Red Wine
2007 Geyserville, Ridge Vineyards, Santa Cruz
Ridge is California's most revered winery. Based on the high Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains (site of a former winery dating back to 1885), and at Lytton Springs in Sonoma County, it has been impeccably managed by proponent of ecologically sustainable viticulture Paul Draper (winner of innumerable 'Winemaker of the Year' titles) since 1969. Geyserville is a magnificent, Zinfandel-based blend, from century-old vines, with dense, spicy black cherry and blackberry (read more)
Our Price: £29.00
2008 Grenache, Camplazens, Vin De Pays D'oc
Camplazens means Camp of Pleasure, a spontaneous military Bacchanal that erupted whenever Roman troops camped on the vine-clad limestone outcrop of La Clape near Narbonne. In 2000, hedonistic English ex-pats Susan and Peter Close followed the legionnaires lead, acquiring their dream seaview vineyard set among herb-scented scrubland (garrigue). Organic viticulture and low yields are the order of the day at this idyllic estate. Their début Grenache was highly praised by Decanter. "Seductive and sexy nose - almost in a Burgundian Pinot fashion. Very dense fruit on the palate but in a well-balanced way." Wine & Spirit, Ma... (read more)
Our Price: £6.00
2006 Masetto Nero, Endrizzi
Subjects of the Austro-Hungarian empire, the Endrici (Endrizzi in local dialect) family arrived in northern Italy in 1885 and established a formidable estate at the foot of the Dolomites in the now coveted Saint Michele All'Adige region. They've been making Cabernet in Trentino for four generations; this, from their Masetto vineyard, was aged in large oak barrels and is fresh and elegant, with peppery, red fruit flavours. Try it as an aperitif, with fish or mild cheeses. (read more)
Our Price: £14.00
2007 Chianti Classico, Castello Di Volpaia
Volpaia is the touchstone by which all other Tuscan wines are judged. There's a refinement and simplicity about their Chianti which owes much the altitude of this ancient estate and the talented personalities involved: Giovanella Stanti, husband Carlo Mascheroni and eminent consultant oenologist Maurizio Castelli. This fine vintage is substantial yet elegant with appetising aromas of plums, raspberries, red cherries and chestnuts. Delicious with meaty pasta dishes. (read more)
Our Price: £13.00
2008 Les Demoiselles De Falfas
'Gouleyant' - the pleasing French word for 'gulpable' - and this is as gulpable a claret as you'll find. Made from the fruit of young, biodynamic Merlot and Cabernet vines, it gives immediate pleasure with its unrestrained, silky red fruit flavours. John and Véronique Cochran, whose vines spread out from their 14th century château (once home to the lords of Lansac, faithful to the English Crown) in the Gironde's 'little Switzerland' have won praise from the 'Revue des Vins du France'. (read more)
Our Price: £9.00
2006 Mas De Gourgonnier, Les Baux De Provence
Appetising aromas of Provençal herbs (bay leaves; thyme); generous black cherry and raspberry flavours. Mas de Gourgonnier is a star of Les Baux de Provence, a sleepy little appellation south of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. At their 100% certified organic vineyard, amid aromatic herb-scented scrubland ('garrigue') in the ancient hamlet of Mouriés, Luc and Lucienne Cartier consistently produce wines to challenge the finest from Rhône and Bordeaux. (read more)
Our Price: £8.00
2005 Tobelos, Rioja Crianza, Bodegas La Encina
If you're travelling into Rioja from the north, 'La Encina' (named after the estate's century old oak tree), with its striking, minimalist cellar, is the first bodega you'll encounter. It's closely followed by elite outfits Rioja Alta, Muga and Cune. Encina's debut 2002 vintage instantly placed them among the elite, a relief after vast expenditure on 1,200 American barrels. Oak-aged for 12 months, this velvety Tempranillo/Garnacha has rich aromas of blackberries, vanilla and spice. (read more)
Our Price: £11.00
2005 ChÂTeau Langoa Barton, St Julien, 2eme Cru Classe
The 05 vintage must be rated as one of the top three in the last 25 years. We re-tasted this wine in January alongside 150+ other clarets from the same year and it outshone many grander names and certainly ranks as one of the best buys of the vintage. Drink from 2020. (read more)
Our Price: £48.00
2007 The Adnams Selection Cotes Du Rhone 'La Truel', F. Zobel
Choosing the supplier for our own Côtes du Rhône was no easy matter. We found that vital spark of real character in the hands of a one-man-band. Frederic Zobel took over the running of the family vineyards in 1998, converted to organic viticulture, built his own winery, found a list of merchants and started 'phoning them. It is Frederic's personal involvement at every level that has produced a wine that we think of as a classic of its region - every inch a good Rhône red. Choosing the supplier for our own Côtes du Rhône was no easy matter. We found that vital spark of real character in the hands of a o... (read more)
Our Price: £7.00
2006 St. Aubin 'Les Frionnes', Domaine Henri Prudhon
A riposte to flashy New World styles, this straightforward, honest red Burgundy displays classic smoky, autumnal aromas and soft red fruit flavours. Suits mushrooms and game. Henri Prudhon and son Gerard are hard-grafting journeymen (and mayors, in their turn) in the village of St-Aubin, to the west of glorified Chassagne. Of their 7 hectares of Pinot, the St-Aubin premier cru 'Les Frionnes' produces the fruitiest, earliest bottled reds, aged in oak mere months. A riposte to flashy New World styles, this straightforward, honest red Burgundy displays classic smoky, autumnal aromas and soft red fruit flavours. Suits mushrooms and gam... (read more)
Our Price: £15.00
2005 ChÂTeau De Beau Rivage Bordeaux Superieur
This 55 hectare property belongs to the Dourthe family, one of the great winemaking dynasties of Bordeaux. Situated south east of Bordeaux opposite the Graves region, the gravel and chalk soils of this property produce richly flavoured grapes, whose wine is matured for 14 months in oak casks before bottling. The result is a classic junior claret. This 55 hectare property belongs to the Dourthe family, one of the great winemaking dynasties of Bordeaux. Situated south east of Bordeaux opposite the Graves region, the gravel and chalk soils of this property produce richly flavoured grapes, whose wine is matured for 14 months in oak casks befor... (read more)
Our Price: £6.00
2006 Syrah, The John Forrest Collection, Gimblett Gravels
The Collection wines offer elegance and intensity. This is a sumptuous, full-bodied Syrah with a rich complexity characterised by this unique region. The Collection wines offer elegance and intensity. This is a sumptuous, full-bodied Syrah with a rich complexity characterised by this unique region. (read more)
Our Price: £16.00
2008 Pinot Noir, Forrest Estate, Marlborough
Leaving behind careers in medicine and molecular biology, Doctors John and Brigid Forrest established Forrest Estate in Marlborough's stony Wairau River Valley in 1989. This cheery pair won a coup at their first vintage, scooping a trophy at NZ's national wine awards. This inviting Pinot Noir offers aromas of sweet, dried cranberries and warm earth, and a beautifully fresh palate of ripe red summer fruits. John Forrest drinks it with quail risotto. Leaving behind careers in medicine and molecular biology, Doctors John and Brigid Forrest established Forrest Estate in Marlborough's stony Wairau River Valley in 1989. This cheery p... (read more)
Our Price: £10.00
2007 Pinot Noir, Juniper Crossing, Margaret River
Juniper Estate's winemaker Mark Messenger crafts this wine using parcels of estate-grown fruit as well as that sourced from friends and neighbours in and around Margaret River's Wilyabrup region. Such 'Crossing' gives rise to extra depth and complexity. Juniper Estate's winemaker Mark Messenger crafts this wine using parcels of estate-grown fruit as well as that sourced from friends and neighbours in and around Margaret River's Wilyabrup region. Such 'Crossing' gives rise to extra depth and complexity. (read more)
Our Price: £9.00
2006 Juniper Crossing Cabernet/Merlot, Margaret River
Want to get your elderly relatives singing over Sunday lunch? This super-ripe Cabernet / Merlot, with its cassis-rich plum and blackcurrant fruit flavours ought to do the trick. Pour liberally, in the company of a lamb roast. Juniper Estate sits next to exalted Margaret River estates Cullens and Vasse Felix on the gravelly loams of Wilyabrup Creek. Winemaker Mark Messenger was headhunted from Cape Mentelle and is doing truly great things (like making your grandmother sing). Want to get your elderly relatives singing over Sunday lunch? This super-ripe Cabernet / Merlot, with its cassis-rich plum and blackcurrant fruit flavours ought to do t... (read more)
Our Price: £11.00
2008 Gamay, 'Les Collines', Domaine De La Bergerie
Jacky Marteau's 'Domaine de la Bergerie' occupies some of Touraine's most enviable sites: south-facing, pebble-and-flint slopes beside the River Cher. Quality is paramount: low yields are encouraged by growing grass between vine rows, pruning is radical and leaves are plucked in summer to let the sunshine through. Jacky's rare plot of Beaujolais grape Gamay produces this delightful red, full of rich, silky raspberry flavour. Great with Suffolk ham. Jacky Marteau's 'Domaine de la Bergerie' occupies some of Touraine's most enviable sites: south-facing, pebble-and-flint slopes beside the River Cher. Quality... (read more)
Our Price: £5.00
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cecilia, Central Valley
Chile's Central Valley lies just to the south of the capital, Santiago and spreads out along the banks of the river Maipo. The Central valley is, in effect, a subdivision of the Maipo Valley whose vineyards are situated on the rocky alluvial soils of the valley floor. The climate is warm rather than hot and well suited to making easily accessible and appealingly fruity reds and fresh, grapey whites. (read more)
Our Price: £4.00
2009 Rose Santa Cecilia , Central Valley
Chile's Central Valley lies just to the south of the capital, Santiago and spreads out along the banks of the river Maipo. The Central Valley is, in effect, a subdivision of the Maipo Valley whose vineyards are situated on the rocky alluvial soils of the valley floor. The climate is warm rather than hot and well suited to making easily accessible and appealingly fruity reds and fresh, grapey whites. Chile's Central Valley lies just to the south of the capital, Santiago and spreads out along the banks of the river Maipo. The Central Valley is, in effect, a subdivision of the Maipo Valley whose vineyards are situated on the rocky al... (read more)
Our Price: £4.00
2008 Trincadeira, Villa Santa, Joao Portugal Ramos, Alentejo
Jao Portugal Ramos is a one man dynamo who has created a subtantial winery, some 250 hectares of his own vineyards with even more under contract, in the Alentejo that is one of the benchmarks of Portuguese wines. Innovative yet mindful of good traditions his winery is a place where curiously novel methods of extracting more colour in his his wines stand alongside old fashioned foot treading lagars. (read more)
Our Price: £9.00
2008 Montepulciano D'abruzzo,Taverna Nova, Roxan,
Chianti without the price tag? Wines from Abruzzo, on the other side of Italy from Tuscany, offer great flavour per £. Dynamic Donato Ranieri, head of Abruzzo's leading co-operative, Roxan, has done much to raise the profile of this overlooked region. From his Rosciano HQ, he oversees the vinification of fruit from around 700 growers, who have obediently lowered yields in pursuit of higher quality. Enjoy the warm, spicy cherry fruit in this robust, earthy wine with rich red meat dishes. Chianti without the price tag? Wines from Abruzzo, on the other side of Italy from Tuscany, offer great flavour per £. Dynamic Donato Ranie... (read more)
Our Price: £7.00
2008 Pinot Noir, Castle Rock, Central Coast, California
The producer, Castle Rock, is a moveable feast! This is not one man and his winery but a concept created by founder Greg Popovitch and consultant winemaker August Briggs to scour America's west coast from Washington down to Monterey in order to seek out patches of top quality fruit at best value and make their wines in the rented corner of some local cellar. The results are impressive. (read more)
Our Price: £13.00
2006 Quinta De Foz De Arouce, Beiras
Jao Portugal Ramos is a one man dynamo who has created a substantial winery, some 250 hectares of his own vineyards with even more under contract, in the Alentejo that is one of the benchmarks of Potuguese wines. Innovative yet mindful of good traditions his winery is a place where curiously novel methods of getting more colour into his wines stand alongside old fashioned foot treading lagars. This wine comes from the Beiras region and the property of his father in law. They use the local Baga grape and Jao oversees all elements of viticulture and production. (read more)
Our Price: £11.00
2005 Sangiovese/Shiraz 'Contour 4', Coriole, Mc Laren Vale
The McLaren Vale is unique in boasting a very high percentage of pre-phyloxera vineyards. The Lloyd family set up Coriole estate in 1967 and the sons of the family, Hugh and Paul, are now running the business. Shiraz is what they, and the rest of the valley, major on but since the mid-nineties they have planted Sangiovese extensively believing that the texture of this grape is a perfect match with the power of Shiraz. (read more)
Our Price: £10.00
2006 ChÂTeau Crecy, Half Bottle
Every so often we find a lowly claret that punches above its weight and strive to give it the wider exposure it deserves. Few contenders for our basic everyday Bordeaux crown have held our attention as forcefully as this delicious wine from Monsieur Vincendeau's 16 hectare property in the Entre-Deux-Mers. An unoaked blend of destemmed Merlot (70%) and Cabernet Franc, traditionally vinified, it offers soft blackcurrant fruit and an attractive earthy finish. (read more)
Our Price: £3.00
2007 Nero D'avola Igt, Bruno Fina
Bruno Fina spent the 1990's running Sicily's experimental cellar at Alcamo, applying radical techniques to Sicilian varieties in pursuit of their true vocation. He advised growers making plantings - so he knows where the best grapes are, and what they can do. His cellar, near Erice, was ready for the superb 2005 vintage. Nero d'Avola is also known as Calabrese, given its apparent origins in Calabria. Big, rich blackberry and dark cherry flavours make this a great wine for game. (read more)
Our Price: £9.00
2006 Rioja, Semi Crianza, Usoa De Bagordi (Organic)
Warm red fruit flavours mix with a touch of spice on a smooth, well-structured palate. Lovely with warming stews or with fine cuts of beef. (read more)
Our Price: £9.00
2008 Navardia, Bodegas Bagordi,Rioja
The town of Andosilla, at Rioja's northern edge, has prospered by its proximity to vineyards set among the fertile plains of the rivers Ebro and Ega in the beautiful valley of Baztan. Bodegas Bagordi was born of the enthusiasm of several local grapegrowers who united in 1995 to produce organic wines. Their success is evident in releases like this classic Tempranillo . Spicy, toasty aromas, rich, warm red fruit flavours and a smooth, oaky finish. (read more)
Our Price: £6.00
2007 Syrah, Castle Rock, Russian River Valley, California
The producer, Castle Rock, is a moveable feast! This is not one man and his winery but a concept created by founder Greg Popovitch and consultant winemaker August Briggs to scour America's west coast from Washington down to Monterey in order to seek out patches of top quality fruit at best value and make their wines in the rented corner of some local cellar. The results are impressive. (read more)
Our Price: £11.00
2006 Petite Sirah, Castle Rock, Russian River Valley, California
Petite Sirah is also known as Durif but both are equally as unknown as each other. The producer, Castle Rock, is a moveable feast! This is not one man and his winery but a concept created by founder Greg Popovitch and consultant winemaker August Briggs to scour America's west coast from Washington down to Monterey in order to seek out patches of top quality fruit at best value and make their wines in the rented corner of some local cellar. The results are impressive. (read more)
Our Price: £11.00
2008 Urban, Tempranillo, Bodegas O.Fournier, Mendoza
Madrid-based banker José Manuel Ortega Gil-Fournier evidently hasn't lacked for liquidity or acuity over the past decade. Adding to his Robert Parker-praised cellar in Ribera del Duero, he commissioned a winery in Mendoza's Uco Valley, long before new neighbours Concha Y Toro realised its virtues. Local architects Eliana Bórmida and Mario Yanzón made use of gravity by installing ramps that feed harvests skywards (giving the place the look of a gigantic beetle). (read more)
Our Price: £8.00