Harrow & Hope Blanc de Blancs
Henry & Kaye Laithwaite are making World Class sparkling wine just on our doorstop in Buckinghamshire.
This Blanc de Blancs is up there with the very best and was just awarded top place in a Decanter Magazine Blanc de Blancs tasting (97 points)!
Elegant but with great depth of flavour and just the right amount of toasty richness, this is pure class!
The perfect aperitif, but also great with shellfish and lighter fish dishes.
Niepoort ‘White Rabbit’ White Port
One of the best white Ports available. Like all of Dirk Niepoort's wines, this is at the top of the tree in terms of quality. Drier than most and with real depth of flavour; rich and nutty with a long lingering finish.
Great to drink chilled on it's own, or with olives and salted almonds, or mix with tonic and ice for Portugal's answer to the G&T! A great aperitif.
Henschke ‘Keyneton Euphonium’
Available to pre-order for delivery/collection from Thursday Oct 7th
66% Syrah/Shiraz , 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
The Henschke family have been making wine at their estate in the Eden Valley since 1868. Fifth-generation winemaker Stephen Henschke took over running the winery in 1979. Through a combination of great viticulture from Prue, named ‘Outstanding Viticulturalist 2020’, who is at the forefront of re-introducing native plants into their vineyards to improve biodiversity, and winemaking from Stephen, they have built upon their inheritance and turned this traditional producer into one that is celebrated all around the world.
Keyneton Euphonium is a beautiful composition of Shiraz from up to 50-year-old vines growing in the Eden and Barossa Valleys, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from selected vineyards in both regions, some of which were planted by Cyril Henschke at his Eden Valley property in the 1960's. The Barossa hills village of Keyneton, pioneered by pastoralist Joseph Keynes in 1842, was a musical and cultural focus for the early settlers, and was home to the Henschke Family Brass Band, founded in 1888. It featured wind instruments such as a B flat euphonium, a large brass wind instrument, which has been lovingly restored and remains in the Henschke family.
While the Hill of Grace and Mount Edlestone Shiraz fetch high prices, i think this wine is the jewel in the Henschke crown; The depth of fruit and complexity is incredible and it is affordable!
A wine for big steaks, roast beef and classy barbecues!
Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Mas Saint-Louis
Mas Saint Louis, located at the centre of the appellation, has been in the Geniest family since 1890. The cellar is located on the ancient route from Avignon, on the edge of the town. There are 30 hectares of vines planted on a combination of gravel sand and galets, with an average age of 40 years. The oldest Grenache vines make up 80% of the red cuvée. Syrah, which is planted in the heart of the village, accounts for around 8% of the blend. Cinsault and gobelet pruned Mourvèdre make up the balance. Everything is hand-harvested and sorted in the vines, before being delivered to the cellar.
Very drinkable and complex. Old fashioned, but in a positive way. The 2014 shows real freshness and has a lovely fruit profile. Drawing comparisons to the wines produced by the family Reynaud might be dangerous, but that is what comes to mind. It certainly shows Pinot-like character.
Proper Chateuneuf-du-Pape from a great producer, miles away from the dreary, disappointing bottles often sold in supermarkets.
Perfect with roast lamb with all the trimmings.
Deya Steady Rollin’ Man Pale Ale 5.2%
Deya from Cheltenham are making beers that are really creating waves in the beer world...the new coolest brewery??
Anyway, this is fantastic, a really fresh and tasty Pale Ale but with a subtle savoury side that makes it that little bit more interesting than most.
Give it a go, you won't be disappointed.
Verdant Lightbulb Extra Pale Ale 4.5%
Astrolabe Marlborough Pinot Noir
Simon Waghorn of Astrolabe Wines is one of New Zealand's most respected winemakers; his wines are always balanced, with great depth of flavour.
This Pinot Noir has more complexity than many from Marlborough, with a subtle savoury edge to the rich creamy red fruit flavours.
Delicious with rack of lamb or soft cheeses such as Baron Bigod.
Roqueterre Carignan ‘Vieilles Vignes’
Niepoort Tawny Dee 1/2 bottle
Named after the characters in Alice in Wonderland, the Dum and Dee wines are a great introduction to Dirk Niepoort's wines.
Brick red/tawny in colour, with delicate nutty aromas and a hint of dried fruits.
On the palate, very well balanced with a youthful fruity, luscious character, which integrates well with a long finish.
Perfect with nuts, dried fruits and blue cheeses. Lovely served slightly chilled.
Niepoort Ruby Dum 1/2 bottle
Named after the Alice in Wonderland characters Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dee, these wines offer a great introduction to Dirk Niepoort's wines
The Ruby Dee is dark red in colour with a fresh vibrant aroma of dark fruits which follows through on the palate along with an almost mineral character, a youthful wine with good extract and great balance, offering superb "drinkability".
Ready to drink now after a meal on its own or with a selection of cheeses.
‘El Candado’ Pedro Ximenez Sherry, Valdespino
Valdespino is one of the oldest bodegas in Jerez, with a history of Sherry production going back six centuries. Back in 1264, Alfonso Valdespino was one of 24 knights who fought against the Arabs for the city of Jerez with King Alfonso X. As a reward for his efforts he was given land that formed the basis of the bodega. Today Valdespino belongs to the Estevez family, who purchased the bodega in 1999.
This delicious Pedro Ximenez has a liquid Christmas cake character, great depth and a lovely flick of acidity on the finish which serves to emphasise the unctuous sweetness and flavours of dried fig and raisins.
Great poured over vanilla ice cream, with mince pies, hard or blue cheese, or just on it's own after a meal
Verdicchio Classico, Villa Bucci
Ampelio Bucci has 31 hectares of organically cultivated vineyard on his 350 hectare estate. Of these, 25 hectares are Verdicchio, spread over five separate vineyards. The old vines and low yields give wines of great intensity.
This Verdicchio, fermented in stainless-steel tanks, is bottled in the July after the vintage, as the structure of the wines means that they require longer ageing prior to bottling. It has lovely purity, good depth and superb complexity on the palate.
Perfect with simple grilled fish with good olive oil. or garlicky pasta, or antipasti.