In anticipation of the long bank holiday weekend coming up and the Queens Jubilee celebrations, I have created a case of 12 amazing wines that are sure to delight.
Each of these wines has been carefully selected from the new batch of amazing wines that are gradually being added to my website and a few old favourites that are simply too good to leave out!
Fizz
Let's start with the fizz as it wouldn't be a proper celebration without a superb Champagne. The Duval Leroy Brut Reserve is simply astounding. It punches well above its weight in terms of all-round quality, flavour, and style. This refreshing Champagne is a blend of Pinot Noir 60%, Pinot Meunier 30% and Chardonnay 10%. The Brut Reserve offers the perfect balance between finesse and power, drawing out biscuity flavours layered with dark chocolate, cinnamon and roasted yellow fig. Beautifully balanced with a deliciously long finish.
Whites
The Bodegas Ondarre Valdebaron White Rioja is sold out everywhere, but I have squirrelled away some just for this case. This sublime white wine has delicate aromas of white flowers which are layered with green apple and pear. Refreshing with an elegant creamy texture, balanced by crisp acidity, this has a deliciously long and mouthwatering finish.
The Ktima Alphas Estate Malagousia/Assyrtiko from Greece is a delightful white wine that has expressive aromas of exotic fruits combined with hints of pepper, orange, jasmine, herbs and a touch of lemon. Lively, attractive and vivacious, with a rich and beautifully balanced palate.
Off to the Loire in France for the Menetou Salon from Joust de Villebois. This is a refreshing and richly flavoured Sauvignon Blanc with exotic fruit flavours of juicy peach complemented by delicate notes of wildflowers. Soft and rounded, with a lovely crisp finish.
Australia gives us an old favourite with Larry Cherubino's Apostrophe Stones Throw White. This exotic white wine will blow you away with the rich combination of Gewurztraminer's exotic spice and rose water layers beautifully with notes of lemon, lime and minerality from Riesling. The softly textured palate has a long, refreshing acidity supported by citrus notes and rose petal on the finish.
The heat of Sicily is perfect for Columba Bianca Carricante Lavi. The Carricante grape produces a dry, crisp white with notes of melon, juicy peach and aromatic herbs through to a fruity palate with an exceptionally long finish characterised by touch of white pepper and sage.
New Zealand gives us the Frost Pocket Sauvignon Blanc
Reds
We must start the reds with "This is NOT another Lovely Malbec" from Larry Cherubino. This is one of the softest and silkiest Malbec I have ever drunk and it's a FIRM favourite and obviously another lovely Malbec. Pure fruit-driven notes of wild raspberry and ripe plum are layered with delicate floral notes. Smooth and silky with fine tannins, this is a Malbec of great elegance.
France gives us the iconic Ventoux Cuvee Special from Domaine de Champ Long. This Grenache and Syrah blend has deep luscious aromas of blackcurrants and dark cherry that are accompanied by delicate spicy notes on the nose. Round and beautifully structured with supple tannins and a long, satisfying finish.
Roberto Echeverria from Chile has been supplying me with amazing Chilean wines for over 20 years and his latest offering surpasses anything else he has produced. This superb red wine is an enticing blend of Garnacha 50%, Mourvèdre 35%, Carignan 10% and Syrah 5%. The enticing aromas of forest fruits, cherry, raspberry and mulberry are laced with vanilla and tobacco nuances through to a rounded palate with a fine tannin structure and a persistent fruity finish.
South Africa and specifically Mulderbosch Winery gives us the Faithful Hound, a bit like Lizzie and her Corgi's who have been loyal to their role for decades. This phenomenal blend of Merlot 28%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, Cabernet Franc 24%, Malbec 17% and Petit Verdot 6% give a classically styled, poised and elegant wine. Its brooding earthy aromas combine with brambly fruit and hints of cocoa with notes of forest floor. Underpinned by serious structure, the palate unfolds with fleshy ripe fruit, savoury notes, textured tannins and a beautifully nuanced finish. How about that for a tasting note!
We finish with the Time Waits For No ONE Stone Elephant Monastrell from Spain. This is a superb example of Monastrell, with its powerful and intense nose of ripe black fruits supported by subtle hints of spice from a deft use of oak. The vibrant fruit is rounded out with a savoury note and it shows great purity on the finish.
So there you have it, a Royal Selection fit for a Queen and all endorsed by myself The Wineman, saving your palate from sub-standard wines since 2000.
