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
£213.00 £254.40
"There are any number of right bank Bordeaux wineries producing highly extracted alcoholic fruit bombs: not something that could ever be said about Vieux Château Saint André. This is the home and creation of Jean-Claude Berrouet, the legendary head winemaker of Château Pétrus for 44 years. This wine certainly boasts its pedigree. Perfect balance and a long silky finish mean this wine belongs firmly in the classic tradition. One of the best value for money Bordeaux I have tasted this year."
£141.00 £162.00
"A Saint-Joseph in all but name, made entirely from Syrah: the grape of choice in the northern Rhône. Anthony Vallet, a dynamic young winemaker with a lightness of touch, has crafted a charming early maturing wine. The undertones of blackberries and cherries make this wine ideal for the last few months of summer, and would complement a roast chicken or leg of lamb wonderfully. It’s also greater value for money than his more structured St Josephs and Condrieu - what more reason could you need to buy a case?"
£186.00 £216.00
"This excellent New Zealand pinot noir has been produced for nearly a quarter of a century and has been certified organic for the past decade. We offered the previous vintage in this column last year. Located in Nelson, the northernmost wine region of New Zealand’s South Island, Jenny and Andrew Greenhough’s wine has become more attractive with each vintage. Showing more fruit than a red Burgundy, it has an open structure and confirms that fine pinot noir is no longer the exclusive preserve of France."
£243.00 £284.40
"Haynes Hanson and Clark have been selling Olivier Leflaive’s wines for more than 30 years and this is one of his most dependable. On first taste it drenches your palate with apricot notes, becoming honeyed in the aftertaste. From the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise just south of the more famous white Burgundy vineyards, Montagny offers real value for money, thanks to the perfectionism of Olivier Leflaive and Franck Grux, his head winemaker."
£124.20 £144.00
"This expressive rosé vineyard is located between Cannes and Aix-en-Provence and is surrounded by the herb infused garrigue. Like all good rosé, there is a subtlety of flavour and delicacy, which makes it the perfect drink on a hot summer's day. Owned by Englishman Max Hubbard, who started his wine career at Oddbins in London, he then spent a year in Australia before purchasing this vineyard nearly 20 years ago. Despite its overall brightness, there is an addictive creamy middle taste, balanced nicely with its clean aftertaste."
£138.00 £160.80
"Reuilly is a small but fashionable Loire appellation of less than one square mile. Co-owner Matthieu Mabillot trained in Bordeaux, Napa and Barossa Valleys before returning home to work with brother Renaud on their 20 acres of vineyards. This is a gorgeous example of sauvignon blanc without the greenness of the New Zealand versions. It has the perfect combination of citric austerity with an aromatic backbone that excels with delicate fish, crustacea or oysters."
£173.70 £203.10
The 12 bottle mixed case includes 2 bottles of each of the following wines:
Vieux Château Saint André, Montagne Saint-Emilion 2014
Domaine Vallet Ritou Syrah 2016
Greenhough Pinot Noir, Nelson 2016
Montagny 1er Cru Perrières, Olivier Leflaive Frères 2016
Domaine Pique Roque Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2017
Reuilly La Ferté, Matthieu & Renaud Mabillot 2017
£168.40 £196.40
The 12 bottle mixed case includes 4 bottles of each of the following wines:
Montagny 1er Cru Perrières, Olivier Leflaive Frères 2016
Domaine Pique Roque Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2017
Reuilly La Ferté, Matthieu & Renaud Mabillot 2017
£179.00 £209.80
The 12 bottle mixed case includes 4 bottles of each of the following wines:
Vieux Château Saint André, Montagne Saint-Emilion 2014
Domaine Vallet Ritou Syrah 2016
Greenhough Pinot Noir, Nelson 2016
