2016 Rubicon’s unique blend has arrived!

Rubicon 2016 has arrived – “Great charm and litheness even at this early stage”

Meerlust Cellar Master, Chris Williams, comments on the vintage:
“The 2016 vintage at Meerlust was somewhat unusual in that it was generally cooler but accompanied by a severe drought starting in 2015. This led to challenging conditions, particularly with regards to flavour and tannin development in the later Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards, and eveness of ripening across all the varieties.

Fortunately, Meerlust does have a large storage dam and the irrigation system required mainly for the establishment of young vines, it’s not common to use irrigation on the more established vineyards due to their extensive and deep root systems which penetrate into the subsoil clay to access moisture for the ripening process. This moisture zone had mostly dried out by late summer in 2016, inducing water stress in many of our vineyards. We strategically used irrigation to ensure slower, even ripening to ensure flavour and tannin development.

Nevertheless, some of our later Cabs did not achieve the flavour intensity, balance and mature tannic structure we require for our Rubicon, so the 2016 Rubicon has significantly less Cab than other vintages (49% as opposed to more usual 65%). This allowed Merlot and Cabernet Franc to play a far greater role in the Rubicon Blend in 2016 (28% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc). On tasting the bottled wine, the Rubicon 2016 shows an immediate charm and succulence as a result of the high Merlot content with a vibrancy and spice from the additional Cabernet franc. It is important for us to faithfully reflect the wide vintage variation we experience at Meerlust and the 2016 vintage demonstrates this clearly.”

“The 2016 Rubicon shows great charm and drinkability even at this early stage, no doubt a result of the high Merlot and Cabernet Franc composition. We were very cautious with regards to tannic structure as some of the later Cabs exhibited astringency which we wanted to minimise in the final blend. Wonderful exotic aromas of plum, sandalwood and perfume, still with a touch of creamy vanilla. The palate is medium bodied with a forward dark fruit flavour of cassis and mulberry followed by a lithe tannic structure fleshed out with juicy fruit. The impression is one of litheness and grace rather than over-arching power.”, Chris Williams

Click HERE for the Technical Sheet

Domaines Schlumberger comes out on top in James Suckling Article!

In James Suckling’s recent article on the 2017 vintage in Alsace, “Is the Future of Alsace White or Red”, Domaines Schlumberger came top out of the 512 wines he tasted!

The Domaines Schlumberger Gewurztraminer Cuvée Anne 2017 scored an impressive 99 points and was described by Suckling as: “An elite grade of SGN with such impressively rich and complex peach and mango aromas, as well as fresh and dried apricot. The palate has a super rich and ultra concentrated fruit core with a very assertive, linear drive of acidity that runs super deep into the very luscious finish. Superb.”

The Gewurztraminer Cuvée Anne was not the only wine from Domaines Schlumberger to score highly, with the rest of the range being awarded outstanding scores:

Domaines Schlumberger Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Kessler 2017 – 96 points

This makes a striking first impression with intense apricot, lychee and mango aromas, leading to a palate with immense concentration of lychees, mangoes and pears. Such seamless build and balance. The finish is super long and balanced. Stunning.

Domaines Schlumberger Gewurztraminer Cuvée Christine Vendanges Tardives 2017 – 95 points

There’s a beautiful, dusty edge to this gewurz, which also trades in caramel, flint, ripe apple purée and passion fruit liqueur. Very sweet and luscious, this full-bodied VT is very generous and oily, but some sexy dried citrus and acidity reins it in on the long and focussed finish. Will be released in spring 2020.

Domaines Schlumberger Riesling Grand Cru Kitterlé 2017 – 94 points

A beautiful white that shows a hint of cinnamon and spice, spread out on the top of chalky and flinty aromas, which themselves give way to guava peel and lemon zest. Quite long and powerful on the palate, which frames a tightly knit but robust portrait of zesty apricots and apples.

Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Gris Grand Cru Kitterlé 2013 – 93 points

This is a big, sweet and flavorful pinot gris with an oily palate and lots of cooked rhubarb and lemon aromas and flavors. Full and long. High-end, very ripe style.

Domaines Schlumberger Riesling Grand Cru Saering 2017 – 93 points

Cinnamon, white pepper, green paprika, green apples and citrus. Medium-bodied and very taut and citrusy on the palate, this trades in bright acidity and steely apple crunch.

Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Gris Grand Cru Kessler 2017 – 91 points

Quite reductive at first, this opens to reveal green apples, dried spices, slate, river stones and freshly squeezed nectarines and lemons. Off-dry on the palate and quite balanced, this delivers plenty of pithy grapefruit and melon character.

Contact Kate Lofthouse to find out more.

Champagne Louis Roederer releases its official video

Champagne Louis Roederer is delighted to share with you the official video of the Maison reflecting their unique relationship with their terroir and the philosophy of the house; to respect nature, listen to her, and to use what she provides to gently sculpt the finest champagne they can.

“We marvel at the magic of Nature and strive to emulate its high standards.
Louis Roederer works with the rhythm of Nature and tames the terroir, without forcing it. This intimate union creates a rough draft, put into motion and honed by Man and then softened and fine-tuned by time.” – Champagne Louis Roederer

If you have any questions email alexandra.tilling@mmdltd.co.uk or call 02088123380

Excellent Score for Ramos Pinto’s Vintage 2017!

We are delighted to inform you that Ramos Pinto 2017 received the fantastic score of 99 points by the esteemed writer, Tom Marthinsen.

Contact Christine Allen to find out more about this award winning wine

Louis Roederer celebrates 10 years at The Savoy London

For the last 10 years, Champagne Louis Roederer have been proud partners of The Savoy London. Read more about the history of these two iconic names, and find out what exciting events are coming up at The Savoy to celebrate a decade of ‘glitz, glamour and champagne’. Click here for the full article

Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon talks on The Gentleman’s Journal Podcast about The Future of Champagne

Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon, Louis Roederer Champagne’s chef de cave and executive vice president, talks about The Future of Champagne to Joseph Bullmore on The Gentleman’s Journal podcast in the private room of Kaspar’s at the Savoy. Click on the link below to listen to Jean-Baptiste sharing his vision of Champagne, biodynamics and “why all wine, really, is about our childhoods.” Happy listening!

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/future-champagne-jean-baptiste-lecaillon-louis-roederer/id1237712868?i=1000442959260

Ramos Pinto 30 Years Old Tawny Port DWWA Platinum Award

Ramos Pinto has won a Platinum Award at this years Decanter World Wine Awards for its 30 Year Old Tawny Port. This stunning distinction reflects Ramos Pinto standards as a top-quality wine producer from the Douro Valley and their sustainable production philosophy of relying on estate grown fruit and carefully selecting the best varieties and parcels are reflected on this award.

The judges said “this sings from the glass with a sweet spice, marmalade, molasses, clove, nutty, toffee, caramel and balsamic perfume. Very complex array of flavours including roasted coffee, scorched earth, fig and walnut. A distinctive style, done very well. High impressive.”

The Decanter World Wine Awards, by Decanter magazine, is considered as “the world’s largest and most influential wine competition. Judged by the top wine experts from around the globe, the DWWA is trusted internationally for its rigorous judging process.”

Fonterutoli takes home 2 Platinum DWWA Awards!

Castello di Fonterutoli knew quite early on that 2016 woudl be a golden year for Chianti Classico but Decanter World Wine Awards took it a step further and proved that it’s actually a platinum one!

Gionata Pulignani, Technical Director at Marcehsi Mazzei commented on the vintage: “At Castello di Fonterutoli 2016 was excellent for the ripening of Sangiovese. Mild and rainy winter and spring were followed by a warm summer that was never too hot. At the end of August and especially from the middle of September, greater diurnal temperatures created the ideal conditions for even and slow ripening of the bunches. The accumulation of aromatic molecules and polyphenols resulted in the great quality of the 2016 vintage.”

Giovanni Mazzei, 25th generation of winemakiing family Marchesi Mazzei, was very proud to announce that both his Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2016 and Castello Fonterutoli Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2016 won two platinum awards at Decanter DWWA 2019!

Please find the tasting notes and the scores of each wine below:

Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2016: “This is a stunning wine with a complex cherry, prune, herbal, leather and balsamic bouquet. Excels on the concentrated and succulent palate, with lovely mouthfeel and lots of spicy, smooth, fleshy tannins, superfine acidity and great length. A classic gourmand style per eccellenza perhaps but remarkable from any angle.“, 97 points

Castello Fonterutoli Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2016: “This is delicious! Finds a good gear and runs with it through to a lengthy finish. Seductive cherry, graphite, sweet spice and red forest fruit aromas flow onto a beautifully harmonious and complex palate, conveying a tender texture of dark cherry and plummy fruit that’s carried by perfectly pitched tannins. The flavours linger long in the mouth. It will make many red wine devotees swoon.” 97 points

2016 has been enthusiastically recieved by the Press:

“Another good vintage in Tuscany has produced wines with deep colour and impressive fragrance.“, Jancis Robinson

“Tuscany Enjoys a Promising Year.“, Bruce Sanderson

“Some of the best wines ever for Chianti Classico. Excellent quality, ripe fruit and silky tannins but with an energetic and focused backbone of vivid acidity.“, James Suckling

“The 2016s have the potential to surpass the 2015s. The 2016s are distinguished by their superb aromatic presence, silky tannins, layered fruit and fabulous sense of harmony. “, Antonio Galloni

Ser Lapo 2016 will be available after the Summer and Gran Selezione will be in the UK in August.

Please contact your Sales Manager or Effi Tsournava for further information.

Domaines Ott* Launches the 2018 Vintage

The launch of the highly anticipated Domaines Ott* 2018 vintage took place on a boat cruise on the Thames on Tuesday the 21st May. The event was hosted by Christophe Renard of Domaines Ott*, who talked customers and press through the complexities of the 2018 vintage and held an informal tasting of the range. This was followed by a BBQ designed to complement the wines, which was prepared on the boat’s sun drenched front deck.

The 2018 vintage was challenging in Provence due to frosts, hail, summer storms and a lack of wind. The viticultural team at Domaines Ott* had to remain vigilant at all times in order to deal with these complications efficiently and to ensure that the growing cycle was able to continue in the right conditions. Although the fruit contained less sugars than the 2017 vintage, the Domaines Ott* team achieved perfectly balanced grapes. The team was extremely proud of the excellent yields across all of the vineyards and vinification gave rise to a fruity, ethereal and perfectly balanced vintage.

The event took place in perfect rosé weather and guests enjoyed samples of the Domaines Ott* By.Ott, Clos Mireille Rosé, Blanc de Blancs and Bandol Rouge poured at the newly designed Domaines Ott* mobile bar. The Domaines Ott* 2018 Rosés have a lovely, velvety texture and flavours of candied lemon, white peach, hawthorn blossom and a pleasant salinity which lingers on the long finish.

Guests took part in a photo competition using Domaines Ott* trilby hats, floral hair wreaths, magnums of Clos Mireille Rosé and other props to help them curate a photo which captured the spirit of the evening. The winner was Anne Lomas, Director of Restaurants at The Savoy, for her light hearted selfie with China Tang’s Wine Buyer and Head Sommelier, Igor Sotric, and Mark Bingley MW, Fine Wine Director at MMD. The subjects of the image are decked out in a selection of photo props and are all enjoying a glass of the Domaines Ott* Blanc de Blancs.

Richard Billett, Managing Director of Maisons Marques et Domaines, said: The arrival of the new vintage from Domaine Ott* is always eagerly awaited, ushering in as it does, hopes of a glorious summer ahead. Aided by the evening sunshine, the guests enjoyed a taste of Provence provided by the red, white and rosé wines from one of the appellation’s truly iconic producers.

Contact Kate Lofthouse to find out more about Domaines Ott.

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