Cripps Wines

Tasting Notes, Reviews and Vineyard

Website links

Where appropriate, wines have been paired.

Chateaux Miaudoux Bergerac Sec Biologique

Our house white - from one of the best-sited vineyards on the south bank of the Dordogne at Saussignac, made from Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes.  A real star at a great price.

"A very stylish dry wine.   Fresh white fruit and citrus aromas with blackcurrant bud and floral notes; good biscuity and creamy depth. Succulent fruit on the palate, fresh balance, and good mineral, biscuity fruit on the finish. "

Website: http://www.chateaulesmiaudouxbio.com/ 

Chateau Planeres de Saint Jean, Cotes de Roussillon

Our house red.  The Roussillon is one of the most exciting wine growing regions in the world, where a combination of traditional skills and new world innovation is proving a powerful mix.

"From a private estate close to France’s border with Spain near the Mediterranean coast, the vineyard of Château Planères stands on old river gravels and clay giving a fine texture and fruit expression to the wines. From Syrah, Grenache and Carignan grapes, the 2006 is supple and balanced, full of ripe red fruits and spice, equally delicious on its own or with roasted meats. "

Website: http://www.chateauplaneres.com/uk/

Chateau Mourgues du Gres, Les Galets Rouges 2009, Costieres des Nimes

Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Carignan. It is dominated by aromas of red fruit, mild spices and liquorice, and supported by harmoniously integrated tannins. 87 points Wine Spectator: Soft but focused, offering a core of plum, anise and dark cherry fruit laced with judicious toast. A hint of anise lingers on the finish.

"One of the most impressive estates in the Costieres de Nimes (a treasure-trove of value-priced wines), Mourgues du Gres’ reds and whites are all worth checking out by consumers looking to maximizing their buying power." -Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

"In a few years Mourgues du Gres has become in our opinion the best domaine of Costieres de Nimes, thanks to the stunning openness of his red and rose wines which are essentially pure Syrah. Conforming to the style of this varietal to the North of the valley of the Rhone, the red wines are deeply colored, glistening with their beautiful aromas of cassis and black fruits, seducing with their svelt profundity." Le Classement, 2000 Revue du Vin de France

Touraine Sauvignon, Domaine Jean-Pierre Baron

A classically styled Loire Sauvignon with grassy aromas and a crisp citrus acidity on the palate balanced by a delicate touch rounded with a clean, dry finish.

Domaine Lagneau, Beaujolais Villages 2008

Silver medal, Paris

Issuing from eighty year old vines on the granite slopes of Quincié, neighbouring some of the most famous Beaujolais crus, this wine offers intense ripe aromas suggesting crème de fruits – morello cherry and soft fruits – with a floral highlight and spicy mineral base notes.  Generous fruit palate, with rounded spicy tannins, lively acidity, and delightful purity of flavour.  

Chateau des Erles Cuvee Ardois, Fitou

30% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 30% Carignan. The carignan is vinified using carbonic maceration while the syrah and grenache is vinified traditionally. The wine is then aged in oak for 12 months prior to bottling. Deep garnet rich colour with delicious red fruit on the nose. The palate is charming and refined with superb balance. Very fine tannins with spices and red fruits make this a wonderfully elegant Languedoc.

Website: http://vintuswines.com

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Nicodemi

Two top quality examples of small estate Italian wines, with dedicated owners working under the guidance of oenologist Paolo Caciorgna, one of Italy’s – and the world’s – most skilful winemakers.  Fantastic quality at any price.  If we have a party of our own at Cripps we drink this.  

Fresh raspberry, cherry and blanched almond aromas with undertones of lightly coffeeish spice and sweet leather – refined and expressive.  Delicious balance, with delicately spicy tannins and long fruit intensity.  Montepulciano is the traditional red wine grape of the Abruzzi region east of Rome towards the Adriatic.

Soave Tamellini

Superb dry white wine, hinting of peach, quince, citrus and flowers, with succulent fresh fruit depth and length of taste, and underlying spicy minerality.  Produced near Verona on a small hillside vineyard with dark volcanic soil from 100% Gargenega vines, the classic vine of Soave, this wine is a revelation. 

Sorrelle Branca PROSECCO D.o.c. di Valdobbiadene Spumante Extra Dry

Founded in the mid-eighties by sisters Antonella and Ersiliana Bronca who inherited some old vineyards around Colbertaldo. Since then they have purchased new vineyards and established modern viticultural techniques to ensure quality.

We haven't tasted a better Prosecco than this - and we've tried lots.  It tastes as classy and elegant as it looks.   Tramples all over Champagne at this price level.

Tasting notes:  Fresh and mineral pear and apple aromas. Delicious balance, expression and aromatic length.

Website: http://www.sorellebronca.it/sito-inglese/index-d.htm

Champagne Franck Bonville Brut Sélection Blancs de Blancs Grand Cru

A limited production single-estate wine, grown and crafted with a passion not to be found in the industrial scale of most champagnes that dominate the market.

RM:  "A champagne that compares with the top grandes marques (in fact Bonville supply wines to a number of the best-reputed houses for their blends) from 100% grand cru Chardonnay grapes grown on the slopes of Avize, Cramant and Oger, the most highly rated (and expensive) vineyards of Champagne.  Lovely buttery pâtisserie aromas, hinting of apple, citrus, hazlenut and may-blossom, with delicious balance, depth and length.  Great class." 

Website:  http://www.champagne-franck-bonville.com/default.asp