Firstly, The Wine Treasury - a beacon of joy for American wine lovers with wines from Sean Thackrey, Sine Qua Non and Stag's Leap to name but a few. They also supply some great wines from Italy, and a cracker from Spain. Firstly, the Americans and then the few from other nations.
2009 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Karia Chardonnay (California, USA)
A very nice, clean aroma. Subtle oak, pineapple and a bit of apple skin too with just a little toast. The palate is decent, nice woody notes and a flavour of mango pith. Alcohol comes out a touch, but then it calms down. (7.5/10 £27.50)
2008 Duck Pond Cellars Columbia Valley Merlot (Washington, USA)
Lots of sweet fruit, brambles and a bit of cherry. A very balanced, if big, palate. Lots of coffee, sweet juicy fruit and a dark, brooding back bone. Very good. (8/10 £12.50)
2008 Willakenzie Estate Pinot Noir (Oregon, USA)
Soft, ripe cherries on the nose, lots of perfumed fruit and hints of flowers. A really nice, balanced, dark fruit start to the palate and then the alcohol kicks in. Quite firey on the finish. (5.5/10 £19.95)
2009 Cline Cellars Ancient Vines Mourvedre (California, USA)
Tomato aromas and a funky, semi dried berries smell too, with a drop of cream. It is soft at first on the palate, but ten an earthy, complex, vegetal flavour comes in coated in sweet berries and just a bit of alcohol heat. (8.5/10 £17.65)
2006 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (California, USA)
A blend of Cabernet that has had 50% new oak and 50% once used oak for 25 months, and you notice it. It is a massive oak fest, very rich, creamy, concentrated with dried fruit, vanilla pods, leather and chocolate, all finished off with espresso coffee. The palate is more of the same, with cherry stone, more leather and a bit of spice - all with the omnipresent oak. Yet despite this massive oak presence, it is a very well constructed wine, quite balanced and, although not my style, a good wine. Shame about the high price. (8/10 £64.00)
2008 Las Hermanas (Jumilla, Spain)
Wow! Aside from having a really funky label, this wine has a rich, ripe nose with lots of spice, dark, brooding tarry flavours and a long finish. A real peasant wine - rich and earthy. A steal at the price. (8.5/10 £9.95)
2009 La Spinetta Barbera d'Asti Ca di Pian (Piedmont, Italy)
Rich, dark and thick with spice, dark berries and a full on cherry fest. The palate is big but delivered well, lots of liquorice and herbs - rosemary - on the palate with a floral note too. (9/10 £21.50)
2006 Claudio Alario Barolo Riva (Piedmont, Italy)
Rich but without blowing your brains out. Dark cherry, tar and some old wood, leading to a palate of flowers, old leather and cherry stone. Tasty. (8/10 £36.00)
Richards Walford has always been the place to go for the Loire, but is increasingly becoming known for its South African wines including producers such as The Foundy and Miles Mossop. Here are some of the stars from their table.
2008 Domaine Merlin-Cherrier Sancerre Blanc (Loire, France)
Very vibrant, lots of green veggies and a little green chilli too. The palate is very lemony, clean and fresh. (7/10 £14.99)
2007 Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Mont Sec (Loire, France)
Very closed, some sweet elements, lime and honey. The palate is long, minerally with citrus and citrus pith. (8/10 £20.99)
2008 Morey-Coffinet Chassagne Montrachet Rouge Les Chaumes (Burgundy, France)
A lot of cherry, lots of sweet fruit and a nice balance of crisp raspberry and apple. (7.5/10 £19.99)
2007 Camus Bruchon Savigny les Beaune Rouge Les Pimentiers (Burgundy, France)
A lot of light berries, soft with a touch of spice. Fresh and clean and crisp. Very good. (8/10 £22.99)
2007 Domaine la Boutiniere Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition (Southern Rhone, France)
Very clean, soft with sweeter fruit. A lot of dark notes with tobacco, spice and a dark fruit finish. Very balanced and very good. (7.5/10 £19.99)
Wine Treasury Website
Richards Walford Website
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