Direct from
the Vineyard

"From the IGP Pays de Cucugnan in the Corbières area, and a property run by Alexander Sichel, this is Grenache, Syrah and Carignan from vineyards at 350 metres in the Vallée de Cucugnan. It's a dark, brooding, but ultimately very plush and fruity red, creamy tannins and moderate acidity giving backbone. Peppery spice flits around aroma and flavour in a robust but very approachable red."

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I'm acutely aware that we rarely offer champagne in these pages, other than the occasional treat from our beloved Pol Roger (the Speccie house pour), largely because I've never found one that's good enough or well-priced enough. Well, crikey, thanks to Esme Johnstone of fromvineyardsdirect I've finally now found one. The Arlaux Champagne Premier Cru, Brut Grande Cuvée NV fair knocked my socks off. Produced by the Arlaux family from insecticide-free Premier Cru vineyards in the Montagne de Reims, it's first-rate fizz and no mistake. And don't just take my word for it.

It's gloriously honeyed, toasty notes and finest of fine mousses also caught the eye of Robert Parker, no less, who recently placed it top of a blind tasting of 50 non-vintage champagnes. Oh, and by the way, Bollinger was second and Taittinger third, both of which cost a heck of a lot more than this does.

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"A lovely and eminently approachable, Pinot Meunier-dominated grower Champagne, based on the 2016 vintage, with 40% of reserve wine from 2015 in the blend. It has a golden colour and only 5.5g/l dosage, but the ripeness and softness of the mousse and fruit profile make this elegantly sippable. There is some biscuity toast, but there's plenty of mid-palate fruit and a well-balanced finish with zippy acidity giving good length."

"A 50/50 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon for this Cru Bourgeois. I tasted the 2010 just last year (91-points) and though this has some time to go, it already appears to be an even better effort. There's an absolutely classic fragrance of cedar and pencil-shavings over savoury black fruits, touched with leafiness, game and subtle spices. In the mouth it is medium-bodied and beautifully pitched between that savoury, complex character of tobacco and leather, and a fresher fruit quality. Keen acidity gives excellent balance. Classic all the way, and surely has years of further cellaring potential. "

"The 2018 Domaine du Bicheron, Mâcon-Péronne, FromVineyardsDirect's bestselling white, is corking value old vine white burgundy brimming with fresh apple and quince notes and just a tease of citrus and honey."

"The 2017 Pauillac hails from an estate that will be loved and fêted in eternity and is in great form, showing just how well these wines develop, especially in slightly less well regarded vintages such as 2017. With luscious, plump Merlot to the fore, theres plenty of juicy fruit and theres elegance and restraint too and a deeply satisfying savoury finish."

"Made by the winemaking team at Margaux third growth, Château Giscours, this appellation Bordeaux red is 70% Merlot with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Now with five years under its belt, there's a gentle pink rim to the ruby colour and very attractive aromas of spiced plum compote, with some classy cedar and a depth of fruit. A very pleasing wine in the mouth too, lots of juicy plum and black cherry, firm tannins and keen cherry-skin acidity give enough bite and structure, against the suppleness of the fruit."

"A Pinot from the Languedoc, this has certainly retained freshness and edge in the heat of the south, with only 12.5% alcohol and a crisp, herb and red fruit nose. It's a Pinot in an authentically light- to medium-bodied style, fragrant and staying crisp and refreshing. The antithesis of 'blockbuster', but lovely of its style."