This house barely needs introduction. One of the original Rioja producers, R. Lopez de Heredia have been making top notch and age-worthy wines since 1877. The Reserva wines are just coming into their own now, with many, many years ahead of them for those who wish to cellar. A classic example of the style, without parallel.

Golden colour, gloriously scented, and sumptuously fruited.  Luscious pineapple and barley sugar sweetness, butterscotch, brown sugar and marmalade.  Juicy and unctuous, balanced by bright lemon-curd acidity.  Very long.

Hamilton Russell is a stalwart of South African wine-making. On low-vigour, stony, clay-rich soil, in a cool maritime mesoclimate, naturally tiny yields of well under 35 hl/ha give rise to a certain tightness, tannin line and elevated length to balance the richness and generosity of this Pinot Noir. The wine is not overtly fruity but it is soft and generous and shows hints of alluring savoury “primal” character along with a dark, spicy, complex primary fruit perfume. Classy and classic.

AIX now available in 75 cl! Magnums and larger formats are also available. Fragrant and well balanced, salmon pink in colour the nose is fresh and fragrant, delicate yet youthful and offers classy notes of watermelon, strawberries and flowers. 

New Zealand. Ripe and intense plum fruit with subtle cinnamon spice lift defines the nose. The concentration of the primary fruit aromatics builds with airing, giving further dimension. Licorice and lavender florals elegantly unfold into a gentle gamey bouquet. Generous and succulent with a silky and supple tannin texture, and juicy acidity giving impressive length and persistence. Brightness and approachability are the driving force of this wine, however a hint of complexity we have come to expect from this vineyard adds a layer of real and intriguing character to the fruit depth.

New Zealand. Spiced cherry primary fruit and dusty dried herb aromas build gently on the nose, giving way to dark plum fruit characters with a background of brown spices and leafy complexity. Considerable depth and dimension is revealed that belies the intensity of bouquet. Brooding aromatics driven by a precise fruit focus. The dark juicy plum drives a generous entry to the palate and that spiced cherry adds great focus and length of flavour. Cinnamon and subtle anise characters are woven into the tactile structure of the wine. The tannin backbone compliments juicy acidity giving a velvety yet lively texture and a mouth-watering finish. Tension with restraint.