They say bigger is better, but that's not always true. A regular size wine bottle is great for sharing, but not so convenient when you want to enjoy a couple glasses alone. While half bottles have always been produced over the years, consumers seemed to favour the half format during the pandemic lockdowns, which allowed for easier Zoom tasting portions and variety in smaller households. There are other benefits too, such as being able to check on the condition of the vintage across a long period of years before deciding to open your regular bottles, or exploring different chateaux at a smaller price.
Did you know that a half bottle of wine is known as a demi or split? We have a wide variety of half bottles across different categories that would be perfect for your affordably daily indulgence, ensuring you have a fresh glass of wine each time. You may even see some of the bottles at your favourite restaurant!
Burgundy
2018 Faiveley Bourgogne Chardonnay 375ml
2020 Faiveley Bourgogne Pinot Noir 375ml "
2018 Billaud-Simon Chablis 375ml
BH 89: A very fresh nose of primarily citrus, iodine and apple possess evident Chablis character. There is both fine richness and mid-palate density to the medium-bodied flavors that conclude in a clean, dry and even racy finish. This is potentially a fine villages.
Rhone
2019 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Blanc 375ml
2017 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone 375ml
WA 89-91: Still bright and primary, with cherry fruit seeming a bit one-dimensional at this stage, although there's a welcome hint of almond paste on the crisp finish. Tasting at Guigal is always one of the highlights of my Northern Rhône trip.
Champagne
Louis Roederer Collection 243 Brut MV 375ml
JS94: Dried-lemon, apricot, green-apple, salted-almond, walnut and light caramel notes. Vinous and layered, with small and tight bubbles. Excellent focus and intensity. Based on 2018, with reserve wines going back to 2009. Dosage 8g/L. Drink now.
Bordeaux
2008 De Pez 375ml
WE89: Powerfully ripe wine, solidly based on a structure of dark tannins and dense black currant fruit. The wine has imprisoned power and density, needing several years for it to be set free.
2015 Les Griffons De Pichon Baron 375ml
JS92: An impressive Pauillac with rich dark-berry aromas and flavors. The tannins are nicely cast and really fulfill the potential of the fruit. This finishes fresh. Try from 2020.
2015 La Lagune 375ml
JS93: Just a hint currant bushl on the nose. This is loaded with healthy tannins on the palate that drive the long finish. Quite an uncompromising young wine that will be better from 2020, but the fundamental harmony is very convincing. Full and flavorful.
2012 La Dominique 375ml
WA93: This is a gorgeous, hedonistic, yet complex La Dominique with an inky purple color, oodles of blue, red and black fruits, sweet tannin, a generous, opulent, full-bodied mouthfeel, and a long finish. This 2012 is sensational and further evidence of the rebound of La Dominique after a few years of mediocrity. It is a sleeper of the vintage to be drunk over the next 15 years.
2008 D'Armailhac 375ml
AG90: The 2008 d’Armailhac has a pretty, floral bouquet with red cherries and crushed strawberry fruit laced with rose petals. The palate is sweet on the entry, one of the relatively corpulent 2008 Bordeaux Left Bank wines, one that is finely balanced with a touch of cedar and spice decorating the understated, easy-going finish. Very fine.
Dessert / Sweet Wine
2017 Rieussec 375ml
JS99: A blend of 83% Semillon and 17% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2017 Rieussec is pale to medium lemon-gold colored. To begin, the nose blows you away with intense lemon tart, lime cordial, mango and quince notes followed by a second wave of floral, orange blossoms and honeysuckle scents, and then notes of crushed rocks, crème caramel and marzipan join the party. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is still very tightly wound with concentrated sweetness and a racy backbone to match, delivering layer upon layer of citrus and savory flavors, finishing on a persistent mineral note.
2020 Robert Weil Kiedrich Grafenberg Riesling Auslese 375ml
WA97: The 2020 Kiedrich Gräfenberg Riesling Auslese is impressively deep, precise and refined on the nose, with fine slate and highly precise fruit aromas. Round and lush on the palate, with crystalline acidity and highly stimulating salinity, this is a dense, gorgeously piquant and mouth-filling Auslese with remarkable precision, grip and salinity on the finish. 8.5% alcohol. Tasted in August 2021.
