Staff Picks
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Country: Argentina, MendozaGrapes: MalbecABV: 13.5%Style: Rich Full RedWith its saturated purple-red colour and multifaceted bouquet of black berries, prunes, black cherries, raspberries and savoury minerals, El Enemigo Malbec 2020 makes a great first impression. The palate is rich, weighty and intense, but has a level of refinement – almost austereness – that is uncommon in Argentinean Malbec. Offering a range of black fruits and red berries with creamy and savoury tones add texture and interest, this gorgeous wine was made to go with roasted red meats, strong wh -
Country: Spain, Murcia, YeclaGrapes: Monastrell / Mourvedre / MataroABV: 14%Style: Rich Full Red98 Points - Guía Gourmets. The De Nariz Edición Limitada Yecla 2022 is a limited-release wine that captures the essence of Yecla’s unique terroir. Crafted by Vinos de Nariz, a winery known for its sustainable approach and minimal intervention, this wine represents the best of the region. Rich and complex, it showcases deep fruit flavours balanced with subtle spice and earthy notes. With its concentrated character and exceptional structure, this is a wine for those seeking quality, craftsmanship, -
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: Spain, RiojaGrapes: Tempranillo, GrenacheABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full Red93 Points - James Suckling. We’re proud to bring you Alma La Rad Rioja DOCa, the flagship wine from Bodegas Casa La Rad, with only 2,000 bottles produced. Awarded an impressive 93 points by James Suckling, this 50/50 blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha is grown at 500m altitude and fermented in large French oak barrels. Crafted by an environmentally focused estate committed to biodiversity, Alma La Rad is both complex and elegant — a rare Rioja to enjoy now or cellar for years to come. Wine Press
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Country: Argentina, MendozaGrapes: MalbecABV: 13.5%Style: Rich Full RedWith its saturated purple-red colour and multifaceted bouquet of black berries, prunes, black cherries, raspberries and savoury minerals, El Enemigo Malbec 2020 makes a great first impression. The palate is rich, weighty and intense, but has a level of refinement – almost austereness – that is uncommon in Argentinean Malbec. Offering a range of black fruits and red berries with creamy and savoury tones add texture and interest, this gorgeous wine was made to go with roasted red meats, strong wh -
Country: Spain, Murcia, YeclaGrapes: Monastrell / Mourvedre / MataroABV: 14%Style: Rich Full Red98 Points - Guía Gourmets. The De Nariz Edición Limitada Yecla 2022 is a limited-release wine that captures the essence of Yecla’s unique terroir. Crafted by Vinos de Nariz, a winery known for its sustainable approach and minimal intervention, this wine represents the best of the region. Rich and complex, it showcases deep fruit flavours balanced with subtle spice and earthy notes. With its concentrated character and exceptional structure, this is a wine for those seeking quality, craftsmanship, -
Country: Spain, RiojaGrapes: Tempranillo, GrenacheABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full Red93 Points - James Suckling. We’re proud to bring you Alma La Rad Rioja DOCa, the flagship wine from Bodegas Casa La Rad, with only 2,000 bottles produced. Awarded an impressive 93 points by James Suckling, this 50/50 blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha is grown at 500m altitude and fermented in large French oak barrels. Crafted by an environmentally focused estate committed to biodiversity, Alma La Rad is both complex and elegant — a rare Rioja to enjoy now or cellar for years to come. Wine Press -
Country: Italy, PugliaGrapes: Primitivo / ZinfandelABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full RedThe Puglia Pop Luminaria Primitivo di Manduria is a brilliantly innovative wine from Puglia on Italy's southern Adriatic coast. Made from the native Primitivo grape, Puglia Pop's mission is to produce unorthodox wines that are an authentic reflection of grape and place. In the case of the Puglia Pop Primitivo di Manduria, this has resulted in a wine that's big, bold, spicy and exotic. Taste Deep purple with ruby highlights, the heady nose is comprised of sweet and sour cherries, plums, chocolate -
Country: Argentina, MendozaGrapes: MalbecABV: 13.5%Style: Rich Full Red91 Points - Falstaff. The Catena Appellation La Consulta Malbec 2019 isn’t just one of Perfect Cellar’s best Argentinean red wine buys, it’s one of the best wine buys on our entire list. The Catena family are known for their pioneering work in high-altitude viticulture in Argentina and the Appellation La Consulta Malbec 2019 showcases the beauty of such wines perfectly. Produced from Malbec grapes sourced from the La Consulta region of Uco Valley, Mendoza, it manages to combine a huge weight of -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Pinot NoirABV: 15.5%Style: Rich Full RedSourced from some of the best sites in California, Sourced, Rancho Real, Annapolis, Del Rio, Laguna to name a few, the 2022 Slander is an example of great winemaking and the sum being greater than its parts. Bright and enveloping on the entry, notes of fresh strawberry, watermelon, thyme and a hint of funk come through. Spicy on the finish, the wine closes with a flash of blue fruits and lift. Vivino Rating: 4.2 (Jul 2024) Taste The 2022 Slander delivers a medium ruby core with a lucid rim that’ -
Country: Australia, Barossa ValleyGrapes: Syrah / ShirazABV: 14.5%Style: Rich Full Red94 Points - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit. Hailing from the outstanding 2022 Barossa Valley vintage, the Lou Miranda Estate Fierce III Shiraz is an outstanding example of super-premium Australian Shiraz. Grown on the family’s vineyards at Rowland Flat and Lyndoch in the southern Barossa Valley on single wire trellises, the grapes ripened to perfection, harmoniously balancing fruit, tannin, and acidity. Following a careful fermentation with regular pumping over to maximise extraction, it was matured in Ame -
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: GrenacheABV: 15.5%Style: Rich Full Red92 Points - Decanter. Orin Swift Abstract is a meticulously crafted red wine known for its rich and complex character. It is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Petite Sirah, creating a harmonious symphony of flavours. The wine exhibits a deep, visually striking hue and a captivating aroma profile that ranges from fruity to floral, with subtle notes of dark chocolate and spice. On the palate, it offers a full-bodied experience with robust tannins and a bold, fruit-forward taste. The finish is long a -
Country: South Africa, Western Cape, Walker BayGrapes: Cabernet FrancABV: 14%Style: Rich Full Red100% Cabernet franc and the only single block wine in the HPF portfolio. Swartskaap (Black Sheep) is recognised as one of South Africa’s best in what is considered a challenging cultivar. European in style and offering nuances of black olive, generous fruit and fynbos spice finishing with finesse & complexity. Vivino Score: 4.3 (Sept 2024) Taste Violet to ruby red, aromas of black olive, fynbos, spice, on the palate minerality, elegance, finesse & complexity. Maturation: New and 2nd fil -
Country: Chile, Curico ValleyGrapes: Cabernet FrancABV: 13.5%Style: Rich Full Red96 Points - Patricio Tapia - Descorchados. A true standout from Chile, Caballo Loco Grand Cru Sagrada Familia 2021 is a rich and expressive red that blends power with finesse. Sourced from the warm Curicó Valley, this wine is bursting with ripe black fruit, dark chocolate, and spice, all wrapped in velvety tannins. Crafted by Valdivieso’s innovative Caballo Loco project, this Grand Cru captures the essence of its terroir while delivering depth, complexity, and a long, satisfying finish. Drink n -
Country: France, Rhone ValleyGrapes: GrenacheABV: 15%Style: Rich Full RedA traditional blend of Grenache (60%) and Syrah (40%), Chateau de Gourdon Vase de Pierre Cotes du Rhone is unusual in being so elegant and refined. Despite boasting an impressive 15% alcohol, its structure is fine and complex. This is achieved by de-stemming the Syrah, giving both grapes long (30 day), cool fermentations and keeping oak ageing to a minimum. The result is an impressively intense, but beautifully rounded wine. Vivino Rating: 4.1 (Jul 2025) Taste Deep purple, the bouquet is dominat -
Country: Australia, Barossa ValleyGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 14%Style: Rich Full RedThe Barossa’s tiny 2020 vintage – yields were 50% lower than the ten-year average – tested the winemaking mettle of all producers. The Lou Miranda team routinely take a fanatical approach to vineyard care, but in 2020 daily assessments were undertaken to ensure grapes were picked at the optimum moment. This turned out to be up to three weeks earlier than usual. The tiny harvest was sorted, pressed and fermented in stainless steel for nine days. The team watched fermentation like Goshawks to ensu -
Country: Spain, Ribera del DueroGrapes: TempranilloABV: 15%Style: Rich Full RedThe Crudabendita Reserva is one of Ribera del Duero’s increasingly rare gems — a wine of depth and pedigree that still remains accessibly priced. As the region’s top wines continue to climb in value, spurred by rising demand and a string of outstanding vintages like 2020, Crudabendita stands out for its quality and restraint. Aged exclusively in natural oak — nine months in new French barrels, followed by 13 months in second-year American oak — and finished with over a year in bottle, it’s a win -
Country: Australia, Barossa ValleyGrapes: SagrantinoABV: 14%Style: Rich Full RedThe Barossa’s tiny 2020 vintage – yields were 50% lower than the ten-year average – tested the winemaking mettle of all producers. The Lou Miranda team routinely take a fanatical approach to vineyard care, but in 2020 daily assessments were undertaken to ensure grapes were picked at the optimum moment. This turned out to be up to three weeks earlier than usual. The rarely seen Sagrantino grapes loved the hot, dry conditions and performed spectacularly well. The tiny harvest was sorted, pressed a -
Country: USA, CaliforniaGrapes: Cabernet SauvignonABV: 15.5%Style: Rich Full Red94 Points - The Wine Independent. It's rare to find a wine from the Napa Valley composed of all five Bordeaux-style varietals. But, for many years, that has been Papillon's focus. The raw strength and prestige of Cabernet Sauvignon buttressed by the opulence of Merlot, the spiciness of Cabernet Franc, the depth of Malbec and the sheet unctuousness of Petit Verdot come together seamlessly. Vivino Rating: 4.3 (Mar 2025) Wine Press Ratings 94 Points - The Wine Independent (2021 Vintage) 90 Points -