Wines Under £15

Magnum Carlos Lucas Vinhos was born from the dream of Carlos Lucas, a man from Dão, linked to his roots since forever. Using a traditional blend of Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro and Tinta Roriz, all hand picked and gently fermented in stainless steel, this is a bright, juicy red, full of raisiny dark fruit but with sufficient acidity to give a sense of lightness on the finish.

Funkstille translates as “radio silence” and given the manner in which our ears are constantly being assailed these days, the prospect of sitting back in relative silence with a glass of this vibrant red is rather appealing. Blaufrankisch is a classic eastern European variety and this juicy mouthful from Burgenland in eastern Austria is a perfect introduction. It sees some oak ageing but largely in old and very large barrels so don’t expect heaps of vanilla, just sweet red fruit.

Grown across a variety of soil types. Gravels provide tropical flavours, clay loams produce citrus notes and deep silty soils lift the aromatic quality. The best parcels are selection for this wine and harvested only when fully ripe. Fruit is cool fermented in stainless steel tanks to retain the pure fruit flavours. A period on yeast lees post ferment develops texture and complexity. A classic regional style, this wine has intensely aromatic gooseberry and passionfruit characters. The palate is rich and full with a long finish.

Sileni Estate

Bright yellow colour with greenish reflections. Delicate hints of apple, citrus and nuances of white fruits. Fresh and salty, with a long and elegant finish.

First time we've come across this Puglian variety, well known in the area around Brindisi. Apparently the name is thought to derive from it's synonym "Somarello" which also means donkey, or from Sumanus, the Roman god of evening rains. Either way, we were very impressed when we tried it.

Deep ruby color with violet tinges; pronounced aromas of spices, black pepper and cloves, and red fruits like cherry and raspberries; medium body, elegant smooth tannins, well balanced with a good acidity. Lingering finish of spices and red fruit.

It has a beautiful light cherry colour, with a fresh and vibrant bouquet, reminiscent of wild strawberries and a beautifully balanced palate, with silky smooth fruit, a real freshness running through it and a surprisingly long finish. Try chilled for a delightful summer drop.

Luscious and mouth-watering, blackcurrant and redcurrant fruit characters. Fresh and vibrant with a twist of nutmeg and clove through to the finish.

Aromas of fresh peach and kiwi with hints of jasmine and white pepper. The palate has ripe and juicy stone fruit and honeydew melon characters, refreshing acidity and a gently spicy finish. Enjoy with shellfish, quiche and pasta salads. Or with lightly spicy Thai dishes.

This intense red Tannat with violet hues has a leathery, blackberry jam bouquet that slowly reveals itself once the wine is served. The typical tannins of the variety, rounded by its time aged in barrels, are present, but smooth and well-rounded.

Despacito Malbec (Despacito. Slowly) is from vineyards at the foot of the Andes Mountains, cooler temperatures at these higher altitudes provide the ideal conditions for a slower maturation and a perfect ripeness. The best things in life should be enjoyed SLOWLY…ensure you remember the elegance, fruit and flavour of the wine and savour the moment.

Clovella is a field planting of roughly 60/40 Grenache and Mataro. It is a 40 year old vineyard from the Gomersal sub-district of the Barossa Valley that Rolf Binder has been cultivating himself for many years. The wine spends 22 months in older French oak

A deliciously light and fruity Prosecco with hints of apple and peach on the nose and a fresh, softly sparkling palate with characters of soft ripe stone fruits.

Fresh and dry with a persistent with foam. Soft and approachable with red berry charaters on the nose and palate.

Named in honur of Kopke's, the oldest port house around, home- Quinta Sao Luiz this is a classic Douro blend of Touriga Franca, Tina Roriz and Touriga Nacional.

Offers strong aromas of black fruit and a mix of wildflowers like French lavender and rock-rose. Hints of balsamic and menthol add complexity. On the palate, it reveals flavors of red berries and floral notes, with smooth tannins and a full, lingering finish

Kopke Port House

Not your thin, lightweight Merlot but rich, vibrant and very more-ish. Typical full-on red berry fruit on the nose (typical of Merlot) which leads through to a rich, vibrant and aromatic palate that swirls with lashings of ripe fruit underpinned by good structure.

Forget any notions of quaint, long-established family wineries, Guillaume Letang is a “driving winemaker” (like a flying winemaker but more prone to homesickness.) Originally from northern Burgundy but now based in Macon, he scours southern France for odd little exciting plots of vines on which he can work his magic. Venturing off piste a few years ago, he came across a fabulous parcel of old Carignan vines from which he has moulded this hearty but beautifully balanced red. Treat it to a plate of game or a rustic stew and watch it come to life,

Gorgeous dark fruit flavours, almost syrupy in its concentration. Dark, rich and potent, with layers of black cherry, raspberry and cinnamon. Deep, with pretty fruit cake and spicy aromatics. A lovely long finish.

Cramele Recas

Dark yellow with light orange reflexes. Fully ripe dried tropical fruit, charming Veltliner spice and well balanced and a light tannic structure.

This wine is produced from selected Tempranillo, Mazuelo and Graciano grapes sourced from 30 to 40 year old Rioja Alta vineyards whose distinctive stony soils are ideal for the long, even ripening of quality grapes. The fruit is hand harvested in mid October. Each variety is fermented separately in small tanks using natural yeasts at 28-30° C. After 20 days on the skins the wine is gently pressed and racked to stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation. The clear wine is then racked to 2nd and 3rd year American and Russian oak barrels for 24 months maturation before blending and bottling.

An intense wine, classically designed and crafted. Aromas of ripe red berries, a touch of oak, cinnamon and spice. The palate is silky and ample with layered complexity - berry fruit, spice and liquorice building to a complex finish.

Feteasca Neagra (literally translates as Black Maiden) is one of the most widely planted red varieties in Romania (and Moldova), and easily the most widely planted native one. Late ripening, high yielding, and thick skinned, the grapes can reach high levels of sugar and acidity meaning in the past it was mainly used to make sweet and semi-sweet reds with lots of new oak. Nowadays new investment in vineyards and wineries are leading to a new wave of winemakers making much more elegant and balanced wines.

From the geniuses at Cramele Recas, this has a brilliant spicy nose of black pepper, black berry, black currant and red cherry. A bit pinot noiry but medium bodied with rich, grippy, very dry tannins and beautifully balanced acidity. A hint of coffee right at the very end.

Vibrant black fruit aromas with a touch of spice. On the palate layers of ripe plum, blackcurrant and juicy black cherry balance spicy, developed flavours. A well-structured and complex wine with ripe tannins and bright acidity on the finish.

Azienda Uggiano

Fresh black cherries and cassis notes of the nose. With a juicy palate showing soft tannins with more red fruit flavours, and a touch of spice on the finish.

From Chris- "I was properly bowled over when I tasted this a couple of weeks ago. Whilst the prices of top end Bordeaux place them well out of reach of mere mortals, many properties further down the food chain have struggled in recent years and countless Chateaux have simply thrown in the towel in the face of competition from across the globe. Others, have seen it as an opportunity to raise their game as Michael Regaud has done here. An investment programme started by his father in 1979 has seen quality levels consistently outperforming those of their neighbours – this is “proper” Bordeaux but at an accessible level."

Full-bodied, supple wine with soft tannins and a fruity finish

Chris writes "Equal measures of Viognier and Marsanne create this gorgeous, vibrant Rhone white which served to give my palate a much needed wake-up call when it crossed my path at a tasting back in October. Unoaked, it’s all about vibrant stone fruit and citrus flavours finishing with that mouth-cleansing acidity. "

A pale, beautifully balanced chardonnay with hints of vanilla on the nose and a winning cool climate acidity. Careful oak treatment has resulted in a wine of depth and balance.

A classic Crianza style, from vineyards in Rioja Oriental. A blend of Tempranillo, with a touch of Mazuelo and Garnacha, producing a wine with lovely aromas of wild red berries, blossom, nutmeg and hints of sandalwood. Here the oak is poised and only enhances the fruit, creating an authentic and accessible style of Crianza to please the palate, and at a price to please the pocket too.

Bodegas Manzanos

Dry-farmed Grenache from the slopes of Wellington, the early picked grapes are gently pressed and the juice allowed to settle for 24 hours before decanting. The wine was racked and naturally fermented in tank, then transferred to bottle to complete the fermentation. No dosage added.

A pale coral pink colour from just a few hours in the press. Fresh, vibrant red berry and citrus fruit aromas with lightly yeasty notes. Bright and refreshing with tangy cherry and plum fruit balanced by crisp acidity.

From Chris- "Pinotage has a reputation of being something of a “Marmite” variety and, in truth, I still blow pretty hot and cold with it. It’s very much a South African speciality - a cross between Cinsaut and Pinot Noir that’s been around for 80 or so years. At its best it’s all about lush, brambly fruit – loganberries and blackberries, at the other end of the scale it reeks of acetone and burnt rubber. I remember a tasting with Andre Van Rensberg, then winemaker with Vergelegen, who responded to a question with the retort “I’ve never killed anyone, never stolen from anyone and never planted Pinotage.” Any road up, I think this is rather good. Delheim were the first to produce a rose Pinotage in 1976 so they’ve had plenty of time to finetune their act. This is elegant and clean-as-a-whistle with more than a hint of strawberry fruit. Proper summertime rose."

Immediately impressive, this wine reveals its class from the start. Brambly fruit underpinned by subtle oaky nuances, lovely sweet spice - warm star anise with a touch of cinnamon. This classic Côtes du Rhône Villages is enriched with specially-selected parcels from Séguret and Sablet.

Pronounced, classic Cabernet Franc leafiness with blackcurrant fruit on the nose followed by robust, crunchy currant fruit on the palate with firm tannins.. Vibrant, young acidity provides freshness through to the finish. Best enjoyed with a good lunch.

From Nicosia's organically farmed vineyards on the slopes of Mount Etna. Delicate, complex aromas of wild strawberry and redcurrant with lightly floral notes. Fresh bitter cherry and red berry fruit on the palate with fresh acidity, earthy notes and a savoury finish.

With a deep ruby red colour good structure and and medium body, this elegant wine has notes of cherries and spice, black pepper, with some oak notes in the background.

Owned by siblings Louis and Marie Farbre who were early pioneers of organic viticulture in the Languedoc, Château Coulon sits on a hill near the village of Cruscades close to the Via Aquitania, a Roman road which links the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. The vineyard extends over smooth, rounded pebbles deposited by the river Orbieu and refreshing winds assist in the organic management of the estate..

A concentrated and savoury red from the deep south of France. This Corbières shows intriguing savoury and herbal aromas of bitters and thyme. The palate is full of morello cherry fruit and carries through savoury flavours to the finish. Fantastic with charcoal-grilled lamb, rosemary potatoes and a green salad.

Famille Fabre Ch. Coulon

A classic Portuguese blend of Antão Vaz, Roupeiro, Perrum, Fernao Pires/ Arinto. Complex and inviting citrus notes of lemon and white fruit are followed by fresh and balanced palate, with a firm body and a long finish

On the nose, this Sauvignon Blanc displays citrus aromas, of lime and tangerine. The palate features aromas of mandarin, tropical fruits and herbal notes. A wine with a refreshing acidity, great depth and persistence.

This wine displays an intense ruby red colour with violet hues. The nose reveals aromas of red fruit and black fruit with balsamic tones, which complements with notes of vanilla, chocolate, cherry and plums. It has a soft palate, fine-grained tannins, and refreshing acidity.