The Sauce Subscription - November '24

Sure, the weather might’ve taken a turn for the worse, but ‘tis the season to get stuck into some rich and full-on wines that are guaranteed to shake away the sleet and snow.

This month, we’re focusing on exclusively on Winter Warmers. These are big, bold reds which have often seem oak ageing to add a festive kick of spice. Then, we’re looking an equally rich and ripe white wines. These will exhibit full of tropical fruit flavours, signs of oak ageing and even a bit of residual sugar, (because we all need some extra calories in the winter months.

If you want to restock on something you loved, or try something you missed, be sure to take a look below. We'll run through all twelve wines which featured in the November Sauce Subscription.

Don't forget, all active sauce sub members get 10% off all wines online and for takeout in store! Simply use code saucesub10 at checkout.

Red Wine

Kaiken Disobedience Red Blend [£28.50]

• 30% of the Kaiken Disobedience was aged in French first-use barrels which really comes through in powerful spiced aromas. The remaining 70% is also aged in used oak barrels for 15 months helping to soften tannins. Lastly, the wine is aged in bottle for 6 months prior to release. The end result is a truly exceptional and complex wine packed with spicy, herbaceous and ripe red and black fruit flavours that linger in a persistent finish.

G.D Vajra Dolcetto D'Alba [£26]

• The nose opens with tones of wild berries, mulberry, hints of white pepper and sweet spices and fresh thyme. The palate is bursting with blueberries and fresh plums, with a refreshing acidity that makes it a great accompaniment to food. The finish is elegant with a lovely note of almonds.

Bodegas Ego Marionette Red Blend [£21]

• Bodegas Ego Marionette Red Blend was initially fermented in stainless steel for the first 2-3 weeks, before spending the next 2 to 3 months in aged American oak barrels which seek to add a bit of texture and soften the tannins, as well as subtle toasted notes which sit amongst potent flavours of ripe black fruit.

Vignetti Del Vulture Pipoli Aglianico Del Vulture [£20.50]

• Vigneti del Vulture Pipoli Aglianico del Vulture is bright ruby red in colour, with violet reflections. On the nose, there are intense aromas of cherry, violets and cocoa. Full-bodied, this wine has a sweet red fruit character with delicate oak nuances of vanilla and spice on the long finish.

Palazzo della Torre Allegrini [£31.50]

• On the nose, Palazzo della Torre Allegrini reveals distinct notes of berries, aromatic herbs, spices and vanilla. The textured palate is underpinned by sweet, polished tannins that linger on the long and intriguing finish. Rich, but with a refreshing kick on the finish. Who doesn't love a luscious Italian red?

Bodegas Vallemayor Reserva [£25.50]

• Bodegas Vallemayor Reserva is a classic Rioja blend of Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano. Tempranillo does the heavy lifting with strong notes of red and black fruit, as well as touches of cedar and tobacco. Mazuelo adds more red fruit flavours and a touch more acidity. Finally, Graciano adds a big hunk of body and tannin. This expertly balanced wine has also spent 2 years in oak which adds texture, as well as enticing notes of spice, vanilla and coffee. All in all this is an excellent standard of Rioja, at near unbeatable price.

White Wine

De Loach Heritage Collection Reserve Chardonnay [£26.50]

• The Russian River Chardonnay was fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks and concrete (30%) and French oak barrels (70%), of which 10% were new. The barrel-fermented portion of wine was aged for 10 months and underwent malolactic fermentation. It displays enticing aromas of white peach and brioche and is rich with well-balanced acidity on the palate.
  

Binario Skin Contact Garnacha Blanca [£20]

• Binario Skin Contact Garnacha Blanca comes from vines between 20 and 40 years old which really imbues the wine with a concentration and intensity of flavour which can't be matched in many other 'natural' wines. We hesitate to call this a 'natural' wine. This is a proper wine, that happens to have been made in a natural way.

Cantina Tombacco Archivio Pecorino [£21]

• Cantina Tombacco Archivio Pecorino is deeply aromatic and boasts notes of white flowers and subtle spices, as well as a really defined mineral edge that adds a delightful texture. However, it is the fresh and vibrant ripe fruit flavours where this wine really shines. Look out for booming notes of apricot, nectarine, sweet green grapes and a touch of underripe banana.

Joachim Flick Königin Victoriaberg Kabinett Riesling [£33.50]

• A touch of residual sugar brings out the ripe fruit flavours of apricot and peach, as well as a touch of body and texture on the palate. It is sweet, but not cloying as the acidity brings balance to this expertly structured wine. You'll also note classical Riesling notes of rubber, white flowers and tart fresh lime juice. An all round delight.

Domaine Cauhapé Chant des Vignes Sec [£30.50]

• The ‘Chant des Vignes’ wine comes from Gros Manseng and Camaralet grapes which were hard-picked. Then, they are macerated on the skins for 12 hours to extract delicate floral aromas. The first press juice is ten transferred to stainless steel tanks before the wine is finally aged on fine lees in stainless steel tanks for a further six months which adds a luscious and rich texture, as well as complexity. You’ll also note the off-dry character which gives the wine body and exceptionally ripe fruit flavours.

Quinta dos Carvalhais Duque de Viseu Branco [£19]

• A combination of classic Portuguese grapes are fermented in separate stainless steel vats at controlled temperatures to ensure the fresh and vibrant notes are retained. However, Dão has a reputation for oaked wines and this wine is no different, with 25% of the final blend spending four months in French oak.