The time has come when the pine needles have all gone from your carpet and socks, the last of the Christmas chocolate has been eaten and you wander hopefully to the wine rack only to find it inexplicably bare. Surely there was a bottle there last time you looked? Worry not, here are some ideas which might hopefully restore that wine rack to its cheerful self.
In this issue:
Our outstanding value for money 'Everyday Case'
Exclusive new releases from Australia
A feature on the wines of Spain
WHITE WINES
Mas de Vigneron Sec Pays des Cotes de Gascogne - France
Delicious fresh fragrant nose, zesty invigorating, clean fresh and zippy, with crisp green fruit on the palate and lovely acidity, a lovely drink.
Pasquieres Sauvignon Blanc V. Pays d'Oc - France
A refreshing change from plain Sauvignon Blanc. The luscious fruit aromas from the Vermentino gives a tangy, more complete flavour, balanced by the clean zingy fruit of the Sauvignon.
GPG Garganega Pinot Grigio - Italy
More interesting than most basic PGS. Pale straw yellow colour, lightly aromatic with ripe citrus and baked apple characters, a soft easy to drink white.
Emiliana Chardonnay - Chile
Un-oaked Chardonnay, pure vibrant and aromatic with a nice lingering fresh fruit driven palate, a real crowd pleaser.
Paarl Chenin Blanc - South Africa
Extended lees contact give this great value wine some real weight and character, fresh and dry with ripe guava and citrus and a succulent tropical fruit finish.
RED WINES
Domaine de Vedilhan Serica Syrah Viognier - France
Lush, rich berry fruit, superb concentration, smoky Syrah lifted with a lick of creamy oak on the finish.
Conviviale Primitivo del Salento - Italy
A warm, richly flavoured red with aromas of plums, dried fruit and brown spices. On the palate there is a good concentration of ripe plum and hints of dried figs, liquorice and dark chocolate - blockbusting wine!
Piemonte Barbera - Italy
A light juicy red with nice crushed red fruit aromas, very easy drinking with nice gentle tannins and a touch of spice.
Vega Piedra Rioja - Spain
A great oak-aged Rioja. Soft and approachable with ripe berry fruit aromas, a rich and plummy palate with supple tannins and a long juicy finish.
Borsao Garnacha Bodegas Borsao - Spain
It would be hard to find at the price, a more highly praised and award winning wine than this. Juicy bramble fruit and fresh redcurrants dominate this very approachable wine.
Alianca Foral Douro - Portugal
Juicy fruit on the palate which is dominated by ripe blackcurrant a twist of spice and a nice fresh rounded palate.
Montevista Shiraz - Chile
A powerful fruit bomb with a spicy kick. Aromas of ripe fruit, vanilla and mocha, with a hint of crushed black pepper and a smooth rounded finish.
£58.39 if collected from the shop
Free delivery within a 30 mile radius
£66.00 delivered anywhere in mainland UK
NEW RELEASES FROM AUSTRALIA
A selection of very fine wines that we purchased en-primeur to bring you the best possible prices .....
NOW IN STOCK
2005 Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon 53.59
2006 Mount Edelstone Shiraz 51.99
2005 Hill of Grace 244.99
BEN GLAETZER Barossa Valley
2010 Heartland Directors Club Shiraz 19.99
2010 Bishop Shiraz 22.59
2010 Anaperenna Shiraz/Cabernet 37.59
2010 Amon Ra Shiraz 53.99
PARKER ESTATE Coonawarra
2006 Parker Estate First Growth 38.99
2009 Haven Pinot Noir 34.99
D'ARENBERG McLaren Vale
2009 The Fruit Bat Shiraz 36.99
2009 Eight Iron Shiraz 36.99
2009 Little Venice Shiraz 36.99
2008 Laughing Magpie Magnums 31.99 Double Magnums 63.99
2007 Dead Arm Double Magnums 119.99
2008 Dead Arm Half Bottles 12.99
SHORTLISTED
SPANISH SPECIALIST RETAILER
OF THE YEAR AWARD
2011 INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE
Pound for pound Spain offers some of the best value drinking in the entire wine world. We carry a huge range of Spanish wines and listed below are a selection of what we consider to be particular highlights - in other words, our favourites!
SIX STUNNING BARGAINS
2009 Quinta el Refugio - Toro 6.19
Rich and intense with plenty of body, fruit driven with a touch of toasty oak.
2010 Pinna Fidelis Roble - Ribera del Duero 6.99
This is superb, full of sweet spices and creamy oak.
2008 Castell del Remei Gotim Bru - Costers del Segre 7.99
Ripe and fleshy with plenty of freshness.
2010 Huerta de Albala Barbazul - Cadiz 8.59
This is a well-structured wine with complex cocoa bean aromas and elegant plum and damson palate flavour.
2009 Bodegas Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha - Campo de Borja 12.89
100% Garnacha from very old vines, this is deliciously plump and aromatic.
2008 Artadi Vinas de Gain - Rioja 13.99
Highly aromatic with an amazing depth of rich spicy red fruits, cedar and warm tannins.
SIX OF THE FINEST
2005 Pintia - Toro 34.99
This estate is owned by Vega Sicilia, a flamboyantly rich and powerful example of the Tinta de Toro grape (Tempranillo).
2004 Alion - Ribera del Duero 39.99
This estate is also owned by Vega Sicilia and consistently produces one of the Ribera del Duero's finest wines. 2004 is a stunning vintage.
2000 Artadi Vina el Pison - Rioja 49.99
2000 Artadi Grandes Anadas - Rioja 49.99
Two superb Reservas from one of Rioja's most sought after producers. Very fine wines with real polish.
2000 Sot Lefriec - Penedes 31.99
This is a wonderfully elegant wine blended from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carinena.
1998 Lo Givot - Priorat 22.99
A full-bodied and voluptuous wine with plum, kirsch and minerals.
If you would like to order any of the above, or have any further queries about them, please give us a ring on 01200 423152 and we would be delighted to help.
