Recent Reviews

	Kooyong Clonale Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay 2017 Pale-medium gold. Dominated by toasty-nutty reduction on the nose. Creamy, yellow stone-fruit palate with decent freshness and a spicy finish. - Tim Jackson ( JancisRobinson.com 17th Apr 2019 )	£19.00
	Corse-Calvi Rouge Cuvée Fiumeseccu, Domaine Alzipratu 2017 Berry-licious. Intriguing as sipping a herb garden while stuffing blackberries in your face … a corker with lamb – I’ve already ordered it. - Olly Smith ( The Mail on Sunday 14th Apr 2019 )	£14.95
	Felton Road Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 From one of the top producers in the stunning Central Otago region, which specialises in pinot noir, this red has floral aromas with red cherries and plums. Its delivate sappy green edge leads to flavours of cherries. - Jamie Goode ( Sunday Express 14th Apr 2019 )	£35.00
	La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva, Rioja 2009 Rioja is a region with a reputation for sticking to traditions. In the popular imagination it is a place where the oak barrel rules. It’s dusty old bodegas stuffed to the gunnels with row after row of barricas, stacked like honeycomb, and filled with wines that taste of coconut and vanilla. This is the classic flavour imparted by years of ageing in American, as opposed to French, oak. In the wrong hands, this can lead to rather tired and joyless red wines – all mouth-drying oak and no fruit. But there are wineries, such as the consistently superb La Rioja Alta, where the mix of well-tended fruit and long, carefully monitored oak- and bottle-ageing makes for the uniquely savoury, leathery flavours and silky, soft texture found in wines such as Ardanza. - David Williams ( The Observer 14th Apr 2019 )	£22.00
	Château Bel Air Perponcher Réserve, Bordeaux Rosé 2017 Herbaceous and savoury, with notes of quince and orange, this spicy blend would air beautifully with poached salmon for your Good Friday supper. - Sharon Waters ( Shropshire Star 13th Apr 2019 )	£9.50
	The Society's Exhibition Chablis Premier Cru Montmains 2016 This is a fabulous example of an unoaked lees-aged chardonnat with flinty core, zesty fruits and racy acidity. - Rose Murray Brown ( The Scotsman 13th Apr 2019 )	£20.00
	Domaine Cordier, Viré-Clessé Vieilles Vignes 2016 From one of my favourite Mâconnais producers in an appellation which deserves to be better known. Cordier picks late from 40-year-old vines from Viré village, between Tournus and Mâcon. Rich tropical fruit notes, but with tight appley fruit core. - Rose Murray Brown ( The Scotsman 13th Apr 2019 )	£17.00
	Domaine Gonon, Mâcon La Roche Vineuse 2017 ... sumptuously smooth, opulent and vibrantly aromatic … Exotic fruit and floral aromas dominate the bouquet and lead to a rich palate with pronounced white peach and apricot flavours before a hint of almonds enhances its lingering finish. A real special occasion wine which will go wonderfully well with roast chicken or pork and is well worth ordering in for Easter. - Raymond Gleug ( Belfast Newsletter 13th Apr 2019 )	£9.95
	The Society's White Burgundy 2017 Star buy: Tasted alongside supermarket own label white Burgundy at a similar price, The Wine Society's own label shone out as the clear winner. This unoaked Macon was also considered most typical in this price range with its great balance of ripe forward fruits and crisp racy acidity. - Rose Murray Brown ( The Scotsman 13th Apr 2019 )	£9.95
	Finca Lallana Verdejo 2018 … a bargain … Christopher Fielden ( Church Times 12th Apr 2019 )	£8.75
	Champagne Pol Roger Brut Réserve NV Light nose but nicely balanced and bright, appley fruit palate. Just a tad simple. - Jancis Robinson ( JancisRobinson.com 12th Apr 2019 )	£43.00
	Champagne Bollinger La Grande Année 2007 Mid gold, with a fine bead. Buttered brioche, mellow lees, with stone fruit and bruised apple. Great palate finesse with very subtle mousse, nice balance, and old-cream and brioche complexity. Long, with a vinous finish. Ready now and likely to drink relatively early. - Tim Jackson ( JancisRobinson.com 12th Apr 2019 )	£72.00
	Champagne Marguet Shaman Rosé 15 Grand Cru Extra Brut NV Deep, wild-salmon pink. Earthy, bold, uncompromising champagne that comes pretty close to red wine on the spectrum. The Wine Society's web page says 'no oak influence' but I'd have sworn there is oak-printed spiciness in this wine. Very vinous champagne, yet a little wild, and definitely with an oxidative edge. Full-bodied and with nerves of steel. A grand cru burgundy drinker's kind of champagne. I'd drink this with rare steak, duck or lamb, or with a smoky aubergine dish. Think Middle Eastern if you're going vegetarian. - Tamsin Currin ( JancisRobinson.com 12th Apr 2019 )	£32.00
	Champagne Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 2008 Real depth to the nose now. And to the palate. Firm and burly with a bit of chew still. Good density but arguably a slight lack of charm when I think of the Dom Pérignon 2008. Tight-knit and not yet fully unfurled. - Jancis Robinson ( JancisRobinson.com 12th Apr 2019 )	£169.00
	Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut NV Pale-medium gold with a burnished tint. Oxidative apple rind, some almond and bready lees, and black-cherry tones. Fairly fine mousse, with a vinosity and suppleness. Rich stone fruit and apple. Good length. - Tim Jackson ( JancisRobinson.com 12th Apr 2019 )	£47.00
	Château Batailley, Pauillac 2009 If you want to splash out on a red to line up for Easter, let me suggest [this] which is pretty well perfection already but will go on for years. - Joanna Simon ( joannasimon.com 10th Apr 2019 )	£50.00
	Domaine Laborie, Pays d'Oc 2018 If you want a conspicuous bargain ... this juicy, ripe, unoaked blend of grenache, carignan and syrah from Languedoc is delicious. With its gently spicy, briary black fruit and hint of aromatic garrigue herbs, it's as good as red wine gets at the price – in fact better than most at £8. It's not a blockbuster, but is a good candidate for a barbecue with chops, sausages and chargrilled veg; and the tannin is negligible, so you could also drink it with fish spiked with herbs, spice or a pinch of chilli flakes, with octopus and olives, or charcuterie, pizza, a cheesy onion tart or Mediterranean meze. - Joanna Simon ( joannasimon.com 10th Apr 2019 )	£6.25
	Château de Meursault Clos des Grands Charrons 2015 Monopole. Light and fresh. Clean and does the business though I'm missing a really savoury undertow. - Jancis Robinson ( JancisRobinson.com 9th Apr 2019 )	£45.00
	The Society's French Syrah 2016 Fruitin' tootin' - ludicrous value for delightful deep fruit with a powerful peppery finish - order a dozen. - Olly Smith ( The Mail on Sunday 7th Apr 2019 )	£7.95
	The Society's Exhibition Fleurie 2017 Peardrop and raspberry aromas, light fruit on palate with soft and silky texture made by negociant Les Vins Aujoux. - Rose Murray Brown ( The Scotsman 6th Apr 2019 )	£10.50
	Clos de la Roilette, Fleurie Cuvée Tardive 2017 Cuvée Tardive is a serious robust Fleurie from 60-year-old vines grown on limestone. Loved its smoky notes and juicy red fruits, but it should improve with age. - Rose Murray Brown ( The Scotsman 6th Apr 2019 )	£13.95
	Pouilly-Fumé, Domaine Seguin 2017 … eminently suitable for shellfish and dinner parties, but the sauvignon blanc grapes give a good bit more verve and flintiness, coupled with some grapefruit and a hint of tropical fruits. - Terry Kirby ( The Independent 6th Apr 2019 )	£14.50
	Aglianico del Vulture Alvolo, Alovini 2015 … an absolute delight if you like your reds with juicy fruit and lots of body. - Colin Burbidge ( Lancashire Evening Post 5th Apr 2019 )	£16.00
	Faugères Rosé Les Amandiers, Château de la Liquière 2017 … a more full-bodied rosé with spice … ( Woman & Home 5th Apr 2019 )	£10.95
	Momo Vendimia Seleccionada, Ribera del Duero 2015 Received wisdom in wine circles has often been that bog-standard, otherwise known as affordable, Ribera Del Duero is to be avoided as it's only the expensive stuff that trult represents the region. It's true that wines made by Vega Sicilia, Pingus, Pesquera are some of Spain's finest but there are lesser known producers who are able to exploit certain pockets of the barren Ribera plateau to great effect. Bohórquez is one of them and this wine, made from grapes that don't quite make the grade for its main flagship wine is brilliant value. Its nose exhibitios the lifted fruits scents of a fine wine with intense blackberry and spiced plums. The mineral-style clove-like dryness evedent in the aromas continues into the palate which is sumptuous with a slight liquorice grip which pulls the wine tautly into shape. - Andy Cronshaw ( Manchester Evening News 5th Apr 2019 )	£12.95
	Zibibbo Sicilia, Ottoventi 2017 Perhaps the most charmingly named grape of all, zibibbo is the Arabic name for muscat. A wine to drink as an aperitivo on a warm spring evening: fragrant, aromatic and lush. - Fiona Beckett ( Decanter 3rd Apr 2019 )	£10.95
	Soave Classico Calvarino, Pieropan 2016 This organic single-vineyard expression is in another league compared to Pieropan's reliable entry-level Soave, with a lovely richness, texture and mouthwatering, almost tropical fruit. Think lobster ravioli. - Fiona Beckett ( Decanter 3rd Apr 2019 )	£18.00
	Nebbiolo d'Alba, Manfredi 2016 A light nose of earth, semi-ripe strawberries and red and green fruit. A juicy, gluggable, easy-drinking style. Lacks the intensity and aromatic purity of the best nebbiolo, but at this price it's still quite and achievement. - Susan Hulme ( Decanter 3rd Apr 2019 )	£9.95
	The Society's Saumur Rosé Brut NV … dry, delicate and has delicious floral and strawberry aromas and flavours. Mainly from cabernet franc grapes, it makes the perfect aperitif for Sunday lunch. Brilliant at £11.50. - Richard Esling ( Chichester Observer 1st Apr 2019 )	£11.50
	The Society's Exhibition Pouilly-Fuissé 2016 A chardonnay from the most Southerly Burgundian wine region. Pouilly Fuissé makes some of the most opulent chardonnay from Burgundy and this 2016 example is very good indeed. Fermented in oak and then a further 12 months in an oak barrel, it harmoniously marries the freshness of fruit with the flavours acquired by top quality oak. - Rob Price ( Birmingham Living 1st Apr 2019 )	£22.00
	Navajas Blanco Crianza, Rioja 2015 Another superb wine from The Wine Society. Aged for six months plus in an American oak barrel, it provides a rich mouth-filling wine with flavours of pear and almond, followed by spice and vanilla … excellent value for a wine that delivers so much. - Rob Price ( Birmingham Living 1st Apr 2019 )	£8.75
	Kadarka, Maurer 2017 Light orangey red. Sour cherry aroma, tangy sweet and sour cherry on the palate too. Soft but sufficient tannins, plenty of acidity and juicy and easy. Lots of easy pleasure. - Julia Harding ( JancisRobinson.com 1st Apr 2019 )	£14.50
	Three Choirs Silver Jubilee Gloucestershire 2017 Star quality at a down to earth price. Scintillating and exotic, this high-impact beauty is hard to beat. - Olly Smith ( The Mail on Sunday 31st Mar 2019 )	£8.50
	Vecchio Moro Lambrusco Grasparossa Rinaldini Red fizz? Have I gone off my rocker? On the contrary; I’m ordering a case of this stuff to get my summer started. Think of it as a chilled glass of blackcurrant sorbet and all will be right with the world. It’s wild, wonderful and thrilling. Serve as a pre-pudding palate cleanser. - Olly Smith ( The Mail on Sunday 31st Mar 2019 )	£11.50
	Parcelas Ecológico Monastrell, Yecla 2017 Star value: For those who like gutsy juicy deep coloured reds with sweet ripe fruits, forest fruit flavours, spicy depth and smooth finish. Exceptionally good value and organically made (ecologico means organic). This warming red was a big hit at our recent Spanish tasting – at its best served with a spicy paella, salchichon, chorizo or mild curry. - Rose Murray Brown ( The Scotsman 30th Mar 2019 )	£7.50
	Château Bel Air Perponcher Réserve, Bordeaux Blanc 2017 I've recommended this citrussy, fragrant white before but it really is a perfect spring wine for fish dishes. There's a dash of spice coming in as the palate opens out into rounded quince before a crisp finish. - Andy Cronshaw ( Manchester Evening News 29th Mar 2019 )	£9.95
	Weinert Carrascal Corte Clasico Mendoza 2013 … a belter, a blend of malbec and Bordeaux grapes that has a whiff of stables an d maturing claret, but with more fruity might. - Victoria Moore ( bbcgoodfood.com 28th Mar 2019 )	£9.50
	Australia Felix Swan Hill Victoria Shiraz-Sagrantino 2017 Superbly combines shiraz with the Umbrian sagrantino grape to give a medium-bodied bright, spicy, fruity, cherryish red. Gorgeous. - Victoria Moore ( bbcgoodfood.com 28th Mar 2019 )	£8.95
	Côtes-du-Rhône, Château Courac 2015 … has more fruit and mass [than 'savoury Rhône blend' Grignan les Adhémar, Delas 2017] - Victoria Moore ( bbcgoodfood.com 28th Mar 2019 )	£8.75
	Grignan les Adhemar, Delas 2017 … a savoury Rhône blend in a bottle that looks good on the table. - Victoria Moore ( bbcgoodfood.com 28th Mar 2019 )	£8.25
	Côtes-du-Rhône Rive Droite, Rive Gauche 2017 … bright, juicy, clean and fruity (think mulberries). - Victoria Moore ( BBC Good Food Magazine 28th Mar 2019 )	£7.75
	The Society's Southern Spanish Red, Jumilla 2017 … does very well at the price, though it’s a bit wine-gummy if you mind that sort of thing. - Victoria Moore ( bbcgoodfood.com 28th Mar 2019 )	£5.75
	The Society's Rioja Crianza 2015 … a tidy Rioja with a traditional feel. - Victoria Moore ( bbcgoodfood.com 28th Mar 2019 )	£7.95
	Áldás Egri Bikaver, St Andrea 2016 Cedar and bay bring balance to the smooth sweetness of dark cherry in this lightly oaked blend. ( Foodism 27th Mar 2019 )	£11.95
	Szekszárd Kadarka, Heimann 2017 Point any pinot noir fan in the direction of this floral medium-bodied kadarka and they'll be more than happy, we promise. ( Foodism 27th Mar 2019 )	£10.95
	Villány Kekfrankos, Gere 2016 Spice and leather ride with notes of black olive and dark fruits in this full-bodied kekfrankosfrom the south of Hungary. ( Foodism 27th Mar 2019 )	£10.95
	Domaine Gonon, Mâcon La Roche Vineuse 2017 ... a white Burgundy. Wines don't get much more classical than this: Chardonnay from one of Europe's most revered and venerable regions. Nothing to surprise you, right? Well, I was surprised by [this] for a couple of reasons. Firstly, by the delicacy and freshness this super, red apple and pear-driven wine offered and, secondly, by the modernity of it. Not for them oak and oxidation; no, this is as fresh as a dew-soaked spring flower and about as lovely. - Giles Luckett ( Lynn News 26th Mar 2019 )	£9.95
	Al-Ria Tinto, Algarve 2017 This was a joy. Ripe, succulent and packed with damsons, currants and touches of black spiced figs, it had weight with balance and offers an awful lot of wine for the money. - Giles Luckett ( Lynn News 26th Mar 2019 )	£7.95
	Jean-Pierre Moueix Bordeaux 2015 The Wine Society really is fantastic for Bordeaux at all price points. This merlot-heavy little number has a fleshiness and a hedonism about it that reminded me a little of something fancy from Pomerol. - Henry Jeffreys ( The Spectator 26th Mar 2019 )	£9.50
	The Society's Côtes de Bordeaux 2015 Affordable claret is better than ever ... From a great vintage and made by Château de Pitray, this is the very definition of refreshing lunch time claret. I love the combination of ripe raspberry fruit with a nice tannic bite to it that comes into its own with red meat. - Henry Jeffreys ( The Spectator 26th Mar 2019 )	£8.95