Wine List from The Anchor Inn at Lower Froyle

WINE LIST

	WHITE WINES BY THE GLASS
		175ml Glass	Bottle
1.	PIERRE HENRI SAUVIGNON BLANC 2007, Vin de Pays D’Oc This is a great mouthful of clean, fresh white wine with herbaceous fruits and a charming balance that belies it’s lowly status.	4.00	15.50
2.	PINOT GRIGIO 2007, Sanvigilio This wine has become amazingly popular and here we have a delicious example. The wine is crisp and fresh with some classy weight.	4.75	17.50
3.	OAK LANE CHENIN/SAUVIGNON 2007, Stellenbosch (S.Africa) This is a fruit driven style of wine with finely poised fruit flavours with citrus and apple. South Africa is starting to look pretty good value with improved winemaking and a pretty helpful Rand.	5.75	24.50
4.	PETIT CHABLIS 2007, Domaine du Colombier A delicious white burgundy from one of the great producers. This wine is steely dry with some classy weight and silky fruit balanced with soft acidity. Great stuff.	6.00	26.00
	RED WINES BY THE GLASS
5	PIERRE HENRI MERLOT 2007, Vin de Pays D’Oc I think plums are the flavour found in Merlot, which I feel never really fills the consumer with confidence so how about going for a plump berry fruit with a bit of herb, chocolate and even a fig…….does that help?	4.00	15.50
6	FANTAIL SHIRAZ 2005, South East Australia A classic Aussie favourite that is flavoursome and open knit red wine with blackcurrant and spice leaping from the glass. This is an easy drinking red wine that fills the mouth and should please any palate.	4.75	17.50
7	LA FLOR DE PULENTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007, Mendoza This is a great favourite and offers a lot of wine at this level. There is a purity and freshness to the cassis fruit that envelopes the palate. Long, lithe and lovely!	5.25	19.50
8	EL COTO CRIANZA 2004, Rioja This is a very popular style of red and now that the producers have toned down their use of oak there is every reason why it should be! This is a rich, structured wine with black raspberry characters.	5.75	24.50
	ROSÉ WINE BY THE GLASS
9	DOMAINE PIQUE ROQUE ROSÉ 2006, Cotes de Provence This part of the world is blessed with such over-priced gems as Cannes, Monaco and St Tropez but out in the sticks we can still find some fabulous value like this pale, creamy and dry rosé.	5.25	19.50
	CHAMPAGNE BY THE GLASS
10	ANDRÉ CLOUET GRANDE RESERVE NV Brut They are based in the Grand Cru Village of Bouzy and are well known for making Champagne with an attractive bouquet and a rounded creamy finish with brioche and vanilla. This wine will impress any Champagne Guru.	6.75	35.50
	CHAMPAGNE BY THE BOTTLE
	Champagne is the one region throughout France that is thoroughly enjoying itself at the moment. It is in the very happy position of not being able to keep up with demand and subsequently take great delight in announcing a price hike not annually but quarterly! Try some of the Veuve Cliquot Pink during the summer.
11	POL ROGER WHITE FOIL NV Brut		55.00
12	VEUVE CLIQUOT NV Brut		62.50
13	VEUVE CLIQUOT CUVÉE ROSÉ NV Brut		79.50
14	POL ROGER 1998, Vintage Champagne		85.00
15	DOM PERIGNON 1999, Prestige Cuvée		130.00
	SPARKLING WINE BY THE BOTTLE
16	LANGLOIS BRUT NV, Crémant de Loire, Langlois-Chateau The estate is owned by Bollinger which can only be a good thing. The wine is a blend of Chenin, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc and is an absolute beauty that is elegant, fresh and creamy.		25.95
	PUDDING WINE BY THE GLASS	75ml glass	Half Bottle
17	MOSCATO PASSITO PALLAZZINA 2004, Araldica This is extraordinary value and a delightful drink. There is plenty of fruit with apricots springing to mind, there is honey and a touch of oak.	4.00	20.00
	PUDDING WINE BY THE BOTTLE
	I like to think that our traditional English Puddings are made for these sweet wines and not the other way around. Try the Fayau with the lighter fruit based puddings and attack the Rutherglen with chocolate, treacle or if really fortunate sticky toffee!		Half Bottle
18	CHATEAU FAYAU 2004, Cadillac This Chateau produces wines that are delicate without excessive richness from 80% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon and 5% Muscadelle. Following that with something interesting, it should be noted that production is about 40 litres per hectare!		18.00
19	MAS AMIEL ‘CUVEE ALEXANDRIE’ 2005, MAURY Greatness in a glass. The wines of Mas Amiel feature on some of the finest wine lists in the world and have now landed here! The Muscat grapes are dried on the slopes before vinification and the result is beautifully fragrant Muscat that re-awakens the senses after a long dinner!		33.50

	BORDEAUX
	For those whose political leanings head to the left the world of Bordeaux Wine Production is probably not for you. There is currently a real “Them and Us Culture” as the senior Chateau that have history and money on their side have never had it so good and the smaller, more obscure Chateau from lesser regions and inferior terrain are struggling like never before. Where every wine list used to have a number of affordable Clarets listed there are now very few as the rest of the world are producing more exciting wines at the same level. Have a look at the smarter London Wine Lists and you will see what I mean. We are listing some great wines below as well as some carefully selected wines at the more affordable level. Chateau Reynier is a stunning wine that should prove very useful for the bigger parties that come in. The two second wines, La Fleur du Chateau Armens and Clos La Gaffeliere are well worth a go as is the Leoville Poyferre 2001 which is one of my greatest discoveries of last year…..2001 Claret maybe worth seeking out.
	RED WINE
20	CHATEAU REYNIER 2005, Bordeaux Superieur Marc Lurton makes this excellent House Claret that is in perfect balance in the traditional way, one of the great modern day sins in Bordeaux is over extraction of the fruit, I am pleased to say he avoids that!		22.50
21	CHATEAU DES GRAVIERES 2002, Portets, Graves This is a charming property in Graves that produces wines with up front fruit and classy grip in the mouth. This is a wine that leaves you wanting more.		32.50
	½ bottle		16.50
22	“LA FLEUR” DU CHATEAU ARMENS 2005, Grand Cru St Emilion I am starting to believe that wines in St Emilion are starting to find a far greater consistency and fruit than they used to at this level. They are moving from the over-rated to under-valued. This is a delicious, supple example.		35.50
23	CLOS LA GAFFELIERE 2005, Saint Emilion Grand Cru This is the second wine of Chateau La Gaffeliere believe it or not! This was one of the most exciting glasses of wine I have had this year and had to go on the list. It is mid-weight wine with ripe fruit and silky style. Excellent!		55.00
24	CHATEAU PRIEURE LICHINE 2000, Margaux This is a quite exceptional vintage and a very fine effort from this Chateau in Margaux. Try this great wine and then get over there for a visit.		69.50
25	CHATEAU LA LAGUNE 1996, Haut Medoc This wine has matured beautifully and is a wine I have been following due to the fact I have quite a lot of it! In the last year it has been flying out and all those who have been lucky enough to try it have loved it.		89.50
26	CHATEAU LEOVILLE POYFERRÉ 2001, St Julien I had this wine last year in Bordeaux for dinner and was very impressed. The wine was silky smooth and had all the classic claret flavours we all look for. This is a serious beauty and highly recommended.		95.00
27	CHATEAU COS D’ESTOURNEL 1996, St Estephe Things just get better and better on this wine list having tried loads of 1996’s this wine I think could be my wine of the vintage at the gettable level. The wine is thick and structured with silky tannin and immense class.		175.00
28	CHATEAU CLINET 1995, Pomerol This is a very highly rated wine that I am pleased to say still remains reasonably affordable. It is full bodied and powerful with thick blackberry and cassis flavours and an ethereal finish.		195.00
	WHITE WINE
29	BLANC DE LYNCH-BAGES 2004, Bordeaux Now here is something you don’t see everyday! Jean-Michel Caze makes a small amount of white Bordeaux. This wine is a blend of Sauvignon and Semilion and a little touch of Muscadelle. It is a medium bodied, dry white wine with stony fruit and a hint of lush green grass.		69.50
	BURGUNDY
	Sales of Red Burgundy have certainly picked up well since the surge in Bordeaux prices and they start to look pretty good value. Pinot Noir goes through life with the same attitude as my youngest daughter. It is very temperamental and tends to do what it wants rather than what it is told!! Vintages have been kind to Burgundy recently and those growers lucky enough to have the finer vineyard sites have been able to produce some stunning wines some of which appear below. I’m not really sure where to start with some recommendations but if you come back to this fine establishment enough it maybe an idea to start at the top and finish at the bottom. We have gone quite long on White Burgundy as it is still as popular as ever and frankly beats most other wines all ends up. The Bourgogne Les Setilles is a very classy glass of dry white wine that would delight any table. The Rully Montmorin is creamy, silky white that could be mistaken for something of a much more senior nature and the Meursault Tete de Murgers really is at the top end of all white wines.
	RED BURGUNDY
30	BEAUJOLAIS VIEILLES VIGNES 2007, Alain Chatoux This is an ideal lunchtime wine if you are planning to do some work afterwards. The wine is light with cherry and vanilla that slips down beautifully.		22.50
31	COTES DE BROUILLY ‘VOUTES DE CROZES’ 2006, Nicole Chanrion There is a bit of granite involved here, which you may be surprised to hear is a good thing, the wine is intensely flavoured with great complexity and a profound finish.		27.50
32	BOURGOGNE RONCEVIE 2005, Domaine Arlaud The vineyard of Roncevie lies just across the road from the Grand Cru of Charmes-Chambertin and consistently produces a wine of rare stature at this level. This is wonderfully lush and fruit driven with good structure and balance.		39.50
33	MERCUREY 2003, Domaine Bruno Lorenzon This is a tiny 4 hectare family domaine that is considered rather top notch in Mercurey. The wines are neither fined nor filtered and the results are concentrated and refined.		42.50
34	GEVREY CHAMBERTIN 2005, Domaine Humbert This is rich, powerful red Burgundy, showing depth and chunkwithin the glass. 2005 was a superstar vintage for red burgundy and this wine shows real quality and length and is a gorgeous glass of wine now.		59.50
35	NUITS ST GEORGES 1ER CRU LES VAUCRAINS 2004, Domaine Robert Chevillon Les Vaucrains is one of the most famous vineyard sites in Nuits-St-Georges and Robert Chevillon is always one of the finest producers. This wine is still youthful so retains the pretty, fleshy freshness of young ripe grapes.		79.50
36	CLOS DE VOUGEOT 1999, Domaine Robert Arnoux This is one of the great wines of Burgundy and something that really should be given a go. 1999 wines are maturing with grace and flavour and should be found in any great cellar.		125.00
	WHITE BURGUNDY
37	MACON LUGNY ‘LES GENIEVRES’ 2007, Louis Latour The white wines of Louis Latour are offering real value for money and this is a gorgeous example of their most popular wine. It is low in acidity and very quaffable with smooth fruit and clean length.		24.50
	½ bottle		12.75
38	BOURGOGNE ‘LES SETILLES’ 2006, Olivier Leflaive For those looking for quality white Burgundy at a gettable level, then this is a must. Olivier Leflaive draws fruit some every well placed vineyards near Puligny when making this superb easy drinking white Burgundy.		27.50
39	SAINT VERAN ‘VIEILLES VIGNES’ 2006, Domaine La Maison The vines on this 6 hectare estate average 75 years of age so the fruit that is coming off them is of the highest quality and ripeness. 2006 is a great vintage and this is a terrific new find.		29.50
40	RULLY ‘MONTMORIN’ 2006, Domaine Chartron Jean Chartron binned his negociant business and is now focusing entirely on his own family estates including this fabulous Rully blanc. He uses some well integrated oak that makes this wine a creamy silky smooth classic.		34.50
41	CHABLIS 1ER CRU VAUCAUPIN 2006, Domaine Colombier, Guy Mothe I think 1er Cru Chablis is offering some exceptional value at the moment. Not only have the vintages been very kind, but the quality has certainly increased. At one stage the wines looked quite expensive but the rest of Burgundy has now caught up and indeed taken over. This is a great example of pure, steely Chablis.		42.50
42	PULIGNY MONTRACHET 2004, Etienne Sauzet Along with Domaine Leflaive Sauzet are the finest producers within the village of Puligny Montrachet. This is a medium bodied minerally white wine with layers of floral aromas and even the odd nut.		75.00
43	NUITS ST GEORGES 1ER CRU TERRES BLANCHES 2006 Domaine Patrice and Michele Rion There is not much white wine made in Nuits-St-Georges and once you have tried this divine effort you will, like me, wonder why! This is a very serious white Burgundy that comes with my highest recommendation and I mean HIGHEST!!		82.50
44	MEURSAULT ‘CUVÉE TETE DE MURGERS’ 2002, Domaine Patrick Javillier Patrick Javillier stands out as being rather more professional than most in Meursault and could be more at home in his boardroom than a tractor. However his wines have for a long time been some of the most sort after in the whole of Burgundy. This mature 2002 wine has a touch of spice, shortbread and brioche.		89.50
45	CORTON CHARLEMAGNE 2004, Louis Latour This is Louis Latour’s flagship wine and quite right too! There are bags of different flavours jumping from the glass. Keep an eye out for juicy lemon flavours that are complimented by vanilla, almonds and mineral notes.		110.00

	LOIRE VALLEY
	For those of you of the Organic persuasion you will find a bit of interest here with both the Touraine Sauvignon and the Bourgueil being classed as officially organic. They are both great wines as well so feel free to get stuck in. Something that may be worth watching over the next year or three could be the reds of the Loire, there is a poise and purity to them that probably may see them become quite trendy…..what do I know?
46	TOURAINE SAUVIGNON ‘LE CLOS’ 2007, Domaine Clos du Roussely For those of you that have jumped on the ORGANIC band wagon, this is the white wine for you. This is a wine with an intense aromatic nose of exotic fruits and white flowers, it is beautifully balanced with succulent peach and apricot characteristics.		21.50
47	SANCERRE 2007, Domaine des Clairneaux This is a clean, crisp wine with a tinge of grapefruit and a tangy herbaceous edge that finishes with an elegant classy finish. Sancerre is always a popular style and this wine illustrates why.		31.00
	½ bottle		16.50
48	POUILLY FUMÉ ‘Les Cocques’ 2006, Domaine Patrick Coulbois I asked my glamorous assistant Noddie for a tasting note and she got the bottle from the warehouse and came up with…..”It appears to be a dry white wine from a vineyard just below a church or that’s what it looks like on the label!” I now know why she reads magazines so quickly as actually reading is not something she excels at and pictures are clearly more useful!		35.00
	RED WINE
49	BOURGUEIL 2006, Pierre et Rodolphe Gauthier Another ORGANIC wine produced from a vineyard perfectly located in the centre of the Bourgueil AC. The wine is medium bodied with black fruits and a hint of spice on the nose. Blackcurrant and raspberry engulf the palate and finish with lovely crisp fresh farewell.		24.50

	RHONE VALLEY
	There is some real quality here and a bit of maturity on the wines which is not something you always find on wine lists around and about. Crozes Hermitage offers some of the finest value on the market at the moment and being from a terrific producer is an added bonus, it’s like drinking liquid velvet. The Heritage 1924 is a wine from one of the movers and shakers in the Rhone Valley and if you like a bit of meat and umph (is that how you spell it?) in the glass this could be the one for you.
	RED WINE
50	COTES DU RHONE 2006, Domaine Chaume Arnaud This great Cotes du Rhone comes from vineyards around the village of Vinsobres which is further north and higher up than its neighbouring communes of Rasteau and Sablet, and so enjoys a beneficial cooler climate. The wine is beautifully poised with elegant fruit and structure.		23.50
51	CROZES HERMITAGE 2006, Domaine Les Chenets There has been some very brave investment into this 12 hectare domaine and the results are starting to show spectacularly well. There is some very expensive new oak in the cellar and this rounds the wine off leaving the lucky drinker gagging for more.		28.00
52	‘HERITAGE 1924’ RASTEAU 2005, Domaine des Escaravailles This is an estate that finds great favour with that bloke Robert Parker. This is their finest vineyard with Grenache vines that are over 80 years old (this is a good thing by the way!) and the wine is deep-flavoured, complex and complete.		35.00
53	CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE 2003, Domaine Vieux Telegraphe One of the very finest winemakers throughout the whole Rhone Valley. Daniel Brunier consistently sets the standard for traditional classic Chateauneuf du Pape and this is a superstar that is very hard to come by so count yourselves lucky!		65.00

	SPAIN
	Spain is going through a bit of a rosey period at the moment with success on the football pitch, Wimbledon winners and Formula 1 and it must be said that this success is being mirrored in their wine industry. Take a look at the deliciously smooth Finca Antigua Tempranillo which is a new discovery that offers great value. Rioja is always popular and the Martin Cendoya is a very serious fine wine that wins numerous awards.
54	FINCA ANTIGUA TEMPRANILLO 2006, La Mancha It is quite warm in La Mancha but Tempranillo is a thick skinned variety and handles the heat well. This is a fabulous wine that is warm and ripe finishing with smooth silky flavours of blackcurrant.		21.50
55	HEREDAD UGARTE CRIANZA 2005, Rioja This is a masculine wine with plenty of silky fruit balanced by a sweetness of the oak that results in a structured wine with a long lingering farewell.		22.95
	½ bottle		12.50
56	MARTIN CENDOYA RESERVA 2003, Rioja 14 months in oak and 22 months in bottle before release is a fine start when it comes to top quality Rioja. This wine has an intense nose and well integrated fruit and oak on the palate revealing full, fleshy, intense flavours that could well be called exciting.		45.00

	ITALY
	Things are going rather well in Italy and the wines are certainly improving. There is a purity of fruit and freshness to the reds that has arrived alongside the investment and modern winemaking techniques. This is not before time and I would probably suggest that this is the most exciting country around at the moment. There has been a string of outstanding vintages and you should be getting stuck in with confidence.
	WHITE WINE
57	GAVI 2007, La Battistina The Cortese grapes are grown on this small strip of land around the town of Gavi in Piemonte. The nose is a combination of pear and peach and on the palate you get poached pear and zingy acidity and minerals.		20.50
58	LA CALA 2007, Vermentino di Sardegna, Sella & Mosca This wine from Sardinia is a steely beauty that benefits from the fresh sea breeze that whips across the island. It is fresh and clean but with enough weight and balance to make anyone’s day.		25.50
59	SOAVE CLASSICO 2006, Inama Now try not to just move onto the next one without reading the following…..I know you want to. Soave, when made by the finest producer can be a vinous delight. Garganega is the grape planted for Soave and this is a classic example. The wine is dry and complex and should be tried by one and all!		29.50
	RED WINE
60	CHIANTI 2006, Cerro del Masso This wine has all the trademarks of a classic Chianti. It is a deep purple colour with ripe, plummy aromas and a full rich palate, supple tannins and good balance.		21.50
61	BARBERA D’ALBA ‘MOMMIANO’ 2005, Marco Porello This is a beautiful part of Italy just across from the very grown up Barolo and Barbaresco regions. We find some real value here as the wine has a bright purity that lifts the palate before letting it fall into a bowl of crushed red summer fruits……sounds good doesn’t it!		22.00
62	LE VOLTE 2005, Tenuta dell’Ornellaia 50% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon is the blend and the wine has ample fruit and some spicy notes that are round and full in the mouth. This is from one of the greatest teams in Italy who produce Ornellaia and Masetto so I think you should attack it with confidence.		37.50
63	ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2004, Azienda Agricola San Giuseppe, Stella di Campalto San Giuseppe is a relatively new estate that has revitalised a parcel of well positioned vineyards that for some reason that I can’t quite place were abandoned in 1940! This wine comes from a four hectare vineyard that turns out grapes of the highest standard but cannot be labelled Brunello. This is an absolute beauty and is greatly recommended.		59.50

	SOUTH AFRICA
	Do we like South Africa? I think so yes but there are some rather over-rated moments. Sauvignon Blanc at the more senior end does not really do it for me as I always think they taste a bit salty. Chenin Blanc is something that everybody always goes on about but I am yet to quite understand why. At the quaffable level I think they can both be excellent and good value. Chardonnay is the grape variety for we white lovers in South Africa and as such that is what we have listed! On the red front the wines of South Africa do appear to miss out on the finesse factor and my very delicate constitution can sometimes find it all a bit much. When I was last there I was getting quite excited about Merlot and subsequently we have found a beauty from Beau Joubert. When the grapes are blended there is certainly more of a chance of success and the De Toren is one of the great wines of South Africa and should be given a go.
	WHITE WINE
64	BEAU JOUBERT CHARDONNAY 2006, Stellenbosch This is a classic new world chardonnay that has been barrel fermented for four months giving us a complex, full-bodied white wine that lingers on the palate and shows off with style.		22.00
	RED WINE
65	BEAU JOUBERT MERLOT 2004, Stellenbosch I’ve always rather fancied the chances of the South Africans and Merlot and this winery has made a beauty. The Merlot is ripe and chewy enriched by some tannin and structure. Give it a go.		22.00
66	DE TOREN ‘FUSION V’ 2002, Stellenbosch So named as it is a fusion of the 5 Bordeaux grapes – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Stellenbosch make some outstanding Bordeaux Blends and this is one of the very finest receiving 5 stars (out of 5!) from anyone who has been lucky enough to try it.		49.50

	AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND
	There appear to be winners and losers in Australia and I am starting to think that however pleased we maybe to see them get beat occasionally there is a possibility that their better vineyards are turning into reliable winners. The white wines are getting fresher and the reds are getting more refined and even elegant. Do try the Plantagenet Shiraz from Western Australia, this wine is an absolute beauty and will convince you that the finer wines are worth a look. Shaw & Smith make the finest Sauvignon in Australia in the Adelaide Hills and I think this is better than the New Zealand Cloudy Bay and far better value.
	WHITE WINE
67	OMRAH ‘UNOAKED’ CHARDONNAY 2007, Western Australia This is a wine produced by the great Plantagenet winery. This is their second label from fruit coming from their younger vineyards and this Chardonnay is left on its lees to soak in a bit more flavour.		23.50
68	TIN POT HUT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2007, Marlborough The wine took its name from on old mustering hut in the remote hills between the Wairau and Awatere Valleys. What this actually has to do with anything I have no idea but the antipodeans always have to have a story with their wines. The wine is a pure example with depth and intensity and a pungent Sauvignon aroma and a classy minerality on the palate that gives it lift.		24.50
69	COCKFIGHTER’S GHOST VERDELHO 2006, Hunter Valley There are a couple of rather tasteless reasons why they came up with this name but I am delighted to say that neither are accurate. Clutching at straws they decided that all there neighbours had nicked the good stories and invented a Ghostly Steed named Cockfighter…….give me strength! As wines go however this Verdelho is terrific alternative to the Chardonnay and Sauvignon that appears everywhere. The wine is medium dry with honeysuckle and pineapple.		27.00
70	SHAW & SMITH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2007, Adelaide Hills I think we can definitely and safely say that this is generally and usually the finest Sauvignon in Australia. I haven’t had them all but this beats those I have had. Look out for a steely raspy wine that is a refreshing superstar.		28.50
	RED WINE
71	OMRAH ESTATE SHIRAZ 2005, Western Australia This wine is made by the Plantagenet team who, I think, were at the forefront of launching the Australian wine business but that may be my over-active imagination. The wine, however, is a great effort and very good value looking at many Shiraz on the market. Get stuck in.		25.00
72	‘JESTER’ MCLAREN VALE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006, Mitolo A partnership between Frank Mitolo and Ben Glaetzer was formed in 1999 and things have roared along ever since with awards flooding in all over the globe. Quality is the watchword here and Ben has a strict policy of picking his grapes when they taste right and not when the boffin’s analysis says they should. The results are spectacular and this is made even better than usual as the Flagship Cabernet was not made in 2006 and that fruit went into this wine.		28.50
73	RABBIT RANCH PINOT NOIR 2006, Central Otago Otago in the south island is the place for Pinot Noir and what I like about them is the change it gives us from the more robust and obvious red in the southern hemisphere. This wine from Chard Farms is a silky, smooth red wine that shows some black cherry and spicy vanilla flavour.		36.50
74	PLANTAGENET ‘GREAT SOUTHERN’ SHIRAZ 2005, Western Australia Here we have a prime example of what can happen when the climate, vineyard site and winemaker all come together in a moment of magic. This is a beautiful silky wine that has great flavour but also exhibits structure and finesse. This is great stuff!		49.50

	CHILE/ARGENTINA
	Arboleda is a dynamic project overseen by Eduardo Chadwick – the President of Errazuriz. They produce a range of boutique wines from a selection of the finest grapes from the best vineyard sites hence making their philosophy all about ‘terroir’. The wines have recently achieved great success at the Decanter World Wine Awards and the International Wine Challenge so I am not the only one who thinks they are great!! If you take a moment to think how long these South American wines have been on the market you will understand why things are getting better. 20 years ago they were hardly heard of and now investment has poured in and continues to do so. Things will carry on improving and in the finest vineyard areas greatness will be forthcoming.
	WHITE WINE
75	FINCA LOS PRADOS CHENIN/SEMILLON 2007, Mendoza The blend is 50% Chenin, 35% Semillon and 15% Chardonnay and it really offers a lovely glass of wine at a very gettable level. There are delicious crisp apples on the fruit and a zesty fresh finish		16.50
76	ARBOLEDA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2007, Leyda Valley There is a lovely cool breeze that blows across the Leyda Valley and this makes Sauvignon Blanc suck in it’s tummy and remain taught and fresh rather than fat and flabby. This is a great example from a real superstar estate that not only the wine-writers love but I think are rather good as well.		27.50
	RED WINE
77	ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS MALBEC 2007, Mendoza Fruit to the fore with this very highly rated Malbec. There are damsons, blackberries and mulberry characters with a sprinkling of chocolate. The tannins are fine grained, the flavours pristine and the finish long and finely balanced.		20.50
78	ARBOLEDA CARMENERE 2005, Aconcagua Valley This is a full bodied red wine with a high concentration of fruit, maintaining a great balance between ripeness and acidity. Carmenere is a grape on the move and is Chile’s equivalent to Argentina’s Malbec.		27.50
79	PULENTA ESTATE “GRAN CORTE” 2004, Mendoza We are having a bit of a love affair with Pulenta and why not? This is the flagship wine that is a blend of nearly everything. There is Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Tannat. It could almost be Claret and offers a far better glass than they do at this level!		45.00

	PORT	50ml glass	½ bottle
	GRAHAMS ‘THE TAWNY’	3.95	29.50
	DOW’S 10 YEAR OLD TAWNY		21.50
	DOW’S ‘QUINTA DO BOMFIM’ 1988, Vintage		29.50

	The 1977 Vintage This was a great and serious vintage that was widely declared by nearly all the major shippers. The winter was wet, spring cold, summer cool but autumn was the warmest since 1963 which must be a good thing. The two wines we offer here are both drinking very well now and should delight all that have a go.
			Per bottle
	WARRES 1977 VINTAGE PORT		110.00
	DOWS 1977		125.00

	The 1985 Vintage Rather like the Claret and Burgundy this was a great year and the wines are attractive and vibrant rather than packed with structure. The winter was cold and wet, spring damp, summer hot and the autumn was excellent during harvest.
	DOWS 1985		95.00
	GRAHAMS 1985		145.00

	Tawny Port This is a wood-aged style of Port. The wine remains in cask for years and is bottled as and when they think it is ready to drink. Needless to say the colour is much paler and may even be a tawny colour, this could explain the name methinks!
	POCAS ‘COLHEITA’ 1986, Tawny		55.00

	COGNAC/ARMAGNAC	25ml
	CHATEAU DE LAUBADE VSOP, Bas Armagnac	4.50
	CHATEAU DE MONTIFAUD XO, Fine Petite Champagne Cognac	6.50
	HENNESSY XO, Cognac	7.30
	MENTZENDORFF KUMMEL	2.50
	GRAPPA PO DI POLI MOSCATO	4.50
	CALVADOS PAYS D’AUGE 2000, Michel Hubert	4.50
	POIRE WILLIAM, Vedrenne, Nuits St Georges	4.50

	CIGARS
	WE HAVE A FINE COLLECTION OF CIGARS WHICH MAY BE PERUSED AT YOUR LEISURE AND THEN SMOKED OUTSIDE WITH A WARMING COGNAC OR ARMAGNAC!!

	Malt Whisky.....A Lesson
	Chill filtering explained: Whisky taken straight from the cask has natural oils in it. If the whisky undergoes a temperature change it will go cloudy; i.e if you pour it over ice. This is completely natural. However, due to some preferring a clearness to their whisky, most whisky is chill filtered. The whisky is cooled to -5 and run through incredibly fine filters; this removes some of the oils and stops the whisky clouding when water or ice is added. Obviously the process has removed some of the whisky’s character. The big question is whether your taste buds can spot the difference. Water: The big debate is always whether to add water. The simple answer is that the best way to drink whisky is however you want to. The science is a little different. Whisky cannot be sold at less than 40% alc but it does not fully release its esters (smells and flavours) until it is less than 34% alc. Therefore the best solution is to have a little sip neat and then add water. Obviously a cask strength whisky is going to need a lot more water than one at 40%alc. Try not to add tap water as chlorinated whisky is never good. Ice will cool the whisky and slow the release of esters, also as the ice melts your drink will alter. The whisky buff will generally avoid ice at all costs.
			25ml
1	GLENLOSSIE 1978 46%alc (not chill filtered) A golden colour. Nose: sweet with floral aromas, spicy notes with a rich dried fruit element. Palate: Sweet, smokey with very rich mulled fruits and dark chocolate elements. Drying out with sherry oak tones. Exceptional whisky. Jim Murray 91 points = brilliant. Specially selected and bottled by Gordon & Macphael.		6.95
2	MACALLAN 1988 40%alc (chill filtered) A light amber colour. Nose: fruits – orange peel and cooking apples, hints of vanilla and an earth spiciness. Palate: sweet and oily with hints of aniseed, charred oak and vanilla pods, a rich fruitcake note emerges. A truly great Speysider. Selected and bottled by Gordon & Macphael.		5.50
3	LAPHROIG 2000 46%alc (not chill filtered) This heavily peated young whisky with natural colouring has not been chill filtered; this allows an incredible range of aromas and flavours to burst upon the nose and palate. Recommended by Iain Henderson, the world renowned distillery manager and head distiller of Laphroig. Selected and bottled by Signatory Vintage.		3.00
4	IRISHMAN 70 40%alc (chill filtered) A truly beautiful Irish Whiskey, a blend of Irish single malt (70%) and pot still (30%) whiskey. A complex taste of fruit, spice and toasted almonds. International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal. Selected and bottled by Bernard Walsh.		2.95
5	HIGHLAND PARK 1991 46%alc (not chill filtered) This 17 year old unchillfiltered whisky from a single Olorroso Sherry cask is considered to be the finest whisky ever to have been bottled by Signatory. High praise indeed. All the Orcadian hallmarks of Highland Park are here – the smokiness, the peak, the heather-honey – plus it has gained a glorious richness and spiciness through its longer cask maturation. Its elegance and smoothness make the 17 year old a delight to the malt whisky connoisseur. Specially selected and bottled by Signatory Vintage.		4.95
6	NIKKA 51.4%alc (chill filtered) Did you know Japan makes more whiskey than Scotland and this year won awards for the world’s best single malt whiskey. The Japanese make spectacular single malts and Nikka is no exception. This is not a single malt but a marriage of cask strength whiskey from Nikka’s two distilleries. At present my favourite whiskey hands down.		3.00
7	BUNNAHABHAIN 1997 59%alc (not chill filtered) Our second choice from the Isle of Islay. Again lots of peatiness in this whisky but missing the saltiness of the Laphroig. The taste lasts forever – fantastic! If you are a fan of smokey whiskies you should not miss the chance to try this.		5.25
8	NORTH BRITISH 1991 53.6% (not chill filtered) Something completely different! A grain whisky. Those of you who are malt snobs should take the opportunity to have a taste of what is a truly interesting whisky. Matured in Californian sherry cask, and instead of being made just from barley, this whisky has barley, wheat and maize as its ingredients. The result is a spectacular taste sensation.		4.95