Hamper - 3 Award Winning Wines

Bodeags Alceno ‘Genio Espanol’ Jumilla 2021 (AWARD WINNER Gold 96 Points)

“Very modern and intense with captivating black pepper, wild herb and violet aromas. Powerful and energetic with some chalky tannins and searing fresh acidity. Really really classy. Offers a lot within the price band.” Decanter

An incredible quality wine from Bodegas Alceño, which caught the Decanter Wine Awards judge’s attention … an authentic 85% bush vine Monastrell and 15% Syrah blend, which reflects not only their long family tradition but also a modernity being seen more and more across this fascinating DO.

“Aromas of black pepper, dark ripe fruit, vanilla, cinnamon and wild herbs encapsulate this ‘roble’ style. Expressive and beautifully balanced, the palate has ample fruit, a structured frame, lifted notes of cherry, dark spice, and a supple length. Immensely appealing and incredible quality at the price point.”  Jean Wareing MW

 Bodegas Altolandon, Doña Leo, Manchuela, Spain, 2020

Owner & winemaker, Rosalia Molina, makes organic wines in one of Spain's highest altitude wineries. Her mission is to make wines that express the typicity of DO Manchuela: the vineyard, the altitude and the varieties planted. This is a climate on the edge of what is possible: at 1,100 metres above sea level, the grapes experience a large diurnal range that encourages even ripening and helps to retain natural acidity. Rosalia's vineyards are certified organic, she uses only natural fertilisers, promoting biodiversity by welcoming chickens, sheep and pigs from local farms to roam the vineyards freely. Grapes are hand harvested and vinified as naturally as possible with native yeasts and little other intervention. The wines are then aged in clay amphora and some in French oak to give texture and complexity.

 Bodegas y Viñedos Merayo, La Tres Filas Mencia, DO Bierzo, Spain, 2021

There is rather lovely balance of old and young at Merayo. 80 year old Mencia bush vines give their fruit to the young, dynamic winemaker Juan Merayo who then crafts wonderful wines full of fresh, perfumed characters and ripe red fruit evocative of Mencia. Everything is handpicked with the appropriate reverence for these octogenarian vines before the grapes receive careful temperature controlled ferments and sensitive use of French and American oak to ensure Juan creates the expressive wines he is looking for. Cherry red with violet hues. Intense, fresh, elegant nose where red fruit, strawberry and raspberry sensations dominate, as well as floral and violet notes. In the background, very well integrated vanilla, tobacco and minerals. Elegant and silky. On the palate it is fresh, with red fruit. Round, soft, silky tannin. Balanced acidity, freshness and varietal notes dominate in perfect harmony with wood flavours that give the wine complexity. The oak ageing is well integrated and very elegant.