Sainsbury’s Autumn Winter 2024 Press Tasting, in London, in October offered an impressive range of wines, particularly sparkling ones, that seem perfectly suited for the upcoming holiday season.
Here are the highlights and my notes on what stood out for me:
Louis Latour Mâcon-Villages 2023 £16 13%
I’m typically not drawn to Chardonnay, but this one was exceptional. Sourced from 30+ year-old vines, it had a pale yellow hue with a fresh, floral and honey bouquet. The taste offered hints of honeysuckle with a rich, rounded and slightly musky character. This great wine will be available from the 27th of October 2024.
Louis Vallon Crémant de Bordeaux NV £14.75 12%
This Crémant, made with 25% Cabernet Franc and 75% Merlot, undergoes its second fermentation in the bottle like Champagne. Its aroma of white peaches and almonds was inviting, and the taste, with notes of brioche and summer fruits, was enhanced by a strong leesy-derived taste in the mid-palate. It’s currently available for £12.50 with a Nectar card, making it great value.
Ellercombe English Sparkling £22 12%
This West Sussex and Kent-produced sparkling wine, composed of 55% Chardonnay, 42% Pinot Noir and 3% Meunier, stood out due its maturation on lees for 4.5 years. The crisp apple aroma and refreshing citrus-brioche flavour were superb, with an elderflower finish adding a delightful twist. Available from October 2024.
Taste the Difference Champagne Brut NV £22 12%
Previously reviewed, this Champagne remains a great choice for the price and continues to impress.
Charles Dauteuil Vintage Champagne 2025 £28 12%
A great 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this Champagne is kept on lees for eight years, resulting in a very rich and powerful flavour. The wine is beautifully balanced with a long finish. Available now.
Château Barreyres Haut-Médoc 2022 £15.50 13%
This deep-coloured wine is a blend of 49% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. Has a 4.1 score on Vivino. It has an earthy red fruit aroma, starting with cherries and evolving into deep black fruit and vanilla on the palate. The tannins are well-balanced and it finishes long. A new vintage, available now.
Invincible No. 1 Douro 2022 £12 13.5%
Sourced from 40+ year-old vineyards, this field blend (all grape varieties grown and picked together) includes Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz grapes. With a woody, dark fruit and cherry aroma, it offers a red fruit profile with ripe cherries and fine tannins, actually, for me, reminiscent of a quality Pinot Noir. Available now.
Cune Taste the Difference Rioja Gran Reserva 2017 £15 14%
The new vintage of a previously reviewed favourite remains just as excellent, delivering everything you’d expect from a Gran Reserva Rioja.
Bosman Nero 2023 £10.50 13.5%
This is a unique offering as it’s the first Nero d’Avola grown in South Africa. Made from 91.5% Nero d’Avola and 8.5% Appassimento grapes, it has a flavour profile of plums, damsons and cranberries with spicy undertones. This new vintage, currently available for £8.50 with Nectar, is great value.
Sainsbury’s 10-Year-Old Tawny Port £21 20%
This tawny port is a great example with deep raisin and fig notes that are perfect for the colder months. Available now and ideal for rounding off a festive evening.
This tasting revealed some exciting new additions to Sainsbury’s line-up, while reaffirming the quality of past favourites. With a broad selection of sparkling wines, whites, reds and port, there is something for every occasion this holiday season.
