Francois Xavier AKA 'FX'. FX was vineyard manager for 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. Whole bunch fermentation in stainless-steel tanks for 5 days for this beautiful Mourvedre from very old wines. On the morning of the 6th day the grapes were pressed, and the juice transferred back to stainless-steel tanks to complete fermentation. Only the naturally occurring indigenous yeasts were used in the fermentation. The wine was then aged 5 months in tank. Prior to bottling a very low dose of sulphites was added. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Vivid, bright and wild wine.

A vivid nose of deep florals: dark roses, violets, and an undertow of ripe red fruit. The palate really shows the best of each vineyard that makes up the cuvée. A pure but powerful drive of fruit on a perfect cusp of ripeness, with complexing notes of sandalwood and spice. This is all about harmony and balance with the transparency of fruit allowing the detail to shine through. Silken tannins finish the package. Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate "Felton Road...consistently reviewed by this publication since the 1997 vintage... pacesetting biodynamic producer." "I almost feel like Felton Road should need no introduction by now. If two decades of excellence isn't enough to convince you to try these wines, what more can I say?" The Wine Society "...legendary status for making some of New Zealand's, and the world's finest pinot noir" Berry Brothers and Rudd "Superb Pinot Noir wine, one of the best examples from outside Burgundy..." Jamessuckling.com Felton Road: The Handsome Prince of New Zealand Pinot. “If Central Otago was the Cote de Nuits, then Bannockburn would be likely be the Vosne Romanee, and I’m ging to hang it right out and say that Felton Road would be the top gun, the DRC.” Decanter Top Scoring Wines of 2021 Felton Road the only NZ 100/100. Wine Spectator Felton Rd no. 12 in the Top 100 Wines of the Word 2018. Drinks International 2023 19/100 World’s most-admired wine brands. Felton Road was the second New Zealand company to join International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) and is a Gold Member.

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A complex wine with intense aromas of black fruit, violets and exotic spice. Full bodied with peppery round tannins and long finish.

Deep ruby red in colour with a purple hue, this wine displays intensely fruity red berry aromas of raspberries and cherries, floral notes and a touch of spice and chocolate. Well structured, fresh and fruity on the palate with soft, rounded tannins and a long velvety finish.

Abundant red cherry, plum and vibrant berry fruits combine in this joyful, bright and incredibly juicy red that's medium-bodied with beautifully ripe and light tannins and touch of spice on the finish.

Bright and deep purple colour. Aromas of black fruits, reminiscent of fresh plums mixed with graphite notes. On the palate, the wine is balanced and energetic, with sweet and round tannins and long finish.

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. Deep and glossy appearance, sweet brambly nose, kirsch and vanilla. Fresh, moderate tannins, medium bodied and plenty of naturals concentration

This is lovely, gluggable Montepulciano from a sustainable winery in Puglia that is making excellent value wines for everyday drinking. Lots of character here. Redcurrants and ripe cherries on soft velvet. nice spice and supple tannins at the end. Medium to full body and very moreish.

New in for spring 2026, a deeply coloured but light and juicy, gluggalicious red wine at the entry-level from the Languedoc. Despite the deepish colour, the wine is floral, fresh and tasty with lots of delicious bright red fruits, a touch of pepper and just a lick of tannin to this gorgeous southern Cinsault. Summer in a glass. Get it, chill it, drink it.

A wine from an amazing single site with vines older than 90 years. Carignan on black schistous marl. Aged for 20 months in barrels. Possibly Roussillon's most elegant expression of the grape? Outstanding wine.

Deep garnet-purple in color, it springs from the glass with vibrant notes of crushed black raspberries, black plums and blackcurrant pastilles, plus hints of underbrush and bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied with intense, pure black fruit flavors, the fruit is well-framed by ripe, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing with a skip in its step.

Kanonkop's Pinotage comes from 63-year-old unirrigated bush vines grown on the estate. Bright ruby-red hues. A textbook Stellenbosch Pinotage with aromatic and spicy aromas of mulberry, raspberry and cinnamon. Muscular, well-integrated tannins add great structure. Flavours of bramble, violets, plums and black berries are balanced by scented new oak. An elegant wine with savoury notes on the lengthy finish, and a lifting underlying freshness.

Expert winemaking from Ambrose Vanlancker produces this fantastic Tempranillo from the the exceptional fresh terroir of his La Liviiniere vineyard in Minervois. Aromatic, medium-bodied, rounded red fruits and subtle savoury nuances.

Organic and Fairtrade. This wine has a rich dark colour with a smoky and vanilla nose. Dark fruit on the palate gives the wine an all-round juiciness. Oaky tannins impart a spicy finish with good structure.

From vineyards that share the same Corton hillsides as many Grand Cru, this Pernand-Vergelesses epitomizes the great value still to be had from village-level Burgundy. The wine begins with aromas of high-toned cherry blossoms and raspberry preserves offset by hues of forest floor. The palate features a balance of savory red fruit, wild herbs, and tannins integrated with a vibrant and persistent acidity. Bottled unfiltered.

This classy cuvée has a floral and spice-accented bouquet. Blended from around the appellation, there’s 25% whole-bunch; élevage is in 500-litre barrels, one-quarter of which are new. The palate invites with juicy red fruit and supple tannins. Cooling acidity provides balance; it’s a very complete wine. It’ll drink well early but can be cellared with confidence.

The Saumur Champigny appellation covers red wines made in the 8 communes closest to Saumur. The name Champigny supposedly derives from the Latin campus igni (field of fire), named for the area’s exceptionally warm microclimate. 100% Cabernet Franc, this Saumur Champigny sees no oak giving a light, fresh style with abundant red cherry fruit. This is from the same producer as our superb Crémant.

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.

Produced from their crus, Cerretta (shared with G Conterno whose Barolo sells at £250 a bottle, compared with Garesio's at £85 and Altare) and the young vines of Bricco delle Viole owned by the famous Vajra, whose Barolo from this vineyard sells at £80 a bottle. Gorgeous aromas of wild rose and notes of wild strawberries, which over time evolve with pink pepper. Very good aromatic persistence in the mouth, and velvety tannins and a very persistent finish. It's a tasty treat at this price.

Organic and Fairtrade. This wine has a rich dark colour with a smoky and vanilla nose. Dark fruit on the palate gives the wine an all-round juiciness. Oaky tannins impart a spicy finish with good structure.

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.

Wonderful. The best value Pinot Noir we have found from the Languedoc. Fine, fruity and elegant. Simply delicious.

Second wine of Chateau Monlot, which sits on excellent Clay-Limestone terroir in the Saint-Emilion commune of Saint-Hippolyte. Beautiful youthful colour. A mix of red and black fruits and a pronounced oaked tone on the nose. On the palate, pleasurable harmony, honesty and fruit intensity.

This Syrah takes inspiration from wines of the Northern Rhone with its full-bodied, savoury-sweet and complex style. Ruby coloured, it leads with a floral perfume of rosemary, red fruits and other violets. Intense on the palate, expect mixed berries, black plum, leather hide and smooth, creamy tannins. The finish adds a touch of pepper spice.

Xavier Gerard is one of the most exciting young winemakers working in the Northern Rhône. He is a young grower who took over his family's small domaine in earnest in 2012 and in no time has turned out incredibly elegant and traditionally made Syrahs and Viogniers. The 2022 Côte-Rôtie is a highly acclaimed, elegant, and vibrant Northern Rhône Syrah, characterized by bramble fruit, pepper, and savory, grippy tannins. It is produced by a rising star in the region, offering great aging potential with excellent value

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

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."

50% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 15% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta Very intense ruby red color, the nose reveals an enticing range of steeped cherry and fig cake flavors with accents of dried thyme, pomegranate and espresso. In the mouth it is creamy and with lightly firm tannins and acidity that’s just at the right level to accentuate and perpetuate the flavors. The whole tasting is embellished with a very pleasant tannic texture, which fades towards a spiced finish of excellent persistence.

Silky, elegant red with berried fruits, rich and complex palate and well integrated new oak. David Baverstock, the godfather of modern Portuguese wines, is the winemaker. Blend of Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon. 12 months in American (60%) and French (40%) oak barrels. After bottling, the wine aged 8 months in the bottle.

Dandelion Vineyards Lioness of McLaren Vale Shiraz is an exquisite and complex wine that showcases the essence of the McLaren Vale region. Grown on ancient soils, the grapes are handpicked and sorted before being fermented in small batches. This results in a wine that is elegant and refined, yet powerful and bold. The nose is full of aromas of dark fruits, violets, and pepper. On the palate, the wine is rich and velvety with notes of blackberry, chocolate, and spice. It is balanced by a subtle acidity that gives it a long, satisfying finish. This wine is a testament to the skill of the winemakers and the unique terroir of the region.

94 points Charles Curtis, MW (Decanter): "The nose of the the blended Morey premier cru from domaine parcels has pronounced and nuanced aromas of blackberry and raspberry fruit with a suggestion of spice and earth. There is a slight hint of reduction that should disappear at bottling, and the texture is pleasantly round and silky soft. The grapes come from a blend of lieux-dits that include Les Charrieres, Les Millandes, Les Ruchots, and Clos Sorbè; the total surface area is 0.82 hectares, all picked 27 - 28 September. Drinking Window: 2025-2045. (Nov 2022)"

A lovely bouquet, youthful and vibrant, crunchy and fresh with scents of red berry fruits and a light savoury dried herb touch. A layer of new oak and woody spice qualities adds bredth. On the palate a dry wine, youthful and textured, dry and savoury, a core of red berry fruits and paprika smoke spices. Well made with plenty of tannin and acidity for mouthfeel. Best drinking from 2025 through 2031+ Expressive aromatics, with flint, Meyer lemon, and a subtle short bread note. A well-rounded palate with volume and mouthfeel. Flavours of passion and stone fruit, sweet herbs and a fine boned acid finish. Enjoy with sushi, mussels, oysters and light salads.

92 Points James Suckling, 92 Points Robert Parker Maquis Lien is a hand-crafted blend, resulting in a distinctive wine that reflects the special plot of land the Hurtado family owns in the Colchauga Valley in Chile. The vineyards and winery are located at the confluence of two historic rivers, which brought down sediments from the Andes that established the vineyard's alluvial soils. The same river canyons channel cool breezes from the Pacific Ocean, contributing to the wine's rich fruit character. The nose is very harmonious and the varieties feel very integrated; the Carménère does not dominate the aromas and is nicely blended with the others. There is an extra spark of freshness here along with more restraint and seriousness. A red blend of finesse.

Full-bodied and rich, yet silky, this blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Cinsault and 10% Syrah has a long finish It is a delicious CdP for early drinking. Founded in 1952 by Roger Sabon in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this prestigious estate stems from a family with roots in the region dating back to 1540. Known for traditional, elegant wines, it is managed by descendants (sons Denis, Gilbert) and winemaker Didier Négron. It produces acclaimed, high-quality wines from 18+ hectares of vineyard

A bold and rich Merlot-dominated wine, this is full of black fruits and dark tannins. The wine is dense and opulent, with a good balance of acidity. This property has belonged to the same family for 4 generations, with successive members since 1832. VINEYARD Soil : Deep gravel and sandy-clay. Surface : 9 ha Location : The vineyard, in one piece, is located on the plateau of Pomerol. Southwestern exposure. Average age of vineyards: 35 years Grape Varieties : 6% Cabernet Franc / 9% Cabernet Sauvignon / 80% Merlot / 5% Malbec MAKING PROCESS Manual Harvest. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in vats for 3 to 4 weeks with temperature control. Viniflcation in French oak barrels is also made. After running off, malolactic fermentation is effected in barrels. Aged for 15 months in oak barriques, 20% of which are new each eyar.

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..."

Pessac-Leognan, just south of the city of Bordeaux, features gravel-rich soils that produce wines with excellent clarity and definition. Odyssée is a cuvée by Château Haut Nouchet, and its vines are some of the highest elevation in the appellation. The blend is about 60/40 Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, with a splash of Petit Verdot. We found this wine impressive in its combination of intensity and restraint. The nose is dark and polished with plum and wild cherries, and notes of liquorice and spice. The mouth is inky and dark but the fruit is laid over a beautifully clean structure of fine gravely tannin. This is a classy, sleek Bordeaux with a beautifully balanced mouthfeel, that tastes a lot more expensive than it is.

Remi Jeanniard is a hands on grower working just over 7 hectares of vines in and around Morey-St Denis. When asked who helps him at harvest time, the answer is simple: he does. The vines are much older than average, with all of his Vieilles Vignes village bottlings being at least 50 years old. This gives a natural concentration to the wines which are both well structured and elegant. Remi is a firm believer that wines are made in the vineyard and this shows through in the pure, concentrated style of the wines and the cautious use of new oak. Remi practices partial whole bunch fermentation, keeping 20% of the stems for Villages wines, 30% for 1er Cru wines, and 50% for Grand Cru.

50% Grenache, 50% Mourvèdre. Vinified in stainless-steel tanks. Aged for 18 months in demi-muids (20%) and stainless-steel tanks (80%). "Tasted blind. The nose is shrouded in sweet oaky notes and raspberry compote. The palate is succulent, dense and concentrated, with firm and very fine tannins. Layered and fine, very well put together and beautifully judged oak on the palate. Very long and will age beautifully". Score 17.5/20 Alistair Cooper MW on jancisrobinson.com When to drink 2030 - 2042 Date tasted 5 Oct 2023 94-96+/100 Jeb Dunnuck