Recent Producer Visits

Here at Bancroft, we simply love seeing a lot of our wonderful producers. When they are in the UK, we like to make the very most of it with staff training and visits to as many clients as time allows. What this boils down to is tasting oodles of wine and then some committed lunching, wining and dining - it's a hard life for all involved! 

Last month it was all about South America...

Bodega Luigi Bosca

Alberto Arizu came to see us for one day only, so we had limited time to take him out and about. We had some staff training at Bancroft HQ before he headed out to a lunch at Lima Covent Garden with the Bancroft sales team and some of London's finest GMs/sommeliers. A flying visit maybe, but we put Alberto through his paces!

Staff training with Alberto

Alberto hosts a lunch at Lima Floral

Bouchon Family Wines

We welcomed Julio Bouchon for a couple of days of whizzing around London with our on-trade sales team. He popped by to give the team some training on the range, including a couple of new releases which were incredibly exciting, but alas, heartbreaking in their short supply. Firstly, the stunning Granito Semillon 2015 (pictured below), the absolute star of the show, grown on granite soils and the only white wine made from the coastal area in Maule, of which only one barrel is made. Not only did it make the whole Bancroft team 'oo' and 'aah' in rapture, but it also charmed Tim Atkin MW, leading to a score of 96 points and the accolade of 'white wine discovery of the year' in his Chile 2017 Special Report. Secondly, on the new releases front, is a very special Carignan, part of the 'Vigno' D.O.-style collaboration set up by viticulturists of 35-40 year old, dry farmed Carignan in Maule. Only 200 cases of the Bouchon Vigno Carignan 2015 was produced.

The Granito Semillon got the whole team (and social media!) talking!

Julio enjoys lunch at Gordon's Wine Bar

Michel Rolland's Yacochuya in The Financial Times

One of our Yacochuya altitude-infused wines from Salta was recently mentioned in The Financial Times, written up by Peter Richards MW.

More information on the winery can be found here:
http://www.bancroftwines.com/yacochuya/

“• Yacochuya 2008, Cafayate, 15%

To conclude, one of Michel Rolland’s own wines. Rolland began consulting in Salta in 1988 and immediately saw its potential. He found an old Malbec vineyard at 2,035m altitude and this 2008 vintage shows the tobacco-scented, softened edges typical of fine bottle-aged reds. At its core, though, this is a hedonist’s wine, one for those who like maximum impact — a dense, sinewy, full-throttle red with tons of peppery spice, juicy acidity and rich ripe fruit.”

Peter Richards is a Master of Wine and television presenter

                                                                                                                                                        

Wine Spectator's 'Top 100 wines of the year': Luigi Bosca Malbec DOC 2013 (91pts)

Congratulations to Luigi Bosca for securing their Malbec DOC 2013 in Wine Spectator's 'Top 100 wines of the year 2015'.

Each year Wine Spectator editors survey the wines reviewed over the previous 12 months and select their TOP 100, based on quality, value, availability and excitement. This annual list honours successful wineries, regions and vintages around the world.

The Bancroft Bosca Polo Cup: West Wycombe Polo Club

It's been a busy few weeks at Bancroft HQ. Last Sunday the Bancroft Wines team headed out of London in the company of Alberto Arizu from Bodegas Luigi Bosca in Argentina for a day of anglo-argentine culture and cuisine at West Wycombe Polo ground.

Wine of the week: Revancha Peon, jancisrobinson.com

This week's wine of the week on Jancis Robinson is the Revancha Peon, as tasted by Julia Harding MW.

Bancroft reaps awards at the DWWA, SWA and IWC 2015

2015 has been a bumper harvest for Bancroft Wines and its growers, reaping golds and silvers left, right and centre at the Decanter World Wine Awards, the International Wine Challenge and the Sommelier Wine Awards. 

Luigi Bosca Gala 2 90 points Wine Spectator #morethanmalbec

Fantastic news and hearty congratulations to Luigi Bosca for receiving 90points this month in Wine Spectator.

And in happy harmony, as this is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, it's further proof of being #morethanmalbec

#MorethanMalbec Luigi Bosca Lunch with Alberto Arizu

Last Wednesday we hosted a lunch with Alberto Arizu, past president of Wines of Argentina, and current reigning head of Luigi Bosca - frequently dubbed the 'Monarchs of Mendoza' since they've been there, running the winery through the family, since 1901. Alberto was also actively involved in the creation of the Lujan de Cuyo D.O.C, the first in Argentina. "It's not an appellation, it's a commitment" Alberto commented over lunch.

Argentina has successfully grown and profited from 'brand Malbec' over the past few years, but in 2015 it progresses into what many people see as phase two of the wine industry here.

Revancha scoops 92 points in Wine Enthusiast

We're delighted to announce that Revancha has scored 92 points in this month's edition of Wine Enthusiast for their Gran Revancha - the 'King'.

Well done team!

"Revancha is a new line of wines from esteemed winemaker Roberto de la Mota. This blend Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cab Franc. On the nose it is spicy, lightly herbal and deep in fruit. A tight palate shows raw tannins and flavors of wild berry and oak-based coconut. Dry, flashy and a bit rough on the finish this will benefit from a few more years in bottle. Drink through 2020."

Bancroft is the exclusive agent for Revancha in the UK.

Salta: Argentina's coolest winemaking region and a wine 'akin to getting a full-body massage through the mouth'

Yesterday we were part of two Argentine tastings, the first, a Wines of Argentina event held at the Houses of Parliament by the British-Argentine All-Party Parliamentary Group and the Argentine Embassy, followed by Sky High - a celebration of high altitude wines at altitude, and the highest wine tasting in the country! This was run in conjunction with Time Out Magazine and Gaucho, offering slightly drizzly views over a darkened city with hearty Malbec and Malbec blends being served to a group of fanatical steak and wine fans, keen for a memorable view.

The wines we showed at both tastings were from Salta, Argentina's highest winemaking region, standing at some substantial altitude above sea level. Our winery on show, Yachochuya, a satellite winery of The Rolland Collection and Michel Rolland himself, has the second highest vineyards in the whole country, standing at a magnificent 2035m. Up here there is more UV light so grapes ripen with more concentration of flavours through their generally thick (Malbec) skins. The wines produced in this region of the world offer a more restrained, elegant and concentrated style of wine in comparison to neighbouring Mendoza where flavours can often be more robust.

Bancroft's Rob and Michel Rolland's Maria ready to welcome the VIPs to taste in Parliament

Luigi Bosca @ Jamie Oliver's Big Feastival

Last Friday Bancroft's Sophie dug out her wellies and went to stand in a rather large field just outside of Oxford in Kingham, to represent Luigi Bosca wines at Jamie Oliver's Big Feastival - a family friendly food and music festival run in conjunction with ex Blur guitarist Alex James, now turned cheese man extraordinare.

Wines of Argentina had a prominently positioned tent infront of the main stage where we were able to get our groove on to BBQ beats, Levi Roots and Fleetwood Bac. Luigi Bosca, the UK's best selling premium Argentine wine brand, was presented on sale alongside a number other wines hailing from sultry Argentina. On the Friday we were selling the Luigi Bosca De Sangre - the most premium of all wines on sale on the day, standing out in its iconic, classy branding atop the bar.

Bancroft Wines named exclusive UK importer for Roberto de la Mota’s new boutique Argentine winery: Revancha Vinos

We're delighted to announce our new appointment as exclusive UK agent for veteran winemaker Roberto de la Mota's new new boutique winery Revancha.

“La vida me ha dado una hermosa y gran Revancha

Este nuevo juego lo celebro haciendo este vino con mi hijo Rodrigo.”   

“Life has given me a beautiful second chance – Revancha- 

I celebrate this new opportunity making this wine together with my son Rodrigo.”

Roberto de la Mota

 

Roberto de la Mota, partner and winemaker at Mendel Wines is the son of Raul de la Mota - well known Argentine winemaker and pioneer of modern winemaking in Argentina as we have come to know it today.

Luigi Bosca trumps it in August's Wine Spectator: 93 points

Congratulations to Luigi Bosca who scored a happy 93 points in this month's Wine Specator for their Uco Valley Terroir Los Miradores 2011 Malbec.

From the Uco Valley - dubbed the 'new Napa' this is a terroir driven wine that will set your tastebuds tingling for all the right reasons.

 

Bancroft Wines at The London Wine Fair: three days in words and pictures

It was one of the busiest week's of the wine trade last week but the Bancroft team worked it with reputable enthusiasm alongside 12 of our esteemed producers who flew in from around the globe to present their wines to the trade.

A great show - cheers!

More Medals for Luigi Bosca: Silver at AWA 2014 and Silver at the Drinks Business Pinot Noir Masters 2014

Congratulations to Luigi Bosca for winning a Silver at the AWA 2014 (Argentinean Wine Awards) for their Malbec Seleccion Vistalba. This is a local competition that brings international judges and is gaining more and more recognition every year. Steven Spurrier was among the judges in 2014.

Luigi Bosca also won a Silver medal at The Drinks Business Pinot Noir Masters 2014 for their Grand Pinot Noir 2012.

Luigi Bosca's DOC Malbec awarded 90 Points by Decanter magazine

In the recent Decanter magazine (October 2013 issue), Bodegas Luigi Bosca's DOC Malbec 2010 is awarded 90 points and is voted in the top 50 South American wines under £20.

92 points from Decanter for Luigi Bosca's Finca los Nobles Cabernet Bouchet 2006

In the recent issue of Decanter (October 2013) Bodegas Luigi Bosca's Finca los Nobles Cabernet Bouchet 2006 was awarded 92 points in their "Beyond Malbec" tasting.

Can Jason choose a single wine as his favourite from 2012?

I’ve been asked to write a short piece on my favourite Bancroft Wine for 2012. Sorry, impossible, as there isn’t just one – Cliché I know but it depends on my mood and the occasion, and also who’s buying!

Tim Atkin's 2012 Argentina Report

Tim Atkin has just spent the last nine months compiling a comprehensive and compelling report on the wines of Argentina. His journey led him to taste more than 500 wines, skipping back and forth from London to Argentina in a bid to focus on wines of exceptional quality, compiling a fascinating list which includes only wines which scored 90 points and upwards. We were interested to find four of our Yachouya, Cafayate wines which have been tasted and scored below.

Luigi Bosca launches its own olive oil

Luigi Bosca has just launched its own range of extra virgin olive oil, Essencia Luigi Bosca, named after the terroir on which the olive trees are grown.