This month we’ve rounded up some of our favourite wines that have recently been revered in the Irish press. Six bottles that have been tried and tested by the best in the game, lovingly chosen and packed for you to enjoy. Summer is on the tip of everyone’s tongue, will it or won’t it happen this year. The Editor’s Choice will be there to cast light over the dull evenings that could befall us, or it will play a perfect pair to the barbeques we could yet still light.

1 x PADDY BORTHWICK ‘PAPER ROAD’ 2014

Wairarapa, New Zealand
Pinot Noir

“Aroma of rose petals on the nose. On the palate, delicacy and harmony from strawberry and raspberry. Great for summer in the garden.”
Ernie Whalley, Sunday Times

1 x RONDAN RESERVA 2010

Rioja DO, Spain
Tempranillo

“Classic stewed berries with liquorice and vanilla with a woody finish. At peak now.”
Liam Campbell, Irish Independent

1 x CHATEAU SAINT ESTEVE GRAND RESERVE 2012

Cotes du Rhone Villages A/C, France

Grenache, Syrah

“From a small estate where wild oregano, rosemary, thyme and lavender grow on the hillside, this is an organic wine relying mainly on Grenache. Made in very modest amounts, it’s all about supple plummy fruit, and ripe and round tannins.”
Tom Doorley, Irish Daily Mail

1 x TAHBILK VIOGNIER 2014

Nagambie Lakes, Australia
Viognier

“Very nicely crafted wine with rich peach and nectarine fruits brightened up perfectly by a twist of citrus.”
John Wilson, The Irish Times

1 x DOMAINE DE TERRES DOREES 'CLASSE' 2014

Beaujolais A/C, France
Chardonnay

This ruthlessly selected, hand-harvested Chardonnay from Beaujolais has succulence like St Aubin, with apricot and white peach notes, a creamy, nutty palate and a decently crisp finish.,at this price, chilled and with an open mind, it is a smart and compelling wine.”
Tomas Clancy, The Sunday Business Post

1 x CASTELLARI BERGAGLIO 2015

Gavi DOCG, Italy
Cortese

“More body than most Gavi. An attractive nose with the lime zest and pear leads to a satisfyingly orange-flavoured palate with a clean finish.”
Martin Moran (MW), The Sunday Times

**Price includes FREE Delivery**

• 1x CHATEAU DE CARDAILLAN, Graves A/C, France "Very attractive intense ripe nose, soft dark bruised fruits waft across the palate, opulent, mature tannins." Tomas Clancy, Food and Wine Magazine

• 1x CHATEAU FONGABAN, Puisseguin Saint-Emilion A/C, France “Delicious spiced plums supported by ripe tannins and peppery finish. Full-bodied enough to match with a curried lamb and green peppers”  Liam Campbell, Irish Independent

• 1x CHATEAU SAINTE-MARIE ALIOS, Cotes de Bordeaux A/C, France "From a classic blend of Merlot, Cabernet and Petit Verdot, this is a supple, ripe wine with lightly spicy blackcurrant and cassis." John Wilson, The Irish Times

• 1x CHATEAU THIEULEY CUVEE FRANCIS COURSELLE, Bordeaux A/C, France "As good as many a fine white Burgundy" Tom Doorley, tomdoorley.com

• 1x CHATEAU SAINTE-MARIE, Entre-Deux-Mers A/C, France “A delicious modern style of Bordeaux with lightly creamy cassis fruits and a smooth easy finish” John Wilson, Irish Times

• 1x CHATEAU HAUT RIAN, Bordeaux A/C, France "A goodly dose of Sauvignon Blanc in this stylish and highly affordable white Bordeaux makes it fresh and zesty while not trying to punch you on the nose as this grape sometimes does. A lovely summery wine" Tom Doorley, Irish Daily Mail

Sommeliers know the secrets of their wine list and this impressive case holds six of them from Michelin Star restaurants around the country that we work with. These are the wines that Ireland's top sommeliers are recommending to diners in restaurants such as L'Ecrivain, Aniar and Patrick Guilbaud's. They certainly won't let your home dining experience down either and ther are three remarkable reds and three wonderful whites to cover all your courses. With free delivery too, there's no reason you can't have a five star night in at home this month.

1 x DOMAINE CHARAVIN RASTEAU 2013
Cotes du Rhone Villages A/C, France
Carignan, Mourvedre, Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah

"Powerful, foursquare ripe forest fruits with plenty of chewy tannins. One to savour with robust red meat dishes. "
John Wilson, The Irish Times

1 x BROGLIA GAVI DE GAVI 2014
Gavi de Gavi DOC, Italy
Cortese

"This is one of those more complex Gavi wines, and is proof of the correctness of what many wine snobs felt was the odd elevation of Gavi to a DOCG, the very top of the Italian rating. Served at the Vatican and at Italian embassies, it deserves a place in your fridge."
Tomás Clancy, The Sunday Business Post

1 x CHATEAU GRAND CHAMPS 2011
St Emilion Grand Cru A/C, France
Merlot, Cab Franc

It also comes from an outstanding vintage, bursting with ripe violet flavours with a vanilla edge.

1 x STEFANO ACCORDINI RIPASSO 2013
Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC, Italy
Corvinone, Corvina, Molinara, Rondinella

"Intense, spicy, plummy with new oak. Bright and well focused. Tart and crisp with cherry flavours."
***** Best Valpolicella Ripasso, Decanter Magazine

1 x BRANDL ZOBING GRUNER VELTLINER 2014
Kamptal, Austria
Gruner Veltliner

"Attractive ripe fruit - melon, red apple on nose, apricot; peach on palate. Really moreish. Sort of how you wished unoaked Chardonnay would taste."
Martin Moran (MW), The Sunday Times

1 x DOMAINE FELINES JOURDAN PIQUEPOULE 2014
Picpoul de Pinet A/C, France
Piquepoule

"Flavours of apples and pears with a touch of lemon and lime - all you would expect from picpoul. Energising minerality and a pleasing, classy presence."
Ernie Whalley, The Sunday Times

**Price includes FREE DLIVERY**

On vineyards all over France, harvest season is in full swing. It’s the high point of the year when all the hard work pays off. For the winemakers, it’s a time for excitement and celebration. Just like our vignerons, we like to celebrate the harvest too. So, we’ve put together a very special case to show off the best of French winemaking. There are classic bottles from Bordeaux, as well as fantastic wines from Languedoc and the Loire. And with free delivery, this case will help you celebrate harvest 2017 in style.

DOMAINE DE LA LOUVETRIE x1
Muscadet de Sevre-et-Maine A/C, France
Melon de Bourgogne

“A light nose but a really terrific palate with a zesty orange character overlaying a smooth creamy texture.”
Martin Moran (MW), The Sunday Times

CHATEAU LA BARONNE - LES CHEMINS x1
Corbieres A/C, France
Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre

"Rich, powerful and tasty red made from carignan, syrah and grenache. Organically made, unfiltered, low sulphites."
Ernie Whalley, The Sunday Times

CHATEAU HAUT RIAN CUVEE PRESTIGE x1
Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux A/C, France
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc

“A wine of Cru Bourgeois quality.”
Tomas Clancy, The Sunday Business Post

DOMAINE D'ANTUGNAC x1
Haute Vallee de l’Aude, France
Pinot Noir

"Light, very engaging wine with slight earthy red-cherry fruits.”
John Wilson, Irish Times Wines of the Year

CHATEAU THIEULEY CUVEE BLANC x1
Bordeaux A/C, France
Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc

“This white wine is a stunner. It’s pungent but elegant on the nose, with firm fruit and aracy backbone of mineral acidity, a very grown up wine that puts many  a Sancerre to shame.”
Tom Doorley, Irish Daily Mail

 
DOMAINE DES CORBILLIERES x1
Touraine A/C, France
Sauvignon Blanc

"A lovely zippy, fresh Sauvignon with plump, green fruits and very good length, this disappeared from the Wilson fridge with remarkable speed."
John Wilson, The Irish Times

**Price includes FREE DELIVERY**

One of the hardest questions for a Wines Direct staff member to answer is, “what is your favourite wine”. With over 350 wines in our collection, choosing just one is a near impossible feat! Nonetheless, following weeks of heated debate, we’ve gathered the troops and chosen six of our favourite bottles for your drinking pleasure.

1 x CONCA DEL GRILLO SILVANO BOLMIDA 2013

Barbera d'Alba DOC, Italy 
Barbera

Big and full with lovely dark berried fruit and refreshing cool acidity

1 x CHATEAU HAUT-GARRIGA 2015

Bordeaux A/C, France
Semillon

"A wonderful fresh, crisp, dry white, made entirely from Semillon"
John Wilson, The Irish Times

1 x GUERINDA LA BLANCA 2015

Navarra, Spain
Chardonnay

“This stuff is revolutionary and utterly gorgeous. A revelation.”
Tom Doorley, Irish Daily Mail

1 x PADDY BORTHWICK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2014

Wairarapa, New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc

“A superlative, Sancerre like zest all gooseberry and lime rather than typical New World tropical fruits.”
Tomás Clancy, The Sunday Business Post

1 x ALKOOMI BLACK LABEL 2013

Frankland River, Australia
Shiraz, Viognier

"A genuine old school Cote Rotie-lookalike at a fraction of the price...expect savoury, white pepper, mocha and cherry elements leading to a muscular, refined finish.”
Tomás Clancy, The Sunday Business Post

1 x DOMAINE CLAVEL LE MAS 2014

Coteaux du Languedoc A/C, France
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre

“For the better class of barbeque”
Tom Doorley

**Price includes FREE SHIPPING**

With a well-rehearsed drumroll our stock maestro, Fiona, announced to us the bestselling wines of the year. With the results in we brought together a wonderful mix of six of these wines for your pleasure at a special, delivered price for this month only. Bottoms up!

• 1x Ciu Ciu Bacchus - Sangiovese.
Marche IGP, Italy 
“The sort of Italian red I wish I could find more of. Ciù Ciù Bacchus Piceno certainly tastes more like Montepulciano with its sweet, mouth-filling fruit than that of the more austere Sangiovese” Jancis Robinson MW

• 1x Domaine Luc Lapeyre L'Amourier - Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah.
Languedoc, France
"From one of the top estates in Minervois, a lovely rich, harmonious wine, with classy savoury fruits; smooth but grown up, with a nice dry finish, and some liquorice edges." John Wilson, The Irish Times

• 1x Rondan Crianza - Tempranillo.
Rioja DO, Spain 
"A classic old-fashioned style with plenty of soft berry and plum fruit, overlaid by coconut and vanilla" Martin Moran MW, The Sunday Times

• 1x DOMAINE FELINES JOURDAN - Picuepoule.
Picpoul de Pinet A/C, France
“The domaine is, for me, the top Picpoul de Pinet producer” * * * * Decanter Magazine

• 1x JOSE PARIENTE - Verdejo.
Rueda DO, Spain
“A house wine in El Bulli for four years, this is one of the finest examples of Rueda” John Wilson, The Irish Times

• 1x ANA - Sauvignon Blanc.
Marlborough, New Zealand
“A mouth-watering entry of lime and ripe citrus flavors electrify the tastebuds” Leslie Williams, The Irish Examiner