Colline Saint Jean Vacqueyras Rouge 2015

Lismore Chardonnay Reserve made from 100 percent Chardonnay.

Shows intense citrus and soft fruit layered with honey and vanilla carried by a distinct minerality and crisp acidity with a lingering citrus finish.

Coming from a 13 year old vineyard with decomposed shale oiver clay soils. 
Fermented and aged 11 months in 500 liter French Oak Foudres (40% new). 
Wine was slightly filtered before bottling.

Delightful with warm curries which lift the aromatics or a traditional pairing of smoked salmon highlighting the fresh acidity.

"Bravo to Lismore for the quality of this first Reserve Chardonnay, all made with fruit from the farm in Greyton. This has sufficient power and concentration to cope with the 40% new wood, supported by acidity and real focus. Sappy, structured and intense, with classic, quasi-Burgundian notes of struck match. 2018-23. - Tim Atkin"
- Tim Atkin (South Africa Report 2017), 93 pts

 "Medium straw. Introduced by scents of flint, green citrus and underripe mango, the estate Chardonnay Reserve is Lismore’s icon wine. It’s mineral rich and focused with an incredibly pure, silky mouth feel and vibrant acidity. A great Chardonnay! Made with natural yeast and matured 11 months in 500L French oak, 40% new."

Coming from the heart of the world class Pinot Noir growing terrior, the  Hook or Crook Sonoma County Pinot Noir is a brilliant example of an elegant food friendly wine that the region is best known for producing.

The wine starts with an angular mouthfeel that ushers in notes of strawberry, raspberry, milk chocolate and minerality that reminds one of a stroll through a forest after a light spring rain.

It is sure to please the dedicated Pinot Noir drinker and those looking to pair it with chicken, salmon, or cheeses.

Cazaux Vacqueyras Cuvee des Templiers is a  blend of 50% Syrah, 50% Grenache.
Deep color. Intense and persistent red fruits, spice and violet aromas. Intense black cherry, blackberry, blueberry and cherry flavors. Explosive fruit tannins give the sweet, creamy flavors structure and focus, bright and uplifting on the finish.

Enjoy this wine when young with grilled beef and bearnaise sauce, lamb and thyme. After 7-10 years excellent with game meats.

Review:

"Lastly, the 2015 Vacqueyras Cuvée des Templiers is made from an even split of Grenache and Syrah that was raised in concrete and stainless-steel tanks. Its ruby/plum color is followed by a medium to full-bodied, ripe, rounded effort that gives up outstanding notes of blackcurrants, thyme, leafy herbs and hints of pepper. This beauty is just more evidence for how good 2015 was for Vacqueyras."

- Jeb Dunnuck (October 2017), 91 pts

65% Chenin Blanc, 13% Chardonnay, 17% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Viognier

A polished light yellow gold color, this wine has a bouquet of citrus blossom with hazelnut, lemon grass and butterscotch undertones. The wine has a soft sweet entry with a racy linear acidity. Ripe citrus and stone fruit flavours evolve into a lovely lingering dry earthy finish. This is a textured white wine with layers of flavour. Drink 2014-2024.

The 2015 White Blend Terrasse comprises 56% Chenin Blanc, 17% Viognier, 14% Sauvignon Blanc and 13% Chardonnay, raised for 12 months in French oak. It has quite an aromatic bouquet of white peach, freshly sliced grapefruit and a touch of lychee, all well defined and vivacious. The palate is very well balanced with a slightly resinous, waxy opening, the Viognier here making its presence felt. There is a pleasant salinity on the finish with a gorgeous brightness and tension. This is a strong follow-up to the outstanding 2014.

- Wine Advocate, 93 pts

Medium yellow green. Fine nuances of ripe apricot, a hint of yellow apple, delicate herbs and spices, mineral Touch, hints of candied orange zest. Juicy, elegant, fine stone fruit, touch of finesse acidity, salty minerality in the finish, remains long, already well to drink.

Review:

"Scents of buddleia, gentian, thyme and lavender immediately hint at the site in which this grew, and there is corresponding inner-mouth perfume to delightfully complement luscious apple and white peach on the satiny, palpably extract-rich palate, as do also a glowing piquancy of pits and pips and Veltliner-like savor of blond tobacco. The buoyant and profoundly protracted finish here leaves behind a soothing and intriguing carpet of flavors while not forgetting its first duty to refresh. - David Schildknecht"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2015), 93 pts

 Vilerma Blanco Ribeiro is made from 80% Treixadura, 6% Torrontes, 4% Godello, 4% Albariño, 3% Loureira and 3% Lado

Ribeiro blanco is produced from estate-grown grapes using traditional winemaking.

Pale yellow color with green highlights.
Intense white fruit aromas when young, it develops complex nuances after a few years in the bottle.
In the mouth it is ample, full and pleasant with a long and fruity finish.

Fermentation in Stainless Steel tank at controlled temperature.

"Green-tinged gold. Mineral-accented melon, peach and pear scents are complicated by hints of ginger and chamomile. Supple, expansive and seamless in texture, offering juicy orchard and pit fruit flavors that are braced and lifted by a jolt of bitter lemon pith. Closes silky and long, with subtle, lingering floral and mineral notes. - Josh Raynolds"

- Vinous (January 2017), 90 pts

"The white 2015 Vilerma shows really well for the warm vintage. It's mainly Treixadura (67%) and the rest a myriad other varieties including Godello, Albariño, Lado, Loureira, Caíño and Torrontés. It ferments in stainless steel and is bottled unoaked and without malolactic fermentation. It's very classic with notes of flowers, herbs, white fruit and a fresh, soft palate, with less acidity that 2014. Nicely balanced, approachable and easy to drink. 45,775 bottles produced. I also tasted a 2012 that was to die for, with great complexity, nuance and depth. Bravo! - Luis Gutiérrez"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #232, August 2017), 91 pts