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Best Buys

John's Recommended Wines
In case you're having difficulty selecting from our list I've recommended some of our best buys here.

Don Prospero Pizzorno Sauvignon Blanc 2008 75cl

13%abv. This wine is actually from Uruguay wedged between Argentina and Brazil, but more importantly between 30 and 35 degrees South, the optimum latitude for grape cultivation in the Southern hemisphere. This is a superb fresh, crisp Sauvignon from a boutique family winery. Ana Laura Rodriguez handles the marketing while her husband, Carlos, oversees the daily activities in their vineyards. Virtually everything is done by hand including the picking. Ana was delighted that we were so impressed with this wine and we're equally delighted to promote it to our customers. It's delicious.

Pizzorno Website

Price: £9.20 (Inc. VAT at 15% )

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John's Rating

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Don Prospero Pizzorno Sauvignon Blanc 2008 75cl

Bodega San Huberto Nina Blend 2004 75cl

Decanter Commended October 2008

14% abv. This is the second of San Huberto's 'ultra premium wines' this time a blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Malbec and 50% Petit Verdot. The grapes are hand harvested then aged in barrique for 12 months with a further 12 months in bottle prior to release. The wine is deep in colour thanks to the Petit Verdot's almost ink like appearance. Prominent fruit on the nose followed by delicious smooth fruit on the palate. San Huberto have blended this wine beautifully. Supremely balanced acid, alcohol, wood and fruit, and very very smooth! Just too easy to drink, either on it's own or with a whole range of foods from poultry to red meat. We've only shipped a very small quantity.

San Huberto Website

Price: £13.80 (Inc. VAT at 15% )

Sulphites:
Awards:	Decanter
John's Rating

Quantity: Bottle(s)

Clara Benegas Chardonnay 2005 75cl

13%abv. Limited production of only 15 000 bottles per year. Fantastic presentation. Pale gold in colour. This wine is 100% Chardonnay but has an unusually floral nose, almost Sauvignon like, which carries through into the initial flavours where it transforms into Chardonnay fruit. Full in the mouth with plenty of body, nicely balanced with good length. Very enjoyable to drink on it's own or will pair well with light dishes like chicken or salads. A great summer wine.

Benegas Website

Price: £9.20 (Inc. VAT at 15% )

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John's Rating

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Trebbiano Moncaro 2008 75cl

11.5% abv. IWC - Bronze.The grapes for this wine are selected from the best vineyards on the hillsides of Italy's Marche region. They are gently pressed and fermented under temperature control. 15% Verdicchio grapes are added to the Trebbiano grapes to soften the sharpness and give more body. The wine is fresh and packed with fruit, with a floral bouquet. Great value.

Moncaro Website

Price: £4.99 (Inc. VAT at 15% )

Sulphites:
Awards:	IWC
John's Rating

Quantity: Bottle(s)

Benegas Lynch Meritage 2004 75cl

Steven Spurrier apparently loved the latest vintage of this wine as he will report in next month's Decanter, and Robert Parker has requested an audience with Carmen and Federico! So it's not just me who thinks this wine's something special!

Steven Spurrier wrote in Decanter magazine in April 2006 of Federico's first vintage, the 2002, 'Best New World Red. Not to be confused with the Pauillac Lynches, this top selection from an ambitious new winery in Mendoza has 50% old vine Cabernet Franc to match the usual Bordeaux grapes. Good concentration, long succulent fruit and fine-grained tannins, this is worth the high price of £34.99'. It will be very interesting to read his new article in the 2009 March edition of Decanter.

The Benegas family were the first to import French vines into Argentina way back in the late 19th century. The family has played a prominent role in the Argentine wine trade ever since, continually looking to France for inspiration and expertise as they sought to make the very best wine. Federico's vineyards are part of the original family estate, with long established French vine stock dating back 80 years.

14.7%abv. We are absolutely delighted to have secured the European allocation for the 2004 vintage of this incredible wine. Only 3000 bottles are produced each year, with only 300 or so destined for Europe and only 120 for retail. It's an exceptional wine, likened to a first growth claret from a very good year. It's a classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from renowned winemaker Federico Benegas Lynch, with consultant Michell Roland of Bordeaux fame. I can't praise this wine enough. Read about it for yourself at their website, or you can try it at the Gaucho Grill Restaurant. Decanter magazine are running an article on this wine in March so the allocation will not last very long! In the interests of fair play to winelovers, I'm having to restrict quantities to 3 bottles per person. Jane says this is simply the best red wine she's ever tasted! And I have to agree, it's something very special.

Benegas Website

Price: £32.49 (Inc. VAT at 15% )

Sulphites:
John's Rating	96 Points

Quantity: Bottle(s)

Bodegas El Porvenir Amauta 2005 75cl

Argentina Wine Awards - Bronze Medal

14% abv. 60% Malbec 30% Cabernet Sauvignon 10% Syrah, with 6 to 8 months in French oak. This wine has big, powerful fruit upfront which, when left to breathe for ten minutes, softens into a delicious wine. Strong flavours of blackcurrants with some pepper from the Syrah. Well structured and smooth with a dry finish. I thoroughly enjoyed it on it's own but it's even better with food. Suited to red meat dishes or casseroles.

El Porvenir Website

Price: £13.80 (Inc. VAT at 15% )

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Awards:	AWA
John's Rating

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Dowie Doole Mclaren Vale Shiraz 2007 75cl

Winestate Magazine Winner 'Best of State' plus a host of great reviews from the Australian press for 2004 vintage - read them at the website. It's selling so fast we've just received the 2007!

14.5% abv. Very deep purple in colour with aromas of cherry and vanilla on the nose. Strong red fruit and vanilla flavours, not the spicy peppery style as some Aussies can be. Superb length, very smooth, full bodied with a lovely mouthfeel. Again supreme balance between fruit, body, tannin, wood and alcohol. This wine is very very good! I highly recommend you try it.

Dowie Doole Website

Price: £10.99 (Inc. VAT at 15% )

Sulphites:
Awards:	Winestate
John's Rating	90 Points

Quantity: Bottle(s)

Dowie Doole Mclaren Vale Shiraz 2007 75cl

Mitcham Estate Cellar Reserve Shiraz 2004 75cl

IWC - Silver Medal 2006. 14% abv. A wonderful full flavoured Shiraz with a good balance between fruit and tannins. This wine has a long finish with strong vanilla flavours. Silver Medal winner in the International Wine Challenge 2006. Delicious and highly recommended.

Price: £5.75 (Inc. VAT at 15% )

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Awards:	IWC
John's Rating

Quantity: Bottle(s)

Mitcham Estate Cellar Reserve Shiraz 2004 75cl

Claymore 'Dark Side Of The Moon' Shiraz Clare Valley 2006 75cl

90 Points by Wine Advocate for this vintage, 2006, with 2004 winner Best Australian Red - Singapore International Wine Challenge.The 2005 was awarded 90 points Robert Parker.

14.5% abv. 2006 now has a cork closure, not screwcap. Produced from low yielding 70 year old vines from the two best of Claymore's own vineyards in the Clare Valley, with a minimal amount of additional fruit from other premier vignerons. A big powerful full flavoured Shiraz. Full bodied, smooth and rounded. Not overly 'peppered' as some can be. Aged in French oak for 18 months prior to release. Great length. What a great wine for a dinner party from this bespoke winemaker. Production is limited to just a few thousand cases per year. One of my favourites.

Exclusive to us in the UK and very limited.

Claymore Website

Price: £11.99 (Inc. VAT at 15% )

Sulphites:
Awards:	WA
John's Rating

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Claymore 'Dark Side Of The Moon' Shiraz Clare Valley 2006 75cl

Solane Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso DOC Santi 2005 75cl

Decanter Bronze Medal. 13.5%abv. I love this wine. A great Ripasso, plenty of fruit supremely balanced with the tannins and alcohol. Very smooth and very drinkable. Ideal with food or delicious just to savour on it's own. Not as big as the Zenato but equally delicious in a slightly lighter style. With Italian wines increasing in price this wine is excellent value for money. Recommended.

Price: £10.99 (Inc. VAT at 15% )

Sulphites:
Awards:	DECANTER
John's Rating

Quantity: Bottle(s)

Solane Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso DOC Santi 2005 75cl

Sollione Negroamaro IGT Salento 2006 75cl

13% abv. From the 'heel' of Italy. The hot weather combined with modern techniques is transforming the once 'too hot' Southern Italy into a premier wine producing region. This is a soft and fruity, easy drinking red with vanilla flavours produced from the local grape Negroamaro. Great value and delicious to drink on it's own or equally good with food.

Price: £6.33 (Inc. VAT at 15% )

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John's Rating

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Sollione Negroamaro IGT Salento 2006 75cl

Zevenwacht Tin Mine Red Stellenbosch 2004 75cl

IWSC Silver Medal. 14% abv. Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Primitivo. This wine is delicious, powerful fruit, with good tannic structure, full bodied, smooth and lingering with a little pepper from the Syrah. We thoroughly enjoyed it on it's own, but this would be a good food wine too. It's refreshing to see a winemaker, in a country dominated by varietals, blending grapes to produce a wine of such elegance and quality. Highly recommended.

Zevenwacht Website

Price: £8.99 (Inc. VAT at 15% )

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Awards:	IWSC
John's Rating

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Zevenwacht Tin Mine Red Stellenbosch 2004 75cl

Vina Encineda Valle Mayor Rioja DO Cosecha 2004 75cl

13% abv. The small bodega of Valle Mayor call this wine a 'semi Crianza'. It's a beautiful wine from Rioja Alta, 100% Tempranillo, made predominantly for the Spanish market, with only 20 000 bottles made each year. The wood aging has mellowed the fruit flavours to create a delicious, soft wine with vanilla and oak on the finish. Great presentation and individual bottle numbers. A great bottle of wine at this price for everyday drinking.

Price: £7.48 (Inc. VAT at 15% )

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John's Rating

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Vina Encineda Valle Mayor Rioja DO Cosecha 2004 75cl