Boundary
Address:
2-4 Boundary Street, Shoreditch, London E2 7DD
Phone:
020 7729 1051
Website:
Rating:
Good For:
Quirky, French
List Summary
A list which is bittersweet for WineChap: We admire it tremendously, we love it in fact; because it is concise and constantly features new listings, which means it remains fresh, interesting, evolving and full of exciting smaller parcels of rarities all things we look for in a modern carte. BUT, its a cruel mistress, exacting and capricious: As its real pain to keep updated and thus offers a great opportunity for WineChap Chums to earn credits towards free Champagne as vintages move on and Bins are de-listed. However it is good to see the great Sir Terence showing the new kids on the block how cutting edge he remains.Organised geographically and French-dominated, with much emphasis given to regional France (the influence of their main wine supplier and previous consultant much in evidence). A focus on the richly Pinot Noir-dominated house of Philipponat is the highlight of a refreshingly eclectic Champagne list. An exotic bunch of Italian whites shun obvious varietals and producers. Some top Rhone Reds headline the extensive choice from South and South-West France but then we stumble on to a real rarity a list of clarets that really tickle WineChaps fancy: Well-chosen, well-priced and well-aged Bordeaux, what a joy. - The New World selection is brief but judiciously chosen, with a strong choice of rarer Antipodean Pinot Noirs. The list also has some fun magnums at prices which will almost certainly weaken your resolve, even at lunch.
The passion and the attention paid to the wines is evident throughout the list, but in May 2010, Prescott & Conran Limited took their zeal a step further, launching Château Boundary. This is a free wine club for beginners, enthusiasts, connoisseurs – basically all oenophiles are welcome. You can find out more about the benefits of membership, upcoming events and how to join by visiting www.chateauboundary.co.uk
List Review Wine Key:
Sparkling
White
Rose
Red
Sweet
Fortified
| By The Glass { Most interesting available by the glass } |
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 NB all wines by the glass are offered as a 375ml carafe | |
| Quincy “Hautes Victoire” 2009, Henri Bourgeois, Loire, France | £7.75 |
| Dolcetto d'Alba 2008, Sandrone, Piemonte, Italy | £9.50 |
| Banyuls Grand Cru 1966, Vall'Auris, Roussillon | £13 |
| Oloroso Pata de Gallina Almacenista NV, Lustau | £9 |
| bone dry, but very rich - sherry is making its comeback... |
| By The Half { Most interesting available by the half bottle } |
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| Saint Joseph Blanc 2008, Bernard Gripa, Rhone, France | £33 |
| Shiraz “G.A.M.” 2006, Mitolo, McLaren Vale, Australia | £35 |
| Bourgogne, Cuvée de “Pressonnier” 2006, Joseph Roty, Burgundy | £21.25 |
| Value Option { Best under £35/$50/bottom 20% of list PLUS any particularly rare bargains at ANY price point } |
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| Côtes du Ventoux Blanc “L'Eclat” 2008, Domaine de Fondrèche | £28 |
| Picpoul de Pinet 2008, Château de la Mirande, Coteaux du Languedoc, France | £23 |
| Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2008, Sartarelli, Marche | £29 |
| Prazo de Roroz 2008, Quinta de Roriz, Douro | £29 |
| Tannat/Cabernet 2008, Cadet de de Gascogne, VdP du Comte Tolosan | £21 |
| 1st Date { Impressive but not too showy: circa £50 – but a wine that shows one’s connoisseurship rather than just size of wallet/expense account } |
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| Semillon “Vat 1” 2002, Tyrrell’s Wines, Hunter Valley, Australia | £58 |
| New world Semillon is not the obvious choice, but this time it’s a good one; intense and vibrant sweet citrus fruit with fresh grass and mineral notes define the palate. This is a lovely wine and still surprisingly youthful, but drinking well now if you happen to have the readies though, opt for the ’98 – bit pricier, but a richer and riper drop. |
| Cornas “Granit 30” 2006, Domaine Vincent Paris, Rhone | £54 |
| 100% Syrah (by law any wine designated Cornas can only be made from Syrah) A wonderful nose of sweet blackberry and earthy notes, the complex and full-bodied palate shows forest fruits, figs and spice. Cornas is one of the smallest regions in the Rhone Valley with just 94 ha of vines (bear in mind there are individual estates in Bordeaux with more land under vine than this, Leoville-Las-Cases for example). |
| Off the Beaten Track |
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| Ulysse Collin, Blanc de Blancs, Extra-Brut NV | £95 |
| Proof positive, if any were needed, of the exceptional quality and finesse of some of the lesser known grower Champagnes. |
| Henriot Demi-Sec NV | £78 |
| Creamy and rich rather than simply sweet, this is not a commonly shown cuvee. |
| Marche Bianco 1991, San Lorenzo, Marche (magnum) | £250 |
| A rare opportunity to try older Verdicchio - not to be missed |
| Sauvignon Blanc Therese 2007, Weingut Eric & Walter Polz, Styria | £48 |
| Albarino 2008, Ca'del Solo Estate, Monterey County | £52 |
| Corbières Blanc “Fleurs Blanches” 2007, Château Les Auzines, Languedoc, France | £35 |
| White corbieres is something of a rarity from a region where reds are the norm (about 80% red; 20% white or rose) A blend of 95% Grenache Gris, 5% Grenache Blanc, hand harvested, low yields this is a rich and balanced white with a refreshing finish. You may want to pace yourself though as it’s boasting a hefty 14% alc. |
| Old School Classic { Classic (usually French or Italian – depending on dominant cuisine), from the middle of the list – a good wine, with age to stick on expenses and impress crusty wine bores/board members } |
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| Jacquesson Avize Grand Cru, Extra-Brut 2000 | £125 |
| Riesling Spatlese, Wehlener Sonnenuhr 2001, JJ Prum, Mosel | £96 |
| Condrieu 2006, Domaine Gangloff, Rhone | £115 |
| Chablis Grand Cru “Les Clos” 2006, Domaine Christian Moreau Père et Fils | £90 |
| Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 1991, Louis Rémy, Morey-Saint-Denis, Burgundy | £110 |
| Château Kirwan 1995, 3ème Cru Classé, Margaux, Bordeaux | £125 |
| Chateau Climens 1997, 1er Cru Classe, Barsac, Bordeaux, France (37.5cl) | £77 |
| an exceptional and ravishing Semillon |
| Treat Yourself { Remember when you used to get a bonus? not necessarily most expensive – but a real treat, rare, particularly good vintage etc } |
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| Philipponnat "Clos des Goisses" Brut 1999 | £225 |
| Hermitage Blanc 2001, Domaine Jean-Louis Chave, Rhone | £198 |
| Intense aromatics of waxy peach and apricot with honeysuckle and fresh minerality. White stone fruits continue on the palate with a touch of spice. |
| Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2000, Domaine Bonneau du Martray | £220 |
| Lush, intense with a wonderful silky texture. |
| Volnay-Santenots-du-Milieu 1er Cru 1993, Domaine des Comtes Lafon | £230 |
| Mas de Daumas Gassac Rouge 1986, Vin de Pays de L'Herault | £165 |
| Château La Mission Haut-Brion 1964, Cru Classé, Pessac-Léognan | £695 |
| Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2005, Château de Beaucastel, Rhone | £165 |
| This is definitely on the young side so is still fairly restrained, but there is so much potential and given a chance to open up is just about drinking now. |
| Rioja Viña Real Reserva Especial 1962, Rioja, Spain | £250 |
| Infanticide { Wines being sold too young, and a prime indicator of sommelier’s integrity. Usually found towards the expensive end of a list with big names thrown in for several or more hundred pounds despite being years off drinking to that price. } |
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| Meursault 2005, Coche-Dury | £390 |
| Pommard 1er Cru "Clos des Epeneaux" 2004, Comte Armand | £128 |
| Tasted recently - and all but the most stubbornly Gallic agreed this needed more time |
| Over the Hill { Old Dogs (knackered, well past their prime) } |
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| Chateau Montrose 1953, 2eme Cru Classe | £1250 |
| Crowd pleaser { Well known, trusted producer, region or varietal. No surprises, no disappointments } |
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| Prosecco Garbel NV, Adami, Veneto, Italy | £36 |
| Marsanne 2007, Qupé, Santa Maria, California | £42 |
| Pinot Noir “Crimson” 2008, Ata Rangi, Martinborough, New Zealand | £42 |
| House Wine Index
{ Number of House wines available by the glass & the mean price } |
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| 12 wines by the glass, average price £8 |
| Bollinger Index
{ Price of a bottle Bollinger } |
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| Bollinger Special Cuvee NV £77 |
