Recent Reviews

	Domäne Wachau Federspiel Grüner Veltliner 2018 Austria's Gru-Vee is very much a rising white wine star and this particular example is one of The Wine Society's most popular versions. No wonder really because it offers appreciably more depth that many similarly priced rivals and embellishes that texture with greengage and green apple fruit, vibrant lime acidity and a hint of spice. In short, it is much easier on the tongue that its frighteningly complex name. - Brian Elliott ( Daily Record 8th Jun 2019 )	£9.95
	Dogliani, Luigi Einaudi 2017 50 best wines for the summer: Dolcetto is a summer classic and this one is an absolute beauty – smooth and compact, but also lusciously fruity, all black cherries and damsons and bitter almonds. Great with salami and particularly suits sage – on mushrooms, meat or rice – and rosemary. - Victoria Moore ( The Daily Telegraph 8th Jun 2019 )	£11.50
	The Society's Falanghina 2017 50 best wines for the summer: Falanghina makes a brilliant fridge-door white. It is quite fruity, but also edgy with a mandarin-like, fruity tang, a scent of citrus blossom and a slight salinity. Fantastic with chicken or white fish flavoured with citrus and herbs. - Victoria Moore ( The Daily Telegraph 8th Jun 2019 )	£8.75
	Alpha Zeta Rosato Veronese 2018 Italian rosatos have a bitter nip that makes them a whizz with garlicky alfresco spreads, so snap up this zesty, fruit first, pomegranate-scented 2018. - Jane MacQuitty ( The Times 8th Jun 2019 )	£6.50
	Domaine Laborie, Pays d'Oc 2018 50 best wines for the summer: An easy-going, soft, broad, fruity red from the south of France, this is made from grenache, carignan and syrah and it tastes of stewed blackberries and ripe-to-the-point-of-mushiness figs. - Victoria Moore ( The Daily Telegraph 8th Jun 2019 )	£6.25
	Côtes de Provence Rosé, Château de Galoupet Cru Classé 2018 Château du Galoupet rosé is superb – and (for now) still somewhat under the radar. I much prefer its subtle sandalwood and wild strawberry flavours to the Whispering Angel that the fashionistas got stuck on for so long. - Victoria Moore ( The Daily Telegraph 8th Jun 2019 )	£13.50
	Pouilly-Fumé, Domaine de Riaux 2017 Incredibly delicious … Everything you want from a Loire sauvignon blanc: fresh, crisp, citrussy, summery. The perfect wine for fresh crab. - Fiona Beckett ( The Guardian 8th Jun 2019 )	£15.50
	Cheverny, Domaine du Salvard 2018 … could easily pass for Sancerre, despite its modest £9.50 price tag. - Fiona Beckett ( The Guardian 8th Jun 2019 )	£9.50
	Chinon Temps des Cerises, Domaine de la Noblaie 2018 … glorious, cherry-scented … which you can temptingly also buy by the half-bottle for £6.25. - Fiona Beckett ( The Guardian 8th Jun 2019 )	£10.95
	Half bottle of Chinon ‘Le Temps des Cerises', Domaine de la Noblaie 2018 … glorious, cherry-scented … Fiona Beckett ( The Guardian 8th Jun 2019 )	£6.25
	The Society's Exhibition New Zealand Chardonnay 2017 50 best wines for the summer: Kumeu River is a wine producer based close to Auckland where it makes extremely smart chardonnay – restrained, gently oaked and with bolts of yellow citrus playing through the smell of struck match. It’s also responsible for this excellent Society own-label. - Victoria Moore ( The Daily Telegraph 8th Jun 2019 )	£14.95
	The Society's Vinho Verde 2018 This great value vinho verde from a large co-operative based on the Spanish-Portuguese border has all the ingredients to refresh you on your picnic. Light lime and apple fruits, slightly sour hints, crisp dry palate with a slight spritz giving it a lively petillant feel - and a screwcap for easy access. - Rose Murray Brown ( The Scotsman 8th Jun 2019 )	£6.75
	Fefiñanes Albariño, Rías Baixas 2018 Star buy: By far the best albariño I have tasted so far in the 2018 vintage, from one of Ria Baixas' most historic bodegas. Appley, blossomy nose with a soft texture and underlying dry minerally palate with a refreshing lemony twist. - Rose Murray Brown ( The Scotsman 8th Jun 2019 )	£16.50
	Lemelson Thea's Selection Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015 Elegant and complex, this lovely wine has a nose of redcurrant, raspberry and spice, with some forest berry notes developing on the palate alongside fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. A really good example of what Oregon pinot noir can achieve. - David Clay ( Rotherham Advertiser 5th Jun 2019 )	£21.00
	Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Riesling 2017 One of the largest producers of Riesling in the world, Ste Michelle, makes a wide range of styles. This is off-dry with a fruity, peach and citrus palate, plus pronounced lemon/lime aromas. ( Decanter 5th Jun 2019 )	£9.95
	The Society's Fino Another terrific wine that rightfully secured a place on [the International Wine Challenge Great Value] list is a sherry from The Wine Society that will delight even those harbouring a few doubts about sherry. - Brian Elliott ( midweekwines.co.uk 5th Jun 2019 )	£6.75
	The Society's Exhibition Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 Deep ruby in colour, this …bursts from the glass with an expressive cherry and clove perfume. Youthful firm tannins, the hallmark of Central Otago's cold night-time growing conditions, hold plenty of concentrated dark berry and cherry fruit flavours, with a touch of cedar and spice on the finish. - David Clay ( Rotherham Advertiser 5th Jun 2019 )	£18.00
	The Society's Celebration Crémant de Loire 2015 … predominantly chardonnay with chenin blanc and some pinot noir and cabernet franc with persistent fine bubbles and an appley freshness. A great alternative to prosecco. - David Clay ( Rotherham Advertiser 5th Jun 2019 )	£12.95
	Pazo Señorans Selección de Añada Mini-Vertical Case ... it is important to remember that albariño, in the right conditions, can age wonderfully well. A classic example is Pazo de Señorans run by Marisol Bueno, one of the founders of the Rias Baixas DO. Her Selection de Añada spends 30 months on lees followed by six months in bottle. The Wine Society released a trio of these wines from 2009, 2008 and 2007, showing their transformation from the finely structured 2009 with a memory of the apple fruit, through to the intense steely 2007 with characteristics of a refined Chablis. It may not be typical fruity. zesty, creamy albariño; instead it's become fine wine. - Sarah Jane Evans MW ( Decanter 5th Jun 2019 )	£115.00
	Spätburgunder Markgräflerland, Martin Wassmer 2016 Lovely, gamey, cigar box and truffles. - David Clay ( Rotherham Advertiser 5th Jun 2019 )	£14.50
	Biferno Rosso Riserva Palladino 2014 When it comes to fantastic value reds, some of Italy’s less fashionable regions are hard to beat. This is from Molise, way down the back of Italy’s boot. Rich and velvety, it’s packed with bramble fruits. Food pairing: barbecued lamb. - Helen McGinn ( Daily Mail 5th Jun 2019 )	£8.25
	Biferno Rosso Riserva Palladino 2014 … delivers cinnamon infused elderberry and black cherry fruit with touches of vanilla and mocha plus an attractive underlying nuttiness. - Brian Elliott ( midweekwines.co.uk 5th Jun 2019 )	£8.25
	Laguna Viña Istria Malvazija 2017 Clean and inviting style, with fresh cut apple notes. This is an easy-drinking, benchmark introduction to the fresh and youthful interpretation of Croatia's second most important grape. - Caroline Gilby ( Decanter 5th Jun 2019 )	£7.95
	Half bottle of Château Climens, Barsac 2009 Rich and opulent, but the Barsac terroir keeps it reined in. Exotic fruit notes, baked apple and confit fruit. Pure, velvety and unctuous but with a bite of citrus zest freshness coming in behind. Biodynamic estate. - James Lawther ( Decanter 5th Jun 2019 )	£44.00
	Clos Floridene Blanc, Graves 2016 My top 20 dry white Bordeaux: Made from vines planted on limestone soils, this shows the philosophy of Denis Dubourdieu. Freshness and purity are allied with concentrated fruit in a restrained, elegant package. Although clearly white Bordeaux, this is not showy or overly oaky. - Stephen Brook ( Decanter 5th Jun 2019 )	£23.00
	Château Reynon Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux 2017 My top 20 dry white Bordeaux: ...from the stable of Denis Dubourdieu. Showing great floral intensity on the nose. It's richer on the palate than some 2017s, with luscious semi-tropical fruit characters and intense spiciness to finish. Plenty of depth and plushness here. - Stephen Brook ( Decanter 5th Jun 2019 )	£11.50
	Château Bel Air Perponcher Réserve, Bordeaux Blanc 2018 One of the top wines of the 'Everyday Bordeaux' tasting, with white apricot, ripe pear and decent mid palate density. With admirable freshness and lift on the finish, the wine works well with steamed or grilled fish … at under £10 a bottle you cannot go wrong. ( Decanter 5th Jun 2019 )	£9.95
	Château Pey La Tour Réserve, Bordeaux Supérieur 2016 My favourite everyday claret: 'Few wines deliver character and consistency of quality at such an affordable price: concentrated, full-bodied, well-ripened, with a seductive hint of oaky spice. An obvious match would be grilled juicy rump steak, but it would turn a cheese and ham baguette into a very good meal, too.' - Sebastian Payne MW ( Decanter 5th Jun 2019 )	£11.50
	The Society's Claret 2017 My favourite everyday claret: 'This is our best-selling red wine. Every January I go to Bordeaux and put together the blend of the new vintage with Maison Sichel's excellent technical director Yvan Meyer. I aim for an easy-drinking claret with immediate appeal that has unmistakable Bordeaux character. Unlike most of our competitors, we don't include any oak in the blend, so you're just tasting the fruit.' - Tim Sykes ( Decanter 5th Jun 2019 )	£6.95
	Château Batailley, Pauillac 2009 It was a cracking year for Bordeaux in 2009 and many examples are starting to drink well a decade later. Hailing from Pauillac in the venerable Haut-Médoc, this Batailley is superb, with an abundance of blackcurrant, spice, a touch of leather and a smooth finish. It will benefit from standing for an hour or two in the decanter. - Will Lyons ( The Sunday Times 2nd Jun 2019 )	£50.00
	Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, Contesa 2018 Cracklin' Rosé: Deep juicy rosé that's a beauty for the barbecue. - Olly Smith ( The Mail on Sunday 2nd Jun 2019 )	£8.25
	Nyetimber Brut Classic Cuvée NV Nyetimber is widely reckoned to be one of the top sparkling wine producers from the UK. This is a seriously good, balanced fizz with with sophistication. It has subtle creamy undertones to the crisp citrus fruit with attractive pear and peach richness. - Jamie Goode ( Sunday Express 2nd Jun 2019 )	£31.00
	Saumur-Champigny ‘Cuvée Tradition' Domaine Ratron, Clos des Cordeliers 2016 From cabernet franc grown on tuffeau soil near Saumur in Anjou. Loire reds are often best drunk in their youth - serve slightly chilled. - Rose Murray Brown ( The Scotsman 1st Jun 2019 )	£11.50
	Cheverny, Domaine du Salvard 2018 Made predominantly from sauvignon - it has a limey, zesty flavour but can be softer than many Loire sauvignons due to its addition of a little chardonnay in the blend. - Rose Murray Brown ( The Scotsman 1st Jun 2019 )	£9.50
	Foundstone Australian Merlot 2018 Bold, rustic, black-fruited, with sweet vanilla spice. - Jane MacQuitty ( The Times 1st Jun 2019 )	£6.95
	Château de Ricaud, Bordeaux 2018 Bright and attractive in appearance. On the bouquet the wine reveals intense citrus aromas of grapefruit, while developing more lemon-laden notes on the palate. Freshness and fill=flavoured fruits are present throughout the tasting and impart lovely balance. ( Shropshire Star 1st Jun 2019 )	£8.50
	Domäne Wachau Federspiel Grüner Veltliner 2018 I find myself drinking a lot of Grüner these days, often choosing this grape when I can’t find a Sauvignon Blanc of sufficient quality to float my boat. A superb grape with delicious zestiness, this is a wicked example, with a flavour that works perfectly with the Dover Sole Marguery recipe. - Matthew Jukes ( The Daily Mail 1st Jun 2019 )	£9.95
	Romate Fino Perdido I have reviewed this sherry before but after drinking it this week I was even more impressed than the first time around. During spring and summer I love to have a bottle of fino or manzanilla open in the fridge. Over a few days they develop with air contact and the progress is interesting to note. En rama or unfiltered sherry taken directly from the butt is all the rage at the moment, but this is a style that combines en rama characteristics with further ageing. Essentially this is a rare type of fino that edges towards the fuller flavours of amontillado but has a beguiling complexity all of its own. - Andy Cronshaw ( Manchester Evening News 31st May 2019 )	£7.95
	Magnum of Tavel Cuvée Prima Donna Rosé, Domaine Maby 2017 Wine of the week: The density of Tavel means it is a wine with longevity. In mid April, we opened the bottle of 2017 and it was showing very well indeed, with a core of ripe strawberry fruit still very much in evidence, surrounded by layers of spiciness and stony, savoury minerality that makes it such a good fit for al-fresco dining. There's plenty of structure that accentuates the food-friendliness, with a subtle tannic bite, no shortage of body and 14% alcohol. This also makes it a wine that can warm the cockles in the colder months of the ... winter, so it's a true all-rounder! - Tim Jackson ( JancisRobinson.com 31st May 2019 )	£25.00
	Côtes de Saint-Mont Blanc, Les Vignes Retrouvées 2016 Mouthwatering juicy quince, apricot and citrus fruit, supple texture and zingy acidity – the latest vintage to be released of an old favourite from one of France’s least well-known appellations, Saint-Mont in Gascony, southwest France. Here the admirable quality-focused Plaimont co-operative specialises in rediscovering and restoring production of old, indigenous grape varieties, both red and white – in this case white gros manseng, petit courbu and arrufiac – and hence the wine's name Les Vignes Retrouvées, ‘recovered vines'. It's dry and unoaked and, while it's a perfect aperitif, it's an adaptable food wine: good with fish and sea food, cheeses, including goats' cheese, tomato dishes, and vegetables such as roast red peppers and beetroot. You could also have it with well-flavoured, herby or lightly spicy chicken. Great value. - Joanna Simon ( jamessuckling.com 30th May 2019 )	£8.95
	Côte-Rôtie, Ampodium, Domaine Rostaing 2011 Côte-Rôtie is the 'roasted slope' in the far northern Rhône; a tiny appellation of just of just 300 hectares. Classic, ethereal violet perfume gives way to aromatic smoke and sweet leather. The palate is full of ripe, sweet fruited concentration. Drink with: slow-cooked venison. - Sally Easton ( France Magazine 29th May 2019 )	£39.00
	Sabina Tempranillo, Navarra 2017 Chill out time … Gorgeous red that smashes it for the price. Best barbecue buy. - Olly Smith ( The Mail on Sunday 26th May 2019 )	£5.75
	Camel Valley Bacchus Cornwall 2018 This week gaining a Decanter World Wine Awards gold, Camel’s bacchus from hot 2018 is less grassy than usual, instead majoring on tangy lemon, lime and melon. If you like French sauv blanc, try this. - Susy Atkins ( Sunday Telegraph 26th May 2019 )	£13.95
	Château Le Petit Courret, Bordeaux 2015 A brilliant, budget-beating, unoaked, ready-now summer claret, with masses of soft, simple, easy-quaffing plum and cassis fruit. - Jane MacQuitty ( The Times 25th May 2019 )	£6.25
	The Society's Sicilian Reserve Red 2015 I rather like the bold, powerful stance that this juicy red takes on the palate. It is structured, but not too pushy and the fruit is lush and not in any way sweet or gloopy. A perfect match for the [Sunday Brunch Cookbook's] cauliflower cheese tarts, this is an impressive Sicilian thoroughbred. - Matthew Jukes ( The Daily Mail 25th May 2019 )	£8.25
	Camel Valley Pinot Noir Rosé Brut 2016 Consistently good, with lively strawberry fruit on the nose and raspberry and lime flavours leading to a perfectly balanced palate. - Christine Austin ( i 24th May 2019 )	£29.00
	Seméli Mantinia Nassiakos 2018 A great aperitif and unexpectedly delicious with savoury strawberry dishes. ( BBC Good Food Magazine 23rd May 2019 )	£10.95
	Foundstone Australian Merlot 2018 Everyday red... minty, fresh and cherryish… Harry Eyres ( Country Life 22nd May 2019 )	£6.95
	Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, Contesa 2018 …good value rosé... almost operatically fulsome, dark coloured... Harry Eyres ( Country Life 22nd May 2019 )	£8.25
	Côte-Rôtie, Ampodium, Domaine Rostaing 2011 For a special occasion… gloriously fragrant and elegant. - Harry Eyres ( Country Life 22nd May 2019 )	£39.00