James Nicholson Wine Merchant Standard Club Case Notes July 2013
L’Evangeliste Grenache Blanc 2011, Regional France
£7.59 x 2
With over 1200 member growers, Les Vignobles Foncalieu is a large co-op
helping smaller producers from across the Languedoc export their wines
abroad. The Grenache white is a great southern French example of this very
drinkable grape variety with its lowish acidity and warming mouthfeel. A rich,
medium-bodied, crisp, moderately aromatic wine featuring ripe green apple,
pear, lemon and stone fruit flavours with some minerality and honey notes.
Serving temperature: 10 – 13 °C
Food serving suggestion: Sautéed chicken with sweet potatoes and pears
Pikes White Mullet 2012, Clare Valley – Australia
£11.70 x 1
Pikes wines was established by Neil and Andrew Pike in 1984 and has won
numerous awards over the years. They have built up a reputation for classy,
individual wines which show elegance as well as power and style. White
Mullet is an eclectic blend of Riesling, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin
Blanc which results in a complex but delicious wine with fresh, zesty aromas
of citrus and tropical fruit with a palate that is crisp, bright and fresh with zingy
acidity which perfectly balances the attractive core of fruit salad flavours.
Serving temperature: 10 – 13 °C
Food serving suggestion: Gently spiced Asian-style dishes with lemongrass
and ginger
Domaine Lascaux Cavalier Blanc 2012, Languedoc
£8.99 x 1
Lascaux's awesome value Cavalier white has swiftly risen to the top of the JN
charts in terms of popularity and sheer drinkability. Domaine Cavalier is
situated within the Chateau de Lascaux vineyards and is certified as organic.
The wine is a blend of predominantly Sauvignon Blanc with smaller quantities
of Roussanne and Marsanne. Citrus fruits and grapefruit on the nose are
followed on the palate by a fresh, aromatic mouthfeel underpinned by tingling
acidity.
Serving temperature: 8 - 12°C
Food serving suggestion: Perfect with sushi or shellfish.
Piuma Pecorino 2011, Italy
£7.99 x 2
The Pecorino variety is strong yet delicate with notes of flowers and peach. It
is a straw-yellow colour with some green highlights. Fruity aromas with citrus
and tropical nuances blend in with delicate floral notes.
“ a snappy, balanced white made from the pecorino grape, this lean, crisp and
racy white has a citrusy nose with tropical fruits and mineral notes.”
(wholefoodsmarket.com, Dec 2012).
Serving temperature: 10 – 13 °C
Food serving suggestion: seared scallops.
Bodegas Luzon Monastrell 2011, Spain
£9.45 x 2
This wine is made from organic grapes of the Monastrell variety and complies
with the European regulations related to organic crops. As a result, no artificial
plant protection products, chemicals or pesticides are used; instead, the
company uses only organic products and techniques which in addition to
being environmentally friendly, improve the taste and flavour of the grapes.
The dense ruby/purple-tinged, medium-bodied 2010 reveals a crisp, sweet
nose of blueberries, plums and spice. With excellent purity and sweetness of
fruit as well as a spicy, long finish.
Serving temperature: room temperature: 16-18 °C
Food serving suggestion: Roast pork with wild mushrooms
Finca Sophenia 2 Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Argentina £10.50 x 2
This blend from top Argentinean producers Finca Sophenia has a fragrant
bouquet of black currant, raspberry, cedar and sous-bois that is well-defined.
The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and plenty of fleshy, earthy
fruit. It is quite Old World in style, with a herbaceous, forest floor finish.
Serving temperature: room temperature: 16-18 °C
Food serving suggestion: Beef steak with a blue cheese sauce
Rolleston Vale Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Australia
£8.75 x 2
This blend of peppery Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon has been crafted to
produce a spicy red wine with plummy fruit aromas and underlying toasty oak
characters. The palate is generous and full with spice, peppers and
concentrated plum fruit flavours. The tannins are soft and balanced by the
sweet, yet subtle, oak.
Serving temperature: room temperature: 16-18 °C
Food serving suggestion: Venison with huckleberry sauce
Case Price £111.25
Less 12.5% £97.34
JN Case Price £95.00