Christmas Cases for 2013

OUR CHRISTMAS CASES 2013

The time of year has arrived when people have been asking us when our Christmas Cases will be available, so here they are!

As last year we have put together four different cases for you to choose from to suit every kind of occasion over the Christmas period. The cases make ideal Christmas 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, call us for details.

So whether you want to send a gift, thank a loved one, turn up with something special at a house party or simply light the fire, put your feet up and indulge, we have something for you. Each case comes complete with a set of tasting notes.

This year we have once again put together a luxury case of wines and Andrew has put together six of his favourite Christmas tipples too.

We will be following shortly with our Christmas Selection Newsletter, full of wines for Christmas drinking. There was simply too much to put in one newsletter!

Please note that due to the sheer quantity of wines being sold in our cases over the Christmas period, we reserve the right to substitute a wine or vintage for one of an equal quality if necessary.

Orders or enquiries for any of the cases in this newsletter please apply by phone to the shop on 01200 422281or 01200 423152 – not by email, thank you.

There will be free delivery for orders within a 30 mile radius placed with us before 30th November. After that time there will be a small charge of £8, due to the volume of wines being despatched we will need to use carriers rather than our own drivers Ken, Shaun and John.

WHITES
Mon Vieux 'Hell's Heights' Sauvignon Blanc, Banghoek - South Africa
A stunning find at a recent trade tasting. Hells Heights is a wine with incredibly expressive fruit, packed with Granny Smith and hedgerow flavours brought together by vibrant needle sharp natural acidity.
Cavit Mastri Vernacoli Trentino Nosiola - Italy D. Byrne & Co. White Wine of the Year
A fairy tale of twists and turns, amazing value for such complexity. Individual and remarkable for the price. A medley of fruit with citrus, apple and stone fruit on the nose, with hints of fennel. The palate is deliciously nutty and ripe, with a slight creaminess, a dash of lime and grapefruit, and a dry, savoury finish.
El Tesoro Verdejo - Spain
Aromas of tropical fruit with hints of citrus. The palate has lots of passion fruit and guava with great texture and an intensely tangy citrus finish. the wine has a balance of ripeness and creaminess.
Domaine Les Grands Presbyterese Tradition Muscadet, Sevre et Maine - France
A ripe fruity style with not too much petillance. Crisp, flinty notes with a hint of lime on the nose. The palate has a smooth and creamy texture with fresh lemon and hints of ripe pear and apple along with yeasty lees notes. A lovely Muscadet.
Peacock Ridge Chenin Blanc - South Africa
A stunning Chenin; rich, rounded and generous. A well layered wine with thoroughly integrated oak. The nose has aromas of buttered toast, lemon marmalade and white stone fruit. The palate is rich and rounded with grilled peach, toasted brioche, sweet apricot tart with toasted almonds.
 REDS
Domaine Belles Granges Syrah, Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes - France
D. Byrne & Co. Red Wine of the Year
Fresh, juicy, plump fruit with hints of violets and red fruits on the nose and a supple, smooth, lush palate almost southern Rhone in its warm, sweet-fruited style but with a lovely twist of acidity on the finish.
Chateau de Blissa Cotes de Bourg, Bordeaux - France
Great with food, especially beef. The wine is very ripe and concentrated, the lively red fruit is backed by real depth and notes of oak, with a delightfully soft fruity finish.
Pierre Fine Grenat, Grenache Noir Vieilles Vignes, Pays d'Oc - France
Aromas of ripe red fruits on the nose and a palate brimming with the full-bodied fruit of old bush vines, dark bramble fruit flavours and oak spice with some tasty wood tannins on the finish.
'Les Coteaux' Cotes du Rhone Villages - France
The exceptional fruit blazes the senses with its heady perfumes and lavish flavours, from the stunning 2011 vintage packed with soft, sweet-spicy and warm flavours, and then finish with a long flowing robe of depth and concentration.
Guelbenzu 'Vierlas' Ribera del Queiles - Spain
A robust and bold blend of Syrah, Merlot and Graciano with plush plummy, spice, tobacco and woody aromas rom six months spent in oak. The palate is approachable, smooth, round and tactile with blackberry, liquorice and a touch of chocolate on the finish.
Silvermyn Argentum Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot - South Africa
An incredible blend with rich fruit and soft tannins, a wine that punches way above its price tag. We think this will shortly be on our list of best sellers! 
Aliance Bairrada Reserva - Portugal
This could very easily have been our Red of the Year. Aromas of ripe berry and plum fruits. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, dark fruit and warming spicy characters.
£79.95 if collected from the shop
£88 delivered anywhere in mainland UK.

D. Byrne & Co.  Christmas Connoisseurs Case
WHITE WINES
N.V. Domenico de Bertiol Prosecco di Valdobbiadene - Italy
Kick off the festivities in perfect style with this superb sparkling wine, a top quality Prosecco from the DOCG of Valdobbiadene. This is worlds apart from your standard Prosecco, a wonderfully creamy example, with soft peachy fruit and a long, dry, mineral finish. This is the perfect Christmas Day breakfast wine.
2011 Clos Saint Pierre Macon Charnay - France
With real depth and refinement, this is a very classy Burgundy in every sense. Smooth and concentrated stone fruit flavours and fine minerality, leading to some silky, lightly buttered toast notes on the finish. This delicious wine would be really well suited to some lightly poached fish and hollandaise.
2012 Domaine Saint Romble Sancerre - France
This is quintessential Sancerre with a classic nose of fresh cut grass and green herbs preceding a palate that blossoms fine white flowers and lean, flinty mineral notes. Try this family favourite with wild Scottish smoked salmon or a warm goats cheese soufflé.
2012 Vina Real Barrel Fermented Viura - Spain
This was the stand out wine from the C.V.N.E. dinner we hosted in June, and amply demonstrates just how good white Rioja can be. Rich, nutty, waxy, honeyed and creamy, these are all the elements that make up this fine multi-layered wine. Enjoy this velveteen gem with a creamy seafood mornay.
2011 Waterkloof Estate Circle of Life White - South Africa
This is the flagship blend from the outstanding Waterkloof estate in Stellenbosch and although the grapes remain a secret, there is definitely a nod at the Loire. A supreme and very finely crafted, chalky and intense, mineral infused white wine. A wonderful wine to serve with oysters or crab.

RED WINES
2010 Domaine Chante Cigale Chateauneuf-du-Pape - France
We have long been admirers of this excellent Chateauneuf producer and in 2010, a near perfect growing season, they have fashioned a near perfect example of this Southern Rhone stalwart. Full-bodied, with masses of black fruits and plenty of fragrant peppery spice. This is sure to be a knockout with venison or jugged hare.
2010 Domaine Madeloc Cuvee Serral Collioure Rouge - France
We could not resist including this outstanding wine from the Rousillon, and giving you the opportunity to unlock its magic. Pure blackberry fruits to the core, multi-layered and silky in the mouth with some lovely plump, soft spices lifting the finish. A wine to savour with something rich and gamey.
2008 Ondarre Rioja Reserva - Spain International Wine Challenge Trophy 2013
This is a fine example of a modern take on the classic reserve. The oak is there but the fruit notes are more primary, with figs and damsons flooding the palate and folding into a wealth of Christmas spices. A simply perfect match with herb infused roast lamb.
2009 San Felice Il Grigio Chianti Classico Riserva - Italy
This is an exceptionally good riserva from a lovely Chianti vintage. The San Felice estate achieve a unique complexity in their Chianti with the addition of some native Pugnitello grapes in the blend, the resulting wines are uncommonly classy. Equally as good with hard cheese or tomato based sauces..
2011 Tommasi Arele Apassimento - Italy
A 'Mini-Amarone' blended from Corvina, Rondinella, Oseleta and Merlot grapes, a proportion of which are partially dried before fermentation. Round and harmonious in the mouth with some irresistible flavours of coco dusted cherries, the overall impression is silky and elegant making the wine slip down very easily.
2010 Bressia Monteagrelo Cabernet Franc - Argentina
New World meets Old World in this fine interpretation of the hugely red Loire grape. High altitude vineyards give this Cabernet Franc its essential coolness and fragrance while the Argentine sun adds a welcome dimension od sweetness to the earthy, raspberry tinged fruit. Try this with a rare, peppered fillet steak.
2010 Massaya Silver Selection - Lebanon
Something a little different here from an excellent Bekka Valley producer. A Grenache prevalent blend with a sweet perfume of ripe red fruits, very complex and superbly balanced, this very fine wine would sit happily on any Christmas table.
£149.99 if collected from the shop
£158 delivered anywhere in mainland UK.

D. Byrne & Co. Luxury Case

WHITE WINES
N.V. Louis Roederer Brut Premier - France
2013 Decanter World Wine Awards - N.V. Champagne Regional Trophy Best in Class
' Rich, biscuity nose with a hint of dried plum, candied and red fruit. Excellent flavours of brioche and toast with a fabulous fine mousse, very attractive complexity and a super-minerally finish. A top class N.V.'
2011 Mersault Les Tillets, Domaine Yves Broyer-Martenot - France
This is a fine domaine and a producer of traditional, rich, oaky Mersault. A complex nose with notes of toasted nuts and ripe tropical fruits, full and intense on the palate with a smooth buttery feel and plenty of fine minerality.
2011 Chassagne Montrachet, Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot - France
Stylistically this is a very classic Chassagne from one of Village's most reliable growers. There is marvellous concentration here with plenty of soft nectarine fruit and perfectly well-integrated oak.
2012 Sancerre Blanc, Domaine Vacheron - France
Vacheron produce sublime Sancerre, and are rightly acknowledged as one of the region's finest growers. The 2012 is a sleek, mineral scented wine and a perfect interpretation of the region's unique terroir. Lean and green with piercing redcurrant and gooseberry fruit and abundant chalky minerality.
2010 Naiades Rueda, Bodegas Naia - Spain
The Naiades vineyards were planted in the 19th century with ungrafted Verdejo vines, these rare and ancient pre-phylloxera vines produce the extraordinary grapes from which Naiades is made. An amazingly rich and intense wine that floods the palate with exotic, sweet spices and crystalline candied fruits.

RED WINES
2009 Chateau Haut Marbuzet, Saint Esteph - France
Having bought every vintage of Haut Marbuzet since the 1982, you could say that this excellent Chateau is a firm family favourite. Consistently one of St. Esteph's most opulent wines, lavishly oaky and fruit forward, with real depth and sweet succulent tannins. The richness of the acclaimed 2009 vintage further adds to Haut Marbuzet's charm.
2006 Gevrey-Chambertin Mes Favorites Vieilles Vignes, Alain Burguet - France
Burguet is a meticulous grower and a fine source for rich, fragrant Gevrey. The vieilles vignes is his top cuvee and a truly gorgeous example of sweet, succulent Burgundy. Classic gamey aromas, concentrated red fruits and a perfectly balanced, silky mouth-feel.
2009 Hermitage, Cave de Tain L'Hermitage - France
The Cave de Tain's members own almost a quarter of the famous appellation of Hermitage, this great, steep hill produces the most profound examples of the classic northern Rhone red. Pure violets and sweet red fruits dance across the palate in this powerful, spicy wine which has masses of finesse.
2008 Pra Amarone della Valpolicella - Italy
Pra are an excellent producer of Amarone, the house style here is one of elegance and refinement and their wines are an absolute joy. This is a wonderful Amarone that delivers pure opulence in its fine perfume and fascinating bitter sweet notes.
2007 Brunello di Montalcino, Tenuta Argiano - Italy
The lovely 2007 vintage in Montalcino produced some lovely, open silky Brunello wines and this fine example from Argiano is no exception. Full-bodied and showing excellent depth, with a seamless integration of ripe cherry fruits, flowers and sweet spices.
2005 Pintia Toro, Bodegas Pintia - Spain
Pintia is owned by the venerable Vega Sicilia, Spain's finest producer, it is made from 100% Tempranillo from vines averaging over 35 years old. Awarded 95 Parker points, the 2005 is now drinking superbly, with powerful black fruits and some really complex gamey, meaty notes.
2001 Rioja Gran Reserva 904, La Rioja Alta - Spain
This is quite simply one of Rioja's finest Gran Reservas from one of the region's most celebrated vintages, a winning combination indeed. Pure elegance and refinement from beginning to end, a world class wine with tonnes of personality.
£345 if collected from the shop
£353 delivered anywhere in mainland UK.

Andrew's Christmas Box

Stephane Breton N.V. Brut Champagne
The perfect start to Christmas, our outstanding house champagne in one hand and a basting pipette in the other!

La Guincare Verdicchio Classico Riserva Monte Schiavo
It doesn't seem that long ago that I was standing in the sea at Ancona at the end of a very memorable trip to Italy, one of the highlights being a visit to Monte Schiavo. Rich, full-bodied, with tropical fruit flavours, this is a serious wine with stunning texture and luscious appeal, just the wine for smoked salmon.
Pouilly Fume Le Fusil de Chasse
Crisp, clean, fresh and dry, this stunning Sauvignon has a lovely minerality with nice smoky flavours. This is a great aperitif but my favourite way to serve it is on Boxing Day with a Bloody Mary prawn cocktail.

Domaine La Haut Marone Le Cru Des Dentelles De Montmirail Gigondas
Intense aromas of ripe raspberries and dark cherries, then a wisp of smoke creeps in along with some hints of toasted cocoa beans; deep and intense, black cherries and a hint of clove and nutmeg. Rich and elegant, this is just the wine for the Christmas table.
Ondarre Rioja Reserva
My favourite wine region. This wine, one of the great finds of the year, is rich with a full nose of herbs and spicy vanilla, luscious fruit and oak on the palate, with well balanced tannins, elegant and long. The perfect wine for Boxing Day.
Krohn Colheita 2001
This summer I spent my holidays in Portugal and while there visited Krohn in Oporto, trying many of their old Colheita ports and very enjoyable it was too! This, the latest release, is rich, full-bodied, with lovely raisin fruit flavours. Perfect with blue cheese, Christmas cake or chocolate.
£82.99 if collected from the shop
£91 delivered anywhere in mainland UK.