In October 2025, I attended the Majestic tasting held at the iconic Lord’s cricket ground. It’s a lovely venue, full of space and natural light, which really added a sense of occasion to the event.
Since the last tasting only five months ago, Majestic has expanded with the opening of three new stores in Thame, Christchurch and Wimborne Minster, with another due to open soon in Truro. In addition, Vagabond has now become part of Majestic and the expansion continues with the opening of two new Vagabond bars at St Paul’s and Liverpool Street.
A different kind of diversification is underway, with the introduction of a new range of luxury olive oils and snacks. There are also plans to expand into other point-of-sale merchandise, including items like Christmas cards. It’s a timely move, especially as wine margins are currently under pressure, making widening of the product range all the more important.
Around 100 wines were shown on the day, and I tasted them all. Here are the many that stood out for me:
(Prices are based on the mix six offer)
Antico Forte Negroamaro 2024 12% £9.00 – New and exclusive to Majestic
Made from 100% Negroamaro grapes, in Puglia, Italy and produced by Piccini, this is a deep red with an enticing dark fruit aroma. The flavour is strong yet refined, elegant for Negroamaro, slightly sweet though less than the residual sugar suggests, with soft tannins giving it a graceful finish.
Polvanera Organic Primitivo 2024 14% £11.00 – Exclusive to Majestic
From Puglia, Italy, this organic Primitivo is made with minimal intervention. The colour is inky and the aroma of dark fruit, leading to ripe cherry flavours, medium tannins and a lively aftertaste. I strongly suspect this is a wine that will really come alive, after airing, on the second day.
Incanta Pinot Noir 2024 12.5% £8.50 – Exclusive to Majestic
Produced by Cramele Recaș in Banat, Romania, from 86% Pinot Noir and 14% Negru de Drăgășani, this wine is light in body with aromas of ripe cherry and violets. Raspberry fruit dominates the flavour, tasting sweet though in fact dry, with no tannins. Delicate, fruit-driven and exceptional value.
Te Kairanga Pinot Noir 2024 14% £16.00 – New and exclusive to Majestic (October release)
From Martinborough, New Zealand and made by Foley Wines, this Pinot Noir is richly coloured rather than the expected brown given the savoury character. Earthy and oak notes shape the aroma, while red fruit flavours bring freshness, supported by a good length and an oaky finish. A great New Zealand expression with real depth.
Château de Pizay Régnié 2023 13.5% £13.50 – New and exclusive to Majestic
Originating from Régnié in Beaujolais, France, this Gamay Noir is produced by Château de Pizay, one of the oldest domaines in the region. Vibrant in the glass, it offers ripe red fruit aromas with a twist of candied fruit. The taste is bold with blackcurrant and very gentle tannins, finishing smooth.
Definition Viña Majestica Rioja Reserva 2021 14% £13.00
From Rioja, Spain, this 100% Tempranillo is matured in American oak barrels made in-house by La Rioja Alta. Deep ruby tones match the classic cherry-and-oak aroma, followed by concentrated black fruit, plum and oak flavours. Medium, unobtrusive tannins give it the feel of a Gran Reserva and the price is excellent.
Calçada Duris Reserva 2021 13.5% £14.00 – New and exclusive to Majestic (October release)
From the Douro, Portugal, and produced by Calçada, this is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz. The colour is dark and intense, with aromas of black fruit. On the tongue it feels rounded and smooth, with well-integrated medium tannins.
Moulin Rose de Malescasse 2020 13.5% £17.00
Coming from Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, and made by Château Malescasse, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot is deeply coloured. Blackberry fruit is clear and pure on the aroma, echoed in the plum and prune taste alongside, slight herbal nuances, soft tannins and a round mouthfeel. Ready to enjoy now, it was one of my favourite reds of the tasting.
Château de Francs 2018 14.5% £14.00 – New to Majestic
Produced at the medieval estate of Château de Francs in Francs-Côtes de Bordeaux, this is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. It has floral and red fruit aromas with appealing freshness. The taste is light in feel but a mix of vanilla, chocolate, oak flavours, supported by a touch of tannin.
Wave Crest Shiraz 2022 14% £9.50
From Limestone Coast, South Australia. Slightly brown in colour, it has savoury, oak and red fruit aromas, while the flavour is bright with violet nuances and earthiness. A different, complex and intriguing Shiraz at a very good price.
Wynns Limited Release ‘The Gables’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 13.7% £13.00
Made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon in Coonawarra, South Australia, this wine carries leather, oak and black fruit aromas. Deep black fruit defines the flavour, with soft tannins keeping it approachable.
Josh Cellars Hearth Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 14.5% £16.00
Produced by Joseph Carr in California, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Petite Syrah is extremely bold and expressive. The aroma is very ‘volatile’, with oak and black fruit, leading to smoky, oaky, full-bodied full-on jammy flavours. Sweet but not cloying, it has a plush texture and great length. The full-on rich nature will divide opinion.
Canard-Duchêne Vintage Brut Champagne 2018 12% £35.00 – Exclusive to Majestic
From Champagne, France, this vintage is 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay, produced by Canard-Duchêne and aged six years on lees. Golden in the glass, it has brioche and baked apple aromas. Crisp apple flavours follow, balanced by creaminess and a touch of sweetness with elegant length.
Parcel Series English Sparkling NV 12% £25.00
This English sparkling is by Rolling Green Hills, rumoured to come from Nyetimber, made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Pale gold with brioche, lemon and apple aromas, it offers flavours more intense, but feeling more sweet, than similar supermarket versions by Rolling Green Hills. Remarkable depth given its short two and a half years lees ageing.
Lindauer Special Reserve Brut Rosé NV 11.5% £14.00
From Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, and made by Lindauer, this blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinotage stands out for its use of Pinotage. Pale pink, it has aromas of red fruit with a subtle, different, earthy note. Creamy yet fresh on the taste, lifted by bright acidity.
The Gathering Storm White NV 12% £7.00 – Exclusive to Majestic
Produced by Félix Solís Avantis in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, this is a blend of Verdejo, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Tropical and citrus aromas lead into flavours of apricot, melon, apple and vanilla. Smooth, slightly sweet and full of flavour, it is my top value wine of the tasting.
La Marée Bleue 2024 11.5% £10.00
Aromatic, unoaked white blend made from Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Viognier and Vermentino from Gascony and the Languedoc. Bright and fresh, it has striking citrus and grapefruit aromas. The flavour is bursting with melon, acidity and a touch of salinity on the finish.
Maison Les Alexandrins Viognier 2024 13% £12.50 – New and exclusive to Majestic
From the Rhône Valley, France, and made by Maison Les Alexandrins in collaboration between Nicolas Jaboulet and the Tardieu family, this uses only Viognier grapes. It has very expressive peach and honeysuckle aromas. Apricot dominates the taste, ripe and lingering with richness.
Three Choirs Stonebook 2023 11% £12.00 – Exclusive to Majestic
Produced in Gloucestershire, England, by Three Choirs Vineyard, this blend features Siegerrebe, Solaris and Orion. It has a distinctive floral, elderflower and mandarin aroma. Grapefruit, lime and mandarin taste. Crisp and acidic, the flavour is bold and different. An unexpectedly different English white.
Rose & Rose Sauvignon Blanc 2024 12.7% £10.00 – New and exclusive to Majestic
Sourced from Marlborough, New Zealand, this comes from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Zesty, it gives off intense kiwi and tropical aromas. The flavour is of guava and stone fruit, vibrant, fresh and long-lasting. For me, the best white of the tasting and probably one of the best Sauvignon Blanc I have had all year. It is great value given the rise in prices in this category.
Castelnau de Suduiraut Sauternes 2023 14% £14.00
Made by Château Suduiraut, one of the historic estates of Sauternes, this 100% Sémillon comes from Gironde, France. Golden and luscious, it has aromas of apricot and spices. It is thick, sweet and smooth, with nutty nuances and a long finish.
There was a larger number of picks than usual this time, with the reds proving especially strong compared to the last Majestic tasting. It is also worth noting that recently the pricing of single bottles and the mix six offer has been converging, which makes it far more viable to pop in and buy just one wine if you wish.
As always, prices are subject to change, and not every wine will always be available in every store. However, Majestic can usually find bottles in other branches if needed.
