2012 Wine List

Red

  • Fontanel, Côtes du Roussillon, 2009
    Aromas of black cherries with dark chocolate touches. Lively plum and black cherry flavours. Good ripe tannins. Just slightly (and attractively) roasted and toasty, despite being unoaked.
  • Bichi Borghesi, Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG, 2009
    Based on Sangiovese grapes grown on the slopes of the Elsa valley, this wine is aged in vats and large seasoned casks. Medium deep ruby colour, with fresh strawberry and blueberry notes on the nose. Really good weight of fruit supported by classic Tuscan structure.
  • El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Roble, 2009
    93% Tempranillo with 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, given just four months in French and American oak. Open, lifted scents of hedgerow fruit, blackberries and damsons. That same briary fruit dominates, rich, not sweet, and with a lovely creamy and velvety texture. A winner. Now-2014
  • Opawa Pinot Noir, Marlborough, 2009
    Pale garnet. Aromas of lightly cooked berries. Bright and generous red fruit, medium bodied, smooth on the palate and nicely creamy. Pure, but with just a touch of Pinot's savouriness and nutmeg spice.
  • Carinae, Malbec Reserva, Mendoza, 2009
    Pleasing scent of cassis and vanilla oak. Really ripe and fleshy wine, brambly and blackcurrant fruit, a liquorice edge, and a twist of white pepper. As usual, a seductive, liqueur element.
  • Domaine Calot, Morgon, Tête de Cuvée, 2009
    Scent of red cherries - and that red cherried lightness and grace is the keynote of this Beaujolais, but there's no lack of silky texture either. Crisp and spicy finish.
  • Monier, St. Joseph, 2008
    Deep purple. Black fruits, blackcurrants and bilberry, touch of olive. Harmonious and polished - lovely oak/fruit balance. Exhilarating bilberry and blackcurrant fruit. Juicy and exciting.
  • Château Haut Faugères, St-Emilion Grand Cru, 2006
    Scent of ripe cassis fruit, notes of toasty oak and mildly exotic spice. Splendid volume and richness. Voluptuous and persistent, a modern style of Bordeaux.
  • Domaine Roger Perrin, Châteauneuf du Pape, 2009
    This shows that attractive balance of intense red and black fruits that is the essence of good Châteauneuf. Warm and spicy aromas, with a hint of cooked fruit. Attractively smooth and refined. Just a hint of meatiness underneath the lush fruit.
  • Ridge, Geyserville, California, 2009
    74% Zinfandel, 19% Carignane and 7% Petite Sirah in this vintage, this single site wine is our usual favourite of all the Ridge wines. So exciting young - all vital berries and spice - Geyserville also ages extremely well. Now-2017
  • Fourrier, Gevrey-Chambertin, Vieilles Vignes, 2007
    This wine is made from vines planted in 1928, close to the hamlet of Brochon. Very much the archetypal Gevrey. A breadth of toasty, creamy cherry fruit, supported by correctly firm tannin.
  • Château de Pez, Saint Estèphe, 2004
    De Pez has been part of the Roederer stable since 1995. 45% Cab. Sauv., 44% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Soft tone. Overt toasty oak over ripe fruit. Ripe strawberry and currants, with savoury and mocha touches. Very much on the way up, so best decanted now.
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