“2020 has produced a number of excellent wines and in parts can be confirmed as the conclusion of a great trilogy,” (Decanter magazine).
Bordeaux lovers, get ready for a sensational example from fine family estate and the exceptional 2020 vintage. The best news? You don’t have to pay a fortune for this lavish French red.
As critic James Suckling says: “2020 is the third outstanding vintage in a row for Bordeaux and marks perhaps the first time the region has experienced such a high-quality trilogy of superlative years.” Jancis Robinson says “some stunning wines have been produced in 2020” and Antoni Galloni loves its “balance of richness and energy”.
With SEVEN Golds to its name this lavish Bordeaux is certainly showing off how good this vintage has been.
A superior Bordeaux! You’ll notice the appellation is a Bordeaux Supérieur and yes, it is a step up in quality. A Bordeaux Supérieur is restricted to particular grape varieties and has to meet certain quality standards. It also has higher minimum alcohol levels and longer ageing requirements than regular Bordeaux AOC wines.
And it tastes like …? Magic in a glass! Deep purple in colour, the aroma is bursting with beautiful floral notes, ripe plums, blackberry, cassis, tobacco and spice. On the palate, savour silky fruit and creamy, cedary oak and a long, velvety finish. It’s a delicious partner to a good cut of steak – but do let it breathe a bit before you serve it.
With four Trophies and 80+ Golds, Château La Clarière is clear proof that Castillon wines can surpass those of next-door Grand Cru St-Émilion. From the exceptional 2019 & 2020 vintage, this is rich, velvety claret, packed with fruit.
We proudly represent one of France’s newest appellations, showcasing a French red that exemplifies sophisticated quality and exceptional value.
The Pic Saint-Loup was elevated to AOC status in 2016 in recognition of the region’s consistently outstanding wines. Named after the peak which bears the same name, the waters here are pristine, and the south-facing vineyards embrace the cool breezes of the Mediterranean.
La Closiere is an 80/20 split of the region’s iconic Syrah and Grenache. Small barrels are used for the Syrah (half of them new), while the Grenache is left to its own devices in larger 2,000L foudres. At 15% alcohol level, this is a hefty beast of a red but retains a beautiful elegance thanks to exquisite craftsmanship.
Château Lavabre La Closerie 2018 has been racking up some excellent scores from the world’s top wine critics…
“… a blockbuster bouquet of black fruits, camphor, graphite, ground pepper, and cured meats. With a touch more finesse and focus compared to the appellation release, it's full-bodied and has a beautifully balanced, concentrated, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish…”
“Blueberries, blackberries and licorice notes mark the nose, supported by hints of crushed stone and spicy oak. It's full-bodied and ripe but still balanced, with a more streamlined feel than the other Lavabre reds, along with silky tannins and a long, licorice-laden finish.”
“Opulent! Incredibly concentrated… Lots of sweetness but at the same time it isn't sweet. Fig molasses. Coal dust. Graphite. Caraway. Lots of texture on those tannins… Huge power and broad, glossy, muscled shoulders. Nothing understated about this wine."
We proudly represent one of France’s newest appellations, showcasing a French red that exemplifies sophisticated quality and exceptional value.
The Pic Saint-Loup was elevated to AOC status in 2016 in recognition of the region’s consistently outstanding wines. Named after the peak which bears the same name, the waters here are pristine, and the south-facing vineyards embrace the cool breezes of the Mediterranean.
La Closiere is an 80/20 split of the region’s iconic Syrah and Grenache. Small barrels are used for the Syrah (half of them new), while the Grenache is left to its own devices in larger 2,000L foudres. At 15% alcohol level, this is a hefty beast of a red but retains a beautiful elegance thanks to exquisite craftsmanship.
Château Lavabre La Closerie 2018 has been racking up some excellent scores from the world’s top wine critics…
“… a blockbuster bouquet of black fruits, camphor, graphite, ground pepper, and cured meats. With a touch more finesse and focus compared to the appellation release, it's full-bodied and has a beautifully balanced, concentrated, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish…”
“Blueberries, blackberries and licorice notes mark the nose, supported by hints of crushed stone and spicy oak. It's full-bodied and ripe but still balanced, with a more streamlined feel than the other Lavabre reds, along with silky tannins and a long, licorice-laden finish.”
“Opulent! Incredibly concentrated… Lots of sweetness but at the same time it isn't sweet. Fig molasses. Coal dust. Graphite. Caraway. Lots of texture on those tannins… Huge power and broad, glossy, muscled shoulders. Nothing understated about this wine."
Château Puy Castéra 2019 is a rich, velvety Bordeaux from a top Haut-Médoc estate, nestled between the prestigious Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe regions. This 6-year-old red has won 3 Gold medals and earned 90 points from Decanter Magazine, praised for its black fruit, cedar and vanilla oak nose, and elegant palate of nutmeg, leather, and bright redcurrant. A refined blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, it’s ideal with roast meats.
Château Puy Castéra 2019 is a rich, velvety Bordeaux from a top Haut-Médoc estate, nestled between the prestigious Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe regions. This 6-year-old red has won 3 Gold medals and earned 90 points from Decanter Magazine, praised for its black fruit, cedar and vanilla oak nose, and elegant palate of nutmeg, leather, and bright redcurrant. A refined blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, it’s ideal with roast meats.
He makes wines with “abundant personality” (Italian Wine Guide Gambero Rosso) that capture the beauty and romance of this famous destination.
Paolo’s estate is situated in the Rufina sub-zone, which Wine Enthusiast describes as “one of the most quality driven zones” and Hugh Johnson as “the most distinctive, making some particularly elegant wines...” High on a hill overlooking the Argomenna valley, Paolo’s land is a prime spot for Sangiovese, placed on a par with Chianti Classico since the 18th century.
Indeed, Paolo has a trophy cabinet packed full of awards for his lavish Tuscan reds, including “outstanding" Chianti buy of the year from Wine Spectator. One taste of this elegant beauty and you’ll see why. Get ready for everything that’s great about classic Chianti: elegant red fruit flavours with a spicy edge and that lovely high-toned freshness the style is renowned for.
Oltrepo Pavese lies in southwest Lombardy, next to Piedmont. Its wine treasures rarely leave Italian shores, so don’t miss your chance to try this velvety 2013 masterpiece from a 13th century castle, rated an impressive 93pts by James Suckling. Made with 100% Barbera and aged in small oak barrels, it shows wonderful black cherry and plums on a silky, yet firm and bewitchingly long palate.
This sumptuous Tuscan treasure comes from our good friend of over 30 years, the great Paolo Masi, who makes wines with “abundant personality” (Wine Enthusiast). This one is made with fruit from his beautiful estate in Rufina – arguably Chianti’s finest sub-region, home to “particularly elegant wines” (Hugh Johnson). Paolo’s land is a prime spot for Sangiovese, placed on a par with Chianti Classico since the 18th century. Indeed, Paolo has a trophy cabinet packed full of awards for his lavish Tuscan reds, including “outstanding” Chianti buy of the year from Wine Spectator. One taste of this elegant beauty shows why. It's a wonderful food wine, and a natural match with Italian food.
This sumptuous Tuscan treasure comes from our good friend of over 30 years, the great Paolo Masi, who makes wines with “abundant personality” (Wine Enthusiast). This one is made with fruit from his beautiful estate in Rufina – arguably Chianti’s finest sub-region, home to “particularly elegant wines” (Hugh Johnson). Paolo’s land is a prime spot for Sangiovese, placed on a par with Chianti Classico since the 18th century. Indeed, Paolo has a trophy cabinet packed full of awards for his lavish Tuscan reds, including “outstanding” Chianti buy of the year from Wine Spectator. One taste of this elegant beauty shows why. It's a wonderful food wine, and a natural match with Italian food.
New Zealand is a lovely place to visit, especially if you’re a wine lover.
And there’s one variety that everyone simply can’t get enough of: the fruit-driven, leap-from-the-glass, aromatic, lipsmacking, mouthwatering Sauvignon Blancs. They are absolutely irresistible!
Luckily, you don’t have to visit to taste their marvellous wines. We have some very good friends in New Zealand who give us access to their beautiful wines – like the lovely Company Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2024, from the Trophy-winning Siefried Estate in Nelson, just up the coast from the famous Marlborough region. Bursting with flavour and shining with style, it really gives the Marlborough Savvies a run for their money – and it’s incredible value too!
At least 2,400 hours of sunshine a year, cool sea breezes and rich soil lend a zesty brilliance and richness of fruit to the Sauvignons of Nelson. That’s why this one boasts such thrilling intensity. With its rush of pure citrus, gooseberry and tropical fruit, it’s a classic New Zealand Sauvignon that dazzles at the very first sip.
Our customers love it:
“Such a lovely wine … another of my favourites” … “A joy to the taste buds …very refreshing” …
“This is the perfect bargain New Zealander for zingy zesty lemon crunch with a lashing of sea air!”
We think you will love it too, especially if you’re serving seafood – this is the perfect match. It’s also a refreshing drop just to sip on at the end of a long day.
