Autumn Offer 2008

Bergerac

During 2003 when we visited the South West of France we discovered this little gem of a vineyard, situated on the plateau of Thenac, the highest vineyard in Aquitaine, at 183 metres. Now we have returned and brought back further fine examples from this vineyard.

Chateau de La Colline is a small boutique vineyard, founded in 1994 by an Englishman, Charles Martin, despite there being no existing market for the wines at that time.

He specialises in - and has established a reputation around the world for - the quality of his Merlot and Semillon based wines. The vineyard produces a small range of classic wines that reflect the terroir and the winemakers’ desire to evolve with the market in tastes.

Charles is a winegrower who takes his winemaking to excessive extremes out of his passion for wine. He learnt his wine making all over the world, starting in the Napa Valley then to Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa before finally arriving in France. Then he was the winemaker for Rymans at Chateau de la Jaubertie.

This passionate, perfectionist pioneer has introduced innovations to the Bergerac wine region, which are now adopted by many other vignerons and have contributed to the quality revolution of Bergerac wines. These include the use of inert gases to protect the wines from oxidation, mechanical leaf plucking, integral grassing down of the vines, and a system of very high-density plantations of vines at 8000 vines per hectare.

Bergerac is an appellation (vineyard region) of France that has the same grape varieties and geology as Bordeaux but without the arrogance or price! The climate is more continental with decidedly less rainfall.

The Merlot grape variety from this region achieves "strong tannin structures with the appropriate ripe flavour profiles and mouth-feel that no other country in the world can achieve" (according to the Oz & NZ Wine industry journal).

Classic melon/lemon/peach aromas of Semillon are present in the dry white wines of Bergerac.

Chateau de la Colline

Bergerac Blanc Cote Sud 2006

70% Semillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc. Fresh, full fruit flavours already obvious in the bouquet with hints of citrus fruits lemon and guava the resulting wine is complex, rich, with the freshness of green apples.

   

Bergerac Blanc Cote Ouest 2004

90% Sémillon and 10% Sauvignon Blanc. Beautifully layered-complexity of classic melon-lemon-peach aromas on the nose. Generous richness on palette, citrus notes on attack linked by creamy middle due to extended lees contact, gentle oak backgrounds lively fruit. Clean fresh finish.

   

Bergerac Rouge Cote Sud 2005

Made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine has a very deep intense colour, nearly ink due to the excellent ripeness of the grapes. - The nose exodus warm aromas of comfit black currants and strawberries. -In the mouth opens up ample to balanced classy tannins and finishes with a return of fruit.

   

Bergerac Rose 2006

Made from Cabernet Sauvignon the colour is Rosé light pink, with a bouquet of red berry fruit and some sometimes candy floss, a good easy drinking pallet.
   

Bergerac Blanc Moelleux 2000

85% Semillon with 15% Muscadelle, this wine has a deep yellow straw colour. The nose is powerful with developed aromas of stewed fruits, white peach mixed with orange, and apricot. In mouth, the attack is fresh giving way to the voluminous very rich liqueur but stays light and spicy. The finish stays long, the same spice leaving a long reminder in the middle of palate.