Red Wine between £8.00 and £12.00 per bottle
Warburn Estate Oak-aged Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - £8.99
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
From hand selection of the finest grapes from the best Warburn vineyards (with vines up to 100 years old!), to lavish barrel-ageing ... it's star treatment all the way for this terrifically rich Cabernet! But then again, you'd expect nothing less from Trophy-laden winemaker, Sam Trimboli. We've worked with Sam for years and every vintage (no matter what the weather was like) - is better than the last! Bright red in the glass, with magnificent blackcurrant, cherry and mint chocolate flavours. Velvety smooth with well rounded tannins - this is excellent on its own or with rare steak!
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
From hand selection of the finest grapes from the best Warburn vineyards (with vines up to 100 years old!), to lavish barrel-ageing ... it's star treatment all the way for this terrifically rich Cabernet! But then again, you'd expect nothing less from Trophy-laden winemaker, Sam Trimboli. We've worked with Sam for years and every vintage (no matter what the weather was like) - is better than the last! Bright red in the glass, with magnificent blackcurrant, cherry and mint chocolate flavours. Velvety smooth with well rounded tannins - this is excellent on its own or with rare steak!
Warburn Estate Oak-aged Durif 2007 - £8.99
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Deep, dark Durif ''takes no prisoners'' according to Tim Atkin - and ripens to perfection in the Aussie sun. No wonder it's winemaker Sam Trimboli's favourite grape (his number plate even spells it out!). And 2007 is his best yet! Severe drought affected the size of the Durif grapes, resulting in small berries of intense flavour which pushed concentration to levels we never thought possible. Magnificently rich with oodles of smooth plum, black cherry and tantalising Syrah-like spice. Velvety, voluptuous, and irresistible served in large glasses with char-grilled steak.
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Deep, dark Durif ''takes no prisoners'' according to Tim Atkin - and ripens to perfection in the Aussie sun. No wonder it's winemaker Sam Trimboli's favourite grape (his number plate even spells it out!). And 2007 is his best yet! Severe drought affected the size of the Durif grapes, resulting in small berries of intense flavour which pushed concentration to levels we never thought possible. Magnificently rich with oodles of smooth plum, black cherry and tantalising Syrah-like spice. Velvety, voluptuous, and irresistible served in large glasses with char-grilled steak.
Bovlei Centenary 2007 - £8.99
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
2007 saw Wellington's Bovlei winery reach its centenary year and to celebrate, they crafted just 665 cases of this majestic red ... and thanks to our longstanding friendship, Bovlei set some aside, just for you! Head winemaker Frank Meaker is a luminary figure in South African wine. His grandfather was Paul Sauer, political activist and founder of Kanonkop Estate, South Africa's finest winery. Frank's earliest memories are of walking the vines with his grandfather, dreaming of the day when he could make his own wines. To make this special, one-off blockbuster, Frank selected the finest parcels of fruit. He chose the ripest Petit Verdot for elegant, backboned structure. Then to add super-smooth depth, Frank drew on the Cape's fortified heritage, choosing two delightful old Port varieties - Souzoa and Touriga Nacional. A nine-month rest in fine oak adds a subtle vanilla layer to this delightfully unique wine. Gloriously complex combination of blackberry and mulberry fruit, claret-like structure and subtle oak. The Port grapes add a warm mouthfeel and sweet nuances ... great with roasts and chargrilled steaks.
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
2007 saw Wellington's Bovlei winery reach its centenary year and to celebrate, they crafted just 665 cases of this majestic red ... and thanks to our longstanding friendship, Bovlei set some aside, just for you! Head winemaker Frank Meaker is a luminary figure in South African wine. His grandfather was Paul Sauer, political activist and founder of Kanonkop Estate, South Africa's finest winery. Frank's earliest memories are of walking the vines with his grandfather, dreaming of the day when he could make his own wines. To make this special, one-off blockbuster, Frank selected the finest parcels of fruit. He chose the ripest Petit Verdot for elegant, backboned structure. Then to add super-smooth depth, Frank drew on the Cape's fortified heritage, choosing two delightful old Port varieties - Souzoa and Touriga Nacional. A nine-month rest in fine oak adds a subtle vanilla layer to this delightfully unique wine. Gloriously complex combination of blackberry and mulberry fruit, claret-like structure and subtle oak. The Port grapes add a warm mouthfeel and sweet nuances ... great with roasts and chargrilled steaks.
Three Hats Reserve Limestone Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - £8.99
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Sumptuous Cabernet from south Australia's unique Terra Rossa soils, made famous by Coonawarra. Cabernet grown on this red soil has an intensity (with a distinctively delicious minty character) to rival cru classe claret! The proud wearers of the '3 hats' are brothers Lou, Sam and Jim Miranda - legends of Aussie wine and our oldest Oz friends! In the last 12 years, the family's knowledge (gleaned from six generations) and talent has won them over 1,500 awards! Bright purple with pronounced aromas of blackberry and fresh mint. Velvety soft, with a generous mouthful of ripe bramble fruit and chocolaty spice. A delicious, mouthfilling glass on its own or the perfect accompaniment to beef casserole.
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Sumptuous Cabernet from south Australia's unique Terra Rossa soils, made famous by Coonawarra. Cabernet grown on this red soil has an intensity (with a distinctively delicious minty character) to rival cru classe claret! The proud wearers of the '3 hats' are brothers Lou, Sam and Jim Miranda - legends of Aussie wine and our oldest Oz friends! In the last 12 years, the family's knowledge (gleaned from six generations) and talent has won them over 1,500 awards! Bright purple with pronounced aromas of blackberry and fresh mint. Velvety soft, with a generous mouthful of ripe bramble fruit and chocolaty spice. A delicious, mouthfilling glass on its own or the perfect accompaniment to beef casserole.
Chateau Moulin de Pillardot 2006 - £8.99
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Moulin de Pillardot takes its name from an ancient windmill set among the 77 hectares that make up Chateau Bourdicotte. It is the estate's top cuvee - a Bordeaux Superieur from a tiny plot of the Chateau's finest vines. These vines occupy one of the most elevated points in the Bordeaux region - the perfect position for wonderfully fragrant wines like this one. Head winemaker, Jean-Francois Corps ferments the Merlot and Cabernet juice separately in a state-of-the-art facility and ages the wine 6 months in small oak barriques before blending. Impressive ripe red fruit and spice on the nose. Plum and vanilla flavours with hints of caramelized fruit. Impressively smooth structure with a great length. Lovely with breast of duck or pigeon, or a saddle of lamb.
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Moulin de Pillardot takes its name from an ancient windmill set among the 77 hectares that make up Chateau Bourdicotte. It is the estate's top cuvee - a Bordeaux Superieur from a tiny plot of the Chateau's finest vines. These vines occupy one of the most elevated points in the Bordeaux region - the perfect position for wonderfully fragrant wines like this one. Head winemaker, Jean-Francois Corps ferments the Merlot and Cabernet juice separately in a state-of-the-art facility and ages the wine 6 months in small oak barriques before blending. Impressive ripe red fruit and spice on the nose. Plum and vanilla flavours with hints of caramelized fruit. Impressively smooth structure with a great length. Lovely with breast of duck or pigeon, or a saddle of lamb.
Chateau de Montpatey - £8.99
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Wait until you taste this ... a silky-smooth, gloriously rich 2005 from winemaking legend Alain Servau, whose Grand Cru reds sell out for #50-#100 a bottle, win huge acclaim and are a must-have for collectors worldwide. Alain describes conditions as ''perfect'' in 2005 ... Pinot Noir grapes, hand-picked from the steep slopes of Chateau de Montpatey's tiny vineyard, came in bursting with health ... and incredibly deep flavours. ''One great advantage of 2005 is the quality and value of Bourgogne Rouge - gorgeous, with intense, silky palates'' (The Times) As Alain says, you do very little with fruit this good - just let the Pinot Noir flavours sing ... amplified in such a top year and rounded out by fine oak ageing. ''Delicious red Burgundy from a vintage that'll be talked about for years! Has Alain's trademark purity and elegance. Intense, classic raspberry and violet aromas lead to a velvety, voluptuous palate with impressive length of flavour. Perfect with rich game dishes.''
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Wait until you taste this ... a silky-smooth, gloriously rich 2005 from winemaking legend Alain Servau, whose Grand Cru reds sell out for #50-#100 a bottle, win huge acclaim and are a must-have for collectors worldwide. Alain describes conditions as ''perfect'' in 2005 ... Pinot Noir grapes, hand-picked from the steep slopes of Chateau de Montpatey's tiny vineyard, came in bursting with health ... and incredibly deep flavours. ''One great advantage of 2005 is the quality and value of Bourgogne Rouge - gorgeous, with intense, silky palates'' (The Times) As Alain says, you do very little with fruit this good - just let the Pinot Noir flavours sing ... amplified in such a top year and rounded out by fine oak ageing. ''Delicious red Burgundy from a vintage that'll be talked about for years! Has Alain's trademark purity and elegance. Intense, classic raspberry and violet aromas lead to a velvety, voluptuous palate with impressive length of flavour. Perfect with rich game dishes.''
La Chapelle de Calamiac Syrah 2006 - £8.99
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Blind tastings are a level playing field, where judges can't be influenced by fancy reputations. Many top chateaux shy away from such competitions, but when we tasted La Chapelle de Calamiac from Benoit Blancheton (whose Chateauneuf won 92 Parker points!) we insisted he enter French Magazine's South of France blind tasting. Here's what the judges had to say: ''without a doubt the winner of this tasting. More complex than all the other wines''. Benoit had access to fruit from exclusive cru La Liviniere. There's a hefty premium to pay to give his wine the cru classification, so this year, he chose not to classify - passing the savings onto you! The tasting team said ''the flavours of mature red fruits such as blackcurrant and strawberries are perfectly balanced with some gentle notes of wood and vanilla''. Best with cassoulet, game pie or hard cheeses. Order now to be sure of yours!
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Blind tastings are a level playing field, where judges can't be influenced by fancy reputations. Many top chateaux shy away from such competitions, but when we tasted La Chapelle de Calamiac from Benoit Blancheton (whose Chateauneuf won 92 Parker points!) we insisted he enter French Magazine's South of France blind tasting. Here's what the judges had to say: ''without a doubt the winner of this tasting. More complex than all the other wines''. Benoit had access to fruit from exclusive cru La Liviniere. There's a hefty premium to pay to give his wine the cru classification, so this year, he chose not to classify - passing the savings onto you! The tasting team said ''the flavours of mature red fruits such as blackcurrant and strawberries are perfectly balanced with some gentle notes of wood and vanilla''. Best with cassoulet, game pie or hard cheeses. Order now to be sure of yours!
Gran Valle de Niebla Pinot Noir 2007 - £9.15
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Gloriously fresh fruit flavours is something Chile excels at, and this silky smooth, sumptuous Pinot Noir - the great grape of elegant Burgundy - is a prime example. It's made by Adolfo Hurtado, Chile's youngest ever Winemaker of the Year and the man who helped grab the Cono Sur winery six Gold medals in one year. The winery uses environmentally friendly methods to reduce yields and therefore maximise rich flavour concentration ... and you can taste that here. Lush, ruby red in colour. Fresh, soft wine with a wonderful nose of strawberry jam, cherry and raspberries. Watch out Burgundy!
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Gloriously fresh fruit flavours is something Chile excels at, and this silky smooth, sumptuous Pinot Noir - the great grape of elegant Burgundy - is a prime example. It's made by Adolfo Hurtado, Chile's youngest ever Winemaker of the Year and the man who helped grab the Cono Sur winery six Gold medals in one year. The winery uses environmentally friendly methods to reduce yields and therefore maximise rich flavour concentration ... and you can taste that here. Lush, ruby red in colour. Fresh, soft wine with a wonderful nose of strawberry jam, cherry and raspberries. Watch out Burgundy!
Cuvee du Vatican 2006 - £9.29
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Cuvee du Vatican is a legendary name in the Rhone, famous for its Chateauneuf-du-Pape, which has in recent years notched up a series of 90-plus scores from fine wine critic Robert Parker. Worldwide demand is huge. Fortunately the winemaking genius behind the cellar's rise to fame, Jean-Marc Diffonty, holds us in very high regard. That's why he's made this special Cotes-du-Rhone-Villages exclusively for you - although a few bottles could be heading for Rome given the Vatican's fondness for this cellar! They call this 'Le Petit Frere' in the cellar because it has the spicy red fruit and depth of their Chateauneuf - but it's supple, gentler and perfect to drink right now. So, echoes of a world icon but at a fraction of the price! Ruby colour and seductive blackberry, dark cherry and wild herb aromas. Plenty of peppery black fruit, earthy, savoury notes and supple tannins. Lovely with roast red meats.
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Cuvee du Vatican is a legendary name in the Rhone, famous for its Chateauneuf-du-Pape, which has in recent years notched up a series of 90-plus scores from fine wine critic Robert Parker. Worldwide demand is huge. Fortunately the winemaking genius behind the cellar's rise to fame, Jean-Marc Diffonty, holds us in very high regard. That's why he's made this special Cotes-du-Rhone-Villages exclusively for you - although a few bottles could be heading for Rome given the Vatican's fondness for this cellar! They call this 'Le Petit Frere' in the cellar because it has the spicy red fruit and depth of their Chateauneuf - but it's supple, gentler and perfect to drink right now. So, echoes of a world icon but at a fraction of the price! Ruby colour and seductive blackberry, dark cherry and wild herb aromas. Plenty of peppery black fruit, earthy, savoury notes and supple tannins. Lovely with roast red meats.
Reserve des Confreres 1999 - £9.29
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Baby brother to the gloriously rich Private Reserve of La Clariere this is the wine you asked us to make. It has all the wonderfully intense flavour of the Reserve but because it's lighter in style, it's ready to enjoy just that little bit sooner. Vibrant, ripe berry flavours are seamlessly woven into the oak and as The Wine Spectator observe ''1999 offers both good wines and good prices''. This 1999 sent a dozen Saint-Emilion Grand Crus packing in a blind tasting - this not just good value, its terrific value!
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Baby brother to the gloriously rich Private Reserve of La Clariere this is the wine you asked us to make. It has all the wonderfully intense flavour of the Reserve but because it's lighter in style, it's ready to enjoy just that little bit sooner. Vibrant, ripe berry flavours are seamlessly woven into the oak and as The Wine Spectator observe ''1999 offers both good wines and good prices''. This 1999 sent a dozen Saint-Emilion Grand Crus packing in a blind tasting - this not just good value, its terrific value!
Le Grand Chai Medoc 2005 - £9.29
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Laithwaites are proud to have finally realised a long-held ambition by renting a beautiful old 'Chai' on the quayside at Castillon in Bordeaux. It allows us to cherry-pick individual vats of the finest liquids ... then age them to add complexity .. and still be able to offer them to you at remarkably low prices! The space offered us by 'Le Chai au Quai' (pronounced 'Shay OK') meant we could race this fantastic Medoc, from the glorious 2005 vintage, into fine new oak and tuck it away just for Laithwaites customers. But there's not much to go round - just 80 barrels - so snap it up quickly! ''Complex with blackcurrant, plum and cassis fruit flavours and a firm, smoky oak structure. Ready for release in mid-July. To 2013.''
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Laithwaites are proud to have finally realised a long-held ambition by renting a beautiful old 'Chai' on the quayside at Castillon in Bordeaux. It allows us to cherry-pick individual vats of the finest liquids ... then age them to add complexity .. and still be able to offer them to you at remarkably low prices! The space offered us by 'Le Chai au Quai' (pronounced 'Shay OK') meant we could race this fantastic Medoc, from the glorious 2005 vintage, into fine new oak and tuck it away just for Laithwaites customers. But there's not much to go round - just 80 barrels - so snap it up quickly! ''Complex with blackcurrant, plum and cassis fruit flavours and a firm, smoky oak structure. Ready for release in mid-July. To 2013.''
Prospector's Oak Aged Shiraz 2005 - £9.29
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
This spectacular Aussie Shiraz comes from the premium region of Clare Valley - an exceptional enclave north of Barossa, and home to ''some of Australia's best wines'' (Giles Kime). Our discovery comes from the regions's most acclaimed boutique winery - awarded Five Stars by Oz wine guru James Halliday. Wines from the exceptional 2005 vintage are now very hard to find. With such quality credentials it's no surprise that Prospector's Shiraz is absolutely bursting with intense black fruit flavour. Rich and ripe with lovely dark chocolate aromas. Hugely concentrated, juicy plum flavours, and impressive finesse and structure thanks to long ageing in premium French oak. Magnificent with Sunday roasts.
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
This spectacular Aussie Shiraz comes from the premium region of Clare Valley - an exceptional enclave north of Barossa, and home to ''some of Australia's best wines'' (Giles Kime). Our discovery comes from the regions's most acclaimed boutique winery - awarded Five Stars by Oz wine guru James Halliday. Wines from the exceptional 2005 vintage are now very hard to find. With such quality credentials it's no surprise that Prospector's Shiraz is absolutely bursting with intense black fruit flavour. Rich and ripe with lovely dark chocolate aromas. Hugely concentrated, juicy plum flavours, and impressive finesse and structure thanks to long ageing in premium French oak. Magnificent with Sunday roasts.
Warburn Estate Oak-aged Shiraz 2006 - £9.29
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
This no-expense-spared, hulking Oz Shiraz can only be described as knock-out! Classically full and fruity, this 2006 vintage was snapped up by our buyers immediately. Multi award winning winemaker Sam Trimboli gives this wine the greatest care and attention - barrel ageing and only the best parcels of fruit are used for the Warburn Estate label cuvee. ''Generous aromas of ripe black berry, plum and sweet spice. Larger-than-life, slow-ripened fruit and white pepper hints ... makes roast beef a truly luxurious experience. Great with Moroccan spiced lamb, shepherds' pie and venison sausages too.''
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
This no-expense-spared, hulking Oz Shiraz can only be described as knock-out! Classically full and fruity, this 2006 vintage was snapped up by our buyers immediately. Multi award winning winemaker Sam Trimboli gives this wine the greatest care and attention - barrel ageing and only the best parcels of fruit are used for the Warburn Estate label cuvee. ''Generous aromas of ripe black berry, plum and sweet spice. Larger-than-life, slow-ripened fruit and white pepper hints ... makes roast beef a truly luxurious experience. Great with Moroccan spiced lamb, shepherds' pie and venison sausages too.''
Margan Estate Old Vine Shiraz Mataro 2004 - £9.29
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Located in Australia's premium Hunter Valley, Margan Estate is consistently praised for the quality of its wines - indeed, top Aussie wine writer James Halliday gives it four stars. Their delicious red is made using old vine, black berry-flavoured Shiraz, with a dash of sturdy Mataro, to give a delightfully smooth, flavoursome wine with a hint of spice on the finish.
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Located in Australia's premium Hunter Valley, Margan Estate is consistently praised for the quality of its wines - indeed, top Aussie wine writer James Halliday gives it four stars. Their delicious red is made using old vine, black berry-flavoured Shiraz, with a dash of sturdy Mataro, to give a delightfully smooth, flavoursome wine with a hint of spice on the finish.
Domaine Saint Benoit Syrah 2006 - £9.29
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Don't miss this fantastic red! It's from super-exclusive La Liviniere, famed for its ''outstanding wines'' (The Observer). Laurent hand-harvests 65-year-old Syrah vines from one of the village's most sought-after plots. Then Benoit Blancheton (of Chateauneuf's legendary Clos de l'Oratoire!) oversees winemaking and ageing in small oak barriques. ''Satisfyingly rich damson and spice flavours with the classic softness that makes La liviniere reds so prized. Years to go!''
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Don't miss this fantastic red! It's from super-exclusive La Liviniere, famed for its ''outstanding wines'' (The Observer). Laurent hand-harvests 65-year-old Syrah vines from one of the village's most sought-after plots. Then Benoit Blancheton (of Chateauneuf's legendary Clos de l'Oratoire!) oversees winemaking and ageing in small oak barriques. ''Satisfyingly rich damson and spice flavours with the classic softness that makes La liviniere reds so prized. Years to go!''
Chateau Moulin de Chantermerle 2005 - £9.29
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Lovely oak-aged claret consisting of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet from the spectacular 2005 vintage ''the best vintage in 10, 50 even 100 years'' (Decanter). Key to Medoc's first-class reds are vineyards on prime, gravely slopes. The Cruchon family's 50 year-old Cabernet and Merlot vines sit on the same special soils as big-hitters Chateaux Les Ormes Sorbet and Potensac. Deep and fragrant with classic Medoc 'grip' and superb ripeness. Only tiny volumes of this beautifully structured 2005 remain so do hurry!
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Lovely oak-aged claret consisting of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet from the spectacular 2005 vintage ''the best vintage in 10, 50 even 100 years'' (Decanter). Key to Medoc's first-class reds are vineyards on prime, gravely slopes. The Cruchon family's 50 year-old Cabernet and Merlot vines sit on the same special soils as big-hitters Chateaux Les Ormes Sorbet and Potensac. Deep and fragrant with classic Medoc 'grip' and superb ripeness. Only tiny volumes of this beautifully structured 2005 remain so do hurry!
Chateau de Vaugelas Le Prieure 2005 - £9.29
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
There is Corbieres and there's Gold Medal-winning, top estate Corbieres like this. It's one of the best you'll find. The Bonfils are renowned landowners and winemakers in the Languedoc but this estate is their pride and joy - the jewel in the crown. Chateau de Vaugelas Le Prieure is a beautiful estate, once part of the Abbaye de Lagrasse whose vineyards were first planted by Benedictine monks in the 18th century. The terroir is fantastic -gravely and well draining thereby encouraging deep roots on the vines and low yields. Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault - the classic blend in these parts - make a rich cuvee that's aged in top quality French and American oak for 12 months. Dark, ripe brambly fruit with sweet spice and subtle herbal overtones. Smooth and long.
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
There is Corbieres and there's Gold Medal-winning, top estate Corbieres like this. It's one of the best you'll find. The Bonfils are renowned landowners and winemakers in the Languedoc but this estate is their pride and joy - the jewel in the crown. Chateau de Vaugelas Le Prieure is a beautiful estate, once part of the Abbaye de Lagrasse whose vineyards were first planted by Benedictine monks in the 18th century. The terroir is fantastic -gravely and well draining thereby encouraging deep roots on the vines and low yields. Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault - the classic blend in these parts - make a rich cuvee that's aged in top quality French and American oak for 12 months. Dark, ripe brambly fruit with sweet spice and subtle herbal overtones. Smooth and long.
Garage Red - £9.29
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
You'd be hard pushed to find better winemaking credentials than this. Jean-Marc Sauboua was born and bred in the French wine heartland of Bordeaux and landed an apprenticeship in the hallowed cellars of Chateau Haut Brion (couldn't start much higher). Now he heads up special project wines like this magnificent, oak-aged 100% Syrah. Dark, spicy and beautifully structured.
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
You'd be hard pushed to find better winemaking credentials than this. Jean-Marc Sauboua was born and bred in the French wine heartland of Bordeaux and landed an apprenticeship in the hallowed cellars of Chateau Haut Brion (couldn't start much higher). Now he heads up special project wines like this magnificent, oak-aged 100% Syrah. Dark, spicy and beautifully structured.
Chateau Fontaine de l'Aubier 2005 - £9.29
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Delicious barrel-matured claret from the spectacular 2005 - ''the best vintage in 10, 50 even 100 years'' (Decanter). Made from a blend that's rich in Cabernet, no expense has been spared during the production of this fine claret. Premium grapes were hand-harvested from the oldest plots in the Medoc estate to retain maximum fruit flavour. The wine is then lovingly aged in the finest oak-barrels in the cool cellars of the property's ancient estate. Rich and opulent, this sumptuous red is brimming with intense raspberry and dark chocolate aromas. Drinking wonderfully now, it would mellow further with extra cellaring.
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Delicious barrel-matured claret from the spectacular 2005 - ''the best vintage in 10, 50 even 100 years'' (Decanter). Made from a blend that's rich in Cabernet, no expense has been spared during the production of this fine claret. Premium grapes were hand-harvested from the oldest plots in the Medoc estate to retain maximum fruit flavour. The wine is then lovingly aged in the finest oak-barrels in the cool cellars of the property's ancient estate. Rich and opulent, this sumptuous red is brimming with intense raspberry and dark chocolate aromas. Drinking wonderfully now, it would mellow further with extra cellaring.
Long Gully Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Log Cabin Vineyard 2004 - £9.29
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Blended exclusively for us by leading winemaker, Steve Grimley - this superb Aussie gem is perfect for fans of seriously BIG reds! The Cabernet and Shiraz grapes were hand-harvested from a top-quality corner of McLaren Vale. Nicknamed 'God's strip' by locals, the area is not only breathtakingly beautiful, but also benefits from some of the best grape-growing conditions in Australia. Bold bramble fruit and toasty oak give way to subtle notes of vanilla and spice. Immensely powerful, it would be a superb partner to roast beef.
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Blended exclusively for us by leading winemaker, Steve Grimley - this superb Aussie gem is perfect for fans of seriously BIG reds! The Cabernet and Shiraz grapes were hand-harvested from a top-quality corner of McLaren Vale. Nicknamed 'God's strip' by locals, the area is not only breathtakingly beautiful, but also benefits from some of the best grape-growing conditions in Australia. Bold bramble fruit and toasty oak give way to subtle notes of vanilla and spice. Immensely powerful, it would be a superb partner to roast beef.