Catherine Jaën MW

Buying Director

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Lay & Wheeler has been on a thrilling journey with Boris Champy, ever since we backed his first vintage (2019). In the following years we’ve seen this courageous winemaker, who broke the mould in Burgundy, striking out on his own in the hinterland of the Hautes-Côtes, receive huge critical acclaim for his sensational Pinot Noirs that offer quite remarkable value for money. These are definitely some of the coolest wines on our list.

 

2022 Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Altitude, Domaine Boris Champy Dry | Red | Still | 12%

This comes from a blend for the domaine’s young vines with a small dash of extremely old vines, from multiple parcels scattered around the village of Nantoux. It has a crunchy acidity giving it a fresh profile, which is twinned with the ripe blueberry/raspberry fruit character. Whole-bunch has been upped to 60% in 2022 giving it a spiced, graceful length.

Ready: 2024 - 2031

Jemma Grant

Buyer

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Thibaud Chevré is a seriously exciting young talent in the Loire, crafting magnificent Chenin Blanc from a wonderful vineyard on the edge of Saumur’s border with Anjou. Great care and attention are taken in the vineyard with the team only using horses to plough it - the domaine is also certified organic. This wine brings extraordinary value for money considering the ethos, quality and deliciousness on show here! Expressive, bursting with chalky, saline drive, and a flash of green pineapple freshness, it is an excellent introduction into the world of fine wine.

 

 

2021 Clos de L'Ecotard Saumur Blanc, Thibaud & Michel Chevré Dry | White | Still | 12.5%

Thibaud Chevré is a seriously exciting young talent in the Loire. His father spent a magnificent career working with Thierry Germain, and this wonderful vineyard - Clos de l'Ecotard - was the first parcel the father-and-son team bought. It's found right on the edge of the Saumur’s border with Anjou, and its highly active limestone and clay soil produces taut and nervous wines that reverberate with tension and energy, even in warmer years. They only use horses to plough it, but the extra hard work is worth it. The 2021 sees them realising the toil of the past decade, bringing to fruition a truly magnificent Chenin Blanc. It is so expressive, bursting with chalky, saline drive, and a flash of green pineapple freshness. A brilliant Chenin Blanc from a formidably good year for Loire whites. Exclusive to Lay & Wheeler in the UK.

Ready: 2023 - 2034

Robert Mathias MW

Senior Buyer

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The Croix Canon is the second wine of one of the most famous and respected estates in St Émilion, Bordeaux: Château Canon. A second wine is a wine often made from younger vines, or from fruit that gives more immediate and approachable representation of the property’s signature but at a fraction of the price to the Grand Vin. Château Canon is owned by Chanel and this wine is most certainly haute couture. Predominantly a blend of Merlot, this offers charming red berry fruit, a silky texture on the palate, and a hint of cocoa on the finish.

 

2018 Croix Canon, Grand Cru St-Emilion Dry | Red | Still | 13%

The second wine of celebrated Chateau Canon, from a parcel sandwiched between Berliquet and Angelus. It offers fantastic value for money, with all the concentration and finesse so typical of the property. Full of rich blackcurrant and plum fruit so typical of the vintage, but complemented by just enough crunchier red fruits to create a wonderful refreshing elegance. This seriously over delivers for the price.

Ready: 2022 - 2034

Tom Faulkner

Buying Assistant

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An explosively fragrant and beautifully textured Cape White Blend from an exceptional vintage made by a winemaker who is a rising star in South Africa. Ready to drink now. What’s not to love?

2021 Lindi Carien, Lourens Family Wines, Piekenierskloof Dry | White | Still | 13%

The 2021 Lindi Carien is a blend of predominantly Verdelho, with 65% Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Grenache Blanc and Palomino supporting. Waxy and expressive, notes of greengage, fynbos, and lots of yellow fruit. There's a lot of ginger spice, and plenty of persistence on the finish.

Ready: 2023 - 2032

Rosie Emms

Fine Wine Advisor

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Hidden Treasures is a very interesting project by the highly regarded Austrian producer, Moric, in which they source grapes from Lake Balaton, in neighbouring Hungary. Expect gorgeous floral aromas, thanks to the Riesling, whilst the Furmint adds moreish, steely citrus notes. This is seriously drinkable and very food friendly.

2020 Hidden Treasures Riesling/Furmint, Weingut Moric, Balaton Dry | White | Still | 13%

This Riesling and Furmint blend is super focused and delivers lemon citrus, jasmine and steely notes. The core has a zesty acidity and is tightly wound, demonstrating excellent concentration.

Ready: 2023 - 2035

Catherine Jaën MW

Buying Director

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When it comes to grande marque Champagnes, there is no house I love more than Krug. Every release of their multi-vintage Grande Cuvée is a masterclass in the complexity and depth that expert blending and long ageing can bring about. Krug may not be the go-to name for cheap and cheerful fizz, but it’s worth every penny for its sheer class and composure. 

 

N/V Grande Cuvée, Edition 171, Krug Dry | White | Sparkling | 12.5%

Krug 171 is a celebration of the 2015 vintage, where Pinot Noir soared in quality. The 171 is luxurious, toasty, enveloping and gourmand. While 2015 takes the lead, the wine’s magic comes from the detailed support of 12 other years, going back to 2000. It’s an intricate combination of no less than 131 wines, and the result is a glorious harmony, fully orchestral in its volume. Captivating in its power and enthralling in its decadence, this is Krug at its very best

Ready: 2023 - 2033

Robert Mathias MW

Senior Buyer

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The category of Rosso di Montalcino can offer some real bargains and this 2019 from Tuscan estate, La Gerla is no exception. The fruit comes from the same vineyards as the estate’s Brunello, but rather than undergoing extensive ageing, the Rosso aims to give a more immediate expression of Sangiovese. This is a bright, energetic, and floral wine with notes of red cherry, rose petal and violets. The style of La Gerla is always supremely elegant - effortless aromatics and a suave character, yet with an underlying structure that mean this pairs extremely well with food.

2019 Rosso di Montalcino, La Gerla, Tuscany Dry | Red | Still | 13%

The 2019 Rosso from La Gerla is a juicy, fragrant Sangiovese from a brilliant estate. Notes of orange peel and wild flowers, and there's a chalky, savoury texture, too. Delicious.

Ready: 2021 - 2027

Dominic Walker

Fine Wine Trading

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This is Côte-Rôtie quality at a fraction of the price –  a fruit-forward expression from Domaine Graeme & Julie Bott, one of the Northern Rhône’s most promising producers. To be enjoyed now but will also reward careful cellaring. 

2022 First Flight Syrah, Domaine Graeme & Julie Bott Dry | Red | Still

It’s hard to express how much we love this cuvée. It’s a juicy, pure, light-footed, and expressive Syrah that comes from vines planted just beyond the limits of the Côte-Rôtie appellation. It is fragrant and open, with vivid cherry and cranberry notes. There’s a deliciously leafy freshness, with the scent of peonies woven through the fruit. Fresh, bright, and appetising. Stock up. This has fast become a Lay & Wheeler favourite.

Ready: 2024 - 2029

Adrian Heaven

Senior Fine Wine Advisor

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Combining one of Chianti’s top estates with an excellent vintage, this is a full, rich wine, with notes of cherry, cranberry, leather and spice. An elegant Sangiovese from Tuscany with real finesse and class, it's a perfect match for hearty stews! 

2020 Chianti Classico, Fontodi, Italy Dry | Red | Still | 14%

The 2020 displays slightly more concentration than the 2019, which gives the wine a juiciness and accessibility on the core. Expect an abundance of sweet and savoury spice combined with black cherry, red plum fruits as well as hints of black olive and leather that complete the wine’s many layers of complexity.

Ready: 2023 - 2035