"I like wines that are direct, with tension, a vertebral column, for both the reds and the whites". Romain 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% Syrah (average age 40 years) from south-facing sanded granite soils on Les Sourdets at 300 metres at Larnage next to the cellars, granite fragments on flat ground at bottom of Le Caire at Gervans, hand harvested, destemmed, pre-fermentation cold maceration at 8°-10°C "to seek red fruits, especially from Gervans", 20-25 day steel vat vinification at 24°-28°C, pumping overs, part vat emptying/refilling, raised 75% 3-10 year 228-litre & 600-litre oak casks (85% 228-litres, 15% 600-litres), 25% steel vat 11-12 months". This is excellent Crozes Hermitage with good structure with what feels like perfect extraction - wonderful texture and depth. But the Boreal is ultimately all about the fruit, though, which is charmingly wild in character and quite dark. Blackberry, the beginnings of mulberry and a bit of liquorice in there too. A wonderful offering.

Serious Riserva. Wonderful depth and interest - all for under twenty quid! Aged for three years in 30hl oak barrels, this Sangiovese is complex, interesting, deep and long - all the while keeping things bright and classical. An utter bargain. Chianti Montespertoli is one of seven sub-denominations incorporated in the Chianti DOCG since 1984. Fattorie Parri is a family winery, started when Novello Parri bought the first estate, called Tenuta Corfecciano in 1950. In the following two decades, the family successively bought Tenuta Ribaldaccio, Tenuta Il Monte and finally in 1971 Il Urbana, where the winery is now located. Of the total of 180 hectares of estate, 60 are planted with vineyards, 35 with olive trees, grain is produced and the rest is planted with forest. All in all, a classic Italian company whose roots literally lie deep in the soil of the Tuscan landscape. The daily management of the 3 companies is in the hands of Luigi Parri, together with his nephew Andrea and niece Paola Cantini. Oenologist Giorgio Tarzariol has been responsible for making the wines since 1972.

A delightfully floral-scented and lifted red-fruited nose leads to a gloriously pure-fruited, smashable but characterful Sangiovese delight. Absolutely scrumptuous with a glorious juicy mouthfeel and with gently rippling Sangiovese tannins on the charming, fresh finish. Oh, do we have a beauty for you here this summer! Chianti Montespertoli is one of seven sub-denominations incorporated in the Chianti DOCG since 1984. Fattorie Parri is a family winery, started when Novello Parri bought the first estate, called Tenuta Corfecciano in 1950. In the following two decades, the family successively bought Tenuta Ribaldaccio, Tenuta Il Monte and finally in 1971 Il Urbana, where the winery is now located. Of the total of 180 hectares of estate, 60 are planted with vineyards, 35 with olive trees, grain is produced and the rest is planted with forest. All in all, a classic Italian company whose roots literally lie deep in the soil of the Tuscan landscape. The daily management of the 3 companies is in the hands of Luigi Parri, together with his nephew Andrea and niece Paola Cantini. Oenologist Giorgio Tarzariol has been responsible for making the wines since 1972.

This is a careful blend of the three of the classic Champagne varieties, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, and is made using the traditional method where the second fermentation is done in the bottle. It has a fresh, fruit aroma of green apple, melon with subtle honey and floral characters. On the palate a delightful combination of toffee apple and baked apple, rounded with good acidity and a delicate mineral finish.

Lots of Chianti character and bang for your buck here. The hand-picked grapes ferment for 10-15 days in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 28-30 °C. There is no wood maturation A great mid-week option for your spaghetti bolognese or pizza. Chianti Montespertoli is one of seven sub-denominations incorporated in the Chianti DOCG since 1984. It is located just south west of Florence in the heart of Chianti-shire. Fattorie Parri is a family winery, started when Novello Parri bought the first estate, called Tenuta Corfecciano in 1950. In the following two decades, the family successively bought Tenuta Ribaldaccio, Tenuta Il Monte and finally in 1971 Il Urbana, where the winery is now located. Of the total of 180 hectares of estate, 60 are planted with vineyards, 35 with olive trees, grain is produced and the rest is planted with forest. All in all, a classic Italian company whose roots literally lie deep in the soil of the Tuscan landscape. The daily management of the 3 companies is in the hands of Luigi Parri, together with his nephew Andrea and niece Paola Cantini. Oenologist Giorgio Tarzariol has been responsible for making the wines since 1972.

UKAN is the new project of the youngest generation of the famous Eguren family. We highly recommended them and they are freshly arrived in the UK. UKAN is a small winery that follows the Bordeaux model and is focused in producing a great wine in very limited quantities. Founded by Koldo Eguren, fifth generation of the family, with the winemaking collaboration of his cousin Eduardo. Together, they seek to reflect the Rioja Alavesa landscape into a unique wine using knowledge acquired from previous generations and adding a younger, more contemporary vision that both have learned in their international experience. The foundation of the project is in the vineyard, where a sustainable and ecological viticulture is practiced. This care for detail is spread into the winemaking process, fully hand-crafted, that takes place in the winery located in Laguardia. Senderos de UKAN is the result of a careful selection of Tempranillo vineyards from different villages in Rioja Alavesa, mainly planted on limestone soil. There is great energy, freshness and character here, moreish yet impressive with every taste.

A supreme value Vin Santo option. Late, manually harvested Trebbiano is left to dry in bunches from late September until the end of January. Then the grapes are vinified and put to caratelli (very small old oak barrels) to mature for eight years. A beautiful amber colour with a charming, ethereal nose with rasined white fruits and floral honey notes. Velvety and sweet in the mouth with medium rich fig and also notes of sweet almond paste on the lovely finish. Yet again, another REAL bargain here from Parri. Chianti Montespertoli is one of seven sub-denominations incorporated in the Chianti DOCG since 1984. Fattorie Parri is a family winery, started when Novello Parri bought the first estate, called Tenuta Corfecciano in 1950. In the following two decades, the family successively bought Tenuta Ribaldaccio, Tenuta Il Monte and finally in 1971 Il Urbana, where the winery is now located. Of the total of 180 hectares of estate, 60 are planted with vineyards, 35 with olive trees, grain is produced and the rest is planted with forest. All in all, a classic Italian company whose roots literally lie deep in the soil of the Tuscan landscape. The daily management of the 3 companies is in the hands of Luigi Parri, together with his nephew Andrea and niece Paola Cantini. Oenologist Giorgio Tarzariol has been responsible for making the wines since 1972.

Soft pink tones and a floral bouquet belie the nuance and subtley of this delicious rosé. Harvested from La Liviniere plantings of Mourvedre, Cinsault and Grenache. Certified Organic and aged on lees for three months. 90/100 Decanter Magazine "Light and softly framed, this wine shows juicy stone fruit with red fruit highlights. The palate has plenty of ripe peach and apricot, fresh cranberry and intense grapefruit pith, with a saline and succulent finish. Mourvèdre, Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault grapes are all sourced from the La Livinière area in the Minervois". Drinking Window 2022 - 2023

The Montenisa Estate is based around the village of Calino, in the heart of Franciacorta. It was bought by the Antinori family in 1999, and is run by Piero Antinori’s daughter Alessia. All the fruit for this wine is sourced from the estate’s own vineyards: sixty perfectly sited hectares on the hill of Santo Stefano. The first fermentation took place in stainless steel vats and the second in bottle, with subsequent contact on the yeasts for twenty-four months before disgorgement. Fragrant and expressive on the nose, with fruity and floral notes which recall apples and white peaches. The palate offers a creamy mousse and lively, fresh flavours with a fine balance and perceptible finesse.

From the Holy Island