{"title":"Best in Class - The highest scorers in our range, July 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt is not surprising that many of our wines receive some pretty hefty scores, even from the most scrupulous and hard to please critics. The only producers in our range that aren't getting much heat from the press, are one's that are extremely small, under the radar and very new to the UK market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth the big hitters and the up-and-comers deserve the time of day and we like to champion both equally, however just currently it appears we have a few wines that have been extremely well endorsed by the greatest and most respected wine critics in the world, and we believe such is the scoring, they're worth celebrating! \u003cstrong\u003eWe have put together a collection of the very top pile, wines that have scored 95+ points (17.5 or more if you're using the wobbly Jancis scale of scoring). Rare, unique, collectable and just delicious. Enjoy!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"keermont-topside-syrah-2017","title":"Keermont Topside Syrah 2017","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 points, Tim Atkin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSitting 350m above sea level on the west-facing slope of the Stellenbosch mountain, the Topside vineyard's elevation, exposure and the rocky sandstone-granite soils all lend a spicy character and fine tannin structure to the wine. With dense, darker briar-led fruit, some pretty floral aromas melding with anise, herbs and fine, sandy tannins, this is a Syrah with plenty of years in the tank for the future to come. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeermont Estate may well take the prize for most beautiful vineyards and views in all of South Africa. And yup, there's some pretty stiff competition! Nestled in a natural amphitheatre between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains, their ambition is to produce wines that reflect the natural wonders of this exquisite place. At the helm is the highly talented Alex Starey, a winemaker much revered by his peers and Neal Martin.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KEERMONT","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43083146854585,"sku":"SKEE05R7517","price":44.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/products\/Keermont_Topside_Syrah_1afc90a7-1d6c-4dc2-b08c-f4fea9c5a959.jpg?v=1671803243"},{"product_id":"ausas-interpretacion-2019","title":"Ausas Interpretacion 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 points, Decanter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade by the former winemaker of the famous Vega-Sicilia, Spain's most famous red, this is much in the mold of Vega and Alion, another wine that was made at Vega by Xavier Ausas, but with some of the changes he would have liked to have made there, using less oak, in particular. The 2019 has developed and is showing beautiful mature aromas and is smooth on the palate, yet it returns some youthfulness. It's lovely and rich yet so very drinkable. As Xavier says, 'Ribera del Duero can be strong and elegant. I don’t understand why it always has to be massive.'  It has such finesse for a full wine. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e#Tasting#\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWe wrote to the producers who were in Tim Atkin's 'top 8 Ribera del Duero producers to watch', thinking we'd choose a few to make a mixed case.  By the end the tasting it was abundantly clear that this one, made by former winemaker of Spain's most revered and collected wine, Vega Sicilia (£400 for the current release), was a wine we had to jump on quick. The winemaker is Xavier \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAusas\u003c\/span\u003e who grew up in the area and was partly educated in France, where he now consults. I suppose it's a bit like when John Duval left Penfolds where he made Grange, Australia's most revered wine. He was only going to go on and make more amazing wines. Like John, Xavier knows the vineyards and grape growers intimately, and knows exactly where to turn to get the best. Also, like John, he answers his own emails. It was amazing to be in touch with the great man himself, who was handed the torch by another Vega Sicilia legend, Mariano Garcia, who was winemaker between 1968 and 1998.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"XAVIER AUSAS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43104491307193,"sku":"DAUS01R7519","price":62.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/products\/ausas2016_0677ba6b-0388-4c7d-a56e-1a736bcff611.gif?v=1673284303"},{"product_id":"corton-rognet-et-corton-grand-cru-domaine-buisson-2020","title":"Corton Rognet et Corton Grand Cru  Domaine Buisson 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 points, Neal Martin (Vinous)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis plot, nestled at 270 meters on the hill of Corton, faces the rising sun.\u003cbr\u003eThe 70-year-old vines take root in poor calcareous soil, with light and very draining soil.\u003cbr\u003eThis climate and its demanding terroir pushes the plant to its limits and encourages it to give the best of itself: a wine that offers a real presence, a beautiful intensity while retaining its finesse and elegance. When young, Rognet-et-Corton exudes notes of spicy fruit, blackcurrant and kirsch. As it ages, it develops aromas of undergrowth, truffles and leather. It is what is expected of the excellence of a red Burgundy Grand Cru: the velvety texture of the seductive Pinot Noir. This great charmer likes to be desired and is best enjoyed between 4 and 15 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"article__sub-heading\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWho is Burgundy’s next superstar? Who’s the next Roumier, Rousseau or Coche? Domaine Henri \u0026amp; Gilles Buisson\" One of 6 producers - Further inroads into Burgundy 2020, Neal Martin, Vinous. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eDomaine Henri et Gilles Buisson is a sensational producer. They are most definitely a feather in our cap. We don’t come across producers like this often, that aren't already being imported to the UK. In fact, it would be just a few like this in a lifetime, such is the quality of terroir they have, but more importantly what they’re doing with it. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BUISSON, H AND G","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43286712189113,"sku":"FBUI12R7520","price":212.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/DomHGBuisson_Le_Rognet_et_Corton.jpg?v=1749220765"},{"product_id":"restless-river-ava-marie-chardonnay-2021","title":"Ava Marie Chardonnay Restless River 2021","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e97 points, Decanter - 96 points, Tim Atkin - 95 points, Jamie Goode (Wine Anorak) \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Restless River Chardonnay has come on leaps and bounds in the last few vintages. The 2020 was exceptional, and the 2021? Even finer. \"\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eA true classic that is worthy of a place in any collector’s cellar …\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e lovely lemon butter and leesy aromatic complexity with hints of white toast, lemon rind, white citrus, melted wax and a mellow kiss of salted caramel. The palate is bright and fresh but also shows a generous mid-palate concentration and textural fleshy character.\" Greg Sherwood MW\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan bgcolor=\"#ffffff\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRestless River is a rising star which has quietly achieved cult-status for its brilliant, Burgundian-style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and super fine yet intense Cabernet Sauvignon. Launched in 2012 by Craig Wessels, their farm is located in the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. It's home to some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay vines in the region (planted in 1998). At Restless River, things are done in an unhurried way, with great dedication and attention to detail.  Their production is done by hand, resulting in limited quantities of each wine, and demand far exceeding supply. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan bgcolor=\"#ffffff\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRestless River is defined by its terroir, and Craig Wessels' thoughtful and careful winemaking allows it to be the star of the show. \"At its best, South Africa is increasingly terroir-driven. Craig Wessels of Restless River says that it’s about “building wines in the vineyard, not the winery”, trying to reflect a place rather than a style that’s imposed in the cellar.\" - Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2023.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan bgcolor=\"#ffffff\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\"H\u003c\/span\u003eis Chardonnays offer real Burgundian allure and his occasionally Volnaysian Pinot Noirs.\" - Neal Martin, Vinous.com\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"RESTLESS RIVER","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43530144710841,"sku":"A1616121","price":49.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/AvaMarie2020_f497dc26-992e-42d0-a5d0-bf6f7c0c7b09.jpg?v=1701165710"},{"product_id":"vouvray-cuvee-constance-50cl-dom-huet-2018","title":"Vouvray Cuvee Constance Dom. Huet 2018 50cl","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e18.5\/20 points, Jancis Robinson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"\u003cspan\u003ePale gold hue. Intense but refined nose, the depth of fruit apparent. Very pure with citrus-mandarin and floral notes. Sweetness and intensity on attack but undercut by the acidity to give balance. Again, great purity of flavour. Clean and long with a saline edge on the finish. Remarkable.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFounded almost a century ago, Domaine Huet is arguably Vouvray's most famous name. An early adopter of biodynamics, Huet was certified in 1993 when even organic producers were considered hippies. Production of wine styles (from dry to sweet) varies depending on the seasons, which are becoming more erratic every year. For example, in 2018, around 85% of production was sweet, making the rare sweet cuvée Constance possible. The original vineyard, Le Haut Lieu, is a clay-based site first purchased in 1928 by founder Gaston Huet. It now covers 15 hectares and remains the most fruit-forward of the estate’s sites. The addition of Clos du Bourg came in 1953. It’s a real clos, surrounded by walls and is a little warmer than the other sites, making it the first of the Huet vineyards to be picked. Conversely, the vineyard Le Mont, which was acquired in 1957, has a greenish-yellow clay soil with flint scattered throughout, making it a cooler site. It is picked the latest and takes time to come around in the bottle. In 2022, the wines at Domaine Huet are gentle due to their slightly lower acidities, making them open and approachable. It was a vintage of patience as there was so little water, and the vines progressed slowly; even at harvest, some bunches were still hard, so there was a lot of crop sorting - Vinous\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Domaine Huet","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43554795585721,"sku":"A2461418","price":125.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_16af1331-9bc6-4602-8d7d-884090ba29db.jpg?v=1742383958"},{"product_id":"barolo-rocche-dell-annunziata-renato-corino-2020","title":"Barolo Rocche dell Annunziata Renato Corino 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003e'95 Points - The 2020 Barolo Riserva Rocche dell’Annunziata is stellar. It marries fruit intensity, bright acids and structure. Black cherry, lavender, spice, menthol and mocha all take shape in the glass. I especially admire its vibrancy and energy. Time brings out the wine's natural intensity and resonance.' Antonio Galloni, drink 2025-2038, Vinous.com\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRepresenting one of our longest-standing relationships in Italy, the wines of Renato Corino have delighted Swig and its customers for over a decade. Renato set out on his own from the family winery in 2003 (under good terms, you understand – his brother helped him with his first vintage). He had his own ideas on how to make great Barolo in La Morra, and wanted to show the world. A mix of modern techniques in the winery and traditional care of the vines yields up Barolos that are more approachable than many of their brethren, but also stand the test of time. There is often a wild, rich intensity to them that you don’t see in Renato’s brother’s estate (called Corino as well). Renato has some of the finest sites in La Morra in the heart of Barolo all farmed sustainably.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CORINO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43861267382457,"sku":"A3166120","price":64.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_622b419d-822e-415c-94b9-ae1b5115364b.jpg?v=1712335225"},{"product_id":"chianti-classico-cigliano-di-sopra-2022","title":"Chianti Classico Cigliano di Sopra 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eViolets, lavender and fresh red fruit. Wonderfully crunchy and pure, but by no means simple. You can really feel the ageing potential thanks to this depth flavour of sour cherry. The tannins and acidity are firm, and  It respects the idea of Chianti Classico, but really, we're almost in Riserva territory given the attention to detail here. As winemaker Matteo shared \"\u003cem\u003ethe idea we had when we started making Chianti Classico is simple. We want a wine that's ready to drink. It should be on the table after a year and a half, but at the same time, this will definitely show its best in 5 or 6 years.\" \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocated in the highest part of the Cigliano area, Cigliano di Sopra is a historic estate dating back to 1300, now in the capable hands of dynmaic friends Matteo Vaccari and Maddalena Fucile. Prior to taking the reins at Cigliano di Sopra, Matteo and Maddalena worked alongside Sashi Moorman and Rajat Parr at Evening Land, Sandhi, and Domaine de la Côte. Even Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate likes Cigliano – “\u003cem\u003eThe most exciting discovery I recently made in Chianti Classico is Cigliano di Sopra, located in San Casciano Val di Pesa. The winery is run by two young friends, Maddalena Fucile and Matteo Vaccari. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\"This is a thrilling discovery\" - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMonica Larner, The Wine Advocate on the 2021 vintage - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"I feel like a new benchmark for fine wine is being set by Maddalena Fucile and Matteo Vaccari of Cigliano di Sopra in San Casciano Val di Pesa. These young winemaking colleagues studied enology together in Florence and both worked with Sashi Moorman and Rajat Parr at Domaine de la Côte in California and at other prestigious wine estates in Italy. Winemaking is hands-on and artisanal in the stone underground cellar of Maddalena's family Tuscan villa. Farming is organic and biodynamic, and I want to underline the sheer excitement I feel for these wines and this promising up-and-coming estate. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis fabulous wine comes from an exciting estate that I absolutely recommend you seek out. Made with organic Sangiovese, it offers a punchy and bright fruit profile with cassis, red berry and blue flower that pop from the glass. The wine offers balance, freshness and an elegantly streamlined style. It feels transparent, almost fragile. Fruit is selected from across a seven-hectare site, and within that space, three hectares were planted in the 1970s and 1980s. The rest were planted more recently from 2004 on. This is a thrilling discovery.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cigliano di Sopra","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54857190867330,"sku":"A1056122","price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/ChiantiClassico2021.jpg?v=1745580793"},{"product_id":"blank-bottle-orbitofrontal-cortex-2023","title":"Orbitofrontal Cortex Blank Bottle 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 points, Tim Atkin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe fruits of an eccentric scientific experiment some years before, that saw a team of neuroscientists attaching probes to Pieter's scalp and skin as he blind tasted 21 samples and blended wines according. The orbitofrontal cortex is the conscious part of your brain, and thus, this is a wacky white blend produced from all the components that Pieter and his assistant like the best. Not necessarily \"the best\" technically, but their favourite barrel and tank selections from a host of sites and varieties across the winelands. It's young on release, with hint of shortbread, fresh cut apple, with a creamy, almond loaded palate, hint of honey and pithy note, with a very long finish. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis, the 2023, Pieter is absolutely thrilled with. As are we! 12 varietals from his favourite barrel samples culminate to this absolute gem, with Chenin, Verdelho and Chardonnay to name but a few featuring grapes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tale behind the name BLANKbottle is that when Pieter was starting out, he made a small parcel of Shiraz and was left with a few unlabelled cases. One day, a woman wanted to buy a wine – “Anything but Shiraz,” she told him. Pieter shrugged and sold her the unlabelled Shiraz, neglecting to mention the variety. A few weeks later she returned demanding more, saying it was the best thing she’d ever drunk. For Pieter, it was a lesson on the gap between what people think they like (or dislike) and what they actually like (or dislike). After that, he decided not to list the varieties on his labels. Every one of Pieter’s wines is a story, rather than a grape variety, and it’s the juice inside the bottle which reveals that story. He doesn’t own any vines, but instead scours South Africa’s winelands for top-quality fruit that has somehow slipped under the radar, now sourcing from nearly 70 sites. Some years he’ll make 20 wines, other years 35. With the benefit of anonymity, variety and regional identity take a back seat while parcel expression does the driving. These are some of South Africa’s most original wines, made by one of South Africa’s most original winemakers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BLANK BOTTLE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54913354957186,"sku":"A2616123","price":32.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_a7ca0411-ee23-4899-8524-3d63f848bcd2.jpg?v=1742382419"},{"product_id":"aa-badenhorst-grensloos-chenin-blanc-2023","title":"Chenin Blanc Grensloos AA Badenhorst 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 points, Tim Atkin - 95 points, Parker's Wine Advocate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e96 points and a Wine of the Year for Chenin Blanc - 'Grensloos rounds up all Adi Badenhorst's single vineyard sites, most of which used to be bottled on their own. Using grapes from five sites on Jakkalsfontein and Kalmoesfontein, it's very gently wooded in foudres and concrete tanks, with lots of leesy richness, stony concentration and layers of beeswax, white flowers, honey and citrus. More than the sum of it's parts. Drink 2025 to 2035.' Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2024.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e#Tasting#\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe firmly believe that Adi Badenhorst is one of the most exciting winemaker in South Africa. He is also the most frustrating. His laid back, self-deprecating, playful manner keeps you guessing and makes you wonder whether he has any idea what he is actually doing, whether he just chucks some grapes into a vat and hopes for the best, but we know full well that there is a huge amount of expertise that goes on behind closed doors, when no one is around to witness his skill and diligence ...and spoil his reputation!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BADENHORST","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55080614101378,"sku":"A4896123","price":42.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/files\/BC_Upload_4171ba73-d310-4dbc-8194-39edf7429340.jpg?v=1750863465"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2466\/1541\/collections\/yuma-nozaki-IuZSihc8A3k-unsplash.jpg?v=1752674732","url":"https:\/\/swig.co.uk\/collections\/best-in-class-the-high-scorers-in-our-range-july-2025\/region-hemel-en-aarde.oembed","provider":"Swig Wines","version":"1.0","type":"link"}