Latest Releases
Prices:
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Tuscany | 1 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£278.44 |
|||||
Vinous (96)An exquisite wine, Le Cinciole's 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Aluigi Campo ai Peri is immediately seductive. More than anything else, I admire the purity and delineation here. Sweet pipe tobacco, cedar, mint, rose petal and dried herbs are finely cut in this chiseled, vibrant Gran Selezione. Le Cinciole sets the standard. What a gorgeous wine this is. The 2019 spent two years in 25hL cask and a year in cement. |
|||||||||
|
|
Tuscany | 2 | 98 (WI) |
Inc. VAT
£529.24 |
|||||
The Wine Independent (98)The 2019 Le Macchiole Paleo included for the first time grapes from the Ulivino vineyard. This 2.7 ha vineyard, on the northern border of Bolgheri was planted in 2015. At 70 meters above sea level it is really a little hill, surrounded by forest and facing the sea. The Cabernet Franc is planted on an east/west exposure and Le Macchiole feel these grapes will add more power and freshness to the wine. It starts off with youthful, creamy, exotic spice and incense-like notes of oak, but underneath there is a lovely, leafy, raspberry note that is very distinctively Cabernet Franc. There is a beautiful, precise quality to the fruit, with dark berries, licorice, quinine notes and a very long finish. Like the 2016, this 2019 feels quite classical in style but it feels even more refined with firm but fine tannins. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 2 | 95-96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,331.09 |
|||||
James Suckling (95-96)The Petit Mouton is more and more structured and intense. It's made for the cellar. Full to medium body. Lively and intense. Solid. 71% cabernet sauvignon, 19% merlot, 7% cabernet franc, and 3% petit verdot. |
|||||||||
|
|
Tuscany | 1 | 97 (KO) |
Inc. VAT
£391.24 |
|||||
Kerin O'Keefe (97)The beautiful floral nose reveals violet and rose that mingle with perfumed berry and spicy notes. Juicy and savory, the linear palate is all about finesse and energy, delivering tart red cherry, strawberry compote, cinnamon and star anise framed in tense, refined tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2024–2033. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97-100 (JD) |
Inc. VAT
£666.89 |
|||||
Jeb Dunnuck (97-100)I was blown away by the 2022 Château Léoville Poyferré, which is a classic blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Harvest spanned from the 8th to the 28th of September, the vinification is in tronconique tanks (parcel by parcel), and the élevage will span 18-20 months in 80% new barrels. This inky hued beauty offers that rare mix of power and elegance and offers ample cassis and assorted blue fruits, full-bodied richness, an opulent, concentrated, yet flawlessly balanced mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and plenty of classic Saint-Julien violets, espresso roast, and crushed stone-like minerality. Despite its incredible concentration and depth, it stays beautifully balanced. In a region that seems to only talk about finesse and elegance, it's a relief to still have producers such as this producing powerful, intense, singular wines. Hats off to the Cuvelier family and their team. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,197.64 |
|||||
James Suckling (95)Juicy and spicy with fresh tobacco, redcurrants and crushed stone character. Medium to full body. Medium velvety tannins and a delicious finish. Will age beautifully as well. Better after 2026. |
|||||||||
|
|
Cape South Coast | 1 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£268.84 |
|||||
Vinous (96)The 2022 Chardonnay Reserve comprises fruit from the Greyton homestead, which is oxidatively handled and fermented for 11 months in 500-liter barrels (25% new). After swirling to address the reduction, it reveals concentrated scents of dried honey, melted candle wax, orange blossom and a touch of grilled walnut. The palate is well-balanced with mineral-infused, slightly tropical fruit: quince and hints of guava that merge into a more mineral-driven taut finish. Quite a multi-faceted Chardonnay, this will age with style and panache. If that Corton-Charlemagne is a bit over-priced…and it probably is…then you know where to come. |
|||||||||
|
|
Rioja | 8 | 95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£358.84 |
|||||
James Suckling (95)A traditional beauty that effuses iron, warm earth and savory tobacco leaves, together with plums, spices and orange zest. This is juicy and still tight, with firm but savory tannins. Medium-weight and quite zesty in texture, as is the case with the other López de Heredia reds tasted this session. Drink now or hold. |
|||||||||
|
|
Champagne | 4 | - |
Inc. VAT
£486.04 |
|||||
|
|
Tuscany | 1 | 99 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£585.64 |
|||||
James Suckling (99)Sophisticated aromas of lead pencil, graphite and blackcurrant. Hints of black olives and herbs, too. Full-bodied, yet tight and deep, with super precision and intensity to the tannins. Incredible balance of structure and finesse to this. Give it time in the cellar. Better after 2027. |
|||||||||
|
|
Navarra | 1 | 97 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£229.24 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (97)No 2017 was produced, so after the 2016 I tasted a while ago, we jump to the 2018 La Dama, vinified by Enrique Basarte and Elisa Úcar and blended and bottled by Raúl Pérez, the new owner of the project. They always look for a more delicate expression of Garnacha from selected stonier plots of old head-pruned and dry-farmed vines in the village of San Martín de Unx that are worked organically and biodynamically but are not certified. The wine is stunning, elegant and aromatic, with depth, complexity and grip. It's incredibly young and expressive and doesn't show its age at all; it has a refined nose and is quite fruit-driven and floral, with very integrated oak (like never before), supple flavors and very fine tannins. It has good ripeness and contained alcohol (13.8%) and good freshness and acidity (with a pH of 3.46 and 6.3 grams of tartaric). 10,000 bottles were filled in October 2022. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 98-99 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£892.49 |
|||||
James Suckling (98-99)Wow. Blackcurrants, blueberries, blackberries and flowers. Full-bodied with beautifully integrated tannins that melt into the wine. Persistent and precise. A fantastic wine for the cellar. 66% cabernet sauvignon, 28% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. |
|||||||||
|
|
Beaujolais | 10 | - |
Inc. VAT
£269.09 |
|||||
|
|
Rioja | 1 | 99 (WE) |
Inc. VAT
£419.09 |
|||||
Wine Enthusiast (99)Dark-garnet to the eye, this wine has a bouquet of black currant, bittersweet chocolate and almond blossom. It alights on the palate with flavors of blackberry, cassis, chocolate-covered espresso bean, violet and citrus zest. Energetic tannins power their way into a cherry-pie finish. Made with vines more than 30 years old, this wine is unfiltered; decant before serving and strain if necessary. Drink through 2045. |
|||||||||
|
|
Western Australia | 2 | 97 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£217.24 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (97)The warmer vintage here brings concentration, plushness and deliciousness into the mix. While the 2020 Burnside Vineyard Chardonnay doesn’t have all of the mineral detail that the 2019 does, it is incredibly vibrant. Very smart, people will love this. It has the phenolic chew and shape that bring drinking pleasure and add another dimension of experience. Burnside is generally my favorite vineyard in the trio of single-vineyard Chardonnays. |
|||||||||
|
|
Piedmont | 1 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£195.64 |
|||||
Vinous (93)The 2019 Bramaterra Salero presents an intensely floral, almost exotic side of Bramaterra. Sage, mint, lavender, rose petal, sweet dark cherry, licorice and spice are all beautifully lifted throughout. Light on its feet, but with plenty of punch, the 2019 hits all the right notes. The 2019 Solero is another gorgeous and super-expressive wine from Noah. |
|||||||||
|
|
Tuscany | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£139.24 |
|||||
|
|
South Australia | 1 | 95 (DC) |
Inc. VAT
£528.29 |
|||||
Decanter (95)Baby Grange gets its moniker as components of the blend are matured in the same barrels as the previous vintage of Grange. But with Cabernet Sauvignon the main player (53% in this vintage), it is more a Baby 707, especially as it always benefits from wine originally destined for that cuvée as well as Grange. A beauty of a beast, whose imposing tannin structure and abundantly ripe fruit need time. Powerful, inky blue and black berry fruits dominate the nose and palate, alongside bergamot freshness, earthy tapenade, exotic spices, iron filings and lots of black pepper. Coconut richness from 12 months in US oak hogsheads (37% new) and fine cocoa powder tannins add grip and linger long. Released at £71. |
|||||||||
|
|
South Australia | 3 | 96 (HWC) |
Inc. VAT
£596.69 |
|||||
Halliday Wine Companion (96)A multiregional wine matured in French (25% new) and American (12% new) oak for 12 months. It seems like cabernet sauvignon is uniformly very strong in this year's Penfolds releases. Here, Bin 407 shines – crimson in the glass with plush, varietally true characters of blackberry, mulberries and cassis with hints of fine spice, scattered herbs, tobacco leaf, dark chocolate, cigar box, licorice, bay leaf and cedar. Concentrated yet balanced and poised with a fine tannin framework and bright, energetic line finishing with grace and a sense of latent power. One for the long haul and a strong release. |
|||||||||
|
|
South Australia | 1 | 97 (HWC) |
Inc. VAT
£200.53 |
|||||
Halliday Wine Companion (97)2002 vines. Wigan is king of Eden Valley riesling and yet again one of the top releases of the year. Still a magnificent straw-green at just 5yo, it's at that magic moment where primary and secondary characters unite in equal measure. All the fresh lime and Granny Smith apple of youth, backed by rising buttery, spicy, roast almond maturity. Brilliant acid line charges an astonishing finish that lasts for 30 seconds. Yes, I timed it! For all it represents, this might just be the bargain of the year. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 98-100 (WI) |
Inc. VAT
£1,298.09 |
|||||
The Wine Independent (98-100)A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is deep garnet-purple in color. After a little coaxing, aromas of blackcurrant jelly, juicy plums, and wild blueberries waltz out of the glass, followed by nuances of red roses, damp soil, tar, and licorice. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound, with impressive tension created by mineral-laced, crunchy black fruit layers, framed by firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and savory. pH 3.8. |
|||||||||
|
|
Veneto | 2 | 94 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£280.84 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (94)Celebrating its 50th anniversary (1971-2021), the organic Pieropan 2021 Soave Classico Calvarino has a soft and richly textured side that is contrasted against the bright citrusy and mineral flavors that the Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave grapes are known for. This blend sees 70% of the first grape and 30% of the second, and the wine is aged in cement for up to 15 months. That's the special quality offered by Calvarino, a wine that is modern yet also rooted in local tradition. You get a lot of food-pairing potential out of this bottle, whether it be sushi or roasted chicken. Production is 70,000 bottles. |
|||||||||
|
|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£378.04 |
|||||
|
|
Tuscany | 1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£432.04 |
|||||
Vinous (95)Shavings of cedar, blood orange, crushed cherries, dried flowers and stone dust form a mesmerizing bouquet as the 2019 Rosso di Montalcino slowly opens in the glass. There are depths of ripe textural fruits here, offset by zesty spices and bright acidity that sweeten the expression while energizing it as well. A web of fine tannins coats the palate through the finish, coupled with a core of primary concentration and sweet inner florals that seem to never truly fade. What a glorious achievement from Poggio di Sotto. The 2019 spent a whopping 43 days macerating on the skins, followed by 29 months of refinement in cask. It’s undoubtedly a baby Brunello. |
|||||||||
|
|
Champagne | 2 | 17 (JR) |
Inc. VAT
£481.49 |
|||||
Jancis Robinson (17)Very tight, dense nose with some honey and orange notes on the palate. Already very drinkable with the acidity not especially noticeable, although presumably it will gain in aromatic complexity with bottle age. I found it less than enthralling when I first tasted it and gave it a score of 16.5 but when I was served a glass blind from my re-stoppered bottle a few days later, I was impressed. So is the lesson, don't rush your pleasures? |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 99-100 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£712.49 |
|||||
James Suckling (99-100)What a finish on this Pontet-Canet. So much energy and brightness. It's full-bodied yet so tight and focused with superb fruit and transparency. It is racy and fine with super fine texture. It's like crushed cabernet sauvignon with cassis, tobacco and cigar box. Licorice and spices. Freshness of the seed. 57% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, 4% cabernet franc, and 4% petit verdot. |
|||||||||
|
|
Piedmont | 1 | 95 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£253.24 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (95)The 2020 Barbaresco boasts an ample set of aromas with wild cherry, blue flower, sweet spice and crushed limestone. As always, the wine paints an exciting and authentic portrait of Nebbiolo, albeit with a little more richness and texture in this vintage. This is especially true in terms of the palate, where the wine offers mid-weight intensity with melting tannins. This ambitious release of 300,000 bottles is slated to hit the market in fall 2023. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 99 (GS) |
Inc. VAT
£433.24 |
|||||
Greg Sherwood MW (99)The MR de Compostella from Bruwer Raats and Mzokhona Mvemve possesses one of the most successful critical track records out of almost any red wine produced in South Africa let alone just in the Cape Bordeaux Blend category. The newest 2021 release astonishingly takes this wine to yet another higher niveau of quality with a blend of 26% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, 20% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Made from vines aged between 9 and 22 years old, all grown on deep decomposed dolomitic granite soils with table mountain sandstone, the aromatics are wonderfully bold and exuberant displaying seductive notes of blackberries, crème de cassis, violets, sweet cherry tobacco, black cherries and tart black plum. The lifted perfumed intensity is incredibly pure and piercing with salty liquorice, cedar spice and beautifully detailed maritime oyster shell nuances. In the mouth, the concentration and focused steely intensity is astounding – tart, bright and architecturally soaring, shaping this wine into a powerful, linear, multi-dimensional masterpiece. Packed full of salty cassis, tart plum and black currant, the tightly wound core of power, refined extraction and polished marble tannins leave you in no doubt that this harmonious, vibrant beauty is a spellbinding, timeless classic in the making. If you wanted just one wine to convince an international fine wine connoisseur of the true greatness of South Africa’s finest terroirs and winemaking, you have found your candidate! Simply an incredible wine. Drink this beauty from 2024 and savour over the next 30+ years. But you might need more than just one or two cases in your cellar!! |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 94 (TA) |
Inc. VAT
£152.44 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (94)In certain vintages, Cornerstone can be one of the best value wines in the Reyneke portfolio. Marrying Cabernet Franc with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, with maturation in 15% new wood, this no longer includes Merlot and is all the better for it. Graceful, granular and leafy, with caressing tannins, fine oak and bright plum and red berry flavours. |
|||||||||
|
|
Central Valley | 20 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£963.89 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)A fresh and discreet Almaviva with subtle pencil shavings and cigar box to the cassis and hints of chili chocolate and peppermint. Nuanced and subtle on the nose. This is medium-bodied and subtle on the palate with silky tannins in the seamless finish. Very long. 71% cabernet sauvignon, 22% carmenere, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Drinkable now, but it will take its time to deliver complexity. |
|||||||||
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Tuscany | 1 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
£216.00 |
|||||
Vinous (96)An exquisite wine, Le Cinciole's 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Aluigi Campo ai Peri is immediately seductive. More than anything else, I admire the purity and delineation here. Sweet pipe tobacco, cedar, mint, rose petal and dried herbs are finely cut in this chiseled, vibrant Gran Selezione. Le Cinciole sets the standard. What a gorgeous wine this is. The 2019 spent two years in 25hL cask and a year in cement. |
|||||||||
|
|
Tuscany | 2 | 98 (WI) |
In Bond
£425.00 |
|||||
The Wine Independent (98)The 2019 Le Macchiole Paleo included for the first time grapes from the Ulivino vineyard. This 2.7 ha vineyard, on the northern border of Bolgheri was planted in 2015. At 70 meters above sea level it is really a little hill, surrounded by forest and facing the sea. The Cabernet Franc is planted on an east/west exposure and Le Macchiole feel these grapes will add more power and freshness to the wine. It starts off with youthful, creamy, exotic spice and incense-like notes of oak, but underneath there is a lovely, leafy, raspberry note that is very distinctively Cabernet Franc. There is a beautiful, precise quality to the fruit, with dark berries, licorice, quinine notes and a very long finish. Like the 2016, this 2019 feels quite classical in style but it feels even more refined with firm but fine tannins. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 2 | 95-96 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,090.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (95-96)The Petit Mouton is more and more structured and intense. It's made for the cellar. Full to medium body. Lively and intense. Solid. 71% cabernet sauvignon, 19% merlot, 7% cabernet franc, and 3% petit verdot. |
|||||||||
|
|
Tuscany | 1 | 97 (KO) |
In Bond
£310.00 |
|||||
Kerin O'Keefe (97)The beautiful floral nose reveals violet and rose that mingle with perfumed berry and spicy notes. Juicy and savory, the linear palate is all about finesse and energy, delivering tart red cherry, strawberry compote, cinnamon and star anise framed in tense, refined tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2024–2033. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97-100 (JD) |
In Bond
£536.50 |
|||||
Jeb Dunnuck (97-100)I was blown away by the 2022 Château Léoville Poyferré, which is a classic blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and 4% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Harvest spanned from the 8th to the 28th of September, the vinification is in tronconique tanks (parcel by parcel), and the élevage will span 18-20 months in 80% new barrels. This inky hued beauty offers that rare mix of power and elegance and offers ample cassis and assorted blue fruits, full-bodied richness, an opulent, concentrated, yet flawlessly balanced mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and plenty of classic Saint-Julien violets, espresso roast, and crushed stone-like minerality. Despite its incredible concentration and depth, it stays beautifully balanced. In a region that seems to only talk about finesse and elegance, it's a relief to still have producers such as this producing powerful, intense, singular wines. Hats off to the Cuvelier family and their team. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
In Bond
£982.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (95)Juicy and spicy with fresh tobacco, redcurrants and crushed stone character. Medium to full body. Medium velvety tannins and a delicious finish. Will age beautifully as well. Better after 2026. |
|||||||||
|
|
Cape South Coast | 1 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
£208.00 |
|||||
Vinous (96)The 2022 Chardonnay Reserve comprises fruit from the Greyton homestead, which is oxidatively handled and fermented for 11 months in 500-liter barrels (25% new). After swirling to address the reduction, it reveals concentrated scents of dried honey, melted candle wax, orange blossom and a touch of grilled walnut. The palate is well-balanced with mineral-infused, slightly tropical fruit: quince and hints of guava that merge into a more mineral-driven taut finish. Quite a multi-faceted Chardonnay, this will age with style and panache. If that Corton-Charlemagne is a bit over-priced…and it probably is…then you know where to come. |
|||||||||
|
|
Rioja | 8 | 95 (JS) |
In Bond
£283.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (95)A traditional beauty that effuses iron, warm earth and savory tobacco leaves, together with plums, spices and orange zest. This is juicy and still tight, with firm but savory tannins. Medium-weight and quite zesty in texture, as is the case with the other López de Heredia reds tasted this session. Drink now or hold. |
|||||||||
|
|
Champagne | 4 | - |
In Bond
£389.00 |
|||||
|
|
Tuscany | 1 | 99 (JS) |
In Bond
£472.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (99)Sophisticated aromas of lead pencil, graphite and blackcurrant. Hints of black olives and herbs, too. Full-bodied, yet tight and deep, with super precision and intensity to the tannins. Incredible balance of structure and finesse to this. Give it time in the cellar. Better after 2027. |
|||||||||
|
|
Navarra | 1 | 97 (WA) |
In Bond
£175.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (97)No 2017 was produced, so after the 2016 I tasted a while ago, we jump to the 2018 La Dama, vinified by Enrique Basarte and Elisa Úcar and blended and bottled by Raúl Pérez, the new owner of the project. They always look for a more delicate expression of Garnacha from selected stonier plots of old head-pruned and dry-farmed vines in the village of San Martín de Unx that are worked organically and biodynamically but are not certified. The wine is stunning, elegant and aromatic, with depth, complexity and grip. It's incredibly young and expressive and doesn't show its age at all; it has a refined nose and is quite fruit-driven and floral, with very integrated oak (like never before), supple flavors and very fine tannins. It has good ripeness and contained alcohol (13.8%) and good freshness and acidity (with a pH of 3.46 and 6.3 grams of tartaric). 10,000 bottles were filled in October 2022. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 98-99 (JS) |
In Bond
£724.50 |
|||||
James Suckling (98-99)Wow. Blackcurrants, blueberries, blackberries and flowers. Full-bodied with beautifully integrated tannins that melt into the wine. Persistent and precise. A fantastic wine for the cellar. 66% cabernet sauvignon, 28% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. |
|||||||||
|
|
Beaujolais | 10 | - |
In Bond
£205.00 |
|||||
|
|
Rioja | 1 | 99 (WE) |
In Bond
£330.00 |
|||||
Wine Enthusiast (99)Dark-garnet to the eye, this wine has a bouquet of black currant, bittersweet chocolate and almond blossom. It alights on the palate with flavors of blackberry, cassis, chocolate-covered espresso bean, violet and citrus zest. Energetic tannins power their way into a cherry-pie finish. Made with vines more than 30 years old, this wine is unfiltered; decant before serving and strain if necessary. Drink through 2045. |
|||||||||
|
|
Western Australia | 2 | 97 (WA) |
In Bond
£165.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (97)The warmer vintage here brings concentration, plushness and deliciousness into the mix. While the 2020 Burnside Vineyard Chardonnay doesn’t have all of the mineral detail that the 2019 does, it is incredibly vibrant. Very smart, people will love this. It has the phenolic chew and shape that bring drinking pleasure and add another dimension of experience. Burnside is generally my favorite vineyard in the trio of single-vineyard Chardonnays. |
|||||||||
|
|
Piedmont | 1 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
£147.00 |
|||||
Vinous (93)The 2019 Bramaterra Salero presents an intensely floral, almost exotic side of Bramaterra. Sage, mint, lavender, rose petal, sweet dark cherry, licorice and spice are all beautifully lifted throughout. Light on its feet, but with plenty of punch, the 2019 hits all the right notes. The 2019 Solero is another gorgeous and super-expressive wine from Noah. |
|||||||||
|
|
Tuscany | 1 | - |
In Bond
£100.00 |
|||||
|
|
South Australia | 1 | 95 (DC) |
In Bond
£421.00 |
|||||
Decanter (95)Baby Grange gets its moniker as components of the blend are matured in the same barrels as the previous vintage of Grange. But with Cabernet Sauvignon the main player (53% in this vintage), it is more a Baby 707, especially as it always benefits from wine originally destined for that cuvée as well as Grange. A beauty of a beast, whose imposing tannin structure and abundantly ripe fruit need time. Powerful, inky blue and black berry fruits dominate the nose and palate, alongside bergamot freshness, earthy tapenade, exotic spices, iron filings and lots of black pepper. Coconut richness from 12 months in US oak hogsheads (37% new) and fine cocoa powder tannins add grip and linger long. Released at £71. |
|||||||||
|
|
South Australia | 3 | 96 (HWC) |
In Bond
£478.00 |
|||||
Halliday Wine Companion (96)A multiregional wine matured in French (25% new) and American (12% new) oak for 12 months. It seems like cabernet sauvignon is uniformly very strong in this year's Penfolds releases. Here, Bin 407 shines – crimson in the glass with plush, varietally true characters of blackberry, mulberries and cassis with hints of fine spice, scattered herbs, tobacco leaf, dark chocolate, cigar box, licorice, bay leaf and cedar. Concentrated yet balanced and poised with a fine tannin framework and bright, energetic line finishing with grace and a sense of latent power. One for the long haul and a strong release. |
|||||||||
|
|
South Australia | 1 | 97 (HWC) |
In Bond
£153.00 |
|||||
Halliday Wine Companion (97)2002 vines. Wigan is king of Eden Valley riesling and yet again one of the top releases of the year. Still a magnificent straw-green at just 5yo, it's at that magic moment where primary and secondary characters unite in equal measure. All the fresh lime and Granny Smith apple of youth, backed by rising buttery, spicy, roast almond maturity. Brilliant acid line charges an astonishing finish that lasts for 30 seconds. Yes, I timed it! For all it represents, this might just be the bargain of the year. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 98-100 (WI) |
In Bond
£1,062.50 |
|||||
The Wine Independent (98-100)A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is deep garnet-purple in color. After a little coaxing, aromas of blackcurrant jelly, juicy plums, and wild blueberries waltz out of the glass, followed by nuances of red roses, damp soil, tar, and licorice. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound, with impressive tension created by mineral-laced, crunchy black fruit layers, framed by firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and savory. pH 3.8. |
|||||||||
|
|
Veneto | 2 | 94 (WA) |
In Bond
£218.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (94)Celebrating its 50th anniversary (1971-2021), the organic Pieropan 2021 Soave Classico Calvarino has a soft and richly textured side that is contrasted against the bright citrusy and mineral flavors that the Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave grapes are known for. This blend sees 70% of the first grape and 30% of the second, and the wine is aged in cement for up to 15 months. That's the special quality offered by Calvarino, a wine that is modern yet also rooted in local tradition. You get a lot of food-pairing potential out of this bottle, whether it be sushi or roasted chicken. Production is 70,000 bottles. |
|||||||||
|
|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
In Bond
£299.00 |
|||||
|
|
Tuscany | 1 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£344.00 |
|||||
Vinous (95)Shavings of cedar, blood orange, crushed cherries, dried flowers and stone dust form a mesmerizing bouquet as the 2019 Rosso di Montalcino slowly opens in the glass. There are depths of ripe textural fruits here, offset by zesty spices and bright acidity that sweeten the expression while energizing it as well. A web of fine tannins coats the palate through the finish, coupled with a core of primary concentration and sweet inner florals that seem to never truly fade. What a glorious achievement from Poggio di Sotto. The 2019 spent a whopping 43 days macerating on the skins, followed by 29 months of refinement in cask. It’s undoubtedly a baby Brunello. |
|||||||||
|
|
Champagne | 2 | 17 (JR) |
In Bond
£382.00 |
|||||
Jancis Robinson (17)Very tight, dense nose with some honey and orange notes on the palate. Already very drinkable with the acidity not especially noticeable, although presumably it will gain in aromatic complexity with bottle age. I found it less than enthralling when I first tasted it and gave it a score of 16.5 but when I was served a glass blind from my re-stoppered bottle a few days later, I was impressed. So is the lesson, don't rush your pleasures? |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 99-100 (JS) |
In Bond
£574.50 |
|||||
James Suckling (99-100)What a finish on this Pontet-Canet. So much energy and brightness. It's full-bodied yet so tight and focused with superb fruit and transparency. It is racy and fine with super fine texture. It's like crushed cabernet sauvignon with cassis, tobacco and cigar box. Licorice and spices. Freshness of the seed. 57% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, 4% cabernet franc, and 4% petit verdot. |
|||||||||
|
|
Piedmont | 1 | 95 (WA) |
In Bond
£195.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (95)The 2020 Barbaresco boasts an ample set of aromas with wild cherry, blue flower, sweet spice and crushed limestone. As always, the wine paints an exciting and authentic portrait of Nebbiolo, albeit with a little more richness and texture in this vintage. This is especially true in terms of the palate, where the wine offers mid-weight intensity with melting tannins. This ambitious release of 300,000 bottles is slated to hit the market in fall 2023. |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 99 (GS) |
In Bond
£345.00 |
|||||
Greg Sherwood MW (99)The MR de Compostella from Bruwer Raats and Mzokhona Mvemve possesses one of the most successful critical track records out of almost any red wine produced in South Africa let alone just in the Cape Bordeaux Blend category. The newest 2021 release astonishingly takes this wine to yet another higher niveau of quality with a blend of 26% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, 20% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Made from vines aged between 9 and 22 years old, all grown on deep decomposed dolomitic granite soils with table mountain sandstone, the aromatics are wonderfully bold and exuberant displaying seductive notes of blackberries, crème de cassis, violets, sweet cherry tobacco, black cherries and tart black plum. The lifted perfumed intensity is incredibly pure and piercing with salty liquorice, cedar spice and beautifully detailed maritime oyster shell nuances. In the mouth, the concentration and focused steely intensity is astounding – tart, bright and architecturally soaring, shaping this wine into a powerful, linear, multi-dimensional masterpiece. Packed full of salty cassis, tart plum and black currant, the tightly wound core of power, refined extraction and polished marble tannins leave you in no doubt that this harmonious, vibrant beauty is a spellbinding, timeless classic in the making. If you wanted just one wine to convince an international fine wine connoisseur of the true greatness of South Africa’s finest terroirs and winemaking, you have found your candidate! Simply an incredible wine. Drink this beauty from 2024 and savour over the next 30+ years. But you might need more than just one or two cases in your cellar!! |
|||||||||
|
|
Coastal Region | 1 | 94 (TA) |
In Bond
£111.00 |
|||||
Tim Atkin MW (94)In certain vintages, Cornerstone can be one of the best value wines in the Reyneke portfolio. Marrying Cabernet Franc with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, with maturation in 15% new wood, this no longer includes Merlot and is all the better for it. Graceful, granular and leafy, with caressing tannins, fine oak and bright plum and red berry flavours. |
|||||||||
|
|
Central Valley | 20 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
£784.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)A fresh and discreet Almaviva with subtle pencil shavings and cigar box to the cassis and hints of chili chocolate and peppermint. Nuanced and subtle on the nose. This is medium-bodied and subtle on the palate with silky tannins in the seamless finish. Very long. 71% cabernet sauvignon, 22% carmenere, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Drinkable now, but it will take its time to deliver complexity. |
|||||||||
