Wet, cold and miserable though it is, summer wouldn’t be summer without our annual Summer Sale with our old chums at Mr Wheeler. Hurrah!
The operations director, Mark Cronshaw, sent me a stack of wines to try and, devilishly hard though it was (not helped by an intense weekend on the hard stuff in Edinburgh with those wicked purveyors of wonder at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society) I managed to pick six highlights below – wines that I think offer particularly good value for money.
Here I have picked wines that I think offer particularly good value for money
With almost 100 wines on offer at extremely tasty prices, there are many others that caught my eye too, and I beg you to look at the wider list (see link below). Not only that, Mark promises me that Spectator readers will have a ten-day head start before the offer is sent out to Mr W’s own customers, so for heaven’s sake fill your boots and tell him I sent you.
The 2021 Dopff & Irion Cuvée René Dopff Riesling (1) is a regular favourite of mine. I adore the wines of Alsace and of Dopff & Irion, too, where I’ve visited several times. Indeed, I’m off there again in September now I think about it. D&I make great wines, and this dry and intense Riesling is beautifully focused with hints of fresh apple and citrus. It makes a cracking start to any meal. £13.45 down from £14.95.
The 2023 Abadia Do Seixo Albariño (2) from Galicia in the far north-west of Spain can also kickstart the most jaded of appetites. The previous vintage offered in these pages was a huge success and this, lemony and creamy and ever so slightly salty, is just as fine and just as fine value. £13.95 down from £15.45.
The 2020 Vérizet ‘Quintaine’ Viré-Clessé (3), from a century-old Mâconnais cooperative comprised of over 200 growers, is just so classy and, with burgundy prices at bonkers levels, corking good value. Although it sees no oak, it’s full and rounded with plenty of giving, expressive fruit centred on a dry mineral core. It really is very good indeed. £17.75 down from £19.95.
The 2020 Sancho Garcés Rioja Crianza (4) comes from another tip-top cooperative: Bodegas Patrocinio in Rioja Alta. Made from 100 per cent Tempranillo that spends a year in oak, it’s bang on song and full of sweet, spicy red fruit and a long, warming finish. Even pre-discount it’s a fantastic price. £12.45 down from £13.95.
The 2019 Ch. de Clotte ‘Tradition’ (5) from Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux is petit château claret at its best, a typical Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet blend marked by cassis and cedar notes and soft, silky tannins. It’s wonderful that one can buy a fully mature wine of such class for less than 15 quid. Do it the courtesy of decanting it and prepare to be delighted. £13.45 down from £14.95.
The 2021 Enzo Boglietti Barbera d’Alba (6), from one of Piedmont’s finest producers, is another beauty. It’s young still, with a touch of tannin, but enjoy it with truffle risotto or veal chop and the ripe red berry and sour cherry flavours will flood to the fore and you’ll do nothing but smile. £16.95 down from £18.45.
Other treats in the offer that I must bring to your attention include the 2021 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Riesling, Margaret River’s finest (£21.95 down from £25); the 2022 Domaine de Mourchon Côtes du Rhône, a brilliant house red (£11.45 down from £12.95); the 2018 Ch. Puy Blanquet, a Saint Emilion Grand Cru of great elegance (£23.75 down from £29.95); and – c’mon, you know you want to – the fabled 1999 Quinta do Vesuvio Single Quinta port (£59.95 down from £79).
All the wines are available in unmixed six-bottle boxes or in dozens, mixed as you wish. The mixed case has two bottles each of wines 1-6 and delivery is free for 12 bottles or more. For the full list of wines visit www.mrwheelerwine.com/sale.
Order online or download an order form.
Comments