Drink

John Wilson: My picks from O’Briens’ fine wine sale – you’d better hurry

Wines for the Weekend: These four are far from cheap, but they’re outstanding bottles

Fine wines for the weekend: Famille JM Cazes Pauillac, Ascheri Matteo Barolo, Cave de Tain Hermitage Nobles Rives and Château Gloria St Julien

John Wilson's face
John Wilson
Fri Dec 10 2021 - 11:00

Around this time each year O'Briens has a fine-wine sale that features some of its top wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy and elsewhere. It started last Monday, so if you are interested in any of my picks today you should move quickly.

In addition to the four bottles below, look out for the 1757 Bordeaux 2015 (€39.95), a unique blend made from grapes grown in various appellations of Bordeaux. It is a collaboration between Lynne Coyle MW, O'Briens' wine director, and the winemaker Daniel Llose.

Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2017 may not seem cheap at €95, even down from €110, but this is one of Australia's great wines, a brother to Penfolds Grange, which would set you back €650 a bottle.

Another great wine worth considering is the Castillo Ygay Rioja Gran Reserva Especial 2010, which is down from €165 to €120. It is ready to drink but will keep indefinitely.

O'Briens will also have 20 per cent off all Bordeaux until Sunday, December 12th.

Pauillac 2017, Famille JM Cazes, €31.95 (down from €42)
The top chateaux of Bordeaux often produce a second label, made from wines not considered quite good enough for the grand vin. Château Lynch-Bages has taken this a step further, producing a third wine, made from fruit grown on younger vines. The result is a classic Pauillac, smooth and elegant with concentrated blackcurrant and cassis fruits, plus a touch of cedar and tobacco, with a dry finish. Perfect with roast lamb or beef.

Ascheri Matteo Barolo 2016, €40 (down from €60)
The 2016 vintage will go down as one of the best in Barolo and Barbaresco in a decade or more. Lifted, enticing violet aromas, piquant sour-cherry fruits with a savoury edge, and ripe tannins kicking in on the finish are some characteristics. Lovely classic Nebbiolo. Drink it with feathered game, venison, goose or rich beef stews.

Hermitage Nobles Rives 2017, Cave de Tain, €50 (down from €55)
From one of the greatest names in the Rhone Valley, a wine that is full bodied yet elegant, with masses of liquorice, dark cherries and spice. A good tannic backbone gives it a long, dry finish. Decant and drink now with roast game or a beef casserole; alternatively, it will certainly improve for another five years. Cave de Tain is one of the finest wine co-operatives in Europe.

READ MORE

Château Gloria 2016, St Julien, €56 (down from €70)
Layers of velvety ripe plum and cassis fruits, hints of black pepper, and grippy tannins combine to produce a very fine classic St Julien. Drink now or keep for another five years. One to serve with roasted red meats.