We hold a considerable range of wines with most countries and regions represented. We select our bottles carefully and hope to offer interesting wines from the affordable through to finer vintages.
Monty Duke's Selection
Nouveau Monde Cabernet Sauvignon ‘21, 13% alc/vol , Les Vignobles Foncalieu, Vin de Pays, France
£24.50 per bottle, 50cl Carafe £17.00, by the glass 175ml £6.40 & 250ml £8.80
Cabernet Sauvignon is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. Les Vignobles Foncalieu is one of the largest producers and exporters of French wines from Gascony, Languedoc-Roussillon, and the Rhône Valley. This is Cabernet Sauvignon is rich in colour and smooth with moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
Grape: 100 Cabernet Sauvignon
Style: Red: Structured, fruity & robust
Closure: Screw cap
Drinking: Now or Keep
Food Match: Casseroles & stews, feathered game such as duck, pheasant & partridge
Shiraz ‘21, 13.5% alc/vol, Vina Luis Felipe Edwards, Nancagua, Valle Central, Chile
£26.75 per bottle, 50cl Carafe £18.65, by the glass 175ml £6.95 & 250ml £9.65
The ‘Puertas Antiquas’ are the ancient door keys to the home of this leading family-owned winery. Located in the Valle Central this vineyard is approximately 350km south of Santiago between the Paciific Ocean and the Andes and enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm days and cool nights. Such diurnal temperature variations allow the grapes to fully ripen whilst preserving the natural acidity. The grapes are handpicked at their optimum ripeness and de-stemmed, crushed and transferred to stainlees steel tanks, after fermentation the wine is matured in oak barrels for three mnths to gain complexity and structure on the palate. A plummy, soft-textured Shiraz bursting with black fruit, violet notes and with a hint of peppery spice.
Grape: 100% Shiraz
Style: Red: Medium-bodied
Closure: Screw cap
Drinking: Now-2026
Food Match: Steak & roast beef, venison & game
Merlot ‘21, 13% alc/vol, Domaine St Estѐve, IGP Pays d’OC, France
£27.95 per bottle, 50cl Carafe £19.50, by the glass 175ml £7.25 & 250ml £9.95
This supple and juicy, old-vine Merlot comes from the tiny Domaine de St Estѐve in the Languedoc. Produced by the Garcia family for four generations at their majestic 19th century château, near the borders of the Minervois wine region. The grapes are hand harvested and fermented under controlled temperatures to maximise the aroma and flavour. Domaine St Estѐve’s Merlot is the perfect example of a modern, international-styled red. Silky, round and ripe, this juicy Merlot is packed full of soft, red fruit and rich plum flavours. It is supple enough to drink alone but has enough structure to accompany food.
Grape: 100% Merlot
Style: Red: Silky, round & plum-rich
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now-2026
Food Match: Roast or grilled meat & game
Altura Malbec ‘22, 12.5% alc/vol, Vista Sierra, Mendoza, Argentina
£29.50 per bottle, 50cl Carafe £20.50, by the glass 175ml £7.70 & 250ml £10.60
A well made Argentinian Malbec from high altitude vineyards in Mendoza. Bright forest fruits and plum flavours with a hint of chocolate. This wine has a bright and crunchy fruit palate with supple tannins and a moreish finish. Full bodied and smooth.
Grape: 100% Malbec
Style: Red: Deep Violet hues, intense & earthy
Closure: Screw cap
Drinking: Now – 2026
Food Match: Steak, chops, beef stroganoff, oxtail stew, venison casseroles & cheese platters
Les Hauts de Bel Air ‘18, 13% alc/vol, Bordeaux, France
£30.75 per bottle, 50cl Carafe £21.40, by the glass 175ml £7.95 & 250ml £10.85
This excellent Bordeaux is produced by the Sichel family, who also own Chateau Angludet, on the magnificent terroir of the hillsides which dominate the right bank of the Garonne to the south of Bordeaux. Aged in vat rather than barrel and bottled early, 6 months, after harvest Les Hauts de Bel Air is rich and racy with black fruits on he nose and a soft balanced palate. It is a tremendously charming and supple wine – the sign of a perfectly ripened Merlot. It has a brilliant garnet hue, reflecting its velvety palate and silky, rounded tannins.
Grape: 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet
Colour: Red: Medium
Closure: Cork
Drink: Now or Keep
Food: Casseroles and stews, and feathered game such as duck, pheasant & partridge
Rioja Crianza ‘19, 13.5% alc/vol, Vina Valoria, Rioja, Spain
£34.50 per bottle, 50cl Carafe £24.00, by the glass 175ml £8.90 & 250ml £12.40
Bodegas Valoria was founded in 1860, five kilometres from Logroño. This Crianza shows bright red fruit and is cherry red in colour. Vanilla and spice flavours with aromas of candied fruit, spicy, roasted coffee on the nose. On the palate the sensation of ripe fruit and the spicy notes of its aging process reappear with great harmony and polished tannins. Flavoursome & smooth Rioja, this is drinking very well now.
Grape: 100% Tempranillo
Style: Red: Medium-bodied, elegant & savoury
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now-2028
Food Match: Pork belly, moussaka
RED WINE – OLD WORLD
France - Beaujolais
Morgan ‘Corcelette’ ’14, 13% alc/vol, Domaine Lathuiliѐre-Gavallon, Beaujolais, France, £31.25
Domaine Lathuilière-Gravallon is a small, family-run domaine now in its five generation. Cathy & Cedric aim to strike a balance between the old and the new, with wines that respect the traditions of their ancestors but have one foot firmly in the present. With as little chemical intervention as possible everything is hand-harvested from fifty year old vines which grow in the commune of Villie-Morgon which enjoys a semi-continental climate. Made to lutte-raisonnée principles this wine is 50% manufactured in oak barriques for 3 months to soften the tannins. Morgon Corcelette has a generous perfumed nose, with a core of juicy blackberry fruit and lively hints of orange peel playing around the edge of the palate. It rounds off with fine, talc-like tannins coating the mouth and a satisfying, lingering umami note.
Grape: 100% Gamay
Style: Red: Delicate & juicy
Closure: Cork
Drinking: Now-2022
Food Match: Chicken, pork, tomato-based sauces, mild cheeses
Brouilly ‘Pisse-Vieille’ ’14, 13% alc/vol, Domaine Lathuiliere-Gravallon, Beaujolais, France, £32.25
Cedric Lathuiliere is the fifth generation to make wine on this small family domaine. Situated in the north of the Beaujolais region, in its turn in the far south of Burgundy, Brouilly tends to produce slightly richer, more structured wines than those in the south. Cedric’s vines are planted on steep south-facing slopes, which allows excellent ripening, and with an average age of 50 years old they have great concentration, their roots delving deep to draw complexity from the soil. The hand-harvested grapes are partially de-stemmed to achieve more supple tannins during traditional semi-carbonic fermentation which lasts up to 12 days, then transferred to large, old oak vats to mature for up to 6 months. Made in the lutte-raisonnee style this Brouilly shows pure ripe fruit layered over impressive structure and minerality.
Grape: 100% Gamay
Style: Red: Light to medium-bodied
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now-2022
Food Match: Paella, charcuterie
Fleurie ‘Les Garans’ ’15, 13% alc/vol, Louis Latour, Burgundy, France, £35.75
From a vineyard north-east of Fleurie, whole bunches of grapes are fermented in open vats. The wine itself is deliciously floral on the nose and possesses great smoothness on the palate, with a wonderful balancing acidity.
A smooth, attractive and pleasing wine making the best use of ripe, soft Gamay fruit.
Grape: 100% Gamay
Style: Red: Subtle & juicy
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now-2022
Food Match: Paella, charcuterie
France - Bordeaux
Les Hauts de Bel Air ’16, 13% alc/vol, Bordeaux, France
£19.95 per bottle, 50cl Carafe £14.50, by the glass 175ml £5.75 & 250ml £7.35
This excellent Bordeaux is produced by the Sichel family, who also own Chateau Angludet, on the magnificent terroir of the hillsides which dominate the right bank of the Garonne to the south of Bordeaux. Aged in vat rather than barrel and bottled early, 6 months, after harvest Les Hauts de Bel Air is rich and racy with black fruits on the nose and a soft balanced palate. It is a tremendously charming and supple wine – the sign of a perfectly ripened Merlot. It has a brilliant garnet hue, reflecting its velvety palate and silky, rounded tannins.
Grape: 90% Merlot, 30% Cabernet
Style: Red: Medium
Closure: Cork
Drinking: Now or Keep
Food Match: Casseroles & stews, feathered game such as duck, pheasant & partridge
Chateau de Seguin ’15, 13% alc/vol, Bordeaux Superieur, Bordeaux, France, £28.25
From a single 95 hectare clay and limestone vineyard arguably with Gallo-Roman origins, this wine displays a deep ruby colour with purple tints. On the nose there are powerful aromas of red and black fruit with some spice, while the palate is full with mellow tannins and a long, rich finish. A complex & elegant Claret with genuine class.
Grape: 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
Style: Red: Medium-bodied, elegant & savoury
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now-2025
Food Match: Roast & pan-fried lamb, Shepherd’s, liver & home-cured bacon, game
Chateau Argadens ’14, 12.5% alc/vol, Bordeaux Superieur, Bordeaux, France, £31.25
Aged for 12 months in oak barrels this Bordeaux has bags of concentrated fruit and a supple balance. It is a superb Bordeaux which has been ranked in the top ten for the number of awards won among wines from this region. This powerful, concentrated wine shows dense tannins that are balanced by rich black fruits yet it contains a sense of elegance that perfectly balances all of the richness.
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Style: Red: Medium-bodied, smooth on the palate
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now / Keep
Food Match: Plain roast or grilled chicken, roast or pan fried duck & game
Chateau Argadens ’14, 12.5% alc/vol, Bordeaux Superieur, Bordeaux, France, £55 – Magnum (1.5ltr)
If one bottle won’t do why not add a touch of fun with a magnum!
Chateau Mayne-Graves, ’15, 12.5% alc/vol, St Denis de Pile, Bordeaux, France, £27.50
This red is a great introduction to traditional from the Mayne-Graves family who have been running vineyards for over a century and planted this particular one in 2002. Despite being such a young vineyard, the family fell in love with the gravelly terroir and produced this superb Bordeaux which is aged for 12 months in a 1 year-old oak barrel.
Grape: 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot
Style: Red: Medium-bodied & dry
Closure: Cork
Drinking: Now but with good mid-term ageing potential.
Food Match: Roast & pan-fried lamb & wholesome beef dishes
Chateau Saint Aubin ’14, 13.5% alc/vol, Cru Bourgeois, Medoc, Bordeaux, France, £33.25
Jau Dignac et Lorac is in the far north of the Medoc, about as far north as it is possible to get in vineyard terms in Bordeaux. Chateau Saint-Aubin is planted on gravel and sand inlets on what would have been islands before the Medoc was drained. The sand and gravel sands make for low acidity so winemaker Charles Fernandez de Castro uses petit Verdot grapes to compensate and Carmenere grapes to add spice. This wine is traditionally fermented and macerated over 25 days and matured for 18 months, 50% in oak barrels of which 12% are new. This richly-textured wine is plum-ruby in colour with a nose of cassis and black fruit complimented by delicate spice and earthy minerals.
Grape: 49% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 12% Petit Verdot, 3% Carmenere
Style: Red: Medium-bodied, elegant & savoury.
Closure: Cork
Drinking: Now / Now or keep / Keep
Food Match: Roast & pan-fried lamb & wholesome beef dishes
Chateau Barrail du Blanc Grand Cru, ’16, 13% alc/vol, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France, £42.25
This wine is from a tiny property with just 3 hectares of land composed of gravel and sand. Historically the family sold their grapes, however in 1995 they decided to produce their own wine, investing in considerable tanks and cellars. By virtue of their terroir this can never be a massively powerful wine – but so much the better. It is approachable, charming and easy to drink with the added value of making you smile without breaking the bank. Deep ruby in colour, silky with generous, sweet flavours.
Grape: 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc
Style: Red: Medium-bodied & silky
Closure: Cork
Drinking: Now or keep
Food Match: Roast & pan-fried lamb & wholesome beef dishes
Chateau de Lamarque, ’14, 13.5% alc/vol, Cru Bourgeois Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France, £46.95
This is a really fine ambassador for the appellation standing head and shoulders above its peers at the public en primeur tasting. Chateau de Lamarque is situated on the Left Bank, not far from Margaux and Gironde river. The soil is composed of clay and gravel which is deep and well drained, tireless physical and financial work has been poured into the property, producing a structured viticultural system with highly detailed maps of the vineyard. This painstaking work has allowed the family a greater understanding of the diversity of soils. This
vintage is an excellent example of their hard work. Rich, opulent and sweet.
Grape: 45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot
Style: Red: Full-bodied
Closure: Cork
Drinking: Keep
Food Match: Roast & pan-fried lamb & wholesome beef dishes
Corney & Barrow Pomerol ’14, 14% alc/vol, Etablissements J-P Moueix, Bordeaux, France, £46.00
The much revered appellation of Pomerol is a very small region, a scant 750 hectares in total, located in northeast Bordeaux neighbouring St Emilion on the Right Bank of the Dordogne. A supple and beautifully balanced red produced by celebrated Pomerol experts Ets. J-P Moueix from a blend of second wines from the top chateaux and other select small-scale vineyard holdings mostly lying on the famous clay/gravel plateau.
Grape variety: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
Style: Red: Medium-bodied
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now / Now or Keep / Keep
Food Match: Steak and roast beef, venison, pheasant & partridge
Chateau Lagrange Pomerol ’14, 13.5% alc/vol, Etablissements J-P Moueix, Bordeaux, France, £65.75
From a small property located on the famous plateau of Pomerol next to the church this 12 acre vineyard was bought by celebrated Pomerol experts Ets. J-P Moueix in 1953. Its 20 year-old vines grow on a heavy clay soil on which the predominant Merlot grape shows its full character. As with all Ets. Jean-Pierre Moueix properties meticulous work is carried out in the vineyard and in the cellars throughout the year. Chateau Lagrange belongs to the round, supple and flattering wines typical of Pomerol.
Grape variety: 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Style: Red: Medium-bodied
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now / Now or Keep / Keep
Food Match: Steak and roast beef, venison, pheasant & partridge
Chateau Paveil de Luze ’09, 13% alc/vol, Margaux, Bordeaux, France, £39.95
From a historic Margaux property owned by the de Luze family since 1862, where winemaking is now overseen by consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt. Classic Left Bank Claret, this is typically structured yet seductive.
Grape: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot
Style: Red; Medium-bodied
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now-2025
Food Match: Braised pheasant, roast partridge
Chateau Saint Christophe ’12, 13.5% alc/vol, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, £38.50
The vines of Chateau Saint-Christophe, a 22 acre family-owned vinery, live well on the plateau of Saint-Emilion. Rooted on average for half a century in a rich clay-limestone terroir they soak up just enough rain to flower abundantly in the southwestern sun. Surrounded by the prestigious ‘Classified’ chateaux of Larouque, Fombrauge, Troplong-Mondot and Barde-Haut it is ideally situated to produce wonderful wine. Twelve months in oak adds an addition layer of richness and spice to this complex and refined grand cru made in the classic vin de garde fashion. Displaying a neat balance between fruit and wood flavours. A rich, full-bodied wine with a nose of black plum and liquorice, while the palate offers an appealing texture with glossy richness right through to the finish.
Grape: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
Style: Red: Full-bodied & complex
Closure: Natural Cork
Drinking: Now or Keep
Food Match: Roast & pan-fried lamb & wholesome beef dishes
Chateau Roc de Cambes, ’11, 14.5% alc/vol, Cotes de Bourg, Bordeaux, France, £116.00
Located in the Cote de Bourg appellation, not far from St Emilion this 12 hectare estate was purchased by Francois Mitjavile, the eccentric wine wizard, in late 1987 after he was unable to exten his famous property of Chateau Tertre Roteboeuf in St Emilion. The terroir is mostly limestone and clay soils, similar to the rightbank of Bordeaux, especially St Emilion, with a south by southwest exposure. Many of the vines are more than 50 years old which adds to concentration, character and complexity. Roc de Cambes is vinified in traditional concrete vats with maloactic fermentation taking place in French oak barrels, 50% new barriques, with 18 to 24 months ageing before bottling. Unctuous, supple, accessible and welcoming, this is oppulent and ripe, beautifully textured and rich in plump cherry fruit, complimented by sweet oak – lovely wine.
Grape: 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
Style: Red: Dry
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now to 2026
Food Match: Classis meat dishes, veal pork, beef, lamb and games, either roasted, grilled or braised
France - Burgundy
Bourgogne Pinot Noir, ’15, 12.5% alc/vol, Jean-Luc Joillot, Bourgogne, Burgundy, France, £31.75
Jean-Luc Joillot took the reins at the family domaine in 1981, ten years after the death of his father. Working on 14 hectares of vineyards around Beaune (with no less than sixty different parcels in Pommard alone), Jean-Luc’s objective is healthy grapes through lutte raisonnée, green harvest and hand-picking. After similarly attentive winemaking (long fermentation, extraction through pigeage and the restrained use of oak), the Joillot wines consistently display an admirable clarity and depth of flavour. A good Pinot Noir – light and drinking well now.
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Style: Red: Light-bodied, elegant
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now-2022
Food Match: Game birds and poultry, mushroom dishes
Mercurey ’16, 13%, Albert Sounit, Burgundy, France £49.50
A much respected appellation of Burgundy Mercurey is situated in the North West of the Cote Chalonnaise, a natural continuation of the slopes of the Cote de Beaune and is shared by only two villages, Mercurey and Saint-Martin-Sous-Montaigu, comprising an area of 655 hectares of which 170 is classified as Premier Cru, 87% of production is Pinot Noir with the remainder Chardonnay. Maison Albert Sounit own 12 hectares of vineyards located to the South of Mercurey village on the South facing mid-slope. The brown soils here are a mix of clay and limestone and promote well-structured wines. The wine is aged for 10 months in French Oak barrels, 20% of which are new thereby helping to impart spicy notes and bottled without filtration of fining. Ruby red in colour this Mercurey displays intense red fruit with spicy notes over delicate tannins.
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Style: Red: Soft with spice & fruit
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Roast lunches, BBQs or a cheese selection
Beaune Clos du Dessus des Marconnets ’11, 13% alc/vol, Pierre Labet, Burgundy, France £55.75
Francois Labet is currentrly at the helm of this family domaine which has been producing high quality wines in Burgundy for many years. He works all his vineyards organically, focussing on producing healthy, quality grapes whilst assuring the long-term sustainability of the terroir. This Pinot Noir is produced in the northern part of Beaune on south facing limestone and clay soils. The grapes are harvested by hand, fermentation involves no destemming with cold maceration in open vats for a week, maturation after pressing in 50% new oak barrels. The wine is bottled after one racking with no filtration. A blend of black and red fruit on the nose, laced with violet and hints of liquorice and fennel.
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Style: Red: Medium-bodied
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Plain roast or grilled chicken, roast or pan fried duck and game
France - Loire
Chinon ’12, 12.5% alc/vol, Marc Bredif, Loire, France, £38.25
Marc Bredif is undoubtedly one of the best producers in the Loire and so whilst this is not the cheapest Chinon you can find it is certainly one of the best. Classic nose and chewy fruit, no oak-aging.
Grape: 100% Cabernet Franc
Style: Red: Light to medium-bodied
Closure: Cork
Drinking: Now / Keep
Food Match: Grilled bass, roast goose, rabbit, ham & soft cheeses
Samur Champigny ’16, 12.5% alc/vol , Lieu-Dit ‘Les Villaises’, Cave de Saumur, Loire, France, £28.95
The AOC appellation of Samur Champigny permits only Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and the invreasingly rare Pineau d’Aunis grapes, though the former is the star variety. Grapes used in the production of this tiny Lieu-Dit (named vineyard) are grown on the site of an ancient, third century BC Roman villa called ‘Salmonciacus’. The ‘Les Villaises’ vineyard has a small outcrop of chalky soil, ideal for producing smooth, silky and easy to drink Cabernet Franc. Short maceration and fermentation in temperature regulated stainless steel tanks maintains freshness and elegance. This is followed by malolactic fermentation in large oak barrels to soften acids and thereby enhance texture. Deep, ruby-red in colour with aromas of crisp, blackcurrant and raspberry with fruit compote and delicate balsamic flavours.
Grape: 100% Cabernet Franc
Style: Red: Elegant, silky &smooth
Closure: Natural Cork
Drinking: Now-2022
Food Match: All chicken dishes
France - Rhone
Lirac, ’16, 14.5% alc/vol, Domaine St Nicolas, Lirac, France, £26.25
Opposite Châteauneuf-du-Pape on the Rhône, Lirac benefits from similar weather and basic geology. Domaine St Nicolas offers characteristics of dark fruit and violets, with a full, spicy palate typical of the region.
Grape: 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Style: Red: Intense & spicy
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now-2022
Food Match: Duck breast, venison sausages
Cotes du Rhone ’16, 13.5% alc/vol, Vignobles Gonnet, Rhone Valley, France, £27.75
There have been vines since Roman times at this magnificent family domaine which was developed by the current owner’s father Etienne Gonnet in 1950. Jean and Michel Gonnetfurther enhanced their winemaking method to develop full-bodied, concentrated wines – a tradition which is continued by their sons Guillaume and Bertrand. The vineyards are situated on the right bank of the Rhone at Domazan in the Gard, an exceptional terroir which resembles Chateauneuf-du-Pape with similar exposition and soils – sandy/calcareous with large round stones or ‘pudding stones’ which are ideal for drainage but which reflect the heat of the sun and allow the grapes to ripen to their maximum potential. The wine is matured for 12 months in oak barrels to add complexity and flavour producing a beautiful garnet red colour with violet, chocolate and dried herb notes on the nose and spicy liquorice and dark fruit on the palate. Rustic, yet elegant on the finish, this wine is exceptionally well made.
Grape: 35% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 30% Cinsault
Style: Red: Light-on-its-feet yet complex
Closure: Synthetic cork
Drinking: Now-2022
Food Match: Canapes & antipasti
Cotes Du Rhone Villages ‘Les Genets’ ’15, 14% alc/vol, Laudun-Chusclan, Rhone, France, £21.50
The commune of Chusclan is on the west bank of the Rhône, north-west of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry and spice lead into a structured wine, smooth and delicate but with plenty of depth. A fine Cotes Du Rhone Villages, Gold Medal Winner 2010 Foire D’Avignon Concours des Vins.
Grape: 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Carignan, 5% Mourvèdre
Style: Red: Intense & spicy
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now-2022
Food Match: Toulouse sausages, liver & home-cured bacon
Chateauneuf-du-Pape ’13, 14% alc/vol, Domaine L’Or de Line, Rhone, France, £36.50
Using eleven different varieties from parcels scattered across Châteauneuf, Gérard Jacumin is a keen supporter of organic viticulture. This has a smoky, almost meaty nose and a delicious mouthful of ripe blackberry tannin. An excellentexample of this well-known appellation.
Grape: Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah
Style: Red: Intense & spicy
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now-2020
Food Match: Beef Wellington, haggis
France - Regional
Domaine de Pellehaut ’18, 12% alc/vol,Vin de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne
£17.50 per bottle, 50cl Carafe £13.25, by the glass 175ml £4.75 & 250ml £6.75
Owned by the Beraut family for over 300 years Pellehaut is named after the Roman pila haut or high point with the vines growing 180 metres above the quaint village of Montreal-d-Gers. Gaston overseas the domaine, which includes cattle, wheat and sunflowers with sons Martin and Mathieu acting as vineyard manager and winemaker respectively. With some 617 acres planted the family has one of the most extensive vineyard holdings in the Cotes de Gascogne region of southwestern France. This is a remarkably balanced approachable wine showing intense fruit with lots of class and depth. Violet in colour with a cherry and blackcurrant nose delivering raspberry, liquorice and a touch of spice and subtle oak on the palate with a good length of flavour.
Grape: 90% Merlot, 10% Tannat
Style: Red: Light & refreshing
Closure Screw cap
Drinking: Now or Keep
Food Match: Casseroles & stews, feathered game such as duck, pheasant & partridge
Domaine de Sainte Marie ’13, 13% alc/vol, Pays d’Oc, Languedoc, France, £23.75
The Domaine Sainte Marie covers 40 hectares. It has a rich nose marked by aromas of very ripe fruit and a soft scent of vanilla. On the mouth, the wine is rich and meaty. A feeling of softness dominates with spice and oak in tandem. Rich and deep in colour with black tints.
Grape: 100% Merlot
Style: Red: Medium-bodied
Closure: Cork
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Beef Bourguignon & venison casserole
Merlot ’17, 13% alc/vol, Domaine St Estève, IGP Pays d’OC, France
£19.75 per bottle, 50cl Carafe £14.50, by the glass 175ml £5.50 & 250ml £7.25
This supple and juicy old-vine Merlot comes from the tiny Domaine de St Estève in the Languedoc. Produced by the Garcia family for four generations at their majestic 19th century château, near the borders of the Minervois wine region. The grapes are hand harvested and fermented under controlled temperatures to maximise the aroma and flavour. Domaine St Estève’s Merlot is the perfect example of a modern, internationl-styled red; silky, round and ripe, this juicy Merlot is packed full of soft, red fruit and rich plum flavours. It is supple enough to drink alone but has enough structure to accompany food.
Grape: 100% Merlot
Style: Red: Silky, round & plum-rich
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now-2025
Food Match: Roast or grilled meat & game
Chateau Maurel ’13, 12.5% alc/vol, AC Cabardes, Languedoc-Roussilon, France, £24.95
Alain Maurel’s vineyard is located in the north west of the Languedoc-Roussilon region in the foothills of the ‘Black Mountain’ near Carcassone and not far from the border with Bordeaux. This partly explains the cultivation of both Bordeaux grape varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot) alongside the more Mediterranean varieties of Grenache and Syrah. Alain hand selects his grapes with the bunches de-stemmed before fermentation to prevent harsh tannins. A long maceration period ensures a high level of colour and flavour with 6 months bottle ageing to increase structure and complexity. This red has a Bordeaux feel; a firm ripe structure underpins supple, plump red and black fruit with a subtle spicy finish.
Grape: 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Style: Red: Medium-bodied
Closure: Cork
Drinking: Now or Keep
Food Match: Casseroles & stews, feathered game such as duck, pheasant & partridge
Pic St Loup ’10, 14.5% alc/vol, Domaine Les Grandes Costes, Coteaux du Languedoc, France, £41.95
This 11.5 hectare Mediterranean estate has been in family ownership since 1868. Artisan vigneron Jean Christophe Granier follows the methods of ultra-sustainable agriculture producing low yields which respect the soil – around 33hl per hectare. This `Vins de terroirs` is aged for 24 months in French oak casks, it is natural, harmonious and distinguished with an outstanding bouquet, good tannins and a subtle finish.
Grape: 80% Syrah, 15% Grenache, 5% Cinsault
Style: Red
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Duck, fillet steak, roast lamb & beef, hard mature cheeses
Germany
Spatburgunder GM Pinot Noir Trocken ’10, 13.5% alc/vol, Georg & Fusser, Pfalz, Germany, £42.50
If Germany’s finest white wines are produced from Reisling grapes then its red wine counterpart comes from the Spatburguner or Pinot Noir grape. Well suited to cool climates it has a longer mash and maturing periods to combine flavour and acidity with relatively low tannins and pigments. Trocken designates dry in the German classification as opposed to halbtrocken, off-dry. The young Fusser brothers Martin and Georg work in their grandmothers garage in Niederkirchen and have a mere five barrels in the cellar. This wine is carefully made in tiny quantities and matured for eighteen months in oak barriques and exhibits the German style of charming, light wine with sweet fruitiness.
Grape: 100% Pinot noir
Style: Red: Fruity
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Ham, roast beef, hearty terrines & pies
Italy
Monte Antico Toscana Rosso – Super, ’13, 13% alc/vol, Tipicha, Tuscany, Italy, £25.75
This wine is classified as a “Super Tuscan”. Despite what you might assume from the inclusion of the word “Super”, this simply means that the wine does not follow the official blending rules of the DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita). Instead these wines get the IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) label which just means the grapes come from the same area the wine is made. “Super Tuscan” is basically a marketing term for what used to be called table wine and can reflect a very wide range of styles, quality and oftentimes some pretty cool experimentation. Aged for 1 year in Slavonian and French oak barrels Monte Antico shows aromas of black cherry, licorice and plum. It is medium-bodied with smooth tannins and a long dry finish. The flavor shows earthiness and spice giving a pleasing rustic quality.
Grape: 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot
Style: Red: Medium -bodied
Closure: Screw cap
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Beef & venison, pasta & risotto
Il Barroccio ’13, 13% alc/vol, IGT Rosso, Terre Siciliane, Italy, £21.25
This wine is made from Nero d’Avola, an indigenous grape deeply rooted in the island of Sicily. The vineyards are located around the hilly provinces of Trapani and Agrigento in the south west region. Mild winters and very hot summers enhance fruit ripeness and concentration contributing to its distinctive dark colour. The summers are tempered by sea breezes which help preserve aromatic freshness and primary fruit flavours resulting in a more elegant and balanced wine. The soil contains clay and chalk providing good drainage and encouraging and enabling the vines to go deeper to find water and nutrients, making them stronger and able to yield better fruit. This wine has flavours of plum and ripe, dark cherries, spicy and juicy yet with smooth tannins.
Grape: 80% Nero d’Avola, 20% Syrah
Style: Red: Opulent & spicy
Closure: Screw cap
Drinking: Now-2022
Food Match: Roast meats & game
Salice Salentino Riserva ’12, 13.5% alc/vol, Casa Carlo Botter, Puglia, Italy, £26.25
A Puglian classic, blazing ruby in colour this wine is an International Italian Red Wine Trophy Winner. Well structured with aromas of ripe red berry fruits and chocolate on the nose, a hint of vanilla and toast on the tongue with good length and body.
Grape: 100% Nergroamaro
Colour: Red: Full-bodied
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now / Now or Keep / Keep
Food Match: Plain roast or grilled chicken, roast or pan fried duck & game
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo ‘Roccastella’ ’16, 13% alc/vol, Villa Bizzari, Abruzzo, Italy, £22.25
Juicy and succulent Montepulciano grapes from the north of Abruzzo near the DOC of Controguerra in the hilly area of the Province of Teramo, where a microclimate between the cool mountain peaks of the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea provides a favourable location for growing vines. The vineyards are located in varying areas around the winery on largely clay soils. The Pieralisi family, already renowned for their Marche wines, has invested in new technology using stainless steel vats with long maceration on skins. Ruby red in colour Roccastella has an intense aroma of ripe red fruit with savoury soft flavours and tannins on the palate.
Grape variety: 100% Montepulciano
Style: Red: Medium-bodied
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Plain roast or grilled chicken, roast or pan fried duck & game
Cabaletta ’16, 13% alc/vol, Rosso delle Venezie, Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy, £23.45
The grapes for this innovative red come from vineyards around the town of San Pietro in Cariano. The IGT designation of Rosso delle Venezie rather than the local DOC is required not only by the inclusion of 10% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend of Corvina and Rondinella but the use of the appassimento method. In this around a third of the grapes are dried in well aerated lofts at a constant humidity and temperature. Over the course of 80 days the grapes lose about 35% of their original weight due to dehydration. This has the effect of concentrating the flavours without losing the necessary balancing acidity. The appassimento grapes are vinified separately to the normally picked ones and then blended in the approximate proportions 30% ‘appassito’ wine and 70% regular wine. In the final stage around 40% of this blend is aged 12 months in American and French oak barriques. This laborious and time consuming process is similar to that of Amarone and the result is a remarkable wine. Supple, soft and richly fruity, this has savoury aromas of red cherry, ripe redcurrant, plum and a touch of sweet vanilla musk. Soft, sweet-edged cherry and bramble fruit flavours, mocha, hints of vanilla and a lingering gently spicy finish with aromatic lift. Full-bodied and rich with refreshing acidity this is a very impressive wine at a quite remarkable price.
Grape: 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 70% Corvina & 20% Rondinella
Style: Red: Full-bodied, supple & soft
Closure: Natural Cork
Drinking: Now or Keep
Food Match: Roast & pan-fried lamb & wholesome beef dishes
Chianti ’14, 12.5% alc/vol, Fattorie Gianozzi Villa Marcialla, Colli Fiorentini, Tuscany, Italy, £26.25
Chianti Colli Fiorentini is the subzone of Chianti that immediately borders the city of Florence. Fattorie Gianozzi is just south of the city in the district of Barberino Val d’Elsa. This DOCG is noted for well-rounded, fruity, easy-going wines that are less full bodied than the better known Chianti Classico wines. The terroir in this area has limestone-rich soils with a Mediterranean climate. After fermentation it is macerated in stainless steel barrels for 3 to 8 months then aged in big oak barrels for 26 months then in the bottle for a further 6 months. Pale and high-toned with smells of tomato vines and acidity, a deeply authentic Italian wine with a good soft finish.
Grape: 90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot
Style: Red: Medium-bodied
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now or Keep
Food Match: Ideal with all Italian dishes
Barolo ‘Flori’ ’14, 14% alc/vol, Araldica, Revello, Piedmont, Italy, £32.50
From vineyards in La Morra, Barolo and Grinzane, this wine is aged for 3 years in Slavonian oak casks. All the requisite characteristics of Barolo are here – tobacco, leather and violet aromas, the silky texture of ripe fruit and a lengthy finish. A mature, rounded, brooding & full bodied wine with luscious rich fruits.
Grape: 100% Nebbiolo
Style: Red: Full-bodied
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Perfect for a Sunday lunch, roasted duck or try pan-fried
Soraie, ’15, 14% alc/vol, Cecilia Beretta, Veneto, Italy, £28.85
The Cecilia Beretta estate is named after the 17th century agronomist and poet Count Giuseppe Beretta who built the beautiful Villa in Mizzole at the heart of the estate. Soraie is an innovative project aiming to put a new spin on the traditional winemaking technique called ‘appassimento’ which is used to make the famous Amarone wines of the Veneto region.The name Soraie is derived from the Veonese word ‘Sorovia’ used to describe the rows of vines perched on the very top of the hills. Grapes are hand-picked and then semi-dried for 1 month before fermentation (shorter than for Amarone) so that the grapes lose around 30% of their water content , thus concentrating sugars, phenols and flavours. After fermentation the wine is transferred to puncheons (90% French oak and 10% Italian cherry wood) where it ages for 6 months creating body, flavour and complexity. This wine is a deep ruby red with intense aromas of red berries and sweet spices.
Grape: 40% Merlot, 30% Corvina, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Croatina
Style: Red: Rich & velvety
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Roasted red meats and ragus
Malintoppo ’07, 14.5% alc/vol, Simonelli-Santi, Orcia, Tuscany, Italy, £36.45
The Orcia vineyard areas sit in the south east of Tuscany and this DOC was created in 2000. Italy’s love affair with the Sangiovese grape continues and this wine has the characteristic ruby red and garnet colour. Aged in 16 hl oak barrels this is excellent meditation wine, ask for the bottle to be uncorked on ordering.
Grape: 100% Sangiovese
Style: Red: Full-bodied
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Red meats, game, grilled meats & aged cheese
Spain
Rioja Joven ’14, 13.5% alc/vol, Atlos de Baroja, Rioja, Spain, £23.25
This youthful style Rioja is made in the classic mould, but with bags of modern appeal. Produced in the Rioja Alavesa, in the north of the Rioja region on the river Ebro, at the border with the Cantabrian Mountain Range. The Lar de Paula winery is the new ’boutique’ venture of Fernando Meruelo, owner of the fantastic Bodegas Heredad de Baroja, both in the village of Elvillar de Alava. This wine is exactly as a Rioja ‘joven’, meaning younger, should be: juicy, youthful and fruit driven. With black cherry, clove and liquorice notes and a fresh, balanced palate of sweet spice and juicy cassis. A beautiful and well-made wine.
Grape: 100% Tempranillo
Style: Red: Bright & youthful
Closure: Cork
Drinking: Now-2022
Food Match: Pork belly, roast lamb, grilled chicken
Rioja ’18, 13.5% alc/vol, Vina Valoria, Rioja, Spain £20.75 per bottle, 50cl Carafe £15.00, by the glass 175ml £5.75 & 250ml £7.50
Bodegas Valoria was founded in 1860, five kilometres from Logroño. Although famous for holding back older vintages, their ‘baby’ wine already exhibits aromas of ripe fruit, sweet spices and coffee on the nose. On the palate it is savoury and fruity, with great harmony and polished tannins. Flavoursome & smooth Rioja, this is drinking very well now.
Grape: 100% Tempranillo
Style: Red: Medium-bodied, elegant & savoury
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now-2025
Food Match: Pork belly, moussaka
Psi 2010 ’10, 13.5% alc/vol, Bodegas y Vinedos Alnardo, Ribeira del Duero, Spain, £59.75
Danish born, Bordeaux-trained Peter Sisseck arrived in Spain’s then relatively unknown Ribeiradel Duero in 1990, later producing the iconic Pingus wine which soared to worldwide acclaim. Benefitting from the same conditions including high altitude, warm sunny days and cool nights afforded by the Mediterranean climate this is an accomplished wine from another great vintage. Matured in tanks and French oak barrels and racked every 2 to 3 months this is an inviting, shimmering wine, purple plum in colour with a firm, bright rim. The nose offers an explosion of ripe, aromatic, black fruit, plum and cherry compote complemented by mineral notes with a long finish.
Grape: 100% Tempranillo
Style: Red: Medium-bodied
Closure: Cork
Drinking: Now-2025
Food Match: Lamb dishes, pork & roast meats
Rioja Reserva ’11, 13.5% alc/vol, Coto de Imaz, Rioja, Spain, £30.75
Succulent and rounded, long ageing in American oak together with extended maceration provide this wine with a powerful tannic structure
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Style: Red: Medium-bodied
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now / Now or Keep / Keep
Food Match: Plain roast or grilled chicken, roast or pan fried duck & game
Rioja Reserva ’05, 13.5% alc/vol, Coto de Imaz, Rioja, Spain, £120 – Double Magnum/Jeroboam (3ltr)
Succulent and rounded, long ageing in American oak together with extended maceration provide this wine with a powerful tannic structure.
Rioja Reserva ’05, 13.5% alc/vol, Coto de Imaz, Rioja, Spain, £200 – Jeroboam/Rehoboam (5ltr)
If neither the ordinary bottle size nor double magnum are sufficient try a larger one – good for sharing at a party!
Belzos Rioja Crianza ’14, 13% alc/vol, Bodegas Zugober, Rioja, Spain, £28.95
This vibrant Crianza (the ageing process which requires a minimum of 2 years ageing, with at least 6 months of this in oak barrels) is made by a small family winery in the heart of the classic and highly reputed Rioja Alavesa region between the River Ebro and the Sierra Cantabrica mountains in northern Spain. It showcases the balance between fruit and oak, tradition and innovation. Grown on a mix of chalky clay, held to promote finesse, and ferrous iron clay, which adds richness and depth, this wine spends 14 months in oak barrels with a further minimum 6 months bottle ageing. Garnet red in colour with rich plum, dark cherry fruit and warm spices, long lasting on the palate.
Grape: 95% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano & Mazuelo
Style: Red: Full–bodied
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now o Keep
Food Match: Roast lamb, lamb shanks & other braised lamb dishes
Museum Real Reserva ’06-’09, 14% alc/vol, Cigales, Ribera del Pisuerga, Spain, £49.95
Made with 100% Tinta Del Pias grapes harvested by hand in the old vineyards around Cigales this wine may show natural deposits asit does not undergo any stabilisation. With a lingering finish and decent complexity, this wine is refreshing, expressive and well-bodied.
Grapey: 100% Pinot Noir
Style: Red: Medium-bodied
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now / Now or Keep / Keep
Food Match: Roast lamb, lamb shanks & other braised lamb dishes
Museum Real Reserva ’05, 14% alc/vol, Cigales, Ribera del Pisuerga, Spain, £285 – Jeroboam/Rehoboam (5ltr)
If neither the ordinary bottle size nor double magnum is sufficient, then when not try a larger one? Guests will be delighted by this!
Belzos Rioja Reserva ’11, 13.5% alc/vol, Bodegas Zugober, Rioja, Spain, £31.50
An elegant Reserva (the aeging process which requires a minimum of 3 years ageing, with at least 12 months of that time in barricas, oak barrels) is made by a small family winery in the heart of the classic and highly reputed Rioja Alavesa region between the River Ebro and the Sierra Cantabrica mountains in northern Spain. Grown on a mix of chalky clay, held to promote finesse, and ferrous iron clay, which adds richness and depth, this wine spends 18 months in American and French oak barrels with a further minimum 18 months bottle ageing. Bursting with ripe, dark fruit and notes of leather and tobacco. Firm round tannins and a long finish.
Grape: 95% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano, Mazuelo & Garrnacha
Style: Red: Full–bodied
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now or Keep
Food Match: Roast lamb, lamb shanks & other braised lamb dishes
Rioja Gran Reserva ’04, 13.5% alc/vol, Coto de Imaz, Rioja, Spain, £40.25
A Gold International Wine Challenge Winner this Gran Reserva is only produced in exceptional years. It is an elegant dry wine with some savoury dark red and dried fruit flavours. It has a persistent structure and acidity.
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Colour: Red: Medium-bodied & dry
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now or Keep
Food Match: Plain roast or grilled chicken, roast or pan fried duck & game
Other
Duas Quintas, ’12, 13.5% alc/vol, Ramos Pinto, Douro, Portugal, £27.50
Grown from a blend of thoroughly obscure but traditional port varieties by a port producer founded in 1880, this is a surprisingly savoury wine with bright fruit, fine balance and ripeness. A rich flavoursome wine produced from the traditional grapes of the Douro – Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca.
Grape: 45% Touriga Naçional, 25% Touriga Franca, 10% Tinta Roriz, 5% Souzão, 3% Tinto Cão, 2% Tinta Amarela
Style: Red: Medium-bodied, elegant & savoury
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking: Now-2025
Food Match: Fillet steak, hard cheeses
Chateau Musar ’10-’11, 14% alc/vol, Gaston Hochar, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, £55.00
Lebanese wine might seem obscure, but viticultural roots here date back more than 6000 years. Château Musar is a uniquely different wine from in the Bekaa Valley, produced by master winemaker Serge Hochar. Flanked by snow-covered mountains, and nestled at 1,000m (3,000 ft) the Bekaa valley is blessed with 300 days of sunshine a year with an average temperature of 25 degrees. Concentrated plum and blackberry fruit, hints of fig, prune, distinct liquorice and spice. Firm but fine tannins, good acidity and body, vibrant and fresh with streaks of cedar and cinnamon and a long finish. The grapes are hand-harvested by local Bedouins between August and October.
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Carignan
Style: Red: Unfiltered & unfined – consider decanting
Closure: Natural Cork
Drinking: Now or Keep
Food Match: French-style roast lamb, North African cuisine, tangine
RED WINE – NEW WORLD
Australia
Reserve Chardonnay ’18, 13% alc/vol, Riddle Creek, New South Wales, Australia
£18.95 per bottle, 50cl Carafe £13.85, by the glass 175ml £5.40 & 250ml £7.15
This lively fruit-driven wine has been enhanced by lees stirring, giving a great texture and balance to the mid-palate. Subtle oak-ageing gives added structure without being overpowering. A pale straw colour with lemon, citrus and green apples on the nose this thoroughly appealing modern wine has long fresh acidity.
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Style: White: Rich & rounded
Closure: Screw cap
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Spaghetti carbonara, frittata
Chile
Casa Felipe Sauvignon Blanc ’17, 12% alc/vol, Vina Luis Felipe Edwards, Valle Central, Chile, £20.75
Luis Felipe is one of Chile’s leading winemakers based in the Valle Central, approximately 350km south of Santiago between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes. This area experiences a Mediterranean style climate with warm days and cool nights – a diurnal temperature variation which allows grapes to fully ripen whilst still preserving the natural acidity. There are a variety of soils albeit predominantly alluvial and loamy with gravel subsoil which are favourable for optimum wine growing. The grapes are handpicked and de-stemmed, pressed then cool fermented in stainless steel tanks for 3 weeks and maturated for 2 months on the lees to impart complexity and texture. Bright pale yellow this light-bodied wine is zesty and vibrant with citurs fruit aromas, particularly grapefruit and lemon.
Grape: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Style: White: Light-bodied
Closure: Screw cap
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Seafood, salads & pasta
Puertas Antiguas Viognier ’16, 13.5% alc/vol , Luis Felipe Edwards, Valle Central, Chile, £20.75
Luis Felipe Edward is one of Chile’s leading family-owned wineries. This fruity, fresh Viognier is blended from handpicked grapes at their optimum ripeness. The Mediterranean-type climtate with warm days and cool nights and its diurnal temperature variation allows the grapes to fully ripen whilst preserving the natural acidity. Cool fermentation (15-17 degrees) in stainless steel tanks lasts approximately three weeks and preserves subtle aromatic and freshness. Maturation: 2 months on the lees to impart complexity and texture on the palate. Made from a special selection of grapes from the producer’s best sites in the Valle Central, this wine bursts with flavours of stone fruit over notes of jasmine and hazelnuts, culminating in a fresh, long finish.
Grape: 100% Viognier
Style: White: Soft & fresh
Closure: Screw cap
Drinking: Now-2021
Food Match: Light fish & chicken dishes, Asian inspired cuisine
New Zealand
Southern Lights Sauvignon Blanc, ’17, 11.5% alc/vol, Marlborough, New Zealand, £25.50
Winemaker Ian Marchant created this great wine for Omaka Springs Estates, the sole producer of estate wines in the Omaka Valley, part of the Southern Valleys of Marlborough. “Omaka” is a Maori word meaning “where the springs flow” and reflects the mineral-rich natural springs that meander through the vineyards of the 180 acre estate, feeding the soils and ultimately imparting a distinct nuance of minerality. Fresh and vibrant passion fruit, gooseberry and some melon characters this wine has a balanced richness of fruit with a floral note through the palate, with intense depth of flavour and a crisp finish.
Grape: 95% Sauvignon Blanc 5% Pinot Gris
Style: White: Unoaked, Dry
Closure: Screw cap
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Green salads, shellfish, grilled & roasted chicken, seafood & vegetables
Ana Sauvignon Blanc ’18, 13.5% alc/vol, Wairau Plains, Marlborough, New Zealand, £31.75
Grown by the Eradus family on their estate in the unique microclimate of the Awatere Valley on alluvial, free-draining stony soil. Machine harvested to preserve freshness and aromatics the juice is cold settled to maximise natural flavours and left to rest for 3days. This wine is filtered but not fined. Pale lemon in colour with a fresh clean palate showing minerality and expression of flavours.
Grape: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Style: White: Fresh, fruity & minerally
Closure: Screw cap
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Seafood & pastas
Eradus Single Vineyard Pinot Gris ’15, 14% alc/vol, Awatere Valley, Marloborough, New Zealand, £28.75
Another Eradus family wine showcasing their viticultural philosophy of ‘balance’, in particular during pruning and cropping where vines are treated individually, helping to ensure each one produces the very best fruit possible. The Pinot Gris is 50% hand and 50% machine harvested from mid-March to mid-April and quickly transferred to the winery preserving freshness and aromatics. The result is a fresh, fruity wine with mouth-watering minerality and expression of flavours.
Grape: 100% Pinot Gris
Style: White: Smooth, zesty & fresh
Closure: Screw cap
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Flaky white fish & chicken
Round Stone Bay, ’16, 12.5% alc/vol, Nelson, New Zealand, £27.75
Crafted by the Waimea Estates using high quality grapes from ten year old vines. Winding 100km north west from Marlborough, Nelson is a region exploiting the fresh, crisp and fragrant conditions of its coastal position. This helps make it different in style to the better known Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs having a slightly fresher, more lifted and more subtly aromatic edge. A really classy Sauvignon from the lesser well known Nelson area. Rich tropical aromas of mango and ripe citrus. The wine is equally lush on the palate with excellent fruit concentration, a mineral derived texture and a long juicy finish.
Grape: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Style: White: Unoaked
Closure: Screw cap
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Fragrant Asian dishes, crab cakes or barbequed prawns with mango salsa
South Africa
Sauvignon Blanc ‘Statue de Femme’ ’17, 13.5% alc/vol, Franschhoeck, South Africa, £21.95
Made in a reductive style (excluding exposure to oxygen at all stages to diminish any loss of grape aromas and flavours) with gentle, prolonged cold fermentation in stainless steel to ensure fruit expression. Tangy tropical and citrus aromas with a graceful core of ripe fig, grapefruit and pineapple, balanced by a lively acidity and a frisky finish; a hint of Semillon adds breadth to the mid-palate.
Grape: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Style: White: Aromatic & fruity
Closure: Screw cap
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Ceviche, tuna steaks & sushi
Old Vines Chenin Blanc ’15, 13.5% alc/vol, Stellenbosch, South Africa, £28.25
The quality of this Chenin Blanc can be partly attributed to the remarkable old vineyards in the premium wine growing area of Stellenbosch. High in the foothills of the Cape Fold mountain range, they produce only very low yields, guaranteeing the intensity of fruit flavour. The grapes are from two specific vineyard plots. The first is within 5km of False Bay high on a South-Easterly facing slope where they benefit from cooling sea breezes during the warm summers and the best exposure to the sun, the vines are around 38 years old; the second vineyard is slightly lower down but closer to the sea where the vines are 19 years old. This wine is pale gold in colour, the nose is rich and complex with warm peachy notes, white flowers, almond and marzipan. The palate is highly textured with layers of ripe pear, cream and wet stone. There is a pure acidity to lift on the finish.
Grape: 100% Chenin Blanc
Style: White: Complex, fresh & minerally
Closure: Cork
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Fish and chips, chowder, scallops
Bosstok Chenin Blanc ’18, 13.5% alc/vol, Rhebokskloof Wine Estate, Paarl, South Africa
£26.95 per bottle, 50cl Carafe £18.25, by the glass 175ml £6.95 & 250ml £9.25
The Rhebokskloof Wine Estate lies on the outskirts of Paarl at the foot of the Paarl Mountain in the Western Cape. The 20 hectares of vineyard face north and west giving the best exposition to the sun enabling the grapes to ripen easily. These Chenin Blanc grapes come from mature un-trellised Bush Vines (‘Bosstok’ in Afrikaans) a technique which naturally curbs production yielding grapes with more concentrated flavours. This wine walks a tightrope between pure, rich fruit and mouth-watering minerality. Nicely textured with a long, crisp finish.
Grape: 100% Chenin Blanc
Style: White: Complex, fresh & minerally
Closure: Cork
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Caesar salad, scallops, goats cheese crostini
USA
Bonterra Organic Chardonnay ’14, 13.5% alc/vol, Mendocino County, California, USA, £28.25
Bonterra, meaning “good land” was founded on a philosophy that farming organically produces the purest, most flavourful and vibrant fruit. They have been growing organic fruit since 1987 providing a rich habitat and yielding wines of unmatched flavour and distinction. Bright fruit aromas of pear, melon and peach are accompanied by a bouquet of vanilla, hazelnut and a hint of buttered popcorn. A rich, buttery Chardonnay with plenty of depth.
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Style: White: Rich, full-bodied
Closure: Screw cap
Drinking: Now
Food Match: Turbot, pumpkin ravioli