Direct from
the Vineyard

"The 2013 Castello di Potentino Sacromonte is a beautifully mature Sangiovese from the sacred mountain of Monte Amiata in southern Tuscany. Organic, biodynamic and fabulously moreish, its cherry-ripe, soft, mellow and spicy and deeply alluring."

"Harvested late in slow-ripening vintage, but still fresh and light (with only 12% alcohol). There's a whiff of exoticism to the aromas, with lychee and mango nuances to the limey-fresh fruit. In the mouth, masses of peach juice and mango again, little in the way of the 'cat's pee' thiols here, just a juicy mouthful of fruit streaked through with vibrant, food-friendly acidity."

"...I had it marked down for at least twice the price, so classic and sophisticated is it. With intense, ripe, fresh and bitter cherries in the mouth and sweet and savoury spice, its finish goes on and on. It's a cast-iron belter at a derisory price."

"This is a white Côtes-du-Rhône, 100% Viognier, from an estate which has been certified organic since 2011. It's a truly lovely Viognier, with enough 'heady' perfume of apricot and blossom, but then plenty of citrus and firmer, pear and apple freshness too. In the mouth it wears its 14% alcohol lightly, though that does help give this texture and weight, it stays crisp and cool through to the finish."

"So with the world waiting with an ice bucket and glass in hand, how good is the first taste of 2022 Whispering Angel? I am relieved to report that the unbroken run of excellence is still intact, but there is more. This is the first vintage of Whippy that actually seems actively youthful and taut. While it normally hits the ground running, with pliable fruit and welcoming freshness, this crisp, expressive wine is firm, tense, energetic, and utterly ravishing. The rose petal nose, melon flesh silkiness, and grapefruit acidity are all in place, and they are layered, glisteningly attractive, and immediately impressive, but this 2022 vintage is different from previous vintages because it nips in on the finish promising more drama as it relaxes and billows over the next six months. So, take it from me, that while this is already a cracker, I know that come May, right on cue, it will have even more glamour and allure on the nose, palate, and finish! This is the very first time I have added a + to my score below because this is the symbol I use, across all of my wine writing, to indicate that a wine will improve and evolve with age! Who would have thought that Whispering Angel would be such a wine?"