WINES with provenance

It is said that Ben was ‘almost born in a bottle’ having explored the cellars and shelves of Waterloo Wine since he was 6 years old. Ben’s father, David, had worked from the early days with Paul Tutton and their selection and supply of world wines for over thirty years drew praises from many including Oz Clarke, for being ‘full of quirky, unexpected bottles.’ Ben, having grown up in the middle of all of this, knows every aspect of the wine merchant’s world from vineyard to consumer, and has now stepped boldly into management.

“Ben knows every aspect of a wine merchant’s world from vineyard to consumer

Another of the next generation of merchants at Lant Street is Rudi, Assistant Manager and a comparatively late starter originally more interested in grains than grapes (with a particular fondness for Japanese whiskey). Rudi has been exploring the world of wine for 5 years and is currently working his way through his Wine & Spirit Education Trust courses.

Their long-standing relationships with family-run wine producers gives the team at Lant Street Wine unprecedented insights into how the estates and vines have evolved and the passion of the wine-makers themselves. ‘When customers pop into the shop, nine times out of ten we will have tried the bottle they’re looking at and can offer advice on its style and flavours,’ explained Rudi.

Although steeped in a great wine provenance, the team at Lant Street have a refreshing, relaxed air of casual enjoyment of the whole trade, wonderfully embodied in Ben. When asked what his personal favourites were he shrugged, ‘It varies, depending on the time of day and occasion of course, but I will generally come back to a dry, crisp Loire Valley white. A classic English fry-up accompanied by Champagne is also not out of the question!’

LANT STREET WINE COMPANY
59-61 Lant Street
SE1 1QL
t: 020 7357 7788
e: sales@lantstreetwine.com

THE RIVER WINE CLUB
from Lant Street Wines

We are delighted to bring you the first of four Wine Club ‘Reader Offers’ in conjunction with local wine merchants Lant Street Wines.

Autumn Recommendations

• Ferrandiere Merlot 2014 – £7.75 (1)
• Pascal Bouchard Chablis 2014 – £16.32 (2)
• Cedric Bardin Sancerre 2014 – £14.98 (3)
• Chateau Tayet 2011 – £11.18 (4)
• Cassagnoles Colomblanc 2013 – £7.10 (5)
• Waipara West Sauvignon Blanc 2013 – £12.29 (6)
• L’Ancienne Cure Bergerac Rose 2013 – £11.45 (7)
• Waipara West Pinot Noir 2013 – £25.00 (8)

Tasting Notes

Ferrandiere Merlot 2014 (1)
Made from 25 year old vines. The wine is made by undergoing cold maceration for 5 days then temperature controlled fermentation for 10 days in contact with the skins. Matured in tanks for eight months. Aromas of red fruit and cherries, with refined tannins and soft mouth-feel on the palate.

Pascal Bouchard Chablis 2014 (2)
100% Chardonnay. Fresh and mineral, a classic French wine for matching fish, seafood and mild cheeses. Unoaked, so the emphasis is on freshness, fruit and minerality. Full and rich in style, with hints of pear, green apple and citrus on the palate.

Cedrick Bardin Sancerre 2014 (3)
Made from Sauvignon Blanc vines averaging 20 years old, grown on a plot of local flint soils famous for their minerality and finesse. This is good, typical Sancerre – citrus fruit and gooseberry aromas on the nose, with mineral and floral notes coming through. Full and silky mouth-feel with a light fruit sweetness. White blossom and citrus flavours, with stony minerality and a touch of exotic fruit. Dry, crisp, with fresh zingy acidity and a lean finish. Good with fish and goats cheese.

Chateau Tayet 2011 (4)
The blend for Château Tayet is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. After vinification in the winery, maturation takes place for 12 months or so in stainless steel or concrete tanks. The wine is then bottled at the château. Ruby red, with a nose and palate of red fruit flavours. Good depth and length for the price. Should be drunk within 3-5 years, to get the best from the fruit.

Cotes de Gascogne Colomblanc 2013 (5)
A blend of Colombard, Ugni Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc grape varieties. Blends are created by Gilles Baumann, selecting the various vats by tasting to determine which combination would create the best balance according to the characteristics of each grape variety. Typical fresh Gascogne style, no oak and lots of emphasis on fresh fruit. Dry, with apple-y fruit and good acidity and finish.

Waipara West Sauvignon Blanc 2013 (6)
Punchy passionfruit, nettle, gooseberry and box tree sit on top of richer tropical & citrus fruit notes. The riper fruit characters are from the more exposed parts of the vineyard where the grapes develop fuller, richer flavour. This sort of fruit absolutely loves being fermented in barrel, mainly older, and left on lees for winter adding nuance of yoghurt, linseed and flint. The palate is dry, the mid palate is impressive with a lovely surge of flavour filling the mouth then leading to a long clean, satisfying finish.

Bergerac Rose 2013 (7)
Light red/pink in appearance with Raspberry nose with a hint of strawberry and blackcurrant. The palate is fresh, generous and provided with a long, crisp finish.

Waipara West Pinot Noir 2013 (8)
A satisfyingly deep ruby/crimson with purple hues at the rim. Aromatically it is multi-layered with a predominantly “wild” fruit character, think wild strawberries combined with some forest floor complexity. The oak plays a supporting role adding notes of smoke, liquorice & spice. Red & dark cherry, sweet summer plums and cassis on the palate. Solid tannins are buoyed by fresh, juicy acidity which give the wine both drive and texture. Finish is long and dry.

RIVER READER OFFER
15% off and FREE delivery within 10 miles of SE1

x2 Ferrandiere Merlot
X1 Cedrick Bardin Sancerre
x2 Waipara West Pinot Noir 2013
x2 Waipara West Sauvignon Blanc 2013
x2 Chateau Tayet Bordeaux
X1 Cotes de Gascogne Colomblanc
x1 L’Ancienne Cure Bergerac Rose
x1 Pascal Bouchard Chablis

TOTAL PRICE: £137.95
normally £162.29

Or visit Lant Street Wines at 59-61 Lant Street SE1 1QN (near Borough tube station) and mention The RIVER to receive 10% off your first order.

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