Introduction to Fine Wine

2017 was marked by a very severe drought which blighted the size of the crop. Quality though was very good and this cuvèe made from grenache grown at high altitude is quite exceptional, with added concentration from lower yields.

From the celebrated Hungarian First Growth vineyard of Szt. Tamás, on a blend of red clay and volcanic rock, the 2021 vintage is smoky and intense on the nose with a generously concentrated yet focused palate with savoury spice from use of high-quality oak. This is long and will develop over time.

A fully mature right bank claret from a small property with vines on the famous Pavie hillside. This has plenty of fleshy, sweet fruit and some well-integrated, grainy tannins lending structure on the finish. A classic blend of 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc which was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 30% of which were new.

From Sicilian bush vine carricante grown at 800m, on the northern slopes of Etna on stony, light sandy soils this is a beautifully elegant volcanic white. Delicately fragrant with lemon verbena, sage and salted pistachios, lifted by racy acidity and a linear precision.

A beautifully crafted gran reserva from Bodegas Palacio, who have transformed the quality of their Glorioso wines. This, 100% tempranillo, is an evocative Rioja which is cedary, intense and elegant, smoky and gentle with lovely, sweet fruit flavour. Palacio buys in most of its fruit from a long-established network of contract growers, effectively controlling 255ha of vineyards, all in the Alavesa. It concentrates almost exclusively on tempranillo.

Low yields and attention to detail at this tiny, six-hectare, biodynamic estate in Burgundy explain the high quality. 2023 is one of the best recent vintages of this ripe, firm-fleshed wine which maintains a lemony freshness. Unoaked.