Top 10 new products in January

Taylors Very Old Single Harvest Port 1964

Taylor’s has launched a new series of rare single harvest Ports, with the first expression due to reach markets worldwide this month. With 1964 the first to arrive, the Port house plans to make this an annual release to coincide with 50th birthdays or anniversaries. Presented in a frosted Taylor’s bottle with a beechwood box, around 2,000 bottles will be available.

“Taylor’s holds one of the most comprehensive and extensive reserves of very old, cask aged Ports of any producer. They include a collection of rare single harvest wines which we plan to release every year to coincide with 50th landmark celebrations,” said the house’s managing director Adrian Bridge.

“There are few wines in the world that can match the longevity and freshness of these extraordinary Ports and the ones in our collection have survived in perfect condition,” he added. Taylor’s has already confirmed its plan to launch the “equally rare and exceptional” 1965 single harvest Port as the second addition to this series, due to arrive in 2015.

CONTACT: Mentzendorff +44 (0) 20 7840 3600
RRP: £150

The Long White Sauvignon Blanc 2013

UK wine importer Bottle Green has launched a new brand of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc for the on-trade and independent sector. Called The Long White, the new wine has been named after the Maori word for New Zealand, which is Aotearoa, meaning “the land of the long white cloud”. According to its makers, the wine is classically Marlborough in style with an “unmistakable” gooseberry character, “exotic herbaceous aromas” and “tropical and citrus fruit flavours”.

New Zealand Winegrowers recently revealed that Marlborough accounts for 80% of the country’s Sauvignon Blanc production, which in turn holds a 49% volume share of the UK Sauvignon Blanc market. Such is the continued success of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in the UK market and elsewhere, New Zealand wine growers are starting to plant vines again, following a freeze on vineyard expansion since 2008’s surge in supply.

CONTACT: Bottle Green +44 (0)113 205 4500
RRP: £8.99

The Macallan 62 Years Old Lalique

The Macallan and Lalique have hooked up on a fifth decanter in their Six Pillars Collection. Christened “The Spiritual Home”, the penultimate decanter in the sextet houses a rare 62-year-old Macallan single malt.

Designed by renowned French crystal house Lalique exclusively for The Macallan, only 400 individually numbered decanters will be released onto the market.

“Our partnership with Lalique is widely regarded as one of the ultimate luxury unions. This fifth collaboration in the Six Pillars collection further reinforces our commitment to working together to create beautiful and desirable objets d’art,” said David Cox, director of fine & rare whiskies for The Macallan.

Inspired by Easter Elchies House, The Macallan’s spiritual home, Lalique’s Marc Larminaux interpreted the harled surface applied to the sandstone walls of the house by creating a textured frosted surface on three sides of the decanter. One of the sides features the initials, JEG, which are engraved in the original date stone at Easter Elchies House.

CONTACT: Edrington +44 (0)141 940 4000
RRP: £16,000

Bulleit Rye Whiskey

UK-based Bourbon and Rye fans will rejoice at the news that Diageo is bringing Bulleit Bourbon and Bulleit Rye bottled at 45% to the UK following increasing consumer demand for premium US whiskey.

Previously available in the UK at 40% abv, Bulleit Bourbon is now consistent with the brand’s original US proof. According to Diageo, the move has been welcomed by bartenders, who enjoy the brand for its especially high rye content that imparts a bold and spicy character to cocktails.

Crafted in small batches using limestone-filtered water and aged in charred American white oak barrels for four to six years, Bulleit Bourbon is housed in a distinctive bottle inspired by the American frontier era when millions settled in the US.

The release marks the UK debut of Bulleit Rye in the UK. Containing 95% rye, the 45% abv whiskey has a dry and spicy finish, making it ideal for classic cocktails like the Manhattan, Old Fashioned and Sazerac.

CONTACT: Diageo +44 (0)20 3036 0289
RRP: £27.00/Bulleit Bourbon 70cl; £32.50 Bulleit Rye 70cl.

Bodegas Barbadillo Beta Brut

The first traditional method sparkling wine to come out of Southern Spain’s Andalusia, Bodegas Barbadillo Beta Brut has just been made available to the UK market after a successful launch in Spain.

Made from free-run juice from 70% Palomino grapes, traditonally used for in the production of Sherry, and 30% Chardonnay grown on the chalky Albaraiza soils of Barbadillo’s own vineyards, according to its makers, the straw-coloured fizz boasts “fresh and fragrant aromas of yeast and white flowers”.

On the palate, the sparkler is dry, and offers “fresh white fruit notes of apple and ripe grape”.

CONTACT: timholt@barbadillo.com

Leeuwin Estate Art Series Shiraz 2010

Leeuwin Estate in Margaret River is launching the 2010 vintage of its Art Series Shiraz and Chardonnay at the Australia Day Tasting on 30 January. The Shiraz boasts a “fragrant and concentrated” nose offering aromas of “forest fruits, mulberries and cloves” and notes of “plum and dark chocolate” on the palate.

The Chardonnay meanwhile, features aromas of “cut pear, quince and lemon blossom”, with “pears, grapefruit and white nectarine” on the palate. Represented by Domaine Direct, in addition to the 2010s, the 2011 Art Series Riesling will also make its debut at the tasting, held at Lindley Hall in Pimlico, south west London.

The estate uses its best grapes for the Art Series. “We select wines that show great length of flavour, with a supporting structure to give longevity,” said Paul Atwood, Leeuwin’s winemaker.

CONTACT: Domaine Direct +44 (0)20 7837 1142
RRP: £27.50 (Shiraz)

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve

Diageo has launched a limited edition Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve exclusively in Dubai to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Dubai Duty Free.

The gold bottle, screen-printed with an image inspired by the progress of Dubai, has been created to honour the occasion and celebrate Dubai’s status at the forefront of the development of the global travel retail industry. It features a polished metallic finish and slanted label that complements the brand’s signature square shape. The nectar inside is a multi-layered blend boasting, according to its makers, a “smooth balance of luscious sweet fruits and deep honey tones, finishing with lingering waves of wood and light sweet smoke”.

Steve White, global marketing director of Diageo Global Travel and Middle East, comments: “We’re honoured to join with our friends in Dubai Duty Free to mark their 30 years in business with this limited exclusive. We created the design to celebrate our journey together and their amazing success over three decades.”

CONTACT: Diageo +44 (0)20 3036 0289
RRP: US$68

Liscío fine wine glass

A glass made with wine lovers in mind, while the crystal bowl is large enough to hold 500ml at the brim, it weighs in at just 94 grams. Each tulip-shaped glass is individually mouth-blown in Slovakia by a craftsman, resulting in a light and elegant appearance balanced by a robust character making it dishwasher safe.

It has already got members of the wine trade raving, with South African winemaker Ken Forrester hailing it “brilliant”.

The Liscío glass stands 227mm tall and is 65mm in diameter with a base diameter of 80mm.

CONTACT: info@liscio-glassware.com

Shui Jing Fang Red Fortune

One to toast in the Chinese New Year with, Diageo has just released this Baijiu in select travel retail outlets in Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok and Tokyo.

Hailing from China’s first Baijiu distillery, this special edition, 52% abv bottling boasts, according to its makers, a “delicate, mild and mellow aroma in a perfectly balanced liquid”. The white grain spirit’s striking red bottle is emblazoned with a gold Gingko sign, which is the symbol of Baijiu’s birthplace, Chengdu.

“We’ve seen a rising demand for luxury Baijiu products among global travellers, which provides an ideal opportunity to launch this special edition. We’re confident that Shui Jing Fang Red Fortune will resonate with travellers searching for the perfect gift to celebrate the Chinese New Year,” says Steve White, global marketing director of Diageo Global Travel and Middle East.

CONTACT: Diageo +44 (0)20 3036 0289
RRP: US$63.50/500ml.

Champagne Gosset Celebris Rosé 2007 Extra Brut

Champagne Gosset has introduced its latest prestige cuvée into the UK market; Celebris Rosé 2007 Extra Brut, the first new rosé in the Celebris range for over five years.

A blend of 59% Chardonnay, 41% Pinot Noir and 7% Bouzy and Ambonnay, and is true to the character of most Gosset champagnes produced without malolactic fermentation.

Jean-Pierre Cointreau, CEO of Champagne Gosset, said: “This freshness is also found on the palate; with those prevailing aromas of red fruits there is a hint of pink grapefruit in the finish. “This cuvée provides Gosset with another superb tribute to the expertise – and patience – of our cellar master Jean-Pierre Mareigner. It is an important addition to our Celebris range. “

It comes packaged in a distinctive black and pink gift box.

CONTACT: Distributed exclusively in the UK exclusively by McKinley Vintners. +44 20 7928 7300, or visit www.mckinleyvintners.co.uk.

RRP: £145