91
2014 Domaine Jones Grenache Gris, IGP Côtes Catalanes, Languedoc-Roussillon
£13.50, 13.5%, The Wine Society
Englishwoman Katie Jones' old vine releases from the Maury area are improving with every vintage and are now some of the best in the Roussillon. This Grenache Gris shows the variety's focus, minerality and herbal edge, complemented by notes of pear and beeswax and the faintest kiss of oak.
Available from (as of date of review): The Wine Society
Drinking window: 2016-18
94
NV Taylor's, 20-Year-Old Tawny Port, Douro Valley
£35, 20%, Amazon, Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason, Wine Society, the drinkshop.com
Taylor's isn't as well known for its Tawnies as some houses are - its LBVs and Vintage Ports are up there with the very best - but it should be, based on the quality of this 20-year-old release. Figgy, sweet and complex, with beautifully integrated spirit and notes of umami and orange zest. One of those Ports that you don't want to pass to your neighbour.
Available from (as of date of review): Amazon, Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason, Wine Society, the drinkshop.com
Drinking window: 2016-30
94
2015 Sybille Kuntz Riesling Auslese Feinherb, Mosel
TBC, 12.5%, www.sybillekuntz.de
One of a series of delicious releases from Sybille Kuntz in 2015, this is rich, but not heavy in the slightest, handling its 50 odd grams of residual sugar with ease, thanks to its thrillingly vivid acidity. Honey, spices, lime and remarkable palate length are the hallmarks of this classic-meets-modern Mosel style.
Available from (as of date of review): www.sybillekuntz.de
Drinking window: 2016-28
93
1998 Fonseca, Guimaraens Vintage Port, Douro Valley
£27.99, 20.5%, Waitrose
Mid-way between a single quinta and not-quite-a-vintage Port, this is rich, sweet and easy to drink, but with more structure and concentration than is immediately apparent. Spicy, peppery and showing a little bit of fiery spirit, this has dark, creamy fruit flavours and a complex, chocolatey finish.
Available from (as of date of review): Waitrose
Drinking window: 2016-20
93
2007 S.C. Pannell Nebbiolo, Adelaide Hills, South Australia
£32.09, 14.5%, Liberty Wines
The list of impressive Nebbiolo producers outside north-west Italy isn't a long one, but Steve Pannell, who has worked in Piedmont to familiarise himself with the grape, would definitely be on it. Suitably pale in colour, with the variety's unique combination of austerity and voluptuousness, firm tannins and sweet, savoury autumnal fruit, this wouldn't look out of place in a line up of Barolos.
Available from (as of date of review): Liberty Wines
Drinking window: 2016-19
93
2015 Sybille Kuntz Riesling Spätlese Trocken, Mosel
TBC, 12.5%, www.sybillekuntz.de
Delicious, mouth-watering dry Riesling from one of my favourite Mosel producers. The extra palate weight and the warmth of the vintage are a perfect foil for the mienralyy, cirtrus-edged acidity here. Pear and apple, with a hint of spice and a stony, bone dry finish.
Available from (as of date of review): www.sybillekuntz.de
Drinking window: 2015-19
92
2012 S.C. Pannell Grenache, McLaren Vale, South Australia
£31.99, 14%, Liberty Wines
Steve Pannell was making great Grenache in McLaren Vale before the variety began to enjoy its modern renaissance as the so-called "Pinot of the south". This combines plum and raspberry fruit sweetness with a backbone of tannin and refreshing acidity, supporting the concentration of the old vine fruit. The oaking is almost imperceptible here.
Available from (as of date of review): Liberty Wines
Drinking window: 2016-20
90
2013 Famille Perrin Les Cornuds, Vinsobres, Rhône Valley
£8.99, 13.5%, The Co-operative
Made by the Perrin family, who also make the world-famous Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this is one serious southern Rhône blend for less than £9. Inky, brambly and well structured with notes of liquorice and thyme, it's a classic, unoaked Syrah/Grenache blend.
Available from (as of date of review): The Co-operative
Drinking window: 2016-19
90
2015 Sybille Kuntz Riesling Qualitätswein, Mosel
TBC, 12%, www.sybillekuntz.de
This is only the "entry point" Riesling in Sybille Kuntz's range, but it's enjoyably fresh, pithy and crisp with green apple acidity and a taut, refreshingly dry finish. The ripeness of the year makes this quite a full flavoured style.
Available from (as of date of review): www.sybillekuntz.de
Drinking window: 2016-19
90
2015 Sybille Kuntz Riesling Kabinett Trocken, Mosel
TBC, 12%, www.sybillekuntz.de
A little less concentrated than the Spätlese release (as you'd expect) but this has ghe focus and freshness that are typical of all of Sybille Kuntz's 2015s. Citrus, green tea and spring flower notes are underpinned by minerally acidity and stony, mouthwatering crispness. As pure as Riesling gets.
Available from (as of date of review): www.sybillekuntz.de
Drinking window: 2016-19