*** FREIGHT FREE***

No 1 French Wine Brand in the World

12th Most admired Wine Brand on the planet

1 bottle sold every 2 seconds somewhere in the world!

4 Stars: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

And now exclusive to www.blackmarket.co.nz members in New Zealand

It's lively and fragrant on the nose showing red cherry, plum, floral and subtle spice characters. The palate is juicy and refreshing with lovely fruit intensity and a lingering fruity finish. A lovely medium-bodied merlot offering great... Read more »

New vintage same result - double gold!

Gold Medal: Chardonnay du Monde Competition 2013

Gold Medal: IGP OC Competition 2013

"Powerful nose of ripe peach and pear. Fruit-driven and intense. The palate shows fresh citrus and peach fruit with some figgy richness and a hint of toast. Fruity to the very end, with good acidity. A brilliant effort."

Not only did this incredible value French white achieve a Gold Medal in the prestigious Chardonnay du Monde wine show, but it was rated in the Top 10 wines for the competition overall, (from over 900 wines tasted) which includes dozens and dozens of the world's most revered and expensive Chardonnays!... Read more »

Southern French Syrah at its spicy, bramble-rich best

GOLD MEDAL: IGP OC Competition 2013

Impressively fragrant with dark plum, blueberry herbs and spice characters. The palate is succulent and smooth with a powerful mid palate and velvety texture. This is unmistakably southern French Syrah with ripe lucious flavours bursting from the glass

Another triumph for the Calmel and Jjoseph team, is there a better, more consistent winery operating in France at the moment...not that we have found.  Remarkable wines, remarkable value!

Gold medal winning claret from a brilliantly run family estate

Gold Medal: Concours de Bordeaux 2012

Merlot, Cabernet and Cabernet Franc have been grown on the estate since the 19th century but have probably never produced wine of such elevated quality. With supple tannins and rich fruit, this wine is lovely now but will improve. A great red meat wine.

This estate has been in the Naud family for five generations. Since 2000, Frédéric Naud and his wife Lise have been managing the vineyard with passion and respect for the family's winemaking tradition.

THE ULTIMATE southern FRENCH COLLECTION

100 YEAR OLD VINES!

From the heart of the sunny south of France comes a collection of Grenache/Syrah blends from the hugely successful Calmel JJoseph winery. Proud winner of a number of Gold Medal's these wines offer not only great value but are excellent examples of GSM blends from Southern France.

This mix includes:

2 x Calmel + JJoseph Vieux Carignan 2011

gold medal: Concours National IGP France 2012

Gold Medal: IGP OC Competition 2013

100 year old Carignan vines!

2 x Calmel + JJoseph... Read more »

Côtes du Roussillon - the sunniest region of France!

It almost seems as though Jean-Marc Lafarge (winemaker) is out to spoil things for every other southern French vintner by treating the consumer to wines of ridiculous value. - Robert Parker

This wonderful blend of Syrah and Grenache grapes is packed with glorious warm flavours that beautifully reflect the place the wine comes from - the Côtes du Roussillon - the sunniest region of France! Take a sip and you'll be hit by wonderful damson fruit and a sweet floral fragrance followed by the taste of pure, ripe fleshy fruit with a crisp twist of cedar oak. The grapes in this wine are grown on old-vines that produce fewer, but more intensely flavoured grapes, which explains the full-on fruity flavours in this bottle. This bottle is a top... Read more »

intense fruity red, bursting with rich chocolate and liquorish aromas

Proprietor and winemaker Jean-Marc Lafage fashions knock-out red wines that sells for a ridiculously low price - Robert Parker; The Wine Advocate

Made by one of the most dynamic winemakers in France, Jean-Marc Lafage has crafted an intense fruity red, bursting with rich chocolate and liquorish aromas. In addition it boasts an expansive, intense, complex bouquet of garrigue, strawberries and black cherries intermixed with a hint of spring flowers, a velvety texture and a voluptuous mouthfeel.

One of the most sought-after winemakers of Europe at the moment, Jean-Marc Lafage lends his expertise with Southern European varietals to several top estates in both France and Spain and also in South America. However, his best work... Read more »

youthful bouquet shows blackberry, game, and floral characters, leading to a dense, richly flavoured palate

5 Stars & 93/100: Sam Kim; The Wine Orbit

A brilliant expression of Southern France's generosity - Sam Kim

This is deeply coloured and deeply delicious. The youthful bouquet shows blackberry, game, tar and floral characters, leading to a dense, richly flavoured palate. It's velvety and sumptuous. A brilliant expression of Southern France's generosity. At its best: now to 2017

From the heart of the sunny south of France comes the brother of the hugely successful Calmel JJoseph Faugeres 2009 this cracker of a red wine. Proud winner of a Gold Medal in the Concours National IGP France this... Read more »

Bordeaux First growth - one of the greatest wines in the world!

4 Stars & 17.5/20: Jancis Robinson MW

95/100: Derek Smedley MW

93/100: Robert Parker's - The Wine Advocate

Many have called this the best vineyard in the world and the dynamic Director of Latour, Frédéric Engerer, is determined to make the greatest wine possible. He has the confidence of owner, François Pinault, to do all that it takes to achieve this aim. Production levels have been slashed in recent vintages with only the best parcels of vines now... Read more »

This wine is supremely elegant and classy. Beautifully made, a pure and precise expression of the Margaux terroir

Bordeaux First Growth

18/20: Jancis Robinson MW

18.5/20: Decanter Magazine

96/100: Derek Smedley MW

92-94/100: Robert Parker's - The Wine Advocate

Since 1978 Margaux has probably been the most consistent of all the First Growths under the assured direction of Paul Pontallier.... Read more »

Without doubt one of the world’s greatest and most individual wine estates

Bordeaux First Growth

Very sensitively made, possibly the best red bordeaux 2007 of all - jancis Robinson MW

18/20: Jancis Robinson MW

18.5/20: Decanter Magazine

96/100: Derek Smedley MW

93-94: Robert Parker's - The Wine Advocate

Without doubt one of the world’s greatest and most individual wine estates. The family traditions... Read more »

Medium to full bodied, elegant, fleshy and pure

Cotes du Ventoux - If you love Cotes du Rhone, you will love this!

This blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Carignan and 25% Syrah aged nine months in tank on its lees exhibits lots of black olive, tapenade, black cherry, cassis and roasted Provencal herb notes. Medium to full bodied, elegant, fleshy and pure. – The Wine Advocate

This is another rising star within the exciting Cotes du Ventoux appellation. This young estate is co-owned by Anne-Marie and Bernard Forestier along with Sebastien Alban. In 2011 they constructed their cellar at Chateau Juvenal and produced their first vintage under the direction of Philippe Cambie. Planting, pruning, maintenance, and manual harvest are carried out by Sebastian and his team. They are already... Read more »

Smart, fruit forward Côtes du Rhône from a great vintage

A Blackmarket.co.nz favourite for over 6 years!

The 2012 Jehan Guillaume Côtes du Rhône offers crushed pepper, black cherry, black raspberry and loamy, sandy soil characteristics, some background minerality, decent acidity, a dense ruby/purple color.

Jehan Guillaume is what the British wine trade might call a "bistro style Cotes du Rhone" which does actually describe the wine a little better than you might think: It's tremendously easy to drink, well-balanced, with plenty of sunny, southern French character all in a medium-bodied package making it very food friendly.

In terms of value, this is as good as many Rhône reds with much better-known labels that cost twice as... Read more »

Explore the flavours of France this winter

Massive savings on Blackmarket.co.nz favourites now in a convenient mixed case

With winter approaching (fast!) we decided it was time for the ultimate winter warmers dozen.  It's crucial to have a good supply of juicy reds; smooth, full-flavoured wines to complement all the hearty winter food that will be consumed in the coming months.

These four French wines have a proven track record with Blackmarket.co.nz members, each one of them over delivering in of flavour and most importantly value!

3 x J P Chenet Merlot 2011 - 4 Stars Sam Kim

3 x Chemin des Papes Cotes du Rhone 2011 - Gold Medal

3 x Wild Pig Syrah... Read more »

Biggest selling Cotes du Rhone producer in France

Biggest selling ORGANIC COTES DU RHONE in France

Better for you...better for the vineyards…..better for the planet

Now exclusive to blackmarket.co.nz members

"Classic Côtes du Rhône, this wine is produced from organically grown grapes. Grenache and Syrah complement each other in this soft wine with aromas of red plummy fruit, herbs and a smooth velvety finish. Organic is good!"

What great fun this wine is! With its unique and distinctive, bottle shape, Celliers des Dauphins Côtes du Rhône represents... Read more »

"dense plum and black cherry fruit, really fresh with a wealth of fruit, spice and ripe tannins"

gold medal: Concours National IGP France 2012

Gold Medal: IGP OC Competition 2013

100 year old Carignan vines!

We love the Carignan grape when made from old vines such as this, produce really delicious wines. A wine made from 100+ year old Carignan. Dense nose with black cherry and plum, some savoury notes too. On the palate it's all about dense plum and black cherry fruit, really fresh and crunchy with a wealth of fruit, spice and ripe tannins too. This is a... Read more »

"Delicious and satisfying" - Burghound

Red-ruby.  Pure aromas of black cherry, licorice and violet.  Sweet, dense and chewy, with excellent pepper and wild herb lift to the black cherry fruit.  In a distinctly virile style but fine-grained, with the dusty tannins saturating the entire mouth.

Jean-Marc and Hugues Pavelot illustrate yet again Burgundy’s apparently endless capacity to generate father-son teams that transition seamlessly from one generation to the next. Domaine Pavelot, with family roots going back in Savigny-lès-Beaune to the 17th Century, currently comprises 12 hectares in the Côte de Beaune, principally in Savigny-lès-Beaune, but also in Corton, Beaune, and Pernand-Vergelesses.

"black cherry and black currant fruit"

The 2011 Cotes du Ventoux, composed of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah and the rest Carignan, Cinsault, etc., is one of the finest examples of this cuvee the Perrins have yet made. It exhibits modest alcohol as well as black cherry and black currant fruit intermixed with hints of Provencal herbs and spice. This dense ruby-hued, medium-bodied, dry red is a terrific bargain. Consume it over the next several years.

La Vieille Ferme – The Old Farm is the largest estate of the Perrin & Fils family. It is situated in the region of Cote du Ventoux, which is actually made up of 4 individual vineyards from the hilly southern districts. La Vieille Ferme uses the same grape varieties in similar proportions to those planted at Beaucastel, vinifying the... Read more »

*** FREIGHT FREE ***

No 1 French Wine Brand in the World

12th Most admired Wine Brand on the planet

1 bottle sold every 2 seconds somewhere in the world!

And now exclusive to www.blackmarket.co.nz members in New Zealand

Less aggressive than its kiwi counterpart, Sauvignon Blanc from the south-west of France tend more towards a minerally style with herbal undertones and this is a great entry level example. Finishes with lovely, fine fresh acidity.

In 1984, the GCF group launched a uniquely-positioned wine -  JP Chenet. Inspired by New World wines, J.P. Chenet focused its advertising on the grape not the region, this and its... Read more »

"Classic burgundy from one of the regions best producers"

90/100: Stephen Tanzer

Complex, soil-driven aromas of flinty minerality, saline oyster shell, menthol and wild herbs.  Sappy, fresh and sweet, with a saline quality to the peachy fruit.  Not a large-scaled wine but serious and long, with a lightly tannic quality and subtle saline notes on the back end.

As unpretentious as it is simple; Hubert Lamy – Vigneron. It says much about the domaine.

The sign is to be found on their impressive and relatively new cuverie on the edge of the village of Saint-Aubin. There are records of Lamys growing vines in Saint-Aubin since 1640 – today the domaine is run by Olivier Lamy who... Read more »

**** Freight Free ****

No 1 French Wine Brand in the World

12th Most admired Wine Brand on the planet

1 bottle sold every 2 seconds somewhere in the world!

And now exclusive to www.blackmarket.co.nz members in New Zealand

The JP Chenet range of wines from South-West France offer great value for money. This Chardonnay has terrific pineapple and stone-fruit flavours, a lick of acidity and is deliciously drinkable.

In 1984, the GCF group launched a uniquely-positioned wine -  JP Chenet. Inspired by New World wines, J.P. Chenet focused its advertising on the grape not the region, this and its... Read more »

*** FREIGHT FREE ***

No1 French Wine Brand in the World

12th Most admired Wine Brand on the planet

1 bottle sold every 2 seconds somewhere in the world!

4 stars: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

And now exclusive to www.blackmarket.co.nz members in New Zealand

A brilliantly priced, modern expression from the south of France, the appealing bouquet shows red/black plum, floral and spice characters. It's ripe and well-weighted on the palate with smooth... Read more »

"predominately berry-fruit"

"Its colour is a deep ruby red, showing garnet reflections while young. With its predominately berry-fruit bouquet, this wine shows the full aromatic power of these two fine grape varieties whilst retaining the freshness imparted by well-controlled wine making."

Grenache grapes undergo traditional wine making in stainless steel vats. Daily pumping over allows gentle extraction of phenolic components. Syrah, on the other hand, is vinified in successive batches as soon as it is picked, to preserve this variety’s aromas and fruit.

"This beauty will appeal to any lover of southern Rhône reds"

90/100: Jeb Dunnuck - The Rhone Report

Deliciously fruity, pure and well-made - Robert Parker

Always a fantastic value that never seems to disappoint - Jeb Dunnuck

Always a fantastic value that never seems to disappoint, the 2010 Domaine des Escaravailles Côtes du Rhône Les Sablières, a blend of 70% tank aged Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Carignan, boasts a fresh, edgy bouquet of crunchy black cherry, raspberry, mineral, sappy underbrush, and crushed violets. Very fresh and lively, with notable focus and purity, it is medium-bodied on the palate with a clean,... Read more »

blend of mostly 100+ year old Syrah vines from sunny south of france

Bargain buy: Joelle Thomson, The Dominion Post

awarded 91/100: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

awarded 17.5/20: Raymond Chan Wine Reviews

The oldest gnarliest Syarh vines go into making this stunning wine. The last vintage was a gold medal winner and after tasting the new vintage we are confident it won't be long till we see this one go gold to. One of our wines of the year!

"This is impressive for the price"

90/100 Points: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

Secure a 2011 Bordeaux courtesy of a consistent overperformer - don't miss this delicious, smart buy

"This is impressive for the price. It's ripe, flavoursome and classically flavoured, displaying dark plum, cassis, game and subtle dried herb aromas, followed by a juicy, nicely textured palate. The fruit expression is pristine which is beautifully complemented by subtle savoury complexity, making this medium-full-bodied red a real charmer. At its best: now to 2017." Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

A blend of 40% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc. YES, now you can get delicious Bordeaux for... Read more »

Textbook smooth Côtes-du-Rhône from our friends at the outstanding Chemin des Papes cellars 

Gold Medal: Concours Général Agricole de Paris 2012

Superb vintage, Gold medal winning Rhône wine from the edge of the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation

A classic blend of Grenache and Syrah, the Chemin des Papes is an excellent example of the soft, spicy and very drinkable style which makes Cotes du Rhone so popular. A versatile red which will be most enjoyable served with simple meat based casseroles or cheese.

In times past, Popes would spend their papacy performing tasks of a more spiritual and mystical nature than political. Legend has it that along their long path of... Read more »

Better for you... better for the vineyards... better for the planet

Now exclusive to blackmarket.co.nz members. Enjoy the flavours of Cotes du Rhone - fully certified Organic!

Delicious berry & plum fruit with a hint of spice.

"superbly ripe on the nose showing dark plum, blueberry and dried fruit characters"

This quite brilliant value-for-money Côtes du Rhône by Grand Chai de France. It is a flavoursome blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, grown on some of the region's finest stony soils. Ripe fruit spice and savoury tones combine with soft tannins and a long finish. Decant and serve this luscious, spicy red with duck breast, grilled steak or mushroom risotto. A delight to drink!

*** FREIGHT FREE***

No 1 French Wine Brand in the World

1 bottle sold every 2 seconds somewhere in the world!

And now exclusive to www.blackmarket.co.nz members in New Zealand

A clear, golden body with green highlights, a stream of many fine bubbles, wonderful persistence. A light, fruity bouquet with white fruit notes and brioche hints. A fresh and fruity palate of fresh fruits, apricots and white peach. Powerful, but well balanced. This wine is elegant and refined.
Philippe Chabert, Oenologist

In 1984, the GCF group launched a uniquely-positioned wine -  JP Chenet. Inspired by New World wines, J.P. Chenet focused its advertising on the grape not the region, this and its... Read more »

EXTRAORDINARY GRAND CRU BURGUNDY "There is a glorious sense of completeness and energy. Waves of velvet ripple across the palate."

"Very sophisticated and expansive. Outstanding." The Burgundy Briefing

"With an extraordinary intensity of fruit, including a succulent dollop of blackberry, this wine has a very impressive, deep red-black colour. The harmonious bouquet reveals well-integrated oak whilst the ever-present tannins are dominated by succulent fruit. Marvellously intense, this is a dynamic and vibrant wine."

"Moderate new wood frames very ripe black raspberry and cherry aromas that are exceptionally fresh and dissolve into rich, suave and very pure full-bodied flavours that are wonderfully seductive as they ooze dry extract that renders the otherwise... Read more »

Chateau d'Yquem is the Gold Standard for sweet wines This legendary Sauternes from Bordeaux is famed for its extraordinary taste, quality and longevity.

96/100: Robert Parker; The Wine Advocate

95/100: Wine Spectator 

"A sensational Yquem, 1997 may be this estate's finest effort since 1990 (although I would not discount the 1996 turning out to be nearly as good). The 1997's light gold color is accompanied a gorgeous perfume of caramel, honeysuckle, peach, apricot, and smoky wood. Full-bodied and unctuously-textured, with good underlying acidity as well as loads of sweetness and glycerin, it looks to be a great vintage... Read more »

Rare Burgundy from vines averaging 95+ years of age

93/100: Burghound

"As with the '07 examples, the nose is quite similar to its '06 counterpart though here the fruit is denser and perhaps ever so slightly riper and leads to serious, driving, vibrant and superbly well balanced concentrated and broad-shouldered flavors blessed with plenty of dry extract and well-integrated wood. A terrific example that is built to age. Recommended and very promising." Burghound

Producer François Labet says that 2006 is a "vintage that is the definition of pinot without excess. There is very pure fruit, elegant mouth feel and tannins and ultimately, wines of pleasure. Yes, 2005 is a better vintage but the difference isn't nearly as much as... Read more »

"Perfumed, Powerful, Intense Chateauneuf-du-Pape"

95/100: Robert Parker

97/100: Stephen Tanzer

"One of the vintage's blockbusters is the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes, with even higher alcohol (16.2%) than the 2007. It offers lovely notes of black fruits, truffle oil, roasted meats, beef blood, black raspberries, abundant kirsch, and a hint of roasted Provencal herbs. On a much faster evolutionary track than the 2007, it is a layered, multi-dimensional effort displaying a finish that lasts nearly 60 seconds. Some unresolved tannins in the finish suggest this wine should be cellared for 2-3 years, and consumed over the following... Read more »

"I FORGET THE NAME OF THE PLACE; I FORGET THE NAME OF THE GIRL; BUT THE WINE… WAS CHAMBERTIN." - HILAIRE BELLOC

"The hue is deep with an intense ruby colour. Flavours are opulent and earthy. They evoke black cherry, bitter chocolate then liquorice, black truffle and underbrush. With its massive backbone of velvety tannins in near perfect balance, it has great potential for ageing." - Winemaking Notes

THE WORLD'S MOST SOUGHT-AFTER SUPER - TUSCAN!

93/100: Stephen Tanzer

93/100: Robert Parker

Appealing smoky, minerally aromas of red cherry, blackcurrant and plum, with a hint of truffle. Quite suave on entry, then smooth and fine-grained, with good mineral lift to the decidedly sweet red fruit flavors. This broad, rich and supple wine boasts tremendous length and silky-sweet tannins. A great Sassicaia that falls roughly between the '88 and the '85 in style at the similar stage of development.

91/100: Stephen Tanzer

Good full red. Ripe aromas of cherry, raspberry, rose petal and smoked meat, with a floral topnote. Rich, broad and sweet; this is fat with cherry, floral and mineral flavor without being at all weighty. Perhaps less precise and delicate than the Ruchottes but this really coats the mouth. The finishes is long and floral, with very fine tannins.

awesome syrah from the sun kissed vineyards of Southern france

4.5 Stars & 91/100: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

Highly enjoyable and amazing value for money: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

Deeply coloured, the nose is impressively fragrant with dark plum, blackberry and spice characters with a hint of game complexity. The palate is succulent and dense with a powerful mid palate and velvety texture, leading to a gently firm finish backed by nicely polished tannins. Highly enjoyable and amazing value for money. At its best: now to 2015. Screw... Read more »

"berry fruit, violet, liquorice, and spicies"

89-91 Points: Wine Advocate

"The deep ruby/purple-tinged, tank-aged 2010 Cotes du Rhone St Esprit (70% Syrah and 30% Grenache) offers notes of roasted herbs, black cherries, licorice and pepper. This delicious red represents terrific value." Wine Advocate

Its deep colour has a dark, plum-like hue. The nose is classically Syrah, with berry fruit, violet, liquorice, and spicies. It has a full, rounded palate with delicate tannins. “Saint-Esprit” is a unique wine in the “Côtes-du-Rhône” appellation.

From 70 Year Old Syrah Vines - A Legend of the Northern Rhone

"Ratcheting up the level of concentration is the 2004 Ermitage Le Pavillon. Its deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by sweet aromas of blackberries, cherries, licorice, and minerals. Medium-bodied, with lovely purity and a long finish. It will age well for 15 years."
- 94/100 Robert Parker

"Ruby-red. Vibrant raspberry and cherry skin scents are enlivened by zesty mineral and floral accents. Structured and chewy, with well-focused red fruit flavors, excellent depth and a graceful, silky texture on the finish. There's a striking and impressive mix of bright and rich tones here. This comes from the lieu-dit Bessards."
- 93/100 Stephen Tanzer

"This is a beautifully rich Chateau Latour" - Robert parker

95/100: Robert Parker

"The 2006 Latour performed even better from bottle than from barrel. Only 38% of the production (10,000 cases) made it into the grand vin, a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest primarily Merlot and a small amount of Cabernet Franc. From barrel, I thought it was a modern day version of the 1996 or 1986, and certainly the 1996 comparison still holds. I thought it was somewhat austere from barrel, but that is no longer an issue. This is a beautifully rich Chateau Latour boasting a dense ruby/purple color, a sweet, smoky, charcoal, cassis, graphite, and forest floor-scented nose, full body, an attractive... Read more »