Staff Picks
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Country: Portugal, DouroGrapes: Touriga NacionalABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full RedRoquette & Cazes Douro Tinto, born from the collaboration between Jorge Roquette, proprietor of Quinta do Crasto, and Jean-Charles Cazes, co-owner of Château Lynch-Bages, seamlessly melds Bordeaux winemaking expertise with the distinct character of the Douro region. This exceptional wine showcases a remarkable intensity of vibrant red fruit flavours interwoven with subtle hints of delicate spices, all held together by an impressive structure characterised by luxuriously smooth tannins. VivinRegular Price£26.95New Years Sale£22.95 -
Country: Italy, TuscanyGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 14.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red94 Points - The Wine Independent. Bolgheri is a relatively young yet prestigious Italian appellation located on the Tuscan coast just to the south of Livorno, home to exceptional wines. It is known mainly for deeply coloured, supple yet age worthy red wines, usually based on the Bordeaux grape varieties, which this wine is no different (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec). A classic, elegant Bordeaux style blend with round and silky tannins that
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Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 15%Style: Rich Full Red92 Points - The Wine Independent. The best grapes make the best wine" is the philosophy applied by the Winery's founder, Louis M. Martini. Implemented at the estate since its creation in 1938, this exacting philosophy has enabled the winery to become one of the leading names in Californian wines. With its vineyards in the sumptuous Sonoma and Napa Valleys and its many award-winning wines, the estate is now world-renowned for its great Cabernet Sauvignons. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Dec 2024) Wine Press -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 15.5%Style: Rich Full RedIt's rare to find a wine from the Napa Valley composed of all five Bordeaux-style varietals. But, for many years, that has been Papillon's focus. The raw strength and prestige of Cabernet Sauvignon buttressed by the opulence of Merlot, the spiciness of Cabernet Franc, the depth of Malbec and the sheet unctuousness of Petit Verdot come together seamlessly. Vivino Rating: 4.4 (Oct 2024) Tasting Notes The dark crimson core and brick rim sets the stage, as aromas of currant, blackberry, blue fruits, -
Country: South Africa, StellenboschGrapes: Syrah / ShirazABV: 15.5%Style: Rich Full RedIt’s a bold claim to say a wine – especially a Shiraz – is unlike anything you have ever tasted, but in the case of the De Toren Black Lion Shiraz, it happens to be true. As De Toren puts it, ‘The Black Lion wine is the heirloom of years of winemaking in De Toren’s continuous quest for perfection’. Planted on ancient soils with specially selected vines and nurtured by hand manicuring and individual attention, nothing is left to chance. Irrigation is kept to a minimum and the vines are treated or -
Country: South Africa, StellenboschGrapes: MalbecABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full RedNothing is left to chance with the De Toren Private Cellar Patronus Malbec. Taking its name from the Latin for ‘patron’, this is a wine where winemaking is turned not just into an art form, but into an obsession. The tiny harvest goes through an incredibly stringent selection process with only the finest old Malbec vines on the property being considered for use. Once chosen, individual bunches are selected at harvest and then, post-destemming, individual grapes. Following a long, yet cool, ferme -
Country: Portugal, DouroGrapes: Touriga NacionalABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full RedRoquette & Cazes Douro Tinto, born from the collaboration between Jorge Roquette, proprietor of Quinta do Crasto, and Jean-Charles Cazes, co-owner of Château Lynch-Bages, seamlessly melds Bordeaux winemaking expertise with the distinct character of the Douro region. This exceptional wine showcases a remarkable intensity of vibrant red fruit flavours interwoven with subtle hints of delicate spices, all held together by an impressive structure characterised by luxuriously smooth tannins. VivinRegular Price£26.95New Years Sale£22.95 -
Country: Spain, RiojaGrapes: TempranilloABV: 14%Style: Juicy Lively Red90 Points - Tim Atkin MW. This 90+ point Rioja from a modern style, family run winery is incredible value for a wine with this amount of complexity and style. The Solarce Tinto is a blend of Tempranillo, Grenache, Mazuelo & Graciano and is aged for 8 months in American and French oak barrels. Full-bodied and silky smooth with layers of fruit and spice. Fantastic Value for money for this superb Rioja. Wine Press Ratings 90 Points - Tim Atkin MW (2021 vintage) Taste Intense ruby-red colour wit -
Country: South Africa, StellenboschGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full RedNo South African wine is as revered or acclaimed as the Book 17 of De Toren Private Cellar. This Western Cape wine is produced from a classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. The vines are planted on poor, free-draining soils which force them to dig deep into the sand and granite soils in search of nutrients, reducing the vines’ vigour and imparting complexity. Once they have reach optimum ripeness, the grapes are hand-harvested and rushed to the press house. Here -
Country: Portugal, DouroGrapes: Touriga NacionalABV: 14%Style: Smooth Fruity Red91 Points - Robert Parker (2020). The Quinta do Crasto Superior Red Douro D.O.C. is a highly-rated red wine hailing from Portugal's Douro region. Skillfully blending the classical red grapes of Portugal, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz – it offers freshness and balance on both the nose and palate, along with a robust body, ripe firm tannins, and complex notes of dark berried fruits and cocoa that linger towards a long and elegant finish. Vivino Rating: 4.1 (July 2024) Taste Dee -
Country: Portugal, DouroGrapes: Touriga FrancaABV: 12%Style: Smooth Fruity RedNiepoort’s Redoma Tinto is an outstanding example of the Douro’s new style of red wines. While produced from a blend of traditional Port varieties - Tinta Amarela, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz – this is a thoroughly modern wine. Intervention in the winery is kept to a minimum and while it does receive oak ageing, this is in old Port casks. The aim is to allow the character of the vineyards and their organic fruit to shine through. Full of concentrated black fruits, its freshness stops it from -
Country: France, Languedoc-RoussillonGrapes: Syrah / ShirazABV: 13.5%Style: Smooth Fruity Red90 Points - Gilbert & Gaillard. Crafted by the esteemed winemaker Jean-Michel Cazes, renowned owner of the 5th Growth Classified Château Lynch-Bages in Pauillac, this wine draws its name from the exquisite 'Estibals' parcel of the domaine. A harmonious blend of grape varieties, it captures the essence of the Minervois appellation with finesse. Aged meticulously in French oak barrels for 12 months, it showcases a blend of 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and 20% Carignan, resulting in a wine of unpar -
Country: France, Rhone ValleyGrapes: GrenacheABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full Red93 Points - Decanter. Raspail Ay is one of the most celebrated, traditional Gigondas estates. Owner Dominique Ay has now been joined by his son Christophe and daughter Anne-Sophie. The vines average 40 years old and are a mix of 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre. The grapes are 100% destemmed, vinified in cement tanks and aged in a mix of foudres and “cuves béton”. The wines are never fined and rarely filtered. These are wines packed with fruit, and age admirably. Vivino Rating: 4.0 (Dec -
Country: France, ProvenceGrapes: Syrah / ShirazABV: 14.5%Style: Smooth Fruity RedThe most elegant wines of the Domaine, imbued with the terroir of the Saint Tropez peninsula, Cuvee Bastide Blanche Rouge is an intense, yet elegant and aromatic red with beautiful balance and a refreshing quality, presenting itself as a powerful wine with slightly spicy tannins. Vivino Score: 4.1 (Sept 2024) Taste Deep red, this wine boasts an intense, elegant, and aromatic nose. On the palate, it reveals a beautiful balance and refreshing quality, presenting itself as a powerful wine with sliRegular Price£34.95New Years Sale - 25% off£26.22 -
Country: Spain, ToroGrapes: TempranilloABV: 14.5%Style: Smooth Fruity RedErnesto del Palacio has been making wine for over 300 years in the region of Toro, most famously known for its powerful reds made from Tinta de Toro, a variant of the internationally known Tempranillo. This Tinto Roble is born after a careful selection of grapes from vineyards over 50 years old with low yields. With an intense cherry colour and beautiful purple reflections, it will surprise you with its sweet notes thanks to the maturity of carefully selected clusters. Taste It has an intense ch -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Primitivo / ZinfandelABV: 15.2%Style: Rich Full Red93 Points - Robert Parker. The Zinfandel Old Vines is a blend of declassified wine from Turley’s old-vine vineyards. A great buy and one of the best old-vine cuvees the Turleys have produced, rich full-bodied, and unctuously textured, it explodes from the glass revealing black fruits, earth, kirsch, licorice, pepper, and underbrush elements. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Sept 2024) Wine Press Ratings 93 Points - Robert Parker "The 2021 Zinfandel Old Vines has a medium ruby color and plush red and black c -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 15.5%Style: Rich Full RedMercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon is the flagship wine of Orin Swift and emphasises their guiding principle: Without quality grapes, great wine is impossible. It comes from the best lots from very select vineyards in Napa Valley and the wine is a testament to those vineyards, to their principle and to what is possible in Napa Valley. The Liberty Dime on each bottle symbolises winemaker Dave Phinney's favorite coin in his collection growing up and his most prized possession. Vivino Rating: 4.6 (Sep -
Country: France, Rhone ValleyGrapes: GrenacheABV: 15%Style: Smooth Fruity Red95 Points - La Revue de France. Le Télégramme comes from the younger vines of Vieux Télégraphe, from 30 years old wines, with a blend is 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 6% Mourvèdre and 4% Cinsault. Ageing is in vats for 10 months followed by foudres for a further 7 months before bottling. The result is a delicious fruit driven Châteauneuf du Pape which drinks very well in its youth. Exceptional value for the property. Vivino Rating: 4.3 (Sept 2024) Wine Press Ratings 95 Points - La Revue de France "Th -
Country: Italy, PiedmontGrapes: NebbioloABV: 14.5%Style: Juicy Lively RedBarolo's little brother, Langhe Nebbiolo, is a younger and more approachable wine that doesn't require years of aging to soften the tannins, unlike some Barolos. While still retaining all the charming characteristics of Nebbiolo, the addition of 10% Barbera into the blend gives it a softer side. Expect beautifully perfumed red fruits and a smooth, balanced, and long finish. Taste Canebbio is an elegant and refined wine, and its colour of mellow red garnet shades out to burnt orange near the sideRegular Price£22.95New Years Sale - 25% off£17.22 -
Country: Italy, TuscanyGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 14.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red94 Points - The Wine Independent. Bolgheri is a relatively young yet prestigious Italian appellation located on the Tuscan coast just to the south of Livorno, home to exceptional wines. It is known mainly for deeply coloured, supple yet age worthy red wines, usually based on the Bordeaux grape varieties, which this wine is no different (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec). A classic, elegant Bordeaux style blend with round and silky tannins that -
Country: France, Rhone ValleyGrapes: GrenacheABV: 14.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red92 Points - Wine Spectator. A favourite Châteauneuf-du-Pape producer of Robert Parker, Domaine Roger Sabon, established in 1952 produces a modern style of wine, with the Cuvée Les Olivets a stunning fruit forward Cuvée from vines over 50 years of age. A bright ruby colour. Toasted, furry, brothy and undergrowth nose. Ripe tannins are assorted with ripe black cherry on the palate. With previous vintages rated as high as 99 points by Robert Parker - it shows the remarkable consistency of Roger Sab -
Country: France, Bordeaux, MargauxGrapes: MerlotABV: 13%Style: Savoury Classic Red90 Points - Falstaff. The history of this very old vineyard begins in the 13th century. Château la Tour de Mons, formerly Tour de Marsac, took in 1623 the name of its owner Pierre de Mons. Château La Tour de Mons was later sold to the Clauzel Crunchet family and then bought back in 1995 by a group of institutional investors, Crédit Agricole and Caisse des Dépôts and Placements du Québec. Since, very important works of renovation and modernisation were carried out in order to restore its past. Vi