Curious Case October 2022 - Reveal

For October we're taking a look at oak and in particular its natural affinity with wine. Originally oak was used in wine making out of necessity. Being supple and watertight it’s a natural for barrel making, but during the 1800s winemakers started to realise that it added additional flavours, aromas and layers of complexity. And into more modern times when stainless steel, cement and other materials are commonly used storage materials the use of oak at various stages of production has become a deliberate choice for winemakers looking for particular characteristics in their wines. Some of the classic oaky flavours include vanilla, cloves together with a distinct creaminess. And the fact that oak barrels allow a slow intake of oxygen during maturation can give them a silkier, smoother character.

Our picks for this case come from France and Spain, South Africa and Australia. There are 3 whites and 3 reds covering a range of grape varieties and they're aimed to demonstrate just what judicious use of oak can bring to the party. Some are made in a traditional style with a more full on oaked character; others with a more subtle approach. Our intention being to show the range of influences oak brings to different wines.

As always with our Curious Cases this is just a snapshot aimed to showcase some good quality, well priced wines on the theme in question. We certainly hopes it piques your interest because there's plenty more to explore in this vein.

£90.00 per case
free delivery, or collect from the shop.

What's in it?
As always with our Curious Case we don't reveal the content's until the end of the month, but here are a few clues to give you an idea about what's in store. Are you curious?

Wine #1 - An easy drinking Stellenbosch take on a classic Bordeaux blend.

Wine #2 - Mature, graceful and elegant; a Reserva at its glorious best

Wine #3 - From Down Under this is a bright, dense and juicy number with a subtle smokiness.

Wine #4 - Barrel fermented and barrel-aged this is a super, silky Spanish white.

Wine #5 - A brilliant Rhône white with a subtle oak influence and zesty mouthfeel.

Wine #6 - An elegant and restrained South African white with real complexity.

Finca Manzanos Fermentado en Barrica, Rioja Blanco 2021

In a nutshell:
A rounded style of white Rioja, aged in oak, with good levels of acidity giving a clean finish.

The lowdown:
White riojas, while seen less than their red counterparts, are made in a varierty of styles and are certainly worth looking out for. Half way through fermentation the wine is put into oak barrels which adds additional levels of flavour and imparts a definite silkiness. The result is a wine with aromas of apple, citrus, pear and peach with oaky notes of cream and fresh pastry.

When to drink:
A silky, barrel aged and well balanced white with pleasing minerally notes. Smoked meats, creamy pasta and chocken in rich sauces are the sort of thing for this.

Suitable for Vegans

Domaine du Monteillet 'Les Hauts du Monteillet' Blanc 2020

In a nutshell:
A delightful Viognier made by one of the northern Rhône's masters.

The lowdown:
Being of such good provenance this is always going to be a good wine even though it only has a modest appellation. It's aged for ten months in large oak barrels which provides a subtle extra layer of interest to add to the crispness and zest added by the small amount of Clairette in the blend.

When to drink:
An excellent Rhône Viognier with a manageable price tag. Try it with a cheese fondue.

Chamonix Chardonnay 2019

In a nutshell:
A lovely, carefully oaked South African Chardonnay from the acclaimed Chamonix winery in Franschoek.

The lowdown:
This Chardonnay of Chamonix's is a more Old World and Burgundian take on things. The grapes they use are softly crushed then fermented in French oak barrels for around 3 weeks, before being matured for a further 12 months on its lees while being regularly stirred to impart extra mouthfeel and complexity. The resulting wine has buckets of tropical fruit and grapefruit aromas which mingle with hints of oatmeal, caramel and nutmeg. It's nicely understated and with a medium-to-full body its richly complex fruit flavours flow into a mellow, elegant finish.

When to drink:
It's elegant and restrained character make it a superb match to pork, poultry and feathered game dishes.

Journey's End 'Pastor's Blend' Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2019

In a nutshell:
An easy drinking Stellenbosch take on a classic Bordeaux blend.

The lowdown:
Cabernet Sauvignon dominated with Merlot and Cabernet Franc matured for 14 months in used French oak barrels allows the wine to soften and develop while preserving the fresh fruit flavours and with out imparting too many oaky flavours. It has rich dark fruit aromas of blackcurrant and ripe cherries with subtle spicy notes from the oak and a fresh palate of juicy plums and blackcurrant with savoury spice and dried herby notes. A young, fresh Bordeaux blend made for early drinking.

When to drink:
This is a great weekday supper wine suited to wide range of dishes, everything from sausages to spaghetti bolognaise.

Ontanon Reserva, Rioja 2015

In a nutshell:
Graceful and elegant Rioja Reserva with good depth of flavour.

The lowdown:
To earn the name Reserva a Rioja must spend a year in oak barriques followed 2 further years in bottle before release. Ontanon's Reserva, which is made from 95% Tempranillo and a dash of Graciano, spends its time in a mix of French and American oak and makes a very good example of type with the high acidity, colour and tannin of the Graciano giving it the ageing potential it requires. It has rich aromas of sweet spice, dark red fruits, cedar and tobacco which give way to a silky palate with subtle oak and succulent raisin flavours, and it finishes with lovely softly integrated tannins.

When to drink:
Beautifully structured and perfectly mature this is a Reserva at the peak of its form. Great with things like roast lamb, pork, or turkey or creamy rice dishes like risottos.

Mitolo Jester Shiraz, McLaren Vale 2019

In a nutshell:
A bright, dense and juicy South Australian Shiraz from the McLaren Vale.

The lowdown:
South Australia's McLaren Vale which is just south of Adelaide is an area noted for its rich reds and Mitolo's Jester is just such an example. Their vineyards for this wine are situated at the southern end of the region around the town of Aldinga. After several days maceration it's fermented at cool temperatures to retain the bright primary fruit following which it's aged in oak barrels for 12 months before bottling. With a deep purple red colour there's ripe blackberries and cassis on the nose alongside some herbs and subtle smokiness. On the palate there's juicy raspberries and plums together with some tapenade savouriness which is all framed by gentle tannins and a dry, herbal finish. Great value for such a spot-on Aussie Shiraz.

When to drink:
Big and brooding, this is perfect with everything from barbecue red meats, to stews and casseroles.

Suitable for Vegans