Merlot

Though the Bogle family has been farming in the Clarksburg region for six generations, their involvement in the wine business spans back 50 years. In addition to passing down a strong work ethic and dedication to quality, the success of Bogle over the years is rooted in the day-to-day involvement of the Bogle family. The family takes great pride in making wines of exceptional character and quality. From vineyard to bottle, the highest standards are set, in order to create a wine that overdelivers each and every time.

To see an excellent tasting/information sheet from Bogle themselves, please click on the blue link below.

Bogle Merlot 2016 - fiche technique

Concentrated and full-bodied, the Merlot is a study in contrasts. Subtle and silky, yet bright and intense, this deep red wine is multifaceted. Black raspberry and dark cherry greet the nose, while the brighter fruit of ripe summer plum dazzles the palate. The toast and spice of twelve months in American oak seamlessly integrate with the tannin structure of this wine, leaving a long, lingering finish.

They say that a good wine needs time to reveal its qualities, but it also needs dedication and constant commitment. Few products can embody so much expertise and thousands of years of history as those made by Botter. It has passed through the careful hands of three generations for whom wine was a passion as well as a trade. They have responded to the constantly evolving market over time, in a process of ongoing expansion.

After the grapes are harvested during the second half of September, this wine undergoes traditional red wine vinification at a controlled temperature between 25 and 27 °C.

This is an elegant, well-structured wine with typical ruby red colour. It has a clean bouquet with notes of currants and violets. The palate is balanced, delicate and persistent.

See blue link below for the excellent fiche technique/technical note from the winemakers at Charles Smith.

Charles Smith Velvet Devil Merlot 2016 - fiche technique

The maker says: "When Hollywood’s surprise hit Sideways suddenly spawned anti-Merlot sentiments everywhere, Charles set out to rebuff the movie’s unflattering depiction of this great varietal. One sip of this bold, sultry creation and you’ll know he succeeded at making Merlot sexy again".

More traditionally put: This wine is made by Charles Smith, a self–taught winemaker who brings his rock and roll spirit to the vineyards of Walla Walla, Washington. As a romantic young man, Charles Smith moved across the world to Denmark to follow his love for his girlfriend at the time. In Scandinavia, he became a recognized manager for rock bands such as The Raveonettes. While travelling on the road with these bands, he developed his passion for wine. In 1999, he moved back to Washington, opened a wine store and became friendly with a French winemaker, later convincing him to move to Walla Walla to make wine together.

The aromas are that of cherry, cedar and black cherry, with an intense cherry, blackberry and some tobacco on the finish which is clean and lingers for a full mouth feel.

89% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Malbec.

Letting this wine sit in the glass for 10 to 15 minutes will help to enhance the flavors and bring out the aromas while burning off any surface alcohol. The best foods to pair with this wine are lamb chops, steaks, pork chops, beef stew and hearty soups. This wine can also be enjoyed by itself due to its rich velvety texture on the palate.

ABV = 13.5%.

See blue link below for the excellent fiche technique/technical note from the winemakers at Charles Smith.

Charles Smith Velvet Devil Merlot 2017 - fiche technique

The maker says: "When Hollywood’s surprise hit Sideways suddenly spawned anti-Merlot sentiments everywhere, Charles set out to rebuff the movie’s unflattering depiction of this great varietal. One sip of this bold, sultry creation and you’ll know he succeeded at making Merlot sexy again".

More traditionally put: This wine is made by Charles Smith, a self–taught winemaker who brings his rock and roll spirit to the vineyards of Walla Walla, Washington. As a romantic young man, Charles Smith moved across the world to Denmark to follow his love for his girlfriend at the time. In Scandinavia, he became a recognized manager for rock bands such as The Raveonettes. While travelling on the road with these bands, he developed his passion for wine. In 1999, he moved back to Washington, opened a wine store and became friendly with a French winemaker, later convincing him to move to Walla Walla to make wine together.

The aromas are that of cherry, cedar and black cherry, with an intense cherry, blackberry and some tobacco on the finish which is clean and lingers for a full mouth feel.

89% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Malbec.

Letting this wine sit in the glass for 10 to 15 minutes will help to enhance the flavors and bring out the aromas while burning off any surface alcohol. The best foods to pair with this wine are lamb chops, steaks, pork chops, beef stew and hearty soups. This wine can also be enjoyed by itself due to its rich velvety texture on the palate.

ABV = 13.5%.

The Panis-Mialhe family has been passionate about wine production since the 15th century. Techniques have evolved through the generations to combine traditional values with modern methods. Jean Panis produced his first vintage in 1996 and since then his trademark has been the production of wines which are rich in fruit. He is a man that is dynamic and energetic and he always moves in an assured and precise manner. Managing his vineyard and winery is both a labour of love and his birthright.

The vines for this wine are grown in the Val de la Clamoux, which are gravelly alluvial fields that become very dry during the summer. The climate can be described as Mediterranean, hot and dry with oceanic influences.

There is traditional working of the soil in the vineyards of Chateau Donjon. They follow sustainable agriculture practices and are certified by the ‘Vitealys’ organization.

Traditional vinification takes place with with long tank fermentation. There is strict temperature control to ensure the best flavours are extracted from the grapes. The grapes undergo de-stemming in the cellar.

This wine has a dark ruby colour with garnet hues. There are red fruit and spices on the nose. It has an excellent balance in the mouth, with elegant tannins followed by a long finish which melts on the palate. It is a perfect match for regional dishes from the South of France. It will also pair well with red meats, grilled or with a sauce, as well as cheese. It is also a great accompaniement to a pork, chicken liver and prune terrine.

ABV = 13.5%.

The vineyards of the Chateau de la Tuilerie des Combes stand on the communes of Lussac and Montagne, just 8 kilometres from the medieval town of Saint-Emilion, which lies at the heart of one of the most famous wine regions in the world.

Under the guidance of the new owners, Count Henri le Grelle and his son Vincent, the vineyard’s surface area totals 17.3 acres. Grape variety planting stringently obeys Saint-Emilion norms: 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Francs for a fine balance in ageing wines.

The winemaking is traditional, nurturing the wine with the greatest of care until its development. The wine is aged in oak barriques for 18 months in one of most modern cellars if the area with its new system of thermoregulation which supports optimal maturation.

2015 has been hailed as an excellent vintage in Bordeaux. Generous flowering took place followed by a hot, dry early summer. August was slightly cooler and damper, followed by good weather in September enabling the grapes to reach full maturity. The wines have power and precision, particularly from the Right Bank appellations and many outstanding wines have been made from lesser appellations.

80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc.

Beautifully developed garnet-red in colour. Shows a very ripe nose of concentrated fruits of the forest and a dense palate reminiscent of black cherries and chocolate with pretty notes of liquorice and eucalyptus. The typically bordelaise structure is flexible, with soft, rounded tannins that bring balance and add length to the palate which finishes dry and clean.

Chateau Los Boldos was founded in 1991 and is situated 100km south of Santiago in the foothills of the Cachapoal Andes. Working with a portion of old vines originally planted in 1948, their focus from an early stage has been on the production of premium wines. The estate has been transformed since being purchased by Sogrape in 2008. Renowned soil scientist and viticultural consultant Pedro Parra (of Clos des Fous) was brought in to assess the plots and match the right variety to the different soils around the estate. The type of rootstock, planting density, orientation and the frequency of irrigation were all within Pedro’s remit, and the results – significantly improved grapes – are now being seen in the wines, especially since Victor Arce, previously of Perez Cruz, joined as winemaker in 2015.

Château Los Boldos was founded in 1991 and is situated 100km south of Santiago in the foothills of the Cachapoal Andes. Working with a portion of old vines originally planted in 1948, the focus from the onset has been on the production of premium wines. The estate has been transformed since it was purchased by Sogrape in 2008. Renowned soil scientist and viticultural consultant Pedro Parra (of Clos des Fous) was brought in to assess the plots and match the right variety to the different soils around the estate. The type of rootstock, planting density, orientation and the frequency of irrigation were all within Pedro’s remit, and the results are now being seen in the wines, especially since Victor Arce, previously of Perez Cruz, joined as winemaker in 2015.

Chateau Los Boldos was founded in 1991 and is situated 100km south of Santiago in the foothills of the Cachapoal Andes. Working with a portion of old vines originally planted in 1948, their focus from an early stage has been on the production of premium wines. The estate has been transformed since being purchased by Sogrape in 2008. Renowned soil scientist and viticultural consultant Pedro Parra (of Clos des Fous) was brought in to assess the plots and match the right variety to the different soils around the estate. The type of rootstock, planting density, orientation and the frequency of irrigation were all within Pedro’s remit, and the results – significantly improved grapes – are now being seen in the wines, especially since Victor Arce, previously of Perez Cruz, joined as winemaker in 2015.

The immaculate Château Mayne Blanc covers 21 hectares of vines, including four hectares of Bordeaux rouge and 17 hectares in the appellation of Lussac Saint-Émilion.The château has received significant investment and renovation in the vineyard and cellars by the current owner who purchased the property from the family who had previously owned the Château for three generations. They cultivate the vines sustainably and work closely alongside innovative winemaker Ludovic Labarrere, who vinifies using egg-shaped fermenters and produces wines which are the quintessential expression of the Lussac St-Emilion terroir. 

Lussac-Saint-Emilion is the most northerly of the satellites of the larger Saint-Emilion appellation, which is located in the right bank Libournais district of Bordeaux. The Château Mayne Blanc’s vineyard is situated at the highest elevation of Lussac Saint-Emilion, atop clay and silty soils which impart softness to the wines. The vines are sustainably cultivated, with grass sown between the vine rows in order to stabilise the soil and decompress it, sending the vine’s roots deep into the soils. The yields are carefully controlled in order to concentrate the flavours in the berries.

2015 has been widely hailed as an excellent vintage in Bordeaux. Generous flowering took place followed by a hot, dry early summer. August was slightly cooler and damper, followed by good weather in September enabling the grapes to reach full maturity. The wines have power and precision, particularly from the right bank appellations and many outstanding wines have been made from lesser appellations.

The grapes were meticulously sorted and carefully destemmed; ensuring the grapes were not damaged and the berries remained whole. They were slowly fermented in concrete tanks so all components from the skins were extracted to the desired level. Fermentation lasted for between three to four weeks. 50% of the wine was matured for 12 to 16 months in French oak barrels of which approximately 10% was new oak.

Merlot 80%, Cabernet Franc 15%, Cabernet Sauvignon 5%.

Generous berried fruits are accompanied by a blueberry character and rich, dark chocolate notes. Stylish and deliciously approachable with a soft finish. Plump berried fruits are accompanied by a blueberry character and rich, dark chocolate notes.

ABV = 14.0%.

The stunning 18th century Château Puy Guilhem is located on the hills of Saillans, overlooking the appellations of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion. The vineyard covers 14.5 hectares and is situated at the highest elevation of the Fronsac appellation, where the quality soils produce rich, concentrated grapes. The vineyard is manually cultivated following a sustainable philosophy and renowned consultant oenologist Stéphane Derenoncourt vinifies by parcel, creating hand-crafted, fruit focused and beautifully balanced wines.

2009 is widely cited as an outstanding vintage. The growing season was almost perfect, with a long, fine, warm summer and crucially, cooler nights which helped to retain balancing acidity. The wines are intensely ripe and rich.

The appellation of Fronsac is on the right bank close to Saint Emilion. The wines are dominated by Merlot. Château Puy Guilhem’s vineyard is situated in an elevated position of the appellation, atop high quality soil composed of a mix of clay and silt, which imparts structure to the wine. The vineyard is managed sustainably without the use of herbicides. Cover crops of grass are grown between the vines and manged with light tilling.

Fermentation took place in temperature controlled vats and lasted for 24 to 48 hours. The fermenting must was manually pumped over, with daily observations to check the evolution of the skins. Maceration lasted between three to four weeks to extract the desired levels of colour, flavour and tannins. The wine was aged for 12 to 16 months in French oak barrels, of which 50% were new and 50% was of one year.

100% Merlot.

A mature and traditionally styled Bordeaux showing ripe and fleshy black berried fruits with a lovely savoury and earthy finish. A powerful yet elegant red with ripe berried fruits enhanced by a subtle note of oak spice. Full bodied, with juicy fruit and an attractive savoury note on the finish.

ABV = 14.0%.

** TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE, WE REMAIN THE ONLY SUPPLIER OF THIS WINE IN THE UK. BEWARE THE STOCKIST ON winesearcher.com WHERE THIS WINE SHOWS AS 2016 BUT IS, IN FACT, 2015!! **

** WE HAVE NOW SOLD ALL OUR IMMEDIATE STOCKS, AND MORE SUPPLIES ARE ON THEIR WAY FROM NEW ZEALAND. HOWEVER, THESE WILL NOT ARRIVE UNTIL EARLY FEBRUARY. AT THIS RANGE, WE WOULD PREFER NOT TO TAKE PAYMENT FROM INTENDING CUSTOMERS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ORDER SOME, PLEASE EMAIL YOUR REQUIREMENTS TO US ON communications@exelwines.co.uk. WE WILL ADD YOU TO OUR WAITING LIST, CONFIRM THAT REQUEST BY EMAIL AND WILL CONTACT YOU WHEN THE WINE LANDS IN EARLY 2020 FOR PAYMENT. **

** 12 BOTTLES PER CUSTOMER ONLY (NB: the 2015 is also available without limits) **

Awarded a Platinum & Best in Show medal and 97 points at the 2019 Decanter World Wine Awards (click link for details).

For other 2019 DWWA winners, click here.

Craggy Range produces a collection of iconic wines from multiple regions in New Zealand. Owner Terry Peabody and his family pursued the single vineyard approach to winemaking, planting on green fields and bare land ensuring a focus on quality from the very beginning. New Zealand, with its diversity of soils types offered the perfect location to plant the vines. From the stony, warm soils of the Gimblett Gravels in Hawke's Bay to the volcanic, clay soils of Te Muna Road in Martinborough these exceptional vineyards produce wines with amazing aromatics, purity and complexity.

Te Kahu means 'the cloak' in Maori and refers to the mist that envelops Giants Winery in the Tukituki Valley. Legend has it that this mist was used to protect a mythical Maori maiden from the sun as she visited her lover Te Mata.

The grapes are completely destemmed before fermentation begins in closed top stainless steel tanks with the yeast being innoculated into the must. The wine then spends 10 months maturing in oak barriques (28% are new) before being fined, filtered and released for sale.  

63% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec.

The 2013 vintage was awarded 98 points and Outstanding status by Decanter (www.decanter.com) (see blue link below).

Craggy Range Le Sol Syrah 2013 - Dec 2017 Decanter review

Craggy Range produces a collection of iconic wines from multiple regions in New Zealand. Owner Terry Peabody and his family pursued the single vineyard approach to winemaking, planting on green fields and bare land ensuring a focus on quality from the very beginning. New Zealand, with its diversity of soils types offered the perfect location to plant the vines. From the stony, warm soils of the Gimblett Gravels in Hawke's Bay to the volcanic, clay soils of Te Muna Road in Martinborough these exceptional vineyards produce wines with amazing aromatics, purity and complexity.

Le Sol is born of the renowned Gimblett Gravels viticultural appellation with its gravelly soils attracting the sun in summer and insulating the vines in winter. The vines are planted in the stoniest parts of the vineyard to a heritage clone of Syrah brought to New Zealand in the 1840s.

The grapes for this wine were hand harvested and completely destemmed before fermentation was allowed to start. They used a combination of open top French oak cuves and open top stainless steel tanks for the fermentation process with yeast being added to the must. The wine was then allowed to mature in French oak barriques (30% new) for 17 months.

To see Craggy Range's information sheet for this wine please click on the blue link below.

Craggy Range Le Sol Syrah 2015 - fiche technique

100% Syrah.

Le Sol has a colour of the deepest red with a vibrant purple hue. This is an expressive cool climate Syrah with lifted notes of violets, fresh boysenberries, sandalwood and a hint of dried, peppered meat. The palate has a dense core of dark fruits beautifully integrated by acidity and fine, dusty tannins giving the wine a long, elegant feel towards the dry finish.

ABV = 13.5%.

Kaikenes are wild geese, native to Patagonia, that fly across the Andes between Chile and Argentina. In the same way, Montes, the Chilean winery, crossed the Andes to set up in Mendoza. Their vineyards are situated in the heart of Mendoza and further to the south in Valle de Uco, where many of the premium producers are now sourcing their fruit. The focus is primarily on Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, a variety that has been somewhat forgotten as Malbec has surfed one wave of success after another in the past decade. As a result, there are many old vineyards in Mendoza that produce excellent fruit. Kaiken's own vineyards supply 70% of their production requirements and 30% is from vineyards that they control.

Awarded 91 points and Highly Recommended status by Decanter (www.decanter.com) in their October 2019 edition article on Brazil (see blue link below).

Miolo Lote 43 2012 - October 2019 Decanter review

The Miolo estate was founded in 1897, after Italian immigrant Giuseppe Miolo arrived in Brazil with a passion for grapes and vines. He bought a piece of land called Lote 43 and started to plant grapes, bringing the tradition of Italian winemaking to Brazil. Today, the business is still lead by the Miolo family and one of the estate’s most elegant wines is named after this first parcel.

After almost a century of growing grapes, the company started to make its own wine in 1990. Nowadays, Miolo produces 15 million litres of wine per year – red, white and sparkling – with grapes grown on 1200 hectares of vineyards. The aim of the winery is to create a range of sparkling, red and white wines that have Old World character, but also with their own Brazilian twist. It has become Brazil’s number one producer; exporting more wine than any other Brazilian winery.

The winery is located in the Vale dos Vinhedos region, situated between the cities of Bento Goncalves, Garibaldi and Monte Belo. Translated as ‘the valley of vineyards’, the Vale dos Vinhedos is the only region in the country with a certification of geographical indication. However, Miolo have vineyards all over the country – all the way down to Campanha, by the Uruguayan border.

It is impossible to talk about Miolo without mentioning Miolo Lote 43. Produced with the best vintages only, this signature red wine reflects the story of the Miolo family. Upon arrival in Brazil in 1897, patriarch Giuseppe Miolo purchased his land lot, known as Lote 43, in Vale dos Vinhedos, where Miolo Winery is located today. Not only does this wine pay honors to the family patriarch, it also expresses the most distinctive characteristics of the region.

The grapes were hand picked in boxes of 20 kilos from Lote 43. The grapes were selected by hand on a selection table. The alcoholic fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at a temperature from 28 to 30 º C for approximately 15 days, the pomace being mixed with the wine by pumping over. After the fermentation, the tanks were closed and the wine was left 15 to 20 days in contact with the skin. Malolactic fermentation occurred spontaneously and immediately. The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines were aged separately, 50% in new barrels of American oak and 50% in French oak barrels for a period of approximately 12 months. The wine was bottled without filtration, to ensure greater aromatic intensity. After bottling the wine was stowed in the cellars of Miolo to rest.

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot.

Aromas include liquorice, tar, dark chocolate, mocha and spice. Good fruit concentration; firm tannins and a savoury note. A full-bodied, modern style.