James Suckling (99)

Extremely deep red with aromas and flavors that change all the time with blackberry, black raspberry, black licorice, floral and asphalt. Full-bodied with deep intensity, power and finesse. The tannins are wonderfully polished yet so much there. This is a tribute to the first great Barca Velhas of the 1960s. Drinkable, but better in three or four years.

Matthew Jukes (18+)

Because this trio of wines runs in a neat sequence, I made one consecutive note to cover all three vintages – a direct comparative tasting note, if you will. 2016 is my preferred wine – it is the grandest, and it has the most potential. It is one of the finest value, elite reds I have tasted in a very long time. The 2017 is more refined, the most forward, most restaurant friendly and most open. It is lighter, more herbal, and it will get you in the mood while the others have a chance to mellow. I will hold back on any more notes on this wine because it is my MoneyWeek wine of the week this Friday! Finally, the 2018, which is a beauty. More flamboyant, more plush and sensual, and it is not dissimilar to the 2016 in fruit expression, but it is not quite as powerful or as impactful. Either way, you need all three in your collection because if you like each of these wines for their respective character traits, I can imagine you will follow this label for the rest of your days.

James Suckling (96)

Fantastic aromas of blackberries and blueberries with tar and minerals. Medium-to full-bodied, with very firm and fine tannins that tighten the wine and make it compacted and impressive. A retro feel to this wine that reminds me of the great Barca Velhas of the 1960s. Better after 2027.

James Suckling (96)

Fantastic aromas of blackberries and blueberries with tar and minerals. Medium-to full-bodied, with very firm and fine tannins that tighten the wine and make it compacted and impressive. A retro feel to this wine that reminds me of the great Barca Velhas of the 1960s. Better after 2027.

Matthew Jukes (19+)

This is a stunningly serious wine with extraordinary class and detail. I wrote ‘utterly gobsmacking’ in my notebook – not words I often use. There is phenomenal balance, a stunning mid-palate, and epic length here, and this makes 2020 Leda the finest value £50 red wine on earth, not least if you want to drink a bottle now or in 30 years!

James Suckling (98)

Dark fruit with black cherries, blackcurrants, mineral, and slate undertones. Medium to full body. Racy fine tannins. It’s chewy and driven. This is an undeclared Barca Velha. Superb Douro red. Latour of the Douro. A blend of 42% touriga franca, 34% touriga nacional, 13% tinta roriz, and 11% tinto cao. Drink after 2025.

Invoke the opulence of Southern Switzerland with the elegantly expressive Castello Luigi Belvedere Merlot Ticino 2020. It's a sublime creation from the esteemed cellars of Castello Luigi; a family-owned estate renowned for capturing the terroir essence of the Ticino region. This merlot boasts of juicy cherry, plum and mild spice notes, adroitly mingling with more discrete undertones of soft tannin, reflecting the subtlety of its ageing process in French oak barrels.

Meticulously hand-harvested and crafted under the diligent watch of head winemaker, Umberto Luigi Jr., every bottle encapsulates the winery's devotion to quality and authenticity. Grown on the sun-kissed chalk-clay slopes of Ticino, the grapes imbibe the splendour of this location to yield a wine of supreme elegance and finesse. Whether you're a merlot connoisseur or a wine aficionado savouring the palate's delights, you're sure to appreciate the artistry imbued in Castello Luigi Belvedere Merlot Ticino 2020, a bottle truly worth every cork pull!

Immerse yourself in the distinction of Castello Luigi Rosso del Ticino 2013. This exquisite vintage honours Old Italy's rich viticultural heritage, hailing from the noble Ticino region, revered for producing sumptuous Merlot-dominated blends. Castello Luigi, a family-owned vineyard estate with a legacy spanning over a century, expertly crafts this red blend employing biodynamic and organic practices. This commitment to the discipline of the vine secures the integrity of the terroir and delivers an authentic, expressive wine.

Utilising traditional wine-making methods, Castello Luigi Rosso del Ticino 2013 matures gracefully in oak barrels to infuse richer flavours. The wine exhibits a harmonious interplay of ripe red fruits, chocolate undertones and a nuanced oaky finish. Its elegant structure and balanced tannins make for an impressive longevity and potential for cellar-ageing, enhancing its value to discerning collectors. Secure your bottle and allow the Castello Luigi Rosso del Ticino 2013 to transport your palate to the soulfully picturesque landscapes of Italian winemaking.

Hailing from the splendid regions of Ticino, Switzerland, the Castello Luigi Rosso del Ticino 2018 is a remarkable expression of Merlot grapes. This hand-harvested, ruby red wonder excels with elegance and grace, echoing its impeccable terroir. The competency of renowned producer Luigi Zanini shines, having used traditional vinification methods to lend the wine a flavour spectrum ranging from red currants to indulgent chocolate undertones.

On the nose, Castello Luigi Rosso del Ticino 2018 captivates with a delightful aroma of sweet cherries, plums, and a tease of spicy hints. Matured for 12 months in French oak, it achieves a fine balance of dense body complemented by a smooth and lingering finish. Exemplifying Ticino's wine-making heritage, this wine with controlled designation of origin 'DOC', is an epitome of Swiss wine finesse; a perfect companion for elegant fine dining experiences.

Gift yourself the Castello Luigi Rosso del Ticino 2018, an impeccable indulgence every wine enthusiast deserves to savour.

Experience the sheer elegance of Charla Haasbroek Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, artfully crafted under the skilful hands of winemaker Charla Haasbroek. This artisanal wine is produced in the renowned Stellenbosch region of South Africa, famous for its optimal grape-growing conditions. Charla's meticulous winemaking approach, aligning traditional methods with innovative techniques, results in Cabernet Sauvignon of distinctive character.

The wine displays rich dark fruit aromatics, underscored by nuanced notes of leather and spice. On the palate, it reveals a robust structure with velvety tannins and a harmonious balance achieved through 18 months of French oak barrel maturation. The Charla Haasbroek Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 could be described as a modern classic: a wine that pays homage to its varietal heritage with a discernible expression of its unique terroir.

Ly celebrated for her dedication to crafting authentic wines that echo their origins, Charla Haasbroek's Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 is a sublime testament to her passion and expertise.

The Wine Front (95)

Curious, as my mind went to Jura pretty quickly, then came back to more citrusy things, but saline for sure, sea spray, heaps, nuttiness, yep. What a treat! A serious, serious white wine of depth, insane freshness, mouth puckering tang and freshness. It’s a wine that sets you back in your seat a bit; big impact, not a big wine. So much detail here in texture, layers of fruit and savouriness, minerality and vibrancy. Wildly delicious too. Length for days as well.It’s a wine that sets you back in your seat a bit; big impact, not a big wine.

James Suckling (97)

Smelling this is like looking into a deep abyss, and someone unfamiliar with intensely mineral dry riesling might feel a bit of vertigo. However, these grapefruit, white-tea and wild-herb aromas really excite us. On the sleek palate this is super-focused with a terrific tannin structure that beautifully matches the crystalline quality on the pristine finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Respekt certification. Drink or hold.

James Suckling (98)

Here comes the boss! The dense grapefruit, rosemary and thyme nose pulls you inexorably into the orbit of this rich and concentrated dry riesling that has enveloping,salty minerality. And, in spite of all this, it is laser-beam bright and has white-flower delicacy at the very deep finish. From 110-year-old vines. From biodynamically grown grapes with Respekt certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2023.

James Suckling (98)

If you thought you knew what peaches smell and taste like, then think again. At first there's a touch of bready character form long sur-lie maturation, but then the most ravishing peach aroma develops, plus notes of wild rose, orange and jasmine. Super-elegant on the ripe yet extremely precise palate. The peachy beauty only expands and expands at the breathtaking finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Respekt certification. Drink or hold.

Wine Advocate (99)

The 2020 Marienburg Felsterrasse offers perfectly ripe and concentrated yet refined, finely slatey and perfectly ripe fruit aromas with delicate lemon juice and herbal aromas. A stunning beauty! Silky, crystalline, lush and intense yet highly finessed and elegant on the palate, this is a full-bodied, rich and very intense yet playful, saline and finessed Riesling with power and concentration and a very long, hedonistic yet always elegant and balanced finish. 13% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in July 2022.

James Suckling (99)

Essence of Mosel wine here, which immediately conjures up an image of tiny riesling grapes that have turned a perfect golden color in the autumn sun. Then, on the extremely rich and refined palate, comes a gigantic wave of minerality that sweeps you away. Enormously long finish of almost overwhelming beauty. Just doesn't want to stop. From biodynamically grown grapes with Respekt certification. Drink or hold.

Jancis Robinson (19)

Aromas of green and yellow fruit mix it with flinty minerality. The palate shows a little more fruit than the straight Marienburg, grapefruit with peel and pith, but without any tropical aspirations. Nuances of salt and quinine give an almost medicinal tang, but a generous texture makes the medicine go down without any resistance. Very cool, the essence of mineral Riesling.

James Suckling (99)

This shows fantastic graphite and dark-berry character with black-stone undertones and hints of dried roses. Full-bodied and very tight and precise. Good kick in the end. Love the polished tannins, which are totally folded into the wine. Reminds me of the 1947 Cockburn. Try in 2024.