Staff Picks
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Country: France, ProvenceGrapes: GrenacheABV: 13%Style: Elegant Crisp RoséHaving scored 17/20 from Jancis Robinson MW it’s arguable that Whispering Angel has achieved its goal of making “the greatest rosé on the planet”. Has it been hyped? Definitely. Does it live up to the hype? Undoubtedly. With the Whispering Angel Rose 2023, you seem to get a little bit more of the good stuff. A little more strawberry and cherry fruit. A little bit more power and concentration. A little bit more refinement and a smile that’s a little bit wider after the first sip. Global demandRegular Price£23.95Special Offer£21.45 -
Country: Argentina, MendozaGrapes: MalbecABV: 13.5%Style: Rich Full Red92 Points - Tim Atkin MW. The El Enemigo Malbec 2020 is the product of one of Mendoza’s finest estates in a superb vintage. Crafted from Malbec with a little Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot adding further colour, it’s shaping up to be a classic Argentinean Malbec. Quite reserved – it contains a relatively modest 13.5% alcohol – it’s a wine with a real taste of place, with dusty minerals reinforcing its structure. Given 92/100 from both James Suckling and Robert Parker, this limited release wineRegular Price£25.95Special Offer£21.90 -
Country: Spain, GaliciaGrapes: AlbarinoABV: 12.5%Style: Dry Refreshing White90 Points - Decanter World Wine Awards. The iconic Mar de Frades Albariño is the pure expression of the unique characteristics of the Albariño grape variety, whilst reflecting the importance of the nearby Atlantic Ocean. Lively and intense aromas reveal juicy pear and apricot, white gardenia flowers, and hints of tropical lychee and pineapple, with a lovely delicate streak of salinity. Vivino rating: 4.1 (July 2024) Wine Press Ratings 90 Points (2023) - Decanter World Wine Awards "Elegant herbacRegular Price£21.50Special Offer£18.99 -
Country: Italy, VenetoGrapes: GleraABV: 11%Style: Fresh Fruity SparklingSilver Medal - Mundus Vini. Crafted through natural fermentation, this premium Prosecco offers a refreshing blend of floral and fruity notes, complemented by a gentle, creamy mousse. Villa degli Olmi, a fourth-generation family-run winery, consistently excels in producing an impressive range of affordable, high-quality wines. Its Prosecco delights with vibrant apple and citrus flavours while eschewing the traditional bready Champagne undertones in favour of a fragrant jasmine infusion. With well
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Country: Italy, VenetoGrapes: GleraABV: 11%Style: Fresh Fruity SparklingSilver Medal - Mundus Vini. Crafted through natural fermentation, this premium Prosecco offers a refreshing blend of floral and fruity notes, complemented by a gentle, creamy mousse. Villa degli Olmi, a fourth-generation family-run winery, consistently excels in producing an impressive range of affordable, high-quality wines. Its Prosecco delights with vibrant apple and citrus flavours while eschewing the traditional bready Champagne undertones in favour of a fragrant jasmine infusion. With well -
Country: France, Bordeaux, Canon FronsacGrapes: MerlotABV: 14.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red90 Points - La Revue du Vin de France. Located on South Facing slopes overlooking the Dordogne River, Chateau Barrabaque is located in the appellations of Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac. Cuvee Hugo is a fruit forward Merlot dominated wine with barrel ageing in French oak, bringing a beautiful structure. Rated an impressive 90 points by La Revue du Vin de France and hailing from the wonderful 2019 vintage, Cuvee Hugo offers exceptional value for money. Vivino Rating: 4.3 (Sept 2024) Wine Press Ratings -
Country: France, Bordeaux, Saint EmilionGrapes: MerlotABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic RedAt the end of 2011, Peter Kwok (Owner of Chateau Haut Brisson and Enclos de Viaud) acquired Château Tour Saint Christophe with his daughter Karen and La Croix Saint Christophe is the second label of the Château. Traditional farming, Guyot pruning with natural grass between the rows combined with working the soil under the vine, de-budding, leaf removal and green harvest if necessary to maintain the environmental balance. 40-year-old vines, and 15 months in French Oak Barrels (60% new). A beautif -
Country: France, Languedoc-RoussillonGrapes: Pinot NoirABV: 13.5%Style: Juicy Lively 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. Taking this approach with Pinot Noir makes a lot of sense. Pinot’s innate complexity and style means it needs no augmentation or assistance. The A23 Pinot Noir is full of fresh strawberry, -
Country: France, Bordeaux, MedocGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, MerlotABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic RedDelicious and incredible value for money - a must-try. This 50/50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux was awarded the highest level of HVE environmental accreditation. Château Meilhan is vinified and bottled by Guy Bailly, owner of Château le Bourdieu in the Médoc. Located near the village of Valeyrac, his chateau was built in 1830 by Phillipe Delacourt, known as the Lord of Bourdieu. This wine has a lovely nose of black fruits and toasted notes with the structure and balance yo -
Country: South Africa, StellenboschGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 14.5%Style: Smooth Fruity Red94 Points - Winemag.co.za. Dornier is a family-owned winery situated in The Golden Triangle area of the upper Blaauwklippen Valley Stellenbosch. The primary focus at Dornier lies in the production of premium quality wines with minimal intervention which are expressive to the unique terroir. Donatus Red is a classical Bordeaux blend from 5 vineyards on the slopes of the Stellenbosch Mountain. Bursting with flavours of blackcurrant and liquorice. The palate is refined and elegant with silky tannin -
Country: South Africa, StellenboschGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, MerlotABV: 14.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red91 Points / Silver Medal - IWSC. The Morgenster Lourens River Valley is an exquisite wine artfully crafted from classical varietals, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Inspired by the Bordeaux style, the winemakers set themselves apart by choosing extended ageing, which elevates the wine's complexity. On the palate, a harmonious blend of cassis and raspberry fruit flavours mingles seamlessly with impeccably balanced cedar oak, while a subtle undercurrent of smoke and s -
Country: France, ProvenceGrapes: GrenacheABV: 13%Style: Elegant Crisp RoséHaving scored 17/20 from Jancis Robinson MW it’s arguable that Whispering Angel has achieved its goal of making “the greatest rosé on the planet”. Has it been hyped? Definitely. Does it live up to the hype? Undoubtedly. With the Whispering Angel Rose 2023, you seem to get a little bit more of the good stuff. A little more strawberry and cherry fruit. A little bit more power and concentration. A little bit more refinement and a smile that’s a little bit wider after the first sip. Global demandRegular Price£23.95Special Offer£21.45 -
Country: Germany, PfalzGrapes: RieslingABV: 12%Style: Aromatic Floral WhiteNot into terroir trends? A23 captures the soul of the grape itself. This Riesling boasts a pure nose of white flowers, crisp apple & pear, with zesty citrus. The dry palate explodes with layers of green & white fruit, a hint of lemon & honey, ending with a kiss of minerals. Beyond typical Riesling - A23 delivers a unique, expressive experience. Try it today! Vivino Rating: 4.1 (Jun 2024) Taste Dry, yet full and precise, with layer-upon-layer of green and white berry fruits, a floral- -
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: 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: Spain, RiojaGrapes: TempranilloABV: 14.5%Style: Smooth Fruity Red92 Points - Tim Atkin MW. Casa La Rad is a winery dedicated to the environment to sustain and improve its vitality and biodiversity. From the La Rad vineyard, the grapes are handpicked and carefully selected from bush trained vines 35 years or older, before malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels of 500 and 225 litres where it will be aged for at least 14 months. A highly rated wine by the international wine press, and gold medal winning wine at the Mundus Vini awards, Casa La Rad Tinto is -
Country: France, ChampagneGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 12.5%Style: Rich Complex Sparkling91 Points - Cellar Tracker - There is Champagne, and then there is Grand Cru Champagne, the pinnacle of Champagne excellence. This Grand Cru Champagne from the vineyards of Chouilly is not only significantly more affordable but also more refined than many big household names. The result is a stunning Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) Grand Cru Champagne with complex toasty and citrus notes that are perfectly balanced, offering fantastic value. It has a golden yellow colour with aromas of pastrieRegular Price£37.95Producer Focus - 15% off£32.26 -
Country: South Africa, StellenboschGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full Red95 Points - Tim Atkin. De Toren Private Cellar, established in the late 1990s and located in Stellenbosch, South Africa, is renowned for its high-quality Bordeaux-style wines that beautifully capture the unique terroir of the region. The iconic Left Bank-based blend, De Toren Fusion V is meticulously crafted from Bordeaux’s ‘Noble Five’ varietals and, with its complex flavours of dark sour cherry, a spiciness of tobacco, and a hint of aniseed, it offers a stylish departure for sophisticated oeno -
Country: Argentina, MendozaGrapes: MalbecABV: 13.5%Style: Rich Full Red92 Points - Tim Atkin MW. The El Enemigo Malbec 2020 is the product of one of Mendoza’s finest estates in a superb vintage. Crafted from Malbec with a little Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot adding further colour, it’s shaping up to be a classic Argentinean Malbec. Quite reserved – it contains a relatively modest 13.5% alcohol – it’s a wine with a real taste of place, with dusty minerals reinforcing its structure. Given 92/100 from both James Suckling and Robert Parker, this limited release wineRegular Price£25.95Special Offer£21.90 -
Country: Italy, PugliaGrapes: Primitivo / ZinfandelABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full Red91 Points - Falstaff. Deep, dark and tempting, and seriously seductive, Papale Oro has aromas of kirsch, plum and spicy oak, and flavours of rich dark chocolate, ripe cherries and spice. This is Puglian wine at its best, with great character and warmth, and a 'friendliness' sometimes lacking from its northern Italian cousins. It has delicious spiciness, complexity and pure fruit intensity, with ultra-plush, velvety texture. There are layers of ripe black cherry and blueberry fruit, and everythin -
Country: Italy, VenetoGrapes: MuscatABV: 6.5%Style: Sweet Aromatic SparklingA deliciously light and fragrant Moscato from the family winery, Villa Degli Olmi, dating back to the 19th century. With only 6.5% ABV, the Corte dei Rovi Moscato Spumante has fine bubbles and a wonderfully aromatic nose, typical of the Muscat grape variety. Both floral and fruity with delicate sweet notes of honey, Moscato is an excellent aperitif or accompaniment to desserts and pastries. Tasting Notes Bright yellow colour, with delicate bubbles, aromatic scent typical of Muscat, floral and fr -
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: New Zealand, MarlboroughGrapes: Sauvignon BlancABV: 13%Style: Aromatic Floral White93 Points - Tastings.com. The Whitehaven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is one of New Zealand’s finest Sauvignons and is the winner of 5 international gold medals. The 2023 was awarded 94 points by Wine Orbit which described it as "Wonderfully fruited and fresh on the nose showing Granny Smith apple, nettle, lime zest and white floral aromas, it's intensely flavoursome on the palate offering excellent fruit purity and persistency, making it delicious and highly enjoyable.” Classic and classy, if -
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, Bordeaux, GravesGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, MerlotABV: 13%Style: Savoury Classic RedGold Medal - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. 90+ point Graves Bordeaux is a 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot from an historic listed Château on a terrace overlooking the Garonne River. Spiced red hedgerow fruit with well balanced tannins and a fresh finish. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Jun 2024) Awards / Wine Press Ratings Gold Medal - Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (2020) 90 Points - Decanter (2019) "An intensely fragrant nose of bramble fruits and fresh strawberries. Immediately alive and s -
Country: South Africa, StellenboschGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 14.5%Style: Savoury Classic RedHandcrafted – Traditional – Unhurried. Grangehurst Winery is a boutique wine cellar on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch, aged for 15 years in their own cellar before release, this particular wine is a must try, full-bodied barrel matured red wine with smooth, ripe tannins, especially if you like a great quality Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot / this wine has the benefit of not having to age in the bottle yourself. Typically, Jeremy only releases his wines once they are beautifu -
Country: Argentina, MendozaGrapes: Cabernet FrancABV: 13.5%Style: Rich Full Red94 Points - Descorchados. The El Enemigo Cabernet Franc 2019 is a wonderfully exuberant wine that demonstrates how fine Argentinean Cabernet Franc can be. The brainchild of Adrianna Catena and soils engineer Alejandro Vigil, the winery is in Argentina’s wine capital, Mendoza. The El Enemigo wines are made from the grapes cultivated in the region from the vineyards of Tupungato on deep calcareous and rocky soils. To preserve the grape’s vital character, only natural yeasts are used in fermentatio -
Country: Italy, VenetoGrapes: GleraABV: 11%Style: Fresh Fruity SparklingA beautiful Rose Prosecco from the family-run Villa Degli Olmi. Delightfully elegant bubbles with notes of summer red fruits, accompanied by a savoury and creamy finish. A wonderful aperitif or simply to be enjoyed in the sun! Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Sept 2024) Blend: Glera 85% min | Pinot Noir 15% Tasting Notes The bouquet is delicate with notes of red fruits, the flavour is savoury with creamy effervescence. Excellent as an aperitif, it is a wine for the whole meal that goes well with cold and lig