Grenache Blanc is the star of whites here, two hours west of Barcelona. White fleshed fruit aromas, fresh & pure flavours, then a dollop of cream.
Clare Valley Riesling 2018 — Rodney & The Horse, Clare Valley, Australia £19.00
Our awesome single vineyard, wild yeast fermented Riesling, aged on lees for three months. The ‘18 shows the hallmark lime characters, but is light and almost delicate with deep minerality and a ripe grapey burst on the finish.
Pouilly Fume ‘Vitae’ 2018 — Domaine du Bouchot, Loire, France £27.50
This reminds you just how much Sauvignon Blanc can offer. Fennel, white peach and lemon aromas, with a mineral seam that energises the wine all the way to the very end, emphasising the orchard fruit and also adding layers & layers of savoury complexity.
Rose
Cotes de Provence Cru Classe Grande Reserve 2018 — Ch de Saint-Martin, Provence, France £23.50
Really posh rose. But not in a standoffish way. It's as deep as the ocean; endless cranberries that you can almost feel burst in your mouth, sweet orange and toasted scones with cream.
Red
Alentejo Tinto ‘Estate’ 2018 — Terra d'Alter, Alentejo, Portugal £14.00
A perfect, medium-bodied, joyful summer red. Dark plum, liquorice, plump red berries and a long, dry, fresh finish.
Clare Valley Shiraz 2018 — Rodney & The Horse, Clare Valley, Australia £19.00
Super-focused Shiraz with plenty of dark berry fruit depth yet in no way heavy or sweet. Tannins pop and crunch, acidity flows, purity rules.
Vin Ordinaire 2016 — Alphabetical, Western Cape, South Africa £16.50
The Western Cape, where winemakers surf and surfers make wine. Too many varieties to list here. Bitter chocolate, blackberry, clove & menthol.
Lussac Saint Emilion ‘L'Egerie’ 2010 — Chateau Chereau, Right Bank, France £36.00
Great credentials: sustainable viticulture, low yields, natural yeasts. 80% Merlot, with Cabernets Franc & Sauvignon. Fleshy, firm tannins, elegant.
Mendoza Malbec ‘Lorca Lorca’ 2018 — Mauricio Lorca, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina £15.00
From fruit grown in Vista Flores in the Uco Valley. Ripe, strikingly pure black cherry fruit and seamless tannins.
Adelaide Hills Montepulciano 2016 — Catlin Wines, Adelaide Hills, Australia £23.00
This late-ripening variety thrives here, planted on ‘tough dirt’ in a single vineyard. Juicy, intensely dark and finely textured.