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‘Unique’ is an epithet that's weary from over-use, but it's hard not to have it whispering in your ear when you think of this very special collection of wines, reflecting the consistent excellence of one of the most celebrated producers from one of the world's most celebrated wine appellations.

We have assembled and carefully cellared six consecutive vintages of Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Château de Beaucastel, from 2009 to 2014 inclusive, giving a glimpse into six years of history as recorded in wine by the Perrin family.

This would make an unforgettable gift for a connoisseur or collector, and it's not a selection that we'll ever be able to offer again. It's really one of a kind.

Pomerol is a relatively featureless gravel bank of eight hundred hectares with only a church as a landmark, the surrounding houses set among the vines. Seven times smaller than its famous neighbour Saint-Émilion, from which it was granted separate AOC status in 1923, it is now considered one of the most prestigious of the Bordeaux appellations.

Denis Durantou took over the Église Clinet estate in 1983, and has raised his acquisition to celebrity status with a series of impressive vintages.

This rich red has expressive, engaging and complex aromas, with the concentration and poise in the mouth that marks out a superior wine. A high proportion of Merlot gives an opulence and fullness counterpointed by the more herbal, earthy qualities of the Cabernet Franc in the blend. It's a wine that will keep easily until 2030 and beyond, but if you can contain your impatience till 2020 you can open it then to enjoy it as it begins its best years.

‘A smokier expression than most, this is hugely enjoyable and still intense in colour on its tenth birthday. Expect layers of juicy, succulent black cherry fruit with graphite notes, and just a hint of black truffle that should develop more over the next decade. Great depth of flavour here that stretches out through the palate. Drink 2018–2036. ’
Jane Anson, Decanter, July 2018 (tasted February 2018) 95/100

‘The 2008 L’Eglise-Clinet has a very perfumed, unapologetically floral bouquet replete with expressive red berry fruit laced with crushed limestone and truffle scents, almost Burgundy-like in terms of purity. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy cranberry and raspberry fruit, a fine and almost symmetrical structure with the density and mass you expect from Denis Durantou’s Pomerol. The Cabernet Franc lends a savory, almost dried blood note towards the long, persistent finish. This is ageing with style. Drink 2020–2045.’
Neal Martin, vinous.com, February 2018 95/100

‘A remarkable wine in this vintage, L'Eglise Clinet's 2008 has a color almost as dark as the barrel sample of 2010. Classic mocha and caramel-infused creme de cassis and black cherry notes, with hints of licorice and loamy soil soar from the glass of this opaque ruby/purple, aromatically compelling wine. Opulent, expansive, and savory, with a broad texture, a full-bodied mouthfeel, terrific purity and a layered finish, this is another big, massive wine that transcends the vintage character, and will probably need 7-10 years of bottle age. It should keep for 20 or more years as well.’
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011 95/100

‘Dense and pure with massive concentration yet undeniable elegance and precision’
Robert Parker, April 2009 94–96/100

Three consecutive vintages of the world-famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Château de Beaucastel, from 2016 to 2018 inclusive, giving a glimpse into three years of history as recorded in wine by the Perrin family.

These collections are rare and, when our stock is exhausted, irreplaceable. Any of them would make an unforgettable gift for a connoisseur or collector.

Three consecutive vintages of the world-famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Château de Beaucastel, from 2015 to 2017 inclusive, giving a glimpse into three years of history as recorded in wine by the Perrin family.

These collections are rare and, when our stock is exhausted, irreplaceable. Any of them would make an unforgettable gift for a connoisseur or collector.

Three consecutive vintages of the world-famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Château de Beaucastel, from 2010 to 2012 inclusive, giving a glimpse into three years of history as recorded in wine by the Perrin family.

These collections are rare and, when our stock is exhausted, irreplaceable. Any of them would make an unforgettable gift for a connoisseur or collector.

This is a Clos de Vougeot of the highest order, and though already seductive, it will certainly repay keeping for five years and much longer.

Even while it's young, there's an exhilarating spiciness and depth to its complex red fruit. The subtle intricacies of the palate are woven over an intense and satisfying body that develops new flavours of herbs and earth all the way into the very long finish.

An utterly beguiling wine, with an almost incomparable fragrance of complex, subtle spice and deep, exhilarating fruit intensity.

The impressive power of this wine is delivered with ethereal, effortless grace. Sumptuous dark cherry and strawberry fruit with mineral, herbal length.

‘Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Clinet rolls sensuously out of the glass with notes of Black Forest cake, blueberry compote and plum preserves plus hints of cigar box, cardamom and cloves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate reveals pleasant poise with loads of savory sparks on the finish.’
95/100 Lisa Perotti-Brown, Wine Advocate, March 2020

‘The blend is largely dominated by 85% Merlot, with some Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Cabernet Franc also included. Inky/purple-colored, the wine has an exceptionally full-bodied, layered, moderately tannic mouthfeel and impressive power. Loads of melted chocolate/fudge and black fruits galore along with some coffee bean, mocha, as well as some background oak are all present in this big, formidably endowed, masculine style of Pomerol that will take longer to shed its tannin than the 2009. I would give this wine 5-6 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 30+ years. The 2010 is another fabulous effort from this estate of just over 20 acres located in the sector named the same as the chateau, Clinet.’
96+/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, February 2013

A spectacular success in this vintage, this blend of 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc achieved 15% natural alcohol. Sadly, there are only 3,400 cases primarily because of the small Merlot crop (yields were only 29 hectoliters per hectare). The wine's opaque purple color is followed by an extraordinary bouquet of boysenberries, blueberries, black currants, licorice, truffles and a hint of asphalt. The wine possesses great intensity, a multidimensional mouthfeel, stunning glycerin and richness, and wonderful freshness as well as precision because of the vintage conditions. This massive Pomerol will age effortlessly for 30-35 years. Equaling what Clinet achieved in 1989 and 1990, it is the third successive great vintage for this estate.’
95–98/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, May 2011

‘Gorgeous nose with lots of dark fruit like plum and blueberries. Crushed pepper and chalk with wild strawberries and vanilla. Dense and velvety on the palate with superbly polished tannins and great depth. It's absolutely gorgeous now but needs at least five to six years of bottle age to really shows its great quality.’
97/100 James Suckling, February 2013

‘The 2010 Clinet is a baby, but man, what a wine. Checking in as mostly Merlot, with small amounts of both Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this deep ruby/purple-tinged beauty gives up fresh, tight aromas of blackcurrants, black cherries, damp earth and forest floor, with its background oak buffered by serious amounts of fruit. Full-bodied, concentrated and deep, yet also elegant and layered, with the freshness, purity, and structure of the vintage, it sings even today with a decant, but is best with a few more year of bottle age. It’s going to keep for 2-3 decades.’
96/100 Jeb Dunnuck, December 2017

‘This showy, packed and well-endowed Pomerol pumps out notes of warm linzer torte, plum preserves and blackberry reduction, all supported by a broad, charcoal- and ganache-coated structure and deeply embedded acidity. Very muscular on the back end, this boasts a still-chewy feel. Among the most backward of the 2010 Pomerols, this requires significant cellaring. For those who enjoy more power than subtlety. Best from 2017 through 2035.’
95/100 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, March 2013

‘Rather savoury, meaty nose. Sweet velvety start and rather lighter on the palate than some of its peers. Slightly pinched tannins on the end but this is not overdone. Tasted blind it would represent 2010 Pomerol pretty efficiently. Still needs a bit of time though. Drink 2022 – 2040’
16.5+/20 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, March 2020

‘Blackish crimson. Such ripeness it's almost cheesy on the nose. Then very firm on the palate - verging on inkiness. A real backbone here! This wine's two faces don't seem to be talking to each other yet. It may get there in the end…?’
16.5/20 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2011

‘Has developed an elegance all its own, with great style, smoothing out the real intensity of the wine. This 2005 continues in that tradition, a spicy, fruity wine, which has restraint as well as hidden power.’

95/100 Wine Enthusiast

‘Beautiful currant, berry and licorice aromas follow through to a full body, with tar and berry character, fine tannins and a long finish. I was expecting a little more from this, but it's still outstanding. Best after 2013.’
93/100 Wine Spectator

‘What a nose on this, with orchids and currants, this is very perfumed and pretty. Full-bodied, with bright and lively acidity. Rose petals and citrus fruit on the palate give way to a long and intense finish. Wait and see where this goes.
93/100 James Suckling

These are the six red wines:

The relatively shallow, well drained soils of the 'Les Champs Traversins' climat at the top of the Echezeaux slope give refinement and elegance to this powerful grand cru Burgundy.

Firm, structuring tannins and good acidity make this a wine to drink in its maturity. After a few years, its intense cherry and raspberry fruit take on complementary elements of earth, undergrowth and hints of the florist's—maybe even a little honey—and call for relatively full-flavoured dishes such as roast lamb or game, or maybe a richly creamy, mushroomy soft cheese.

Reviews below are for the 2014 vintage.

We have just one precious bottle of the 2005 in stock.

‘Another contender for wine of the vintage. Here things get a little deep and fleshy, with crushed damson fruit that holds its integrity. Tannins are big and bold, oak influence clear but not offputting, just giving boots to slip your feet into. Your mouth responds to these tannins, reminds you that wine tasting us a physical activity. Great quality, what a brilliant wine.’
97/100 Decanter

'This is a very fine wine showing a new level of quality at Montrose. With its almost velvet tannins inside the intense black fruits, the wine is rich, smooth and generous. Blackberry and black-plum fruits are to the fore along with the fine acidity and great structure. A wine to age for decades, it will be ready to drink from 2027.’
97/100 Wine Enthusiast, February 2017

‘Incredible aromas of currants, blackberries, slate and flowers. Full-bodied yet so tight and beautiful with superb polish and brightness. The length is fantastic. Truly superb.’
97/100 James Suckling, February 2017

'Tasted at the château, the 2014 Montrose builds on the promise it showed in barrel with gorgeous blackberry, raspberry, cedar and orange sorbet scents that are extremely pure and refined. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very precise acidity and layers of crisp black fruit laced with vanilla from the new oak at the moment. That will be subsumed in time. What you have here is a very precise, multi-layered, almost sensual Montrose that is going to delight many for years to come. This is highly recommended—one of the finest Left Bank wines this vintage.’
96/100 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, September 2016.

'This is seriously built, with an admirable core of red and black currant paste and bitter plum fruit inlaid with notes of tobacco, bay and smoldering charcoal. The finish is ramrod straight thanks to an iron girder supporting everything with ease. A tremendous effort for the vintage.’
95/100 Wine Spectator, March 2017

Considered a star of the vintage, and highly praised in subsequent tastings, this is a plush, complex wine with fresh, ripe, opulent fruit, delicious, lengthy weight and intensity, and supple tannins that shape a long finish.

You could drink it now as an indulgent match for a special meal, or in all probability cellar it until the 2030s.

‘Powerful black fruits nose; the palate is broad and generous, with splendid concentration. Tannic but not too extracted; power without caricature. Joyous, with very good length.’
Stephen Brook, Decanter Bordeaux 2017

‘The currants and blackberries on the nose are very impressive with wet-earth and lavender undertones. Full body and super-integrated tannins that melt into the wine. The quality of the tannins is incredible with fantastic length and mouthfeel. So much concentration and balance at the same time. Such beauty. From biodynamic grapes. This is the greatest wine ever from here. Drink in 2022.’
99/100 James Suckling, October 2019

‘This vintage is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, matured in 65% new oak barrels. Medium to deep garnet-purple, the 2015 Smith Haut Lafitte has a totally dazzling nose of exotic spices—star anise, fenugreek and Sichuan pepper—over a core of chocolate-covered cherries, wild blueberries, plum preserves, violets and earthy wafts of truffles, moss, tilled black soil and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced and packing a lot of flavor into a relatively modest package, it fills the mouth with spice and herb-laced black and blue fruit layers, supported by very ripe, very finely grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length. This is already a show-stopping, heart-pounding beauty, but should also age incredibly!’
97/100 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, February 2018

‘Smith Haut-Lafite sits on free-draining, günz gravel, with the 2015 showing classic smoky, earthy Graves character with herbs, spices and freshness on the palate. On the intense nose, floral notes and subtle new oak support the fruit. Although there is a silky, intense and concentrated core to the fruit, this is not at all showy - just a wonderfully balanced and complete example of Cru Classé Pessac-Leognan.’
96/100 Decanter, December 2019

‘ Another wine from the Cathiard family I was able to taste on multiple occasions is the 2015 Smith Haut Lafitte, and it’s brilliant stuff readers should snatch up. Offering a huge nose of chocolatey dark fruits, roasted herbs, graphite and flowers, this big, rich, opulent beauty has building tannin, loads of structure and great mid-palate. It will drink nicely for 20+ years.’
96+/100 Jeb Dunnuck, November 2017

‘…dense in expressive, dark fruit and solid tannins which give it a rich, enveloping feel. With its spicy score and crisp acidity, there is great potential for aging. ’
96/100 Cellar Selection, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast April 2018

‘This pumps out some serious blackberry, boysenberry, raspberry and black currant fruit flavors, with the texture of compote and a racy edge thanks to a terrific bolt of graphite that runs throughout. Waves of anise, roasted apple wood and tobacco drive the finish, with the fruit keeping pace easily. Destined for a long life. Best from 2025 through 2045.’
96/100 Highly Recommended, Wine Spectator March 2018

Pessac-Léognan is a subregion of Bordeaux that was carved out of the Graves in 1987. Its terroir points to its historical origins as part of the Graves, with the dominant soil type being the gravel (and sand) which gave Graves its name. The northern vineyards of the appellation coexist with the southern suburbs of Bordeaux city, while the southern vineyards are enclosed by the forests which produce the other main export of Graves: timber.

These bottles make up the latest set in an exclusive series of wines from Bodegas Altanza paying homage to great artists by featuring their work in the label design.

The gift set comprises three bottles of the same very fine reserva Rioja, each with a different label showing a work by the artist.

Joaquin Sorolla was, like his friend John Singer Sargent, influenced by the Impressionists. Among his favourite subjects were outdoor scenes, especially the coastline of his native Valencia, where his gift for capturing brilliant light and its play on water has made him ‘the painter of vibrating sunshine without equal’ in the eyes of critics.

The wine is an impressive and simply delicious pure Tempranillo reserva, with damson and blackberry aromas as well as the freshness of red berries, all interwoven with the spice and vanilla that come from long ageing in fine French oak. The flavours are full and soft, instantly appealing but with lingering, elegant tannins that give depth and structure to each sip. This is a powerful but balanced wine that makes an excellent partner for rich savoury dishes.

• 95/100 OUTSTANDING Decanter
• 95/100 Tim Atkin
• 93/100 Guia Peñín
• 91/100 The Wine Advocate

A 37.5ml half bottle of rich amber coloured wine with an extremely intense and persistent bouquet. Layers of dried fruit, rose petals, tea leaves, exotic spices and vanilla blend together creating a full-bodied, sweet, and thoroughly unique taste.

"The 1998 vintage is surprisingly dry on the palate, featuring good acidity to balance the sweetness for a refined, even delicate, sensory drinking experience."

The Avignonesi winemaking team's assessment

Here are three refreshingly different white wines that you may not have tried yet. It's always good to broaden your white wine horizons, and we put this mix together with that in mind—a great way to enjoy a taste of summer—even into the murk and drizzle of winter.

This mixed dozen contains four bottles each of the following:

in stock, details coming soon

The Sauternes wines of Château d'Yquem are often considered the greatest sweet wines in the world.

2008 was a difficult year in Sauternes, but warm, humid weather at the end of the growing season was ideal for the development of botrytis. The best estates were able to make impressive wines, though yields were significantly reduced in many areas. Château d’Yquem created a wine with luscious tropical fruit quality and complexity as well as the typical freshness of the vintage.

‘Tasted single blind against its peers. The Yquem 2008 is easy to spot in a blind line-up: it is (to quote Tina Turner) simply the best. It has a subtle, delicate but very pretty bouquet with fine definition and astounding minerality. The palate is beautifully poised, tense and tightly coiled on the entry and then it just explodes in the mouth with pure, unbridled, joyous botrytized fruit struck through with a silver thread of acidity. It displays exemplary tension and freshness, along with great persistency in the mouth. This is an outstanding Sauternes 2008 and another impressive Yquem.’
Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, February 2012 96/100

‘ Bright light gold. Ripe cling peach, fresh apricot, spices, coconut, minerals and white flowers on the nose, with a note of vanillin oak emerging with air; subdued but wonderfully pure and precise. At once thick and light on its feet, showing an utterly seamless texture and compelling sweetness but also lovely inner-mouth tension thanks to its suave acidity and underlying minerality. The new oak element is in harmony with the wine's fruit already. Really dusts the palate on the back end and builds inexorably. The explosive finish leaves behind a perfumed spice character. The clear star in my 2008 tasting.’
Stephen Tanzer, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May 2012 95/100

‘Coming in with 139 degrees residual sugar and a pH of 4.75, this is an Yquem that is unequivocally top of the pile in 2008. A light straw color with green tints in the glass. The bouquet is just wonderful, very perfumed with aromas of apricot, acacia honey and white flowers. A degree less clarity than the 2007, but perhaps more nuanced, more honeyed. The palate is a little more viscous than the 2007, lacquers the mouth with honey, apricot and orange zest. Very harmonious, the finish vibrant and edgy, real tension and energy in this Yquem. Very focused on the finish – not the ‘peacock's tail’ of flavors that one finds on truly great vintages. But there is a surreal level of elegance and poise – an understated Yquem that should age effortlessly and returning to the glass it graces you with hints of almond and a dash of spice. In 2008, the king is king. P.S. RMP rated this blend of 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon (94-96)’
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, April 2009 95–97/100