Autumn Newsletter

THE AWARD WINNERS
D. Byrne & Co. Regional Merchant of the Year for North West England - 2013 IWC Awards
Shortlisted for National Small Independent - 2013 IWC Awards

Following our recent success at the International Wine Challenge we are offering a selection of our favourite medal winning wines from the competition. There are also a number of medal winning wines from the 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards along with some superb 'must try' wines featured in the Decanter Magazine weekday wines section.

Decanter Magazine Weekday 'Must-Try' wines.

LIBRANDI CIRO BIANCO 2012, Calabria - Italy (October 2013 18.5/20) £9.59

A wine that is filled with fragrance and attractive summer fruits, very clean in the mouth and super fresh on the palate. This is an irresistible example of the native Greco grape.
LE ROCCHE MALATESTIANE ANTICA MARINERIA, Emilia Romagna - Italy (September 2013 18.5/20) £10.99
This is a NV white wine made from 100% Sangiovese and barrel aged for 10 months. A very complex wine with ripe tropical fruits and a gloriously silky, textural mouth-feel.
FATALONE PRIMITIVO 2008, Puglia - Italy (October 2013 18/20) £10.99
Pasquale Petrera crafts some amazing examples of the Primitivo grape from his organically farmed estate in the DOC of Gioia del Colle. A massive concentration of sweet black fruits and complex spices, 15% abv. We also have a limited amount of the stunning 2005 Riserva £14.99



Decanter Magazine 2013 World Wine Awards

PAUL CLUVER GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2012, Elgin - South Africa £9.99
INTERNATIONAL TROPHY for the best Dry Aromatic under £15
This is all roses and Turkish Delight without being too heavy, a textbook Gewürztraminer.
DE MORGENZON MAESTRO 2012, Stellenbosch - South Africa £12.99
SOUTH AFRICA REGIONAL TROPHY for the best White Blend under £15
A food friendly modern blend that is all peaches and cream. Soft full bodied and delicious.
CAVE DE TURCKHEIM RIESLING GC BRAND 2008, Alsace - France £14.99
ALSACE REGIONAL TROPHY for the best Dry Riesling over £15
Very fine quality here with real depth and minerality.
BEYRA VERMIOSA 2012, Beira Interior - Portugal £7.99
PORTUGAL REGIONAL TROPHY for the best white under £15
A lovely dry white with pure citrus fruits and a lean and refreshing mineral edge.
ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS MALBEC CLASSICO 2012,  Mendoza - Argentina £9.59
ARGENTINA REGIONAL TROPHY for the best Malbes under £15
Dark brambly juicy fruits and plenty of spice, this is a classic.
LOUIS ROEDERER BRUT PREMIER NV, Champagne - France £28.99
CHAMPAGNE REGIONAL TROPHY for the best Non-Vintage.
Consistently one of the very finest NVs. A fine, rich and toasty Champagne and a great price!
TAITTINGER COMTES DE CHAMPAGNE BLANC DE BLANCS 2002, Champagne - France £124.99
GOLD MEDAL
From one of the most celebrated vintages of recent years. A rare and sumptuous wine for a very special occasion.
COLOME ESTATE MALBEC 2011, Calchaqui - Argentina £13.99
GOLD MEDAL
With plenty of perfume and a rich concentration of black fruits - a stunner!
PATRIZI BAROLO 2008, Piedmont - Italy £15.99
GOLD MEDAL
This is a bargain priced Barolo with real class.
RUSTENBERG BUZZARD KLOOF SYRAH 2010, Coastal Region £13.99
GOLD MEDAL
A rich and silky Shiraz with some lovely spice tinged blackberry fruit.

THE INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE

2012 MICHEL TORINO DON DAVID TORRONTES, Cafayate - Argentina £8.99
ARGENTINA WHITE TROPHY AND TORRONTES TROPHY & GOLD MEDAL
Honeysuckle aromas and fresh nectarine fruit flavours. Flavour packed and deliciously different, perfect with sea bass and ginger.
2010 PIEROPAN SOAVE LA ROCCA, Veneto - Italy £19.99
ITALIAN WHITE TROPHY WINNER & SOAVE TROPHY
A regular Gold and trophy winner, La Rocca is one of Italy's finest white wines. A luxuriously rich and smooth, highly complex wine.
2012 DANDELION VINEYARDS RIESLING, Eden Valley - Australia £9.99
GOLD MEDAL
Bone dry and crisp, a very elegant Riesling with pure citrus fruits. Lean and limey with lovely minerality.
2010 CAVE DE TAIN ST JOSEPH ESPRIT DE GRANIT, Rhone - France £17.99
ST JOSEPH TROPHY, FRENCH RED TROPHY, INTERNATIONAL SYRAH TROPHY
From the outstanding 2010 vintage, this is a Syrah with real class. Intense and smooth with blackberries and peppery spice.

**STAR BUY**
2008 ONDARRE RIOJA RESERVA - Spain £10.99
RIOJA RESERVA TROPHY - GOLD MEDAL
"Lovely rich nose of mountain herbs and exotic spices. Prominent oak, but sufficient fruit to support, with juicy tannins, lovely balance and a long open finish. Attractive and complex"
18/20 Decanter Magazine September 2013
2010 TERRE DI SAVA PAZZIA OLD VINES PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA, Puglia - Italy £21.59
PUGLIA TROPHY AND PRIMITIVO TROPHY - GOLD MEDAL
"Opulent, late harvest style with bags of dried fruit, malt and dark chocolate flavour. Big, rich, alcoholic, a splendid example of Puglia Primitivo" International Wine Challenge 2013
2010 RUST-EN-VREDE STELLENBOSCH RIDGE, Stellenbosch - South Africa £21.99
SOUTH AFRICAN BORDEAUX BLEND TROPHY - GOLD MEDAL
This is a gloriously rich Stellenbosch red with intense blackcurrant fruit flavours, cedary spice and very fine tannins.
2011 ALPHA ZETA 'R' VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE RIPASSO, Veneto - Italy £10.59
GOLD MEDAL
Sweet cherry liqueur and chocolate. This is a classic Valpolicella Ripasso.
2010 DANDELION VINEYARDS LIONS TOOTH SHIRAZ/RIESLING, McLaren Vale - Australia £9.99
GOLD MEDAL
Wild cherries, blueberries and mulberries combine to form an impressive structure balanced by spicy oak, velvety and opulent.

WINES OF THE MONTH

2012 ELKI PEDRO XIMENEZ, Elqui Valley - Chile £7.99
A rare example of the PX grape, this is intense and fruity white wine. Deliciously different and well worth a try.
2011 OLLIEUX ROMANIS CORBIERES CLASSIQUE - France £8.99
This excellent Corbieres producer has turned out a superb Cuvee Classique in 2011. Rich and sweetly fruited with plum compote and some aromatic garrigue herbs on the finish.

D. Byrne & Co. AUTUMN CASE

WHITE WINES
MASTRI VERNACOLI TRENTINO NOSIOLA - Italy
A medley of fruit with citrus, apple and stone fruit on the nose. A deliciously ripe and nutty palate with a slight creaminess.
FUENTESCA MACABEO SAUVIGNON BLANC - Spain
Lightly aromatic with white peach and jasmine on the nose, along with some delicate herbaceous notes. The palate is textured with fresh and zesty citrus notes and a clean, crisp finish. Organic
CAPE HEIGHTS CHENIN BLANC - South Africa
A fresh, dry Chenin with broad appeal and displaying classic baked apple and zippy citrus notes with soft apple fruit flavours on the palate.
DOMAINE VISON VIOGNIER - France
Honeyed and rich with ripe stone fruits and vanilla oak, smooth and weighty, this is very much a food wine. New World meets Old World.
PASQUIER SAUVIGNON V - France
An innovative blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Vermentino from Southern France. The luscious exotic fruit flavours from the Vermentino are balanced by the clean, zingy fruit of Sauvignon, resulting in a wonderfully aromatic, smooth dry white.

RED WINES
OSA MAREMMA TINTO - Italy
A warm spicy nose with ripe red fruits and notes of tobacco and dried figs. Sweet and spicy baked red fruits and a soft, rounded palate.
LA CHAPELLE DE MARIN COTES DU RHONE - France
Delicious ripe bramble fruit aromas with a palate of rich fruit, warm spice and real depth. This is a classic Southern Rhone red which is rich and smooth with supple tannins.
BURLESQUE OLD VINE - USA 
A full-bodied zin, packed with damson fruit flavours with a twist of black pepper. Wonderfully smooth and easy drinking.
FUENTESCA BOBAL/CABERNET - Spain
Juicy fruits on the nose with cassis and cherry characters. there is a great silky texture to the palate which flows with juicy plum fruit and faint herbal notes. Organic.
VISTA TINTA RORIZ - Portugal
Aromas of ripe cherry and plum fruit with a touch of pepper. Warm and richly flavoured with some savoury, meaty characters in the palate and  fresh spices on the finish.
FALSE BAY SHIRAZ - South Africa
A full yet elegant Shiraz with cassis and black cherry flavours on the palate and a touch of white pepper spice on the finish.
EMILIANA RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON - Chile
A soft, fruit driven Cabernet Sauvignon with some pleasantly ripe blackcurrant fruit flavours and well structured minty tannins.

£75.95 if collected from the shop and £83.95 delivered anywhere in the UK
Free delivery within a 30 mile radius

Still available our fabulous EVERYDAY CASE
12 great bottles for drinking any day of the week
£60.99 in the shop or £69.00 delivered

VALUE WINES FROM SPAIN
With the nights drawing in there is a temptation to drink fuller bodied reds and whites. We consider Spain to be a treasure trove for both quality and value.

REDS
2012 BORSAO GARNACHA £4.99
Highly praised and offering stunning value. Rich ripe bramble and redcurrant fruits are balanced with a hint of liquorice and crushed black pepper on the finish.
2010 BORSAO SELECTION BARRICA £7.19
Deep, honest and intoxicating - this 100% Garnacha has spent 3 months in second and third filled French oak barriques, providing an enticing whiff of smoky bacon mingled with sumptuous black cherry on the palate.
2011 TRES PICOS BODEGAS BORSAO, CAMPO DE BORJA £12.89
A bouquet of mature red fruits with floral notes that are typical of the best Garnachas. The palate is rich, showing flavours of blackberries, strawberries and vanilla, which combine harmoniously on the sweet soft finish.
2011 PINNA FIDELIS RIBERA DEL DUERO £6.99
D. BYRNE & CO. RED WINE OF THE YEAR
6 months in French and American oak. Fruit aromas of fresh raspberry and redcurrants balanced by notes of slightly toasty oak and a beautifully balanced persistent finish.
2010 MESONEROS DE CASTILLA ROBLE, RIBERA DEL DUERO £8.59
This is a generous and approachable wine aromas of black cherry, plum, coffee bean and layered fruit. Sweet vanilla and toasty notes from its time spent in oak combine for a richly flavoured finish. This is excellent!
2009 VALSOTILLO CRIANZA, RIBERA DEL DUERO £12.99
Deep garnet in colour, with cherry aromas and containing typical Ribera notes of both cassis and menthol. This wine has a mouth-filling palate, considerable structure and complexity.
2010 PARADA DE ATAUTA, RIBERA DEL DUERO £14.99
The nose is warm and spicy with intense black fruit, mocha and baked earth characters. The palate has a good structure, concentrated fruit, cedar and minerality with perfumed violets to the finish.
2010 VEGA PIEDRA RIOJA TINTO £5.59
D. BYRNE & CO. HOUSE RIOJA
A soft, approachable and aromatic number, with comforting and generous ripe berry fruit aromas, and a hint of spice. the palate is light and plumy, with a long juicy finish. To get an oak-aged wine of this quality, at this price, is an absolute bargain.
2009 ONTANON RIOJA, CRIANZA £8.39
The nose is well balanced with aromas of black cherry, spice and toasty oak. The palate contains further bright, intense tangy red cherry fruit, with fresh acidity, a silky mouth-feel, soft ripe tannins and a lingering finish.

2009 THE CHARGE TEMPRANILLO GARNACHA, RIOJA £8.59
Intense aromas of leather, warm spice and dark fruits. The palate is dark, pruney and decadently ripe with good balance between tannins and acidity. An earthly, opulent wine that is rich, warm and classically poised.
2006 VALENCISO RESERVA RIOJA, a classic vintage red. £16.99
Pungent meaty and curranty aromas, with hints of cedar and spice. Produced purely from Tempranillo and aged in new French and American oak barriques. This wine is soft-bodied and smooth and displays all the elegance expected of the variety. Delicate and velvety, with plenty of complexity - awarded 91 points in The Wine Advocate.
2012 JUAN GIL 4 MESES MONASTRELL, JUMILLA £7.39
A beautiful Monastrell from 40 year old vineyards. An intense palate with fresh juicy blackberry and plum fruit, delicate vanilla spice and cedar. Hugely enjoyable!
2012 TURRET FIELDS MONASTRELL SHIRAZ, JUMILLA £8.59
This is a characteristically rich and powerful Monastrell based red. It is deeply perfumed with black cherry, damson and blueberry aromas, spice and black pepper. The palate has ripe juicy fruit in abundance, soft approachable tannins, hints of violet and more spice. the finish has an almost choclate texture and a fresh sappy character.
2007 CANUS VERUS 'VINAS VIEJAS', TORO £12.19
A big, bold and serious wine. Dark bramble fruits mingle with liquorice, vanilla and spice aromas. Very complex and concentrated.
2011 CATALAN EAGLE RED, GARNACHA CARINENA SYRAH, LA BASCULA £8.49
Characterized by smoky, black berry fruit and spice, rounded off by some contact with French oak, this wine has a New World feel whilst remaining firmly and typically Spanish with the 60% old Grenache and Carignan.
2008 THE GAUNTLET MONASTRELL, YECLA £12.29
A wine with great length and complexity complemented by an excellent structure of fine acidity and well honed tannins. Ripe, spicy black berry fruit is balanced by the vanila flavours from oak barrels.
2011 BARBAZUL, CADIZ £8.69
A heady concoction of flavours in a seriously impressive wine. The fruit is pure with bright, juicy cherry, sweet spice, balanced acidity, an impressive structure and a long finish. Ideal fro with juicy steaks.
2007 TABERNER, CADIZ £16.99
The rave reviews and awards should leave you in no doubt - a stunning wine that will not disappoint. Full and rich, with a heady nose of ripe plum, chocolate, spice, mocha and oak. Voluptuous with a savoury edge.
2010 MANO TEMPRANILLO, LA MANCHA £6.69
A hugely appealing red from Mano a Mano winery near Alhambra - truly capturing the character of the region and over delivering with every sip.
2010 MANO A MANO TEMPRANILLO, LA MANCHA £8.49
Cherry, black cherries, violets and cassis mingle with smoked meat and black pepper on the nose; an intensely structured wine with robust flavours, dark fruits and a mineral yet juicy finish.
2011 MACIA BATLE TINTO ANADA, BINISSALEM MALLORCA £8.99
A rich and generous red wine from one of the leading producers in the region. Wild berry fruit characters, smoky undertones and a structured finish. Will drink very nicely with grilled or roasted lamb.
2010 MACIA BATLE CRIANZA, BINISSALEM MALLORCA £12.29
A rich and generous red from one of Mallorca's leading producers. Powerful and spicy aromas of cherries, blackberries and warm oaky notes, beautifully balanced with layers of coffee and bitter chocolate.
2008 MACIA BATLE RESERVE PRIVADA, BINISSALEM MALLORCA £20.19
A dark, brooding wine, with a huge concentration or ripe fruit. The palate is complex with layers of coffee, chocolate and plum jam. This is Macia batle's flagship wine.

WHITES

2012 MARQUES DE LA VILLA MALVASIA, TORO £5.99
A plump aromatic white, lively citrus and tropical fruit aromas offer immediate appeal. The full, ripe, peachy palate is balanced by crisp fresh acidity.
2012 ARTESA RIOJA VIURA WHITE £5.99
Unoaked Viura. Clean, fresh and attractive nose showing hints of ripe peach and pear. The ripe, round and almost creamy palate cut through with a refreshing streak of zesty acidity. This is excellent value.
2012 DIEZ SIGLOS RUEDA VERDEJO £5.99
Stunning value. Pungent aromatics lead to a complex and vibrant wine, passion fruit tangerine and citrus flavours on the palate. A wine with great texture and finesse.
2012 K-NAIA, RUEDA £7.69
A fresh Rueda from a top producer who is currently making quite an impact in the UK. A nose of zesty citrus with a rich pineapple layer and hints of mango. The palate is rich with minerality and further hints of tropical fruit. This wine has a lovely intensity and a modern feel.
2009 NAIADES BODEGAS NAIA VERDEJO, RUEDA £16.99
An extraordinary wine produced from ancient vines, well over 100 years old. In tensely powerful 'toasty aromatics' - ripe melon combined with citrus and grapefruit on the palate. A seamless mix of honeyed fruit, structure and richness.
2011 HEIGHTS OF THE CHARGE VERDEJO VIURA, RUEDA £8.39
The palate of this wine possesses both remarkable depth and a wonderfully luscious quality. Lemony freshness gives way to hints of stone fruit, nectarine and fresh apricot. This enormously satisfying number exudes quality.
2012 CATALAN EAGLE WHITE, GARNACHA BLANCA VIOGNIER, CATALUNYA £8.39
This wonderfully complex wine from Catalonia has a delicate floral nose permeated by grapefruit and earthy clay notes. Citrus emerges on the palate, accompanied by pear and melon, warm spice and savoury notes. Richly textured and inviting.


For orders or enquiries for any of the wines in this blog please apply by phone to the shop on 01200 423152 or 01200 422281, thank you.