We take great pride in exploring new wines that represent quality, flexibility and great value

Below are a number of 'Good Clarets' that we think you will enjoy. We are not sponsored by any particular producer or wine merchant and as such we believe that we represent the interests of the 'people who also enjoy fine clarets'

House Favorites

One of our absolute favorites is the 'Fortnum & Mason's House Claret'. A Merlot dominated Bordeaux sourced from Chateau Chapelle Maracan, just outside the St.Emilion appellation on the Right Bank. This is an easy drinking wine bursting with bright red fruit. It represents fantastic value for money and for those who enjoy 'that little bit extra' it also comes in the Magnum!

Another of our favorites, and a superb straightforward choice for that all important business lunch, is the Balls Brothers House Claret. This claret, produced by Peter A. Sichel, is rich and well rounded with a high proportion of Merlot and a lingering fruity finish. Particularly good value for money and 'well worth that second bottle!'

Some Good Choices

In order to keep pace with the changing tastes of wine drinkers, while never losing sight of its goal of excellence, Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA introduced a range of Vins de Pays d'Oc varietal wines launched worldwide in 1995. Two of particular interest to us were the Cabernet and the Merlot. The merlot is  a lovely 'qwaffing' wine that adds a touch of refinement to that 'liquid lunch'. For something a little deeper for the winter evenings the Cabernet is a good choice. Both are remarkedly good value for money wines.

Made by the Cuvelier family, owners of Leoville-Poyferre, this is an impressive wine with a complex concentrated black fruit flavor. If you want to order something a little special but you don't want to damage the funds too much then a pretty good choice of wine. We must admit that the second bottle was better and it seemed to really grow on us throughout the entire third! Makes a fine house gift for those more grown-up dinner parties!

This wine is produced by Chateau Gruard Larose and is a dry full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. It has delicious pure fruit flavors and is a superb wine to drink now. It can also be kept. It is not cheap but based on the quality of of the wine it is a real bargain. It comes in the magnum which we think is absolutely perfect for impressing 'the in-laws from the country' on one of those long Sunday lunches -- but make sure that you don't drive! 

This wine comes from the St. Estephe Commune in Bordeaux and is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. A medium bodied wine that can be drunk now or kept. This Chateau is one of those stunning properties with a high proportion of old vines. It consistently produces excellent wines just like this 'silky smooth complex little number.' Surprisingly, we enjoyed it with a dish of wild mushroom risotto and can say that it would be an excellent choice of wine when entertaining the more discerning of vegetarians!

If you have a particular comment on an outstanding wine, a superb vineyard or even a place that serves fantastic wines then do feel free to contact us and we can publish your suggestions at    Special.Orders@PureClaret.com  

Due to increasing demand we are also in the process of setting up a site that will advise on best value & most appropriate Champagnes.

So watch this space and enjoy the soon to be launched 'SimplyBubbles'