The 2016 Christmas Selection - our Top Picks

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Charla Knight
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1 The Christmas Selection 2016

The 2016 Christmas Selection - our Top Picks What better recommendation can we give to you for Christmas drinking than the very wines that we have chosen to serve to our own families and friends?

2 The 2016 Christmas Selection - our Top Picks What better recommendation can we give to you for Christmas drinking than the very wines that we have chosen to serve to our own families and friends? The Private Cellar team has put together a selection of their favourite wines from our new list, which can be ordered as whole cases or mixed in multiples of twelve bottles to ensure that you have exactly the right wines to make your Christmas and New Year festivities run smoothly. The hardest part for each of us was choosing just two wines! Order on-line at contact your usual sales person or call our friendly team on and please be sure to place your orders by Friday 16th December for pre-christmas delivery*. Andrew Gordon T: E: andrew@privatecellar.co.uk Terroir Selection Chenin Blanc Springfontein, Walker Bay, South Africa We have listed Springfontein s excellent Chenin Blanc since Private Cellar began in 2005 and the wine still exceeds all expectations. The challenge is getting hold of enough stock to satisfy all of our customers. Winemaker Tariro Masayiti is a bit exceptional; a Zimbabwean by birth he headed to South Africa where he made history by becoming the first black student to graduate from Stellenbosch University with a degree in Viticulture and Oenology. Grown in the beautiful Walker Bay region, west of Cape Town, 14 months in 2nd fill French oak barrels gives this Chenin Blanc tropical fruit with light oak and vanilla tones and a lively mineral finish. Described as a revelation by Jane MacQuitty, you will simply love this with white meats, pasta, and fullerbodied fish. Chateau Tour Cordouan, Médoc bottles magnums This wine is new to our latest list thanks to a surprise introduction by Edouard Moueix. I say surprise because Edouard is the King of the Right Bank, and Tour Cordouan is located in the north of the Médoc on the Left Bank. 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, grown in a gravel-chalk-clay soil, this wine sees six months in oak barrels before bottling at the château. The style is fresh: lovely red and black fruits on the nose, a smooth, toasty mid-palate and a crunchy exit. At a crowd-pleasing 12.5% alcohol it can be drunk very happily with red and white meats, pasta etc. I have something of a crush on magnums at the moment and this wine, served from a magnum, will be on my table over Christmas this year. Mixed case of Andrew s selection six 75cl bottles of each wine:

Nicola Arcedeckne-Butler MW T: 01353 721 999 E: nicola@privatecellar.co.uk Cantosán Verdejo Viñas Viejas, Yllera, DO Rueda, Spain 2015 6 11.95 10.75 64.

Vibrant and floral, with no oak at all, it is fresh as a daisy and makes a perfect apéritif whilst having more than enough body to go with food.

20 This is an all-time favourite which has been my Christmas red on more than one occasion but there really is nothing to beat it.

3 Nicola Arcedeckne-Butler MW T: E: Cantosán Verdejo Viñas Viejas, Yllera, DO Rueda, Spain One of the advantages of writing the new list is getting the heads-up on the juicy new wines to put into the Christmas offer, like this Verdejo from Rueda in northern Spain. Vibrant and floral, with no oak at all, it is fresh as a daisy and makes a perfect apéritif whilst having more than enough body to go with food. But don t limit it only to Christmas Morellino di Scansano Podere 414, Simone Castelli, Italy This is an all-time favourite which has been my Christmas red on more than one occasion but there really is nothing to beat it. Rich, sumptuous without being heady, with a delicious bite of Morello cherry, this has the body and character to take on any Christmas fare goose, turkey, beef, you name it and show both animal and wine at its very best. There will definitely be some in my Christmas box. Mixed case of Nicola s selection six bottles of each wine: Laura Taylor T: E: laura@privatecellar.co.uk Albariño Robaliño, Señorío de Rubiós Orixe Rías Baixas, Spain My Christmas wines are both Spanish but they re from very different climates. The Rías Baixas DO sits on the Atlantic Coast, just at the top of Portugal and you can almost smell the fresh sea breeze and sunshine in this gorgeous Albariño. White, aromatic stone fruits make for a versatile apéritif or party wine but it also has plenty of weight and body to go with food. A perfect winter pick-me-up. Salud! Bodegas Pinuaga Nature bottles IGP Tierra de la Castilla, Spain magnums Close to Toledo Spain s Gastronomy Capital in 2016 the climate here is much warmer but Esther Pinuaga s organically farmed Tempranillo vines sit some 750 metres above sea level to benefit from refreshingly cool nights after long, sunny days and the result is stunning: black berry fruit, focused and pure with a warming toasty note. This is one of our most popular wines at tastings and we also have a few magnums of the 2013 left for the speedy. Mixed case of Laura s selection six 75cl bottles of each wine: Order online at or call us on

James Naylor T: 01353 721 993 E: james@privatecellar.co.uk Beaujolais Villages les Bruyères Blanc, Laurent Savoye 2015 12 12.75 11.50 138.

It s well worth ordering this wine and surprising your guests. As we say in our list it s a real cross between plump Mâconnais and linear Côte d Or. Absolutely delicious.

Relatively full bodied, this is perfumed, aromatic and spicy and is perfect with salami, spicy stews, or even grilled fish.

60 Amanda Skinner T: 01353 721 608 E: amanda@privatecellar.co.uk Bourgogne Blanc Clos de la Combe, Domaine Jean Chartron 2015 12 17.85 16.20 194.

No surprise, therefore, that with a couple of the Private Cellar team being from God s Own County, the search for value is an important factor.

4 James Naylor T: E: Beaujolais Villages les Bruyères Blanc, Laurent Savoye Good white Burgundy is not always very affordable but this one is fabulous value and beautifully made. It s also unusual to find white Beaujolais. It s well worth ordering this wine and surprising your guests. As we say in our list it s a real cross between plump Mâconnais and linear Côte d Or. Absolutely delicious. Negroamaro, Masseria Altemura, IGT Salento Puglia Negroamaro is the grape variety native to southern Italy and is particularly grown in Salento (the heel of the Italian boot). Relatively full bodied, this is perfumed, aromatic and spicy and is perfect with salami, spicy stews, or even grilled fish. We have shown this at various tastings and it has always gone down very well. Certainly worth a try! Mixed case of James s selection six bottles of each wine: Amanda Skinner T: E: amanda@privatecellar.co.uk Bourgogne Blanc Clos de la Combe, Domaine Jean Chartron It is a well-known fact that people from Yorkshire have deep pockets but, sometimes, short arms. No surprise, therefore, that with a couple of the Private Cellar team being from God s Own County, the search for value is an important factor. If you love the wines of Puligny Montrachet then this is the wine for you offering delicious, flinty, linear and pure fruit flavours, the expertise of a family rooted in Puligny and made from fruit from a Clos behind Grandmère Chartron s house. Sublime and good value! Château Chantalouette, Pomerol One of the first tastings I took part in when I started my career, thirty years ago, was a tasting of top Pomerols from the legendary 1982 vintage. It is a tasting which has stayed in my memory ever since and not just because of the wines. I also got a tip for The National from one of our guests and it romped home at 25:1. From that day, Pomerol has had a special place in my heart and this second wine of Château de Sales is a delicious example of everything I love about the wines of the region. Layers of spiced plum and ripe blackberries, rich, velvety and intense. Perfect winter wine. Mixed case of Amanda s selection six bottles of each wine: Order online at or call us on

Camilla Shepherd T: 01353 721 999 E: camilla@privatecellar.co.uk Merotto Colbelo Prosecco Extra Dry 2015 6 18.95 17.00 102.

However, this is so good I am throwing caution to the wind and recommending that you try this fabulous Prosecco Superiore. It is like nothing you will ever have tasted.

00 Ever since I joined Private Cellar, Château Carignan has been one of my favourite wines and it is even more exciting to have some from the fabulous 2005 vintage.

5 Camilla Shepherd T: E: Merotto Colbelo Prosecco Extra Dry Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Anyone who knows me well will be slightly surprised at my choice of a sparkling wine, mainly because it does funny things to my legs. However, this is so good I am throwing caution to the wind and recommending that you try this fabulous Prosecco Superiore. It is like nothing you will ever have tasted. Château Carignan, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux Ever since I joined Private Cellar, Château Carignan has been one of my favourite wines and it is even more exciting to have some from the fabulous 2005 vintage. Nicola calls it brooding and mineral I just call it jolly good and perfect for Christmas. Mixed case of Camilla s selection - six bottles of each wine: Charlie Stanley-Evans T: E: charlie@privatecellar.co.uk Montagny 1er Cru les Bassets, Domaine Laurent Cognard To maintain domestic bliss it is most important to supply Mrs Stanley-Evans with good wine. I am delighted to report that this Montagny was an immediate hit, my shirts have never looked better. A wine with charming ripe fruit and wonderful purity, desperately difficult to put the glass down. Château Tour Baladoz, Grand Cru St Emilion And this is my bottle. Just perfect to drink on your own while the ironing is being done. This is darn near the perfect claret, the Merlot giving an abundance of rich, dark, spicy fruit and the Cabernet brings freshness and a tiny bite of tannin. Uncomplicated deliciousness. Mixed case of Charlie s selection - six 75cl bottles of each wine:

Christmas Fizz Champagne and Sparkling Wine go hand in hand with the Christmas holiday a celebratory glass when opening presents, an essential treat for the chef as the feast is being prepared and

Prosecco Ca Bolani bottles NV 6 12.95 11.70 70.20 magnums NV 6 26.00 23.50 141.00 Pure and fresh with a lovely floral nose and zingy palate. A no-brainer for parties, especially in magnums.

70 Gorgeously full-bodied, bone dry, refreshing, yet with a serious side, this deserves to be served at pretty well any occasion. Crémant de Bourgogne Brut P100 Blanc de Noir NV 12 16.50 14.95 179.

6 Christmas Fizz Champagne and Sparkling Wine go hand in hand with the Christmas holiday a celebratory glass when opening presents, an essential treat for the chef as the feast is being prepared and corks to pop when guests arrive. Our Christmas selection includes fabulous magnums alongside bottles so stock up now at these special prices to add extra largesse and sparkle to your entertaining. Prosecco Ca Bolani bottles NV magnums NV Pure and fresh with a lovely floral nose and zingy palate. A no-brainer for parties, especially in magnums. Réserve de Sours Sparkling Rosé, Bordeaux bottles NV magnums Gorgeously full-bodied, bone dry, refreshing, yet with a serious side, this deserves to be served at pretty well any occasion. Crémant de Bourgogne Brut P100 Blanc de Noir NV % Pinot Noir, hence the name, this is a Private Cellar favourite and is hard to tell apart from Champagne. Champagne Brut Blanc de Noirs, Henri Chauvet NV The perfect example of what a grower s Champagne should be: creamy and plump with fine balancing acidity. Truly delicious. Champagne Tradition Legras & Haas NV Racily fresh, citrusy and creamy and with satisfying weight on the palate, equally delicious as an apéritif and also with food. Ambriel Classic Cuvée, West Sussex, England NV Fly the flag for English wine with this gorgeous fizz: brioche notes, creamy with hints of cooked apples and a long finish. Perfect. Champagne Legras & Haas Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Rich, creamy, citrusy, toasty so many different flavours, yet behind it all a backbone of pure minerality. Classic vintage Champagne.

7 Fortification! New to our list this year, our fortified wines are really taking centre stage as customers re-visit (or discover for the first time) the joys of a lightly chilled Tawny Port, the depths of a Vintage Port or the deliciously crisp bite of a glass of Manzanilla. A few bottles of these fortified wines will certainly be finding their way into the Private Cellar team s Christmas orders this year, that s for sure. Please see our fine wine list at for a wider selection of mature Vintage Ports. Manzanilla La Gitana NV A Private Cellar favourite: crisp, nutty, saline, with lovely balance, this is sublime. Hidalgo Palo Cortado Wellington VOS (20+ Year Old) 50cl NV VOS means Very Old Sherry and the deep colour belies the freshness of this nutty, versatile wine. For true Sherry lovers, this is perfectly at home as an apéritif or a digestif. Taylor s 10 Year Old Tawny Port NV Gorgeously smooth and rich, with lots of grilled fruit, cigar box, floral and nutty notes, enjoy lightly chilled as an apéritif or with a light salad or robustly flavoured cheese. Yum! Fonseca Crusted Port NV Decant this to reveal rich, plump raisiny fruit, spiced and vibrant. Enjoy after a wintry walk. Fonseca Guimaraens A single vineyard Vintage Port, Fonseca Guimaraens is densely spiced with musky black fruits, equally at home with a rich dark chocolate pudding or a plate of cheese. How to order orders@privatecellar.co.uk The Private Cellar team is ready to help you with your personal selection so please call us for advice and assistance in choosing from over 150 wines on our list. The wines on our Christmas offer will remain discounted until 31st December 2016 and can be mixed in multiples of 12 bottles with other wines from our Private Cellar Selection. For pre-christmas deliveries in mainland England & Wales, please ensure that we have your order before Friday 16th December. *If your delivery is for further afield in the United Kingdom, please let us have your order before 9th December. Delivery is free for orders of 24 bottles of more to one address within mainland England & Wales. All other deliveries in this area will be charged at 15 including VAT. For deliveries outside mainland England & Wales, please call us for a quotation. This offer closes on 31st December Private Cellar s Terms & Conditions apply. E&OE. To order online, visit per bottle

MAGNUMS. and bigger bottles. Call us on to order Some stocks are very limited so don t delay!

MAGNUMS. and bigger bottles. Call us on to order Some stocks are very limited so don t delay! MAGNUMS and bigger bottles Somehow, putting two bottles into one big one just seems so much more generous it is a statement of intent; enjoyment is the order of the day, and there can be no time more appropriate