We have selected six wine merchants to work with, who we believe to offer a fantastic quality of wine and fantastic customer service. Every month, I choose six of my favourite bottles from one of our merchants, and will provide you with my tasting notes for each, so you can be assured of what you're buying. These wines are not readily available in the shops, and bring a little something extra to the table. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.
Bruce Palling, Wine Editor - The Week Wines
£174.00 £180.00
I fell in love with this on the first sip. It’s a delightful blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay, the backbone of Beaujolais. From the exceptional 2015 vintage, Bourgogne-Passe-Tout-Grains is not that well known beyond France, which is a pity because the combination of these two grape varieties gives it a freshness with a bit of zing. Very enjoyable by itself, with enough body to go with light food and even fish.
£119.40 £135.00
Named after owner Enrique Foster, this is a pure expression of the Malbec grape, which is now the dominant variety in Argentina. From the famous Mendoza region, no oak is used, so it has a delightful smoothness with a hint of violets. Very moreish and a bargain at the price. I also love their passion for organic farming, which includes using pheromones to sexually confuse any nasty bugs so
as to prevent them proliferating!
£149.40 £163.80
This Puglian wine has class – it was formerly served in BA’s European first class
cabins. Made entirely from the local grape variety Negroamaro, it is quite herbal
on the nose and spends 12 months in barrel to add to its character. It has plump fruit overtones with very little tannin but a superb dry finish, which means it would be a fantastic accompaniment to delicate cheeses as well as meat dishes.
£153.00 £167.40
Arneis is making a comeback in Piedmont, where it was originally planted to attract birds with its strong smell, so they would leave the more expensive Nebbiolo grape alone. It is made in stainless steel with no oak, which gives it a delightful floral and pear aftertaste. There is a nice weight to it and because of its mouth cleansing attributes, is an ideal wine to drink with food.
£203.40 £215.40
Better known for their Sancerre, the Dezat family actually has as many Sauvignon vines in the Pouilly Fumé appellation. Though they are both made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape, this wine has more complexity and durability. There is a
whiff of asparagus on the nose with a wonderfully delicate floral follow through — more obvious finesse than the more intense Antipodean versions — and with a richness that is remarkably attractive.
£162.00 £174.00
There is a major shift of interest in Burgundy towards the lesser-known and more
modestly priced Mâconnais, both white and red. Domaine Talmard make a number of approachable Chardonnays, this being the most attractive, with its floral elements overlaying a racy, pure, thirst quenching style. The Talmard family have been in the wine trade for four centuries and are well placed to take advantage of the growing interest in this region.
£160.20 £172.60
The 12 bottle mixed case includes 2 bottles of each of the following wines:
Côteaux Bourguignons Domaine Truchetet 2015, France
Ique Malbec, Bodegas Foster, 2014, Argentina
Negroamaro Altemura, IGT Salento 2015, Italy
Arneis delle Langhe, Rocche Costamagna 2016, Italy
Pouilly Fumé Domaine Thibault, André Dezat 2017, France
Mâcon Uchizy, Domaine M & B Talmard 2017, France
£147.60 £159.60
The 12 bottle mixed red case includes 4 bottles of each of the following wines:
Côteaux Bourguignons Domaine Truchetet 2015, France
Ique Malbec, Bodegas Foster, 2014, Argentina
Negroamaro Altemura, IGT Salento 2015, Italy
£172.80 £185.60
The 12 bottle mixed case includes 2 bottles of each of the following wines:
Arneis delle Langhe, Rocche Costamagna 2016, Italy
Pouilly Fumé Domaine Thibault, André Dezat 2017, France
Mâcon Uchizy, Domaine M & B Talmard 2017, France
