| RED WINES |
Le Velette: Rosso di Spicca 2006 (DOC Rosso Orvietano): Dr Corrado Bottai is the fifth generation of his family to produce wine at Le Velette. That makes him one of the new boys. His cellars were dug out by Etruscan hands two and a half thousand years ago. Rosso di Spicca is a fascinating combination of the traditional chianti grape, sangiovese, and the less well known canailo. The two produce an intense, balanced wine, packed with spicy, even fiery flavour, recalling that this part of Orvieto is volcanic. Classically good with pasta and anything Italian, but it would stand up to a curry if asked to.
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£7.50 a bottle, £90.00 a case |
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Niccolai-Palagetto: Chianti Colli Senesi ‘Riserva’ 2004 (DOCG): This is a chianti of real distinction. ‘Colli Senesi’, the hills of Siena, may not be as familiar to British buyers as Chianti Classico or Chianti Rufina, but it should be. That’s why we’ve decided to sing its praises. It has an elegance and intensity of immediate appeal. The wine is aged in oak for twelve months and that’s all too obvious in the colour. If you can hold on, just stare at it for a moment: a glorious ruby, with a touch of tawny at the edges. The blend of sangiovese and a tiny hint of merlot really works. It’s got a terrific sangiovese nose, massive flavour and a lingering, fruity finish. I said to the wife, “we should stay here, never go anywhere else. I’m happy.” |
£11.50 a bottle, £138.00 a case |
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Niccolai-Palagetto: Sottobosco 2005 (Rosso di San Gimignano DOC): On first whiff, Sottobosco hits you with the pungent smell of a wet forest floor in autumn. If that tends to put you off, don’t let it. This is a cracker, and the ‘underwood’ of its name is the prelude to a most delightful, soft, lasting oral experience. With 80% sangiovese, 10% cabernet sauvignon and 10% syrah, it’s complex and fascinating, this wine. There are strong, dark fruits. “Damsons!” shouted a voice at the back. Then, there’s a spiciness, which makes the finish orgasmic. Hey, you didn’t tell me this was live. I would never have used the word ‘orgasmic’ if I’d known it was live. I thought you’d cut it out. Can’t trust anyone. Damsons, orgasmic – they’ll think we’re crazy. |
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£13.90 a bottle, £166.80 a case |
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Château Beauchêne “Les Charmes” 2003 (AC Côtes du Rhône Villages):Practice makes perfect. This wine is so good. It’s a vertiginous mix of Grenache and Syrah, with a dash of Cinsault and Vieux Carignan. Although subtle on the nose, on the palate it’s a deep, powerful blend of mature red fruit flavours, the tannins soft but still evident. Pretty label too, for those of you who stare at the bottle while drinking!
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£9.95 a bottle, £119.40 a case
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Château Frédignac 2005 (AC Premières Côtes de Blaye): The 2005 is already drinking extremely well and provides a nice adolescent contrast to the older clarets on our list. A classic blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon, it’s a fruity wine that slips down and down and down – shocking, but there you are. Drink it or age it, but whatever you do, don’t overlook it.
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£7.95 a bottle, £95.40 a case |
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Domaine du Point du Jour “Cuvée Prestige” 2005 (AC Fleurie): Fleurie is probably the most highly regarded of the Beaujolais villages. The flavours are intense and the finish satisfyingly long, with an elegance that convinces you another glass wouldn’t hurt. A comforting, satisfying wine for that fin-de-semaine mood. |
£9.95 a bottle, £119.40 a case |
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Château la Vieille Croix "Cuvée DM" 2002 (AC Fronsac): Fronsac lies just down the river from Saint-Émilion and similarly produces rich and fruity wines, which are enjoyable from infancy (their own, that is, not yours). Maturing with subtle hints of oak and cigar boxes, this will cheer up every dinner table and resolve most family disputes. |
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| £10.90 a bottle, £130.80 a case |
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Domaine du Pesquier: Côtes du Rhône 2006 (AC): Lighter than his Gigondas, Monsieur Boutière’s Côtes du Rhône has a style of its own – deliciously fruity, already quite mature and as satisfying as ever. Fans of this can often be found asleep under a cedar tree in mid-afternoon. |
£7.95 a bottle, £95.40 a case
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Domaine du Pesquier: Gigondas 2004 (AC ): The Southern Rhone produces some exuberant red wines and this example of syrah blended with grenache and mourvèdre provides a bottle bursting with powerful fruits, tannin, spice and little men in tall crimson caps, which I’ve never understood. Are they real? Perhaps we shouldn’t mention them? Chunky, anyway. |
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£12.50 a bottle, £150.00 a case |
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Château du Taillan, “Cuvée des Dames” 2000 (AC Haut-Médoc): The “dames” are the five elegant sisters who inherited the château and created this particular cuvee, which fuses merlot and cabernet franc to deliver a gloriously smooth, full-bodied and quite delicious wine. Choose reliable friends to drink it with, or paying guests. |
£15.95 a bottle, £191.40 a case |
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| Domaine La Fourmone “Sélection Mâitre de Chais” 2004 (AC Vacqueyras): The Vacqueyras hillsides slope more gently than those of neighbouring Gigondas and produce a slightly smoother style, the Vacqueyras tending towards roundness rather than power, more Satie than Berlioz. |
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| £11.70 a bottle, £140.40 a case |
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Domaine du Garinet 2002 (AC Cahors): Mike and Sue Spring produce wine of such quality that Sue has graduated to the regional appellation board. Virtually their entire production is sold locally, but we’ve been loyal customers for the last four years. Matured in oak barrels, this will be your true friend. Straight up. |
£10.50 a bottle, £126.00 a case |
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Frédéric Corpel Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (Vin de Pays d'Oc): A deep red colour with a hint of purple at the edges, great nose and a full fruity flavour. This is one of four wines we have selected from the Corpel range that we think are not only delicious but also outstanding value for money - our new range of wines for everyday drinking. See also White wines. |
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| £5.25 a bottle, £60.00 an unmixed case |
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