Christmas Crackers Case
A terrific selection: a bottle of Champagne, five whites, five reds, and an 8 year old Vin Doux Naturel with 5% off normal bottle prices
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Inside the case you'll get...
Thomas-Hatte, Champagne, Tradition, Brut, NV
Our "house" Champagne, crafted by fifth generation champagne grower Franck Thomas from 70% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir, wins many friends. Splendidly rounded, creamy and mature. Now-2024
ColourWhite
StyleSparkling
RegionChampagne
GrowerThomas-Hatté
Grape VarietyPinot Meunier, Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
VintageNV
ABV12%
Bottle75cl
CodeHAT1NV
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is one of the most-widely planted varieties in the world.
Arguably not the most characterful grape, hence its common ageing in oak, yet at its pinnacle in Burgundy it produces some of the greatest (and certainly most expensive) white wines in the world. Look out for unoaked Chardonnay, it can make a pleasant change, and usually goes down very well with all those people who...
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Francis Blanchet, Pouilly-Fumé, Silice, 2022
From a small block on very flinty soils in the heart of the appellation, this is an intense and ageworthy wine. Smelling of citrus peel and hawthorn blossom, it’s intensely grapefruity. A splendidly long, steely finish, with a peppery sense of minerality, indicates its class. Now-2026
Year in, year out Francis Blanchet and his family create a wine that is so true to the appellation, and that really displays the illusive suggestion of gunflint, especially after a year or so in...
ColourWhite
RegionLoire
Sub RegionPouilly-Fumé
GrowerFrancis Blanchet
Grape VarietySauvignon Blanc
Vintage2022
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeBLA222
Loire Valley
In early February I undertook our annual visit to the wine fair in Angers, escaping the snow which engulfed much of the UK during that week.
This is the yearly opportunity for the vast majority of vignerons in the Loire valley to show off their latest offerings to the rest of the world. The early season’s weather in 2008 was not kind, with variously frost, hail and torrential...
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Sauvignon Blanc
Origins
- Probably in Bordeaux region
- Parent of red grape Cabernet Sauvignon (established by DNA analysis)
Characteristics
- Vigorous plant, so can be too leafy and overproductive
- Aromas and flavours described as: herbaceous, grassy and nettley; Gooseberries; but can also show more tropical fruits...
Domaine des Garriguettes, Cotes du Rhone Blanc, Fleur de Lune, 2022
From approximately 50% Clairette, 40% Grenache Blanc and 10% Viognier, with about 20% of the wine rounded in old oak barrels, this is a fresh and vibrant white Côtes de Rhône. It charms with a pretty scent of white flowers and then opens out into an exotically fruited cocktail of ripe citrus and pineapple. Note the lowish (12.5%) alcohol level: although 2022 saw a hot and dry summer, the wines here were refreshed by rain on the 15th of August and the start of September - and it's clear...
ColourWhite
Sub RegionRhone
GrowerDomaine des Garriguettes
Grape VarietyClairette, Grenache Blanc & Viognier
Vintage2022
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
MethodBiodynamic
CodeGAR622
Viognier
Viognier
Characteristics
- Fickle grape to grow, subject to problems in the flowering and setting of fruit
- Best picked late and fully ripe, with high alcohol, at least 13.5 degree
- ...but can be too fat and overblown if grown in too hot temperatures
- Very aromatic, with scents of apricot and...
Michele Biancardi, Solo Fiano, IGT Puglia, 2022
Fiano may be better known in the Campania, but Cerignola is just across the Apennines from Avellino. It’s an ancient grape, but fickle and low-yielding. Here it’s grown on calcareous land.
Perfumed – stone fruit with a twist of mint. Full flavoured, showing fresh apricots and pears with a mineral spine and incisive citric freshness. Plenty of substance too – Michele gives it a little skin contact in the press. It’s most akin to a fresh Viognier. Excellent with grilled...
ColourWhite
RegionPuglia
GrowerMichele Biancardi
Grape VarietyFiano
Vintage2022
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
MethodOrganic
CodeBIA622
Domaine des Dieux, Chardonnay, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, 2018
At the very top of the Hemel-en-Aarde valley, cooled by breezes and the cloud attracted to the nearby Babylonstoren peak, the Des Dieux vineyards lie in a perfect spot for Chardonnay. This has become one of our best-loved wines. The 2015 vintage won the Veritas Vertex Award for the overall champion wine in South African Veritas wine awards, and the 2018 is equally impressive.
Tinge of green in the glass. Lively aromas of cream over citrus and orchard fruit.Open and generous, with...
ColourWhite
RegionHemel-en-Aarde
GrowerDomaine des Dieux
Grape VarietyChardonnay
Vintage2018
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
DietaryVegan
CodeDDD118
Domaine des Dieux
Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa
The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, which translates as Heaven on Earth, rises prettily from just west of Hermanus.
When we first visited in 2003 the wineries, notably Hamilton Russell and Bouchard Finlayson, were all in the lower part of the valley, but more recently plantings at the top of the valley - higher, drier, with warmer...
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Chardonnay
Chardonnay is one of the most-widely planted varieties in the world.
Arguably not the most characterful grape, hence its common ageing in oak, yet at its pinnacle in Burgundy it produces some of the greatest (and certainly most expensive) white wines in the world. Look out for unoaked Chardonnay, it can make a pleasant change, and usually goes down very well with all those people who...
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Antoine et Laurent Robin, Chablis 2021
From vines averaging 45 years old (the earliest planted in 1954), on a vineyard facing the 1er Cru of Vaillons, the Robins' village Chablis is immediately attractive: from a pretty nose (hawthorn blossom?) to a limpidly marine palate with associations of salinity and citrus. Transparent, delicious - and could only be Chablis. Now-2025
Given much reduced allocations for the frost-damaged 2021 vintage from our long-term partners in Chablis, Domaines d’Elise and Fourrey, we had...
ColourWhite
RegionBurgundy
GrowerAntoine et Laurent Robin
Grape VarietyChardonnay
Vintage2021
ABV 12.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeROB221
Burgundy
The Burgundy Pyramid
Making sense of the complexity of the complexity of Burgundy isn’t easy.
Though Burgundy only comprises 5% of France’s vineyard area, it holds 100 different Appellations, 25% of the entire French total. There are no less than 5,000 growers, 85% of whom own less than 10 hectares, and four fifths of them make wine.
To make matters...
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Chardonnay
Chardonnay is one of the most-widely planted varieties in the world.
Arguably not the most characterful grape, hence its common ageing in oak, yet at its pinnacle in Burgundy it produces some of the greatest (and certainly most expensive) white wines in the world. Look out for unoaked Chardonnay, it can make a pleasant change, and usually goes down very well with all those people who...
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Château Beauregard Ducasse, Cuvée Albert Duran, Graves, 2018
Gruff M. Perromat’s top wine, from about 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot, well-oaked. We started with the 2006 vintage of this traditionally framed and concentrated wine. First impression is of great mass; then it suggests a black fruit compôte with dried figs. Slighty more modern in style than the hugely popular 2016 vintage: attractively expressive with blackcurrant showing through, it also has years to go. Now-2028
Jacques Perromat’s sixth generation...
ColourRed
RegionBordeaux
Sub RegionGraves
GrowerChâteau Beauregard Ducasse
Grape VarietyMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Petit Verdot
Vintage2018
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
CodeBDU618
Château Beauregard Ducasse
Graves
Jacques Perromat’s sixth generation family estate lies at Mazères near Langon at the southern end of the Graves, with about 50 hectares of gravelly vineyards on limestone sub-soils hacked out of the surrounding forest from 1850.
This is as far removed - and not just in distance - from the grand estates of the Haut-Médoc as possible: here the...
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Cabernet Sauvignon
The most prestigious red grape?
Origins
- Bordeaux region, as a natural cross of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc (established 1997 by DNA analysis)
- Was known as Vidure or Petit-Vidure
- Spread throughout left bank of Bordeaux, supplanting white grapes
Characteristics
- Fairly easy to grow: hardy, buds...
Piekenierskloof, Grenache Noir, 2021
Piekenierskloof has more Grenache planted than any other estate in the Cape – that’s why so many of the young gun winemakers buy their Grenache here. We reckon going direct to the source delivers better value. From vines averaging over 25 years old, but incorporating parcels going back to 1973; all into old, effectively neutral, oak. Soft red hue. Cherry-scented, dusted with vanilla. Luscious raspberry and red cherry fruit. So expansive – just flowers on the palate. Perfect fresh...
ColourRed
RegionPiekenierskloof
GrowerPiekenierskloof
Grape VarietyGrenache
Vintage2021
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
CodePIK821
Piekenierskloof
South Africa
For years I had been hearing about Piekenierskloof – not as a wine producer but as a source of grapes for numerous other winemakers, young and old.
I didn’t realise that Piekenierskloof wasn’t just a ward (the smallest geographical unit in the South African regional classification) but one large estate, formerly a...
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Grenache / Garnacha
Grenache / Garnacha
Grenache grows well in hot, dry regions, though it can develop very high (15 degrees+) alcohol.
As such it is grown principally in Southern France and Spain (as Garnacha). It is usually blended with other varieties in the Southern Rhône and Languedoc (Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, Cinsaut and others).
Its flavour usually encompasses the...
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Decanter
Decanter provides authoritative content, independent advice and our wine's recently featured in their top 5 (out of 149!).
The panel is made up of 3 experts: Jane Anson, Matt Walls & Matthew Luczy.
Any wine you see on our website that has the Decanter icon on the picture has had a great write up!
Jane Anson
Jane...
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Amadieu, Cairanne, Vieilles Vignes, 2020
From 60 year old vines of 40% Grenache with Syrah, Mouvedre & Carignan. Organic and biodynacillay farmed, about 15% goes into barrels. Black pepper, spcie with black fruits and medium tannins. Worth laying down. Now - 2028
ColourRed
RegionRhone
Sub RegionSouthern Rhone
GrowerDomaine des Amadieu
Grape VarietyGrenache blend
Vintage2020
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
MethodOrganic
CodeAMB320
Lequin-Colin, Bourgogne Pinot Noir, 2020
In a region subject to dramatic inflation, this remains a sure fire value, an organic wine (certified, but no mention on the label) from various plots around the village of Santenay. All the wine goes into barrel, but only 10% new.
A year in bottle has just rounded this out nicely. Deep ruby red hue. Juicily blackfruited, with lots of energy and excellent concentration for a generic Bourgogne. Classic example with sappy freshness, light tannins and a little structure. Showing so...
ColourRed
RegionBurgundy
Sub RegionCote de Beaune
GrowerLequin-Colin
Grape VarietyPinot Noir
Vintage2020
ABV 12.5%
Bottle75cl
MethodOrganic
CodeLEQ620
Burgundy
The Burgundy Pyramid
Making sense of the complexity of the complexity of Burgundy isn’t easy.
Though Burgundy only comprises 5% of France’s vineyard area, it holds 100 different Appellations, 25% of the entire French total. There are no less than 5,000 growers, 85% of whom own less than 10 hectares, and four fifths of them make wine.
To make matters...
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René Lequin-Colin
Santenay, France
This 9 hectare family domaine, which dates back over 300 years, has a lovely range of vineyards, deriving from the marital conjoining of Lequins from Santenay and Colins from Chassagne-Montrachet.
We think he makes no less than seventeen wines, though some in very small quantities, for example just one specially made small barrel of Batard-Montrachet!...
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Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir
Origins
- Ancient vine, perhaps 2,000 years old
Distant origins in France - first documented mention in France in 1375
Characteristics
- Finicky grape: notoriously difficult to grow (which is partly why it is hugely intriguing to New World...
I Fabbri, Chianti Classico, Terra di Lamole, 2018
90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, part in cement and part in French oak. Crunchy black cherries with substance and svelte tannins. Dense and lightly smoky. Anyone have a wild Boar at hand? Now - 2026
Lamole – Greve in Chianti. 90% Sangiovese with 10% Canaiolo from old vines at 550 m above sea level. Aged partially in concrete and partially in 500-litre tonneaux. Certified organic."Lustrous mid ruby. Exciting deep nose of cherry with a hint of mace and a dark peppery tingle. Racy...
ColourRed
RegionTuscany
Sub RegionChianti Classico
GrowerI Fabbri
Vintage2018
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
MethodOrganic
CodeIFA218
Decanter
Decanter provides authoritative content, independent advice and our wine's recently featured in their top 5 (out of 149!).
The panel is made up of 3 experts: Jane Anson, Matt Walls & Matthew Luczy.
Any wine you see on our website that has the Decanter icon on the picture has had a great write up!
Jane Anson
Jane...
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Jancis Robinson
We get super excited when Jancis Robinson (or one of her team) write about our wine!
Voted the world's most influential wine critic in polls in the US, France and internationally in 2018, Jancis views herself as a wine writer rather than a wine critic.
She writes daily for JancisRobinson.com and weekly for the Financial Times. She is founder-editor of The Oxford Companion...
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Fontanel, Rivesaltes Ambre, 2015
This Vin Doux Naturel (literally naturally sweet wine - see below) is one of the most distinctive and exciting wines in our entire stock. From late-picked, 60 year-old vines of Grenache Blanc and Gris, the Ambré - amber - tone develops after at least five years of mildly oxidative ageing in barrel (and here it’s kept a lot longer before bottling). Pure clear amber hue. This offers intriguing fumes: dried figs and dates with a spirity lift. The sherry-like oxidation is more apparent on the...
ColourWhite
StyleFortified
RegionRoussillon
GrowerDomaine Fontanel
Grape VarietyGrenache Blanc
Vintage2015
ABV16%
Bottle75cl
CodeFON915
Languedoc-Roussillon
There’s something very complete about our annual offer of wines from the Languedoc and Roussillon: with whites, rosés and reds, and wonderful fortified wines, the Vins Doux Naturels which are such a speciality of the region, there should be something for all tastes. Secondly, there are wines for every budget; at every level we believe these wines continue to offer terrific...
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Domaine Fontanel
Tautavel, France
Things have changed at Domaine Fontanel, but with a sense of continuity. Elodie and Matthieu Collet bought the domaine from Pierre and Marie-Claude Fontaneil in 2017 and have already made a name for themselves, being elected no less than Vignerons de l'Année (Roussillon) du Guide Hachette 2019.
After both graduating as agricultural...
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Here’s the full tasting note for...
Christmas Crackers Case
A terrific selection: a bottle of Champagne, five whites, five reds, and an 8 year old Vin Doux Naturel with 5% off normal bottle prices
S,V+S does the job: finding interesting producers and excellent wines. The list is not bafflingly huge like some other merchants, nor is it narrow or unadventurous, nor fad/fashion, the result is a…Read More
Fantastic friendly service from Simon and his team. I ordered a large quantity of port which arrived promptly, well packaged and delivered by a decent courier - highly recommended. Thank you Stone,…Read More
Order arrived promptly as always. Using the catalogue and range of offers, encourages choice of interesting and enjoyable wines I probably wouldn't have chosen if buying from a supermarket.Read More
They are very clever at finding wines from the less fashionable parts of France that are as good as, if not better than, those from the fashionable parts at a fraction of the price. Also charming to…Read More
The champagne went down very well. Lots of compliments. Fortunately for me there is some left over so it is now in my cellar! I need to lock it up because my husband loves it. The Crozes-Hermitage…Read More
Simon and the team offer an absolutely first-class service...the advice and expertise they bring help me explore the world of wine.Read More
