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Old Vines Semillon from Patagonia, Matias Riccitelli, Argentina 2023
Old Vines Semillon from Patagonia, Matias Riccitelli, Argentina 2023
“One of South America’s greatest whites.” - Tim Atkin MW, 98 points
Semillon is such a fantastic grape variety, contributing to some of the world’s finest wines without getting the credit it deserves, whether in the sweet wines of Sauternes, the exquisite dry whites of Bordeaux, the age-worthy wines from the Hunter Valley or cult New World expressions from producers like Boekenhoutskloof and Riccitelli.
Matias Riccitelli has crafted a stunning wine from the 2023 harvest of these gnarly, old, ungrafted Semillon. Aromas of waxy lemons and green melon skin, cut grass and whetstone lead to a palate that is deep and complex, with lanolin, wild honey, lime peel and fresh dough cut through by wonderfully tangy acidity and a touch of salinity that puts one in mind of a Cretan Assyrtiko. This is Riccitelli’s best vintage yet and is a wine that belongs at the very top table with some of the finest white wines in the world. 12% alc. Fermented with native yeasts in French oak foudres. Drink now-2032.
Press review:
Tim Atkin MW “Volumes are small at just 4,000 bottles, alas, but this is one of South America’s greatest whites. Sourced from vines planted in Allen in the 1970s, this is a layered, effortlessly complex delight, combining aromas of honeysuckle, fresh hay and wet stones, citrus and pear flavours, subtle wood spices and a tapering finish. Still affordable, given the quality, at $60. Drink now-2035.” 98 points
JancisRobinson.com: “Very layered aromas of yellow pear and quince, wax, honey and parchment. It continues to unfold with air. Great depth and concentration on the palate, and there’s a slight tannic grip that adds to the texture. Fuller-bodied than most Hunter Valley Semillon. Brisk acidity helps tie everything together. It’s already fabulous but should age very well. Drink now-2034.” 17.5+ points
Customer comments:
“The wine went down a storm!” - Ms. R.L.
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“Barrel-fermented Semillon leads the way in this outstandingly good value white.” - Decanter, 93 points
“Will develop beautifully for quite likely a decade, which is pretty astonishing for a £15 wine.”- Tamlyn Currin for JancisRobinson.com
An astonishing value from South Africa, comprising 80% barrel-aged Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. The fruit quality here is outstanding for the price, the Sauvignon Blanc coming from the highest vineyard on the Simonsberg mountain and the Semillon sourced from old vines in Franschhoek. It has the grassy notes that you find in some of the great Constantia whites from the likes of Cape Point and Steenberg, but also the density and concentration found in ageworthy Franschhoek Semillon like Boekenhoutskloof, showing notes of lemongrass, greengage, blackcurrant leaf and ginger. It’s a wine that should appeal to fans of cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc, as well as fans of barrel-fermented white Bergerac. Match it with fragrant south-east Asian dishes, asparagus or white fish with dill, fennel or coriander. 12% alc. Drink now-2030.
Sustainably farmed
Vegan friendly
Press review:
Decanter: “Waxy, intense barrel-fermented Semillon leads the way in this outstandingly good value white, with the 20% unoaked (but long lees-aged) Sauvignon Blanc bringing aromatic zing and brightness. Exotic notes of coconut cream, lemongrass and pineapple complete the complex, food-friendly picture. Drink now-2032.” 93 points
JancisRobinson.com (previous vintage): “Lemongrass fragrance, and the smell of a long, lushly green lawn on a warm day after a summer rainstorm. If you've ever scooped out a teaspoon of passion fruit from its little purple shell just a few days too early, when it's practically spitting shards of acidity at you (while still tasting deliciously of passion fruit), then you'll get this wine. It's so addictively spiky and hissing green scalpels and pistol cracks of cordite that it takes a couple of gulps to notice the oak – a faint, hidden smudge of vanilla pod and cream behind the smoke screen, behind the sorrel screen. It's crackling with character and while bracingly drinkable right now (don't serve it too cold), I think this will be seriously good in a couple of years time and will develop beautifully for quite likely a decade, which is pretty astonishing for a £15 wine. Very Good Value. Drink now-2035.” 16.5++ points
Tim Atkin MW (previous vintage): “Wildeberg's white Bordeaux blend is always one of its finest wines, made with deftly assembled Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. The old vine concentration of the two Semillon blocks is very evident on the palate, giving richness and texture to the blend. Kelp, pink grapefruit and mineral acidity complete the picture. Drink now-2027.” 93 points
Customer comments:
“What a wine! Do you have any more? If so, I'll take another case. I'm sitting here shaking my head - bags of flavour and at a quaffing price!” - Mr. A.S.
“That Coterie is bloody lovely.” - Mr B.T.
“I have a bone to pick with you. Your write-up on the Coterie didn’t do it justice. It’s even better than your description!” - Mr V.G.
”Yum Yum!” - Mr. J. F.
“We’re enjoying this immensely.” - Ms. V. J.
”Just wanted to say THANK YOU for finding the Coterie and at such an unbelievable price. This has to be the best value white wine in the UK right now, simply delicious.” - Mr. K. A.
”This was extraordinary. Thanks so much for the tip.” - Mr. J.C.
"Tasted like a really good white Bordeaux - the semillon really came through. Amazing for £15" - Mr. X.
”Fabulous and definitely lived up to the billing, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.” - Mr. P. R.
”This wine is DELICIOUS, you don’t happen to have any more do you? “ - Mr. A. F.
Little Red Riding Hood strayed from the path and she survived to tell the tale, albeit covered in lupine gastric juices, so it’s worth venturing into the dark woods once in a while. Take this unusual and fascinating Slovenian white, for example, made from a blend of organically grown Welsch Riesling, Chardonnay and Sauvignon grapes. It’s delicious and really quite a serious wine, comparable in some ways to a textured, gastronomic white Bordeaux, displaying gooseberry fool, green plums and lemon posset held in a grip of salty minerals. It's textured and creamy and has lots of richness, but still with that lovely citrus and gooseberry dash that vitalises the palate. Enjoy it on its own, but fish and white meat is all the better to drink it with. 13.5% alc. Drink now-2028 Organically farmed
Press reviews:
Jamie Goode: “Blend of three varieties from the three crus. 50% Welschriesling from 45 year old vineyards (quartz gravel, 2,500 litre Pauscha), 30% Chardonnay (marine sediments and shells, 600 litre oak) and then 20% Sauvignon (quartz gravel and sands, 600 litre barrels). Harvested separately. This is energetic, detailed and precise with lovely structure and acidity with some grapefruit pith and lime. Lovely yellow fruits, but also some mineral notes and good acidity. This is complex and layered, with good concentration and depth. Gastronomic.” 94 points
Decanter: “The calling card of this 22ha organically farmed estate in Slovenia’s far northeast. It shows inviting aromas of spiced peach and ripe pear with lightly flinty and herby overtones. nicely textured, with lemon zest, juicy apple and yellow plum flavours, and great harmony, supported by vibrant acidity and a fresh, lingering finish.. Drink from now-2029.“ 92 points