MoneyWeek

2020 Pellegrino, Isesi Zibibbo, Pantelleria, Italy

I attended the Fells Annual Portfolio Tasting the other day, and it was a cracker. This elite wine importer is responsible for bringing world-famous estates like Hugel, Guigal, Torres, Yalumba, Torbreck, and Tyrrell’s, among hosts of others as well as a suite of epic fortified wines including Barbadillo, Blandy’s, Graham’s, Dow’s Warre’s and…
Read more

2020 Vinha Grande, Casa Ferreirinha, Douro Tinto, Portugal

A couple of weeks ago, in my Wednesday Wines article on my website, I wrote up the new 2019 vintage of Casa Ferreirinha’s epic single estate Douro red, Vinha da Leda.  Weighing in at £65, this is one of the most ‘affordable’ of the world’s truly great red wines.  Of course, £65 is affordable to some but not many, so some of my readers asked…
Read more

2020 Valli, Bannockburn Vineyard Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand

Aussie wine scribe Tyson Stelzer and I compiled an annual classification of New Zealand Pinot Noir from 2008 until 2019 – you can download them, free to view, from my website. I ducked out of this commitment a couple of years ago because I could not, hand on heart, see the evolution of this style continuing apace. NZ Pinot Noir has come a long way…
Read more

2019 Spottswoode, Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California

There are a handful of days each year when I am lucky to taste more than just a few stellar wines.  While it is rare for me to find wines to which I award scores over 19/20, on 2nd February, I tasted no fewer than ten wines with 19+ scores from just two estates.  I started the day with the 2020 releases from Domaine de la Romanée Conti, and there…
Read more

2021 Pouilly-Fumé, Petit F…, Domaine Michel Redde et Fils, Loire, France

I adore Michel Redde’s portfolio of stunning Sauvignon Blancs.  They typify the elegance and restraint of this oft-tutti-frutti variety.  In addition, they sing of the limestone, marl and flint soils uniquely responsible for the poise and precision of these wines.  On this page, back in July 2019, I alerted you to a ‘perfect-score’ Sauvignon…
Read more

2022 Crystallum, Clay Shales Chardonnay, Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and instead of selecting a pink fizz or a Provençal rosé, I have found the most incredible pair of elite Chardonnays, and you can pick the style that most suits you and your loved one! As I write this article, only a couple of merchants have ordered stock of these two spectacular wines, but this number is sure…
Read more

2021 Pinot Blanc, Reserve, Domaine Weinbach, Alsace, France

I have previously recommended three Weinbach wines on this page over the past 17 years, featuring a Gewurztraminer, a Riesling and a Pinot Gris.  But this is the first time I have drawn your attention to their glorious interpretation of the Pinot Blanc grape.  Weinbach is my favourite estate in the whole of Alsace, and the wines taste like they are…
Read more

2017 Roda I Reserva, Rioja, Spain

You have to go back to the dawn of time, when Oddbins was in its heyday in the ‘90s, to remember when this now-legendary Rioja brand was introduced to the UK. Granted, back then, the futuristic stance, unique fruit quality, and sheer point of difference caught everyone’s interest. I loved the Rioja revolution when the new wave rebels eliminated…
Read more

NV Poirot, Cuvée Roland, Extra Brut, Premier Cru, Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, France

It’s probably too early to announce that I have found the best value Champagne of the year, but I feel very confident about this week’s featured wine. Its story is one you will not forget, and while you can order it over the phone, I insist you visit Shoreditch Wine House for an incredible ‘shopping experience’. Top Sommeliers Ben Van de Meutter…
Read more

2018 Maranges Rouge, 1er Cru La Fussière, Domaine Bachelet-Monnot, Burgundy, France

This week has been ‘2021 Burgundy En Primeur’ week in London.  Wine writers, buyers, and private clients have visited and tasted with UK-based Burgundy specialists to assess the vintage and put their names down for their preferred wines. However, this year’s campaign has not been the usual vinous bunfight because allocations are tiny.  The 2021…
Read more

2021 Oro de Castilla, Verdejo de Rueda, Spain

I have always been intrigued by the concept of interpretive dance.  Watching my daughters (now both at University), at primary school age, being asked to ‘move to the music’ was an eye-opening experience.  While they summoned up their finest, rhythmic, swaying moves, others were pogo-ing and beserking while a couple of keen lads managed an impressive…
Read more

2018 Black Chalk, Classic, England

A couple of weeks ago, I featured my Champagne pick of the season, and it is only fitting that English sparkling wine takes centre stage this week, so I set myself a challenge. I reviewed every sparkler I have tasted this year and shortlisted over 20 seriously delicious candidates for my ultimate pick for your end-of-year parties. I then carved off…
Read more