D. Byrne & Co.
Christmas Cases 2017

The Christmas Case is finally here!

Quite simply the best value for money Christmas selection around, twelve carefully chosen wines which will compliment any food you are likely to serve over the Christmas period. Any of our cases make ideal presents, which can be collected from the shop or can be delivered to any address in mainland UK in time for Christmas. The cases also make excellent corporate gifts, please call us for details. All of our staff have fought to include their favourites in this one box of fabulous wines. Twelve wines to fill your wine rack, so light the fire, put your feet up and enjoy!

We also have our famous Connoisseur’s Case, perfect as a gift for the wine expert in your life (if you can bear to part with it), but equally perfect for drinking at home over Christmas, some of the best wines at an amazing price.

As usual, we also managed to get Andrew to finally decide on his special case of six wines; this year with a nod to his recent travels in the wine world, more about that later (if you see him, ask about his very short lived career as an international honey smuggler!)

Drum roll……………..

Your next newsletter, following shortly in a very different format will give you much more information about all we will be offering over Christmas. This year it has been taken over by younger members of our staff and will be an exciting and fascinating read. I’m not allowed to reveal too much about it other than to say it has been designed and put together by Philip’s daughter Kate, a recent Illustration degree graduate, with contributions by staff member and budding photographer Matt, both of whom you may have met in the shop. With the amazing Byrne family wine and spirit knowledge of Andrew, Philip and Joseph, combined with the creative skills of our younger staff we hope you will look forward with bated breath to the next major Byrne Production, our Christmas Newsletter.

For orders or enquiries about any of the cases or wines in this newsletter, please contact us by phone at the shop on 01200 423152 or 01200 422281, thank you. These prices & offers are current for the Christmas 2017 season

THE CHRISTMAS CASE

Monte Schiavo Ruviano Verdicchio Classico - Italy

Delicate apricot and orchard fruit aromas, hints of white flower, and a refreshing lemon citrus acidity. The palate has minerality and texture with ripe stone fruit characteristics, a touch of salinity and a crisp zesty finish.

False Bay ‘Slow’ Chenin Blanc - South Africa

D. Byrne & Co. White Wine of the Year, first of two in the case

The grapes here do not take just three weeks to get from vineyard to bottle. This wine is crafted the wild way, old-vine fruit fermented with wild yeast – magic like this takes at least six months. Sampled at a recent tasting in Manchester, Philip, Judith and Kate were blown away by the quality. Vegetarian & Vegan

Joyau Gros Manseng Chardonnay - Pays the Côtes de Gascogne – France

Fresh, racy and instantly appealing, fruit salad in a glass! Its lovely grassy, aromatic nose is balanced by ripe, tropical melon and pink grapefruit notes. The palate is a lot softer and creamier than you would expect with real depth of flavour finishing in a fresh, lemony tang. Vegetarian & Vegan

Rude Mechanicals ‘Ephemera’ - South Wales Australia

Made by the brilliant Keith Tulloch. The Viognier/Pinot Gris blend combines depth and freshness in this real belter. On the nose there are the honeysuckle and orange-blossom signatures of Viognier, spice and ripe pear coming from the Pinot Gris. Tight and elegant, poised and precise with hints of lemongrass and fresh ginger. This wine is bright and fine but has real depth and a fresh, long finish. And, for a wine called ‘Ephemera’ this wine is actually ironically long on the finish.

Sileni Sauvignon Blanc - Marlbourgh - New Zealand

The second D. Byrne & Co. White of the Year

This Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc is rich, complex and exotic. Its tangy grapefruit aromas lead to a zingy yet, impeccably balanced finish. Reminds you what made Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc famous!

Soldiers’ Block Malbec – Victoria - Australia

One of our two D. Byrne & Co. Red Wines of the Year

This fabulous value Malbec from the Victoria region of Australia is the first of our red wines of the year, and it’s a dark, aromatic Malbec for the soul. Appealingly chocolatey with an abundance of crisp, mineral fruit and notes of Morello cherry compote. Vegetarian & Vegan

Boutinot ‘Les Coteaux’ Côtes du Rhône Villages - France

We simply couldn’t resist putting this in the case again, it really is that good!

This wine epitomises the D. Byrne & Co. philosophy: quality and drinkability. Due to its soft, approachable and very easy drinking nature it remains a firm favourite amongst our team and this 2014 vintage is one of the best they’ve produced yet! Brambly fruit is underpinned by subtle oaky nuances leading to lovely sweet spicy notes of warm star anise and cinnamon. Vegetarian & Vegan

Ginestet Classique Lussac - Saint Emilion

A very classy Claret nose leads on to a ripe, flavoursome Merlot palate, smooth, with a surprisingly long finish. This Merlot dominant blend is packed with delicate black mulberry flavours, subtle cigar box notes and firm, yet smooth tannins. Slight perfume from the 5% Cabernet Franc addition adds elegance and complexity. Vegetarian & Vegan

Ontañón Ecologico Rioja (Organic) Rioja – Spain Organic

Bright cherry and raspberry aromas are balanced by sweet spice. The palate is structured with complex, ripe red fruit, clove and black pepper. Just five months spent in French and American oak is enough to give this bright 100% Rioja Baja Tempranillo a character upgrade; harmonious and elegant, this is everything modern Rioja should be.

Showdown ‘The Man with the Ax’ Cabernet Sauvignon - USA

Ripe blackcurrant and wild berry fruit on the nose compliment sweet vanilla oak notes, with rich cassis and black cherry on the palate leading to a soft and juicy, yet long finish. This is deep, dark and delectably smoky, the perfect wine to crack open in front of the fire on a cold winters evening. Framed by the subtle American oak. Vegetarian & Vegan

Novas Gran Reserva Carmenère/Cabernet Sauvignon – Chile Organic

Another fabulous wine under this trophy winning label. Blackcurrant and strawberries give way to a light touch of black pepper, tobacco leaf and chocolate. Its medium body and smooth, lush tannins make this a very easy drinking red which stands out for its great balance and fine yet fresh finish. Vegetarian & Vegan

The Rude Mechanicals ‘Three Monkeys’ Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro - South Australia

What a wine to finish the case with! A sensuous blend of Barossa classics. Warm plum and raspberry fruit dominate the nose with subtle hints of rocky earth, spice and violets. Lovely and ripe, it is medium to full-bodied with juicy plum and raspberry on the palate leading to flavours of black cherry, spice and a lick of creamy oak. It’s a generous mouthful with bags of flavour.

£89.99 if collected from the shop or £98 if delivered anywhere in mainland UK

THE CONNOISSEURS CASE

Feudo Maccari Grillo, Sicilia

Fresh and lightly floral on the nose with savoury, nutty notes. The palate is complex with crisp citrus flavours, ripe stone fruit, and tropical characters on the textured mid-palate. A subtle and multi-layered wine with immediately appealing freshness and fruit leading to a taut, savoury, mineral finish.

Les Heritieres de Saint-Genys Haut Cotes de Beune Blanc, Burgundy

This estate has an artisanal approach in order to offer high quality Burgundy wines. Its philosophy is based on respect of land and vine linked to wine passion. All the vineyards are worked traditionally, in a reasoned way, limiting chemical products and favouring the soil work. With white peach and citrus on the nose, this is a deliciously ripe and rich Chardonnay with a lovely citrus character, tangy mineral notes and some salinity. Full flavoured and approachable this wine shows great character.

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 1 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

A powerful and intense wine with an aromatic nose of white currant and fragrant tropical fruit with a hint of cut grass. Luscious ripe grapefruit and green guava flavours envelop the palate, which has a chalky texture. A refreshing and beautifully balanced Sauvignon Blanc with a long, lingering finish.

Cline Cellars North Coast Viognier, California Vegetarian & Vegan

An honest and expressive Viognier. Wonderfully fragrant with notes of stone fruits, jasmine and honeysuckle. The palate follows through with a richness of fruit including ripe peach and apricot. The finish is given finesse by the refreshing acidity.

Le Riche Chardonnay, Stellenbosch Vegetarian & Vegan

Chablis freshness with lees contact and a light wood influence. A fresh, lemony style with rich minerality, melon and citrus characters and hints of lemongrass and butterscotch. In the words of Christo Le Riche, "We make it to drink it!" This wine has all the best of the Chardonnay character whilst remaining poised, elegant, clean and fresh.

Chateau Lanessan Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux Vegetarian

Fine Haut-Médoc from a good vintage. A blend of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot and a touch of Petit Verdot. Drinking beautifully now, this has a classic Médoc cigar box nose, followed by a textured, plum fruit and aniseed palate. Harmonious, elegant and reasonably rich.

Vallone ‘Vereto’ Salice Salentino Riserva, Puglia

Vereto is a blend of rigorously selected negroamaro grapes with a touch of malvasia nera to add complexity and elegance. Generous nose of spice and dark fruits. On the palate there is an exotic profile of sweet herbs, tobacco and candied cherries with layers of dried fruits, brown spice and liquorice - complex and characterful.

Vina Real Reserva, Rioja

Deep ruby and cherry red with the slightest hint of a terracotta rim. There’s good intensity on the nose with ripe autumn fruits, warm spices and elegant toasted oak. The palate is rich, warming and velvety with good acidity and fine tannins. The vanilla from the oak is well integrated with the raspberry fruit of the Tempranillo producing a rich complex palate and a long finish.

Domaine Tourelles Vielles Vignes Cinsault, Bekka Valley Vegetarian & Vegan

This extraordinary old vine Cinsault is wonderfully unique. The nose has an exotic mix of ripe fig, bright red cherry and plum fruit with star anise spice, it’s lifted and pronounced. The palate has beautifully ripe red fruit characteristics alongside the fig and date notes. The acidity perfectly balances the generous flavours and leaves a pure, clean finish.

Sileni ‘The Plateau’ Pinot Noir, Hawkes Bay

A ripe, savoury Pinot Noir showing tremendous regional and varietal character. There are complex aromas of varietal dark berry fruit and florals. The palate is rich with flavours of sweet dark cherry, spice and silky tannins. This is a food-friendly style, which will pair beautifully with mushroom risotto, lamb or pasta with truffle and parmesan.

The Songlines Grenache, Barossa Valley

The ancient peoples of Australia navigated the vast emptiness of the continent using mind maps; instructions remembered in song and passed down through generations, a kind of pre-GPS tom-tom. This enticing wine celebrates this near-lost tradition and the Barossa’s well-trodden red earth in its deep, warbling fruit - a song of the soil. Juicy and forward with its ripe red fruits and tasty confected fruit punch. This is a bright and primary Grenache that’s fit for all occasions.

Kloovenburg Eight Feet Red, Swartland

In 2003 Pieter du Toit thought it would be a good idea to get his four sons involved; a good opportunity for some father-son bonding. They picked grapes, stomped it themselves in a few barrels and they made wine! His wife suggested calling it Eight Feet to remind them all of that special family time they had together. Aromas of red berries, hints of perfume, dark fruit, black olive and spice. The palate is medium to full-bodied and has a good structure with soft and silky tannins. Pairs well with grilled and roast beef, stew, mildly spicy foods and game.

£152 if collected from the shop or £160 if delivered anywhere in mainland UK

Andrew’s Six Case

SIGNOS DE ORIGEN ‘LA VINILLA’

My biggest adventure so far in the wine trade took me to Chile and Argentina and this beautiful place, I christened it the ‘happy vineyard’ – everyone that worked there, even the animals seemed to smile. The ethos of this winery is strictly organic, this wine is a fantastic example of their produce.

From the La Vinilla estate vineyard – a seriously good Rhone style blend… better than ever! Translucent golden yellow in colour, the nose features fruity aromas of apricots and white fruits with a floral side and notes of toasted almonds and butter. Robust and creamy on the palate with good acidity.

VILLA RAIANO VENTIDUE FIANO DI AVELLINO

A young lady came into the shop with some samples of her family’s produce, reminding me of how good the wines of Campania are. Looking for an example of what this region produces I selected this wine as being great value and interesting.

A rich and textural Fiano from Raiano's finest vineyard plots. Stone fruit aromas with some savoury, flinty and herbal notes. The palate is complex with peach, nectarine, mineral, and slight leesy characters. Textural with crisp acidity and great length.

SAN FELICE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA ‘IL GRIGIO’

Travelling to Florence earlier this year, an American gentleman at the back of the plane was talking to somebody about a tasting he was going to. On arriving I made further enquiries in a local wine shop and discovered that a huge Chianti tasting was taking place in the city. A few phone calls later I had secured us some tickets and this wine stood out as one of the wines of the day.

A nose of plush red fruit and blackberries, with spicy, savoury tobacco characteristics. The textured palate opens up to show dense rich fruit, with layers of black cherry, spice and savoury notes. A lush and complex red - long and full on the finish.

SAVOIR-FAIRE D’AUTREFOIS MOURVEDRE

My annual holiday this summer found me in Ireland. Not knowing what to expect from the local wine shops I made sure there was a nice case in the boot of the car. Working our way through whilst enjoying all Ireland has to offer, this wine really stood out as being fantastic value for money.

Selected from two vineyard plots in the southernmost part of the Rhône valley, Savoir-Faire d'Autrefois showcases our skill in taming the wild Mourvèdre grape. An intriguing nose of tobacco, cloves and leather is followed by a luxuriant yet sleek and supple palate. Dark cherries and chocolate are interwoven with fine French oak and supported by firm tannins.

CADUS GUALTALLARY APPELLATION MALBEC

Last year’s young wine maker of the year and a fanatic! Santiago shows real passion for what he does and his hard work pays off with the wines he produces. This was the second part of my trip to Chile and Argentina and I had the pleasure of meeting him at the Nieto vineyards where he is the Enologist. Cadus is where Santiago makes his greatest wines at these unique vineyards high in the Uco Valley.

High quality Malbec from this standout producer. The combination of altitude (1300m) and rocky, calcareous soils provide a platform for Malbec to excel. Intense purple in colour, the wine displays great minerality, fresh herbal notes, spice and beautifully expressive black fruits. The palate is elegant with nice fresh acidity, silky tannins and a long finish.

LUSTAU EAST INDIA SOLERA SHERRY

My favourite alternative to a Tawny Port or sweet Madeira.

The name refers to the East India Company, a British trading company that transported cotton, silk, spices, tea, saltpetre and other commodities from the East Indies. As a fortified wine (which lasted longer), sherry was taken along as ballast and to serve the ship’s crew on its transatlantic journey. It is made from a selection of around 80% Oloroso and 20% Pedro Ximénez butts that have aged separately. The Pedro Ximénez is up front, with its thick raisiny notes and dates. However the slightly tangy Oloroso is nicely balancing this nose. Hints of toffee and walnuts. Plum jam. Chocolate and coffee. Nice hints of tobacco as well. Very thick and right in the middle between two styles. Sweet but nowhere near as intense as PX. Notes of brown sugar and caramel come through at first, followed by prunes with a spicy background. There’s a very light salty edge and a good acidity from the Oloroso, with a very long finish with hints of Turkish coffee.

£78 if collected from the shop or £86 if delivered anywhere in mainland UK

For orders or enquiries about any of the cases or wines in this newsletter, please contact us by phone at the shop on 01200 423152 or 01200 422281, thank you.

Autumn Newsletter 2017

Now that Autumn is upon us and you are digging in the wardrobe for those cosy jumpers and arguing whether the heating should be switched on, we've changed our 'wine-wardrobe' for you. Nothing too heavy, but a gentle segue from light summer drinking to something a little more warming.

An autumnal theme is pervading our choices in this newsletter with a recurrence of apples, blackberries, plums and wood smoke, all things seasonal.

First of all our Autumn Case is launched, offering its usual great value for money, then we move to some great offers from Spain and finish with some great choices of spirits.

If you would like to order anything you see here please give us a ring on 01200 423152 or 01200 422281

D. BYRNE & CO. AUTUMN CASE

WHITES
Alasia Gavi,  Piemonte,  Italy
Appealing aromas of citrus fruit and white flower with a touch of white spice. The palate has more citrus characters with hints of harvest and stone fruits. Crisp, refreshing acidity balances underlying minerality.
K-Naia Verdejo,  Rueda,  Spain
A nose of pink grapefruit, passion fruit, mandarin oil notes and lightly herbaceous characters. The palate is rich with minerality, racy lime zest acidity and a touch of stone fruit - giving a lovely texture and intensity, and just a touch of fennel on the finish.
Pazo de Monterrey Godello,  Monterrei,  Spain
A crisp, aromatic white with a lifted nose of apricot blossom, citrus fruits and a touch of honey. Very fresh acidity and mineral notes balance rich, ripe fruit characters of apple and pear on the palate. The finish has a touch of white spice and good length with a lightly bitter twist.
Silver Myn Sauvignon Blanc,  Banghoek,  South Africa
The nose shows wonderful aromas multi-layered greener tropical fruit such as green melon, kiwi fruit and fig. This character is true to the Banghoek terroir - lots of gooseberry zip, linear, crisp and racy. This is a mouth filling wine with firm acidity leading to a multi-layered complex palate showing distinct mineral and fig flavours on the finish.
Tabali Pedregoso Gran Reserva Viognier,  Limari Valley,  Chile
Rich aromas of citrus, orange peel and dried apricot, fresh pears and white peaches, plus hints of candied fruit. Delivers on the palate as well as the nose, with floral, honeyed and citrus flavours combining with chalky minerality so typical of Limari. Bright and expressive, this has a soft rounded texture and great purity.

REDS

Pasquiers Grenache Noir,  Pays d’Oc,  France
The black Grenache from the deep South of France is steeped in texture and character. Rich mulberry fruit, sweet spice and cinnamon on the nose with more intense berry fruit and liquorice spice on the palate, gluggable, sinewy and fleshy with some gentle acidity.
Uggiano Chianti Colli Fiorentini Prestige,  Tuscany,  Italy
A classic structured style of Chianti aged for 6 months in large oak casks. Cherry and spice aromas lead to a fresh and vibrant palate of black cherry and ripe plum. This is all backed by more spice, savoury notes and supple tannins to give real depth.
Artesa Organic Tempranillo,  Rioja,  Spain
Matured in a high proportion of new barrels each vintage. The result is a wine that has had the benefit of maturation in the best possible new oak! Vibrant plum and cherry aromas combine with woody, herbal notes. The palate is complex with juicy bramble fruit, black pepper, and lifted, savoury characters.
Honoro Vera Merlot,  Jumilla,  Spain
Aromas of wild cherry and bramble fruits. The palate is smooth and elegant with blackberry and blueberry characters, and a touch of spice. There are further layers of dark plum fruit, mocha and hints of vanilla. Refreshing acidity balances the well-integrated oak and supple tannins.
Indaba Mosaic,  Western Cape,  South Africa
This Bordeaux Blend displays alluring aromas and juicy flavours of blackcurrant, ripe brambly berry fruit and dark chocolate, with subtle spice notes. Soft, gentle tannins coat the palate, enticing you to take another sip.
Magpie Estate The Mixed Thing,  Barossa Valley,  Australia
Alarmingly easy to drink. This is a hugely vibrant glass of Barossa red. All the red varietals from the Nuriootpa nursery are co-fermented then judiciously blended with Barossa Grenache. Summer pudding in a glass – really refreshing fresh crushed fruit… this simply must be good for you!
Molinillo Malbec,  Mendoza,  Argentina
This Malbec showcases the vibrancy of this wonderful grape variety from Mendoza. Lucid notes of violet and red berries give a fragrant, lifted nose. The palate is fine, with bright bramble fruit characters and a silky finish.
£89.99 if collected from the shop
£98 delivered anywhere in mainland UK
free delivery within 30 mile radius

SPANISH WINE SELECTION: 

As the weather is changing and we're all dreaming of being somewhere sunny, we've decided to bring you a selection of the best of Spain, lots of interesting new wines, new vintages and some great deals.

Sparkling - two extremely high quality Cava’s from a top estate. They’re all about finesse and elegance.

2014 La Vida al Camp Cava Brut Organic, Penedes     £11.99
Pure elegance. A delightfully fresh, fruity and elegant style of Cava with lively citrus characters and lovely balancing acidity. The Parellada gives finesse and acidity, whilst the Xarel-lo develops to give full fruity aromas and flavours.
2014 La Vida al Camp Cava Brut Rose Organic, Penedes  £13.99
Fresh and feminine rosé Cava - beautifully presented! The Trepat (grape) adds an attractive, pale pink to the wine. Delicate red fruit aromas lead on to a palate of citrus and white flower characters, with a touch of cassis. The fizz is fresh and persistent.






Whites – plenty of classics and some slightly lesser known grape varietals

2016 El Tesoro Verdejo, Castilla Leon  £5.99
Aromas of tropical fruit with hints of citrus. The palate has some passion fruit and grapefruit characters backed by broader stone fruit notes. Well-balanced and textural palate with a fresh, bright finish.
2016 Fuenteseca Macabeo/Sauvignon Organic, Utiel Requena  £6.59
Lightly aromatic, with white peach and jasmine on the nose, as well as delicate herbaceous notes and citrus. The palate is textured with fresh and zesty citrus fruit acidity, mineral notes and a clean, crisp finish.
2016 Cien Malvasia, Toro  £6.99
Classic Malvasia aromas - lightly spicy with lychee, citrus and ripe stone fruit characters offering immediate appeal. The palate has some weight and texture balanced by racy acidity, a twist of exotic spice and baked stone fruit on the finish.
2016 Mas Macia Xarel-lo, Catalunha  £7.59
A delicious crisp Spanish white from this historic Catalan estate. Aromas of ripe apple and citrus fruit. The palate is nutty and textural with a touch of citrus and salinity, balanced by orchard fruits, and a hint of spice on the finish.
2016 K-Naia, Rueda  £7.59
Top class Verdejo from Rueda - with a dash of Sauvignon. A nose of pink grapefruit, passion fruit, mandarin oil notes and lightly herbaceous characters. The palate is rich with minerality, racy lime zest acidity and a touch of stone fruit - giving a lovely texture and intensity, and just a touch of fennel on the finish.
2016 Juan Gil Moscatel Seco, Jumilla  £8.59
Refreshingly dry style of Moscatel from southern Spain. Aromatic fresh peach and lychee aromas - backed by notes of jasmine and white spice. The palate is soft and textured - with stone fruit and balancing acidity.
2016 Ontanon Tempranillo Blanco, Rioja  £9.59
A rarity of the usually red Tempranillo grape. Intense tropical fruit aromas with hints of pineapple, white flower and citrus. The palate has texture, minerality and balance with ripe stone fruit characters, a hint of orange blossom, crisp acidity and a lengthy finish.
2016 Mas Que 2 (Albarino, Loureiro, Treixadure), Rias Baixas  £9.59
Pronounced floral, citrus and herb aromas. The palate has the refreshing crisp, citrus flavours of Albariño balanced by touches of green apple from the Treixadura and herbal, lightly smoky notes from Loureiro.
2015 Capricho Val de Paxarinas Modelo, Bierzo  £11.99
A fantastically complex Godello from the fashionable Bierzo region of north-west Spain. Perfumed, with hints of exotic fruit, apple, and citrus with a hint of white flower. The ripe, textural and complex palate has a stone fruit minerality, lifted herbal notes and crisp acidity, with white spice and a lengthy finish.

2016 Gorka Izagirre Txakoli, Bizkaiko Txakolina  £11.99
Possibly the only winery in the world to have a 3 Michelin-starred restaurant! Aromas of green apples, white blossom, lime, pithy grapefruit and greengage. The palate is bright and racy with citrus acidity and an underlying minerality and bright salinity. A poised and pure wine with a refreshing bitter twist on the finish.
2015 Valenciso Blanco, Rioja  £14.29
An exceptional, classic, fine white Rioja from old vines in Rioja Alta. Complex aromas combining floral characters with preserved lemon and gently smoky notes. The palate is intense and broad with nuts, stone fruit, minerality and balancing citrus acidity on the finish. Will continue to develop in the bottle.
2010 La Val Albarino Sobre Lias, Rias Baixas  £20.59
The Albarino Sobre Lias remains on its fine lees for 3 years - these lees are 'refreshed' (ie. the old lees are replaced with fresh lees from the new vintage) - a rather unique process! The result is a complex and serious Albariño which is only produced in the very best vintages. Complex aromas with citrus, pineapple, hay and dried flower. On the palate a ripe citrus character is balanced by a hint of stone fruit and minerality. The result is a white with great texture and weight, with a refreshing saline twist balancing notes of marmalade on the finish.

Rose – no longer just for Spring and Summer, especially these Spanish styles of Rose which are rich and full flavoured

2016 Artesa Rioja Rosado, Rioja  £6.99
Well-made and down to earth. Fruity and refreshing. A dry, approachable Rioja rosé with raspberry fruit on the nose. The palate has redcurrant and strawberry characters and a bright, juicy finish.
2015 Borsao Selección Rosado, Campo de Borja  £6.99
Grapes for Borsao's Selección range are sourced from the higher vineyard slopes where soils have more sand and complexity. Intense aromas of bright red fruits, raspberries and strawberries. The palate has ripe red berry and cherry fruit characters, balancing acidity, and an appealing red fruit finish.
2015 Senorio de Sarria Vinedo No.5 Rosado, Navarra  £8.99
An unapologetically pink and full flavoured rose from Spain's classic Navarra region - the home of some of the finest Spanish roses! Bright and intense red cherry and berry characters with hints of strawberry. Ripe, mouth-filling and concentrated with some tannic grip, yet balanced by fresh acidity.
2016 Macia Batle Rosado, Mallorca  £9.59
Top quality Mallorcan dry rosé from one of the island's best producers. Aromas of red fruit, plum, savoury notes and a hint of spice. The palate is soft and textural with red berry fruit, creamy notes, balancing acidity and generous depth of flavour, with a touch of spice on the finish.

Reds - a wide variety of wines covering all regions of Spain

2016 El Tesoro Monastrell-Shiraz, Jumilla  £5.99
A ripe, open nose of plums and blackberries, with sweet herbs and a light note of coffee. Warm and spicy on the palate with black fruit and a touch of pepper - all backed by sweet, ripe, and supple tannins.
2015 Fuenteseca Bobal/Cabernet Organic, Utiel Requena  £6.59
Bright, juicy fruit aromas with appealing cassis and cherry characters. The palate has a silky texture with ripe, soft, plum and herbal notes. The mouthfeel is generous and rounded with gentle tannins and an appealing finish.
2014 Cien Tinta de Toro Roble, Toro  £6.99
An eye-catching, chunky red from Toro's high, rugged vineyards. A nose of ripe plums and blackberries, with a twist of smoke, liquorice and spice. The well-structured palate has abundant damson and black fruit flavours; ripe and long.
2013 Guelbenzu ‘Vierlas’, Ribera del Queiles  £7.99
A 'roble' style of red from Ribera del Queiles - which lies between Rioja, Navarra and Aragon. The wine is named after the local village. Interesting aromas of black fruit, tar, and an unusual yet appealing black olive character! The palate is vibrant and juicy with more ripe black fruit balanced by spice, toasty oak and bright acidity.
2013 Senorio de Sarria Crianza, Navarra  £7.99
Complex and spicy alternative to Rioja, made up of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon. Vibrant berry fruits offset spicy red cherry, balsamic and cedar notes from 12 months in oak. Typically spicy black fruit palate with some structure and weight.
2015 Honoro Vera Merlot, Jumilla  £7.99
Aromas of wild cherry and bramble fruits. The palate is smooth and elegant with blackberry and blueberry characters, and a touch of spice. There are further layers of dark plum fruit, mocha and hints of vanilla. Refreshing acidity balances the well-integrated oak and supple tannins.
2015 Ontanon Ecológico Organic, Rioja  £8.29
Ontañón have invested in 57 ha of organic vineyard within Rioja. Bright cherry and raspberry aromas balanced by sweet spice. The palate is structured with complex, ripe red fruit, clove and black pepper characters. Poised and well-balanced with fresh acidity and a touch of mocha on the long finish.
2014 Bodegas Murviedro Bobal Cepas Viejas, Valencia  £9.59
Complex yet approachable old vine, low yielding Bobal from Eastern Spain. Aromas of forest fruit aromas together with notes of toffee and vanilla. The palate is complex and structured, with more blackberry and plum characters, smooth tannins, a touch of mocha and a long finish.

2015 Macia Batle Tinto Anada, Mallorca  £9.59
A joyful, lightly oaked blend of local Manto Negro, Callet and international varieties. Attractive aromas of juicy plum fruit, black berries and spice. Richly-fruited with chocolate, berry fruit and sour cherry acidity. Balanced with ripe, broad tannins, spice and a complex, approachable and generous finish.
2015 Madai Origen Mencia, Bierzo  £9.99
Lovely elegant, light alternative to Pinot Noir. Vibrant aromas of cherry and red berry with a hint of violet. The palate is complex with crunchy berry fruit, a hint of liquorice and spice, and more floral characters - all balanced by fresh acidity.
2012 Laderas de Cabama Tempranillo, Rioja  £11.59
Cabama is a single vineyard on the clay / limestone soils of Ollauri in Rioja Alta. Planted with Tempranillo vines around 30-35 years old. Pure, poised and dark-fruited with balsamic notes, elegance and a lightness of touch.
2014 Mineral del Monsant, Monsant     £11.59
This wine is the result of a special project by Tomas Cusiné - it's a fantastic Cariñena Garnacha blend from the Montsant region which encircles Priorat. Appealing aromas of raspberry and a touch of slate. The palate has fresh, vibrant berry fruits, minerality and lightly smoky, spicy notes. An intense and broad wine balanced by refreshing acidity.
2013 Borsao Zarihs (Shiraz), Campo de Borja     £13.99
An absolute blockbuster red. Ripe aromas of black fruits, blackcurrant pastilles and a hint of coffee and vanilla. The palate has wild blackberries, toasty oak and black pepper notes - all balanced by fresh acidity and a touch of dark chocolate.
2014 Merum Priorati Ardiles, Priorat  £14.99
Chunky and complex red -a must for heavy red lovers. The wine is deep and moody yet captures a brightness and elegance remarkable for such a powerful wine. Sweet mulberry fruit is surrounded by herbal notes of thyme and fennel and underpinned with a hint of vanilla. Very ripe, fine tannins allow the sweet, juicy fruit to dominate but with the seriousness of leather, tobacco and coffee notes adding complexity.
2014 Parada de Atauta, Ribera del Duero  £14.99
A stunner from the amazing Dominio de Atauta estate in eastern Ribera del Duero. A warm, spicy, open nose with intense black fruit, juicy black cherries, mocha and baked earth characters. The palate is fine with good structure, concentrated blackcurrant fruit, cedar and minerality with perfumed violets to the finish.
2014 Huerta de Albala Taberner, Cadiz  £19.59
Super-charged Vino de la Tierra from near Cadiz. A lifted and perfumed nose of black fruit and plum, plus floral, spicy and savoury notes. Complex and layered on the palate with developed, well-integrated characters of dark fruit, leather and tar. Voluptuous, with fine grained ripe tannins - the well-balanced rich fruit, acidity and oak gives a long finish.

Autumnal Spirit Recommendations

Glen Moray Port Cask Finish, Speyside Single Malt  £22.99
A wonderful burst of spice hits the tongue combined with a refreshing citrus tang, As it develops a rich caramel sweetness with traces of cinnamon and red fruits come to the fore.
Glen Moray Sherry Cask Finish, Speyside Single Malt  £22.99
Bursting with dried fruits, cinnamon and toffee candy. Incredible layers of sweet vanilla oak, dark chocolate and oriental spice, with a satisfyingly long finish.

Sacred Gin magic taking place

Sacred Microdistillery Gin  £29.99
A creamy aromatic gin with a bouquet of juniper berries, fresh cut orange, lime and lemon combined, with cardamom, angelica root and enhanced by distilled frankincense (Bosewellia Sacra) from which the name Sacred is derived. A very versatile gin best served with tonic water and either orange peel, pink grapefruit or diced strawberries.

Sacred Pink Grapefruit Gin  £29.99
This is a delightful gin made unique with whole pink grapefruit including peel, juice and pips, macerated with English grain spirit and cold-distilled by Ian Hart to produce an exuberant gin. Amazingly refreshing as a G&T with a slice of fresh pink grapefruit and a sprig of rosemary.

Two Birds Salted Caramel Vodka  £27.59
At Two Birds they  like to tinker in the distillery.... sometimes it doesn’t work, and then every so often you strike gold (or caramel!) The true definition of indulgence... Premium English Vodka is infused with a wonderfully rich caramel and finished with a hint of salt, to create a spirit of pure loveliness! Great on its own or as a long drink with soda water and slices of apple.
Chase Sherry Cask Aged Vodka  £35.99
This special-edition vodka from Chase has been aged in oloroso-sherry casks. This is warm, spicy and fruity with notes of blackberries and apple peel, along with a delicate smokiness. A delicious sipping Vodka well worth a try if you’re into Whisky/Brandy. We also have it open in the shop to sample.

Kings Ginger Liqueur   50cl  £22.99

One of our biggest selling liqueurs, especially perfect at this time of the year. It’s rich and zesty, with real heat from the ginger and not too sweet. Fantastically warming as the nights get colder. Also worth trying with tonic and a dash of Angostura Bitters as a long aperitif.

Summer Newsletter 2017

Summer Newsletter 2017

Welcome to any of you who are new to our quarterly newsletter. Hippy-like we tend to move with the seasons and will not inundate you with messages, however, if you want to hear more from us we will soon be writing a more regular blog with news from the shop written by our very knowledgeable members of staff. You will get to hear about their own tastes in wine and interests in the wine world and beyond. Our staff know so much about the world they work in that it would be such a shame if they didn’t get a chance to share it. Our blog can be read at the link below, watch this space!

D. Byrne & Co. shop blog

We have some fabulous wines and spirits for you in this summer newsletter. If you would like to order anything you see here please give us a ring on 01200 423152 or 422281

D. Byrne & Co. SUMMER CASE

WHITES

The Underworld Grenache Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa

There are few finer things than finding a cultivar that not only belongs in modern South Africa but is so PHENOMENALLY tasty – its delicately pithy otherness is hard to describe but searching for the right way to describe it is part of the pleasure.

Domaine Les Grands Presbyteres Wild Yeast Muscadet, Loire, France

Made using only ‘wild yeasts’ which occur naturally on the skins of the freshly picked grapes helps to produce an exquisite intensity of perfume and purity of flavour unmatched by cultured yeasts. Pleasant grapey aromas with a yeasty hint of fresh bread, the flavour is fresh and instantly zingy with mid palate fullness rounded off by a dry but fruity finish.

Waterkloof Seriously Cool Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa

This elegant wine displays aromas of stone fruit, white flowers and a hint of honey. Because of the longer alcoholic fermentation the flavours are well integrated on the palette and ends with a crisp acidy. A seriously good wine!

Vetiver Rioja Blanco, Spain

Stylish white rioja from Rioja Baja - bright fruit characters and a judicious touch of oak.

An open and appealing nose with lemon and pineapple, and balancing oaky notes. There is good palate weight, with tropical fruit and lightly toasted characters. Well-balanced, with fine, fresh balancing citrus acidity.

Vitese Zibibbo, Sicily, Italy

This crisp, fruity Zibibbo shows lifted notes of succulent white peach combined with soft floral aromatics of orange blossom and jasmine. Bright and perfumed with a zesty citrus finish.

ROSE

Les Cerisiers Cotes du Rhone Rose, France

A classic salmon pink rosé with delicate perfumed aromas of rosehip syrup, wild berry blossoms and cherries on the nose. Full flavoured, ripe and beautifully balanced with acidity, there’s elegant textured berry fruit on the palate with a twist of raspberry freshness to lift the finish. Deliciously balanced and moreish.

REDS

Les Coteaux Cotes du Rhone Villages, France

Brambly fruit underpinned by subtle oaky nuances, lovely sweet spice; warm star anise with a touch of cinnamon. This classic Côtes du Rhône Villages is enriched with specially-selected parcels from the cru vineyards of Séguret, Sablet and Cairanne.

Vitese Nero D’Avola, Sicily, Italy

A brilliant, deep red Nero d'Avola with rich, juicy flavours of ripe plum and black cherries interlaced with subtle violet notes. Concentrated on the palate, the deep fruit flavours are backed by soft, ripe tannins and a spicy character on the finish.

Vega del Rayo Rioja Vendimia Seleccionada, Spain

A characterful, classic Rioja with just a touch of oak.

The nose has warm spice, ripe plum and cherry aromas while the palate is richly flavoured and substantial with black fruit and a smoky, spicy character from time in oak. Well-balanced, fruity and approachable.

Adobe Reserva Pinot Noir, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Violet-red in colour, with a nose that express aromas of berries, sweet vanilla and soft floral notes. On the palate, it is a fruity wine, with velvety texture, medium structure and an intense finish.

Domaine Belles Granges Syrah, Collines Rhodaniennes, France

A savoury Syrah from the Northern Rhône.

With aromas of ripe, plump plums, this Syrah is moreish and savoury with hints of tar and an intriguing, meaty finish.

Aliança Foral, Douro Valley, Portugal

Powerful red from the fabled terraced vineyards of Quinta dos Quatro Ventos

A nose of ripe plum, blackberry compote and raisin, with hints of liquorice and warm spice. On the palate there are more dark plum flavours, pepper and spice, with red apple acidity and balanced tannins providing structure.

£89.99 if collected from the shop or £98 if delivered to any address in the UK

Free delivery within a 30 mile radius.

D. Byrne & Co. Barbecue Case

WHITES

Burlesque Chardonnay, California, USA

All the way from sunny California, cheeky citrus flavours meet more rounded hints of tropical fruit in a fresh and modern interpretation of the much-maligned Chardonnay. This is dry, elegant and refreshing and equally as drinkable with or without food

El Tesoro Verdejo, Rueda, Spain

A great value intensely aromatic Verdejo from Rueda's finest co-operative.

Aromas of tropical fruit with hints of citrus. The palate has some passion fruit and grapefruit characters backed by broader stone fruit notes. Well-balanced and textural on the palate with a fresh, bright finish.

Casa de Vila Nova, Vinho Verde, Portugal

Bright citrus aromas with hints of lime. A fresh and zesty white with more citrus characters on the palate, and appealing minerality. A super-fresh spritzy classic that is perfect with barbequed fish.

Castanzu Vermentino, Sardinia, Italy

Citrus-fresh, characterful Sardinian white from the local Vermentino grape. This wine has a rich and spicy nose with citrus and ripe tropical fruit, as well as hints of apple. Good palate weight, with minerality. Flavours are initially light and build to a textural honeyed feel with hints of lemon marmalade on the finish.

Les Cépages Oubliés Gros Manseng Colombard, Pays des Côtes de Gascogne, France

Fresh, racy and instantly appealing. Fruit salad in a glass!

Lovely grassy aromatic nose, balanced by ripe, tropical melon and pink grapefruit, the palate is softer and creamier than you would expect with real depth of flavour finishing with a fresh, zippy lemon tang.

ROSE

Dune Gris de Gris, Sable de Camargue, France

A delicious, pale and versatile rosé from the sandy Camargue. Delicate and mineral with subtle notes of fleshy peach. The 2016 is an absolute stunner being the very essence of fresh, crunchy red grapes.

REDS

Aliança Bairrada Reserva, Bairrada, Portugal

Hearty and rustic red from the Bairrada region of Portugal. Aromas of ripe berry and plum. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh raspberry and black fruits, supple tannins, and well-balanced acidity.

False Bay Pinotage, Western Cape, South Africa

Perfect Pinotage - youthful, vibrant and fruity, absolutely crying out for smoky barbeque fare.

This wine has a bright nose of summer pudding and cream. The palate has a savoury earthiness redolent of its sandy provenance.

Ancora Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Italy

A medium-bodied, spicy red with aromas of plum and juicy fresh cherries. The palate is fresh and bright displaying light red fruit and redcurrant flavours, herbal notes and more red cherry fruit on the finish.

Pedrera Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain

A full-flavoured unoaked Monastrell - capturing the essence of Jumilla!

Appealing aromas of dark red cherry and ripe plum. A bright, fruit-forward style with plush bramble, plum and mocha characters, wrapped up in smooth, rounded tannins.

Les Volets Malbec, Vallee de l’Aude, France

Vibrant ruby hues gleam out of the glass. The first notes on the nose are of crushed blueberries which then develop on to reveal an intriguing bitter-sweet character of crème de cassis with a touch of underlying Parma violets. Fine red-fruits fill the mouth; raspberries and a touch of dark chocolate truffle.

The Long Little Dog Red, Pays d’Oc, France

A rich and juicy red made from specially selected grapes harvested in the Languedoc. This is brimming with berry fruit flavours and a hint of spice. Medium bodied and very easy to drink.

£79.99 if collected from the shop or £88 if delivered to any address in the UK

Free delivery within a 30 mile radius.

Special Offers and New Wines Perfect for Summer

Gavi 'La Battistina', Piemonte, Italy £7.59 White Wine of the Month

High quality, single estate Gavi. Aromatic, zesty nose with apple and lime notes. Textured and gently nutty with savoury characters - the wine is juicy, with weighty fruit and a zippy, citrusy, mouthwatering feel - creating a refreshing, yet satisfying finish.

Vila Nova Loureiro, Vinho Verde, Portugal £7.59

Pronounced citrus aromas lead onto a textural, mineral palate with bright lime characters and a citrus peel tang.

Vila Nova Alvarinho, Vinho Verde, Portugal £8.59

Bright citrus aromas with hints of lime. A fresh and zesty white with more citrus characters on the palate, and appealing minerality.

Quinta do Pinto Vinhas do Lasso Colheita Seleccionada Branco, Lisbon, Portugal £8.99

Peach and apricot aromas with citrus and floral notes. The palate has more stone fruit flavours - crisp acidity balancing the lightly creamy texture.

Waterkloof Circle of Life White, Stellenbosch, South Africa £10.59

A wine that captures the true essence of Waterkloof's viticultural amphitheatre. Appealing and serious on the nose towards the citrusy end of the spectrum with a firm, flinty thing going on as well. The palate retains that citrusy focus which is an absolute delight. This vintage assures this wine's place amongst the very best of South Africa's finest contemporary white blends.

Follow the Waterkloof story here and have a look at the fabulous vineyards:

The Waterkloof Story

Donovan Rall Winterhoek Sauvignon Blanc, WO Ceres Plateau, South Africa £10.99

Stone-fruit and green melon with subtle oak nuances on the nose. The palate is mineral and citrus driven with struck match and nutty lees flavours. A fresh almost limey acidity contributes to the wine’s length and gives balance to the creamy texture of the barrel fermented component.

Donovan Rall Callender Peak Chardonnay, Ceres Plateau, South Africa £19.59

The nose shows notes of vanilla, toast and some exotic pineapple and lemon nuances. Broad, textured and leesy with hints of honeycomb and some yellow citrus. The acidity is piercing due to no malolactic fermentation in this vintage and gives great focus and backbone to a wine as textured as this.

Monte Schiavo Sassaiolo Rosso Piceno, Marche, Italy £7.29 Red Wine of the Month

Approachable, flavour-packed red with warm earth and herbs and a meatiness right in the middle! Ripe open nose with cherry jam, red berry fruit characters and savoury notes. The palate is warm and generous, full of rich berry fruit, a touch of spice and a bitter plum twist on the finish. Tannins are gentle and add structure to this substantial, spicy red.

Mesoneros de Castilla Roble, Ribera Del Duero, Spain £8.59

An authentic Ribera del Duero from a family-run estate with 400 years of winemaking history. Generous and open nose of ripe black fruits with notes of smoky oak, mocha and dark spice. A layered palate of berry fruit, tobacco and more spice has fine tannins, giving a structured and richly-flavoured finish.

Castel del Lupo Pinot Nero 'Della Quercia', Lombardia, Italy £8.99

Delicious organic, unoaked, Pinot Noir from a small plot of 15 year old vines on the rolling hills of Oltrepo Pavese. A bright and fresh style with open berry fruit aromas and gently floral notes. Lively acidity offsets the ripe wild plum fruit and the palate combines concentration, delicacy and structure.

Quinta do Pinto Vinhas do Lasso Colheita Seleccionada Tinto, Lisbon, Portugal £8.99

Pronounced aromas of bramble fruit and violet with balsamic notes. More blackberry and raspberry characters on the palate, balanced by ripe plum and a hint of dark chocolate and tobacco. A rich, ripe red with fine tannins, vibrant acidity and good length.

Waterkloof Circle of Life Red, Stellenbosch, South Africa £10.59

A fantastic example of the huge potential of Cape reds. A hugely compelling wine. Deeply refined single estate expression showing bounds of character, finesse, length, breadth and structure - it really does have it all! A classically styled wine with notes of cassis and cedar. The seamless, elegant palate is encased by fine tannins. It is a wine whose flavours become more complex if the wine is allowed to aerate for a while and that will also increase in complexity with age.

Waterkloof Seriously Cool Cinsault, Stellenbosch, South Africa £10.99

Leading the march for Cinsaults renaissance in the Cape. Sourced from 40 and 50 year old bush vines on the Heldeberg’s breezy maritime slopes. Here’s a seaside Cinsault of real character defined by the soils from which it drinks. A hardy variety that thrives on the challenges of the Southern Atlantic setting, Seriously Cool Cinsault is a fine and friendly expression of the Cape’s most under-rated variety. Bright fresh cherry fruits on the nose with a savoury, fynbos finesse. On the palate it has a cranberry freshness and texture with taut acidity and tremendous length. Seriously, it does benefit being cooled to the right temperature (10-12 degrees).

Rose Wines for Summer Sipping

Casal Mendes Rosé, Bairrada, Vinho Da Mesa, Portugal £5.99

A delicious Portuguese classic - serve it cold! Refreshing and fruity rosé, bursting with aromas of strawberries and raspberries. On the palate the wine is soft and fruity with a light spritz. Nice fresh acidity and a touch of sweetness on the finish.

Silver Myn Cabernet Franc Rosé, Banghoek, South Africa £6.59

Delightfully pale varietal rosé. This is 100% Cabernet Franc rose from the slopes of Stellen-bosch's Simonsburg Mountain. Zorgvliet's focus is entirely Bordelaise so a Cab Franc rose is a natural fit and a delightfully different product within their South African portfolio. Pale onion skin colour with bright, crunchy red cherry fruit flavours and a full, textural finish.

Cien Tinta de Toro Rosado, Spain £6.59

A bright, punchy, characterful rosé. A vibrant cherry and red berry scented rosé, with bright summer pudding flavours. Fruity and floral with a fresh, balanced palate of berries and cream - balanced by juicy acidity.

Rimo de Rimauresq Côtes de Provence Rosé, France £9.59

Stylish Provence rosé! Rimo is more aromatic than Rimauresq's domaine wines, but still with hallmark Provence restraint and flavours of spiced red fruit and herbs.

Chateau de Campuget, 1753 Rose Syrah Vermentino, Costières de Nîmes, France £10.99

A classic rose petal colour, this elegant, dry rosé shows aromatic notes of grapefruit and delicate citrus hints, through to a refreshing palate of red berry fruits with a lifted finish.

Domaine Fiumicicoli Rosé, Corse Sartène, Corsica, France £11.99

A softer style of rosé - less tangy and easier drinking than Provence. Made from Sciacarello, a

traditional Corsican grape variety, this rose petal pink coloured softer style rosé emanates exotic

characters. With a clean, fresh, earthy and aromatic nose of sweet creamy fruit, these characters

follow through to a palate which has a hint of strawberry mousse and ripe fruit flavours. It is well

balanced with some complexity, good length and structure.

Sparkling Wines

Fresita, Chile £7.99

The unique combination of the best sparkling wine with carefully selected strawberries, created through the Charmat method to deliver a natural, balanced and elegant taste that isn’t overly sweet.

Le Dolci Colline Rosé Spumante Brut, Italy £7.99

Declassified Prosecco with 5% Brachetto juice added to give a delicate pink fizz with light berry fruit flavours. Strawberry and raspberry aromas and soft berry characters on the palate. Fresh acidity balanced by zesty, cherry notes makes this an easy and appealing fizz.

Aliança Tinto Bruto Sparkling Red, Bairrada, Portugal £8.99

Intriguing sparkling Portuguese red from the Bairrada region. Black fruit, cherry and light mocha aromas lead on to a palate with a fresh and persistent mousse. Red berry flavours, a hint of clove, and balancing acidity, all lead to a dry finish.

Filigree Blanc des Blancs, Banghoek, South Africa £12.59

A tiny production of Cap Classique - traditionally produced fizz from the Cape. A blend of the excellent 2013 and ‘14 vintages, this is 100% Chardonnay grown on the slopes of the Simons-berg. Entirely aged in third fill French oak demi-muids, then aged in the bottle for a year prior to release. It has a nose of proving sour dough with a fine bead on the palate that releases notes of fresh almonds, warm sand and apricot kernel.

Domaine J.Laurens, Blanquette de Limoux 'Le Moulin', Languedoc, France £10.99

Exceptionally good wine from the (arguably) original home of fizz. This bone-dry blanquette has a tight and finely textured mousse. It shows great typicity with apple blossoms and honey on the nose with a bright, crisp and delicately nutty palate.

Domaine J.Laurens, Crémant de Limoux 'La Rose No.7', Languedoc, France £13.59

Don't let the baby pink fool you - this is a seriously good rosé! This beautifully balanced wine shows delicate soft stone fruit aromas, nuances of caramel and cream with a nice biscuity finish.

Gins of the Month

We now have more than 350 gins in store, check out our website HERE for details of all we stock, but in the meantime here are our gins of the month.

Pickering’s, Edinburgh £28.99

Based on an old Bombay recipe, handwritten on a fragment of paper dated 17 July 1947. Kept as a family secret for over 66 years, it only resurfaced in 2013 when distilling began. Launched in 2014 having fine-tuned the recipe, perfecting its balance of botanicals and tweaking it to the contemporary palate. The result is a spectacularly smooth, refreshing and flavoursome gin.

Fresh, light and bold flavours of citrus and juniper give way to intense warming spice of cardamom, coriander seed and clove. A background sweetness from anise and fennel leads to a crisp, dry and exceptionally smooth finish.

Serve over ice, with tonic and a slice of pink grapefruit.

Pickering’s Original 1947, Edinburgh £28.99

This edition is made precisely to the original recipe, as it was written down at Mount Mary, Bombay, in 1947. Here the botanical mix includes cinnamon, which adds a decidedly warming and spicy kick to the spirit.

Spicier, sweeter and more intense, it’s a decadent trip back to the last days of the Raj. Cardamom, coriander, clove and cinnamon spice lead to a crisp, refreshing and long finish.

Serve over ice, with tonic and a slice of orange.

Malt of the Month

Tomintoul Tlàth £27.29

Tlàth is Gaelic meaning –gentle, mellow. This description mirrors the term “the gentle dram” which is used on all editions of Tomintoul. Tlàth is the result of a very careful selection of individual casks. The hand-chosen collection consists of whiskies of various ages matured in first-class American oak bourbon barrels. It serves as an entry point to the core range representing great value for money.

Quintessentially Speyside. Golden Straw in colour.  Light, with some sweet toffee and vanilla and hints of mint leaf and citrus peel. On the palate it is light and creamy. Lively white pepper and some oak-driven spiciness dance on the tongue with background layers of nutmeg and toasted vanilla. Spicy with notes of shortbread and fresh mint.

That's all for now folks!

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