Jeroboams is a London-based wine merchant, well-regarded for its extensive and exciting selection of wines, Champagnes, specialist cheeses and charcuterie. The company, founded by Peter Rich, started as a cheese and wine club before opening its first shop in South Kensington in 1985, specialising in quality cheeses, oils, vinegars and wines. Over the years, Jeroboams has expanded significantly, opening many shops and well as selling to the trade.
Jeroboams held their Trade Portfolio Tasting, in London, on March 6th 2024. This was an opportunity to engage with their winemakers, taste their most recent offerings and explore new wines. There were 230 wines available from 60+ producers.
Of the many wines I tasted, these are the ones that particularly left an impression together with my notes and thoughts:
(Typical retail prices are given where I have been able to find them online)
Italy
2022 Vom Lehm Gewürztraminer £24.95
From Alto-Adige, Italy rather than Alsace. Tastes very similar to French Gewürztraminer. 6 months on lees. Intense aroma. Classic ginger and lychee taste with long finish.
2022 Bortolin Angelo Extra Dry Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore £19.36
Premium Prosecco. Very bubbly. Floral/pear aroma. Good acidity. Off dry.
2021 Castello Dei Rampolla Sangiovese di S. Lucia
Interesting insofar it is has no sulphites!
2021 Piandimare, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo £14.50 and 2020 Piandimare, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Monolith £19.95
Richer, more full bodied, style Montepulciano d’Abruzzo than usual. Dried fruits, blackberry notes. The Monolith adds extra spice.
2021 Gianni Tessari Tai Rosso Colli Berici £11.94
Grenache. Medium bodied. Ripe raspberry and black cherry aroma. Outstanding for the price.
Argentina
2021 Clos de Luz Massal 1945 Carménère £22.50
Powerful oak, tobacco and vanilla notes and taste. Well balanced.
Chile
2021 Agreste Pais Moscatel NEW
Field blend. Floral nose, light colour. A sophisticated, delicate, lighter (11.5%) wine that’s best served slightly chilled.
USA
2021 Pavette Zinfandel NEW £19.95
Classic Zinfandel aroma and taste but not to heavy or jammy. Outstanding.
2020 Valravn Old Vine Zinfandel £24.95
Again, not too heavy or jammy and had added spice compared to the Pavette. Outstanding.
2019 St Supery Cabernet Sauvignon £55.50
Rich cherry, currant and blueberry flavours.
2022 St Supery Sauvignon Blanc £28.50
Intense grapefruit, passion fruit and citrus aromas. Long, rounded taste with layers of flavour. Outstanding. An unexpected find, as I don’t (yet) associate the USA with Sauvignon Blanc.
Australia
2021 Kaesler The Bogan Shiraz £34.50
A blend from multiple parcels. Great balance of fruit, oak and tannins. Outstanding.
2020 Kaesler Ribbon Vale Cabernet Sauvignon
Black fruits, with a little violets and spice.
France
2019 Château Couhins-Lurton Acte II NEW £49.99
Merlot. A new wine introduced in 2019 under Jacques Lurton, who has taken over from his father André. More fruity and approachable compared to typical Chateau Couhins-Lurton. Outstanding.
Spain
2021 Costers del Priorat Pissarres £21.95
60% Grenache and 40 Carignan. Purple tone. Floral aroma. Ripe fruit with minerality. Outstanding.
2021 Ribera, Erial Tinto £19.50
Intense nose. Blackberries, black liquorice and minerality. Gladly, more fruity and less tannic than the traditional Ribera style. Excellent balance.
2014 Bodegas Ortega Ezquerro Rioja Don Quintin Ortega Red £29.95
Jeroboams say it well, “Intense and powerful wine with dark cherry and plum flavours, mineral notes, hints of graphite and iron. Quite full and firm tannins frame the finish.” My favourite of all the wines tasted at the event. So good, I went back for another taste.
