We've rounded up our festive favourites that we like to call 'top punchers' - wines that are punchin way above their price point in value! This gorgeous mixed case of red & white included lesser known wines that taste as good as some of the worlds much more renowned regions but due to their 'lesser known' status don't demand the same premium ....(yet).
THE WHITES:
Villa Wolf Pinot Gris, Pfalz, Germany: From an estate rescued by one of Germany's leading modern winemakers, the great Ernst Loosen, Villa Wolf is a deliciously appetising Pinot Gris. From a terrific vintage, look forward to a dry, full, creamy palate of pure peach fruit, fresh citrus with a hint of spice and honeyed notes. Stunning value for money here!
Somewhat Known Chardonnay (Banghoek): A stunningly elegant modern Chardonnay (a kiss of oak, not a whack), the Wildeberg wines express the most captivating Franschhoek Valley and neighbouring areas' fruit. Somewhat Known's Banghoek fruit is aged in a single Stockinger demi-muid - considered by many to be the 'Rolls-Royce' of oak cooperage - that renders this wine the very definition of poise and balance, gorgeous creamy mouthfeel, orchard fruit, nutty almond notes - lovely, and elegant.
Monte Schiavo Pallio di San Floriano Verdicchio Classico Superiore: The ‘Tenute Pieralisi’ range of wines represents the culmination of their project - a top tier of premium wines asserting the individuality of indigenous varieties Verdicchio and Montepulciano. Made from Verdicchio grapes grown in Monte Schiavo's 'Fossato' vineyard. The wine is intense and persistent aromas of honey, almond blossom and toasted nuts and with developed ripe fruit characters. Textural and full flavoured with concentrated peachy fruit balanced by crisp acidity and stony mineral notes. The finish is long and nuanced with zesty grapefruit and lime flavours and complex savoury notes.
THE REDS:
Colomba Bianca 'Vitese' Nero d'Avola 2023, Sicily: Think of Nero D'Avola as Sicily's answer to Malbec! This is a gorgeous expression of the full, dark, silky Italian grape. A brilliant, deep red Nero d’Avola with rich, juicy flavours of ripe plum and black cherries interlaced with subtle violet notes. Concentrated on the palate, the deep fruit flavours are supported by soft, ripe tannins and a spicy character on the finish.
Blackcraft Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Aus: A classic Barossa Shiraz with intense savoury flavours of thick blackberry compote, black pepper and typical iron-rich beefy flavours. Not a hint of jam here, no sweetness, this is serious shiraz for grown-ups with balanced acidity, fine velvety tannins and tremendous length.
Chateau Mayne-Vieil Fronsac, Bordeaux - Fronsac is a great value alternative to Saint-Émilion, but with a distinct character of its own. A ripe and pure nose, offering creamy black fruit and dark roast coffee. Tannins are firm but ripe and beautifully pure and linear, and the palate is concentrated and already well-knit, if still a little youthful. Packed with intense black, mulberry-flavoured fruit, the ripeness makes this very drinkable now..
