Riedel Decanter Ultra
Regular price £200.00 Save £-200.002010 Chateau Beychevelle
Regular price £199.25 Save £-199.252014 Bollinger La Grande Annee Rose
Regular price £199.00 Save £-199.00ABOUT THE WINE
Athanase de Villermont, the youngest son of a noble family inherited an extensive estate from his family in the Ay area. He immediately foresaw the extraordinary potential of the wines of Champagne, but as an aristocrat, he was forbidden to become involved in the trade. He then met Joseph Bollinger, a widely travelled German who had left his country of birth to learn about the Champagne wine trade, and Paul Renaudin, a local man who was fascinated by the world of wine. The firm of Renaudin-Bollinger & Cie was founded on 6th February 1829. Joseph took care of sales and Paul took of the cellar. Athanase had founded a Champagne House that was to endure through the centuries.
TASTING NOTES
A Champagne with a true fruit mosaic. It features a delightful blend of raspberry, wild strawberries, cherries, and ripe cranberries. The fruity bouquet is further completed with notes of peach and quince. It fills the mouth with a sumptuous, creamy effervescence and splendid volume in the mouth, and long-lasting aromatic persistence. It has a wonderful acidity and a distinctive sea-air characteristic that goes perfectly with the flavours of orchard fruits and berries.
FOOD PAIRING
Lobster bisque, truffle risotto and duck confit with with creamed potatoes
FRIARWOOD SAYS
A luxurious blend of La Grande Année 2014 and a unique red wine from the Côte aux Enfants in Coteaux Champenois
NV Opus One, Overture
Regular price £198.50 Save £-198.50The world-famous joint venture between the legendary California winemaker Robert Mondavi and the late Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Bordeaux, Opus One is based right at the heart of Napa Valley, in Oakville AVA. The One Opus is one of the very best wines we sell. It is revered as one of the most sought-after and finest wines in California. The Overture is the second wine of the estates, following the Bordelaise tradition of ‘deuxième’ wines. The most unusual aspect of the Overture by Opus One however comes from being a non-vintage blend of multiple years. This unorthodox practice helps in the creation of a wine that achieves the pinnacle level of silky softness and complexity right upon release. A truly special release which recently, was only available from the cellar door.
TASTING NOTES OF THE OPUS WINE
The immense structure of the Opus One wines cult classic requires extensive ageing before it becomes a pleasurable drinking experience; the company, therefore, decided to put together a second wine which would provide an idea of what a mature Opus One might be like. With extended barrel-ageing, and the inclusion of back-vintages of wine, the non-vintage Overture by Opus one overture is a softer, more supple cousin to its illustrious stablemate. Abundant dark fruit, liquorice and black cherry compliment the vanilla and cedar notes from time in top-quality French oak barrels, very specifically made for the estate in varying degrees of toast. Bright and pleasurable. Opus One Overture is a wine that tastes effortlessly smooth thanks to the masterful blending making a precise, but also staggeringly complex and opulent wine making it a unique experience in the realm of fine wine.
FOOD PAIRING
Charmingly hefty; requires equally inspiring food with an element of sweetness to it. American classics such as barbecue ribs and brisket are prime choices, while the French side of the wine will marry perfectly with Cote de Boeuf and braised game and lamb dishes as well. Boeuf Bourguignon with a rich demi-glace base or duck confit is a sublime pairing to try.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
An unusual and very unorthodox project from the most prominent names in the global wine world and modern winemaking history, hence superbly enjoyable and thought-provoking. Proof that some traditions are better off broken sometimes, and if done right could open a door to immensely rewarding pleasure with less patience. The ultimate comparison would be to compare this iconic second wine to its iconic father, the original Opus One wine.
2018 Domaine Antonin Guyon, Chambolle Musigny 'Clos du Village' Monopole
Regular price £374.50 Save £-374.502007 Chateau Figeac
Regular price £194.90 Save £-194.90ABOUT THE WINE
An ancient vineyard, named after its Gallo-Roman owners, the Figeacus family, the Figeac estate has been continually occupied and farmed for at least two thousand years. The terroir is very special indeed â a large part of the original 200-hectare estate was sold off during the 18th Century to the Ducasse family to become Chateau Cheval Blanc, and other sections contribute to some of the finest estates in the appellation. The 42-hectare vineyard that remains contains vines over 100 years of age, with an unusually high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon planted.
TASTING NOTES
A refined, structured wine; fruitcake and rich plum aromas lead to a blackberry laden palate, with coffee and fine-grained tannins on the finish.
FOOD PAIRING
Grilled and roast lamb with garlic and rosemary.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
A somewhat backwards vintage which will probably be best from 2022 onwards.
2006 Chateau La Conseillante
Regular price £193.10 Save £-193.10ABOUT THE WINE
An exceptional 12-hectare estate located on the boundary between Pomerol and Saint-Emilion, which can trace its history back to 1735. Acquired by the Nicolas family in 1871, the estate has remained unchanged since, and is today still managed by the family. Winemaking facilities were renovated in 2012, and 50-80% new barrels are used for each vintage, depending on the character of the wine from that year. Barrel-ageing is usually 18 months.
TASTING NOTES
Astonishing finesse, with powerful aromatics of spicy, dark fruit and violets. On the palate it is fresh and harmonious, with blackberry and raspberry fruit, smooth and creamy with plenty of underlying structure; hefty tannins have softened beautifully with time. This was always a wine to hold; less appealing on release than the 2005, but with exceptional potential; drink from 2016.
FOOD PAIRING
Excellent with game or beef; hold back on the spice, as this wine has beautiful subtlety which anything too flavoursome might hide.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
A stellar wine; will age gracefully until 2036.
2006 Chateau Lynch-Bages
Regular price £189.15 Save £-189.15ABOUT THE WINE
Classified as a 5eme Cru Classe. Daring, innovative and with a reputation for often being the last to harvest, Jean-Charles Cazes defined the style of Lynch-Bages in the 1930's. The wine's distinctive character has earned it a place amongst Pauillac's greatest. It combines structure, finesse and elegance, offering generous aromas in its youth and developing deeper complexities with bottle age. Vintage after vintage, the estate's precise and excellent winemaking techniques have served to firmly establish Lynch-Bages reputation for consistent quality.
ABOUT THE VINTAGE
Near opaque in the glass, the nose offers notes of ripe berry, currant, cassis and toast as well as a mineral character. A cool sense of ripeness pervades the palate. A Pauillac with effortless, silky, intense berry fruit, fine weave of fully ripe tannins and welcome vibrancy. Shows fine concentration and a layered sense of depth. Precise and well poised, with ample richness and fine, lingering minerality. Very fine and harmonious, notably so in the context of this difficult vintage.
2005 Chateau Leoville-Barton
Regular price £189.05 Save £-189.052002 Chateau L'Evangile
Regular price £188.70 Save £-188.70ABOUT THE WINE
Chateau l'Evangile has always been considered among the first great growths of Pomerol. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Chaperon owned this small Pomerol estate the mid-19th Century and their direct descendants, the Ducasse Family, have since kept the property in their able hands. In 1990, Mrs. Luis Ducasse, wishing to ensure the long term stability of the vineyard and wanting to maintain the subtle quality of the most elegant wine of the area, brought in as a partner, Les Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite).
TASTING NOTES
The deep ruby/purple-coloured 2002 l'Evangile (75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc) exhibits big, sweet aromas of blackberries, raspberries, and hints of earth as well as truffles. It possesses admirable depth and palate persistence, medium body, outstanding freshness, rich, ripe fruit, good underlying acidity, and a nicely layered finish.
FOOD PAIRING
Goose, duck, hare, rabbit or venison are great accompaniments, herby roasted aubergine and lamb work well too.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
One of the most impressive Pomerols of the vintage.
2020 Domaine Nudant, Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru
Regular price £185.50 Save £-185.50ABOUT THE PRODUCER
Winemakers in Burgundy since 1453, the current generation of the Nudant family manages some 16 hectares of small parcels dotted throughout the Cote d'Or. Vineyard work is all carried out by hand, in the spirit of minimal intervention. The vines for this Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru are grown in one of Burgundy's most esteemed appellations.
TASTING NOTES
The alluring bouquet offers a symphony of lemon curd, green apple, and white blossom aromas, underscored by hints of crushed stone and toasted almond. On the palate, this luxurious Chardonnay displays a remarkable balance of fruit, minerality, and seamlessly integrated oak. As it opens up, the wine reveals layers of pineapple, quince, and a touch of honey, culminating in a refined, persistent finish.
FOOD PAIRING
This exquisite Grand Cru is a perfect accompaniment to dishes that highlight its depth and complexity. Consider pairing it with butter-poached lobster with a delicate beurre blanc, veal medallions in a creamy morel sauce, or a wild mushroom and leek tart. The wine's elegant character also complements a lavish seafood platter featuring oysters, crab, and langoustines.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru is a shining example of the Nudant family's mastery in crafting top-tier white Burgundies that express the distinctive terroir of their prestigious appellations. Renowned for producing some of the world's finest Chardonnays, the Corton Charlemagne appellation yields wines that are both opulent and capable of ageing gracefully.
2008 Chateau Cos d'Estournel
Regular price £185.25 Save £-185.25ABOUT THE WINE
With its unusual towers alluding to the Taj Mahal (the wines of the estate were immensely popular on the Indian subcontinent throughout the early years of production), the Chateau Cos d'Estournel is something of a landmark in the Medoc. Undoubtedly the leading estate in Saint-Estephe, it is named after Louis-Gaspard d'Estournel, the 19th Century owner responsible for its unique architecture. Located on the border of Pauillac, just north of Lafite, on a south-facing gravel-rich ridge (the Cos hill, Old-Gascon for pebbles), the estate consists of 84 hectares of vines, with some Merlot vines over 100 years old. Classified 2eme Cru, the estate is rightly lauded for its full-bodied, age-worthy, brooding wines which rival any of the First Growths
TASTING NOTES
A stunner. Dense and powerful aromas, dominated by the cherry and cassis of Cabernet Sauvignon, full of meaty, smokey, tobacco-laced complexity. Bright and lively on the palate, with the same depth and intensity as the aromas. A sleeper, which will require at least 8 years before it starts to show its best, with ageing potential to 2038.
FOOD PAIRING
A wine of sufficient poise to pair excellently with a wide range of beef dishes, from carpaccio to a hearty stew.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Compared favourably to Lafite and Latour in this vintage, this wine is very deserving of the ‘super-second’ moniker.
2021 Domaine Vincent Bouzereau, Corton blanc Grand Cru
Regular price £182.50 Save £-182.502011 Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs
Regular price £179.00 Save £-179.002013 Chateau Eglise Clinet, La Petite Eglise
Regular price £174.40 Save £-174.40ABOUT THE WINE
Making its debut in 1986, La Petite Eglise is technically the second wine of Chateau l'Eglise de Clinet, which has become one of the finest estates in Pomerol since it was acquired by Denis Durantou in 1983. It is not regarded as a second-wine by the proprietor, however, since the terroir for La Petite Eglise is on sandy soils, rather than the more traditional deep, loamy classic Pomerol clay of the Grand Vin.
TASTING NOTES
Wild flowers, cherry fruit and even a touch of cigar-box and cedar on the nose. Medium-bodied and accessible, with red berry fruit. The finish is refined and displays superb length for a second wine; crafted for early enjoyment.
FOOD PAIRING
Great with wholesome meaty dishes, shepherd's pie would be an excellent pairing.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
Bottled exclusively in magnum in this vintage.
2008 Chateau Montrose
Regular price £168.95 Save £-168.95ABOUT THE WINE
Originally a hunting estate owned by Alexandre de Segur, known as La Lande de l'Escargeon, the estate that would come to be known as Montrose passed into the ownership of Etienne Dumoulin in 1778, whose son built the chateau. The name was derived from the heather-clad hills, which would turn pink when the flowers were in bloom; sailors on ships passing through the Gironde Estuary called the hill upon which the chateau was built la Mont Rose. By 1815 the estate was regarded as one of the finest in Saint-Estephe. Many owners later, the estate was purchased by the Bouygues brothers in 2006; renovations have followed, including work to expand the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon planted. The second-wine was first released in 1983, and typically accounts for 30% of the production of the estate.
TASTING NOTES
12 months in 30% new oak barrels to produce a more accessible style than the Grand Vin; this is nevertheless regarded as one of the more powerfully structured second wines from Bordeaux. In keeping with the priorities of the new owner, the second wine is dominated by Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon reserved for the Grand Vin. Bright violet colour, with cassis and raspberry aromas, and a floral, red-fruited palate with mocha, cedar and dusty, fine-grained tannin on the finish. A classic style, ready for drinking now, after 10 years.
FOOD PAIRING
Best with rich stews and beef-dishes.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
The exposed terroir of Montrose protected the estate from the dangers of rot in this vintage, providing an excess of quality fruit, of great benefit to the second-wine.
2018 Reva, Barolo Cannubi
Regular price £162.50 Save £-162.50Ron Carupano, Reserva 1996 Rum
Regular price £159.00 Save £-159.00ABOUT RON CARÚPANO
Originating from the Macarapana Valley, Ron Carúpano captures the spirit and tradition of over 260 years of Venezuelan rum craftsmanship. Beyond a mere beverage, Ron Carúpano offers a profound exploration into the heart of Venezuela's rich heritage, taking you on a journey through the humid Hacienda Altamira to the tranquil waters of the Chuare River.
TASTING NOTES
Features a dark, intense amber colour, accentuated with orange undertones. The aroma profile is dominated by caramel, amyl, fennel, and an array of fruits, almonds, cinnamon, tonka bean, coconut, cacao nut, and cigar box. The palate is graced with strength, elegance, and a charismatic personality.
SERVING SUGGESTION
Due to its uniqueness, the best way to enjoy this rum is in its pure form, allowing the complexity of flavours to shine through.
2011 Deutz Amour de Deutz
Regular price £159.00 Save £-159.00ABOUT THE WINE
One of the oldest members of Champagne's prestigious Grandes Marques houses, Champagne Deutz of Ay, France, has been making distinctive champagnes marked by finesse, elegance and complexity since 1838. The house has upheld the traditions of fine Champagne making handed down through five generations. Owning a significant portion of its own vineyards, Deutz selects only top rated grapes from 275 acres of vineyards in the finest crus of Champagne. The wines are slowly and carefully aged in the chalk-walled cellars far beneath the historic village of Ay.
TASTING NOTES
Notes of lemon verbena, white lilies together with the signature yeastiness of toasted brioche and a vibrant backbone of orchard fruit, reflecting the premium quality of the vintage Chardonnay grapes.
FOOD PAIRING
White fish, even ones with strong flavour like sole and a wide array of creamy rind cheeses.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
This Blanc de Blanc is made from 100% Chardonnay sourced within vineyards only 20 miles from the winery.
2014 Bollinger La Grande Annee
Regular price £159.00 Save £-159.00ABOUT THE WINE
Athanase de Villermont, the youngest son of a noble family inherited an extensive estate from his family in the Ay area. He immediately foresaw the extraordinary potential of the wines of Champagne, but as an aristocrat, he was forbidden to become involved in the trade. He then met Joseph Bollinger, a widely travelled German who had left his country of birth to learn about the Champagne wine trade, and Paul Renaudin, a local man who was fascinated by the world of wine. The firm of Renaudin-Bollinger & Cie was founded on 6th February 1829. Joseph took care of sales and Paul took of the cellar. Athanase had founded a Champagne House that was to endure through the centuries.
TASTING NOTES
The delicate colour and golden hues signify the wine’s maturity and reflect Bollinger’s wine-making methods. To the nose: Full and expressive. Apricot, almond and hazelnut, followed by notes of honey and cereals intertwining in a symphony of aromas. On the palate, exceptional texture and structure. Dense, and silky with a long finish. Fresh and full with a delicious refined finish.
FOOD PAIRING
Scallops with sorrel and vanilla. Grilled oyster, smoked butter and sea purslane. Hen of the woods mushroom, potato emulsion and truffle.
FRIARWOOD SAYS
It was aged in 20-year-old French oak barrels to add further complexity to the delicious toastiness of this classic Champagne.
2015 Chateau Lynch-Bages
Regular price £158.80 Save £-158.80See more wines from Chateau Lynch-Bages
ABOUT THE WINE
The 2015 vintage is rich, ripe, velvety and already has silky tannins. In terms of variety, although diluted slightly by the September rain, the Merlot nevertheless gives the wine a lovely freshness and beautiful fruity aromas. The Cabernet and Petit Verdot express rarely-reached notes of fresh, ripe fruit.
It is characterised by its elegance and great homogeneity. Its tannin ripeness is perfect, and its wonderfully balanced acidity enhances the aromatic freshness of the fruit. The wine spent 18 months in French oak (75% new) and is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
TASTING NOTES
Lynch-Bages 2015 has a brilliant, deep colour with purple hues. Its nose clearly expresses aromas of cassis and dark fruit, mixed with the empyreumatic notes that come with ageing. It has a straightforward attack and a voluminous yet supple mid-palate. The wine has a marked but silky tannic structure, and a persistent finish illustrative of a particularly ripe vintage. Drinking well already, will likely keep for decades to come.
FOOD PAIRING
Pair with all classic meats, as well as Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese. Try spiced lamb shanks, or a Lancashire hotpot with black pudding and a red wine coulis.
2020 Pierre Mayeul, Meursault 1er Cru "Goutte d'Or"
Regular price £158.50 Save £-158.50ABOUT THE PRODUCER
Pierre Mayeul is the story of three old friends united by the same passion for Burgundy and with a shared goal to produce high-quality wines where each cuvee beautifully represents the individual terroir and 'climat' of each appellation. Each with a long history of Burgundian winemaking they vinify their wines in an old castle in Ladoix and age the wines in barrels in cellars that date back to the 17th Century situated in the very heart of Beaune.
TASTING NOTES
The nose of this Meursault 1er Cru "Goutte d'Or" captivates with its enticing aromas of ripe golden apple, quince, and white flowers, while delicate notes of toasted brioche and nutmeg hint at the meticulous oak ageing. On the palate, this luxurious Chardonnay impresses with its rich texture, well-balanced acidity, and complex, layered profile. Flavours of grilled pineapple, apricot, and a touch of buttered toast intermingle with a subtle minerality, leading to a long, opulent finish.
FOOD PAIRING
This refined white Burgundy pairs well with sophisticated dishes such as butter-basted turbot with truffled potato purée, seared foie gras with poached pear, lobster bisque garnished with caviar, or a succulent veal chop accompanied by a creamy morel mushroom sauce.
2015 Chateau Pontet Canet
Regular price £157.05 Save £-157.05ABOUT THE WINE
Classified as a 5eme Cru Classe, own by the Tesseron family also owner of Lafon Rochet in St Estephe. Today, Château Pontet-Canet is owned and run by Alfred and Michel Tesseron. The Tesserons have vastly improved the quality of the Pontet-Canet wines which are now full-bodied and packed with ripe, chewy, black fruits and fine tannins with great aging potential.
TASTING NOTES
The wine has an impressively intense colour and a complex nose dominated by fresh fruit aromas. It is huge on the palate, powerful, vibrant and incredibly smooth, sustained throughout by a freshness which imparts a deliciously succulent finish. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot.
FOOD PAIRING
Try dishes such as a tournedos of duck Rossini, a roasted wild boar leg, a stew of marcassin confit with peppers or a beef tenderloin with morel sauce. If pairing with cheese uncooked cheeses are best.
2011 Chateau Lynch-Bages
Regular price £149.10 Save £-149.10