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How to use this List● Wines are listed by theme and then by price

● Drink dates are given as a guide to maturity and ageing potential

● For further information about any of the wines please contact Member Services on 01438 741177

● Fine wines too limited in quantity to be listed may be found in the fine wine section of The Society’s website at thewinesociety.com/finewine

A MAY MANIFESTO

HOUSE BEAUTIFUL: GRANDE MARQUE DELUXE CHAMPAGNE 3

Buyer Pierre Mansour gets on his marques to deconstruct prestige Champagne, with the aid of M. William Deutz and a certain Sir Winston Churchill, among others.

BORDEAUX 2005 TEN YEARS ON 4

An outstanding claret year attains its tenth birthday. Sebastian Payne MW selects seven progress-checking wines from different Bordelais communes.

NATIONAL MONUMENT: MEERLUST ESTATE 5

In family ownership for more than 250 years, this patrician Stellenbosch estate continues apace under the expert hand of winemaker Chris Williams. Look out for a revitalised pinot noir.

WHITE BURGUNDY, TOPPED AND TAILED 6

Buyer Toby Morrhall has made an in-depth study of Burgundy from extreme north to deep south. Here are two of his trouvailles, from featured growers at each extremity, Domaine Duplessis in Chablis, and Domaine André Bonhomme in the Mâconnais.

A VIN FOR ALL SEASONS: FINE WINE AND SUMMER FOOD 8

In a new feature inspired by the onset of summer and members’ enthusiasm for food and wine matching, a mouthwatering selection of fine wines from this list is assembled with seasonal produce in mind.

GRAPE MASTERCLASS: NEW WORLD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 9

The southern hemisphere is the place to understand the essence of cabernet sauvignon, pure and not-so-simple, as demonstrated by masters of the grape Vergelegen, Sandalford, Gandolini and Leeuwin to name just four.

CHATEAU BEAUCASTEL: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE 10

A treat not only for Beaucastel aficionados, including an Hommage à Jacques Perrin and the estate’s peerless white, but also some top drops from the Perrins’ Vinsobres estate in the rolling hills of the northerly Rhône-Villages.

SMALL WONDERS 11

More miracles of modest pricing, and a mixed case of benchmark Italian wines to demonstrate what wonderful value there is to be found all along the Boot.

SNIFF, SWIRL AND SWALLOW: BUYERS’ FINE WINE FAVOURITES 14

We asked members of the buying team to nominate their current dream glasses. Money was no object. The response was extremely enthusiastic and the mix predictably eclectic, resulting in a two-page spread of bottles, from the Mosel to Mendoza.

RISING FINE WINE STARS 16

Join The Society’s buyers on the inside track and discover our discoveries before they are claimed by the mainstream. Two fascinating Cape whites, a fine Chianti from a rejuvenated estate and a premium garnacha from Navarra join a selection of thought-provoking wines at Small Wonder prices.

CUSTOM CELLAR 18

Lateral drinking for the future, from Spain and Italy, including Muga Selección Especial, Viña Pedrosa, Barolo from Ciabot Berton and Ornellaia’s Serre Nuove.

We try to avoid cliches on the Fine Wine team. You won’t find us Springing in the Air, Snoozing in a Summer Garden or reminding members deafened by festive mall muzak that Christmas is Coming. Nor, in election month, are we about to banish the blues and welcome the greens, even in small letters. Our members certainly don’t want to feel they’ve heard it all before, so here, fresh as a daisy, is our May Fine Wine List, democratic as ever, driven by class in the glass, and nothing else. It’s our party line, and we’re sticking to it. Whether you elect to check on your 2005 clarets, sample a dry Cape muscat with the new season’s asparagus, do some Rising Star-gazing or snap up some unusual Spanish reds for your cellar, these are all good reasons to welcome the merry month of May.

3For advice thewinesociety.com/advice or 01438 741177

HOUSE BEAUTIFUL GRANDE MARQUE DELUXE CHAMPAGNEThe ultimate representation of Champagne is the ‘prestige’ cuvée. These special wines represent the pinnacle of champenois craftsmanship, often produced from only the finest vintages, always selected from the healthiest vineyard plots and usually aged for many years before release. The attention to detail and winemaking investment justify the price tags, and nowhere will you find such exquisite purity and class in a bottle. Below are six examples from the very best houses. Pierre Mansour

J-CH2971 Louis Roederer Brut Nature 2006 £56 bottle £336 six

Reflecting the increasingly popular bone-dry zéro-dosage style that showcases the pristine purity of the most elegant of sparklers, Brut Nature is the first new addition to the Roederer portfolio in more than three decades. The wine is austere, precise, understated and yet intense, and best enjoyed with food (try it with really good Ibérico ham). The 2006 was disgorged in March 2014. Now to 2020. 12%

J-CH3001 Charles Heidsieck Brut 2005 £62 bottle £372 six Fabulous, pale-gold vintage Champagne with great depth of flavour and finesse.

Made from 58% pinot noir and 42% chardonnay. A vintage Champagne in the grand tradition. Now to 2020. 12%

J-CH2861 Deutz Cuvée William Deutz Brut 2000 £90 bottle £540 six Top-flight vintage Champagne with over ten years’ ageing from an outstanding, if discreet,

Champagne house based in the historic town of Aÿ. Now to 2019. 12% The 2002 follows.

J-CH2731 Louis Roederer Cristal 2006 £135 bottle £810 six Luxuriously rich and full-bodied Champagne in a distinctive clear glass bottle – the

quintessential luxury Champagne from one of the region’s finest houses. Fabulous. Now to 2024. 12%

J-CH2911 Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2002 £139 bottle £834 six ‘The world’s most drinkable address’ is how Sir Winston Churchill described Pol Roger’s

offices in Epernay. The 1928 vintage, so loved by Sir Winston, may be long gone but the style of the Champagne has changed very little. This is as outstanding as ever. Now to 2021. 12.5%

J-CH2921 Bollinger Extra-Brut RD 2002 £139 bottle £834 six From the best vineyards (71% grand cru, the rest premier) and one of the best releases of

the last decade, this blend of 60% pinot noir, 40% chardonnay is matured more than three times longer than the appellation requires. Very dry, stylish, individualistic Champagne with an infinite array of flavours: true wine alchemy. Now to 2019. 12%

PRESTIGE CHAMPAGNE COLLECTION £409Drink or store to 2019

A three-bottle case containing one bottle each of the following wines:

Pol Roger, Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2002Bollinger Extra-Brut RD 2002 Louis Roederer Cristal 2006

ref J-MX1569


J-CM15771 Château Sénéjac, Haut-Médoc 2005 £22 bottle £264 dozen

In a top vintage like 2005, this property shows real class and elegance. Beautifully balanced claret that grows in the glass. Will benefit from keeping a little longer, if you can. Now to 2025. 13% Low stock.

J-CM12171 Château Tronquoy-Lalande, Saint-Estèphe 2005 £23 bottle £276 dozen

The first vintage made here since this excellent property was bought by classed-growth Montrose. Bright, fresh claret with succulent fruit and real finesse. Now to 2020. 13.5% Low stock.

J-CM11321 La Dame de Malescot, Margaux 2005 £25 bottle £300 dozen

The second wine of classed-growth Château Malescot St Exupéry has floral bouquet and intense, dark ripe fruit. At its best, but with time in hand. Now to 2020. 13.5%

J-CS8781 Château Moulinet-Lasserre, Pomerol 2005 £27.50 bottle £330 dozen

A lovely Pomerol with fragrant bouquet and rich ‘truffle’ palate with a touch of chocolate. Just right to drink now and over the next five years. Now to 2020. 13.5%

J-CS6501 Château Chauvin, Saint-Emilion 2005 £28 bottle £336 dozen With its rich, seductive, full-bodied flavour, this Saint-Emilion is halfway to Pomerol in style

as well as geographically close. Well-structured wine just hitting its stride. Now to 2020. 13.5%

J-CM10211 Château Haut-Batailley, Pauillac 2005 £36 bottle £432 dozen

With two-thirds cabernet sauvignon, this beautifully balanced claret, under the same ownership as Grand-Puy-Lacoste, needed a full decade to reveal its potential and will continue to get better and better over the next ten years. Now to 2025. 13%

Château Chasse-Spleen, Moulis 2005 Splendid, rich and full-flavoured in this vintage. Chasse-Spleen makes wine to last in great

years and this is still a young wine with a long life ahead if you wish. Now to 2030. 13% Only available in mixed case J-MX1585.

BORDEAUX 2005, TEN YEARS ONA group of merchants, including me, and journalists, which annually assesses recently bottled claret vintages, voted 2005 the best vintage of the last 15 years, though 2010, 2009 and 2000 were strong contenders. It was an historically dry year which concentrated the grapes in every element: sweetness, fruit, acidity, extract and tannin. They showed amazing éclat and bouquet from the start, but the best needed a good ten years, often more, to show their class.

A decade on, some wines are just beginning to reveal their potential. The seven below, which I tasted at Stevenage in February this year, are lovely now, and brilliantly demonstrate their different communal origins. Sebastian Payne MW

2005 BORDEAUX CASE £165 Drink or store to 2020

A six-bottle case containing one bottle each of the following wines:

Château Moulinet-Lasserre, Pomerol 2005La Dame de Malescot, Margaux 2005Château Tronquoy-Lalande, Saint-Estèphe 2005 Château Haut-Batailley, Pauillac 2005Château Chasse-Spleen, Moulis 2005Château Chauvin, Saint-Emilion 2005

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WHITEJ-SA10331 Meerlust Estate Chardonnay, Stellenbosch 2012 £16 bottle £192 dozen

Opulent barrel-fermented chardonnay with broad, spicy flavour and ripe, generous fruit on the palate. Now to to 2018. 13%

REDJ-SA10341 Meerlust Estate Merlot, Stellenbosch 2012 £17 bottle £204 dozen

A rewarding, yet refined South African merlot that, in this more recent vintage, won high marks in The Society’s 2013 Wine Championship blind tasting for its completeness and complexity. Its gorgeous rich fruit is complemented by mature notes of herbs, liquorice and mocha. Now to 2025. 13.5%

J-SA10401 Meerlust Estate Pinot Noir, Stellenbosch 2013 £18 bottle £216 dozen

Chris Williams’ interpretation of Meerlust pinot noir is more overtly fruity, varietally expressive and elegant than it has been in the past. One major development has been the move from old to new barrels for the 18-month period of maturation. A delicious pinot with appealing, red-and-black-cherry fruit and attractive suppleness. Now to 2020. 14%

J-SA10321 Meerlust Estate Cabernet, Stellenbosch 2011 £18 bottle £216 dozen

Unsurprisingly rated ‘outstanding’ in Platter’s Guide, this is the first single-varietal cabernet release since the 2005 vintage. The generous but well-integrated oak supports lush, layered fruit that is pure seduction. Approachable now, but worth a little patience. Now to 2026. 14.5%

J-SA10351 Meerlust Estate Rubicon, Stellenbosch 2009 £21 bottle £252 dozen

Predominantly cabernet sauvignon as usual, with just a splash of petit verdot in the blend for the first time, Rubicon is approachable at a younger age these days thanks to cellarmaster Chris Williams’ considered evolution of the style. But many will still prefer to follow Meerlust’s recommendation and cellar this wine for the extra finesse that will come with another six to eight years in bottle. Now to 2029. 14.5%

J-SA8081 Meerlust Estate Rubicon, Stellenbosch 2007 £21 bottle £252 dozen

The 2007 was blended from around 20 different vineyard plots on the farm to achieve greater complexity, then matured for two years in French oak barrels. Deep in colour, rich, smoky, gravelly with lovely fragrance, length and finesse. Now to 2026. 14%

Meerlust Estate Merlot, Stellenbosch 2005 A new world wine for Bordeaux lovers, with the colour, aroma and flavours of mature

claret. Winemaker Chris Williams’ second vintage in charge, with 12% cabernet franc, shows the sweetness of the 2005 vintage. Now to 2020. 14% Only available in mixed case J-MX1576.

NATIONAL MONUMENTMEERLUST ESTATE In its eighth generation of family ownership, Meerlust Estate has consistently remained at the forefront of Cape quality and excitement. It crossed the ‘Rubicon’ some four decades ago, by planting the Bordelais varieties that make the eponymous flagship blend, and making a speciality of chardonnay and pinot noir, rather than the more usual chenin blanc and pinotage. In 2004, former assistant winemaker Chris Williams returned to assume control of the cellars and the wines have gone from strength to strength. The winery itself is an exceptional example of Cape Dutch architecture and enjoys heritage site status while creating an ongoing wine heritage of its own. Joanna Locke MW

MEERLUST ESTATE COLLECTION £112Drink or store to 2020


Meerlust Estate Rubicon, Stellenbosch 2007 Meerlust Estate Rubicon, Stellenbosch 2009 Meerlust Estate Merlot, Stellenbosch 2005

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Meerlust Estate Merlot, Stellenbosch 2012 Meerlust Estate Cabernet, Stellenbosch 2011Meerlust Estate Pinot Noir, Stellenbosch 2013


DOMAINE DUPLESSIS 2012PREMIER CRU CASE £109Drink or store to 2018

A six-bottle case containing two bottles each of the following wines:

Domaine Duplessis, Chablis Premier Cru Vaugiraut 2012Domaine Duplessis, Chablis Premier Cru Montmains 2012 Domaine Duplessis, Chablis Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre 2012

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WHITE BURGUNDY, TOPPED AND TAILED

DOMAINE DUPLESSIS, CHABLISAt this fine Chablis domaine, father Gérard handed over the reins to son Lilian in 2010. He cultivates his nine hectares organically. The domaine has a good spread of vineyards including Petit Chablis, Chablis, premiers crus Vaugiraut, Vaillons, Fourchaume (Vaupulent), a hectare of 70-year-old vines in Montée de Tonnerre from the excellent lieu-dit Pied d’Aloue, two hectares of Montmains where it joins with Forêt, and just under a third of a hectare in grand cru Les Clos. Many of the vineyards are planted with the early, low-yielding rootstock 161-49.

In the cellar the Petit Chablis, Chablis and Vaugiraut are fermented and aged in stainless-steel tank and bottled after a year. All the others are bottled after a year in stainless steel, followed by a further six months in barrels with an average age of five years, which develops and matures the wines without contributing any oak flavours. The result is fine, concentrated, classic Chablis with each vineyard clearly expressing its characteristic flavours.

2012 is very high quality, concentrated and richly flavoured, with excellent keeping potential. 2011 is an attractive, fresh vintage, good-to-very-good quality for medium-term drinking, though a little patience with Les Clos will pay dividends. Toby Morrhall

J-BU57591 Domaine Duplessis, Chablis 2012 £14.50 bottle £174 dozen

Taut, fresh, mineral Chablis from the excellent, concentrated, full-flavoured 2012 vintage. Now to 2017. 12%

J-BU57551 Domaine Duplessis, Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2011 £33 bottle £396 dozen

This is Montée de Tonnerre’s big brother, stylistically similar but grand cru Les Clos ramps up the minerality to another level. Pure, linear, crystalline wine with a spark of brilliance. Keep this awhile. 2017 to 2019. 13%

Domaine Duplessis, Chablis Premier Cru Vaugiraut 2012 Tense, vivid Chablis which is dry and linear with a steely backbone of acidity which stands

up to food so well. Now to 2018. 12.5% Only available in mixed case J-MX1570.

Domaine Duplessis, Chablis Premier Cru Montmains 2012 This is a firm and structured Montmains which ages beautifully and is best decanted

when served young. Lovely with a crab tart. Now to 2018. 12.5% Only available in mixed case J-MX1570.

Domaine Duplessis, Chablis Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre 2012 From 70-year-old vines planted in one of the best parts of Montée de Tonnerre,

Le Pied d’Alou, this is firm, dry mineral Chablis which, after some bottle age, opens up and can develop some honeyed nuances. Now to 2018. 12.5% Only available in mixed case J-MX1570.


DOMAINE ANDRE BONHOMME, MACONNAISThis domaine was founded in 1956 by its namesake, André Bonhomme, who began with just four hectares he’d acquired from his father. He became one of Burgundy’s most respected wine figures and was instrumental in the creation of the Viré-Clessé appellation. The domaine, now 12 hectares, is managed by his son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Jacqueline, and, recently, their own sons, Aurélien and Johann.

What has always set Bonhomme’s wines apart from most Mâcon is that in youth they are quite firm and backward, and blossom with a little bottle age. André always was careful to pick at higher acidity than many in the region and his grandson Aurélien continues this practice. The other great marker is the low yields. These wines have a natural concentration and longevity that most wines in this region do not have.

Many members will already know Bonhomme’s Vieilles Vignes, which we regularly list. The three single-vineyard wines below are rarities, made in tiny quantities from the best and oldest vineyards of the domaine. All are hand harvested, and the wines are matured for two years in 400-litre barrels, 25% of them new. Toby Morrhall

J-BU59641 Domaine André Bonhomme, Viré-Clessé Cuvée Les Prêtres £20 bottle £240 dozen de Quintaine 2012 From a perfectly placed south-eastern vineyard at the heart of Viré-Clessé, planted more

than a century ago, this is rich, buttery and incredibly concentrated. Just over 2,000 bottles were produced in this vintage. Now to 2024. 13.5%

J-BU59651 Domaine André Bonhomme, Viré-Clessé Les Hauts de Menards 2012 £21 bottle £252 dozen

Lying on a south-east-facing slope opposite the domaine, at the northern end of the village of Viré, Menards was planted in 1926. This imposing chardonnay, described by Aurélien as a ‘complete’ wine, is concentrated and very elegant. Barely 1,500 bottles were produced in 2012. Now to 2026. 13.5%

J-BU59661 Domaine André Bonhomme, Viré-Clessé Le Côteau de L’Epinet 2012 £21 bottle £252 dozen

Only 764 bottles were produced from this 95-year-old vineyard near Thurissey, at the extreme north of the appellation. A white Burgundy of great finesse, marked by a striking mineral freshness tinged with honey, and with a long, clean finish. Now to 2024. 13.5%

THE BONHOMME MÂCONNAISCOLLECTION £124Drink or store to 2024

A six-bottle case containing two bottles each of the wines listed above.

ref J-MX1571

Mâconnais vineyards


A VIN FOR ALL SEASONS FINE WINE AND SUMMER FOODInspired by this Fine Wine List and the bounty of May, June and July, the bottles below celebrate seasonal eating at its best. The mixed case is the encapsulation of a summer evening, be it posh picnic or formal dining. Janet Wynne Evans, Fine Wine Editor.

THE ALLOTMENT: ASPARAGUS, PEAS AND BEANS J-SA10371 Solms Delta Koloni Muscat, Western Cape 2013 £14.95 bottle £179 dozen

Our home-grown asparagus responds to the back-note of sweetness and racy finish of a good dry muscat. A proportion of the grapes in this fascinating Rising Star (see page 16) are ‘dessicated’ on the vine for added punch. Now to 2018. 13.5%

J-US5991 WillaKenzie Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Gris 2012 £20 bottle £240 dozen

New world pinot gris works wonders with all varieties of fresh peas and beans and Oregon delivers just the right balance of body, creamy, generous flavour and freshness on the finish. Now to 2017. 14.5%

THE FISH COUNTER: SPIDER CRAB AND WILD TROUTJ-SP9291 The Society’s Exhibition Albariño, Rías Baixas 2013 £12.95 bottle £155 dozen

The pristine flesh of the spider crab demands the steely purity of albariño, as embodied in our Exhibition bottling from Pazo de Señorans (see also Small Wonders on page 11). Galicia in a glass! Now to 2017. 12.5%

J-NZ7791 Dog Point Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014 £13.50 bottle £162 dozen

The simultaneously delicate and unctuous flesh of our native trout have a real affinity with a verdant Marlborough sauvignon blanc. Few hit the palate running as effectively as Dog Point, described in more detail in Small Wonders on page 11. Now to 2018. 13.4%

BUTCHER’S HOOK: LAMB - AND LAMB DRESSED AS MUTTONJ-BU50041 The Society’s Exhibition Monthélie 2010 £17.50 bottle £210 dozen

In season from July, salt-marsh lamb needs the subtlest of wines to flatter its delicate notes of coastal pasture. The suppleness and silky texture of a red Burgundy is indicated and our Exhibition Monthélie from Jadot and the outstanding 2010 vintage is perfect. Now to 2017. 13%

J-AR3111 Zaha Mendoza Malbec 2012 £22 bottle £264 dozen

Packed with flavour, mutton and year-old hogget make different demands on wine. This gorgeous Buyers’ Favourite has layers of ripe fruit and stylish oak and the combination of grace and Latin intensity that makes a tango so compelling. Now to 2022. 14%

CHEESE AND PUDDING IN SEASON J-LO11461 Saumur-Champigny ‘Le Page’, Domaine Rocheville 2014 £10.95 bottle £131 dozen

Loire goat’s milk cheeses are on song now, notably charcoal-dusted Selles-sur-Cher. The superb 2014 vintage has delivered concentrated, punchy cabernet francs that match it to perfection, like this Small Wonder (see page 11) from the central region. Now to 2019. 13%.

J-FC27731 Monbazillac, Château Pech la Calévie 2011 £11.95 bottle £143 dozen

The perfect sweet-tart balance of a British strawberry strikes a chord with the classic Sauternes formula of nobly-rotted semillon with sauvignon and muscadelle. Made in the same way, this luscious but refined Monbazillac, one of our Small Wonders on page 11 is a delicious match too. Now to 2019. 14.5%

FINE WINE SEASONAL DINING CASE £95Drink or store to 2017


WillaKenzie Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Gris 2012 The Society’s Exhibition Albariño, Rías Baixas 2013Solms Delta Koloni Muscat, Western Cape 2013

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Zaha Mendoza Malbec 2012 The Society’s Exhibition Monthélie 2010 Saumur-Champigny ‘Le Page’, Domaine Roche Ville 2014


J-SA10381 Vergelegen Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch 2008 £16 bottle £192 dozen

Cabernet is long-term cellarmaster André van Rensburg’s baby and attention is lavished on this premium South African example, with 45% new oak and a splash of merlot and cabernet franc. The cedary, savoury flavours of middle maturity are complemented by eucalyptus-tinged blackberry fruit and fine-grained tannins. Now to 2018. 14.5%

J-AU15521 Plantagenet Mount Barker Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 £19 bottle £228 dozen

Plantagenet is an important part of the vinous history of Western Australia. It was the first winery in the Great Southern region, established and still run by an Englishman, and it produces some of Australia’s finest wines. Harmony is the goal here and this was attained in 2009 with the addition of small amounts of cabernet franc, merlot and malbec, rounding and layering the palate. Now to 2022. 13.5%

J-SA10241 Kanonkop Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch 2010 £22 bottle £264 dozen

A deliciously succulent, approachable Kanonkop, deep in colour and fragrant with bewitching notes of blackberry and spice. The tannins are fine and poised. A South African cabernet of real class. Now to 2024. 14.5%

J-CE7591 Gandolini Las Tres Marias Vineyards Maipo Andes Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 £25 bottle £300 dozen

The first vintage of an excellent new wine made by Stefano Gandolini from three vineyards near Buin could equally have been a Rising Star in this List. The blend is 90% cabernet sauvignon, 5% cabernet franc, 3% petit verdot and 2% petit syrah. Aged for 20 months in barrel, it has fine aromas of cedar and violets, a ripe, multi-layered palate and plenty of ripe tannin concealed under opulent fruit. Now to 2026. 14%

J-AU16781 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 £32 bottle £384 dozen

A great vintage for Margaret River – a warm dry summer allowed the grapes to develop excellent complex flavours, and ripe tannins. Deep ruby in colour, this Western Australian has an abundance of blackcurrants and plum flavours on the nose. Violet, bay leaf and mocha develop as the wine opens up. Rich but elegant, and long. Now to 2020. 14%

J-CE6211 Almaviva 2008 £75 bottle £900 dozen

2008 is a wonderful vintage for Maipo – often described as the Haut-Médoc of Chile. The blend is 66% cabernet sauvignon and 8% cabernet franc from Puente Alto in Maipo for structure and a cedary top note, with 26% carmenère from Peumo, in Rapel, for flesh. Aged 18 months in new French barriques. Patience will be rewarded. Now to 2026. 14.5%

Sandalford Estate Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Founded in 1840, Sandalford is a Western Australian winery steeped in tradition.

Their main cellar is located further north, in the Swan Valley. This impeccable cabernet is highly fragrant with ripe tannin and a delicious core of fruit. Now to 2019. 14.5% Only available in mixed case J-MX1572.

GRAPE MASTERCLASSNEW WORLD CABERNET SAUVIGNONIf you want to get to grips with cabernet sauvignon, head south! Monovarietal and even majority cabernet sauvignon is relatively rare in Europe, and opportunities to grasp its intrinsic subtleties are limited. In the cabernet-dominated wines below you’ll find not only the grape’s primary flavours – cassis, black fruits, cedar – in sharp focus, but also palpable elements of terroir – a touch of violet or liquorice, perhaps. From the emerging and established ‘crus’ of the Cape and Western Australia’s Margaret River to the hot spots identified by the sophisticated soil-mapping system that Chile has in place, this selection is, quite simply, cabernet central.

NEW WORLD CABERNET CASE £109Drink or store to 2018

A six-bottle case containing two bottles each of the following wines:

Gandolini Las Tres Marias Vineyards Maipo Andes Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Sandalford Estate Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Vergelegen Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch 2008

ref J-MX1572


WHITE J-RH23091 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, Château de Beaucastel 2007 £55 bottle £660 dozen

This opulent white, best served with rich seafood, is a blend of 80% roussanne and 15% grenache blanc, completed with picpoul and picardin. A third was fermented in barrel, the rest in tank. Full-bodied, rich and stylish, it should either be drunk very young and fresh, or relished in its maturity, as here. Lovely now, but will keep longer yet, deepening in colour and complexity. Now to 2017. 14%

REDJ-RH34301 Vinsobres Les Cornuds, Famille Perrin 2010 £10.95 bottle £131 dozen

The Perrin family are now owners of a 60-hectare estate in Vinsobres, the most northerly of the Rhône villages. The blend here is 50/50 syrah and grenache, the syrah aged in year-old oak before blending. Potent stuff from a cracking vintage, with crunchy dark fruit underpinned by shades of chocolate. Now and next year. 14.5%

J-RH17281 Vinsobres Les Hauts de Julien, Famille Perrin 2005 £23 bottle £276 dozen

The Perrins’ flagship Vinsobres comes from old vines planted in the lieu-dit Les Hauts de Julien, a name that reflects the 300m altitude of the plot. It, too, is a blend of grenache and syrah, but raised in barrel. Elegant, savoury and full-flavoured. Now to 2019. 14% Low stock.

J-RH34851 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Chapouins Vieilles Vignes, Famille Perrin 2006 £40 bottle £480 dozen

The 2006 vintage produced sumptuous grenache, a grape much admired by the Perrins. This delicious red, raised in oak foudres for five years, comes from some of the oldest vines at Beaucastel. Perfectly ready to be savoured now but will keep for many more years. Now to 2030. 14.5%

J-RH30641 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Château de Beaucastel 2010 £55 bottle £660 dozen

The blend is 30% each grenache and mourvèdre, 10% each syrah and counoise and 5% cinsault, with other varieties making up the balance. All the elements that set Beaucastel apart are here, from the deep, dark hue, spicy black fruit and subtly herbal nose, exquisitely balanced palate and long, long finish. The patient will be well rewarded. Outstanding! 2019 to 2040. 14.5%

J-RH18631 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin, Château de £195 bottle £2340 dozen Beaucastel 2004 Only produced in outstanding vintages since 1989, this incredibly concentrated, rich and

spicy blend of mourvèdre, with grenache, syrah and counoise for company, is a fitting tribute to a man who left his mark on Châteauneuf. After nearly a decade this is already delicious, although there is no rush! Now to 2030. 14.5%

CHATEAU DE BEAUCASTEL, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTUREThere’s Châteauneuf and there’s Beaucastel, it’s often said, and it’s true that these wines are unique, from the distinctive, wild-berry bouquet and silky texture of the reds to the complexity and opulence of the long-lived, multi-layered whites. The estate, dating from the 16th century, and famous for having planted all 13 of the permitted Châteauneuf grapes, is owned by the Perrin family, whose pioneering dedication to environmentally thoughtful winemaking is legendary. Château de Beaucastel has been fully biodynamic since the 1970s. This small, but expressive collection includes two wines from the Perrins’ other holdings in Vinsobres. Marcel Orford-Williams


WHITE J-PW4951 Esporão Reserva Branco, Alentejano 2013 £9.95 bottle £119 dozen

This richly flavoured, savoury dry white is much sought after in Portugal. It is produced solely from estate-grown fruit using a blend of local grape varieties. Roughly half the blend was fermented in American and French oak, part new, and the remainder in stainless steel to retain freshness. Now to 2017. 14%

J-FC27731 Monbazillac, Château Pech la Calévie 2011 £11.95 bottle £143 dozen

Made, like Sauternes, from botrytised Bordelais varieties at a fraction of the price, this less ethereal but totally luscious pudding wine from the Bergerac region is glorious served not-too-chilled with red summer fruits, crème brûlée, lemon tart and Roquefort cheese. Now to 2019. 14.5% This wine also appears in our summer food and wine feature A Vin for All Seasons on page 8.

J-SP9291 The Society’s Exhibition Albariño, Rías Baixas 2013 £12.95 bottle £155 dozen

Vicky Mareque Bueno of Pazo de Señorans compares Spain’s Rías Baixas region to the UK in that we both receive a lot of rainfall! However, Galicia also gets ample sunshine that ripens the flinty, mineral albariño grape to perfection. This second vintage of our Exhibition Albariño has zesty citrus fruit and a hint of minerality, with amazing precision and finesse. Delicious, mouthwatering perfection. Now to 2017. 12.5%

J-NZ7961 Kumeu River Auckland Pinot Gris 2012 £12.95 bottle £155 dozen

A poised New Zealand pinot gris. Hand harvested and fermented with natural yeasts, it’s peachy and generous, but never cloying thanks to a citric twist on the palate. Perfect with complex spicier dishes. Now and next year. 12%

J-NZ7791 Dog Point Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014 £13.50 bottle £162 dozen

Ivan Sutherland and James Healy’s lauded New Zealand sauvignon will appeal to lovers of the old world as much as the new, and is always quieter and more structured than the more fruit-driven examples that made Marlborough’s name. We adored its almost savoury complexity and remarkable length of flavour. Now to 2018. 13.5% This wine also appears in our summer food and wine feature A Vin for All Seasons on page 8.

J-FC25961 Domaine Jones Blanc Grenache Gris, Côtes Catalanes 2013 £14.95 bottle £179 dozen

This delicious, full-bodied dry white, haunting but with a lovely steely core, comes from 80-year-old vines in Maury, in the Roussillon, courtesy of Leicestershire’s own Katie Jones. Perfect summer wine with complex apple, pear and melon notes, and a lovely herby edge. Now and next year. 13.5%

J-IT19261 Livio Felluga ‘Sharis’ 2013 £14.95 bottle £179 dozen

Captivating bouquet with hints of orange blossom and lively and charming flavour with touches of kiwi and ripe apple. This is a mix of local Friuli speciality ribolla gialla and chardonnay. Now to 2017. 12.5%

J-IT19191 Soave Classico Calvarino, Pieropan 2012 £16 bottle £192 dozen

At the ancient heart of the Pieropan estate, the Calvarino vineyard (little Calvary) derives its name from its challenging topography and soils. This is fine, elegant Soave with a delicately floral aroma and a crisp, savoury palate redolent of ripe apple and peach. Now to 2020. 12.5%

J-NZ7551 Greywacke Marlborough Riesling 2013 £17.50 bottle £210 dozen Made in tiny quantities this wonderful riesling has great charm, packing flint and lemon on

the nose, with lemon and lime sherbets on the palate. A lick of mineral flavour finishes this refreshing, off-dry New Zealand white. Lovely now, but will develop. Now to 2018. 12%

SMALL WONDERSFINE WINE AT £20 AND UNDERThe brief is, indeed, brief and very simple. Nothing on these pages should cost more than £20 and if it’s significantly less, so much the better. No wangling, exaggerated claims or contrived discounting, even if Society policy allowed it, but our buyers’ genuine discoveries of well-made, honestly priced bottles that rise to occasions and step up to myriad plates. Italy looms so large this time that a mixed case seemed inevitable, making three altogether.


REDS J-LO10781 Le Moulin Blanc Pinot Noir, J Mourat Père et Fils 2013 £10.50 bottle £126 dozen

From the heart of the Vendée, this is a juicy, easy-drinking blend of pinot noir, negrette, and cabernet franc from the dynamic young Jérémie Mourat. Now and next year. 13%

J-LO11461 Saumur-Champigny ‘Le Page’, Domaine de Rocheville 2014 £10.95 bottle £131 dozen

Loire cabernet franc is juicier and more appealing than ever in 2014, deeper in colour and super-focused on nose and palate. Domaine de Rocheville, a new supplier for us, has been transformed from an original smallholding into a state-of-the-art winery by Philippe Porché, who invested the profits from the sale of his supermarket business. ‘Le Page’ (the pageboy), primarily from the lieu-dit of Les Hautes Varennes, is a seductive, unoaked red, with ripe, jewel-bright fruit, velvety texture and engaging freshness on the palate. Now to 2019. 13% This wine also appears in our summer food and wine feature, A Vin for All Seasons on on page 8.

J-AU17351 Plan B Frankland River Shiraz-Tempranillo 2011 £11.50 bottle £138 dozen

Lovely intense and juicy shiraz from Western Australia. The addition of tempranillo adds a brightness to the palate that keeps the wine fresh. Now to 2018. 14% Low stock.

J-AU16121 Robert Oatley Signature Series Barossa Shiraz 2012 £12.95 bottle £155 dozen

A deeply coloured purple wine in its youth with blueberry and spice flavours, excellent balance and fine structure, and great depth of fruit from the ripe 2012 vintage in South Australia. The fine-grained tannins will continue to become smoother and more mellow with time. Now to 2018. 14.5%

J-CS9411 Château Vieux Lartigue, Saint-Emilion 2007 £12.95 bottle £155 dozen

This was originally bought for our Wine Without Fuss members but we enjoyed it so much that we invested in more. Smooth, savoury merlot-based claret from a very appealing vintage, fruit-forward and perfectly ready. Now and next year. 13%

J-IT19141 Aglianico del Vulture Alvolo, Alovini 2010 £14.95 bottle £179 dozen

Splendid example of south Italy’s finest long-living grape with intense fruit, lovely balance and classy bouquet still developing more complexity. Now to 2020. 14%

J-US5781 Gordon Estate Columbia Valley Syrah 2012 £16 bottle £192 dozen

Gordon Estate is the oldest family-run winery in Washington, established in 1980, and has some of the best Columbia Valley vineyards with vines now in their prime. This excellent syrah has great depth of black-fruit flavour with sage and rosemary notes on the nose, silky tannins and a long finish. Now to 2017. 13%

SMALL WONDERS


J-IT19211 La Grola, Allegrini 2011 £16 bottle £192 dozen

From the masters of Valpolicella, a full-bodied yet elegant wine with fragrant scents of wild berries, juniper and tobacco. One of the most promising vintages of recent years. Now to 2022. 13.5%

J-IT19251 Etna Rosso Carusu, Terrazze dell’ Etna 2012 £16.50 bottle £198 dozen

A very stylish wine with delightful elegant bouquet, ripe red fruit and spice and gentle palate. Made from 80% nerello mascalese and 20% nerello cappuccio grown high up on the northern slopes of Etna. Now to 2020. 14.5% Etna Bianco appears in Rising Stars on page 16.

J-SP7901 La Rioja Alta Viña Arana Reserva, Rioja 2005 £17 bottle £204 dozen

La Rioja Alta has long been flying the flag for traditional elegant Rioja, long aged in barrel and made from 95% tempranillo and 5% mazuelo. Medium-bodied, full of flavour, aromatic with a distinctive touch of acidity to ensure long life. Now to 2020. 13%

J-IT19241 Carmignano Villa di Capezzana 2010 £18 bottle £216 dozen

This famous estate with centuries of winemaking history has refound its form with this splendid vintage. Fine, rich velvety flavour which retains its freshness and bounce. It will age gracefully, but can be approached already. Now to 2022. 14%

J-IT19201 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Valdipiatta 2011 £18 bottle £216 dozen

A fine vintage for this Tuscan estate which has produced a wine with supple, ripe red fruit and flowery aroma balanced by a fine well-structured long-lasting palate with gentle tannins that will ensure it ages to advantage. Now to 2021. 14.5%

J-SP9741 Viña Real Gran Reserva, Rioja 2008 £19 bottle £228 dozen

One of the classic names of Rioja, mostly tempranillo with 5% graciano all grown in the Alavesa subregion, this graceful, scented style has lovely fleshy fruit and effortless balance. Now to 2022. 13.5%

SMALL WONDERS WHITES £79Drink or store to 2016


Esporão Reserva Branco, Alentejano 2013 The Society’s Exhibition Albariño, Rías Baixas 2013 Dog Point Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Domaine Jones Grenache Gris, Côtes Catalanes 2013Kumeu River Auckland Pinot Gris 2012 Soave Classico Calvarino, Pieropan 2012

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BENCHMARKITALIANS £99Drink or store to 2017

A six-bottle case containing one bottle of each of the following wines:

WHITESoave Classico Calvarino, Pieropan 2012Livio Felluga ‘Sharis’ 2013REDEtna Rosso Carusu, Terrazze dell’Etna 2012Carmignano, Villa di Capezzana 2010Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Valdipiatta 2011La Grola, Allegrini 2011

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SMALL WONDERS REDS £82Drink or store to 2016


Le Moulin Blanc Pinot Noir, J. Mourat Père et Fils 2013 Château Vieux Lartigue, Saint-Emilion 2007 Plan B Frankland River Shiraz-Tempranillo 2011 Aglianico del Vulture Alvolo, Alovini 2010 Gordon Estate Columbia Valley Syrah 2012La Rioja Alta Viña Arana Reserva, Rioja 2005

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WHITE J-NZ7481 Seresin Marlborough Chardonnay 2010 £14.95 bottle £179 dozen

During my recent trip to New Zealand the overall quality of the chardonnays really stood out, notably in Marlborough, the region famous for sauvignon blanc. At Seresin the grapes are hand harvested, sorted and crushed directly to small French oak barrels, 20% of which are new. This gives the wine great complexity, with fresh lemon and green-apple aromas balanced by more toasty nutty flavours, fresh acidity and great mouthfeel. Drink this year and next. 13.5% Sarah Knowles

J-AL11421 Gewurztraminer Réserve, Léon Beyer 2009 £16 bottle £192 dozen Alsace wines are renowned for their ability to match foods. Beyer produce this

gewurztraminer in their typical rich, full-flavoured and opulent style but finishing perfectly dry. My wife is a particular fan of gewurztraminer and this wine makes an ideal accompaniment to her cheese soufflé, ideally made with Munster cheese. Now to 2019. 13.5% Mark Buckenham

J-RH33721 Saint-Péray ‘Les Pins’, Domaine Bernard Gripa 2011 £19 bottle £228 dozen

I continue to be bewitched by this most transformed of appellations on the west bank of the northern Rhône and especially by Bernard Gripa’s wines. Like many fellow members, I buy his flagship ‘Les Figuiers’ en primeur – the older vines and higher proportion of roussanne make for a longer evolution – and wallow meanwhile in the more forward, marsanne-dominated, stone-fruit charm of Les Pins. It’s also one of the most versatile food wines I know. Perfect now and next year. 13.5% Janet Wynne Evans

J-LO6441A Vouvray Clos du Bourg Demi-Sec, Domaine Huet 2005 £28 bottle £336 dozen The perfect pairing of chenin blanc and Domaine Huet tops my desert island wine

selection, and if I had to choose just one style, it would be demi-sec. Its hint of sweetness perfectly balanced by refreshing acidity, especially in this great vintage, makes it supremely adaptable and seductive at the same time (I even accepted an offer of marriage over one). A ‘drink me; keep me’ wine, just starting to blossom now, all fresh honey and flowers; our original drink dates ran to 2030 but, well stored, it could easily outlive me. 13.5% Joanna Locke MW

Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese, von Kesselstatt 2001 I remember quite clearly the buzz created by the 2001 vintage in the Mosel, the fruits of a

very long growing season, glorious Indian summer and golden October sun. Good rieslings from a top vineyard like Domprobst in Graach need keeping, so that sugar and acidity can properly integrate, a process that can easily take ten years. This is a lovely mature riesling, still fruity, sweet yet not sugary, round and gentle yet with the tension of young wine. Now to 2018. 8% Marcel Orford-Williams Only available in mixed case J-MX1580.

SNIFF, SWIRL AND SWALLOWBUYERS’ FINE WINE FAVOURITESSociety buyers do rather a lot of enforced spitting, so what do they choose to swallow on special occasions? Like the annual Buyers’ Favourites offer, the premium selection below demonstrates that it takes all sorts. The mixed case is a dream endorsement as well as a balanced overview of what our busiest palates crave when tasting gives way to drinking.


RED J-AR3111 Zaha Mendoza Malbec 2012 £22 bottle £264 dozen

I love the brooding colour and comforting brambly fruit the best of Cahors can provide, yet I’m increasingly drawn to the higher-altitude regions of Argentina for my malbec fix. The cooler climate and sandy, silty soils of Altamira, in the southern part of Mendoza’s Uco Valley, impart a bewitching fragrance to this wine, mainly malbec, with a little cabernet franc and a dash of petit verdot. Its bright, floral nose leads to a ripe and juicy palate with blackberry and a hint of damson. Perfectly ready to drink now, but interesting to keep too. Now to 2022. 14% Joe Mandrell This wine also appears in our summer food and wine feature, A Vin for All Seasons, on page 8.

J-CE7901 Santa Rita Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 £23 bottle £276 dozen

In 2013 I was fortunate enough to visit Santa Rita, producers of this standard-bearer for Chile, and was taken through several vintages by winemaker Cecilia Torres. The 2011, which stood out in the tasting, was restrained and cedary, displaying lovely, savoury, claret-like character and great depth of flavour. I recommend decanting an hour before drinking, to allow the full panoply of flavours to shine. Now to 2027. 14% Tim Sykes Turn to page 9 for more fine new world cabernets.

J-IT18821 Rosso di Sera, Poggiopiano 2010 £24 bottle £288 dozen

Rosso di sera means, more or less, ‘red sky at night’. A blend of low-yielding sangiovese blended with colorino – a thick-skinned grape that lends colour and structure – this wine is full-bodied and powerful, though the appeal for me is the balance: bountiful dark fruit complemented by a twist of peppery spice; vanilla notes set against a lick of liquorice; richness but also fresh, vibrant acidity. It will develop in complexity over the next few years but it’s a delight now, decanted and served with a ragù. Now to 2022. 14.5% Joe Mandrell Low stock.

J-SP9831 Abel Mendoza Graciano Grano y Grano, Rioja 2011 £40 bottle £480 dozen

Abel Mendoza’s family has grown grapes in Alavesa for two generations and his vineyards are some of the best sited in the whole region. Grano y Grano refers to the painstaking selection of the best graciano berries. It has extraordinary purity, scent and structure, and being 100% graciano has a relatively wild character combined with a freshness that will keep it alive for many years if you can resist drinking it. Now to 2026. 13.5% Pierre Mansour We’ve also included this wine in our Spanish Custom Cellar selection – see page 18.

J-BU48221 Domaine Alain Burguet, Gevrey-Chambertin Mes Favorites Vieilles £42 bottle £504 dozen Vignes 2009 Sometimes, a rich soothing wine that hits the pleasure spot of the brain is what is required.

This opulent, sensuous Gevrey from old vines, harvested late when fully ripe, is such a wine. Ideal with a guinea fowl and bread sauce. Now to 2020. 13% Toby Morrhall

Domaine de Montille, Beaune Premier Cru Sizies 2005 My wife and I shared a bottle of this lovely red Burgundy to go with wild duck on her

birthday. We agreed that it had everything we most enjoy: fragrant bouquet, silky palate, precise and fresh aftertaste. A joy. Now to 2019. 13.5% Sebastian Payne MW Only available in mixed case J-MX1580.

BUYERS’ FINE WINE FAVOURITES £132Drink or store to 2016


WHITESeresin Marlborough Chardonnay 2010 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese, von Kesselstatt 2001Saint-Péray ‘Les Pins’, Domaine Bernard Gripa 2011 RED Domaine de Montille, Beaune Premier Cru Sizies 2005Rosso di Sera, Poggiopiano 2010 Zaha Mendoza Malbec 2012

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RISING FINE WINE STARSTalent spotting is an important part of the Buying team’s mandate. After all, there is a great deal of satisfaction in being able to claim that you read it here first, especially as the world becomes smaller and competition for its treasures – both latent and blatant – ever stiffer. We think of rising stars as being primarily game-changing people like Hagen Viljoen of Solms, Basarte and Ucar of Domaines Lupier or Tomás Cusiné, but star quality can also be found in a rejuvenated appellation or region, on a mountain or, indeed, on the slope of an active volcano. Here is a selection of wines to watch, before demand rises too.

WHITEJ-PW4751 Quinta do Ameal Loureiro, Vinho Verde 2013 £10.95 bottle £131 dozen

Ameal’s vineyards date back beyond 1710 and the ancient Quinta is situated in one of the oldest parishes in Portugal. The wine, however, is fresh, bright and modern, and certified organic to boot. Drink this year. 11%

J-IT19851 Etna Bianco Fondo Filara, Nicosia 2013 £11.50 bottle £138 dozen

Sicily is full of surprises. From vines planted at 650m on the eastern slope of Mount Etna, this racy white could be said to be already risen in many ways, and a quick eruption could well fire its boosters. The venerable carricante grape, which thrives in the rich volcanic soils here, is responsible for the fine seam of acidity that underpins the heady May-blossom aromas and ripe full flavour contributed by its Sicilian stable-mate cataratto. The finish is bone dry and long. Now to 2017. 13%

J-SL81 Pullus Sauvignon ‘G’, Podravje 2013 £13.50 bottle £162 dozen

With a long viticultural history that predated the Romans and survived state control, Slovenia’s white wine epicentre is Pjut, in Lower Styria, where the country’s oldest winery is spearheading a more international presence. Our star from the east is a fine sauvignon that outshines many a Sancerre with ripe, juicy fruit, crisp, vibrant acidity and bouquet evocative of freshly cut grass, lemon zest and elderflower and complex appetising flavour. A refined and distinctly European style. Now and next year. 12.5%

J-SA10371 Solms Delta Koloni Muscat, Western Cape 2013 £14.95 bottle £179 dozen

Neuroscientist Mark Solms has rejuvenated the old family homestead near Franschhoek, further energised by the dynamic team of viticulturalist Rosa Kruger and young winemakers Hagen Viljoen and Joan Heatlie. This terrific dry muscat contains 15% fruit that was left to ‘desiccate’ on the vine and fermented separately. Unmistakeably fragrant on the nose, it evolves in gentle, creamy layers on the palate; rich and fruity but culminating in a whistle-clean, dry finish. Now to 2018. 13.5% This wine also appears in our summer food and wine feature A Vin for All Seasons on page 8.

J-SP9431 Tomás Cusiné ‘Finca Racons’ Macabeu, Costers del Segre 2012 £17 bottle £204 dozen Tomás Cusiné is one of Costers del Segre’s most innovative winemakers and one of

Spain’s white-winemaking stars. His macabeu is floral and nutty on the nose, broad, round and spicy on the palate, discreetly oak-licked from six months in barrel, and long, mineral and fresh on the finish. Tomás suggests decanting for an hour to allow the complex flavours full expression. Original and delicious. Now to 2017. 14.5% The 2013 follows.

J-SA9121 Radford Dale Renaissance Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch 2012 £19.50 bottle £234 dozen

This South African beauty comes from unirrigated 50-year-old bush vines grown in the foothills of the Helderberg, 100% barrel fermented and matured. Wonderfully intense, with pure, nutty, apricot-tinged flavours, an elegant mineral streak and long, multilayered finish. It’s nothing short of thrilling. Now to 2018. 12.5%


REDJ-PW4871 Quinta Nova 250th Anniversary Douro 2011 £10.50 bottle £126 dozen

250 years may seem like something of a slow burn, but the meteoric rise here is that of the Douro from port-centric to table-friendly and sought after. Traditonal varieties touriga nacional, tinta roriz and touriga franca with a dash of tinta cão are behind Quinta Nova’s 250th anniversary cuvée. Made without wood to display the pure fragrance of the fruit, it is smooth and supple, and comes in a handsome, special-edition bottle. Now to 2017. 14%

J-IT19491 Chianti Classico Castello La Leccia 2011 £11.95 bottle £143 dozen

Organically grown sangiovese, very low yields, very limited production and a quality-obsessed winemaker set this Classico apart. From a medieval and now revitalised estate north of Siena, this super red shows the ripeness of the warm 2011 vintage, elegantly packaged. It will age very gracefully if it survives the understandable temptation to get stuck in. Now to 2020. 14%

J-US5751 Milbrandt Vineyards Washington Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 £16 bottle £192 dozen

This Milbrandt brothers’ 100% estate-grown cabernet was made by winemaker Josh Maloney, who honed his craft at Stag’s Leap, among others. Matured in French oak barrels and laced with bright, blackcurrant, cherry and plum flavours, herbal notes and fresh acidity on the palate it responds to a couple of hours’ decanting. Now to 2020. 14.5%

J-SP8601 Domaines Lupier El Terroir Garnacha, Navarra 2009 £17 bottle £204 dozen

Young couple Enrique Basarte and Elisa Úcar are behind this new wine which they source from very old vines that date back to 1903. It’s a beautifully structured and layered Spanish garnacha with serious, complex flavours. Stunning. Decant an hour or two before serving. Now to 2019. 14%

J-SA10281 Vriesenhof Grenache, Piekenierskloof 2013 £20 bottle £240 dozen

Former Springbok flanker Jan Boland Coetzee’s fine red starts with grenache from the mature ungrafted bush vines of an outstanding high-altitude mountain vineyard. Elegant and spicy with fresh, lifted perfume and some way to go, it is just approachable now, and will certainly reward keeping awhile. Decant if you can’t wait. Now to 2020. 13.5%

FINE WINE RISING STARS £92Drink or store to 2016


REDRadford Dale Renaissance Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch 2012 Pullus Sauvignon ‘G’, Podravje 2013Tomás Cusiné ‘Finca Racons’ Macabeu, Costers del Segre 2012/2013WHITEQuinta Nova 250th Anniversary Douro 2011 Milbrandt Vineyards Washington Cabernet Sauvignon 2011Domaines Lupier El Terroir Garnacha, Navarra 2009

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IN PRAISE OF TEMPRANILLOTempranillo is Spain’s most ageworthy grape. It plays the lead role in fine Rioja, along with garnacha, graciano and mazuelo, and flies solo in Ribera del Duero and Toro, where its known respectively as tinto fino and tinta de Toro. Its naturally fresh acidity is a lifeline for maturation, building its resistance to oxygen and developing complex fruit aromas in bottle. We also include a rare example of a single-varietal graciano, sourced from superb Alavesa vineyards that are amongst the oldest in the region. Pierre Mansour.

J-SP8041 Muga Selección Especial Reserva, Rioja 2009 £20 bottle £240 dozen

Superior reserva made from a strict selection of the best grapes from higher-altitude vineyards and aged in French oak for three years, most of it new, until the tannins are soft and velvety. This is a highly scented style which is denser and more concentrated than Muga’s standard reserva and will age magnificently. Decant an hour before serving. Now to 2023. 14%

J-SP9111 Tomás Postigo, Ribera del Duero 2011 £26 bottle £312 dozen

Tomás Postigo is one of Ribera del Duero’s pioneering winemakers who now makes wine under his own name. This full-bodied, opulent and bold red is 85% tinto fino (tempranillo) with cabernet and merlot in support. Now to 2024. 15%

J-SP7801 Viña Pedrosa Reserva, Ribera del Duero 2009 £26 bottle £312 dozen

A beautifully classy Ribera with authentic flavour and exotic fruit. Pedrosa use 10% cabernet sauvignon which gives the wine a wonderful velvety texture. Decant at least two hours in advance. Now to 2025. 13.5%

J-SP9841 San Román, Toro 2011 £26 bottle £312 dozen

Big, savoury blockbuster made by Mariano Garcia Fernandez (ex Vega Sicilia) and his winemaker son Eduardo Garcia Montana. This is potent Toro at its most exquisite: meaty, concentrated, very full-bodied with a massive backbone of tannin to support the fruit. Decant for two hours before serving. 2016 to 2022. 14.5%

J-SP9091 Torremilanos Colección, Ribera del Duero 2009 £35 bottle £420 dozen

This rare tempranillo from an historic Ribera estate and a vineyard that is over 60 years old, is only made in top vintages. It’s a wine of incredible depth, power and structure with rich damson fruit and a spicy complexity that comes from 30 months in oak barrels. It will age with ease to 2024. Decant at least two hours before serving. 15%

J-SP9831 Abel Mendoza Graciano Grano y Grano, Rioja 2011 £40 bottle £480 dozen

Abel Mendoza shuns the limelight and his wines remain relatively unknown here in the UK, yet in Rioja his status is legendary. His graciano is very special indeed: smoky, lively, concentrated and fresh. Only a handful of cases are made of this remarkable wine that should have a place in the cellar of any Rioja fan. Now (if you really must) to 2026. 13.5%

CUSTOM CELLARFINE WINE FOR FUTURE DRINKINGSome bold choices to enliven the classic Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhône that underpin most future drinking plans. Reserva and gran reserva Riojas are ‘pre-matured’ by law and ready when released, so it’s easy to overlook their cellaring potential. Other Spanish regions like Ribero del Duero, on the other hand, demand (and reward) patience, as does Italy’s aristocracy, notably Barolo. We don’t want our treasures to outlive us, though. The wines below are just beginning to open up, but have time in hand.

Members can now mix their own selections for private storage in our Members’ Reserves

CUSTOM CELLARS SPANISH CASE £172Drink or store to 2022

A six-bottle case containing one bottle each of the wines listed above.

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BELLA FIGURA, BUON PREZZOSassicaia and Ornellaia, Italy’s most famous Supertuscans, have earned their considerable international reputation on the back of decades of great vintages. As a result they command high prices on release and maintain them. Their second wines, made from the same vineyards though with slightly different grape mix, are made with similar care and are a delight to drink in their own right. Marco Oberto and his sister Paola have been quietly making splendid keeping Barolos from their Roggeri vineyard in La Morra for many years and their wines remain great value.

J-IT18481 Guidalberto Tenuta San Guido 2012 £29 bottle £348 dozen

Guidalberto, the second wine of Sassicaia, shares its elegant style and balance, but with 40% merlot in the mix rather than pure cabernet it is approachable much sooner. Now to 2020. 13.5%

J-IT18381 Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia, Bolgheri Rosso 2011 £37 bottle £444 dozen

The second wine of Supertuscan estate Ornellaia is dense and concentrated yet elegant and seductive, and the quality of the very ripe fruit in this vintage is superb. The blend is 57% merlot, 17% cabernet sauvignon, 14% petit verdot and 12% cabernet franc. In the mouth its superb ripeness immediately impresses, as do the silky, high-gloss tannins, densely packed yet supple. It will age well but is perfectly enjoyable today. Now to 2020. 14.5%

Barolo Roggeri, Ciabot Berton 2009 Full-flavoured generous Barolo with appealing flowery bouquet, seductive fruit and

good ‘grip’ from a producer with a growing reputation. Now to 2020. 14.5% Only available in mixed case J-MX1573.

CUSTOM CELLAR ITALIAN CASE £188Drink or store to 2020

A six-bottle case containing two bottles each of the wines listed above.

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FNAPR15

SERVICESMembers’ Reserves: optimum wine storage This purpose-built, temperature-controlled facility offers members access to ideal storage conditions at one of the UK’s most competitive rates.

● Optimum storage at a steady average temperature of 13°C with appropriate humidity of 65%

● An annual rental charge (currently £7.92 per dozen) that includes VAT and insurance at replacement value

● Mix your own case for storage, or store pre-mixed cases

● Remove a few bottles of a full case stored in Reserves and leave the remainder to mature further

● View your stored wines online with updated drink dates

● Free UK delivery when you are ready to receive your wines

thewinesociety.com/membersreserves

Vintage Cellar Plan – the simple and affordable way to create a cellar of fine wineChoose from a range of plans and then let The Society’s buyers do the rest, using their expertise to seek out exceptional parcels of wine for your future enjoyment. thewinesociety.com/vintagecellarplan

Fine Wine Advisers – here to helpPlease contact the Fine Wine Advisers for help with wine selection, food matching and any other wine-related subject. Visit thewinesociety.com/advice or call 01438 741177 to find out more.

The Society’s Fine Wine ListPlease note that many of these wines are available only in limited quantities and will be sold on a first-come first-served basis. Prices are correct at the time of publication, but The Society reserves the right to amend them at any time during the life of this List.

Please refer to the main List for details on ordering from The Society.

Please note:

● Members wishing to store mixed cases in our Reserves facility are advised to take note of the drinking windows highlighted in the wine note of the wines included in it.

● Our Stevenage Showroom doesn’t hold stocks of all the fine wines listed, so pre-ordering is recommended.

KEYPlease refer to the main List for full descriptions

White Wines: bone dry, eg. Muscadet

a little fuller than bone dry or with lower acidity

dry but rich or lighter and sweeter

medium dry, usually demi-secs

medium sweet, the driest of the pudding-style wines

- dessert grade sweetness eg. Sauternes

Alcohol levelsAlcohol percentage by volume is indicated for each wine or spirit. Occasionally there will be slight variations from the published figure. Alcohol levels are only a guide to a wine’s fullness; other factors such as tannin and extract in red wines also contribute to overall impression of weight and the note on the wine should make this clear. Units of alcohol are increasingly printed on wine labels. A UK unit of alcohol is simply measured by multiplying alcohol by volume. Thus a standard 13% 75cl bottle of wine will contain 9.7 units of alcohol.

14.5 10.9

14 10.5

13.5 10.1

13 9.75

12 9.0

11 8.25

10 7.5

9 6.75

volume % Units per standard bottleThe UK government recommends that men do not regularly exceed 3-4 units a day, and that women do not regularly exceed 2-3 units a day. It also recommends that pregnant women do not drink alcohol.

This offer is open until Sunday 9th August, 2015 while stocks last.

thewinesociety.com/finewines

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The Wine Society is a mutual organisation, so our members’ satisfaction is paramount. If, for any reason, you haven’t enjoyed a wine we want to hear about it and will happily offer a credit, a replacement or a refund. thewinesociety.com/promise

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