Wine Champions Fine Reds Case

A 2026 Wine Champion. ‘Really classic: old school, in the most charming way and easily worth the money.’ One of the finest properties in Moulis, Poujeaux is known to age very well, and this 11-year-old wine is firing on all cylinders with its ‘gorgeous cedary nose’ and ‘savoury, structured’ palate.

A Wine Champion of 2026, this is a ‘velvety and utterly complete’ California zinfandel from one of the great names. Expect plenty of ‘dark berries, liquorice and salty complexity’ from this gorgeous, full-bodied but beautifully elegant expression of this much-loved style.

We were thrilled to see this wine emerge as a 2026 Wine Champion in our blind tastings. Enrico Dellapiana makes it exclusively for us following a tasting of his crus. The 2020 blend is 45% Nervo vineyard, 45% Pajore, 10% Boito and it's stunning. With ‘fresh cherry fruit, a hint of almond’, its firm yet ripe tannins support a plethora of pomegranate, red apple and black tea notes, all delivered with tension, poise and great class. This fine Piedmont nebbiolo was especially good when retasted, so do give it a decant before enjoying if you can.

‘I wrote ‘iconic,’’ declared one Wine Champions taster in 2026. ‘I wrote, ‘regal!’’ replied another. Safe to say this fully mature Rioja from the excellent 2005 vintage impressed us. ‘Such a stylish expression of old-school Rioja’, it’s graceful and fine with mellow, complex notes of tobacco and cedarwood. Glorious.

A 2026 Wine Champion, singled out in the tasting room as 'a wine that’s just got everything – a bass note, a mid note and treble!’ Another added, ‘I loved the depth and the silkiness, and while it will doubtless develop over time, there’s so much to enjoy now.’ Ringing endorsements for the great Châteauneuf estate Beaucastel’s berry-laden, spicy Côtes-du-Rhône.

This ‘generous and ethereal’ South African pinot noir soared to 2026 Wine Champions victory on account of its ‘pretty redcurrant fruit’, ‘slightly ferrous note’ and ‘nice structure behind it all.’ A lively medley of red- and black-cherry fruit, clove, star anise and wild herbs.