French

JP Chenet is the best selling French wine brand in the world

4 STARS: Sam Kim; Wine Orbit

An appealing medium-bodied red from southern France displaying red/black cherry, plum and cured meat characters on the nose. The palate is nicely fruited and smooth with supple tannins. The wine shows good balance between fruit intensity and savoury game characters. At its best: now to end of 2011

JP Chenet is the best selling French wine brand in the world; every second, two bottles of JP Chenet are sold!

JP Chenet Cabernet Syrah is made of a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Syrah. The colour is described as ruby red, intense and clear.... Read more »

JP Chenet is the best selling French wine brand in the world

3.5 STARS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"Light and easy, this gently flavoured Merlot shows red cherry, plum and spice characters on the nose. The palate is medium-light and fruity with fine tannins providing a pleasant soft finish. A pleasant red for casual drinking" Sam Kim

JP Chenet Merlot is clear, very intense and garnet red to purple in colour. This Merlot has aromas of of red fruit, blackcurrants, cherries and raspberry jam. A wine with velvet tannins and a fine long taste.

JP Chenet Merlot is perfect with white meat, poultry, grilled meat, salad and many types... Read more »

Wonderfully fresh Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc

"The Cheverny region produces some of the purest, best-value Sauvignon Blanc around. Brisk, lemony and with some nettle-like herbaceous characters that give way to slightly more tropical notes, all finishing dry with a stony mineral finish. This delivers loads of interest for the price."

A bargain compared to Sancerre prices, and every bit as delicious!

Top Knotch Cotes du Rhone made by a Scotsman!

90/100: Wine Spectator

"Mourchon is blessed with 35 to 55 year old vines growing in the clay, limestone and grey sandstone which provide Séguret with its dark color, full-body, plenty of spicy fruit, and firm structure from the powerful tannins. Typically a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Cinsault. Medium ruby with a bright rim. Ripe, powerful aromas of dark cherry, creme de cassis, plum and grilled meat. Round, chewy and deep, with lush flavours of cherry compote and plum. The broad, ripe finish features dusty tannins and lingering notes of ripe cherry, espresso and garrigue." Wine Spectator

Domaine... Read more »

SUPERB FRENCH CHARDONNAY

The 'Fabulous Corsin Brothers' don't make a lot of wine. And they're in very hot demand. We get allocated a couple of barrels (about 50 doz) of their old vine St Veran, if we're lucky. So you need to grab this wine while you can.

The Corsin St Veran is one the best value buys you can make in terms of top quality Chardonnay. In fact it makes many a Meursault, Chassagne or Puligny-Montrachet look distinctly ordinary, not to say over-priced.

The St Veran 'Vieilles Vignes' (old vines) is made from a plot of low-yielding 40 year-old vines. It is aged in oak but with considerable restraint, as the emphasis is on harmony and purity of fruit - no over-oaked, over-blown Chardonnay here!

Bright and limey Alsace Riesling… the benchmark of quality wine

"Pale yellow in colour with some green reflections. Fresh and expressive on the nose with pure citrus fruit and hints of honey. Fruity and delicate on the palate with a bone dry finish"

CLASSIC GEWURZ - FROM ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS NAMES OF ALSACE

The 2005 Gewurztraminer Hugel Tradition unites rose petal, peach, and white pepper in the nose, coming to the palate with considerable alluring creaminess of texture and a hint of sweetness supporting its peachy fruit. It finishes with satisfying richness and subtle sweetness, rather low key but deeply satisfying.

Tangerine, Honeysuckle and Apple Blossom – Classic Chenin Blanc

Rated 90/100: Wine Spectator
Rated 90/100: Robert Parker

"Chidaine's 2005 Montlouis Clos du Breuil – representing a pebbly, flint rich (so-called perruches) parcel whose wine he always finishes dry – smells of tangerine and orange, honeysuckle and apple blossom. Pure and clear, subtle and refined in the mouth, it offers a lively exchange of citrus, floral, and alkaline mineral notes, finishing with delicacy but outstanding length."
- 90/100 Robert Parker

Fresh, Classy Bordeaux Blanc

Made from Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle. Ch de Fontenille is a regular Decanter Award Winner, and Stephane Defraine's Entre-deux-Mers estate leads the way in showing how good this renowned Bordeaux white can be when made with great care and attention to detail. Semillon provides the body, Sauvignon Blanc the nerve and acidity, with Muscadelle giving the lovely aromatic flavours.

"Fresh and fruity with light acidity, the citrus and peach flavours come storming through to give a wine perfect with fish but also very enjoyable on it's own. A wine for all seasons!"

Another Incredible Chenin Blanc From the Incredible Francois Chidaine

"Alluring, with ginger and cardamom notes leading the way for apple and persimmon fruit flavors. Long and precise through the finish, with fine minerality. Drink now through 2012."
- 90/100 Wine Spectator

Old Vine Chenin Blanc From the Master of Montlouis

Rated 91/100: Wine Spectator

"An off-dry hint weaves through the persimmon, apricot, peach and ginger notes, followed by a stylish, lengthy finish. This has rich flavors, but an elegant mouthfeel. Drink now through 2011."
- 91/100 Wine Spectator

Cult Red From the Languedoc

"A fine shiraz whose deep perfume of violets, blackberries, raspberries and blood plums is laced with peppery nuances of cinnamon and cloves, and supported with slightly smoky and sweet vanilla and mocha oak. Supple and willowy, its tightly integrated and silky-smooth palate of high-toned berry/plum flavours and toasty vanilla oak is punctuated by refreshing acidity." "Dark inky colour with diverse floral, liquorice and garrigue herb aromas. The hugely complex palate with concentrated, ripe, red berry-fruit flavours, hints of lavender and black olives is underpinned by firm chocolaty tannins."

Deep, complex and thrilling treasure from the heart of Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The stunning, deep ruby/purple-hued 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits black fruits, licorice, incense, and hints of grilled meats and garrigue. The full-bodied, velvety textured, big, substantial 2006 is a top success for the vintage. Drink it over the next 15 years.
- 91-93/100 Robert Parker

Bright red. Energetic red berry and cherry aromas are brightened by minerals, dried flowers and anise. Racy redcurrant and wild strawberry flavors are braced by youthful tannins and become sweeter with air, finishing with great snap and sappy length. Reminds me of an elegant Chambolle-Musigny.
- 91-94/100 Stephen Tanzer

Very juicy, with layers of raspberry and plum fruit cascading over each other, while fruitcake, red licorice, floral... Read more »

Possibly the Most Famous Wine in the South of France

Famously described as the "First Growth of the Languedoc", Mas de Daumas Gassac was established in 1978 after he identified the potential of the terroir and extraordinary micro-climate dominated by gentle garrigue slopes and cool underground springs, leading to the challenge to reproduce the quality of the best Bordeaux Châteaux in the unlikely Languedoc enclave of Aniane, located just north of Montpellier. The gauntlet has been passed from Aimé, now retired, to sons Samuel and Roman, and the challenge has been successfully met.

The red is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend that is rich, elegant and packed with cassis and cedarwood notes. It needs at least five years of bottle age before it shows at its best and not for nothing is it described as the" Lafite of Languedoc". This... Read more »

Lush, juicy and deliciously ripe Merlot from Bordeaux

Hubert de Boüard de Laforest is the co-owner of Château Angélus, a great Classified Growth of Saint Emilion, where he has managed the estate and made the wine for 20 years. He graduated as an oenologist at Bordeaux University. Together with his wife, Corinne, they work passionately towards one single aim: to make an outstanding wine at La Fleur de Boüard.

"Hubert de Bouard's reference point estate in Lalande de Pomerol continues to produce wines that are truly revelations of what can be accomplished in this appellation. His 2004 La Fleur de Bouard (80% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc as well as a dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon) is a fabulous sleeper of the vintage. Its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by scents of cassis, blackberries, smoke, licorice, and background... Read more »

Trevallon's Rare, Cult Red From the Bouche du Rhone

Visionary winemaker Eloi Dürrbach created his world renowned vineyard back in 1973 in a Provençal backwater on the edge of Les Alpilles, between Aix and Arles. Made from 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Syrah, Trévallon has similarities in terms of structure and finesse to some of the finer wines of the Médoc, whilst there is also an obvious resonance with the dense, dark wines of the Northern Rhône, the whole interspersed with an untamed Provençal character of its own.

"Dark inky colour with diverse floral, liquorice and garrigue herb aromas. The hugely complex palate with concentrated, ripe, red berry-fruit flavours, hints of lavender and black olives is underpinned by firm chocolaty tannins."

Grand Cru Chablis With Superb Depth and Concentration

Made from very old vines in the famous 'Grenouilles' Grand Cru vineyard in Chablis.

This wine has a rare, intense and complex bouquet, with aromas of fresh fruit, white flowers and spicy notes. In the mouth it is remarkably pure, fine and elegant, with an extremely long, mineral finish.

"...the flavours are quite rich, powerful, dense and brimming with extract, all wrapped in a long and mouth-coating finish."
- 92/100 Burghound

From the finest estate in St Estephe, Bordeaux

"Gorgeous aromas of currants and berries with hints of licorice. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a pretty finish. Silky. This is extremely good for the vintage. The team of Cos worked hard on their 2002 and it shows."
- 93/100 Wine Spectator

"A brilliant effort for the vintage, the 2002 Cos d'Estournel is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot made from low yields of 32 hectoliters per hectare. It represents an outstanding expression of Bordeaux elegance married with surprising power, yet never going over the top. Complex aromatics include scents of smoke, licorice, red as well as black currants, vanilla, spice box, and Asian spices. The wine is medium-bodied, with great purity and elegance, a superb mouthfeel and texture,... Read more »

Superb Grand Cru St Emilion from the outstanding 2003 vintage

This 48+-acre vineyard is owned by Dr. Alain Raynaud, who has been one of the spiritual and qualitative leaders of the quality revolution that has taken place in Pomerol and St.-Emilion. Situated within the Libourne city limits, this vineyard possesses some of the oldest vines (50 years) of St.-Emilion.

"Made from a blend of 87% Merlot and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, the light-styled 2003 is soft and forward, yet possesses this property's hallmark elegance. Exhibiting a deep ruby/purple hue along with a sweet nose of blueberries, licorice, and flowers, it is all about finesse, balance, and purity. It is ideal for drinking now and over the next 12-14 years."
- 92/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

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

The Second Wine of Ch Leoville Las Cases

Clos du Marquis's grapes actually come from a separate area of vineyards (rather than younger or less successful vines at Léoville-Las Cases) surrounded on all sides by other Second Growths. This is made with much more Merlot (38%) than the Léoville-Las Cases and is very rich, with sweet, creamy, overripe raspberries and blackberries with leather overtones. It is a very precise wine within a beautifully integrated framework of new oak and classy tannins.

"The superb second wine (of Leoville Las Cases) Clos du Marquis, reflects the utter brilliance of the 2005 grand vin. It boasts an inky/ruby/purple color along with a sweet perfume of lead pencil, ripe cherries and black currants, and hints of earth and vanillin. Dense, chewy, fleshy, and full-bodied, this beauty will be drinkable... Read more »