Nick Dobson Wines Wines of the Month

Wines of the Month - December 2011

For December we have a couple of great wines from Germany - the white is a superb example of an Erdener Prälat Riesling Spätlese from the excellent 2007 vintage, and made by one of Erden's top producers. This is quite stunning; Prälat is one of the top sites in the Mosel - and in Germany - and will not disappoint. Definitely one for special occasions. The red is most unusual - a Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) from Domprobst, which is a top Riesling site - this wine is a clear light red, with a fruity nose. On the palate it is relatively light-bodied but complex and savoury, with soft dry fruity flavours - strawberries and cream! Both this month's wines would be perfect with Turkey, and both are high quality wines of individuality and character. As ever there's a split case of 6 of each wine.

December 2011 White Wine of the Month - Erdener Prälat Riesling Spätlese 2007 Andreas Schmitges Weingut Schmitges, Erden/Mosel
Ref: WHITEDEC11

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One of the top German Riesling vineyards with its legendary terroir. First class grapes, fermented using natural yeast. On the nose an infatuating, clean and complex bouquet with mineral and fresh fruit, very subtle peach, citrus fruit and apricot flavours. Very dense on the palate, concentrated. Please decant. You may savour it now until at least 2020.

Normal price for a 12-bottle case of this wine £288.00 - offer price £273.60.

In stock - normally despatched within one working day.

Price: £273.60 (Including VAT at 20%)

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December 2011 White Wine of the Month - Erdener Prälat Riesling Spätlese 2007 Andreas Schmitges Weingut Schmitges, Erden/Mosel

December 2011 Red Wine of the Month - Graacher Domprobst Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) Trocken (RED) 2009 Weingut Philipps-Eckstein
Ref: REDDEC11

A bit of a rarity - Domprobst being a Riesling site - this wine is a clear light red, with a fruity nose. On the palate it is relatively light-bodied but savoury, with soft dry fruity flavours - strawberries and cream! Good length, slightly earthy, with a dry fruity finish and just a hint of spice. Works well on its own or with food - great with hams, gammons, pork dishes especially.

Normal price for a 12-bottle case of this wine £151.20 - offer price £144.

In stock - normally despatched within one working day.

Price: £144.00 (Including VAT at 20%)

Quantity:

Split Red/White December 2011 Wines of the Month Case
Ref: SPLITDEC11

6 each of this month's red and white wines of the month.

In stock - normally despatched within one working day.

Price: £208.80 (Including VAT at 20%)

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November 2011 White Wine of the Month - Humagne Blanche 2009 F&D Giroud Chamoson
Ref: WHITENOV11

The Humagne Blanche is the oldest known white grape originating in the Valais. It is cited in historical records going back to 1381 under the name "Humani". It gives a wine rich in iron - 3 times the level found in most other grapes - accounting for its reputed medicinal qualities, in particular in bygone days as a tonic for pregnant women, monks, and bishops! Following the phylloxera outbreak, this variety faced near extinction at the start of the 20th century, and now there is just over 7 hectares planted, making it one of the world's rarest grape varieties.

Vinification - Slow and careful pressing, an initial period of low temperature fermentation and six month of aging in vats combine to guarantee a rich, full-bodied wine while also ensuring the cool finesse of the aromas. A Golden Yellow colour, with a powerful floral bouquet, characterized by a subtle mixture of linden blossoms, honey and hazelnuts. The vinosity combines with good acidity to create a fresh, fruity wine with delicate touches of honey and dried fruit followed by a long, fresh finish.

Humagne Blanche is a marvellous accompaniment to mousses, terrines, cold cuts and Alpine cheese.

ABV 12.5%. Drink - now to 2016. Serving temperature 8° - 10°C

Normal price for a 12-bottle case of this wine £237.60 - offer price £225

In stock - normally despatched within one working day.

Price: £225.00 (Including VAT at 20%)

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November 2011 Red Wine of the Month - Pinot Noir 2009, Pannonhalmi Apátsági Pincészet (Monastary of Pannonhalma), Pannonhalma
Ref: REDNOV11

** £

This is a wine made from grapes from three of the Monastary's vineyards - Széldomb, Tavaszó and Babszöko, all of which have a high concentration of lime in their soils. However, owing to the differing microclimates in each location, the grapes in these vineyards are in different stages of ripeness at any given time. The grapes from the individual vineyards are therefore ripened, picked, and vinified seperately before final blending.

This wine is characterised by a deep "Burgundian red" colour with the ripe cherry and raspberry amomas. On the palate the wine is full-bodied yet mellow, with classic Pinot flavours and silky fine tannins, making a rich yet elegant wine, which has very good length. The Monastary's own website describes it as having a "fiery elegance". The structure of this wine enables long ageing. It is recommended to drink it around 17 to 19°C; open a good hour before drinking, and ideally decant, to give an even a wider fragrance and flavour spectrum. 14.0% ABV.

Food recommendation: dark meats, especially duck and lamb dishes.

Normal price for a 12-bottle case £208.80 - offer price £198.60.

In stock - normally despatched within one working day.

Price: £198.60 (Including VAT at 20%)

Quantity:

November 2011 Red Wine of the Month - Pinot Noir 2009, Pannonhalmi Apátsági Pincészet (Monastary of Pannonhalma), Pannonhalma

Split Red/White November 2011 Wines of the Month Case
Ref: SPLITNOV11

6 each of this month's red and white wines of the month.

In stock - normally despatched within one working day.

Price: £212.40 (Including VAT at 20%)

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October 2011 White Wine of the Month - Furmint 2009 Heidi Schröck Weinbau Heidi Schröck, Rust
Ref: WHITEOCT11

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Furmint is the grape used to make Hungarian Tokay, which is today being reintroduced into Burgenland after near-extinction here. It's a component of quite a few sweet wines from these parts, and now a few makers, including Heidi (who replanted in the early '90s), are using it to make dry white. Furmint is a late ripener - the grapes for this wine were picked in the middle of November. It's a really great dry white - exotic and unusual. I just adore this wine, and people tasting it for the first time seem to share this emotion. This example has a pale straw-yellow colour, and aromas of ginger, quince, and honey. On the palate it is immediately spicy and exotic, a complex mix of fruit, ginger and pronounced minerality. Medium bodied and quite dry, it has extreme length, again with ginger and spice.

Normal price for a 12-bottle case £230.40 - offer price £218.40.

In stock - normally despatched within one working day.

Price: £218.40 (Including VAT at 20%)

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October 2011 White Wine of the Month - Furmint 2009 Heidi Schröck Weinbau Heidi Schröck, Rust

October 2011 Red Wine of the Month - Blaufränkisch 2008 Weingut Günter & Regina Triebaumer Rust
Ref: REDOCT11

*(*)

Purple with a dark violet rim. Intensive nose of cherries and black pepper. Stewed sour cherries with a hint of vanilla and lilac, spicy and dense, Sun-warmed dark berries. Dry, lively & juicy Blaufränkisch-fruit, very classic style, finely-wound tannin structure, inviting flavours of dark berries and cherries with a long zesty and lively finish. Good with goose, mature Emmental, Linguine and red Pesto, roast deer, paprika chicken, bean stews. Drink at 15 - 17°C, decant for an hour first. 13.5% ABV. Bottled April 2009.

Normal price for a 12-bottle case £144.00 - offer price £136.80.

In stock - normally despatched within one working day.

Price: £136.80 (Including VAT at 20%)

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October 2011 Red Wine of the Month - Blaufränkisch 2008 Weingut Günter & Regina Triebaumer Rust

Split Red/White October 2011 Wines of the Month Case
Ref: SPLITOCT11

6 each of this month's red and white wines of the month.

In stock - normally despatched within one working day.

Price: £177.60 (Including VAT at 20%)

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September 2011 White Wine of the Month - Rully Blanc 2006 "St. Jacques" Maison Albert Sounit
Ref: WHITESEP11

The Rully vineyard of "Saint Jacques" is located at the northern end of the Rully appellation, where the Côte de Beaune starts. It is based on a steep slope and is East- South-east oriented. Vines grow on soil mainly composed of clay and limestone. Rully Saint Jacques is harvested in late September, and is then matured in French oak barrels (33% new, 33% 1 year old & 33% 2 years old) for 10 months on the lees with a regular Bâtonnage. During maturation, malolactic fermentation takes place. Final assemblage was followed by bottling without any fining or filtration. A mere 3,500 bottles were produced.

A light golden/straw colour, this wine has aromas of toast oak, white flowers, and vanilla. The palate is complex, initially with flavours of pineapple and citrus fruits, with buttery and vanilla notes developing. Well-balanced, this wine is subtle and elegant. Excellent with foie gras, a grilled fish (e.g. sea bream) served with crispy vegetables, veal, or poultry. Decant and serve between 12°C and 13°C.

Drinking well now, but will improve with 1 or 2 more years of bottle ageing.

Normal price for a 12-bottle case £208 - offer price £198.

In stock - normally despatched within one working day.

Price: £198.00 (Including VAT at 20%)

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September 2011 Red Wine of the Month - Chiroubles 2009 Domaine Fernand Gravallon & Cédric Lathuilière
Ref: REDSEP11

The stellar 2009 vintage has produced a stunning Chiroubles from Fernand Gravallon; A beautiful deep raspberry colour; on the nose there are red and black fruit aromas, with a hint of spice The palate is dry, with dark berry flavours, violets, spice, and earth. Very good length, dessicating and earthy. This is serious stuff, full-bodied, and works well both on its own (better not chilled), and with food. Try it with strongly flavoured stews, game, and powerful cheeses. A wine which, if well cellared, will keep 5+ years. Drink between 16°-18° C.

Normal price for a 12-bottle case £151.20 - offer price £142.80

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Price: £142.80 (Including VAT at 20%)

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Split Red/White September 2011 Wines of the Month Case
Ref: SPLITSEP11

6 each of this month's red and white wines of the month.

In stock - normally despatched within one working day.

Price: £170.40 (Including VAT at 20%)

Quantity: