Make Christmas memorable for all the right reasons... specially selected by James Goodhart and Andrew Ray, browse their top fine wines for the season from Bordeaux and Burgundy, to Rioja and Tuscany. Add some luxe to your festivities with rich, decadent whites and bold, structured reds... go on, treat yourself!
De Ladoucette Pouilly-Fumé
The Ladoucette family have been producing wines for over 600 years from their 165-hectare estate of Chateau du Nozet in Pouilly-Fumé, and are recognised for producing some of the world's finest Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley, France. Under the watchful eye of Patrick de Ladoucette, who took over the family's wine operation in 1972 at the tender age of 20, the world-wide demand for these wines make him one of the most influential wine makers in the Loire. Wins "best in show" Pouilly-Fumé and well worth the few extra pounds.
"Aromas of lemon citrus and green apple fuse with subtle floral and earthy green plant aromas such as acacia, ferns, peppermint and white nettles. Crisp and clean on the palate and complemented by notes of stony minerals and added lemon zest give the wine a beautiful structure balanced by a fruity roundness, and great precision on the lingering finish."
Patrick Javillier Meursault 'Les Tillets'
Founded in 1945 after the Second World War by Raymond Javillier with just 2-hectares of vines. In 1974, the domaine was handed over to his son, Patrick, who took it to the next level with the organic acquisitions of prime sites in the appellation such as Les Tillets and Les Clousots as well as the Premier Cru vineyards of Les Charmes. In 2005, Marion (Patrick's eldest daughter) joined the family business and continues to produces some of the best wines in Meursault.
"The 2018 Meursault Les Tillets has a clean, well-defined bouquet with yellow plum, hazelnut and light waxy aromas developing in the glass. The palate is well balanced with orange rind and lemon zest on the entry. This is quite a phenolic Meursault, one that is well balanced with a complex finish befitting a vineyard like Les Tillets. Recommended." Drink 2022-2030. 91/100 points. Neal Martin, vinous.com, January 2020
Gérard Thomas Chassagne-Montrachet 'Le Trézin'
Gerard Thomas has been in control of this Saint-Aubin estate since 1982 and is now helped by his two daughters, Isabelle and Anne. There are 12 hectares of vines, including a 1.82 hectare holding in the well-known Premier Cru Les Murgers de Dents de Chien. Gerard has been expanding the domaine in Cotes de Beaune since the 1980s through acquisitions in Chassagne and Puligny-Montrachet, such as this single vineyard of Le Trézin.
"Impressive, forward nose of green apple, lemon and white peach with hints of smoky flint. Ripe and round with a luscious, creamy texture that fills the palate and flows through into a core of green apple with added further citrus fruit. Pure and precise with wonderful tension." James Goodhart
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia 'Le Volte dell'Ornellaia'
Le Volte dell'Ornellaia is an approachable and exciting wine from the famous Ornellaia estate in Bolgheri, Tuscany. Plush, fruit-forward yet refined and balanced... this is so much more than a third wine, and provides a glimpse into the excellent value Tuscany has to offer!
"The 2019 Le Volte dell'Ornellaia is terrific. Bold, juicy and wonderfully expressive, the 2019 will drink well right out of the gate. Juicy black cherry, lavender, spice, menthol and chocolate are all kicked up a few notches. In 2019 Le Volte is especially dark and sumptuous, both of which add to its considerable immediacy and overall appeal. This is an especially fine vintage for the Ornellaia's entry-level bottling." 91/100 points. Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva
Viña Ardanza is the flagship wine from La Rioja Alta, one of the most traditional wineries in Rioja. A blend of 78% Tempranillo from Fuenmayor and Cenicero blended together with 22% Garnacha from the famous 'La Pedriza' vineyard in Tudelilla. Another excellent Ardanza that was also named Decanter's Spanish Red wine of the year 2020.
"The wine is a prototype of polished and aged Rioja with a ruby color with some orange and a developed nose with subtle aromas of decayed leaves, sweet spices and some cherries in liqueur even, quite complex and harmonious. The palate is velvety but rich, with resolved tannins and a fine chalky mouthfeel, sleek and elegant, terribly balanced. The flavors are pure and defined, and there is an overall sense of harmony that I like very much. Brilliant Ardanza!" Drink 2020-2030. 94/100 points. Luis Gutiérrez, robertparker.com, October 2020
Sarget de Gruaud Larose, St. Julien
The second wine of the renowned Second Growth estate; Chateau Gruaud Larose. Sarget de Gruaud Larose shows all the hallmarks of the great St-Julien wine, but with a fruitiness that makes it more approachable when young, especially in vintages such as 2016.
"Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it offers up expressive redcurrants and blackberry compote notes with hints of cassis, unsmoked cigars, dried herbs and rose hip tea. Medium-bodied, soft, very fresh and with exhilarating vibrancy, it has loads of mineral sparks on the finish." 89/100 points. Lisa Perotti-Brown MW, robertparker.com, November 2018
Fonseca Vintage Port 1985
Fonseca is without a doubt one of the leading Port houses, and part of the famous Taylor Fladgate group. Fonseca owns 3 Quintas (estates) in the Douro Valley; Cruzeiro, Santo Antonio and Panascal, which are blended together to make their iconic Vintage Ports... such as this 1985 that is drinking perfectly now.
"Fonseca is one of the great port lodges, producing the most exotic and most complex port... With its lush, seductive character, one might call it the Pomerol of Vintage ports... Dense ruby/purple with the Oriental spice-box aroma, the 1985 is an expansive, sweet, broadly flavored wine with outstanding depth, concentration, and balance. It finishes with a solid lashing of alcohol and tannin." 90/100 points. Robert Parker JR, erobertparker.com, January 1989
Les Carmes de Rieussec, Sauternes
Les Carmes de Rieussec is the excellent second wine from the iconic Château Rieussec in Sauternes, owned by Domaines Baron de Rothschild (Lafite). This is a blend of 92% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscadelle and is full, rich and ripe. A superb wine, from a superb vintage!
"This is so delicious and fruity with loads of intense dried pineapple and apples. Full body, lightly sweet. It shows bright acidity and a wonderful finish. Hints of cream and vanilla." 92/100 points. James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, February 2013
Prices quoted are per bottle, by the case (6x75cl or 12x75cl) and include Duty & VAT.
Free delivery to UK mainland for orders over £200 retail. Standard delivery charged at £15 if order totals less.
