Wines from the finest estates in Bordeaux, courtesy of FromVineyardsDirect

So successful were our ‘defrocked’ clarets from FromVinyardsDirect and so numerous the emails asking us to repeat the offer that it seemed churlish to refuse.

As you know, these wines come from some of the finest estates in all Bordeaux, made by the same teams that make the grands vins – using younger vines/excess fruit – with the same care and attention. I’m forbidden to name these great estates but I can hint at them and for those of you who struggled first time round with the anagrams, clues, hints, pointers. No, you’re not getting any help, you’re on your own!

I’m forbidden to name these great estates, but I can hint at them…

The 2021 Saint-Émilion (1) is from a fine, incredible, gorgeous, extraordinarily able contractor, a wine estate that is roaring up the charts and whose grand vin sells for around £250 a bottle. With restrained but deliciously approachable ripe bramble fruit, soft tannins and a fine acidity, its blend of Merlot/Cab Sauv/Cab Franc hits the mark perfectly. I really like the warm cinnamon and cloves on the nose, the mouth-filling fruit and the smooth elegant tannins. As FVD’s Esme Johnstone says, ‘This château flirts with perfection and makes great wine at all levels.’ £21.50 down from £22.95.

I don’t want to give a sermon to you, but the 2020 Saint-Estèphe (2) is perfect Sunday lunch fare. With enticing juicy fruit on the nose backed by typical Saint-Estèphe earthiness, it’s a touch austere at first sip but the fruit soon elbows its way to the front, and by the second sip or gulp is there in spades. £21.50 down from £22.95.