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Rosebank 1991 [Lowland]

£40.00

Sadly this distillery is no more, but there's a bit of the best of the lowlands left. Floral, light and honeyed - great after a heavy meal!
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Ledaig, 1990 [Islands]

£30.00

Situated on the island of Tobermory, this distillery now bears that Island's name. Light and perfumed with floral aromas and a spicy, nutty palate
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Carpentiere - Castel del Monte 'Come d'Incanto' 2007

£11.00

This is the only white wine in the world made from the Nero di Troia grape. A bold but successful move from this innovative Puglian winery, resulting in a full bodied wine, full of tropical fruits when first breached, but opening out into something spicey and green with stewed gooseberries, ginger and a hint of something herbal - fresh tobacco?
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Denis Race, Chablis 2005

Online Catalogue | Sipped and Savoured | Denis Race, Chablis 2005

Tasted several times, in fact, it was that good! Big up to Reserve stalwart Nick who put me onto this and what a glorious day it was when I uncorked the half bottle at Chez Carl, took a deep sniff and poured the golden (yes, golden!) nectar. Proper geeky tasting note to follow but suffice it to say that nothing could have prepared me for this. Past encounters with insipid, overpriced and one-dimensional Chablis had left me feeling a little underwhelmed but this was a conversion of Damascan proportions! It's the first white wine in a while that I can honestly say I am addicted to! As you can guess that half bottle did not last long and my vinous soul yearned for more. You will too.

Grapes 100% Chardonnay

Region Yonne, France

Winemaking Limestone soil. Unoaked chardonnay fermented in stainless steel tanks.

ABV 12.5%

Tasting Note This is unoaked Chablis fermented in stainless steel which helps retain all the clean, fresh fruit flavours, but look at the colour! Most Chablis is pale yellow but this looks like a Meursault. The nose is rich, complex, and almost savoury with honey, nuts and white flowers. On the palate there is exceptional weight and complexity - more honey, minerals, that nuttiness again and a long powerful finish. This is far more serious than generic Chablis has any right to be and punches well above its weight. Tremendous value!

Cellaring The 2005 vintage was exceptional so this should keep for at least a year or two getting more honeyed with age. But you won't be able to keep your hands off it!

If You Like.. If you like this….try another bottle! Failing that the Pirie South Chardonnay from Tasmania (£9.99) is similarly unoaked but packed with tropical fruit flavours. Or stay in Yonne and give the Picq brothers a try; their Chablis Old Vines 2005 is another sure-fire winner (£12.49).

Online Catalogue | Sipped and Savoured | Denis Race, Chablis 2005