Cellar Circle exclusives

Strictly limited to 6 bottles per customer

Chailloux is the local Sancerrois name for flint (more commonly known as silex), and this parcel is tucked up in the north-east of the appellation where this soil type predominates. It has a northwest aspect and is shaded by a large forest. Flinty sites are often a little warmer, but this one keeps cool, and produces profound acidity. It is so pure and fresh.

Strictly limited to 6 bottles per customer

This parcel of Kimmeridgian marl, known locally as terres blanches, gives wines full of flavour and texture. The acidity and alcohol are so perfectly matched. This is all about power and precision.

Strictly limited to 6 bottles per customer

Pieuchaud is a flinty-soiled lieu-dit in the commune of Thauvenay in the south-east of the Sancerre appellation. Luc decided to isolate this vineyard after noting it always produced fruit with great maturity whilst maintaining high acidity - the secret to single vineyard wines in his opinion. In 2020 this is restrained, yet agile. It would do well for a few years in the cellar, and its saline, savoury structure will make it an excellent food wine in the years to come.

Unlike his neighbours who use the lieu dit name Cul de Beaujeu, Gérard keeps the original 'Clos' in his, as his vines lie within the oldest part of the vineyard, that had originally been surrounded by a wall. They sit in the chalky Kimmeridgian terres blanches soils of the dramatically steep south-east facing slope that rises up behind the village of Chavignol. This is the most opulant in character, the most open and forward in its youth, with fleshy fruits and just a hint of tropical succulence, twinned with a superbly fresh cut of acidity.

Strictly limited to 6 bottles per customer

This is Sancerre’s best known and greatest site. It is a dramatic slope of Kimmeridgian terres blanches in Chavignol that wraps around the hillside and dips down into the commune of Verdigny, where Luc’s parcel lies. His 2020 is charged with the site's natural power and depth, and has layer upon layer of energy and drive. Its ample weight and scintillating concentration promise it is built for greater things. Don't be afraid to cellar this, it will only improve.

Strictly limited to 6 bottles per customer

This is the defining site of Sancerre, and akin to a grand cru in the appellation. It is the steep slope that runs the length of the Chavignol village and its south-facing aspect and terres blanches soils produce the appellation’s most powerful and long-lived wines. François’s wine perfectly captures the power and finesse of this great site, with statuesque poise.

A blend of numerous different parcels across the appellation, this is a benchmark from one of the region’s most traditional estates. Notes of lavender and crushed berries, with graphite and so much tension and energy. Long and precise finish.

“The smoking good 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Combe des Fous (60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and the rest Muscardin, Vaccarese and Cinsault) is a structured, serious wine that gives up notions of blackberry, currants, melted licorice and assorted meaty nuances that flow to a full-bodied, seamless wine that has terrific fruit intensity, masses of fine tannin and a blockbuster finish.”

Jeb Dunnuck, 95 – 97 points

Lovely juice and dark fruit, you feel every berry here. This is very long and very saline, with remarkable texture and a sense of balance that's simply beautiful. Long, with notes of pomegranate and some peach and lemon peel.

Generally considered one of the best vineyards in the Langhe, this was the first vintage for Porro’s Vigna Rionda. It will need time, but I’m sure in the years to come this will be a seriously prized wine.

Tasted from a barrel sample sent to the UK, the 2019 Tertre de la Mouleyre has a beautifully floral, elegant nose. There's a purity here, and depth to the dark fruit. Notes of violets, silky tannins and plenty of crushed rocks on the finish. Beautifully structured and poised, this is classic claret at its zenith. Wonderful.

80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc. The nose is spicy, with pepper and dark cassis. So deep and brooding. There’s nice texture and very fine tannins that coat every part of the mouth with freshness and lift, with lovely juice and fine energy on the finish. So much salinity on the finish, it stays precise and long.

This is one of the finest sites of the Côte Blonde, and it produces a wine of huge elegance and subtlety, although you’ll want to tuck it away for a few years before pulling the cork.

Crozes-Hermitage is the sweet spot of the Delas offering. This is their no-nonsense, great value, fruit-driven Syrah with notes of anise and red berries. Sadly in 2019 some of the parcels were badly hit by the June hailstorm, so volumes are severely reduced. But thanks to the fragmented layout of the holdings, some were left unscathed, and quality remains as high as ever.

Crafted from 100% Grenache from one low-yielding vineyard situated in the south of the Châteauneuf appellation, and fermented and aged in concrete tanks. This is really intense on the nose, and suggests great power even at this early stage. Freshly crushed red fruits, liquorice and dark chocolate are all present on the multi-faceted, complex palate. The tannic structure is impressive, as is the powerful and long finish - this should age beautifully for decades.

We were totally blown away by Lucinda’s Cinsaut, when we tasted it for the first time last year. It’s from a 1974-planted vineyard in Darling, on red sandy soils, and she’s making it in a style that’s most reminiscent of top Beaujolais. With 50% Carbonic Maceration, and the rest whole bunch fermentation, this brings out a really floral, elegant side to the Cinsaut grape. It’s a really beautiful red.

This comes from a spot at the very top of the Bussia vineyard, producing a fresh, elegant expression of this great vineyard. There are notes of peach skin and fresh cherry, with mulberry fruit, and a touch of orange peel adding complexity. The finish is complex and very long, with notes of crushed rocks and tar. Very impressive.

This is a vibrant and concentrated Barbaresco, with dried fruit and spicy notes. The tannins offer structure, while the fruit is lively and energetic.

The 2017 Erdener Treppchen is a fine yet very rich and ripe. There’s outstanding definition to the fruit, with ripe pineapples and real energy, too. This is very well balanced, with purity and a silky finish.

From 80 year old vines at 950 metres of altitude, predominantly Nerello Mascalese with just a drop of Grenache. Concentrated and expansive, with tannins lending structure and seriousness.

This is the defining grand cru of the village of Turckheim. The wines from this site often have a ripe and approachable acidity, and 2018 is a perfect example. It should drink well from youth or keep for 20 years. The juicy, fleshy style of fruit is perfectly composed within the frame of the wine, built along detailed acidity. It showcases Brand’s typical power.

Under 7,000 bottles were produced of this, which comes from 27 separate sites, dating back to 1903. This is one classy Garnacha. On the nose, rose petal and strawberries, and a hint of blood orange. The palate is intense and structured, with a core of red fruit, notes of cinnamon spice, and just a hint of thyme and other mediterranean herbs. For a warm vintage this is so finely judged, with wonderful acidity and a finish that lasts for minutes. Outstanding.

Krotenphuhl means frog pond. Pebbly soils. Very floral and fine, lime blossom, amazing tension and texture and very saline, too. Lovely purity and precision, with plenty of drive and texture, here. Really delicate, elegant, and floral. Charming and playful.