Lifford

SIZE

6 PACK, 750ml BOTTLES

PRODUCER

Bachelder

VINTAGE

2023

COLOUR

white

SUB-REGION, REGION, COUNTRY

Niagara, Ontario, canada

GRAPE

chardonnay

 

Taut lemons and yellow plums. Delivers abundantly!

The Grimsby Hillside Vineyard (which is just west of Cline Mountain Road) doesn't benefit from the protected amphitheatre-like Hills of Vineland and Jordan. So the prevailing southwest winds whip across this property, keeping it cool. And all the chalky, dolomitic limestone underneath the vineyard keeps it mineral. So, can one actually smell chalk? I wonder – but I can tell you that there is a honeyed minerality on the nose, with Ribolla Gialla-like fruit! And, of course, a classic oyster shell brine top note, with sweet yellow flowers and delicate yellow plum and pear, apple fruit in the mouth. It's gentle, and the long finish goes out with a peachy mineral texture and a savoury, gentle salinity. Only 86 cases made!

 

93 points, Tony Aspler

Minerally, oyster shell and stone fruit bouquet; medium-bodied, dry, elegant, well structured, beautifully balanced. Long, lingering finish.

 

SIZE

6 PACK, 750ml BOTTLES

PRODUCER

Domaine Bernard Defaix

VINTAGE

2023

COLOUR

White

SUB-REGION, REGION, COUNTRY

Chablis, Burgundy, France

GRAPE

Chardonnay

 

Unlike Côte de Léchet, Defaix’s Montee is made from purchased fruit. Didier Defaix tells us he has worked with the same grower for 20 years. Although the vineyards are not organically certified, the family “works like us” (that is to say, he’s very happy with the quality). The Montée de Tonnerre is drawn from old vines in Chapelot, which forms 20 hectares of the vineyard on a similar southeast-facing aspect to the neighbouring Grands Crus. The vineyard’s iconic grower is, of course, Raveneau, although Moreau-Naudet, Billaud-Simon and others farm vines in this prestigious lieu-dit. This cuvée ferments with native yeasts entirely in used barrels (one to five years old) with regular bâtonnage. The wine is bottled after 12 months in barrel and a further six months in stainless steel. It’s a great release, full of mouthcoating, zingy fruit and stony energy.

SIZE

6 PACK, 750ml BOTTLES

PRODUCER

Domaine Bernard Defaix

VINTAGE

2023

COLOUR

White

SUB-REGION, REGION, COUNTRY

Chablis, Burgundy, France

GRAPE

Chardonnay

 

The remarkable stony and sunny soil of this Premier Cru, located on the slopes of the village Milly and on the right backs of the river Serein, is perfectly captured in this powerful and complex wine. It flourishes with age and expresses mineral aromas reminiscent of gunflint. The Côte de Lechet is indeed one of the Premiers Crus of the Chablisian vineyard with the most exceptional ageing potential. Serve with fish or poultry, with white butter or cream sauces.

SIZE

6 PACK, 750ml BOTTLES

PRODUCER

Domaine Jaeger-Defaix

VINTAGE

2023

COLOUR

red

SUB-REGION, REGION, COUNTRY

Rully, Burgundy, France

GRAPE

Pinot Noir

 

 

This fine, elegant Clos du Chapitre is a very Burgundian style of Pinot Noir. Aromas of red and black fruit dominate the nose with violets and cherry in abundance. Fine, supple tannins and a refreshing acidity on the palate make this a truly remarkable bottle of Pinot.

A severe sorting is done when the grape arrives at the cellar followed by de-stemming. Maceration and fermentation is carried out with natural yeasts over approx 3 weeks. Aged in used French oak for 14 to 18 months usually with a little new oak thrown in to add complexity. 

SIZE

12 PACK, 750ml BOTTLES

PRODUCER

Alto LAndon 

VINTAGE

2023

COLOUR

White

REGION, COUNTRY

La Mancha, Spain

GRAPE

Chardonnay, Grenache Blanc, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, Viognier

 

 

Deep, intense and bright cherry color with violet tones, on the nose, red and black fruits, floral aromas of violets, Rosemary and a touch of black pepper, which reappear in the mouth, fresh and fruity expression, lively, deep and clean, excellent acidity.

 

All our wines are organic and vegan, respecting each variety at all times, so that they express in the bottle the place where they come from. The altitude, cold climate and poor soils result in wines with their own personality. Different among them, as the varieties are different, but they all maintain a line of freshness, fruit and minerality of our terroir.

SIZE

12 PACK, 750ml BOTTLES

PRODUCER

Telmo Rodriguez

VINTAGE

2023

COLOUR

Red

SUB-REGION, REGION, COUNTRY

Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, Spain

GRAPE

Tempranillo, Graciano and Garnacha

Dynamic and youthful red wine, boasting a fruit-laden profile redolent of the zestful nuances of cherries and raspberries. Its spiced bouquet is intricately laced with delicate lactic undertones, crafting an inviting and complex olfactory experience. Upon tasting, its intensity and purity are pronounced, delivering a revitalizing and vivacious palate. Despite its nascent stage, it exhibits a robust structure and a seamless flow that beckons one to indulge further, culminating in a subtly bitter finish that accentuates its distinctive personality.

 

91 Points, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, (2020 vintage)

The 2020 LZ comes from an early harvest after a warm year not without challenges (mildew). The Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano grapes come from their own organically farmed vineyards and fermented in concrete vats with indigenous yeasts for 15 days; the wine matured in concrete for six to seven months before bottling. It's very primary and has notes of licorice and a juicy texture. Pablo Eguzkiza was telling me he likes 2020 better than 2019. The wine shows very good balance and fine, round tannins.

SIZE

6 PACK, 750ml BOTTLES

PRODUCER

Domaine Bernard Defaix

VINTAGE

2023

COLOUR

White

SUB-REGION, REGION, COUNTRY

Chablis, Burgundy, France

GRAPE

Chardonnay

A fine brilliant yellow colour. On the aromas, mineral notes are dominant combined with delicate touches of green apple and citrus fruit (lemon and grapefruit). The mouth is fresh and persistent. A fine brilliant yellow colour. On the aromas, mineral notes are dominant combined with delicate touches of green apple and citrus fruit (lemon and grapefruit). The mouth is fresh and persistent.

 

92 Points, Decanter (2020 vintage)

Domaine Bernard Defaix is a highly-rated family estate based in Milly, with the vines for this bottling averaging 30 years age. Ten months lees ageing adds to the complexity on both the nose and palate. Refined, classy and complex characters on show here, which meld beautifully with the ripe peachy fruit notes. A very fine, expressive, distinctive Chablis which is ready to drink now but will age very well for many years.

SIZE

12 PACK, 750ml BOTTLES

PRODUCER

Speri

VINTAGE

2023

COLOUR

Red

SUB-REGION, REGION, COUNTRY

Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy

GRAPE

Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara

 

Produced with the RIPASSO technique deliberately applied in a more restrictive way than the production specifications, it is obtained by passing the Valpolicella Classico over the Amarone pomace only once. The result is an authentic local wine that elegantly displays a beautiful complexity of fruity aromas and spicy tones well supported by good acidity and the right alcohol content. 

A deep intense ruby red colour, with hints of red fruit, spices and cocoa on the nose. Warming and smooth on the palate, nicely balanced by rounded tannins. Perfectly matches with meat and cheese based dishes.

 

93 Points, James Suckling 

Intense, graceful and perfumed, with sweet violets, blood oranges, dry mushrooms, pomegranates and black pepper. Silky and supple on the palate with medium body, crisp and brilliant acidity and firm, crunchy tannins. Long, savoury and balanced.  

SIZE

12 PACK, 750ml BOTTLES

PRODUCER

Laurent Miquel

VINTAGE

2024

COLOUR

White

REGION, COUNTRY

Languedoc, France

GRAPE

Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard, grenache blanc

 

This is light, crisp and steely with a cascade of citrus notes flooding in. Lemon, lime, Fiji pear and apple bounce around together. There is a creamy mouthfeel with a hint of banana which makes this a great midweek refresher.

Laurent Miquel produces elegant wines in his family vineyards high in the Languedoc hills of Southern France. He harvests at night when temperatures are cooler to ensure the delicate grapes are gathered under perfect conditions. Laurent represents a new generation of winemakers combining his ancestors’ wisdom with his innovative approach and an inflexible focus on quality. Working in harmony with nature, he creates wines of character which reflect the Languedoc’s inimitable style.

 

90 Points, Decanter

It’s hard to pick just one of the many excellent Viogniers that Laurent Miquel produces around this price point, but for the money this is hard to beat, with its voluptuous white peach and nectarine fruit (harvested at night, as the name of the wine suggests). Enjoy it young and fresh.(previous vintage) 

SIZE

12 PACK, 750ml BOTTLES

PRODUCER

Bruce Jack

VINTAGE

2024

COLOUR

Red

SUB-REGION, REGION, COUNTRY

Breedelkloof Valley, Western Cape, South Africa

GRAPE

Pinotage, Malbec

Many believe the best Pinotage in the world comes from the Breedekloof Valley. It is certainly one of the most awarded varieties from this area. We love the fresh, intense cherry and dark chocolate aromas. The juicy soft palate is framed by warming vanilla and touch of oak.

SIZE

12 PACK, 750ml BOTTLES

PRODUCER

Viña Echeverria

VINTAGE

2025

COLOUR

White

REGION, COUNTRY

Curico Valley, Chile

GRAPE

Sauvignon Blanc, moscato

 

Sauvignon Blanc single vineyard grapes, from ungrafted selected clones of pre-phylloxera French rootstock. 5% Moscato grapes in the blend. Aromas of green apples, pineapples and peaches combine nicely with notes of fresh herbs and lemon blossoms. The palate is fresh and tasty, with a round and fruity finish.

SIZE

12 PACK, 750ml BOTTLES

PRODUCER

Laurent Miquel

VINTAGE

2023

COLOUR

Red

REGION, COUNTRY

Languedoc, France

GRAPE

Merlot, Syrah, Grenache

 

The wine is a beautiful garnet red. Fruit filled aromas with raspberry and red berries. On the palate, smooth and elegant.

Laurent Miquel produces elegant wines in his family vineyards high in the Languedoc hills of Southern France. He harvests at night when temperatures are cooler to ensure the delicate grapes are gathered under perfect conditions. Laurent represents a new generation of winemakers combining his ancestors’ wisdom with his innovative approach and an inflexible focus on quality. Working in harmony with nature, he creates wines of character which reflect the Languedoc’s inimitable style.