2. Gold-medal Champions
You'll save ยฃ39 when you award
yourself with these Gold-medal
Champions - just ยฃ7.50 a bottle!
When wines are entered into
competition, they're tasted blind
against hundreds of their peers. To
win Gold requires something extra-
special. Your champion reds comprise
mature Spanish Gran Reserva, a
deep, spicy treat from the
Minervois, Bruce Jack's Dragon Tree
and Super-Tuscan Saracosa. Your
whites are Sauvignon Blanc at its best
in two classic regions: pure and
unblended in Marlborough, and with a
little splash of Sรฉmillon in Bordeaux.
Outstanding stuff, order now.
4. Shingle Peak Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011
(x2)
Pure Sauvignon from one of the first vineyards established in
New Zealand's famed Marlborough region
Established in 1983, Shingle Peak takes its name from the
distinctive mountain ranges that border the stony alluvial soils
of the Wairau River, where some of Marlborough's finest
wineries - including Cloudy Bay - are based. Senior winemaker
Nikolai St George is well qualified, having studied at Australia's
prestigious Charles Sturt University and worked in Australia,
America, France and Chile. A specialist in Sauvignon, he pinpoints
the estate's best parcels of vines early in the year and earmarks
them for his Reserve wines and monitors them closely. This is a
classically styled New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, with crisp apple
and citrus fruit aromas. Delicious on its own, it's also a great
match for spicy dishes and all sorts of seafood.
5. Chรขteau Moulin de Pillardot 2009 (x2)
Top vintage white Bordeaux - the sister white to one of our best
value clarets
The original 18th century windmill, Moulin de Pillardot, no
longer operates, but lends its name to the best plots among
Chรขteau Bourdicotte's 77 hectares of vines. These vineyards
benefit from a south facing aspect, so receive maximum hours of
sunshine, and the vines are on average 50 years old, which
means they produce fewer but more concentrated grapes. Head
winemaker Jean-Franรงois Corps is well known in the region and
is consultant to several properties in Saint Estรจphe and
Margaux.Typically, Jean-Franรงois uses a combination of
Sauvignon Blanc, for its zesty aromatics and crisp gooseberry
flavours, with a portion of Sรฉmillon to add more honeyed,
tropical notes, with a touch of oak for complexity. Enjoy with
rich fish pie or salmon.
6. Saracosa 2009 (x2)
Irresistibly opulent and elegant, Gold-medal-winning Tuscan
star to match many at twice the price
Saracosa is inspired by the so-called 'Super Tuscans' first
developed by Antinori in the 1970s. These wines kick-started the
renaissance of Tuscan wines and became some of the most
exclusive and expensive in the world. It's from the Barbanera
family estate near Montalcino. Half the vineyards are in the
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, and the remainder just
beyond. Quality was particularly high in 2009. Consider also
the age of the vines, some of which were planted in 1938, and
you can understand why Saracosa is so concentrated.Dense dark
cherry and chocolaty tones make this a serious wine to enjoy
with classic Tuscan dishes such as pasta with a pork ragu, or
bistecca alla fiorentina.
7. Flagstone Dragon Tree 2008 (x2)
An invigorating Cape red full of rich fruit and oak from the
equally indomitable Bruce Jack
Everything about Flagstone and its somewhat eccentric owner
Bruce Jack is like a breath of fresh air. This wine will arouse
your taste buds and give you a thirst to discover more of the
range. Like his wines, Bruce is very much 'one of a kind', with a
degree in English literature from St Andrews, Scotland, and in
winemaking from Australia's Roseworthy College.Dragon Tree
is a powerful blend of Cabernet, Shiraz and Pinotage that
perfectly fulfils Bruce's aim to provide "juicy, fruity wines
that feel soft but have intriguing flavour and offer unbeatable
value for money". Aged for 15 months in oak barrels, it's quite a
mouthful and best enjoyed with strongly flavoured foods like
char grilled meats, steak and kidney pie or a game casserole.
8. Palacio del Conde Gran Reserva 2005
(x2)
Smooth, complex, elegant Gran Reserva from
Valencia, brimming with spicy strawberry and creamy oak
Where else can you buy mellow barrel aged reds of this
quality at such an everyday price? Not only is today's Spanish
wine scene "among the most vibrant, dynamic and creative in the
world" (Tim Atkin MW), it surely offers the best value.Valencia
is known as Madrid by the sea (where the Madrileรฑos flock at
the weekend for relaxation). Inland there are orange groves
and extensive paddy fields - it's where paella is said to have
been invented - and of course, vineyards. Winemaker Maria
Angeles Camara combines Monastrell with Tempranillo for
dark, juicy fruit flavour. Extensive barrel ageing provides a
soft edge of vanilla. This fragrant, medium bodied red is in its
element with duck or lamb, strong cheese, or tapas such as
jamรณn Serrano.
9. Chรขteau Portal Cuvรฉe Jรฉrรดme 2010 (x2)
Fabulous, top cuvรฉe Minervois proudly sporting two Gold
Medals
Chรขteau Portal is one of the leading estates in the Minervois
with a history dating back to the 11th century. The property was
home to French nobility throughout the Middle Ages and to this
day retains a restored 8th century chapel. Jรฉrรดme Portal's 80
hectares of vines grow right next to the region's top cru, La
Liviniรจre.Cuvรฉe Jรฉrรดme is crafted mainly from rich and spicy
Syrah supported by raspberry rich Grenache and spicy
Carignan, the incredibly intense flavours of which are due to
rare 100 year old vines. The wine is aged for a year in French
oak barrels, lightly toasted over a naked flame to impart
mocha character and extra complexity.Serve this splendid
southern French red with traditional cassoulet or roast
shoulder of lamb.
10. Check out our website for more information and the possibility to buy wine from
wide selection of red wines, white wines, rose wines and
champagne, prosecco & sparkling wines. Itโs simple, easy and you can
have the wine delivered to your doorstep!
