With every change of the season we all pick a new wine to reflect the time of year.  For Winter 2018 we have chosen a selection of old favourites and new discoveries.

Aidan
Rustenberg John X Merriman 2013 £14.69
A great example of a New-World, Merlot-dominant blend that does an excellent job emulating the style and structure of a classic Bordeaux. A powerful wine, it is worth decanting for a few hours and best savoured alongside some roast beef, steak or cheese, and works surprisingly well with dark chocolate!
Black currant and dark fruits, complemented with cigar box,  tobacco and cherry. The wine will age and develop a softer, more savoury palate revealing wonderful drinkability and tertiary complexity. Aging Potential 10 to 15 years from vintage. A great choice for the wallet, as this wine offers up classic Bordeaux character, without the big prices of Pomerol or Medoc.
 
Alex
Domaine des Aubuisieres Vouvray Sec Silex 2016 £11.95
This has been a real favourite of late both personally and through shared experience in tastings. An inexpensive but excellent quality Vouvray from a very respected producer in the region, abound in Chenin Blanc typicity and capturing an essence of terroir that far exceeds the expectation of its price tag. Drawn in by its green-tinted tinge and pleasant nose of ripe green apples, pears and bouquet of white flowers with a touch of chalk, it has a classic Loire residual sweetness that recalls hazelnuts and almonds that’s balanced by a fine acidity. Textured and medium-bodied, it culminates in a lingering, fresh finish. Excellent as an aperitif or enjoyed equally alongside antipasti, salad, fish or white meat.
 
Stevie
Domaine D’Alba Blanc 2015  £10.99
Minervois – Languedoc, France
Vermentino 45% Viognier 45% Roussanne 10%
Sourced from young vines and vinified in stainless steel tanks to preserve purity of fruit. This is both weighty & aromatic with a long finish on the palate with notes of grapefruit, apple with a slight almond note at the end.  Elegant, refreshing and never fails to disappoint.
 
Sean
Reyneke Syrah 2015 £15.59
There is a bit of a hippy mentality at Reyneke, organics and biodynamic principles guide the growing and vinification. The purity and essence of this syrah is captured wonderfully;  Complex, restrained yet engaging, try this wine for a beautiful alternative to either Australian shiraz or more expense French rhone examples.
 
Jane
Villa Wolf Pinot Noir 2015 £11.89
This is my wine for January. Why? Because it complies with the frugal state of my January mindset. It is inexpensive, after the Christmas splurge. It is low in alchohol (12.5%) after the Christmas excess! And thirdly because I love Pinot Noir. The Villa Wolf is fresh, light and bursting with summer fruits seasoned with a touch of spice – hence the perfect wine for a January weekend be it for scoffing the remainder of the Christmas cheeses, by the fireside with a simple pizza or with some hearty, healthy winter roast veg salads.