Sipp London Ltd

1995 Chateau La Lagune, Haut-Medoc

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:11:08 +0000

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Story: La Lagune’s history began in the 16th century when Dutch polder technicians began to plant vines on land that had been reclaimed from the sea. It remained in the hands of powerful Bordeaux family De Seze for many generations and gained Third Growth status in the 1855 classification. They encountered a couple of tough years in the 1950’s, suffering from economic crisis and the great frost of 1956, but Georges Brunette purchased the property in 1958, undertook an extensive renovation program and put La Lagune back to the path of excellence. Today the Chateau is considered as a Second Growth.

Producer: Chateau La Lagune

Area: Haut Medoc

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

Alcohol: 13%

Tasting Notes: The bouquet is rich in fruit, with gentle cherry and sweet raspberries wrapped in spice. The palate is balanced and has good sour berry, spice and leather notes. Fresh, soft, dry with a touch of femininity.

Food Pairing: Chateaubriand with pepper sauce.

Ratings: 90/100 Robert Parker

1999 Chateau Leoville-Barton, Saint Julien

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:54:43 +0000

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Story: Chateau Leoville Barton is the third (and smallest) piece of the famous trio of Saint Julien properties that 200 years ago formed one estate, Chateau Leoville. It has been the property of the illustrious Barton family since 1836. Leoville Barton has no actual house or winery, so the wine is made and bottled at the Barton's neighboring property, Chateau Langoa-Barton. That comes as something of a surprise to many people, but the term 'Chateau' actually refers to the vineyard property and does not require the buildings that are often associated with the term.

Anthony Barton took over ownership and management of the properties from his Uncle, Ronald Barton, in 1983. Under Anthony's oversight, both properties dramatically improved in quality from the position of average performers for their classification, to being consistently, very highly rated.

Producer: Barton family.

Grape: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc

Area: Saint Julien

Alcohol: 12.5%

Tasting Notes: "The vintage's lower acids give the 1999 Leoville-Barton a more forward character than normal. The color is a dense ruby/purple. The wine reveals fine body, a softer, friendlier, mainstream style, in addition to abundant weight and richness. Cedar, cassis, minerals, underbrush, and earth dominate both the aromatics and flavors. I suspect it will firm up after bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2025." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate.

Food pairing: Roast beef, wild boar

Ratings: 95/100 - Wine Spectator, 93/100 - Stephen Tanzer, 90/100 Robert parker

The USA Collector

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 13:19:03 +0100

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One bottle each, beautifully presented in a black gift box.

2007 Chardonnay ‘Ethos’, St Michelle Vineyard, Washington State
The winemakers aim with this wine was to make an old world style wine, showing all of the complexity and elegance of his stunning fruit. The 30 year old vines help with the complexity, which shows an array of white peach, citrus and hints of honey, cream and toast from the 64% new and 35% one year old oak ageing.

2008 Uriah, Spring Valley Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley
This is the tenth vintage that has been produced of this blend. It shows stunning complexity of fruit, with bright currants, cloves, liquorice, cigar box and hints of almonds and pepper. This fruit is well balanced by the acidity and tannin backbone which leads on to a long finish.

* No further discounts.

1998 Krug Clos d'Ambonnay

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:15:14 +0000

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***ONLINE EXCLUSIVE***

Story: Krug was established in 1843 and despite being relatively young compared to some of the other great houses, they have established a reputation as one of the most prestigious Champagne producers in the world. The house is now one of the jewels of the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy group of luxury brands, but has maintained a level of autonomy to ensure that the house style remains consistent and the quality remains high.

The Clos d’Ambonnay is the jewel of the Krug range. Grapes are sourced exclusively from the tiny vineyard of the same name, one of the most hallowed patches of land in all of France. With only a few thousand bottles made, this is the ultimate in luxury and a fascinating collector’s item for Champagne aficionados.

Producer: Champagne Krug

Area: Reims, France

Grape: Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 12%

Tasting Notes: It bears a great burden of expectation and price, but manages to deliver on all fronts. It is incredibly refined, opening with a superb bouquet of apples, orange blossom, sweetbread, crushed stones and musk. The palate is surprisingly mature and rich, but balanced by a remarkable line of acidity which drives through the impressive length of the wine. Minerality and crushed rock flavours linger at the death. Utterly sublime.

Pairing suggestions: A dish of Stone Bass, fennel and liquorice

*No further discounts

2000 Chateau les Ormes de Pez, Saint Estephe

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 17:47:55 +0100

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Story: The origins of Château Ormes de Pez, date back to the eighteenth century. Situated on the edge of the hamlet of Pez in the northern part of the Saint-Estèphe commune, the property takes its names from a beautiful copse of great elm trees long since disappeared. Purchased in 1940 by Jean-Charles Cazes, the vineyard now extends over 37 hectares laid upon a soil of Garonne gravel. The vineyard and winemaking techniques combine the best of tradition and modernity to give birth to harmonious wines of spicy and voluptuous character, true expressions of the terroir in their appellation.

Producer: Jean Charles Cazse

Area: Saint Estephe

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot

Alcohol: 12.5%

Tasting: This wine has a lovely colour, still with a vibrant raspberry-red rim, despite notes of obvious maturity too. The nose holds much promise, with a very stony, crisp, mineral personality, with notes of crushed raspberries and liquorice. Delightful freshness on the palate, with a crisp, minerally texture, but with a fine balance of terse tannins and fine acidity. This has a really fine presence on the palate, is beautifully fresh, and yet has a touch of warmth.

Food Pairing: Red meat in sauce, Game

All 12 bottle purchases of wines and/or spirits are entitled to a 5% discount on the case. This will be applied upon checkout.

All our wines and spirits can be chosen to make up your own case of 12 assorted bottles.

2011 Lugana Brolettino, Ca dei Frati, Veneto

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:20:33 +0100

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Story: Ca dei Frati have 20 hectares of vineyard on the southern shore of Lake Garda. The clay soils are ideal for growing Lugana (otherwise known as Trebbiano or Ugni Blanc), and it is on the back of this variety that the estate has built its reputation. Their style is crisp and refreshing, and the wines always bursting with flavour.

Producer: Ca dei Frati

Style: Dry White

Grape varieties: Turbiana

Region: Lake Garda, Veneto

Alcohol: 13.5%

Tasting note: Dry and crisp with delicious peachy aromas, creamy stone fruit mouth-feel and a great smoky minerality. Dangerously drinkable.

Food Pairing: Grilled seabass with capers and fresh zest, served with asparagus crowns and Jerusalem artichoke puree.

All 12 bottle purchases of wines and/or spirits are entitled to a 5% discount on the case. This will be applied upon checkout.

All our wines and spirits can be chosen to make up your own case of 12 assorted bottles.

2009 Barrua, Cantina Santadi & Tenuta san Guido, Sardegna

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:09:13 +0100

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Story: Sebastiano Rosa, of Tenuta San Guido, and Giacomo Tachis, legendary Tuscan consulting oenologist, have joined forces to produce these outstanding Sardinian wines. Recognising the potential of the Carignano grape, they got together and bought vineyards in 2002, with the vision to make “a rowdy wine”.

Producer: Sebastiano Rosa and Cantina di Santadi

Grape: 85% Carignano, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

Area: Barrua, Sardinia

Alcohol: 14%

Vinification: 18 months in 30% new oak

Tasting notes: There are complex aromas of ripe black cherries, spices, liquorice and hints of myrtle. The palate is long and elegant. A very fine example of the Carignano grape.

Food pairing: Red meat in sauce, Italian food

Reviews: 92/100 - Wine Spectator

All 12 bottle purchases of wines and/or spirits are entitled to a 5% discount on the case. This will be applied upon checkout.

All our wines and spirits can be chosen to make up your own case of 12 assorted bottles.

2009 Chassagne Montrachet Vielles Vignes, Vincent Morey

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:50:51 +0100

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Story: It was inevitable that Sophie and Vincent Morey would end up in the wine business – they both come from prominent families of Burgundy winegrowers. After learning their trade with the family, they branched out on their own in 2006 when they set up the Vincent Morey Domaine, the first harvest coming one year later. Their philosophy is that “Fine wines start with good grapes”, and they nurture their vineyards with careful organic practices.

Producer: Vincent & Sophie Morey

Region: Côte de Beaune, Burgundy

Grape Variety: Pinot Noir

ALCOHOL: 13%

Ageing: 45% new French oak

Tasting Notes: A distinctive wine with blackberry and blackcurrant fruit aromas and flavours. The palate is generous, medium to full-bodied and has an attractive round dark fruit finish.

Food Pairing: Charcuterie and cheeses

Reviews: 17/20 - Jancis Robinson

All 12 bottle purchases of wines and/or spirits are entitled to a 5% discount on the case. This will be applied upon checkout.

All our wines and spirits can be chosen to make up your own case of 12 assorted bottles.