20th December 2022 by Rachel Wallhouse

It’s no secret that shop manager, Matt, is a bit of a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fan, especially from Burgundy. So he’s put together a few of his favourite choices that we have in the shop. Over to you Matt…
My first choice are the wines from Emma and Andrew Nielsen at Le Grappin. I first met Andrew and Emma just before I was due to start work at The Whalley Wine Shop as a part time assistant. We have stocked their wines since 2012 and I’ve been lucky enough to taste with them every year since, including working two harvests in 2013 and 2015. They always bring a smile to my face when I taste them, and remember the hard work put into them. Today’s offer includes the best examples of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Le Grappin.
Le Grappin Savigny-Les-Beaune Blanc 2018 – £43.99
The wine comprises two parcels of Chardonnay. Both on steep slopes facing South-West with poor chalky soils and cooled by air coming down the valley above. All of these attributes lead to a wine that has ripe fruit flavours and generous weight while retaining a core of crisp minerality and drive.
Le Grappin Monthelie ‘Les Toisieres’ 2019 – £49.99
A new vineyard for Andrew and Emma, they have been trying to get these vines for some time. From a 20-year-old vine parcel of Chardonnay in the lieu-dit of ‘Les Toisières’ at the border with Meursault, with just a road between them! While Monthelie is known primarily for its reds, which make up 95% of the vineyard plantings, the vineyards on the Meursault border are terre blanche, where Chardonnay thrives and shows its greatest expression. Organically farmed since 2012, this is a special parcel. There is a lot of depth and creaminess in this wine, long flavours and richness.
Le Grappin Beaune Premier Cru ‘Les Boucherottes’ 2019 – £56.99
On the border with Pommard, beneath the famous Drouhin vineyard ‘Clos des Mouches’, where the soil is not quite as heavy as the clay soils of Pommard, so more elegant tannins. One of Andrew and Emma’s flagship wines since 2012, and loved by many wine critics. Lots of fresh fruity notes, primarily cherry and raspberry.
**Special Offer – all three for £135 – SAVE 10%**
To purchase please call 01254 822581
or email matt@thewhalleywineshop.com
Around the other side of the world in New Zealand is another one of my favourite winemakers, Pegasus Bay. They use Burgundian style wine making of Pinot Noir, very elegant and a great one to keep but they also make some of the best New World Riesling, bursting with intense citrus and tropical fruit flavours and texture. We have been lucky enough to acquire some of their older stock that they keep in their cellars.
Pegasus Bay Aged Release Riesling 2012 – £27.99
The 2012 vintage was one of the coolest for 30 years at the time. The grapes were allowed to hang till late May to ensure maximum ripeness. There’s bags of lychee, nectarine and guava in the beginning but backed up with hints of ginger and spice that keep the flavours going on for some time.
Pegasus Bay Aged Release Pinot Noir 2012 – £39.99
There are over a dozen vineyard plots making up this Pinot Noir, each picked at a different time to bring the best flavours to the wine. The initial flavours are fruit driven with hints of blackberries, raspberries and cherries, but there is a little touch of cinnamon and chocolate. As this wine has been stored for 10 years, there are savoury characters starting to show, with more spicy notes.
Pegasus Bay ‘Prima Donna’ Pinot Noir 2012 – £69.99
There are a few more new barrels used to make this wine, adding a touch more spice notes, the barrels are shipped from select Burgundian barrel makers. There are raspberry, cherry and mulberry fruit flavours, but with a touch more savoury notes, coffee, mocha and an aroma like ‘a forest after the rain in autumn’ (Matt gets wistful!). There seems to be more complex, separate layers of flavour with the Prima Donna.
**Special Offer – all three for £125 – SAVE 9%**
To purchase please call 01254 822581
or email matt@thewhalleywineshop.com