2020/21 Riesling Feinherb,Weingut Thorle,Rheinhessen

Riesling

The Riesling Feinherb fromWeingut Thorle is a beautifully poised off-dry style of Riesling with a bright yellow colour. The bouquet offers up scents of peaches and apples, limestone and a touch of wild yeasts.  On the palate the wine is medium-bodied with fine intensity of flavour, bright acidity, nice focus and a complex finish.

£15.95

2021 Alion, Tempos Vega Sicilia, D.O. Ribera del Duero

Tempranillo

The vintage released in 2025 is the 2021 Alión, a year to remember, one of the best in recent times; it was relaxed and textbook in all senses, with snow in the beginning of the year, a mild spring disturbed only by frost in Pesquera that didn't affect other villages, a relatively cool summer that slowed things down, and the grapes ripened to perfection without rain after September. They used grapes from 13 different villages throughout the Ribera del Duero, 130 hectares. The grapes are cooled down for 24 hours, and once destemmed, they are put in the oak and stainless steel vats, where they undergo a five-day cold soak and then native fermentation through a "pied de cuve." It has 14.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.81 and 4.8 grams of acidity (tartaric). It's very fresh and fruit-driven, with the balance and elegance of the cooler years, a little austere, with very elegant and polished tannins and a different quality, when the grapes ripen slowly. They believe 2024 has the potential to be like 2021, after the 2022 and 2023 vintages were a lot more challenging. It was bottled in June 2023. Drink 2025-2040.

£95.00

2021 Cabernet Franc, Butussi, DOC Friuli Colli Orientali

Cabernet Franc

The Butussi Cabernet Franc has a fabuous, expressive nose of dark fruits and typical Cab Franc vegetal/herbaceous notes.  The palate is full with fine grained tannins beautifully integrated with rich blackcurrant fruit notes and fresh acidity from the high altitude vineyards.  This delicious wine is great for drinking now but wil continue to age gracefully for a few years to come. 

£23.95

2021 Chianti Riserva ‘Vigna la Sughera’, Fattoria di Calappiano

Sangiovese

The Fattoria di Calappiano Chianti Riserva Vigna la Sughera is made with 100% Sangiovese from a perfectly sited organic vineyard 150 metres above sea level in Montalbano.  Fermented in stsainless steel, then aged in French oak for 14 months, and a further 12 in bottle, this impressive Chianti has an elegant nose of red berries, subtle spices and smokey undertones complimented by pretty floral notes. The palate is rich yet dynamic with lots of juicy red fruits, savoury notes and a long, balanced finish showing more spice and smokey notes.

£35.00

2021 Cinquenta Red, Domaine Rogue, Applegate Valley, Oregon

Red Blend

The Cinquenta Red is a superbly knit blend of estate grown Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drinking beautifully, this wine has a complex nose of red cherry, boysenberry and minerals. Elegantly rich on the palate, this medium-full bodied red has plenty of dark fruits notes with subtle wisps of cocoa and coffee.  The finish is delicate and marked by elegance and finesse.

£32.00

2021 Clos Roareti Rosso Veronese, Rizzardi, IGT

Merlot

The Clos Roareti from Rizzardi is an amazing 100% Merlot from the single 2 hectare walled Rovereti (Roareti in local dialect) vineyard in Negrar, Valpolicella.  The inviting nose opens with plum, blackberry and wild berry fruit, hints of aromatic herbs, tobacco and warm toast.  The silky, mouth-coating palate is rounded and rich with plush ripe fruits and wonderful freshness. Blackberry, Damson and wild berry fruits mingle on the palate with spicy notes and more savoury characters.  The finish is long and complimented by balsamic notes, polished tannins and well balanced acidity.  Truly delicious and one to stash away for a while. 

£29.95

2021 Gamaret Garanoir Expression, Cave De La Cote Uvavins

Gamaret Garanoir

Grown on the northern shores of Lake Geneva this wonderful blend of Gamaret and Garanoir provides something a little different for the curious drinker.  Medium-bodied yet with an underlying power, there's an almost exotic fruit character with blueberry, dark cherry and blackberry too. Quite mellow tannins are mingled with smokey spice on the well balanced finish.  This is such a versatile wine and can certainly take a bit of chilling down in the summer months.  It's also great with food and can even handle a fiery curry!

£29.50

2021 Lioco Mendocino Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir

The Lioco Mendocino Pinot Noir is made up of grapes from different vineyard sites in Mendocino.  The vintage was characterised by drought resulting in concentrated grapes that packed bold fruit.  Notes of black raspberry and violet mingle with fresher red fruits and wild coastal berries.  Exuberant, open and a pure joy to drink, this delicious Pinot Noir is fermented in open top fermenters, with 10% whole bunch clusters, and regular punch downs over two weeks.  Following fermentation the wine is then aged in a mixture of Neutral French oak and steel for 8 months. 

£34.00

2021 Macan Clasico, Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia, Rioja

Tempranillo

The Macan Clasico is made with 100% Tempranillo from prime vineyard sites in the heart of Rioja. This joint venture between two of the wine world's greatest names showcases the very best of Rioja.  The wine spends 15 months in mostly new very fine and fine grained French oak barrels, the remainder ages in one year old barrels, before resting in bottle until it's release (Spring 2025).

£54.00

2021 Montagny Les Macles, Domaine Berthenet, AC Montagny

Chardonnay

This wonderful Montagny is fairly restrained on the nose but the palate is beautifully poised with a terrific balance of rich, ripe fruit and perfectly poised acidity.

£29.95

2021 Pinot Grigio delle Venezie ‘La Luna Gaia’, Casa Girelli

Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio

If you are looking for a great Pinot Grigio from Veneto at an attractive price, this is the perfect choice.  This wine has a very pale straw colour with pale green highlights. The nose is fresh and clean with citrus fruit and green apple. In the mouth the wine is soft, fresh with lovely mouthfeel and good length. 

£9.45

2021 Reserve du Couvent, Chateau Ksara, Bekaa Valley

Red Blend

The Reserve du Couvent from Chateau Ksara is a great value, approachable red from Lebanon's oldest winery.  The Gallic influence extends to both Bordeaux and the Rhone Valley, with 40% Syrah being blended with 30% each of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc.  The result is an approachable, medium to full-bodied red that shows dark cherry and blackberry fruit laced with savoury black pepper spice and a soft lik of vanilla.  Charismatic and great value.

£18.95

2021 Ribeiro Blanco, Mauro Estevez, DO Ribeiro

White Blend

Distinctly Ribeiro, this wonderful wine is elegant and fresh but with a lovely depth courtesy of the lees ageing.  Honeyed and floral with great precision, this fabulous dry white has thirst quenching savoury notes on the long, balanced and classy finish. 

£21.00

2021 Sancerre La Pente, Emile Balland

Sauvignon Blanc

This tiny 6.5 hectare domaine in the Loire was started by Emile Balland in 1999. The Ballands have been making wines in the Loire since 1650 and his father was instrumental in achieving recognition for the young AOC Coteaux du Giennois in the 1980s.The La Pente is a first class Sancerre and the pinnacle of Emile' production.  It comes from vines are grown on Emile's finest sites in the limestone soil of Beauregard, and he only uses the first juice from the pressing is used. After a careful fermentation, the wine is matured for large barrels for 18 months to develop complexityWonderful, textured Sancerre showing restrained tropical fruits, fine minerality and a wonderful length on the finish.

£42.00

2021 Soli Pinot Noir, Eduardo Miroglio, Thrace

Pinot Noir

This stunning value Pinot Noir has beautiful scents of red currant coulis with tinges of crunchy autumn leaves, woodsmoke, orange oil and clove, with very fine acidity. 

£15.95

2021 Soli Rouge, Edouardo Miroglio, Thracian Valley

Bordeaux Blend

The Soli Rouge is a superb value Bordeaux style blend from an exciting and innovative winery in Bulgaria.  Beautifully balanced with ripe red and dark fruits, good structure and impeccable finish.

£14.95

2021 Trastullo Inzolia, Terre Siciliane IGT

Inzolia

The Trastullo Inzolia is a crisp, fresh and lifted white from Sicily.  Bright, perky and light, this zesty white is perfect summer drinking.  Enjoy as an aperitif or with seafoods and salads.

£11.95

2021 Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore, Ca dei Maghi

Red Blend

The grapes for this amazing Valpolicella Ripasso come from the Camparsi vineyard in Fumane.  Effectively a single 'Cru' wine, this enticing Valpolicella shows a delectable balance of freshness and elegance along with the power and structure courtesy of the addition of Amarone.  The nose is inviting with notes of rosehip, violets and red fruits, leading to a silky, mouthfilling palate and long, elegant finish with polished tannins.

£29.95

2021 Vanedda Bianco, Agricola Cortese, IGP Sicilia

Catarratto

The Vanedda Bianco from Agricola Cortese is made from an organic blend of Catarratto and Grillo co-fermented on their skins in old 30 litre Slavonian Oak Botti to give structure and phenolics.  Fresh, tropical tinged aromas leap from the glass.  There's a beautiful richness on the palate which boasts depth and structure underpinned by clean, crisp acidity. 

£19.95

2021/22 Brachetto d’Acqui, Giacomo Bologna, Half Bottle

Brachetto

The Braida Brachetto d'Acqui is a semi-sparkling (frizzante) red sweet wine with a bright ruby colour. The nose is youthful and exuberant and bursts with aromas of red fruits like wild strawberry, raspberry & grape. The palate surprises with its fresh, refined and mineral notes, freshened by crisp acidity and fine, elegant fizz. The fruity notes are complemented by subtle hints of violet and rose.

£12.95

2021/22 Trousseau ‘Marnes Rouge’, AC Cotes de Jura

Trousseau

Domaine Badoz are 10th Generation vignerons in the hilly Revermont area of Jura.  Benoit is the current Badoz to be at the helm and, since 2003, has really got to grips with the vineyards and wine range.  This delicious Trousseau is wonderfully elegant with soft red fruits, a velvety texture and fresh finish courtesy of the alpine nature of the vineyards. 

£29.95

2021/23 Di Meno Catarratto, Normanno, IGT Terre Siciliane

Catarratto

The Di Meno is made with predominantly Catarratto plus a smattering of other indigenous Italian grape varieties.  It is a deliciously refreshing, minimal intervention white which shows citrus and tropical fruit notes.  There is some skin contact involved which gives a thirst quenching edge and some added depth and texture but none of the funkiness often assosciated with orange wines. 

£12.95

2022 ‘Balbino’ Vermentino Di Maremma Terenzi

Vermentino

This family creates wines with a personality, respecting the territory with such competence and care that it is really expressed in the end product.

£28.00

2022 ‘Les Chirats’ Syrah/Viognier, Aurelien Chirat, VDF

Syrah Blend

The Les Chirats Syrah/Viognier is a wonderfully floral and elegant blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Viognier from vineyards around Saint Joseph.  The practice of adding a small proportion of Viognier to Syrah is common in Cote Rotie and helps to add softness and aromatics to the Syrah from this part of the Northern Rhone.  This wonderfully friendly and approachable red wine is fermented on Condrieu lees which gives the wine even more aromatics. Enticing blue and black fruits on the nose are joined on the palate by more savoury leathery notes and hints of peppery spice.  The mineral-tinged finish is finely poised showing evidence of the granite soils.   

£18.95