Made by the team at Domaines Comte de Malet Roquefort, who are one of the Right Bank’s most respected winemaking families, and own estates including La Gaffelière and Puy-Blanquet. Predominantly Merlot, with a dash of Cabernet Franc, and made in an unoaked style, this is a fruit-forward, precise red Bordeaux. The 2020 is a particular success with real brightness and energy, supple tannin, and a lingering finish that makes this a brilliant claret for just about any occasion.

Owned by the Vauthier family of Ausone fame, this is a smart value purchase from St-Emilion. The 2016 is elegant and perfectly balanced, with dark cherry notes and a herbal lift. Château de Fonbel has one of the largest plantations in Bordeaux of the sparsely-found Carménère variety. Juxtaposed with the Merlot that dominates the blend, the wine shows a beautiful purity of fruit. This is an absolute delight.

This St-Emilion is one of our go-to wines, for sheer quality and value for money. The final vintage overseen by Denis Durantou, this is a wine to buy by the case.

The value pick from master winemaker François Mitjavile, this is a stunner in 2019. It’s almost Pinot Noir like in its character, with wild berries and plenty of freshly picked herbs. So silky and elegant, it’s a real beauty of a wine.

The 2018 Branas Grand Poujeaux is a beautifully styled left bank claret, with loads of ripe berry fruit on the nose, notes of violets and a hint of baked earth, and plenty of lift, too. The palate is silky and detailed, with stunning length for a wine of this price. Tasting it blind, you’d mistake this for a Grand Cru Classé.

Château Marsau gets better and better every year. The 2020 is stunning, with a core of sweet fruit, and tannins that coat the mouth without being overbearing. The finish is long and saline, and there's wonderful freshness holding it all together. What a stunning wine: one of the bargains of the wine world.

The 2014 Potensac is a great example of why this is the insider's tip vintage in the northern Médoc. It's perfumed with red berries and floral notes on the nose, with some more brooding tobacco and earthy aromas beneath. There's still some tannin here, firm initially but beginning to melt and integrate with the rest of the wine. There's also plenty of refreshing acidity and saline notes, leaving the wine energetic and bright on the finish.

Matt Thomson and Sophie Parker-Thomson MW are among New Zealand’s most dynamic winemakers. With more that forty years joint experience making wine in New Zealand and further afield, they know better than most where to find the best parcels of grapes, to craft into refined, characterful wines. So we were thrilled when they agreed to work with us on Our Collection, using grapes grown in a single vineyard in the Dillons Point sub-region. This is a brilliant example of a Marlbourough Sauvignon Blanc, that has lots of the upfront fruit you’d expect from the style, but with an added layer of minerality and complexity. It really is a cut above.

Made by the team behind Shaw & Smith, owned by Michael Smith MW, who was the first Australian to pass the MW examination, and highly respected winemaker Martin Shaw. They’ve put the Adelaide Hills on the map for world class Chardonnay, and this barrel-fermented example from high altitude vineyards balances spice, fresh fruit, and lots of brilliant energy. It’s a delicious, ageworthy Chardonnay, that is more than a match for far pricier examples from around the world.

Adi Badenhorst is one of the original Swartland trailblazers. He is based on the Paardeberg, where deep, decomposed granite soils are perfect for growing Chenin Blanc. This is from a single vineyard - Dassiekop - a tiny plot of vines planted in the 1970s, that produces a quintessential Swartland Chenin: vibrant and tense, with lots of ripe citrus fruit, and a long, savoury finish.

Some of the vines in this vineyard are over 100 years old, and the wine always has a thrilling concentration and precision. In this 2021 the fruit is chiselled, nicely tart, with a delicious fresh ripeness underneath - everything you want from Chenin Blanc. This was arguably the wine that persuaded me this is the best vintage from Jacky Blot I've ever tasted.

The Rothenberg in 2020 is a drop-dead gorgeous Riesling. It ripples with tension and drive, but has a little more creaminess than in some vintages, making a really delicious, approachable wine. Don't underestimate this wine's ability to age, though. This will go on and on and on.

Sancerre is the spiritual home of Sauvignon Blanc, where you’ll find the most refined, purest, most ageworthy examples of the grape variety. Domaine Paul Thomas is a small, family-run estate, with just nine hectares of vines in Chavignol, for many the sweet-spot of the region, and the site of the most famous vineyard here, Les Monts-Damnés. This, a blend from the estate’s vineyards around the village of Chavignol, shows pure and aromatic citrus fruits, with a precision and tension on the palate, its texture and minerality derived from the deep limestone soils. It’s a benchmark example of a much-loved region.

The fruit for this blend in 2021 comes from 75% Puligny and 25% Meursault. In spite of their Bourgogne classification, these sites are high quality, knocking on the door of village level, with shallow topsoil and lots of small stones, aiding drainage. It is a Bourgogne full of lemony freshness, delicious energy and enough salinity and grippiness in the finish that makes you want to continue drinking it! It remains a benchmark of the style.

G.D.Vajra is one of Piedmont’s most celebrated estates, run by Aldo Vaira and his children, Giuseppe, Francesca, and Isidoro. This Nebbiolo comes from plots across the Barolo zone, and is a brilliant example of the elegance and refinement of the Nebbiolo grape variety. Notes of wild cherries and rose petals swirl from the glass, while the palate has silky tannins, and a real sense of energy. The finish is long and mineral: this is a complex, food-friendly wine that shows the best of this corner of Italy.

This is a brilliant introduction to the estate, from a selection of vineyards in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Dernau and Rech. Cherry fruit and some spice, and then a long and mineral finish. Just such a delicious Pinot Noir, with excellent potential.

Notes of baked earth, wild berries and lots of spice on this impressive Châteauneuf. More savoury than the Trois Sources. This is stunningly long, and very well balanced.

The 2015 Riserva from Rabaja has plenty of breadth and volume as you'd expect, with notes of black pepper and sage, and a core of ripe fruit. This is a charming Barbaresco right now. Lovely.

The Grivots’ Pruliers is a wonderful example of how Nuits from the south side of the village can clearly show its origins, without being rustic. Notes of baked earth and dark fruit, with definition and silkiness on the finish. A very serious Nuits.

Arguably one of the pioneers of Martinborough Pinot Noir, if not New Zealand Pinot in general, Larry McKenna is a legend of the wine world. Pahi is historically one of Larry’s most revered single vineyard wines, and in 2020 this comes from a newly acquired site, on Te Muna road, with similar characteristics to the old Pahi vineyard. The result is a powerful style of Pinot, bold and tightly wound. It has characteristic black berry fruits, with savoury spice and liquorice. There’s a grippy, chewy feel on the palate at the moment that will soften into a rich, silky texture with time in bottle.

A blend of 15 lieux-dits across Côte Blonde and Côte Brune (in total 25 plots go into it). Floral lift and wonderful dark intensity. Perfectly balanced tannins make this a brilliant Côte-Rôtie: one to stock up on.

Fresh and charming, with red cherry and blackberry fruit, spice, vanilla and savoury notes on the nose. Silky and opulent on the palate with a juiciness in the mid palate, before finishing more serious and savoury.

From Jakkalsfontein farm, now owned by Adi Badenhorst. Lots of purity and focus, they’ve worked with this block since 2005. Intense and brooding when first poured into the glass but opens up with beautiful violets, spices, and herbal aromatics over time.

A truly exceptional example of McLaren Vale Shiraz, the 2018 Koomilya is bold, rich and full of complex flavours but still manages to maintain freshness and sapidity. Ripe dark plums, blackberry and blueberry fruit aromas with tons of saline, iodine, ferrous flavours emerging on the palate. There’s structure here with an abundance of fine tannin that will soften in time.

Expect a deep ruby colour in the glass with intense ripe fruit aromas of plums, redcurrants, raisins with liquorice and clove spice. Wild flowers are noticeable on the palate combined with subtle savoury spice notes and a breadth that has come from the 6 years ageing. Tannins are present but incredibly well integrated and with an attractive suppleness.

Château Suduiraut is one of Sauternes’ greatest estates, and was rated as a Premier Cru Classé in the 1855 classification of the region. This, from the highly rated 2016 vintage, shows why Sauternes is so highly prized. Notes of marmalade and ginger spice, with wonderful freshness coming through. Everyone should always have a bottle of Sauternes to hand: it never fails to impress.

Made from 100% Malvasia and aged for 20 years. Incredibly decadent and rich with masses of complexity and a persistent freshness so typical of fine Madeira. Berry fruit, leather, dried figs, coffee, citrus peel, caramel, and brown sugar. Perfect to pair with cheese or desserts or try as an aperitif.

Due to light filtering, this Fino has real character and expression. Lemon citrus, herbal and olive brine support bread and salted almonds notes. There is a saltiness on the palate and despite Palomino being relatively low in acidity, this Fino displays a lively acid profile.

Beautiful pale straw colour and gold highlights shimmering with flashes of green.
A marvellous floral burst comes right off the glass, with white flower and hints of passion fruit. On the palate, plenty of richness and elegance, with honey and great acidity balancing all the components in this splendid wine.

This has got to be one of the best value sweet wines on the market. It is bottled in 50cl exclusively for Lay & Wheeler - the perfect size, we feel. It's made from 100% Chenin Blanc in the Loire Valley, and its balance of sweetness and freshness absolutely hits the spot. It is a beautiful pale golden colour, with aromas of Seville orange marmalade and acacia honey. The palate is fresh and vibrant giving it a refreshing, long finish. There is so much going on here.

Tempranillo (95%) is the main variety and comes from three vineyards in Rodezno (Las Cuevas, El Palo and Las Monjas) It is blended with 5% Graciano from the Montecillo vineyard in Fuenmayor. The 2016 Gran Reserva is an exceptional vintage with aromas of wild flowers and berries combined with sweet spice, dark chocolate and balsamic notes adding layers of complexity to this concentrated wine.

Crafted by the team at Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, this Médoc is subtle, charming, and refined with rich dark cherry fruit flavours and sweet liquorice spice. Densely packed tannins and a long savoury finish make this the perfect Bordeaux for the dinner table. And it’s in the perfect format to age and develop for years to come.

Blended from six lieux-dits, there's wonderful tension here between ripeness and mineral purity, with wonderfully perfumed and expressive Syrah fruit. The tannins are ripe and supple: this is a complete wine.

Vajra’s ode to the wines of the past, this is a blend of vineyards. There’s a softness and easiness here: a freshness and lift alongside the easygoing character of the vintage. A simply delicious, easy to try Barolo.

Our search for the perfect Champagne to put our name to was a long one. So we couldn’t be more delighted to have teamed up with long-standing favourite of the business, Champagne Thiénot. Their classic brut non-vintage blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, based on the outstanding 2015 vintage, is exactly what we wanted. It’s balanced and refreshing, with a well-judged 6g/l dosage. Extended ageing has lent the wine depth, character, and intensity. And quite frankly, it’s an absolute bargain.

The Chardonnay of this wine’s name actually refers to the village, although it’s a rather nice nod to the variety that is responsible for the vast majority of the wines produced in Mâcon. Clos de la Crochette is a charming walled vineyard that Dominique Lafon bought in 2003. After a little investigation he discovered it is one of the most historic sites in all of Burgundy, first planted by the monks of Cluny (c.900 AD). The energy and tension of the 2022 emphatically demonstrates why this has been a favourite spot with winegrowers through the centuries.

Malts from the Miyagikyo distillery are known for their elegance and fruit-forward nature. This whisky is made from peated and non-peated barley and is made in indirectly heated pot stills to emphasise the delicate fruity signature style. Maturation is mostly in sherry casks which shines through in the final whisky. Made from a blend of whiskies of various ages.

This is deliciously beautiful on the nose, with sweet spice, Christmas cake, and a hint of toffee apple. The palate is silky smooth, with a warmth that coats the mouth without being overpowering, and just a hint of smokiness completing the picture. A brilliant debut from this name to watch.

Glenfarclas is one of the only family-run distilleries in Scotland and has been in the Grant family for generations. This 25 year old single malt from Glenfarclas spent its days in 100% Oloroso sherry casks. It's complex, nutty, with clear sherry character and a rich, long finish. It won gold at the 2019 International Spirits Challenge.

This XO can include the Château on the label because it is made exclusively from grapes harvested, distilled, aged and bottled at the Château Fontpinot. Full of dried apricot, citrus peel, dried fig on the nose and palate, with marzipan, hazlenut, and 'rancio' from long ageing. Warm and rich on the palate.

Mark Reynier is a pioneering believer in terroir in whisky, and moved home to Ireland to focus on expressing each individual barley site in his whiskies. Cuvee is their new flagship, and is a blend of 25 different single farm origin whiskies. The result is finer than the sum of its parts, with aromatic honey, hay, peach, vanilla and orange. It's delicate and elegant in style, and soft, peppery and biscuity on the palate. Unique and characterful.

This truly small-batch premium whiskey from the Michter's Distillery, made using only the finest ingredients and traditional techniques, is a must-have for every home bar. Each batch is made up of no more than 20 full barrels of carefully selected mature whiskeys. The whiskies are known for their soft, mellow style, making it suitable for sipping neat or for mixing. The flavours are rich and concentrated, full of stone fruit, vanilla, cinnamon, raisins and dates. It finishes long and smooth.

Chardonnay from the Languedoc is vinified, and then the alcohol is removed. This is juicy and vibrant, with notes of green apple, pear, and a hint of honey. There’s some sweetness here, bringing palate weight, but there’s enough acidity to balance it.

A blend of Chardonnay & Pinot Noir, from the Languedoc-Roussillon, with the alcohol removed. This is crunchy and juicy, with nice vibrancy, and notes of crunchy apples and lots of citrus fruit on the finish. There’s good length here: surprisingly delicious.

A blend of Garganega and Vespaiola, from the Veneto region of Italy, and more specifically from the village of Breganze. This is full of pear notes and hints of peach, with a bright palate, and good palate weight, with just a hint of sweetness on the finish. The alcohol is removed at the end of the winemaking process.

A blend of Merlot & Pinot Noir from Veneto, this is aged for 12 months in oak barrels and tonneaux, bringing oak spice as well as bright cherry fruit. There’s some sweetness on the palate to make up for the lack of alcohol. The alcohol is removed at the end of the winemaking process.