JR-17
2018 Catena Zapata, Nicolas Catena Zapata, Mendoza 6x75cl
“... The results are breath-taking. Purple in the glass with garnet flecks, this wine delivers layers of aroma, beginning with black currant and moving on to intense, precise notes of lavender and... mint along with hints of black tea, sage and cigar box. In the mouth, austerity vies for supremacy with sheer power, a balance overseen by polished, grippy tannins placed into relief by a well-judged freshness that keeps the whole package light on its feet. This is a wine of tension foregrounded by the blend: the Malbec smooths out the Cabernet Sauvignon, which in turn brings energy to a red with an extremely long finish.” 96 points, Joaquín Hidalgo, www.vinous.com
£300 / Case£50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2018 Domaine de Chevalier Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan 12x75cl
"A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, aged for approximately 18 months in oak barriques, 35% new, the 2018 Domaine de Chevalier has a deep garnet-purple color, pouncing... out of the glass with energetic scents of crushed blackcurrants, fresh, juicy blackberries and ripe plums, with suggestions of crushed rocks, bay leaves, unsmoked cigars and lavender. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with muscular black fruits, framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and great tension, finishing long and mineral laced. Give it another 4 years in bottle to flesh out and drink it over the next 25+ years." 95+ points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com [31/03/2021]
£650 / Case£54.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2016 Enzo Boglietti, Barolo, Brunate 6x75cl
"Light, bright ruby colour with an orange hue. Beautifully lifted bouquet of red and dark fruit, fresh
rose and some spice. A classy version of Brunate that combines austerity, vibrant fruit... characters
and fine tannins. Persistent, fulfilling and exquisitely varietal. The silty clay soil with little organic matter is responsible for the powerful yet austere structure, the large clay patches give the complexity of flavours and aromas." Enzo Boglietti Tasting Note
£275 / Case£45.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 G.D. Vajra, Barolo, Albe 6x75cl
"Lovely Nebbiolo aromas of rose, violet, red berry and botanical herb shape the fragrant nose. Smooth and savory, the elegant palate features juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry and cake spice... alongside polished tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. It's already drinking beautifully but also promises years of pleasure. Enjoy through 2030." 94 pts., Kerin O'Keefe, 9/1/2022
£170 / Case£28.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2017 Domaine Heresztyn-Mazzini, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru, Champonnet 6x75cl
£342 / Case£57 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 M. Chapoutier, Hermitage, Chante-Alouette 6x75cl
"Looks quite deep gold and old! There was a very mature note on palate entry but then this was followed up by a distinctively green-fruit streak running through it – doubtless evidence of the... unusual ageing pattern of white Hermitage. I would hold on to it for a while now, though it was probably pretty winning at two years old." 17 pts., Jancis Robinson
£230 / Case£38.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2018 Benjamin Leroux, Volnay Premier Cru, Les Mitans 6x75cl
"Dark-fruited and elegant nose. A touch peppery but with a dark restraint at the moment. Sweeter fruited on the palate than on the nose, creamy texture, caressing and round but with lovely freshness. Juicy but dry at the same time, terrific freshness and persistence in a baby wine." Julia Harding MW, 11/19, 17 pts.
£300 / Case£50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2019 Guidalberto, Tenuta San Guido, Toscana 6x75cl
"Mid ruby with a touch of sediment – a sample blend, rather than a finished wine, as with the last two release presentations. Quite reticent on the nose, just giving hints of what it’s got – a... flash of creamy vanilla, a scent of ripe, plummy, black fruit and some toasted tobacco. Full bodied, with mouth-coating but fine-grained tannins. Plump and velvety – Merlot making its presence felt here. Pretty good length too. This is embryonic and a little closed, but I think has plenty to give – an attractive Guidalberto that will reward cellaring." 17 pts., Tim Jackson MW, jancisrobinson.com
£150 / Case£25 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2019 Domaine Michel Magnien, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru, Les Sentiers 6x75cl
"Cask sample. Mid crimson. Darker-fruited and more peppery than the Morey premiers crus but still fragrant with the merest hint of roses. Finely dry tannins, succulent, mouth-watering and persistent. Elegant and beautifully balanced." 17 pts., Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
£395 / Case£65.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2017 Domaine de Chevalier Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan 3x150cl
"Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Bursting with red cherry and hints of violet on the nose, there is intrigue and joy here. The palate shows much flesh and vibrancy, with plump red berries at the... core. The acid is positively zesty yet lifts the fruit into floral tones rather than washing away the flavour. Fleet-footed and long on the finish. A wine that transparently exhibits the better elements of this vintage." 17 pts., Tom Parker MW, jancisrobinson.com
£255 / Case£85 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2016 Enzo Boglietti, Barolo, Case Nere 6x75cl
"Trademark smoky nose. Nice structure here and a bit more sweet fruit to support the powerful tannins. Nice mouth-watering acidity lifts the wine and this should age and really come into itself nicely." 17 pts., Alistair Cooper, jancisrobinson.com
£295 / Case£49.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2021 Famille Perrin, Gigondas, L’Argnee Vieilles Vignes 6x75cl
"A very deep nose, cassis, leather and ripe red fruits. Real density and concentration on the nose. A dense and pure palate with a softness of fruit, beautifully tuned tannins – delicate and layered, savoury and with poise and elegance – a pepper note on the layered finish. " 17 pts., Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
£216 / Case£36 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2020 Penfolds, Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia 6x75cl
"Fruit from McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Coonawarra, Padthaway, Wrattonbully. 15 months in French (24% new) and American (12% new) oak hogsheads. TA 6.5 g/l, pH 3.6.
Paler than the Bin 150. Really... intense cassis nose. Neat and fresh with lots of sweetness on the palate. Then a tense, tighter, tarry finish. Complex but still very youthful." 17 pts., Jancis Robinson
£231 / Case£38.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2021 Chateau Leoville Barton 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
"A terrific success, the 2021 Léoville Barton unwinds in the glass with aromas of blackcurrant, wild berries and plums mingled with hints of pencil shavings, loamy soil and cigar wrapper. Medium to... full-bodied, deep and seamless, it's concentrated and tensile, with beautifully refined tannins, lively acids and all the class that an elevated percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon growing in deep gravel can provide. It's the first vintage vinified in the Barton family's new winery, and I suspect that contributes to the ultra-refined quality of tannin this year. The blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Tasted three times." 93-95 pts., William Kelley, robertparker.com
£333 / Case£55.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2020 le Clos du Caillou, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Les Quartz 6x75cl
"Deepest colour of the four Clos du Caillou cuvées (plenty of Syrah). The aromatics are again restrained but there’s an attractive pitch of fruit and a spicy note that grows with aeration. Rich... and sweet, the fruit really concentrated on the palate. Tannins firm but very fine and completely interwoven with the fruit. Another for ageing." 17 pts., www.jancisrobinson.com
£310 / Case£51.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2019 Gerla, Birba, IGT 6x75cl
"Attractive minty cherry nose. And supple, juicy with the oak perfectly integrated. Freshness and concentration and cracking tannins." 17++ pts., Watler Speller, jancisrobinson.com
£90 / Case£15 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2016 Enzo Boglietti, Barolo, Brunate 3x75cl
"Light, bright ruby colour with an orange hue. Beautifully lifted bouquet of red and dark fruit, fresh
rose and some spice. A classy version of Brunate that combines austerity, vibrant fruit... characters
and fine tannins. Persistent, fulfilling and exquisitely varietal. The silty clay soil with little organic matter is responsible for the powerful yet austere structure, the large clay patches give the complexity of flavours and aromas." Enzo Boglietti Tasting Note
£137.50 / Case£45.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Future Arrival 2013 Enzo Boglietti, Barolo, Brunate 6x75cl
"Bright ruby colour with a light orange hue. Delicate fragrances of violets, aromatic herbs, dark fruit and sweet spice are intriguing and refined. Composed and finely structured the palate... replicates the
complexity of the bouquet. Silky tannins and a bright acidity lead to a lengthy finale. A Barolo of superb austerity and elegance." Enzo Boglietti Tasting Note
£228 / Case£38 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2017 Domaine de Chevalier Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan 6x75cl
"Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Bursting with red cherry and hints of violet on the nose, there is intrigue and joy here. The palate shows much flesh and vibrancy, with plump red berries at the... core. The acid is positively zesty yet lifts the fruit into floral tones rather than washing away the flavour. Fleet-footed and long on the finish. A wine that transparently exhibits the better elements of this vintage." 17 pts., Tom Parker MW, jancisrobinson.com
£259.98 / Case£43.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur 2020 Famille Perrin, Gigondas, Domaine du Clos des Tourelles 6x75cl
"Mid crimson. Has the garrigue and gently floral aroma of the L'Argnée Gigondas 2020. A little bit toasty too. Deliciously scented. Firm and serious on the palate. Finely dry tannins. A restrained style compared with the Famille Perrin La Gille Gigondas 2020." 17 pts., www.jancisrobinson.com
£215 / Case£35.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur