Red Wine

With a vineyard of 3.67 ha in an exceptional terroir, the Château Vray Croix de Gay is one of the top estates of the renowned Pomerol appellation, whose enormous potential and unique style has become world-renowned. The strength of Château Vray Croix de Gay lies in its vineyard. Located in the heart of the Pomerol gravel plateau, on the Right Bank of the Bordeaux region, the estate’s 9 plots are subdivided into micro plots and spread over 2 vineyards. One of these is located alongside Château La Fleur behind Pétrus, and the other is set just in front of the Château Trotanoy. 93/100 Wine Advocate "Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Vray Croix de Gay opens with notes of warm blackberries, boysenberries and black raspberries with wafts of stewed tea, fragrant earth and cloves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with expressive black fruit, framed by ripe, rounded tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and spicy."

Wine produced exclusively from grapes of the Herdade do Esporão, under organic production. In the search for greater freshness, a selection of the first grape varieties to be harvested is made. The fermentation and aging in concrete tulip-shaped tanks (porous/neutral aromas) respect the freshness and purity of the fruit, resulting in a direct, fresh, and vibrant wine. A red blend composed of Trincadeira, Touriga Franca, Aragonez, Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouschet, and Tinta Miúda grapes, not aged in wood, but briefly aged in concrete vats. Full of ripe red and black fruits, accompanied by floral, herbal, and spicy notes, which resonate on the palate.. Pleasant to drink, fluid and juicy, with a finish with hints of plum, blackberry, licorice, balsamic, and earthy notes.

Tre Biccieri, Gambero Rosso. Beautiful deep purple garnet. Nose of chocolate, cherry, violet and vanilla. Some liquorice. . Bitter chocolate, liquorice and vanilla. Some plum, blackcurrant and black cherry. The tannins are balanced yet well pronounced. It’s a proper Primitivo.

All of our parcels of land are scattered up to 300m in the foothills of the Montagne Noire whose cool summer winds have a positive effect on the maturing of our grapes. The ground is a mixture of compact limestone and limestone marl. The appellation AOP Minervois La Livinière was the first premier cru to be created in Languedoc, in 1999. It covers 6 villages, 40 wineries and 350 hectares scattered within the garrigue of the foothills of the Massif Central. The terroir is a stony mix of limestone, pebble sand sandstone and the region has a particularly dry climate with large temperature variations between day and night. Of our 17 hectares of land, six are currently producing Grenache, Syrah, Carginan, Cinsault and Mouvèdre with vines ranging from 20 to 70 years of age. The vines are either bush vines or Cordon de Royat and are planted on rock strewn limestone. Our vineyards are certified organic and produce a low yield. We have a further three hectares of newly planted vines and the remaining hectares are filled with olive and fruit trees and the wild plants of the garrigue. This encourages biodiversity and offers soil protection. Our wines, Les Parcelles, are created from our parcellaire vineyards. At the very essence of our wines is the concept that we create individual wines that reflect the best combination of grapes for any particular year from across the 15 different unique parcelles. This means each year our wines will always be unique and original. Our production is limited because of our desire to make only the best wine each year. Each Parcelles release will have a different combination from within our vineyards. #5 is 70% Grenache Noir and 30% Syrah raised in older foudre and large sandstone jars. Our labels reflect our vineyards and the coloured area the parcels that are used in the wines each vintage.

The wine combines rich dark berry fruits with hints of chocolate and sweet spices. The palate texture is chocolate-smooth with silky, ripe tannins and well-balanced acidity supported by the warming alcohol.

Attractive, fruit-driven Shiraz. Cherry red with hints of dark plum and chocolate on the nose. The wine is seamlessly balanced with sweet lifted fruit, subtle oak and soft tannins, a delicious wine made to enjoy now.

All of our parcels of land are scattered up to 300m in the foothills of the Montagne Noire whose cool summer winds have a positive effect on the maturing of our grapes. The ground is a mixture of compact limestone and limestone marl. Of our 17 hectares of land, six are currently producing Grenache, Syrah, Carginan, Cinsault and Mouvèdre with vines ranging from 20 to 70 years of age. The vines are either bush vines or Cordon de Royat and are planted on rock strewn limestone. Our vineyards are certified organic and produce a low yield. We have a further three hectares of newly planted vines and the remaining hectares are filled with olive and fruit trees and the wild plants of the garrigue. This encourages biodiversity and offers soil protection. Our wines, Les Parcelles, are created from our parcellaire vineyards. At the very essence of our wines is the concept that we create individual wines that reflect the best combination of grapes for any particular year from across the 15 different unique parcelles. This means each year our wines will always be unique and original. Our production is limited because of our desire to make only the best wine each year. Each Parcelles release will have a different combination from within our vineyards. #6 is 80% Grenache Noir and 20% Mourvedre raised in older foudre and large sandstone jars. Our labels reflect our vineyards and the coloured area the parcels that are used in the wines each vintage.

Pinot Noir from the Chalonnaise region of Burgundy that borders the Cotes de Beaune to the North. Intense ruby colour with hints of purple. A wide palette of aromas dominated by morello cherry and red fruits. Hints of smoke and leather, finely balanced with harmonious tannin. This wine may be enjoyed young and it is also ideal for laying down for a couple more years.

A lovely Pinot Noir. Light with a soft welcoming nose of autumn fruits. Soft smooth & spicy flavours throughout with generous soft fruit flavours & a pleasing aftertaste. Vegan.

A stunning single site Rasteau from organic vigneron Frederic Julien whose name is on everybody's lips. 80% Grenache (1960), 20% Syrah (2002) from south east facing blue clay, galet stone covered limestone, red soils, loose gravel at 250 metres on 'Gramiller' on the route de Saint Roman, a fresh zone, 70% destemmed, 3-4 week vinification at 25°-26°C of varieties apart, small daily pump overs, no press wine added, concrete vat raised for 6 months, unfined, filtered. Certified organic wine. 6,000 bottles produced. "OK, yum. The fruit is dark, scrunched up, like fistfuls of elderberries and sloe berries and black berries, underlined and outlined in kohl and coal and blue-black ink and winter bark. It's fresh, smoky, dark and has a where-does-it-end feel to the tannins - like tasting the winter night sky where there are no city lights. Just, maybe, the odd wood stove tracing smoke across the bruised wrinkle of drying plums. Good Value". 17/20 jancisrobinson.com When to drink 2024-2030 Date tasted 6 Dec 2023

A True Blouge has arrived. In our opinion, the very best of the light red/mixed grapes/blouge style. It’s sappy, herbal and aromatic, the fruit is lythe, alive, long and lifted. Colour is extraordinary, but with the interest and complexity in the wine - it’s not just pretty coloured glou glou - it’s really vinous and interesting. Serve cool. It's made by Vincent Chansault who's day job is to make the brilliant Domaine Gayda wines. This is from his personal project in Minervois La Liviniere. It's a co-ferment of a single, 70yo co-planted vineyard in La Liviniere Minervois of Cinsault (red), Bourboulenc (white) and Grenache Gris (pink). Fermented wild in whole-bunches. 2,000 bottles produced. We have a nice chunk, but it won't last forever. One of the wines of 2025. Definitely the wine of the summer!

Ruby red colour with violet tints showing its youth. On the nose it is fresh and elegant with characteristic aromas of cherry and red fruits typical of this variety. Light, harmonic and round on the palate with soft tannins.

Deep purple, almost opaque in colour with an expressive nose of black fruits, pepper, cinnamon, spice and violets. A seductive palate of dark hedgerow fruits, very open and welcoming with an explosion of fruit and spice. Mineral undertones.

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?

17.5/20 Jancis Robinson "90% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha. Each variety and area were fermented separately in stainless-steel tanks, always with the grape’s own yeast and with spontaneous malolactic conversion. Typical fermentation temperatures of 25 °C, with short macerations. Aged for three-and-a-half years in Bordeaux barrels of French oak, half new and half used, with further blending and then further ageing in bottle. Lustrous dark crimson. Complex and utterly echt, with a long life ahead of it. Really serious wine." 17/20 Julia Harding "Extremely mature colour: dark smudgy browning garnet with bricky rim. Evolved yet dark in colour. Lifted and fragrant with some very slightly volatile notes of raisiny fruit but also an inviting herbal, sweet-tobacco freshness. Sweet, senescent red fruits giving a sweet-fresh complexity with leathery flavours. On the palate, the still-definite tannins are smooth and classic Rioja rather than silky burgundy. VGV for such a mature wine. Needs food because of the tannins. Deep, chewy and generous even in its deliciously evolved state. Ready now but no rush. GV for a complex, mature classic. (JH)"

This is simply outstanding wine for the money, soft super-juicy ripe plummy fruit and a long full-flavoured finish.This easy-drinking wine comes from Chile's renowned Valle Central Region, where long hot days are followed by cool nights. This temperature difference ensures the grapes ripen slowly, so they develop maximum flavour.

Vicentini is a family business where Agostino works with his wife, Teressa, and their children Emanuele and Francesca. Based in San Zeno, a village at the mouth of the Val d‘Illarsi which resides inside both the Soave and Valpolicella DOCs, but is outside of their respective Classico zones. But don't let this last point cloud your vision to their outstanding wines produced in two distinct and great terroirs. The first terroir is on volcanic rock within the Valle dei Ciliegi, here the land is largely responsible for their "Valpolicella" and "Soave Casale". The second terroir is on limestone in the commune of Terrelunghe, where Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave are grown for the 'Terrelunghe' Soave. Corvina (70%), Molinara (20%) and Corvinone (10%). Gorgeous, pale, juicy and joyous Valpolicella that has so much character and complexity but very little tannin and weight. So beautifully done. About as perfect and honest as a light red wine can be.

Figure Libre Freestyle is the name given to an ambitious range of wines designed to shake up conventions and break new ground for expressing the inherent style of Languedoc and Roussillon. Ruby red with some purple highlights. Vibrant, expressive nose of red and black fruits, pepper, spice and "garrigue."

Natural, organic Syrah from a beautiful vineyard in Baixas, Roussillon. Grown with great care and wildly fermented and aged in old oak barrels for 12 months. Lifted, expressive Syrah with pretty floral notes and minerally fresh red and black fruits with some spicy, meaty notes and soft texture but with some matter and with a welcome, silky fruit character. Charming Syrah. The name 'Chimichurri' is a nod to Vincent's beloved Argentina (see below) because of the wines spicy, meaty character. Vincent Carreras has been working in wine industry for 13 years. For nine years he worked for a winery in the south of the Roussillon, Andy Cook’s Mas Cristine and Coume del Mas. Working in the vineyard, cellar and commercial activities - the whole shebang! For four years now he has been employed by a family winery based in Maury - Clos des Vins d'Amour. Who work 25 hectares organically in the west of Roussillon. Mostly in commercial activities, but also working in the cellar. Alongside this, in 2016, Vincent started a new project - Domaine Odyssée. The 3.5ha of vineyards are in Calce and Baixas, in a heart of Roussillon. The sites are small, but unquestionably some of the most beautiful we have seen. Vincent draws on the experiences mentioned above and his time in New Zealand (2011), Argentina (2012) and Bordeaux 2011 to help fully realise what he has there in his exceptional terroir. Vincent works organically, using no weedkillers, no chemical products. He works by hand and with organic fertilizer (he is in conversion right now). He harvests his parcels by himself with friends and family. In the cellar, Vincent’s philosophy is a minimum of intervention "To keep the fruit and the terroir.". The wines are extracted gently with just a little pump over. No filtration, no fining. The only preservative is a little dose of sulphites in very low quantities at bottling "It is important for me the stabilise the wine in respect of the future customers".

Chateau Citran is one of the best performing Crus Bourgeois wines and this second wine is suave and sophisticated. Mint, blackcurrant and cigar box aromas lead to a velvety pallet. A second wine means that it's made from slightly younger vines than the Grand Vin, but with just as much care. An excellent freshness, balancing acidity, ripe fruit flavour and a great potential to improve with age. It has perfumed notes of raspberry, black cherry and strawberry, a great texture and a long finish

A lovely red Crozes produced with fruit from the Domaine's established 50-year-old plus vineyards in eastern Les Chassis at Mercurol and in the south of Les Chassis at Pont de L'Isere. Both sites are marked with the classic Chassis terroir of red clay limestone with large, rolled pebbles. This cuvee in 2023 has elegance and lift, with suave, deep but charming fruit that has a lovely lush quality mixed with classic, complex iron notes, a nice tension and a lovely freshness. The tannins are beautifully judged here. Drinking now is a lovely experience, but this shall show well for a good few years to come. A gorgeous Crozes-Hermitage. Vendome are an established Domaine but have only started producing their own wines in the last couple of years. The wines have been very warmly received in both the French and international wine press in the debut 2020 vintage and in the following far trickier 2021 vintage. We are very happy to have struck up a relationship with the Domaine at such an early stage. The whole range is impressive across the board. Their classic red Crozes a great place to get acquainted. "Fair red robe; the nose has a smoked, pumice stone air, a leafy intonation, with discreet raspberry on the inside, is a calm opening. The palate carries a note of iodine, salting, that freshens it, is nicely droit, gives perfumed red fruits with a little vegetal tang that isn’t discordant. This fits together agreeably, has some of the crispness of the northern sector, its clarity. It can gain, amplify with another year or so, has commendable detail, some subtlety". **** John Livingstone-Learmonth on Drink Rhone "13% alcohol. Organic. Concentrated, fine and layered with a core of sweet berry and cherry fruits, with some peppery detail and also some subtle iodine and blood notes. Very fine and detailed, combining sweet fruit with some peppery framing and good energetic flow across the palate". 94/100 Jamie Goode wineanorak.com

Natural, organic Grenache Noir from a beautiful vineyard in Baixas, Roussillon. Grown with great care and wildly fermented and aged in tank. Floral, pretty and minerally fresh red fruits with soft texture and generous fruit. Really delightful Grenache. Vincent Carreras has been working in wine industry for 13 years. For nine years he worked for a winery in the south of the Roussillon, Andy Cook’s Mas Cristine and Coume del Mas. Working in the vineyard, cellar and commercial activities - the whole shebang! For four years now he has been employed by a family winery based in Maury - Clos des Vins d'Amour. Who work 25 hectares organically in the west of Roussillon. Mostly in commercial activities, but also working in the cellar. Alongside this, in 2016, Vincent started a new project - Domaine Odyssée. The 3.5ha of vineyards are in Calce and Baixas, in a heart of Roussillon. The sites are small, but unquestionably some of the most beautiful we have seen. Vincent draws on the experiences mentioned above and his time in New Zealand (2011), Argentina (2012) and Bordeaux 2011 to help fully realise what he has there in his exceptional terroir. Vincent works organically, using no weedkillers, no chemical products. He works by hand and with organic fertilizer (he is in conversion right now). He harvests his parcels by himself with friends and family. In the cellar, Vincent’s philosophy is a minimum of intervention "To keep the fruit and the terroir.". The wines are extracted gently with just a little pump over. No filtration, no fining. The only preservative is a little dose of sulphites in very low quantities at bottling "It is important for me the stabilise the wine in respect of the future customers".