£30 or more

Les Cailloux is a very stoney and limestone 40 year old vineyard of 1 hectare. Sitting at 340m above sea level on a plateau, the stones here are larger and not only provide a great mineral backbone to the wines, but also keep the grapes warm into the evening. The 2019 is excellent, very green, lean and with a hint of the grassy green notes. Great acidity and structure and should age very nicely. 15 months ageing in 228L barrels.

Country: France

Region: Burgundy

Grapes:  Chardonnay

Food Match:  Wonderful with rich lobster linguini

Bright green-yellow with shimmering reflections. On the nose very aromatic, juicy  apricot and a hint of vineyard peach, some citrus; white pepper and fresh meadow herbs; very juicy and vibrant on the palate; the refreshing acid balances the wine perfectly; salty-mineral, structured and elegant with intense fruit aromas in the finish. Very long lasting; typical traits of the Achleiten.

Country: Austria

Region: Wachau

Grapes: Riesling

ABV: 14%

Fresh floral aromas combine with characteristic sweet brioche overtones, balanced by peach skin and baked biscuit flavours with a crisp citrus finish.

Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Country: France

Region: Champagne 

Food match: Drinks very nicely well chilled on its own of course (but not on your own - this is the sociable drink par excellence after all!), but also recommended with light nibbles, salads and simple fish dishes.

Very deep, opaque colour with purple highlights. Great aromatic intensity dominated by matured blueberries and balsamic notes. Perfectly integrated wood with a sweet fruit and spice finish.

Country: Portugal

Region: Douro Valley

Grapes: Petit Verdot

ABV: 14%

Garnet red in colour. Perfumed notes of sweet spices, undergrowth, game, dried fruit and leather.
Country: Italy

Region: Piedmont

13.5% ABV

Grape: Nebbiolo

Food match: game, red meats, cheeses and cured meats

Service temperature: 18 ° 

This wine has the ability to evolve over 15 + years

Bracing aromas of red currants, blue berries and violets to start, further opening with time to reveal tones of cassis and wet slate. The palate enters focused and seamless, laced with tensile black and blue fruit tannin and extreme poise and persistence.

Country: Australia

Region: Margaret River, Western Australia

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

Food Match: Rump steak

Passel Estate, founded by Wendy and Barry Stimpson, is in the heart of the spectacular Margaret River region. Their six hectares of vineyards are surrounded by an impressive granite outcrop and a pristine nature reserve of ancient flora. Sea breezes from the Indian Ocean provide calming relief in the hot summer months and this special location not only produces some of the region’s finest wine grapes, but also provides sanctuary to the endangered Western Ringtail Possum, whose collective noun is a "Passel”!

One glass of this great wine is simply not enough! Rich, full and outstanding blend of Chenin and Viognier grown on complex, stony soils, with a warm, dry climate and sea breeze unique to the Malgas region. of South Africa Fresh fruit and complex mineral  flavours, this wine carries on for a long while on the finish. 

Country: South Africa

Region: Malgas, Swellendam, Western Cape

Grapes: Chenin Blanc and Viognier

ABV: 14%

Sijnn is prounounced 'sen', or 'seine'

Certified IPW sustainable

Blue and black fruits, with meaty, spice notes and smoky oak complexity. Intense, savoury wine, with a dense ferrous palate, and sustained finish. Drink now or keep for up to 20 years.

Country: Portugal

Region: Douro Valley

Grapes: Touriga Franca (99%)
Tinta Roriz (1%)

ABV: 14.5%

Quinta da Pedra Alta 'Rio' Tinto is an intense, savoury Douro red, made from parcels from the Quinta's lowest elevations close to the river (Rio).

Red berry fruit, full of spice, white pepper and floral notes. Supple, intense palate with fine tannin matched by plenty of fruit.

Country: South Africa

Region: Elgin

ABV: 14%

Grapes: Syrah

Food match

Braised lamb and blue cheese, pecorino with rosemary and sundried tomato gremolada!

At 420m above sea-level, set high above the picturesque Elgin Valley Andrew Gunn founded Iona. It is here overlooking the Atlantic ocean that he has secured some of the coolest vineyards in the Cape.

A rich and aromatic Sauvignon with wonderful complexity on the nose and palate. Ageing and maturation on the lees for 6 months, partly in stainless steel tanks and partly in large wooden barrels give this special Alto Adige Sauvignon Blanc a weight and structure that sets it apart from others.

Country: Italy

Region: Alto Adige 

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

ABV: 13.5% 

Food Matches: Chicken tagine or Thai green curry

Tim Atkin South Africa Special Report 2020
“Made by Gottfried Mocke of Boekenhoutskloof, but sold under its own label, this
stylish Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Chardonnay is made with fruit that used to go into
Sumaridge. Marrying barrel- and concrete-fermented and aged portions, it has
jasmine and hawthorn aromas, pear and citrus fruit and very subtle wood spices.
2020-25” – 93 Points

Country: South Africa

Region: Hemel en Aarde Ridge

Grapes: 100% Chardonnay

ABV: 13.8%

Platter’s South African Wine Guide 2021
“Spontaneously fermented, like sibling, 60% in new oak, rest concrete’eggs’ (vs
Pinot‘s 100% concrete vats). All-wholebunch 2018 is elegant, with pristine orchard
& stonefruit, hint of apple blossom, creamy vanilla. Dry, with, a grapefruit pith finish.
Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge WO.”
– 4.5 Stars & 94 Points

Stylish nose with lovely dark cherries and complex tobacco aromas with hints of savoury notes. Velvety textured tannins and lingering finish.

Grape: Nero di Troia

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

ABV: 14%

Food pairing: red meats, stews, and aged cheeses.

Aromas of crushed, black fruit, damson, mint, oak and mocha. Rich, almost succulent black fruit which has great purity and exuberance. Impressive concentration and elegance.

 Country: France

Region: Pomerol. Bordeaux

Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Franc

ABV: 13.5%

A beautiful, elegant sparkling blanc de noirs which shows concentration, elegance and freshness. Expressive, tart red berry fruits, strawberry and raspberry, classic notes of freshly baked bread from 24 months on the lees.

Country: France

Region:  Champagne, Côte des Bar

ABV: 12%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Champagne Guy de Forez is based in the pretty village of Les Riceys, in the southern part of the Côte des Bar. The village boasts the largest vineyard area in Champagne (866 ha), and today, its wines are in high demand from the Grandes Marques houses for their outstanding quality Pinot Noir grapes.

Fermentation was in oak barrels using the wild yeasts from the juice. The wine is creamy and textured; full of ripe stone fruit flavours and notes of acacia, nougat and citrus. Mineral finish.

Country: New Zealand

Region: Central Otago

Grapes:  Chardonnay (100%)

Food: serve with scallops and lobster in a beurre blanc sauce or grilled chicken.

ABV: 13.5%

Bright golden colour, wide aromatic complexity ranging from granny smith apple to lemon and honey with a hint of brioche. Dense and elegant with a persistent mousse.

Country: France

Region: Champagne, Epernay

ABV: 12%

Grapes:  33% Pinot Meunier, 33% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir

Round and elegant wine with classic, subtle buttery notes balanced by juicy acidity. A top quality white Burgundy with more than 10 year aging potential.

Country: France

Region: Burgundy

Grapes: Chardonnay

ABV: 12.5%

Complex bouquet showing typical rose nuances as well as layers of spice and woodland fruits. The palate is full-bodied, with hints of cherry, dark chocolate and prunes with firm sweet tannins on the finish. The sweet ripe berry fruit makes it approachable now or can be cellared for 10 years.

Region: Piemonte

ABV: 14% 

Grape: Nebbiolo

Food Match: red meats, fowl and hearty casseroles.

Barbaresco Tenuta Roncaglie is made from Nebbiolo grapes cultivated in Poderi Colla's vineyards in the Roncaglie area. As early as 1880, Roncaglie was already recognised as one of the best and most important areas for Barbaresco production, and mentioned in Lorenzo Fantini's important publication on Viticulture and Oenology in the Province of Cuneo. Several years on Daniel Thomasas, in the January 2005 issue of Wine Spectator, wrote: 'Roncaglie is acknowledged to be one of the best crus in the whole of Barbaresco.' The Poderi Colla vineyards have a southerly exposure and is situated at between 240 and 280 metres above sea level. Some of the vines were planted in 1970, some in 1980 and some in 1995. Vine density is around 4,000 to 5,000 plants per hectare and the average yield is 4,000 litres per hectare. Harvesting is usually done between 5th to 15th October. The Nebbiolo grapes (Lampia and Michet subvarieties) are destalked and pressed and the must is macerated on the skins for around 12 to 15 days at 30 degrees Centigrade. This if followed by a malolactic fermentation which is completed before the winter. The wine is transferred to some Slovinian and some French oak casks (partly new) and left to mature for 12 to 14 months. After maturation with wine is racked to stainless steel vats and clarified with egg whites before bottling.

Citrus and pear-drop notes are complemented by a delicious nuttiness, with elegant citrus on the finish. The Bateleur improves in dimension and complexity with age and under the correct storage conditions it can mature in the bottle for many years.

Country: South Africa

Region: Robertson

Grapes: Chardonnay

ABV: 13.5%

The Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) is one of Africa’s most majestic birds of prey. This wine was named after an eagle that is rare in both its beauty and occurrence as a tribute to the power and grace of a creature synonymous with our great continent.

This cool climate Aussie Pinot punches above its weight.

Surprisingly restrained and elegant for what was a warm ripening season. There are layers of complexity here. Lifted aromatics of tart cherry, fresh tobacco leaves and candied ginger, the palate is supported by a fine acidity, gentle tannins & alluring savoury characteristics of dried red earth, leather and pencil shavings.

Country: Australia

Region: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir

ABV: 13%

Swartskaap (‘black sheep’).

Country: South Africa

Region: Hemel en Aarde

Grapes: Cabernet Franc

ABV: 13.5

You’ve probably heard of the quaint beach town of Hermanus, situated on South Africa’s
famous Whale Coast. Between 1855 and 1902, it was called Hermanuspietersfontein. In
1902, the local postmaster decided to shorten the name of the town to make addressing
letters to the locals easier.

150 years later, the wine farm Hermanuspietersfontein, or HPF for short, craft outstanding
wines with a serious sense of place. Their grapes come from Sondagskloof (they produce
90% of WO Sondagskloof wine), which competes with Elgin and the Ceres Plateau for
South Africa’s coolest wine growing region. This area is perfectly suited to Bordeaux
varietals and, with the exception of Shiraz, is exclusively planted with them.
The Afrikaans wine names might look like a bit of a mouthful, but they are good fun;
Bloos (‘blush’), Kaalvoet Meisie (‘barefoot girl’), Kat Met Die Houtbeen (‘cat with the
wooden leg’), Posmeester (‘postmaster’), Kleinboet (‘little brother’) and Swartskaap
(‘black sheep’).

Tasted blind this could be confused with a top Chateauneuf du Pape - no kidding. This is boutique winemaking at it's best

Country: South Africa

Region: Wellington

Grape: Shiraz

ABV: 14%

Intense Ruby Garnet in colour with an elegant nose expressing nutmeg, crushed black pepper, with subtle aniseed, ripe mulberry and dark chocolate. The palate has subtle smoky flavours, blackberries, plums and dark chocolate blending with dry ripe tannins showing a well balanced wine with silky smooth wood integration. 

Andreas only produce this wine - and they are good at it. The wine is aged for 18 months in French and American oak and bottle matured for another year.

"Aged in a 400-litre Spanish ceramic amphora for one month, this wine is focused and bright, yet possesses depth. It exudes the aroma of white flowers, garden herbs, Earl Grey tea, beeswax, nuts, lemon peel and quince. Approachable and youthful, it captures the essence of a sunlit garden, beautifully blending structure and terroir" - Lilla O'Connor, Decanter Magazine February 2024

Grapes: Rkatsiteli

Country: Ukraine

Region: Mykolaiv

ABV: 13.5%

Food pairing: roast chicken with French beans and onion gravy.

Beykush Winery is a family winery located close to the Black Sea in Chernomorka village, Mykolaiv region. Beykush vineyards consist of 14 hectares of French, Italian, and Georgian clones.

Pretty strawberry nose with elegance! Silky and smooth, perfectly balanced Pinot. Very Burgundian in style.

Country: Australia

Region: South Australia

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 13.5%

Subtle, lifted, fragrant black pepper, blueberry and rose petal nose with ripe cherry and plum fruit characters. The palate has a beautiful silky texture with fresh red berry fruit and a fine savoury tannin finish. Drinking well now and for the next 10-15 years.

Country: South Africa

Region: Swartland,

ABV: 14%

Grapes: Syrah

The Syrah grapes come mainly from the Porseleinberg vineyard - one of the best sites in the world to grow the variety. Renowned winemaker and viticulturalist Callie Louw farms the land. The 'brutal' soils (according to winemaker Marc Kent) are made up of Mica and Schist. 10% of the grapes are from the Goldmine vineyard which has brown schist soil.

Tim Atkin MW

97 points. Given that 90% of its raw material comes from Porseleinberg - the other 10% comes from Boekenhoutskloof's Roundstone property - it's no surprise that this is such an impressive Syrah. Fermented with 65% whole bunches, it combines fynbos, lavender and Asian spice aromas with a palate of white pepper, barbecued meat, oregano and blackberry framed by sappy, granular tannins. World class. 2025-35.



James Suckling

94 points. Lovely fragrance with thyme, cracked pepper, iron, coriander and black berry fruit. Medium-bodied, peppery and compact, with vibrant acidity and a focused finish. Long and persistent. Drink or hold.



Neal Martin – Vinous.

93+ The 2021 Syrah was picked later than the 2020. It contains more whole bunches than prior vintages (65%) and matured for 18 months, 90% in Stockinger foudre and Stockinger demi-muids. This is quite concentrated on the nose with dark berry fruit, bay leaf and white pepper, perhaps less floral than some of its peers. The aromatics feel tightly coiled at the moment. The palate is smooth and harmonious on the entry, with a fine structure. It is compact at the moment with cracked black and white pepper and garrigues notes flourishing toward the persistent finish. Much more backward than expected. I would cellar this for three to five years before cracking open as it’s a serious Syrah.