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Alliance Wine
Press & Awards March 2008
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Awards
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Robert Parker Points
March 2008
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Reviews
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The Observer Magazine
16th March 2008
By Tim Atkin
Bottle Banks - New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc may be the most lucrative wine in the world, but is it all it's cracked up to be?
‘....But
if I had to choose just one Kiwi Sauvignon at the moment, it would be
the harmonious, beautifully balanced 2007 Zephyr Wines Sauvignon Blanc,
Marlborough. I don't know what the producer is making out of it, but in
this case it's fully justified.'
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The Observer Magazine
30th March 2008
By Tim Atkin
‘Q: Dear Tim, can you please recommend a white wine for less than £5? I don't like sweet ones.
A:
Thanks to Alistair Darling's recent budget, which slapped 14p extra
duty on the price of a bottle of wine, it's going to get even harder to
find good bottles under £5. There's a lot of ropey stuff out
there at the moment, so trade up to £5.99 if you can. But three
whites I'd happily drink are the Spanish 2007 Centellito Verdejo.......'
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Harpers
2nd April 2008
‘Alliance
Wine is delighted to announce the addition of the acclaimed
Stellenbosch producer, Raats Family Wines, to their South African
portfolio.
2008
looks to be a bright year for Raats Family Wines. Bruwer Raats
commented "I'm very excited about working with the dynamic, young team
at Alliance and feel at home amongst their quality-focused portfolio."
Genesis Wines will continue to distribute the Raats Family Wines in the London on-trade.'
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Wine Spectator
April 30th 2008
By James Molesworth
James Molesworth's Recommended South African Wines
Top Wines
Mr de Compostella 2005
93 Points
'A large wine, with fig, espresso, bittersweet cocoa and loam notes. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and others.'
Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2006
90 Points
'Pure
and well-defined, with snappy red and blackcurrant fruit layered with
sweet tobaco, judicious toast and a lingering mineral hint on the
fresh, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2011.'
Top Values
Raats Family Chenin Blanc 2007
89 Points
'Really clean-cut, with white peach, honeysuckle and mineral.'
A Pair of Aces: Syrah and Chenin Blanc lead South Africa's strong hand
'.....As
for the newcomers with impressive recent releases, look for the MR de
Compostella Stellenbosch 2005. Now in its second vintage, this blend of
Cabernet Franc and other Bordeaux varieties from the joint effort of
winemakers Bruwer Raats (of Raats Family) and Mzokhona Mvemve (of
Indaba and Sagila) offers concentrated fig, espresso, bittersweet cocoa
and tobacco notes....
....More South African vintners are following the efforts of Chenin
stalwarts such as Hall, Forrester and Raats. Of the 36 Chenins in this
report, there are more than a half-dozen outstanding examples, while
only give earned fewer than 85 points. Look for the Raats Family Chenin
Blanc Stellenbosch 2006, with its eleganetly framed mineral and
chamomile notes.....'
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Morning Advertiser
20th March 2008
Zuccardi's Best Grape Blends
‘An
Argentinean vineyard has unveiled a range of wines blended from the
best grapes from across the country. Familia Zuccardi has spent 30
years planting new grape varieties and establishing fresh vineyard
sites. The Serie A range consists of four wines: Malbec 2006, Bonarda
2006, Chardonnay Viognier 2007, and Malbec Rosé 2007..’
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The Daily Telegraph
22nd March 2008
By Jonathan Ray
Alcohol and chocolate can be an inspired combination, as Jonathan Ray discovers
2004 Familia Zuccardi Malamado Malbec with F&M Dark Chocolate Truffles and Rose Creams
'This
wine is completely new to me and I think it's an absolute belter, a
real curiosity and exceptionally well made. It is smooth and supple,
with buckets of ripe fruit and even subtle hints of chocolate. Rupert
has a bit of a 'When Harry Met Sally' moment as he washes down a
mouthful of truffles with a hearty glug. "Oh, wow!" he says slowly once
he can trust himself to speak. He then tries it with a handful of rose
creams and sits there silently beaming.''
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www.winorama.com
19th March 2008
Shelmerdine Pinot Noir 2007 92 Points
‘The
2007 Yarra Valley Pinot Noirs are starting to trickle in, and as
expected, with only tiny quantities available, the prices are also
creeping up. Luckily commas are still in fairly cheap supply, and able
to be used both inappropriately, and with gay abandon.
It smells of dark cherries, strawberry and brown spices (like cloves
and cinnamon) with some peaty smokiness and a little floral lift. On
the palate it in only just medium bodied, light in touch, yet
concentrated in flavour with dark cherry, peat moss, mineral and spice.
It has fresh but gentle acidity, a spread of velveteen saturating
tannins and excellent length of flavour, closing with an earthy dark
cherry aftertaste. I think there is a bit of a Central Otago flavour
profile going on here, but without any intrusive alcohol. I like this a
great deal. It's fine, balanced and really good to drink. Quite
possibly the best Shelmerdine Pinot to date and certainly the most
interesting.’
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Imbibe
March/April 2008
By Charles Metcalfe
Eclectic
Avenue: We've heard about the interest value, but to the flavours
warrant the extra work needed to unravel and share the intricacies of
Portuguese wine? Our vinous panel set to work to find out.
Quinta da Aveleda Vinho Verde 2006 70 Points
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Imbibe
March/April 2008
Regional
Heroes: A new initiative from Wine Australia UK aims to educate
sommeliers and restauranteurs about the amazing variety of classical
regional wines on offer from Australia
Alliance Wine & Peckhams
"We
want to see more awareness of the individuality and personality of
Australia's best wines and the people behind them. We chose Peckhams as
our partner for this because it has a great reputation for quality and
individuality and it also has high quality staff who are keen to learn.
Finally Peckhams offers good coverage in both Glasgow and Edinburgh. In
the current market conditions, classic Western Australian white wine
styles such as Semillon/Sauvignon should have a real place here -
young, fresh, bright and with reasonable alcohol levels. Surely it is
about time to rediscover the charms of Cabernet and Aussie sparkling
from Tasmania as well." Giles Cook, Alliance Wine
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Decanter
May 2008
Wines of the Month
Clover Hill Brut Tasmania ****
‘This
offers a welcoming, creamy nose with noticeable oak but good balance,
together with a classic, Champagne-inspired palate with great finesse,
fine mousse and no little complexity. Truly superb, this is one of the
best New World sparklers on the market. Until 2013'
Stadt Krems Gruner Veltliner Lossterrassen ****
‘Owned
by the town of Krems, this estate has been run by Fritz Miesbauer since
2003 and has already established a stella reputation. It offers intense
stone fruit on the nose with a full texture on the palate and some
minerality, plus rich complexity on the finish. Until 2011.'
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Wine Advocate
March 2008
Best Spanish Reds
Abadal Cabernet Franc Tempranillo 2006 87 Points
‘Will
go well with seafood' wrote António. Charles and Frederic
agreed. Joao described it as 'aromatic with touches of lime and good
acidity'.
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7 Beechfield Road, Willowyard Estate, Beith, Ayrshire KA15 1LN
Tel: 01505 506 060 Fax: 01505 506 066
Email: sales@alliancewine.co.uk Web: www.alliancewine.co.uk
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