Amarone, Musella
Musella make very special wines! What makes them unique is that they look for harmony and balance in the wine, not just power and intensity. Don't get me wrong, this is still a full-bodied wine, made with dried grapes in the usual way, but it isn't too intense or too alcoholic like a lot of modern Amarone. This is deliciously drinkable; more than one glass won't knock you out! Maddalena Pasqua is passionate about her vineyards and the land on which she lives; she makes wines that shine with this love. All the vineyards and farmed Biodynamically and the wines made by hand.
A great wine to finish the meal and can accompany a range of cheeses including complex Cheddars such as Montgomery or Pitchfork, or soft blues like Beauvale.
Barolo, Giacomo Fenocchio, Piemonte
Barbaresco, Produttori del Barbaresco, Piemonte
In 1958, the priest of the village of Barbaresco, recognizing that the only way the small properties could survive was by joining their efforts, gathered together nineteen small growers and founded the Produttori del Barbaresco. The first three vintages were made in the church basement, and then in the winery built across the square from where the Produttori is still located. United once again, the small growers continued the work started by Domizio Cavazza, producing only Barbaresco wine and enhancing both the reputation of the wine and the village.
The Produttori del Barbaresco now has 50 members and 100 hectares (250 acres) of Nebbiolo vineyards in the Barbaresco appellation, which amounts to almost a sixth of the vineyards of the area. The most important thing, however, is that quality is always the highest priority and in Aldo Vacca, they have one of the World's most respected winemakers.
We buy this wine every year and it never disappoints; every vintage is different, reflecting the year itself, but has the hallmark of class and quality. The thing I like most about this is the amazing perfume; great Nebbiolo has a unique nose that is hard to beat! These wines age gracefully for decades and really represent great value in the context of Piemonte's top producers.
A great wine for the cheeseboard but also, venison and duck; when young the tannins are firm, so the food does need some richness and fat. As they age, the tannins soften but strong, hard cheeses (Old Winchester, Double Barrel, Cornish Kern...) are still my favourite match.
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!
Family Vineyards Pinot Noir, Newton Johnson
This family farm was founded in the mid-1990s by Cape Wine Master, Dave Johnson and his wife, Felicity (Née Newton) and within the past twenty years has built a reputation for producing some of the Cape’s best Pinot Noir. Dave’s CWM thesis was on the variety. Add to that one of South Africa’s smartest Chardonnay’s and, more recently a pair of outstanding Rhône style wines. Right from the outset, Dave and Felicity’s offspring were involved and today it is very much Gordon, partnered by his wife, Nadia, who are responsible for the winemaking, with brother Bevan looking after the commercial side.
This is always my favourite South African Pinot Noir, it just has beautiful purity of fruit and perfect balance; some richness but with bright and juicy acidity. It never fails to deliver. This will age and improve for up to 10 years but is delicious now.
One of the New World's best and for a wine of this quality, the price is incredible (compare to Burgundy or California!)
Great with roast lamb or pork, grilled chops, fillet steak, venison...any special meal!
‘Lo Vielh’ Old Vine Carignan, Clos de Gravillas
Clos de Gravillas is an organic estate based in the tiny hamlet of St Jean de Minervois, deepin the Languedoc countryside. Here, John and Nicole Bojanowski make some of the region's most interesting wines. The Carignan vines that make this wine are from a high gravelly vineyard and are over 100 years old. This gives the wine real character, as if the vines have soaked up the minerals of the earth and the flavours of the surrounding Garrigue.
This is a dark, powerful wine that is a perfect match for slow roasted, herby meats. Unique and beautiful, this is Southern French wine at it's best.
Vina Alberdi Reserva, La Rioja Alta
La rioja Alta is one of Spain's most iconic producers, producing some of the country's best wines since 1890.
The Vina Alberdi Reserva is perhaps their most accessible and immediately impressive wine and delivers that quitessential Rioja flavour profile in spades.
Perfect with roast meats and strong hard cheeses, this is drinking well now but will continue to improve for at least a decade.
Botanica Pinot Noir, Botanica Wines
Botanica Wines was founded in 2009 by owner and self-taught winemaker Ginny Povall, an intrepid American who fell in love with the beautiful Cape winelands She purchased Protea Heights Farm in Stellenbosch’s Devon Valley and relocated to the southern tip of Africa. Established in the late 1940s, Protea Heights was the first farm in South Africa to cultivate indigenous protea flowers commercially. Inspired by this horticultural history, it was only natural that Ginny would choose to develop her wine brands and labels with a botanical flair.
It was a real joy when Ginny visited us last year, to share her wines with us and our customers at the shop; her warmth and humour really come through in her winemaking, giving them real personality.
This small production Pinot Noir is considered one of South Africa’s best; lovely perfume and that perfect balance between fruitiness and elegance.
Chateau Grand Village
This Chateau, situated in the Fronsac region of Bordeaux offers exceptional value for money.
It is owned by the Guinadeau family, who also happen to own Chateau Lafleur just down the road in Pomerol - one of THE great Right-Bank Bordeaux estate!
While Fronsac doesn't have quite the same cachet as Pomerol, and hence, can't command the same prices, the attention to detail and love that goes into this wine, is just the same as at Lafleur.
The soils are different here, more clay and limestone than gravel and the proportion of Cabernet Franc differs but it still gives you a snapshot of great Right-Bank Claret at an every-day price.
A perfect, posh dinner party wine; one that is bound to impress your friends and is a great accompaniment to classic roast meat dishes.
Chateau Lucas
Lussac is an up and coming satellite appellation of the renowned Saint Emilion region on the the Right Bank of Bordeaux. There is no doubt that one of Lussac's most prized properties is Château Lucas, owned by the Vauthier family of Château Ausone fame. From just 18 hectares of vines, three cuvée are produced. The top wine, aptly called Château Lucas, is produced from a 12-hectare vineyard, comprising equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc. While so much of the Right Bank focuses on Merlot, the high percentage of Cabernet Franc brings a polished lift to the cuvée, vintage in and vintage out.
A classic partner for roast lamb.
Big Flower Merlot, Botanica Wines
Really good Merlot from Ginny Povall at Botanica Wines, one of South Africa’s most respected boutique wineries. Plummy and smooth (as you would expect) but with an extra juicy dimension (called ‘deliciousness’?) that makes it stand out and makes you want to drink more of it!
A really good all-rounder, and like all Ginny’s wines, it has a lovely pretty label, so great for gifts.
Monteleccio, Sesti
The Sesti family are one of the best producers of Brunello di Montalcino. Based at the beautiful Castello di Argiano, they have the most beautiful property imaginable and they make wines in a thoughtful and balanced style; traditional in the best sense of the word. The grapes for this wine are selected because they are felt to be best for drinking young; so they could become Brunello but they are aged for less time. More character than many actual Brunello and for half the price, this is one of Montalcino’s best buys. Great with hard cheeses (Cornish Kern or Old Winchester?), as well as roast lamb with lots of garlic and rosemary, pasta with meat sauces and stews.
St. Chinian ‘La Laouzil’, Thierry Navarre
Carignan/Grenache/Syrah
Thierry Navarre has a dozen hectares of vines planted on dark brown schist terraces around Roquebrun. The achingly beautiful countryside is an amphitheatre of small mountains clad in a sea of green, a forest of small trees and bushes and the familiar clumps of fragrant rosemary and thyme which captures the scented spirit of the high Languedoc. The culture in the vines revolves around the respect for the soil, the cycles, the seasons. No chemical products are used, simply composting, natural preparation, plant infusions and working the soil. The harvest is manual and carried out by a small team.
This wine is full of red fruits, liquorice tones and plenty of herbs and spice, yet is unforced, supple and fresh.
A proper southern French wine to accompany roast lamb or great with some good sausages or a hearty stew.
Pinot Noir, Heirloom Vineyards
Heirloom Vineyards make wines from various regions, carefully selecting grapes from organically farmed vineyards. This Pinot Noir from Adelaide Hills, is a great example of really well-made Australian Pinot. It has the perfect balance between rich, red fruit flavours and more serious savoury characteristics. It has a long, juicy finish and exudes quality that would put many a more expensive Pinot to shame.
If you are a Pinot Noir fan, you can drink this with just about anything (I do), but it goes particularly well with Baron Bigod!
Three Lions Pinot Noir, Plantagenet
Herdade Sao Miguel Tinto
This is a family run winery, in the heart of Redondo, in the Alentejo region, with a deep love and understanding of the viticultural heritage of their region. Alexandre Relvas started in 1997, and his two sons Alexandre Jr and António now run the show, ably supported by Head Winemaker Nuno Franco.
Herdade São Miguel is the original, flagship estate which comprises 35 Ha of vineyard as well as Cork forest and olive groves and a heathy flock of Merino sheep.
A blend that changes slightly each year, the last few vintages of this wine have been on fire. Beautifully defined dark fruit (there always seems to be a generous lick of cassis in this wine, even when the Cabernet component is actually quite modest), just a frame of toasty oak (although that roasted Alentejo character amalgamates with that too), and just enough Alicante crunch to keep it all fresh and energetic.
Older vintages are still drinking well, and with the improvements in this great value wine, there's no reason more recent vintages won't last even longer.
A great wine for a hearty roast or BBQ.
Lavradores de Feitoria Tinto
Grapes - Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca
Lavradores de Feitoria is a unique project, created in 2000. Resulting from the union of owners of 18 Quintas spread throughout the best terroirs in the 3 sub-regions of the Douro region (Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo and Douro Superior). Together, they have a total area of vineyard of more than 600 ha.
The aim was to show the best of what the Douro can offer and to offer great value; this wine really sums up the Douro for me.
A typical Douro blend of grapes offers real character, and the modern winemaking creates a smooth rich wine. Together, we have a wine of great balance and finesse.
Goes well with grilled meats and vegetables and can handle a bit of spice!
Primitivo, Cantele
Papa Figos, Ferreirinha
35% Tinta Roriz , 30% Tinta Barroca, 20% Touriga Franca, 15% Touriga Nacional
This historic producer, founded 1952, was the first in the Douro dedicated to producing light wines rather than Fortified wines. They make some great examples of the Douro at prices that are truly great value.
A modern example of Douro light wine showcasing the fresh, vibrant fruit and fine, balanced structure that can be achieved with careful grape selection from some of the finest vineyards in the region. A great wine to have in the house; everyone will love it and great to open any time you just fancy a 'nice glass of red'.
Gran Passione Rosso, Veneto, Italy
Made from partially dried Corvina and Merlot grapes in the Veneto region of North-East Italy, this wine certainly delivers a lot of ‘bang for your buck’! Like a baby Amarone, this has buckets of rich, intense dark fruit flavours with a long, lingering. Very smooth and very comforting… great with hearty dishes, especially game and perfect with strong cheeses such as Vintage Lincolnshire Poacher and Stilton from Cropwell Bishop.
Ciconia Tinto, Casa Relvas
Touriga Nacional, Syrah, Aragonez plus others.. The Alentejo region of Portugal (North of the Algarve), produces some of the county's best value wines. This is a great example from Alexandre Relvas Jr and his team at Casa Relvas. It is rich and juicy blend with a long smooth finish, that tastes much more expensive than it is. Perfect for BBQ's and a really versatile wine to have on hand, complementing pizza, meaty pasta, pork chops...
Chateau Bellecroix
Château Bellecroix has a long and rich history dating back to the late 1800's. It was purchased in the 1970’s by owner of Château Haut Calens, Albert Yung. Albert has since embarked upon a programme of modernising the entire estate, replanting the vineyards and rebuilding the winery and cellars. Located on the right bank of the Garonne, the clay and gravel soils are ideal for growing Merlot and Cabernet. The 35 acres of vines average 25 years of age and yield healthy, richly flavoured grapes. This wine from the superb 2015 vintage is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. It's a silky-textured, medium bodied Bordeaux with blackcurrants, black cherry, violets and a hint of Cedar box. Finely balanced by lively acidity and smooth tannins.
Great value Claret! Goes with roast beef and lamb of course...
‘Hecula’ Monastrell, Castano, Yecla
Based in Yecla, Familia Castaño is known for its huge efforts to promote one of Spain’s native varieties: Monastrell. Castaño embodies the best of what southern Spain has to offer, producing rich, warm-climate wines, with almost Syrah-like complexity, which overdeliver in terms of value year after year. Castaño began bottling characterful, single-varietal Monastrell in the 1980s, when the variety was used exclusively for bulk wines and blending. Today, in the expert hands of Daniel Castaño and his family, the variety maintains high quality even at moderate to generous yields. 80% of the family’s 600 hectares of vineyards are dedicated to Monastrell, with smaller plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Macabeo and Chardonnay among others.
This is a big, rich, full-bodied wine made from the Monastrell grape in the Yecla region of south west Spain. Really over-delivers for the price; so tasty! Has always been one of our favourites, and now it's certified organic! Win Win
A great steak wine, but also just one of the best all-round wines on the market. Seriously good.
Borgo Selene Nero d’Avola/Nerello Mascalese
This wine is made and blended by Alberto Antonini at the Curatolo Arini family winery near Marsala in Sicily. A great winemaker and a great winery - the quality is clearly evident.
‘Borgo Selene’ takes its name from the Greek goddess of the moon, illustrating the influence that the Greeks, who brought the vine to Sicily, have had on the Mediterranean’s largest island.
A great all-rounder; soft enough for easy, party glugging but with good depth and interest.