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Code: BLACKFRIDAY
12 products
12 products
- Red Wine
- Pinot Noir
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13% alc./vol
About the Winery
Groupe Bellene
Led by Nicolas Potel in Beaune, Groupe Bellene is composed of the négociant arm Maison Roche de Bellene, the winery arm Domaine de Bellene, and a special back-vintage series under the Collection Bellenum label.
- Maison Roche de Bellene offers a complete range of wines, with an emphasis on individual terroirs from old vines of more than 40 years. All of the growers that Nicolas works with are either organic certified or sustainably farmed.
- Domaine de Bellene represents the wines that are produced and bottled from Nicolas Potel's private vineyard holdings.
- Collection Bellenum is a back vintage series that Nicolas Potel sourced from his friends in the region, offering a magnificent selection of bottled history. The wines have moved only twice in their lives, from the original cellar to Potel's and now to yours!
Nicolas Potel grew up at Volnay's Domaine Pousse d'Or, where his father worked. He trained abroad and returned home in 1996 to build a négociant business and started Maison Nicolas Potel, where he sourced grapes from good parcels, often working with the growers to improve the quality. By 2002, he was making 120 wines from 50 different appellations, and the rest is history!
Press Reviews
Wine Align
91 points - David Lawrason
This is an utterly charming, easy drinking and refined pinot. The hot 2018 vintage has layered in some ripeness with fine aromas of red cherry/raspberry compote, fine shrubby, foresty notes, and subtle oak spice. It is light to medium bodied, very smooth with fine tannin. The length is very good to excellent. Such poise and balance. Best now to 2023. Tasted June 2021.
90 points - Michael Godel
Nothing quite like a “normal” year to craft the most getable and crushable Bourgogne at the behest and passionate hands of Nicolas Potel. Old vines are in the 45 to 50 year range in highest of high density plantings harvested at a “normal” time in this post-modernist, climate adjusted period. That being the 5th to the 13th of September and fruit already ripe, burning the brix and phenol candle at both ends. Nose in to the promise of violets and roses, dive in for crunchy red fruit and some pretty solid tannins. That early yet necessary pick preserved acids with much to say in a pinot noir as tart and spirited as it is enriching of spirit. Despite the high drink-ability factor the structural parts creep up so wait a year for this to settle further. Drink 2022-2025. Tasted June 2021.
90 points - Sara d'Amato
Lovely, bright, crunchy and lively, this entry level Bourgogne from Roche de Bellene rarely disappoints. With a fine, elegant, and well-integrated oak treatment and an invitingly silky texture, this pinot noir is notably compelling and delivers solid value. Excellent length. Tasted June 2021.
- White Wine
- Albarín
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13% alc./vol
About the Winery
Bodegas y Viñedos Pardevalles
Pardevalles is recognized for being one of the driving forces behind the D.O Tierra de León, betting on the development of the indigenous grape varieties Prieto Picudo and Albarín Blanco. In 1949 Rafael Alonso founded Pardevalles continuing with the family tradition of growing grapes and making wine. The winemaking tradition in León goes back more than 400 years, famous for its centuries-old caves where wine was originally made.The vineyards of Pardevalles are located between 750 and 820 metres above sea level, in an area with a Continental climate. They grow in poor, rocky alluvial soils which helps maintain the freshness in the wines. The philosophy of the Estate is grounded in making wines which express the character and identity of their origin, with a deep respect for the earth and the indigenous varieties of grape, combining tradition, innovation, and hard work.
Press Reviews
Decanter
92 points - World Wine Awards
Wine Align
90 points - Sara d'Amato
The early 2000s saw a revival in the albarín grape variety planted largely in the higher elevations of Castilla y León in southwestern Spain and a majority of that is being produced by Pardevalles. This refreshing and zesty expression offers an abundance of flavour from starfruit, lime, and yellow apple, to elderflower and toasty lees. Sure to be a hit with fans of sauvignon blanc and vermentino. An effortlessly elegant sipper with notable length. Tasted February 2024.
- Red Wine
- Gamay
- Biodynamic, Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly, Volcanic
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13% alc./vol
About the Winery
Stéphane Aviron
Stéphane Aviron can be considered a pioneer in his approach to winemaking in Beaujolais, however he would just tell you that he’s simply returning to the traditional practices that have always made fantastic Gamay wines. Sustainable viticulture, extremely old vines and classic Burgundian techniques. He focuses on the Beaujolais village crus, all but forgotten gems of vineyards when the nouveau craze took over, which are the best sites for unique, expressive and terroir driven wines. All of the fruit is sourced from old vines (40+ years), so seeing Vieilles Vignes on the label is a rite of passage, not a privilege. Authenticity and a distinctly Beaujolais style of winemaking is what sets Stéphane apart from the rest.
Press Reviews
Wine Align
93 points - David Lawrason
Chenas is one of the smallest appellations of Beaujolais, situated astride more famous Fleurie. Both villages tend to make gamays with both richness and elegance. This sports a ripe nose of cherry/strawberry jam, peony and subtle pepper. It is medium bodied, smooth, firm and refined with gentle tannin. And the length is excellent. Very easy to enjoy now and should hold through 2028. Tasted June 2022
92 points - Megha Jandhyala
This is a fetching gamay with buoyant fruit notes of cherries and raspberries accompanied by aromas of candied violets, rosemary, and snapped twigs. The palate echoes these flavours with subtle notes of cured meat joining the chorus. Tannins are satin smooth and acids are tart. Length is excellent with a delightful fruity finale. Best 2022-2027. Tasted June 2022 by Critic Understudy Megha Jandhyala.
91 points - John Szabo, MS
This is a pleasantly twiggy-herbal-stemmy expression of Chenas with plenty of joyful fruit underpinning the ensemble. I like the fleshy dark cherry fruit on the palate, the silky-firm tannins, and the excellent length in the category. A superior cru; drink or hold late into the decade. Tasted June 2022.
91 points - Michael Godel
Chénas by Aviron is the cru that takes what the Villages offers and simply gives more. By home and vineyard the extrapolation and extension is natural, seamless and duly noted, from dancing fruit, happy palate and now, something viably more. Salumi and wet stone, a modicum of structure, violets in perfume and furthered texture. A positive thickening that stays with the palate, lingers and gracefully moves on. This is gamay to pour for people ready to get it and get at it. Drink 2022-2026. Tasted June 2022.
90 points - Sara d'Amato
An intriguing mix of ripe and jammy along with stemmy and herbal from the warm 2020 vintage. Juicy on the palate with flavours of cherry, bramble, wet leaf and a hint of carbonic. Mouthfilling and fleshy overall with plush red fruit on the finish of very good length. Tasted June 2022.
- Red Wine
- Bobal
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 14% alc./vol
About the Winery
Agrícolas de Vinos La Higuera
Agrícola de Vinos La Higuera’ is a small project founded in 2017 by two friends, Javier del Blanco and Jorge Navascues, to join their knowledge in the wine industry while working separately with top Estates from different regions all over Spain.
The aim is to nurture and craft honest wines that will honor their origins, with great value and genuine quality, expressing the purity of the grape variety and the environment they are grown in.
Press Reviews
WineAlign
90 points - Michael Godel
A varietal bobal from Utiel-Requena where 34,000 hectares in Valencia between the two neighbouring towns of Utiel and Requena are mostly concerned with this unique variety. Here is a firm and medium-bodied example with a plenary meeting of root-earthy fruit and exemplary acidity. Not exactly tannic but structured in its own parochial way to live non-plussed for a few years. This is quite a youthful example with more getable juiciness than many. Drink 2023-2025. Tasted February 2023.
90 points - Sarah d'Amato
A fruity, juicy red smartly packaged with a modern-utilitarian label from the Valencian sub-appellation of Utiel Requena where the bobal variety dominates in both red and rosé forms. Mid-weight, supple and easy-drinking with white pepper spice, and bramble along with wafting notes of botanicals and mint. Lightly reduced in a very pleasant fashion. Would benefit from a slight chill. Engaging and convivial with plenty of food pairing potential. Ready to drink. Tasted February 2023.
90 points - Megha Jandhyala
This 100% bobal was sourced from a single vineyard called La Pinada planted in 1958 in the Valencian sub-appellation of Utiel-Requena. It has a sense of freshness, candour, and authenticity that is appealing. I like the ripe red fruit flavours including plump and juicy strawberries, raspberries, and cherries, accompanied by notes of savoury herbs and earthy tones. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh, with juicy acids and fine tannins, while alcohol is well-integrated (13.5%, per the label). Ready to drink, this bobal is best enjoyed lightly chilled. Tasted February 2023 by Critic Understudy Megha Jandhyala.
- Red Wine
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.63% alc./vol
About the Winery
Ramsay
Since its modest beginnings, the Kent Rasmussen Winery has evolved into one of the most important Pinot Noir producers in the Carneros region, but Kent was always keen to focus on other varietals and other AVAs. So, starting in 1989, Kent and Celia Rasmussen launched a second brand, Ramsay, which focuses on Sonoma, North Coast and Napa Valley. Kent chooses grapes and blends with great care to achieve stylistic continuity, year in, year out and to create high-value, finely crafted wines.Press Reviews
Wine Enthusiast
91 points - Wine Enthusiast
This wine offers plush and supple aromas of blackberry jam, blueberry and pepperjam. Other notes waft through, including boysenberry, toffee, star anise, chinese five spice and toasty oak. Layers of sweet cigar, dried black cherry and bittersweet chocolate bring it all together for a mouthwatering finish. Best Buy. —T.P.
Tasting Panel Magazine
91 points
Plush tannins and ripe boysenberry are surrounded by mocha-coffee and dried brush. Well balanced, with woodsy tones on the chewy finish.
- Rosé Wine
- Prieto Picudo
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Bodegas y Viñedos Pardevalles
Pardevalles is recognized for being one of the driving forces behind the D.O Tierra de León, betting on the development of the indigenous grape varieties Prieto Picudo and Albarín Blanco. In 1949 Rafael Alonso founded Pardevalles continuing with the family tradition of growing grapes and making wine. The winemaking tradition in León goes back more than 400 years, famous for its centuries-old caves where wine was originally made.The vineyards of Pardevalles are located between 750 and 820 metres above sea level, in an area with a Continental climate. They grow in poor, rocky alluvial soils which helps maintain the freshness in the wines. The philosophy of the Estate is grounded in making wines which express the character and identity of their origin, with a deep respect for the earth and the indigenous varieties of grape, combining tradition, innovation, and hard work.
Press Reviews
WineAlign
90 points - Sara d'Amato
Pours a luminous, deep pink, this rosada from Leon is made entirely of the indigenous prieto picudo grape, more typically a blending variety with dark skins and often resulting in wines with licorice-tinged black and red fruit. With youthful exuberance and potency, this salty and succulent expression features a wealth of lightly candied red berries, slippery tannins and a touch of welcome bitterness that contributes balance and a sensation of freshness. Best to enjoy in its youthful condition but it has the concentration for another year or two of aging. Tasted February 2024.
- White Wine
- Piquepoul Blanc
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Light Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.5% alc./vol
- Red Wine
- Pinotage
- Sustainable, Vegan-Friendly
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 1.5 g/l
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 13% alc./vol
About the Winery
Radford Dale
Radford Dale and The Winery of Good Hope are two brands made by the same people, in the same winery. The team behind these wineries has been an industry leader since the 1990s in chemical free farming, and more recently in low and no sulfur winemaking. They are a founding member of PIWOSA (Premium Independent Wineries of South Africa) which sets ethical, environmental and social uplift standards. Recognizing the social inequality present in South Africa Radford Dale has also set up a trust called Land of Hope to help facilitate bright futures for children, focusing heavily on education.
Alex Dale who owns and manages both projects is an Englishman who grew up spending summers in Burgundy, France. He moved there in his late teens to follow a passion for winemaking and also opened a wine bar in Beaune. He lived in Burgundy for many years before moving to South Africa in 1998, starting Radford Dale with Ben Radford, an Australian. The idea was to produce wines using modern techniques and technology with a healthy respect for tradition, something Alex came to understand well while living in Burgundy.
Wines are made with minimal intervention in order to best express each vineyard’s individuality.Press Reviews
Wine Align
91 points - Michael Godel
Four months have done right by this pinotage and the beauty lies in how such an example could change 99 percent of minds as to what the grape from South Africa can truly and effectively be. No coffee, mocha or java in any respect, no silly or cloying sweet oak but simply fruit. Bright and clean expressing clear varietal skies. Pinotage can be like this and you need to try this wine to become a believer. Last tasted November 2024.
As per the recent (five-plus) year trending style for (better quality) Cape pinotage there is a lighter sense of hue, extract and texture to Radford Dale’s Vinum bottling. The aromas could not be confused or exchanged for any other grape mind you but red fruit prevails and earthiness grounds the wine at every point of exchange. No shock that winemaker Jacques de Klerk would do right by pinotage and provide the stage it needs to succeed. Tons of spice all over the finish. Drink 2025-2028. Tasted July 2024.
91 points - John Szabo, MS
This is a remarkably delicate and perfumed pinotage, pale of hue and redolent of still-fresh red berry fruit, notably absent the frequent rusticity displayed by the variety, as well as oak influce. Tannins are light and delicate and acids crunchy and juice, driving saliva and desire for additional sips, and the finish lingers delicately but impressively, the work of a hand and savvy hand. This will be a revelation to anyone who's exposure to pinotage was limited to the more commercial, sweet coffee-chocolate-flavoured versions, or the ultra old style reminiscent of rusty nails and rubber boots 0 this is nothing like that. Tasted November 2024.
- White Wine
- Chardonnay
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Residual Sugar: 2.00 g/l
- Full Bodied
- 750ml
- 13.50% alc./vol
About the Winery
Kellerei Bozen - Cantine Bolzano
Cantina Bolzano, based in the town of Bolzano, traces its roots to two of Alto Adige’s most historic cooperatives: Santa Magdalena, est. 1930 and Cantina Gries, est. 1908. After deciding to merge in 2001, Cantina Bolzano was created. Bolzano is located in the middle of a valley basin surrounded by hilly vineyards that grow from 200 meters above sea level up to 1000. North and south meet in this valley, and the sun warms the stony soils with its pronounced diurnal temperatures, protecting the vines from the cold.
The average growers’ plots in Sudtirol averages only approx. 1 hectare, and the area, with its famed reputation and steep slopes, is an expensive area to farm. The member of Bolzano (approx. 300 in all) own many of the best vineyards throughout the region, including the Valle Isarco, and pool their resources to create top quality wines. And while no grower is certified organic, many practice organic viticulture and all of them adhere to natural practices in their vineyards. Most growers have lived on their farms with their families for generations. They protect their land and cultivate their vineyards as they have done for generations with total respect of the environment where they live.
Press Reviews
The Wine Advocate
92 Points - Monica Larner
The Cantina Produttori Bolzano 2020 Alto Adige Chardonnay Riserva Stegher shows a soft, mid-weight texture with aromas of orchard fruit, honey, pie crust and pasty cream. This vintage shows good freshness too, with fruit harvested from very steep vineyards in the hills near Bolzano perched at 650 meters above sea level.