Alana Sauvignon Blanc 2016 Martinborough
Elegantly expressed and beautifully ripe, the bouquet shows white stone fruit, lemon peel, floral and dill aromas, which lead to a finely textured palate that delivers excellent focus and palate weight. The wine is beautifully rounded and long, and refreshing to the finish. At its best: now to 2020.

Alana Pinot Gris 2017 Martinborough
Bright, light golden-yellow colour with some depth and a hint of blush, lighter edged.  The nose is fresh with gently voluminous aromas of fragrant white and yellow stonefruits along with notes of honey, hints of exotic florals and nuances of musk.  This has a refreshing steeliness, and unveils some lifted fermentation esters.  Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is somewhat slender with tautness, showing soft and light flavours of stonefruits and florals with hints of honey.  The mouthfeel is brisk and zesty with racy acidity, and the wine possesses a light, textural line.  The flavours recede as the wine carries to the finish.  This is a taut, up-front dry Pinot Gris with light aromatic stonefruit, floral and honied flavours on a racy palate with light phenolic grip.  Serve as an aperitif and with antipasto over the next 2 years, fermented in tank with approx. 18% in barrel to 12.7% alc. and approx. 5 g/L RS, the wine aged 10 months on lees with a little batonnage

Alana Estate Riesling 2015 Martinborough  4 Stars
Full, even straw-yellow colour with lemon-gold hues, pale edged.  The bouquet is softly full with a moderately concentrated heart of lime fruit melded with secondary toast, honey and mineral notes.  This has a gentle presence.  Medium-dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is soft and gently mouthfilling with delicate flavours of lime fruit harmoniously intermixed with honied and secondary toasty development notes.  The mouthfeel is bright and vibrant with fresh acidity, and the wine carries along a light-textured line leading to a lingering finish.  This is a gently mouthfilling medium-dry Riesling with harmonious lime, toast, honied and mineral flavours on a vibrant palate.  Match with Asian cuisine over the next 4 years, fermented in tank and a very small portion on skins in puncheon to 12.4% alc. and 11 g/L RS

Alana Estate Riesling 2016 Martinborough  4 Stars
Bright, even straw-yellow colour with hints of light gold.  The nose is firm and intense with well-packed aromas of lime and lemonade fruit, white and yellow florals, complexed by a thread of toasty secondary development.  This has depth and finesse.  Off-dry to taste and light-medium bodied, the palate has good depth and intensity of ripe lime and lemonade fruit flavours, along with floral and toasty detail.  The fruit forms a well-concentrated heart and shows good presence, and is balanced by fresh, lacy acidity.  The wine is guided by a very fine line, with good energy, leading to a long, lingering finish.  This is a well-concentrated off-dry Riesling with intense flavours of lime, florals and toast, balanced acidity and a fine flow.  Serve as an aperitif and with Mediterranean fare over the next 4-5 years with no botrytis, cool-fermented to 10.1% alc. and 8.2 g/L RS.  18.0+/20

Alana Estate Riesling 2017 Martinborough 

Bright straw-yellow colour with a little depth, lighter on the rim.  The nose is very elegant with fresh, light aromas of lime fruit interwoven with subtle notes of honeysuckle and a little muskiness, unfolding chalky mineral elements.  Off-dry to taste and light-medium bodied, the palate has light fruit flavours of limes entwined with soft floral and herb nuances, along with a little honeysuckle and musk.  The palate is slender in expression with moderate depth, and is enlivened by brisk acidity.  The wine flows along a light, phenolic-textured line with some drying grip to balance the fruit sweetness.  The flavours recede as the wine carries to the finish.  This is a slender off-dry Riesling with light lime, floral, herb and musk flavours on a crisp, dry-textured palate.  Serve as an aperitif over the next 2+ years.  approx. 10% botrytis, cool-fermented in tank to 11.9% alc. and 6.5 g/L RS.  16.5/20  Mar 2018  RRP $32.00

Alana Estate ‘White Blend’ Martinborough Blanc 2014  4 Stars

Brilliant straw-yellow colour with light lemon-gold hues, pale edged.  The nose is elegantly concentrated with fine and intense aromas of white stonefruit, white florals and subtle notes of fresh herbs and a little secondary waxiness.  This has a well-packed core to the bouquet.  Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has a good heart of white stonefruit flavours entwined with delicate floral and herbal elements, and some waxiness.  The fruit is moderately rich, forming a concentrated heart with a suggestion of unctuousness.  The richness is countered by lacy acidity and a fine phenolic thread which guides the wine to an elegant finish.  This is a dry Gruner Veltliner/Riesling blend with stonefruit, herb and secondary waxy flavours on a palate with some richness.  Match with Mediterranean cuisine over the next 2-3 years.  Martinborough fruit, a blend of 60% Gruner Veltliner and 40% Riesling, fermented in stainless-steel to 11.6% alc. and dryness, the wine aged 4 months on lees.  17.5-/20  Mar 2018  RRP $28.00

Alana Estate Chardonnay 2015, 4 Stars

Bright, light golden-yellow colour, paler on the edge.  This has an elegantly proportioned nose with bright and aromatic white and yellow stonefruits with finely integrated notes of nutty oak and creamy barrel-ferment, and nuances of flinty lees.  The aromatics are fresh and lively.  Medium-bodied, the palate has gently sweet and succulent flavours of white and yellow stonefruits, some tropical fruit elements, harmoniously entwined with subtle creamy barrel-ferment textures and soft, nutty oak.  The palate has good balance with a soft, smooth, textural flow and fine, lacy acidity.  A little flintiness unfolds and the wine carries to an elegant finish.  This is an elegantly proportioned, sweet-fruited Chardonnay with stonefruit and tropical fruit flavours, balanced by creamy and nutty oak on a smooth palate.  Serve with poultry and pork dishes over the next 4+ years. , fully barrel-fermented to 12.7% alc., the wine aged 10 months on lees in approx. 20% new oak, undergoing 100% MLF.  17.5/20  Mar 2018  RRP $33.00

Alana Estate Chardonnay 2016,

Brilliant light golden-yellow colour with some depth, light on the rim.  The nose is softly concentrated with up-front aromas of white and yellow stonefruits, along with an amalgam of nutty oak and flinty lees, unveiling some smokiness and chalky mineral elements.  The aromatics build to form a solid core.  Medium-full bodied, the palate has up-front and fulsome flavours of yellow stonefruits with complexing notes of creamy barrel-ferment, nutty oak and subtle oxidative elements, unfolding a layering of lemon-curd MLF.  The mouthfeel is robust and vigorous and the flavours flow with some drive along a lightly-textured palate line, leading to a nutty finish.  This is an up-front, flavoursome Chardonnay with stonefruit, nutty oak and lemon-curd MLF flavours on a robust. Slightly grippy palate.  Match with poultry and pork over the next 4 years.  WBP and fully barrel-fermented to 12.9% alc., the wine aged 10 months on lees in 12% new oak, undergoing 100% MLF.   Mar 2018  RRP $33.00

It’s delightful and immediately appealing with red cherry, plum, floral and subtle spice notes on the nose. The palate is juicy and lively showing lovely fruit intensity, finishing lingering and smooth. A friendly pinot and it’s seriously good drinking.

Alana Lumiere Pinot Noir 2017

Even, light red colour with some purple hues, pale on the rim.  The nose is soft and gently full with light aromas of savoury red berry fruit melded with an amalgam of herbs and nutty oak, unfolding red floral elements.  This is broad with presence and possesses some complexing interest.  Medium-full bodied, the palate has good depth and weight, showing savoury red berry fruit with notes of herbs and resinous, nutty oak, and red floral nuances.  The mouthfeel has breadth and presence, with soft acidity lending roundness.  Light tannin extraction provides a background framework that carries the wine to a moderately vigorous, lingering, savoury finish.  This is a broad and mouthfilling Pinot Noir with savoury red fruits, subtle herb and nutty oak notes on a rounded, but structured palate.  Match with wild duck and pork, and mushroom dishes over the next 3 years. , fully destemmed and fermented to 12.9% alc., the wine aged 10 months in seasoned oak.

Alana Estate Martinborough Pinot Noir 2016  4 stars

Even ruby-red colour with slight purple hues, a little lighter on the edge, youthful in appearance.  The nose is moderately concentrated and packed with aromas of dark-red cherry and berry fruit subtly melded with a thread of dark herbs and suggestions of whole bunch stalk-like elements, unfolding a little raspberry liqueur and earth.  Medium-full bodied, the palate has rich and sweet fruit flavours of dark-red cherry and raspberry fruit along with subtle herbal nuances.  The fruit has lusciousness, and forms a lively and vibrant heart, enlivened by fresh acidity.  Light, balanced tannin extraction supports the fruit and the wine leads to a light- fruit-sweet finish.  This is a moderately sweet and rich cherry and raspberry fruited Pinot Noir on a fresh palate with balanced structure.  Match with lamb, beef and venison over the next 4-5 years.  primarily Abel clone, fermented with approx. 30% whole bunches to 13.2% alc., the wine aged 10 months in approx. 20% new oak.

Alana Estate ‘Limited Release’ Martinborough Pinot Noir 2012 5 Stars
A barrel selection wine, made from fruit from the original 1993 plantings, fermented with 10% whole cluster, and aged 14 months in 30% new French oak. Very dark, deep, black-hued ruby-red with some garnet on rim. Densely packed aromas of ripe dark berry fruits, plums and liquorice meld with spicy oak layers forming a solid and fulsome bouquet. Medium-full bodied, rich and ripe flavours of plums and dark berries are expressed with stylish restraint. The palate has good depth and presence with a smooth-flowing, velvety mouthfeel, driven by some alcohol power. Fine-grained tannins provide linearity and balance to the fruit sweetness. Fresh, lively acidity underlines the fruit and structure, enhancing the energy, and delivering a degree of elegance. Layers of spicy plums, liquorice and oak blossom on the lingering, dry finish. This is a smooth and fine-textured Pinot Noir featuring rich plum and oak flavours. Serve with pork, beef and lamb dishes over the next 6-8 years. 200 cases made. 18.5-/20 Dec 2013 RRP $65.00

Alana Limited Release Pinot Noir

The best areas of the Pinot Noir vineyard was identified and throughout the viticulture season , these vines received particular and very careful management. The grapes from these vines were kept separate and the 10 barrels these vines produced were monitored through the barrel aging process. Finally the best two of these barrels of wine were selected by the winemaker as being the best two barrels from the vintage. A very limited amount of wine was then bottled, and the balance of the barrels were blended in with the Estate Pinot Noir. The Estate Pinot Noir was ranked a 95/100 by Huon Hooke…Huon didn’t taste the Limited Release so we can only wonder what he would have rated that at!
I tried a bottle of this wine recently and was simply blown away by the fruit flavours, the complexity and length of the finish…If you want a bottle to cellar and really impress your wine buddies…then you must get some of this…

Alana Limited Release Pinot Noir 2013 Martinborough 95/100 5 Stars
A stunning pinot. The gloriously complex bouquet shows dark cherry, plum, truffle, cedar and mixed spice notes, leading to a concentrated and powerful palate that’s richly textured with firm structure. The wine offers layers of delicious flavours. At its best: 2016 to 2023. $65.00. Limited availability

Note…smaller bottle in image just there for size comparison

Brogsitter B-ICED Sparkling wine is a semi-dry sparkling wine blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes from the private sparkling wine producer Brogsitter an der Ahr in Germany.

The B-ICED sparkling wine is a special specialty from the noble Chardonnay grape combined with the red grape variety Pinot Noir. The bouquet captivates with fine citrus and apple aromas.

The sparkling B-ICED from Brogsitter should be served very cold, preferably with lime or orange slices, to highlight the aroma. Tip: Enjoy it ice cold on ice!

Brogsitter B-Iced Rosé Sparkling wine is a semi-dry sparkling wine blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes from the private sparkling wine producer Brogsitter of Ahr in Germany.

The elegant B-Iced Rosé from the Ahr impresses with its stimulating and fruity sparkling bouquet.

The Rosé sparkling wine B-Iced is a delight as an ice-cold and fresh summer cocktail, as well as on ice or with fruit.

Hautvillers is rich in history thanks to its Monk Dom Pérignon This beautiful village surrounded by the forest of HAUTVILLERS, offers many surprises. The origin of Hautvillers is directly related to the existence of its Abbey. The Abbey experienced many upheavals over the centuries since it was looted nearly 17 times. In 1668, a Benedictine monk arrives at Hautvillers. Dom Pérignon was a surprisingly modern and perfectionist gentleman. At this time, the economic situation was not good, the Abbey was recovering badly from the fire caused by the Huguenots, the rents are not enough any more and viticulture brings back little in the way of economic return. Thanks to Dom Pérignon, the vineyard took a expanded greatly, not only in Hautvillers but in all the region. Around 1681, Dom Pérignon made the Abbey of Hautvillers “the Cradle of Champagne” He cultivated the vines, chose the combination of the grapes and the winemaking. The wines made under his direction were eagerly sought after. Dom gave birth to the first champagne bubbles. He developed:     The blending of the wines in order to extract the remaining deposit in the bottle. The cork that replaced the wooden peg and tallow    He changed the shape of the bottles (bottom dug) by increasing its thickness to make them more resistant to pressure. The Champagne wine quickly became a very famous drink thanks to the 1st Minister of Louis XIV. It was Colbert who made Champagne known. Dom Pérignon died in 1715, he is buried in the Church of Hautvillers under a marble slab near the sanctuary. That is why, Hautvillers, Pearl of Champagne, a picturesque and unmissable site of the Region, located in the Natural Park of the Montagne de Reims, takes you to the heart of the history of a village where you can stroll, to that we call it, “the cradle of champagne” 30% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Meunier   Traditional blend of three Champagne grape varieties. Minimum 2 years aging in cellar. Fine and elegant nose, supple and balanced in the mouth. An ample Champagne with rich and well-melted aromas.

Hautvillers is rich in history thanks to its Monk Dom Pérignon This beautiful village surrounded by the forest of HAUTVILLERS, offers many surprises. The origin of Hautvillers is directly related to the existence of its Abbey. The Abbey experienced many upheavals over the centuries since it was looted nearly 17 times. In 1668, a Benedictine monk arrives at Hautvillers. Dom Pérignon was a surprisingly modern and perfectionist gentleman. At this time, the economic situation was not good, the Abbey was recovering badly from the fire caused by the Huguenots, the rents are not enough any more and viticulture brings back little in the way of economic return. Thanks to Dom Pérignon, the vineyard took a expanded greatly, not only in Hautvillers but in all the region. Around 1681, Dom Pérignon made the Abbey of Hautvillers “the Cradle of Champagne” He cultivated the vines, chose the combination of the grapes and the winemaking. The wines made under his direction were eagerly sought after. Dom gave birth to the first champagne bubbles. He developed:     The blending of the wines in order to extract the remaining deposit in the bottle. The cork that replaced the wooden peg and tallow    He changed the shape of the bottles (bottom dug) by increasing its thickness to make them more resistant to pressure. The Champagne wine quickly became a very famous drink thanks to the 1st Minister of Louis XIV. It was Colbert who made Champagne known. Dom Pérignon died in 1715, he is buried in the Church of Hautvillers under a marble slab near the sanctuary. That is why, Hautvillers, Pearl of Champagne, a picturesque and unmissable site of the Region, located in the Natural Park of the Montagne de Reims, takes you to the heart of the history of a village where you can stroll, to that we call it, “the cradle of champagne” 30% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Meunier   Traditional blend of three Champagne grape varieties. Minimum 2 years aging in cellar. Fine and elegant nose, supple and balanced in the mouth. An ample Champagne with rich and well-melted aromas.

Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle from the main appellations of Bordeaux. The assemblage was made by the oenologists of the house Baron Philippe de Rothschild and gives the wine freshness and fruit. Berger Baron is an elegant Bordeaux, which is a perfect companion to fish and shellfish. A fresh fruity white Bordeaux from the famous house Rothschild for excellent price-enjoyment ratio.

This wine is a strict selection of wine produced in the main Bordeaux appellation planted with Premium Grape variety, Merlot, Cabernet franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Berger Baron is a classic wine expressing all the aromatic intensity if its appellation. Lively, Fruity and fresh it is an excellent accompaniment to spicy food and white meats.

Alc 12.5%, Std drinks 7.4

Goldriesling is a grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera used for white wine. It was created in 1893 by Christian Oberlin in Colmar, Alsace by crossing Riesling with another grape variety, which is sometimes given as Courtillier Musqué Précoce, but not identified conclusively.

This GoldRiesling is from the WinerySchloss Proschwitz and is the oldest privately managed winery in Saxony. The vineyards overlook the River Elbe and the famous City of Elbe. The wine is a dry style and very drinkable

Schloss Vollrads is one of the oldest vineyards in the world, dating back 850 years, specialising totally in Rieslings. The term Cabinet (Kabinett) was the first quality definition for wine in the world. A document from 1716 proves that this term was established by Schloss Vollrads. Today, Kabinett is a grade for fine light wines with a low alcoholic level. This 2015 is a dry Riesling and a special edition noting the 1716 document. As far as German Rieslings go this is the pinnacle of age and history.

This is a stunning Riesling from the most famous Riesling area in Germany and from the oldest vineyard in the world. These guys understand riesling. Only 60 bottles available.

Brogsitter Hommage Great Growth AHR-Frühburgunder Walporzheimer Pfaffenberg

The indigenous grape variety from the Burgundy family has become very rare because of their low yields and their high sensitivity. Only a few winegrowers take on this demanding “Diva”, which requires the highest skill in vineyard and cellar. On the Walporzheimer “Cru” situation Pfaffenberg ripens this great plant and is regularly highly praised by the trade press.

Homage Walporzheimer Pfaffenberg Frühburgunder Brogsitter red wine dry from the Ahr Brogsitter Hommage Pfaffenberg Frühburgunder dry QbA 2016 from the winery Brogsitter of the Ahr in Germany is a varietal and dry developed Frühburgunder red wine from the Cru-Lage Walporzheimer Pfaffenberg. The full-bodied and velvety red wine Hommage Walporzheimer Pfaffenberg is characterized by its soft tannin structure and sustainability. The Frühburgunder grapes for this Brogsitter homage from the Ahr come from the steep slope Walporzheimer Pfaffenberg. The autochthonous early burgundy vine is one of the rarest and most elaborate varieties of red wine in the world and produces only small yields. The Brogsitter Homage Walporzheimer Pfaffenberg is praised regularly by the wine press and the vintages 2012 and 2013 were awarded by the Chamber of Agriculture Rhineland-Palatinate with the gold medal. Analysis values: Alcohol content: 14.5% vol, residual sugar: 2.4 g / l, acidity: 4.7 g / l

Just a wonderful wine…you won’t want to share it but if you do, you will have a friend for life….Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah Open, dried fruit, sour cherry, sweet spice, toast, skin and earthy flavors, red wine, to a clear-cut game. The open, mature berry fragrance reminds us of sour cherry, sweet cranberry, lingonberry and also the tones of dried fruit. A full-bodied taste.  The deliciously fruity taste gives off the berry acidity and soft tannins. Leaves a long aftertaste of a long, plumage, roast and earthy mud. Food recommendation: Clear-flavored game also ripe, hard cheeses.

Typical flavours are red fruits from the darker end of the spectrum. Around 5-8 years Barbera’s fruit dims, becoming more savoury, slightly feral and forest-floor like. Let the wine breath and open up…just delightful.  A red wine made from Barbera grown in this grape variety’s native zone, the Monferrato hills of central Piedmont. The wine became a DOC in 1970, and was promoted to DOCG in 2008. Barbera d’Asti is made from 100% Barbera. A typical Piedmontese wine of top winemaker Claudio Icardi

Les Amis d’Alana 2014 Bordeaux

It is beautifully fruited on the nose displaying dark plum and blueberry characters with game, dried herb and nutmeg nuances. The palate is ripe and nicely weighted, offers silky mouthfeel backed by fine, delicately drying tannins. A superbly priced Bordeaux delivering excellent fruit intensity. At its best: now to 2020. May 2016.