In this blog:
Wines of Spain Special Promotion
Very rare single malt whisky releases from Diagio
With January out of the way it is time for us to plan the new year, so with batteries fully charged we approach 2014 with renewed optimism and a promise to bring you more of the same great wines at some of the keenest prices in the UK. February and March are very important months for us as they signal the start of many of our trade tastings, so expect to find many new and exciting wines appearing on the shelves.
Our first promotion of 2014 features the wines of Spain and we shall be running this throughout February and March, see the wines listed below or pop into the shop where you will find many fabulous offers and a bottle or two to taste. Spanish wines have been a pivotal point of our list now for many years and we carry one of the country's most comprehensive selections, with over 300 wines on display and many more for which we don't have shelf space. The reason for having such a large selection of Spanish wines is quite simple, in our opinion the price/quality ratio is more favourable here than in any other wine producing country.
So all that remains is to wish you all a happy new year and to leave you with our unrivalled knowledge that is, there has never been a better time to fill your cellar with some fine wines from Spain.
A mixed case of outstanding value red wines from Spain
D. Byrne & Co. - Spanish Specialist merchant of the Year 2007 IWC
2010 Vina Real Crianza - Bodegas C.V.N.E. - Rioja
Fresh red fruits on the nose mingle with some wonderfully aromatic wood spices, the palate has great texture, with fantastically soft and elegant black cherry fruit flavours mixed with sweet, toasty oak. This is a superb Crianza from one of the Rioja regions most respected producers.
91/100 'Superb value for money' issue 210 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2008 Graciano - Bodegas Ondarre - Rioja
The Graciano is one of the classic Rioja grapes. Traditionally blended, it now appears more and more frequently as a high quality single varietal wine. Lifted aromas with flowers and ripe black fruits, leading to a concentrated palate full of freshness and vitality with an alluring mix of herbs and spices.
2011 Garnacha de Fuego - Bodegas Breca - Calatayud
A true 'old vine' Garnacha in every sense, made from rigorously sorted grapes from 50-90 year old vines. This is modern Spain at its best, a super-concentrated combination of smoky cherry fruits and some amazingly fresh and peppery minerality.
92/100 'Just when you think you have tasted the world's greatest values, along comes the Bodegas Breca'. Issue 203 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.
2011 Tarima Monastrell - Bodegas Volver - Alicante
The Monastrell (Mouvedre) grape has adapted perfectly to the dry, arid conditions of Spain's southern regions. In the D.O.s of Jumilla, Yecla and Alicante in particular, a combination of old vines and small yields contribute to some highly concentrated grapes and particularly characterful wines.
91/100 'From an area dominated by cooperatives, this full-bodied blockbuster boasts plenty of blue and black fruit notes, impressive purity and an enticing texture as well as length. It is hard to believe that wines such as this can be found for under £10 a bottle.' Issue 203 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.
2011 Cuatro Pasos Mencia - Bierzo
The Bierzo region is home to the very much in vogue and very funky Mencia grape which is also known as Jaen in neighbouring portugal. Cuatro Pasos is a perfect, modern example of the wonderful Mencia, with fresh and fleshy aromas, succulent, fine red fruits and lovely, crunchy acidity. This is a delicious and vibrant, food friendly wine.
Gold Medal 2013 International Wine Challenge
2011 En Vaso Bobal - Cien y Pico - Manchuela
From ancient Bobal vines, dry grown on limestone soils. A vibrant nose which shows abundant fruit, along with chocolate and earthy notes. Blackberries, blackcurrant and cinnamon spice, along with cocoa and mulberry on the palate. A soft wine with juicy tannins and an uplifting fresh fruit finish.
The perfect dozen - two bottles of each of the above £100
Or simply chose one bottle of each for the perfect half dozen £50
Recommendations taken from our massive range
of the finest Spanish wines.
White Wines
2012 Mara Martin Godello - Monterrei WHITE WINE OF THE MONTH £7.99
An intensely perfumed and spicy dry white that offers exceptionally good value for money.
2012 Boca do Monte - Valdeorras £7.99
An un-oaked wine that is both fresh and elegant with some lovely minerality.
2011 Borsao Seleccion - Campo de Borja £6.29
Soft and well rounded, with some lovely tropical fruits. 100% Macabeo.
Rose Wine
2012 Vinedo No5 Senorio de Sarria - Navarra £8.29
A full and intense rose sources from very old Garnacha vines, peppery and delicious.
90/100 Robert Parker. Best Spanish Roase La Nariz de Oro 2013
Red Wines
2010 Vina Real Crianza Bodegas C.V.N.E. - RED WINE OF THE MONTH Rioja £8.99
'This 2010 has a nice bright cherry color with a clean and open nose displaying red fruits and a spicy touch, coming through as quite a traditional nose and a polished palate with good acidity as they aim for freshness and drinkability. This Crianza represents superb value for money. 91/100 Issue 210 The Wine Advocate.
2010 Cerro Anon Crianza Bodegas Olarra - Rioja £8.99
This is textbook Crianza with plenty of ripe fruit and a mouth-filling mellow spiciness.
Gold Medal & Trophy winner 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards
2008 Ondarre Reserva - Rioja £10.99
One of our top selling wines of Christmas, and with good reason. This bargain priced reserva scooped the Rioja Reserva Trophy in the 2013 International Wine Challenge.
2008 Vinas de Gain Bodegas Artadi - Rioja £13.99
A fantastically smooth, fruit forward, modern style Rioja from a superstar Bodega.
2001 Gran Reserva 904 La Rioja Alta - Rioja special offer £29.99
One of Rioja's very finest wines. 96/100 R. Parker.
2012 Pinna Fidelis Tinto Roble - Ribera del Duero £6.99
This former D. Byrne & Co. Red Wine of the Year is on fine form in 2012, with silky red fruits and a touch of toasty oak.
2012 PSI Sisseck - Ribera del Duero £22.99
A very fine Ribera from one of the regions most revered wine makers.
2011 Flor de Vetus - Toro £9.99
A full-bodied succulent wine with plenty of structure, pure black fruits and fragrant spices.
91 pts Penin guide.
2009 Bodegas Borsao Berola Garnacha - Campo de Borja £12.99
Included in the Wine Spectator Top 100 Value Wines of 2013
2010 Raimat Abadia Crianza - Costers del Segre £6.99
A former firm favourite for many years, the 2010 is firmly back on form. Full, fruity and very well balanced.
This is a beautiful case of twelve wines suitable for drinking at any time and for any occasion. The wines are accompanied by a sheet of tasting notes. Available for £60.99 if collected from the shop, or we can deliver anywhere in mainland UK for £69.00. Delivery is free within a 30 mile radius.
So many people have been asking us about the individual prices of the wines in our Christmas and Connoisseur's Cases because they have enjoyed them so much that we thought we'd include them in our newsletter. The full descriptions for these wines can be found in our Christmas newsletter (which should be found by scrolling down below this month's offering).
The Christmas Case
WHITES
Mon Vieux 'Hell's Heights' Sauvignon Blanc, Banghoek - South Africa £9.19
Cavit Mastri vernacoli Trentino Nosiola - Italy £5.99
El tesoro Verdejo - Spain £5.49
Domaine Les Grands Presbyterese Tradition Muscadet, Sevre et Maine - France £6.89
Peacock Ridge, Chenin Blanc - South Africa £6.99
REDS
Domaine Belles Granges Syrah, Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes - France £6.99
Chateau de Blissa Cotes de Bourg, Bordeaux - France £7.99
Pierre Fine Grenat, Grenache Noir Vieilles Vignes, Pays d'Oc - France £8.39
'Les Coteaux' Cotes du Rhone Villages - France £7.69
Guelbenzu 'Vierlas' Ribera del Queiles - Spain £7.99
Silvermyn Argentum Merlot, Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc & Petit Verdot - South Africa £6.69
Aliance Bairrada Reserva - Portugal £5.99
The Connoisseurs Case
WHITES
N.V. Domenico de Bertiol Prosecco di Valdobbiadene - Italy £9.89
2011 Clos Saint Pierre Macon Carnay - France £9.99
2012 Domaine Saint Romble Sancerre - France £12.99
2012 Lugana Campovalentino Montresor - Italy £8.59
2011 Waterkloof Estate Circle of Life White - South Africa £12.69
REDS
2010 Domaine Chante Cigale Chateauneuf-du-Pape - France £17.99
2010 Domaine Madeloc Cuvee Serral Collioure Rouge - France £15.99
2008 Ondarre Rioja Reserva - Spain £10.99
2009 San Felice Il Grigio Chianti Classico Riserva - Italy £13.99
2011 Tommasi Arele Apassimento - Italy £12.99
2010 Bressia Monteagrelo Cabernet Franc - Argentina £13.59
2010 Massaya Silver Selection - Lebanon £15.99
The 2013 Diageo Special Releases
An extremely rare opportunity to purchase a small annual release of a limited edition, natural cask strength single malt. These are very old unusual bottlings from famous and closed distilleries. The prices shown are per 70cl bottle.
For orders or enquiries for any of the cases or wines in this blog please apply by phone to the shop on 01200 422281 or 01200 423152.
Soft and well rounded, with some lovely tropical fruits. 100% Macabeo.
Rose Wine
2012 Vinedo No5 Senorio de Sarria - Navarra £8.29
A full and intense rose sources from very old Garnacha vines, peppery and delicious.
90/100 Robert Parker. Best Spanish Roase La Nariz de Oro 2013
Red Wines
2010 Vina Real Crianza Bodegas C.V.N.E. - RED WINE OF THE MONTH Rioja £8.99
'This 2010 has a nice bright cherry color with a clean and open nose displaying red fruits and a spicy touch, coming through as quite a traditional nose and a polished palate with good acidity as they aim for freshness and drinkability. This Crianza represents superb value for money. 91/100 Issue 210 The Wine Advocate.
2010 Cerro Anon Crianza Bodegas Olarra - Rioja £8.99
This is textbook Crianza with plenty of ripe fruit and a mouth-filling mellow spiciness.
Gold Medal & Trophy winner 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards
2008 Ondarre Reserva - Rioja £10.99
One of our top selling wines of Christmas, and with good reason. This bargain priced reserva scooped the Rioja Reserva Trophy in the 2013 International Wine Challenge.
2008 Vinas de Gain Bodegas Artadi - Rioja £13.99
A fantastically smooth, fruit forward, modern style Rioja from a superstar Bodega.
2001 Gran Reserva 904 La Rioja Alta - Rioja special offer £29.99
One of Rioja's very finest wines. 96/100 R. Parker.
2012 Pinna Fidelis Tinto Roble - Ribera del Duero £6.99
This former D. Byrne & Co. Red Wine of the Year is on fine form in 2012, with silky red fruits and a touch of toasty oak.
2012 PSI Sisseck - Ribera del Duero £22.99
A very fine Ribera from one of the regions most revered wine makers.
2011 Flor de Vetus - Toro £9.99
A full-bodied succulent wine with plenty of structure, pure black fruits and fragrant spices.
91 pts Penin guide.
2009 Bodegas Borsao Berola Garnacha - Campo de Borja £12.99
Included in the Wine Spectator Top 100 Value Wines of 2013
2010 Raimat Abadia Crianza - Costers del Segre £6.99
A former firm favourite for many years, the 2010 is firmly back on form. Full, fruity and very well balanced.
The Christmas Case
WHITES
Mon Vieux 'Hell's Heights' Sauvignon Blanc, Banghoek - South Africa £9.19
Cavit Mastri vernacoli Trentino Nosiola - Italy £5.99
El tesoro Verdejo - Spain £5.49
Domaine Les Grands Presbyterese Tradition Muscadet, Sevre et Maine - France £6.89
Peacock Ridge, Chenin Blanc - South Africa £6.99
REDS
Domaine Belles Granges Syrah, Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes - France £6.99
Chateau de Blissa Cotes de Bourg, Bordeaux - France £7.99
Pierre Fine Grenat, Grenache Noir Vieilles Vignes, Pays d'Oc - France £8.39
'Les Coteaux' Cotes du Rhone Villages - France £7.69
Guelbenzu 'Vierlas' Ribera del Queiles - Spain £7.99
Silvermyn Argentum Merlot, Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc & Petit Verdot - South Africa £6.69
Aliance Bairrada Reserva - Portugal £5.99
The Connoisseurs Case
WHITES
N.V. Domenico de Bertiol Prosecco di Valdobbiadene - Italy £9.89
2011 Clos Saint Pierre Macon Carnay - France £9.99
2012 Domaine Saint Romble Sancerre - France £12.99
2012 Lugana Campovalentino Montresor - Italy £8.59
2011 Waterkloof Estate Circle of Life White - South Africa £12.69
REDS
2010 Domaine Chante Cigale Chateauneuf-du-Pape - France £17.99
2010 Domaine Madeloc Cuvee Serral Collioure Rouge - France £15.99
2008 Ondarre Rioja Reserva - Spain £10.99
2009 San Felice Il Grigio Chianti Classico Riserva - Italy £13.99
2011 Tommasi Arele Apassimento - Italy £12.99
2010 Bressia Monteagrelo Cabernet Franc - Argentina £13.59
2010 Massaya Silver Selection - Lebanon £15.99
The 2013 Diageo Special Releases
An extremely rare opportunity to purchase a small annual release of a limited edition, natural cask strength single malt. These are very old unusual bottlings from famous and closed distilleries. The prices shown are per 70cl bottle.
