Simon J Woolf
Ripe pear, creamy and rounded. Initailly this feels quite broad, but there are salty, citrus notes that freshen up the finish. Viognier speaks quite loud and clear on the nose, with candied fruits, pear & almond, but there’s a lovely limey quality that kicks in on the palate. Expressive and quite complex, with loads of
Simon J Woolf
From organically farmed, unirrigated vineyards, this is made from skins leftover from Nativo’s classic white blend (if I’ve understood the tech sheet correctly!). Given that it’s just the skins from the press, it’s a damn fine wine! Enticing aromas of tarragon, elderberry and roasted nuts. The tannins are pretty drying right now, so definitely a
Simon J Woolf
From organically farmed, unirrigated vineyards. This wild fermented “orange” has the kind of earthy, dried herb filled nose that I associate with similar wines from central Italy – Lazio or Umbria. It’s still quite tight and grippy on the texture, but noticeably softer and more filled out than its 2020 twin. The fruit – green
Simon J Woolf
A really juicy, lively red blend that somehow manages to create harmony from grape varieties native to three different countries (France, Spain and South Africa). There’s a subtle meatiness, some iodine and some perfumed berry aromas, and then all that wonderful cassis and raspberry fruit kicks in, together with a twiggy, sappy thing that reminds
Simon J Woolf
Foot trodden 12 hours, fermented in st steel, 16 months oak ageing. Earthy, graphite, talcum powder and brine on the nose – inviting and intriging, and sooooo Douro. The aromas are of red fruits with a hint of geranium. The heat of the Douro is all over this wine, but it manages to have a
Simon J Woolf
The first vintage of an orange wine for this small domaine situated in the Cerons appellation (which is only for sweet wines), within Graves. Five weeks skin contact, ageing only in stainless steel. Pale green with aromas of quince, rhubarb and a bit of citrus peel. Zingy fruit and a pleasing tannic prickle, but the
Simon J Woolf
From over 80-year-old vines grown high up in the Alijo region of Cima Corgo, the grapes were lightly foot trodden and then fermented in various batches, some with stems, some whole bunch, some just berries. Tight, wiry and quite thrilling fruit – redcurrant, perfumed raspberry, a hint of woodsmoke and pepper. Tannic, but not oppressively
Simon J Woolf
Fermented in oak (10% new), + 7 months oak ageing w. Battonage. The nose has an almost Sauvignon-like aromatic quality, with hints of angelica peel, freshly tilled earth and crushed herbs. It’s juicy, and full of stone fruit goodness. The oak is perceptible but very nicely done. This is very young for the style, but
Simon J Woolf
Quite perfumed on the nose, with red berries and a hint of rhubarb. Fresh acidity, and some chalky red berries, but the fruit character feels a bit muted. Overall there’s a lack of defining character, and a lack of fruit.
Simon J Woolf
Produced from 80-year-old vines, fermented and aged in barriques. Quite lactic and rounded, with a hint of candied peel and aromatics on the nose. Stone fruit, some tangy gooseberry with a nice salty, tangy finish. Impressively fresh and lively, with the use of barriques barely detectable. The fruit feels ripe, and the Rabigato sings out