Jaime Quendera, our favourite Portuguese winemaker, has made a juicy, fruit-forward red, aged in a very special cask. Enjoy Alicante Bouschet’s smooth texture in this red from rare, ancient vines that oozes rich flavours of black cherry and pepper.
Can you imagine buying 1,008 bottles of wine in one year? That’s 200 gallons to be exact – the same amount that each American household was allowed to make for ‘personal use’ during Prohibition. And the go-to grape during this DIY time wasn’t Cabernet or Merlot, it was the bold and juicy Alicante Bouschet - widely planted in California but originally from Portugal. Today, award-winning winemaker Jamie Quendera has crafted a mighty, Reserva-quality red, from rare 100-year-old vines. And the unique twist? Jamie aged the wine for 12 months in custom double casks. The top and bottom are French oak (imparting subtle spice) while the long side planks are American (for vanilla notes). The result is an ultra-smooth, cherry-ripe, well-spiced drop!
Lovers of fine Portuguese reds, get ready for this amazing offer. The one-case buy is already an exceptional deal. The two-case buy is a frankly AMAZING deal!
In true Portuguese style, this is a BIG, velvety, power-packed red with plenty of black cherry and deep spice. It has a great story too. During Prohibition in America, each household was allowed to make 200 gallons a year – around 1,008 bottles – for personal use.
Home winemaking became very popular, and grape growers started freighting boxes of grapes all over the country. They chose Alicante Bouschet (a Portuguese variety that was widely planted in California) because it survived the trip better than the more delicate varieties.
When winemaker Jaime Quendera discovered a vineyard with prime fruit from rare 100-year-old Alicante vines, he couldn’t wait to pay tribute to this Prohibition-style wine. And now we can’t wait to get it into your glass at this incredible price.
Look forward to more Tuscan treasures in the extraordinary 99pt Vecciano 2020 “One of the all time Super Tuscan greats” (Luca Maroni) and the lovely 90pt Murracio 2022 showing “dark berries, chocolate wafers and sweet spices” (James Suckling). From France, there’s a lavish twice Gold-winning 91pt Côtes-du-Rhône and a stunning Southern French star with THREE Gold and loads of top critic points. Aluado 2023 is a velvety Portuguese great with SEVEN Golds and 92pts, and there’s a Double Gold & 90pt Chilean Merlot beauty you must try.
Look forward to more Tuscan treasures in the extraordinary 99pt Vecciano 2020 “One of the all time Super Tuscan greats” (Luca Maroni) and the lovely 90pt Murracio 2022 showing “dark berries, chocolate wafers and sweet spices” (James Suckling). From France, there’s a lavish twice Gold-winning 91pt Côtes-du-Rhône and a stunning Southern French star with THREE Gold and loads of top critic points. Aluado 2023 is a velvety Portuguese great with SEVEN Golds and 92pts, and there’s a Double Gold & 90pt Chilean Merlot beauty you must try.
Provence remains supreme for classy pinks. Not always cheap, but our Buyer Jean Marc knows that Aix offers quality with value. Using Provence’s classic grapes, the cellar there has captured the berry fruit, stony citrus notes and savoury riff.
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The Times wrote: “Sparkling Crémant de Bourgogne is impeccable value for money”. The fine mousse, creamy fruit and elegant zing of this fizz made by the same method and using the same grapes as in the Champagne region.
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Bordeaux-born Jean-Marc Sauboua has been our Trophy-winning winemaker at Bordeaux’s Château La Clarière for many years. In 2006, he decided to start a winery of his own and, with Spanish blood, decided Rioja was his destination. His aim: to make a Grand Cru of Rioja. He has no vineyards but works with the same growers he has since the start. The mature vines lie above 700 metres, the highest in Rioja, to ensure an elegant, modern style. He's won well 300 Golds since 2006, as well as Trophies for Winery of the Year, Rioja of the Year and Best Spanish Red over £10. 2021 was classed a very good vintage. High up where Altos lies, it's always cool, so ripening is slow, and wines are fresh. Aged a year in oak, this elegant red is best decanted.
Lovers of fine Spanish wine, this prestige Rioja treasure from the great Jean-Marc Sauboua’s Trophy-winning Altos estate is an absolute must-have for luxury drinking.
Lovers of fine Spanish wine, this prestige Rioja treasure from the great Jean-Marc Sauboua’s Trophy-winning Altos estate is an absolute must-have for luxury drinking.
But at this price and with such limited quantities, you must hurry to secure your case!
Jean-Marc was raised in Bordeaux and trained at First Growth Haut-Brion. But Jean-Marc also has Spanish heritage, and when he decided to start a project of his own, Rioja was the place he wanted to be. And only the very highest parts of the appellation – his vineyards are the highest in the region. Right from the start Jean-Marc’s aim was to make a Grand Cru style of Rioja, prestige wines full of fruit with balanced oak, and he has absolutely succeeded. His overflowing medal cabinet is testament to that!
His Altos De La Guardia Cuvée Especial Rioja 2014 is an exciting special release that only a very few people will be able to try. It’s a delicious blend of old-vine Tempranillo cuvées, aged luxuriously for two years in barrel, and then another 9 years in bottle until Jean-Marc declared it ready to drink. (Spain is famed for its extraordinary wines that can age for decades). His patience has been rewarded with the most exquisitely lavish Rioja, silky with velvety plum and raspberry fruit with a kiss of toasty vanilla oak and cedary spice complexity.
Decant, then serve it with your finest roast meats, or an extravagant tapas feast. Or just open a bottle when you feel like some true luxury – at an almost unbelievable price.
Lovers of fine Spanish wine, this prestige Rioja treasure from the great Jean-Marc Sauboua’s Trophy-winning Altos estate is an absolute must-have for luxury drinking.
But at this price and with such limited quantities, you must hurry to secure your case!
Jean-Marc was raised in Bordeaux and trained at First Growth Haut-Brion. But Jean-Marc also has Spanish heritage, and when he decided to start a project of his own, Rioja was the place he wanted to be. And only the very highest parts of the appellation – his vineyards are the highest in the region. Right from the start Jean-Marc’s aim was to make a Grand Cru style of Rioja, prestige wines full of fruit with balanced oak, and he has absolutely succeeded. His overflowing medal cabinet is testament to that!
His Altos De La Guardia Cuvée Especial Rioja 2014 is an exciting special release that only a very few people will be able to try. It’s a delicious blend of old-vine Tempranillo cuvées, aged luxuriously for two years in barrel, and then another 9 years in bottle until Jean-Marc declared it ready to drink. (Spain is famed for its extraordinary wines that can age for decades). His patience has been rewarded with the most exquisitely lavish Rioja, silky with velvety plum and raspberry fruit with a kiss of toasty vanilla oak and cedary spice complexity.
Decant, then serve it with your finest roast meats, or an extravagant tapas feast. Or just open a bottle when you feel like some true luxury – at an almost unbelievable price.
