Recent Reviews

	Peter Lehmann 8 Songs Barossa Shiraz 2014 "Classic Barossa Shiraz. Plenty of dark fruit, pepper. Gutsy heart-warming cold weather wine" Mr David Walker ( 12-Dec-2018 )	£23.00
	Liscio Hand-Blown Fine Wine Glass "Who would have thought a wine glass could make such a difference? Over the years I have been seduced by Reidel glasses and anxious over having the right glass for the right wine. No longer! These glass are way more robust than you would expect for something so fine and delightful to drink from across varietals. I have some myself and bought some for a connoisseur relative - who also raves about them. The only down side I can see is that I actually end up drinking more from them - as it is such a lovely experience - you feel closer to the wine and by default the bottom of the bottle! Highly recommend." Miss Leanne Banks ( 12-Dec-2018 )	£22.50
	The Society's Falanghina 2016 "I am quite surprised by the low average rating for this wine. I was also surprised by how much I liked this wine. It is very easy to drink, but unlike some 'easy to drink' wines this has a lot of depth and flavour. It is one that I would be happy to order again." Mr Michael Mahoney ( 12-Dec-2018 )	£8.75
	Marcillac ‘Lo Sang del Pais', Domaine du Cros 2016 "I like this one very much. It has that light, dry mouthfeel that goes extremely well with delicately-flavoured meat dishes, like barbecued lamb chops, or grilled pork steaks, and it's a delicious, fresh drink with just a hint of almost-ripe plums or nectarines. In fact it's not dissimilar to light, young Brouilly, or Irancy, that most exquisite yet fragile of Burgundies. (I wish more producers would make this kind of subtle, graceful wine, rather than trying to punch you in the gut with fruit.) I nearly always keep a few bottles of this around. It's unusual and versatile and very good value for money. And my wife - not generally a red wine drinker - loves it!" Mr Charl Engela ( 12-Dec-2018 )	£8.95
	Quartet Anderson Valley Brut, Roederer Estates NV "A well-made sparkling wine; firm, dry, full-flavoured with some refreshing acidity. It needs time to open up and is best not to serve it too cold. A safe bet - if a little unexciting - but reasonable value at £24." Mr Geoffrey Bolton ( 12-Dec-2018 )	£24.00
	Oestrich Riesling 'vom Löss' August Eser 2017 "Elegant and refreshing before a meal, superb. If I remember correctly, uplifting as "Oestricher Lenchen" drunk over 50 years ago after a day in Wiesbaden's state archives." Dr Nicholas M Hope ( 12-Dec-2018 )	£12.50
	Saint-Chinian, Domaine Raynier 2017 ""Well structured, dry and stood up well with a gammon joint and cheese that followed. With hindsight I should have opened in advance and maybe decanted. A little left till day two held up well. Have just added a couple of bottles to my next mixed case. Tempted to keep a bottle or six to see if drink by 2019 is too pessimistic. Stars relative to price not absolute." Mr Trefor Rosser-James ( 11-Dec-2018 )	£6.50
	Momo Vendimia Seleccionada, Ribera del Duero 2015 "My family is Spanish and introduced us to Ribera about 4-5 years ago. I've not had a bad one and this is no exception. Smooth to drink, with a great aroma we would highly recommend it! " Mr Michael Barcia ( 11-Dec-2018 )	£11.50
	Navajas Crianza Rioja 2015 "Gave this wine (as part of a tasting) to friends and family and it came out top. Have purchased a further 6 bottles and this will now be our Christmas Day Red. Can’t wait! " Mr Jon Ruch ( 11-Dec-2018 )	£8.95
	88 Growers Shiraz 2015 "This is an outstanding wine at this price - easily the equivalent of some much more expensive Shiraz's.Perfect balance of medium-dry taste, smooth, full bodied, good flavour. Quite excellent." Dr Martin W Johnson ( 11-Dec-2018 )	£6.95
	Wakefield Promised Land Shiraz 2017 "We had the 2016 version last year, and my memory is that was bit drier to taste. this is slightly sweeter than ideal for a Shiraz in my book, but a very pleasant wine. Smooth and good flavour. Fair value at the price." Dr Martin W Johnson ( 11-Dec-2018 )	£7.95
	The Society's Rioja Crianza 2015 "This is a very dependable wine, smooth and full-bodied. Very good value, and a winter evening favourite here. Cannot understand the other review that's been posted - it is certainly better than equivalent-priced Spanish wines from our local supermarkets..." Dr Martin W Johnson ( 11-Dec-2018 )	£7.75
	Orvieto Classico Amabile, Barberani 2017 "I agree with the first reviewer. This wine is distinctly sweet, not unpleasant if you like sweet wine. May be OK for a pudding wine, but no good for an aperitif. I will not be purchasing again." Mr Kevan Horne ( 11-Dec-2018 )	£7.95
	Les Pierres Bordes Marsanne-Viognier 2017 "This has become my favourite white by a big margin. I hope stocks are high! At this price it will be hard to find a decent replacement. Not sure, as others have said, why this does not hit the spot for some reviewers. Well we can't all like the same things in life." Mr John Thistlethwaite ( 11-Dec-2018 )	£6.25
	Pepp Blauer Zweigelt, Weinviertel 2017 "A fun, interesting, vivacious Austrian red, that in some mysterious way seems reminiscent of a white? Hits quick with a fresh cherry drop fruitiness and a slight fizz (that'll be the 'pep') before other flavours arrive: licorice, and a heavy dose of mint, and some curious white-ish dry tannins. My wife found it a bit vinegary, and I can't deny that it does have a bit of that about it, but it was to my taste. Would be good with salads, light foods, fruit or certain cheeses." Mr Patrick Vickers ( 10-Dec-2018 )	£7.95
	Magnum of The Society's Exhibition Rioja Reserva 2011 "I have just tried the Society's own new White Rioja which is fab and would give it 4.5 out of 5. Astonishingly good value for the delightful texture and taste. Excellent with a seafood starter (smoked salmon/prawns). " Mr Michael N Laing ( 10-Dec-2018 )	£30.00
	Viña Santico Chardonnay 2017 "Fruit to the fore; citrus aromas, with ripe peach and pear flavours. Went well with steamed fillet of sea bass. Good value" Mr Peter Clayton ( 10-Dec-2018 )	£5.75
	Marcillac Vieilles Vignes, Domaine du Cros 2015 "Didn't like. " Mr John Winter ( 10-Dec-2018 )	£11.50
	Côtes-du-Rhône, Château Saint-Jean 2016 " Decant it, leave it a while. And you’ll see why this is excellent value for money." Mr Adrian Baskerville ( 10-Dec-2018 )	£8.95
	The Society's Hunter Valley Semillon 2017 "Love it love it love it. I do understand that this isn't the most helpful comment but if you like this style then this is a bargain. Admittedly, we are drinkers that tend to like our wines on the fresher and higher acidity end of things and this one has these characteristics plus a blast of intense citrussy fruit. We're going to try to keep some of this back for a bit as it will undoubtedly develop those richer waxy older semillon notes but it's not going to be easy." Mr Guy Smith ( 10-Dec-2018 )	£8.95
	The Society's Exhibition Crusted Port, Bottled 2008 "This must be a candidate for best value wine that the Society bottles. Still youthful but nicely rounded if decanted open for a day or so before drinking. I would say it has a good life ahead of it. Beats many a vintage port. " Mr Guy Smith ( 10-Dec-2018 )	£14.95
	Crasto Superior, Douro 2015 "Deep red colour with a lovely, slightly smokey, nose. Very full flavour, balanced and is lovely with food." Mr Richard W Taylor ( 10-Dec-2018 )	£14.50
	Koyle Cerro Basalto Cuartel G2 Carmenère 2016 "I thought this was nicely balanced, it feels like a mature wine but without too much tannin so could go with a variety of dishes" Dr Brian Murray ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£16.00
	Saint-Pourçain La Réserve Spéciale 2016 "Correction: Not 6Jun Decanter issue. It is 6th July publication and it is August issue. seems WS still can't get write with Decanter issue and keep confusing people, Please just state the Issue number as in the Magazine and make life easier. As for actual wine: A light and simple wine with no body. It is fine for the price but not a quality wine to be excited about. 88/100 " Mr Marcel Nasiraei ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£7.75
	Abel Mendoza Garnacha Blanca, Rioja 2016 "This is absolutely delicious. I have been a rather blinkered Francophile until recently, but am discovering that Spain has some wonderful old whites. Although this wine is still young, I am intrigued as to how it will taste in 5-10 years." Mr Alan Stuart ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£21.00
	Isola della Fiamma Nero d'Avola 2017 "Perfectly aligns with the WS 3-star guidance: 'A good wine that left you feeling quite pleased with the value, and which you'd be happy to vouch for'. Medium-thin, juicy black fruit, little tannin, medium acidity, easy to like. Recommended as at a great price point and this ticks all the expected boxes. Perfect for a mid-week dinner when a special bottle isn't required. " Mr Martin J Whalley ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£6.50
	Minervois La Livinière Cuvée Cantilène, Château Sainte-Eulalie 2015 "This is stupidly good value for money; definitely a southern french wine with lots of rounded red fruit but it also has an elegance and freshness to it that lifts this way above most wines at this price level. Serve just above cellar temperature and let it breathe for 30 mins in a decanter - you will be rewarded. " Mr Paul Jaines ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£13.50
	Château de Lacarelle, Beaujolais-Villages 2017 "Full, fruity, easy. One bottle is never enough. " Mr Nik Cavill ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£7.75
	Côtes du Vivarais, Grand Aven, Vignerons Ardechois 2015 "Outstanding value for money. Perfumed with strawberry, plum and raspberry with rosemary and a peppery warmth in the background. It maintains youthful acidity with brightness with a depth and length that belies the price point. Tannins are soft and ripe." Mr Duncan Ewart ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£8.95
	The Society's Sicilian Reserve Red 2014 "This is a great value red! A very smooth, full flavoured example of Nero d'Avola." Mr Ray Seneviratne ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£8.25
	Grace Bridge Californian Pinot Noir 2015 "This is a very smooth pinot full of red fruit but too sweet for my taste, making it quite jammy. Shame." Mr Ray Seneviratne ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£12.50
	The Society's Exhibition Pinotage, Stellenbosch 2015 "Ordered six bottles for a dinner party and was very well received. Has a depth of flavour beyond that expected from its price. Great value." Dr Scott Fegan ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£10.50
	The Society’s French Full Red, Vin de France 2017 "Not what it was. This latest incarnation seems to have fallen foul of the WS current obsession with making everything 'fresher, lighter and fruitier'. What had been a very good drop with backbone and character now seems fairly bland and unexciting." Mr Peter Mandeville-Norden ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£6.95
	Pinot Noir, Ostoros 2016 "Not one my finds from the Society. Having enjoyed several Romanian Pinots over the past 4 or 5 years, I was expecting something similar. This is thin, the acidity is ok - just, it has a small amount of varietal character, but no finish worth talking about and the only food that this might match with would be a leaf of lettuce." Mr John Lamond ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£6.75
	The Society's Côtes de Gascogne 2017 "Great introduction to my first case Good, old fashioned French table wine This would not embarrass any party" Mr Steven Foster ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£6.50
	The Society's Sicilian Reserve Red 2014 "Enjoyed this Good solid Sicilian - nice, robust Recommended" Mr Steven Foster ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£8.25
	The Society's Côtes-du-Rhône 2016 "Sorry - underwhelmed" Mr Steven Foster ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£7.75
	The Society’s French Full Red, Vin de France 2017 "Bought this as part of my first case Really impressed Proper french red - like a trip down memory lane!" Mr Steven Foster ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£6.95
	The Society’s Beaujolais-Villages 2017 "Got exactly what we expected from the bottle Recommended" Mr Steven Foster ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£7.95
	Baccolo Appassimento Rosso Veneto 2016 "We all really enjoyed this wine Smooth, very drinkable Will be back for more" Mr Steven Foster ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£6.75
	Half bottle of Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge, Guigal 2015 "Very french but underwhelmed by this Not sure that I'll be back for more" Mr Steven Foster ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£5.50
	Half bottle of The Society's White Burgundy 2016 "Sophisticated alternative to our usual NZ SB Recommended " Mr Steven Foster ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£5.95
	Biferno Rosso Riserva Palladino 2013 "Are you old enough to remember cream soda? Lovely, soft vanilla notes Recommended" Mr Steven Foster ( 09-Dec-2018 )	£7.95
	Rosso di Montalcino, Gianni Brunelli 2016 "Outstanding wine from Montalcino: Sangiovese with spirit and power. Beautiful, restrained fruit on the nose mixed with higher notes of rosemary and mint. Really complex on the palate with a fresh, savoury finish. Don't be fooled by it being the second wine of this famous (and expensive) region - it is a great expression of Sangiovese and, dare I say, much more interesting than many a Chianti at similar prices. For me, I started to really enjoy this wine after it had calmed down for 30 minutes in a decanter. " Mr Adam Alcock ( 08-Dec-2018 )	£18.00
	Casa La Rad Solarce, Rioja 2016 "Fruity, plump and delicious: brambly on the nose and palette. For the price this is a great bet. Good, everyday wine that has enough acidity to pair with cheese, charcuterie etc. Very pleasant indeed." Mr Adam Alcock ( 08-Dec-2018 )	£8.50
	Domaine Mallory et Benjamin Talmard, Mâcon-Villages 2017 "Serviceable - this is an inoffensive wine without any disagreeable features but also without any interesting quirks. Rounded with decent acidity." Mr Adam Alcock ( 08-Dec-2018 )	£9.95
	Salem Wine Co. Oregon Pinot Noir 2015 "Burgundian in style: raspberries, rose petals with a slight sappiness. Nice pepper finish. This is an elegant and delicious wine that can pair with a range of food," Mr Adam Alcock ( 08-Dec-2018 )	£19.50
	Coteaux d'Aix en Provence, La Source, Chateau Vignelaure 2017 "Delicious. Vermentino at its best. Refreshing and appetising. Went very well with smoked mackerel pate one day, and steamed halibut with stir fry veg the next. " Mr Mark Colman ( 08-Dec-2018 )	£11.50
	Al-Ria Tinto, Algarve 2016 "A strange one. The first sip was really nice. But gradually the oak and tannin became overbearing and a little unpleasant. I tried leaving it overnight, but by that point the acid had built up. Maybe it's getting a bit long in the tooth; but I definitely can't concur with the rave reviews." Mr Richard Hadfield ( 08-Dec-2018 )	£7.95
	Minervois La Livinière Cuvée Cantilène, Château Sainte-Eulalie 2015 "I like this, fruit and something fuelish on the nose, to taste bramble or blueberry, touch of oak, pepper and a herb of some description. Tannins are very evident leaving a dry finish in the mouth. Drinking window to 2025 so considering putting a few away." Mr Gordon Allan ( 08-Dec-2018 )	£13.50