Staff Picks
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Country: France, Languedoc-RoussillonGrapes: Syrah / ShirazABV: 13.5%Style: Smooth Fruity RedThe husband-and-wife team behind A23’s wines, Thomas and Gunhild, have a unique approach to winemaking. Above all else, they aim to produce wines that capture the essence of the grape they are using. While many winemakers are all about terroir and a taste of place, for Thomas and Gunhild, the grape’s the star. The A23 Syrah is a fantastically complex, silky-textured, well-structured wine. Deeply coloured, the bouquet blends black fruits and black pepper with a touch of purple flowers. The powerf -
Country: France, BordeauxGrapes: MerlotABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red2020 was a glorious year for Bordeaux and the vintage’s quality filtered down to the petit chateaux as the Bois de Rolland Cuvee Prestige 2020 shows. A year of extremes that saw everything from drought to deluges, hail to heat waves, all set against the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a vintage where winemakers needed to be on their guard. Those who were watchful saw reduced harvests of exceptionally ripe grapes that produced wines of wonderful quality. Taste Deep cherry red, the bouquet blends red be -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: Pinot NoirABV: 13%Style: Savoury Classic RedGivry is known as one of the best value wines in Burgundy, but few – if any – can match Domaine Masse for quality and value. Produced from the family’s old vine Pinot Noir in the exceptional 2022 vintage the this is a red Burgundy lover's dream. The Domaine’s policy of rigorous pruning meant yields were low and the tiny amount of Givry Premier Cru they made is concentrated, complex and well-structured. It is wines like this that have seen demand for Domaine Masse’s wines soar in recent years. Ta -
Country: France, Bordeaux, Haut MedocGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 13%Style: Savoury Classic Red92 Points - Wine Enthusiast. Another star of our great value Bordeaux wine list, the Chateau les Vimieres 2021 was awarded 92 points by Wine Enthusiast. The tiny (0.45-hectare) estate is home to seventy-year-old vines that produce minuscule quantities of super-concentrated grapes. Created by Eric Boissenot, consultant to Chateau Latour and Chateau Lafite in the challenging 2021 vintage, it’s rich, velvety, loaded with black fruits and supported by a fine structure. An awful lot of wine for the
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Country: Italy, TuscanyGrapes: SangioveseABV: 15%Style: Savoury Classic Red95 Points - WinesCritic.com Produced exclusively with hand-picked Sangiovese grapes from the company's oldest vineyards, after careful fermentation at a controlled temperature, the wine matures in French oak barrels. Subsequently the wine spends a period of refinement in the bottle, essential to guarantee the pleasantness and complexity that have made Brunello di Montalcino famous throughout the world. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Nov 2024) Wine Press Ratings 95 Points - WinesCritic.com (2019 Vintage) "L -
Country: Argentina, CatamarcaGrapes: BonardaABV: 14%Style: Smooth Fruity RedBonarda, or Douce Noir in Eastern France, is a great alternative to Malbec that you must try. Argentina's second most planted variety, it is a lovely easy drinking, fresh and fruit driven wine with great colour and notably soft tannins. Taste Deep and bright colour, juicy dark fruits with a soft and supple finish with great structure. About the Producer Durigutti Family Winemakers: Brothers Hector and Pablo are passionate about expressing the characteristics of Argentina’s various terroirs along -
Country: France, BordeauxGrapes: MerlotABV: 13%Style: Savoury Classic RedBronze Medal Winner. 2021 was a glorious year for Bordeaux and the vintage’s quality filtered down to the petit chateaux as the Bois de Rolland Cuvee Prestige 2021 shows. A year of extremes that saw everything from drought to deluges, hail to heat waves, all set against the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a vintage where winemakers needed to be on their guard. Those who were watchful saw reduced harvests of exceptionally ripe grapes that produced wines of wonderful quality. Awards Bronze Medal - Decan -
Country: France, Bordeaux, PomerolGrapes: MerlotABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red92 Points - Wine Enthusiast. Clement Fayat set up his construction business in the 1950’s. Having grown it to the 4th largest in its sector (just behind Bouygues – owners of Chateau Montrose) he decided to follow his passion and began to invest in properties in Bordeaux. A lover of Pomerol, he purchased Prieurs de la Commanderie in 1984 and has begun to achieve the potential quality that rough diamond always promised. Dusty garnet colour. Aromas and flavours of mocha, toasty pistachio, and berry -
Country: France, Bordeaux, PomerolGrapes: MerlotABV: 14%Style: Savoury Classic RedClement Fayat set up his construction business in the 1950’s. Having grown it to the 4th largest in its sector (just behind Bouygues – owners of Chateau Montrose) he decided to follow his passion and began to invest in properties in Bordeaux. A lover of Pomerol, he purchased Prieurs de la Commanderie in 1984 and has begun to achieve the potential quality that rough diamond always promised. Dusty garnet colour. Aromas and flavours of mocha, toasty pistachio, and berry tart with a supple, bright, -
Country: France, Bordeaux, MargauxGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red93 Points - VertdeVin. The 2,5 hectare parcel producing just 10,000 bottles of this confidential wine stand in a mythical triangle of vines surrounded by Château Palmer, Rauzan Segla and Cantenac Brown, just the finest terroir one could hope for in the appellation. "Generous nose showing fruits in brandy, dried fruits and fine oakiness. Warm, expressive attack echoing the nose beautifully. The mid-palate and finish are firmer and bolder in this characterful wine." The wine is the epitome of the -
Country: South Africa, StellenboschGrapes: PinotageABV: 14%Style: Rich Full RedA blend of 89% Pinotage and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon selected from prime, cool vineyard sites in Firgrove, Helderberg and Simonsberg, the Grangehurst 2012 is one of the best they have ever produced. To gain the perfect balance between extraction and refinement, the crushed grapes were left on their skins for 7 days. Hand-punching down was practised which goes some way to accounting for the exceptional colour, rounded tannins and amazing array of flavours. Following a temperature-controlled ferment -
Country: Australia, South AustraliaGrapes: Pinot NoirABV: 14%Style: Rich Full Red96 points - Ned Goodwin. The Definitus is a special bottling from The Foggy Hill Vineyard. Foggy Hill is typical of the spectacular, steep, cool climate sites that have helped revolutionise Australian fine wine in recent years. Laying at 350m above sea level on the ancient soils of the Fleurieu Peninsula and cooled by the waters of Victor Harbor and Cape Jervis, it is the perfect spot for producing world-class Pinot Noir. Grapes are hand-harvested with each clone being brought in separately. Chi -
Country: Italy, VenetoGrapes: CorvinaABV: 13.5%Style: Smooth Fruity RedProduced from vineyards that lie at altitudes of over 500m, the Tenute Ca' Botta Rubicondo Rosso blends freshness with power. Created using a hand-picked mix of traditional Venetian grapes including Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella, this moreish wine is well-structured and delicious. Expert winemaking, including a long, slow fermentation, and ageing in small, 225-litre barrels has created a wine of admirable complexity that’s fit to rank alongside some of Veneto’s best (and far more expensive) r -
Country: France, Languedoc-RoussillonGrapes: Syrah / ShirazABV: 13.5%Style: Smooth Fruity RedThe husband-and-wife team behind A23’s wines, Thomas and Gunhild, have a unique approach to winemaking. Above all else, they aim to produce wines that capture the essence of the grape they are using. While many winemakers are all about terroir and a taste of place, for Thomas and Gunhild, the grape’s the star. The A23 Syrah is a fantastically complex, silky-textured, well-structured wine. Deeply coloured, the bouquet blends black fruits and black pepper with a touch of purple flowers. The powerf -
Country: France, Rhone ValleyGrapes: GrenacheABV: 14%Style: Juicy Lively RedNicknamed by the winemaking team as their ‘Buddy’ wine, the Chateau de Gourdon 921 Le Coq Rouge Cotes du Rhone was created to be a joyous, easy-going wine. Produced from a blend of Grenache with a little Syrah, Cinsault and other local varieties, it’s a pet project only made in relatively small quantities. Fermented in concrete and stainless-steel tanks, it is fruit-driven yet has admirable depth and complexity. A cold maceration and long, slow fermentation giving a well-extracted wine that’s ro -
Country: France, Rhone ValleyGrapes: GrenacheABV: 15%Style: Smooth Fruity RedProduced using sustainable methods on light, sandy soils of Mont-Joli the Chateau de Gourdon Jolie Balade is an arrestingly elegant style of Cotes du Rhone. Produced from a classic blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan and Mourvèdre, sensitive vinification methods such as destemming and ageing in cement vats keep this wine refined and well-delineated. Each grape’s characteristics shine through to give an intense, fruit-driven glassful. Vivino Rating: 4.1 (Jul 2024) Taste Deep ruby with ta -
Country: France, Rhone ValleyGrapes: GrenacheABV: 15%Style: Rich Full RedA traditional blend of Grenache (60%) and Syrah (40%), Chateau de Gourdon Vase de Pierre Cotes du Rhone is unusual in being so elegant and refined. Despite boasting an impressive 15% alcohol, its structure is fine and complex. This is achieved by de-stemming the Syrah, giving both grapes long (30 day), cool fermentations and keeping oak ageing to a minimum. The result is an impressively intense, but beautifully rounded wine. Taste Deep purple, the bouquet is dominated by fresh black fruits – blu -
Country: France, BordeauxGrapes: MerlotABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red2020 was a glorious year for Bordeaux and the vintage’s quality filtered down to the petit chateaux as the Bois de Rolland Cuvee Prestige 2020 shows. A year of extremes that saw everything from drought to deluges, hail to heat waves, all set against the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a vintage where winemakers needed to be on their guard. Those who were watchful saw reduced harvests of exceptionally ripe grapes that produced wines of wonderful quality. Taste Deep cherry red, the bouquet blends red be -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: Pinot NoirABV: 13.5%The 12 Bottle price includes 6 Bottles @ Full Price & 6 Bottles @ 40% discount. This stunning Pint Noir is made in a great village in the Côte de Beaune. This wine is produced in a unique environment - in that they only produce red wines. From the very beginnings of vinegrowing in Burgundy, Pommard was reputed and already qualified as the “flower of Beaune” during the Middle Ages. The vineyards extend across ancient and well-drained alluvial soils, where the concentration of iron oxide reddePrice
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Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: Pinot NoirABV: 13%Style: Savoury Classic RedYou may not have heard of the Champeaux Premier Cru, but once you've tasted it you'll wish you had sooner. Champeaux is the northernmost Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru vineyard. Its rocky limestone and clay soils are nutrient-poor and free draining which makes it ideal for growing Pinot Noir. The vineyard faces east which means vines are exposed to morning sunshine but shaded in the afternoon. This, and the soils, gives wines of great structure and longevity. The glorious 2022 vintage imparted an -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: Pinot NoirABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic RedThe Les Argillieres is one of the rarer Pommard 1er Cru wines, one that Burgundy insiders regularly seek out. It sits high on the border with Beaune on soils of stony clay-rich marl and tends to give Pinot Noirs that are elegant and deeply coloured. Domaine Jean Monnier & Fils Pommard 1er Cru Argillieres 2020 was produced from old, low-yielding vines and has the intensity and concentration that this freakishly hot year brought. Powerful and robust when released, time has softened it and allo -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: Pinot NoirABV: 13%Style: Savoury Classic RedFixin doesn't get much better than this! The Domaine du Clos Saint Louis Fixin Entre Deux Velles Monopole Rouge 2022 has Fixin’s famed power and intensity, but it is so complex and nuanced. Produced from a single vineyard planted exclusively with old vine Pinot Noir, it has begun to shed some of its youthful stiffness and reveal its underlying beauty. 2022 was a lovely year for red Burgundy, and it’s given the Domaine du Clos Saint Louis Fixin Entre Deux Velles Monopole even greater concentrati -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: Pinot NoirABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic RedIf you have so much as a vague interest in red Burgundy, then this is a must-try wine. The 2020 vintage was as challenging as it was exceptional and Vincent’s obsessive attention to detail came into its own. He deliberately kept his hand-tended Pinot Noir vines’ yields low, boosting the concentration and structure of this classic year still further. The downside to this was he wasn’t able to produce much wine, but what he has created is of memorable quality. Taste Still deep red, the Vincent Pru -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: Pinot NoirABV: 13%Style: Savoury Classic RedGivry is known as one of the best value wines in Burgundy, but few – if any – can match Domaine Masse for quality and value. Produced from the family’s old vine Pinot Noir in the exceptional 2022 vintage the this is a red Burgundy lover's dream. The Domaine’s policy of rigorous pruning meant yields were low and the tiny amount of Givry Premier Cru they made is concentrated, complex and well-structured. It is wines like this that have seen demand for Domaine Masse’s wines soar in recent years. Ta -
Country: France, Bordeaux, Canon FronsacGrapes: MerlotABV: 14%Style: Savoury Classic Red90 Points - Jeff Leve. Château Vrai Canon Bouché hails from Canon Fronsac and since 2005 it has become one of this commune’s leading wines. Its single vineyard is planted with a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc and is hand-tended like it was a garden. The owners have steadily reduced the use of chemicals and have deployed natural methods to restore the soil’s vitality. 2017 was a particularly successful year for the property. Writing in the Wine Insider, Jeff Leve awarded it 90 points -
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: 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: France, Bordeaux, PomerolGrapes: MerlotABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red94 Points - Jeff Leve. Even in the context of Pomerol, Clos l’Eglise is a tiny property. In an average year, its 5.98-hectare vineyard (which isn’t a walled ‘clos’) yields only 2,800 cases of wine, and given its rising popularity, stocks are quickly exhausted. The secret to its success – alongside the huge investment by its owners the billionaire Garcan-Cathiard family – is its sandy-gravel topsoil, hard-pan subsoil and climate which is drier in the summer and winter than further west in the Med