The IWC
judges’ choice

This classically proportioned, off-dry Riesling Kabinett comes from the heart of the Middle Mosel, where this grape finds one of its most famous expressions on the vertiginous, grey-slate soil slopes that border the river Mosel. It is made for us by the Selbachs, who have been cultivating Riesling vines in the Mosel since 1661. Today Johannes Selbach and his wife Barbara run the estate, which is now one of the leading producers in the Mittel Mosel. The grapes are handpicked and then fermented in traditional, large oak barrels. The emphasis here is on finesse and purity of fruit.

This is a bright, light and fresh Riesling with delicate citrus aromas. The palate is crisp and vibrant, its ripe fruit layered with a core of fine minerality which typifies the quality of the sensational 2015 vintage.

Guy Mothe built up the highly successful Domaine du Colombier by starting with a tiny holding and then acquiring small parcels of land that came up for sale over the years. Today the domaine has 33 hectares of vineyards and is run by Guy`s son, Thierry. The estate is a first-class source of pure, unoaked, mineral-laden Chablis – a truly typical style that is worthy of our Own Selection range.

The 2015 vintage in Chablis was characterised by a warm dry summer which has lent this wine a riper fruit profile than its predecessor. When we joined Thierry Mothe to select the blend we therefore took great care in choosing parcels which offered refreshing acidity and minerality in order to preserve the steely character of classic Chablis. Its aromas of citrus and oyster shell point to a predictable (but unsurpassable) pairing with shellfish.

Since its first vintage in 2002, “EOC”, as it is known, has become one of our best-selling wines. The fruit for this Claret comes from a beautiful Graves estate belonging to the JM Cazes family, one of the great names in Bordeaux. Merlot dominates the nose, with heady, cherry-laden fruit and sweet, dark chocolate aromas. Cabernet comes through more on the palate, with blackcurrant and cedar wood much more to the fore. There is structure and weight here, but all wrapped in a very drinkable, traditional style. Drink now, with roast lamb, beef and mature hard cheeses.

With its deep, vibrant colour and pronounced cassis and cream on the nose, there is something instantly appealing about this classic Claret. The palate is filled with dark cherry and currant fruit, and there is a gentle lick of oak, with a long, rounded finish. Red wines from Pessac are traditionally very savoury, long-lived and the perfect foil to hearty food. This is a fraction more modern and can be enjoyed immediately, with a broad range of dishes.

Max Lalondrelle - Wine Buyer

Our best-selling wine for many decades, GOC, as it is known, brilliantly highlights the sheer drinkability of modern red Bordeaux. The wine is made for us by Dourthe, which owns several leading châteaux, but most importantly is brilliant at blending fruit from around the region to create undeniably classic styles of red and white Bordeaux.

Bright, medium ruby in colour, with a siren-like nose of black cherries, bramble fruit and wood smoke, it is instantly appealing. The palate follows through with delicious, juicy, black fruit and a long, velvety finish. Equally at home with a weekday supper or a grand Sunday roast, it is the perfect wine for all occasions.

Pomerol produces arguably the finest Merlot-based wines in the world; renowned for displaying both elegance and intensity. One of two Right Bank communes to be represented in our own-label range (the other being St Emilion), this example is made for us by Ch. Feytit-Clinet. Previously part of the Moueix stable, the property is now in the hands of Jeremy Chasseuil, who has been producing outstanding wines here since the 2000 vintage.

This wine is suave and polished, with a nose of plum and chocolate, and a balanced, supple, yet defined finish. The wine is a blend of 90 percent Merlot and 10 percent Cabernet Franc. Aging takes place in oak barrels according to the subtleties of each individual parcel.

The 2014 vintage of our own St Emilion comes from a marvellous Grand Cru property managed by Alain Vauthier, co-owner of Ch. Ausone. A predominantly Merlot blend, this is a delicious example of the region from the team at Ch. Fonbel.

The nose is bursting with bramble fruit and mocha notes, while the palate is rich, velvety and absolutely seamless. This will age well for a year or two, but is drinking beautifully now. Match it to roast lamb, a rib of beef and fine, hard cheeses.

The Oremus wine estate has a long and colourful history, with Tokaji being produced there as early as 1620 by a Calvinist priest called Mate Szepsy Lacko. In 1993, the 33-hectare estate was bought by a Spanish consortium headed by David Álvarez, the owner of Vega Sicilia. The aim at Oremus is to produce Tokaji wines of elegance and balance with perfect harmony between the sweet fruit and natural acidity.

The 2011 vintage has yielded a more elegant and floral interpretation of this Tokaji Aszú wine. The nose has notes of orange blossom and peach, interspersed with honeysuckle and acacia. The palate is beautifully poised with the trademark acidity acting as counterpoint to the noble-rot sweetness. The long finish is fresh and vibrant.

Patrick Javillier is now one of Meursault's best growers. An electrical engineer by training, he later studied oenology in Dijon before taking over his father's small Meursault estate. It would be difficult to find another winemaker with quite such a perfectionist attitude as Javillier, a man who approaches winemaking with the precision of a research scientist, yet is always ready to question his own success. The results are startling.

Patrick Javillier has crafted a superbly balanced Meursault for our own-label range in 2015, using grapes from the top, middle and bottom of the hillside. This delicious white Burgundy displays a classy, fresh-fruit nose, with beautifully rounded fruit on the palate, with ripe yet fresh yellow-plum notes. This is a very classical Meursault, with a pure long finish.

Having created a name for himself as régisseur (general manager) of Domaine du Comte Armand in Pommard, Benjamin Leroux established, with English backing, a small négociant business, based in Beaune since 2007. The possibilities are very exciting for this exceptionally talented vigneron. Benjamin is a master at delivering purity of fruit alongside a seamless texture in his wines, which have only the subtlest influence of oak.

From vines currently undergoing organic conversion, Benjamin Leroux has fashioned this delicious Nuits-St Georges; a wine with a vibrant bouquet of red cherries and fresh plums, and lovely, rich, ripe fruit across the palate. Drink this suave and succulent Burgundy with poultry, lamb or rare roast beef.