Turning Back the Clocks - Old School Cool - a six bottle box set

With this case we’re Turning the Clock Back…

But no sepia tinted nostalgia, just the good stuff  brought up to date!

White wines 

The Winery of Good Hope, Bush Vines Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa - The Winery of Good Hope is based in one of South Africa’s most fashionable districts, Stellenbosch. It also proposes producing wines using “an alternative way of thinking, being and doing” and to make “quality wine with a conscience”. Which all sounds a bit both earnest and potentially expensive. The reality is very different. They certainly do have a social conscience and have some very favoured vineyard sites but  the wines are great value and very drinkable but without the glitz and glamour surrounding many of their neighbours. This is from South Africa’s most popular variety, Chenin Blanc, grown on bush vines, old granitic soils. Medium bodied and quite rich it has hints of Williams Pear and quince. Great with salads, as an aperitif or with fish. Drink now or within a couple of years - one of Chenin Blanc’s great assets is its ability to age beyond what you would normally expect for a white wine. 

Producer - The Winery of Good Hope
Country - South Africa
Region - Stellenbosch
Variety / Blend - Chenin Blanc
Wine Style - White Wine
Vegan

Manos Negras, Chardonnay, Los Arboles, Mendoza, Argentina - Manos Negras translates as 'dirty hands' and sums up the hard, manual work that goes into making every great bottle of wine and the expertise needed. Alejandro Sejanovich cut his teeth at Bodega Catena Zapata as vineyard director and since then has gone on to gain the reputation as one of Argentina's leading viticulturists, specialising in high altitude growing. This is made from Chardonnay grapes grown at 1200 mtrs in Los Arboles, Uco Valley. The vineyard is named ’El Presidente’. Need we say more? No, but we will. The grapes are harvested by hand and pressed in whole clusters followed by a natural yeast fermentation lasting about 11 days. There is no ageing in oak so the wine is bright and fresh with pure fruit flavours. White stone fruit with a tropical touch. This will work with most seafoods, as well as chicken, both grilled and stir fried.

Producer - Manos Negras
Country - Argentina
Region - Mendoza
Appellation - Los Arboles
Variety / Blend - Chardonnay
Wine Style - White Wine   
Farming - Organic
Vegan

Entre Vinyes, Funàmbul, Equilibri Natural, Brut Nature Reserva Cava, Catalunya, Spain - Entre Vinyes is a project created by Maria Barrena, one of the partners at Azul y Garanza, and her husband, Josep, a third generation grower in the Penedès. They have vineyards in and around the Foex natural park, at around 300-350 metres asl, close to the Mediterranean sea in the Baix Penedes area. Birds often feature on Entre Vinyes' labels, a symbol of both the natural life that thrives in vineyards farmed in an environmentally sensitive way, and of the balance they aim to achieve in their vineyards and in their wines. Funambul means tightrope walker. 

The grapes for this wine come primarily from a old vineyard called ‘La Baixada de les Bruixes’ (forest parcel, meaning ‘The Witch’s Path’) in the heart of the Baix Penedès region where the soils are generally very poor, leading to low yields but a great concentration in the grapes. These old bush vines are surrounded by a rich biodiversity, encouraging a natural balance in the vineyard that finds its way into the wines. This cava was made according to the traditional method. The first fermentation lasts around 20 days in steel tanks using wild yeasts, all of the varieties are fermented separately in the autumn then blended early in the following year. The unfined and unfiltered wine is then given a long second fermentation in the bottle using organic and neutral yeasts. It then rests in silence and at stable temperatures in racks and on its lees for two years prior to disgorgement and final bottling. Minimal sulphite addition, and zero dosage.

Funambul Cava makes a great aperitif but is also wonderful to drink with food, the weight and complexity pairs well with all sorts of dishes but we do love it with fried foods, especially fish and chips (out of a cardboard box or paper, on the beach preferably!)

Producer - Entre Vinyes
Country - Spain
Region - Catalunya
Appellation - Penedes
Variety / Blend - Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada
Wine Style - Sparkling Wine
Farming - Organic
Vegan

Red wines

Andreas Bender, Pinot Noir, Pfalz, Germany -  Andreas Bender's wines are a constant at Iron & Rose. "Dajoar" has been a go to Riesling for so many Riesling fans for a number of years - and made many Riesling converts. Andreas' philosophy is unusual in that he doesn't commercialise his top single vineyards separately. This doesn't mean he's not a traditionalist though and actually vinifies grapes from each individual vineyard site separately every year, resulting in a multitude of different cuvées which are later blended to make the best of each vintage into a number of different wines. He believes careful cellar work, simple techniques and natural fermentation are key. Andreas' own vineyards are farmed organically and he also works with trusted growers who farm to his specifications. The grapes for this wine are sourced from a grower in the Pfalz region from a single, south-facing vineyard in the Haardt mountains, rather than Andrea's Mosel, Pfalz being warmer and drier, sheltered from cold and wet Atlantic weather by the mountains, and better for consistency ripening red varieties. This Pinot was fermented in old oak barrels using wild yeasts and then matured in French and American oak barriques. Wine making is low intervention and the wine is bright and well structured with soft tannins.

Producer - Andreas Bender
Country - Germany
Region - Pfalz
Variety / Blend - Pinot Noir
Wine Style - Red Wine   
Farming - Organic
Vegan

Majella, The Musician, Cabernet Shiraz, Coonawarra, Australia - Majella, run by Aussie Icon Prof Lynn, is another Aussie icon. On the famous terra Rossa soils of Coonawarra, Cabernet produces a unique minty, eucalyptus scented wine. In this case blended with some Shiraz for a seriously drinkable but seriously enjoyable red. An Aussie classic. A subtle touch of oak and brimming with dark ripe fruits and chocolatey notes. A perfect grab for the weekend BBQ!

Producer - Majella
Country - Australia
Region - Coonawarra
Variety / Blend  - Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine Style - Red Wine
Vegan

Latium Morini, Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy - Latium Morini is an extended family producer - seven brother, sisters, uncles, aunts etc who own vineyards in the Veneto regions of Soave and Valpolicella, north of Verona in North East Italy. They used to take their grapes to the local cooperative but around ten years ago decided to build their own winery, partly spurred on by seeing what their famous neighbours were doing. They have never looked back and get great reviews for their wines. Jancis Robinson rates their Amarone as being in the top five produced. An alluring ruby colour, notes of cherry, strawberry and raspberry fruits. Super easy going, soft and washes down with delicate tannins. A favourite of checked table cloth Italian Trattoria for many years, proper Valpol is brilliant with pizza, pasta or that Veronese classic, horse! 

Producer - Latium Morini
Country - Italy
Region - Veneto
Variety / Blend - Rondinella, Croatina, Corvina
Wine Style - Red Wine
Farming - Organic Principles
Vegan