New World Reds & Whites Mixed Dozen - Case of 12

Vintage: 2010

Richly toasty Chardonnay full of mellow peach and melon flavours with a tang of orange-zest acidity keeping things lively. There are elegant, gently tropical aromas too, adding to the gorgeous freshness of this sprightly white. Satin-smooth wine, easy-going and easy to enjoy.

About this bottle: Winemaker David Akiyoshi ferments a tiny (3%) portion of Viognier in a separate vat to blend with this Chardonnay before bottling. He believes this helps the Chardonnay to really express the rich, tropical side of its nature. Both varieties benefit from the cooling breezes that sweep in from San Francisco Bay; these temper the heat of the California sun, and keep the grapes deliciously light and aromatic.

Vintage: 2009

Velvety molasses-rich California Cabernet brimming with blackcurrant aromas and classic smoky cedar and plum flavours. Complex, concentrated and delicious, this is a lingering, fruity red, with a bite of acidity and tantalising hints of chocolate.

About this bottle: David Akiyoshi has a deep understanding of the wines of northern California - having spent 25 years making wine with Robert Mondavi, the father of this State's wine industry, he has learnt a thing or two! For this fruity red he blends the classic Bordeaux combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes (making up 89% of the mix) with a quirky combination of Petit Verdot (4%), Tannat (4%), Malbec (2%) and Petite Sirah (1%). No wonder this red is so full of complex flavour.

Vintage: 2011

A wonderfully soft and seductive Australian Shiraz that is medium bodied and packed full of juicy blackcurrant fruit.

About this bottle: Gary Compton has over 20 years experience making Australian wine and he isn't about to let his vines 'go mad' in this hot, sunny corner of the country. This juicy, tangy red is a model of restraint - it shows off the very best, boisterous characters of Shiraz (a good seven days maceration on skins makes sure of this), but tempers all those wild leather and spice characters with a small number of Petit Verdot grapes to give pepperiness and pizazz.

Vintage: 2013

Deeply figgy, intense Argentinean red with blackcurrants, redcurrants and bramble-fruit ending with violets and a twist of black pepper. This is a dark-fruited, smooth, delicious wine, which manages to be complex and lively at the same time.

About this bottle: This highly praised Malbec was made by Argentinean winemaker Gonzalo Bertelsen. Gonzalo has tried and tested the world’s most prestigious wine regions (Bordeaux, Napa, McLaren Vale among them), and now, could not be happier making wine in his home country where he can display the wine knowledge he has earned. From the high, cool vineyards of Mendoza’s Uco Valley, this Malbec benefits from ageing in a combination of French and American oak barrels for six months.

Vintage: 2012

Poised, aromatic white, full of honeyed Riesling aromas and a light touch of apricot from the Pinot Gris in the blend. The two grapes sing out vibrantly on the palate too, with firm minerality and expressive sweet notes of peach.

About this bottle: Light, fresh, unoaked white made with – as winemaker Miguel Almeida calls them – a truly funky pair of grapes: each a classic in its own right, but causing amazing sensations when blended together. The Riesling and Pinot Gris grapes (50% each) are cold-fermented and pressed carefully with a pneumatic press to preserve all their natural aromatics. They come from newly discovered vineyards of Campanha, in the pampas lands of southern Brazil, bordering Uruguay.

Vintage: 2012

A crisp and spicy Chilean Sauvignon that is altogether different in style from the punchy, aromatic wines you might expect from New Zealand.

About this bottle: Tangy flavours of ripe apricot and cut grass are matched by a subtle, mineral finish in this attractive, everyday white. Viñedos Emilianos is a carbon neutral winery which adopts only sustainable vineyard practices and operates a social responsibility scheme for its workers. We are proud to work with such a company and are absolutely delighted with the quality of the wines.