Wine Enthusiast calls Amarone “one of the 15 icons in Italian wine”. They are certainly some of the most prized reds from Italy, made by the ancient tradition of sun drying grapes before fermentation. This gives them an amazing richness, a glorious combination of power and complexity that cellars well, too. No wonder they are prized the world over. This 2018 from the renowned Cantina Negrar is named after the 18th century poet Bartolomeo Lorenzi, whose epic poem celebrating rural life made Valpolicella wines famous. The grapes are from the ancient, dry, stone terraces of the cool Marano Valley, where they ripen slowly. They are then air dried for 120 days to intensify flavours. A superb bottle to enjoy now with hearty dishes or to cellar.

Antonio Federici is a small, 3rd-generation cellar in Lazio, just south of Rome. As you'll taste here, its wines are both authentic and delicious. Normally, they only supply their meagre output to top restaurants in Rome.

But with most shut in 2020, we managed to gain a small allocation of this superb, cherry-scented red. And again, the following year. On fine limestone soils (the rocks of which were used to build some of Rome's most famous buildings) they grow some of Italy's most characterful native grapes.

From these they make a small range of award-winning wines. No doubt the skill of top Italian consultant Franco and Matteo Bernabei comes into play, as well as the commitment and passion of the family.

A silky, smooth, easy red.

And are well-placed to source the best of its truly remarkable wines.

A brilliant taste of Portugal’s flagship red, this one comes from fourth-generation Leonor Freitas (who was named ‘Comendadora,’ the equivalent of a knighthood) by the Portuguese government for her services to the wine industry. As you can imagine, she certainly knows how to produce a very fine wine. Made with fruit from the family’s acclaimed Vinha do Fava vineyard (wines from this vineyard have won over 80 Gold medals), and long aged in oak, this excellent red is packed with rich bramble, spice, herb and mineral character on a velvety smooth finish.

L’Épiphanie is our prestige ‘secret’ label. And when we say prestige, we mean it! In 2019, out of over 800 châteaux in Bordeaux’s storied Saint-Émilion appellation, only four were ranked Premier Grand Cru Classé ‘A.’ Cheval Blanc and Ausone (first classified in 1955) were the originals. Angélus and Pavie (classified in 2012) became equally famous. Their wines sell for thousands of dollars per bottle and are usually the province of the very wealthy elite.

However, only a certain amount of Grand Vin from these top estates is allowed to be made each year. What do the wineries do with the surplus fruit? Many times they call us, because they know we are always looking for very special wines to share with our valued customers, and can be relied upon not to reveal any names.

So, no names – but let’s just say that we were VERY pleased to be able to secure this magnificent wine for you. To be clear, this is not the Grand Vin. But it’s made with the same grapes, from the same vineyards, and with the same no expense spared attention to detail – and it’s available to you at a frankly extraordinary price.

Decant to let the sublime flavours unfurl and serve with your finest roast meats. This is superb. Add some extreme luxury to your banquet table with this exceptional Premier Grand Cru Classé ‘A’ Saint-Émilion.