The Master of Wine qualification is one of the most difficult exams to pass in the world. In 1994 Steve Bennett became the youngest ever of 483 people to have passed the Master of Wine Examination since its inception in 1953. So, it is fair to say he knows what he is talking about!

With this special mix Steve has put together a collection of European reds from Spain, Italy & France that he has personally selected and imported. These wines are all about authenticity and drinkability. You can't go wrong with this classic Master of Wine Approved Collection.

Collection includes:

1 x Combe Rocher Reserve Syrah 2020 (France)

AWARDED 93/100 POINTS & 5 STARS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
AWARDED 91/100 POINTS: Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier
AWARDED 91/100 POINTS & 4 Stars: Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review

"A core of sweet fruit is perfectly balanced by fine, drying tannins to give a pleasantly dry, peppery finish. Simple, pleasing wine with ripe cherry, floral/red rose, black pepper and mixed spice characters. Smooth-textured red with a lingering finish. Good value at this price" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review

"Aromas of dark berries and plum, violet with a touch of field mushroom and black spices. On the palate taut and youthful with a decent core of red and black currant flavours along with some plum the spice. Oak is balanced and even, acidity is medium, tannins add mouthfeel and texture. A well made wine, dry and fruity, ready to drink" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier

Seal: Screw Cap

1 x Viña Amate Tempranillo Rioja 2021 (Spain)
                                   
AWARDED 92/100 POINTS: Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Mar 2023
AWARDED 91/100 POINTS & 4.5 STARS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jan 2023
AWARDED 90/100 POIUNTS & 4 STARS: Top Reds: Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, Apr 2023

"Flavours of dark skinned strawberries and sweet meats, several layers of spice within the texture of tannins and pushed along by the acid line. Dry, textured, core fruit flavours of baked plums and old strawberry, cinnamon sticks and barrel spice. Toasty, balanced and well made with best drinking from day of purchase through 2027+. An excellent food wine choice" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Mar 2023

"Sweetly ripe and elegantly fragrant, the bouquet shows dark plum, cherry, floral and clove aromas, leading to a juicy palate offering silken texture and rounded tannins. Supple and soothing with tasty fruity flavours. At its best: now to 2025" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jan 2023

"Appealing wine with a mix of fruit, floral and savoury flavours. Quite New World in style but with an attractive rustic edge that makes it more distinctive and interesting. Good wine that’s a great buy at this price" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, Apr 2023

Situated in the Rioja Baja, this winery source its grapes from local growers. All vines are between 50 and 100 years old and grown at different altitudes and on various soil types to produce wine with complexity. Youthful and appealing Rioja with masses of sweet, perfumed red fruits to the fore.

Alc: 14% - Seal: Cork

1 x Imperio Tempranillo Gran Seleccion No.18 2019 (Spain)

AWARDED GOLD MEDAL: Berliner Wein Trophy
AWARDED GOLD MEDAL: Mundus Vini
AWARDED GOLD MEDAL: Gilbert & Gaillard
AWARDED 92/100 POINTS: Sam Kim; The Wine Orbit
AWARDED 90/100 POINTS: Cameron Douglas MS
AWARDED Top 10 Reds: Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, Aug 2023

"Full-flavoured, gutsy Tempranillo...More vinous than fruity with a pleasingly rustic character. Approachable now - drink up!" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, Aug 2023

Bodega Navarro López is a family-owned estate, originally founded in 1904 by Don Juan Sánchez. Tempranillo grapes are sourced from small growers across the ‘Valdepenas’ region (meaning literally ‘valley of the stones’) The region's climate is arid and strongly continental as the Sierra Morena range to the south of the designation blocks out the Mediterranean's moderating influences.

Seal: Cork

1 x Anciano Classico Tempranillo 2020 (Spain)

AWARDED 90/100 POINTS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Feb 2023

"This is immediately appealing on the nose with dark cherry, toasted spice, smoked meat and almond notes, leading to an elegantly flavoursome palate that's juicy and finely textured. Beautifully rounded and supple with fine-grained tannins, finishing lingering and attractively dry. At its best: now to 2026" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Feb 2023

"Aromas and flavours of dark berries and spicy red meats, button mushrooms and plums. Fleshy and fruity, taut and dry, a classic dry red wine from the region with a lighter tickle of tannins, medium acidity, and a core of red fruits. Well made and ready to drink from day of purchase through 2027+" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier

Seal: Cork

1 x Vino Lascito Sangiovese 2020 (Italy)

AWARDED 90/100 POINTS & 4.5 STARS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
AWARDED 90/100 POINTS: Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier

"Sweetly ripe and elegantly perfumed on the nose showing dark cherry, floral, green olive and almond notes, leading to a fruit-expressive palate offering juicy flavours combined with supple texture and fine tannins, making it immediately appealing" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"Aromas and flavours of plums and tart cherries, crumbled stones and light flavours of vanilla and a touch of clove. Taut, fresh and youthful on the palate with a classic firm texture driven by tannins and acidity then flavours of red fruit and plum to reflect the variety and bouquet. An even lengthy finish with best drinking from day of purchase through 2026+" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier

Seal: Cork

1 x Grandeza Gran Tradicion Tempranillo 4 Anos 2017 (Spain)

AWARDED 93/100 POINTS & 5 STARS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jan 2024
AWARDED 91/100 POINTS: Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review

"This is instantly appealing on the nose with dark berry, assorted nut, game and fragrant spice aromas. The palate delivers succulent fruit flavours with finely textured mouthfeel, beautifully framed by chalky tannins. A gorgeously versatile food wine. Aged 4 years. 85% Tempranillo & 15% Syrah. At its best: now to 2027" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jan 2024

"Fragrant red wine with considerable finesse. Appealing wine with cellaring potential" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine

A relatively rare blend of blend of 85% Tempranillo & 15% Syrah. This wine is an enterprising blend of old vine vineyards made by famous family-owned producer Bodega Muriel, founded in 1926 by José Murúa Villaverde. Sourced from classic grape varieties selected from several regions in central Spain blended to create a smooth, rounded, complex, characterful, red that defies its price.

Seal: Cork

Vintages may change.