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The Southern Cone, October 2009

In the seven years of Stone, Vine & Sun's existence we have never set out an entire list by grape variety, but it just seemed the sensible thing to do now, given the facts:

• Many wine drinkers do have decided preferences for specific varieties
• The vast majority of wines from Chile and Argentina are labelled by variety
• There’s a purity to the expression of grape varieties here, especially in Chilean wine
• The red blends we offer from Chile and Argentina tend to be based on the principal grape varieties of each country

Those principal grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon for Chile - where it makes up over a third of all plantings - and Malbec, just as dominant in Argentina. There’s logic in this: these varieties thrive and produce great results, so we major on them: there are eight Cabernets or Cabernet based blends on pages 8-9, and the same number of Malbecs or Malbec blends on pages12-13. Trust us, the top wines on these pages really are beautiful, ageworthy examples of New World, but world-class, winemaking.

There is so much more though in this list: from Torrontès, Bonarda and Carmenère - not so well-known grapes, that deserve a wider audience - to the classic varieties of the great French regions, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Viognier, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Merlot. Now the Southern Cone can supply almost all your needs, from sparkling - our first Chilean fizz is already going down well - to sweet (see p.5). Finally, and most important, the wine of these two countries continues to offer terrific value.

Simon Taylor - October 2009

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Our Favourite Selection

  • Cape Chamonix, Pinot Noir Reserve, Franschhoek, 2008

    Product Code: CHX308

    Cape Chamonix, Pinot Noir Reserve, Franschhoek, 2008

    “Soft colour. Perfumed, with red fruit overliad by coffee oak. Both juicy and velvety, this is a really classy Pinot with (by Cape standards)...”

    Stone, Vine & Sun rating

    Medium Bodied

    Rated 3 out of 5
    Light > Full
    • Origin: South Africa
    • Region: Franschhoek
    • Colour: Red
    • Bottle Size: 75cl
    • ABV: 13.5%
    More Info
  • Domaine Olivier Fichet, Mâcon-Villages, Terroir de Burgy, 2008

    Product Code: FIC508

    Domaine Olivier Fichet, Mâcon-Villages, Terroir de Burgy, 2008

    “Young Olivier Fichet’s unoaked Chadonnay comes from his 6 hectares of vines in the excellent terroir of the northern Mâconnais near...”

    Stone, Vine & Sun rating

    Dry

    Rated 1 out of 5
    Dry > Sweet
    • Origin: France
    • Region: Burgundy
    • Colour: White
    • Bottle Size: 75cl
    • ABV: 13%
    More Info
  • Domaine Le Couroulu, Vacqueyras, Vieilles Vignes, 2005

    Product Code: COW305

    Domaine Le Couroulu, Vacqueyras, Vieilles Vignes, 2005

    “80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, made from two parcels planted on the plateau amidst the garrigue by M. Ricard’s grandparents. Guy says this is the best...”

    Stone, Vine & Sun rating

    Full Bodied

    Rated 4 out of 5
    Light > Full
    • Origin: France
    • Region: Rhône
    • Colour: Red
    • Bottle Size: 75cl
    • ABV: 14.5%
    More Info
  • Domaine de l'Aumonier, Touraine Sauvignon, 2008

    Product Code: AUM108

    Domaine de l'Aumonier, Touraine Sauvignon, 2008

    “Our best selling white wine for the last five years. Pale yellow. Fresh, lightly floral scent. Lots of flavour - lime and ripe grapefruit - and good...”

    Stone, Vine & Sun rating

    Dry, Crisp

    Rated 1 out of 5
    Dry > Sweet
    • Origin: France
    • Region: Loire Valley
    • Colour: White
    • Bottle Size: 75cl
    • ABV: 13%
    More Info
  • CarinaE, Malbec, Reserva, Mendoza, 2007

    Product Code: CAE207

    CarinaE, Malbec, Reserva, Mendoza, 2007

    “Oaked, mainly in old barrels. Deep purple. Seductive creamy oak nose. Really ripe and fleshy wine, brambly fruit given substance and ageing potential...”

    Stone, Vine & Sun rating

    Medium

    Rated 3 out of 5
    Light > Full
    • Origin: Argentina
    • Region: Mendoza
    • Colour: Red
    • Bottle Size: 75cl
    • ABV: 14.5%
    More Info
  • Jacquesson, Champagne, Cuvée 732, NV

    Product Code: JAC132

    Jacquesson, Champagne, Cuvée 732, NV

    “Quantities at Jacquesson are tiny, but quality is widely acknowledged as being extremely high. Cuvée 732 is based on the 2004 vintage and sourced...”

    Stone, Vine & Sun rating

    Dry

    Rated 1 out of 5
    Dry > Sweet
    • Origin: France
    • Region: Champagne
    • Colour: White
    • Bottle Size: 75cl
    • ABV: 12%
    More Info
  • Great New World Pinot

    Product Code: PN310

    Great New World Pinot

    “A mixed case including two bottles of each of the six wines listed, with a discount of 10%”

    More Info
  • Mas des Brousses, Chasseur des Brousses, Vin de Pays d’Oc, 2008

    Product Code: MAB108

    Mas des Brousses, Chasseur des Brousses, Vin de Pays d’Oc, 2008

    “60% Merlot with Grenache and Cinsaut, a wine with Bordelais style from the garrigue. Leafy and herby scents. Black plum and berry core, spiced with...”

    Stone, Vine & Sun rating

    Medium Bodied

    Rated 3 out of 5
    Light > Full
    • Origin: France
    • Region: Languedoc
    • Colour: Red
    • Bottle Size: 75cl
    • ABV: 13.5%
    More Info
  • Spicebox

    Product Code: Spicedoz

    Spicebox

    “A mixed case to match spicy food including two bottles of each of the six wines listed, with a discount of 7.5%”

    More Info
  • Honoro Vera, Jumilla, 2008

    Product Code: HON108

    Honoro Vera, Jumilla, 2008

    “Made at Bodegas Juan Gil from 100% Monastrell, organically grown in the mountains north of the city of Murcia. Deep, youthful purple. Very bright and...”

    Stone, Vine & Sun rating

    Medium Bodied

    Rated 3 out of 5
    Light > Full
    • Origin: Spain
    • Region: Jumilla
    • Colour: Red
    • Bottle Size: 75cl
    • ABV: 14%
    More Info
  • Lenten Restraint

    Product Code: LEN10

    Lenten Restraint

    “A case of three bottles of each of these four wines, with a discount of just over 10%; a mixed dozen intended simply to put decent, fresh, really well-made wines into your home for daily drinking,...”

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  • Meerlust, Chardonnay, Stellenbosch, 2007

    Product Code: MEE107

    Meerlust, Chardonnay, Stellenbosch, 2007

    “Strong gold tone. Fascinating fragrance: lightly honeyed, and almost herbal, like a Vermouth. Caramel attack, very smooth, with a palate of...”

    Stone, Vine & Sun rating

    Dry

    Rated 1 out of 5
    Dry > Sweet
    • Origin: South Africa
    • Region: Stellenbosch
    • Colour: White
    • Bottle Size: 75cl
    • ABV: 13%
    More Info

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