Humpty's Hiccups is our OFF-PISTE list for those of a more extreme persuasion who want to go off in search of something rather special. If you can't find it here, you won't find it anywhere.
Suffice to say that wines, prices and vintages DO change periodically.
Happy Quaffing!
Aperitifs
Château de Montifaud Pineau des Charentes, France
A vastly underated pre meal drink, much lighter than sherry
Bottle £22.50 Glass 125ml £3.75
Cidre Fermier Le Cellier de Boal, France
Forget Magners, this French organic is the perfect accompaniment
Bottle 75cl £8.00
Stunning New Grog (limited quantities)
PESQUERA 2006 TINTO RIBERA DEL DUERO £45
Already attracting a cult following, (that just means I like it) this is a fantastic Spanish red
from the Ribera Del Duero region, absolutely moreish and even though its only described as
a Crianza, it is a fabulous wine.
ESTERHAZY TESORO, 2005 AUSTRIA £80
Not widely known as a wine growing region, Austria has several hidden gems,
this is one of them. With a price guaranteed to make your eyes water
more than a tiny pair of lederhosen, trust me, this is a very lovely wine!
COTE DE BROUILLY 2007 INSTITUT PASTEUR GOLD MEDAL WINNER £30.00
Again another stunning Beaujolais, not entirely sure about the connection with
the Pasteur Institute, but if it will cure the POX as,well, it’s a bonus!
FABIANO AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2006 £40
Get past the gypsy caravan presentation and this wine really delivers! Fulsome, soft and rich, it
is a really classy bottle of wine and well worth its price tag!
CHATEAU BEL AVENIR BEAUJOLAIS- VILLAGES 2008 £20
It's about time cheeky little Beaujolais made a bit of a come back, light fruity and a sensible
12.5% . A good lunch wine and will even stand being chilled.
Sparkling Wines & Champagnes
#31 Louis Roederer Cristal, France, 2000 £320
The King of Bling
#36 Laurent Perrier, Rose, France £80
Rarer than "hen's teeth", only because all Russia and China's millionaires keep buying it all. Not quite as "bling" as Cristal, but a great everyday bling
#37 Joseph Perrier Cuvee Josephine, France, 1985 £200
A most highly regarded champagne from a truly classic vintage. A hugely spoiling experience, it will also spoil your bank balance, but you CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU.
#38 Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque, France, 2000 £150
A dream of a drink - glorious in every detail. Really well crafted and oh what a lovely bottle!
Rosé Wines
#47 R. H. Phillips White Zinfandel, California £20
Lovely, delicate and far too easy to drink
#49 Torrecilla Navarro Rosado Rose, Spain, 2009 £15
A Beautifully fruit rosé with fantastic colour and depth
White Wine Selection
#50 Lyre Bird, Chardonnay, Victoria. Australia, 2007 £16
A refreshing, fruity wine with subtle hints of oak and melon
#52 Las Corazas, Macabeo, Spain, 2008 £16
Everyday Spanish white - clean and smooth
#53 Cristina, Lugana, Vigneto Massoni, Italy, 2005 £17
Luguna grape - akin to chardonnay, great finish
#54 Tapiz Torrontes, Argentina, 2008 £18
A delicate and fruity offering
#55 Ladera Verde Sauvignon Blanc, Chile, 2009 £15.00
A firm favourite that's excellent value
#56 Baron d'Arignac, France, 2004 £15.00
A sweet wine for those who don't like wine
#57 Wide River, Chenin Blanc, South Africa, 2009 £15.00
A really useful new addition to our wine list. Spicy, fruity and medium dry
#58 House of Certain Views, Chardonnay, Australia, 2008 £17
Clean, crisp with just the right amount of acidity overflowing with citrus
and melon with a hint of oak
#59 Tair d'Oc, Chardonnay, France, 2008 £16
Made in a new world style, clean, excellent finish
and just the right amount of fruit
#60 Mussel Bay, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2009 £25
Not quite in Cloudy Bay league, but a really solid performer, fresh and clean
#70 Highfield Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ £40
Better than Cloudy Bay! Stunning!
#72 Mitchell "The Growers" Semillon, Australia, 2006 £30
Lemony, buttery and toasty French oak combine in this creamy textured Semillon
Hugely underrated grape variety & a refreshing change
#74 Pouilly Fume Jean Pabiot, Sauvignon Blanc, France, 2007 £30
Glorious old style Sauvignon Blanc Domaine - lovely dry white
#77 Castillo De Paniza, Bianco, Spain £15
A well balanced and easy drinking white
#78 Mitchell Watervale Riesling 2008 £30
Clare Valley, crisp dry, very yummy and extraordinary value
#79 Bobbie Burns, Chardonnay, Campbells, Australia, 2005 £25
Pale gold with green highlights. The nose show attractive white peach, nectarine
#80 Kingston Estate, Sauvignon Blanc, Australia, 2006 £27
Even the Aussies can make great Sauvignon, clean and lovely
#81 Tapiz, Sauvignon Blanc, Argentina, 2007 £29
Clean, fresh cut grass nose, this also come trough on the palate. Lovely concentration
of zingy, citrus fruit. Fantastic quality
#82 Pouilly-Fuissé Les Chailloux, Chardonnay, France, 2008 £45
BEST WHITE ON LIST! Absolutely spectacular ; planted on flinty soils known as "Chailles",
or 'gun flint', this "Burgundy Chardonnay" quality, almost my favourite white wine on the list
#84 Vincent Delatorre, Sancerre, France, 2009 £32
As dry as it gets, real quality
#85 Domaine Chevalier, Chablis, France, 2006 £30
Elegant and enjoyable on the palate, with just the right amount of acidity,
this wine holds through to an excellent finish
#86 Domaine Chevalier, Chablis, 1er Cru, France, 2007 £35
The sublime wine quality reflects the overall exceptional vintage. The wine shows
plenty of character, generosity and fruit, with an impressive structure
#87 Kumeu River, Pinot Gris, New Zealand, 2008 £35
I’m always hunting around for more interesting grape varieties. This is brilliant
with plenty of fruit aromas and mouth filling flavours
#88 Pouilly-Fume, Carte Noire, France, 2003 £45
100% Sauvignon Blanc. With it's exotic fruits, orange and pineapple, this wine is full of
charm and finesse, to offer as a special treat
#89 Henry de Villamont Meursault, Chardonnay, France, 2006 £42
Pure Chardonnay from the heart of Burgundy. Big presence in the glass with a silky texture
#91 Puligny Montrachet, La Garenne, 2006 £80
Sublime - divine - don't share it with anyone
#92 Pagasus Bay, Chardonnay, Canterbury, NZ, 2006 £55
Excellent virtuoso with natural acidity
Red Wine Selection
#100 Aresti Family Collection, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile, 2000 £20
An excellent offering from the Aresti collection
#101 Aresti Family Collection, Merlot, Chile, 2001 £24
Soft red, easy drinking with bags of fruit
#102 Aresti Family Collection, Merlot, Chile, 2009 £20
Soft red, easy drinking with fruity undertones
#103 QUINTA Do Correio PORTUGAL 2008 £22
There are some great wines starting to emerge from Portugal and some of them are affordable. This new discovery punches well above its weight, with the right balance between complexity and drinkability, fruit, spice butwith a smooth finish.
#105 Chateau Bel Avenir Beaujolais, France, 2008 £20
It's about time cheeky little Beaujolais made a bit of a come back, light fruity and a sensible 12.5% . A good lunch wine and will even stand being chilled.
#106 Cote De Brouilly, France 2007 £30
Again another stunning Beaujolais, not entirely sure about the connection with
the Pasteur Institute, but if it will cure the POX as,well, it’s a bonus!
#109 Alto Pampas, Malbec, Argentina, 2010 £17.00
Just the ticket for any one bored with Cab. Sav. Once drunk never forgotten
#110 The Berry Box, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon blend, South Africa, 2008 £30
South African blend of you guessed it, fruit driven grape varieties. Ribena it's not, lovely!
#112 Alto Pampas, Pinot Noir, Argentina, 2009 £15.00
A good pinot noir, and at this price - almost impossible to find
#119 THE CHOCOLATE BLOCK 2008 £40
Not only a brilliant name but an iconic wine that's carving itself a niche
as a true boutique wine. It will keep & improve but you'll have trouble parking it!
Mostly Shiraz, ably assisted by Grenache, Cab. Sav,. a bit of Cinsault & Viognier
#120 Eugenio Bocchino, Barbera, Italy, 2006 £26
A great working of barbera in a fun label - best not to ask what the sausage dog
had to do with the making of this wine - but it would make a great accompaniment to sausages!
#121 STUNNING!!! Château les Amoureuses "La Barbare", France, 2005 £32
Unbelievably good, massive vanilla taste. Possibly - the best value on the entire list.
Now recognised and marked in the low 90's by Robert Parker
#122 Tapiz, Malbec Reserva, Argentina, 2009 £28
This particular South America grape variety is well handled and a welcome change
from Cab Sav and Merlot, excellent value
#123 Alto Rio, Rioja Reserva, 2003 £32
All the hallmark characteristics of a good Rioja - extra oak aging smoothes rust off the corners
#124 Luis Alergre Rioja, Tempranillo Reserva, Spain 2006 £25
Vibrant red fruits with a hint of spice
#125 Aresti Winemakers, Assemblage, Chile, 2004 £35
Made as the name suggests from a blend of different grapes.
elegant wine, with enormous character
#127 Chateau L'Estage Simon, France, 2005 £25
easy drinking - decent entry level claret
#128 Borgo Salcetino, Chianti Classico, Italy, 2006 £30
Wonderful Chianti, all the right things
#130 Massaya, Cinsault Blend, Lebanon, 2007 £22
I am sure I remember something about Leb Red when I was a teenager!
Oops! Different stimulant. You simply have to admire the fortitude of anyone
attempting to make wine in such hostile conditions
#131 Wire Walker, pinot Noir, Australia, 2008 £25
This wine balances on the edge of brilliance!
#132 Chateau de Raousset, Morgon, France, 2002 £30
Medal winner! A beautiful garnet colour. On the nose ripe fruit aromas of plum, cherry and
peach are detected. It is full in the mouth and has good firm structure
#133 Is Solinas 95% Carignano, Italy, 2007 £28
Full-bodied and warm, persistent fruity notes harmonise wonderfully on the finish
#134 Castillo De Paniza, Tinto, Spain 2009 £14
A well balanced and easy drinking red
#135 Reyneke Cornerstone, Stellonbosch, SA 2006 £25
A brilliant and vibrant red with a wonderful aftertaste
#136 Chateau de Raousset, Chiroubles, France, 2007 £27
Floral and fruity with a great sense of violet and iris
#137 Tindall, Pinot Noir, Marlborough, 2007 £35
Softly structured wine with aromas of cranberry, plum and red cherry
#138 Pepper Pot, Syrah Blend, Stellonborsch, SA, 2009 £29
As the name suggests, full of spicy peppery notes with bags of class
#139 Sugano, San Simone Friuli, Cabernet Franc, Italy, 2005 £22
100% Cabernet Franc - an Italian Cabernet Franc! Wonderful and different
with bags of class!
#140 Jim Barry's The Lodge Hill, Shiraz, Australia, 2008 £30
A spicy delight of plum, black cherry, vanilla thrown in for good measure
#141 Night Harvest, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, 2007 £27
R.H. Phillips. Classic cabernet sauvignon done well!
#143 Orquestra, Cabernet Sauvignon, Spain, 2005 £20
A symphony of aromas and flavours with a harmonious balance of forest fruits.
A silky smooth wine
#144 The Idiot Shiraz, AUSTRALIA, 2007 £25
You would have to be an idiot not to buy this one!
#145 Viniterra Malbec, Argentina, 2006 £27
An excellent offering for Malbec lovers!
#146 Gigondas Cuvee Prestige, Cote Du Rhone, France, 2004 £28
Domaine des Pradets. Wonderful Beaujolais Grenache Mouvedre Syrah blend.
Silver medal winner. France still knows better than anyone how to produce quality
#147 Johner 100%, Pinot Noir, New Zealand, 2006 £30
A delicately handled, glorious New Zealand Pinot Noir - Brilliant!
#148 Clos De Cana, Cabernet blend, Lebanese, 2001 £33
Absolutely fantastic Lebanese red of extreme quality - with eight years bottle age
this is very definitely in the top 10 of all reds on our list!!!
#149 Caprai, Chianti, Italy, 2004 £35
Divine, glorious fruit, complexity and finesse - even at this price you'll
have trouble stopping at one bottle.
Red Sippers
#150 Fleurie, Chateau du Rauosset, Beaujolais, France, 2006 £45
There are Fleurie's and Fleurie's this is a medal winner from Beaujolais best producer.
Top drawer Beaujolais, light fruity and floral
#151 Hôspices de Nuits, Burgundy, France, 1997 £75
The red wines of Nuits-Saint-Georges almost always have a intense colour, the flavours
are powerful and complex: they mix at the same time cherry, blackcurrant, truffle and
often spices. The wine is among most tannic of Burgundy
#152 Château de la Gardine Rouge, CNDP, G. Brunel, France, 2003 £60
From 30 year old vines this wine is a blend of hand harvested Grenache 65%, Syrah 25%,
Carignon 5%, as well as a little Mouvedre and Cinsault
#153 Amarone Della Valpolicella, Classico, Amarone, Italy, 2005 £50
Top drawer boutique Italian Amarone from Giuseppe Campagnda
#154 The "Aviator", Cabernet Blend, New Zealand, 1998 £50
An intense aroma of red fruits and spices with leather, cedar and cigar box notes,
complemented by fine oak. On the palate, sweet rounded berry fruit flavours are
complemented by chocolate, spices and fine oak tannins.
The wine shows sweet fruit, a silky texture and firm structure
#156 Domaine Riche, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France, 2003 £50
Top drawer Chateauneuf - du - Pape.80% Grenache, 10% syrah and 10% Mouvedre
#157 Château Batailley, Grand Cru Classe, Paulliac, France, 2002 £60
An attractively deep colour. Not very expressive on the nose. On the palate,
there is good texture, good weight, cleary a nicely composed wine, with freshness
#158 Quinta de Macedos, Portugal, 2000 £60
This is an enormously layered wine with overtones of almond and marzipan over a
vanilla base complete with nougat and crème brulee. Sounds like a pudding!
Now starting to drink really well - all harshness has long gone!
#160 Simon Hackett, Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia, 2000 £80
Absolute stunner - and 10 years of age make
this a serious big hitter - huge fruit flavours, intense and wonderful
#161 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nova, Italy, 1998 £65
Full ripe cherry fruits with an intense and refined finish thanks to a particularly
warm summer. Aromatic and intense. Excellent acidity, vigour and power
#162 Vina Tondonia, Reserva, 1999 £70
One of the finest and most prestigious wine producers in Rioja - absolutely stunning
#163 Il Borro, Toscana, Italy, 2004 £75
Intense ruby-red with purple reflections. Dry, full bodied, warm, smooth, luscious
and well integrated tannins, intense, well balanced, very long and pleasant finish
#164 Barolo, Marchesi di Barolo, Italy, 2004 £50
Socking great big wine, covered in gongs, most of them gold. GLORIOUS
#165 Château Dasvin-Bel-Air, Haut Medoc, France, 1999 £45
We love this charming, 1999 Dasvin-Bel-Air which offers excellent sweetness, medium body
and abundant blackcurrant fruit intermixed with truffle, toasty oak, and subtle dried
herb notes. The wine possesses good tannin, lively fruit and excellent purity and as balance
#166 Sophia, Gimblett Gravels, New Zealand, 2002 £58
Deep black cherry coloured, exotically fragrant wine with aromas of black plums, cassis,
liquorice, spice, tobacco, coffee and violets. The palate is densely structured
#167 Rugola, Amarone, Della Valpolicella, Italy, 2003 £50
Deep ruby colour with pomegranate reflections, ethereal nose witch reminds of peach
blossom, violet, raspberry and mint. On the palate it is intense, refined, it displays full body
#168 Tapestry, The Vincent, Shiraz , Australia, 2001 £55
This is a juicy luscious wine with chocolately oak, mocha and red fruits that have
Just a hint of tartness
#170 Chambolle—Musigny, France, 2001 £100
1 er Cru Aux Deaux Burns Glislaine Barthod. Absolutely dreamy top drawer red burgundy!
#171 Gevrey Chambertin, 2004 £100
A extremely stunning top drawer burgundy
#172 Chateau Kefraya, Bekka Valley, Lebanon, 2001 £45
With exceptional exposure to the sun without any precipitation, and handpicked grapes
contribute to the elaboration of this typical wine produced by a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon,
Mourvedre, Carignon and Grenache. Eclipses Chateau Mussar by a country mile
#173 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto, Casanova di Neri, 1999 £500
A wine with large character and concentration. Robust fruit and a superb, persistent finish.
Without question to drink in a dark room, Gordon Ramsay bought most of it
The highest scoring Italian red. 100 points from 100 possible. Huge and intense - could be me!
#174 Nuits-Saint-George, Bouchard Pere et fils 2004 £55
Classy Nuit-Saint George is always expensive. This would keep but is drinking well already
#176 Sansonina, 100% Merlot, Italy, 2004 £75
A ruby-garnet red colour. Rich and intense with hints of ripe red fruit, cocoa and a hint of
herbs. This may have a feminine name, but don't let that fool you!
#177 Château Grand Barrail, Lamarzelle Figeac, France, 1998 £49
Again, a classic claret with finesse
#178 Beaune Du Chateau, Burgandy, France 2005 £52
A fine burgandy from an excellent vintage
A brace of boutique Aussie stunners:
#179 Amicus, Shiraz Cabernet Malbec, Australia, 2004 £40
A little brother or sister of the fabulous Georgie’s Walk - absolutely amazing huge fruit
with edge and finish
#180 Amicus, Reserva Shiraz, Australia, 2004 £44
Another excellent Aussie offering
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