Fine Wines September 2017 B - The Wine Society AFRICA’S BORDEAUX PALETTE 4 ... THE ECSTASY OF...

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PRIME PAUILLAC 3

Buyer Tim Sykes is given free rein to comb the grandest of claret communes, assembling a selection that ranges from the snip-at-the-price to the simply spectacular, taking in the ready-to-enjoy 2007 vintage and two of the best Bordeaux harvests in a generation, 2009 and 2010.

SOUTH AFRICA’S BORDEAUX PALETTE 4

World-class Bordeaux blends don’t stop at the French border, and few can boast the illustriousness or the innovation found in the Cape. Joanna Locke MW’s list of highlights sees classically framed favourites rub shoulders with bold new styles, with both red and white wines ably represented.

BAROLO TREASURES 6

The heavenly scents and myriad flavours of Italy’s most prized red are a proposition to make any wine lover weak at the knees. We have composed ourselves sufficiently to gather a very special collection from three captivating and contrasting recent vintages.

WASHINGTON: STATE OF THE ART 7

Buyers Sarah Knowles MW and Freddy Bulmer believe it’s time for more members to open their eyes and palates to one of the most exciting wine regions in the new world. Washington’s recent progress has been remarkable, but a thriving domestic cellar-door market has put some of its wares out of British wine lovers’ reaches. This enterprising selection, including the first UK sighting of Lauren Ashton’s wines, aims to change that.

YOU SAY ALBARIÑO, I SAY ALVARINHO… 8

Calling the whole thing off is the last thing we’d advise here, as we invite you to sample one of the world’s most deservedly fashionable grapes via its two native tongues. Spanish albariño and Portuguese alvarinho share the spotlight, with mouthwatering results.

IMPECCABLE VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE 9

Such is the nature of Champagne’s best and longest-lived style, most of the luxuries featured here will continue to reward cellaring, but Head of Buying Pierre Mansour’s pick of our cellars – ranging from 2005 to 2012 – was chosen with a particular nod to wines that are already showing their class.

MORNINGTON PENINSULA: THE HEARTBEAT OF MODERN AUSTRALIA 10

If any region encapsulates the welcome contemporary trend for Australian precision, elegance and food-friendly finesse, it’s Mornington Peninsula. We’re thrilled to have secured this collection of poised chardonnay, mouthwatering pinot noir and genre-defying shiraz that shows the best of modern Australian winemaking.

CHÂTEAU VIGNELAURE: FIVE-STAR PROVENCE 11

A rare and, dare we say it, unmissable opportunity to snap up a mini-vertical tasting case of a modern French classic spanning the 2008, 2010 and 2012 vintages.

RIBERA & PRIORAT: WHO REIGNS IN SPAIN? 12

Ribera del Duero and Priorat share an ambition to be Spain’s pre-eminent fine wine region along with Rioja, not to mention a remarkable array of bold, intense but elegant reds. Pierre Mansour has been hard at work gathering some of his favourites for you to test their claims.

WHITE BURGUNDY – RETURN OF THE MÂC 13

The quality of recent white Burgundy vintages is matched only by the scarcity of the spoils; but if one area is rising to the challenge of the competitive marketplace, it’s the Mâconnais. Top growers are moving heaven and earth to produce exceptional wines at conspicuously attractive prices: look no further than this clutch of treasures for the proof.

SMALL WONDERS: FINE WINE AT £20 AND UNDER 14

The triumphant return of our most popular Fine Wine List section sees us assemble a rewarding round-up of wines that stand out for top-shelf quality at under-the-counter prices.

THE ECSTASY OF CHOICEWhat a fantastic time it is to be a wine drinker. From the grandest of communes to the newest of comers, quality is soaring and choice has never been greater. Within these pages we endeavour to give a small snapshot to show just how good the going is.

With bottles from just under £10 to over £100 a bottle, we cover the smartest claret, Champagne and Barolo, take in Rioja-rivalling Spaniards and smart-buy Burgundies, offer a tasting of one of Provence’s brightest stars and showcase trailblazing American and Australian trendsetters. Corralling the cream of the world’s vineyards has never been more fun, and nor has sampling the results ever been more enjoyable. Happy browsing!

How to use this Listl Wines are listed by theme and then by pricel Drink dates are given as a guide to maturity and ageing

potentiall For further information about any of the wines please contact

Member Services on 01438 741177 l Fine wines too limited in quantity to be listed may be

found in the fine wine section of The Society’s website at thewinesociety.com/finewine

Fine Wine Advisers – here to helpPlease contact the Fine Wine Advisers for help with wine selection, food matching and any other wine-related subject. Visit thewinesociety.com/advice or call 01438 741177 to find out more.

Key

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PRIME PAUILLAC‘An iron fist in a velvet glove’ is a phrase often used to describe the wines of Pauillac, the finest of which strike the balance of structure and power with elegance and perfume. A good Pauillac should be a standard-bearing claret, with cassis, cedar, pencil-shavings and cigar-box notes typical of the aromas and flavours encountered upon opening a bottle.

Pauillac is prime cabernet sauvignon country, a grape that thrives in the free-draining, heat-retaining gravel soils that dominate the commune. Three of the five First Growths, the left bank’s most prestigious properties, are located in Pauillac and names such as Lynch-Bages, Haut-Batailley and Duhart-Milon have for generations kept claret lovers’ cellars stocked with delicious, multifaceted, long-lived wines.

Here we feature three wines from 2007, a vintage that is particularly attractive now, and a selection of wines from two of the best vintages in a generation – 2010 and 2009. All will benefit from decanting for an hour before drinking. Tim Sykes

M-CM14511 Château Haut-Bages Monpelou, Pauillac 2009 £25 bottle £300 dozen

Cunningly placed between Grand-Puy-Lacoste and Batailley – and owned and managed by the latter – this gem challenges the notion that good Pauillac is impossibly pricey. Two-thirds cabernet sauvignon with merlot and cabernet franc in support deliver a wine that is intensely perfumed and deliciously ripe and rounded on the palate, with a long and complex finish. Now to 2035. 13%

M-CM17221 Moulin de Duhart, Pauillac 2010 £27 bottle £324 dozen

The second wine of Château Duhart-Milon, and named Moulin after a windmill which used to stand next to the Rothschilds’ vineyard. This is a blend of younger-vine cabernet sauvignon (51%) and merlot, made for earlier drinking than the estate’s grand vin but delivering true Pauillac refinement nevertheless. Now to 2020. Low stock. 13.5%

M-CM17731 Château Croizet-Bages, Pauillac 2010 £30 bottle £360 dozen

Snapped up promptly after shining in a blind tasting of 2010 clarets, this lovely, rich wine offers an abundance of fruit, spice and a deliciously complex touch of hazelnut. Dense but decidedly classic in style, with impressive balance and length. Now to 2025. 14%

M-CM16491A Château Pibran, Pauillac 2010 £32 bottle £384 dozen

A well-structured wine of simultaneous freshness and classicism. Its restrained cassis fruit is complemented beautifully by a touch of spice and fine oak. An elegant, well-judged and poised Pauillac at a good price. Now to 2025. 13.5%

M-CM16494 Magnum of Château Pibran, Pauillac 2010 £65 magnum £780 dozen

M-CM15261A Château Haut-Batailley, Pauillac 2010 £45 bottle £540 dozen

Haut-Batailley’s 2010 is a triumph. A serious claret showing Pauillac’s classic character, this lovely wine comprises 78% beautifully ripe and concentrated cabernet sauvignon, which will unfurl with increasing finesse as the wine ages. Now to 2030. 13.5%

M-CM12721 Château Duhart-Milon Rothschild, Pauillac 2007 £69 bottle £828 dozen

This fourth growth has been one to watch since the mid-1990s, when the vines replanted by new owners the Rothschilds started to show their worth. The 2007 is a fine example, distinguished by its inviting and typical Médoc cabernet flavour. Now to 2025. 12.5%

M-CM12441 Château Lynch-Bages, Pauillac 2007 £95 bottle £1140 dozen

A proper Pauillac, and with considerable charm, this blend of 75% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot, 8% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot is seductively ripe, fruity and attractive. Now to 2025. 13%

M-CM12471 Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac 2007 £119 bottle £1428 dozen

One of the most successful vintages of Mouton Rothschild’s second wine, incorporating an important part of this world-famous estate’s prized crop. The 2007 blend is 76% cabernet sauvignon, 13% merlot and 11% cabernet franc, and offers a captivating floral, blackcurrant and violet nose, with rich stylish full but silky fruit on the palate. Now to 2025. 13%

See over for Prime Pauillac mixed case


SOUTH AFRICA’S BORDEAUX PALETTEFor over a generation, South African winemaking has been markedly influenced, and inspired by, Bordeaux. Its grapes, led by cabernet sauvignon and merlot, with increased interest in cabernet franc, petit verdot and malbec for the reds, complemented by sauvignon blanc and semillon for the whites, offer infinite possibilities for today’s well-travelled Cape winemakers. Quality and value have never been better.

Here you’ll find both classical styles for claret lovers (represented by the mature Paul Sauer and May de Lencquesaing’s elegant namesake) and impressive, muscular reds for lovers of the new world (Mike Ratcliffe’s complementary pair of Warwick and Vilafonté wines is a fine example). As in Bordeaux, the choice of blends often define the house style, but single-varietal wines have their own stories to tell too. Cabernet sauvignon is the pride of Stellenbosch (and the Simonsberg in particular), but merlot has been reinvented across a range of styles, and cabernet franc is an exciting rising star. Test your palate with the selection below. Joanna Locke MW

REDSM-SA12001 Vergelegen Reserve Merlot, Stellenbosch 2012 £13.95 bottle £167 dozen

Merlot forms 86% of this great-value blend alongside 9% cabernet sauvignon for structure and 5% spicy petit verdot for a sprinkling of spice. The cedary, savoury flavours of middle maturity are complemented by eucalyptus-tinged blackberry fruit and silky tannins. Now to 2022. 14.5%

M-SA12701 De Morgenzon Maestro Red, Stellenbosch 2015 £16 bottle £192 dozen

A polished and serious blend of all five of Bordeaux’s red grape varieties. Cabernet sauvignon comprises the majority, providing structure and backbone, while cabernet franc also makes its presence felt with a fine cedary perfume. Now to 2022. 14%

M-SA11981 Eagles’ Nest Merlot, Constantia 2012 £17 bottle £204 dozen

Just four of the 38 hectares of vineyard on this trailblazing boutique estate are planted to merlot, here 88% with 9% cabernet franc and 3% cabernet sauvignon. The cool, windswept site and minute attention to detail produced a standout merlot in 2012: a fresh fruit compote with silky tannins and appetising freshness. Now to 2022. 14%

PRIME PAUILLAC MIXED CASE £225Drink or store to 2020

A six-bottle case containing one bottle of each of the following wines:

Château Haut-Bages Monpelou, Pauillac 2009Moulin de Duhart, Pauillac 2010Château Croizet-Bages, Pauillac 2010Château Pibran, Pauillac 2010Château Haut-Batailley, Pauillac 2010Château Duhart-Milon Rothschild, Pauillac 2007

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PRIME PAUILLAC


M-SA12751 Tokara Limited Release Cabernet Franc, Stellenbosch 2012 £19.50 bottle £234 dozen

We couldn’t resist this on-trend Cape cabernet franc as a UK Wine Society exclusive. Bottled without fining or filtration (so please note that it may form a sediment), this is now seductive and intense, with notes of cigar box and green pepper. Now to 2020. 14%

M-SA12101 Meerlust Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch 2013 £20 bottle £240 dozen

From one of the smartest addresses in Stellenbosch, this is a classically honed cedar-infused cabernet. Still showing a touch of creamy oak on the nose, with fresh red and black fruits on the palate and well-managed tannins, this is a tempting proposition already, but it will continue to age gracefully to 2028. 13.5%

M-SA12651 Delheim Grand Reserve, Stellenbosch 2013 £21 bottle £252 dozen

An excellent Cape cabernet. This is open and spicy on the nose, with lovely cedary notes, freshness, balance and fine grainy tannins. Now to 2021. 14%

M-SA12631 Warwick Estate Trilogy, Simonsberg Stellenbosch 2013 £23 bottle £276 dozen

One of the Cape’s best-known cabernet-led blends, now with far more cabernet franc (here 38%), complemented by 8% merlot. With dark spicy fruit and graphite, liquorice, cedar and mineral notes, this is a fine, ageworthy red. Now to 2027. 14%

M-SA12681 Glenelly Lady May, Stellenbosch 2011 £26 bottle £312 dozen

Classically honed cabernet-dominated blend from French-owned Glenelly. Endowed with 100% new oak that is now well integrated after time in bottle, and rich, tobacco and cedar-infused flavours, all enrobed in fine chalky tannins. Now to 2022. 14.5%

M-SA11241 Kanonkop Estate Paul Sauer, Simonsberg Stellenbosch 2008 £28 bottle £336 dozen

Kanonkop’s premium Bordeaux-style blend has become a South African icon, and deservedly so. Made traditionally in open-top fermenters, before spending two years in French oak, its complex sandalwood, cedar and pencil-lead nose, caressing palate and remarkable length are testament to its reputation. Now to 2023. 13.5%

M-SA12691 Vilafonté Series M, Paarl 2012 £36 bottle £432 dozen

Voluptuous, spicy and stunning stuff from a partnership between Mike Ratcliffe of Warwick Estate and US wine royalty Zelma Long and Phil Freese. A blend of merlot and malbec with 17% cabernet sauvignon for structure. Now to 2022. 14%

SOUTH AFRICAN BORDEAUX REDS £129Drink or store to 2021


De Morgenzon Maestro Red, Stellenbosch 2015Meerlust Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch 2013Delheim Grand Reserve, Stellenbosch 2013Warwick Estate Trilogy, Simonsberg Stellenbosch 2013Glenelly Lady May, Stellenbosch 2011Kanonkop Estate Paul Sauer, Simonsberg Stellenbosch 2008

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WHITESM-SA12771 Shannon Vineyards Sanctuary Peak Sauvignon Blanc, Elgin 2015 £12.50 bottle £150 dozen

From the cool (in more ways than one) Elgin region, where the Downes brothers produce some of the Cape’s finest grapes. Here, 11% barrel-fermented semillon provides texture and structure to complement the sauvignon blanc’s pristine lime and fresh fig flavours, making for an impressive and food-friendly white. Now to 2019. 13.5%

M-SA12301 Chamonix Reserve White, Franschhoek 2014 £16.50 bottle £198 dozen

A classic dry white Bordeaux blend with an irresistibly South African twist to the flavour, this blend of sauvignon blanc (75%) and semillon (25%) is fermented and matured in barrel. Its creamy texture is lifted by a spark of lemon-citrus freshness, making it a suave match for seafood, risottos and soft cheeses. Drink this year or next. 13.5%

M-SA12511 Boekenhoutskloof Semillon, Franschhoek 2014 £20 bottle £240 dozen

Rightly lauded as one of the great Cape whites, this wine represents part of Franschhoek’s – and South Africa’s – history. From vines of at least 80 years of age, imbuing an intense richness and concentration reminiscent of Bordeaux, this opulent wine’s waxy lanolin and yellow-peach aromas unfurl and delight. A dinner-table showstopper. Now to 2020. 13%


M-IT18231 Barolo, Massolino 2010 £32 bottle £384 dozen

This fine, ripe 2010 shows the greatness of the vintage with a scented, complex, cherry-and-plum laden perfume. A full but fresh palate with good length of flavour and the natural sweetness of well-ripened fruit on the persistent finish. Now to 2020. 14%

M-IT20631 Barolo, Pio Cesare 2011 £39 bottle £468 dozen

Gorgeous scented wine, whose beautiful perfume evokes roses and violets with hints of dark cherries. Silky and layered on the generously textured palate, packed with sweet but classy fruit with a harmonious long finish showing the charm of this well-balanced vintage. Decant an hour in advance and fill large glasses half full! Now to 2025. 14.5%

M-IT22261 Barolo Cerretta, Luigi Baudana 2012 £45 bottle £540 dozen

Power and structure combine with elegance and sweetness of fruit from one of the great Serralunga vineyards. A soaring perfume of cherries, roses and a touch of liquorice; all violets, roses and cherries on the palate, held together with impeccable fine tannins. The charm of the 2012 vintage means that this wine is lovely to drink now, but it will age well too. Now to 2026. 14.5%

Barolo Villero, Giacomo Fenocchio 2011 Giacomo Fenocchio now makes four excellent single-vineyard Barolos, and Villero stood

out for its almost Burgundian perfume and spicy appeal in 2011. Excellent mid-palate and aftertaste, and still improving. Now to 2025. 14.5% Only available as part of the mixed case below.

Barolo Cannubi, Luigi Einaudi 2012 The best wines of the large commune of Cannubi, close to the town of Barolo itself,

are famous for their fragrant bouquet, which this lavender-and-violet scented wine shows to perfection, supporting it with a voluptuous, full, velvety palate. Still improving, but a memorably fine Barolo already. Now to 2024. 14.5% Only available as part of the mixed case below.

Barolo Cannubi, GB Burlotto 2012 A lovely wine with fragrant red-fruit bouquet and gorgeous seductive flavour characteristic

of this famous vineyard, often referred to as the ‘Chambolle-Musigny of Barolo.’ Indeed, Burgundy lovers will find much to enjoy here. Now to 2023. 14% Only available as part of the mixed case below.

BAROLO TREASURESA recent tasting of Barolos held in our cellars proved a revelation, for a number of reasons. These six wines show a bewitching combination of the influences that vigneron, vineyard and vintage can have on this most celebrated of all Italian regions, and we are delighted to make them available here. They span the excellent 2010, warm-hearted 2011 and charming 2012 vintages via some of the region’s leading lights.

Stocks of these archive wines are low, meaning that three are only available in the mixed case, a collection we recommend wholeheartedly. Sebastian Payne MW

BAROLO TREASURES CASE £219Drink now or store to 2020

A six-bottle case containing one bottle of each of the six wines above.

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WASHINGTONSTATE OF THE ARTAlong with our USA buyer, Sarah Knowles MW, I have put together this delicious and diverse selection to give you a true taste of what we believe to be one of the most exciting and fast-emerging new world wine regions. I was lucky enough to visit this north-westerly US state last year and discover its exciting wine movement, the spoils of which I am thrilled to be showcasing.

The conditions in WA are so good, and the investment recently has been so large, that the possibilities for producing excellent-quality wines are vast and many different grape varieties are already well established. The wineries’ thriving cellar-door market means that getting anything outside of the state is sometimes very difficult. We are the first people to bring Lauren Ashton wines into the UK and very proud of that too. Freddy Bulmer

Find out more: get the full story from our latest buying trip to this wonderful region in the new edition of Travels In Wine on our website:

visit thewinesociety.com/travels

WHITESM-US7211 Grace Lane Washington Riesling 2015 £9.95 bottle £119 dozen

Showing Washington’s white-winemaking prowess at an exceptional price, Grace Lane’s riesling is just off-dry and packed with lime-and-lemon scents and flavours. This style of new world riesling is becoming increasingly popular, in part thanks to its wonderful affinity with Asian food. Well worth a whirl with a Thai or Chinese stir-fry. Now to 2019. 11.5%

M-US7131 H I P Dionysus Vineyard Washington Chardonnay 2014 £10.95 bottle £131 dozen

Colombia Valley enjoys a unique terroir, offering perfect conditions for growing fresh and fragrant chardonnay. This is crisp and refreshing, with stone-fruit and citrus aromas and a hint of sage. Superb value. Now to 2019. 13.5%

REDSM-US7121 Lauren Ashton Cellars Cuvée Arlette Cabernet-Merlot, Washington 2013 £21 bottle £252 dozen

A ‘Bordeaux blend’ from one of Seattle’s many excellent urban wineries, combining 59% merlot, 23% cabernet franc, 15% cabernet sauvignon and 1.5% each of malbec and petit verdot. Bursting with dark fruit, caramel and chocolate, all held together by elegant tannins and acidity, with sweet spice on the finish. Now to 2023. 14.5%

M-US7141 Goedhart Family Bel Villa Vineyard Red Mountain Syrah 2012 £26 bottle £312 dozen

A mouthwatering single-vineyard syrah from near the top of Washington State’s Red Mountain. Rounded yet with freshness, it combines bright red and black fruit with earthy complexity and a spot-hitting twist of pepper spice. Now to 2022. 14%

M-US7151 Hedges Family Estate Red Mountain 2012 £26 bottle £312 dozen

A flagship wine produced using grapes from each of the family’s vineyards. The result is a pure and elegant red with a seductive, deep colour, firm tannins and pristine acidity. Superb. Now to 2027. 13.5%

M-US7161 L’Ecole No 41 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 £36 bottle £432 dozen

A classic, elegant and structured cabernet with a wow-factor perfume of dark berries, sweet spice and sage. On the palate, indulgent plum and cassis fruit is complemented by dark-chocolate and coffee notes, before a full, fresh and long finish. Highly recommended. Now to 2028. 14.5%

FINE WASHINGTON REDS CASE £135Drink or store to 2022

A six-bottle case containing two bottles of each of the following wines:

Lauren Ashton Cellars Cuvée Arlette Cabernet-Merlot, Washington 2013Goedhart Family Bel Villa Vineyard Red Mountain Syrah 2012 Hedges Family Estate Red Mountain 2012

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SPAIN: ALBARIÑOM-SP12791 Altos de Torona Albariño, Rías Baixas 2016 £10.95 bottle £131 dozen

A fantastic-value introduction to fine albariño. Garlanded with a Gold by Decanter and IWC Trophies for the best albariño in Rías Baixas and the world respectively, it is a wine of exceptional purity and elegance, with a perfect balance between vibrant citrus fruit and oatmealy complexity. Enjoy! Drink this year or next. 13%

M-SP12401 Fefiñanes Albariño, Rías Baixas, 2016 £14.95 bottle £179 dozen

Rías Baixas’ most historic albariño producer is a hit year after year, but the 2016 distinguishes itself in particular for its round mineral palate, whose smooth texture and peachy flavour are supported by a life-affirming zing of acidity. Now to 2019. 13.5%

M-SP12281 Do Ferreiro Albariño Cepas Vellas, Rías Baixas 2015 £24 bottle £288 dozen

A rare bottling from Do Ferreiro, only made in exceptional years. Wonderful low-yielding old vineyards and ageing the wine for 11 months on its lees result in an intense yet poised albariño with serious length. Now to 2021. 12.5%

M-SP10941 Pazo Señorans Selección de Añada Albariño, Rías Baixas 2007 £29 bottle £348 dozen

Albariño can respond well to ageing on the yeast lees that come about naturally during fermentation. This really pushes the envelope to show the potential of this technique. After nearly three years on its lees and a further three in bottle before release, this is broad, biscuity and intense, with beautiful structure and length. Now to 2019. 13%

PORTUGAL: ALVARINHOM-PW6531 Soalheiro Alvarinho, Vinho Verde 2016 £16 bottle £192 dozen

This Decanter Platinum award winner is ebulliently expressive and has the heady fragrance of a warm spring meadow, underpinned by a bright Atlantic freshness. A perfect introduction to fine Vinho Verde and a joy to drink with or without food. Now to 2021. 12.5%

M-PW6521 Anselmo Mendes ‘Muros de Melgaço’ Alvarinho, Vinho Verde 2015 £18 bottle £216 dozen

The unique bottle is suggestive of a ‘statement’ wine, but this Vinho Verde is both refined and restrained. Barrel fermented, but only in older barrels, its classy minerality and texture are reminiscent of premier cru Chablis. Now to 2022. 12.5%

M-PW6441 Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas Alvarinho, Vinho Verde 2016 £20 bottle £240 dozen

In Portugal, ‘first’ vines (primeiras vinhas) are the old vines which here deliver depth and complexity, but displayed in an exquisitely refined, pristine white with delicate floral aromas and crystalline freshness. Now to 2024. 13%

M-PW6511 Anselmo Mendes ‘Expressões’, Vinho Verde 2015 £25 bottle £300 dozen

Anselmo Mendes’s wines are serial winners in our annual ‘Wine Champions’ blind tastings and continue to show the quality and potential of both alvarinho and Vinho Verde. This is a celebration of both, via the granite soils of Monção which imbue the wine with great finesse, purity and energy, balanced by gentle texture and fine length. Now to 2023. 12.5%

YOU SAY ALBARIÑO, I SAY ALVARINHO…Albariño (as it’s known in Spain) and alvarinho (in Portugal) is one of Iberia’s finest grapes. It is also currently one of the most fashionable, and such is the buzz its native incarnations are causing on the global wine scene, plantings are now springing up as far afield as South Africa.

The regions that have become synonymous with the grape are Spain’s Rías Baixas (in Galicia) and Portugal’s Monção e Melgaço (in Vinho Verde country). The Spanish examples tend towards a riper style with more generous peachy fleshiness; while in Portugal the influence of the Atlantic seems to be greater, offering wines with saline freshness and precision. These wines tend to be at their most comfortable with fine seafood, but they have so much more to offer – including, in many cases, ageing potential. The handful of producers featured below represents the finest exponents of the art. Pierre Mansour & Joanna Locke MW


THE ALBARIÑO & ALVARINHO COLLECTION £99Drink this year or next


SPAINAltos de Torona Albariño, Rías Baixas 2016Fefiñanes Albariño, Rías Baixas 2016Do Ferreiro Albariño Cepas Vellas, Rías Baixas 2015PoRTuGALSoalheiro Alvarinho, Vinho Verde 2016Anselmo Mendes Muros de Melgaço Alvarinho, Vinho Verde 2015Soalheiro Primeiras Vinhas Alvarinho, Vinho Verde 2016

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IMPECCABLE VINTAGE CHAMPAGNEThe vintage Champagnes here have been chosen to reflect the subtleties of vintage years and the different houses’ idiosyncrasies. Thanks to the life-enhancing acidity and richness that comes with the very best harvests, these wines age gracefully and slowly, but this vintage-straddling selection of outstanding examples are all at their impeccable best. They are the result of years of craftsmanship, starting with the initial fermentation when the grapes are picked to extensive maturation in bottle until ready to drink. Pierre Mansour

M-CH3401 Laherte Frères Les Vignes d’Autrefois 2012 £39 bottle £234 six This is a rare breed of vintage Champagne, made as it is from 100% pinot meunier. This

comparatively unsung grape has made a gentle, round and complex wine here, boasting both biscuity richness and ripe appley flavours. The balance and understated intensity is achieved via both immaculate source material – the vines were planted in the 1940s and have been tended impeccably – and the winemaking craftsmanship of the Laherte family. Now to 2021. 12.5%

M-CH3421 Alfred Gratien, Cuvée Paradis Brut 2008 £52 bottle £312 six The 2008 vintage will go down as one of the great Champagne years, and this stunning

prestige cuvée from Alfred Gratien – a trusted source of fine fizz for The Society for over a century – is gentle, smooth and utterly delicious. A triumph that is rich and intense enough to enjoy now, but imbued with all the structure it needs to age with grace. Now to 2025. 12.5%

M-CH3231 Pol Roger Vintage Brut 2006 £52.50 bottle £315 six A gorgeous vintage Pol Roger, made up of 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay. Aged

for nine years in the deepest part of this world-renowned property’s cellars, this wine is instantly appealing with its generous, round flavour and stylish structure. A treat to savour now, or any time until 2023. 12.5%

M-CH3001 Charles Heidsieck Brut Millésime 2005 £62 bottle £372 six Charles Heidsieck produced a fabulous 2005. Pale-gold in colour with a remarkable

perfume and a palate that offers both depth of flavour and deftness of touch. This was aged for eight years on its lees, contributing complexity, texture and finesse. A wine that rests its quality on breadth of flavour and body. Now to 2025. 12%

M-CH3541 Bollinger La Grande Année 2007 £69 bottle £414 six A rich, round and satisfying vintage Champagne, typical of the Bollinger style and crafted

from some of the very finest vineyards in the region. Finesse and hedonism collide in a soft-textured, broadly flavoured and utterly superb wine. Now to 2020. 12%

M-CH3351 Louis Roederer Cristal 2009 £139 bottle £834 six The world-famous Cristal is a blend of grands crus from old vines in Louis Roederer’s

best vineyards. Luxuriously rich and full-bodied, fine-textured and irresistible now, the 2009 has immense depth, purity and energy. Now to 2026. 12%


CHARDONNAYM-AU20111 Paringa ‘Peninsula’ Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay 2016 £22 bottle £264 dozen

A textbook example of the region’s fine and vibrant style of chardonnay from an excellent source. Baked apple and baking spice mingle on the nose, while the palate offers a mouthwatering medium-bodied mix of pear and stone fruit, finishing with an appetising touch of brioche. Smart, focused and highly recommended. Now to 2020. 14% Not available until the end of September but members can order now.

M-AU19951 Kooyong Estate Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay 2016 £22 bottle £264 dozen

Kooyong are rightly counted among the very finest exponents of modern Aussie chardonnay. With a touch of struck match on the nose, which complements the fruit aromas beautifully, and a taut elegant palate with lemon and green-apple flavours, this is a poised wine of great intensity and subtlety. Now to 2020. 13.5%

M-AU20031 ocean Eight ‘Verve’ Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay 2015 £28 bottle £336 dozen

Mike Aylward only makes around 900 cases of this at his converted-stable winery, and we’re thrilled to have secured some for you. Elegant and taut, with notes of Granny Smith apples and lemon, complemented by seamlessly judged fine oak. Now to 2020. 12.5% Not available until the end of September but members can order now.

M-AU19941 Kooyong Faultline Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay 2015 £30 bottle £360 dozen

A sophisticated modern chardonnay from a master of the style, whose green-apple aromas are complemented by complex flint and gunsmoke notes. Textured and stylish on the palate with ripe lemon, yoghurt and apple flavours, fanning out on the refreshing finish, this is a wine of effortless complexity and considerable ageing potential. Now to 2023. 13%

PINOT NOIR M-AU19961 Kooyong Estate Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2015 £28 bottle £336 dozen

The sappy, cherry-fruited style of Mornington pinot is encapsulated wonderfully here. A gorgeous redcurrant perfume, notes of spice and cranberry on the complex light-bodied palate, fine tannins and a perfumed finish all make for a delightful wine with a delicate touch. Now to 2022. 13%

M-AU19161 Kooyong Ferrous Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2013 £33 bottle £396 dozen

Kooyong’s single-vineyard pinots are much sought-after, and Ferrous (a small 1.3-hectare plot of 16-year-old vines) offers the richest of the styles. Vanilla and oak aromas leap from the glass, which settle on the palate alongside plum, red-cherry and rhubarb flavours. Impressive and, for all its richness, very elegant. Now to 2022. 14%

SHIRAZM-AU20101 Paringa ‘Peninsula’ Mornington Peninsula Shiraz 2015 £23 bottle £276 dozen

Mornington Peninsula’s cool-climate shiraz is winning plaudits for its perfumed intensity, rather than the fullness that many associate with this much-loved Aussie export. This is a superb advert for the style, with blackberry and black-pepper crunch and a long-lasting finish. Now to 2020. 14% Not available until the end of September but members can order now.

M-AU20121 Paringa Estate Mornington Peninsula Shiraz 2013 £35 bottle £420 dozen

Paringa hold this Estate-label wine back for a little while before release. As a result, the 2013 is imbued with complex bramble and leather aromas, spice and hedgerow fruit. Utterly delicious. Now to 2023. 14% Not available until the end of September but members can order now.

MORNINGTON PENINSULA THE HEARTBEAT OF MODERN AUSTRALIAPart of Australia’s ‘garden state’, Victoria, the Mornington Peninsula‘s gently rolling hills contain a treasure trove of complex old soils and a cool maritime climate – a godsend for chardonnay, pinot noir and elegant styles of shiraz. The conditions here offer a thriving environment for winemakers. Melbourne, a mere hour or so’s drive north on the highway, offers a flourishing market for the wines, too. New bars and restaurants are opening all the time here, providing a thirsty young audience of foodies eager to try the region’s modern, cuisine-focused wines. Fortunately, we’ve managed to ship these wines, from three of the region’s leading lights, over to the UK for our members to enjoy! What’s more, we’re delighted to offer a modest saving on the mixed case to encourage you to take the plunge. Sarah Knowles MW


THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA £145COLLECTION Drink or store to 2020 Offered with a saving to encourage members to explore these wonderful gastronomic wines, this six-bottle case features one bottle of each of the following:

WHITEocean Eight ‘Verve’ Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay 2015Kooyong Estate Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay 2016Paringa ‘Peninsula’ Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay 2016REDKooyong Estate Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2015Paringa ‘Peninsula’ Mornington Peninsula Shiraz 2015Paringa Estate Mornington Peninsula Shiraz 2013

ref M-MX17186 Not available until the end of September but members can order now.

CHÂTEAU VIGNELAUREFIVE-STAR PROVENCEChâteau Vignelaure is a modern French classic whose reds have a reputation for stellar quality and ageing potential, as evidenced by these gems, available to enjoy in a ‘mini-vertical’ mixed case.

Vignelaure was created in the 1960s by Georges Brunet, one-time owner of Bordeaux third growth Château La Lagune. Choosing a site in the beautiful Provençal countryside, he set about planting cabernet sauvignon using cuttings taken from La Lagune. To this he added syrah, and a star truly was born. Today the estate is owned by Swedish couple Bengt and Mette Sundstrom, who fell in love with the place while looking for a place to retire in the south of France. It is not hard to see why. I urge you to capture a little moment of the sun with these wonderful wines. Marcel Orford-Williams

CHÂTEAU VIGNELAURE MINI-VERTICAL £105TASTING CASE Drink or store to 2023

A six-bottle case containing two bottles of each of the following wines which are only available as part of this mixed case:

Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, Château Vignelaure 2012The 2012 vintage of this richly scented cabernet-syrah blend is just starting to show its mettle. Layers of blackcurrant and blackberry with a touch of olive, sprinkled with Provençal herbs and framed by smooth tannins. A treat now, but still on the young side. Now to 2027. 14%

Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, Château Vignelaure 20102010 was an outstanding vintage at Vignelaure, as shown by the incredible density and concentration of this formidable southern red. Dark with brooding power, this is a wine of remarkable matter and substance that will continue to unfurl and delight to 2028. 14%

Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, Château Vignelaure 2008A lovely, elegant and classy expression of Vignelaure’s ample charms and, unsurprisingly, the most approachable of this trio, even though there’s no hurry! A wine of controlled power and considerable charm; a rack of lamb with Provençal herbs would be an exquisite match. Now to 2023. 13.5%

ref M-MX17183 Limited stock, one case only per member.

SAVE £13


RIBERA DEL DUERO Ribera’s fiercely hot summers are tempered by the vineyards’ high elevation, resulting in Spain’s boldest examples of the tempranillo grape (known here as tinta fino). The best wines balance the rich fruit with lively acidity and velvety tannins.

M-SP10121 Viña Pedrosa Crianza, Ribera del Duero 2012 £16 bottle £192 dozen

Stylish, savoury and velvety, this is a serious, world-class fine wine and, as such, superb value. Smoky oak and plump plum fruit mingle on the nose and continue on the broad-flavoured palate with superb balance and freshness. Now to 2025. 14%

M-SP12321 Prado Rey Reserva, Ribera del Duero 2010 £16.50 bottle £198 dozen

Prado Rey own 520 hectares of excellent Ribera vineyards from which they craft an enviable range of wines, and their 2010 reserva is a layered, complex and generous example with a cedary, blueberry-fruited palate. Now to 2021. 14.5%

M-SP10591 Viña Pedrosa Reserva, Ribera del Duero 2011 £26 bottle £312 dozen

Winemaker José Manuel Pérez reckons 2011 is one of the greatest vintages Ribera del Duero has seen. His reserva, selected from vineyards over 45 years old, is exotic, profound and very long. The use of 10% cabernet sauvignon gives the wine a wonderful velvety texture. Decant 30 minutes before serving to enjoy it to the full. Now to 2028. 14.5%

PRIORATThe dramatic terraced vineyards of Priorat offer the perfect ingredients for growing tiny yields of remarkable garnacha, carignan (known locally as samsó) and syrah, which are crafted into powerful yet fine reds that impress with their sheer concentration of flavour.

M-SP12871 Mas Doix Salanques, Priorat 2014 £30 bottle £360 dozen

A beautifully made Priorat from this rising star estate. The secret behind Mas Doix is the old-vine carignan (forming 25% of the blend here) which provides lift and fragrance to this inky, concentrated and textured Priorat with mostly garnacha (65%) and a touch of spicy syrah (10%) accounting for the power and complexity. Now to 2022. 14.5%

M-SP11891 Clos Mogador, Priorat 2013 £49 bottle £588 dozen

Clos Mogador was one of Priorat’s original wineries, and it has quickly become one of Spain’s most sought-after reds. A blend of 40% garnacha, 28% cabernet sauvignon, 15% cariñena and 17% syrah, this deep, dense wine unfurls a cornucopia of complex yet friendly flavours, its huge chunky tannins framing a beguiling fusion of minerality and fruit intensity. Now to 2027. 15% The 2014 follows.

Scala Dei Cartoixa, Priorat 2012 A wine of great breeding and distinction, and a pioneer of Priorat. This manages to be

both stylish and powerful, with rich damson fruit and spice. Smooth, velvety and still youthful so we advise decanting it an hour before serving. Now to 2023. 15% Only available as part of the mixed case below.

RIBERA & PRIORATWHO REIGNS IN SPAIN? Ribera del Duero and Priorat share an ambition to be Spain’s pre-eminent fine wine region along with Rioja, not to mention a remarkable array of bold, intense but elegant reds. This selection gathers some of the most impressive examples from these world-class Spanish regions. Pierre Mansour

RIBERA DEL DUERO & PRIORAT CASE £169Drink or store to 2023


Viña Pedrosa Reserva, Ribera del Duero 2011Mas Doix Salanques, Priorat 2014Scala Dei Cartoixa, Priorat 2012

ref M-MX17182

SAVE £11


M-BU64781 Domaine André Bonhomme, Mâcon-Villages 2015 £11.50 bottle £138 dozen

This excellent-value white Burgundy is made from vines of 50 years of age and over. Rich and concentrated wine with good, food-friendly ‘grip’ on the palate. Now to 2021. 13.5%

M-BU63321 Château de Beauregard, Saint-Véran Vernay 2015 £14.95 bottle £179 dozen

The charismatic, passionate and industrious Frédéric Burrier has done much to raise the quality bar in this tiny enclave of the southern Mâconnais. This is a fine-flavoured unoaked Saint-Véran from a cool spot in Chasselas, which has succeeded in producing a fresh and beautifully balanced wine in this warm year. Now to 2021. 13%

M-BU63231 Domaine Guillemot-Michel, Viré-Clessé Quintaine 2015 £19 bottle £228 dozen

This tiny, quality-obsessed biodynamic estate uses no oak in the winery; the grapes are just pressed gently, in whole bunches, resulting in a wonderfully rich, powerful yet unoaked 2015 white Burgundy. Now to 2021. 13%

M-BU60041 Château de Beauregard, Pouilly-Fuissé Vers Cras 2014 £22 bottle £264 dozen

Our trio of Frédéric Burrier’s single-vineyard Pouilly-Fuissés begins with this excellent white from the limestone plateau that surrounds Château de Beauregard in a superb vintage. The soil lends a firm, fine, mineral flavour to this ripe yet balanced wine. Now to 2023. 13%

M-BU63301 Château de Beauregard, Pouilly-Fuissé Insarts 2015 £24 bottle £288 dozen

This is a big, bold and powerful white imbued with considerable structure, which supports the opulent, honeyed fruit from this sunny vineyard. Now to 2023. 14.5%

M-BU63311 Château de Beauregard, Pouilly-Fuissé Maréchaude 2015 £24 bottle £288 dozen

The excellent Maréchaude is a south-facing vineyard in the high, cool village of Vergisson. In keeping with the style of the 2015 vintage, this is a ripe and full-flavoured wine, yet it has lovely balancing freshness due to the altitude of the vineyard. Now to 2023. 14%

WHITE BURGUNDY – RETURN OF THE MÂCThe quality of recent white Burgundy vintages is matched only by the scarcity of the spoils; but if one area is rising to the challenge of the competitive marketplace, it’s the Mâconnais. This is the reason I often recommend wines from this part of Burgundy: the top producers have been working incredibly hard to produce exceptional wines at conspicuously attractive prices. Yields have been reduced, vineyards are being ploughed (rather than using herbicides) and harvesting is being narrowed to an increasingly tight timeframe to ensure perfect fruit maturity. The quality that has resulted can be tasted in this selection via some of its best growers (including a mixed case of Château de Beauregard’s superb Pouilly-Fuissé wines) and two excellent recent vintages. 2015 was a warm year, producing ripe but firm and muscular wines, while 2014 is one of the best vintages of the last 20 years, showing a lovely tension between ripeness and freshness. Toby Morrhall

2015 WHITE BURGUNDY CASE £89Drink or store to 2021


Domaine André Bonhomme, Mâcon-Villages 2015Domaine Guillemot-Michel, Viré-Clessé Quintaine 2015Château de Beauregard, Saint-Véran Vernay 2015

ref M-MX17185

THE CHÂTEAU DE BEAUREGARD £139SINGLE VINEYARD COLLECTIONDrink or store to 2023


Château de Beauregard, Pouilly-Fuissé Vers Cras 2014Château de Beauregard, Pouilly-Fuissé Insarts 2015Château de Beauregard, Pouilly-Fuissé Maréchaude 2015

ref M-MX17184


WHITESM-AL13261 Terroir des Châteaux Forts, Domaine Rolly-Gassmann 2014 £11.50 bottle £138 dozen

Rolly-Gassmann is one of the great names of Alsace, and this brightly perfumed blend shows their pristine pedigree at an appetising price. The 2014 blend has less gewurztraminer than usual, meaning that it is riesling whose flavours dominate the elegant mineral core, with grapefruit-like freshness and fine length. Now to 2020. 13.5%

M-LO12891 Cour-Cheverny Cuvée Renaissance, Le Petit Chambord 2014 £11.95 bottle £143 dozen

A medium-dry Loire bargain from older-vine fruit, only made in certain vintages and sadly something of a rarity these days. Its relative sweetness is achieved by stopping the fermentation, leaving 19g of natural sugar in the wine, and the result is as delicious as it is refreshing, making it a delectable aperitif and a fine match for pâté, blue or richer goat’s cheese, or even a fruit tart. Now to 2020. 13%

M-IT24121 Soave Classico Ca’ Visco, Coffele 2016 £12.95 bottle £155 dozen

Delicious with fine scent and flavour with hints of lime, this really shows what top Soave can achieve. The Coffele family have a marvellous portfolio of vineyards of which they take great care, farming organically. This is a marvellous vintage too, and the wine will age beautifully over the next few years. Now to 2021. 13%

M-IT23811 Gewürztraminer Joseph, Hofstätter 2016 £13.95 bottle £167 dozen

Hofstätter’s wines have been a fixture on Society Lists since 1982, and their beautiful winery is in Tramin, the birthplace of the now widely travelled gewürztraminer grape. Unsurprisingly, the family take great pride in this wine, and the 2016 is beautifully scented and delicate. Uncloying, fresh and imbued with lovely Alpine purity. Now to 2020. 14%

M-SP12821 Valdesil Sobre Lias Godello 2015 £16 bottle £192 dozen

The godello grape is a modern Spanish success story, producing classy mineral whites that can give many a more established variety a serious run for its money. This superb example shows how well it responds to extra time on its yeast lees (sobre lias), adding an appetising bready complexity to this beautifully structured, gentle, dry and soft white. A star that would shine especially brightly with fine seafood. Now to 2019. 13.5%

M-EN1011 Bolney Pinot Gris 2015 £16 bottle £192 dozen

Bolney Wine Estate is one of England’s most exciting sources of top-quality wine. This spicily flavoured pinot gris is as refreshing as it is satisfying, offering hints of grapefruit, pears and a delicately honeyed quality. Now to 2020. 11.5%

M-SA12391 Botanica Mary Delany Collection Chenin Blanc, Citrusdal Mountain 2014 £17 bottle £204 dozen

A relatively new wine but already an established part of the Cape’s fine-wine firmament, boasting successive five-star ratings from South African wine bible, Platter’s Guide. Don’t miss the chance to try this fresh yet food-friendly old-vine chenin blanc, whose grapefruit-like citrus fruit and fashionable ‘struck-match’ touches are complemented by savoury, mealy complexity. Now to 2020. 14%

M-HU1041 Mád Furmint Király Grand Cru, Tokaji Classic 2015 £18 bottle £216 dozen

You would, if we may say so, be Mád to miss this Hungarian fine-wine bargain, which comes from the heart of the finest vineyards in Tokaji via its most distinguished grape. Full, fiery and balanced by distinctive fruity acidity, which gives it length on the palate, this is both an invigorating aperitif and a convivial partner for spicy dishes. Now to 2021. 14%

SMALL WONDERS: FINE WINE AT £20 AND UNDERBack by popular demand, we present a clutch of bang-for-buck bottles from a smorgasbord of sources. Spanning such well-heeled classics as the Rhône, Chianti and Alsace alongside rewarding Romanian, Hungarian and homegrown English forays, this fresh edition of Small Wonders combines effortless class on the palate with corresponding ease on the wallet.

SMALL WONDERS WHITES CASE £89Drink or store to 2020


Cour-Cheverny Cuvée Renaissance, Le Petit Chambord 2014Soave Classico Ca’ Visco, Coffele 2016Gewürztraminer Joseph, Hofstätter 2016

ref M-MX17192

Bolney Pinot Gris 2015Botanica Mary Delany Collection Chenin Blanc, Citrusdal Mountain 2014Mád Furmint Király Grand Cru, Tokaji Classic 2015


REDSM-LO12791 Touraine Chenonceaux Rouge, Domaine de la Renaudie 2014 £10.95 bottle £131 dozen

This lovely, deep-coloured wine hails from one of the newest appellations in France, launched in 2011 to raise both the quality bar and profile of the Loire’s Touraine region. On the basis of this sweetly perfumed, structured and spicy blend of 70% côt (aka malbec) with cabernet franc, it would appear a sound decision. Drink this year or next. 12%

M-RH36081 Valréas Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Val des Rois 2012 £10.95 bottle £131 dozen

Emmanuel Bouchard, whose family tree reveals a distant link to the famed Burgundian Bouchards, farms on mostly north-facing slopes overlooking the bustling town of Valréas. Burgundian, however, this is not! A ripe, damson-rich blend of 70% grenache with the balance syrah, this outstanding-value Rhône red has taken on touches of herbs and spice after some time in bottle and comes highly recommended. Now to 2022. 14%

M-SP12551 Jesús Romero Rubus Quercus Garnacha-Syrah 2015 £12.50 bottle £150 dozen

A powerful testament to the value that can be found in Spain and the benefits of altitude in a warm region. This small vineyard in Teruel, north-west of Valencia, lies at 1,000 metres altitude, tempering the blistering conditions to balance the fruit’s ripe blackberry-laden charms with a bright zing of refreshing acidity. Now to 2021. 15%

M-FC32511 Coteaux du Languedoc Clos des Lièvres, Mas Gabriel 2013 £14.50 bottle £174 dozen

This gorgeous full-bodied syrah-dominated red hails from near Pézenas, where the influence of volcanic soils offers excellent conditions for grape growing. A splash of carignan adds to the complexity and the blend is given ample time in barrel and bottle before release. Owners Deborah and Peter Core say that a rack of lamb is a particularly fine match, and we think this sounds like a fine idea. Now to 2021. 14.5%

M-IT24131 Barbera d’Alba Superiore Conca del Grillo, Silvano Bolmida 2015 £16 bottle £192 dozen

Silvano Bolmida oozes a burning passion and infectious energy. He has made it his life’s work to push Mother Nature to the absolute maximum but, crucially, in a sustainable way – or as he puts it, ‘not like a hippy’! The fruit of his labours can be tasted in this marvellous barbera, which was left for 90 days on its skins to impart extra richness and depth. A wine that fills the mouth before leaving it fresh and ready for more. Now to 2021. 14.5%

M-RO171 Novac Sec, Prince Știrbey 2013 £16 bottle £192 dozen

Not just royal by name: Prince Știrbey is produced by Princess Ileana – granddaughter of Princess Maria Știrbey – and her husband, Baron Jakob Kripp. They only produce single-varietal wines and indeed are the only producer of this original Romanian red. The novac grape is a cross of local negru with saperavi, and offers ripe but fresh and juicy flavours, making it a very attractive red. Drink this year or next. 13%

M-IT24031 Chianti Classico La Tradizione, Poggiopiano 2013 £17 bottle £204 dozen

A beautifully balanced Chianti made from a selection of the best sangiovese grapes on the Poggiopiano estate, an address some members will know as the source of our Exhibition-label Chianti. Aged for 30 months before release, it is at once generous and full of vitality, with remarkable body and richness. Now to 2023. 14.5%

M-FC29391 Corbières Le 3 de Castelmaure 2013 £18 bottle £216 dozen

This comes from what is without doubt one of the best co-operatives in France, small enough to be managed like a large domaine, and with an obsessive focus on quality. This triumphantly full yet beautifully balanced Corbières benefits from some very well-judged barrel ageing, delivering ample fruit and peppery complexity. Now to 2020. 14.5%

M-IT23931 Castello di Potentino Sangiovese, The Winemaker’s Release 2010 £19 bottle £228 dozen

We loved Charlotte Horton’s take on sangiovese, which has more in common with good Châteauneuf-du-Pape than Chianti Classico, coming from southern Tuscany on the lower slopes of Monte Amiata. Full, generous and satisfying and with a lovely David Gentleman print of the castle itself on the label. Now to 2020. 14.5%

SMALL WONDERS REDS CASE £79Drink or store to 2018


Touraine Chenonceaux Rouge, Domaine de la Renaudie 2014Valréas Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, Val des Rois 2012

Jesús Romero Rubus Quercus Garnacha-Syrah 2015Coteaux du Languedoc Clos des Lièvres, Mas Gabriel 2013

Barbera d’Alba Superiore Conca del Grillo, Silvano Bolmida 2015Castello di Potentino Sangiovese, The Winemaker’s Release 2010ref M-MX17191

FNSEP17

This offer is open until Sunday 29th october, 2017 while stocks last.

thewinesociety.com/fi newines

uncork with confi dence

The Wine Society is a mutual organisation, so our members’ satisfaction is paramount. If, for any reason, you haven’t enjoyed a wine we want to hear about it and will happily offer a credit, a replacement or a refund. thewinesociety.com/promise

HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS LIST INCLUDE:BORDEAUX: a prime Pauillac collection.

CHAMPAGNE: vintage gems from the smartest addresses.

BAROLO: treasures from 2010, 2011 and 2012.

WASHINGTON STATE: discover the quality and value.

SMALL WONDERS: fine wines at £20 and under.

Fine Wines September 2017 B - The Wine Society AFRICA’S BORDEAUX PALETTE 4 ... THE ECSTASY OF...

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Transcript of Fine Wines September 2017 B - The Wine Society AFRICA’S BORDEAUX PALETTE 4 ... THE ECSTASY OF...