In recent years, Christmas has been a time to indulge. This is a sentiment that many big retailers have captured in their television advertising campaigns. Indulgence in wine is about enjoying truly special bottles of wine that will last beyond the moment and create lasting, joyful memories.
Our mixed Christmas cases are a highlight of our year. They are designed to cover every wine need on Christmas Day. The Select (PS90), Premium (PS145), and Deluxe (PS450) Cases are great ways to enjoy English wine throughout the day. However, for this article, I will take you through the decadent Deluxe Case (PS450). All the wines in the case are available individually, should you only want a few bottles.
Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2016
Grape: Chardonnay
Kent
This stunning Blanc de Blancs is arguably England’s best sparkling wine. The fact that they consistently win awards at all major national and international competitions for their entire range of wines is a clear demonstration.
Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2016 has a light golden color with aromas that include preserved lemon, poached pears, and brioche. The palate is elegant and rich, with candied orange, stone fruit, and toasted hazelnuts. The wine also has some salinity and mineral notes, with a long and rounded finish.
This wine is complex and refreshing, perfect to kick off your Christmas celebrations.
Nyetimber 1086 Prestige Cuvee 2010
Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
West Sussex
The pinnacle English Sparkling Wine is Nyetimber 1086 Prestige Cuvee 2010. The ingredients and techniques that make up this exceptional wine are based on the selection of only the finest grapes from their vast sites and the eight years spent on the lees. Aromas of almond croissants, toasted nuts, English orchard fruits, and citrus peels dominate the bouquet.
The 1086 has a taste that is a fusion of citrus, orchard fruits, and white peach. It starts with a tangy, vibrant flavor, which then softens into riper, stone fruit flavors. Mid-taste is a rich, creamy nougat that complements and envelops deep fruit flavors.
The wine has a sense of structure and journey, with a long-lasting aftertaste that is reminiscent of crushed nuts, lightly toasted, and light minerals. The balance between fruit purity and richness is a triumph.
Simpsons Wine Estate Roman Road Chardonnay 2018
Grape: Chardonnay
Kent
This Chardonnay comes from grapes that have been carefully chosen for their maturity and intensity. You know that some wines will get better with age, but you cannot resist drinking them now because they are so good. Roman Road Chardonnay is one of these wines.
It has aromas of white fruit and lime with a smooth cashew nut taste and subtle vanilla and spice notes. The wine is named after Roman Road Vineyard, which is located on a steep, sunny south-facing slope in the North Downs, Kent.
It is elegant and pure and has a distinct mineral taste that you can expect from fruit that is grown in these famous chalk soils.
Balfour Hush heath The Red Miller 2018,
Pinot Meunier
Kent
The first English red wine ever to receive a Gold Medal in the International Wine Challenge. The grapes are from a lot of outstanding grapes in Kent, where the Pinot Meunier grapes have reached maximum ripeness. This is a rare example of Pinot Meunier being vinified as a red still wine.
Owen Elias, a winemaker with a wealth of experience in the UK, has allowed the grapes to speak for themselves. The wine is smoky and has mulberry, blackberry, and raspberry flavors. It also has redcurrant, spice, and soft tannins. We have tasted the wine several times in the last year and believe it is drinking better than it did when it was awarded its Gold Medal.
Denbies Wine Estate The Brokes Botrytis Ortega 2016,
Grape: Ortega
Region: Surrey
It is a real rarity, an English botrytised dessert wine. The conditions for noble rot, also known as botrytis in France’s famous Sauternes region, are almost always present year after year. In England, however, such conditions are rare. Denbies Wine Estate on the North Downs near Dorking was the last place to have them in 2016.
Brokes Botrytis 2016 is a 100% botrytised Ortega from the Brokes area at Denbies Vineyard. The Ortega grapes’ first pressing revealed their fantastic quality. The wine was fermented in both oak and stainless steel. It then spent some time in French Oak to give it even more depth.
The wine has a golden color and a vanilla-and-dried-apricot aroma. This is a rich and complex dessert with caramelized orange and fig on the palate. It finishes crisply and goes well with many foods, including Christmas puddings. This wine was only produced in 500 bottles.
Chapel Down Lamberhurst Brandy, 23 years old
Seyval Blanc
Kent
In this Limited Edition Release, Brandy was not meant to age for over 23 years. However, the barrel in which it was maturing got forgotten!
It was distilled in 1993 and aged in French oak barrels in France for 23 years. Then, Chapel Down received a call from Lamberhurst Vineyard informing them that they had discovered it. The spirit is well-balanced with warm aromas of stewed fruits, dark honey, licorice, and caramelized apples. It has a complex taste of cinnamon, spice, and caramelized apples.
This is the best way to finish Christmas Day.
Charles Palmer Blanc de Blancs 2015
Grapes: Chardonnay
Sussex
Charles Palmer’s East Sussex wine is among the best I have ever tasted. It is 100% Burgundy grapes (clone 94 for those who like to know), which I believe brings generosity to the fruit.
This is a classic with its white peach and apricot notes, caramelized apples (think baked Apple Puddings), and buttery pastry notes.
The taste is intense, with tangy apple and citrus energy. The classic English acidity of the brioche is softened with riper stone fruits, honeyed pastries, and buttery brioche.
It is also worth mentioning that the price is very reasonable. At PS29.00 per bottle, this is a real bargain!
