The first stop on the DD Wine Guide to the Galaxy tour is none other than the land of the free and the home of the brave, the grand ol' USA!
Our imports buyer, Ian Barr, has been hard at work selecting his top picks from our American wine collection - and after a couple of bottles, he's managed to nail it down to the few below...
“This was Pinot Noir of a kind I had never seen, and didn’t expect to see, in California. Nor in Burgundy, for that matter… My impression was of Pinot flavour at its most electrically alive…”
Hugh Johnson (The World of Fine Wine Magazine #48)
Hirsch Vineyards was founded by pioneer winemaker, David Hirsch, back in 1980. Located in a spectacular spot overlooking the Pacific Ocean at the northern tip of Sonoma County, they're home to the oldest premium Pinot Noir vineyard on the true Sonoma Coast.
Their Pinots are tightly coiled, minimalist, low alcohol and exceptionally cellar-worthy. Their range of 2019s come with fantastic reviews from the team at James Suckling, with the San Andreas Fault Pinot Noir being the star of the show taking out a huge 96 points!
All incredible wines and ones the Pinot fanatics just can't miss out on - you're in for a magical time.
Shop Hirsch Vineyards here!
"Readers who have not discovered Peay owe it to themselves to do so. The Pinots, in particular, are worthy of note."
Antonio Galloni (Vinous.com)
Peay Vineyards is a family-run operation that started in the mid-90s and is a partnership between husband and wife team Nick Peay & Vanessa Wong, along with brother, Andy Peay. They organically farm 53 hectares of vines in the cold northern Sonoma Coast of California. Their wines are gorgeously balanced, elegant and terroir-driven, and a real treat to drink.
We have brand new stock from Peay to celebrate - four knockout wines from the 2019 vintage! Three Pinots that are pretty as a picture (and boast awesome James Suckling reviews) and a Chardonnay filled with nuance and complexity.
Our philosophy is to pay attention to each wine and it’s individual potential. Each wine is respected, considered, and thought about.
Kenny Likiprakong (owner/winemaker of Hobo Wine Co)
We're excited to introduce Hobo Wine Co to the DD family!
It all started in 2002, when Kenny Likiprakong took the leap from skateboarding to winemaking with nothing other than two barrels of Zinfandel, an idea and a whole lot of passion.
They're part of a growing number of "garagiste" winemakers that provide a counterpoint to California's corporate winemaking industry and their range comes without the hefty price-tag you might find on a lot of other Californian wine.
Sustainability and minimal intervention are the keys to their success, with all 70 acres of vineyards they manage being farmed organically and Kenny seeing their role as a mere helping hand to the environment as it guides the fruit from vine to bottle.
We've got a fascinating Chardonnay made with a light touch, and two absolutely brilliant value Cabernets - one from Alexander Valley and the other from the North Coast - that give a fresher face to Californian Cab.
Or shop our full USA collection here.
And remember - don't panic! Just Explore.
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