Recent Reviews

	Semeli Mantinia Nassiakos 2017 Greece, you might be surprised to hear, makes some stunning whites – this one from the indigenous moschofilero grape. Perfect with fish grilled simply on the BBQ. - Fiona Beckett ( The Guardian 18th Jun 2018 )	£9.95
	Soave La Rocca, Pieropan 2015 Known for [its] ability to take on fabulous herbal complexity as [it] ages ... the intense, honeyed almond and ripe white peachiness of [this wine is] the real thing. - David Williams ( The Observer 17th Jun 2018 )	£25.00
	Magnum of Soave Ca`Visco, Coffele 2016 Most of the best Soave is made from grapes harvested on the hillside vineyards of the original (officially demarcated in the 1920s) Soave Classico area. That’s the source – organically farmed – of Coffele’s completely charming example from the 2016 vintage, a wine that summons up summery scents of white flowers, flavours of greengages and citrus perkiness. The magnum ... makes for a very smart bottle if you’re entertaining and serving something green and fresh with fish and white meat. - David Williams ( The Observer 17th Jun 2018 )	£32.00
	Jurançon, Geyser, Domaine Cauhapé 2016 20 best summer wines: Made from local varieties led by the mansengs (petit and gros) in the foothills of the Pyrenees, this concentrated but taut mix of nervy, cleansing acidity with tropical fruit and a fleck of honey is equally at home with white meat and tangy cheeses. - David Williams ( The Observer 17th Jun 2018 )	£13.95
	Les Pierres Bordes Marsanne-Viognier 2017 Here's a blend of two of the most well-known Rhône grape varieties, and the result is a fresh, linear citrussy white with pleasant focused fruit. It's a bargain too. - Jamie Goode ( Sunday Express 17th Jun 2018 )	£6.25
	The Society's Corsican Rosé 2017 Corsica is one place that is offering a refreshing alternative to Provençal pink – a pale and pretty-looking rosé with a subtle tug of herbs. This one’s made from 50 per cent sangiovese with sciaccarellu, syrah, cinsault and vermentino. - Victoria Moore ( The Daily Telegraph 16th Jun 2018 )	£9.95
	Fefiñanes Albariño, Rías Baixas 2017 Aside from being one of the most attractive wine labels I can think of, this shimmeringly beautiful Albariño is a thrilling drink, too. I am more than a little obsessed with great examples of this grape and yet at the top of the pile, there are only a few wineries who reliably release stellar wines year in year out. Fefiñanes leads the pack and bearing in mind the sheer excellence of this wine it wears a wonderfully affordable price tag. The 2017 arrived in the UK a few weeks ago and it is the finest wine from this vintage and grape variety I have tasted this season. Dating back to 1904, this estate was the very first to bottle this wistful, aromatic and yet racy grape. It was also the first to note the now famous Rías Baixas region on its labels, too. Drawing grapes from vines across 66 local estates and using some plots as old as 100 years, this is a thoroughly noble wine. There cannot be many wines as serious as this which are drunk within a year of the grapes hanging on a vine! The true essence of the summer in Spain, and drunk with the finest seafood and crustacea by the great and the good, you simply must order this wine in for your summer parties. It is a genuine slice of history in a bottle. - Matthew Jukes ( Money Week 15th Jun 2018 )	£16.00
	Dog Point Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 Not as well known as the Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc releases, but every bit as good in my opinion, this is frequently among my favourite South Island chardonnays. Toasty, savoury and enticing, it has citrus and beeswax notes supported by fresh, palate cleansing acidity and a nutty finish. Just starting to develop bottle-aged complexity. - Tim Atkin ( timatkin.com 14th Jun 2018 )	£21.00
	Dog Point Section 94 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 A wine that's consistently a match for all but the very best (and much more expensive) wines of Pessac-Léognan, this deftly oaked Marlborough sauvignon ages brilliantly too. Leesy, rich yet beautifully balanced, it combines flavours of vanilla spice, gooseberry fool, lanolin and vivid acidity. One of the region's very best expressions of the grape. - Tim Atkin ( timatkin.com 14th Jun 2018 )	£19.50
	Dog Point Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Classic modern, dry Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from two of the masters of the region, James Healy and Ivan Sutherland, showing notes of lemon grass, passion fruit and fresh sweat (more appealing than it sounds, honest). Nettley, zingy acidity, plenty of focus and a long, refreshing finish. My kind of Kiwi white. ( timatkin.com 14th Jun 2018 )	£14.50
	Basilicata Rosato Le Ralle, Alovini 2017 Provence rosés have done such a clever job of persuading people that pale rosés are both drier and more sophisticated than dark rosés that deep pink wines are beginning to look like an endangered species. Don’t let it happen! There’s room for all shades of pink, and vibrant pinks aren’t necessarily less dry. Take this amply proportioned, dark rosato made from Aglianico and Montepulciano grapes in southern Italy. It’s dry but not bone dry and delivers a mouthful of strawberries and cream, tangy cherry and crunchy pomegranate. It has enough body and flavour for a barbecue, whether prawns or lamb cutlets, and works well with spices, herbs and chargrilled or roast veg such as red peppers, tomatoes, aubergines and shallots. - Joanna Simon ( joannasimon.com 14th Jun 2018 )	£8.95
	Domaine des Tourelles Vieilles Vignes Cinsault 2015 This brilliant winery, the oldest in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, farms 70-year-old vines organically without irrigation, ferments with indigenous yeasts, and ages this gorgeous wine in old concrete tanks. Deep and luscious but with dazzling clarity. - Kate Hawkings ( Olive 12th Jun 2018 )	£17.50
	Syrah du Maroc 'Tandem' Alain Graillot et Thalvin 2015 A collaboration between a leading Rhône producer and a top Moroccan estate, this full-throttle red would nail a lamb tagine. - Rob Buckhaven ( Metro 12th Jun 2018 )	£12.95
	Novac Sec, Prince Stirbey 2013 Pure and delicious, this red is a traditional Romanian [grape] bringing together the negru and saperavi grapes. Vivid in colour, it has a slight tarry edge to the strong berry fruits. ( Sunday Express 10th Jun 2018 )	£13.50
	Domaine des Tourelles Vieilles Vignes Cinsault 2015 Lebanon has incredible provenance and this is a must [for Father's Day]. - Olly Smith ( The Mail on Sunday 10th Jun 2018 )	£17.50
	Domaine Jean-Marc Burgaud, Morgon Côte du Py 2016 A Wine Society bargain - Jancis Robinson ( Financial Times 9th Jun 2018 )	£14.95
	Côtes de Provence Rosé, Arbaude, Mas de Cadenet 2017 … very dry and a terrific screw-topped bargain for your next picnic or barbecue. - Terry Kirby ( independent.co.uk 9th Jun 2018 )	£8.50
	Atma White Malagousia and Xinomavro, Thymiopoulos 2017 A Wine Society bargain - Jancis Robinson ( Financial Times 9th Jun 2018 )	£8.50
	Basilicata Rosato Le Ralle, Alovini 2017 One of The Wine Society's many excellent rose wines. This is great value with cherry aromas in spades and strawberry scents chiming in. The style is rounded but there's a tangy twist to the finish which gives the wine real character. A great match for barbecues prawns but it will also stand up to olives or tapenade. - Andy Cronshaw ( Manchester Evening News 9th Jun 2018 )	£8.95
	Pepp Riesling, Weinviertel 2017 A Wine Society bargain - Jancis Robinson ( Financial Times 9th Jun 2018 )	£8.95
	Magnum of Kanonkop Kadette Cape Blend, Stellenbosch 2015 A Wine Society bargain - Jancis Robinson ( Financial Times 9th Jun 2018 )	£19.00
	Marqués de Murrieta Blanco Capellanía Vineyard, Rioja 2013 … big, smoky, vanilla ice-cream gem … - Jane MacQuitty ( The Times 9th Jun 2018 )	£18.00
	Vilosell, Costers del Segre 2015 A Wine Society bargain - Jancis Robinson ( Financial Times 9th Jun 2018 )	£11.50
	Navajas Blanco Crianza, Rioja 2015 Absolutely delicious, ripe, nutty, vanilla-edged, oak-aged white rioja, with a fine oaky finish — salmon loves this. - Jane MacQuitty ( The Times 9th Jun 2018 )	£8.50
	El Pacto Crianza, Rioja 2015 A Wine Society bargain - Jancis Robinson ( Financial Times 9th Jun 2018 )	£11.50
	Shebang! California White Field Blend NV A Wine Society bargain - Jancis Robinson ( Financial Times 9th Jun 2018 )	£10.95
	Saumur-Champigny ‘Cuvée Tradition' Domaine Ratron, Clos des Cordeliers 2015 A more serious Loire red … that shares the heady fragrance of cabernet franc with full, satisfying ripeness. The 2015 vintage really was something quite special, certainly in the Loire and in much of Europe. - Jancis Robinson ( Financial Times 9th Jun 2018 )	£11.50
	Saint-Pourçain La Réserve Spéciale 2016 … a much cheaper Loire version of the increasingly modish Bourgogne Passetoutgrains (two parts gamay to one part pinot noir) that would make a great, thirst-quenching summer aperitif for those who cannot or will not drink white wine. - Jancis Robinson ( Financial Times 9th Jun 2018 )	£7.75
	Val de Loire Chardonnay Les Parcelles, Réthoré Davy 2017 ... super-fresh, Loire-ish young Chardonnay from the Pays des Mauges (a new one on me, between Muscadet country and Saumur) made by someone unforgettably named Réthoré Davy. It might be a bit light to drink with hearty food but would make a lovely aperitif. - Jancis Robinson ( Financial Times 9th Jun 2018 )	£7.75
	Vouvray Sec Tendre Lieu-Dit Rosnay 2015 ... an absolutely delicious wine that qualifies for the beautifully named 'sec tendre' category, an off dry wine that counterbalances the naturally high acidity of Loire Chenin Blanc grapes with lightly toasty richness, but has no more than 7 g/l residual sugar (not much at all). This wine made from clearly very healthy, ripe grapes is not dirt cheap at £11.50 but it is extremely good value. - Jancis Robinson ( Financial Times 9th Jun 2018 )	£11.50
	Almeida Garrett Entre Serras, Beira Interior 2015 A Wine Society bargain - Jancis Robinson ( Financial Times 9th Jun 2018 )	£6.25
	The Society's Exhibition New Zealand Chardonnay 2016 Always a popular buy with Society members, and especially welcome after frost prevented the production of a 2015 vintage. Full-bodied creamy and nutty palate with bold flavours of apple pastries, gentle toasty oak and vivid citrus acidity. An unashamedly New World style, but still elegant despite the dense, rich fruit. Long and lingering. 91/100 Tina Gellie ( decanter.com 6th Jun 2018 )	£14.95
	Almeida Garrett Entre Serras, Beira Interior 2015 A serious-looking, serious-tasting indigenous red blend at an extremely reasonable price, from the only privately run winery in this eastern region, between Alentejo and Douro. From the high-altitude granite slopes of the Serra da Estrela, the earthy red fruit palate is full-bodied yet restrained, enlivened by vibrant acidity and unmasked by oak. Juicy and quaffable. 90/100 Tina Gellie ( decanter.com 6th Jun 2018 )	£6.25
	Vacqueyras Grenat Noble, Clos des Cazaux 2014 From one of the oldest families in Vacqueyras, with a history dating back to 1791 comes this classic Grenache-led southern Rhône blend, full of dense, dark plums, sweet spice and subtle oak. Plush yet vibrant, it is immediately appealing, with vital, sappy fruit tannins and zippy acidity. Excellent balance despite the high alcohol and great for mid-term drinking. 91/100 Tina Gellie ( decanter.com 6th Jun 2018 )	£19.00
	Cayetano del Pino Palo Cortado Solera A 2017 Decanter Platinum winner and it's easy to see why. From one of Jerez's oldest family-owned bodegas, this rare style of Sherry (a fino whose flor dies and so ages oxidatively) is great value for the price, offering incredible complexity, purity and detail. The nose suggests sweetness, with its pecan pie and vanilla notes, but the palate is dry yet rich and umami-laden, boasting smoky walnut skins and Christmas cake spice. Delicious! 94/100 Tina Gellie ( decanter.com 6th Jun 2018 )	£14.95
	Magnum of The Society's Exhibition Rioja Reserva 2010 Made for The Wine Society by La Rioja Alta, one of the region's most historic bodegas, founded in 1890, this is a classic, graceful Reserva that spends two years in cask and then time in bottle before release. Complex, silky and cedary, the textured palate has leathery spiced red fruit, refreshing acidity and fine tannins. Well integrated and long, and a fabulous buy in magnum. 91/100 Tina Gellie ( decanter.com 6th Jun 2018 )	£30.00
	Rainer Wess Grüner Veltliner, Wachau 2017 Quite firm at first, but the white stone fruit and orange blossom notes open with time in the glass. The palate is creamy but with crisp balancing acidity and a taught grassy, mineral line. Not the most complex, but very well priced from a top producer focused on sustainable farming and low-intervention winemaking. 89/100 Tina Gellie ( decanter.com 6th Jun 2018 )	£9.95
	Susana Balbo Brioso Mendoza 2016 A little pricey, but fans of rich, ripe Argentinian reds will love this, made by one of the country's most recognised producers. The blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc, 16% Malbec and 7% Petit Verdot was matured for 15 months in new French oak, giving rich overt cedar notes on top of sweet bramble fruit. Velvety and polished. 91/100 Tina Gellie ( decanter.com 6th Jun 2018 )	£23.00
	Domaine Cordier, Mâcon Aux Bois d'Allier 2016 A delicious Chardonnay from low-yielding vines in the Bois d'Allier vineyard near Charnay, that offers real depth and concentration for its price. Maturation in old oak foudres has given a gentle vanilla edge to the rich green apple fruit and nutty tones but not masked the firm acidity and chalky minerality. Long and lasting. 92/100 Tina Gellie ( decanter.com 6th Jun 2018 )	£13.50
	Concha y Toro Amelia Casablanca Chardonnay 2016 There's a hefty price tag behind this, but you can't deny the quality. From one of the coolest vineyards in Casablanca this restrained, elegant Chardonnay offers more savoury, autumnal tones than overt fruit. Aromas of hay, herbs and grilled nuts lead to a bright citrus and mineral-inflected palate that has great acid structure. Firm and lean, this should age well. 90/100 Tina Gellie ( decanter.com 6th Jun 2018 )	£23.00
	Magnum of The Society's Champagne Brut NV Offers great drinking and great value – perfect for summer celebrations. It is a blend of 45% Chardonnay, 28% Pinot Noir and 27% Pinot Meunier, fermented in barrel with the malolactic fermentation supressed to retain the fresh acidity. Firm mousse and a bright citrus and honeyed orchard fruit nose that follows on the beautifully round and creamy body with lovely autolytic biscuit and toast notes. 92/100 Tina Gellie ( decanter.com 6th Jun 2018 )	£66.00
	Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Spätlese, Zilliken 2003 A stunning medium-dry Riesling for a bargain price, from one of the top winemakers in the Saar. The lovely petrolly nose showcases its 15 years' of age, but the light-bodied palate is still remarkably fresh, with sweet orange acidity to balance the juicy, ripe stone fruit flavours. Luscious but not cloying, with a leafy finish. Excellent quality. 93/100 Tina Gellie ( decanter.com 6th Jun 2018 )	£28.00
	Magnum of The Society's Exhibition Chianti Classico 2015 A really super buy for a magnum of this quality. Made by the Bartoli family for The Wine Society, the Sangiovese grapes come from 20ha of estate-grown vineyards at 300m in San Casciano. This forward and approachable vintage showcases firm yet ripe cherry fruit and fresh acidity on a supple, silky, leathery palate. Great depth and balance – a classy dinner party winner. 93/100 Tina Gellie ( decanter.com 6th Jun 2018 )	£25.00
	Saint-Pourçain La Réserve Spéciale 2016 Snap this new listing up from The Wine Society, a Gamay-Pinot Noir blend made by Sylvain Miniot at the St-Pourçain co-op. No need to wait for this – it's juicy and quaffable, perfect slightly chilled on its own or with simple meat and cheese platters. Tart cherry, sappy fruit tannins, lifted floral notes and a lovely autumnal edge to the supple palate, backed by fresh acidity. Inviting, moreish and great value. 92/100 Tina Gellie ( decanter.com 6th Jun 2018 )	£7.75
	Coteaux du Giennois Rosé, Domaine de Villargeau 2017 A simple but bright, sustainably made pinot noir rosé grown on flint soils, whose pale salmon colour will appeal to those who like Provence pinks. Gentle red currant, pomegranate and strawberry fruit on the textured palate, with a firm, dry finish and refreshing acidity. 89/100 Tina Gellie ( decanter.com 6th Jun 2018 )	£9.50
	Chianti Classico, Isole e Olena 2015 Paolo de Marchi is one of Chianti’s top winemakers. He seeks finesse and elegance from his vineyards and this represents incredible value. There are aromatics of cherry and herbs, with refreshing acidity. - Will Lyons ( The Sunday Times 3rd Jun 2018 )	£19.00
	The Society's Exhibition Sancerre 2017 At its best, the Loire offers a more restrained version of sauvignon’s natural verdancy with a cool and stony freshness in wines such as [this]. - David Williams ( The Observer 3rd Jun 2018 )	£15.50
	Almeida Garrett Entre Serras, Beira Interior 2015 This offers astonishing value. It's a vivid, juicy red with raspberry and cherry fruit plus lovely focus. It's from a lesser-known part of Portugal, the Beira Interior, that makes excellent wines. - Jamie Goode ( Sunday Express 3rd Jun 2018 )	£6.25
	Basilicata Rosato Le Ralle, Alovini 2017 With a deep, rich hue of squashed raspberries, this full-bodied pink is made in southern Italy from aglianico and montepulciano grapes. It blooms in the mouth, sweetly round, all rosehips and cranberry juice. - Victoria Moore ( The Daily Telegraph 2nd Jun 2018 )	£8.95
	Basilicata Rosato Le Ralle, Alovini 2017 Stylish, fruity rosato that would go with a barbecue. - Fiona Beckett ( The Guardian 2nd Jun 2018 )	£8.95