2

• Payjust£48.00/month

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Theaveragepriceofthewineis£12.00perbottlebut

ifwethinkwehaveagreatwinethatpunchesaboveits

weightat£8.95wewillincludethatbutwewillbalance

itoutovertheyearwithawineatover£15.00,

soyoudon’tloseout.

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Youcancancelyourstandingorderatanytime,

andwewillrefundyouanydifference.

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From our favourite smoker ‘Fence Bay’ of Ayrshire

and 2 bottles of Champagne Dampierre

when you order your wine plan.

Mostofourbestdiscoveriesarecommunicatedviaemail...

Soifwedon’thaveyouremailad

dress,youaren’tenjoyingallthebenefits

ofbeingaSwigcustomer.Hereareafewexamplesofoffersthatwe

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Pleasecall02089957060oremailwine@sw

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45

Thislistisarrangedin

ascendingpriceorder.I

tisintendedtobeasn

apshotofwhatwe

particularlylikeatthe

moment,butisbynom

eansanexhaustivecat

alogueofeverything

wehaveinstore.

Pleasecontactusifthe

reissomethingpartic

ularthatyouarelookin

gfororhaveabrowse

ofourwebsite:www.sw

ig.co.uk

Thefollowingindex,ord

eredbygrapevariety,

mayhelpyounavigate

moreeasily.

ChardonnayBuitenverwachting Chardonnay, ConstantiaSouthAfrica2009£11.50Petit Chablis,DomaineSimoneTremblay,France2009

£12.50

Bourgogne Blanc, Domaine Roulot,France2008£22.00Saint Aubin Blanc ‘La Princée’DomaineHubertLamy,Burgundy,France

2008£22.50Yabby Lake Chardonnay, MorningtonPeninsula,Australia2008£24.00‘Fixin, Maison Alex Gambal,Burgundy,

France2007£24.00Domaine Serene Clos du Soleil VineyardChardonnay,DundeeHills,Oregon2007£38.00

Chassagne-Montrachet 1er CruLesChauméesPhilippeColin,Burgundy2008£40.00

Sauvignon BlancKonrad Sauvignon Blanc,Marlborough,NewZealand2009£8.95

Sauvignon de Touraine,DomaineMardon,Loire,France2009

£9.95Chateau Turcaud ‘Cuvée Majeure’,EntredeuxMers,Bordeaux2009£13.50Buitenverwachting ‘Husseys Vlei’ Sauvignon

Blanc,SouthAfrica2009£13.50Kevin Judd Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc,Marlborough,NewZealand2010£14.95

Lismore EstateSauvignon Blanc,Greyton,SouthAfrica2009£17.50

Grenache Blanc or GrisRoc des Anges, Vieilles Vignes,VindePaysdesPyrenéesOrientalesBla

nc2008£17.00Les Clos Perdus ‘L’Extrême’,VindePaysdes

CotesCatalanes,France2009£23.50Milouise, Domaine Padié, VinsdePaysdesCotesCatalanes,France2009£25.00

RieslingRiesling Trocken, Weingut Winter,Rheinhessen,Germany2009£11.50K

nappstein ‘Ackland’ Riesling,ClareValley,Australia2009

£11.95Pyramid Valley Riverbrook VineyardRiesling, Marlborough,NewZealand2008£19.50

Pinot BlancPinot Blanc Philippe Zinck,Alsace,France2007£9.95Pyramid Valley Kerner Estate Pinot Blanc,NewZealand2008£22.00

Viognier - Lismore Estate Viognier, Greyton,SouthAfrica2009£22.50

Chenin Blanc - A A Badenhorst Family Wines,‘Secateurs’White,Swartland,SouthAfrica2010£9.50

Gewurztraminer-Gewurztraminer, Philippe Zinck,Alsace,France2008£12.50

Unusual white varietiesTorrontes ‘Pacha Mama’LasMoras,SanJuan,Argentina2009£

7.95Rioja Blanco CrianzaNavajas,Spain2007£9.95

Iduna Verdejo,BodegaVinaguarena,Toro,Spain2009£14.95

Interesting White Blends

Ampelomeryx, Domaine de Pellehaut,VindePaysdeGascogne2008£10.50

Capolemole Bianco, Marco Carpinetti,Lazio,Italy2009£12.50

Ghiaia di Monte, Ca Boffenisio,OltropoPavese,Lombardy,Italy2004£17.50

A A Badenhorst Family White,CoastalOrigin,SouthAfrica2008£24.00

Palladius Eben Sadie, Swartland,SouthAfrica2008£32.00

Great Whites

The List

5

Thislistisarrangedin

ascendingpriceorder.I

tisintendedtobeasn

apshotofwhatwe

particularlylikeatthe

moment,butisbynom

eansanexhaustivecat

alogueofeverything

wehaveinstore.

Pleasecontactusifthe

reissomethingpartic

ularthatyouarelookin

gfororhaveabrowse

ofourwebsite:www.sw

ig.co.uk

Thefollowingindex,ord

eredbygrapevariety,

mayhelpyounavigate

moreeasily.

Pinot NoirSt Ilia Pinot Noir, ThracianValley,Bulgaria2006£8.95Pinot Noir, Edoardo Miroglio,Bulgaria2007£12.50

‘Red Claw’ Pinot Noir by Yabby Lake, MorningtonPeninsula,Australia2008£14.95

Delta ‘Hatters Hill’ Pinot Noir,Marlborough,NewZealand2007/8£17.50Bourgogne Pinot Noir,Cuvée‘LesDeuxPapis’,

MaisonAlexGambal,France2008£19.50Yabby Lake Pinot Noir,MorningtonPeninsula,Australia2008£24.00

Pyramid Valley ‘Eaton Family’ Pinot Noir,Marlborough,NewZealand2007£35.00

Nuits St Georges 1er Cru ‘Clos des Forets’Domainedel’Arlot,Burgundy2008£39.00

Shiraz or SyrahA A Badenhorst Secateurs Red,SouthAfrica2009£9.95A A Badenhorst Family Red,WineofCoastalOrigin,

SouthAfrica2006£24.00Schubert Syrah, Wairarapa,NewZealand2005£22.50

Cabernet Sauvignon Including BlendsCape Chamonix Rouge,SouthAfrica2007£7.95Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve,Zagreus,Bulgaria2006£8.95

Passion Has Red Lips by Some Young Punks,SouthAustralia2009£13.50Rivarossa, Schiopetto,VeneziaGiuliaIGT,Italy£18.00

De Toren Fusion V,Stellenbosch,SouthAfrica2007£27.50Ombrone Cupano,Sant’Antimo,Tuscany,Italy2007£38.00

Sangiovese Including BlendsChianti Rufina Del Mulino,Lavacchio,Tuscany,Italy2007£9.95

The Squid’s Fist, Some Young Punks,SouthAustralia2009£16.50

Rosso del Gello, Montecucco Rosso,Italy2006£17.50

Rosso di Montalcino Cupano,Tuscany,Italy2007£28.00

Corvina BlendsValpolicella Superiore Carlo Ferragu,Veneto,Italy2007/8£29.50

Amarone Ferragu, Veneto,Italy2005/6£85.00

Tempranillo Including BlendsRioja Crianza ‘Aclys’,BodegasMurua,Spain2006£8.50Munia Crianza, Toro,Spain2006£9.95

Durius Tempranillo-Merlot,CastillayLeon,Spain2004£14.50

Rioja Gran Reserva,BodegasFernandoRemirezdeGanuza,Spain2001£62.00

Malbec-Pascual Toso Malbec Reserve,Mendoza,Argentina2008£13.95

Cabernet Franc - Buitenverwachting Cabernet Franc,Constantia,SouthAfrica2006£14.50

Barbera-Barbera d’Alba, Luciano Sandrone,Piemonte,Italy2006£19.50

Nebbiolo-Barolo, Renato Corino,Piedmont,Italy2006£32.00

Negroamaro-Copertino, Azienda Monaci,Puglia,Italy2007£8.95

Unusual Red VarietiesKorta Barrel Selection Carmenere Reserve, LontueValley,Chile2008£8.95Las Moras ‘Black Label’ Bonarda,SanJuan,Argentina

2008£9.95Vinica, Zagreus Winery,Bulgaria2008£12.50Silene Olevano Romano di Cesanese, CantinaCiolli,Lazio,Italy2006

£13.50Frappato, Azienda Agricola Cos,Sicily,Italy2009£17.00

Interesting Red BlendsMullineux ‘Kloof Street’ Red, SouthAfrica2008£9.95Cotes-du-Rhone ‘Les Plates Pierres’,DomaineMarcBrugaliere,

France2007£9.95Hochar Pere et Fils by Chateau Musar,BekaaValley,Lebanon2003£11.00

Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico, AziendaAgricolaCos,Sicily,Italy2008£19.50

Great Reds

6

SamplerCase£104.00save£1

8.00

2 x Pinot Grigio Rosé Brut,Spumante,LaJaraNV

Delightfulfullysparkling,organic

roseandagreatalternativetoro

séchampagne

2 x A A Badenhorst Family Wines, ‘Secateurs’ White,Swartland,SouthAfrica2010

ThrillingandtangyoldvineChen

inBlancfromthebuzzingSwartla

ndregion

2 x Ampelomeryx, Domaine de Pellehaut,VindePaysdesCotesdeGascog

ne2008

ComplexblendofChardonnay,Sa

uvignonBlanc,GrosMansengand

PetitManseng

2 x Copertino, Azienda Monaci,Puglia,Italy2007

WonderfulNegroamarofromsout

hernItaly,fulltothebrimwithpe

rsonality

2 x Korta Barrel Selection Carmenere Reserve,LontueValley,Chile2008

Dark,intense,fragrantCarmene

rethatisscreamingoutforajuicy

steak

2 x Rioja Crianza ‘Aclys’, Bodegas Murua,Spain2006

Gentleold-fashionedRiojawithm

ellow,sun-kissedflavoursandhin

tofcoconut

UnusualCase£150.00save£30.002 x A A Badenhorst Family White,CoastalOrigin,SouthAfrica2008

StunningblendthatincludesChenin,Roussanne,Grenache,ViognierandVerdelho

2 x Capolemole Bianco,MarcoCarpinetti,Lazio,Italy2009

Refined,stylishly-labelledwinemadejustoutsideRomeusingtheBellonegrape

2 x Ampelomeryx, Domaine de Pellehaut,VindePaysdesCotesdeGascogne2008

ComplexblendofChardonnay,SauvignonBlanc,GrosMansengandPetitManseng

2 x Vinica, Zagreus Winery,Bulgaria2008FantasticBulgarianredmadeusingthepassitomethodbetterknownforAmarone

2 x Silene Olevano Romano di Cesanese,CantinaCiolli,Lazio,Italy2006

DeliciousandelegantwineusingtheCesanesegrape,similarinweighttoaPinotNoir

2 x Frappato, Azienda Agricola Cos,Sicily,Italy2009

AmazinglyperfumeddryredmadefromtheSicilianFrappatogrape

The SamplerMixed Ca

ses

The Unusual

7

SamplerCase£104.00save£1

8.00

2 x Pinot Grigio Rosé Brut,Spumante,LaJaraNV

Delightfulfullysparkling,organic

roseandagreatalternativetoro

séchampagne

2 x A A Badenhorst Family Wines, ‘Secateurs’ White,Swartland,SouthAfrica2010

ThrillingandtangyoldvineChen

inBlancfromthebuzzingSwartla

ndregion

2 x Ampelomeryx, Domaine de Pellehaut,VindePaysdesCotesdeGascog

ne2008

ComplexblendofChardonnay,Sa

uvignonBlanc,GrosMansengand

PetitManseng

2 x Copertino, Azienda Monaci,Puglia,Italy2007

WonderfulNegroamarofromsout

hernItaly,fulltothebrimwithpe

rsonality

2 x Korta Barrel Selection Carmenere Reserve,LontueValley,Chile2008

Dark,intense,fragrantCarmene

rethatisscreamingoutforajuicy

steak

2 x Rioja Crianza ‘Aclys’, Bodegas Murua,Spain2006

Gentleold-fashionedRiojawithm

ellow,sun-kissedflavoursandhin

tofcoconut

SeriousCase£189.00save£35.00

2 x Chateau Turcaud ‘Cuvée Majeure’,EntredeuxMers,Bordeaux2009Sophisticateddrywhite,barrel-agedBordeauxinthestyleofastylishGraves2 x Ghiaia di Monte, Ca Boffenisio, OltropoPavese,Lombardy,Italy2004Serene,elegantItalianwhite-ablendofSauvignonBlancandRiesling2 x Bourgogne Blanc, Domaine Roulot,France2008Classicmineral-driven,whiteBurgundyfromoneofthegreatestproducersinMeursault2 x Rosso del Gello, Montecucco Rosso, Italy2006FromanappellationthatbordersBrunello,thisisaperfectlymatureSangiovese2 x Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Cuvée ‘Les Deux Papis’, MaisonAlexGambal,France2008Sweetly-perfumedredBurgundyfromvineyardsinthevillageofVolnay2 x Schubert Syrah, Wairarapa,NewZealand2005UtterlyseductiveexpressionofSyrah,similarinstyletoaCoteRotie

The Serious

LuxuryCase£352.00save£4

4.00

2 x Champagne Comte Audoin de DampierreCuveedesAmbassadeursNV

MadeexclusivelyfromPremierCr

ugrapes,thisisafine,complexch

ampagne

2 x Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chaumées Philippe Colin,Burgundy2008

FiveStarwhiteBurgundy,fullofc

racklingminerals,fineoakandci

trus

2 x Palladius Eben Sadie, Swartland, SouthAfrica2008

Amightilycomplex,tightlywoun

dblendofeightdifferentgrapeva

rieties

2 x Nuits St Georges 1er Cru ‘Clos des Forets’ Domaine de l’Arlot,Burgundy2008

ExquisiteredBurgundyfromado

mainethatproducesethereal,eleg

antreds

2 x Rosso di Montalcino Cupano, Tuscany,Italy2007

RavishingexpressionofSangiove

sethatowesmuchtothequalityo

fthevintage

2 x Valpolicella Superiore Carlo Ferragu,Veneto,Italy2007

Oneofthemostseductivewinesy

oucouldimagine,pureliquidvelv

et

The Luxurious

8

Prosecco Frizzante, La Jara NV £10.956bottlesormorepay£8.95

Delightfully soft and refreshing semi-sparkling Prosecco

Rebrandingisadangerousandpotentiallydisastrousbusiness,asthePostOfficediscoveredwhenitspentmillionschangingitsnametoConsignia.Let’shopethattheProseccoConsorziohasn’tmadeasimilarmistakeinchangingthenameofitseponymousgrapevarietyto‘Glera’.ThecunningideawastoretainthenameProseccoforthedesignatedareaorappellationwithinwhichthewineismade,meaningthatnooneoutsideProseccocancallthewineassuchandwouldbeforcedtonameitafterthegrapevariety.Onehastowonderwhethertheydeliberatelychoseanuglynameasaformofsubterfugeagainstitscompetitorsoutsidetheregion.Thisgenuinesemi-sparklingProseccofromLaJaraisdelightfullysoftandeasywithhintsofappleandquince.Drinknow.Organic.11%alc.

Prosecco Spumante Brut La Jara, Italy NV £12.506bottlesormorepay£10.50

Fully-sparkling dry Prosecco from the Veneto region

“Alifewithoutloveislikeayearwithoutsummer”.Scaleddown,thisproverbcouldequallyread“aweekwithoutbubblesislikeadaywithoutsunshine”.Let’sfaceit,overthelastfewyearsithasbeenharderandhardertoachievetherecommendeddailyintakeofsunbeams,atleastwithoutputtingabigdentinthewallet.Proseccoisanexcellentfillipforthoseinneedofsomeillumination.Thisisatop-notch,fully-sparkling,bonedry,crispandthoroughlyrefreshingexample.Thenoseispureandenergisedwithgentleyetenticingorchardfruitaromas.Thepalatehasalovelysofttexturewithatouchofpeachonthefinishandgreatbalance.Drinknow.Organic.11.5%alc.

Pinot Grigio Rosé Brut, La Jara NV £14.506bottlesormorepay£12.50

Beautiful pink bubbly, a dead ringer for high quality rosé champagne

IffeaturedinaLonelyHeartsadvertisement,theword‘bubbly’actsasapolitenoticeforprospectivecasanovastoexpectsomeonewithajollypersonalityandapenchantforarcticrolls.Iffeaturedinawinelist,however,theword‘bubbly’issimplyacueforcelebration.Thisfantasticsparklingrosé,madefromthepink-skinnedPinotGrigiogrape,hasuniversalappealanddoublesforahighqualityroséchampagne.Itisguaranteedtoputasmileoneventhemostobdurateface.Infact,weservedit‘blind’toagroupofknowledgeablebarristersandnotonlyweretheyamazedtolearnthatitwasn’troséchampagne,someofthemevenbrokeintoabeaminggrimace!Itshowsanelegant,palesalmoncolourandatotallydrypalatewithhintsofwildberries,shortbreadandraspberrysorbet.Lovelybubbly.Drinknow.Organic.11.5%alc.

Sparkling

9

Champagne Eric Lemaire Cuvee Privilege, France NV £24.006bottlesormorepay£21.00

A great value champagne that makes no sacrifice in quality

“Burgundymakesyouthinkofsillythings,Bordeauxmakesyoutalkaboutthem,andChampagnemakesyoudothem”,orsothesayinggoes.Consideryourselfthoroughlywarned,therefore,anddon’tcomecryingtouswhenyouendupinA&Ehavingshardsofglassandphotocopiertonerremovedfromyourbackside.It’sablendof70%PinotMeunier,20%Chardonnayand10%PinotNoir,agorgeousdropwithgreatpurity,lovelyripefruitandatouchofcoconutbiscuit.Thepalateimpresseswithitssofttextureandontheedgesthereisapleasingwispofsherbetalongwithsomenuttynuances.Verysmoothandperfectlybalanced...it’shardtoimagineamoreenjoyableChampagnetosipon.That’ssipon!Drinknow-2012.12%

Champagne Brut Comte Audoin de Dampierre ‘Cuvee des Ambassadeurs NV’ £29.506bottlesormorepay£26.00

Ourmagnificenthousechampagne-fine,complexandintricate

Intermsoftoursofduty,thischampagneisvergingonveteranstatus.CastyoureyeoverpreviousSwiglistsandthereyouwillfindhim,semperfidelis.Allmannerofwhippersnapper,youngpretenderandnextbigthinghavecomeandgone,butDampierrestillabides.Madefrom50%PremierCruChardonnayand50%PremierCruPinotNoir,ithasawonderfullyincisive,tensilebiteofquinceandnectarine,softenedbynotesoftoastedalmondsandoatmeal.ItisservedinalltheFrenchembassiesaroundtheworld(hencethename)andisanextremelyfinematchforFerreroRocherchocolates.Drinknow-2014.12.5%.

Champagne Dom Perignon 2002 £98.00

Rarefied vintage champagne – limited availabilitySomeagreisourallocationofDomPerignon2002,thatifwewerehostingasmallpartyforourparishionersanddecidedtoservenothingotherthanourallottedquota,wewouldstruggletoentertainmorethanacoupleofdiabeticparsonsandanabstemiousmemberortwooftheWomen’sInstitute.Thatsaid,wearegratefulforsmallmercies,particularlyinthisvintage,becausetherehasbeengreatinterestanddemandsincethewinecritic,RobertParker,advisedreadersto“callyourbank...lineupthetruck!”Thewineachieveda96pointscoreinTheWineAdvocateitself,whodescribeditas“aflashy,opulentDomPerignon.”Drinknow-2020.12.5%alc.

10

WhitesTorrontes ‘Pacha Mama’LasMoras,SanJuan,Argentina2009£7.95Dramatic expression of Argentina’s signature white grape varietyThisisasimpletaleofgoodversusevil.Theforcesofgooddominatethenose,wherejoyfulflavoursofpeachandrosepetalfrolicinnocentlyintangerineorchards.It’sacarefreeplace,fulloffloraldelightsandexoticcharms.However,withinthepalate,lurksthenemesisoflassitudeandlistlessness.Acidity.Itarriveslikeacomicbookvillain,laughingmaniacallyasitzapsthoseidlerswithlaserbeamsoflemonandgrapefruit,scatteringtheminalldirections.Thetensionandexcitementinthenarrativelieintheclashbetweenthetwo,whereourhero,Torrontes,ultimatelydefeatstheforcesofevil,sothatthewineshinestriumphantlywithripefruitflavours,whileholdingthatpeskyacidityinaheadlock.Wham!Bam!Kerpow!Itneedsfood,soenjoyitwithfriedchickenorsweetandsourpork.Drinknow.Organic.13%alc.

Konrad Sauvignon Blanc,Marlborough,NewZealand2009£8.95Light-bodied, crisp and pure Kiwi Sauvignon‘Decent’isawordthathasbeenmuscledoutofthelanguagebyburlysuperlatives,butitdeservestobereclaimed,solet’sbringbackdecency(and,whileweareatit,briarpipes,worstedsuitsandmonocles)!Once,a‘decentfellow’wastheveryhigheststampofmerittowhichachapcouldaspire.Today,inthefrenzyofmarketingadjectives,‘decent’soundsalmostarchaic,solet’stakeamomenttocelebrateaverydecentSauvignonBlanc.Isit‘incredible’,‘stunning’or‘outstanding’?No,butit’shonest,archetypalanddelicious.Steely,crispandbrightwithperkyMarlboroughflavoursofgreenappleandlime,it’sathoroughlygoodegg.Drinknow.13.5%alc.(dueearlyDecember2010)

A A Badenhorst Family Wines, ‘Secateurs’ White,SouthAfrica2010£9.50Thrilling and tangy old vine Chenin Blanc from the buzzing Swartland regionAstampedeofwinewritersisanuglysight.Theherdnormallymovesinaslowbovinehuddle,althoughthementionofanall-expenses-paidjunketcansuddenlyturnthemintoaballofdust.WehadthegoodfortunetowitnessthisextraordinarynaturalspectaclewhenwereleasedtheinauguralvintageofAdiBadenhorst’sSecateursWhite2009.Amaelstromofloafersandboatshoescouldbeseenrushingbacktotheirwordprocessors,eagertoclaimbraggingrights.Don’tgetuswrong,wewereextremelygratefulfortheexposure,butwereallyfeelthatthe2010vintageisabigstepupandtakesthewineinamoreexcitingdirection.Ithasafine,incisivenose,withlessofthehoneyedrichnessofthe2009andmoretensionandverve.Thenosetingleswithcitrus,apricotkernelandgrapefruitflavoursandthepalatehasterrificdensity,dryextractandacool,stonyunderbelly.MadefromoldCheninBlancbushvines.Drinkfromnowuntil2014.14%alc.

Pinot Blanc Philippe Zinck,Alsace,France2007£9.95Perfectly mature, creamy, toasty Alsace Pinot BlancAlsaceusedtobelongtoGermanyuntiltheFrenchweregivenitintheir‘partybag’aftertheFirstWorldWar.However,itwouldappearthatGermantraditionsstilllingerinAlsace,notleastthecustomforconfusingwinelabels,becauseguesswhichgrapevarietyisnotnecessarilytobefoundinabottleofPinotBlancfromAlsace.Welldone,topoftheclass.It’stoocomplicatedtoexplainthetechnicalitieshere,butwearepleasedtosaythatthisonedoescontainsomePinotBlancalthoughAuxerroisdominatestheblendat65%.Zinck’s2007isspeakingfluentlynow,withripeyellowfruitsandlightlysautéedmushroomaromasleadingtoasilky,creamypalateandatoastylingeringfinish.Drinknow.12.5%alc.

Rioja Blanco Crianza, Navajas,Spain2007£9.95Aromatically intense white Rioja with lashings of creamy oakTherearefewwinesthatmakequitesuchanimpressionontheolfactorysensesasthisfantasticwhiteRioja.AquickwaftunderhisnosewouldhavehadLazarussittingboltupright.It’sdazzlinglyzesty,toastyandspicy,withlashingsofcreamynewoakswirlingamidsttangypineappleandpreservedlemonflavours.Reallyzingy,zestyandbrightonthepalatewithlotsofclove,staraniseandcandiedlemon.Likethearrivalofanirrepressiblegreataunttopplingyourfurnitureassherushestogreetyou,it’sajoyful,dizzying,boisterousexperience.Madefrom100%Viura.Drinknow.12.5%alc.

11

Sauvignon de Touraine, Domaine Mardon,Loire,France2009£9.95

Juicy, pure and delicious alternative to Sancerre.

It’samatterofpridetobothwinemerchantsandwineenthusiaststofindinexpensiveandpreferable

alternativestofamousnames.ExamplesthatspringtomindareMenetou-SaloninsteadofPouilly-Fumé,

Saint-AubininsteadofPuligny-MontrachetandbinjuiceinsteadofWhiteZinfandel.ThisdelightfulSauvignon

deTouraineisagreatalternativetosomeofthemorefamousnamesoftheLoirevalley,withitsjuicycitrus

flavours,itshintofnettlesandshinkoleafanditsfine,chalkyminerality...andwemeanthatmost

Sancerrelyfolks!Drinkfromnowuntil2012.12.5%alc.

Ampelomeryx, Domaine de Pellehaut,VindePaysdeGascogne2008£10.50

Tangy, spicy, complex blend of four varieties from south west France

Marketresearchhasshownthatwinelabelsfeaturingananimalonthefronthaveapositiveimpacton

consumersandindependenttestshaverevealedthat‘critterlabels’,astheyareaffectionatelyknown,

outperformordinarytablewinelabelsbytwotoone.Theproblemfornewlabeldesignersisfindingnew

animalstouse,whichmightexplainwhythiswineisnamedafteranextinctgenusofherbivorous,even-toed

ungulatecalledanAmpelomeryx.Catchyisn’tit?Thankfully,thewineinsidethebottletranscendsits

dreadfulnameandhasgoneontowintwoprestigiousawards.ItisablendofChardonnay,SauvignonBlanc

andGrosandPetitManseng.Thewinewaspartbarrel-fermentedandhaswonderfullybright,zippyfruit,

characterisedbygrapefruitandginger,enrichedbynotesofalmond,vanillaandpaingrilléfromtheoak,

TheGrosandPetitMansenggiveitasenseofregionalcharacter,reminiscentofaJurançon,providingthe

richtangyacidityandhintofspice.Drinknow-2012.13%alc.

Riesling Trocken, Weingut Winter,Rheinhessen,Germany2009£11.50

Ripe, dry German Riesling pierced by a clean blade of thrilling acidity

Acidsdon’thaveparticularlyattractiveassociations,linkedastheyarewithstomachs,batteriesandrain,so

theytendsnottofeatureasthecentralthemeinmosttastingnotes,butacidsareasvitaltoawine’ssuccess

asthefruitflavoursthatstealsomuchofthedescriptiveglory.So,let’sturnthingsaroundhereandcelebrate

thegreatjobthataciddoes.ThisimmaculatelybalancedRieslingisawonderfulshowcasefortheshimmering,

scintillatingqualitiesofbothtartaricandmalicacid,whichprovidetheincisivesourapplebitethatcomplement

theripe,peachyfruitandsendaboltoflightningthroughtherich,limecordialtextureofthewine’sbody.

ThisisagreatdryRieslingthatworkswellasanaperitiforwithfragrantasianfoods.

Drinknow-2015.12.5%alc.

Buitenverwachting Chardonnay, ConstantiaSouthAfrica2009£11.50

Mouthwatering Chardonnay from the maritime region of Constantia

Forgiveusforbehavinglikepushystageschoolparentsandshovingourreluctantchildforwardfrom

theauditionline-up,butthiswinereallydeservestobeinthespotlight.It’snotsomekaraokeChardonnay,

doinganimpersonationofwhiteBurgundy,it’sareallyfine,characterfulwinethatisproudofitsrootsin

thecool,ocean-influencedvineyardsofConstantia.Wonderfularomasoftoastedpinekernelsandgrilled

almondsfromageinginFrenchoak,togetherwiththefreshiodinetangofoystershellsandafinecitrus

coregiveitcomplexityandfreshness.Extremelygoodvalueandfullofpersonality.

Drinknow-2012.12%alc.

Knappstein ‘Ackland’ Riesling, ClareValley,Australia2009£11.95

Strict, no-nonsense dry Riesling that will whip your palate into shape.

Attention!Eyesfront,shouldersbackandonlyspeakwhenyouarespokento.IamDrillSergeantAckland

andfromnowonIamtheclosestthingyouhavetoamummy.ThatdoesnotmeanIwanttocuddleyou.

ThatdoesnotmeanIcareaboutyou.AttheClareValleyRieslingAcademy,disciplineisyouronlyfriend.

Whenyouleaveyouwillbesharper,brighterandmoreruthlessthanwhenyouarrived.Weweedoutthe

spinelessandtheweak.Ourgraduatesarefocusedindividuals,whippedintoshapebyaprocessof

meticulousselectionandrigoroustraining.Standatease!Platoondismissed.

Drinknow.That’sanorder.12%alc.

Buy Now: 08000 272 272

12

Gewurztraminer, Philippe Zinck,Alsace,France2008£12.50Dazzling, perfectly-balanced Gewurztraminer with pristine fruit characterItsnamemaysoundlikeatypeoffirework(“lighttheGewurztraminer,Bob,it’stimeforthefinale”),butitcomeswithanentirelydifferentsetofsafetyinstructions.Wewouldurgeyoutogetascloseaspossibletothiswineinordertogetmaximumenjoymentandwewouldalsosuggestyoureturntoitimmediatelyformorepleasure.Ithasastarburstofaromasthatwillappealtoloversofthevariety,displayingrosepetals,orangeblossom,lycheeandspiceinawell-defined,beautifullybalancedframethatsteerswellclearofthecommonpitfallsofGewurtraminer(soapytexture,flabbyacidityetc.)andfinishesbright,fresh,pureandlingering.It’snottotallydrybutit’snotobviouslyoff-dryeither.Intermsofsweetness,it’stheequivalentofturquoise.Drinknow-2015.13%alc.

Capolemole Bianco, Marco Carpinetti, Lazio,Italy2009£12.50Refined, stylishly-labelled organic white made just outside RomeThisisaloadofBellone.There’ssomeMalvasiaandTrebbianointheblendtoo,butBelloneistheprincipalgrapevarietythatgivesthiswineitslovely,localidentity.It’saveryfine,organicallyproducedwhitefromthetownofCori,situated30milestothesouthofRome,anddisplaysgentlefloralandfreshherbaromatics,withjuicynectarineandyellowplumflavoursonthepalateandamellowfruitinessthatispure,softanduntouchedbyoak.Elegantlylabelled,thisisastylishwinefordinnerpartyoneupmanship.Drinknow.13%alc.

Petit Chablis, Domaine Simone Tremblay, France2009£12.50Bone dry, refreshing expression of ChardonnayArehumanstheonlymembersoftheanimalkingdomtoexperienceirrationalfear?Doottershaveanirrationalfearofukuleles?Arebadgersscaredofmarzipan?No,ofcoursenot.AreoystersafraidofChablis?Damnrighttheyare,butit’snotremotelyirrational.IfanoysterseesachilledbottleofChablisapproaching,ithaseveryreasontobeterrified.Infact,lyingintheirbedsatnight,oystersscareeachotherwithghoulishtalesoftabasco,shallotvinegarandicecoldChablis.ThisbrilliantPetitChablisgivesyouanalmostpathologicalcravingforcrustacea,thankstoitsmouth-wateringaromasoflemon,greengagesandlime.Thepalateisrefreshinglycrisp,withChablis’classicchalkycoolnessandnacreousminerality.Biodynamic.Drinknow.12%alc.

Chateau Turcaud ‘Cuvée Majeure’, Bordeaux2009£13.50

Sophisticated, barrel-aged, dry white Bordeaux in the style of a GravesPerfectingtheartofmakingabarrel-fermentedSauvignon/Semillonblendisoneofthetrickierbalancingactsinawinemaker’srepertoire.Getitwrongandthewinewilltasteraucous,likeJanet-StreetPorterbeingpulledthroughamangle.Getitrightandallthosewildherbaceousflavoursweavetogetherandworkinperfectharmonywiththespicyoaknotes.Needlesstosay,wewouldn’tsetthistastingnoteupwithsuchaprefaceifthisweren’tanexampleofthelatter.There’salotofcomplexityapparenthereinthisfoodworthy,drywhitewine,withitsnotesoflemongrass,grapefruitoil,nutmegandallspice.Longandfullinthemouth,itgoesextremelywellwithcoquillesStJacques,lobster,fishincaperbuttersauce,roastporkandmostcheeses,particularlygoat’sandblue.Drinknow-2013.13.5%alc.

Buitenverwachting ‘Husseys Vlei’ Sauvignon Blanc, SouthAfrica2009£13.50Distinctive and stimulating single vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from ConstantiaThenamemaylooklikeahazardwarningpostedontheperimeterfenceofanelectricitysub-station,butdon’tletthatputyouoff.Onceyouhaveuntwistedyourtongue,getitreadyforthefinestSauvignonBlancexperiencethatConstantiahastooffer.It’sasinglevineyardoffering,exclusivetoSwigcustomers,andwecan’trecommendithighlyenough.Distinctivenotesofstruckflint,freshfigsandlimejuiceleapfromtheglassandthepalateiswonderfullydry,flintyandherbaceouswithanintenselyzestycoreofcrunchyfruitandfreshlysnappedpeapods.Drinknow-2012.13%alc.

13

Iduna Verdejo, Bodega Vinaguarena, Toro,Spain2009£14.95

Rich and vibrant Verdejo from Toro in north eastern Spain

Whilstthis100%barrel-fermentedVerdejomayneverjoinLaSagradaFamiliaortheRokebyVenus,

itisalittleSpanishmasterpieceinitsownparticularway.It’sabeautifully-workedaffairandathoroughly

enjoyabletipplecombiningrichandvibrantfruitflavoursofgrapefruit,limeandpassionfruitlacedwithwhite

flowers,toast,smokeandsubtleoakspice.Withtimethewineopensupandthesearomasheadtowardsthe

moretropicalendofthefruitspectrum.Ithasanintenseconcentrationoftangylimeandgrapefruitatits

core,fromwhichalltheseotherflavoursfanoutimpressively.Thepalatetingleswithitszestygrapefruit

acidityandthedeftuseofoakreleasesalovelysavouryundercurrentwhichgentlycloaksthefruit.

It’sfine-textured,complexanddelightfullyrefreshing.Drinknow-2012.13%alc.

Kevin Judd Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc,NewZealand2010£14.95

Stylish Sauvignon Blanc made by the former winemaker of Cloudy Bay

Theysaythatnostalgiaisn’twhatitusedtobe,butthiswinecertainlybringsbackhappymemoriesofthe

earlydaysofCloudyBay,whichisn’tsurprising,giventhatKevinJuddwaschiefwinemakertherefor25

years.ThisishissecondvintageofGreywackeandalthoughitisrefreshinglydry,itnonethelesshasa

discreetlyimpressiveconcentrationofripe,succulentfruitwhich,initsreluctancetotryandwinyouover

straightawaywithcaricatureflavours,givesthewinearetrainedpower,likeagarrulouspersonforcedtobe

silentinalibrary.Theflavoursworkharmoniously,withlimesherbet,passionfruitandlemongrassdisplaying

finebalanceandintensity.It’saseriouslystylishSauvignonBlancthatslowlyimpressesitselfuponyouwith

itselegance,complexityandstony,flintycharacter.Drinkitwishsashimi,figandgoat’scheesesalad,

pollomilanese,parmahamandmelonorfreshseafood.Drinknow-2015.13.5%alc.(duemid-December2010)

Roc des Anges, Vieilles Vignes, VindePaysdesPyrenéesBlanc2008£17.00

Richly rewarding offbeat white made from Grenache Gris

Theworldofwhitewineiscontrolledanddominatedbyahandfulofmafiafamilies.Theheadoftheclan,and

capoditutticapi,isDonPinotGrigio,aidedandabettedbyhisconsiglieriDonSauvignonandDonChardonnay.

Togethertheymonopolisewhatgoesinandwhatcomesoutofpracticallyeverybottleofwhitewinethatwe

drink,soit’sincumbentuponustosupportwineslikethisone,thatarecourageousenoughtostanduptothe

mob.Madefrom11separateparcelsofGrenacheGrisvines,between70and100yearsold,itwaschosenby

JancisRobinsonasoneofherfavourite‘offbeat’winesoftheyearandisawonderfullysavouryandflavourful

drywhitewine,packedfullofmineralsandcitrusflavours,suggestinglemon,grapefruit,whiteflowers,

chalkandwetstones.Decantbeforeservingtoenjoyitinallitsglory.Drinknow-2016.13.5%alc.

Ghiaia di Monte, Ca Boffenisio, OltropoPavese,Lombardy,Italy2004£17.50

Serene, elegant Italian white - a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling

Admitit.Youhaveoneitemofclothingthatneverletsyoudown.Perhapsitbringsoutthecolourofyour

eyesoremphasisesyourpowerfulneckmuscles(ladies,youknowwhoyouare).Wellwehaveawinein

ourwardrobethatshowsusofftobesteffectandprobablymakesuslookbetterthanwereallyare.

ItisthisgorgeousblendofequalpartsSauvignonBlancandRiesling,wheretheSauvignoncomponent

wasagedinFrenchoakbeforethetwowineswereblended.Itispackedwiththelimeflavourstypicalof

bothgrapevarieties,withhintsoflimeblossom,limecordial,candiedlimepeelandsubtlysophisticated

hintsofstruckflintandtoastedoak.ThisisagenuinelystylishnorthernItalianwhitewineandwillreflect

extremelywellonyouwithwhomeveryouchoosetodrinkit.Drinknow.Organic.13%alc.

Lismore Estate Sauvignon Blanc,Greyton,SouthAfrica2009£17.50

Fiendishly alluring, barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc from The Cape

Pleaseforgiveourappearance,whilewekeeponeeyeontheestablishedstarsoftheCape,ourfingeron

thepulseofanynoteworthynewcomers,ourfeetfirmlyonthegroundandourothereyeonthecompetition.

LismoreisanexcitingnewestatefromtherecentlydeclaredwinewardofGreyton,about40mileswestof

Stellenbosch.Thisisashimmeringlybrilliantbarrel-fermentedSauvignon,withclassiccracklingnotesof

gooseberry,nettles,lime,blossomandhintsofriperpassionandguavafruitalongsidewispsofchalkand

vanilla.There’ssomuchgoingon!Theperfectlyjudgeduseofoakaddsdimensionandaroundcreaminess

totheswathesofsilkyfruitthatwashoverthepalate.Amedium-tofull-bodied,fiendishlywell-balanced

winethatmakesyoucraveyournextsip.OneofthemoststylishSauvignonsyou’lltaste.

Drinknow-2013.13.8%

www.swig.co.uk

14

Pyramid Valley Riverbrook Vineyard Riesling,NewZealand2008£19.50Scintillating Marlborough Riesling from the inspirational Mike WeersingTosucceedinlife,youneedthreethings:awishbone,abackboneandafunnybone.Thisjaw-droppingSpätlese-styleRieslingfromNewZealandperformsavinoushat-trick.Itoffersintenseandcompellingaromaticsoflime,peach,apricot,orangemarmalade,honey,spice,toastandnotesofpetrolwithamineral,slateyundercurrent.Ahintofbotrytiscomesthrough(theresultofthe25%oflatepicked,noblerotaffectedfruitthatwasincluded)whichaddsintriguetoanalreadyfantasticallycomplexwine.Itisoff-dry,butbarelyleavesthisimpressionthankstothetangyfruitthatwashesoverthepalatetocleanseitofthesweetnessandtheverylively,yetbynomeanssearing,aciditythatdrivesit.Itispowerfullystructuredandfinishesverylong.Animmenselypleasurablewinethatcanbeenjoyedonmultiplelevels,butalwaysleavesyouhungryforyournextsip.Drinknow-2016.13.7%alc.

Bourgogne Blanc, Domaine Roulot, France2008£22.00Jean-Marc Roulot’s Bourgogne Blanc shimmers with citrus and mineralsAfteryouhaveslappedthem,pleaseshowthiswinetoanyonewhosaystheydon’tlikeChardonnay.Onsecondthoughts,don’twasteitonthem,theyprobablydon’tdeserveitanditwillleavemorefortherestofus.Roulot’sBourgogneBlanc2008,madefromChardonnayharvestedfromvineyardsaroundthevillageofMeursault,issharp,bright,salineandlemony,withjustthemeresthintofoak,asdistantassomeoneshuttingadoorintheeastwingofacountryhouse,whenyouarestandinginthewest.Thisiscuttingedge,racy,zestyChardonnayforthosewholikeahightensileexperience.Drinknow-2014.13%alc.

Pyramid Valley Kerner Estate Pinot Blanc, NewZealand2008£22.00A Pinot Blanc with real character and sumptuous richnessMostofthebeliefswehaveabouttheworldarebasedoninductivereasoning.Forinstance,webelievethatthesunwillrisetomorrow,becausethesunhasalwaysriseninthepast.Or,thatDelBoyTrotterfallingthroughtheopenbar-flapwillyetagainbevotedthenation’sfunniestTVmoment.Likewise,whenitcomestoPinotBlanc,empiricalevidenceleadsustoexpectawinethatwillbepleasantandquaffablebutlackingdistinctionorrealcharacter.CueMikeWeersingofPyramidValley.Hehasbarrel-fermentedthegrapesinoldFrenchbarrels,infusingthewinewithassertiveandmouth-wateringaromatics.Alimeandcitrusfruitbackboneisfleshedoutbypeachandbakedapricotfollowedbynotesofbutteredtoast,wetstoneandanundercurrentofoakspice.Ithaspowerandrichnessbutsimultaneouslymanagestoconveydetailandsucculence.Itsshortspellinoakgivesitfantastictextureandweightanditfinisheswithacreamy,nuttyconcentration.Thiswineissimplyscrumptious.Long,complexandveryfood-friendly;alessonindeliciouslydefyingexpectations.Drinknow-2014.14.5%alc.Lismore Estate Viognier, Greyton,SouthAfrica2009£22.50Seductive, buxom expression of Viognier that merits comparison to Condrieu AllowusintroduceyoutotheJessicaRabbitofourWinterList.Pleaseexcuseusourblushes,awkwardsmiles,clammypalmsandtongue-tiedness…wearecompletelysmitten.Sheisavoluptuous,lusciousfemmefatale,oozingcharisma,eleganceandsophisticationandcommandingattentionwherevershegoes.Ifyou’renotfeelingweak-kneedafterjustonesip,webegyoutocheckyourpulse.Shebewitcheswithherexoticperfumeofpeach,apricot,tinnedmandarinsandinflectionsofvanillacream,toast,honeysuckle,jasmineandspice.Sheisunctuousyetnotovertlyso;sexywithoutbeingtarty;amagicalwinedisplayingallthearomaticallureandcomplexityofCondrieu.Rich,yetfineandbright,sheisadazzlingexampleofViognieratitsverybest.Drinknow-2013.14.5%

Saint Aubin Blanc ‘La Princée’ DomaineHubertLamy,Burgundy,France2008£22.50This is one of a number of fabulous St Aubin cuvées from this producerWeallhavespecificcriteriaagainstwhichweevaluatewhetherwecanbefriendswithsomeoneornot.Somemakejudgementsbasedonflippantmatters,liketheotherperson’stasteinmusic,whereassomejudgebymoreserious,ideologicalconcerns,likewhethertheotherpersonbelievesincapitalpunishmentforParisHiltonornot.WejudgebywhetherornotyoulikethewinesofDomaineHubertLamy.Ifyouwanttogettoknowusbetter,youwillhavetoclearthishurdleorwesimplycan’tbefriends.WeloveLamy’sstyleofzingy,sherbet-laced,streamlinedwhiteBurgundy,whichsetsoffthesprinklersysteminyourmouthwithitsbracingcombinationofcool,white-stonemineralsandlemonyacidity.ThissinewyChardonnaywillgainweightoverthenextfewyears,ifyoupreferitricherandrounder,butwelovetodrinkitonrelease,becauseitofferssuchtantalisingrefreshment.Don’tyouthink?Drinknow-2016.13%alc.

15

Les Clos Perdus ‘L’Extrême’, VindePaysCatalanes,France2009£23.50

Exhileratingly tangy southern French white made from Grenache Gris and Blanc

InKarelReisz’s1960film,‘SaturdayNight,SundayMorning’,AlbertFinney’scharacter,ArthurSeaton,

uttersthegreatline:“I’moutforagoodtime-alltherestispropaganda!”Whetherornotthewriterintended

todistilthewholeparadoxofhumanexistenceintoasinglepithyremarkisamootpoint,butit’sagreatline

andappliestoeveryaspectoflife.Whatdowewantfromaglassofwine,forexample,beyondagoodtime?

Allthemarketingflannelisjustpropaganda.Here’sawinethathasnobacklabelandconsequentlynocod

philosophy.Instead,itsimplydeliversravishingrefreshmentinitsscintillatingburstoftangy,smoky,flinty,

mineral-ladencitrusflavours,likeagreatwhiteBurgundy,butvinifiedintheSouth.Simplybrilliantandnot

tobemissed.AblendofGrenacheGrisandGrenacheBlanc.Drinknow-2014.13.5%alc.

Milouise, Domaine Padié, VinsdePaysCatalanes,France2009£25.00

Only a humble Vin de Pays by name, but a Grand Cru white by nature

Didyouknowthat,despitetheGermanicumlaut,thefashionablefurniturecompanyMöbenwasactuallysetup

byacoupleofMancunianscalledMoandBen?Likewise,thiswine’sname,Milouise,isacontractionofthenames

MilouandLouise,thegrandparentsofwinemakerJean-PhilippePadié.It’salimitedcuvée,madefromablendof

twolargebarrelsofGrenacheBlancandGrissourcedfromthebestvineyardparcelsonhisestate.Jean-Philippe

namedthefirstbarrel‘Milou’,becauseitwasharvestedearlierandwasconsequentlyleaner,tautandsinewylike

his‘Pépé’.Theotherbarrel,namedafterhisgrandma,Louise,washarvestedlaterandwasmoregenerous,round

andfull-bodied.AsJean-Philippesays,theyarereunitedagainandcanbeginanewstorytogether.Thewineitself

isnothingshortofamasterpieceandisalivewithsappy,pithy,smoky,earthyflavours,swathedinsweet

grapefruit,spicedlemonandnotesofstruckmatchandquartzdust.Drinknow-2018.13.5%alc.

A A Badenhorst Family White, CoastalOrigin,SouthAfrica2008£24.00

Maverick genius Adi Badenhorst has fashioned a stunning white blend

CheninBlanc(29%),Roussanne(14%),GrenacheBlanc(14%),Viognier(14%)Verdelho

(14%),Chardonnay(14%),SauvignonBlanc(0.5%),KitchenSink(0%).Therulebook

wasquiteemphaticallytornupwhenAdiBadenhorstburstontothescene.Hislargerthan

lifepersonalityandpassionradiatethroughthewineyetwithinanintricateandpoised

framework.It’sakaleidoscopicblendofsevenvarietieswhichhypnotisesyouwithshifting

patternsofflavour.Eachcomponentplaysitspartwithgreatharmony,withtheChardonnay

givingripegrapefruitandpeachrichness,theViogniergivingthesubtleapricotandfloral

notes,theRoussanneaddingfatnessandhoneyandpearnotes,andtheCheninBlanc

providingthecuttingedgeandtangyfreshness.ItspendsalittletimeinFrenchoakto

giveititssofttexture,anunderlyingspiceandacreamyedgetoshadetheacidity.

Thefinalimpressionisofadelicatelyfragrantwinewithwonderfulfruitvolume,

amoreishpalateofcreamyorchardfruitsandaharnessedenergythatisjustwaiting

tobeunleashed.Healthwarning:noknownvaccinationagainsttheBadenhorstbug.

Drinknow-2016.14.5%alc.

Yabby Lake Chardonnay, MorningtonPeninsula,Australia2008£24.00

Finesse, balance, complexity – what more can you ask for?

OneofVictoria’smostskilledwinemakers,TomCarson,hascraftedherewhatcanonlybe

describedasa“genuinebeauty,mate”.Thiswineshimmers,workingitsmagicwithalltheprecision

andsleeknessofaSwissQuartzwatch.Itisincrediblypureandrefinedyetwithanimplicitrichness,

awinethatgainsextradimensionthelongeritisopened.Ondayone,itisultra-fine,tautandminerally

withahintofstruckmatch;ondaytwoithasrelaxedalittleandoffersmoreexpressivesavouryand

citrusaromasandagentleraspecttothepalate;ondaythreeitreallycomesalivewithbeautifully

purelemon,grapefruitandasubtlenuttiness,whichcomplementtheround,richandimpressively

concentratedbody,allfocusedtowardsanintenseandexceedinglyelegantmineralfinish.

It’sastunningChardonnay,whichhasanunmistakeablesenseoftimeandplace.

ExemplaryBurgundy-styleChardonnay.Drinknow-2015.13%alc.

Buy Now: 08000 272 272

16

Fixin, Maison Alex Gambal, Burgundy,France2007£24.00

Tense, edgy, exciting white Burgundy from the northern appellation of Fixin

Whentastingwinesinfrontofthewinemaker,there’sacodedlookthatwegiveeac

hothertosignifythat

we’veclockedsomethingspecial.There’sanotherlookthatwegiveeachothertos

ignifythatwehaveclocked

somethingunspeakable,butthat’susuallyaccompaniedbythesoundofretching,s

oit’sslightlyredundant.

WhenwewereinthecellarsofAlexGambal,wesimultaneouslypeeredateachothe

roverournotebooksto

showthatthiswine’sbeautyhadnotescapedourattention.ItcomesfromoneofBu

rgundy’smostnortherly

appellations,Fixin,whichisbetterknownforredwines,but,asAlexexplained,the

soilisalmostidenticalto

thatfoundinPuligny-Montrachet,soit’smuchmoresuitableforChardonnay.Only

twobarrelswereavailable

andweboughtbothofthem.ItisabeautifulwhiteBurgundy,withtheflinty,mine

ral,gun-smokeintrigue

thatwefindsoappealingonthenoseandafine,nutty,toasty,lemonandlimepala

te.

Aracy,ratherthanbutterystyle.Drinknow–2015.13.5%alc.

Palladius Eben Sadie, Swartland,SouthAfrica2008£32.00

The John Platter Guide’s ‘White Wine of the Year’ and deservedly so

Althoughwehadn’tseenhimfortwoyears,whenwelastvisitedEbenSadie,hedis

pensedwiththeceremony

ofhandshakingandputusstraighttowork,helpinghimunloadtwentybrandnew

barrelsfromthebackof

alorrythathadjustarrivedatthewinery.Blasphemyandsomeloudestimatesas

totheprobableweightof

anoakbarrelensued.Althoughhelovestochat,nothingcomesbetweenEbenand

hiswinesandwewereput

undernoillusionastoourplaceinthehierarchy.HeiswithoutdoubtSouthAfrica’

smostthought-provoking

winemaker,constantlychallengingthestatusquoandbringingradicalideastothe

vineyardandcellar.

Atruemaverick,whosebeliefthat“wherethereispracticality,youseldomhavego

odwine’”isamotto

thatallwinemakersshouldhavetattooedontheirarm.HisPalladius2008isastun

ningblendof8

differentvarieties(includingCheninBlanc,GrenacheBlanc,Clairette,Viognier,Ch

ardonnay,Palomino

andRoussanne)andispackedwithvividcitrusandcoolstonefruitflavoursenlive

nedbycrackling

quartz-likemineralityandahintofquinineandlemonrind.Thisissophisticationin

abottle,awine

thatisasenigmaticasitiscompulsive.Itwillgiveenormouspleasureasitunwind

soverthenext

sixyears.Drinknow-2016.14.5%alc.

Domaine Serene Clos du Soleil Vineyard Chardonnay, Oregon2007£38.00

Clever, clever stuff – a gloriously rich and creamy yet incisive Chardonnay

WhenitcomestoChardonnay,wewouldprobablyhavetodescribeourtasteassubm

issive.Welike

Chardonnaysthatcrackthewhipanddon’ttakenoforananswer,winesthatkeepo

urpalatesinline

withsharpnessandbite,treatingusmean,butkeepinguskeen.However,sometime

swejustwanttobe

mollycoddledandthisisawinethatwrapsyouupinsoft,fluffyeiderdown.Ithasa

delightfulnoseoforange

drizzlecake,lemonsyllabubandcrèmebrulée.Thebuxom,creamytextureofthe

palateenfoldsyouinits

charms,withweightypeachandlimeflavours,underscoredbyverysubtleoakand

asofteningrichnessof

whitebutterandclottedcream.Itgrabsyourattention,notwithflashynewoak(al

thoughitdoessee48%),

butwithextraordinaryfruitintensityandtheconfidencetoshowcasesimplystun

ningpurity.Bottomsup!

Drinknow-2014.14%alc.

Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru LesChauméesP.Colin,Burgundy2008£40.00

Heart-stoppingly beautiful white Burgundy and Decanter award winner

Youknowthat‘butterfly’sensation,whereyourstomachclenchesandunclenches

uncontrollably,asif

fluttering?It’saformofnervousanxiety,oftenapreludetoahighlyanticipatedev

ent,likeChristmasEve.

Itmaynothappensomuchthesedays,but,asakid,singingcarolsoutofkeyunder

anill-fittingbobblehat,

thebutterflieswouldstarttotakeflight.Knowingthatthereisabottleofthisbeaut

ifulChardonnayinthe

fridge,rekindlesthosefamiliarandwelcomefeelings.Itisatoncesuperfineandsu

perconcentratedwith

swathesoflime,preservedlemon,citruspeelandgrapefruitpenetratingthesense

sfollowedbyadelicious

butteredtoastcharacter,tongue-tinglingmineralsandallthiscappedoffbyamou

thwateringlemonacidity.

Bright,focusedandengagingwithafinishthatreallylingers.ItwasthetopChassa

gne-Montrachet

andwinnerofaFiveStarawardinDecanterMagazine’sTop100Chassagne-andP

uligny-Montrachets

2008.Drinknow-2018.13.5%alc.

17

RoséRosado Crianza, Bodegas Navajas,Rioja,Spain2007£11.00A rich Spanish Rosé with an extrovert characterWewouldn’tgoasfarastosuggestthatthiswineshouldhaveawarningonthelabel,butyoushouldbealertedtothefactthatthisisnoordinaryrosé.Banishanynotionsyoumayhaveofsubtle,low-keyrosésbehavingliketimidwallflowersatadance.Thisoneslidesontothedanceflooronitsknees,wearingacoral-colouredshirtandenoughcolognetokillasmallmammal.Madefrom60%Garnachaand40%Viura,itswaggersaboutwithitsshirtopen,waftingnotesofcoconutliqueurandstrawberrysmoothiewithasplashofvanillaessenceandorangecream.Itisfairlyfull-bodiedforarosé,withacreamytextureandflavoursechoingthenose.Thewholeextravaganzaisbroughtalivewitharefreshingtwistoforangeacidity.Drinknow.13%alc.

RedsCape Chamonix Rouge, SouthAfrica2007£7.95

One of the best value red wines money can buyThekeen-eyedamongyoumighthavenoticedthiscrackingblendofCabernetSauvignon,Merlot,MalbecandPetitVerdotonlastyear’sWinterList,butitmeritsinclusionagainontwocounts.Firstly,itisunequivocallyoneofthebestvalueredwinesonthemarketandassuchitwouldbefoolishofustooverlookitforfearofbeingdeemedrepetitive.Secondly,itwouldbefoolishofustooverlookitforfearofbeingdeemedrepetitive.IthastakenanotherleapforwardsincelastChristmasanditslightisblazingbrightwithitsabundanceofripered,blackandpurpleberryflavoursplusahintofspice.Full-flavouredandwithasupplenessrarelyfoundatthisprice.Drinknow-2013.13.5%alc.

Rioja Crianza ‘Aclys’, BodegasMurua,Spain2006£8.50Gentle, juicy, old-fashioned Rioja and a real bargainLowexpectationsfomentsuspicion,whilehighexpectationsleadtodisappointment,sowearekeenforyoutoapproachthisinexpensivewinewithjusttherightlevelofcircumspection.Imaginesomeonehasinvitedyoutoaplayinaroomaboveapubandyougoalongwithunderstandabletrepidation,butfindthatitisbetterthanyouhadexpectedandyoutellafewfriendsaboutit.That’stheframeofmindinwhichwewouldaskyoutolookatthishumble£8.50Rioja.Itsgentlecharacteroffersmellow,sun-kissedredfruits,spicypepperandcoconutflavourswithinabright,juicy,medium-bodiedframe.Drinknow-2011.14%alc.

St Ilia Pinot Noir,ThracianValley,Bulgaria2006£8.95An extraordinary bargain and a double for beautiful red BurgundyAccordingto‘TheBumperBookofOldTricks’,theoldesttrickinthebookisthefamous‘taponthewrongshoulder’routine,aspracticedbytheancientEgyptiansanddepictedinmanyoftheirwallpaintings.Thesecondoldesttrickinthebookisslippingsomeoneacheapwineasanimposterforamoreexpensiveone.We’vetriedithundredsoftimesanditneverfailstotickleuswhensomeonegetsitwrong,particularlywhentheirconvictionisunshakeable.Well,wethinkthisPinotNoiristhebestwinewehaveeverfoundforthisgame.Please,please,pleasepouritintoadecanterandserveit‘blind’toanopinionatedwinebuffandwatchthemstutterandsplutterasyourevealthatitisaninexpensiveBulgarianPinotNoirandnotthedelightfullyetherealChambolle-MusignyPremierCruthattheyhadassumedittobe.It’sunbelievablybrilliantvalue,billowingwithheadyscentsofsweetstrawberryjuicesoakedintosandalwood,exoticspicesfromaMoroccansouk,cinnamontoast,sous-boisandsweetcherry.Itistoothsomeandround,withalighttomediumbody,ahintofmaturityandperkyrhubarbacidity.Highlyrecommended.Drinknow.13.5%alc.

www.swig.co.uk

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Korta Barrel Selection Carmenere Reserve,LontueValley,Chile2008£8.95Dark, intense and fragrant Carmenere packed with ripe fruit and toasty oakSteak!There’ssomethingaboutfull-bodiedSouthAmericanredwinesthathasasubliminaleffectontheappetite.Steak!InthecaseofthisrichandvelvetyChileanCarmenere,it’sthecombinationofspicyoakanddarkcassisfruitthatsetsyourtummyrumbling.Steak!Eventhedeep,grainy,purplecolour,promisingasmooth,satisfyingtexture,hasasuggestivetriggerthatturnsthoughtstodinnertime.Steak!AllthathighaltitudeChileansunshinebringsoutreallyvividfruitflavours,aswellasfinetopnotesofviolets,cocoaandblackcurrantleaf,allcryingoutforsomethingjuicytoeat.Steak!Thebalancebetweenthevoluptuoussweetfruitandthesavoury,fragrantwoodmakesyoupainfullyawareofyourownhunger.Ifwecomeupwithanyfood-matchingideas,we’llletyouknow.Drinknow-2014.14.5%alc.

Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Zagreus,ThracianValley,Bulgaria2006£8.95A Bulgarian Cabernet Sauvignon full of mellow autumnal fruitfulnessAcoupleofyearsago,wewouldhavestartedthistastingnotewithadefensivepostureandanamusinglywhimsicalentreatytotrysomethingoutsideyourcomfortzone,butweliketothinkthatwehaveallgrownupabitsincethenandlearnedtoloveBulgarianwines.Well,someofthem.Thishigh-tonedCabernetSauvignonsharesgreatersimilaritieswithTuscanorevenPiedmontredsthanBordeauxorNewWorldCabernets.Onthenoseitshowsnutmeg,orangespiceandsautéedplumskinssuggestingautumnleavesandwoodshedsandthepalateisbrightandtangy,withgrainytanninsandnotesofkirschandchocolate.Drinknow-2012.13%alc.

Copertino, Azienda Monaci, Puglia,Italy2007£8.95A simply gorgeous and sweetly succulent red from the south of Italy Youcanpleasesomeofthepeopleallofthetime,youcanpleaseallofthepeoplesomeofthetime,butthiswinewillpleaseallofthepeopleallofthetime.Asageneralrule,thelowerdownthepricescaleonegoes,thelessawinetendstotasteofitsoriginsandthemoregenericitbecomes.Well,here’safabulousexceptiontothatrule.WonderfullytruesouthernItalianaromasofsweetcherryandlooseteaatfirstthenthemorespecificCopertinocharacteremerges,displayinggorgeoushintsofmahogany,cherrycompote,forestfloor,fruit-drenchedwoodandsunnytomatoes.Ithasjuicy,ripeblackcurrantsoftnessatitscentre,asuppletexturewiththemeresthintoftanninsanditisrefreshedbyorangecitrusacidity.Plentyofberryripeness,sweetlysucculent,onlymedium-bodiedandfulltothebrimwithPuglianpersonality.Madefrom100%Negroamaro.Drinknow-2012.13%alc.

A A Badenhorst Secateurs Red, SouthAfrica2009£9.95Another gem from Adi Badenhorst – a wine that is hearty and full of soulAfree-spirited,footlooseredwinemadefromapatchworkofSouthernRhonevarieties,namelyShiraz,Carignan,Cinsault,GrenacheandMourvedre,plusasplashofCabernetSauvignon.It’sawinethatwalksinbarefeetandlovestofeelthewarmthofthesunonitsskin.MostofthegrapescomefromtheSwartland,apioneeringcommunitynorthofStellenboschpopulatedbyambitiousyoungwinemakers,andthefeistycharacteroftheregionshinesthroughinthiswine.Itfreewheelsacrossthepalatewithhappy-go-luckyflavoursofrich,ripebramblefruits,liftedbyperfumedtopnotesofspice,hillsideherbs,crackedblackpepperandwoodsmoke.Ithasanimmediatedrinkabilityfactorbutwillalsodevelopwonderfullyoverthenextcoupleofyears.Allowittoopenupintheglassforafewminutesanddrinkwithheartyfarelikebangersandmashorcottagepie.Drinknow-2016.14.5%alc.

19

Mullineux ‘Kloof Street’ Red, SouthAfrica2008£9.95

Sweetly-perfumed like a northern Rhone red and great value

EnjoyingabottleofthisblendofMourvedre(50%),Syrah(44%)andCarignan(6%)islikegoingtoseeone

ofyourfavouritebandsplayanacousticsetatanintimatevenuewhilstyousitinthefrontrowsoakingup

theatmosphere.Strippedbacktothebareminimum,withnospecialeffects,noauto-tuning,justashowcase

ofrawtalentinitsmostexposedyetenjoyableform,iteffortlesslyshowcasesanarrayofsweetwildberry

fruits,incenseandsomevioletandlavendertopnotesakintothoseyoumightfindinaCrozes-Hermitage.

Thepalateisfullofflavour,brightandsilkywithdeliciouslyjuicyherbal-tingedfruit.Somewinesrequire

carefulscrutiny,thiswineasksyoutositbackandletitdoallthework.Drinknow.13.5%alc.

Chianti Rufina Del Mulino, Lavacchio,Tuscany,Italy2007£9.95

The great 2007 vintage in Tuscany has brought the best out of this terrific Chianti

Themostusefulthingaboutgreatvintages,suchas2007inTuscany,isthewaythebasicwinessneakup

behindthepremiumwineswhiletheyarenotlooking,likeinthechildren’sgame‘Grandmother’sFootsteps’.

TheRiservasmaythinkthatthebasicChiantisarealongwaybehindthem,butiftheyspinroundthey’ll

discoverabigpairofeyesstaringbackatthem!Thebenefitsconferredbynatureinagoodyearallowthe

gapinqualitytodiminishandyoucanpickupsomegreatbargains,likethissoftandsuppleRufinafromthe

north-easternzoneofChianti.ItisfullofbeautifulTuscanflavoursofcherry,sandalwood,liquorice,tobacco

andleatherheldsoftlywithinamedium-bodiedframethatshowsjustagentlegripoftanninsthatnever

pinches.Drinknow.13%alc.

Las Moras ‘Black Label’ Bonarda, SanJuan,Argentina2008£9.95

Voluptuously fruit rich Bonarda not from Italy, but Argentina

TheItaliansholdfirmtotheideathatBonardaisanItaliangrapevariety,butthereisconsiderably

moreBonardaplantedinArgentinathanItaly,whichisabitcrazy.Imaginethat,acountrylayingclaim

tosomethingthatshouldrightfullybelongtoArgentina!Honestly,it’sdisgraceful.Anyway,thisArgentine

Bonardastruckusasarealbargain.Theysayyoueatwithyoureyes,butyoudrinkwithyoureyestoo

andthedeep,richrubycolourtingedwithpurpleisimmediatelyappealing.Thenosehasagloriousarray

ofblackcurrantpastilles,roastedcoffeebeans,violetsandvanillathatleadstoanintenselyfruitypalate.

Astheappearanceleadsyoutoexpect,ithasasmooth,fine-grainedtexturewithripetanninsandalittle

creamyoakonthefinish.IfyoulikeafruityMalbecorShirazthenthisisadeliciousandwell-priced

alternative.Drinkfromnow-2015.14%alc.

Munia Crianza,Toro,Spain2006£9.95

A classy Tempranillo with the beautiful fine-grained texture of a new wave Rioja

ForrestGumpwouldlikethiswine.It’sarichTorored,madefrom100%TintadeToro(thelocalname

forTempranillo),fermentedandmaturedinFrenchoakforoneyear,andtastesverymuchlikelifeitself.

Well,aboxofchocolatesanyway.Ithasthesophisticated,fine-grainedtextureofamoreseriouswine,

withthrillingdarkfruittanginessamidstcreamyberryflavours,orangechocolateliqueur,caramel,

liquoriceandblackberry.Theintensefruitsparswiththenaturalacidityandtheirtumblingplayfight

givesthewineitsmomentum,cleansingandcoatingthepalateinturn.It’sawinethatcandoubleas

asmartdinnerpartywine,particularlyifdecantedforhalfanhourpriortothemeal.

Drinknow-2014.14.5%alc.

Cotes-du-Rhone ‘Les Plates Pierres’,DomaineBrugaliere,France2007£9.95

Gently fragrant and supple blend of Grenache and Syrah

Whilethiswinemaylackthecinematicsweeptomerit‘bigscreen’status,itcertainlyfallsinto

thecategoryofhighlysuccessfulsitcomandthere’snoshameinthat.Afterall,FawltyTowers

neverfelttheneedtooutreachitsgrasp.MadefromtwothirdsGrenacheandonethirdSyrah,

itisafresh,fragrantandjuicywinewithafleshycoreofblackberries,raspberriesanda

sprinklingofcrackedblackpepper,violets,garrigueherbsandsweetspices.Itfallsinto

thetraditionalcampofsouthernRhoneredsshowcasingitsfruitandperfumeratherthan

‘distracting’withtheuseofoak.Itseasy-goinganddelicatestylemeansyoucanenjoy

itwithorwithoutfood.Notricks,nogames,justaclassicCotes-du-Rhone

performingexactlyasyouwouldwish.Drinknow.13.5%alc.

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Hochar Pere et Fils by Chateau Musar, BekaaValley,Lebanon2003£11.00

This beautiful baby Chateau Musar has all the aroma and charm of its big brother

ThethingabouttributebandslikeOneStepBehind(Madness),AreWeThem(REM),

Oasisn’t(Oasis)and,ourpersonalfavourite,anEnglishBonJovicoverbandcalledByJovi,

isthattheyaresometimesmorefuntowatchthantherealthing.Well,inthesamevein,we

wereunanimousinthinkingthattheHocharPereetFils2003(nottobeconfusedwiththe

ChateauMusarEstate2003)wasmoreenjoyablethantheheadlineact.Wearechoosingour

wordscarefullywhenwesay‘moreenjoyable’andnot‘better’,becausetheChateauMusar

2003isagreatwine,butthelighterstyleoftheHocharreallyworksinthisvintageand

itschorusofmelodiousflavoursisreminiscentofasunnyCotesduRhone,butthere’salso

acoolgraphitemineralitythathintsatmatureBordeauxandahigh-tonedqualityakinto

Barolo.Drinknow-2012.13%alc.

Pinot Noir, Edoardo Miroglio,Bulgaria2007£12.50

Fortune favours the brave and this is a truly wonderful Pinot Noir for the price

Blindtastingisahumblingexperience.You’reforcedtoletgoofeverything–ego,prejudice,

pre-conceivednotions–andjudgethewineinfrontofyouwithonlyyoursenses.Hadweseen

theword‘Bulgaria’onthelabel,there’snodoubtthatwewouldhaveapproachedthiswinewiththe

circumspectionofsomeoneapproachingroadkillwithalongstick.Buthowwrongwewouldhavebeen

andhowwewouldhavelivedtoregretournarrow-mindedness,forthisPinotNoirisnothinglessthan

first-rateandbrilliantvalue.Itsharesallthecharmandbeautifuloakintegrationofareallygoodred

Burgundywithitsclassicsoftredfruitsandmorellocherrycharacterinterlacedwithsmokyspice

andforestfloornotes.Ithasperfume,classandelegance,awinewithsomuchmoretoitthanmeets

theeyeandwhichwillrewardyouamply...ifyoumaketheefforttogettoknowit.

Drinknow-2013.13.5%alc.

Vinica, Zagreus Winery, Bulgaria2008£12.50

A great interpretation of Amarone using the Mavrud grape

TheMavrudgrapesthatmakeupthisuniquewineweredriedonstrawmatsfor3months

beforefermentation,concentratingandsofteningthesugarsandflavours,soitisboundtostand

comparisontoAmarone,butit’snotquiteasdenseorvoluptuousasthat.Whatisremarkable,

though,isthatdespiteallthetimespentdryingonracks,thefruitissocleanandpolished.

Ithasacomfortinglyripenoseofrichdamsons,kirschanddarkchocolate,withasimilarly

lushfruitcharacteronthepalate,butwithawonderfulfreshnessandsucculencethat

dominatesproceedings.Yesit’sfull-bodied,yesit’sdeepandbrooding,butitalsoglides

likebigmanwhocandance.Drinknow-2015.14.5%alc.

Silene Olevano Romano di Cesanese, CantinaCiolli,Lazio,Italy2006£13.50

Beguiling wine made from the Cesanese grape, similar in weight to a Pinot Noir

LittleRedRidingHoodstrayedfromthepathandshesurvivedtotellthetale,albeitcoveredinlupine

gastricjuices,soit’sworthventuringintothedarkwoodsonceinawhile.TakethisunusualLazio

red,forexample,madefromthelocalCesanesegrape.Ithastheherbal,autumnalqualityofaTuscan

wine,thefragranceandbodyofaPinotNoirandanearthypepperyqualityreminiscentofCotes-du-

Rhone.Onthenoseitcharmswithitswarmdarkfruitcharacterandnotesofoldoakspice,herbs,

mushrooms,orangerindandasubtlearomaofautumnleaves.Onthepalateitisbrightandjuicywith

alovelysoftmouthfeelwhichiscounteractedbyalively,slightlytangyacidity.Winewriter,Jamie

Goode,tookourchallengeandwrote:“Thisisjustfantasticstuff.Wonderfullysweet,complexcherry

andherbnosewithcuredmeatandahintofmanurecharacter.Thepalateissweetandelegant

withlovelyprecisiontothecherryfruitwithcomplexherby,sappy,spicynotesaddingreal

interest.Iloveit.93ponts”Drinknow.13.5%alc.

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Passion Has Red Lips by Some Young Punks, SouthAustralia2009£13.50A dramatic red, inspired by the pulp fiction novels of the 1950sMcGuireturnedhisbackontheemptywarehouseandlitacigarette.Forensicshaddrawnablankandwereheadingbacktotheprecinct,thelightsoftheircarsflickeringintonothingthroughthetwilight.Hedrewdowndeeplyonthesmokeandwalkedtowardsthewatertower,thegravelcrunchingunderthethinsolesofhisbrogues.Howcouldawholevintagedisappearwithouttrace?Hestoppedsuddenly,hisinstinctsablaze.Somethingaheadofhimglistenedintheshortgrass.Abullet?Hethrewhiscigarettedownandpickedupthegoldenchamber,turningitbetweenhisfingersinthefadingdusklight.Lipstick.Redlipstick.Suddenly,itallmadesense.ColMcBryde,JenGardnerandNicBourkearethethreeYoungPunksresponsibleforinjectingsomemelodramaintotheAustralianwinesceneandtheirexcitingcollectionincludesthisthriller,ablendof55%CabernetSauvignonand45%Shiraz.It’safullthrottle,highoctanecliffhanger,fullofdarksecretsandedgeofseatsuspense.Drinknow-2012.14%alc.

Pascual Toso Malbec Reserve, Mendoza,Argentina2008£13.95Succulent, fragrant Malbec with beautifully judged oakOakshouldperformthefunctionofabridalveil,allowingthebeautyofwhatliesbeneathtobeglimpsedthroughatranslucentlayer.Consequently,wedding-dressdesignershavetraditionallyshiedawayfromusingwoolfortheveiland,similarly,winemakerstendtoshyawayfromsmotheringtheirfruitunderathickblanketofoak.ThisgloriousMalbechasthebalancejustright,withthevanilla-scentedoakallowingthewine’sbeautytoradiate.Subtlelayersofviolets,blackcurrantcordial,whitechocolateandsandalwoodrevealthemselvesasthewineopensup.Themouthfeelissmoothandcool,withfine-grained,velvetytanninstransportingtheflavourswiththetangyberryaciditythatkeepsthewinefreshandpure.Drinkfromnowuntil2014.14%alc.

Buitenverwachting Cabernet Franc, Constantia,SouthAfrica2006£14.50Effortlessly classy doppelganger for a Right Bank BordeauxHere’salittleSwigexclusive.WhenwewereatBuitenverwachting,wetastedthiswinefromtanknumber57,inwhichitwassettlingbeforeblending,andbeggedtheowner,LarsMaack,nottoletitdisappearintotheblendbuttobottleitseparatelyforusandheagreed.Weweredelighted,becauseitwasclearlyanindividualparcelofsomedistinctionanddeservedtoshineonitsown.Ithasthewonderfullyliftedperfumeandsweet,leafyredberryscentsofclassicCabernetFranc,intertwinedwithcherry,stewedplum,pencilshavingsandloamysoil.Thepalateisopenandhighlyexpressivewithaconcentrated,juicycoreandacomplexherbalcharacterparticulartothisvariety,oneoftheclassicrightbankBordeauxgrapes.Itdrinkssuperblynow,asitisfleshyandrefreshing,butwillrewardafewyearsinthecellar.Drinknow-2015.13.5%alc.

Durius Tempranillo-Merlot, CastillayLeon,Spain2004£14.50Fabulous ripe fruit and exuberant new oak makes this a real had-turnerToparaphraseGertrudeStein,“writingaboutwineislikedancingaboutarchitecture”.It’sfrustratinghavingtorelyonwordstoconveysomethingasintangibleasflavour,particularlywhenawineissodeliciousthattheflavoursarealmostindescribable.Weareforcedintoanalogies,whichis,ineffect,describingsomethingintermsofthatwhichitisn’t.WhatwewouldreallylovetodoisjustpouryouaglassofthisSpanishnectar,becauseitfloodsyoursenseswiththewonderfulalchemythatcomesfromsoakingspectacularlyripe,purefruitinbeautifulFrenchoakfor2years.Theresultliessomewhereintheintersectionbetweendarkplums,vanilla,incense,camphor,polish,inkandblackcurrantsorbet.Ihopethatevokessomethinghedonisticanddelightful(ifnot,blameme,notthewine),becausethisfull-bodiedblendofTempranilloandMerlotisintheprimeofitslifeandawashwithmultiplelayersofharmonious,rich,plushfruit.Drinkfromnow-2015.14.7%alc.

Buy Now: 08000 272 272

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‘Red Claw’ Pinot Noir by Yabby Lake, Australia2008£14.95Very pure and dangerously seductive Pinot Noir from the Mornington Peninsula, WespeakwithonevoicewhenwesaythatwelikeourPinotNoirfulloffresh,pure,primaryfruit.WearenotwhollyaversetomaturePinotNoirthattakesonsomeoftherenowned‘barnyard’flavoursassociatedwiththevariety,butwecertainlydrawthelinewhenitcomestoovermaturePinotthatsmellslikeapaddockafteranoutbreakofequinee-colivirus.Banishthatimagefromyourmind,becauseTomCarson’s‘RedClaw’PinotNoiriswonderfullypurewithmelt-in-the-mouthflavoursofcreamystrawberry,brightcherry,warmspiceandvanilla.Itismadeinalighter,lessstructuredstylethantheestatewineandisintendedtobedrunkyoung.Itwillnodoubttakeonsomeofthemoresavoury,developedflavoursifthatisyourpredilectionbutifyouarelikeus,wesuggestdrinkingitfromnowuntil2013.Awide-bowledBurgundyglass,orevenabrandyglass,reallyhelpstobringouttheflavours.14%alc.

The Squid’s Fist, Some Young Punks, SouthAustralia2009£16.50It’s worth buying a bottle just for the amazing label, but the wine is fantastic tooFirstimpressionsarevitalandwecan’tpretendthattheeye-catching,pulp-fiction-inspiredlabeldesigndidn’taffectourinterestinthiswine,butwearenotthesortofshallowfolkwhofallforstyleovercontent,sowedelveddeepertoseeifthebeautywasmorethanskin-deep.We’repleasedtoannouncethatourtastebudscamebackwithsomeveryimpressivereports.It’sarichyetperkyblendoftheTuscangrapevariety,Sangiovese(70%),andAustralia’shomeboy,Shiraz(30%),andisburstingwithwarm,plump,juicyplumandvelvetycherryfruitwhilealsodisplayingflavoursofsweetspicywood,ahintofoliveandpepper,atwistoforangeandadecentsprinklingofMediterraneanherbs.ThepalateisplumpandroundwiththeSangiovesecharacterassertingitselfastheleadwhiletheShirazembracesitssupportingroleaddingopulenceandbody.NBtwodaysafteropeningitwasfantastic!–evenmoreperfumedandstillaslivelyandflavoursome.Drinknow-2014.14%alc.

Frappato, Azienda Agricola Cos, Sicily,Italy2009£17.00Amazingly perfumed dry red made from Sicily’s indigenous Frappato grapeFrappatoisnotanewgimmickydrinkfromStarbucks,butaSiciliangrapevariety,mostcommonlyusedintheblendforCerasuolodiVittoria.Whenvinifiedonitsown,itproducesawonderfullyfresh,liftedstyleofwinefordrinkingwhenitisyoungandexpressive.Thisisoneofthebestandhasadramaticfragranceofmorelloanddriedcherrybillowingfromtheglassalongwithraspberrycrush,sweetherbsandspicedorange.Light-bodied,butfleshyandincrediblyjuicyandperky,itisarefreshingstyleofredwinethatshouldbedrunkjustbelowroomtemperatureforthebesteffect.Drinknow.12%alc.

Delta ‘Hatters Hill’ Pinot Noir,Marlborough,NewZealand2007/8£17.50Silky and sensuous Pinot Noir that outshone a host of New Zealand rivalsThereasonwhywewritetastingnotesisbecausewineisascienceaswellasanartandthesciencebitisn’tverycommunicative,soweturntotheartofwords.IfweweretotellyouthatthiswineismadefromtheDijonclones777,114,115and667fermentedtoadryalcoholicbeveragewithatitratableacidityof6.15g/l,aPHbalanceof3.7andaresidualsugarcontentof2.5g/l,then,unlessyouaresomekindofchemist-savant,you’llbenonethewiser.Hopefully,thefollowingwillbeslightlymorehelpful.WechosethisbeautifulPinotNoirfromahostofcontenders,becauseitshonesobrightlyandhadmorecomplexityandgracefulbeautythanthemoreexpensiveonesintheline-up.There’sreal‘wowfactor‘here,withitsbeguilingaromasofstrawberrynectar,cherryskinsandvanilla.Supersilkyonthepalate,withgreatsucculence,depthandlustre,itisbackedupbyadiscreetlypowerfulstructureoffinetanninsandfruit-lacedacidity.Drinknow-2014.13.5%alc.

Rosso del Gello, Montecucco Rosso, Italy2006£17.50Perfectly mature Sangiovese from a region that borders Brunello di MontalcinoCertainsongsorpoemsimposethemselvesonyourmemorywithoutpermissionfromyoursubconscious,theyjustletthemselvesin,andthesamecanbesaidforcertainwines,

23

likethisdelectableSangiovese.Itteleportsyoustraight

intotheheartofTuscanywithitsinviting,

high-tonednoseofspicedplums,morellocherryskins,

smokedmeat,herbs,freshlysqueezed

orangejuice,wetleavesandoldoakspice,andenvelops

youcompletelyinitswarmperfumed

layers.Ithasabigyetentirelyproportionedstructure,

supplefine-grainedtanninsandatangy

vibrantfinish.Theflavoursareattheperfectstateofm

aturitybutitremainsbeautifullyfresh.

Aseriouslyclassydrop!Somewinesdemandbeingcomm

ittedtomemory.Somewinesdemand

beingcommittedtomemory.Drinknow-2013.14%alc.

Rivarossa, Schiopetto,VeneziaGiuliaIGT,Italy£18.00

Stunning northern Italian interpretation of a fine savoury claret

Asidefromgoutandbrokenbloodvessels,oneofthemo

reusefulsymptomsthatyou

developasawinemerchantisamentalalgorithmthata

llowsyoutocalculatethe‘price

versusquality’ratioofawinewithafairdegreeofspeed

andaccuracy.Bellsstarttoring

assoonastheformulaspitsoutapositiveresultandth

iswinedidexactlythat.Ourmental

algorithmimmediatelyplaceditinthe£30.00category

,sothecampanologistswenttowork

whenwelearnedthatwecouldsellitfor£18.00.It’sav

eryfinenorthernItalianBordeaux

blend(35%CabernetFranc,35%CabernetSauvignona

nd30%Merlot),withbeautiful

flavoursonthenoseofmaltyblackberries,lushsumme

rfruits,warmterracotta,cigarbox

andpencillead,reminiscentofareallyfine,savourycla

ret.Ithasasoft,caressingtexture,

withgreatvibrancyandrefreshmentinitsblackcurran

tacidity.Youwouldneedtospend

alotmoreonBordeauxofasimilarquality.Dingdong!

Drinknow-2014.14%alc.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico, Azienda Agricola Cos,Sicily2008£19.50

Wild and exciting Sicilian red with heady aromas and succulent fruit

It’sentirelypossibletogothroughlifeeatingnothingbu

tcomfortfoods,readingthelatestbestsellers

andkeepingthesame10CDsonyourauto-player.Takin

gpleasureinthesamethingsrepeatedlyisn’t

abadthing,weunderstandthethinking,butwecan’tre

sisttryingtotemptpeopleoffthebeatenpath

fromtimetotime.Thisisadelicious,livelyblendofNer

oD’Avola(60%)andFrappato(40%)from

theSouthEasterncoastofSicily.Thenosehasheady,ea

rthy,floralaromaswithsucculentcherry,

raspberry,rosehipteaandspiceflavours.Itsperfumed

redfruitsandnotesofwildherbsarebuoyed

alongthewaywithafreshcurrentofacidscarryingspi

ceandmineralnotes.Forgettypical,heavy

NeroD’Avola,thisismorenimbleandrefreshingyetwi

thunderstatedpower.Likeanewtastethat

you’vealreadyacquired.Drinknow-2015.13.5%alc.

Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Cuvée ‘Les II Papis’, MaisonGambal,France2008£19.50

Sweetly-perfumed red Burgundy from vineyards in the village of Volnay

Thenameofthiscuvée,LesDeuxPapis,referstotheni

cknamegiventoAlexandhisfriendwhenthey

werestudyingattheviticulturalcollegeinBeaune.Ast

heywere‘mature’students,theyoungerones

taggedthemwiththismoniker,looselytranslatedasth

e‘twooldcodgers’.Thereis,perhaps,anelement

ofwrydefianceinputtingthenameonthelabelnow,giv

enthatAlexhasgraduatedtobecomeone

ofBurgundy’smostrespectednegociants.Thevineyard

sthatprovidethegrapesforthiselegant

BourgogneRougelienexttothoseofMichelLafarge’sV

olnayandsharemuchofthestylefavoured

bythatgreatwinemaker.Therestraineduseofnewoak

allowsthewonderfullypurePinotflavours

ofcherry,cranberry,redcurrantandrhubarbtoshinet

hrough,aswellasapuremineralelement.

Drinknow-2014.13%alc.

Barbera d’Alba, Luciano Sandrone,Piemonte,Italy2006£19.50

Ravishing fruit, beautifully expressed – we are smitten!

Itmaybeareflectiononourdysfunctionalpersonalities

,butthethingthatreallygetsus

going,thethingthatreallysetsourpulseracingisbeau

tifulfruit.Pert,curvaceous,

sensuouslyprovocativefruit.ThisBarberad’Albaisare

alpin-upforus,becausethefruit

hassuchburlesqueappeal.Ithasafairlydeeprubyred

colour,withverypure,perfumedwild

cherryandforestfloornotesand,assuch,isacopybook

exampleofhowBarberashouldtaste,

soanyonestudyingwineshouldreachforthisasarefer

encepoint.Gorgeoussilkytexture,

medium-bodiedwithsucculent,creamyberriesandali

ttlemochaonthelong,happyfinish,

itspends12monthsin50%newoak.Drinknow-2014.1

3.5%alc.

www.swig.co.uk

24

Schubert Syrah, Wairarapa,NewZealand2005£22.50

Utterly seductive expression of Syrah, similar in style to a Cote Rotie

Cumulonimbus!Asclosetnephologistsitwasonlyamatteroftimebeforeanaccidentalreferencetocloud

formationsslippedoutandexposedusforwhatweare.Cumulonimbus!Adramatic,fulminating,multi-cell

formation,fullofbroodingenergy.Ourfavouritewine-producingcountry,NewZealand,alsoknownasthe

LandoftheLongWhiteCloud,hasproducedabeautiful,swirlingNorthernRhone-styleSyrahwhichstirsthe

soulintoactionthemomentitleavesthebottle.Ithasaseductivearrayofaromas:whiteandcrackedblack

pepper,smoke,nutmeg,violet,undergrowthandahintofmeatinessallmakingthemselvesheardamongthe

healthyglowofperfectlyriperedandblackfruitswhichgivethewineitsterrificallypureandvibrantcore.

Itexcitesthepalatewithaburstofgenerousandsupplefruit,alingeringpepperyspiceandKaiSchubert’s

deftuseofoakaddingbodyandtexture.Itstanninsaresmoothandcaressinganditsaciditybothbalancing

andrefreshing.OneofthefinestNewZealandSyrahswe’vetried,agorgeouswineandoneforthehedonist.

Drinknow-2012.14.5%alc.

A A Badenhorst Family Red, WineofCoastalOrigin,SouthAfrica2006£24.00

A product of the cult of personality backed up by serious talent

Oneoftenhearswinemerchantssayingthatwinemakersliketoletthewinesspeakforthemselves.

Well,Adi’swineswouldbeluckytogetawordinedgeways.Heisafast-talking,quick-witted,warm-hearted

kindofguy;ablendofonehalftalent,onehalfintuitionandonehalfrockstar.Likeourunderstandingof

fractions,Adi’sgraspontheprecisetechnicalspecificationsofhiswinesisnothisstrongpoint,buthisaimis

notperfectionbutpersonality.Hemaynotbeabletoquotetartaricacidlevelsoffthetopofhishead,butheis

onfirstnametermswitheachofhisvines.Ifyouwanttodrinkwineswithsoulthatweremadeusinggutfeel

ratherthantechnicalrecipes,thenthisisdefinitelywhereyoushouldbefocusingyourattention.His‘Estate

Red’isablendofShiraz(92%),Mourvedre(5%)andCinsault(3%)andwewouldprefertodrinkthisthan

95%oftheChateauneuf-du-Papesonthemarket.It’sabold,rich,spicy,beefySouthAfricaninterpretation

ofaclassicRhoneblendandevokessunnyMediterraneanflavoursofhillsideherbs,blackolives,smoked

hamandpepperyspicesamidstawealthofdeep,mouth-fillingfruit.Theharmonybetweenthesavoury

flavoursandthesucculentfruitisseriouslyappealingandyoufindyourselfcravingthenextsipbefore

you’veevenfinishedtheoneinyourmouth.Anoutstandingdebut.Drink2010-2020.14.5%alc.

Yabby Lake Pinot Noir, MorningtonPeninsula,Australia2008£24.00

Tom Carson’s ethereal Pinot Noir is the Mornington Peninsula’s pack leader

SignalledbyJancisRobinsonasoneofherfivefavouriteNewWorldPinotNoirs,thisbeautyleadsthe

pelotonofMorningtonPeninsulaPinotsthatarecurrentlyturningheadsastheysweepthroughthewine

world.Ifyouhaven’ttriedone,thenit’shightime,becausetheyareonaparwiththegreatPinotsofNew

ZealandandBurgundy.TomCarsonisthemanintheyellowjersey,notonlymakinggreatwineatYabby

Lake,butalsostandingonthepodiumproselytisingaboutthevirtuesofMorningtontoanyonewillingto

listen.YabbyLakeissituatedinthenorthofthepeninsula,wherethewinestendtowardsafirmerstructure

anddeeperflavours.Tom’s2008vintageisawinethatcombinesdepthwithethereallightnessofbeing,

balancingpureedraspberryandblackcurrantrichnesswithsilky,airynotesofredcherriesandviolets.

JancisRobinsondescribesitas“intriguinglyscented.Greatbalanceandpolish.Complete.

Verylivelyandzesty.Lovelyhauntingfinish.”Drinknow-2015.14%alc.

De Toren Fusion V, Stellenbosch, SouthAfrica2007£27.50

Opulent Bordeaux blend made with extraordinary attention to detail

Thisisoneofthoseluxuriousredwinesthattransformsyourpalateintotheboudoirofa17thcentury

Frencharistocrat,liningthewallswithdamaskandupholsteringallthefurnishingswithsatinandvelvet.

Whileitisfullofintense,dark-perfumedfruit,thetanninsaresosoftandsupplethatyoubarelynotice

them,sothatallyourconcentrationisdivertedtowardsthehedonisticpleasuresthatlieinitsflavours.

ItisaCabernetSauvignondominatedblendofallfiveoftheredBordeauxvarietiesandofferslayer

uponlayerofsumptuousblueandblackfruit,blackcurrantcordial,cigarbox,coffeeandsweetoak.

Surprisinglyaccessibleandpolishedforsuchaseriousyoungwine,theabundanceoffine-grained

tanninsandrefreshingaciditysuggestitwillmaturewellfor15yearsormore.

Drinknow-2025.14.5%alc.(magnumsavailable£55.00)

25

Rosso di Montalcino Cupano, Tuscany,Italy2007£28.00Thanks to the high quality of the vintage, this Rosso is more like a baby BrunelloAcontenderforoneofMontalcino’smostexpensiveRossos,andthereforeawinethatisaboutaseasytosellasatimeshareinLagos,wenonethelessdecidedtomakelifehardonourselvesandimportedafewcases,simplybecauseweloveditsomuch.ThelogicthatweappliedwastoforgetthefactthatitwasahumbleRossoandtojudgeitpurelyonitsmeritsasaredwineandwethoughtthatthequalitywaseasilygoodenoughtomeritthepricetag,asitofferswonderfulTuscanflavoursinalighteridiomthanaBrunellodiMontalcino,butwithmanyoftheclassiccharacteristicsfoundonthenoseandpalate.Thequalityofthegreat2007vintageliftsthiswineontoitsshouldersandcarriesitabovethelevelthatRossosnormallyachieve,sothebestwayforustoconvinceyouthatthiswinejustifiesitspriceistoseeitasababyBrunello.Woodyspices,sunnydarkberryfruitandlayersofcigarbox,leatherandliquoricesewntogetherbygrainytanninsinafull-bodiedframe,itencapsulatesaTuscansummerinabottle.Drinknow-2020.13.5%alc.

Valpolicella Superiore Carlo Ferragu,Veneto,Italy2007/8£29.50One of our favourite all time discoveries – liquid velvetForanyonestudying,orevenclaimingaseriousinterestinItalianwine,thenthisisrequireddrinking.Itcametousthroughserendipitouscircumstancesandsymboliseseverythingweloveaboutourjob,findingafewbarrelsofahand-craftedwinemadebyaconscientiousproducerusingtraditionaltechniquesandlocalgrapevarietiestocreatesomethingtrulyworldclass,inthiscaseaValpolicellaSuperiorethatisanAmaroneindisguise(thehand-pickedgrapesaredriedonstrawmatsforonemonthbeforefermentation).Itisbottlepoetryandexudesrelaxed,generousaromasofmeltedchocolate,orangecream,driedapricots,cherryandplumskins.Inthemouth,itisdrybutluxuriousandripe,withpashmina-softtanninsandsmooth,succulentlayersoffragrantdarkfruitsthatcoatthepalateleavingatwistofbitterchocolateonthefinishthatactslikearibbon,tyingthewholeparceltogether.Ithasnoneofthedriedfigorstickydatecharacterthattendstoweighdownsomanyover-bakedAmaronesandcanbedrunknowandoverthenexttenyears.15%alc.

Barolo, Renato Corino, Piedmont,Italy2006£32.00

Prepare for an out of body experience – this is an amazing Barolo for the price Ghoststendtoconcentrateonbeingseenandheard,butrarelydotheytroubleourothersenses,leastofalloursenseofsmell.Orsoyoumightthink.Whatotherexplanationcantherepossiblybefortheotherworldlyaromasthatriseupfromthisextraordinarywine?Itmustbehaunted!CommentatorscomparethebouquetofBaroloto‘tarandroses’,butthat’sjustgraspingatearthlystraws,wheninfacttheflavoursarenothingshortofparanormal.There’sawholehostofphantasmagoriagoingoninRenatoCorino’sBarolo2006,anincrediblypowerfulexpressionoftheNebbiologrape,withthescentedwoodandperfumedfruitlockedinaswirlingvortexofetherealdelights.Harmony,complexity,persistenceandhaunting,jewel-brightflavoursmakethisaseriousBaroloexperienceataspookilycheapprice.Drinknow-2020.14.5%alc.

Pyramid Valley ‘Eaton Family’ Pinot Noir,NewZealand2007£35.00Multi-layered, heavenly Marlborough Pinot Noir with panache instead of powerGreatgrapesarelikegreatactors.Thebestareabletoshedtheiridentityandtransformthemselvesintoamazingcharactersthatgobeyondcaricatureandpastiche.AgreatPinotNoir,suchasthis,doesn’trelyonmimicryortiredolddevicesbutcreatesanoriginalpersonalityofitsownmaking.It’sasensationalone-manshow,whichpayshomagetothefinestperformersinBurgundy,whileaddingfascinatingcharacteristicsfromitsbirthplace.Fine,subtleandbeautifullynuanced,withaseamlessinterplaybetweenthesweetandsavouryelements,itdoesn’tburstontothescene,buttightensitsholdlinebyline.Asensationalwinewithrealstarquality.Drinknow-2012.14%alc.

Buy Now: 08000 272 272

26

Ombrone Cupano, Sant’Antimo, Tuscany,Italy2007£38.00

A ‘Supertuscan’ of real distinction and a wine to impress your peers

Admitit.Whenyouputyourbottlesoutforrecycling,youalwaysputyourbestbottleontop,sothatpassers-bycan

seethatyouknowthetimeofdayandwhenyouhaveareallygoodbottle,youputoutyourrecycling4daysearlyfor

maximumexposure.Well,ifevertherewereabottleofwinethatannouncedyourunequivocalstateofcool,thenthis

isit.ItisasmallproductionblendofCabernetSauvignon,MerlotandSangiovese(effectivelyaSupertuscan)called

OmbroneSant’Antimo2007,madebyLionelCousinatCupano,betterknownbymanyforhisprestigiousBrunello

diMontalcino.Adeepshadeofcrimson,thecolouroffairytalepoison,itbillowswithvillainousdarkflavours.

There’sanamazinginterplaybetweenlightanddarkness,withthepure,pristinefruitengagingwiththedramatic

powerofthenewFrenchoak.Thesetwoplayersseemtobelockedinafascinatinggameofdare,witheachone

raisingthestakes,challengingtheothertomeasureupanditcreatesanamazingescalationofcomplexity.

Thearomasareinfusedwithmixedsweetspice,blackberrycordial,purpleflowers,sandalwoodandsweet

chestnut.Thepalateisstainedinbeautifullyripe,sweetblackcurrantfruitwithasupplenesstothe

fine-grainedtanninsthatgivesitrealdistinction.Drink2011-2020.14.5%alc.

Nuits St Georges 1er Cru ‘Clos des Forets’Domainedel’Arlot,Burgundy2008£39.00

Exquisite Pinot Noir from a domaine that produces ethereal, elegant reds

AllenMeadows,oneoftheworld’sleadingauthoritiesonBurgundy,oncewrote:“Whenitcomestothefinest

Burgundies,youmaynotalwaysgetwhatyoupayforbutyouwillnevergetwhatyoudon’tpayfor.”Itisa

frustratingtruism,recognisabletoanyonewhohasbeenbedevilledbytheinconsistencyofexpensiveBurgundy,

particularlythereds,butasanyoneenchantedbyoneortwomagicalexperienceswillalsoagree,thequestis

worthwhile.WeareconfidentthatyouwilllovethisPremierCrufromDomainedel’Arlot,whoproducerefined,

elegantreds,whosecomplexityandbeautifulspectrumofflavoursbeliethedeceptivelypalecolourofthewines.

Ifrubieshadanaroma,thenthiswouldsurelybeit.AmagicalarrayofwildPinotNoircharacters,suggestingcola

cubes,crushedcherries,fraisedesboisandvioletsareheldgentlyinthepalmofthiswine,whichhasterrific

latentpower.Ithasthatmystical,magicalqualitythatonlyBurgundianPinotNoirseemscapableofachieving.

Simplybeautifulandwortheverypenny.Drink2011-2018.13%alc.

Rioja Gran Reserva,BodegasFernandoRemirezdeGanuza,Spain2001£62.00

Mouth-filling, complex, and staggeringly rich Gran Reserva – a 100 point wine?

Farbeitfromustomisleadanyonebycallingthisa100pointwine,butthereissufficient

circumstantialevidencetosuggestthatitis,albeitunofficially.ExhibitA:The2004vintage

ofthisGranReservareceivedthehallowedperfectscoreonRobertParker’sWineAdvocate.

ExhibitB:JayMiller,whowrotetheaforementionedreview,appendedthefollowing

incriminatingline:“thegreatestvintagesfromBodegasFernandoRemirezdeGanuzain

myopinionare2004and2001”Isitnotcertain,therefore,beyondanyreasonabledoubt,

thatifthisGranReservafromthe2001vintagehadbeenreviewedonRobertParker’s

WineAdvocate,itwouldhavereceivedthesame100pointscore?Ifthejuryisstillout,

thenkindlyallowustoturntooneofourcustomer’sasawitnessforthedefence:

“TheRiojaGranReserva2001youjustdeliveredwasquitesimplysuperbandprobably

oneofthebestbottlesofwineIhavehadthiscenturyandcertainlythebestunder£100.”

Werestourcase.Drink2010-2050.14.5%alc.

Amarone Ferragu, Veneto,Italy2005/6£85.00

If there’s a better Amarone on the planet, then ... well, there just isn’t.

Westronglyrecommendthatyousound-proofyourhousebeforeyoutastethiswine.Unless,ofcourse,youactively

wantyourneighbourstohearsuchextraordinaryhowlsofdelightandpleasurethattheirmorninggreetingrings

withbothindignationandalittlenewfoundrespect.Wedescribedlastyear’svintageas“likedrinkingLordByron’s

stagnight”andthenewvintageisofasimilarkidney,butwithafewmoregatecrashers.Onceagain,thegrapes

spent90daysdryingonstrawmatsbeforefermentation,afterwhichthewinethenmaturedinAmericanoak

barrelsforafurtherthreeyears.It’sincrediblyrichandpowerful,withintenseflavoursofscenteddamson,

chestnutpuree,orangecreamandrichplumfillingdustedwithcocoapowder.CarloFerragu’svineyardslie

adjacenttothoseofthegreatRomanoDalFornoandthelevelofcomplexityandbeautyinhiswinesrivals

thoseofhisneighbouryetathalftheprice.Mindblowingwine!Drinknow-2030.17%alc.

27

SweetChambers Rutherglen Muscat, AustraliaNV37.5cl£10.95Life is too short not to try this wine ... a true Australian treasureThequoteabovecomesfromRobertParker,whohasbeenravingaboutthewonderfulsweetwinesfromRutherglenforoveradecade.Theyareallmadeusingasolerasystem,suchastheydoforsherry,whichiseffectivelyanongoingblendofvintages,inthiscasewithanaverageageofbetween7and10years(their100point-scoringRareMuscathasanaverageageof70years!).Likeamagicianfantailingapackofcardsbeforeyoureyes,itopensupwithamazingcomplexity,revealingcaramel,manukahoney,brandiedraisins,stickytoffeepuddingandspicedfruitcake.Itisrichandsweetonthepalatewithindulgentyetfreshandlivelyflavoursthatintroducethemselvestoeachandeveryoneofyourtastebuds.18.5%alc.Drinknow-2020.

Pyramid Valley ‘Hille Family’ Late Harvest Semillon, NewZealand200875cl£24.00

Luminous, tantalising, lustrous, thesaurus-necessitating sweet wine from New ZealandThislateharvestSemillonissurelyaproductofnuclearfission,suchistheexplosionofaromasandflavoursitsetsoff,theboundlessenergypackedintoitandthewayinwhichtheseunfurluponcontactwiththepalate.Oodlesofzestygrapefruiteruptfollowedbyatrailofsmoke,honey,toastandSemillon’scharacteristicgrassyhighnotes.Beautifullytexturedandbalancedwithanamazinglylongfinishthatcallstomindabreakfastofpinkgrapefruitmarmaladeontoast.Itisintenseandunctuouswithimpressivebiteandawelcomingtangtopunctuatethesweetness.Arresting.Scintillating.Luscious.Indulgent.A‘wow’experience.Drinknow–2020.13.4%alc,Churchill’s 10-year old Tawny Port,Portugal,NV,50cl,£24.50A winter-warming treat if ever there was one! Theoxidativeeffectsofbarrel-ageinglendasubtleelegancetotherichcoreandimbuesitwithawonderfullydistinctivecharacter.Enticingandcomplexonthenoseitdrawsyouinwithitsfragranceofroastednuts,freshlygroundcoffee,caramel,nutmegandsweetdriedfruits.Itisatoncesoftandmellowyethasamazingflavourintensityandimpeccabledefinition.Silky-texturedwithdelicatelynutty,toastandcaramelflavoursfleshedoutbynotesofraisins,figsandorangerind.Reallylongandnotintheleastbitcloyingthankstoatangystreakofacidityrunningthroughitscorewhichkeepsitlively.ItiseverythingTawnyportshouldbe.Drinkwithcheddarcheeseandlovedones.Drinknow-2020.20%alc.

Four easy ways to order from Swig

1.Telephone-08000272272 2. Email-wine@swig.co.uk 3.Fax-02089956195

4.Post-188,SuttonCourtRoad,London,W43HR

Terms and Conditions-Wehopeyouwillorderatleast6bottles,butifyouhaveaspecialrequirement,suchassinglebottlegifts,thenwearemorethanhappytohelp.Thereis,however,aslightlyhigherdeliverychargeonsmallerorders.

Delivery-Ordersof6bottlesormorewillbechargedat£9.50incvat.Freedeliveryonordersover£400toasingleaddress.Underbonddeliverieschargedatcost.Standarddeliveryisanext-dayservicebetween9amand5pm.Winecanbeleftsafelyifnooneisin,withinstructionswheretoleaveit

EveningdeliveriesareavailableinmostLondonpostcodes(TuesdaysandThursdays–andmoreeveningsinpeakseason)GoodsremainthepropertyofSwiguntilpaidforinfull.Goodsareofferedsubjecttoremainingunsold.

Force majeureWeshallnotbeliableforanyfailuretomeetourobligationsoccasionedbycircumstancesbeyondourreasonablecontrol

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