Staff Picks
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Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 14.5%Style: Classy Complex WhiteJ Vineyards bright and appealing Russian River Valley Chardonnay showcases the best of this classic cool-climate region. Aromas of citrus and orange blossom open with every swirl. Smooth and beautifully balanced, notes of yellow apple, meyer lemon and pear layer with suggestions of toasted macadamia and creamy almond. Hints of light toast and spice lift the fruit characteristics. The palate is rich, full and beautifully textured before finishing with a crisp and delicate flourish. Wine Press Rat -
Country: France, Languedoc-RoussillonGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 14%Style: Dry Refreshing WhiteThe 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 Chardonnay shows how effective this approach can be. Chardonnay is a wonderfully complex, multifaceted grape and its beauty shines through here. Its inviting bouquet of red apples, -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 12.5%Style: Rich Fruity WhiteChâteau des Correaux’s Saint Veran is made from grapes drawn from the domaine’s own superb vineyards. Saint Veran's wines rarely fetch the high prices of its more fashionable neighbours making wines like this a rare Burgundy bargain. Château des Correaux’s approach to winemaking blends tradition with innovation. Most of the work is done in the vineyard following sustainable practices while intervention in the winery is kept to a minimum. Winemaker Germain Bernard wants his vines to speak for the -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 12.5%Style: Rich Fruity White94 Points - Gilbert & Gaillard. The Chablis masters at Sylvain Mosnier took full advantage of the excellent 2022 vintage and produced wines that are full of freshness, ripeness, and complexity. Classically styled, their Chablis 2022 has great intensity and energy, with its ample fruit kept in check by the clean, balancing acidity. This is a delight now but it will develop over the next 3 years or so. Wine Press Ratings 94 Points - Gilbert & Gaillard Decanter Magazine. "Very precise and f
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Country: Spain, GaliciaGrapes: GodelloABV: 13.5%Style: Rich Fruity WhiteFrom the renowned Pago de Los Capellanes, this 100% Godello from the cool, northern appellation of Galicia showcases the delightful lime and stone fruit characteristics inherent to Godello. Crisp and refreshing, with a creamy textured finish, a highly rated white from an established winery making world class wines. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Nov 2024) Wine Press Ratings 90 Points - Decanter (2020 Vintage) "Layered complex aromas of marzipan, almond, candied lemon and lees undertones. Refreshing with a -
Country: South Africa, StellenboschGrapes: Chenin BlancABV: 12.5%Style: Rich Fruity WhiteThis exquisite Chenin Blanc is the fruit of a solitary hilltop vineyard nestled in the Polkadraai Hills, celebrated for its exceptional Chenin Blanc. Here, ancient vines flourish in rocky granite soils, caressed by the invigorating Cape South Easter winds, resulting in a Chenin Blanc that is not merely a wine but a vivid, mouthwatering revelation, brimming with vitality and charm. Tasting Note This vintage open in body and tight in texture: kelp, citrus creams and apples jump forth. The palate i -
Country: Portugal, DouroGrapes: RabigatoABV: 12%Style: Rich Fruity WhiteNiepoort’s Redoma Douro Branco is one of a new wave of delicious, high-altitude Portuguese whites. It's produced from a blend of native grapes - Rabigato, Códega do Larinho, Viosinho, Donzelinho and Gouveio - from old vines that are up to 80 years old. Careful vinification ensures that the wine’s freshness and vibrancy are preserved and that the complex blend of white fruits, green herbs, hints of vanilla, and mineral tones are kept in balance. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Nov 2024) Taste White gold, wit -
Country: Italy, VenetoGrapes: TurbianaABV: 13%Style: Rich Fruity White"Francesco Montresor left a legal profession to take over the family estate, converting it from mixed agriculture to viticulture. The property, one of the oldest in Lugana, has 95ha in various plots in the Veronese part of the DOC, including vineyards directly overlooking Lake Garda. Creete is a toothsome late-picked, single-vineyard selection with a hint of tropical fruits and candied peel on the nose then a rich palate sustained by succulent acidity and a long, dry finish." Le Creete has aromaRegular Price£30.95End of Line - 25% off£23.22 -
Country: Italy, PiedmontGrapes: CorteseABV: 13%Style: Dry Refreshing WhiteGavi is one of the most fashionable white regions in Italy and the Cortese grape is king. Bergaglio's Gavi di Gavi La Minaia from the sub-zone of Rovereto is 100% stainless steel fermented and left to rest in the bottle before being released. White peach and acacia aromatics, with soft honeyed richness, a cool mineral streak, beautifully balanced and fresh through to the long finish. The palate is crisp and dry, with a hint of ripe pears and a complex array of red and green apples, the finish is -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 14.5%Style: Classy Complex WhiteJ Vineyards bright and appealing Russian River Valley Chardonnay showcases the best of this classic cool-climate region. Aromas of citrus and orange blossom open with every swirl. Smooth and beautifully balanced, notes of yellow apple, meyer lemon and pear layer with suggestions of toasted macadamia and creamy almond. Hints of light toast and spice lift the fruit characteristics. The palate is rich, full and beautifully textured before finishing with a crisp and delicate flourish. Wine Press Rat -
Country: Australia, South AustraliaGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 13.6%Style: Classy Complex White95 points - Decanter World Wine Awards. The Tapanappa Tiers 2018 Chardonnay is a wonderful example of the new wave of cool-climate Australian wines. Produced in the Tiers vineyard in the south of the Piccadilly Valley, a sub-region of Adelaide Hills, it’s made from old vines that enjoy a long, slow ripening period on poor, rain-leached sandy loam soils. Once ripe the grapes were harvested by hand and chilled to 2oC before pressing to preserve the aromas and freshness. Using innovative air-bag pr -
Country: Australia, VictoriaGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 12.5%Style: Rich Fruity WhiteA medium bodied Chardonnay (with a dash of Sauvignon Blanc) with flavours of fresh nectarine, grapefruit and pear, with a soft, creamy palate complimented by textural oak. Fowles Wine vineyards are situated on a similar latitude to renowned wine regions like Gisborne in New Zealand, Sonoma and Napa Valleys in the USA, Mendoza in Argentina, Sicily in Italy, and Jerez in Spain and as the southernmost and coolest state on mainland Australia and has gained fame for its diverse wine regions and refreRegular Price£18.95End of Line - 25% off£14.22 -
Country: France, Languedoc-RoussillonGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 14%Style: Dry Refreshing WhiteThe 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 Chardonnay shows how effective this approach can be. Chardonnay is a wonderfully complex, multifaceted grape and its beauty shines through here. Its inviting bouquet of red apples, -
Country: France, Rhone ValleyGrapes: ViognierABV: 13.5%Style: Rich Fruity WhiteProduced from a mix of sustainably grown Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier vines, this is classic Cotes du Rhone Blanc. As with so many of Chateau de Gourdon’s wines, the Fontaine du Sud is fruit-driven and allows the natural brilliance of the vineyard and vine to shine through. Following a gentle pressing the wines are fermented at low temperatures (typically around 13.5 °C) and then allowed to rest on their lees over the winter. The resulting wine is fresh, complex, -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: AligoteABV: 12%Style: Dry Refreshing WhiteBourgogne Aligoté an can be produced throughout Burgundy. Domaine Albert Bichot prefer to use fruit that’s gives its wines the freshness and minerality that makes Bourgogne Aligote such an interesting wine. Their wines are produced from selected vineyards in Auxere, the Côte Chalonnaise and the Hautes Côtes de Beaune and Nuits and the grapes are hand picked. The wines is made in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks to preserve it freshness and bite, and are given 8 months ageing on theirRegular Price£19.15End of Line - 25% off£14.37 -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 13%Style: Rich Fruity WhiteThe Viré-Clessé appellation, located between Tournus and Mâcon, is the most recent of the Mâconnais region’s village appellations (1999), exclusively made from Chardonnay grapes. The vineyards, for the most part, are planted on hillsides, where a local type of soil derived from white limestone called “cray” can be found. This delicious Vire-Clesse is from one of Burgundy's finest. Predominant aromas of fine intense fruit, the nose reveals a touch of lemon, mango and subtle floral notes. The pala -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 13%Style: Classy Complex WhiteDomaine Masse’s Rully 1er Cru Les Deux Terres Blanc 2022 ranks as one of the best value fine white Burgundies from this outstanding vintage. Crafted by Fabrice from his well-sited, old vine Chardonnay, his customary attention to detail paid off handsomely in this challenging, but brilliant year. Ripe, rounded and full, it remains elegant and poised and displays Rully’s signature smoky minerality and lovely floral notes. It is offerings like this that have seen demand for Domaine Masse’s wines so -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 13.5%Style: Classy Complex WhiteDomaine Vincent Prunier Chassagne Montrachet Blanc 2022 is a fine example of this micro-domaines wines. Produced in the challenging, but brilliant 2022 vintage, Vincent’s well-placed old vines performed exceptionally well and produced a small crop of beautifully balanced, ripe grapes that careful vinification turned into yet another high-scoring wine. Hand harvested, hand sorted, and handmade, this is a classic Chassagne Montrachet that offers ample fruit, an elegant structure, and fine acidity. -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 12.5%Style: Classy Complex WhiteSitting just above the renowned Premier Cru of Clos des Mouches, Les Montrevenots is a lesser-known gem of a Burgundy Premier Cru. This 8-hectare plot is the highest of Beaune’s Premier Crus and sits on the border with Pommard. Thanks to its clay-rich soils and relatively high altitude it provides an exceptional site for growing Chardonnay. Monnier’s Les Montrevenots 2022 was produced from low-yielding old vines and is a perfect reflection of this site, being mineral-rich, powerful, yet elegant -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 13.5%Style: Classy Complex WhiteThe tiny amount of Domaine Vincent Prunier Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Garennes 2022 that was produced is a wine no lover of fine white Burgundy should be without. This challenging year tested the nerves of the winemakers, but as he has proved time after time, no challenge is too great for Vincent. Les Garennes is one of the lesser known, best value Puligny Montrachet Premier Crus, and Vincent’s is full of ripe fruit and power but has a steely backbone and refinement that are the finest Pulig -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 13%Style: Classy Complex WhitePremier Cru quality Burgundy for village money, Domaine Monnier owns 1.4 hectares of the famous lieu-dit (named place) of Meursault’s Clos du Cromin. Located on the Volnay hill, its clay and stone soils provide ideal conditions for producing exceptional quality Chardonnay. Domaine Monnier’s Meursault Clos du Cromin 2022 was produced from low-yielding old vines which clearly benefited from the challenging, but outstanding conditions this vintage bought. Powerful yet subtle and refined and with wo -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 13.5%Style: Classy Complex WhiteDomaine Vincent Prunier Pernand Vergelesses Blanc 2022 is another excellent example of this micro-domaine’s fantastic wines. Pernand Vergelesses lies just north of Beaune and can offer exceptional value for money. Vincent’s Pernand Vergelesses Blanc 2022 is an outstanding wine. Hand harvested, hand sorted, and handmade, it offers ample fruit, an elegant structure, and fine acidity that makes it a joy to drink young though it has the ability to age beautifully. Prices for Domaine Vincent Prunier’ -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 13%Style: Rich Fruity WhiteChâteau Vitallis only made a tiny amount of wine in 2021, but they are ones lovers of white Burgundy should have. The Pouilly-Fuissé ‘Les Vignes du Château’ 2021 is a blend of grapes from Château Vitallis’ historic 13th-century plots. The vines, with an average age of 35 years, are planted on clay-limestone Jurassic soils, and bring richness to their wines. In line with owners Denis and Maxime Dutron’s winemaking philosophy, great care and attention are lavished on the vineyards using organic me -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 13%Style: Classy Complex WhiteSavvy white Burgundy buyers know Montagny Premier Cru is arguably the region’s best-value wine. What Domaine Masse does, is couple value with wines of outstanding quality. Produced from their small parcel of low-yielding old Chardonnay vines, their 2023 Montagny has a level of concentration that’s rarely found in this prodigious vintage. Elegant and well-structured, the sensitive use of oak has given a fine white Burgundy that many famous name producers would envy. It is offerings like this that -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 12.5%Style: Rich Fruity WhiteChâteau des Correaux’s Saint Veran is made from grapes drawn from the domaine’s own superb vineyards. Saint Veran's wines rarely fetch the high prices of its more fashionable neighbours making wines like this a rare Burgundy bargain. Château des Correaux’s approach to winemaking blends tradition with innovation. Most of the work is done in the vineyard following sustainable practices while intervention in the winery is kept to a minimum. Winemaker Germain Bernard wants his vines to speak for the -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 13%Style: Dry Refreshing WhiteThe Domaine Camille Lucienne Macon-Villages 2022 was a triumph. The 2022 vintage was splendid and the team overcame the year’s challenges to produce a top-flight affordable white Burgundy. In a year that kept all Burgundy’s vignerons on their toes, Domaine Camille Lucienne had the added complication of having their vines in the process of converting to organic certification. By utilising a combination of traditional, natural methods in the vineyard alongside state-of-the art winemaking technique -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 13%Style: Rich Fruity WhiteDomaine Gault Bourgogne Chardonnay 2022 was produced from 100% Chardonnay grown in the Côte Chalonnaise. An excellent introduction to Sébastien Gault’s wines, it shows the generosity and style that southern Burgundy winemakers can achieve when they have old vines and modern equipment. Fresh and fruit-driven, the outstanding 2022 vintage added an extra level of complexity and a sweeter tone than usual. Taste Sébastien believes in letting his wine’s character shine through. His Bourgogne Chardonna -
Country: France, BurgundyGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 13%Style: Classy Complex WhiteAn elegant and refined white burgundy wine with delicate floral aromas and a beautifully balanced mineral finish. Pernand-Vergelesses is a small village nestled below the famous limestone Corton hill, known for the prestigious appellation of Corton-Charlemagne. Producing wonderfully mineral and fruit balanced wines, Pernand-Vergelesses offers great value and this old vines example from Vincent Girardin is simply lovely. Taste A fine aroma with delicate floral notes, such as apples, pears and a