<![CDATA[Wines]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/wines.html Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 Zend_Feed http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss <![CDATA[Mt Difficulty 2008 Roaring Meg Central Otago Pinot Noir ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/mt-difficulty-2008-roaring-meg-central-otago-pinot-noir.html Mt Difficulty is one of Central Otago's best and most established wineries. Many of the vines are mature, being some of the oldest in the area. The wines which are produced here have a unique finesse, rarely found in the new world. Mt Difficulty recently was named 'Top Producer' in the latest New Zealand Pinot Noir Classification. Only Ata Rangi, Felton Road and Mt Difficulty were given Five Stars in the 'Third Great New Zealand Pinot Noir Classification'. The classification is based on a rolling average of the 5 most recent vinatges and produced by wine writers Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer.

Price:£ 15.99 Special Price:£ 13.59

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Forrest Estate 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/forrest-estate-2008-sauvignon-blanc.html The Forrest 2008 Sauvignon Blanc was drawn from six sites located from vineyard’s throughout Marlborough’s Wairau Valley. Whilst all have distinctive terroir they share very stony, free-draining, devigorating soil types. This common character is absolutely crucial in achieving vine balance and restricting crop load to maintain premium wine grapes. The stony nature of these soils also influences the wine’s character with its mineral aromas and dry finish. WINEMAKING ANALYSIS pH: 3.22 TA: 7.2g/l Alcohol: 13% Residual Sugar: <2g/l Harvest Date: 20 March - 14 April 2008 Bottling Date: August 2008 Brix at Harvest: 21 - 24.5º VITICULTURE 80% 2 cane, vertical shoot position (2.8 x 1.8m density) 20% Sylvos Shoot thinned x 1 Leaf plucked x 2 Leaf trimmed x 3 Yield: 7.4 – 10.2 tonne/ha Source: http://www.forrest.co.nz

Price:£ 9.99 Special Price:£ 8.49

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Forrest Estate 2007 Pinot Noir ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/forrest-estate-2007-pinot-noir.html Formed in 1989 by Brigid and John Forrest, the estate is located in the Wairau valley and produces a subtle, complex style of Sauvignon Blanc. The aromatic varieties such as Riesling and Gewurztraminer are very successful here.

Price:£ 10.99 Special Price:£ 9.34

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Forrest Estate 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon 'John Forrest Collection' ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/forrest-estate-2005-cabernet-sauvignon-john-forrest-collection.html In 1988 I bought a piece of wasteland in Hawke’s Bay, deliberately choosing a site at the stoniest, hottest, western end of Gimblett Road on Class 1a river gravels, because I was looking for a special place where warm climate red varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah would fully ripen. My business partner, Bob Newton and I learned how to grow grape vines in gravel as we went along, pioneering many of the viticultural practices that are now the norm in the region. Time has proven my instinct about Gimblett Gravels right. The Cornerstone Vineyard lies at the heart of the ‘Gimblett Gravels Winegrowing District’, a trademark created in 2001 by local winegrowers based on defined soil types. This very limited edition Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic expression of these special soils. WINEMAKING ANALYSIS pH: 3.7 TA: 5.68g/l Alcohol: 14% Residual Sugar: Nil Harvest Date: Late March Brix at Harvest: 24-25º VITICULTURE Yield: 4.0-5.6 tonne/ha Source: http://www.forrest.co.nz

Price:£ 17.99 Special Price:£ 15.29

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Forrest Estate 2006 Syrah 'John Forrest Collection' ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/forrest-estate-2006-syrah-john-forrest-collection.html If God allowed me to drink only one wine in the world, it would be Syrah from the Northern Rhone. I love its vibrant fruit, defining acidity, savoury richness and seductive texture. In 1988, my passion for Syrah led me to seek out a vineyard site in Hawke's Bay at the stoniest, hottest, western end of Gimblett Road on Class 1a river gravels, where my business partner, friend and viticulturist, Bob Newton and I, established the Cornerstone Vineyard. I was looking for a special place with similarities to the Northern Rhone, where a warm climate red varietal such as Syrah would fully ripen. Though Gimblett Gravels is in its infancy as a wine region, Syrah is clearly outstanding and has emerged as the premier varietal in the region to universal acclaim - and my personal delight.“ WINEMAKING ANALYSIS pH: 3.7 TA: 6.4g/l Alcohol: 14.5% Residual Sugar: Nil Harvest Date: Late March Brix at Harvest: 24-26º Source: http://www.forrest.co.nz

Price:£ 17.99 Special Price:£ 15.29

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Forrest Estate 2006 Botrytis Riesling 375ml]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/forrest-estate-2006-botrytis-riesling-375ml.html Marlborough has an ideal climate for botrytised dessert wines, thanks to cool nights and temperate days, modest autumn rainfall and a harvest period lasting from March until May. These elements allow botrytis-affected berries an extended time on the vine, concentrating the sugars and flavours while retaining acidity. I have been making botrytised riesling since 1993 and find the Brancott Valley to be one of my most interesting sites. Brancott’s older soil profile of undissected river terraces together with is elevated location, approximately 50m abovethe Wairau Valley floor, result in cooler temperatures and a later harvest than in many other parts of Marlborough. Botrytised Riesling from this site has exceptional acidity and length and offers a unique flavour profile of sweet citrus and exotic tropical fruits.“ WINEMAKING ANALYSIS pH: 2.95 TA: 8.4g/l Alcohol: 9% Residual Sugar: 220 Brix at Harvest: 31º Source: http://www.forrest.co.nz

Price:£ 16.99 Special Price:£ 14.44

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Forrest Estate 2007 Pinot Noir 'Tatty Bogler' ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/forrest-estate-2007-pinot-noir-tattybogler.html ‘Tatty Bogler’ is wine grown in the dramatic backdrop of Otago, New Zealand, a region rich in stunning alpine landscapes and warming summer sunshine. Otago is now producing some of the worlds finest Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. In 2002, three families with Scottish ancestry and established wine credentials embarked on a dream to embrace and enjoy part of the land they had grown up in. The result: ‘TattyBogler’. A ‘TattyBogler’, a solitary effigy, was often used to protect the precious crops from predators and spirits such as ‘hobgoblins’ allowing the harvest to prosper. Our Pinot Noir is a unique and innovative blend that can access grapes from vineyards in the Waitaki, North Otago and Bannockburn, Central Otago. All fruit is grown with tender loving care, cropped low for optimum flavour profile and hand harvested. The fruit is destemed without crushing and each parcel transferred into separate small open top fermentors for a period of cold soaking before fermentation with regular hand plunging of the cap. The wine is further matured in French oak barriques for 12-15 months. WINEMAKING ANALYSIS pH: 3.6 TA: 5.5g/l Alcohol: 13% Residual Sugar: 0 Harvest Date: 12th - 23rd April Bottling Date: June 2008 Brix at Harvest: 23-24.5º VITICULTURE 100% vertical shoot position Trellising (2.5 x 1.5m density) Shoot thinned x 1 Cropped thinned x 2 Leaf plucked x 1 Hand Harvested Yield: 3.2 – 4.4 tonne/ha Source: http://www.forrest.co.nz

Price:£ 16.99 Special Price:£ 14.44

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Ata Rangi 2007 'Celebre' ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/ata-rangi-2007-celebre.html 403030

Price:£ 21.99 Special Price:£ 18.69

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Cloudy Bay 2005 Pelorus Vintage ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/cloudy-bay-2005-pelorus-vintage.html

Price:£ 18.99 Special Price:£ 16.14

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Cloudy Bay 2007 Chardonnay ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/cloudy-bay-2007-chardonnay.html

Price:£ 19.99 Special Price:£ 16.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Ata Rangi 2008 'Crimson' Pinot Noir ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/ata-rangi-2008-crimson-pinot-noir.html

Price:£ 14.99 Special Price:£ 12.74

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Kumeu River 2007 Pinot Gris ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/kumeu-river-2007-pinot-gris.html Michael Brajkovich, grandson of the founder of the Kumeu River estate, was New Zealand's first Master of Wine and still its greatest viticulturist. The Kumeu Chardonnay is our benchmark for the New World, which has all the class of Puligny Montrachet, and their recent addition of a Sauvignon Blanc to the range is a serious contender as one of NZ's best.

Price:£ 13.99 Special Price:£ 11.89

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Felton Road 2008 Pinot Noir ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/felton-road-2008-pinot-noir.html Our favourite producer of Pinot Noir from New Zealand. Felton Road uses grapes only from their own 18 hectare estate which completely organic and biodynamic. The continental climate of Central Otago is perfect for the slow ripening of Pinot Noir and critical for devoloping the aromatic in the superb Rieslings which are also produced here.

Price:£ 24.99 Special Price:£ 21.24

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Fairfields 2008 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/fairfields-2008-marlborough-sauvignon-blanc.html 0

Price:£ 7.99 Special Price:£ 6.79

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Grove Mill 2007 Marlborough Pinot Noir ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/grove-mill-2007-marlborough-pinot-noir.html Grove Mill is a leading winery from Marlborough which produces a distinctive range of wines. We are particularly fond of their Sauvignon Blanc which is crisp and delicate and crammed with bright, juicy flavours. The winery is particularly sensitive to environmental issues and was the first in the world to become Carbon Neutral. Not only do they offset their CO2 production, but they also embark on a program of reducing their emissions, by using energy more efficiently, and being conscious of excess packaging.

Price:£ 13.99 Special Price:£ 11.89

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Grove Mill 2007 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/grove-mill-2007-marlborough-sauvignon-blanc.html Grove Mill is a leading winery from Marlborough which produces a distinctive range of wines. We are particularly fond of their Sauvignon Blanc which is crisp and delicate and crammed with bright, juicy flavours. The winery is particularly sensitive to environmental issues and was the first in the world to become Carbon Neutral. Not only do they offset their CO2 production, but they also embark on a program of reducing their emissions, by using energy more efficiently, and being conscious of excess packaging.

Price:£ 9.99 Special Price:£ 8.49

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Kumeu River 2007 Pinot Noir 'Village' ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/kumeu-river-2007-pinot-noir-village.html Michael Brajkovich, grandson of the founder of the Kumeu River estate, was New Zealand's first Master of Wine and still its greatest viticulturist. The Kumeu Chardonnay is our benchmark for the New World, which has all the class of Puligny Montrachet, and their recent addition of a Sauvignon Blanc to the range is a serious contender as one of NZ's best.

Price:£ 11.99 Special Price:£ 10.19

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Kumeu River 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/kumeu-river-2008-sauvignon-blanc-marlborough.html Michael Brajkovich, grandson of the founder of the Kumeu River estate, was New Zealand's first Master of Wine and still its greatest viticulturist. The Kumeu Chardonnay is our benchmark for the New World, which has all the class of Puligny Montrachet, and their recent addition of a Sauvignon Blanc to the range is a serious contender as one of NZ's best.

Price:£ 10.99 Special Price:£ 9.34

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Escarpment 2007 Pinot Noir ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/escarpment-2007-pinot-noir.html One of New Zealands most famous winemakers, Larry McKenna is the man behind Escarpment. Larrys name goes hand-in-hand with the best quality Pinot Noir from New Zealand. Escarpment is registered as a Sustainable NZ producer and is currently following a 5 year plan to become organically certified. The vineyards are sited above a natural escarpment above the Huarangarua River on ancient gravels.

Price:£ 18.99 Special Price:£ 16.14

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Te Mata 2005 Syrah Woodthorpe Vineyard ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/te-mata-2005-syrah-woodthorpe-vineyard.html Te Mata is New Zealands oldest consistently operating winery, having been established in 1896. The main site for the vineyards is on the northern slopes of Te Mata Peaks foothills east of Havelock North. The Buck and Morris families bought the estate in 1978. Under the direction of John Buck, a 30 year development programme has positioned Te Mata as one of New Zealands icon wineries often equated to the great properties of Bordeaux in concept and quality. The winemaker Peter Cowley has been at Te Mata since 1984. These high quality wines are made using only their own estates grapes. Woodthorpe is a 210 hectare vineyard with an ideal aspect on elevated north facing river terraces in Hawkes Bay. Originally a colonial settlement, militia encampment and staging post, it was home to Woodthorpe Races between 1863 and 1914.

Price:£ 13.99 Special Price:£ 11.89

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Te Mata 2005 Merlot/Cabernet Woodthorpe Vineyard ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/te-mata-2005-merlot-cabernet-woodthorpe-vineyard.html Te Mata is New Zealands oldest consistently operating winery, having been established in 1896. The main site for the vineyards is on the northern slopes of Te Mata Peaks foothills east of Havelock North. The Buck and Morris families bought the estate in 1978. Under the direction of John Buck, a 30 year development programme has positioned Te Mata as one of New Zealands icon wineries often equated to the great properties of Bordeaux in concept and quality. The winemaker Peter Cowley has been at Te Mata since 1984. These high quality wines are made using only their own estates grapes. Woodthorpe is a 210 hectare vineyard with an ideal aspect on elevated north facing river terraces in Hawkes Bay. Originally a colonial settlement, militia encampment and staging post, it was home to Woodthorpe Races between 1863 and 1914.

Price:£ 11.99 Special Price:£ 10.19

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Astrolabe 2008 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/astrolabe-2008-marlborough-sauvignon-blanc.html

Price:£ 13.99 Special Price:£ 11.89

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Mt Difficulty 2007 Estate Central Otago Pinot Noir ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/mt-difficulty-2007-estate-central-otago-pinot-noir.html

Price:£ 21.99 Special Price:£ 18.69

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Mt Difficulty 2008 Roaring Meg Central Otago Pinot Gris ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/mt-difficulty-2008-roaring-meg-central-otago-pinot-gris.html

Price:£ 10.99 Special Price:£ 9.34

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Tinpot Hut 2007 Syrah Hawkes Bay ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/tinpot-hut-2007-syrah-hawkes-bay.html

Price:£ 13.99 Special Price:£ 11.89

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Neudorf 2006 Nelson Pinot Noir 'Tom's Block' ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/neudorf-2006-nelson-pinot-noir-tom-s-block.html

Price:£ 18.99 Special Price:£ 16.14

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Neudorf 2007 Nelson Sauvignon Blanc ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/neudorf-2007-nelson-sauvignon-blanc.html

Price:£ 13.99 Special Price:£ 11.89

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Cloudy Bay 2009 Sauvignon Blanc ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/cloudy-bay-2009-sauvignon-blanc.html

Price:£ 19.99 Special Price:£ 16.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Kumeu River 2006 Chardonnay 'Hunting Hill' ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/kumeu-river-2006-chardonnay-hunting-hill.html Michael Brajkovich, grandson of the founder of the Kumeu River estate, was New Zealand's first Master of Wine and still its greatest viticulturist. The Kumeu Chardonnay is our benchmark for the New World, which has all the class of Puligny Montrachet, and their recent addition of a Sauvignon Blanc to the range is a serious contender as one of NZ's best.

Price:£ 19.99 Special Price:£ 16.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Kumeu River 2007 Chardonnay 'Village' ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/kumeu-river-2007-chardonnay-village.html Michael Brajkovich, grandson of the founder of the Kumeu River estate, was New Zealand's first Master of Wine and still its greatest viticulturist. The Kumeu Chardonnay is our benchmark for the New World, which has all the class of Puligny Montrachet, and their recent addition of a Sauvignon Blanc to the range is a serious contender as one of NZ's best.

Price:£ 10.99 Special Price:£ 9.34

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Kumeu River 2006 Chardonnay 'Estate' ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/kumeu-river-2006-chardonnay-estate.html Michael Brajkovich, grandson of the founder of the Kumeu River estate, was New Zealand's first Master of Wine and still its greatest viticulturist. The Kumeu Chardonnay is our benchmark for the New World, which has all the class of Puligny Montrachet, and their recent addition of a Sauvignon Blanc to the range is a serious contender as one of NZ's best.

Price:£ 17.99 Special Price:£ 15.29

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Forrest Estate 2006 Gewurztraminer ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/forrest-estate-2006-gewurztraminer.html 1989

Price:£ 10.99 Special Price:£ 9.34

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Abel Mendoza Monge 2009 Jarrarte Maceracion Carbonica ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/abel-mendoza-monge-2009-jarrarte-maceracion-carbonica.html

Price:£ 8.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Abel Mendoza Monge 2006 Jarrarte Cosecha ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/abel-mendoza-monge-2006-jarrarte-cosecha.html

Price:£ 18.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Abel Mendoza Monge 2007 Personal ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/abel-mendoza-monge-2007-personal.html

Price:£ 31.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Borgo Col del Alto N.V. Prosecco Rose ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/borgo-col-del-alto-n-v-prosecco-rose.html

Price:£ 9.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Chateau Gontey 2004 Saint Emilion Grand Cru ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/chateau-gontey-2004-saint-emilion-grand-cru.html

Price:£ 21.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Domaine de la Mordoree 1999 Chateauneuf du Pape 'Reine des Bois' 1500ml]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/domaine-de-la-mordoree-1999-chateauneuf-du-pape-reine-des-bois-1500ml.html Christophe Delorme has now achieved superstar status with at least one Parker-100 score under his belt for his 2001 Chateauneuf. However, his feet remain firmly planted on the ground and mere mortals are still able to afford these bottles. Lirac is still the main product here and the three versions he makes, one white and two reds, are without doubt among the best value wines from the Rhone.

Price:£ 135.00

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Terres Noires 2008 Merlot ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/terres-noires-2008-merlot.html 1

Price:£ 5.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Jurtschitsch 2008 Gruner Veltliner Kamptal ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/jurtschitsch-2008-gruner-veltliner-kamptal-1.html

Price:£ 19.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Finca Sophenia 2007 Sophenia Cabernet Sauvignon ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/finca-sophenia-2007-sophenia-cabernet-sauvignon.html

Price:£ 10.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Domaine Long Depaquit 2002 Chablis Grand Cru 'Moutonne' ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/domaine-long-depaquit-2002-chablis-grand-cru-moutonne.html This historic Chablis estate is owned by the Beaune negociant Albert Bichot. The Chateau in the heart of the village of Chablis is as elegant as the wines it produces. The most remarkable wine in the range is the Grand Cru Moutonne which is a monopole of the domaine and one of the regions most long lived wines.

Price:£ 45.00

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Chateau Mourgues du Gres 2006 Costieres de Nimes Galets Rouges ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/chateau-mourgues-du-gres-2006-costieres-de-nimes-galets-rouges-1.html Situated in the good value region of Costieres de Nimes, Mourgues du Gres, owned by Francois & Anne Collard, has vineyards planted on soils of glacial origin containing Galets pebbles as found in Chateauneuf du Pape. The wines have been highly rated by many critics in France and overseas, yet continue to offer excellent value for money.

Price:£ 8.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Domaine La Colombette 2009 Grenache Rose ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/domaine-la-colombette-2009-grenache-rose.html Father and son team of Francois and Vincent Pugibet, take varietal Languedoc wines to another level. At first their wines may seem a little more expensive than their neighbours, but the quality throughout the range is exceptional. Vincent believes that his vines should not be overstressed, so they are drip irrigated, resulting in wines that have uncommon freshness for the Languedoc, allowing him to make cool whites such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon alongside the Mediterranean varieties. In the cellar no expense has been spared in installing modern stainless steel cuves and expensive oak for the elevage.

Price:£ 6.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Haut Mondesir 2004 Cotes de Bourg ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/haut-mondesir-2004-cotes-de-bourg.html This is the Cotes de Bourg property of Marc Pasquet, also of Mondesir Gazin in the Premieres Cotes de Blaye. The vineyard is very small comprising only 1.8 hectares and no Chateau to speak of: the wine is vinified at Mondesir Gazin. Only 1,000 cases are produced each year and the wine is aged in barriques for 18 - 20 months, half of which are new. The price/quality relationship is exceptional.

Price:£ 16.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Chateau Mondesir Gazin 2006 Premieres Cotes de Blaye ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/chateau-mondesir-gazin-2006-premieres-cotes-de-blaye.html

Price:£ 13.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Alain Coudert 2008 Fleurie 'Clos de la Roilette' ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/alain-coudert-2008-fleurie-clos-de-la-roilette.html

Price:£ 12.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Chateau Peynaud 2005 Bordeaux ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/chateau-peynaud-2005-bordeaux.html

Price:£ 9.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Quinta do Passadouro 2004 Vintage Port ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/quinta-do-passadouro-2004-vintage-port.html

Price:£ 29.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000 <![CDATA[Quinta do Passadouro N.V. Ruby Reserve ]]> http://www.ballantynes-direct.co.uk/quinta-do-passadouro-n-v-ruby-reserve.html

Price:£ 14.99

]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:36:42 +0000