Staff Picks
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Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Syrah / Shiraz, Grenache, Petite SirahABV: 16%Style: Rich Full RedOrin Swift Machete, an iconic Californian red, artfully blends Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Grenache from Napa and Sonoma, aged for 10 months in French oak for vanilla-spiced depth; and layer upon layer of complexity. A full-bodied lover's delight with dominant dark fruit aromas, raspberry-plum-chocolate flavours, medium tannins, and a smooth, lasting finish—perfectly paired with grilled meats, cheese, and charcuterie. Vivino Rating: 4.3 (Jul 2024) Tasting Note A dark mauve core with a neon purple r
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Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Syrah / Shiraz, Grenache, Petite SirahABV: 16%Style: Rich Full RedOrin Swift Machete, an iconic Californian red, artfully blends Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Grenache from Napa and Sonoma, aged for 10 months in French oak for vanilla-spiced depth; and layer upon layer of complexity. A full-bodied lover's delight with dominant dark fruit aromas, raspberry-plum-chocolate flavours, medium tannins, and a smooth, lasting finish—perfectly paired with grilled meats, cheese, and charcuterie. Vivino Rating: 4.3 (Jul 2024) Tasting Note A dark mauve core with a neon purple r -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Primitivo / ZinfandelABV: 16%Style: Rich Full Red94 Points - Decanter. After an enforced eight-year break in the early 2010s, where they were prohibited from making Zinfandel, Orin Swift Cellars delved into various grape varieties in California to great success. The 2021 vintage of Eight Years in the Desert is the fifth instalment of a rare and cherished wine. This exceptional Zinfandel boasts a deep maroon core and opens with captivating aromas of wild blackberry, pepper, oatmeal raisin cookie, forest floor, bay leaf, and spices. The taste is -
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 (Jul 2024) Tasting Notes The dark crimson core and brick rim sets the stage, as aromas of currant, blackberry, blue fruits, -
Country: Argentina, MendozaGrapes: MalbecABV: 13.5%Style: Rich Full Red95 Points - Robert Parker. The Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino 2020 is one of the jewels in Argentina’s wine crown. It’s produced from vines that are up to 90 years old from the Catena Zapata Family Vineyards, Nicasia and Angélica vineyards, which lie at between 920m and 1095 metres above sea level. With their mix of gravel, loam and clay, these sites provide a wonderfully vivid and varied palate from which the winemakers can work. Such is the diversity that several weeks can pass between harvest -
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: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 15%Style: Rich Full Red100 Points - Wine Enthusiast. Californian wine doesn’t come any better than this. 2019 was a classic year and Stag’s Leap Fay vineyard produced a tiny quantity of exquisite Cabernet that’s been awarded a 100-point score. Striking the perfect balance between fruit and structure, the complexity and elegance are already breath taking and it will continue to develop for many years to come. Arguably the greatest Stag’s Leap Fay ever, this legend in the making is a wine to buy now and enjoy over the n -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Primitivo / ZinfandelABV: 16%Style: Rich Full Red93 Points - James Suckling. Named for its iron rich, red volcanic soils, Monte Rosso has produced grapes of unmistakable character for more than a century. Three generations of the Martini family have made wine from this iconic vineyard and it continues to inspire their winemaking team on a deeply profound level. Monte Rosso remains the source of some of the most coveted bottles in the Louis M. Martini portfolio. Full bodied and concentrated the textured mouthfeel is plush, finishing long. VibraRegular Price£68.95Christmas Sale - 25% off£51.72 -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 15%Style: Rich Full RedOrin Swift Palermo, a captivating blend with a core of Cabernet Sauvignon that mirrors Napa Valley's spirit, unfolding intense aromas of dark fruit and blackberry pie, leading to a velvety palate of black cherry, vanilla, and spice, all embraced by seamlessly integrated tannins, delivering a gratifying finish - making it your ideal companion for hearty delights like grilled steak or braised beef, sure to leave a lasting impression on your wine journey. Vivino Rating: 4.5 (Oct 2024) Tasting Note -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 15%Style: Rich Full Red92 Points - Wine Spectator. The Pahlmeyer Jayson 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon was produced from fruit from Pahlmeyer’s mountain-grown vines. It’s a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Merlot, so a classic Bordeaux blend. 2018 was an outstanding vintage, the unusually cool growing season saw the grapes ripen more slowly and gave them the opportunity to develop even more complexity. Once deemed ready, the grapes were harvested at night to preserve their freshness and ensure the a -
Country: Italy, TuscanyGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full Red95 Points - Faltstaff. Solengo was the brainchild of the legendary winemaker and father of Super Tuscan wines, Giacomo Tachis. The first vintage was 1995 and is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Sangiovese. The wines are aged in French barriques for twelve months and are blended just before the bottling. A long period in bottle follows before the finished Solengo is released. Solengo, by the way, means solitary wild boar in Tuscan, and describes perfectly the regal, powerful,Regular Price£63.95Christmas Sale - 25% off£47.97 -
Country: France, Bordeaux, MargauxGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, MerlotABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red95 Points - Decanter. The Chateau Cantenac Brown 2016 is another fantastic wine from this esteemed property. Composed of a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot, it’s a sensational wine that bears all the hallmarks of this great vintage. The years of hard work and investment that have flowed into this estate have paid significant dividends and Cantenac Brown is now back where it belongs amongst the finest wines in Bordeaux. Compared to its neighbours Chateau Palmer and Chateau Margaux, -
Country: South Africa, StellenboschGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 14%Style: Savoury Classic Red93 Points - Greg Sherwood MW. A rich, silky Cabernet Sauvignon from the outstanding Thelema Mountain Vineyards. Thelema have firmly entrenched themselves as one of the leaders in Cabernet Sauvignon, placing Stellenbosch Cabernet’s firmly on the global wine map. 18 months spent in barrel, 45% of which is new French oak, along with careful hand sorting have produced a truly elegant and complex Cabernet Sauvignon. About the Producer Situated on the South Easterly side of the Simonsberg Mountain wit -
Country: France, Bordeaux, MargauxGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 13%Style: Savoury Classic Red92 Points Wine Spectator. From one of the finest vintages of the century. Château Chantelune is a jewel located on top of the highest hill in Margaux, Château Chantelune is a unique property. Its previous owner, Mr. Soubrane was a carpenter who believed in felling his trees by moonlight, claiming this gave the best quality wood. His practice gave the property its name, meaning “sing to the moon.” He sold his land to José Sanfins, director at third growth property, Château Cantenac Brown. Forty y -
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: France, Bordeaux, PauillacGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 14.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red95 Points - Wine Enthusiast. Haut Bages Liberal produced one of its finest wines in 2019. James Suckling awarded it 96-100 describing it as, ‘Full and racy with wonderful length and purity.’ The 2019 Bordeaux vintage was simply stunning. Having tasted 270 wines at a recent tasting, Jancis Robinson MW declared it to be ‘perhaps the best I have ever tasted at this stage.’ A challenging spring was followed by a glorious summer and early autumn that gifted producers a crop of exceptional grapes. Tha -
Country: France, Bordeaux, PauillacGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 13%Style: Savoury Classic Red91 Points - Wine Enthusiast. Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste produced an outstanding 2013. Writing in the Wine Advocate, Neal Martin described it as ‘one of the finest Pauillac wines of the vintage.’ A cool, wet spring, baking hot July, and a harvest carried out in fits and starts, this was a vintage that tested the winemakers’ skills to the limit. Grand-Puy-Lacoste’s Xavier and Emeline Borie were more than up to the challenge though and produced a wine that warrants its status as a Grand Cru Classé. -
Country: Italy, UmbriaGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 14%Style: Rich Full RedViandante is the boldest creation of Viandante del Cielo, a wine of structure and poise modelled on the great vintages of Bordeaux, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon with an important Merlot supporting act. The varieties may be international, but the lakeside terroir exerts a strong influence and makes this a distinctly Umbrian variation on the theme. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Apr 2024) Taste Dark ruby with violet tinge, complex and lifted nose of cigar box, blackcurrant leaf and crunchy morello cherryRegular Price£76.95Christmas Sale - 25% off£57.72 -
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: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Primitivo / ZinfandelABV: 16%Style: Rich Full Red95 Points - Robert Parker. Named for its iron rich, red volcanic soils, Monte Rosso has produced grapes of unmistakable character for more than a century. Three generations of the Martini family have made wine from this iconic vineyard and it continues to inspire their winemaking team on a deeply profound level. Monte Rosso remains the source of some of the most coveted bottles in the Louis M. Martini portfolio. Full bodied and concentrated the textured mouthfeel is plush, finishing long. Vibran -
Country: France, Bordeaux, PauillacGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 13%Style: Savoury Classic RedLynch Moussas 2008 produced an impressive wine in the underrated 2008 vintage. Robert Parker awarded it 88-89 while Wine Enthusiast gave it 89 and described it as being ‘intensely spicy wine, full of exotic flavours, dried prunes, figs and a powerful layer of cinnamon.’ Created from a classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Lynch Moussas has always made a traditional style of Pauillac and is renowned for its longevity and complexity. Vivino Rating: 4.1 (Jun 2024) Taste Medium-red with ga -
Country: France, Bordeaux, Pessac LeognanGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 14%Style: Savoury Classic Red96 Points - Wine Enthusiast. La Mission Haut Brion produced a typically brilliant wine in 2008. While the vintage as a whole has been somewhat overshadowed by the 2009 and 2010, the 2008s are often exceptional and offer great value for money by comparison. Robert Parker awarded this classic blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc 95 points praising its ‘Medium to full-bodied and concentrated with good acidity, freshness and delineation.’ Neal Martin gave the 2008 96 po -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, MerlotABV: 15%Style: Rich Full Red93 Points - Wine Spectator. The Pahlmeyer Jayson Cabernet Sauvignon was produced from fruit from Pahlmeyer’s mountain-grown vines. It’s a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Merlot, so a classic Bordeaux blend. 2018 was an outstanding vintage, the unusually cool growing season saw the grapes ripen more slowly and gave them the opportunity to develop even more complexity. Once deemed ready, the grapes were harvested at night to preserve their freshness and ensure the aromas -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, MerlotABV: 15%Style: Rich Full Red93 Points - Wine Spectator. The Pahlmeyer Jayson Cabernet Sauvignon was produced from fruit from Pahlmeyer’s mountain-grown vines. It’s a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Merlot, so a classic Bordeaux blend. 2018 was an outstanding vintage, the unusually cool growing season saw the grapes ripen more slowly and gave them the opportunity to develop even more complexity. Once deemed ready, the grapes were harvested at night to preserve their freshness and ensure the aromas -
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