We are always delighted to receive Press write-ups for our wines, and I realise it is 12 months since we collated them – so here goes!
2024
Joanna Simon, Wine of the Week, September 2024 - Pigeoulet 2023
"I could argue the case for this being a summer, winter, spring or autumn wine. It’s just one of those red wines that seems to suit all seasons. It’s appealingly full and generous in style, but not remotely hefty, and brings waves of elegant energy and freshness to rich cherry and blackberry fruit and notes of spices, herbs, liquorice, black tapenade and chocolate."
Decanter, May 2024 - Mendel Lunta Malbec 2023 - Highly Recommended – 91 points
“Rich, with candied cassis and liqueur-like overtones. An expressive, fruit-driven nose. Integrated spices, florals, and chocolate. A smooth structure, persistence and easy-drinking appeal.”
Decanter, May 2024 - Rioja Vega Tempranillo Blanco Reserva 2019 - Outstanding – 95 points
“One of the few centennial wineries in Rioja, Rioja Vega is indeed only one of four bodegas permitted to include the word Rioja in its brands, because the brand is older than the appellation itself. The winery went through difficult periods. Now, owned by the Navarran group Principe de Viana, it is making steps to recover prestige. This is made with Tempranillo Blanco, a mutation of red Tempranillo."
Wine Merchant Magazine – Tried & Tested, June 2024 - Big Beltie Sauvignon Blanc
"Maybe a Sauvignon Blanc at 11% isn’t a prospect to set the indie pulse racing, and we were prepared to be a little underwhelmed by this Cotes de Gascogne bottling. Yet what a pleasant bank holiday surprise it turned out to be, with its subtle grass and grapefruit undertones and easy going freshness. Despite the name, it's not really big, but it is quite clever."
International Wine Challenge 2024 – Principe de Viana Tempranillo Reserva 2019 - 92 points
Will Lyons, The Times, 2024 – Petit Verdot Nuit de Lumières
“This smooth, rich, succulent red has a soft texture and warming notes of blackcurrant and violet”
Wine Merchant Top 100 2024 - Mâcon Azé, Cave de Buxy, 2022
"Stone fruit on the nose, the palate is nicely balanced with incisive lemon acidity. This would be an absolute banger in the sun."
Wine Merchant Top 100 2024 - Coroa d’Ouro Branco, Manoel Poças, 2021
"Bright and exotic fruit, with a little green twinkle – it would really work with some oily fish."
Wine Merchant Top 100 2024 - Rioja Vega Gran Reserva, 2015
"Fresh nose: clean and classical. Fruit, deftness, and harmony – one of our wines of the day."
Wine Merchant Top 100 2024 - Scotchmans Hill Shiraz, 2020
"The flavours are cassis, but savoury. A really delightful style; like a berry bath at an excellent temperature."
Wine Merchant Top 100 2024 - Avondale La Luna, 2016
"Rich complex nose, woody fruits, and a lovely long finish. A textbook example of Cape Bordeaux blend. Really good quality."
Wine Merchant Top 100 2024 - Les Argelières Pinot Noir, 2022
"Delicious nose of strawberries and cherries. The palate is light to medium (it’s Pinot !) but with great softness."
Wine Merchant Top 100 2024 - Jordan Cabernet Sauvigon, 2016
"Very much Californian, but this is a wine of genuine elegance and finesse, and the bottle age brings a delicious softness and savouriness."
2025
Tom Surgey, January 2025 – Chevalier Delaude
"Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre; bold, moreish, delicious. I 'blind' tasted it to guess the grapes and blend - and nailed it - testament to it really tasting like it's varieties. Quintessential Southern French stuff."
Tom Surgey, January 2025 - Coquille de Fleur Rose
"…juicy, bright and elegant. Loads of character."
Victoria Moore, February 2025 - Château Moulin de Mallet 2020
"A Bordeaux that I wasn’t totally sure about when I first opened it but it rapidly became a serious favourite. A claret with a lot of matter in it, a very reassuring vibe and a nice rinse of acidity - what some would call ‘proper wine’. I drank a glass of it on three consecutive nights and it stood up really well to hanging around my kitchen. With sausage pasta (Rick Stein recipe, a bit creamy, with rosemary) it made a great dinner package."
Decanter, February 2025 – Rioja Vega Crianza 2021 – 91 points
"Aromas of red cherry, blackcurrant, fig, sage, baking spices and vanilla with dried tobacco. Generous palate of blackberry and cherry with fine acidity, soft tannins and a fruit-filled, structured finish."
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