By Charles Lea on 02/09/2014
The adventurous and sportif Paul Jacqueson and his wife Marie make wines of impeccable quality, when not climbing in the Himalayas, close indeed to their much more expensive cousins on the Côte d’Or. We have a particular fondness for their whites, and especially the Pucelle, which is a model of what a great Rully can be year after year.
By Ed H-B on 29/08/2014
This is simply delicious. Achieving that perfect balance between weight and brightness that results in immense drinkability. An ideal drinks party wine or a partner to a summer lunch in the garden.
By Ed H-B on 27/08/2014
Perhaps testament to the early autumnal weather or just to great affordable wines from the Rhone valley, we’ve still a small remaining parcel of this sumptuous Côtes de Rhone from top organic producer Christophe Delorme at Domaine de la la Mordorée before we move onto the 2012 vintage
By Ed H-B on 26/08/2014
François and Isabelle Lumpp own this impeccable 16 hectare estate in Givry, a region which is so often over looked by Burgundy lovers and yet which is capable of producing wines of exceptional quality as well as value.
By Andrew Hooper on 21/08/2014
You may have noticed us making quite a fuss over the years about the fantastically good Pinot Noirs from Bodegas Chacra in Patagonia. But, planted alongside the 1955 vineyard is a block of Merlot vines and we haven’t made nearly enough noise about them. Here is the noise.
By David Porter on 14/08/2014
This is delicious drinking – made from old vine Sauvignon Blanc (70%) and Sémillon (30%). A beautifully crafted white Bordeaux which will appeal to drinkers of even the best wines from the Graves.
By Ed H-B on 12/08/2014
Bio-dynamically made here at this beautiful little estate, the Bilbo (Catalan name for Bilbao) is the purest expression of their land. About 70% Grenache with the balance being made up with Syrah and a little Cinsault, Bilbo has the clear lightness of touch which is somewhat Marie Chauffray’s trademark.
By Andrew Hooper on 07/08/2014
All gone. We shipped more than ever before but still the MiP* has outsold demand. There's not a bottle to be had in the land. The winery is dry. We're MiP*ped out. What to do? Wait for the next vintage, one supposes, but you may develop a thirst before next Spring and the sun hasn't finished shining yet.
By Andrew Hooper on 31/07/2014
Of course, that makes Brunello di Montalcino a more expensive option, but for more of an everyday wine, Montalcino gives us Rosso di Montalcino
By Andrew Hooper on 17/07/2014
We were led to Istrian wine by our our friend Tony Hodges. Tony, who sadly departed earlier this year, coined the slogan 'The lightness of being Istria' for the nascent wine export drive. The 'basic' wines have been well-appreciated for a couple of years.
By Andrew Hooper on 01/07/2014
Just when you may have started to tire of the cut grass, gooseberries, asparagus, sprinkling felines and tropical fruit character of “typical” New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, allow us to tempt you back in to the genre with Nick Mills’ outrageously tasty offering from Central Otago…
By Ed H-B on 26/06/2014
It is said that Sir Alex Ferguson, amongst his famously impressively appointed wine collection, retains a soft spot for Ribera del Duero (‘a lovely little Spanish wine-making region’, Daily Mail, February 2009). To the south-west of Rioja, hugging the banks of the Douro River & a few tributaries, lie the vineyards of Ribera del Duero & Bodegas y Viñedos Montecastro