Review Round-Up (March 2026)
Fortunate to have been born in the great city of Liverpool and to fall into the world of wine. More than 20 years later I'm Boutinot's marketing manager for much of Europe (mostly Italy and Spain) and more than content with my compact family, including 3 cats (sadly just the 11 legs) and a 1969 'Dark Star' (no, not a wine!)
We truly believe our wines are fantastic, but you already knew that – we wouldn’t sell them if we didn’t!
That said, it is always nice when someone else recognises the quality in our portfolio, even better when they write a lovely review in the press to tell everyone about it…
Here’s a round-up of what they’ve been saying about us recently!
Merum Priorati Inici, DO Priorat 2022: Cherry with raspberry brightness and black pepper spice. Supple and engaging, finishing long with effortless flow and a refined touch of savoury complexity. 91pts Decanter (February 2026)
Daschbosch Méthode Ancestrale Verdelho, WO Breedekloof 2024: The label, inspired by the winemaker’s tendency to jump out of planes in his spare time, is unanimously loved by the panel. This certainly wouldn’t align with everyone’s pét nat perceptions; its absolutely pristine. Thirst-quenching with its parade of bright white fruits, slowly turning golden in the sun. Flecks of chalky minerality line a generous texture, expertly propped by a swishing acidity. Wine Merchant Magazine (February 2026)
Coterie by Wildeberg Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, WO Coastal Region 2023: Waxy, intense barrel-fermented Semillon leads the way in this outstandingly good value white, with 20% unoaked (but long lees-aged) Sauvignon Blanc bringing aromatic zing and brightness. Exotic notes of coconut cream, lemongrass and pineapple complete complex, food-freindly picture. DW 93pts Decanter Magazine (February 2026)
Avamposti Cerchi Slarina, Monferrato DOC 2022: If you like elegant, lithe, pure-fruited red wines with wild-strawberry fruit, subtle spice and sappy, herbal notes, you’ll love Avamposti Cerchi Slarina 2022. I can see it being one of my wines of the year and almost certainly my discovery of the year. And it’s still only February. All in all, it’s a delicious and hugely adaptable wine. Joanna Simon’s Wine of The Week (February 2026)
Ontañón Rioja Blanco, DOCa Rioja 2023: Fresh and balanced with mellow pear, crab apple and tarte tatin richness lifted by lemon sherbet brightness and subtle cinnamon. Struck-match complexity adds interest. Fine acidity and gentle persistence. 90pts Decanter (February 2026)
Señorío de Sarría Garnacha Rosado, DO Navarra 2024: Under the technical direction of Milagros Rodríguez since 2006, Señorio de Sarriá produces a consistent, accessible range, of which this pink Garnacha is perhaps the better known. With its cranberry, candied sour cherry and wild strawberry fruits, there’s a subtle creaminess on the mid-palate – a moreish trademark of Navarra’s rosados that makes them quintessential food wine. 91pts Decanter (March 2026)
Château Mercian Koshu, Iwasaki 2023: Fresh golden apple, yuzu and white peach on the nose, with more green fruits and yellow citrus zest on the palate, leading to dried tangerine peel and a hint of nuts on the finish. Sourced from the clay and gravel soils of the Iwasaki district, this Koshu was fermented and aged in large, used oak barrels. 90pts Decanter (March 2026)
Waterkloof Boreas, WO Stellenbosch 2023: Tomato leaf, red pepper, tobacco, plum and cola spice. Bright acidity and light tannin, finishing savoury, distinctive and aromatic. 88pts Decanter (March 2026)
Circle of Life White, WO Stellenbosch 2023: Supercharged black pepper and floral lift. Juniper and rosemary, cool red berry and inky olive depth. Chalky tannin and a long, spicy finish. 88pts Decanter (March 2026)
Wild House Chenin Blanc, WO Western Cape 2025: For this wine to be from old unirrigated bush vines and still be this price is an incredible achivement. It’s dazzling with its pristine fruit and bustling with a richness that utterly defies its price point. This doesn’t just represent an expertly made wine, but a commitment to making the journey into old-vine Chenin an accessible one, something that could secure the potential future drinkers of the 11 wines prior. Bravo. The Wine Merchant Magazine (March 2026)
Pasión de Bobal, DO Utiel-Requena [Organic] 2023: Owner and winemaker Manuel Olmo has been a leader in organic and sustainable winemaking,and this bottling captures that spirit. Perfumed aromas of blackberry,red cherry, and black plum open on the nose along with accents of violet blossom. Grippy tannins combine with Bobal’s characteristic bright acidity and deliver a well-balanced wine that is structured and energetic.Vineyard Road. 91pts Wine Enthusiast (Best Buy) (March 2026)
Nielson Pinot Noir, Monterey and Santa Barbara County AVA 2023: Named after Uriel J Nielson, who planted Santa Barbara’s first commerical vineyard, the grapes for this wine are sourced from vineyards heavily influenced by the Pacific. After fermentation in stainless steel, it is aged in French oaks for seven months. This “silky, appealing Pinot” was admired by the panel as being “soft and generous without losing purity”. The Wine Merchant Magazine, California Collection (March 2026)
Clay Shannon Cabernet Sauvignon, Lake County AVA 2022: The winery’s eponymous owner Clay Shannon is committed to sustainabilty, and 1,000 acres of his Lake County ranch is transitioning to become one of the largest regenerative farming systems in the US. This estate-sourced Cabernet, with a touch of Syrah and Petite Sirah, was highlighted for its “bite and power”. It impressed the panel as a “richer red without being too big”, with one judge simply calling it a “smasher”. The Wine Merchant Magazine, California Collection (March 2026)
