Tom Cannavan is one of the UKs most respected wine critics and so we are thrilled that he had the following to say about our website (thanks Tom!)…
“Cadman’s web site gives you plenty of information and tasting notes and they really do have a beautifully chosen portfolio so it is easy to put together a great case of wine.” Tom Cannavan, wine-pages.com
You don’t have to tread to far off of Tuscany’s beaten path to the Tuscan/ Liguaria border where the 
Terenzuola estate’s spectacular coastal vineyards produce Vermentino of divine aromatics – charming and compelling with striking underlying minerality.
These exciting new additions to our list are wonderful gastronomic wines, and the natural accompaniment to fish and seafood. Choose between their entry-level cuvée, the Terenzuola Vermentino 2010, and the more complex Fosso di Corsano Vermentino 2010 – one of Italy’s finest (under £20) whites.
Or why not compare and contrast with our Terenzuola mixed case (comprising three bottles of each)? The choice is yours!
The Terenzuola Vermentino 2010 is on a completely different planet to most commercial Vermentino – the aromatics are simply celestial. Lovely hay, straw and white stone fruit aromas with a striking mineral streak. The palate has a super purity of fruit, again white stone fruits with hints of citrus and a long mineral finish. Bring on the seafood!
The Fosso di Corsano Vermentino 2010 is a single vineyard wine from the estate’s highest plantings at around 350 metres. The 45-year-old vines give this wine amazing depth, complexity and striking minerality. More aromatic and structured than the entry level Vermentino with smoky, flinty notes mineral, hay and honey on the nose. The rich palate is packed with concentrated peachy stone fruit leading on to a long finish with attractive mineral notes. Superb!
We are delighted to be able to announce that we now stock fine and rare whisky. We already have some great single Scottish malts (the likes of Glenturret, Glenfiidich, Macallan and Scapa), in historic and rare bottlings, and we shall be continuing to expand on this growing and impressive list.
For many thousands of years, humans have cultivated barley and other grains as a means of sustenance, with the convenience over other food sources, such as fruits, that it can be stored for greater periods of time without deteriorating. However, while it is relatively easy to obtain sugars from fruit to create fermentable juice, it takes the process known as malting to achieve the same in barley.
The art of distilling has evolved over many centuries, but malt whisky is still made today in a Pot Still
Pot stills
similar in design to the stills in which all spirits were originally produced. Whilst whisky can be produced (in theory) almost anywhere in the world (Ireland, the US and Japan), it is generally (if occasionally controversially) argued that the finest examples come from Scotland. As with wine, a sense of terroir is of utmost importance, and a vast range of conditions contribute to the complex aromas and flavours of the spirit in the bottle.
It is terroir, or the influence of the landscape, that acclaimed Malt Whisky writer, Michael Jackson argues are the overriding elements in producing ‘real drinks’… those over which many a passionate debate has taken place as to the exact effect of the surroundings and the process of distilling on the whisky in the bottle. Real drinks, Jackson implies, inspire emotion which can only deepen the appreciation of the liquid in the glass. They must also taste of the place they come from, and elements such as heather-clad hillsides, the degree of peat employed, the qualities of the water source, or even the diversity of the rock surrounding the distillery would all have their unique part to play.
The whisky distilleries of Scotland (there are over a hundred in existence of which around two thirds are active at any one time), cover the length and breadth of the country, from the Lowlands to the Highlands as well as the surrounding Islands, from the Hebrides to Orkney. The joy of whisky is in the huge variety of character offered by such diverse regions. Unlike wine, there are no regional regulations regarding the production of whisky, yet whiskies are often discernable by their regional characteristics…
The Highlands comprise the Eastern, Northern and Western Highlands, as well as Speyside. The Highlands account for by far the highest proportion of Scotland’s distilleries (Speyside alone boasts between a half and two-thirds of them). Due to the great area it covers, you cannot associate one particular style of whisky to the Highlands which are wide and diverse in style.
The Islands. Of all the Islands, Islay has the greatest reputation and the most number of distilleries (eight). Famously peaty in style, it is not uncommon for Islay whiskies to be described as ‘medicinal’! These whiskies exhibit arguably the most singular character of all.
The Lowlands feature the smallest number of distilleries, but the whiskies produced here are often considered to be the most accessible. They are generally light in flavour and body, yet complex and herbal. This style is particularly attractive to those who find whiskies from the Highlands and Islands too powerful or robust. There are currently only three active distilleries in the Lowlands.
Napa Valley
Following a recent field trip to the Napa Valley, California, our General Manager has been on the look out for top-flight Napa reds from great vintages.
Two dates in Napa Valley’s history really stand out in its development. The first being 1861, when Charles Krug is largely credited with establishing Napa’s first commercial winery; the second being when Robert Mondavi broke away from his family’s Krug estate in 1965 to establish the biggest wine venture in the region since Prohibition.
Following Mondavi’s move the number of wineries (and quality) increased dramatically, and the 60s ‘lifestyle’ market drove a new thirst for wine.
But as well as the larger, more consumer-led wineries, the Napa Valley is also home to boutique wineries, producing relatively smaller amounts of benchmark Bordeaux-inspired reds that compete with the very best of Bordeaux itself. It is these Napa Valley greats that we have focused on, and we have sourced some relatively rare wines from great vintages for you to enjoy. Wines of power, complexity and longevity to compete with Pauillac’s first growths. Names like Philip Togni, Opus One, Joseph Phelps and Sloan as well as a great entry-level red from Simi.
Fine Wine Sale
Happy New Year to all Cadman Fine Wines customers!
And the New Year is also that time of year again where we make room in our cellars for some stunning new wines.
That means that you can pick up some stunning wine bargains at our January Fine Wine Sale, as we have slashed the list prices of some of our finest and best selling wines.
So if you are interested in picking up some great wines at not to be repeated sale prices please do hurry as stocks are genuninely limited!
Orders for Christmas wine can still be taken after the 19th and there is a very good likelihood of delivery before Christmas but we cannot guarantee it.
We therefore recommend that orders for Christmas wine be placed before 11am on Monday 19th December for delivery by Christmas (within mainland UK).
And don’t forget, we have a great range of Christmas wine cases to suit every taste and budget – with savings up to £50 per six bottle case. So, why not not treat a special friend, family or business acquaintance to an exceptional gift of fine wine this Christmas, perhaps delivered in one of our bespoke wine gift packaging options? We deliver throughout the UK, and overseas.
We can also offer a fantastic range of wine gift vouchers, from £25 to £500, which take the strain out of those tricky gift-giving decisions!
Wishing you a very merry Christmas!
Chateau Latour - the tower
Château Latour 1949 is a stunning rare and historic vintage, rated 100 points by Robert Parker, and we have managed to source one bottle which is in very good overall condition for the year.
The 1949 Bordeaux vintage is amongst the most sought-after wines of the 20th century – one of the driest and sunniest vintages on record, one which was eventually matched only in 1990. 1949 was a more refined Bordeaux vintage (than 1947), the finest wines characterised by balance and harmony of fruit.
This is a very rare and exceptional opportunity to try the greatest wine from one of Bordeaux’s greatest vintages. There is just one bottle available. With unbelievable staying power, this wine still has a decade ahead of it.
Here’s what the critics thought of Latour 1949…
“The 1949 Latour is one of those wines that can take a taster’s breath away. It is a wine of extraordinary richness, yet it is perfectly balanced. It has extraordinary extraction of flavor, perfect balance, layers of flavor, and a finish that is both supple and authoritative.
“On each of the previous occasions I have had this wine it has flirted with perfection. This bottle was again a riveting, opulently-textured drinking experience. Its spectacularly perfumed bouquet consists of truffles, black tea, soy, minerals, and copious sweet prune, coffee-infused, black currant fruit. Sweet on the attack, with a rare opulence, a voluptuous texture, full body, terrific freshness, and a chewy, fleshy, succulent finish, this has always been great stuff. This bottle was no exception. It has been fully mature for 25-30 years, but well-stored or larger format bottlings will last another two decades.” eRobertParker.com
“What a glorious wine. Aromas of berries, cinnamon and Indian spices follow through to a full-bodied palate with lovely soft tannins and a long, fruity finish.” Wine Spectator
“Perfect nose, rich, perfect balance.Fabulous. 5*****” Michael Broadbent MW
Tamellini Saove
Tamellini is one of the finest sources of genuninely good and traditional Soave from Italy’s Veneto region. And we have just secured stocks of two brand new vintages from their regular cuvee as well as their hard to get of premium Le Bine Soave.
Garganega is the finest grape variety that is used in the production of Soave (and is used by Tamellini), although, being a vigorous variety, yields must be kept low to maximise its aromatic qualities; and Tamellini manage their vineyards with the care and attention one bestows upon loved ones.
Tamellini, Soave, 2010 “Offers fantastic quality for an entry-level Soave: this is one of the best basic Soaves made by Tamellini in recent memory.” Stephen Tanzer
Tamellini, Le Bine Soave, 2009 Le Bine Soave 2009 is a very special treat; highly sought-after and produced in tiny quantities. The term Le Bine is effectively the Italian for a row of special vines; the grapes of which are harvested late and specially selected, producing a knockout, concentrated wine packed with juicy fruits and mineral flavours.
Christmas wine offers
We’ve got all your Christmas wine drinking and fine wine gift giving wrapped up in real style with a great selection of themed mixed wine cases, gift vouchers and bespoke packaging.
Christmas Wine Cases – SAVE up to £50 per case.
Wow your guests or great as gifts, this selection of nine seasonal wine cases is specifically designed for entertaining or presents – from the Best Values to the Deluxe Selection – it’s your chance to celebrate in real style.
Wine Gift Vouchers - £25, £50, £100, £200, £500
Treat your friends, family or colleagues with our fine wine gift vouchers, designed to take the strain out of those tricky gift giving decisions this Christmas. Simply choose to have the voucher delivered to yourself or the recipient, and include a very special message.
Wine Gift packaging
Fine wine makes the perfect gift. Fine packaging gives it that extra wow factor. Our gift packaging options will finish your gift off in real style, whether the wine is a present for a friend, family member or corporate acquaintance, add your own personal message.
Finally, please do contact us if you do have any specific requirements or corporate arrangements to make this Christmas and we will be only too pleased to help with your individual requirements.
2005 was one of the greatest ever Bordeaux vintages.
A perfect growing season provided ideal ripening conditions and grapes with the highest levels of dry extract, concentration and tannin on record. The vintage was characterised by rich wines, with great structure, huge concentration and lively acidity across all appellations.
Pricing for first growth châteaux and other top labels reached new stratospheric levels, yet because it was a great year across the board, there are also many great value Bordeaux to be found from lesser known châteaux in the satellite districts, whose prices are unaffected by the en primeur market.
We have put together an unmissable offer of four of these stunning bargains for you here. These great values are drinking at their peak now, and with savings of up to £30 per case it really would be a shame to miss out on one of the greatest ever Bordeaux vintages.
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