core of lemon pith. Minerally and fresh. "
Winemaker "Bright yellow color. Lively nose of citrus fruits and fresh zest, very airy. The attack is precise, very fresh with aromas of passion fruit. A finale that stretches thanks to controlled tension. Ideal to accompany an aperitif, an oyster basket, a sea bream ceviche."
Rolle and Grenache blanc Alcohol: 12.50%
Roseblood is the iconic celebrity wine brand of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, his wife, model-turned First lady, Carla Bruni, and Jean-Guillaume Prats of Château Lafite fame.
Roseblood wines are produced at the famous Château d'Estoublon, a prestigious winery nestled in the heart of Provence, France. Château d'Estoublon was established in 1489 and embodies the best of French elegance, a legacy of wine-making excellence, and the essence of Provence's terroir and heritage.
Château d'Estoublon wines benefit from the South of France's unique microclimate and limestone-rich soils, imparting wines with unparalleled depth and complexity. From the sun-kissed slopes to the cool, mistral-kissed valleys, each parcel of land contributes to the harmonious symphony of flavors found in every bottle.
Château d'Estoublon combines traditional winemaking and contemporary techniques to create wines of exceptional quality and character. From hand-harvesting the estate grapes, to its comittment to sustainability, and organic agriculture, the estate is currently converting to biodynamics.
Provence is a wine region in the far southeastern corner of France best known for the quality of its rosé wines and for its warm, mild climate. The vineyards of Provence cover an area of France's south-eastern coastline that measures roughly 200 kilometres from east to west. In this definitively Mediterranean climate – no Provencal vineyard is more than 55km (25 miles) from the Mediterranean – the vines enjoy around 3000 sunshine hours per year.
1 x Man O' War Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2023 - Waiheke Island, New Zealand
90/100 New Zealand Wine Rater (2021 vintage) 93/100 New Zealand Wine Rater (2020 vintage) 93/100 Bob Campbell (2018 vintage) 16+/20 Raymond Chan (2017 vintage) Bronze - Rober Parker, Wine Advocate (2016 vintage)
Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards (2016 vintage) Silver - Global Sauvignon Blanc Master (2016 vintage)
New Zealand Wine Rater "An intensely aromatic and wildly herbal nose, with edamame, broad beans, fennel, and fire ember notes. Quite European in style on the palate... vinous, dry and textural with stone sucking acidity and some lees richness. A distinctive style that is sure to find fans, especially with food." (2021 vinatge)
New Zealand Wine Rater "A lush, rich, intense, voluminous style of Sauvigno n. Pronounced aroma of ripe citrus, white peach, rock melon combined with more herbal characters and crushed green peas. A dry, concentrated, weighty wine that speaks of different picking dates and the balance of different ripeness levels. Well done." (2020 vinatge)
Raymond Chan "...The mouthfeel is fresh with crisp, lacy acidity and the wine flows along a soft-textured line leading to a moderately lingering, mouthwatering finish. This is a cool-spectrum fruited Sauvignon Blanc with surprisingly soft care and line with balanced acid zestiness...The nose is very fresh with intense and penetrating aromas of grass, nettles, stalky elements and fresh herbs. This is very cool-spectrum in expression. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is elegant and slender in proportion with a gently concentrated core of gooseberries, fresh herbs, nettles, cut-grass and stalky notes." (2017 vintage)
Bob Campbell "A fruit-focused Bordeaux-style sauvignon blanc...gains added complexity from a blend of 5% Semillon." (2017 vintage)
Rober Parker, Wine Advocate "A small portion (12%) of the 2016 Sauvignon Blanc went into barrel, which has given this wine a pleasantly creamy mid-palate and silky texture. There's a bit of a green streak to the aromas and flavors, hinting at beans or asparagus, but that's mostly balanced by citrus and stone fruit notes." (2016 vintage)
Decanter Wine Awards "Lovely concentration and depth of vanilla, nut, lime, apple and spice flavours. A memorable wine with decent acidity and weight. Lengthy finish with a pinch of spice." (2016 vintage)
Sam Kim "Handpicked from their estate vineyard, the wine was blended with a small amount of Semillon for added complexity. The beautifully fragrant bouquet shows grapefruit, green apple, lemongrass and stone fruit characters. It is vibrant and brightly flavoured on the palate, and displays fine texture and lovely focus, brilliantly structured by crisp acidity." (2016 vintage)
Bob Campbell "Appealing purity and a perfect balance of tangy acidity that helps drive a lengthy finish"
The Winemaker "Stylish and restrained with herbaceous aromas intertwined with fresh mint, lemongrass and sea spray. Focused and light with a nice hint of texture from the barrel to balance the fresh acidity and vibrancy of fruit that the variety is known for. As with all our fruit, the sauvignon blanc is hand-harvested before being gently whole bunched pressed.."
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate "Man O’ War is without a doubt one of New Zealand’s greatest wineries in the making and one to watch."
Jancis Robinson “Waiheke Island, home to one of the country’s best Syrah producers Man O’ War…New Zealand is second only to the Rhône in the consistency of quality it achieves.”
Raymond Chan "Man O’ War is arguably Waiheke Island’s most significant wine producer.."
Man O'War Vineyards is a leading New Zealand wine producer on Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf. It is known for its consistently high-quality range of wines made from grape varieties like Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Each small parcel of vines is carefully tended and harvested by hand, then vinified separately, fusing classic Old World techniques with innovative New World ideas.
Waiheke Island is a wine-producing region just 18km east of Auckland city. This hilly island is home to a healthy population of hippies and artists, as well as some of Auckland's most famous vineyards. Waiheke Island's specialty is elegant Bordeaux Blend wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but Syrah and Chardonnay are also important grape varieties planted here.
The Sauvignon Blanc taste is one of the most identifiable in the world of white wines for a few reasons. First, it always has crisp, high acidity. Second, it has a chemical compound called pyrazine which gives grassy, herbal or bell pepper flavors. When grown in cooler climates or picked early, the herbaceous green character is most prominent. In warmer climates or allowed to hang longer on the vine, the pyrazine character diminishes in favor of riper fruit flavors ranging from grapefruit, to passion fruit and guava.
1 x Hudelot-Baillet Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits Blanc 2022 - Burgundy, France
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "Aromas of peach, pear and orange oil introduce the 2018 Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Blanc, a medium-bodied, pretty and perfumed wine that's lively, pure and delicate. It will drink well in the near term." (2018 viintage)
Winemaker "Intense yellow color. Brioche, slightly floral aromas. A well-balanced wine with great complexity"
100% Chardonnay
Domaine HUDELOT-BAILLET is located in CHAMBOLLE-MUSIGNY, a small village in the heart of the Côte de Nuits, not far from the famous Clos Vougeot and midway between Gevrey-Chambertin and Nuits-Saint-Georges in Burgundy.
A rare white crafted by one of Chambolle-Musigny's artisanal domaines, this Bourgogne white is from a higher classification than a typical Bourgogne Blanc. Dominique's Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Blanc comes from 0.84 hectares spread across three parcels located in the Hautes-Côtes above Chambolle in an area called Vergy. The wine kicks off fermentation in tank but finishes in barrel where it continues to age for around 12 months. Around 15% of the total volume is aged in new barrels.
Domaine Hudelot-Baillet is a true Chambolle-Musigny producer with cellars in the town as well as holdings entirely within the appellation. The domaine was created in 1981 by Joël Hudelot (inherited largely from his father Paul) and his wife Chantal Baillet. Joël retired in 2004 and passed along the reins to his son-in-law Dominique Le Guen, who had been working with him at the domaine since 1998. The viticultural philosophy at Hudelot-Baillet is organic though the domaine is not technically certified. The fruit is 100% destemmed, and the new oak program averages 30% for the villages wines, 40% for the premiers and 50% for the Bonnes Mares. The wines are given 12 to 18 months before being bottled, generally without fining or filtration. Hudelot describes his intended style as one of finesse, succinctly explaining that "all of my appellations are in Chambolle and finesse is what we do best."
The domaine produces wines that are typical of their appellations (Chambolle-Musigny and Bonnes Mares Grand Cru). They work the vineyards in a sustainable manner, which requires very close surveillance. Ploughing is carried out methodically to avoid the need for weed killer and to restore the micro-organic richness to the earth. Harvesting is carried out by hand and the grapes are sorted and selected in the pursuit of optimum quality.
1 x Chateau Marjosse Pierre Lurton Cuvee Palombre White 2020 - Bordeaux, France
92/100 James Suckling 93/100 James Sucking (2019 vintage) 92/100 Jean Marc Quarin (2019 vintage) 90/100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (2019 vintage) 16.5/20 Jancis Robinson (2019 vintage)
Owned by one of the world's most famous winemakers, Pierre Lurton - president of two of Bordeaux's best-known chateaux, the Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) owned Château Cheval Blanc and Château d’Yquem.
James Suckling, ''..I like the density and concentration, with a delicious creaminess undercut by herb and spice...Almonds, fennel, yoghurt, grapefruit and pear skins on the nose, with some cloves and white pepper.''
Jancis Robinson "Cuvée Palombe, a startlingly rich white based on 45- to 70-year-old vines named after a pigeon. The blend is a third each of Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and the more perfumed Sauvignon Gris but seems to me to be dominated by the lovely beeswax and lanolin flavours of fully ripe Sémillon, a grape variety more often encountered in sweet white bordeaux. I originally tasted the wine at room temperature when it seemed almost fat, until a nice cooling breeze of Sauvignon Blanc blew across my palate on the finish. The wine benefited from being restored to the cellar before I tasted it a second time, when it was, again, such a welcome and characterful contrast to the technically perfect Sauvignon-dominated style that has become typical of Bordeaux Blanc." (2019 vintage)
James Suckling, "..Focused and elegant...A medium-to full-bodied white with complex aromas of dried lime, apricot, green mango, flint and toast. It’s textured and creamy with crisp acidity and flinty, subtly smoky layers." (2019 vintage)
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider "Flowers, lemon rind, spearmint and honeysuckle notes are all over the place. Fresh, forward, fruity and with a creamy, yellow, citrus rind finish, with just a drizzle of honey, you can enjoy this on release." (2019 vintage)
Château Marjosse is owned by French 'wine royalty', Pierre Lurton - president of two of Bordeaux’s best-known châteaux; the Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) owned, Château Cheval Blanc and Château d’Yquem, Château Marjosse. Pierre Lurton comes from two of the great Bordeaux families. His father Dominique was the youngest son of the paterfamilias François Lurton; his uncle André Lurton who founded the eponymous wine company; his many cousins run châteaux from Pauillac to Pomerol. His mother is from the famous Lafite family.
The influential Club Enologique asserts that Pierre is the most accomplished wine personality of his famous family. Trained as a doctor but swapping his studies for wine making after four years. At 23 he took over Clos Fourtet in St Emilion, one of the fine Lurton properties, and in 1991 he was appointed head of Château Cheval Blanc (it was bought by Bernard Arnault of LVMH in 1998); in 1999 he took on Château d’Yquem, which had just been added to the Arnault portfolio.
Club Enologique describes Pierre Lurton as having the world’s most corporate wine job. "However he divides his time between two of the world’s most exalted wine properties, but comes down to earth in Entre-deux-Mers, the leafy, unpretentious appellation to the east of Bordeaux at Château Marjosse."
The Château Marjosse estate is located in Entre-deux-Mers, on the right bank of Bordeaux. Initially owned by the wine merchant Bernard Chénier, Château Marjosse was acquired by the Deleuze family, who, in 1990, gave some plots to Pierre Lurton to rent. In 1992, Pierre Lurton, who grew up in Château Reynier, neighbour to this magnificent Chartreuse, moved to a second home in Château Marjosse and, over successive years became the owner of the entire vineyard, as well as the Chartreuse in 2013.
Decanter "Since Lurton bought Château Marjosse in 1994, the estate has improved beyond recognition. Pierre's father, Dominique Lurton, also made over a further 30ha so that, under the Château Marjosse label, Lurton now exploits 42ha of vineyard, six hectares of white and 36ha of Bordeaux red – a total of 300,000 bottles a year. Pierre insists his wine is Bordeaux and not Bordeaux Supérieur because ‘my wine is only supérieur in the bottle’. His objectives are ambitious. As the quality of the terroir with clay-limestone soil is similar to some of the better areas in Saint-Emilion, he hopes to prove that wines from this area can rival those from more prestigious regions."
Sommeliers International "At Château Marjosse the land possesses yet another specific feature, known locally as “la Boulbène”, a silty-clayey texture that has developed on ancient alluvions. The fertility of these soils no longer needs to be proved, because, by chance, they are also found in Saint-Emilion, a terroir that is extremely familiar to the man who manages “Cheval Blanc” …. Pierre Lurton. Assisted in this transformation by Consultant-Oenologist Pascal Poussevin, whose recommendations range from vine growing to wine-making, Pierre Lurton’s estate has now reached its cruising speed … Beyond the fabulous adventures he experiences in his role as manager of Châteaux d’Yquem, Cheval Blanc, as well as estates in South Africa, Latin America and in Australia … it is undoubtedly with “the salt of this land here in the Entre-deux-Mers” that his years of quest for perfection will be revealed. It is clear that this region needs winegrowers of such calibre, those who possess a sixth sense and, using techniques that almost resemble intentional alchemy, transform the grapes they touch into wines that exude the unique character of a specific area."
The Entre-deux-Mers region, nicknamed by wine experts as “Little Tuscany”, is unique and jealously protected by its inhabitants. "There are fifteen appellations that constitute the Entre-deux-Mers. The most well-known of them all, reputed for its dry, lively white wines, is certainly the one which bears the name of this region! The Entre-deux-Mers cultivates a certain speciality in producing white wines, due to its basic geological assets, possessing gravelly-limestone soils, upon which Sémillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle and even Ugni Blanc grape varieties are planted. But the variety of soils and sub-soils associated with such a complex landscape provides a diversity of terroirs … These are favourable for producing red wines, that are regrettably not sufficiently well-known, but highly prized for the complexity of their aromas, their deep, vivid colour, as well as the concentration and elegance of their tannins." Sommeliers International.
Bordeaux, in the southwest of France, needs little introduction as one of the world's most famous, prestigious and prolific wine regions. Its three trump cards are diversity, quality and quantity. The majority of Bordeaux wines (nearly 90 percent of production volume) are the dry, medium- and full-bodied red Bordeaux Blends that established its reputation. The finest (and most expensive) of these come from the great châteaux of the Haut-Médoc and the Right Bank appellations Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. The legendary reds are complemented by high-quality white wines, both dry styles (particularly from Pessac-Léognan) and the sweet, botrytized nectars of Sauternes.
Sauvignon Gris is a pink-berried mutation of the Sauvignon Blanc grape. It most likely originated around Bordeaux, but has found itself quite at home in Chile. Sauvignon Gris is thinly scattered across other parts of the wine world, including Uruguay, New Zealand, the United States and Switzerland.
Its popularity among growers was historically severely limited by its low yields; in France in 2009 there were (officially) only 463 hectares (1144 acres) of vines. However plantings may be on the increase, in the Loire, in Bordeaux to add body to Sauvignon Blanc, and elsewhere around the world. While the clone is not legally permitted in some Loire appellations – such as Sancerre – it is generally agreed that Sauvignon Gris vines are present in a good number of vineyards in such zones.
Sauvignon Gris is less aromatic than its Sauvignon Blanc sibling, but certainly capable of producing interesting wines. Wines produced from Sauvignon Gris tend to be richer and more voluptuous in texture than Sauvignon Blanc, with ripe fruit flavors of mango and melon as well as citrus notes. The wines are usually dry and tend to have some of the herbaceous notes so typical of the Sauvignon family. The type of color mutation seen in Sauvignon Gris is a naturally occurring phenomenon and reasonably common. For example, Roter Riesling is a pink-skinned mutation of Riesling, Chardonnay Rosé is a mutation of Chardonnay and Pinot Gris is a light-berried variant of Pinot Noir. Sauvignon Gris is also often blended with Sauvignon Blanc, including examples where the former is a minor (usually uncredited) component of New World varietal Sauvignon Blanc wines.
The Sauvignon Blanc taste is one of the most identifiable in the world of white wines for a few reasons. First, it always has crisp, high acidity. Second, it has a chemical compound called pyrazine which gives grassy, herbal or bell pepper flavors. When grown in cooler climates or picked early, the herbaceous green character is most prominent. In warmer climates or allowed to hang longer on the vine, the pyrazine character diminishes in favor of riper fruit flavors ranging from grapefruit, to passion fruit and guava.
Sémillon is one of the wine world's unsung heroes. The gold-skinned grape produces France's most famous and revered sweet wines, notably Sauternes, and some of the greatest dry white wines of Australia - particulary those in the Hunter Valley.
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