Bigger bottles for Bank Holidays

Blended from six lieux-dits, there's wonderful tension here between ripeness and mineral purity, with wonderfully perfumed and expressive Syrah fruit. The tannins are ripe and supple: this is a complete wine.

Mon Village is the destination for the fruit of the Ogier’s younger vines, and it’s an approachable yet not-to-be-undervalued Côte-Rôtie. Very floral and supple, with persistence on the finish.

Montevetrano is a blend of Aglianico, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It's an intense, powerful wine, but what marks it out is the freshness and textured layers here. A brilliant southern Italian red.

Unlike the rest of the Breton range which is grown on granitic soils, this comes from the famous pierre bleue soils of Mont Brouilly. The parcel is actually owned by good friend, and Lay & Wheeler favourite, Jean-Claude Lapalu. J-C looks after the vines during the year, and he and Breton pick the parcel on the same day, with Breton buying half the grapes. The wines the two men make couldn’t be more different in style. This version is lightly scented with ripe strawberries and cinnamon. There’s a little light grip from some fine tannins that are woven through the symphony of sweet red fruits. It is a delicious expression of Beaujolais, one with some gentle body and sweet ripeness, but no heaviness at all.

A blend of 15 lieux-dits across Côte Blonde and Côte Brune (in total 25 plots go into it), this is delicious in 2016. There’s lovely fruit - pure and juicy - with hints of violet and liquorice on the long fnish. This is already lovely.

Vinified without sulphur, using as little on bottling as possible. This is a remarkably pure wine, which shows the very best of Pinot Noir. Juicy, long and textured.

This is the flagship wine of the domaine. It comes from 90-year-old vines, and shows a charming combination of energy and unforced concentration, with persistence and a light lift of reduction. At 13.5% it is perfectly balanced. This is a wine with so much life, and a great example of the Guy Breton style that has earned him such a following.

A wine with an amazing story, where the proceeds go to helping the workers on Johan Reyneke's farm, this Bordeaux blend is classically styled, with just enough South African energy. It's a total bargain: this with a barbecue (or a Braai!) will be heaven.

A blend of 71% Syrah, 11% Grenache, 9% Cinsault, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, and just a dash of Viognier, the 2019 Chocolate Block is a wonderfully pure, elegant expression from the heart of the Swartland. Red berry fruit and wild flowers drift from the glass, while the palate shows crystalline purity and a beautifully mineral finish. It punches way above its weight: that they manage to produce this in such quantities is one of the wonders of the wine world.

Prausis biodynamically farmed Voor Paardeberg Shiraz, with a little Pinotage from Darling in the blend. It’s juicy and just so drinkable.

Little William is a Syrah from the high-altitude Ceres plateau. It’s as pure and fragrant a Syrah as you’ll find in the Cape: think top-notch St-Joseph, or there’s even a little Cote Rotie about it.

A blend of 71% Syrah, 11% Grenache, 9% Cinsault, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, and just a dash of Viognier, the 2019 Chocolate Block is a wonderfully pure, elegant expression from the heart of the Swartland. Red berry fruit and wild flowers drift from the glass, while the palate shows crystalline purity and a beautifully mineral finish. It punches way above its weight: that they manage to produce this in such quantities is one of the wonders of the wine world.

A blend of 71% Syrah, 11% Grenache, 9% Cinsault, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, and just a dash of Viognier, the 2019 Chocolate Block is a wonderfully pure, elegant expression from the heart of the Swartland. Red berry fruit and wild flowers drift from the glass, while the palate shows crystalline purity and a beautifully mineral finish. It punches way above its weight: that they manage to produce this in such quantities is one of the wonders of the wine world.

The third wine from Ornellaia, this is grippy and juicy, with loads of fresh acidity, yet a plush, giving mid-palate. Such a brilliant food wine, it's ready to go straight away, but will be great after a few years in the cellar, too.

The third wine from Ornellaia, this is grippy and juicy, with loads of fresh acidity, yet a plush, giving mid-palate. Such a brilliant food wine, it's ready to go straight away, but will be great after a few years in the cellar, too.

A very elegant nose on this, with plenty of tannin, marking it out as a particularly serious Rosso. This is comfortably the quality of many Brunellos, with excellent vibrancy, and silky fruit. Excellent. A stunning Italian red that's sure to impress.

The 2015 Ardanza is up there with the greatest examples of this wine that we’ve tasted: a wine to go alongside the 2010, 1973, or 1964. It’s perfumed and lifted, but with a real core of dark fruit, and stunning energy and saline notes on the finish. This is a real beauty: one that’s not to be missed.

The Arana is the only Gran Reserva to be released by La Rioja Alta in 2014, so includes grapes that would otherwise have gone into the 890 or 904 - the best grapes on the estate. On the nose come notes of rose petal and plums, with a hint of redcurrant and notes of coconut. This is a wonderfully fresh and poised Rioja: there’s no heaviness here: rather it’s light on its feet without losing intensity. Long and finessed, it’s a brilliant Gran Reserva, at an outstanding price.

2008 was a great vintage in Rioja, and it's hard to look past this brilliant wine from Lopez de Heredia. Loads of cedar complexity, with dark plums and leather on the nose. The palate is such a delight: this is complex, long, and incredibly delicious. It will age for eternity, but only if you can keep your hands off it: buy as much as you can.

From some of the best terroirs in Gigondas. 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre. This is peppery with dark fruit and tapenade, and a touch of floral character on the finish. Very good potential.

This is another outstanding Merlot from Marsau. Plums and brambles, with wild herbs and crushed rocks. The texture is gorgeous, and the finish lasts for an age. Brilliant.

This is another outstanding Merlot from Marsau. Plums and brambles, with wild herbs and crushed rocks. The texture is gorgeous, and the finish lasts for an age. Brilliant.

The 2014 Marsau is a classic claret that punches well above its price point. There's juicy berry fruit and a hint of spice, with silky tannins and amazing purity to the finish. This is saline and long, with incredible definition: blind you'd surely place this in the heart of Pomerol.

Now really in its stride, this is such a charming Marsau. You'd be forgiven for thinking there was some Cabernet Franc in the blend, given its freshness and floral lift. Delicious.