Any price
Moulin de Pontfract Rosé
Provence is synonymous with film star glitterati, sunshine and delicate hued rosés many regard as the best in the world. Although the region has become one of the pricier tourist corners of France, wines like this help us all to enjoy the Côte d’Azur lifestyle from home! It comes from a 17th century estate, just outside the town of Correns, owned by the dapper Monsieur Paul. He has an ideal spot for his vines – an amphitheatre shaped plot, where the chalky stone soils are bathed in sunshine all summer long. Using equal parts of Grenache and Cinsault, gently pressed to extract only a delicate colour, this is a charming rosé – fresh and fruity with delightful, strawberry scented aromas. Enjoy on its own, with olive tapenade or fresh seafood.
The Black Pig Reserve McLaren Vale GSM
There’s bundles of flavour in this classy Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvédre. A special blend that offers soft layers of fruit, and rich and velvety charm – The Black Pig delivers again!
Kilikanoon Baudinet Blend Clare Valley Grenache Shiraz Mataro
RedHeads Princess of Thieves
A striking creature with a most lustful heart, the night is her ally in performing her craft. She strives to obtain a ruby red treasure, of unsurpassed beauty and value past measure. A calling in life, her great reason to live, she takes what she wants but chooses to give. Adrian Hoffmann is the source of the Mourvèdre and Grenache. Old vines, big flavour, just what you would expect from his Ebenezer vineyards. The other part - the Shiraz - has come from Redheads' long-time partner in crime John Kalleske over in Koonunga. Bright, lifted red fruit aromas of sweet cherry and plum combined with floral and turkish delight characters. Subtle savoury notes, dark morello cherry and red plum characters. A mid-weight GSM with softly woven tannins.
Cuvée du Vatican Réserve de l'Abbé Côtes du Rhône
With his wines acclaimed by critics worldwide, Diffonty is a household name in the southern Rhône. Fine wine expert and Rhône fan Robert Parker described the Diffonty Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf wines as “full-bodied, powerful, rich and oozing unmistakable Provençal character”. Comprising mostly Grenache supported by a little Syrah, the Réserve de l’Abbé is made by Jean-Marc with as much care and attention as he affords his top reds. Using grapes from just outside the Châteauneuf boundary, the wine was fermented in traditional wooden and also stainless steel vats before blending and bottling. It’s sumptuous and velvety, with warming red berry and wild herb complexity. Best decanted early, the wine’s ideal served with a hearty casserole.
Domaine Martin Rasteau
The Côtes du Rhône are home to many rich, warming reds that can be serious bargains, and those entitled to the Villages appellation promise even greater intensity and fruit power. Such has been the quality in Rasteau that the area was promoted in 2010 to full AOP status, putting it on a par with mighty Gigondas next door. Indeed, Domaine Martin can claim a key part in securing this promotion. The property goes back to 1905, when Julien Martin bought the 5-hectare estate. In 1947 his son Jules took over, expanding the vineyards and building a winery. Today it is run by David and Eric Martin, grandsons of the founder.This Grenache-based blend (70% Grenache, 20% Shiraz and 10% Mourvèdre) from the Cote de Rhone opens with earthy, herbal aromas mingling with hints of blackberry and raspberry. Herbal-scented dark fruit flavours drive the supple palate with smoked meat and spicy notes adding complexity.
d'Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings McLaren Vale Grenache Shi
In 1912, horse fanatic Joseph Osborn sold his stables and horses and bought the family the d'Arenberg estate in premium McLaren Vale. Joseph chose McLaren Vale as it has some of Australia's oldest vineyards, and with an array of soils and the cooling affect of the nearby ocean, it's ideal for vines. Winemaker today is sixth generation Chester Osborn. He continues the family tradition of treading the grapes by foot part way through fermentation. It certainly ensures plenty of dark colour, character and richness in the wines. You'll always spot a d'Arenberg wine with its bold red stripe on the label.
Création d'Émilie B Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Roche Bellemont Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Rosé
Stretching along Italy’s Adriatic coast, the Abruzzo boasts pretty coastal coves and dramatic landscapes of soaring mountains, rolling verdant hills, deep valleys and ancient castles. It's a favourite spot for holidaying Italians, but is otherwise little known. Yet its extensive vineyards produce a range of deliciously accessible wines – creamy, plum-filled Montepulciano reds, citrusy Trebbianos and this fruity Pinot Grigio. This white addition to our Farinelli range provides excellent value, yet over the vintages it’s scored an amazing 93 points at the IWC competition and won four medals. Enjoy here a lovely balance of ripe peach and apple fruit with citrusy zip. It makes an ideal apéritif and goes well with lemon chicken and creamy pasta.