Fine Wine

The Domaine Belleville Rully La Crée 2022 won the White Wine Trophy at the Wine Merchant Top 100 competition. The competition is judged by independent merchant judges who assess wines based on value and quality. Our buyer Hal Wilson is a senior judge for the competition. All wines are tasted blind. It's nice when one of our favourites comes out as the best white wine tastied at the competition. It has lovely minerality and creaminess combined iwith classic white Burgundy.Great concentration for a Rully, with spicy oak influence. The Wine Merchant Top 100 competition is an annual event where independent wine merchants select the top 100 wines based on their quality and value for money. The competition is seen as a trusted source for retailers looking for wines to recommend to their customers.

CWM Ranking First Class First Class Rich, dark red in colour. Intense aromas of forest & bramble fruits - ripe loganberry, blackberry and wild strawberry. The palate is brimming with sweet fruits, balanced by vanilla oak, savoury leather & tobacco, mocha with fresh herbs in the finish. Full bodied and voluptuous, mouth coating with deliciously silky, elegant tannins. Harmony in a bottle. Château Paveil de Luze is one of the oldest estates in the Margaux appellation, with a history dating back to the 18th century. Located on deep gravel soils near the Gironde estuary, the estate has been owned by the de Luze family since 1862. The 2018 vintage was one of the first to be released following the reinstatement of the prestigious Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel classification. The wine is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, matured for 12 months in French oak barrels.

Old vines, Amarone-style appassimento, tiny yields. Wonderfully extracted, deeply layered and complex. A year in French oak. V. classy. One of our biggest-selling wines. Old vines, Amarone-style appassimento, tiny yields. Wonderfully extracted, deeply layered and complex. A year in French oak. The 'Black Grape of Troy" another southern best. From Decanter "Left on the vine to partially dry, the grapes for this wine were not harvested until early November, giving it a powerful character and rich texture. Dark, liquorice-imbued fruits of the forest aromas alongside menthol and blueberry notes, almost medicinal. It is really rich on the palate with plummy, leathery flavours, macerated black cherries and even a hint of nectarine on the finish. Really gorgeous and complex..."

The 2021 Savigny-lès-Beaune, Vieilles Vignes is made from 50- to 85-year-old vines, giving sweet and gravelly tannins, generous fruit and a spicy, floral undertone. The Carrés protected the vineyard with candles to raise the temperature and ward off the frost. As a result, there is a decent-sized crop of this excellent Savigny which will offer delicious short- and medium-term drinking.

"I knew our terroirs very well, and knew that we could exploit them to the full. With Romain’s experience of vinifications all around the world, I was happy to launch the domaine". Gérald Delhome "This is an interesting newcomer to the ranks in the northern sector of Crozes-Hermitage, with vineyards in the communes of Crozes itself, Larnage, Gervans and Erôme. There are almost 11.5 hectares of Crozes across 20 plots, Romain is the fifth generation; his great-grandfather Flavien Delhome had vineyards, while, on his mother’s side there were vineyards under her family in the shape of Severin Habrard, so there are two old roots at play here. Father Gérald took over the domaine in 1993, and concentrated on apricots and vines, the grape harvest sent to the Cave de Tain. Son Romain came on to the domaine in 2018; he had worked locally at Gigondas and in the Ventoux at Chêne Bleu, as well as in Virginia in the USA. The cellar was built in 2019. The domaine is HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) registered, a green credential, and the 2022 harvest will be officially organic. 100% Marsanne (1950s-late-1990s) from sandy-loess soils on Les Védias at Erôme & Gervans, hand harvested, whole bunch pressing, 3-4 day pre-fermentation maceration at 6°-8°C, vinification in steel vat until 1060-1050 specific gravity, then transferred to 3-10 year 228-litre oak casks, lees stirred at the end of fermentation, raised 9-10 months. 5,500 bottles produced". Wonderfully idiosyncratic. A lovely delicacy and intricacy, one is almost unsure the varietal is Marsanne, such is its elegance. The aftertaste is really delicious and where the wine really comes into its own - savoury, saline, nutty with a note of marzipan and, oddly, a touch of aromatic hops. Brilliant from the young star Romain!

This is a brilliant take on Mourvedre, which can be dense and chewy but here is almost ethereal. The extraction shows some sort of wizardry as the fruit lingers and the tannins are there but are somehow playful and certainly elegant. Well done winemaker Duncan Stuart for this wonderful wine. Because it has power and gracve you can pair it with many mediterranean style dishes. Tim Atkin "Made for the first time as a stand-alone wine in 2024, this is a small but very interesting release of just 1,200 bottles. Fermented with 40% whole bunches, it's a comparatively elegant expression of what can be a tannic grape, showing flavours of clove, pepper, plum and blood orange, a floral top note and savoury tannins." All grapes are handpicked during the early morning hours and then cooled overnight in a temperature - controlled room at 5°C. 40% of these grapes are then crushed and destemmed, whilst the remaining 60% is fermented as whole cluster. Natural fermentation takes place in open fermenters. Extraction is obtained by light punch - downs twice a day. After fermentation is completed, the wine is left on the skins for another seven days and then pressed to neutral oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation is completed in the barrel. The wine is then racked from the lees and given a low dose of sulphur. The wine spends a total of 10 months in the barrel before it is bottled.

Produced using the Traditional Method, this Classic cuvee boasts aromas of red apple, conference pear and elderflower. You’ll find notes of ripe apricots, baked apple and roasted hazelnuts on the palate leading to a creamy, vibrant finish.

This is from a 0.75-hectare parcel of vines between 20-60 years old. Bordering Beaune and near Clos des Mouches, the soil is white and chalky. The effect is of a crisp, bouncing energy under a dark-cherry fruit profile. The tannic structure is pronounced but supportive. The French would describe this as digeste – a moreish wine for food.

"I knew our terroirs very well, and knew that we could exploit them to the full. With Romain’s experience of vinifications all around the world, I was happy to launch the domaine". Gérald Delhome "This is an interesting newcomer to the ranks in the northern sector of Crozes-Hermitage, with vineyards in the communes of Crozes itself, Larnage, Gervans and Erôme. There are almost 11.5 hectares of Crozes across 20 plots, Romain is the fifth generation; his great-grandfather Flavien Delhome had vineyards, while, on his mother’s side there were vineyards under her family in the shape of Severin Habrard, so there are two old roots at play here". Father Gérald took over the domaine in 1993, and concentrated on apricots and vines, the grape harvest sent to the Cave de Tain. Son Romain came on to the domaine in 2018; he had worked locally at Gigondas and in the Ventoux at Chêne Bleu, as well as in Virginia in the USA. The cellar was built in 2019. The domaine is HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) registered, a green credential, and the 2022 harvest will be officially organic. 100% Roussanne planted (only 0.3ha) on the very special and unique white Kaolin soils of Chateau de Larnage. This is phenomenal wine from such a young vine (planted in 2018). When looking at the 2022 vintage of this wine our senior buyer Stewart Travers thought the vines need to come on a little to show the terroir a little more to stand up in the market. We were literally knocked straight off of our feet on tasting the 2023 vintage, the vines and the fruit from this wonderful terroir have come on LEAPS and BOUNDS. Deep golden yellow colour, full, rich nose of flowers, quince and a touch of warm spice. Juicy and impressively deep on the palate with the fine acid brilliantly and elegantly holding everything finely in tune on the utterly delightful finish. What a wine, and simply another reason why we so look forward to following Dom. Delhome. Young Romain is a star!

Le Général is a suitably serious, even patrician blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 8% each of Malbec and Petit Verdot from the cooler Jonkershoek Valley. Framed by 40% new French oak, it has ample colour and concentration, damson, blueberry and blackcurrant fruit and a firm, brooding finish.

96 Pts - Tim Atkin This wine has an intense red-violet colour. The nose is delicate, with aromas of violet flowers, menthol, spices and black fruits. In the mouth, ripe and structured tannins, and liquorice notes. Long and persistent finish. Exceptional specimen! In 2008, Fabian Valenzuela – chief oenologist at bodega Tapiz – was selecting the components of Tapiz Seleccion de Barricas. This consisted on tasting the contents of the oak barles (225 lts capacity each) where the wines harvested in 2006 from the best plots of land were being aged for almost two years by then. This is done every year, and Seleccion de Barricas is a blend of the barriques selected in this process. That particular year, when he tasted one of the Malbec barrels, he was in awe with the deep dark colour of the wine, and the amazing concentration of flavours it presented. When pouring it in a glass and swirling it a direct image came to his mind with the drops of wines that were produced: black tears (lágrimas negras). It was at that point that he decided to make a single variety top end wine from this wine. He identified the plot of land the grapes came from, and created a new product which became iconic: Black tears Malbec

Escaravailles rare top end white we are very lucky to see an allocation of. Even with a hot, short vintage Madeline has produced a very fine, elegant, juicy long and fine Rhone wine.

This embodies finesse with its rich, gourmet and wonderfully unique character. The perfect Amontilado from DO Montilla-Moriles, combines elegance with complexity and has a sensory appeal which shows a definite sense of place.

The "100% Merlot version". Epic Super-Tuscan. Wine Spectator 93/100

Very attractive nose of white orchard fruit, pears even a hint of quince and a floral note. The same on the palate but with a sweet citrus note giving added juiciness. Subtle red apple fruit, full, perfectly balanced oak. Youthful but approachable right away. Fresh and vibrant, this is delicious, and great value!

A fine Manzanilla that's powerfully aromatic. Fresh, with a salty tang, with plenty of acidity together with a very satisfying lemon twist to the finish. A natural Product with plenty of colour, weight and concentration.

The 'house' Barolo from Rivetto. The only producer who grows organically and biodynamically and is certified in the DOCG. This beautiful Serralunga is grown on soils of Serravallian origin, which are clay-limestone. Soil with sub-alkaline reaction, with presence of magnesium, calcium and iron. On east, south-east and north-east slopes at between 340-420 metres altitude from the vineyards of Serra, Manocino and San Bernardo. Selection in stages, carried out three times in the 45 days before the start of the harvest. Manually harvested as late as possible. The must sees stem and grape seeds removal, pressing and room temperature maceration for two days, then cooled. Total duration of maceration is 20-25 days. The wine then sees natural fermentation on its wild yeast at 28-30° C. Malolactic completed. The wine is then aged in large Slavonian oak barrels (30hL) for 30 months, aged in bottle for a further ten months before release. A pale, elegant example of Barolo from Serralunga. Violets, rose hips, tobacco and leather are surrounded by gorgeous red fruits and elegant tannins. Enrico works wonders in this area to produces such ethereal, beautiful wines with grace and power that shall drink well on release and develop further interest for at least twenty years from this superb 2022 vintage. "Just mid ruby. Pure, perfumed raspberry and cherry. The gravelly tannins on the palate streamline the pure fruit. Just a hint of complex oak. Long, with lots of juice and with great balance and tannins to chew on without them becoming too dominant". 17+/20 Walter Speller on jancisrobinson.com Recent vintage awards - 2021 17++/20 jancisrobinson.com 2020 17++/20 jancisrobinson.com 2019 93/100 Wine Advocate, 2018 95/100 Wine Enthusiast, 92/100 James Suckling, 17/20 jancisrobinson.com 2017 93/100 JS, 95/100 WE 2016 93/100 WA, 92/100 Decanter Magazine, 93/100 JS, 17+/20 jancisrobinson.com, 95/100 WE 2015 94/100 JS, 17.5/20 jancisrobinson.com

Impressively deep, rich purple-red colour, unusual in Australian pinot noir. The bouquet is loaded with black cherry, blackberry and spice aromas, a hint of smoky oak adding charcuterie and fivespice nuances, while the palate is voluptuously full and rich, decadently flavoured, with luxurious flesh and fruit, abundant fine/soft tannins and terrific length. There are some whole-bunch nuances which are beautifully incorporated into the wide array of flavours. A totally convincing and thoroughly impressive Aussie pinot noir to compare with the best in the world. 98 POINTS. Huon Hooke, The Real Review. Tolpuddle has firmly cemented its position at the pointy end of the Tasmanian pinot noir pyramid, consistently producing knockout wines that have become a benchmark for the region. Nothing changes with the 2022 release, which shows wonderful fruit intensity and oodles of pinosity in a graceful package. Lovely pure dark cherry and wild strawberry fruits, cut with exotic spice, charcuterie, roasting game, shiitake broth, amaro herbs, purple floral tones and complex forest floor notes. Textural and elegant yet with an undercurrent of latent power and intensity, a tight tannin frame and a long finish that shows balance and poise. Just wonderful stuff. 96 POINTS. David Brookes, The Halliday Wine Companion,

A beautiful and pure expression of young Nebbiolo from one of the most exciting winemakers in Italy. After Gian Luca completed his Masters in Viticulture and Oenology after 11 years of study and worked as a wine consultant across Italy in 2011 he started his own small winery in the heart of his native Langhe. Within 3 years he won the Gambelli award for Young Winemaker of the Year. His small Segni di Langa estate is located in Roddi in Barolo country and working sustainably he takes a very minimal interventionist approach allowing each vintage to showcase itself. Making his wines in the 'garage' beneath his house he typifies the small scale, high quality, personal style of winemaking. Roddi, 220 m. South./South East facing. Two small vineyards planted by Gian Luca to Pelaverga Piccolo. Fermented wild and raised in clay Amphora. Something really rare! Verduno Pelaverga is the smallest DOC in the Barolo region in the far north, where the indigenous variety Pelaverga Piccolo grows. Quite a light colour, pale but brilliant and bright and oh-so fragrant with floral aromas dominated by roses, violets and super pure raspberry - both the berry and the leaves. Vibrant, charming and simply a wonderful, curious drink.

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."

After Gian Luca completed his Masters in Viticulture and Oenology after 11 years of study and worked as a wine consultant across Italy in 2011 he started his own small winery in the heart of his native Langhe. Within 3 years he won the Gambelli award for Young Winemaker of the Year. His small Segni di Langa estate is located in Roddi in Barolo country and working sustainably he takes a very minimal interventionist approach allowing each vintage to showcase itself. Making his wines in the 'garage' beneath his house he typifies the small scale, high quality, personal style of winemaking. 60% Barolo village, 370m. 40% Dogliani Village, 350 to 550m. North / North-East facing. From north facing vineyards that are well-protected from the hot sun. After fermentation with only natural, wild yeasts the wine is then aged in amphora and large Stockinger barrels. Gian Luca is a bit a dab hand with Pinot Nero, having started producing it prior to turning his hand to Nebbiolo and the rest. Truffley, with the scents of sous bois and woodland earth. Leading to spicy cinnamon and clove and piercing fruit - cherries, redcurrants and pomegranate. Fine, long, pure and vibrant Pinot Nero.

The vineyard is situated at the top of Lirano Hill between Sinio and Serralunga d’Alba villages at 340-400m with exposure to the west, south and east on clay-limestone soils. Literally a few steps from the Barolo border. The vineyard is manually harvested in late September. The grapes are destalked and wildly fermented with their indigenous yeasts. The wine is then aged in large, traditional, Slavonian oak. It produces a compact and also delicate wine at the same time. The fruit is pure, the tannins well rounded. A very tasty, wholesome Langhe Nebbiolo indeed.

Very bright, polished platinum with green, vivacious hue. Complex, appealing nose with quince, citrus and floral notes developing into lemon cream, oatmeal and marzipan richness. On the palate the wine is full bodied and generous, but still balanced by crisp acidity. There is ripe tropical fruit and creaminess balanced by a pure minerality typical of the variety. The wine has a long, very pleasant lingering finish indicating the richness and persistence of the vintage.