Staff Picks
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Country: Germany, NaheGrapes: Pinot NoirABV: 13%Style: Savoury Classic RedBringing together the Hees family’s tradition of craftsmanship and the natural advantages of their Nahe vineyards, Spätburgunder Auener Hohe 2022 is a supple, fresh, and expressive red. It exemplifies the unforced elegance and mineral-driven purity that have earned the Hees wines a devoted following and frequent critical acclaim - making it a standout for fans of nuanced, food-friendly Pinot Noir. TasteOn the palate, this Spätburgunder is smooth and inviting, revealing an array of red berry flav
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Country: Italy, SicilyGrapes: ChardonnayABV: 13.5%Style: Rich Fruity WhiteThe Planeta Chardonnay has become an illustration of the changes in Sicilian wine. It was created from a wish to compete in the world production of this noble and widespread variety. After a long process beginning in 1985, today Planeta’s Chardonnay is an icon for the whole of Sicily. A rich light gold colour, deep but transparent, the pleasing contrast of creaminess and crunchiness. A soft white wine supported by a refreshing note of acidity, with a slight mineral touch which harmoniously combi -
Country: France, Loire Valley, SancerreGrapes: Sauvignon BlancABV: 12.5%Style: Aromatic Floral WhiteThis multi award winning Sancerre is a made blend of the best parcels of Sauvignon the domaine has to offer. On the palate, a fresh, strong, airy style is seduced by the purity and intensity of the fruit. Beautiful pale clear yellow colour, delicate aromas of white flowers, also developing a citrus tone. This classic Sancerre, made from old vines (over 30 years), is a fabulous seafood accompaniment. Vivino Rating: 4.3 (Jun 2025) Wine Press / Awards GOLD MEDAL - GILBERT ET GAILLARD (2022) "Pale -
Country: Italy, LombardyGrapes: NebbioloABV: 12.5%Style: Juicy Lively RedThis 100% Chiavennasca (the Valtellina name for Nebbiolo) is the perfect alternative to a fresher, lighter style of Barolo. If you never heard of ‘Heroic Viticulture’ you must check out where this wine was made. Valtellina valley is nestled in the Italian Alps about 100km from Lake Como and the Stelvio pass. Jumps out of the glass with its fragrant nose of fresh forest fruit and red berries. Dry and savoury on the palate, an elegant and vibrant style of red wine with notes of spices, black cherrRegular Price£22.95Christmas Offer - SAVE 35%£14.92 -
Country: Italy, PugliaGrapes: Primitivo / ZinfandelABV: 13.5%Style: Smooth Fruity RedThe Cignomoro Pepe Nero Primitivo Salento is part of the Cignomoro winery's Pepe Nero 'youthful' wine range. Cignomoro is a genuinely boutique winery in the heart of Puglia on Italy's southern Adriatic coast. Produced from the native Primitivo grape, they have managed to capture the grape's exuberance and concentration to produce a mouthfilling, accessible red wine that's equally well-suited to solo sipping or pairing with food. Taste Black cherry in colour, the bouquet offers notes of red and b -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Primitivo / Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah / ShirazABV: 16%Style: Rich Full Red93 Points - Decanter. After an enforced eight-year break in the early 2010s, where they were prohibited from making Zinfandel, Orin Swift Cellars delved into various grape varieties in California to great success. The 2021 vintage of Eight Years in the Desert is the fifth instalment of a rare and cherished wine. This exceptional Zinfandel boasts a deep maroon core and opens with captivating aromas of wild blackberry, pepper, oatmeal raisin cookie, forest floor, bay leaf, and spices. The taste is -
Country: Portugal, DouroGrapes: Touriga NacionalABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full RedRoquette & Cazes Douro Tinto, born from the collaboration between Jorge Roquette, proprietor of Quinta do Crasto, and Jean-Charles Cazes, co-owner of Château Lynch-Bages, seamlessly melds Bordeaux winemaking expertise with the distinct character of the Douro region. This exceptional wine showcases a remarkable intensity of vibrant red fruit flavours interwoven with subtle hints of delicate spices, all held together by an impressive structure characterised by luxuriously smooth tannins. Vivin -
Country: Argentina, MendozaGrapes: MalbecABV: 14%Style: Rich Full Red98 Points - James Suckling. The Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino 2020 is one of the jewels in Argentina’s wine crown. It’s produced from vines that are up to 90 years old from the Catena Zapata Family Vineyards, Nicasia and Angélica vineyards, which lie at between 920m and 1095 metres above sea level. With their mix of gravel, loam and clay, these sites provide a wonderfully vivid and varied palate from which the winemakers can work. Such is the diversity that several weeks can pass between harves -
Country: Spain, Ribera del DueroGrapes: TempranilloABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full Red92 Points / Silver Medal - DWWA. An authentic hidden treasure of Ribera del Duero, La Cepa Alta is a 35-hectare estate quietly nestled between two of Spain’s most iconic names — Pingus and Vega Sicilia. Combining elegance and power, this is one of the region’s great undiscovered wines, offering serious pedigree without the fanfare. Vivino Rating: 4.1 (Apr 2025) Wine Press Ratings 92 Points / Silver Medal - Decanter World Wine Awards (2022 Vintage) Taste Spiced red berries and blackberry fruit le -
Country: Italy, PiedmontGrapes: NebbioloABV: 14.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red94 Points - DWWA. This Barolo comes from Cagliero's Terlo vineyard which is planted at 320 meters in elevation on clay-rich soils. It's planted with Lampia and Michet Nebbiolo sub-varieties. After hand-harvest, the grapes were macerated on the skins for 2 weeks to help extract the delicate colour and aromas of this regal grape. On the palate, supremely balanced and smooth. Ideal with grilled meats and rich stews. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Oct 2024) Wine Press Ratings 94 Points / Silver Medal - Decante -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Petite Sirah, Syrah / Shiraz, GrenacheABV: 15.5%Style: Rich Full Red92 Points - Decanter. Orin Swift Machete, an iconic Californian red, artfully blends Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Grenache from Napa and Sonoma, aged for 10 months in French oak for vanilla-spiced depth; and layer upon layer of complexity. A full-bodied lover's delight with dominant dark fruit aromas, raspberry-plum-chocolate flavours, medium tannins, and a smooth, lasting finish—perfectly paired with grilled meats, cheese, and charcuterie. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Mar 2025) Wine Press Ratings 92 Points -
Country: Italy, AbruzzoGrapes: MontepulcianoABV: 12%Style: Juicy Lively RedVilla degli Olmi is a cellar with a long tradition for the quality and distinctiveness of its wines. This Montepulciano is an intense ruby red wine, incredibly pleasant on the nose with typical notes of liquorice and fresh mint. The taste is dry with soft tannins. It combines perfectly with elaborate meats, such as braised or roasted, and with aged cheeses. This Montepulciano D'Abruzzo from Villa Degli Olmi is a great value wine that impresses beyond its price tag. Taste Deep crimson hue with vi -
Country: South Africa, Western Cape, Walker BayGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, MalbecABV: 12.5%Style: Smooth Fruity RedKleinboet (Little Brother) is a Bordeaux blend, featuring all 5 varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot aged in french oak for 24 months. The cool climate sub region of Sondagskloof, Walker Bay, brings natural acidity and minerality to the wines. Expect intense blackcurrant, lavender, black olive and fynbos on the nose with a supple and and round palate. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Sept 2024) Taste Brick red to deep purple with aromas of blackcurrant, lavender, bla -
Country: Spain, RiojaGrapes: Tempranillo, Grenache, Cabernet SauvignonABV: 14.5%Style: Smooth Fruity Red92 Points - Tim Atkin MW. Casa La Rad is a winery dedicated to the environment to sustain and improve its vitality and biodiversity. From the La Rad vineyard, the grapes are handpicked and carefully selected from bush trained vines 35 years or older, before malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels of 500 and 225 litres where it will be aged for at least 14 months. A highly rated wine by the international wine press, and gold medal winning wine at the Mundus Vini awards, Casa La Rad Tinto is -
Country: France, BordeauxGrapes: MerlotABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic RedBronze Medal Winner. 2021 was a glorious year for Bordeaux and the vintage’s quality filtered down to the petit chateaux as the Bois de Rolland Cuvee Prestige 2021 shows. A year of extremes that saw everything from drought to deluges, hail to heat waves, all set against the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a vintage where winemakers needed to be on their guard. Those who were watchful saw reduced harvests of exceptionally ripe grapes that produced wines of wonderful quality. Awards Bronze Medal - Decan -
Country: Italy, VenetoGrapes: CorvinaABV: 13.5%Style: Smooth Fruity RedProduced from vineyards that lie at altitudes of over 500m, the Tenute Ca' Botta Rubicondo Rosso blends freshness with power. Created using a hand-picked mix of traditional Venetian grapes including Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella, this moreish wine is well-structured and delicious. Expert winemaking, including a long, slow fermentation, and ageing in small, 225-litre barrels has created a wine of admirable complexity that’s fit to rank alongside some of Veneto’s best (and far more expensive) r -
Country: France, Bordeaux, Saint JulienGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 14.5%Style: Savoury Classic RedSituated in an enviable small enclave among the classified growths of Saint-Julien, 5 hectares of vines are surrounded by the grand crus classés of Leoville Barton, Gruaud Larose, Beychevelle and Talbot. "The Château Moulin de la Rose Saint-Julien is a wonderful showing. It instantly starts off with aromas of red and dark berries woven together with flowers, spices, new leather and toast all unwinding in the glass. On the palate this is medium to full-bodied with excellent structure and wonderfu -
Country: Argentina, MendozaGrapes: MalbecABV: 14%Style: Rich Full Red96 Points – Tim Atkin MW. Only 9,000 bottles of this experimental Malbec were made by the Durigutti Brothers, Hector and Pablo. It is made from five different parcels of vines, defined according to the soil profile: deep clay loam, silt loam, rocky loam, sandy loam and boulder loam. Each parcel is vinified separately in 'concrete eggs' before the final blend is created. The vineyard is at an altitude of 1,050 meters, ensuring good levels of acidity, vital in the production for high quality Malbe -
Country: South Africa, Western Cape, StellenboschGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full Red91 Points - Tim Atkin MW. Nikela is a “Cape Blend” of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Shiraz & Roobernet. The word “Nikela” (pronounced “Ni-care-la”) is a Nguni (Xhosa/Zulu) word meaning “to offer a gift of dedication, respect or a tribute to one’s ancestors” - this wine being a tribute to winemaker Jeremy Walker’s late parents, Eddie and Betty, who contributed greatly to the establishment of Grangehurst, which was named after their childhood homes - “The Grange” and “Hurst Close” - in Englan -
Country: Spain, RiojaGrapes: Tempranillo, GrenacheABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic RedA fine estate-grown and bottled Rioja, crafted in the modern style, this wine has been aged for over five years in both barrel and bottle, allowing it to develop a complexity and elegance that stands out in the region. With a bright garnet hue and a refined profile, it’s a wine that speaks to both tradition and careful, contemporary winemaking. Taste The nose is perfumed with high-toned aromas of blackberry, liquorice, wild herbs, and creamy vanilla, while the palate delivers a long, resonating -
Country: Spain, ToroGrapes: TempranilloABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full RedA powerful and expressive wine from the Toro region, this Tempranillo showcases the bold character and depth of the land. With rich dark fruit flavours, a touch of spice, and a smooth finish, it offers a perfect balance of intensity and elegance. Wine Press Ratings 86 Points - Decanter (2023 Vintage) "Sweet touch of black cherries, blueberries and plums. Oak is evident with hints of vanilla and cigar box." Taste Rich and bold, this Tempranillo bursts with dark berries, plum, and warm spices. VelRegular Price£17.95Christmas Offer - SAVE 25%£13.47 -
Country: France, ProvenceGrapes: GrenacheABV: 13%Style: Elegant Crisp RoséIs this the best Whispering Angel ever? Probably. Chateau d'Esclans' Whispering Angel 2024 Rosé is a dry, refined wine with a pale salmon hue, featuring a delicate nose of fresh strawberries, white peach, and citrus blossom. The palate offers notes of wild berries, cherries, pink grapefruit, and stone fruits with a silky, soft texture and vibrant acidity. There's more weight and extract than in the 2023 (a very tricky year), and it finishes with a clean, elegant finish of summer fruits, minera -
Country: Spain, RiojaGrapes: TempranilloABV: 14%Style: Juicy Lively Red90 Points - Tim Atkin MW. This 90+ point Rioja from a modern style, family run winery is incredible value for a wine with this amount of complexity and style. The Solarce Tinto is a blend of Tempranillo, Grenache, Mazuelo & Graciano and is aged for 8 months in American and French oak barrels. Full-bodied and silky smooth with layers of fruit and spice. Fantastic Value for money for this superb Rioja. Wine Press Ratings 90 Points - James Suckling (2021 Vintage) "Lightly chewy, showing some drRegular Price£15.95Christmas Offer - SAVE 25%£11.97 -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 15%Style: Rich Full RedOrin Swift Palermo, a captivating blend with a core of Cabernet Sauvignon that mirrors Napa Valley's spirit, unfolding intense aromas of dark fruit and blackberry pie, leading to a velvety palate of black cherry, vanilla, and spice, all embraced by seamlessly integrated tannins, delivering a gratifying finish - making it your ideal companion for hearty delights like grilled steak or braised beef, sure to leave a lasting impression on your wine journey. Vivino Rating: 4.5 (Oct 2024) Tasting Note -
Country: France, Bordeaux, Saint EstepheGrapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet FrancABV: 13.5%Style: Savoury Classic Red92 Points - Andreas Larsson. Château Tour des Termes is one Saint-Estephe’s finest Cru Bourgeois Superieur. The 2014 is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot from vineyards that border the Grand Cru Classé estates of Chateau Calon Ségur and Chateau Montrose. 2014 was a lovely year, one that’s been unfairly overshadowed by 2015 and 2016. The upside to this has been that the wines remain competitively priced and now offer exceptional drinking at affo