SPRING WINE OFFERS 2019
A few seasonal recommendations from Tim Hart & Dominique Baduel
NV Champagne René Beaudouin, Nogent L’Abesse
Our “House” Champagne is made from a pure Chardonnay
formula which out-tastes all but the best “ Grandes Marques”.
It is crisp, dry and elegant with enough age to have discarded
the greenness of younger wines.
£272 for 12 bottles
2018 Viognier ‘Isle Blanches’
Cellier des Chartreux, Gard
Combines good acidity and structure with honey and
apricots richness of viognier grape.
£75 for 6 bottles
Offer of Pinot Noir from outside Burgundy
£150 for 6 bottles £300 for 12 bottles
In recent months we have been involved in a number of tastings designed to evaluate
opportunities to buy fine Pinots outside Burgundy. We confess that we have been
prompted by an effective doubling of Burgundy prices over the last 3-4 years and also
that our idea of Pinot Noir is derived from a love of red Burgundy.
As will be seen from the tasting notes unlike many red Burgundies these wines are all
very attractive from youth. However, so far we have not found that these wines
develop exciting secondary characteristics after long cellaring but neither do they fall
apart so drink them when you please for the next 5 years or more.
Case includes one bottle of each of the following:
2015 Buntsändstein Spätburgunder, Benedikt Baltes, Franken, Germany
This is the most restrained and Burgundian of our 6 wines. It’s pale colour and
restrained elegance recall a nice Cote de Beaune wine. Leave to breathe for an hour
or so if opportunity permits.
2015 Neudorf Tom’s Block, Nelson, New Zealand
Very attractive Pinot nose, medium colour and weight, generous red fruit character.
2015 Ocean 8, Mornington Peninsular, Australia
This wine has much of the lovely spicy character of middle-aged Burgundy stopping
short of the ‘farmyard’ quality of some mature Burgundies. The colour is less pink,
less strawberry than some. Elegant and smooth.
2016 Au Bon Climat, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, California
We have followed Jim Clendenen’s wines for more than 20 years with enormous
pleasure. This is a medium pinot with delicacy and charm which appeals to Burgundy
lovers without the sweetness, weight and alcohol of much Californian Pinot.
2012 Movia Modri Pinot Noir, Slovenia
This wine is made in an old Benedictine monastery near the Austrian Border.
It provides delicious balanced Pinot in an accessible old world style.
2016 Ata Rangi ‘Crimson’, Martinborough, New Zealand
Martinborough and especially Ata Rangi, are prime sources for top New Zealand
Pinot Noir. This wine has a lively red fruits character that works very well with pasta
dishes and all kinds of poultry and game birds as well as veal, pork etc.
All wines for collection only at Hambleton Hall or Hart’s, Nottingham. Prices include VAT