En Primeur
2020 Reserve Speciale, Domaines Barons de Rothschild, Pauillac 6x150cl
Deep ruby red color. The nose is Intense with notes of cocoa and from the barrel aging. With swirling, balsamic notes appear, such as caramel combined with hints of sweet spices (clove). On the palate, it is a typical Pauillac, robust and elegant at the same time, dense and very aromatic. (Producer tasting note)
£320 / Case£53.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2020 Catena Zapata, Nicolas Catena Zapata, Mendoza 6x75cl
Wonderfully aromatic and nuanced on the nose, so alive and open. Energetic and lively on the palate, this has so much spark and brightness to it. Really compelling from the first sip, the tannins... ample and cushioning the slick black fruit and accompanying savoury spices. Feels lean and taught, but with so much flair. Really a lovely expression, so generous and well defined. Youthful as you'd expect right now but when this softens it will be a beauty. Just gorgeous, with a minty fresh finish. Wine director Alejandro Vigil, winemaker Fernando Buscema.
97 pts., Georgina Hindle, www.decanter.com
£360 / Case£60 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2020 Antinori, Tignanello, IGT 6x75cl
“The 2020 Tignanello is so primary, so intensely fruit-driven, that it almost tastes like a barrel sample. A burst of red Sangiovese fruit opens first, followed by hints of blood orange, cinnamon,... spice, dried flowers and mocha develop later. Time in the glass brings out striking dimensions. In 2020, Tignanello is wonderfully sleek and racy, with fine tannins that lie below a core of bright, sculpted fruit. The balance here is just sublime. I can’t wait to revisit the 2020 with age.” Drink 2028 – 2045.
96-100, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, Feb 2023
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2022 Reserve du Chateau, Chateau Meaume Reserve, Bordeaux Superieur 12x75cl
"Polished, savoury, black cherry and currant with earthy nuances on the nose; on the palate, super-juicy, fresh and savoury, bright cherry and dark fruit that is gently grippy, clean, and finishing incredibly long. " (Mr.Wheeler tasting note)
£84 / Case£7 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2020 Cheval des Andes, Mendoza 6x75cl
“The 2020 Cheval des Andes was harvested from the last of February for the first time ever. It was Gabillet's second vintage at Cheval des Andes, and that year, he had to start without waiting for... Pierre Olivier Clouet and Pierre Lurton from Cheval Blanc; when they arrived, they had finished picking the Malbec, which surprisingly was fresher in Las Compuertas (because of the higher percentage of clay?) than in Altamira (where the vines suffered more stress), saving the freshness. They now harvest using cold trucks (for the first time), and they also started earlier in the morning (six in the morning, impossible earlier in Mendoza...), which he reckons was very good for the precision of the wine. They used 40% 225-liter barrels, 40% 400-liter oak barrels and 20% 2,500-liter foudres, half of them new and with an élevage of 15 months on average, depending on the lots and varieties from 12 to 18 months. The final blend was 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, which makes a comeback as it was not used since 2016. The key was to finish the fermentation of the Petit Verdot without skins, and that way, they have been able to use it in the blends of 2021, 2022 and 2023 in small but increasing percentages. This is slightly riper than 2019, with a little more alcohol (14.5%) and with very good structural tannins but saving the freshness, and it has the spicy side from the Petit Verdot (Gabillet talks about white pepper). The wine has the ultra sleek and polished texture and the elegance and the balance that is the signature here; the wine is very clean and precise. I see very good regularity across the three vintages I tasted next to each other—this 2020 and the 2018 and 2019. Overall, this is a triumph over the adverse conditions of the vintage. They produced their usual 100,000 bottles (since 2018), as they are renewing their vineyards and want to keep the volume stable. They produce this volume from the 36 productive hectares they have in Las Compuertas and Altamira. There are some more changes: in 2020, they went for a lighter bottle, weighing 100 grams less than the one they used in 2018 and 2019, but close to 300 grams less than the bottle from before. It's also a slimmer bottle, always thinking about the environment. They are very focused on agroecology, accelerating the regenerative viticulture and using cover crops; they have planted 1,900 trees in the last three years, creating small clusters of biodiversity for birds. They have transplanted some centenary olive trees and keep their sheep and lamas on the property. Very green-minded. ”
98 pts., Luis Gutierrez, www.robertparker.com
£402 / Case£67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Kumeu River, Village Chardonnay, Kumeu 12x75cl
" With fruit taken from six carefully selected sites in Hawkes Bay and Kumeu, the Village Chardonnay is simply a must have in the fridge. There are hints of butter on the nose with very delicate... apricot and pineapple notes wafting through as well. The zing of acidity on the palate immediately livens the mood, and it has a steely, linear and mineral style, not dissimilar to a fine Chablis from a good vintage. This is excellent wine made in a very classic style. Not fancy or blousy at all - just a clean citrus delight that will have you scrambling for the seafood and looking for your second bottle".
Mr Wheeler tasting note.
£120 / Case£10 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Kumeu River, Mates Vineyard Chardonnay, Kumeu 6x75cl
" The flagship wine of the estate, Maté's was originally planted by Maté Brajkovich in 1990 with the first grapes from this exceptional, sheltered site in the clay foothills of Hunting Hill slopes... used in 1993. For a wine of this stature and tender years it is already surprisingly expressive on the nose. Butterscotch and toasted brioche to the fore, yet this this is balanced by beautifully textured, mineral lemon and lime fruit with an underlying elegance and minerality that will easily go head-to head with, and seduce lovers of the Grands Crus in Puligny and Chassagne. Patience is required in spades here; leave it for 7 to 10 years to really express the sense of place for this very special vineyard and you will not be disappointed. But also defend it judiciously with a few cases of the Estate or Ray’s Road so you can enjoy the wares of this fantastic estate whilst this masterpiece matures"
Mr Wheeler tasting note.
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2022 Kumeu River, Rays Road Chardonnay, Kumeu 6x75cl
" Rays Road is Kumeu River’s new vineyard site in Hawkes Bay. Hints of butter, fresh cream and white flowers on the nose lead you to the correct conclusion that this was exclusively fermented in... old oak barrels. Balance is the key here however, as the limestone soil of site has a profound effect on the style of the wine. Lime leaf and steely linearity provide the backbone to this fragrant and zesty expression, with the gentle oak maturation it undertakes for 11 months providing a delightful creamy wrapper around this complex and elegant wine"
Mr Wheeler tasting note.
£95 / Case£15.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Kumeu River, Hunting Hill Chardonnay, Kumeu 6x75cl
"The most Puligny-like of the single vineyards opens up with a gorgeously elegant nose of citrus and acacia flower, followed on the palate by a crème fraiche texture and zesty lime notes, and the... tell-tale spine of incredibly fine acidity that characterizes this clay terroir. Pause to let the wine express itself and Wow! it build and builds, that structure carrying through the impressively long finish with layer upon layer of flavour. Absolutely stunning."
Mr Wheeler tasting note.
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2022 Kumeu River, Estate Chardonnay, Kumeu 6x75cl
" The cuvée that built Kumeu River’s reputation in the 1980s, long before any of the single vineyards were ever produced, and to this day it is easy to see why. The consistency is simply... awe-inspiring, and the 2022 displays superb balance, subtle notes of very smart oak bringing a counterpoint to the gorgeous, creamy palate and zingy acidity. This oozes class and breeding, the acidity supplies perfect structure for medium to long-term ageing and carries the long finish. What a finish, too - rich and lifted all at once, with fabulous energy. Yum!"
Mr Wheeler tasting note.
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2020 Casa Lapostolle, Petit Clos Apalta, Colchagua Valley 6x75cl
"“Bright, brooding and intense on the nose; dark, heady and ripe black fruits with spiced edges and a subtle florality. Smooth and succulent but punchy on the palate, tannins are silky and well... integrated and do well to underpin the fruitiness and liveliness of the expression. As usual Carmenere is the star with 40% of the blend alongside 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. Youthful and exuberant, the team kept leaves on the vines and natural cover crops to cope with the sunlight, heat and lack of water in 2020, and despite the 15% alcohol this has 3.59pH with acidity that lifts the palate and avoids any heaviness. Rich but sleek, this is full of red cherries, cedar spice, soft herbal touches and finishes with a menthol freshness that is lovely. Will improve with age but great for mid-term drinking to enjoy the fresh vibrancy. Ageing 26 months in 225l French oak barrels, 53% new, 42% two years old. From this vintage, the bottles are now made in Chile and are 10% lighter in a bid to increase sustainability.” 93 pts., Georgina Hindle, decanter.com
£162 / Case£27 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Chateau Beaumont, Haut-Medoc 12x75cl
"Typically pretty, perfumed and floral on the nose, followed on the palate by a lovely medium weight, juicy fruit at the core, excellent level of refreshing acidity with a firm yet gentle tannis structure. A firm favourite and Star Buy among both our clients and our Staff, and the 2022 delivers once again" Mr Wheeler tasting note. Drink 2027 - 2037
£120 / Case£10 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
NV Krug, Grande Cuvee 170eme Edition 6x75cl
“A subtle nose of maple syrup and candied lemon opens up to reveal a hint of maize meal and shiitake. It leads onto a palate that is utterly streamlined and lemon-scented. This is serene but it... comes with beautiful depth and a lovely note of autolysis, expressed as lemony, creamy polenta, enhanced by fine mousse. There are highlights of grapefruit zestiness with the lovely signature savouriness of Krug, expressed in just a hint of salty, grilled shiitake mushroom, revealed on the long and mouth-watering finish. A most brisk, taut, bright, but also rather subtle and profound iteration of Krug.” 95 points, Anne Kriebehl MW, www.falstaff.com
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2020 Casa Lapostolle, Clos Apalta, Colchagua Valley 6x75cl
"A great effort in the hot and dry 2020, COVID-19 vintage with the earliest harvest ever. The grand vin shows power, richness and tons of fruit but retains a sense of charisma and direction that is... so compelling. Bright, forward, sleek and silky, tannins enrobe the palate creating a cushion for the ripe blackcurrants and blueberries, bright acidity and underlying spice to meld together. A large percentage of Carmenere at 64% gives the fragrance and backbone while 19% Cabernet Sauvignon adds texture and depth, 13% Merlot bringing freshness and acidity and 2% Petit Verdot adding spice, colour and richness. Only just beginning to really express itself with liquorice, eucalyptus, figs, plums and a salty-wet stone minerality that comes in on the finish. Despite the intensity, this is layered and well sculpted with tons of pleasure to be had with a few more years ageing. Ageing 27 months in 225L French oak barrels, 85% new, 15% two years old. 3.7pH. Winemaker and viticulturist Andrea Leon kept more leaf coverage, a thicker and higher trellis and natural cover crops during the vintage to moderate the high temperatures. Bottles for this, and the second wine, are now made in Chile as of this vintage and have reduced in weight by 10% in a bid to increase sustainability. Clos Apalta now also featuring its name embossed in the glass at the bottom of the bottle.” 97 pts., Georgina Hindle, decanter.com
£474 / Case£79 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2018 Il Poggione, Brunello di Montalcino 6x75cl
"Impressive from the first tilt of the glass, the 2018 Brunello makes it a heady burst of exotic spice and crushed ashen stone giving way to black dried cherries and grilled herbs. This combines the... energy of the vintage with the dark balsamic tinged fruits from Montalcino’s southern reaches as zesty acidity maintains balance throughout, and flinty minerals saturated towards the close. It finishes long, long and structured, yet its tannins are more rounded than anticipated, creating a classic feel, but also a mouth watering sensation that tricks the taster back for more. Easily one of the top wines of the vintage, the 2018 is not to be missed." Drink 2026-2036
96+ points, Eric Guido, www.vinous.com
£170 / Case£28.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Chateau Chantalouette, Pomerol 12x75cl
"Seductive on the nose, floral and perfumed. Gently cushioning tannins give the frame and structure, both chewy and quite stern in terms of minerality, they set the tone for the wine with liquorice,... wet stone, slate and graphite elements all the way through with a chalky velvety texture on the tongue. Feels quite serious but polished, fruit is clean and pure and this feels like it will be easy to enjoy when ready. Retains coolness and freshness, acidity a touch on the low side in relation to the richness and intensity of the fruit and tannins, this is a big broad wine but lots to enjoy." 93 pts., Georgina Hindle, decanter.com
£200 / Case£16.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Domaine de Chevalier Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan 6x75cl
"The 2022 Domaine de Chevalier was picked from 5-30 September and represents the 40th vintage under the irrepressible Olivier Bernard, who celebrates with a one-off label. It soars from the glass... with take-no-prisoner aromatics: perfumed mineral-rich red berry fruit, incense and black truffle. Pessac-like earthiness with an opposing airiness defines many a great wine from this estate. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins. Slightly powdery in texture and saline in the mouth, this gets the saliva flowing. However, the arching structure on the finish suggests it will require considerable bottle age. Cellar this for a couple of decades, and you'll be repaid handsomely. 14% alcohol." 95-97 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£340 / Case£56.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Claudie Jobard, Rully, La Chaume 6x75cl
"A little more savoury character here; still ripe and pretty, but a little more reserved and complex. On the palate more savoury, spicy character dominating with a juicy background. Great length; drinking well already. Again, delicious. " (Mr.Wheeler tasting note)
£105 / Case£17.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Claudie Jobard, Rully, Montagne la Folie 6x75cl
"More new oak and less 1-year-old due to volumes difference between ‘21 and 22 – all barrel fermented. Some pear-drop flavours on the palate; juicy, and some dry extract, so texturally a little... hint of pithy grapefruit lifting the riper citrus notes. Recognisably Rully, with its buttery and citrus edge and energy. Elegant and delicious, ready to drink now and for the mid-term (3-4 years). " (Mr.Wheeler tasting note)
£110 / Case£18.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Claudie Jobard, Rully Premier Cru, Les Cloux 6x75cl
"Markèd increase in intensity; ripe and concentrated. Juicy acidity, this is seductive, mellow and ready to drink now and for the next 3-4 years. Lovely texture again with just a hint of beeswax and... winter spice lifting the lemon curd notes. Closest to Meursault in style this year, and a very handy doppelganger at a fraction of the price. " (Mr.Wheeler tasting note)
£175 / Case£29.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Claudie Jobard, Pommard, Vieilles Vignes 6x75cl
"Vineyard on the Volnay side of Pommard. Superb structure and balance; gently extracted tannins and quite powerful energy through the mid palate and into the quite long finish. Again, ripe red fruit with a hint of spice and savoury character, very harmonious already. " (Mr.Wheeler tasting note)
£235 / Case£39.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Claudie Jobard, Pommard Premier Cru, Les Charmots 6x75cl
"Vineyard just above Grands Epenottes, a couple hundred yards from Beaune Les Epenottes up the Côte. On the nose more cherry, but neither black nor morello. Just juicy, ripe, fleshy red. This... follows through on the palate with a gorgeously fleshy, succulent texture and superbly integrated, fruit-coated velvety tannins. Very elegant indeed, and with all the power and energy de rigueur in this appellation. Simply superb. " (Mr.Wheeler tasting note)
£295 / Case£49.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Claudie Jobard, Beaune Premier Cru, Les Epenotes 6x75cl
"(Almost) next to Pommard’s own Les Epenotes. Slightly more timid on the nose then followed by superb explosive energy in the mid-palate; red-fruit dominate the flavour profile with a velvety... finish and long, finish driven by deliciously ripe juicy acidity. The structure comes through almost as an afterthought, but is very much there, again very gently extracted by Claudie, yet enough to see this safely into a second decade of ageing." (Mr.Wheeler tasting note)
£265 / Case£44.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2022 Claudie Jobard, Bourgogne Côte d’Or Milliane 6x75cl
"All Pommard fruit, single vineyard by the main road. 100% Destemmed. On the nose superb purity of fruit, glorious raspberry leading the charge on the palate. Lovely mouthfeel, soft and medium bodied... with zingy acidity percolating through. Utterly delicious, commendable length, and very lightly grippy structure. Gorgeous. " (Mr.Wheeler tasting note)
£100 / Case£16.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur