Esme's Six of the Best for Autumn & Winter

This mixed case includes two bottles each of the following wines:

Château Bauduc, Sauvignon Blanc 2023
I was at Bauduc in September as Gavin and Angela were finishing their harvest. The grapes were in perfect condition and the juice was rich, full-bodied, with wonderful citrus and white-flower favours. It was going to make a gorgeous, finished wine - which I can confirm with pleasure that it has.

'Sacromonte' Rosso, Castello di Potentino, Tuscany 2016
100% Sangiovese, with over seven years of bottle age. Now, deliciously mature, it offers soft flavours of cherries and ripe red fruit along with a hint of spice and a lovely, underlying minerality. An utterly gorgeous wine - I always have a case in my cellar!

Mâcon-Péronne 'Vieilles Vignes', Domaine du Bicheron 2022
Outstanding value-for-money white Burgundy in this old-vines Mâcon Village Chardonnay. One offering terrific freshness, nectarine aromas, a richly textured palate, vibrant acidity, juicy stone fruit flavours, sleek minerality and long, lingering finish.

Château l'Afrique Rosé, Famille Sumeire, Côtes de Provence 2022
My favourite quality rosé that has improved with bottle age. Praise from Johnny Ray - "...It's zesty yet creamy and skilfully balanced with white stone fruit, citrus and redcurrants. Although an excellent aperitif, it has the weight and structure to match many a dish, and Mrs Ray and I knocked it back very happily alongside a fat juicy chicken roasted on a bed of butter beans mushed up with lemon juice, garlic, spinach and parmesan."

Montagny 1er Cru, Domaine Des Vignes Bleues 2022
This boutique vineyard produces a very rich, smooth and creamy cru 1er Montagny with a long, persistent finish. A good example of why Burgundy makes the best Chardonnay in the world even from a lesser known appellation and at this price level. It is delicious.

Arlaux Champagne Premier Cru, Grande Cuvée
The best grower champagne' there is. As Johnny Ray writes .it knocked my socks off'. Produced by the Arlaux family from insecticide-free Premier Cru vineyards in the Montagne de Reims, its first-rate fizz and no mistake. And dont just take my word for it. Its gloriously honeyed, toasty notes and finest of fine mousses also caught the eye of Robert Parker, no less, who placed it top of a blind tasting of 50 non-vintage champagnes.