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ALSACE
Domaine Bruno Hunold
Located in the heart of Rouffach, the Hunold Family have been running this 13ha domaine since 1965. Their philosophy is to respect the environment and do most of their work in the vineyard rather than the winery. This translates into great expressions of textbook Alsace varietals.
White
Pinot Blanc 2005
Delicate and aromatic with plenty of white stone fruit; delicious and fresh.
Riesling 2005
Fresh and zesty with a weighty palate of citrus fruit balanced by good minerality.
Pinot Gris 2005
Ripe, concentrated apricot fruit with honey and smoky tones too perfectly balanced by superb minerality.
Zind-Humbrecht
Olivier Humbrecht needs no introduction as Domaine Zind Humbrecht is one of the best known producers in Alsace. Although scores are not the ‘be-all-and-end-all’, it does seem worth pointing out that Zind Humbrecht has garnered 5 one-hundred point scores from The Wine Advocate over the years and a further 13 scores of ninety-nine.
White
Riesling 2005
Slate, honey, citrus and spice with just a hint of kerosene. Excellent purity - classic Riesling.
Riesling Gueberschwihr 2005
Quince and honey flavours give a more exotic quality which is perfectly balanced by brisk acidity.
Riesling Herrenweg de Turckheim (Lot 144) 2005
From a specific parcel of vines, this wine took a year to ferment and so has retained some residual sugar, which is cut through with excellent zesty minerality.
Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain 2005
Very aromatic with notes of gunflint, earth and peppery spice, with a finish of truffle and cream.
Gewürztraminer Gueberschwihr 2005
Very aromatic with notes of gunflint, earth and peppery spice, with a finish of truffle and cream.
Red
Pinot Noir Wintzenheim 2005
Lovely pure Pinot scent. Ripe rhubarb, red cherry and red currant fruit. Velvety, silky, delicious.
These are just a few of our Zind Humbrecht Wines. Please contact us for a full list.
BEAUJOLAIS
Jean-Claude Lapalu, Beaujolais
This Domaine is a good example of what the new generation of growers can achieved in very little time; Jean Claude started up in 1996 and has thrown out the rule book. Forget light insipid Beaujolais, think richness and concentration. The Flours Sommelier guide named him 'Grower of the Year' in 2005 and he is the first ever Beaujolais producer to get 94 Parker points.
Red
Beaujolais Villages La Tentation 2004
Rich and succulent with mouth filling raspberry and blackcurrent fruit.
Brouilly Vielles Vignes 2005
Spicy with notes of cinnamon and clove. The palate is structured with good fruit intensity and fine tannins. Fresh finish.
Brouilly La Croix des Rameaux 2003
Intensely powerful wine which coats the palate with thick black fruits. The core shows blackberries, tar, and black cherries allied to supple tannins. Long finish.
Brouilly Cuvée des Fous 2004
From 95 year old vines, this wine shows unbelievable depth. The palate is lush with rich cherry and blueberry fruit. Powerful finish.
Beaujolais-Villages Cuvée des Fous Le Rang de Merle 2004
Very concentrated with notes of tar and spice on the nose. The palate shows layered damson fruit on a bed of firm, ripe tannins. The finish shows length and complexity.
BORDEAUX
Domaine Clarence Dillon, Bordeaux
Prince Robert de Luxembourg has established this domaine 70 years after his great grandfather, Clarence Dillon, acquired Chateau Haut-Brion. Clarence Dillon wines produce what may be Bordeaux's first true comprehensive range of premium wines. The Clarendelle wines aim to be true to the heritage of Clarence Dillon and be representative of the Bordeaux region.
Red
Clarendelle Rouge, Bordeaux Supérieur 2004
Bright wine with an expressive nose of forest fruit and cigar box. The palate is elegant with velvety tannins and a good finish.
Dessert
Clarendelle Amberwine, Monbazillac 2003
Intense nose with aromas of orange blossom and apricot. The palate is nicely balanced by a streak of fine acidity.
Château Couronneau, Bordeaux
Picturesque Château Couronneau was owned for 300 years by relatives of Jacques Cartier, the explorer who discovered Canada. The dynamic Christophe and Bénédicte Piat assumed control in 1994 vowing to restore the château to its former glory. The estate is now entirely organic (a rarity for Bordeaux) and their award wining wines speak for themselves.
Château Couronneau Rouge, Bordeaux Supérieur 2005
Deep ruby wine with ripe plum aromas. The palate is supple with concentrated cassis, spice and a hint of liquorice. Good structure and long finish.
Vignobles Jean-Jacques Nouvel, St. Émilion
In the past few vintages Catherine Papon Nouvel has established herself as one of the most competent producers on Bordeaux's right bank. She is an exceptionally talented winemaker and all her wines are harmonious and velvety. Her wines are amongst the most subtle and elegant in the whole of St. Émilion - quite unlike some of the overpriced offerings from this region.
Red
Château Gaillard, St. Émilion Grand Cru 2003
Luscious, round wine with rich plum aromas. The palate is very fresh and fruity without dominating wood or aggressive tannins. Balanced finish.
Château Petit Gravet Ainé, St. Émilion Grand Cru 2004
Very aromatic with notes of berries, chocolate and spice. The palate is full-bodied with superfine tannins allied to lush cassis fruit. The finish is long and velvety.
Château Clos Saint-Julien, St. Émilion Grand Cru 2004
The nose is fresh and elegant with notes of cherry, cassis and strawberry. The palate is velvety with supple berry fruit allied to fine tannic structure. The finish is fresh with good acidity and length.
Château Marjosse 1er Côtes de Bordeaux
This well-tended Estate, located in Tizac de Curton en Gironde, is owned and run by Pierre Lurton, winemaker and director of Château Cheval Blanc and Château d'Yquem.
Château Marjosse Rouge 2005
This is the undiscovered gem or 'sleeper' of the great 2005 vintage. Merlot based, medium bodied, with pleasant fruit and a fine silky finish. Drinkable young.
Château Phélan-Ségur, St Estèphe
A beautiful estate bordering Calon-Ségur and Montrose owned since 1985 by the extremely competent and very committed Xavier Gardinier.
Red
Château Phélan-Ségur 1996
This wine has great complexity with pure red and blackberry fruit layered by smoky, earthy tones. A medium body, moderate tannin and long length shows good structure and definition.
Château Reynon, 1er Côtes de Bordeaux
Château Reynon is situated in the 1er Côtes de Bordeaux, a narrow sliver of vineyards stretching south from Bordeaux to Cadillac. The château is owned by Denis and Florence Dubordieu. Denis Dubordieu, who also owns the Château Doisy- Daëne the great Sauternes wine, is a leading advisor to winemakers around the world.
Red
Château Reynon Rouge, 1er Côtes de Bordeaux 2003
Deeply coloured with notes of liquorice, cassis and smoke. The palate is rich and velvety with a powerful finish.
Château Seguin, Pessac-Léognan
Forgotten during the 50s, Château Seguin has undergone a remarkable renaissance in the 90's thanks to the dedication of the Darriet family. This is classic, elegant Bordeaux without the usual (hefty) price tag.
Red
Château Seguin, Pessac-Léognan 2002
Refined with elements of smoke, cedar and cassis on the nose. The palate is balanced with good fruit intensity and firm tannins. Long finish.
L'Angelot de Seguin, Pessac-Léognan 2002
Supple wine with floral and spice notes on the nose. The palate has ripe stone fruits allied to soft tannic structure.
Château Sainte-Marie, Entre-Deux-Mers
Entre-Deux-Mers had a reputation for mediocrity until Stéphane Dupuch arrived on the scene. He is determined to elevate the status of this humble appellation. His methods are extreme - close planting (6000 vines per hectare rather than the usual 3000) and yields which are often 30% less than those prescribed by the AOC. His wines show that this Bordeaux backwater has amazing potential for the future.
White
Château Sainte-Marie Blanc, Entre-Deux-Mers 2004
Crisp and fresh with some gooseberry allied to richer melon fruit. Good mineral finish.
Red
Alios Rouge 2004
Spicy nose with ripe damson fruit that is cool and fresh on the palate. A wine with gusto!
BURGUNDY
Domaine Jean Boillot and Maison Henri Boillot
Domaine Jean Boillot was created in 1885 and is now run by the fifth and sixth generations of the Boillot Familly, who have great passion for the soil and treat the vineyards with huge respect. Maison Henri Boillot was set up in 1996 as a negociant business and now all the wines are sold under this name, with the wines made from domaine only grapes distingushed as "Vins du domaine".
White
Bourgogne Blanc 2006
A complex, smoky, floral bouquet, a generous fruity palate with orange and brioche tones and a touch of vanilla oak on the finish.
Puligny-Montrachet 2003
Fresh and linear with lime zest scent, and a lush and vibrant palate with hints of white chocolate.
Meursault 2003
A touch of toffee-apple on the nose gives way to an intense, rich attack of ripe, honeyed stone fruit.
Savigny-les-Beaunes Vergelesses 2003
Smoky, fresh pear and cinnamon spices with a ample texture structured by firm mineral poise.
Domaine des Beaumonts, Côte de Nuits
Thirty eight year old Thierry Beaumont and his wife Sylvie have run this 4 hectare estate since the end of the 80's. They used to sell all their wines to a local négociante but they decided in 1998 that the quality was high enough to bottle and label the wines themselves - they haven't looked back since! Their wines are from the new-school of Burgundian thought - pure, fruit-forward and eminently drinkable even when young.
Red
Morey St Denis 2003
Rich and approachable with lovely chunky berry fruit. The palate is supple and ripe with velvety tannins.
Chambolle-Musigny 2003
Velvety wine with ripe berry and cherry fruit. The palate has depth, restraint and complexity.
Chambolle–Musigny 2004
Soft and velvety with a palate of wild strawberry and red currants all layered with spice.
Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2004
Intense cherry and violet flavours with a hint of liquorice, wrapped in velvety tannins with a wonderful weight too.
Gevery-Chambertin 1er Cru aux Combottes 2004
Compact and mineral with red fruit flavours and a pleasant leathery character.
Ghislaine Barthod, Chambolle-Musigny
Ghislaine Barthod's 6 hectare domaine, established in the 1920s, is one of stars of Chambolle-Musigny. Ghislaine had been making the wine for the last decade or so. Her wines are always supremely elegant and dare I say 'feminine'! The Bourgogne Rouge is benchmark red Burgundy.
Red
Bourgogne Rouge 2002
Silky wine with lovely berry perfume. The palate is refined and elegant with rich fruit allied to velvety tannins. Good finish.
Château de Chamirey, Mercurey
This elegant property is owned by Madame Bertrand Devillard. The domaine has 100 acres of vineyard, spread-out over twelve parcels, with considerable holdings in some of Mercurey's finest sites. Wine trade insiders have followed this estate for two decades as it is a source of 'real', affordable Burgundy.
White
Mercurey Blanc 2002
The nose is rich and nutty with notes of brioche. The palate is full and ripe with nicely integrated oak and bright acidity.
Mercurey Blanc 1er Cru Mission 2002
Complex nose with grilled hazelnut and toast aromas. The palate has great depth and minerality. The finish is impressively long with a lingering smoky aftertaste.
Red
Mercurey Rouge 2002
There is lots of juicy Pinot appeal here with cherry sorbet-like fruit and plenty of spice. Well structured and elegant.
Mercurey Rouge 2003
The nose shows ripe berry fruit and a lick of spice. The palate has good intensity, supple tannins and a rounded finish.
Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard
Richard Fontaine married into the famous Gagnard dynasty of Burgundy and changed career from jet engine technician to wine-maker. He is utterly self-effacing and modest, and so it is up to us to say that he makes some of the best white Burgundy money can buy.
White
Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos des Murées 2003
Though pale in colour for a 2003 the palate is full-bodied, fleshy and sensuous, with succulent, honeyed, ripe fruit and a hint of caramel at the finish.
Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Grande Montagne 2003
A rich palate of apricot, baked apple and citrus peel cut through with excellent minerality - an expression of the bare limestone Grande Montagne site.
Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Boudriottes 2004
Citrus fruit on the nose and spicy green plum on the palate, medium to full-bodied, balanced by good minerality with a soft, creamy finish.
Domaine Alain Gras, Saint-Romain
Alain Gras is the leading grower in hilly Saint-Romain where the weather is cooler and the wines are lighter and leaner than in nearby Auxey-Duresses. The view from his courtyard in Saint-Romain-le-Haut (perched above a 100-foot cliff) is breathtaking. You can sometimes see Mont-Blanc, but if you do it will rain the next day (according to local folklore!). Alain's wines are pure, elegant and full of fruit.
White
Saint-Romain Blanc 2003
Elegant wine with citrus and flint aromas on the nose. The palate is restrained with fine balance and acidity.
Meursault Les Tillets 2003
Classic buttery Meursault with lovely richness on the palate and a powerful finish.
Red
Saint-Romain Rouge 2002
Perfumed with raspberry and cherry aromas. The palate is supple with good ripe fruit and sweet tannins.
Saint-Romain Rouge 2003
Well balanced for easy drinking with pronounced black cherry flavours and a hint of spice.
Auxey-Duresses Vielles Vignes 2003
Velvety pinot with fragrant berry and floral notes. The palate is silky with integrated tannins and sweet oak.
Domaine Hubert Lamy, Saint Aubin
The Lamy family has been working vines in Saint-Aubin (15km south of Beaune) since 1640. This 16h domaine is now run by ambitious Olivier Lamy who worked at Méo-Camuzet before taking over in 1996 from father Hubert. Olivier grubbed up and sold off any peripheral vines, keeping only the best and oldest sites. He is also experimenting with different planting densities in a quest to capture even greater expression of his terroir.
White
Saint-Aubin La Princee Blanc 2005
Floral and fruit driven with a nice touch of oak spice and good minerality on finish.
Domaine Roger Lassarat, Mâconnais
Born into a family of vine-growers from Vergisson, in the Mâconnais region, Roger Lassarat started up on his own in 1969 with 3 hectares of vineyard. Roger is lucky to have a high proportion of old vines (the youngest are 40 years old and the oldest 90) which give his wines depth and complexity.
Pouilly-Fuissé Clos de France 2003
Mineral rich with complex smoke and flint aromas on the nose. The palate is ripe and buttery yet shows lovely restraint. The finish is long and complex.
Domaine des Roches, Mâconnais
Located next to the limestone crags of vergisson and Solutré, the small village of Davayé is thought to be home to the most beautiful vineyards of the Mâconnais. In the heart of this outstanding terroir two childhood friends, Christian Collovray and Jean-Luc Terrier, created Domaine des Roches in 1986. Les Personnets is one of their Negociant labels which we are proud to say is exclusive to MARC Fine Wines in the UK.
White
Pouilly-Fuissé Les Personnets 2005
A pleasant perfumed nose, peach melba flavours of surprising depth and great balancing steely acidity.
Domaine Bernard Moreau, Chassagne-Montrachet
Alex Moreau (ably assisted by his brother Benoit) has only been at the helm of the family estate since 1999 and has already taken it to another level. Alex is an articulate forward thinker who has worked overseas and is an example of the new wave of French winemaker. His wines combine traditional with the art of modern winemaking.
White
Chassagne-Montrachet 2005
Restrained wine with notes of citrus and buttercup on the nose. The palate is clean and mineral with a lovely fresh acidity.
Montrachet 1er Cru Chenevottes 2005
The plush plum and almond flavours and generous oily texture are cut through with vibrant acidity for a firm steely structure.
Domaine Gérard Mouton, Givry
Gerard Mouton works about 24 acres of vines, mostly in the lesser known Givry appellation in the Côte Chalonnaise. The average age of the parcels is 30 years old. The domaine has a strong local following - always a sign of quality in a region like Burgundy where everyone knows everyone!
Givry Rouge 1er Cru Clos Charlé 2005
Soft, perfumed wine with lush cherry aromas. The palate is silky with fine tannins and a fresh finish.
Domaine Jacques Prieur, Burgundy
For years this domaine was in seemingly terminal decline - a tragedy given the quality of its vineyards - 50 acres of exclusively classified grands crus and premiers crus of the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune. Négociante Antonin Rodet (who now own 50% of the Domaine) assumed control in the late 80s sparking a renaissance in quality. The wines now rival the very finest producers on the Côte.
White
Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes 2005
The generous exuberant candied fruit and acacia honey is firmly held in place by the overlying minerality.
Red
Beaune 1er cru Les Champs Pimont Rouge 2005
Intensely aromatic with heady berry perfume. The palate has depth, power and a lovely velvety mouthfeel. Long finish.
1er cru Les Grèves Rouge 2005
Rich and suave with smoky chocolate cherry flavours structured by sweet but firm tannins.
Antonin Rodet, Burgundy
Négociant Antonin Rodet have an amazing array of quality Domaines making them quite unique in Burgundy. They own topflight vineyards in almost every village of the Cote d'Or and are the only company with land in Chambertin, Musigny, Montrachet and Clos de Vougeot (all grand crus). In addition Rodet co-own several stand-alone wineries with estate vineyards - Château de Chamirey, Château de Rully and Domaine Jacques Prieur.
White
Bourgogne Aligoté 2006
Very fresh and clean with excellent acidity and sharp citrus fruit. Textbook Aligoté!
Domaine Rossignol, Volnay
Nicolas Rossignol is one of the new generation of Burgundy wine makers whose distinctly modern wines lie in the future rather than the (moldy!) past. His beautifully manicured vineyards cover approximately 5 hectares.
Red
Volnay 2002
This wine shows great elegance and poise. The palate is lush with rich berry fruit layered on supple tannins. The finish shows admirable persistence.
Volnay 1er Cry Chevrets 2002
Beautifully perfumed with floral and spice aromas. The palate is silky with rich fruit married to fine tannins. The finish is sweet and complex.
CHABLIS
Domaine Raveneau, Chablis
Probably the most famous and greatest producer in Chablis. The domaine comprises of 7.5 hectares, which include three grand crus (Blanchots, les Clos and Valmur) and four premiers crus (Montée de Tonnerre, Vaillons, Butteaux and Chapelot). This is one of the last estates in Chablis where the entire harvest is picked manually. Jean-Marie Raveneau tends to pick early in order to retain natural acidity and freshness.
Domaine Gérard Tremblay, Chablis
Gérard Tremblay is fifth generation and is a stout defender of traditional winemaking techniques. Over two decades he and his wife Hélène have tripled their holding and now own 33 hectares. His wines are clean and pure and are remarkable value for money.
White
Chablis Hélène Perrot 2006
Textbook Chablis with green apple and flint aromas on the nose and good minerality on the palate.
CHAMPAGNE
Beaumont des Crayères, Champagne
A relatively small cooperative with around 240 growers situated on the edge of the Vallée de la Marne at Mardeuil. It has a reputation for producing excellent Champagne at realistic prices.
Champagne Beaumont des Crayères Grand Prestige NV
Rich style with pronounced yeast and brioche on the nose. The buttery palate is underpinned by fresh acidity.
Champagne Beaumont des Crayères Grand Rosé NV
Tender and delicate with gentle yet persistent bubbles, a fresh nose, and ripe redcurrant and cherry flavours.
Billecart-Salmon, Champagne
The house of Billecart-Salmon was established in 1818 by Nicolas-François Billecart and remains in the family to this day. Unlike many other houses they source most of their grapes from their own vineyards. This ensures that the family has maximum control of at every stage of production which ensures the extraordinary quality. Billecart-Salmon is renowned for its delicate rosé, while the Brut Réserve (a blend of three vintages) is a beautifully harmonious wine. All have the ability to age very well.
Brut Reserve NV
Elegant with yeast aromas on the nose and good richness on the palate. Balanced and refined.
Brut Rosé NV
Fresh rosé with notes of strawberry and raspberry on the nose and good weight and intensity on the palate.
Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru NV
The nose is creamy with notes of butter and noisette. The palate is poised with fine acidity and persistent mousse. Lovely elegant finish.
Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart 1998
Fragrant with white flower and brioche aromas. The palate has fine structure and persistent mousse. The finish is rich and very long.
Blanc de Blancs 1998
Rich and creamy with zest and biscuit aromas on the nose. The palate is refined and elegant with excellent persistence.
Cuvée Elisabeth Salmon Rosé 1998
The nose has marzipan and hazelnut aromas. The palate has lovely fresh mousse, fruit intensity and a refined spiced finish.
Grand Cuvée 1996
Complex and highly expressive with a ripe, toasty nose, a fine and distinguished palate with great power and vivacity.
Le Clos Saint-Hilaire 1996
Very complex Blanc de Noirs showing impeccable balance and intensity. The finish is long and harmonious.
Krug, Champagne
The house of Krug was established in 1843 and has always concentrated on producing small quantities of very special Champagne. Krug is one of the few houses that still use small oak casks for the primary fermentation, which helps develop the intense bouquet and complex flavours for which their wines are justly famous.
Krug Grande Cuvée NV
Pale, golden yellow, persistent mousse with nut and apple aromas. Rich, crisp, fragrant and refreshing with superb balance.
Krug Vintage 1995
A bouquet of exotic fruits with honey and ginger on the palate nicely focussed by a firm structure.
Krug Rosé NV
Fragrant wild strawberry aroma with enchanting spicy red berry fruit. Subtle and beautifully silky.
Moët & Chandon, Champagne
Moët & Chandon hardly needs an introduction - needless to say it is one of the biggest and best Champagne houses. Dom Pérignon is the prestige cuvée named after the famous monk, who was instrumental in the development of the contemporary Champagne style.
Dom Pérignon 2000
Initial notes of fresh almonds and grapefruit leading into cashew nuts, spices and toasted brioche. Wonderful persistance with a touch of citrus on the finish.
Ruinart, Champagne
Founded by Nicolas Ruinart in the city of Reims, Ruinart is the oldest Champagne house and has exclusively produced champagne since 1729. Ruinart's uncle, Dom Thierry Ruinart, for whom the house's flagship wine is named, was a close friend of Dom Pérignon.
White
R de Ruinart Brut N
Golden, fruity blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. A perfect aperitif.
Ruinart Brut Rosé NV
Unusually this Rosé has a high percentage of Chardonnay making for an elegant, smooth wine with a beautiful pink-gold hue.
Ruinart Blanc de Blancs NV
The clear, luminous pale golden colour is shown off to great effect in the clear bottle. The taste is delicate, balanced and smooth.
Dom Ruinart 1996
Blended from Grand Cru Chardonnay grapes this wine expresses finesse and sophistication with floral aromas, orchard fruit and lingering effervesence.
Dom Ruinart Rosé 1996
Again, a high proportion of Chardonnay with just 16% Pinot Noir. The complexity unfurls gradually with layers of berry fruit, liquorice and citrus.
CORSICA
Domaine Leccia, Patrimonio
A family run business located in the heart of the Corsican Patrimonio appellation. This small domaine has 13 hectares of vineyard near the Golf de Saint-Florent. The unique flavours and aromas of these wines stem from intrinsic Corsican grape varieties and unique terroir.
White
Patrimonio Blanc 2006
Superb full-bodied powerful and aromatic Vermentino with a distinctive pithy, saline finish.
Rosé
Rosé Patrimonio 2006
A deep coloured rounded rosé with spicy red fruit and almost gamey notes. Complex and vinous.
Red
Patrimonio Rouge 2002
Intense with juicy, spicy red berry and gamey notes. Solidly made and drinking well now.
LOIRE
Henri Bourgeois, Pouilly-Fumé
Chavignol is a town more famous for its 'Crottin' - a pungent goat's cheese which resembles droppings from the aforementioned beast. The Bourgeois family have been making wine here for 10 generations and their domaine is now one of the most important in Sancerre. The Pouilly-Fumé is intense and smoky with a fine mineral backbone.
White
Pouilly-Fumé La Demoiselle de Bourgeois 2006
Fresh flinty nose with a promise of ripe creamy fruit that is brilliantly fulfilled on the palate with layers of stone fruit too.
Sancerre La Bourgeoise 2006
Gun flint aromas and rich full-bodied fruit, this time subtly wooded to give a very grand expression of Sauvignon Blanc.
Sancerre Le Chêne Saint-Etienne 2002
Powerful and aromatic with ripe, even tropical fruit, vanilla and spices. The richness is balanced and the flavours linger harmoniously on the palate.
Domaine Cédrick Bardin, Pouilly-Fumé
Cedrick's mother is from Sancerre and his father is from Pouilly-Fumé - luckily he makes wine in both appellations to keep everyone happy! He now has 11 hectares of vineyard on either side of the river Cher. His terroir-driven wines are rich and very aromatic.
White
Pouilly-Fumé 2007
A fresh nose with gooseberry notes. The palate shows intense citrus fruit, especially grapefruit, allied to a firm mineral backbone
Sancerre 2007
A more floral expression of Sauvignon Blanc here but with plenty of steely grapefruit and lemon on the palate.
Domaine de Bel Air, Chinon
Jean-Louis Loup (following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather) now runs this domaine with 13 hectares in some of the finest parcels in Chinon. He loves his inheritance and farms his land with respect for the environment. His individual plots (comprising a high proportion of old vines) are vinified separately to preserve their unique typicity.
Red
Chinon Cuvée Fosse Aux Loups 2006
Fruit-driven with lashings of rich raspberry and blackcurrant. Balanced finish.
Chinon le Bois d’Arçon 1999
More complexity and structure than 'Fosse'. The palate has ripe forest berries, velvety tannins and a nice touch of vanilla oak. Some depth and intensity to finish.
Domaine de la Fontainerie, Vouvray
Catherine Dhoye-Deruet is a young and very talented winemaker and has inherited her parent's vineyards (5ha) in the Vallée des Coquillettes. The vines are in the south-facing coteaux and the average age is very old. They say great wine is made in the vineyard and not in the cellar and she preserves the lovely pure varietal character with minimum intervention and the merest hint of oak. This is Chenin at its very best!
White
Méthode Champenoise Traditionelle 2001
Golden and aromatic with delicious stone fruit and brioche flavours, a gentle fizz and a long dry finish.
Vouvray Sec Cuvée Coteau les Brûlés 2001
Delicate nose showing notes of pear, lanolin and apple. The palate has lovely balance thanks to fine acidity. Good mineral finish.
Vouvray Moelleux Cuvée C 2003
Floral nose with waxy notes, lovely marmalade flavours, medium-bodied with a good zesty cut at the end.
Vouvray Moelleux Cuvée Coteau les Brûlés 2003
Rich and unctuous yet feather-light. The palate is focused with concentrated sweetness balanced by mineral acidity. Lingering, complex finish.
Domaine Laureau du Clos Frémur, Anjou
Since this estate was taken over by Damien Laureau in 1999 the quality has improved steadily. The wonderfully complex Savennières is now considered to be one of the best in this appellation and the Anjou is great value for money. The vineyard (6ha) is situated between the villages of Épiré and Savennières.
White
Anjou Blanc Sec 2002
Classic varietal Chenin Blanc with a fresh nose, mellow apricot and almond flavours, a good weight in the mouth and refreshing acidity.
Savennières Cuvée du Bel Ouvrage 2000
The complexity of this wine is now showing through with the slate from the Savennières soil really expressing itself along with honeyed stone fruit and excellent acidity.
Red
Anjou Rouge 2003
Ripe Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon show rich cassis flavours with savoury and earthy tones to a harmonious finish.
Domaine de Veilloux, Chevergny
A biodynamic estate in the heart of the Loire Valley. The wine (which is the lesser known Chevergny appellation) is produced predominantly from Sauvignon Blanc with a small proportion of Menu Pineau.
White
Argilo 2001
Fresh with good fruit intensity and some mineral complexity. The finish has depth and balance.
Domaine des Sablonnettes, Rablay Sur Layon
Christine and Joël Menard established the domaine in 1984 and have always farmed biodynamically. The vineyards are split between Rablay(11ha) and Faye d'Anjou (2ha) located between Bonnezeaux and Quarts de Chaume. They aim to produce 'honest' wines which expressive of the terroir of the vineyards.
REGIONAL FRANCE
Mas de la Barben, Coteaux du Languedoc
Véronique (a doctor) and Marcel Hermann (a scientist) have hung up their white coats for good. They now wear stout wellington boots and make fabulous wine. The vineyards at Mas de la Barben have extremely poor soil and are ravaged by the Mistral wind which forces the vines to go deep underground in search of water and nutrients. This gives concentrated, terroir driven wines.
Red
Coteaux du Languedoc Les Lauzières Rouge 2003
Intensely rich and spicy with lush morello cherry fruit. The palate has power and depth allied to fine tannic structure.
Coteaux du Languedoc Les Sabines Rouge 2001
Exotically spiced wine with liquorice and tar aromas. The palate is powerful and warming and the finish shows admirable persistence.
Coteaux du Languedoc Calice Rouge 2001
Complex with espresso, mocha and rosemary aromas. The palate is well-structured with very fine tannins and rich fruit intensity. The finish is long and harmonious.
Domaine Chiroulet, Côtes de Gascogne
Philippe Fezas makes up the fourth generation of vintners to have farmed Domaine Chiroulet. He took the reins in 1993 and within no time brought out the true potential of the domaine's grape varieties and different soils. His vins de pays are 'real' wines at very reasonable prices.
White
VdP Côtes de Gascogne Les Terres Blanches 2006
Fresh and aromatic wine with rich peachy fruit balanced by good minerality on the palate.
VdP Blanc Côtes de Gascognes Cote d'Heux 2005
Lovely ripe fruit with a touch of oak spice. Taut but extremely elegant.
Red
VdP Côtes de Gascogne Rouge 2006
Fleshy wine with blackberry, spice and liquorice on the nose and palate.
Domaine Clos des Fées, Côtes du Roussillon
This is a much-talked about garagiste operation, run by a former Parisian sommelier who is making tiny quantities of wine from extremely old vines. Yields here are tiny and all the wines show amazing fruit purity, depth and concentration.
White
Vin de Pays des Cotes Catalanes Blanc 2005
Grenache Blanc with a little Grenache Gris gives a fresh scented wine with peach fruit, a weighty mouthfeel and cleansing acidity.
Red
Côtes du Roussillon Les Sorcières 2004
Deeply coloured with intense aromas of the sun-drenched Garrigue. The dense palate shows lush bilberry fruit, grilled tannins and great length.
Côtes du Roussillon Village Vieilles Vignes 2004
The nose is ripe and jammy with notes of crème de cassis,vanilla and tobacco. The palate is round with superb concentration and persistence.
Côtes du Roussillon Village Clos des Fées 2004
Unctuous wine with lush damson fruit on the nose and palate. Tannins and wood are balanced and the finish is rich and lingering.
Côtes du Roussillon Village Petite Siberie 2004
Massive wine with amazing depth and complexity. The palate is sweet and lush with silky tannins and well-integrated vanilla oak. The finish is very long.
Domaine du Gros'Noré, Bandol
Alain Pascal is one of the rising stars in Bandol. He has 16 ha of vines (some of which aren't in production yet) with an average age of 30 years, and the first official vintage was 1997. Prior to this his father worked the vineyards but never made his own wine. This meaty, spicy wine is made from 80% Mouvèdre with a dash of Cinsault and Carignan.
Red
Bandol 1998
Rich and ripe with aromas of smoke, olive and thyme. The palate is tannic and powerful with a lovely savoury character. The finish is long and complex.
Château de la Canorgue, Côtes du Luberon 2006
Château de la Canorgue is a very traditional family vineyard. Built on the site of a Roman villa in the heart of the Luberon the Château takes it's name from the ancient underground waterways that still supply the winer.
Rosé
Château de la Canorgue Rosé 2006
From Grenache and Cinsault vinified at very low temperatures to preserve freshness and delicacy.
Vignoble Du Loup Blanc, Bize Minervois
Small domaine acquired in 2002 by a pair of French restaurateurs based in Quebec. Fed up of not finding the wines they were looking for they decided to have a go themselves! We fell in love with the wines because the they are so approachable and food friendly.
White
Le Blanc 2004
Deliciously round and perfumed with exotic notes of quince. The palate is nice and fat with good depth and complexity.
Red
Minervois le Regal du Loup 2003
Perfumed wine with ripe black fruit and liquorice aromas on the nose. The palate is rich and chocolatey with silky tannins.
Minervois La Mère Grande 2003
Made from old vines this wine has amazing depth with rich fruit compote and spice flavours. The palate is warm and peppery with velvety tannins and a long finish.
Domaine de Trévallon, Bouches du Rhône
Eloi Dürrbach created the domaine in 1973 after quitting his architecture practice in Paris, and his first vintage was released in 1977. Located on the slopes of the Alpilles, by the ancient hill top village of Les Baux, the estate has grown to over 20ha today. Eloi's father, a good friend of Picasso, designed the Cubist labels.
White
Domaine de Trévallon Blanc 2004
A rich, ripe and waxy nose opens out on the palate with sweet fruit and a vanilla note to finish.
Red
Domaine de Trévallon Rouge 2001
Pure sweet blackcurrant fruit dominates, though there is a nice Mediterranean influence with flavours of olives and herbs. A mineral edge provides structure.
Château Tirecul-La-Gravière, Monbazillac
This domaine in unfashionable Monbazillac was thrust into the limelight by Robert Parker , who rated two successive vintages of 'Cuvée Madame' 100 points out of 100 (ahead of Château d'Yquem!). Bruno Bilancini hasn't rested on his laurels so this year we are expecting 101 points out of 100!
White
VdP du Périgord Sec 2002
Dried fruit on the nose and rich orchard fruit on the palate are cut through by citrus and saline notes on the finish.
Dessert
Monbazillac Moelleux 2000
Luscious, tropical blend of Muscadelle and Semillon with rich, concentrated orange and lime marmalade flavours and a hint of caramel oak toast.
Cuvée Les Pins 2003
Candied fruits, honey and cinnamon spice are pure, sweet, delicate and fresh.
Cuvée Madame 2003
Concentrated flavours of almond paste, candied citrus fruits and spice. Unctuous, generous yet controlled, with an elegant, lingering and complex finish.
Léopold Gourmel, Cognac
By disregarding all the usual Cognac rules Olivier Blanc has created an outstanding range. He uses only single vintage wines as a base and his distillation process is altered each year to produce the 'fattest' spirit possible. As a result each of his Cognacs reflect terroir and vintage variation - a wonderful alternative to the standardised product of the larger Cognac Houses.
Cognac Premières Saveurs 6 Carats (VSOP)
Beautiful amber colour, a raisiny nose, rich palate of melting demerara sugar mellowed by soothing wood flavours. Good acidity and balanced alcohol.
Cognac Age du Fruit 10 Carats (XO)
More subtle and delicate nose with gorgeous liquorice bark and grape flavours. Weighty in the mouth balanced by high acidity.
Cognac Age des Fleurs 15 Carats (EXTRA)
Jasmine flowers on the nose, orange and chocolate on the palate with a hint of oak on the long finish.
Cognac Age des Epices 20 Carats (TRÈS VIEUX)
Hot pepper spice with layers of rich orange and cinnamon. An incredibly long finish.
Cognac Quintessence 30 Carats (EXCEPTIONNEL)
An impressionistic marriage of the fruit, the flowers and the spices with hints of red fruit, a touch of chamomile and orange peel spice, all with remarkable persistency. A rare and selfish pleasure.
RHÔNE
M. Chapoutier, Rhône
Chapoutier was founded in the 19th century and has always been one of the best producers in the Rhône. However when dynamic Michel took over the company in 1990 the quality leapt from the good to the exceptional. He introduced many new ideas (including bio-dynamic techniques) which have promoted Chapoutier to the very top of the premier league.
White
St. Joseph Les Granits Blanc 2002
Golden wine with mineral, honeysuckle and lily aromas. The palate is honeyed with spicy fruit and a lingering, harmonious finish.
Ermitage l'Orée Blanc 2003
Very rich and complex with dried apricot, musk and mineral aromas on the nose. The palate shows amazing depth and balance. The finish is long and powerful.
Red
Saint-Joseph Deschants 2003
Stunning wine with huge depth and extract. The nose and palate show lush blackberry fruit, smoke and liquorice nuances. Excellent structure and a long finish.
Crôzes Ermitage Les Varonniers Rouge 2002
Balanced wine with good ripe berry fried on a bed of supple tannins and a nice lick of vanilla oak.
Ermitage Le Méal Rouge 2004
Le Méal has rich crème de cassis fruit and liquorice, a medium to full body, moderate tannins, and good acidity.
Ermitage Le Pavillon Rouge 2002
Immense with a perfumed nose showing tar, smoke and blackberry aromas. The palate has dense fruit allied to excellent tannic structure. The finish has remarkable length and complexity.
Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge 2002
Inky wine with complex tar, smoke and damson notes on the nose. The palate is lush and refined with well-integrated tannins.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Barbe Rac 2001
The scent of the Garrigue has been bottled here and the leathery notes are carried through onto the palate with liquorice and dark black fruit.
Pic & Chapoutier, Rhône
A recent joint venture between Chapoutier and Anne-Sophie Pic, the daughter of the legendary Jacques Pic, 3-star Michelin restauranteur in Valence. In February 2007, Anne-Sophie received her own 3 star Michelin award.
White
St. Péray 2004
Intense peach and apricot flavours with a hint of bitter almond on the long, complex finish.
Domaine Georges Vernay, Condrieu
Georges Vernay established the domaine in 1953 with 1,5 hectares of vineyard. The 16 hectare estate is now run by his children Luc and Christine. The precipitous slopes of the 'Chaillées de l'Enfer' (hell's slopes) produce some of the finest, most perfumed wines of the Condrieu appellation.
White
Condrieu Terrasse de l'Empire 2004
Perfumed nose of white flowers and peach. The palate is unctuous but balanced by a flinty backbone. Long, complex finish.
Condrieu Chaillées de l'Enfer 2004
Complex nose showing notes of aniseed, fennel and grapefruit. The palate is elegant with mineral complexity. The finish is balanced and long.
Condrieu Coteau de Vernon 2004
Classic Viognier peach and apricot bouquet with complex honey and acacia notes. The palate is rich and exotic and the finish long and spicy.
Red
VdP des Collines Rhodaniennes Syrah 2004
Peppery wine with soft tannins and light structure. Juicy finish.
Côtes du Rhône St Agathe 2004
Supple wine with ripe berry fruit and lifted floral perfume. The palate is balanced and the finish has good freshness.
St Joseph 2004
Smoky wine with complex violet and pepper aromas. The palate is supple and harmonious and the finish is nicely perfumed.
Côte-Rôtie Blonde du Seigneur 2004
Perfumed wine showing notes of leather, blueberry and acacia. The palate has lovely balance with dense black fruit married to fine tannins. The finish has good weight and admirable persistence.
Domaine Viret, Côtes du Rhône
Domaine Viret is a domaine run according to the principles of Cosmoculture. Cosmowhat? According to the ancient Mayan and Inca civilizations, cosmoculture is based on exchanges between cosmic and telluric energies. Far out? Taste the wines - they are out of this world!
Red
Vin de Pays Portes de Méditerranée Rouge Cuvée Solstice 2003
Jammy wine with ripe berry fruit and a spicy finish.
Côtes du Rhône Villages de St Maurice Rouge Cuvée Emergence 2001
Concentrated with amazing fruit purity. The palate intense and velvety and the finish has lovely bramble perfume.