Legal academic, property dealer and vigneron, Rene Rostaing crafts some of the finest Cote Roties on the market today. He has owned 2 hectares in the Côte Blonde and La Landone since the 1970s but fortune has blessed him through his inheritance of four hectares of superbly sited vineyards from his father in law Albert Dervieux and another 1.4 hectares of particularly old vines from his uncle Marius Gentaz. He now has 7.4 hectares which in Cote Rotie terms is a significant holding. Rostaing is firmly in the modernist camp of Cote Rôtie producers, destemming the majority of his fruit and being one of the first producers to ferment using vinomatics (horizontal automatic vinifiers). However he dislikes the overt taste of new oak and uses a maximum of 15% in the maturation process. All the wines are bottled unfiltered.

Wine growers in the northern Rhone since 1481, the Chave family represents 16 generations of unbroken lineage committed to the production of some of the finest Syrah, Marsanne, and Roussanne on the planet. Jean Louis joined his father in 1992 after completing undergraduate studies at University of Connecticut and a degree in oenology at Davis. It was at that time that he completely replanted vineyards on the family’s original estate in Saint-Joseph, which had been abandoned in the early 1900’s when phylloxera hit the region.

'The refined 2021 L'Hermitage was cropped at 37 hL/ha and bottled in early September 2023. It is laced with finely delineated orange rind, raspberry, red cherry, red plum, dried herbs, pencil shavings, black cherry, crushed violet and cedar. Showing excellent tension on the medium-bodied palate, the 2021 brings it home with clarity and freshness. That being said, it won’t be as long lived as either the 2020 or 2022.' 94 pts Nicolas Greinacher - Vinous

Wine growers in the northern Rhone since 1481, the Chave family represents 16 generations of unbroken lineage committed to the production of some of the finest Syrah, Marsanne, and Roussanne on the planet. Jean Louis joined his father in 1992 after completing undergraduate studies at University of Connecticut and a degree in oenology at Davis. It was at that time that he completely replanted vineyards on the family’s original estate in Saint-Joseph, which had been abandoned in the early 1900’s when phylloxera hit the region.

'Vinified from grapes that were harvested as late as the 26th of September, the 2021 L'Hermitage Blanc was cropped at 38 hL/ha, above the levels of 2022. It dazzles with vivid spring blossom, honeysuckle, lemon peel, white peach, quince, apricot and discrete cedar aromas. Medium-bodied and immaculately balanced by bright acidity, this is an athletic L'Hermitage Blanc with marked freshness and energy. A saline aftertaste wraps up the sapid finish. Outstanding.' 96 pts Nicolas Greinacher - Vinous

Great value Pinot Noir from the Corgoloin village in the Bourgogne region. This is a fresh and fruity, medium-bodied wine. Aromas of fresh berries and subtle spice continue onto the palate, which is enhanced by vibrant acidity. Ageing has allowed the wine to soften and gain complexity.

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Hill & Valley is all about highlighting the ripe and balanced flavours of great wines, such as this full bodied red, from the warmth of the Barossa Valley in South Australia. From the cooler Adelaide Hills to the elevated Eden Valley vineyards to those situated on the Barossa Valley floor, these ancient soils provide the base for great wines that speak of their origins.

"Dense with a bright red edge, there are dark brooding fruit aromas with hints of blueberry and choc-mint. The palate is medium-bodied with blue fruit and fine grained tannins for a very soft finish."

Cabernet Franc is one of the hottest red grapes on Earth right now. Structured, ripe, dark fruit flavours with layers of ripe plum, blackberries and spice make this wine a beautiful drink now as well as for ageing. It comes from a plateau across the border of southwestern Slovenia and northeastern Italy where the soils are rich in iron and limestone and provide superb ripening conditions to grapes grown there, with the added benefit of the ocean influence. 

Fermentation in French and American oak is followed by ageing for a year in larger Slavonian and French oak. This stunning wine drinks well now and has a long life ahead, provided it is cellared well.  

Exceptionally tasty Albarino made in a bone dry style with fleshy unctuous texture from skin contact. Outstanding flavours and depth. Great white in taste, value and the all important X factor wow.

From the talented hand of John Quarisa using grapes from Coonawarra in South Australia.

Approachable, easy going and versatile, this wine has a nose of fresh, complex cassis and mint fruit flavours with some well integrated vanillin oak. The palate is full bodied with dense ripe cassis fruit flavours balanced with vanillin oak but yet long and smooth. This wine has the flavour, structure and balance to be enjoyed now but can benefit from further cellaring.

Supple, succulent and incredibly drinkable. This is a classic blend of southern French grape varieties, modelled on a Cotes du Rhone blend with Cinsault in the lead, contributing 54% towards this juicy red, supported by Shiraz and Grenache. 

Winemaker A A Badenhorst suggests that the Cinsault component will provide the structure for excellent ageing and enough suppleness for drinking young. Aromas here are perfumed, peppery, spicy and exhibit ripe red fruit flavours.

Tasting Note: Made with Iwai rice, a variety of sake brewing rice suited grown only in Kyoto Prefecture, the pristine water of Fushimi, and of course Gekkeikan?s skill and dedication to perfection, this sake is as Kyoto as they come, making it worthy of being the sake of Japan?s ancient capital city. A delicate fruity aroma and clean palate characterize this light and refined Tokubetsu Junmai sake.

Domaine Charles Audoin, based in Marsannay-la-Cote in Burgundy, has been a family-run estate since its establishment in the early 20th century. Under the leadership of Charles Audoin and later his son Cyril, the domaine has expanded to approximately 14 hectares across the Marsannay appellation. They are pioneers in promoting the quality of Marsannay, which is known for producing excellent red, white, and rosé wines.

The terroir of Marsannay, located at the northern end of the Côte de Nuits, is diverse, comprising predominantly limestone and clay soils. The vineyards used for ‘Cuvée Charlie’ are from some of the domaine's prime sites, with vines aged around 40 to 60 years. This maturity of the vines brings depth and concentration to the wine. The soils, rich in limestone, contribute to the wine’s minerality and elegance, while the clay content enhances its body and structure.

From Domaine Chanson...

Grape Variety : Pinot Noir

Soil : Gravel mixed with clay

Site : On the Mont Battois hillside, facing Beaune, the name "Grèves" derives from the sandy and gravely soil. Separated from the Clos des Fèves by a narrow path this Chanson vineyard covers 2 hectares

The Vintage 2022 : After a winter characterized by marked variations in temperature between January and February, spring started with mild temperatures. A sequence of cold weather in April was followed by warm temperatures in May but the lack of water was very noticeable and could not be compensated by the rainy storms of June. Summer was marked by several and long heat waves and the storms of the end of August were most welcome. The harvest at Chanson started on August 30 with a team of 100 persons and ended on September 13. 2022 vintage was quite generous both in volume and quality and the red wines are generous and well-balanced with an outstanding crunchy fruit.

Tasting : Bright ruby colour. Fragrances of peony mixed with intense aromas of ripe red berries (strawberry, cherry) mixed with coffee and spicy notes. Delicate vanilla. Well-balanced and complex. Deep and refined texture. Elegant and well-integrated oak note, well-shaped tannins. Long and spicy finish. Scores : 93/100 Jasper Morris/Inside Burgundy - 16,5+/100 Jancis Robinson

Food pairing : It is perfectly matched with red meat grilled or en sauce, and all cheeses, especially the local cheeses like Epoisses or Citeaux.