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 comes along and 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 this last month!

Italy:

Villaia Verdicchio Classico Superiore 2016 *2017 now in UK stock: “This opens with enticing grapefruit, hawthorn and Bartlett pear aromas that carry over to the savoury palate, along with an almondy finish and bright acidity. Drink through 2024. 90 points.” Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast (July 2018)

Spain:

Bodegas Borsao: “Harvesting in the key vineyards is carried out manually and oak is used judiciously and modestly, and only when it will add complexity. Robert Parker is a fan: “My favourite value winery not only in Spain but in the world is Bodegas Borsao,” he has said. Smartly presented, the wines uniformly impressed with their varietal expression and value. Standout wines included the Bole 2015, a blend of Garnacha (70%) and Syrah that was balanced, fleshy with good length.” Graham Holter, The Wine Merchant magazine (October 2018) 

As Domaine Boutinot’s 2018 vintage is safely in the cellar,  the Wine Spectator reviewed the 2015 vintage, awarding the highest ever points to ‘La Côte Sauvage’ 2015 in the 30th November issue.

France:

Domaine Boutinot ‘La Côte Sauvage’ Côtes du Rhône-Villages Cairanne  2015
92 Points
“Focused, featuring raspberry and boysenberry pâte de fruit notes carried by a graphite spine, with flashes of fruitcake and red licorice skittering through. Frankly ripe, but with freshness for balance. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault. Drink now through 2022.” – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 30th November 2018

While for the 4th time ‘Les Coteaux Schisteux’ Séguret received a 91 point review.

Domaine Boutinot ‘Les Coteaux Schisteux’ Côtes du Rhône-Villages Séguret  2015
91 Points
“Inviting, with a mix of blueberry, raspberry and blackberry pâte de fruit flavors scored with a licorice note on the finish. A light-handed apple wood note gives this a frame. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2022.” – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 30th November 2018

And for the second successive vintage ‘Les Coteaux’ recieved 89 points – a great score for a Côtes du Rhône Villages.

Domaine Boutinot ‘Les Coteaux’ Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2015
89 Points
“Forward, with ripe blood orange, plum and cherry preserve flavors mixed with a singed mesquite accent. Slightly taut on the finish due to an extracted hint, but there’s still plenty of fruit here. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2020.”-  James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 30th November 2018

Looking forward to the 2016 vintage from the Southern Rhône was described by Jeb Dunnuck as ‘truly extraordinary’ in The Rhône Report LE MILLÉSIME… The 2016s from the Southern Rhône (Part 2). Two Domaine Boutinot Rhône wines, due to be released in 2019, featured in Part 2 of  the report.  

2016 Domaine Boutinot, ‘Les Six’ Cairanne AOC (due March 2019)
“The 2016 Cairanne Les Six is a slightly bigger and richer, more beefy wine than the La Côte Sauvage cuvée. Spice-box, sandalwood, cured meats and savory notes all give way to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, balanced effort that has terrific potential. I suspect it will shine right out of the gate, but a year or two of bottle age will do it well.” (90-92 Points)

2016 Domaine Boutinot ‘La Côte Sauvage’ Cairanne AOC (due March 2019)
“The 2016 Cairanne La Côte Sauvage offers lots of cedar and spice notes, as well as solid blackberry and cherry fruit, medium body, ripe tannin, and terrific balance. It has some obvious oak, but that should integrate with a year or two in bottle. It’s solid and well worth seeking out.” (88-90+ Points)

Domaine La Haute Marone’s Gigondas 2016 was described as ‘an outstanding effort‘.

Domaine La Haute Marone ‘Le Cru des Dentelles de Montmirail’, Gigondas 2016 
“A blend of 70% Grenache and 15% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, the 2016 Gigondas Domaine Haute Marone offers a medium-bodied, elegant, yet nicely concentrated style. Possessing classic Gigondas notes of cedary spice, hints of graphite, and ample darker fruits, it’s going to be an outstanding effort and keep for upward of a decade.” (90-92 Points) – Jeb Dunnuck, The Rhône Report LE MILLÉSIME…The 2016’s from the Southern Rhône (Part 2), 27th September 2018