Buy Fine and RareWines on BBX

A fraction paler than last year and lighter than one might expect of Bordeaux Rosé but this is very much fruit forward with spicy raspberry and strawberry flooding the palate. Generous in every sense.  Good acidity and so there’s plenty of freshness with some spice at the back of the palate.  Vibrant and easy to enjoy.  As ever I’m unshakeable in my belief that a wonderful Spring and Summer awaits, this 2016 will go down very well indeed.
Martyn Rolph, Private Account Sales Manager.

I am somewhat biased as I was fortunate to taste this at Maison Francois Perrin whilst looking out over the Provençale landscape. Pale salmon in colour, the nose is wonderfully fresh with aromas of wild strawberry and hints of fennel and orange peel. Crisp and dry across the palate with gentle flavours of red currants, strawberry, and a touch of savouriness comes through at the back with flicks of spice. Detailed and precise with a moreish finish; the Perrin's have excelled again here with a delicious rose wine truly representative of the regions finest. Drink and enjoy without thinking, ideally this summer once available.
Chris Lamb - Private Account Manager

I described the 2015 release as ‘dangerously drinkable and probably the perfect Provence rose’ and this continues a theme! Very pale, with wild strawberry and fennel on the nose. Excellent freshness on the palate, with a seam of red fruit and saline tang on the finish. As effortlessly enjoyable as always and sure to become a staple of picnics, BBQs and sunny summer evenings.
Fergus Stewart - Private Account Manager

Javier’s ambition has been to seek a wine to ‘leave the lips purple’ and he has certainly succeeded here with this amazingly powerful example, an essential statement of low-yield Garnacha, with an alcohol level that is not for the faint-hearted. Old vines have, of course, tempered the worst indulgences of the fierce sun and the ripe damson liqueur de cassis fruit cedes to ripe fruit tannins and a firm finish. Pura, however, is not a misnomer, given the wine’s harmonious structure and whistle-clean finish. 
Simon Field MW - Wine Buyer

Javier Continente’s vineyards are located south of Zaragoza on the frontier bad-lands between Navarra and Aragon; his vines nourished by the River Ebro, several miles south-east of their Rioja heart-land. In the sun-baked warmth sun of the Navarra wine region, La Calandria is crafting some of the finest expressions of pure Garnacha we have seen. Old vines left to grow organically manage the intense heat and produce wines with rich, fruity flavours and a notable quality.

From decomposed granitic vineyards just to the south of the appellation, La Rosine is a beguiling combination of silky elegance and structured gravitas. Twenty percent of stems have aided the latter; the former seems to come naturally in Stéphane’s wines. This wine is one of the most popular, year in year out, with Berry Bros. & Rudd staff, some of whom, allegedly, know a thing or two about wine.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer

Stéphane has come a long way in the 12 years or so that I have known him: he now has two children, an enviable reputation and a construction project to the south of Ampuis which will result in a winery to rival that of Messrs Guigal. He has also been buying land, which is no mean feat in Côte Rôtie. The challenge of 2013 centred on the cool weather in the middle of the season. Very late green harvesting and then a rapid harvest before the rains in October were key. I recall visiting during the harvest and witnessing a maelstrom of carefully choreographed activity, if you will pardon the apparent contradiction. The effort has certainly paid off. The 2013 La Rosine Syrah VDP is similar in style to the 2012, with a pretty, perfumed feel in its black cherry, chocolate, floral and peppery bouquet. Medium-bodied, elegant and juicy, drink it over the coming 5-7 years.
Jeb Dunnuck - Wine Advocate Issue#216 Dec 2014

An elegant and refined Syrah, as one would expect from a concert pianist turned winemaker. The ripe bramble fruit and hints of pepper spice are complimented by subtle oak overtones. A great example of what the new Old World is doing.

From the magnificent 2004 Contino Rioja Gran Reserva vintage, a rare parcel of magnums, kindly offered to BBR by Jesus Madrazo. Although still relatively youthful, every aspect of the wine betrays pedigree, from the rich and still somewhat foursquare nose all the way through to the seamlessly silky tannins, which enrobe the wine with an almost maternal indulgence. To be laid down for a special dinner party.
(Simon Field MW , BBR Buyer)

A blend of 70 percent concrete-matured Grenache and 30 percent wood-matured Syrah make up this somewhat awkwardly named wine. The relative altitude and density of the plants mitigated the summer heat in this famously protected commune. It does not lack for power, certainly, but there is also a clean, almost eucalypt finish and a neatly etched tannic structure, which carries the piece in a friendly key. Drink 2019-2026. 
Simon Field - Wine Buyer

The 2015 Kreuznacher Krötenpfuhl Riesling Kabinett has a "cooler acidity" than the Kahlenberg, says Helmut Dönnhoff, so he considers it as the better vineyard to produce a fruity Riesling with more residual sugar. The wine has a clear and open nose of ripe apples along with some flinty aromas. On the palate, the wine is very clear and piquant, but also generous in its precise, elegant fruit. The finish has a certain intensity and minerality, and this will come out even clearer in two or more years.
Stephan Reinhardt, The Wine Advocate. 30th December 2016. 

From a historically famous vineyard almost within the confines of Dijon, Laurent hopes this will soon be promoted to appellation Marsannay. There is a good weight of fruit here, lovely dense raspberries, while a crunchy flamboyant finish confirms the excellent balance between fruit and acidity.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Director

A fascinating find- a 100% Meunier, American sparkling wine, that had 17years on lees. The rich truffley character is typical of mature Pinot-based sparkling wines, with the light citrus and touch of red berried fruit suggesting Meunier over Pinot Noir. One might mistake this for Champagne, but the soft, supple acidity takes you to warmer climes. The powerful truffle note continues on the palate alongside toasty, yeasty notes. An interesting aperitif, but I think even better paired with aged cheeses such as Parmesan, Comté, Gouda or for a real mushroom hit- risotto with truffle shavings.
Edwin Dublin, Champagne & Sparkling Wine Specialist

The grapes for the Chenin blanc are sourced from a 34 year old unirrigated bush vine vineyard planted on gravely soils with a clay subsoil in Stellenbosch and a small portion is from the north eastern side of the Paardeberg in the Swartland region growing on Sandy Soils with a clay subsoil. Chenin blanc is picked in Stellenbosch over 2 pickings. One early on (at around 22 brix) to ensure freshness, minerality and length in the wine and the second picking once the botrytis infection and raisining has begun for flavour, richness and complexity. The Swartland fruit is picked early in the season to preserve the mineral texture in the grapes. Clairette Blanche is from a similar site to the Paardeberg Chenin blanc and is picked at a very low sugar to preserve the acidity that is inherently low in this variety. The Viognier is sourced from an 8-year-old vineyard on the southern slopes of the Paardeberg in Paarl. 

The nose is opulent and brimming with aromas of white peach, lemon blossom, marzipan and ginger spice. There are underlying notes of buttered toast and lime zest. The wine enters the palate with powerful fruit flavours that mirror the aromas on the nose. The mid-palate is intense and rich with stunning waxy notes and hints of toasted almonds. A perfect accompaniment to Lobster Bisque, Seafood Paella, Sushi or an mildly spicy dish.

Olivier was like a cat with two tails when he was able to buy this superb plot of vines, planted in 1937 on one of Moulin à Vent’s top terroirs. Olivier’s vinification delivers wines without the deepest colour but with exceptional depth of flavour and amazing persistence. This will reveal multiple layers with maturity.
(Jasper Morris MW, BBR Buyer).