From fruit-filled Chilean Chardonnay to soft and approachable Merlot, let our Directors sprinkle some inspiration.
Robert Boutflower, Private Sales Director
Tanners Chilean Chardonnay has been a staple in my fridge for quite some time. There’s a lushness to the round, lightly tropical fruit which makes slurping it a true delight! Study it more carefully however and you’ll find lovely balance and texture with a fine, clean finish. I think it’s great quality for the money and exceptionally versatile for any last-minute supper requirements. Chardonnay at this price can be a bit ordinary; this wine is the complete opposite.
Stephen Crosland, Buying Director
One of my favourites for many years as I worked with the winemakers to get a blend which is was soft and approachable but also maintained character and balance. Every year since they’ve always come up with exactly what we’re looking for and the 2023 is especially good, full of ripe
black and red fruits, juicy and round.
Robert Boutflower, Private Sales Director
Our supple Spanish Reserva brings you the sort of flavour and feel that first drove the success of Rioja back in the 1970s – ripe strawberry fruit, some balsamic notes to enhance it, followed by a lovely, long, mellow finish. Tempranillo works so well when aged in oak barrels, becoming softer, rounder with a hint of warm vanilla about it. The warmth of Spain shines through here, and it partners many types of food – think of numerous small tapas plates that benefit from a Rioja-style pairing.
Stephen Crosland, Buying Director
A few years ago, we changed supply to Ben Glover, a fantastic winemaker who has had a hand in many big brands. His current wine is full of the gooseberry fruit we all love in Marlborough Sauvignon but is also fresh and well-balanced with excellent length. A really fine example.
Robert Boutflower, Private Sales Director
Malbec has become so many people’s ‘go to’ grape variety, particularly hailing from Mendoza in Argentina. It somehow sucks up the sunshine to give you rich ripeness, a friendly and juicy core backed by a spicy but never tough texture. We’ve found a great example that has elegance set against the density and weight that allows it to partner the beefiest of steaks or the richness of a good stew. The alcohol has also been reined back a little to allow the brighter, juicier side of great Malbec to show through.
Stephen Crosland, Buying Director
Made for Tanners by Bodega Ayusu in La Mancha, this is a really characterful Reserva without the price tag of the better-known areas. It has soft strawberry fruit balanced with attractive vanilla oak lavours. Very good value.
Robert Boutflower, Private Sales Director
We trekked to the top of the Douro Valley about 15 years ago to discover the exciting new wines being made in the slightly cooler, higher altitude vineyards approaching the border with Spain. Blending those grapes with a proportion from the heart of the Port country back down the valley has delivered a wine that has character, panache and style, all the quality that fabulous Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz bring to bear, yet with more fresh juiciness and to our palate, better balance. Tanners Douro punches well beyond its weight and is the natural choice for someone who likes claret but wants to expand their drinking.
Stephen Crosland, Buying Director
Made for us by Guillaune Gonnet at Font du Vent in Châteauneuf, this is an excellent Grenache based Côtes du Rhône with plenty of soft ripe fruit and good herby character. A benchmark example from the area.
