This Carignan Blanc vineyard is planted in the village of Tarerach at 550m altitude on granitic sand soils. Rooted between the high peaks of the Pyrenees and the flats of the Vallée de la Têt that meet the sea, the specific block of vines face the Dragon Roc, a natural rock formation atop the Crête de Serrabonne. Grapes are hand-picked late into the harvest, a month later than other white varieties of the Roussillon. A very long and slow fermentation with lengthy lees contact without stirring. Malolactic fermentation. No fining. In the words of the winemaker, ‘this is a wild wine, made in a shed in the hills of the Roussillon.’
Tasting Note:
Expressive, floral and vibrant. Citrus fruit flavours combine with a subtle herbal twist and minerality through to the finish.
Food Match:
We have paired this with Salmon & Sundried Tomato Pesto Vegetables
Felicette Grenache Noir
Wines inspired by the spirit of place - ‘L ’esprit de lieu’. The wines of Terres Fidèles are created in the Roussillon and surrounding regions, a place of remarkable stories where layers of history and cultures are embedded in the raw and wild landscape. Felicette red is a fruity and very well-balanced blend produced in the South-West of France, between Narbonne and Beziers, with a hot and dry Mediterranean climate influence. Soils are sandy and silty as well as a chalk/ clay mix on the hillsides. Tasting Note: A bright red colour with purplish reflections. A powerful nose of violets and red fruits. Very tasty in the mouth with raspberry and plum aromas. Medium-bodied on the palate, soft and juicy. Food Match: We have paired this with Portuguese Piri-Piri Chicken and Baked Potato
The Accomplice Shiraz
Fresh berry fruits integrating well with a touch of spice and vanillin oak. The parcels of Shiraz for this wine were selected by the winemaker for the lifted berry characteristics that are notable in this wine style. Fermented on skins for five to seven days at 20-24°C with American oak. Tasting Note: A medium bodied Shiraz that shows vibrant redcurrants and dark cherry flavours, showing a hint of sweetness. Smooth, soft oak tannins finishing with peppery spice. Food Match: We have paired this with Aromatic Beef Aloo
Bodegas Navajas Rioja Tinto
A family winery that was founded in 1918 as Bodegas Arjona, but in 1983 the Navajas family became the sole shareholders and changed its name to Bodegas Navajas. Navajas believes that the quality of the wine begins in the vineyards and for this reason they monitor and control the vineyards which belong to their growers in the Rioja Alta and Rioja Baja. All the grapes are hand picked at the end of September/begining of October. Fermentation is in temperature controlled stainless steel vats using natural yeasts. The wine is blended before the malolactic fermentation takes place which is followed by a further few months ageing in steel prior to bottling. Tasting Note: Bright cherry red in colour, the nose is full of ripe red berries and a touch of spice. The palate is dry and soft with juicy fruit, gentle tannins and fine balancing acidity. Food Match: We have paired this with One Pan Turkey Meatballs With Creamy Basil Orzo
Castillo de Eneriz Reserva
Vic Manzanos has a nose for wine, and given his Rioja estate already straddles the border of Rioja and Navarra, he thought adding a very good Navarra estate would be exciting. 18 months in barrel and a full 6 years in bottle make this a real cracker! Tasting Note: Rioja without the name and price tag, made by a master of Rioja! This wine balances oaky character with fruitiness and hints of spice with a finish as lengthy as you would expect from a classic reserva. Food Match: We have paired this with Honey and Lime Chicken with Coconut Rice and Kacumber Salad