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.

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

Suckling on Simcic: 95 points and favourite of three

James Suckling's recent report on Slovenian wines reveals Simcic is one of his three favourite producers in Slovenia - re-posted with all tasting notes here below.

Marjan and Bancroft's James Wainscott at our Annual Portfolio Tasting at the Westbury this February

TASTING REPORT: 30 OUTSTANDING SLOVENIAN WINES

September 30th, 2014

"I have been a fan of top Slovenian wines for some time now. I know a number of the best producers. I appreciate their beautiful vineyards and their passion for winemaking.

Award-winning Australia:Hay Shed Hill

With a medal haul at the International Wine Challenge and mentions in the best 100 Australian Wines, Ray Jordan’s Top 100 reds and the Aug/Sept Wine Companion, Hay Shed Hill and its sister brand Pitchfork are the new high fliers on the Australian Wine scene and rightly so.

International Wine Challenge 2014

Hay Shed Hill put in a sterling performance at this year’s wine challenge and came home weighed down by their silverware with both the Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay being ranked among some of the best wines in the world.

          HAY SHED HILL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012

                                     - SILVER MEDAL

       HAY SHED HILL BLOCK 2 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010

                                     - SILVER MEDAL

       HAY SHED HILL CHARDONNAY 2013

                                     – COMMENDED

        HAY SHED HILL BLOCK 6 CHARDONNAY 2013

                                    – COMMENDED

Robert and Remirez: Robert Parker's 100point tasting at Hedonism Wines, featuring the Remirez de Ganuza Gran Reserva 2004

Last week, hot on positive heels from the London Wine Fair, Bancroft headed along to the much coveted 100 point Parker tasting at Hedonism Wines in Mayfair to present our Remirez de Ganuza Gran Reserva 2004.

After a gap of 25 years there was quite a crowd waiting on tenterhooks outside the shop for Robert, internationally renowned wine-critic and owner of the Wine Advocate, all eager to taste the 8 100 point wines on show and to meet the man himself.

Joined by Jose Utrasun and Luis Alberto Martinez from the winery, based in Rioja Alavesa, over 200 happy punters came to taste our wine - and with the tokens stacking up, we proved to be one of the most popular of the evening by far: 

Bancroft Wines is delighted to be UK exclusive agent for Bodegas Remírez de Ganuza, an estate which embodies the forward thinking attention to detail that says so much about modern Rioja. The Bodega has received many accolades over the years for their exceptional wines. Indeed, Robert Parker himself once dubbed it "The Latour of Rioja".

Beyond the Clouds proves its name in recent accolade from Wine Spectator

We're pleased to announce that our Beyond the Clouds 2011 from esteemed northern Italian producer Elena Walch has been awared 92 points in May's edition of The Wine Spectator. We recently served this bottle alongside another couple of our new Italian wines at a private event for Harrods - it was far and away the most popular wine of the evening.

In the article on the Trentino Alto Adige, Elena Walch's vineyard 'Kastelaz' was the accompanying cover image. A stunning piece of land that gives rich finesse to the wines produced.

Beyond the Clouds is Elena's flagship wine - made from her finest grapes. Although a blend, it is made predominantly from Chardonnay, aged in French oak barriques and undergoes partial malolactic fermentation. A beautiful wine that is intensely floral with fantastic richness and intensity.

Elena Walch: Alto Adige Beyond the Clouds 2011:
A vibrant white with citrusy acidity running through the flavors of crunchy white peach, grapefruit zest, blood orange and acacia blossom, revealing richer hints of honey, brioche and praline. 92 points.

Monte da Ravasquiera scoops more accolades: CWSA Gold Medal and Top 10

Monte da Ravasquiera has picked up a Gold Medal at The China Wine and Spirit Awards for their Tinto 2012, whilst their Vinha das Romas 2011 was voted a top 10 wine in Portugal's edition of Essencia Do Vinho.

93 Parker Points for Domaine de l'Hortus

We're proud to report that three of our Domaine de l'Hortus wines recieved some serious accolades from The Wine Advocate's Jeb Dunuck this weekend (eRobertParker.com, #211, Feb 2014): 

Stock is very limited so snap these up while you can!

Domaine de l’Hortus « Grande Cuvée » blanc 2012: Rating 93.

“It is a rich, fleshy wine that offers up ample buttered peaches, brioche, crushed rock-like minerality and hints of nuttiness on the nose. This flows to a medium to full-bodied, texture and beautifully layered white that has impressive delineation and cut integrated acidity and a big finish. Classy all aound, it’s a serious effort to enjoy over the coming 1-2 years.”

Domaine de l’Hortus “Grande Cuvée » rouge 2011: Rating 92.

 

“Deeper and richer, with loads of blackberry and black raspberry fruit supported by pepper, olive, violets and meaty notions, the 2011 Pic Saint Loup « Grande Cuvée » is medium to full-bodied, deep, layered and has gorgeous purity of fruit … It is already drinking beautifully, yet should evolve nicely for upwards of a decade.”

Bergerie de l’Hortus rouge 2012: Rating 90.

 

“It over delivers and it’s reminiscent of a Cote-Rotie with its white pepper, olive, underbrush, blackberry and even hints of bacon fat on the nose. Medium bodied elegant and beautifully seamless and silky, with fine tannin and good acidity, it should be enjoyed over the coming 3-5 years.

Sean's Notes: Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru from the Bichot Boys 2012

Sean gives us his thoughts on the Bonnes-mares Grand Cru 2012...

Team review: Chateau de la Negly, Vin des Pays d’Oc, Oppidum Chardonnay 2012

Sean Burbridge one of our Account Managers reviews the latest offering from Chateau de La Negly. 

Chateau de la Negly, Vin des Pays d’Oc, Oppidum Chardonnay 2012

This smartly packaged wine is a new addition to the Chateau de la Negly range and unusually for this property, it is a single varietal. 

Pitchfork picks up plenty of points: 93 and 91 apiece

The Pitchfork Shiraz and Pitchfork Cabernet Merlot have made an appearance in this month’s issue of Australia’s Wine Companion, earning a place in James Halliday’s Top Value Wines Under $20.

Highly regarded as the authority on his native land’s wine, the Aussie rates the Pitchfork Cabernet Merlot as one of his best value buys of the summer:

“Good colour; the fragrant bouquet introduces a wine with a juicy intensity that energies and lengthens the palate, and continues onto the aftertaste.” 91 Points

Pitchfork’s Shiraz fares even better, raking in an impressive 93 points. The veteran wine judge finds it to be a “very attractive, juicy light-to-medium-bodied Shiraz, with vibrant red and black fruits; spice and pepper, the tannins silky, the oak subtle.” 

Donna Marzia Negramaro Rosso 2011 wins a Gold Medal at the ‘Sélections Mondiales des vins Canada’

We are delighted to announce that one of our wines, the Donna Marzia Negramaro Rosso 2011, has been awarded a Gold Medal at the ‘Sélections Mondiales des vins Canada’.

Celebrations for Cederberg!

Every year Top Wine SA releases a list exhibiting the leading examples of South African wine. Consistently performing wines are brought before an international, panel of wine experts who taste and judge the wines blind.

Review of Ten Minutes By Tractor's "Wallis" Chardonnay 2010

Ten Minutes by Tractor from Mornington Peninsula is well known in the wine trade for producing superbly elegant Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. A recent review in the Australian Wine Review written by Andrew Graham on the Wallis Chardonnay 2010 highlights the minerality and saltiness that is achieveable with this fantastic terroir.

 

Wallis Vineyard, Mornington Peninsula

Excellent scores for Château du Cèdre, Cahors

Pascal and Jean-Marc Verhaeghe produce excellent Malbec from their increasingly biodynamic vineyards. Château du Cèdre consists of three parcels of land of the top two types of the Cahors Appellation. The brothers produce superb, well crafted wines that provide a very pleasurable drinking experience. 

Decanter discovers a “new classic”

Neo Punta Esencia 2009 has just been voted the best Ribera del Duero by Decanter Magazine - 19/20 (96) points by Decanter Magazine.

Pio Cesare Barolo Tasting at the office

Yesterday we at Bancroft Wines were privileged to welcome Cesare Benventeno from the Italian wine estate Pio Cesare for a tasting at our office. His family have one of the finest winemaking traditions in Piedmont. The wines are still made in the same building as they were in 1881 and the estate consists of 65 ha of some of the most picturesque and sort after lands in Northern Italy.

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.

Nero 2009, awarded "Tre Bicchieri" by Gambero Rosso

We are proud to announce news that Conti Zecca has been awarded the 2012 "Tre Bichhieri" or Three Glasses by Gambero Rosso for their fabulous 2008 Nero wine.

Jamie Goode reviews Marjan Simcic

Jamie Goode, Wine Anorak, has just written about the lunch we held for Marjan Simcic (Goriska Brda, Slovenia) at The Square. He rates Marjan and his wines very highly, labelling them as "impressive wines from Goriska Brda". We certainly agree!