This enticing wine displays gorgeous aromas of blackberry, plum, dark red fruit, and cranberry, with hints of caramel and exotic spices. The luxurious berry notes are echoed on the palate, where they are supported by supple, refined tannins and an energetic mouthfeel that carries the wine to a long, lush finish.

When you order wines En Primeur you buy wines that are as yet not available for physical delivery but are available for purchase. They are sold without Excise and VAT taxes and an invoice is issued soon after order, for payment. Excise and VAT may become payable when the wine physically arrives in the UK. When a wine arrives in the UK is a matter of when it becomes available from the producer and when we are able to import it. Normally wines will be shipped 2-3 years after harvest, but it can take longer or less than that. When the wines are shipped to the UK they can either be transferred, under bond, to an account in a Bonded warehouse or delivered Sold En-Primeur. An incredibly limited and rare bottling of Ridge Monte Bello to be delivered in 2025. The core blend of Monte Bello 2022 was assembled by the production team over two days in February. Out of twenty-six candidate lots, fourteen were selected at this stage, with a few earmarked as potential additions at the next blending session. The team reconvened on May 3rd for the second and final assemblage of 2022 Monte Bello. The panel of eight determined that, of the three further lots being presented, just one had the qualities consistent with Monte Bello. The addition of this lot will result in a final blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The typically intense dark purple colour of a young Monte Bello belies the vivid aromatics: the nose opens with a wonderful floral aroma over the precise berry fruit. There is copious structure, but it is very fine-grained even at this early stage. Splendid balance and harmony already, with an ultra-long finish indicating the great potential of this wine.

When you order wines En Primeur you buy wines that are as yet not available for physical delivery but are available for purchase. They are sold without Excise and VAT taxes and an invoice is issued soon after order, for payment. Excise and VAT may become payable when the wine physically arrives in the UK. When a wine arrives in the UK is a matter of when it becomes available from the producer and when we are able to import it. Normally wines will be shipped 2-3 years after harvest, but it can take longer or less than that. When the wines are shipped to the UK they can either be transferred, under bond, to an account in a Bonded warehouse or delivered Sold En-Primeur. An incredibly limited and rare bottling of Ridge Monte Bello to be delivered in 2026. The core blend of Monte Bello 2023 was assembled by the production team over two days in February. Out of twenty-six candidate lots, fourteen were selected at this stage, with a few earmarked as potential additions at the next blending session. The team reconvened on May 3rd for the second and final assemblage of 2023 Monte Bello. The panel of eight determined that, of the three further lots being presented, just one had the qualities consistent with Monte Bello. The addition of this lot will result in a final blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The typically intense dark purple colour of a young Monte Bello belies the vivid aromatics: the nose opens with a wonderful floral aroma over the precise berry fruit. There is copious structure, but it is very fine-grained even at this early stage. Splendid balance and harmony already, with an ultra-long finish indicating the great potential of this wine.

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?

Deep garnet in colour with rich raspberry, fig, exotic clove spice, and notes of fresh mint. Layered briary fruit on the palate with cocoa and a slight crushed granite minerality. Supple tannins and a long, lingering finish

"I love making this wine every year because blending the wines gives me so many options. The majority of the blend is Syrah but still has large amounts of Grenache, Mourvedre and a little white wine in to lift the nose. Savory and fruity is hard to accomplish but this wine delivers both. Next time you are having a family outing open this out by the BBQ or fire and watch it evolve over time. Unmistakable California fruit but nuances enough to make you think about the little things this wine offers." Joey Tensley

Strawberries and blackberries aromas slowly rise out of the glass. Overtime, more of the anise and clove will mix with these other aromas. Currently, the wine is young with mouth filling intensity and suppleness. Complexity will increase as the wine ages, but this wine should stay “fresh” for 6 or 7 years. In its youth, match this wine with lamb or dried meats. After a few years, as the flavors coalesce, it will pair better with salmon or mild red sauce with pasta.

Larry Turley and his winemakers Tegan Passalacqua and Karl Wicka continue to produce a fantastic range of wines from some of California’s oldest, head-pruned, dry-farmed Zinfandel vineyards. Impressive, rich, juicy Zinfandel from a very good producer in Napa Valley. Really (for California!) good value. From the website of UK agent Thorman Hunt: They have managed to persuade the owners of some of California’s finest old vineyards to let them take total control of viticulture; farming organically, reducing yields to extremely low levels and picking very late. Winemaking is totally unmanipulated, with very gentle extraction. The wines are matured for 14-16 months in 75% French, 25% American oak barrels (25% new) and bottled unfined and unfiltered. “Juvenile” comes from young vines (6-25 years old), interplanted, from several of their old vine designated vineyards – including Hayne, Ueberroth, Pesenti, Salvador and Vineyard 101. Whilst it offers sumptuous, joyous fruit, it also gives more than a glimpse of Turley’s single vineyard wines.

Displaying the lushness and balance that define great Cabernet Sauvignon, this inviting wine features layers of blackberry, black cherry and blueberry, along with notes of dark chocolate and fresh spearmint. On the palate, the bright, juicy fruit flavors are framed by rich, refined tannins that carry the wine to a long, satisfying finish.

A refreshing, dry white with citrus lemon/lime notes, flinty minerality, and crisp finish. In the mouth the wine is rich and textural, from the time spent on lees in the barrel. This is a great match with shellfish of any kind, or richer white meats such as turkey or duck.