90

2015 Gentilini Robola, Cephalonia

( £14, 13%, Oddbins )

Best known as the setting for Louis de Bernières’ novel, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Cephalonia also makes some very tasty wines from indigenous Greek grapes. This tangy, bright, wild herb-scented white, made from Robola, will delight lovers of fiction and non-fiction alike. 

BuyDrinking window: 2016-18Similar Wines: £10-£20, 86-90, Greece, White
94

NV Henriot Rosé, Champagne

( £46, 12%, Fortnum & Mason, Harvey Nichols, Oddbins, Planet of the Grapes )

A rosé that deserves to be just as famous as Laurent Perrier’s, this is a blend of mostly Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs with a little Pinot Meunier. The high percentage of reserve wines (25%) gives the wine added depth and complexity. It’s a complex, red fruit-dominated rosé with a hint of blackcurrant leaf, a balsamic undertone, fine bubbles and refeshing acidity. A really good food rosé.

Drinking window: 2014-16Similar Wines: £30-£50, 91-95, France, Sparkling, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
92

2013 Filipa Pato FP Branco, Beiras

( £11.75, 12.5%, Oddbins )

Filipa Pato is one of the most dynamic winemakers in Portugal right now, crafting wines that are every bit as good as those of her father, Luis, albeit in a different, more modern style. This blend of Arinto and Bical, this is tangy, sappy and refreshing, showing the Atlantic influence that colours the wines of Portugal’s coastline and flavours of fresh herbs and citrus fruit. Just the thing to drink with a seafood platter, especially if you’re in Portugal. 

 

 

BuyDrinking window: 2014-17Similar Wines: £10-£20, 91-95, Portugal, White, Arinto, Bical
93

2011 Cape Chamonix Pinotage, Franschhoek

( £16, 14, Oddbins )

If you’d rather drink Piat d’Or than most Pinotage, this off-beat example from the Franschhoek Valley might change your mind about this controversial South Africa grape. Gottfried Mocke’s red is made in an unusual (unique for the Cape?) style that uses the ripasso technique of refrementing the wine on its skins and it’s brilliant, with flavours of plum, spice and mulberry, subtle oak and just the right amount of tannin for backbone. 

BuyDrinking window: 2015-19Similar Wines: £10-£20, 91-95, South Africa, Red, Pinotage
95

NV Henriot Blanc de Blancs, Champagne

( £44.00, 12%, Oddbins )

Sourced mostly from the Côte des Blancs and including 30% of reserve wines, Henriot’s Blanc de Blancs is a non vintage wine that tastes like a vintage release. It’s rich, toasty and just off dry with notes of brioche and toast and a subtle, tapering finish. One of the best Blanc de Blancs on the market. 

BuyDrinking window: 2013-15Similar Wines: £30-£50, 91-95, France, Sparkling, Chardonnay
89

2010 Paololeo, Fiore di Vigna Primitivo, Salentino, Puglia

( £13, 14.5%, Oddbins )

Essence of Primitivo (aka Zinfandel) from the Salento Peninsula, this is rich, ripe and textured, but carries its 14.5% alcohol with ease. The focus here is on fruit rather than oak: plummy, spicy and sweet, with tobacco and Asian spices and enough acidity for balance. Needs robust food to show at its best.

BuyDrinking window: 2013-17Similar Wines: £10-£20, 86-90, Italy, Red
91

2009 Cillar De Silos, Ribera del Duero

( £15.50, 14%, Oddbins )

Serious, concentrated, inky Tempranillo from Ribera with excellent structure and acidity. This is less oaky than some of this bodega’s releases and better for it in my view, with flavours of plum and spice, a touch of vanilla and a backbone of tannin. Should age well, too. 

BuyDrinking window: 2013-17Similar Wines: £10-£20, 91-95, Spain, Red, Tempranillo
90

2011 Domaine Thymiopoulos, Jeunes Vignes de Xinomavro, Naoussa

( £12.50, 13.5%, Oddbins )

Xinomvaro can be pretty toothsome stuff, even when the vines are young. But this combines the Nebbiolo-like tannnins and dryness with some sweet, supple red fruits. The overall effect is vey tasty indeed, with hints of rose petal, raspberry and wild strawberry set against a background of savoury, spicy tannins. Delicious at the price.

BuyDrinking window: 2013-16Similar Wines: £10-£20, 86-90, Greece, Red, Xinomavro
87

2012 Château de la Roulerie, Les Grandes Bosses, Anjou, Loire Valley

( £9, 13%, Oddbins )

Possibly a little closed at the moment, but this dry Loire Chenin Blanc hints at good things to come in the glass. Tangy, taut and crisp, with pure green apple fruit, lovely focus and a minerally backdrop. Time should confer more weight and some honeyed, bottle-developed characters. 

BuyDrinking window: 2013-16Similar Wines: £5-£10, 86-90, France, White, Chenin Blanc
89

2009 Verget Saint Véran Grand Elevage, Mâconnais, Burgundy

( £17, 13%, Oddbins )

White Burgundies from the 2009 vintage don’t lack opulence, but the best ones have freshness and bite, too. This is certainly on the ripe and honeyed side, but it has enough freshness for balance, with notes of vanilla and nutmeg spice, pear and citrus fruit and an appealingly honeyed texture. 

BuyDrinking window: 2013-15Similar Wines: £10-£20, 86-90, France, White, Chardonnay