Red Wine over £12.00 per bottle
Chateau Poujeaux 2004 - £16.79
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Situated in the lesser-known appellation of Moulis-en-Medoc, Chateau Poujeaux is regarded as one of the top producers in the area. Brothers Philippe and Francois Theil run the winery - which has been in their family for generations - and are committed to producing sublime claret at an affordable price. Soft and approachable - due to the high proportion of Merlot in the blend - this gorgeous red has abundant black fruit character and hints of spice. Robert Parker awarded it an impressive 90 points - ''Supple tannins, a big, sweet, fleshy personality, and plenty of creme de cassis, cherry, earth, and background oak are found in this full-bodied, flamboyant wine.''
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Situated in the lesser-known appellation of Moulis-en-Medoc, Chateau Poujeaux is regarded as one of the top producers in the area. Brothers Philippe and Francois Theil run the winery - which has been in their family for generations - and are committed to producing sublime claret at an affordable price. Soft and approachable - due to the high proportion of Merlot in the blend - this gorgeous red has abundant black fruit character and hints of spice. Robert Parker awarded it an impressive 90 points - ''Supple tannins, a big, sweet, fleshy personality, and plenty of creme de cassis, cherry, earth, and background oak are found in this full-bodied, flamboyant wine.''
McGuigan Genus 4 Hunter Shiraz 2002 - £16.89
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Brian McGuigan is a big player on the Aussie wine scene. Hailed as a visionary by Winestate magazine, his hugely flavoursome but invitingly soft reds are always phenomenally popular. This Shiraz is all about quality not quantity - and we've only 100 cases to offer you. Full of ripe plum, cherry and spice, with just the right amount of smooth vanilla oak. Hurry along!
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Brian McGuigan is a big player on the Aussie wine scene. Hailed as a visionary by Winestate magazine, his hugely flavoursome but invitingly soft reds are always phenomenally popular. This Shiraz is all about quality not quantity - and we've only 100 cases to offer you. Full of ripe plum, cherry and spice, with just the right amount of smooth vanilla oak. Hurry along!
Le Grand Chai Margaux 2006 - £16.99
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Margaux is a special place. The village is actually rather ordinary ... but the vineyards are anything but. Chateau Margaux is ''the grandest Bordeaux chateau of all'' according to Hugh Johnson, but take the inside track - just past the back wall of this famous estate - and you'll find a series of small allotment-sized vineyards that don't belong to the chateau. These little plots have been owned for generations by vignerons too proud and stubborn ever to sell to their Lords and masters! Earthy sorts who often have their day job on a big estate, but also like to make small amounts of their own wine ... only problem is they don't have the facilities (or expertise) of a big chateau to 'finish' the wine properly ... we do. At Le Chai au Quai! We actually found Monsieur X's wine via the fiancee of a friend (contacts are all in Bordeaux) and bought it as soon as it passed its Margaux AOC certificate. Yields were down around 35 hectolitres per hectare (the levels you expect from a top cru classe) ... and lower yields are crucial for concentrated flavours. Le Grand Chai Margaux has been resting in the best 'Taransaud' barriques ever since, with winemaker Jean-Marc Sauboua fretting over it like it was his first baby - not everyday do you get to handle such prestige stuff! He cleverly treated each barrel differently and now they are all 'assembled', you can taste how much more complex this lovely Cabernet Sauvignon has become. Powerful aromas of blackberry and cassis syrup, clove and fennel. Then huge meaty, earthy palate - so much going on ... black olives, red capsicum, with a long prune, almond and cinnamon finish. Classic Margaux. Decant if you can ... and enjoy!
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Margaux is a special place. The village is actually rather ordinary ... but the vineyards are anything but. Chateau Margaux is ''the grandest Bordeaux chateau of all'' according to Hugh Johnson, but take the inside track - just past the back wall of this famous estate - and you'll find a series of small allotment-sized vineyards that don't belong to the chateau. These little plots have been owned for generations by vignerons too proud and stubborn ever to sell to their Lords and masters! Earthy sorts who often have their day job on a big estate, but also like to make small amounts of their own wine ... only problem is they don't have the facilities (or expertise) of a big chateau to 'finish' the wine properly ... we do. At Le Chai au Quai! We actually found Monsieur X's wine via the fiancee of a friend (contacts are all in Bordeaux) and bought it as soon as it passed its Margaux AOC certificate. Yields were down around 35 hectolitres per hectare (the levels you expect from a top cru classe) ... and lower yields are crucial for concentrated flavours. Le Grand Chai Margaux has been resting in the best 'Taransaud' barriques ever since, with winemaker Jean-Marc Sauboua fretting over it like it was his first baby - not everyday do you get to handle such prestige stuff! He cleverly treated each barrel differently and now they are all 'assembled', you can taste how much more complex this lovely Cabernet Sauvignon has become. Powerful aromas of blackberry and cassis syrup, clove and fennel. Then huge meaty, earthy palate - so much going on ... black olives, red capsicum, with a long prune, almond and cinnamon finish. Classic Margaux. Decant if you can ... and enjoy!
Gemtree Vineyards Bloodstone Tempranillo 2005 - £17.29
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
The great red grape of Spain, Tempranillo also crops up in a few acres of Australian vineyards, where the Aussie sun ripens the fruit to perfection. Gemtree Bloodstone was crafted during the fantastic 2005 vintage, when the fruit reached incredible levels of concentration ... if you love the sheer fruit intensity of Aussie reds you'll love this! Opulent aromas of black cherries, strawberries, and violets, with mouthstaining black fruit flavours and notes of liquorice and tobacco. Delicious with rich casseroles or hard cheeses.
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
The great red grape of Spain, Tempranillo also crops up in a few acres of Australian vineyards, where the Aussie sun ripens the fruit to perfection. Gemtree Bloodstone was crafted during the fantastic 2005 vintage, when the fruit reached incredible levels of concentration ... if you love the sheer fruit intensity of Aussie reds you'll love this! Opulent aromas of black cherries, strawberries, and violets, with mouthstaining black fruit flavours and notes of liquorice and tobacco. Delicious with rich casseroles or hard cheeses.
Vignobles Monteillet Fortior St Joseph 2004 - £17.39
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
''Readers will not find a more concentrated and formidably endowed Saint-Joseph'' - Robert Parker. Super-rich and inky black colour, flavours of black-cherry, spice and abundant cassis.
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
''Readers will not find a more concentrated and formidably endowed Saint-Joseph'' - Robert Parker. Super-rich and inky black colour, flavours of black-cherry, spice and abundant cassis.
Luigi Dezzani 2003 - £17.39
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Known as the 'King of wines' - it's said that Barolo was the wine of choice at the courts of Louis XIV - great Barolo ranks alongside classed growth clarets in stature. In terms of volume, though, cru classe Bordeaux dwarfs this tiny Italian ''Grand Cru'' by producing a staggering 10 million bottles a year more! Top Barolo then, is extremely rare. Even harder to find is Barolo of the quality that the Dezzani family produces. The family have painstakingly handcrafted fine wines in this remote region of Piedmont for the last 70 years, keeping alive the passion and skill of their grandfather, Luigi Dezzani, who founded the estate in 1934. It's their attention to quality that has seen their wines rack up plenty of medals, plus a mention in top Italian wine writer Luca Maroni's Yearbook of the 200 Best Italian wines. ''Hard-harvested, using only the ripest, most concentrated Nebbiolo grapes from the superb 2003 vintage, this garnet-coloured red reveals delicate aromas of violets and fresh plums. Two years' ageing in oak barriques adds layers of complexity and depth, with flavours of black pepper and cinnamon on the finish. A must with game, roast duck or braised beer.''
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Known as the 'King of wines' - it's said that Barolo was the wine of choice at the courts of Louis XIV - great Barolo ranks alongside classed growth clarets in stature. In terms of volume, though, cru classe Bordeaux dwarfs this tiny Italian ''Grand Cru'' by producing a staggering 10 million bottles a year more! Top Barolo then, is extremely rare. Even harder to find is Barolo of the quality that the Dezzani family produces. The family have painstakingly handcrafted fine wines in this remote region of Piedmont for the last 70 years, keeping alive the passion and skill of their grandfather, Luigi Dezzani, who founded the estate in 1934. It's their attention to quality that has seen their wines rack up plenty of medals, plus a mention in top Italian wine writer Luca Maroni's Yearbook of the 200 Best Italian wines. ''Hard-harvested, using only the ripest, most concentrated Nebbiolo grapes from the superb 2003 vintage, this garnet-coloured red reveals delicate aromas of violets and fresh plums. Two years' ageing in oak barriques adds layers of complexity and depth, with flavours of black pepper and cinnamon on the finish. A must with game, roast duck or braised beer.''
Chateau Le boscq 2005 - £17.39
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
''Leading Cru Bourgeois giving excellent value in tasty Saint-Estephe'' (Hugh Johnson) Excellent value indeed - Le Boscq could easily have been listed on the previous page! For us it was the purity of fruit that made the 2005 Le Boscq stand out from previous brilliant vintages ... and saw Parker give it his highest rating ever. ''Full-bodied with lovely, silky tannins ... already so delicious. One of the best from here'' Wine Spectator
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
''Leading Cru Bourgeois giving excellent value in tasty Saint-Estephe'' (Hugh Johnson) Excellent value indeed - Le Boscq could easily have been listed on the previous page! For us it was the purity of fruit that made the 2005 Le Boscq stand out from previous brilliant vintages ... and saw Parker give it his highest rating ever. ''Full-bodied with lovely, silky tannins ... already so delicious. One of the best from here'' Wine Spectator
Chateau Le boscq - £17.39
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
''Leading Cru Bourgeois giving excellent value in tasty Saint-Estephe'' (Hugh Johnson) Excellent value indeed - Le Boscq could easily have been listed on the previous page! For us it was the purity of fruit that made the 2005 Le Boscq stand out from previous brilliant vintages ... and saw Parker give it his highest rating ever. ''Full-bodied with lovely, silky tannins ... already so delicious. One of the best from here'' Wine Spectator
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
''Leading Cru Bourgeois giving excellent value in tasty Saint-Estephe'' (Hugh Johnson) Excellent value indeed - Le Boscq could easily have been listed on the previous page! For us it was the purity of fruit that made the 2005 Le Boscq stand out from previous brilliant vintages ... and saw Parker give it his highest rating ever. ''Full-bodied with lovely, silky tannins ... already so delicious. One of the best from here'' Wine Spectator
Vi?a Izadi Gran Reserva 1998 - £17.39
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Izadi made waves a few years ago by wrestling cult winemaker Mariano Garcia from Vega Sicilia. Since then, their acclaimed, medal-winning red has reached new heights, including being rated Spain's Best by Decanter magazine. Velvety soft with layers of rich bramble fruit, spicy oak and ripe, perfectly integrated tannins. You must try this wine!
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Izadi made waves a few years ago by wrestling cult winemaker Mariano Garcia from Vega Sicilia. Since then, their acclaimed, medal-winning red has reached new heights, including being rated Spain's Best by Decanter magazine. Velvety soft with layers of rich bramble fruit, spicy oak and ripe, perfectly integrated tannins. You must try this wine!
Vi?a Izadi Gran Reserva - £17.39
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Izadi made waves a few years ago by wrestling cult winemaker Mariano Garcia from Vega Sicilia. Since then, their acclaimed, medal-winning red has reached new heights, including being rated Spain's Best by Decanter magazine. Velvety soft with layers of rich bramble fruit, spicy oak and ripe, perfectly integrated tannins. You must try this wine!
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Izadi made waves a few years ago by wrestling cult winemaker Mariano Garcia from Vega Sicilia. Since then, their acclaimed, medal-winning red has reached new heights, including being rated Spain's Best by Decanter magazine. Velvety soft with layers of rich bramble fruit, spicy oak and ripe, perfectly integrated tannins. You must try this wine!
Chateau Pontac Lynch 2003 - £17.49
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Beautifully mature 2003 Margaux, loved by Decanter: ''Thick chewy fruit, dense, ripe and very finely toned.'' Very few cases, order yours now!
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Beautifully mature 2003 Margaux, loved by Decanter: ''Thick chewy fruit, dense, ripe and very finely toned.'' Very few cases, order yours now!
Riverina Estate 1164 Shiraz 2002 - £17.99
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Sam Trimboli's wines have delighted members for over a decade, and you will be bowled over by Sam's flagship 1164 Shiraz. Mouthfilling bliss for Shiraz lovers, the intensity of old-vine fruits puts it on a level standing with wines of #100 a bottle and more! Dark, intense black cherry, spice and chocolate richness, laced with the finest new oak. The most dense, brambly vintage yet of this blockbuster - a taste of bliss for dedicated Shiraz fans!
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Sam Trimboli's wines have delighted members for over a decade, and you will be bowled over by Sam's flagship 1164 Shiraz. Mouthfilling bliss for Shiraz lovers, the intensity of old-vine fruits puts it on a level standing with wines of #100 a bottle and more! Dark, intense black cherry, spice and chocolate richness, laced with the finest new oak. The most dense, brambly vintage yet of this blockbuster - a taste of bliss for dedicated Shiraz fans!
Presbytere - £17.99
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Tiny-scale and quality obsessed winemaking is what you'll find here. This dark, intense Merlot was produced as it would have been in the 19th century - painstakingly - and all for a minuscule 200 precious cases. Using only the best, intensely flavoursome fruit from 110 year old vines this unique wine has been lovingly handcrafted all the way from the vat to the brand new, top-flight barrels. 19th century means no electricty so stirring is done by hand, barrels are moved with ropes and pulleys...it's a labour of love. Even the bottles are sealed manually with wax, and wrapping is done with silk tissue paper. You may think we're crazy - many do! But just taste it - you'll think again. Rich blackberry aromas, smooth rounded damson and plum flavours, beautifully integrated with the new oak. Amazingly long, luxurious finish.
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Tiny-scale and quality obsessed winemaking is what you'll find here. This dark, intense Merlot was produced as it would have been in the 19th century - painstakingly - and all for a minuscule 200 precious cases. Using only the best, intensely flavoursome fruit from 110 year old vines this unique wine has been lovingly handcrafted all the way from the vat to the brand new, top-flight barrels. 19th century means no electricty so stirring is done by hand, barrels are moved with ropes and pulleys...it's a labour of love. Even the bottles are sealed manually with wax, and wrapping is done with silk tissue paper. You may think we're crazy - many do! But just taste it - you'll think again. Rich blackberry aromas, smooth rounded damson and plum flavours, beautifully integrated with the new oak. Amazingly long, luxurious finish.
Warburn Estate 1164 Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 - £17.99
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Here's an extremely rare opportunity to taste Sam's finest Cabernet of all - from the Trophy-winning 1164 range! Sam meticulously handcrafts this luxurious Cabernet from the finest vine parcels in the Barossa Valley, where extremely low yields produce intensely flavoured grapes of outstanding quality. Add lavish ageing in top French oak barrels and you've a masterpiece filled with concentration and complexity only found in tiny-volume, artisan reds like this. Wow! Gorgeously deep cassis flavours, a delicious eucalyptus edge and a l-o-n-g, silky finish. Drinking beautifully now, it will develop extra depth for years to come.
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
Here's an extremely rare opportunity to taste Sam's finest Cabernet of all - from the Trophy-winning 1164 range! Sam meticulously handcrafts this luxurious Cabernet from the finest vine parcels in the Barossa Valley, where extremely low yields produce intensely flavoured grapes of outstanding quality. Add lavish ageing in top French oak barrels and you've a masterpiece filled with concentration and complexity only found in tiny-volume, artisan reds like this. Wow! Gorgeously deep cassis flavours, a delicious eucalyptus edge and a l-o-n-g, silky finish. Drinking beautifully now, it will develop extra depth for years to come.
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 75cl - £108.24
For 6 bottles - equivalent to £18.04 per bottle. Price on 20-Nov-08 from Tesco.
Complete, rich and mouthfilling, easily handling the prominent tannins and new oak. A sweet and concentrated mid-palate yields to reveal a lingering finish, adorned with anise, leather, spice and mocha.
Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz is a traditional multi-regional Australian blend, unmistakably Penfolds in style, with fleshy, ripe fruit flavours and charry oak. This wine is often referred to as 'poor man's Grange' due to its age old reputation for value for m
For 6 bottles - equivalent to £18.04 per bottle. Price on 20-Nov-08 from Tesco.
Complete, rich and mouthfilling, easily handling the prominent tannins and new oak. A sweet and concentrated mid-palate yields to reveal a lingering finish, adorned with anise, leather, spice and mocha.
Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz is a traditional multi-regional Australian blend, unmistakably Penfolds in style, with fleshy, ripe fruit flavours and charry oak. This wine is often referred to as 'poor man's Grange' due to its age old reputation for value for m
Chateau Bonalgue 2005 - £18.15
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
''A sleeper of the vintage ... this impressively run, small Pomerol estate has turned out a fruit-driven - loads of black cherries and cassis - 2005 revealing notions of smoke, licorice, and wood'' (Robert Parker) Few Pomerols will beat Bonalgue this year when it comes to offering the exceptional depth and mouthfilling power of the vintage at an affordable price. This classic Pomerol will be very popular indeed, so we advise you call today for your case.
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
''A sleeper of the vintage ... this impressively run, small Pomerol estate has turned out a fruit-driven - loads of black cherries and cassis - 2005 revealing notions of smoke, licorice, and wood'' (Robert Parker) Few Pomerols will beat Bonalgue this year when it comes to offering the exceptional depth and mouthfilling power of the vintage at an affordable price. This classic Pomerol will be very popular indeed, so we advise you call today for your case.
Chateau Haut Baradieu 2005 - £18.19
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
We're extremely lucky to have a few precious cases of this heavenly gem! 2005 was a legendary vintage in Bordeaux, especially for left bank properties such as this. Hours of sunshine ripened grapes to perfection - resulting in rich and juicy wines that are bursting with character! Chateau Haut Baradieu is located high in the hills of St Estephe, next door to celebrated winery Chateau Calon-Segur. Like all the best chateaux, Haut Baradieu faces the river which provides a gentle cooling breeze that's essential for keeping grapes fresh. Chief winemaker, Eric Boissenot is well respected in France and has worked for a number of leading wineries in Bordeaux, including Chateau Margaux! Rich and full with plenty of herbs and spice that overlay the vibrant bramble fruit. A perfect partner to lamb chops, this is premium Haut Medoc at a fraction of the price!
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
We're extremely lucky to have a few precious cases of this heavenly gem! 2005 was a legendary vintage in Bordeaux, especially for left bank properties such as this. Hours of sunshine ripened grapes to perfection - resulting in rich and juicy wines that are bursting with character! Chateau Haut Baradieu is located high in the hills of St Estephe, next door to celebrated winery Chateau Calon-Segur. Like all the best chateaux, Haut Baradieu faces the river which provides a gentle cooling breeze that's essential for keeping grapes fresh. Chief winemaker, Eric Boissenot is well respected in France and has worked for a number of leading wineries in Bordeaux, including Chateau Margaux! Rich and full with plenty of herbs and spice that overlay the vibrant bramble fruit. A perfect partner to lamb chops, this is premium Haut Medoc at a fraction of the price!
Chateau Fonroque 2006 - £18.39
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
''Full-bodied, very smooth and harmonious ... slips down the throat almost too easily!'' Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate With Alan Moueix (from the family who make Petrus) behind this very reasonably priced, classically styled Saint-Emilion, you can be confident of its quality. Ripe plums with hints of coffee and liquorice - look forward to this over the next 15 years.
Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.
''Full-bodied, very smooth and harmonious ... slips down the throat almost too easily!'' Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate With Alan Moueix (from the family who make Petrus) behind this very reasonably priced, classically styled Saint-Emilion, you can be confident of its quality. Ripe plums with hints of coffee and liquorice - look forward to this over the next 15 years.