Press Reviews

It’s best, really, to ask someone who knows their stuff, and for over 25 years Domaine Direct has specialised in domaine-bottled wine. That is, wine bottled in the domaine of the person who made it (and quite probably who grew it), not something blended by a merchant. As a result, it has a selection of highly individual wines that inspire anything but cloth-tongued indifference, and at fair prices.

Often described as a “minefield” for the wine buyer, Burgundy has been on a roll recently…but it remains essential to stick to the best producers, and it is great to have a real specialist merchant who loves the area, carefully selecting wines. Domaine Direct does so for both famous estates and some real over-performing gems from underrated corners of the territiory.

Domaine Direct is one of the finest Burgundy specialists in the country and if you are remotely serious about wine then you should be on their mailing list.

Sensational Burgundy list; prices are very reasonable for the quality. Also a full range from Western Australia star Leeuwin Estate.

Prelude Vineyards Chardonnay 2008: A second label to most producers’ best; fragrant white peach and grapefruit aromas and flavours drive the wine, having soaked up the barrel ferment oak in the process; long, complete and perfectly balanced.

Art Series Shiraz 2008: 94 points – The fragrant bouquet of spicy red fruits is closely tracked on the light to medium-bodied palate that is all about finesse, line and length, the red cherry fruit with spicy nuances, the oak reserved.

Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2006: The Leeuwin cabernets are really hitting their stride since the pivotal 2004 vintage. Smoky red and black fruit aromas, hints of undergrowth and fresh earth; soft mellow palate with ample ripe tannins, gently rounded and savoury, with elegance and balance.

Prelude Vineyards Cabernet Merlot 2004: Dark and taut, this is layered with lots of herbs, cedar and smoke backed by blackberry and cherry fruit. the racy palate is framed by branchy tannins and cassis flavors that linger on the medium finish.

Art Series Riesling 2009: 89 points - Revealing pronounced aromas of lime leaves, yuzu zest, passion fruit and warm grapefruit. Crisp, light to medium bodied, fully dry and elegant, it gives a long steely finish.

Art Series Sauvignon Blanc 2010: This is my kind of sauvignon blanc. It has all the requisite zingy freshness with some tropical fruit and more on the citrus spectrum. This has texture, with lemon pith and zest notes matched to an almost chalky acidity but it is crisp, with pine-needle freshness. A seriously delicious wine.

Art Series Chardonnay 2007: Firmer and tighter than last year’s ’06, 2007 Art Series Chardonnay seems to have all of the attributes required to make it a must-have wine for any Chardonnay lover. There is finesse here and layers of fruit which peel away gently to reveala a golden core. It is a crime to drink it early, but we don’t mind a little flirting with the law!

Saint-Aubin 1er cru En Remilly 2008 Lamy: Lively, sprightly and full of youthful energy. Real grip and attack. Bright fruit – very zesty with real core and balance. Sleek with lots of pleasure but real density, too.

Chablis 1er cru Montee de Tonnerre 2008, Droin: Wonderfully correct and taut yet with lots of green fruit juice. Very pure and correct and exciting. Real poise and focus. Pretty good value really for a wine that is great already but clearly has a long way to go. No showing off. Just real purity.

Chablis 1er cru Vaillons 2008 Bernard Defaix: Buttery Vaillons, with taut, precise minerality. Racy, energetic, linear, but ripe fruit and good, long definition of flavours.

La 50/50 2008, Anne Gros et Jean-Paul Tollot: Burgundian couple Anne Gros and Jean Tollot, who work for a separate family estates, wanted to do a joint project, so they looked in the Midi and found superb old Carignan vines in Minervois. This has lovely spice with fresh peppery fruit, and a fresh finish. There is southern warmth, while retaining essential elegance.

Morgon Cote du Py 2009, Domaine Piron: Bright, red fruit, just what you would expect from a classic Morgon. Although young it is drinking well now. A soft and supple red wine.