Raeburn Fine Wines UK stockists.
With their unparalled tasting knowledge and International Wine Challenge expertise Wine International's founders Robert Joseph and Charles Metcalfe share with readers their personal choice of the most exciting wines they have uncovered over the past month.
Wantirna Estate Lily Pinot Noir 2000
Yarra Vally, Australia
£18.99
I've wanted to taste Wentirna wines ever since I judged in Sydney with Maryann Egan, daughter of the founder, Reg Egan, and tasted a bottle she had brought with her. Wantirna wines are hard to find. In Australia, they sell only to clients on their mailing list and export only tiny quantities to France, Japan and the UK. Lily Pinot Noir is named after one of Reg Egan's granddaughters, and is subtle, understated and elegant. It has discreet, rather raspberry fruit aromas, firm tanins and lovely length. Underneath, it's a complex wine and just needs more time. CM.
Drink 2005-2010 | 92 points.
Wantirna Estate Amelia Cabernet
Sauvignon Merlot 1998
Yarra Valley, Australia
£18.99
And this is named after another Egan granddaughter, this time one of Maryann's children. It's a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. The Sauvignon and Petit Verdot are picked and fermented separately, the Merlot and Franc usually picked and fermented together. Then, after two years in barrel, the blend is made and bottled. The result is delicious, poised, delicate and understated. The tannins are firm but ripe, and the favours are of ripe berry fruits, cedar and cool earth. I'd tuck it away. CM.
Drink 2003 - 2010 | 95 points.
Lopez Cristobal Crianza 1999
Ribera del Duero, Spain
£9.99
Lopez Cristobal has only existed since 1994, but has already carved itself a big reputation. It doesn't buy in any grapes for it's wines, but uses only grapes from its own 50ha of vinyard. These are mostly Tinta de Pais, with a little Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Yields are low and wines are serious. Even this, a humble crianza, is excellent. It's elegant, minty and unusual, with dense, firm tannins and a lovely silky feel. It has both plummy perfume and length. Another name to add to the list of top Spanish producers. CM
Drink 2003-2010 | 90 points.
Domaine Gourt de Mautena, Cotes de Rhone-Villages 1999
Rasteau, France
£18.50
The Rhone valley is fizzing with talent. Jerome Bressy is one of the brightest young stars, and the wines from his Gourt de Mautens estate are becoming some of the top performers i9n the southern Rhone. That this is only Cotes du Rhone-Villages makes the appellation rules even less relevant to anyone in search of quality. He believes in low yields from his Grenache, Carigan, Syrah and Mourvedre vines, and makes huge powerful wines. This is ultra-ripe, smooth and syrupy, with high alcohol and tannin, and malty, chocolatey, intense flavours. The length is dried fruit and it's still young. CM.
Drink 2004 - 2010 | 92 points.
Click here to visit Wine International Official Website.
As the power and reach of the brand seems to increase by the day, the judges were delighted to find the contest for this 'less than five employees' award so fierce. Some 42 companies were nominated, up from 29 in 2002. For this award, the judges were looking for merchants that inspired and encouraged thier local communities with the range they had on offer. Small outfits are never going to be able to compete on price with the major multiples, so the character of each merchant's range and the quality of service offered was paramount. Relative newcomers, The Flying Corkscrew, came out joint top, along with the more well-known Raeburn. Flying Corkscrew imopressed judges with it's innovative range, its numerous tastings and the verve with which it seeks to inspire its customers.
For Raeburn, Zubair Mohammed's continued ability to persuade fine winemakers the world over to let him have some of their precious - and often rare - produce is proving as effective as ever. As a result, Raeburn's range is extensive, eclectic, and deep, with vintages going way back. Joining last year's winners, Philglass & Swiggott, on the runners-up podium is Veritas. Barely a year old, Veritas impressed the judges with its focused independent attitude.
