France

An exceptionally elegant rose; fresh nose with light fruit aromas, complex notes of liquorice and hint of angelica. Full of harmony on the palate with delicious red fruit flavours and a suprising spicy finish. Stone fruit and white pepper burst onto the tongue, leading onto a slightly savoury finish. An exceptional Provence Rose.

The bolder Michaut style deftly added to the more restrained style of Vau-Lignau to create a textural, elegant white.

A full, firm, ripe left-bank claret that shows style and richness. Superb vintage.

The 2018 Rully Rouge has a slightly smudged, savoury nose. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a little hardness to contend with at first, but there is a fine structure on the finish. Drink over the next four to five years.

Top white Châteauneuf, worthy of the name.

Pale gold with just a hint of green, the nose is fresh and beautifully precise. Green apple, lemon zest, a touch of white flowers and a mineral seam of flint or crushed seashells. On the palate it is taut and lively: citrus (grapefruit, lime), crisp unripe pear with racy acidity giving real freshness. The mineral backbone shines through, lending tension and drive. There’s generous fruit ripeness without heaviness, no oak influence and a drying finish that leaves a vivid streak of salinity and subtle citrus bitterness. A fine example of classic Chablis — pure, clean and elegant

Cranberries, cassis, lavender, fine blackberry confit with a touch of tobacco in the background. Medium-bodied, fine tannins, fresh structure, mineral and accessible.

In the glass this wine is a deep cherry red colour. Vibrant, ripe Pinot on the nose, with cherry, raspberry and a touch of herbs. On the palate, the wine is supple, finessed, fruit forward, with a slightly savoury finish.

Château Maucoil Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tradition Rouge Organic wine is delightful and intense, with lovely balance and great elegance. Made from organically grown grapes, the wine has lovely ripe spicy fruit, red berry flavours with a herby edge and so is a classic CNP very much of its place, warm and rich but well balanced too with a nice lift to the finish. Absolutely delicious with beef casserole or mushroom risotto.

A cracking wine, only produced in the best years. 100% sauvignon grapes aged in new oak to give an interesting and full wine with elegance. On the nose, there are notes of almond and exotic fruits which are followed in the mouth by more floral, elegant flavours.

The cousins Vacheron, dubbed the “Kings of Sancerre” bring us a beautiful Sancerre Blanc with notes of Meyer lemon, sea spray, and stones providing a base for waves of mouth-watering citrus flavors.

Started in 1910 by Jean-Baptiste Pillot, the domaine is now run by Jean-Marc who has quietly turned his domaine into one of the finest of Chassagne Montrachet. Smooth and ripe, delicious to drink now and over the next few years.

Château Feytit-Guillot offers rich flavours of dark fruits such as plum and black cherry, with layers of spice, earth, and fine tannins. The wines typically have a silky, smooth mouthfeel and a long, lingering finish, making them both elegant and deeply satisfying.

Château La Gurgue Margaux 2020 is a beautifully balanced blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot. Aged for 12 months, with 60% in barrels and 40% in vats. Described by owner Claire Villars-Lurton as "a wine of great freshness and irresistible charm," this vintage boasts a deep, intense red hue, elegant tannins, and the freshness of an exceptional season. Highly praised by critics, it's ready to enjoy now and perfect for those seeking a refined Margaux experience. Bursting with aromas of dark fruits, it's full-bodied with a vibrant, fresh finish.

The nose is aromatic. It reveals woody notes, cassis cream, blackberry and slight notes of violet associated with touch of spices, chocolate, Sichuan pepper (discreet) as well as a very slight hints of tea and an imperceptible hint of bell pepper. The palate is fruity, mineral and well-balanced. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of juicy blackberry, plum and slight notes of cassis associated with hints of redcurrant, toasted oak, chocolate and sweet spices. Tannins are fine and well-built. The finish is slightly suave.

Dark in colour, with a powerful nose of ripe black fruits and violet notes. An elegant and complex palate. A dense bouquet with a beautiful tannic base, fruity and fresh on the finish, well balanced.

Well-structured, concentrated, and full-bodied, it offers a classic southern Rhone aromatic display of ground pepper, garrigue, cherry liqueur, plums, and cedar with sweet, expansive, and pure fruit flavours and excellent delineation

The wine sets an incredibly high bar for Sancerre rouge, if not Pinot Noir in the entire Loire Valley.

Bright ruby colour with garnet hues, this wine opens with a refined nose of red cherry, wild strawberry and a subtle forest floor earthiness. Floral hints, perhaps violet, peek out alongside soft spice and delicate mineral undertones. On the palate it is elegant, medium-bodied: fresh acidity supports polished tannins with clean red fruit flavours complemented by subtle herbal or underbrush notes. The finish is of good length, showing purity of fruit and a graceful mineral thread. While very enjoyable now, it still has capacity to evolve for several more years.

This lesser known village, just above Aloxe Corton, produces great value red Burgundy, particularly by Monsieur Cornu.

Pale straw with green tinged highlights. On the nose there is an elegant mix of white flowers, lemon zest, green apple and a thread of crushed stone or slate minerality backed by subtle oak spice—vanilla, a touch of toast. The palate is medium to medium full with fresh citrus and orchard fruit (pear, apple) framed by creamy texture from lees ageing. The oak is present but well integrated: it adds depth without overwhelming. A crisp, mineral acidity lends lift and the finish is long, clean with lingering stone fruit and citrus peel alongside a gentle salinity and a subtle nut/almond note. Lovely balance; enjoyable now but capable of further development over a few more years.

The 2019 Givry Crausot 1er Cru has an intense bouquet, the fruit darker than the à Vigne Rouge, very well defined with a touch more spiciness. The palate is well balanced with sappy red fruit, fine acidity, quite fleshy towards the finish with cranberry and raspberry lingering on the aftertaste. This remains a quality Givry from one of Givry’s best producers.

Like other Bordeaux wine chateaux in the Saint Estephe appellation, Chateau Cos Labory takes the first part of their name from the famous hill of COS. On average, the vines are 35 years of age & the terroir of Cos Labory is gravel and limestone soil with patches of clay typical of the St. Estephe appellation. A charming Saint-Estèphe worthy of its classification... The Château, a domaine ranked fifth in the Médoc, in the Saint-Estèphe appellation is managed by the Audoy family, who make balanced and sincere wines that respect the land. Crisp, fragrant, with solid but well coated tannins, this vintage is impressive.

Exhibiting aromas of rich currant fruit and creamy new oak, the 2019 Siran is medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with lively acids and ripe, powdery tannins that assert themselves on the youthfully chewy finish. This is a flavourful, nicely balanced wine that will reward a bit of bottle age. Robert Parker 22/02/22

Note: This is a Magnum (150cl) This tantalising blend of Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvedre is one of the most exciting cuvees from Cotes de Provence. A supremely drinkable Rose.