Jonathan Ray

Spectator Wine Vaults

• From magazine issue: 05 April 2014

• Text settings

  Text size

  • Small
  • Medium
  • Large

  Line Spacing

  • Compact
  • Normal
  • Spacious
• Comments
• Share

  Share

  Jonathan Ray

  Spectator Wine Vaults

  Copy link

  • Linkedin
  • Messenger
  • Email

Already a subscriber? Log in

This article is for subscribers only

Subscribe today to get 3 months' delivery of the magazine, as well as online and app access, for only £3.

• Weekly delivery of the magazine
• Unlimited access to our website and app
• Enjoy Spectator newsletters and podcasts
• Explore our online archive, going back to 1828

Most popular

Alexander Larman

What happened to the Rishi Sunak I knew at school?

The 2007 C.J. Pask ‘Declaration’ Merlot (2) is also from New Zealand, from the Gimblett Gravels, a tiny sub-region of Hawke’s Bay. I’m lucky enough to have visited and can vouch for the fact that they make truly exceptional wines here, mainly graceful Bordeaux-style reds such as this or full-throttle Rhône-style Syrahs. Chris Pask (originally from Suffolk) is blessed with an extravagantly gifted winemaker in Kate Radburnd and their Merlot has been festooned with awards. It’s soft, smooth and elegant with coffee, spice, plums and plenty of blackberries to the fore. It has a decent bit of bottle age too and at just £20.50 (down from £23.49) it’s about a third the price of an equivalent Saint Emilion or Pomerol.

The 2008 Sumaridge ‘Epitome’ (3) from the Hemel-en-Aarde (‘Heaven on Earth’) Valley in Walker Bay, South Africa, is a gloriously rich, juicy and spicy blend of Syrah, Pinotage and Merlot. Owned by Simon Turner and Holly Bellingham (from, yep, Suffolk), the estate is just a few miles from the fishing village of Hermanus — famous for its whale-watching — whose cool maritime climate is ideal for the production of stylish vino. Ridiculously cheap at £12 (down from £15.99) it’s a great partner to braised ox cheek.

Finally, from France, the 2011 Domaine de Mourchon Séguret Grande Réserve (4), a thrillingly classy Côtes du Rhône Villages owned by British couple, Walter and Ronnie McKinlay (from Aberdeenshire, silly, not Suffolk). A 65 per cent Grenache and 35 per cent Syrah blend, from 60-year-old vines, it’s got liquorice, spice, warm, ripe red fruit and a fabulously fresh finish. Try with saddle of lamb. It’s £16.50. There’s also a sample case, and delivery, as ever, is free.

Prices include VAT and delivery on the British mainland. Payment should be made either by cheque with the order, payable to the wine merchant, or by debit or credit card, details of which may be telephoned or faxed. This offer, which is subject to availability, closes on 17 May 2014.

Click here to take advantage of this offer (subject to closing date)