France

Since the elevation of Cairanne to a southern Rhône cru, this first release of 'La Côte Sauvage' continues to be characterised by its finesse and finely-grained texture, due in part to the famous ‘argilo-calcaire’ of hilltop vineyards such as La Pauline and Les Six Terrasses, slow wine making methods and gentle maturation in different sized barrels of old French oak.

High up the ‘slopes of schist’ in the rugged mountainous terroir of Séguret lies a single vineyard so predominantly planted with Grenache Noir (intermingled only here and there with some Syrah) that the resulting wine – Les Coteaux Schisteux – comes close to being one of the purest expressions of Grenache Noir in the southern Rhône valley.

A reliable as ever, this Gewürztraminer is very much off dry in style but positively crammed with rose petals, ripe lychee and spice.

The bouquet is dominated by notes of ripe fruit. In the mouth it is full and silky with soft, supple tannins.

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.

An exceptional wild rosé from a very old Bandol estate, scoring 95 points in Decanter's 2020 Rosé Panel Tasting.

The fruity nose of bright red apple and notes of lime is dominating, along with notes of white flower, honeysuckle and acacia flower aromas. On the palate, the bubbles are delicate, and a welcome green spine of celery and lime cordial rein in those rich flavours and textures, making for a complex fizz with a ripe strawberry finish.

This is a round fleshy wine, pleasant to drink even at an early age offering ripe fruity aromas and a lovely balance in the mouth with supple tannins. An excellent value Bordeaux, the wine offers rich red fruit on a palate that is supple and round. The silky tannins blend easily with the fruit character and pairs beautifully with dishes like braised lamb or steak.

A deep ruby red with garnet reflections, this wine offers an opulent nose of ripe cherry, fresh fig and strawberry, complemented by mocha, chocolate and earthy humus notes. On the palate, it presents a magnificent concentration of flavours, including yellow plum, fig and tobacco, leading to a finish that re-emphasizes the cherry characters and combines elements of liquorice, peppermint and aniseed. The tannins are fine and melting, contributing to a harmonious and elegant structure.

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.

The nose reveals notes of citrus zest, candied fruit and flowers combined with hints of dried apricot along with slight notes of spice and minerality. The palate is fresh, balanced, mineral and offers a good tension. In the mouth it expresses notes of citrus zest, green lemon zest and slight notes of apple, dried apricot and peach. Good length on the finish.

A no frills red and a stalwart of Boutinot's house wine offering, Cuvée Jean-Paul Rouge captures the magic combination of drinkability and complexity.

Domaine du Tich Bordeaux Blanc is a dry, organic white wine from the Bordeaux region, typically a 50/50 blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc offering citrus, herbaceous and almond notes with good vivacity and length.

Pale gold in the glass with a bright, slightly green tinged rim. On the nose it offers crisp orchard fruit; green apple, white peach with lemon zest and a whisper of stone fruit. There’s a mineral undercurrent, crushed limestone, faint flint and a subtle floral lift (something like acacia or white blossom) plus a soft background of toasted oak or warm vanilla. The palate is medium to full with vibrant acidity that brings freshness. Fruit is clean and pure: citrus and peach maybe a touch of apricot. The oak is present but well integrated adding creaminess without overwhelming the fruit. The minerality cuts through, giving a chalky texture, and the finish is long, elegant with saline tension and lingering citrus and stone notes. This is a wine with both immediacy and capacity to evolve over a few years.

The Mercurey V.V. from Raquillet is made from 60-year-old vines and offers a ripe, spicy, and densely fruited nose of violets, dark berries and dried herbs. In the mouth, dense, delicious and velvety flavors with fine complexity on the impressively long finish.

Pale gold with green highlights, this blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Viognier offers a fresh and expressive nose of white flowers, citrus zest and ripe orchard fruits like pear and peach, complemented by a subtle mineral undertone. On the palate, it presents a lively attack leading to a round and smooth texture, balanced by crisp acidity. The finish is clean and persistent, showcasing the wine's elegance and freshness.

This 100% Chardonnay Cremant de Bourgogne is a fresh and fruity example with initial juicy flavours of nectarine and peach followed by a richer, toasty biscuit character that continues onto a long finish. Excellent value for money.

A brilliant deep purple red colour. The nose, typical of this appellation bordering with Spain whose vines spread over the foothills of the Pyrenees, harbours black fruit and notes of garrigue with juniper and spices offering the powerful fragrance that is specific to the Roussillon. Generous, with cinnamon, liquorice and white pepper, followed by hints of blackberry and blackcurrant with a beautifully fresh, lightly menthol finish. Excellent balance with great harmony between maturity, freshness and silky tannins. A wine that is typically Mediterranean and superbly elegant at the same time.