Spanish
BACKGROUND
Spanish wine is widely viewed to have started to be commercially exported under Roman Rule, with demand growing steadily over the following centuries. By the 17th century, Spain experienced significant growth in exports which was further bolstered during the Phylloxera plague, with French wine production impacted most severely, many counties, including France turned to Spanish wine. Nowadays after perseverance and passion towards the terroir and vines we can taste some of the iconic grapes such as Tempranillo, Garnacha, Monastrell, Verdejo, and Albarino.
Dominio de Pingus
Pingus
Danish-born oenologist Peter Sisseck, arrived in Spain 1993, where he discovered the new home for Pingus in the Ribera del Duero region. The first vintage released was in 1995, reviewed by the Wine Advocate as one of the best Tempranillos. Having aged his early vintages in new barriques, gradually Peter abandoned this technique for the later vintages, producing a limited number of cases every year.
Vega Sicilia
Unico
Founded in 1859 by Eloy Lecanda, the property was bought in the early 1900s by the Herrero brothers. In that same period the famous winemaker Domingo Garramiola Txomin started working with Vega Sicilia introducing the Bordeaux system of ageing wine in barriques. His first vintage was the 1915 Vega Sicilia Unico. No less than 10 years is required for this complex ageing process, with the wine spending six years in wood followed by four in the bottle.
Marqués de Murrieta
Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Tinto
Owned by the Luciano de Murrieta y García-Lemoine family from 1852 it was then passed to the Cebrián-Sagarriga family in 1983. The renowned Castillo Ygay, made from Tempranillo and Mazuelo, has its own unique process of ageing, with the Tempranillo being left for three years in American oak and the Mazuelo for three years in new French oak. Once blended the wine spends one year in concrete and then three years in bottles before being released.
"CHAMBERTIN DOMAINE ARMAND ROUSSEAU, GRAND CRU - A BOUQUET JUST WAITING TO BURST OUT. MARVELLOUSLY VIBRANT FRUIT ON THE PALATE. STUNNING IN ITS ABILITY TO FILL THE MOUTH WITH FLAVOUR."
Sazan Allija - DeVyne Co-Founder / Director
Italian
BACKGROUND
Settled in south Italy the Greek exported their art of wine growing to Italy and impressed by the mild climate perfect to grow and produce wine they started to call Italy Oenotria. The Romans improved the technique used by the Greek and the demand for wine increased rapidly, the wine was consumed at every meal and because the alcohol content was stronger, they had to mixed with water. The Romans discovered that if the wines were kept in closed containers improved with age, becoming the first to store it in wooden barrels. Italy grows and use more then 400 types of grapes to produce its wines, and the most wanted wines are Barolo, Barbaresco, Amarone, Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and all the Super-Tuscan.
Giacomo CONTERNO - RISERVA
Barolo Riserva Monfortino
Giovanni Conterno established the winery at the beginning of 1900 near Monforte d’Alba Piemonte, and until 1920 the wine was sold in demijohns or barrels. Giacomo Conterno, Giovanni’s son, decided to differentiate the method of producing Barolo by ageing the wine after bottling. Barolo Riserva Monfortino is made from Nebbiolo grapes, that have been left to macerate in their skins for five weeks before ageing for seven years in wooden barrels, producing around 580 cases per vintage.
Antinori
Tenuta Tignanello 'Solaia'
Tenuta Tignanello estate is in the heart of Chianti Classico. The sunniest part of the Tignanello’s hillside is home to the Solaia vineyard, with soils that originated from marine marlstone from the Pliocene period, rich in limestone and schist. Solaia boasts the finest Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Sangiovese grapes from its namesake vineyard. The estate’s two signature wines, Solaia and Tignanello, are produced from these vineyards and have been defined by the international press as “among the most influential Super-Tuscan in the history of Italian viticulture”.
Biondi-Santi
Brunello di Montalcino
The most iconic Brunello di Montalcino wine for Brunello lovers is the Biondi-Santi. It all started in 1867 with Clemente Santi producing Moscadello wine. Biondi-Santi Riserva 1891 is considered to be its best ever vintage. Franco Biondi Santi strongly defended the traditional way of making Brunello, refusing to go with new barrels or oak, because Sangiovese is naturally rich in tannins and doesn’t need the strong tanning imparted by new oak. The winery produces three wines: Brunello Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino, and Rosso di Montalcino. Having been discontinued in 2010, in 2021 Biondi-Santi reintroduced the Topping-Up System of refilling the wine bottle with the same vintage to the required level and replacing the cork.
"CHAMBERTIN DOMAINE ARMAND ROUSSEAU, GRAND CRU - A BOUQUET JUST WAITING TO BURST OUT. MARVELLOUSLY VIBRANT FRUIT ON THE PALATE. STUNNING IN ITS ABILITY TO FILL THE MOUTH WITH FLAVOUR."
Sazan Allija - DeVyne Co-Founder / Director
French
BACKGROUND
France was a land without vines or wine until the arrival of the Greeks and romans. Monks maintained vineyards and conserved wine making knowledge and skills. France’s centuries-long reign as the top wine-producing country came to a sharp halt when cultivation was devastated by the spread of phylloxera across Europe from 1870 to 1908. After this crippling plague, in 1930 the French government introduced the wine classification system to minimise the threat posed by competing wine countries. Nowadays nearly every region of France produces wine and Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Loire valley are the top areas.
Burgundy Côte de Nuits Red - GRAND CRU
DOMAINE LEROY - Musigny
Established in 1868 by François Leroy owning Mersault Pommard, Chambertin, Musigny, Clos Vougeot, and Richebourg vineyards. In 1912 Henri Leroy joined the family business and in 1942 after acquiring 50% of the shares from his friend Henri, became co-owner of Domaine Romanée Conti, still today held by the Leroy family. Musigny from Domaine Leroy is one of the rarest wines under the radar for many collectors.
Burgundy Côte de Nuits Red - GRAND CRU
Romanée Conti
Medium garnet color, bricked throughout, much sediment. Rich and sweet nose of baked pie of stone fruits and berries, with an enormous mix of mints, tobacco pouch, damp redwood, beef broth in there. On arrival, low tannin and delicately low acidity.
Domaine de La Romanée-Conti
Montrachet Grand Cru
In 1200 the vineyard was operated by the Abbey of Saint Vivant in Vosne, it is believed that the vines were cultivated by the Romans giving them their name Romanée. In 1700 the Prince of Conti bought the vineyard giving his name Romanée Conti and not sharing a single bottle with anybody. The Duvault-Blochet family in 1800 started their journey, bringing to the market one of the most sought wines in the world. Since 1942 the Domaine has been co-owned by the de Villaine and Leroy/Roch families. The high demand for specific vintages and with the Domaine producing only 280 cases per year, makes Montrachet the most esteemed Chardonnay on the market.
Bordeaux Pomerol - Grand Vin
Château Pétrus - POMEROL
Bordeaux, France, Chateau Petrus owned by the Moueix family with 28 acres of vine Petrus produces 100% Merlot. In 1964 Jean-Pierre Moueix hired Jean-Claude Berrouet, oenologist and winemaker producing 45 stanning vintages. The vines are planted at the highest hill of Pomerol, producing only 30,000 bottles per year every wine enthusiast loves to have his Petrus case.
"CHAMBERTIN DOMAINE ARMAND ROUSSEAU, GRAND CRU - A BOUQUET JUST WAITING TO BURST OUT. MARVELLOUSLY VIBRANT FRUIT ON THE PALATE. STUNNING IN ITS ABILITY TO FILL THE MOUTH WITH FLAVOUR."
Sazan Allija - DeVyne Co-Founder / Director
Domaine Leroy
Leroy, absolute perfection. More than a model, the wines are an absolute reference.
Domaine Leroy brings to mind the difference between good wines and the very best; it is, in fact, the absolute summit of Burgundy. This prestigious Domaine gathers nine Grands Crus. The vines are cultivated following biodynamic principles and produce extremely low yields, but with a quality that have no equal in the entire world of pinot noir. The beauty of the aromas of all of these [Leroy] wines only has an equal in the supreme elegance of their texture and precision of none other than the terroir itself. They are the absolute model of quality, recognized by everyone and universally sought after.
GRAND CRU (2007)
Musigny
This was an outstanding year, where quality went hand in hand with quantity. 1982 Cheval Blanc is rich and complete. It is one of the finest vintages in the latter half of the 20th century.
The beautiful colour is medium-deep and showing some bricking on the rim. The nose is remarkably powerful, concentrated, and complex with an elegant succession of truffle, crème caramel, and prune aromas, as well as a slight smokiness. When swirled in the glass, the bouquet goes on to reveal roasted overtones of coffee, cocoa, and chocolate overlaying spice (cinnamon) and praline. The wine starts out smooth, fresh and rich on the palate. It is rich, concentrated, round, and sinewy on the palate, but also fluid and in no way heavy. The velvety tannin is accompanied by flavours of cedar and blackcurrant, accompanied by blackberry and raspberry jam nuances that go into a very long aftertaste. This wine seems virtually eternal and still has the attributes of its flamboyant youth.
GRAND CRU (1990)
Chambertin
This warm year with record dry weather was as favourable to Merlot as it was to Cabernet Franc. This immense wine is elegant and powerful, with a beautiful tannic texture and great length. It will long leave its mark on the history of Château Cheval Blanc.
Medium garnet color, bricked throughout, much sediment. Rich and sweet nose of baked pie of stone fruits and berries, with an enormous mix of mints, tobacco pouch, damp redwood, beef broth in there. On arrival, low tannin and delicately low acidity.
Les Vignots (2015)
Pommard “Les Vignots”
2015 was hot and dry at the beginning of the year and then cool during the ripening season. Due to the exceptional quality of the harvest throughout, there was no Petit Cheval produced in this vintage. The 2015 vintage wines are beautifully balanced and harmonious.
Deep, shiny, ruby red colour with violet hints. The nose is extraordinarily intense. A medley of fruit, flowers, spices and balsamic notes combines with a marked freshness resulting in a bouquet of rare complexity. The initial aromas are dominated by red fruits, raspberry, blackcurrant crush and subtle floral notes of lily and violet. A powerful, rich attack develops into a dense mid-palate enveloped in precise, clean, elegant, distinguished and persistent tannins. This wine is rich and full-bodied with an extremely long finish. Power, elegance and distinction combine to create a perfectly harmonious wine.
"CHAMBERTIN DOMAINE ARMAND ROUSSEAU, GRAND CRU - A BOUQUET JUST WAITING TO BURST OUT. MARVELLOUSLY VIBRANT FRUIT ON THE PALATE. STUNNING IN ITS ABILITY TO FILL THE MOUTH WITH FLAVOUR."
Sazan Allija, DeVyne Founder
Arnoux Lachaux
If you had to put a finger on what makes this domaine special, it would be Charles Lachaux and his unwavering focus on the vineyard.
The domaine was founded in 1858, with estate-bottling being introduced by Robert Arnoux, Charles’ grandfather, who was born in 1931 and took over upon his father’s death in 1957. Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux owns 14.5 hectares of Pinot Noir, spanning six villages and 15 terroirs. Four grands crus, five premiers crus, five villages wines and the excellent Bourgogne ‘Pinot Fin’.
750ml - OC - GRAND CRU (2015)
Clos-De-Vougeot
The domaine has a half-hectare holding in the Clos de Vougeot. This was not made in 2016 due to frost so, excitingly, this is our first allocation of this particular grand cru. It is sweetly fruited, spicy and with a robust tannic frame, offset against a beautiful succulence of dense red berry fruit. 60% whole bunch fermentation adds some viscosity, which works nicely with a supple, pliant finish.
This was an outstanding year, where quality went hand in hand with quantity. 1982 Cheval Blanc is rich and complete. It is one of the finest vintages in the latter half of the 20th century.
750ml - OC (2015)
Chambolle-Musigny
Five constituent plots go into this wine, totalling 1.62 hectares, grouped at the very top of the Chambolle slope, near the limestone cliffs. These plots all face north/north-east, resulting in a cool, fresh, acidity-driven style. This has a lovely perfumed nose, of crushed rose petals and tea leaf spice. The palate is filigree-fine on the entry, a sense of gentle weight building in the mouth. 70% whole bunch fermentation.
This warm year with record dry weather was as favourable to Merlot as it was to Cabernet Franc. This immense wine is elegant and powerful, with a beautiful tannic texture and great length. It will long leave its mark on the history of Château Cheval Blanc.
"CHAMBERTIN DOMAINE ARMAND ROUSSEAU, GRAND CRU - A BOUQUET JUST WAITING TO BURST OUT. MARVELLOUSLY VIBRANT FRUIT ON THE PALATE. STUNNING IN ITS ABILITY TO FILL THE MOUTH WITH FLAVOUR."
Sazan Allija, DeVyne Founder
Château Cheval Blanc
Vines have been grown at the place named Cheval Blanc for centuries and the vineyard of Saint-Emilion has produced wines of outstanding quality year after year, decade after decade, since late antiquity… they are some of the most acclaimed in the world – and the mythical Château Cheval Blanc is at their forefront.
Cheval Blanc obtained the highest possible distinction in the first classification of Saint-Emilion wines in 1954: Premier Grand Cru Classé “A”. This exalted rank was confirmed in every following classification in each subsequent decade.
GRAND CRU - Classé "A" (1982)
CHÂTEAU CHEVAL BLANC
This was an outstanding year, where quality went hand in hand with quantity. 1982 Cheval Blanc is rich and complete. It is one of the finest vintages in the latter half of the 20th century.
The beautiful colour is medium-deep and showing some bricking on the rim. The nose is remarkably powerful, concentrated, and complex with an elegant succession of truffle, crème caramel, and prune aromas, as well as a slight smokiness. When swirled in the glass, the bouquet goes on to reveal roasted overtones of coffee, cocoa, and chocolate overlaying spice (cinnamon) and praline. The wine starts out smooth, fresh and rich on the palate. It is rich, concentrated, round, and sinewy on the palate, but also fluid and in no way heavy. The velvety tannin is accompanied by flavours of cedar and blackcurrant, accompanied by blackberry and raspberry jam nuances that go into a very long aftertaste. This wine seems virtually eternal and still has the attributes of its flamboyant youth.
GRAND CRU - 1er CLASSÉ "A" (2005)
CHÂTEAU CHEVAL BLANC
This warm year with record dry weather was as favourable to Merlot as it was to Cabernet Franc. This immense wine is elegant and powerful, with a beautiful tannic texture and great length. It will long leave its mark on the history of Château Cheval Blanc.
The weather this year was ideal and brought together all the necessary qualities of a great vintage. This was the driest growing season ever recorded in Saint Emilion. It also confirms that dry years make for outstanding vintages in Bordeaux. The colour is exceptionally deep, dark, and intense. The nose is rich, with ripe black fruit aromas. In fact, this wine is rich in every respect. It shows concentrated black fruit on the palate, as well as a beautiful tannic texture – the sign of great Cabernet Franc. The aftertaste is tremendously long and generous – the sign of an outstanding year. Marked by Cabernet Franc in superb condition contributing elegance and complexity, this vintage also features power and richness of similarly successful Merlot grapes. The extraordinary length is indicative a wine that will last for several generations.
GRAND CRU - CLASSÉ "A" (2015)
CHÂTEAU CHEVAL BLANC
2015 was hot and dry at the beginning of the year and then cool during the ripening season. Due to the exceptional quality of the harvest throughout, there was no Petit Cheval produced in this vintage. The 2015 vintage wines are beautifully balanced and harmonious.
Deep, shiny, ruby red colour with violet hints. The nose is extraordinarily intense. A medley of fruit, flowers, spices and balsamic notes combines with a marked freshness resulting in a bouquet of rare complexity. The initial aromas are dominated by red fruits, raspberry, blackcurrant crush and subtle floral notes of lily and violet. A powerful, rich attack develops into a dense mid-palate enveloped in precise, clean, elegant, distinguished and persistent tannins. This wine is rich and full-bodied with an extremely long finish. Power, elegance and distinction combine to create a perfectly harmonious wine.
"CHAMBERTIN DOMAINE ARMAND ROUSSEAU, GRAND CRU - A BOUQUET JUST WAITING TO BURST OUT. MARVELLOUSLY VIBRANT FRUIT ON THE PALATE. STUNNING IN ITS ABILITY TO FILL THE MOUTH WITH FLAVOUR."
Sazan Allija, DeVyne Founder
Armand Rousseau
FOR FOUR GENERATIONS, THE ROUSSEAU FAMILY HAS WORKED SOME OF THE FINEST TERROIRS OF THE CÔTE DE NUITS.
The wines have good structure, a lovely intensity, substance. Elegance, finesse, a pure palate; the quality is consistent. The only discernable difference between the wines is their vineyard and their vintage. The domain produces 11 different wines, averaging 63,000 bottles a year. It exports 75% of its 0 to over thirty countries. The remainder goes to French restaurants, wine merchants and individual buyers.
GRAND CRU (2003)
CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU
Chambertin is the wine of kings. Powerful, virile, concentrated with good structure. A wonderfully persistent mouthfeel with aromas of chocolate, liquorice and small red fruits.
GRAND CRU (2015)
CHAMBERTIN CLOS DE BEZE
Clos de Bèze is often described as the feminine face of Chambertin, revealing as it does all the elegance and finesse of the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation. The wine is complex with deep colour and a long finish, smooth and of great finesse. The rich aromas are dominated by red berries and oriental spices.
Clos de Bèze predates Chambertin although they both enjoy the same high reputation. The wines of Le Clos are subtle and mineral whereas those of Le Chambertin are more ample and powerful.
GRAND CRU (2013)
CLOS DE LA ROCHE GRAND CRU
This vineyard lies in Morey-Saint-Denis and is the only appellation in the Domain which is not part of the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin.
The vines grow on limestone and calcareous-clay soils from the mid-jurassic period. Barely 30cm under the soil are large blocks of stone that give the plot its name.
The wines are mineral and vibrant; long, firm and very consistent. It was awarded Grand Cru status in 1936.