The festive season is the time in every wine calendar when the so-called ‘good stuff’ is brought out, dusted off, sold to guests or purchased in the shop.
So what have the experts been recommending for this year’s festive tables?
David Williams, writing in The Observer
“Samantha O’Keefe makes some of South Africa’s most exciting wines from her lonely spot in a converted dairy farm in Greyton. This is the best of the beautiful bunch, a satin-textured, black-pepper-scented, raspberry-fruited pure Syrah.”
Jane Macquitty’s Top 100 Wines for Winter, in The Times
Gerard Bertrand, Merlot, Pays d’Oc 2016
“The former rugby player Gérard Bertrand produces some of the Languedoc’s finest wines from all sorts of terroirs, so grab this black cherry, cedar and red plum-packed Merlot.”
Domaine Andre Brunel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2014
“If you want a robust but velvety, nutmeg, cinnamon and clove-scented red to serve with spiced beef and casseroled game, this one has your name on it.”
Will Lyons, writing in The Sunday Times Food Magazine
Lismore, The Age of Grace Viognier 2016
“Down in Greyton on the Western Cape, the Californian winemaker Samantha O’Keefe has built up a strong reputation. Notes of apricot, honeysuckle and kiwi fruit make this gently aromatic Viognier a cracker.”
Olly Smith, writing in Event Magazine
Zorzal, Eggo Tinto de Tiza Malbec 2014
“Game changing Malbec blend with lively freshness and sleek polished richness.”
Victoria Moore, writing in The Telegraph
Lismore, Syrah 2015
“Californian Samantha O’Keefe set up a winery in the remote ward of Greyton, an area not known for winemaking. Her pioneering spirit paid off; her Syrah is magnificent, pure and lucid, with intense flavours and fine tannins.”
Michele Chiarlo, Nivole, Moscato d’Asti 2016
“A deliciously light, airy and effervescent sweet wine that tastes of ripe peaches and sweet fresh grapes. Just gorgeous. Low in alcohol and a wonderful pick me up too. Try it with Christmas pudding – it’s refreshing.”
Jancis Robinson, writing in the FT
Lismore, Chardonnay 2014
“Californian Samantha O’Keefe has somehow ended up making wine way up in the cool hinterland of Hermanus on the south coast of South Africa, and very fine wine it is too. Another one to compare and contrast with fine white burgundy.”
Adrian Smith, Sypped, writing his Christmas Wine Guide in the Independent
Berton Vineyard, Botrytis Semillon 2016
“Rich, silky, smooth, honey blossom, apricots and orange rind with a sweet glazing.”
Joanna Simon, writing her Festive Red Wine Guide on her blog
clos Clare, Cemetery Block Shiraz 2014
“From a two-hectare plot of 20-year-old vines in the Watervale sub-region. Benchmark Clare clarity and definition, with cool mint, ripe blueberry and chocolate, touches of toast and liquorice and super-sleek tannins. Drink over the next seven years.”
Lismore, Syrah 2016
“Supremely graceful Syrah from mountain foothills in the hidden-away Greyton region. Fragrant, pure raspberry and cherry fruit edged with smoke and white pepper and the silkiest of tannins. The Pinot Noir is also excellent.”
Henry Jeffreys, writing on why you should head down under for Christmas wine in The Spectator
clos Clare, Cemetery Block Shiraz 2014
“The Clare Valley is better known for Riesling than Syrah. You think this wine is going to be a bit of a bruiser from the spicy and smoky aromas but on the palate it’s more about cool climate grace with floral notes, crunchy fruit and light tannins.”