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!

Chorey-les-Beaune 2010, Domaine Tollot-Beaut: Spicy, red cherry and frangipane. Very fresh with zesty energy and crunchy tannins. 15 points. 3 star rating.

Chablis grand cru Les Clos 2008, Droin: Elegant, tight-knit nose. Well-integrated oak on the palate with good fruit and firm acidity. Very good balance: stylish with a long finish. 19 points. 5 star rating.

Bourgogne blanc Hautes Côtes de Nuits Cuveé Marine 2009 Anne Gros: Fine, lemony, oaky nose. Full-bodied, assertive and surprisingly powerful, with a long tangy finish. 7 points. 4 star rating.

La 50/50 2009, Anne Gros et Jean-Paul Tollot: Lifted red fruit, earth, meat, game and floral perfume. Supple, upfront and juicy with attractively smooth fruit. Early drinking style with freshness and grip. 3 star rating.

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.

Côte de Brouilly Clos Bertrand 2010, Château Thivin: Juicy, light and refreshing red fruit are the hallmarks of most Beaujolais, a red wine that generally makes most sense served from the fridge in the summer months. THis very superior bottling is a rather more serious proposition , however. It still has all that charming fruit, but there’s a bit more weight and an earthy charm here which works beautifully with grilled duck breast.