Charles Lea's Wine List
Wines I Like - Spring
I'm still very excited about all our grower Champagnes, especially with the tasting coming up of the new releases on the 18th April. Current favourites include the last few bottles of LOT 04 Extra Brut Champagne Ullens - Domaine de Marzilly NV which is now expansive and calm with a patinated nuts and dried fruit character. If you prefer a fresher more vivid style, especially as the weather warms a little (frost on the ground as I write this) check out Marc Hebrart's 'MES FAVORITES' or Franck Bonville's 'Unisson'.Fresh from our Italian tasting last week, we are just as keen as ever on the 'regular drinking' wines from all over the country, from Peloro Rosso from Le Casematte in Sicily, via Tuscany with both Chiantis and Rossos from Montepulciano and Montalcino, as well as the coastal wines made from 'other' grape varieties, including Caburnio from Monteti and Bolgheri Rosso from Le Macchiole, all the way to Piedmont in the north with it's bright-fruited and sleek wines from Barbera and Dolcetto, as well as the lesser Nebbiolos.
The northern Rhône is a great source of youthful, vibrantly expressive and texturally lush wines from the Syrah grape - the lesser wines from Côte-Rôtie producers who make some 'vin de Pays' alongside. Have a look at Graeme & Julie Bott's FIRST FLIGHT Syrah.
MES FAVORITES Vieilles Vignes Extra Brut Mareuil-sur-Aÿ Champagne Marc Hébrart NV
Champagne France 12.5% White
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir.
75% PN from Mareuil, 25% Chardonnay also from Mareuil. Old vines, massale selection Mareuil-Sur-Aÿ 1er Cru; All old vine, massale sélection from Faubourg d’Enfer, Pruche, Cotes, Haute de Varille, Croix Blanch...(read more)
L&SGONET-MÉDEVILLE Blanc de Noirs Brut 1er Cru NV
Champagne France 12.5% White
Pinot Noir.
100% Pinot Noir, 90% being from Bisseuil, and 10% from Ambonnay. Ripe grapes means that this wine has quite a deep colour, almost oeuil-de-perdrix. Very fine and persistent bubble, full-flavoured with good acidity to giv...(read more)
L&S2020 CONDRIEU Les Ravines Domaine Rémi Niero
Northern Rhône Rhône France 13.5% White
Viognier.
Not as expressive as 19, but a slight change in style detected, more linear & precise. Peach & melon notes, with mineral salinity too, finish off with a floral violet tone, really impressive.
L&S2021 RIESLING Manni Nössing
Alto Adige Italy 13.5% White
Riesling.
A wine of real power and intensity from Manni. The nose is youthful and deep with ripe lime citrus, some floral touches but then a mineral drive. In the mouth this wine immediately hits you with intense wet stone, citrus...(read more)
L&S2021 GRÜNER VELTLINER Manni Nössing
Alto Adige Italy 13% White
Grüner Veltliner.
Manni's Grüner Veltliner is a pure joy to taste. His fruit comes from his high vineyards at between 660-700 metres of altitude in the beautiful Eisaktaler Valley. More Austria and 'The Sound of Music' than what you...(read more)
L&S2021 SOAVE CLASSICO Roccolo del Durlo Le Battistelle
Veneto Italy 12.5% White
Trebbiano di Soave, Garganega.
From a single vineyard on volcanic soils in the heart of Soave Classico. The Dal Bosco family are doing great things, cultivating some of the oldest vines in the region, on steep slopes that have led to the use of Eroica...(read more)
L&S2022 RIBOLLA GIALLA Friuli Colli Orientali Azienda Agricola Visintini
Friuli Venezia Giulia Italy 13.5% White
Ribolla. Certified Organic
From the hills north of Venice this fresh bright white is loaded with wild flowers and citrus and the tang of crisp pineapple. Yet there is nice weight, with good balance and length, great freshness to the fruit and some...(read more)
L&S2021 OSTREA Vernaccia Di San Gimignano Mormoraia
Tuscany Italy 13% White
Vernaccia. Certified Organic
The vineyard here is laden with bits of ancient oyster shells from the times when this part of Italy was under the sea, and this is where the name Ostrea comes from. As you might hope there is a good mineral line coursin...(read more)
L&S2020 SAINT JOSEPH Domaine Graeme & Julie Bott
Northern Rhône Rhône France 13.5% Red
Syrah.
If there was a wine region that is in focus and a region of the moment then St Joseph could lay claim. There are two distinct styles, north & south. The G&J Bott Saint Jospeh Rouge is most definitely the north. 3...(read more)
L&S2021 VIN DE PAYS Les Agathes IGP Domaine Rémi Niero
Northern Rhône Rhône France 12.5% Red
Viognier, Syrah.
Soft and light in colour, bright red fruits on the nose, nice & attractive with light notes of red cherry and raspberry and a touch of fruit sweetness, easy and charming, a perfect summer red.
L&S2019 SAINT JOSEPH Bois Prieur Domaine Rémi Niero
Northern Rhône Rhône France 13.5% Red
Viognier, Syrah.
The Niero St Joseph Bois Prieur is always something of a surprise, it shouldn't be because every vintage they fashion a beautiful wine, the surprise is always in 3-5 years after vintage, that you've managed to keep your...(read more)
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