Press Reviews: December

by Eve-Marie Letondel

 

Our latest press reviews: The Sunday Times, The Financial Times, Decanter.

Benefit from our case price discount in red by buying any 12 bottles from this selection – in a mixed case of your design or simply by the dozen.

This £13.99 champagne is a Christmas bestseller – so what is its secret?, The Telegraph, Victoria Moore, 22/12/2021:

Cremant de Loire Hauts Perrays

CRÉMANT DE LOIRE Brut Domaine des Hauts Perrays
£14.50 | £13.50
Review: ‘My money here would be on a wine like Domaine des Haut Perrays Crémant de Loire Brut NV. This is a sparkling wine made in the Loire in the same way as champagne – meaning the bubbles are produced by secondary fermentation in the bottle. The grapes aren’t the same – Haut Perrays is made from chenin blanc, chardonnay and cabernet franc. But the taste is superb, honeyed and biscuity with a refreshing edge. Also, the label is very smart. And I know a lot of people mind about that.’

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How pink champagne became the toast of serious wine investors, The Telegraph, Victoria Moore, 21/12/2021:

COATES & SEELY Rosé

COATES & SEELY Rosé Brut English Sparkling Wine
£34.95 | £32.50
Review: ‘I recommend Coates & Seely Rosé Brut NV English Sparkling wine which is made in Hampshire and goes very well with hot-smoked salmon with crème fraiche on crispbreads.’

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The wine, the fizz: what the wine critic will be drinking on Christmas Day, The Times, Jane MacQuitty, 17/12/2021:

2017 CHIANTI CLASSICO Castagnoli

2017 CHIANTI CLASSICO Castagnoli
£20.95 | £18.95
Review: ‘If it’s turkey and all the trimmings,[…]Castagnoli’s 2017 Chianti Classico, is a herby, violet-scented festive joy that would work wonderfully well.’

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The best champagne and sparkling wines to buy for Christmas 2021, The Telegraph, Victoria Moore, 14/12/2021:

Cremant de Loire Hauts Perrays

CRÉMANT DE LOIRE Brut Domaine des Hauts Perrays
£14.50 | £13.50
Review: ‘Consider choosing this first-rate crémant over a third-rate champagne. It smells of honeyed toast, tastes fresh and is moreish.’

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Gonet Medeville tradition

GONET-MÉDEVILLE Tradition Brut 1er Cru NV
£30.50 | £29.50 (Seasonal Offer)
Review: ‘A beautiful and atmospheric grower champagne (meaning the family that made the wine also grew the grapes). Well worth seeking out.’

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The best red wines for Christmas, The Financial Times, Jancis Robinson, 11/12/2021:

2016 Heba

2016 MORELLINO DI SCANSANO Heba Fattoria di Magliano
£15.95 | £14.50
Review: ‘L&S are not slow to point out that this Tuscan estate shares an oenologist with the famous Sassicaia. Pure tangy Sangiovese plus coastal warmth. Certified organic. Could be drunk without food. Should be drunk soonish.’

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Rasteau Escaravailles Les Coteaux

2018 RASTEAU Les Coteaux Domaine des Escaravailles
£16.50 | £14.95
Review: ‘This sweet, accessible blend of Grenache with 20 per cent Syrah from a southern Rhône hillside is not for those seeking to reduce their alcohol intake, but it carries its 15 per cent surprisingly well.’

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2016 Caburnio

2016 CABURNIO Tenuta Monteti
£18.50 | £16.50
Review: ‘An intense mix of Bordeaux grapes and southern Tuscan style, to be drunk any time over the next few years.’

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2015 Castagnoli Riserva

2015 TERRAZZE CHIANTI CLASSICO Riserva Castagnoli
£29.50 | £26.50
Review: ‘Fully ripe Sangiovese with enormous depth — ripe fruit, medium tannins and great tension. Really exciting, serious, certified organic wine grown on a steep, terraced hillside that’s just coming into its own. Great with steaks and roast meat. Pure Tuscany.’

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Perfect pairing: top wines to match your Turkey, Decanter, Fiona Beckett, 06/12/2021:

Gonet Medeville tradition

GONET-MÉDEVILLE Tradition Brut 1er Cru NV
£30.50 | £29.50
Review: ‘And frankly, if there aren’t that many of you, why not drink Champagne, which goes with everything. Gonet-Médeville Tradition 1er Cru Brut was another that just missed the cut here. Save it for New Year’s Eve if you don’t drink it on the 25th.’

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The best white wines for Christmas, The Financial Times, Jancis Robinson, 04/12/2021:

2019 Mainqué Bodega Chacra

2019 MAINQUÉ Chardonnay Bodega Chacra
£39.50 | £35.50
Review: ‘Southern Argentine Chardonnay made under the guiding hand of cult winemaker Jean-Marc Roulot. It shows. Roulot’s basic Bourgogne would cost far more. So good.’

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2019 Autocton Blanc

2019 AUTÒCTON BLANC Autòcton Celler
£15.50 | £13.75
Review: ‘The Catalan Xarel-lo grape can make sophisticated dry whites such as this one made from elderly, certified organic vines at an old winery south of Barcelona.’

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2020 Pazo Da Maga

2020 PAZO DA MAGA Karma do Sil
£14.95 | £13.95
Review: ‘Brilliant value from the steep slopes of the Sil valley in north-west Spain, where viticulture is described as “heroic”. Made from the great Godello grape.’

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The 42 best wines for Christmas: what to serve friends and family, The Times, Will Lyons, 01/12/2021:

Wiston Estate

WISTON ESTATE BRUT
£29.50 | £26.95
Review: ‘Dermot Sugrue crafts exceptional wines down at Wiston in West Sussex. This NV is impressive for its sheer vitality and juicy energy on the palate. Crisp, savoury and packed with exhilarating citrus.’

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2020 Chinon Rosé Baudry

2020 CHINON Rosé Domaine Bernard Baudry
£16.95 | £15.50
Review: ‘An excellent option for those who enjoy a drop of rosé around the Christmas table. Made by one of the most distinguished names in the Loire Valley from 100 per cent cabernet franc, it’s fresh and delicate, with plenty of light red fruit.’

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