October 3, 2025


Bordeaux Bargain - Siran 2019 in 3-pack OWC

Bordeaux Bargain - Siran 2019 in 3-pack OWC

2019 Chateau Siran - A Bordeaux Bargain

“A knockout example of the wine, one to track down and grab hold of. This showcases the fresh lift of Siran, the depth of expression, but it is also so finessed and elegant, inching forward in power through the palate" - Jane Anson

Chateau Siran is one of Margaux’s hidden treasures, combining history, family stewardship and consistently elegant wines. Owned by the Miaihle family since 1859, it stands out for its authenticity and approachable style. With 25 hectares of gravelly vineyards on the plateau of Labarde, Siran crafts wines that balance richness with finesse. Guided today by Edouard Miaihle, the estate continues to rise in reputation, producing age-worthy Margaux that deliver exceptional value compared to its neighbours.

The 2019 Chateau Siran is a standout Margaux, hailed as one of the estate’s finest vintages. Scoring 94 points across multiple critics, it offers lifted aromatics of violets, cassis and raspberry alongside notes of cocoa, spice and liquorice. Structured yet fresh, its fine tannins and saline finish give both precision and elegance. Marking Siran’s 160th vintage, this release combines depth, vibrancy and ageing potential, confirming its place as one of Margaux’s most impressive under-the-radar wines.

We have a small selection available in 3x75cl OWC at €24.50* In Bond per bottle, with the 2019 presented in a special black bottle to mark this milestone year. At this price and quality, few Margaux offer such pedigree; this is a chance to secure a true hidden gem before it disappears.

chateau siran cellar


Chateau Siran 2019


€24.50* In Bond per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

94 Points | Vinous - Antonio Galloni

Just like it was from barrel, the 2019 Siran is a powerful, opulent wine. Raspberry jam, blood orange, mint, wild flowers and rose petal are all amplified in this decidedly heady, sumptuous Margaux. There's not a ton of subtlety, but, then again, who cares? Tasted two times.

94 Points | Vinous - Neal Martin

The 2019 Siran has a very well-defined bouquet of pure black cherry and raspberry fruit, crushed violets and iris petals, and seamlessly integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied, structured and crisp, with fine tannins, impressive delineation and plenty of freshness on the saline finish. One of the best Siran releases in recent years.

94 Points | Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux

A knockout example of the wine, one to track down and grab hold of. This showcases the fresh lift of Siran, the depth of expression, but it is also so finessed and elegant, inching forward in power through the palate, layered with chocolate, cocoa bean, liqourice root, bilberry, cassis, black pepper spice. Special label, in black and gold, marks the 160th vintage of Siran under the Miaihle family, now run by 4th generation Edouard. Harvest September 23 to October 11, Hubert de Boüard consultant, Marjolaine Defrance cellar master. 35% new oak for ageing.

93 Points | Jeb Dunnuck

One of the finest vintages I've tasted from this château, the 2019 Château Siran has a great bouquet of ripe black cherries, blackberries, scorched earth, leather, and cedary herbs. With medium to full-bodied richness, polished tannins, and outstanding overall balance, it's going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and drink nicely over the following 10-15 years. It's an impressive Margaux.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

View all vintages from Siran.


October 3, 2025


99 Point (WA) release of Gran Enemigo Gualtallary 2021

99 Point (WA) release of Gran Enemigo Gualtallary 2021

Gran Enemigo Gualtallary 2021 - Hot new release:

99 Points - Wine Advocate

“The palate follows suit with a rich, silky, refined and gently succulent energy, releasing into a graceful, dense and glacial conclusion that gives equal measure to vertical energy and horizontal richness. The finish slowly but steadily builds upon itself, revealing shimmering acidity and ultra-refined tannins with increased aeration. There is no better example of Cabernet Franc's suitability in the Uco Valley, a match rendered here with incomparable finesse, depth and complexity."

El Enemigo was founded by Adrianna Catena, daughter of the legendary Nicolás Catena, and Alejandro Vigil, one of Argentina’s most celebrated winemakers. Vigil, also Chief Winemaker at Catena Zapata, is renowned for his mastery of Mendoza’s terroirs and his relentless pursuit of excellence. His wines at El Enemigo have earned cult status, and such is his reputation in Argentina that he’s affectionately known as the “Messi of wine”, praise of the highest order.

While Catena Zapata is synonymous with Malbec, El Enemigo champions Cabernet Franc, proving its immense potential in Mendoza’s high-altitude vineyards. The Wine Advocate has even compared their style to old-school Right Bank Bordeaux, likening the previous 2019 vintage to Château Lafleur. As Matthew Luczy noted, El Enemigo is “firmly among Argentina's most exciting wines, cementing the variety's rightful place alongside Malbec as a vehicle for expressing the Uco Valley.”

The Gran Enemigo Gualtallary 2021 embodies this philosophy, a breathtaking Cabernet Franc that scored 99 points from the Wine Advocate and 98 from Vinous. From calcareous soils at altitude, it marries brooding intensity with exquisite finesse. Blackberry, cassis, violets and mountain herbs lift from the glass, while the palate is silky, structured and mineral-driven, framed by chalky tannins and shimmering acidity. Graceful yet powerful, it has extraordinary ageing potential and ranks among Argentina’s greatest reds.

Despite huge critical acclaim, soaring demand, and extremely limited allocations, Gran Enemigo Gualtallary 2021 remains an incredible bargain. Wines of this pedigree, precision, and scoring from Bordeaux or Napa would command significantly higher prices, making it a solid buy in the fine wine world.

With quantities scarce and collectors taking notice, this is a must-have for any serious Cabernet Franc lover. Secure your bottles while you can.

 


El Enemigo Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard Gualtallary 2021

El Enemigo Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard Gualtallary 2021


€87.50* inc VAT per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

99 Points | Wine Advocate

As difficult as it is to pick a winner between the Gualtallary and El Cepillo bottlings, the 2021 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard gets my nod as the supreme example of the Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard Cabernet Francs. It hails from a plot planted on calcareous rocky soils in 1995 with 10,000 vines per hectare, fermented with 40% whole bunches in barrique and underwent a 15-month élevage in 100-year-old foudre. Opening with a brooding, inward and quietly perfumed nose, its aromatic profile ceaselessly expands to encompass all manner of herbal and floral complexity, combining simmering intensity with supreme elegance. The palate follows suit with a rich, silky, refined and gently succulent energy, releasing into a graceful, dense and glacial conclusion that gives equal measure to vertical energy and horizontal richness. The finish slowly but steadily builds upon itself, revealing shimmering acidity and ultra-refined tannins with increased aeration. There is no better example of Cabernet Franc's suitability in the Uco Valley, a match rendered here with incomparable finesse, depth and complexity.

98 Points | Vinous

Is it possible to create a wine with structure but without weight? The 2021 Cabernet Franc Gran Enemigo Gualtallary offers a remarkable answer to that apparent paradox, finding the solution in a balanced combination of terroir and careful cellar work. It's almost utopian—a mountain wine with the structure and character of high-altitude vineyards, yet with the agility and freshness of an oceanic red. Purple in hue, it opens with blackberry and plum, layered with mountain herbs, a hint of sour cherry, cassis and floral tones of violet and lavender. Dry and juicy, with a slightly compact feel, the wine glides across the palate with weightless grace, supported by fine, chalky tannins. This wine is a triumph.

98 points | James Suckling

Graphite and blueberries with hints of tar, dark earth and ink on the nose. Medium-bodied with a compact and polished palate that is like a tight ball of fine silk in texture. Very structured yet all in balance. Give it four or five years to come around. But you’ll be tempted to try it now.

 

See all wines and vintages of El Enemigo.


September 25, 2025


2024 Chacra Release - World-Class Chardonnay from JM Roulot

2024 Chacra Release - World-Class Chardonnay from JM Roulot

Bodgea Chacra - Jean-Marc Roulot is making top Chardonnay in Patagonia

We’re excited to share a new 2024 release from Chacra. James Suckling is publishing his Top Wines of the Year reports, and the Mainqué Chardonnay 2024 has taken the top spot, crowned the best Argentinian wine of the year.

Founded by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta (Sassicaia Family) in 2004, Bodega Chacra is a remarkable Patagonian estate dedicated to biodynamic viticulture and purity of expression. Nestled in Río Negro, it cultivates Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from old, ungrafted vines planted in the 1930s. With a commitment to sustainability and minimal intervention, Chacra wines are transparent reflections of place. The wines combine Burgundian finesse with Argentine vitality, offering a unique taste of South America’s southern frontier.

Chacra’s Chardonnays are crafted in partnership with Jean-Marc Roulot, one of Burgundy’s most revered winemakers. While Piero Incisa della Rocchetta takes the lead on Pinot Noir, Roulot has complete creative freedom on the Chardonnay. Sourced from Gualtallary’s high-altitude, calcareous soils, the wine is whole-bunch pressed, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and matured in seasoned oak. There’s no battonage, no new oak, and minimal sulphur, resulting in a wine of remarkable purity, tension, and mineral-driven finesse.

‘Chacra’ Chardonnay

The ‘Chacra’ Chardonnay is the flagship white of the range, precise, layered and deeply mineral. Aged in large-format barrels and concrete, it combines citrus purity with saline tension and refined texture. Think Puligny with Patagonian clarity: bright, structured and built to age. In Previous vintages, James Suckling wrote, “probably the finest answer to Puligny or Meursault in Argentina... all about texture and purity. Also intellectual.” With Roulot’s Pulignys now exceeding €350 per bottle, this is a rare chance to enjoy world-class Chardonnay at a fraction of the price of his Burgundy domaine.

 

Chacra Mainqué Chardonnay

The Mainqué Chardonnay offers a vibrant and expressive style, blending Roulot’s finesse with Patagonia’s sun-kissed fruit. Aged partly in stainless steel, it’s fresher and more immediate than ‘Chacra’ with notes of lemon zest, orchard fruit and gentle toast. Lively, textured and irresistibly drinkable, it delivers immense quality at a more approachable price. In 2024, Suckling put this as his best Argentinian wine of the year

Classical-style Chardonnay lovers, don’t hesitate. These really are some of Argentina’s finest renditions of this grape. Don’t miss them.

 


Chacra 'Chacra' Chardonnay 2024


€95 inc VAT per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

98 Points | James Suckling

Aromas of honeysuckle, limes, green apples and a hint of cedar. It’s medium-bodied yet very dense and compact on the palate. It’s like a tight fist with the fruit and fine phenolics. Long finish. A structured and impressive young wine. Drink in two or three years.

96 Points | Wine Advocate

Sourced from silt-dominated soils, the 2024 Chacra Chardonnay opens with an immediately inviting and complex bouquet melding marshmallow, saline and citrus notes with ever-increasing definition and harmony. The palate echoes with a deep, velvety, effortless richness perfectly counterbalanced by a chalky, lifted, tangy energy. It concludes with a multidimensional, bright, mineral-drenched finish further elongated by additional rounds of stony intensity without ever veering into sharp or angular territory. It's an impressive, crystalline and simply delicious expression of Patagonia.

 

Chacra Mainque Chardonnay 2024

 

€52.50 inc VAT per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

James Suckling’s Top Argentinian wine of 2025

97 Points | James Suckling

So linear and driven, with so much tension and intensity. Aromas of sliced apples, lemons and stones. Medium-bodied with flavors of apples, seashells, lemons and crushed stones. It goes on and on. Matured in 30% amphorae and 70% oak. Fantastic. Drink or hold.

93 Points | Wine Advocate

Sourced predominately from sandy soils on the same property as the Lunita Pinot Noir, the 2024 Mainqué Chardonnay opens with a fresh, lifted bouquet with floral and herbal flourishes that gain volume with aeration. The palate is fittingly chiseled, slender and delicate, releasing into a long, nuanced and iodine-tinged finish that becomes increasingly nimble and dynamic in the glass.

 

See all wines and vintages of Chacra.


September 19, 2025


Brane Cantenac 2022 - 98-Point score upgrade from Neal Martin

Brane Cantenac 2022 - 98-Point score upgrade from Neal Martin

2022 Brane Cantenac

Neal Martin has just released his vertical tasting notes on Brane Cantenac, and the 2022 vintage deserves serious attention. If you have a moment, I recommend reading the full article which is located here.
 
Only two vintages reached 98 points: 1945 and 2022
 
The next highest at 95 points include 2020, 2019, 2016, 2010 and 1961, all formidable years. 
 
People often compare 2022 to the legendary 1982, or even better, depending on who you ask. When you see score breakdowns like this, it’s hard not to believe the hype surrounding the vintage. And with the comparatively modest price tag that Brane Cantenac currently carries, this wine truly deserves a place in your collection. Neal Martin does not hand out high scores without a lot of conviction, which makes it even more compelling.
 
98 Points - Neal Martin - "the 2022 is a benchmark for the Margaux estate, its future North Star. This has a stupendous nose with intense Cabernet Sauvignon inflections, its intensity and delineation superior to the 2019 and 2020. An underlying floral scent emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with silky and fine tannins that frame the seductive black fruit laced with crushed peppercorns, and a touch of cedar on the crystalline finish. I raved about this 2022 from barrel and in bottle. I see no reason to change my "raving."
 
Neal Martin: "With respect to the morning tasting of recent vintages, the wines vindicated previous assessments with few surprises. The standout was the stellar 2022 Brane-Cantenac. Tasting vintages chronologically, I felt that previous high points such as the 1995, 2000, 2010, 2016 and 2019 culminate in this stellar wine. The 2022 completely earned the lofty score that I gave before. If anything, I actually under-scored it. The 2022 is blessed with filigree tannins and a symmetry that I once assumed unattainable from this estate, however much I admire it. I know that Bordeaux is not at the top of most shopping lists at the moment, but you should make an exception for this."
 
Chateau Brane Cantenac 2022 is Henri Lurton’s crowning achievement, a wine of brilliance and poise. Dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, it delivers cassis, dark currants, cocoa, liquorice and rose petals with floral lift and graphite precision. Silky tannins frame ripe, concentrated fruit balanced by freshness and clarity. With high scores from the critics, it combines power, finesse and decades of ageing potential. Brane Cantenac 2022 is a landmark Margaux, hailed as one of the vintage’s greatest. 
 
Jeb Dunnuck scored it one point of perfection at 99 points, writing, "It's one of the truly greats in the appellation, and readers will love to have this beauty in the cellar".
 
Brane Cantenac is usually in my top 5 wines from Margaux, and I can't recommend this enough.
 
We have 6x75cl OWC cases on the website and loose single bottles if you prefer. 
 
Bordeaux lovers don't miss this one.
 

 Brane Cantenac 2022 

Chateau Brane-Cantenac 2022

€69 In Bond per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY 


99 Points | Jeb Dunnuck
An undeniable star in Margaux, the 2022 Château Brane-Cantenac checks in as a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 1% each Cabernet Franc, Carménère, and Petit Verdot. This deep purple-hued beauty offers up a sensational perfume of darker currants and cassis that gives way to more floral, spicy oak and graphite nuances with air. With flawless overall balance, ripe, velvety tannins, terrific purity, and a great finish, this riveting Brane-Cantenac already offers pleasure, yet I wouldn't be surprised to see this firm up with 4-5 years of bottle age, only to reemerge later and drink beautifully for 30+ years. It's one of the truly greats in the appellation, and readers will love to have this beauty in the cellar.

98 Points | Vinous - Neal Martin
The 2022 Brane-Cantenac marked a year when ownership passed to Henri Lurton's four children, although he remains as general manager. More importantly (perhaps), the 2022 is a benchmark for the Margaux estate, its future North Star. This has a stupendous nose with intense Cabernet Sauvignon inflections, its intensity and delineation superior to the 2019 and 2020. An underlying floral scent emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with silky and fine tannins that frame the seductive black fruit laced with crushed peppercorns, and a touch of cedar on the crystalline finish. I raved about this 2022 from barrel and in bottle. I see no reason to change my "raving." Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château in September 2025.

98 Points | Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux
Juicy and extremely impressive fruit quality, this harnesses the best of 2022 and is one of the wines of the vintage. You feel the texture and the power of the fruit, streaks of cocoa, liquorice, and rose petals, totally love it. The biggest alcohol of the series, and certainly you get a touch of crème de cassis and ripe fresh fig, carefully delivered with great texture to the tannins. This was the year that Henri Lurton passed the estate over to his four children while remaining as general manager, and also planted Malbec for the first time in the vineyard. Harvest September 7 to October 10, 315hl/h yield, 100% new oak barrels for ageing. Eric Boissenot consultant, Henri Lurton owner, Christophe Capdeville technical director. I have given this wine 98 points consistently every time I have tasted it, and truly it is excellent.

98 Points | Decanter, Georgina Hindle
One of the standouts of the year - a wonderful wine with so much to like. Coffee, tobacco, liquorice, dark chocolate, blackcurrants and floral scents on the nose. Smooth, succulent and velvety, this is amazing, juicy and so bright and vibrant. Pure and so effortless, tannins are filling but fine and delicate and this has excellent clarity and purity of fruit. They really didn't try too hard but have still delivered a powerful wine with concentration and intensity yet brightness and such generosity of fruit and acidity which makes this so joyful. Simply wonderful. Harvest 7 September-10 October. Yield of 31.5hl/ha. 3.61pH. 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenere complete the blend. 42% production. 15.8% press wine. Ageing 18 months, 100% new oak. 3.57pH.

97 Points | Vinous - Antonio Galloni
The 2022 Brane-Cantenac is every bit as impressive as it was en primeur. What a wine. Fresh, brisk and wonderfully vibrant in the glass, the 2022 soars with striking Cabernet Sauvignon aromatics. Graphite, menthol, sage, mint, licorice, dried flowers and a kiss of well-judged oak all meld together in the glass. Great wine is the result of many small decisions taken together, some of which may seem inconsequential on their own. The team led by Technical Director Christophe Capdeville nailed it in 2022. This is a magnificent Margaux that overachieves big time. The 2022 is one of the most finessed wines of the vintage.

 

See all vintages of Brane Cantenc.



September 17, 2025


Decanters favourite Le Petit Cheval Blanc to date

Decanters favourite Le Petit Cheval Blanc to date

2023 Le Petit Cheval Blanc 2023

-12% discount to 2022

“It has everything you want from this cuvée which has found its rhythm. Tasted in a vertical going back to 2018 and this is the most impressive." - Decanter

Le Petit Cheval Blanc is one of Bordeaux’s most thrilling white wines, crafted by Chateau Cheval Blanc to showcase precision and elegance. First released in 2014, it blends Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of Semillon, sourced from vineyards on gravel and clay soils in Saint-Émilion. The result is a wine of crystalline freshness and complexity, marked by citrus zest, white flowers and mineral drive. With finesse and ageing potential, it offers a rare glimpse of Cheval Blanc’s white expression.

The 2023 Le Petit Cheval Blanc is a striking vintage, uniting crystalline citrus purity with layered complexity. Aromas of lemon zest, grapefruit and orange lead into green apple, elderflower and acacia. On the palate, it balances precision and texture, with piercing acidity lifting notes of confit lemon, pecan, grapefruit and subtle spice. Savoury, sappy nuances from Semillon add depth, while early harvesting and meticulous winemaking deliver clarity and structure. This vintage confirms its status as one of Bordeaux’s finest whites.

Released at €100 In Bond per bottle and coming in beautiful cases of 3x75cl OWC, the 2023 has already drawn high praise from critics. With Decanter calling it their favourite vintage in a vertical tasting, this is a release that no serious Bordeaux collection should overlook.

 


Le Petit Cheval Blanc 2023

Le Petit Cheval Blanc 2023


€100* In Bond per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

97 Points | Decanter, Georgina Hindle

Freshly zested lemon with grapefruit and orange aromas - so pronounced and really quite crystalline on the nose. At the back some green apple and white floral elderflower and acacia notes too. Clean and focussed, lovely precision and clarity to the flavours with such a strikingly poised texture. This has grip and zing but also just a touch of buttery, softness that adds weight to the body. Threads of nuttiness and wood enter giving accents and spiced edges. Piercing acidity adds lift and joins the layers of confit lemon, baked vanilla pecans, bitter grapefruit and soft cinnamon spice. Gorgeously complex and the flavour lasts for ages. It has everything you want from this cuvée which has found its rhythm. Tasted in a vertical going back to 2018 and this is the most impressive. Director Pierre-Olivier Clouet and cellarmaster Carole André.

96 Points | Jane Anson

Pale green gold, this is savoury and sappy, with a wave of white peach and nectarine pit. Structure and longevity, focus and clarity, this wine is now seriously finding its feet and setting itself apart. Early harvest, precision winemaking, the Sémillon comes through on the texture with the dominant flavours of tea leaf, chamomile, citrus, greengage and lime speaking to the Sauvignon Blanc. Pierre-Olivier Clouet director.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

See all wines from Cheval Blanc.


September 17, 2025


A big 99 point release from Cheval des Andes 2022

A big 99 point release from Cheval des Andes 2022

2022 Cheval des Andes

99 points - Vinous

“The 2022 Cheval des Andes is a significant upgrade to Mendoza’s historic regional blends, combining grapes from Las Compuertas (Luján de Cuyo) and Paraje Altamira (Uco Valley). […] Boasting serious concentration, fine tannins and a slight creaminess, the 2022 has a structure that is firm but never tight, maintaining weight without losing balance. The finish is long, energetic and full of flavor. This is an exceptionally beautiful wine."

Cheval des Andes is where Bordeaux heritage meets the high-altitude magic of Mendoza. Founded as a collaboration between Chateau Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de los Andes, the estate unites French savoir-faire with Argentine terroir. Old-vine Malbec from the foothills of the Andes is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to craft wines of precision, elegance and power. With meticulous vineyard management and refined winemaking, Cheval des Andes has established itself as one of South America’s most celebrated fine wine estates.

Cheval des Andes is rooted in the high-altitude vineyards of Las Compuertas in Mendoza, where old-vine Malbec thrives alongside Cabernet Sauvignon at over 1,000 metres. The terroir combines alluvial soils, cool Andean breezes and dramatic diurnal shifts, giving intensity with freshness. Grapes are hand-harvested and vinified parcel by parcel, using gentle extraction to preserve purity and elegance. Ageing in French oak barrels and foudres brings polish, allowing the wines to express both Mendoza’s vibrancy and Bordeaux refinement.

Cheval des Andes 2022 is a luminous blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot from Las Compuertas and Paraje Altamira. Aged in a mix of Bordeaux barrels and large foudres, half new, it combines bright red fruit, cassis and violets with savoury herbs and spice. The palate is polished yet energetic, with fine, refined tannins and remarkable balance. Elegant, precise and deeply expressive, this vintage delivers freshness, complexity and impressive ageing potential.

Scoring 99 points from Vinous and further supported with 98 points from Decanter, Suckling and Jane Anson, the scores are unanimously high for what could arguably be the finest vintage of Cheval des Andes yet.

Releasing at €65* In Bond per bottle, this is a vintage not to miss.

 


Cheval des Andes 2022

Cheval des Andes 2022


€65* In Bond per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

99 Points | Vinous, Joaquin Hidalgo

The 2022 Cheval des Andes is a significant upgrade to Mendoza’s historic regional blends, combining grapes from Las Compuertas (Luján de Cuyo) and Paraje Altamira (Uco Valley). The 2022 vintage allowed for a slower ripening of Cabernet Sauvignon, which take prominence in this blend alongside 30% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. Aging was carried out in 40% 225-liter Bordeaux barrels, 35% 400-liter barrels and 25% 2,500-liter foudres, with 50% new oak. A bouquet of bright fruit—raspberry, blueberry and delicate cassis—and complementary bay leaf and mint tones give way to a touch of ash and mild bell pepper. Boasting serious concentration, fine tannins and a slight creaminess, the 2022 has a structure that is firm but never tight, maintaining weight without losing balance. The finish is long, energetic and full of flavor. This is an exceptionally beautiful wine.

98 Points | Decanter, Georgina Hindle

Earthy, savoury nose full of wet soil, peppercorns and blackcurrants alongside violets, chocolate, cherries and raspberries. Well crafted, such a svelte and streamlined expression with real charm and finesse. There’s power for sure but it’s funnelled into one line from start to finish. I love the brightness and opulence here yet there’s super charm and precision too. Great energy, succulence and vibrancy with natural acidity creating a salivating effect that makes you want to come back for another glass. Expertly made with an accumulation of details that make it so enjoyable. The joint project of Château Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de los Andes. Winemaker Gérald Gabillet.

98 Points | Jane Anson

Fragrant, exceptional quality, a standout in the lineup. Concentrated black cherry and damson fruits, nuanced pulses of orange peel and pomegranate, gunsmoke and peony flowers. Gérald Gabillet winemaker, at this joint venture between Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de los Andes. Fermented and aged in a mix of 225l barrels, 400l barrels and 2,500l casks, 50% new oak - almost entirely French, with some Austrian, Slovenian and German.

97 Points | Wine Advocate

Soon to be released through La Place de Bordeaux, the 2022 Cheval des Andes opens with an exotic, spice-driven bouquet, supplemented by lifted herbal notes and a vibrantly red-fruited and perfumed backdrop. The palate is similarly energetic, melding an elegantly rich, polished texture with a slender, tensile energy. It concludes with a long, persistent and high-toned finish that gradually unfurls a sturdy structure of supremely refined tannins. This is an excellent counterpoint to the comparatively darker and more open-knit 2021, showcasing a brighter, more tenacious profile while sacrificing none of the grace, nuance and textural attention to detail that has come to define Cheval des Andes. It's a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

See all vintages from Cheval des Andes. 


September 17, 2025


Wine Bargain: Envinate Albahra 2024

Wine Bargain: Envinate Albahra 2024

Envinate Albahra 2024 from Envinate - a wine bargain

We’ve been waiting for a fresh shipment of Albahra to reach the Netherlands, as restaurants often buy up the allocations. Now is your chance to secure some before it disappears again.

There’s no doubt we are fans of Envínate, having offered their wines before. It’s important to remember, however, that these bottlings come from very different corners of Spain, each with its own distinctive terroir, even though they share the same producer name.


Albahra - from near Valencia -  Offer below

Lousas from Ribeira Sacra - See offer

Benje Tinto & Taganan from Tenerife - See offer


Envínate Albahra is crafted to capture the vibrancy of Spain’s lesser-known regions, drawing on 25-year-old, head-pruned Garnacha Tintorera vines with a touch of the rare Moravia Agria. Grown in the chalk and clay soils of Almansa and Manchuela, inland from Valencia at 800 metres, it reflects Envínate’s philosophy of transparency, allowing terroir to speak with clarity. Meaning “small sea,” Albahra delivers purity, freshness and authenticity, highlighting the expressive side of Garnacha Tintorera with elegance and energy.

Vinified with native yeasts, concrete fermentation and partial whole-cluster fruit, Albahra is made with minimal intervention to preserve purity and energy. The result is a bright and approachable wine, bursting with juicy red fruit, spice, floral lift and a fine mineral edge. Fresh, balanced and expressive, it is bottled without appellation and pairs beautifully with charcuterie.

While not yet scored, Albahra has shown remarkable consistency, with the last four vintages earning 94–95 points from The Wine Advocate. Our founder Ben has enjoyed this as his go-to house wine for many years, and it never disappoints. Don’t worry about scores for this wine, the 2024 vintage shows juicier fruit than the 2023 while still delivering exceptional quality and outstanding value.

This wine is usually snapped up by restaurants before the scores are released, so we are delighted to offer the 2024 vintage at €15.95 inc VAT per bottle.

This wine offers an exceptional price-to-quality ratio, and with party season around the corner, we recommend adding a few bottles to the collection.

 


Envinate Albahra 2024

Envinate Albahra 2024


€15.95* inc NL VAT per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

2023 Vintage - 94 Points | Wine Advocate

After the Chingao bottling, there is a creamy and spicy whiff in the 2023 Albahra, which makes it feel more mainstream. It's juicy and aromatic and has a medium-bodied palate, contained ripeness, 13% alcohol and good balance, with some fine-grained tannins. Last year, they introduced some white Pardilla grapes in the blend that seem to have given it freshness and a kick in the palate, which is Mediterranean, with good freshness and a balanced mouthfeel. 67,000 bottles and 600 magnums produced. It was bottled in June 2024.

2022 Vintage - 95 Points | Wine Advocate

The 2022 Albahra is from a year of good quality and good quantity, when the blend was slightly different, 62% Garnacha Tintorera, 30% Moravia Agria, 5% Garnacha and 3% Pardillo, because they rented a vineyard where they also have white (Pardillo) grapes (they might produce a white in 2023). 2022 in the Mediterranean zone was a dry year but it was not as warm as in other zones of Spain, and they think it was the best year so far for the Moravia Agria. So, the wines have more freshness and more acidity. Another big change is that 2022 was the first year that was vinified in their new winery in the zone. So, it's a much fresher wine than the 2021, which was a warmer year. 65,000 bottles and 900 magnums produced. It was bottled in June 2023.

2021 Vintage - 94 Points | Wine Advocate

The 2021 Albahra was produced with a blend of 70% Garnacha Tintorera and 30% Moravia Agria, mixing grapes from Almansa and Manchuela. The Garnacha Tintorera fermented with 60% full clusters in open concrete vats, and the Moravia Agria was destemmed and had a short maceration. The Garnacha Tintorera matured in concrete for eight months and the Moravia Agria in used barrels, 228- and 500-liter ones. It has 13% alcohol and good freshness and acidity. Surprisingly enough, 2021 was a warmer year in the zone, and the wine has notes of strawberry confiture; and it has a rounder palate and is juicier, with a velvety mouthfeel. 59,500 bottles and 600 magnums produced. It was bottled in June 2022.

2020 Vintage - 94+ Points | Wine Advocate

2020 was a great vintage in the Mediterranean, and the 2020 Albahra, a blend of 70% Garnacha Tintorera from the zone of Almansa and 30% Moravia Agria from Manchuela, showed better than ever. The two grapes fermented separately with part of full clusters in concrete and with indigenous yeasts. The Garnacha matured in concrete and the Moravia in neutral 228-liter barrels for eight months. It has 13% alcohol and good freshness, a fine thread and round tannins. It's juicy and supple—the harvest was easy with great weather, very different from 2019— and the acidity of the Moravia is more polished. The wine has a bright ruby color and is aromatic and clean, precise and attractive. It's medium-bodied and silky with very round tannins. They compare it with 2017. This is one of the most incredible bargains from Spain. Drink or hold. 59,000 bottles and 750 magnums produced. It was bottled in July 2021.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

See all wines from Envinate. 


September 17, 2025


Love Over Gold Avenue to Gold 2021 - Vinous Top Australian wine of the vintage

Love Over Gold Avenue to Gold 2021 - Vinous Top Australian wine of the vintage

Love Over Gold 2021

A Fine Wine Library Exclusive:

If there is one wine that you buy in September, make it this one.

This looks to be the breakout vintage for Love Over Gold, with the wine topping the Vinous report as the highest scoring and ‘best’ Australian wine of 2021, but with a price tag of €36.50 IB per bottle, it remains one of the finest value propositions in Australian fine wine.


98 Points - Vinous

“Its seamless, satiny texture enhances powerful and energetic flavors that are both youthful and refined. Firm yet fine tannins drive the long, impressive finish. This is absolutely great but needs time to flower."


Love Over Gold is a vineyard project born out of Eden Valley’s rugged beauty on historic goldfields. Founded in 2014, Love Over Gold unites some of the most recognisable figures in Australian wine: Michael Twelftree, owner of Two Hands, Pierre-Henri Morel, its GM, and Tim Hower, also of Two Hands, together with Joel Mattschoss of Thistledown. Based on the historic Barr-Eden Estate, this project reflects a shared passion for wines of place. The 130-acre site lies on Mengler’s Hill, straddling Eden Valley and Barossa Valley, and rises between 465 and 545 metres above sea level.

Winemaking here is guided by provenance and precision, with ancient soils of sandy loam, ironstone and quartz over schist and shale providing remarkable complexity. Hand harvesting, gentle handling and minimal intervention preserve clarity and finesse, while sustainable farming protects the plateau’s biodiversity. Production is intentionally limited, ensuring each bottle reflects its unique site, offering collectors rare expressions of Shiraz and other varieties that balance Barossa richness with Eden Valley refinement.

Love Over Gold’s Avenue to Gold Shiraz is a rare bottling, with only 3,960 bottles produced annually. Aged in concrete to emphasise purity and freshness, it shows lifted aromatics and ripe, expressive fruit. The palate is long and refined, with a lasting mouthfeel and structure to age gracefully for 10–15 years.

 

A breakout high score & still a low price:

 

Love Over Gold has been quietly producing outstanding wines in recent years, and with the superb 2021 Barossa vintage, they have delivered a true breakthrough. The Avenue to Gold 2021 outscores icons such as Hill of Grace, Penfolds Grange and Torbreck RunRig, earning 98 points from Vinous and ranking as the joint highest-scoring Australian wine of the vintage. It also claimed the top spot in a recent Australian wine report, cementing its status as a rising star.

The guys over at Two Hands are old friends of ours, and we were delighted when we called them up requesting an allocation. We’re bringing this exclusively into the Netherlands, and judging by Wine-Searcher listings, there is very little stock in Europe. This could be your only chance to secure the wine.

To celebrate, we are offering a pre-arrival price of €36.50* In Bond per bottle, delivering exceptional value. We are truly excited about this wine and believe it deserves a place in your collection.

love over gold vineyards


Love Over Gold Avenue to Gold Shiraz 2021

Love Over Gold Avenue to Gold Shiraz 2021


€41.50 In Bond per bottle

Pre-arrival special price:

€36.50* In Bond per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

98 Points | Vinous

The 2021 Shiraz Avenue to Gold slowly reveals beautifully composed and even aromas of dark cherry, raspberry, red licorice and touches of dried herbs, all wrapped up in a cocoon of fine French oak. Its seamless, satiny texture enhances powerful and energetic flavors that are both youthful and refined. Firm yet fine tannins drive the long, impressive finish. This is absolutely great but needs time to flower.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

See all wines and vintages of Love Over Gold.


September 17, 2025


Double 100 Pointed Yjar Rioja 2021

Double 100 Pointed Yjar Rioja 2021

2021 Yjar-  Double 100 Pointed Vintage

100 Points - Jane Anson

“An excellent vintage in Rioja, and the promise of Yjar is delivering a totally knockout wine here. Impossible not to smile when tasting this, so much energy and precision, savoury, mouthwatering redcurrant, cranberry, blueberry fruits, with waves of dried herbs, lavender, and crushed rose petals”

Telmo Rodríguez’s Yjar was the first Spanish wine to be released on the La Place de Bordeaux system, highlighting a significant milestone for Spanish wine in the world of fine wine.

Having learned his craft at Pétrus and Cos d’Estournel, Rodríguez is arguably one of Spain's greatest winemakers. He sparked a renaissance by making wines that showcase Rioja’s distinctive terroir, rather than masking the grape’s qualities with layers of American oak.

Yjar is crafted from a single 3.8-hectare vineyard located in the limestone-rich foothills of Rioja Alavesa. Yjar’s vineyard history stretches back to the 1400s, situated at 600-800 meters above sea level on the foothills of Sierra de Toloño. Originally maintained by Hieronymite monks, the estate later fell into the hands of the Divisia de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles de Toloño, who managed it for five centuries. After being abandoned following a fire in the 1800s, the property lay dormant until the 1960s, when a Basque family began its restoration. Telmo Rodríguez acquired the 3.8-hectare estate about a decade ago, marking the beginning of Yjar’s exciting new chapter. This specific plot benefits from the region's unique terroir, with its well-drained, mineral-laden soils contributing to the wine’s distinctive character. 

Telmo Rodriguez’s YJAR 2021 is a landmark Rioja, earning perfect 100-point scores from leading critics. The wine bursts with energy and precision, showing redcurrant, cranberry and blueberry alongside notes of herbs, violets and crushed rose petals. Fermented with native yeasts in wooden vats and aged 30 months in foudres and barrels, it balances finesse, depth and vibrancy. Stylish, polished and beautifully persistent, YJAR 2021 captures Rioja’s heritage with a truly modern elegance.

Released this morning, we are offering an introductory special price of €99 In Bond per bottle. Both single bottles and cases of 3x75cl are available to order now on our website.

With only a small amount of the 2021 vintage available, Rioja enthusiasts should seize the opportunity to add these remarkable wines to their collection before they’re gone.

 


Telmo Rodriguez YJAR Rioja 2021

Product Page

100 Points | Jane Anson

An excellent vintage in Rioja, and the promise of Yjar is delivering a totally knockout wine here. Impossible not to smile when tasting this, so much energy and precision, savoury, mouthwatering redcurrant, cranberry, blueberry fruits, with waves of dried herbs, lavender, and crushed rose petals. Juicy, moreish, building in power across the palate. Tasted at the estate and again in Bordeaux. Telmo Rodriguez winemaker of this 3.8ha plot set within his family Remelluri estate in the foothills of the Sierra de Toloño in Rioja Alavesa. Harvest October 14 to 24, fermentation with native yeasts, open top wooden vats.

100 Points | James Suckling

Crushed dark berries are complemented by violets and underbrush with a gentle touch of tobacco. The sophisticated palate shows exceptional definition and polished tannins that are seamlessly integrated into a core of vibrant, restrained fruit. It’s all held together by a linear freshness characteristic of the vintage. This wine has depth, persistence and an incredibly stylish profile. Firm yet with an underlying tenderness. Beautiful now but will continue to evolve. Drink or hold.

98 Points | Wine Advocate, Luis Gutiérrez

The finest Yjar to date has to be the 2021 Yjar. It's super elegant and aromatic and has more finesse than the Gran Vino, subtler, nuanced and insinuating. It's seamless and balanced, very harmonious, with ripeness, concentration and power but very elegant. It fermented in small oak vats and matured in foudres and barrels of different sizes for 30 months. It has a seamless palate with very elegant and fine tannins, the 2021 signature and very good freshness too. 10,500 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2024.

96 Points | Decanter, Georgina Hindle

A fabulous Yjar on the Place this year. Fragrant nose, roses and peony flowers, Chinese five spice, cinnamon and exotic spices. Great clarity and focus, juicy and fleshy with a great mouthfeel. A modern take on Rioja but so well defined and delineated. Lovely poised structure, definitely powerful but funnelled into a long finish. Beautiful in all the senses - calm, collected, detailed, easy to drink with plenty of interest and power. I love it. Telmo Rodriguez winemaker.

 

See all available vintages of Yjar.


August 22, 2025


South African wine lovers don't miss this offer - Damascene Syrah

South African wine lovers don't miss this offer - Damascene Syrah

2022 Syrahs from Damascene Syrah

It seems like Damascene burst onto the South African wine scene out of nowhere, and winemaker Jean Smit is doing everything right. Top quality terroir-driven wines that are, for now, very affordable. We advise South African wine fans to really take note of this offer and get ahead of the curve.

Damascene has quickly become one of South Africa’s most exciting modern wineries, celebrated for its precision, elegance, and terroir-driven wines. Founded in 2017 by winemaker Jean Smit and businessman David Curl, Damascene focuses on cool-climate Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and site-expressive Chenin Blanc from top Cape vineyards. With minimal intervention and a focus on purity, the wines capture energy, texture, and a vivid sense of place. In a short time, Damascene has earned international acclaim and a devoted following.

Jean Smit’s winemaking journey spans some of the world’s most renowned estates. He trained under Andy Smith at DuMOL in California, refined his craft with Stéphane Ogier in Côte Rôtie, returned to California at Larkmead, and back in South Africa, he gained invaluable experience at Rustenberg before leading the winemaking team at Boekenhoutskloof for nearly ten years.

In his 2023 South Africa report, Tim Atkin elevated Damascene to his coveted ‘First Growth’ category, placing the estate alongside the Cape’s elite names, including Porseleinberg and Sadie Family. This is especially impressive as winemaker Jean Smit is considered to be one generation after Eben Sadie.

At their Elgin winery, Jean Smit employs a meticulous yet thoughtful approach. Fermentations are natural, whole-cluster fruit is often used, and élevage takes place in large 2,000-liter Austrian oak foudres and striking conical concrete tulip vats. These vessels, with their gentle infusion and minimal racking, enhance purity and texture while preserving lower sulphur levels. Final blends rest in concrete to harmonise before bottling. The philosophy is clear: protect vineyard identity, balance ripeness with freshness, and allow each site’s voice to shine.

When we tasted a vertical of Porseleinberg, one of the striking developments was the greater purity from 2018 onwards, when the estate adopted a submerged cap technique inspired by Jamet. Damascene employs the same method, favouring this gentle infusion style of maceration to enhance finesse and preserve vineyard character.

Today we have a trio of Syrah’s all from different terroirs, to present from the highly esteemed 2022 vintage. Both Tim Atkin MW and Neal Martin score the wines very highly, with scores up to 98 points. Stylistically, these wines are compared to Syrahs from Côte-Rôtie but with a price tag that’s a fraction of their Rhone counterparts at €41.50* inc VAT per bottle.

Damascene is sure to be a future icon in the making, so get in on allocations whilst they are available and reasonably priced!

“Damascene is a protagonist in South Africa's New Wave. The estate was founded in 2017 by winemaker Jean Smit and entrepreneur David Curl and is based in Elgin. It sources fruit from various sites in Stellenbosch, the Swartland, Cederberg and Franschhoek. The Syrahs and the Chenin Blancs are of special interest. Jean Smit runs a tight ship in a state-of-the art winery. He employs natural fermentation, whole-cluster fruit and aging in large oak foudre and concrete vats. The goal is to preserve varietal character and the identity of each vineyard site. These are extremely exciting wines. Watch this space.” - Wine Advocate, Monica Larner

 


Damascene Swartland Syrah 2022

damascene swartland syrah

 

€41.50* inc NL VAT per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

98 Points | Tim Atkin MW

A majestic follow up to the 2021 release, this world class Syrah combines components from the shale soils of Riebeeksrivier and 25% from the granite of Jakkalsfontein. Hauntingly aromatic, it's a red with remarkable energy and vibrancy, flavours of fig, cooked meat, hot stones and tapenade, lots of underlying grip and the faintest whisper of oak. 2025-38

96 Points | Vinous, Neal Martin

The 2022 Syrah from Swartland comes from mostly shale and schist soils, 25% on granite soils, using 75% whole cluster fruit (the shale using submerged cap during fermentation). Aged in 2,000-liter Austrian oak, this leans more towards red berries, with touches of flint and white pepper with a hint of garrigues coming through with aeration. The medium-bodied palate has finely sculpted tannins. There’s a lovely symmetry and focus here, a gentle but insistent grip with the whole bunches imparting irresistible peppery notes towards the finish. Superb.

 
Damascene Stellenbosch Syrah 2022

damascene stellenbosch syrah


€41.50* inc NL VAT per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

“If South Africa has a Grand Cru Syrah site, it is arguably Karibib, the main source of this superb red from Jean Smit”, wrote Tim Aktin on the 2021 vintage

 

97 Points | Tim Atkin MW

“Syrah is in my blood," says Jean Smit, and it shows. This is one of a trio of brilliant examples of the variety, combining grapes from the Polkadraai Hills with 20% from Bottelary. Bloody, intense, brooding and almost indecently aromatic, it's a tribute to the great reds of the northern Rhône, with plenty of granitic grip, tapenade, liquorice and blackberry flavours and the structure and focus to age beautifully in bottle. 2027-40

95 Ponts | Vinous, Neal Martin

The 2022 Syrah from Karabib is 75% whole clusters matured for 11 months in 2,000-liter Austrian oak. This elegant nose of incense and pressed violets infuses the vivacious melange of black and blue fruit. The medium-bodied palate has fine structure, slightly chalky in texture, with real backbone and density, yet the elegance floods through on the black pepper and clove-infused finish. Very persistent in the mouth. Tuck bottles away for several years as this is a serious Syrah sculpted by its cooler microclimate.

 
Damascene Ceres Plateau Syrah 2022

Damascene Ceres Plateau Syrah 2022


€41.50* inc NL VAT per bottle

Add to Cellar - BUY

95 Points | Tim Atkin MW

The Ceres Plateau already has a bit of form as a high-altitude Syrah region and this first release from Jean Smit will only add to that. Made with the submerged cap technique to keep the tannins soft, this is a racy, focused, fynbos and rose petal-scented red with Asian spice and red berry fruit, plenty of acidity and a tangy mineral core. 2026-35

94+ Points | Vinous, Neal Martin

The 2022 Syrah from Bokkeveld Shales utilizes 60% whole cluster fruit matured for 11 months in 2,000-liter Austrian oak. This has a more fruit-intense bouquet, perhaps partly from using submerged cap during fermentation. There’s blueberry and blackberry fruit, just a hint of iodine and garrigue surfacing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins, a slightly powdery texture, and a touch of flintiness emerging towards the finish. Very pure in style, gaining volume with aeration. I foresee this cuvée closing down for 2-3 years before exiting the other side. Great potential, but one for the patient.

*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.

 

View all wines and vintages of Damascene