Case Discounts

St Aubin has got to be one of the best value wines in Burgundy. This is a full-bodied, generous and precise wine. Easily accessible, it is the perfect accompaniment for aperitifs or a simple cooked meat (charcuterie), poultry or fish dishes.

To quote Allen Meadows; ‘the quality of these wines is nothing short of phenomenal compared to the usual quality of the respective appellations’. Claude Marechal makes his wines as naturally as possible, taking his inspiration from his late friend Henri Jayer who he trained with early in his career. In common with Jayer he makes wines above and beyond the expectations of his terroirs. His wines are pure and sleek with vibrant fruit and great potential to age. In the vineyard ripeness is the watchword and the vines are maintained in order to maximise phenolic maturity every vintage whatever the conditions. No chemical fertilisers are used and the harvest is hand picked each vintage, Claude says he is usually the last in each appellation to pick which shows on the ripe fruited nature of his wines. After harvest the bunches are sorted by hand and gently de-stemmed before vinification using natural yeasts. The fermenting must is pumped over twice daily and once alcoholic fermentation is finished the wines are placed into oak barrels where they mature for between 10 and 15 months. From tastings of back vintages at the domaine it is clear these are wines that are built to age well. Claude has not changed his prices for the 2021 vintage.

Made by all female star team of owner Lindsay Hoopes, Anne Vauter (ex Screaming Eagle) and Jennifer Rue this has richness and elegance in equal measure. Extended barrel ageing has softened the wine, as has some bottle age, making it exquisite to drink now. It will keep but why wait?

A junior version of Barolo and Barbaresco: priced accordingly, and a much better bet than lower-end versions of those greats. Langhe Nebbiolo occupies an interesting legal status in that it is the only appellation available for top Barolo and Barbaresco to downgrade or declassify their wines, therefore offcuts and lesser batches end up in their Langhe wine at a cheaper price. This example is classic: pale, leathery, dried fruits and flowers, a pinot-like delicacy and savoury layering. Charming dinner wine, let it breathe for an hour or so before drinking.

The Crusher Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a vibrant bouquet of black cherry, toasted oak and captivating pepperiness. Graceful in the mouth, with a silky texture and lively dark berry fruit, flavors of plum and dark chocolate expand on the palate.

Very rare, very low production. One of the legendary white wines of the Roussillon grown at elevation (500m) in a vineyard called 'Le Soula' (the name adopted by the neighbouring estate Eric Laguerre was once involved with) high in Saint-Martin-de-Fenouillet, on granite soils. Mineral, taught, fine and long with beautiful texture. A blend of Marsanne, Roussanne, Rolle, Grenache Blanc and Maccabeu. Outstanding wine which can age gracefully for 25++ years. Beautiful vineyards that are beautifully worked by the master Eric Laguerre. After first visiting the vineyard back in September 2009, we are very happy to now be importing the wines from Domaine Laguerre exclusively to the UK market. The Rhône cannot make white wines like this, although they carry a far higher price which somehow, wrongly, implies that they are somehow better, more valuable. This wine. Spliced by acidity that is so laser focused yet so gentle that it feels like the fall of spring petals through sunlight and falls like a blade of obsidian leaving a cut so fine that only the air drew breath in its wake. This wine. Tastes of Reine Claude plums so sweet the flesh has turned liquid to honey inside the green-gold skin, of cardamom husk caught in the pot of cream coddling slowly on the stove; of pink grapefruit and sucking on a twist of aromatic peel. Exquisite freshness; nacreous beauty; and yet almost shockingly bare of winemaking tricks. It's beautiful. Complete. A lunar cycle in the glass; waxing crescent, waxing gibbous, waning gibbous, waning crescent. GV (TC)

Opaque and ruby red in colour, Woolloomooloo Shiraz displays a nose of smoky, ripe berry fruits with a touch of mint. Smooth and rich on the palate with spicy flavours of luscious dark berry fruits. Vegan.

The Gianetto vineyard is next to Cerretta. It was never bottled before using the vineyard name as it was added to famous brands, like Prunotto, as fruit and wine from here in Serralunga was always an important part of Barolo. Garesio have the best part of the vineyard, east facing, bathed by the morning 'sori', between 270 and 310 metres above sea level. It shows a bit more power that the Cerretta bottling. It's a beautiful wine and also a stunning value. Walter Speller on jancisrobinson.com "Perfect amalgam of red fruit and oak. Tightly knit red-fruit palate with great depth and real energy. Cool, long red-fruit finish with finely coating tannins". 17+/20

Wonderful Rose made from a direct pressing of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. Frederic Julien seeks a balance between the aromatic purity of the fruit and freshness. The grapes come from a place named "La Giraude" in Sainte Cécile les Vignes. The soils can be likened to "nourishing" garrigues. The wine shows pink grapefruit, red fruits and flowers, gorgeous texture and perfect weight and freshness. Fine length. Unique and wonderful. Can be drunk on its own or will match well at the table with grilled vegetables, fish and light meat dishes.

Francois Xavier AKA 'FX' worked with Tom Lubbe at Domaine Matassa for five years. He spent a further year with Domaine Danjou-Banessy. After such time this local lad set up in Espira to make his own wholly exciting wines which we are introducing the UK for the first time. One hundred percent thirty year old vine Syrah on red clay. Eight days skin macération whole bunch. Fermentation in stainless steel and aged seven months in a single 20 hl foudre. 2g/hl sulphites added just before bottling. This is like a fine, gentle Crozes-hermitage with wild notes and tangy blueberry fruit. Very smart and stylish wine from young FX.

Francois Xavier AKA 'FX' worked with Tom Lubbe at Domaine Matassa for five years. He spent a further year with Domaine Danjou-Banessy. After such time this local lad set up in Espira to make his own wholly exciting wines which we are introducing the UK for the first time. Ninety percent Syrah (thirty years old) and ten percent Carignan (eighty years old) on schist terroir. Skin macération for seven days followed by whole-bunch fermentation in cuve and then bred in a 10hl Amphora for eight months. Just 2g/hl sulphites added just before bottling.

Francois Xavier AKA 'FX' worked with Tom Lubbe at Domaine Matassa for five years. He spent a further year with Domaine Danjou-Banessy. After such time this local lad set up in Espira to make his own wholly exciting wines which we are introducing the UK for the first time. This wine is making its debut in 2022 vintage. It’s one hundred percent Malvoisie grown on schiste on a bed of argilo calcaire that sees skin macération for seven days then wild fermentation in cuve and then aged in small sandstone eggs (3hl) for eight months. Just before bottling 2g/hl of sulphites is added. Proper, deep orange wine. One for the ages.

Francois Xavier AKA 'FX' worked with Tom Lubbe at Domaine Matassa for five years. He spent a further year with Domaine Danjou-Banessy. After such time this local lad set up in Espira to make his own wholly exciting wines which we are introducing the UK for the first time. One hundred percent eighty year old vine Carignan Noir. Macerated for seven days then whole bunch fermentation took place. The wine was bred in aged in 6 hl barrels for eight months. Just 2g/hl sulphites added just before bottling.

El Porvenir's march into the future continues with the Pequenas Fermentaciones range of small, experimental wines. This is a vibrant unoaked Garnacha from Cafayate. Delightfully fresh, light and juicy, a perfect summer red.

El Porvenir's march into the future continues with the Pequenas Fermentaciones range of small, experimental wines. This is a vibrant unoaked Bonarda from Cafayate. Fresh acidity and light crunchy tannins combine to produce perfect barbeque red.

Traditional method sparkling wine made from Macabeo, Xarel·lo and Parellada grapes aged for 15 months before disgorgement. Rich, fruity, and balanced.

From a breathtaking 0.5 hectare site on Chaban at 400+ metres altitude that was passed on to the Roudier family by the retiring Jean-Marie Teysseire, a legendary figure in Cornas and Saint-Peray. The Syrah vines are 80++ yrs of age on granitic soils including a portion of the mineral baryte, a clear crystal/quartz looking mark that gives the wine its mysterious sounding name. The vines are deeply established on this steep hillside, cut into terraces and oriented East/South-East. An utterly beautiful, natural granite amphitheatre that protects the vines from the cold winds. Beautiful Syrah expresses all its power and finesse on this wonderful Cornas terroir. The debut vintage of this full-bodied terroir wine - which doesn't initially appear to be representative of the "Northern Rhone 2021" vintage - spring frost, harvest rain affected. But from what we have tasted, Cornas in general appears little affected, likely due to the elevation of the vineyards and the gradients of the slopes. So watch out for sleeping Cornas bargains like this from 2021. The wine has a fairly classic Cornas nose, on the palate it is voluminous, lush and suave but fresh and balanced with real tension and energy. The wine is pure and very long. All the fruit destemmed, no oak breeding (all in stainless steel) with a four week maceration. A true terroir wine from a great Cornas site. This 2021 is very impressive now and shall reveal its elegance and finesse over the coming years. What a wine!

Miopasso Grillo comes from a local grape variety on the west coast of Sicily. Light and fresh with white blossom aromas and hints of tropical fruits. Miopasso is a small range of quality wines made with indigenous Italian grape varieties. With Miopasso, The Wine People's aim is to bring traditional styles of Italian wines to the international market place - a genuine taste of Italy. They do this by using totally modern winemaking techniques to bring out every nuance of the grape variety.

Jane Anson 92/100 "Powerful, concentrated, extremely sexy and confident. Very young and knitted down at this stage, suggest holding off for a good five years at least, but there is a ripple of cassis, liquorice, baked earth, gingerbread and slate that suggests great things ahead. Owned by the Meslin family, aged in 100% new oak."

CWM Rating Firswt Class 65% Cabernet Sauvignon 35% Merlot. 35% new oak. This is the most impressive du Glana I have tasted, a full bodied fruity wine with excellent concentration, sweet creamy black fruits and a well-balanced long finish. There were many very good Saint-Julien wines in 2022 but I think this is the best value of them.

CWM Ranking First Class Well judged extraction leaves the sense of silky tannins with lovely ripe fruit and a cool fresh palate. Understated and elegant.

CWM Ranking - High 2:1 The best wine I have tasted from this usually reliable estate, an improvement even on the 2016 vintage. Packed with ripe fruit the extraction is well controlled, allowing the palate to build and remain fruity to the finish.

Cool climate freshness and fragrant sweet, ripe cherry and blackberry flavours, with firm, ripe tannins. Blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Mouvedre, Viognier. Drinking well now and suitable for cellaring for at least 10 years.

Decanter Panel Tasting 92/100 "Intense aromas of sweet cherry and strawberry with oaky and leathery notes. Crunchy acidity on the palate with polished tannins."