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Hugh Hamilton, ‘Lions and Tigers and Bears’, Merlot, Sangiovese, Nero D’Avola 2017
£18.95Out Of StockThe Dark Arts is a range of wines from varieties that are not meant to go together, but work! They refuse to be part of the status quo; they are wine as art. Made off the grid in an unconventional style that is all about varietals in quirky combos.
A balanced blend recalls the experience of tasting a never-before seen variety. While this blend can resemble other wines, it also
remains, clearly and satisfyingly, only itself. Enjoy it unfold over a
meal to experience this wine at its best.Nose
Crushed mint, leather, tar, and rose. There is an amazing array of
flavours for those that look – rhubarb, cinnamon notes, clove, fresh
raspberry, meadow flowers, and pink lady apples.Palate
The palate is supple and textured, the fruit crisp and bright. Tantalisingly
layered, there is clear Merlot pedigree, but this is clearly not your average
Merlot!Food Match
Best served with ravioli and tortellini and gnocchi! Actually anything Italian is a fair match thanks to the Sangiovese and Nero d’Avola. Drink now through 5 years – becoming more savoury with age.
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Hugh Hamilton, The Bloodline Set
£175.00Add to cartHugh and Mary bring you their own unique trio of wines, a Grenache, a Shiraz and a Pedro Ximenez in honour of their forebear, Richard Hamilton.
Richard, a respectable tailor living on the high streets of Dover with his wife and 8 children, engaged in a second business under the cover of darkness – smuggling casks of Bordeaux wine across the English Channel. When Richard decided a change of scenery was needed he packed up his family and headed for the newly colonised South Australia. It was here that he started growing Grenache, Shiraz and Pedro Ximenez grapes for ‘the health of the family’. So started South Australia’s first wine dynasty that continues to this day.
Now, 180 years on, Richard’s legacy and secret are materialised in this beautifully crafted tailor’s crate – a trio of noteworthy wines smuggled beneath a limited edition cashmere throw both included in the order. Be one of the first to own a piece of genuine Australian Wine History.
HAMILTON 1837 GRENACHE 2016
There is an amazing duality that is fresh, perfumed and alive but there is also such amazing depth and length to the palate.
In part, the perfume is the result of the 30% whole bunch fruit included in the ferment but there is a very defined varietal lift that insists the whole bunch character is far from the whole story. The tremendous fruit character is carefully held in check by the assertive palate structure.HAMILTON 1837 SHIRAZ 2016
A necessary component was to add depth to the palate and to complement the high tone aromatics. The answer lay in the middle of the Church Block in the 21 rows of Shiraz that usually make Black Blood II. The generosity of the palate grounded the flightiness of the other two Shiraz, easing them into a satisfying whole.HAMILTON 1837 PEDRO XIMENEZ NV
Voluptuous, intense and sustained, the Pedro is a masterpiece made possible only by time and patience; so long in fact that the wine has long ago outlived the vineyard that made it. If given the chance it will outlive all of us as well.
Over many years the original base has been over-blended multiple times, with lengthy periods of rest between better known as the Solera system, building phenomenal depth of flavour and viscosity. The cumulative effect of many years of slow evaporation has concentrated and enhanced the character. A fitting respect for its rarity is achieved at the end of the bottle as you try to extract every last drop, knowing that there isn’t any more where this came from.This product includes a crafted tailor’s crate and a limited edition cashmere throw!
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Hugh Hamilton, ‘Black Ops’, Shiraz Saperavi, 2016
£18.95Add to cartThe Dark Arts is a range of wines from varieties that are not meant to go together, but work! They refuse to be part of the status quo; they are wine as art. Made off the grid in an unconventional style that is all about varietals in quirky combos.
The Name
From that irrefutable source of Gospel Truth: Wikipedia…
“A black operation or black op is a covert operation typically involving activities that are highly clandestine and often outside of standard military protocol or even against the law.”
Under these conditions, if you think you’re going to get lots of “Background” information, think again, Sunshine…Nose
Cherry wood and forest floor waft out of the glass, then give way
to cherry fruit and woody spice.Palate
The palate has the pleasing tartness of a morello cherry, and the pure allure of a fresh baked cherry pie. The richness of the palate gives a luxurious depth and
a finish that lasts long after you have emptied the glass. -
Samuel’s Gorge, Kaleidoscope Horizons , 2016
£49.95Add to cartThe 2016 Kaleidoscope Horizons is the more boisterous of the Samuel’s Gorge reserve blends. The wine is structurally supported by a tessellation of Tempranillo tannins, allowing Grenache to sing, Graciano to provide aromatics and acidity.
This beguiling blend will lead you down a path of smouldering cherry wood, marshy bogs, cured pancetta and cacao nibs. The wine grants the avid and willing taster a spice matrix accompanied by dark lifted aromatics of poached satsuma plum and polished mulga wood. Like clouds rumbling over the ocean, the elements of this wine gather and are then refracted like an ever-changing kaleidoscope, finishing with poise and structure.
The wine transcends one to Ho Chin Minh city night market; an intoxicating atmosphere, that like the wine, is wildly enticing. Crispy peking duck pancake with a dash of hoisin sauce.
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Hugh Hamilton ‘The Rascal’ Shiraz 2016
£17.95Add to cartThe Rascal Shiraz is just that – a bold, brash interpretation of McLaren Vale’s hero variety with a dense bouquet of black cherries, dark plums and mulberries. A nose of fresh liquorice and warm earth. Black-fruits fill the mouth with some spicy oak adding complexity while vigorous tannins wagging the wine’s long satisfying ‘tail. It’s the perfect wine to pair with dukkah crusted lamb – those hearty tannins quickly mopping up the lamb’s hit of protein and flavourful fat.
Suitable for vegans!
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Hugh Hamilton ‘The Scoundrel’ Tempranillo 2016
£17.95Add to cartThis Hugh Hamilton Tempranillo has savoury leather & cherry characteristics of the Spanish Tempranillo blended to add the mid-palate weight, balance & fruit of the other varieties.
With a medium body this wine is perfect with a paella, or any Spanish foods.
Suitable for vegans!
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Hugh Hamilton ‘The Mongrel’ Sangiovese Blend 2016
£16.95Add to cartA decade ago, fresh young reds were rare, and rarely taken seriously. These days they are more common, and critics pay much more attention! Hugh Hamilton are not after attention per se; their aim is to take the best of Sangiovese – always the core of ‘The Mongrel’ – and build on it, in a perfumed, savoury, unchallenging style: fresh, bright and lively!
85% Sangiovese 13.5% Grenache 1.5% Sauvignon Blanc – Sangiovese is a grape that has a lot going for it. Think savoury, meaning it’s great with food; it has a cherry flavour which is a contrast to most other grapes we grow and it holds very good tannin structure. Its natural acidity means it always has an interesting and lively palate. However, if you really want to make this wine ‘sing’ it needs a little touching up with something else and in this vintage, that is a splash of Grenache and Sauvignon Blanc.
With a nose that is a fruity-earthy mix of tar, raspberry, and maple syrup and a palate of supple textured, muscular palate of length and mid-weight. The intense perfume ‘blooms’ across the palate. Crunchy. Shiny polished leather.
The Mongrel is best matched with a simple pasta e polpette (meat-balls) dish with grated parmesan and fresh parsley. In fact any rich, tomato-based dish will be a perfect match!
Suitable for vegans!
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Fox Creek ‘Red Baron’ Shiraz, 2016
£14.50Add to cartFox Creek’s eye-catching Red Baron’ Shiraz is a very easy drinking and made in a young, fresh and fruity style so it is approachable and ready to crack open.
NOSE
Plum and black cherry aromas jump out of the glass supported by blueberry muffin characters with a hint of cinnamon spice.
PALATE
Rich front palate of plums and black cherries lead into the coffee and cream mid palate which is complemented by hints of roasted nuts and dark chocolate (you’ll know this wine is from McLaren Vale). The youthful tannins complete the vibrant experience with an injection of subtle structural oak on the finish.
Suitable for vegans!
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Zerella, ‘La Gita’, Arneis, 2015
£16.50£12.50Add to cart‘La Gita’ refers to ‘the journey’ and celebrates Jim Zerella’s Italian ancestry and honours his forefathers.
Attractive flinty citrus blossom aromas, spicy pear and almond notes. A rich bodied and intriguing style where mouth feel and textural elements are key. This well- balanced wine finishes with freshness and zest.
Vineyard Information:
Grapes sourced from Zerella’s Peters Creek Vineyard, Kangarilla which sits at an altitude of 330 metres above sea level creates this Arneis, which was grafted to 4.64 acres of Pinot Noir in 2011 and all fruit was hand harvested.
Jim Zerella’s Winemaking Notes:
Hand harvested at full flavor ripeness, gently whole bunch pressed straight into old large format oak barrels on full press solids, allowed to slowly begin natural fermentation, slow cool fermentation at 15-18ºC. Fermented to dryness and matured on press and fermentation lees for four months prior to being bottled.
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Hugh Hamilton, ‘The Villain’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
£17.95Add to cartWith the luxury of drawing weighty, textured Cabernet from the cracking black soil of Hugh Hamilton’s Cellar block and blending this with the high tone perfume of the Black Sheep block, Hugh is able to produce a wine of both presence and elegance.
Nose
A compelling perfume of roses, cherry wood, and incense.
Palate
Char, roses and Darjeeling tea. A fine texture as of emery.Suitable for vegans!
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Hugh Hamilton ‘Stunt Double’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc 2016
£17.95Add to cartElusive and fiercely independent Black Sheep wines from Hugh Hamilton will not be pinned down. The Dark Arts is a range of wines from varieties that are not meant to go together, but work! They refuse to be part of the status quo; they are wine as art. Made off the grid in an unconventional style that is all about varietals in quirky combos.
There is nothing quite like the thrill of seeing the unexpected triumph over the norm – no less spectacular than watching a man in a jumpsuit leap 19 cars on a Harley and stick the landing. What could easily be seen as no more than a publicity stunt is actually a true and death-defying leap into the unknown. It’s not as crazy as you may think, or maybe it is. Either way, it works.
Download the Tasting Note here.
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Down The Rabbit Hole Tempranillo, 2016
£15.95Add to cartJuicy black cherries with liquorice and spice followed by earthy cocoa notes are held together with silky tannins which provided a lengthy finish. This wine keeps you coming back for more
The fruit for Down The Rabbit Hole Tempranillo is grown in South Willunga, McLaren Vale. Warm Summer days are cooled by evening sea breezes from St Vincent’s Gulf, which lies a close proximity to the West. The soil is rich loam over clay with patches of underlying limestone, giving the wine a rich and fullness of pallet. The Mediterranean climate of McLaren Vale is well suited to growing this Spanish variety.
WINEMAKING NOTES, WALTER CLAPPIS
The 2016 Vintage was warm and dry throughout Summer producing intense colour and flavour. After spending 8 days on skins, the wine was pressed into seasoned oak to mature for 12 months.
COLOUR
Dark cherry red with plum hues
BOUQUET
Vibrant cherries and blueberries, plus liquorice & spice
PALATE
Dark cherries and licorice follow through onto the palate, while smooth cocoa tannins provide a lengthy finish.
Suitable for vegans!
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Down The Rabbit Hole, Sangiovese Cabernet 2015
£15.95Add to cartIn this bottle awaits a wonderful experience. Sangiovese brings lifted dark cherries, spice and powdery tannins, while the Cabernet adds succulent berry notes and provides a smooth finish. Matured in seasoned French oak, they come together in perfect harmony to create a rich and savoury wine that’s about to blow your mind.
Winemaker’s notes, Walter Clappis:
This Sangiovese Cabernet is a blend of two parcels from two small vineyards in the Willunga foothills area of McLaren Vale. Fermented in open top fermenters, the Cabernet was kept on skins for 10 days, while the Sangiovese remained on skins for 30 days. This allows the tannins to integrate and soften, while still providing length and structure.The parcels were kept separate until final blending prior to bottling.
Suitable for vegans!
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Down The Rabbit Hole Shiraz, 2015
£15.95Add to cartDown the Rabbit Hole Shiraz fills your mouth with rich red berry flavours and peppery undertones which are augmented by the maturation in small French oak. The wine is juicy, soft and velvety with a long smooth finish.
The Shiraz is a real standout variety from this vintage, exhibiting an abundance of vibrant red fruits and spice, with exceptional colour, richness and balance.
The Shiraz was harvested in stages commencing on the 17th February. The blend comprises of 7 batches harvested over a period of 3 weeks. The grapes were crushed gently and then transferred to 10 tonne open top fermenters. Each parcel was pressed and racked into oak hogs heads (300L barrels) – a mixture of new and seasoned, French and American – to complete primary and malolactic fermentation. The wine is matured in oak for 12 months before final blending took place.
COLOUR
Deep red/purple with crimson huesBOUQUET
Dark red berries, nutmeg, white pepper, subtle oak and complex barrel ferment characters showing through.PALATE
Mouth-filling, elegant, flavoursome, red berries, integrated oak, but above all; soft and velvety. Palate lingers well after the wine has been swallowed.WINEMAKER
Walter ClappisSuitable for vegans!
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Samuel’s Gorge, ‘Comet Tail’, Sparkling Shiraz 2014 (bottle fermented)
£36.00Add to cartThere’s sparkling red and there’s sparkling red and here at Tilley’s Wines we don’t do things by halves. We make sure our choices pack a punch in quality and over deliver on expectations.
We always steal Samuel’s Gorge’s winemaker, Justin McNamee’s tasting notes because quite frankly our prose pales in comparison and who better to set the tone than the creator himself:
“The epitome of romance in a bottle; traditionally made, bottle fermented, liquored with rare and selected muscats and ports and a result of contemplative devotion to this trade. Reminiscent of a rich Cornetto swirl, chase the surprises and delights offered up by this beautiful sparkling Shiraz. With a starry spray of fine beads dancing from the base of the glass, the Comet Tail sparkling is a must have for any celebratory table.”
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Tilley's Wines,
Eastfield Road, Wollaston,
Northamptonshire, NN29 7RS
Tel: +44 (0)1933 664 792
Email: info@tilleys-wines.com
Fax: +44 (0)1933 665 854
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