DOMAINE PIERRE USSEGLIO Reserve des Deux Freres, Chateauneuf-du-Pape

“The 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is showing beautifully, displaying lively crushed violet, cranberry, red cherry, licorice and dried herb aromas. Full-bodied, elegant and fitted with velvety tannins, it is well-balanced by fresh acidity, closing with a long-lasting finish. As usual, it's a blend of very old vines from two parcels in Charbonnières and Les Esquirons. Only 4,000 bottles produced.” 93-95 points Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous

Kalleske Old Vine Grenache, Barossa Valley The Kalleske family makes their Old Vine Grenache in the Barossa Valley, where they have been farming and growing grapes since the 1800s. Yet this old Barossa family have been cited by Max Allen in 2010 as a model for the future of the Barossa. Estate grown, vinified and matured on the Kalleske Greenock estate, the Old Vine Grenache is made from a single vineyard planted in 1935 as bush vines on the Kalleske farm. The shallow sand and light clay ensure that these dry-grown grapes are intensely flavoured fruit.

The wines in Yalumbas Distinguished Sites collection, including the Vine Vale, capture the true essence of specific, special sites. In th glass: Pale garnet. On the nose: Raspberry, cranberry, white pepper & vanilla. On the palate: Silky & smooth with a charming mix of red fruit, subtle pepper & dried herb notes, fine, velvety tannins & mouth-feel. A lighter, almost Pinot-like style of Grenache.

From vines grown at around 250 metres above sea level, the 2018 is a wonderfully aromatic, supple and juicy Côtes du Rhône, that's medium-bodied and filled with plenty of blackberry and dark cherry fruit as well as hints of lavender and thyme, and some anise as well. Although there's some pulpy fruit, the finish is crisp and mouthwatering. "Domaine la Réméjeanne takes some tracking down. Yet its one of those places that is worth a special journey, as the Michelin Guide would put it. We made the pilgrimage to Sabran a couple of years ago to revisit this wonderful producer, one that we had worked with in the distant past. We wont bore you with the tales of wrong turns and rural misadventures. Suffice to say, the north western hills of the Côtes du Rhône appellation is striking country the Rhône valley in your rear-view mirror and the foothills of the Cevennes ahead. Scenery aside, time spent with main man Rémy Klein, a look at the vineyards and a tasting of the Réméjeanne wines told us that this was a producer we needed to start working with again. These are wines that proudly speak of their place high up in the hills with soils comprised of sand and limestone. This highly distinctive terroir results in a range of fresh, highly refined Côtes du Rhônes brimming with fruit and character. They are far cooler and purer than many of the Côtes du Rhônes produced at lower altitudes and on alluvial soils and this stylistic difference suits us right down to the ground." Bibendum