N/V Lay & Wheeler Champagne Brut by Thiénot (2015 base vintage)
Our search for the perfect Champagne to put our name to was a long one. So we couldn’t be more delighted to have teamed up with long-standing favourite of the business, Champagne Thiénot. Their classic brut non-vintage blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, based on the outstanding 2015 vintage, is exactly what we wanted. It’s balanced and refreshing, with a well-judged 6g/l dosage. Extended ageing has lent the wine depth, character, and intensity. And quite frankly, it’s an absolute bargain.
2023 Riesling Trocken, Eva Fricke, Rheingau
A blend of different sites from across the Rheingau, this is a step into the world of Eva Fricke - and it is an exciting one at that. A vibrant pulse of acidity lies at the heart of the wine, but there is ample fruit too with juicy white peach and ripe red apple. Subtle white flowers and ocean spray with a lift of citrus peel too. Such a refreshing glass, it is difficult to imagine a more appealing glass of Riesling.
2023 Viré-Clessé, Héritiers du Comte Lafon
Many parcels are blended into this brilliant wine, all from the Viré side of the appellation. The old vines thrive in the village’s clay-rich topsoil over limestone subsoil. The wines from this side of the appellation tend to be straighter and tighter than the more generous and rounded Clessé side. It’s a wonderfully restrained wine, showing its class in its long, precise finish.
2020 Côte de Nuits-Villages Vieilles Vignes, Domaine de Bellene
Nicolas sees these vineyards, around Corgoloin just south of Nuits St Georges, as the future of his domaine. Land prices here aren’t impossibly high, yet the quality of terroir is terrific. It means he can make this enormously characterful and interesting wine for an outstanding price. The 2020 has deep, dark, black cherry and damson character, both richly ripe and with a little sour kick of the vintage’s fresh acidity. Satisfyingly firm.
2020 Château Branas Grand Poujeaux, Moulis-en-Médoc
The 2020 Branas Grand Poujeaux is an impressive wine, from an estate in a hidden corner of the Médoc that’s worthy of your attention. It’s deep and pure on the nose, with notes of iron oxide and lots of dark cabernet fruit. The palate is finely judged, with refined tannins and a very long, savoury finish. This looks like a wine of a far higher price. A top addition to your cellar.
2016 Lay & Wheeler Sauternes by Château Suduiraut
Château Suduiraut is one of Sauternes’ greatest estates, and was rated as a Premier Cru Classé in the 1855 classification of the region. This, from the highly rated 2016 vintage, shows why Sauternes is so highly prized. Notes of marmalade and ginger spice, with wonderful freshness coming through. Everyone should always have a bottle of Sauternes to hand: it never fails to impress.