8. Libertad Malbec-Bonarda, 2001 (Argentina)
If there is a ‘typically Argentinian’ wine then this must be it. Malbec is an old Bordeaux grape famed for its’ inky colour and concentrated fruit (the so-called ‘black wines’ of Bordeaux) whilst Bonarda hails from the Lombardia region of Italy. Both are now very rare outside Argentina where they remain most popular.
Which lunatic was responsible for putting two of the most intense wines on the planet together we do not know – but he will have died happy!

per glass - £1.50 the bottle - £6.00

9. Saint Roch Syrah – Vin De Pays D’Oc 2000 (France)
Oh, what a steal! One of our beloved bin clear-out jobs to make way for fresh stock, and, OK – so it’s ‘only’ a Vin De Pays (which is simply becoming a synonym for ‘will not be fitted into categories’), but it is a gloriously spicy Syrah (“Shiraz” if you speak Australian) AND it’s of the mega 2000 vintage.
You have just got to try this one – 13% and all!

per glass - £1.85 the bottle - £7.00

10. Barón de Ley ‘Club Privado’ Rioja, 2000 (Spain)
A new concept to the Rioja region being a single estate winery was established in 1982 by a consortium of wine lovers with a view to producing top quality, fruit driven wines using the very best that Rioja has to offer.
Changing the rules means using new oak casks for each vintage, but leaving them to ‘soak for a shorter than usual time (8 months) before bottling and storing for a further six months prior to release. The result is very impressive – 100% Tempranillo and more medals than a 5 star general!

per glass - £2.25 the bottle - £9.00

11. Amberton Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 (Australia)
A “special offer” – so just had to buy a few. Victoria seems to be one of the ‘up-and-coming’ Aus regions judging by the amount that is hitting the market.
Another new boy (Amberton only came into existence a little over 20 years ago) and another example of enthusiasts getting together to do ‘their thing’. This wine is HUGE with deep, ripe blackcurrants. About as subtle and genteel as an angry crocodile – but what a flavour experience it is. Has to be done …

per glass - £2.50 the bottle - £10.00

12. Chateau Chabiran Bordeaux Supérieur 1998 (France)
A very fine, rare chateau bottled gem not on ‘general release’ in the UK as most that isn’t consumed in France seems to end up with US merchants.
Although the ‘Bordeaux Superieur appellation’ is thought of as ‘humdrum’ this is something a bit more. From vineyards just outside Canon Fronsac, a fine little-known appellation near Pomerol comes this belter of a claret. It benefits from a policy to keep yields low, and the practice of late picking was well rewarded in ’98.
This wine offers soft merlot fruit and a nice hint of earthiness – all the way from Fronsac.

per glass - £3.00 the bottle - £12.00

13. Rapsani 1996, Tsantali (Greece)
2001 Gold Medal Winner In Paris, Bordeaux and Thessaloniki.
Rich dense and beautifully barrel-matured, this ‘Grand Cru’ rarity (in everything but name) is on a par with a good estate claret. Grapes are hand picked and the wine is stored for a year in small oak barrels before being patiently matured in the bottle.
Wild herb aromas, succulent black fruit flavours and evolved savoury notes. At its peak 2002 – 04.

per glass - £3.25 the bottle - £13.00

14. Meziat, Domaine de la Combe au Loup, Chiroubles 2000 (France)
Chiroubles is where the Meziat Beaujolais wine began in 1870. The grapes used for this wine come from 50 year old vines – and this shows in the impressive concentration of this superb offering.
A clear intense purple colour and generous nose. Redcurrant and ripe plums with gentle spice and herbs, a sprinkle of pepper and tannins you can almost chew! Will leave you with a warm glow.

per glass - £3.75 the bottle - £15.00

15. Chateau de Premeaux Pinot Noir ’96 Nuits-Saint-George (France)
Thanks for a fine Burgundy go to Alain Pelletier whose family have farmed the former Chateau estate since before the French Revolution (when it was burned down!) and who took over in 1983.
An enthusiast and perfectionist, Alain immediately stopped selling wine ‘wholesale’ and began estate bottling.
The following year he oversaw a severe pruning of all vines with a resultant reduction in yield and massive leap in quality. By the late 80’s he had stopped fining and filtering his red wines; this is ‘a proper man’.

The ’96 is genuinely hailed as one of the best of the century – effectively Gevrey-Chambertain labelled under the regional appellation. Flavours of black cherry, blueberry, fresh herbs and green wood, whilst the nose is treated to peppery plums and a distinct hint of smoky tar. Love it to bits!

per glass - £4.25 the bottle - £17.00

16. Cuvée du Vatican 1999, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France)
The real thing – not for the faint hearted! An absolutely unforgettable Châteauneuf - vastly complex and rippling with toasty oak and herbs. A delight on the palate, this is what ‘fine wine’ is all about. More red meat please ….

per glass - £6.50 the bottle - £26.00

17. Barón de Barbón Rioja, Gran Reserva 1994 (Spain)
’94 was officially a 5-Star vintage, and this top estate Gran Reserva is drinking superbly now and will continue to so until 2007. The wine spent three years in small oak barrels and another four (so far!) maturing in the bottle. A soft garnet colouring reveals intense aromas of deep, rich fruit, vanilla and oak.
In a word – “Magnificent”.

per glass - £7.50 the bottle - £30.00