Red
2022 Felton Road, Cornish Point Pinot Noir, Central Otago 6x75cl
"How can one not love that instant bath of flowers, fruits and spice that this wine delivers? No hold- ing back, no reticence at all, just a wash of Cor- nish Point indulgence - all leading to a... flowing silky finish. Through the entire palate there is a gentle mineral seam that stops anything from tipping over into excess, so it seduces rather than hollers. There will be no lack of complexity to come for those with patience, but it is very hard to resist now."
Felton Road tasting Note
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2022 Felton Road, Bannockburn Pinot Noir, Central Otago 6x75cl
"A vivid nose of deep florals: dark roses, violets, and an undertow of ripe red fruit. The palate really shows the best of each vineyard that makes up the cuve´e. A pure but powerful drive of fruit... on a perfect cusp of ripeness, with complexing notes of sandalwood and spice. This is all about harmony and balance with the transparency of fruit allowing the detail to shine through. Silken tannins finish the package."
Felton Road tasting note
£215 / Case£35.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2022 Felton Road, MacMuir Pinot Noir, Central Otago 6x75cl
"Sometimes it can be hard to find a word to match what seems so clear to the senses. The nose is dark, as is the colour, beguiling, but restrained. There is a stature to the palate here; a sort of... authority to the way it stands back and allows you to explore its detail. A definite sprig of herbs, chocolate notes, but still so transparent that every nuance is revealed. It seems extraordinary that this is just the second time we’ve made MacMuir as a single vineyard release: it’s Felton Road, to be sure, but in a different dimension."
Felton Road tasting Note
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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
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2021 Tollot Beaut, Chorey-les-Beaune 6x75cl
The 2021 Chorey-les-Beaune from Nathalie Tollot confirms once more why it has been a favourite of ours for many years now. Bursting out with lifted floral and summer fruit aromatics, this is bright... and perfumed pinot noir, offering succulent red berry and just a delicate hint of spice, all wrapped up in silky tannins. As ever, great freshness and poise and a wine that will evolve gracefully for the next 6 to 8 years. (Mr.Wheeler tasting note)
£155 / Case£25.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
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 Chateau Talbot 4eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
As Chateau Talbot’s third vintage under the direction of Jean-Michel Laporte (ex-La Conseillante) overlapped a trio of consecutive great years in Bordeaux, there was every indication that his 2020... would create as much anticipation as his 18’s and 19’s. That expectation was fully justified with the refinement and elegance this St Julien gem continues show.
A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, the vintage shows a floral and fruit spectrum on the nose, with blackcurrant, berry and cassis; lifted, concentrated and fresh, its palate is expansive with a delicious lick of minerality, one whose elegance is matched only by a terrific length.
£240 / Case£40 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
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
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 2009 Clos du Marquis Saint Julien 12x75cl
£680 / Case£56.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate 2010 Chateau Talbot Saint Julien Quatrieme Cru 12x75cl
£800 / Case£66.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
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
2005 Clos Fourtet Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classe B 12x75cl
£1,475 / Case£122.92 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2008 Chateau Leoville Poyferre Saint Julien Deuxieme Cru 12x75cl
£695 / Case£57.92 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau d’Issan 3eme Cru Classe, Margaux 6x75cl
From one of the Left Bank's oldest properties dating back to the 12th-century and now run by the Lorenzetti family and located within a kilometre of the Chateau Margaux itself. Subtle fragrances and... moreish fruit in the 2020 d'Issan, and a third of three consecutive, stellar vintages and again an absolutely expression of Margaux terroir. Precision and elegance here combine for a an intensity of flavour defined by harmonious tannins that gives way to a long, generous finish.
£254 / Case£42.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau L’Evangile, Pomerol 6x75cl
With a new winemaking team taking the reins, this property seems set to continue its upward trajectory and consolidate its rightful place amongst Pomerol royalty, alongside Vieux Château Certan or... L’Eglise-Clinet. Certainly its perfect terroir (in between Pétrus and Cheval-Blanc) demands it!
Truffle, flowers, cocoa and plums on the nose, it is rich, plush, and velvety on the palate, with an almost endless finish redolent of all the espresso, dark cherry and chocolate you would expect from a Pomerol of this calibre. With 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc, L’Evangile is a wine of exceptional character and structure, and one assuring many, many years of development in your cellar.
£1,110 / Case£185 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2019 Chateau Moulin Saint-Georges, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 6x75cl
"The 2019 Moulin Saint-Georges is another wine in this range from the Vauthier family that shows decidedly mid-weight structure. Bright acids are especially present today. Moulin Saint-Georges is an... understated wine that isn't especially obvious today, but that appears to have quite a bit of potential once it fully comes together. I especially like the vibrancy here." 90 pts., Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com
£125 / Case£20.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2019 Taaibosch, Crescendo 6x75cl
"The 2019 Crescendo is a Cabernet Franc-based blend (65%) from 20-year-old vines or older, matured for 12 months in French oak then another year in foudres and concrete. That Cabernet Franc drives... the aromatics with wild strawberry, blackberry, cooked meat and brown spices, touches of bell pepper emerging with time. The palate is well balanced with a slightly grainy texture, quite linear and redolent of a decent Saint-Emilion, exhibiting impressive weight and grip on the finish. Excellent." 93 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£115 / Case£19.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Chateau Gruaud Larose 2eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 6x75cl
"79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.
Highest percentage yet of Cabernet in the blend. Fruit-driven and structured. Plenty of drive from the word go. Builds on the... palate in persistent fashion, the refined tannins giving a long linear flow. Lovely fruit. Delicious now but has ageing potential." 17.5 pts., James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com
£347.50 / Case£57.92 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2005 Chateau Langoa Barton 3eme Cru Classe, Saint-Julien 12x75cl
£685 / Case£57.08 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
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
2020 Paul Jaboulet Aine, Crozes-Hermitage, Domaine de Thalabert 6x75cl
"Shimmering ruby. Expressive, spice-accented red and dark berry aromas are complemented by suggestions of olive, espresso and candied flowers. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering gently sweet... cherry and cassis flavors that deepen through the back half. Finishes very long, spicy and smooth, with even tannins lending final grip." 92-94 pts., Josh Raynolds, vinous.com
£99 / Case£16.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate