Tuesday 2 December 2014

Domaine de l'Ermitage, MENETOU SALON


Domaine de l'Ermitage Blanc 2013 Menetou-Salon AOC

We are delighted that our new grower in Menetou Salon has received awards for both their red and white wines. Domaine de l'Ermitage's Menetou Salon Blanc 2013 has won Silver and the Grand Vin Rouge 2012 has won Gold at the International Wine Challenge.

Last week Antoine De La Farge paid us a visit in London. His wines are proving a hit in Vinoteca, offering customers an interesting alternative to Sancerre.

Menetou Salon is an appellation in the central vineyards of the Loire, and neighbours Sancerre. Like in Sancerre, white wine is made from Sauvignon Blanc, and red and rosé from Pinot Noir. The domaine was established in 2003 by Laurence and Géraud De La Farge who have been joined by their son, Antoine. The domaine is 12 hectares in total, with three quarters of the production dedicated to white wine, and the rest to red and rosé. Everything is hand picked, and Antoine explained that they use indigenous yeast to ferment both whites and reds. This means an extended fermentation period for the whites especially, which would usually zip through if inoculated with selected yeasts. The result is a very pure style of Sauvignon that focuses on texture and balanced weight with aromas of pink grapefruit, and a supple mouthfeel. It is classic and Old World in profile (restrained fruit, concentrated acidity) and is an exciting new addition to our portfolio.


Wednesday 8 October 2014

FOXLOW

Our wines are on the blackboard at Foxlow, St John Street. Get yourself over there for lunch/dinner asap!

Friday 19 September 2014

Vendanges 2014

Tomorrow morning I head for Sancerre and harvest with the Delaportes. Report and photos to follow...

Tuesday 19 August 2014

New grower in Burgundy

At the end of last year we made a new discovery in Burgundy. Domaine Coquard Loison-Fleurot in Flagey Echezeaux. I met Thomas Collardot when I was working with Sébastien Cathiard during the 2013 harvest. The two are great friends and often compare notes. CLF has been a family run domaine for generations, but has only recently started bottling its own wine, with Thomas heading up the winemaking in 2010.

They have a staggering clutch of Grands Crus amongst their holdings. The wines have deep colour, concentration of fruit, and the defined structure of great Côtes de Nuits reds. This should prove an extremely exciting domaine to start following. 

Holdings include:

Villages:
Chambolle Musigny
Morey Saint Denis
Gevrey Chambertin
Vosne Romanée

1er Cru:
Vosne Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaumonts

Grands Cruds:
Clos Vougeot
Charmes Chambertin
Clos de la Roche
Clos Saint Denis

Echezeaux
Grands Echezeaux

http://robertrolls.com/producers/burgundy-c%C3%B4te-d-or/coquard-loison-fleurot-flagey-echezeaux

If you are interested in purchasing 2012s please contact catherine@rollswine.com for a quote.
Thomas Collardot, Catherin Petrie and Sébastien Cathiard at Coquard Loison-Fleurot

Friday 8 August 2014

Château Le Grand Verdus

Château Le Grand Verdus in the Entre Deux Mers has been reviewed by Decanter Magazine.


·         Château Le Grand Verdus – Bordeaux Blanc 2013 : 88 pts, 16.5/20

Philippe and Antoine Le Grix de la Salle have made this blend of 60 % Sauvignon, 30 % Semillon, with 10 % Muscadelle. Charming nose dominated by the Sauvignon, with some roundness coming in the mid palate. This foodie, structured, more lemon curd than fleshly cut slices. Intense aromatics.

·         Château Le Grand Verdus – Génération – Bordeaux Supérieur 2012 : 88 pt 16.5/20
Dark rich purple, this has a good impact on the attack from aromatic blend of 70 % Merlot and 30 % Cabernet Franc. Firm tannic hold gives a full mouthfeel, with dark and brooding damson fruits. It’s a big wine, but enjoyable.

We currently offer the Château Le Grand Verdus Blanc 2013 at £8.60/bt and the Château Le Grand Verdus Rouge 2010 at £8.85/bt. Get in touch to place an order.

Thursday 10 July 2014

Domaine Zinck wins the International Trophy at the Decanter World Wine Award for Off Dry over £15

We've just received this excited email from Philippe Zinck:

Dear All,

We have the great pleasure to announce you that we won the Decanter International Trophy for the Pinot Gris Portrait 2012 !!!

Out of 15 000 wines, 33 received an International Trophy, and we were the winner in the Off dry Category over 15£.

This is very high reward , and we would like to share it with all of you.

Please see below link, first the tasting comment of our wine and an interview during the ceremony.

We won two other medal at the same show :
Silver Medal : Gewurztraminer Portrait 2012
Bronze Medal : Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Eichberg 2011

In the meantime, enjoy the summer around a glass of Pinot Gris !

Best Regards,


Philippe & Pascale Zinck

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Unfortunately we have run out of stock of the 2012, however we do have some 2009. Email us for details

Friday 21 March 2014

Another fantastic review from Matthew Jukes...

2010 Les Plans, Domaine Santa Duc, Vin de Pays de Vaucluse, Southern Rhône, France

2010 Les Plans, Domaine Santa Duc, Vin de Pays de Vaucluse, Southern Rhône, France (£97.20, per case of 12 bottles (£8.10 per bottle), Robert Rolls Fine Wines tel. 020 3215 0011, www.robertrolls.com).  I love the wines of the Southern Rhône with Gigondas being one of the best value, seriously underrated red wines in France.  I have followed Santa Duc for aeons and yet for some reason only really tasted the Gigondas wines in their portfolio.  As you may already know, Robert Rolls has one of the most discerning palates in the country and so it is no surprise that he champions Yves Gras’ wines.  Robert poured me Yves’ budget rouge, Les Plans, the other day and I nearly fell off my chair.  There is no compromise whatsoever in the glass.  Steeped in references to his more famous reds this cracker comes in at a house wine price but seems to be so over-engineered it could pass as a cultured offering from a much grander postcode.  Grenache, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet form the blend in this heroic brew and oak doesn’t even get a look in.  It’s the earthiness, spice and integrity in this dark, velvety red which captivates the senses.  If this wine thrills you, as it does me, then ask for more information on Santa Duc’s top cuvées, Gigondas Les Hautes Garrigues and Les Garancières.

http://www.matthewjukes.com/2014/03/2010-les-plans-domaine-santa-duc-vin-de-pays-de-vaucluse-southern-rhone-france/