So, you’re on the water wagon? Well, bully for you. Nobody likes a show-off.
Actually, erm, I was on it too but, with Mrs Ray away and nobody to keep an eye on me, I fell off in week one with something of a thump (well, something of a thumping hangover, as it turned out). I clambered back on smartish, though, and don’t think anyone missed me. Please don’t say anything. My missus would take a very dim view of such a thing. Very dim.
Anyway, whether on or off the wagon, we must fill the gaps left by bloody Christmas, and this is where this bin end offer with FromVineyardsDirect comes in, with wines really to savour at cracking prices. Indeed, FVD’s Mark Cronshaw tells me that more than £300,000 of stock is to be sold, on which shrewd Spectator readers could save a whopping £67,000 if they bought it all up.
Use the code SPECCIE10 for an extra 10 per cent off not just the RRP but the sale price itself. MC tells me that this discount on the discount is unprecedented and that FVD have never been so generous. With almost 100 wines on offer, there isn’t room to name them all but go to fromvineyardsdirect.com/spectator to see the entire list or call FromVineyardsDirect on 020 7549 7900 and tell them I sent you.
Here are my six highlights from the cheaper end of the range, FVD being far too canny to send me the pricier fare to sample. They think I have far too much fun as it is.
FromVineyardsDirect have never been so generous, and this discount on the discount is unprecedented
The 2024 Mas Carlot ‘Générations’ Blanc (1), from a 17th-century estate in the Costières de Nîmes, is a tasty blend of old vine Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier. I’ve recommended this before and love its whiffs of honeysuckle, its creamy texture and its touches of apricot and peach. £11.10 with SPECCIE10, otherwise £12.45 down from £13.95.
The 2019 Comte Leloup du Ch. de Chasseloir, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie (2) might be a seven-year-old Muscadet, but hear me out. We offered the 2018 last year and it promptly sold out, so tasty was it. Made from 100-year-old Melon de Bourgogne vines, this is a Muscadet built to last with weight, body, depth and, crucially, freshness. £12.10 with SPECCIE10, otherwise £13.45 down from £14.95.
The 2023 Jean Loron ‘Les Ombrelles’ Saint-Véran (3) is another old favourite, featured as recently as October. I make no apology because it’s so fine and, with decent burgundy beyond the means of most of us, a great price. Maison Jean Loron makes great wine, and this is beautifully judged with six months on the lees and just a touch of oak. £19.75 with SPECCIE10, otherwise £21.95 down from £23.95.
The 2022 Ch. Saint Jean ‘Plan de Dieu’ Côtes du Rhône Villages (4) is a peppery, spicy, fruit-laden delight, a textbook blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre that should be on everyone’s racks. I can’t fault it, but then I do love juicy, jammy CDR with – Dry January almost over – decent levels of alcohol. £13.00 with SPECCIE10, otherwise £14.45 down from £15.95.
The 2022 Domaine Devillard ‘Le Renard’, Coteaux Bourguignons (5) is another juicy, jammy treat, this time made from 100 per cent Gamay by the Devillard family in Burgundy’s Côte Chalonnaise. Light, fruity and refreshing, it’s not exactly complex, just easy-going. £15.70 with SPECCIE10, otherwise £17.45 down from £18.95.
Finally, the 2016 Ch. Ramafort (6), the previous vintage of which I’ve banged on about before. It’s spot on, a mature, 50/50 Cab Sauv/Merlot Cru Bourgeois claret that even the pickiest of palates will enjoy. There’s life in it yet, of course, but it’s hard to resist now. £16.87 with SPECCIE10, otherwise £18.75 down from £19.95.
I stress I’ve not tasted them, but look, too, for the likes of 2024 Nicolas Millet Sancerre (£17.95 down from £21.95), 2016 Ch. Sénéjac (£22.45 down from £27.95), 2018 Ch. Cantemerle (£35.95 down from £41.95), 2019 Ch. Branaire-Ducru (£38.65 down from £45) and 2000 Gould Campbell Vintage Port (£44.10 down from £55).
See fromvineyardsdirect.com/spectator for the full list. Prices in the order form are per dozen, but you can mix them (and others) as you wish. Delivery of 12 bottles or more, as ever, is free.
Comments