2021 Carte d’Or, Baumard, AC Coteaux du Layon, Half Bottle

Chenin Blanc

The Carte d'Or Coteaux du Layon from Baumard has a very attractive honeyed nose, with lifted yellow fruits and more golden tropical elements such as mango, guava and pineapple. It has a particularly tropical character and a very fresh feel on the palate, with steely minerality and a zippy background acidity giving invigorating tartness to keep the wine luscious and buoyant. The rounded, approachable finish has good length.

£13.95

2019 Soli Merlot, Thracian Valley, Eduardo Miroglio

Merlot

The Soli Merlot is amazing value and drinks beautifully.  Bramble, baked plums and herbal tinges are supported by notes of tobacco giving a wine which is both plush and rounded, and immensely enjoyable to drink.   

£12.95

2020 Morgon Cote de Py, Domaine Grange Cochard

Gamay

The Morgon Cote de Py is a wonderful example of hand crafted Cru Beaujolais from the prestigious Cote de Py plateau.  Made with organically grown, hand harvested grapes from a mixture of Granite and blue stone soils, the wine is made in the traditional semi-carbonic method with 2/3rds of the bunches being de-stemmed and 1/3rd left whole.  The wine is matured in a mixture of cask and old barrels and bottled with minimal sulphur without fining.  The result is a wonderfully complex wine that is expressive yet elegant and finely balanced.  Dark fruits and kirsch like characters mingle with dried herbs, liquorice and mineral undertones along with finely poised acidity which helps the wine remain focussed.  Delicious in it's youth, the Cote de Py also shows great ageing potential in the medium term and will continue to develop in complexity.

£21.95

2020 Cabernet Franc Seleccion, Bodegas Rio Del Elorza, Mendoza

Cabernet Franc

The Verum Cabernet Franc Seleccion, Bodegas Rio Del Elorza has classic elements on the nose including wild strawberry, blackberry, pencil shavings and a hint of blackcurrant leaf.  Lovely ripe fruits with a hint of stalky/vegetal character but not too much greenness, instead offering more body and depth of fruit and a slight touch of herbal mint. The full-bodied palate is elegant with firm tannins but a vital balancing acidity. Cedar notes show from the use of French oak and the finish is dominated by bright red fruit and mocha spice.

£21.95