I will be preparing a classic roast leg of lamb this Easter weekend and am currently considering what wines to serve guests. I’ve put a shortlist together below of my go-to reds across different styles and regions – that will go beautifully with lamb and a range of other dishes. I’ve also included two favourite, richer whites and finally my chosen bubbles of the month. All are available by the bottle or in mixed or full cases in time for Easter, (if ordered by midday Wednesday) and I’ve included a generous 20% discount too as a teaser for our pending Spring sale…
Wiston Estate, Blanc De Blancs, NV
£29.30
(54 bottles available)
A super start to the long weekend, Wiston’s signature Blanc des Blancs has been a firm club members favourite and regular presence at events. The range of wines from the Goring family’s award-winning Sussex estate is always keenly priced, but at under £30 on the table this is exceptional.
Kaapzicht, The 1947 Chenin Blanc 2022
£37.20
(46 bottles available)
From the second oldest block of Chenin Blanc bush vines in South Africa, Kaapzicht’s 1947 has been a hit at every tasting I’ve brought it to in the last couple of years. The current vintage is particularly focussed and pure but with the richness and textural depth that comes from partial fermentation and ageing in large old oak barrels. This style of world class Chenin is what we have modelled our own IKOYI Helderberg White on (inaugural vintage, 2023, due to be shipped this Spring…).
Domaine Éric Boigelot, Meursault ‘Les Clous’ 2018
£42.30
(31 bottles available)
We're always keeping our eyes peeled for top value producers in Burgundy, and certainly Éric Boigelot is one of the most exciting we've found recently. The domaine neighbours Coche Dury - to whom Éric is selling grapes, which gives a clear indication of the quality they produce. ‘Les Clous’Lieu dit on same elevation as Narvaux but other side of town up by Saint Christophe view point. These are the last few bottles of the 2018 vintage and are drinking perfectly at the moment.
Bouchard Finlayson, Galpin Peak Pinot Noir, 2019
£24.70
(87 bottles available)
From South Africa’s top Pinot Noir region – Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, established by Peter Finlayson, the former winemaker at Hamilton Russell. Peter set up his own vineyards right next door and has been producing one of the southern hemisphere’s most consistent Pinots ever since. The 2019 is showing some good development and secondary notes alongside rich, dark berry and floral-edged plum fruits.
Tenuta San Leonardo, Villa Gresti, 2017
£25.30
(60+ bottles available)
San Leonardo’s merlot-based cuvée, Villa Gresti is named in honour of ancestor Gemma di Gresti who helped repatriate thousands of Italian prisoners of war from Russia after World War I. Like a fine Pomerol with a spicy, earthy Northern Italian twist, this shows all the pedigree one would expect from such a renowned property, and with seven years maturity is softening and developing more complexity and roundness. This is a perfect match for lamb and one to impress diehard claret fans to consider options a little further away from the Gironde, geographically if not stylistically.
Jane Eyre, Yarra Valley Pinot Noir, 2021
£41.20
(65 bottles available)
One of the more recent additions to award-winning Jane Eyre’s Australian portfolio, the fruit comes from The Yarra’s Thousand Candles Farm, which is highly regarded for the calibre and subtlety of its Pinots. In Burgundy, Jane has been on a roll in the last few years, picking up her second star from the RVF (like Michelin for French winemakers) and also winning their negociant of the year back in 2020. Similarly her wines back in South-East Australia are becoming ever more highly regarded. A small portion of whole bunch pressing (10%) and a gentle extraction in the Yarra wine emphasises the hedgerow strawberries, wildflowers and potpourri-like nuances in the aromas. The attack is succulent and juicy, crunchy with cranberry and red plum freshness and bite and herbal with smoky anise and five spice notes.
La Giaretta, I Quadretti Amarone Classico, 2017
£55.70
(64 bottles available)
The wines from this under the-radar-property La Giaretta, in the hill town of Valgatara, are amongst the most popular in our portfolio with club members. Their flagship is the stunning, single vineyard Amarone Classico Riserva “I Quadretti”, produced in miniscule quantities, which is a powerhouse of a wine, with a super ripe cherry nose of Kirsch and Black Forest Gateaux, together with loam and highly polished leather. Despite its’s almost port-like richness, and sweetness, the palate retains a wonderful fruit-driven freshness and energy. Talented winemaker Francesca Nicoli, together with husband and agronomist Francesco, ensures unfailingly every year that the wine quality here deserves to be far more widely recognised. One of our best kept secrets!