Category: wine reviews

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New wines just arrived; from Bodegas Val de Souto, D.O.Ribeiro, Galicia

Bodegas “Val de souto”,  Castrelo de Miño,  D.O. Ribeiro, Galicia, Spain.

Val de Souto is a small family-run Colleiteiro winery in Souto, Castrelo de Miño, in the heart of Ribeiro. The family has been dedicated to viticulture since 1840, and José Manuel Blanco began bottling the estate’s own wines in 2002. Production is very small, around 15,000 bottles per year, from nearly two hectares of estate-owned vineyards.

Their oenologist for the last 15 years has been Pablo Estévez, one of the most highly regarded winemakers in Galicia. Pablo has been recognised by the Unión Española de Catadores / Premios Baco as Best Winemaker of Young Wines in Spain five times in the last six years.

Mr Whirly has been working with this small vineyard in the North west of Spain for 15 years now and I can honestly say its one of my favourite vineyards and the owner and winemaker, Jose Manuel Blanco Perez , is one of my favourite people in the wine world too. Such a lovely man. He, together with Pablo, make wines of culture and finesse; classic & classy wines. When I visited his vineyard last he presented me with a large bowl of rather gelatinous squid, a speciality in this region. It took a while to get use to but once I started sipping the “ Benedictus “ with this dish I started to grow into the idea and the bowl was soon done justice.

New wines just arrived;

Benedictus Fructus, 2024, Godello, D.O. Ribeiro  

Clean and bright, pale straw-yellow in colour with olive-green reflections. The nose is intense, elegant and complex, with marked citrus notes of mandarin and grapefruit, together with subtle floral aromas. On the palate it is harmonious and balanced, with well-integrated acidity bringing freshness, length and persistence.  Grape: Godello.  Alcohol: 13% . Vinification: At least 5 months in stainless steel tanks 

Price: £21.5o

Val de Souto “Treixadura”,  2024, D.O. Ribeiro  

Clean and bright, lemon-yellow in colour with greenish reflections. The nose is intense and complex, showing aromatic herbs such as mint and bay leaf, over a fruit-driven background of grapefruit and lemon. The palate is very pleasant, rounded and structured, with good length and a final sensation of sweet fruit that makes the wine very moreish.  Grape: Treixadura. Alcohol: 13%. Vinification: At least 5 months in stainless steel tanks

Price: £14.25

Val de Souto, “Tinto”, 2024,  D.O. Ribeiro  

Clean and bright, medium to deep cherry-red in colour with violet reflections. The nose is intense, complex and deep, with a predominance of red fruit such as cherry, raspberry and pomegranate. On the palate it is very pleasant and savoury, with perfectly integrated wood and elegant, lingering fruit.  

Grapes: Mencía, Sousón and Brancellao. Production: limited to around 2,652 bottles. Alcohol: 12% . Vinification: At least 5 months in traditional chestnut-wood barrels.  

Price: £13.50

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Wine of the Month: April 2026

Yes, ok, another gem from Christophe Chapillon in Aragon. Another red too, this time his Harmonié, a subtle and yet robust combination of two red grapes: Petit Verdot, normally a fill in grape in Bordeaux and Tannat from SW France. It sounds complicated but the the winemaker subtlety and deftly combines them to make a beautiful and powerful red wine.

Mr Whirly says;

” A lovely combination of grapes from Bordeaux and South West France, Petit Verdot and Tannat. It’s unusual to find these grapes growing in the middle of Spain and yet these varietals clearly love the terroir here in Aragon.”

James Suckling, 90 Points:

“A blend of 90% petit verdot and 10% tannat, expressing notes of sweet spices, baked cherries, vanilla and smoke. Medium body with creamy tannins. Voluptuous with creamy fruit and chocolate. Fruity finish”

750 ml

14.0 % Alc vol

£14.50

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Wine of the Month: March 2026

Another gem from Christophe Chapillon in Aragon, imported recently and selling oh so well in the present UK market since the October 2025 when it arrived into England.

There are two main Red grapes in Spain and this is the main one. Well the most readily planted throughout the lands of Spain. Tempranillo. The other grape was featured in last months wine of the month: Garnacha. This wine evokes subtlety and purity of spirit in terms of the winemaking. Some Tempranillo’s can be over extracted and juicy ( I find a great deal of Rioja’s like this) but this is not. Its subtle and cool: Paul and Rémy Tempranillo 2024

Mr Whirly Says:

” Another beautifully made wine from Christophe Chapillon. 100% Tempranillo. Mulberry and plums,  refined and elegant. Soft tannins. Not in anyway edgy. This wine has been on  French oak for 6 months. Slightly smokey finish. Vegan friendly and sustainable vineyard . A recent client at Crow Farm shop bought one bottle and came back for the other 11 bottles the next day. Must be alright.”

750ml

14.0 alc vol

£14.25

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Wine of the Month: February 2026

It’s February, yeah! March will almost be here, its a time to celebrate, Spring is around the corner.

The wine of the Month for February is some delicious Garnacha from Christophe Chaplillon in Aragon. I have been working with Christophe for over 10 years now and I love his wines. I visited Zaragoza and the surrounding areas in 2025 and its a fascinating wine region with so much to offer in terms of terroir, different terrains, food styles and of course wines and grapes of distinction and quality! I love the grapes from this region, hoepfully in May I can introduce you to some lovely Rosé from the high hills of the Pyrenee’s near to Somontano made from its local grape, Moristel, which is a joy to behold!

But let’s not deviate from this lovely wine Mr whirly, Chapillon’s flag ship red, ” Cuvée Paul” 2022, 100% Garnacha, they hang their hat on this grape in Aragon. The red grape of choice is Garnacha in Aragon and this wine sings through this robust varietal. It’s deliciously soft and elegant with enough fruits to keep you wanting more. delicious with a lovely stew this winter February it really cheers you up!

Please click on the link below to order!

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Wine of the Month: January 2026

Despite the efforts of so many not to drink wine beyond midnight at the turn of the year I thought I should get us fervent few to express ourselves in a different way! Let’s try some Port! a long lost wine that had almost become extinct in our cellars or under our stairs!

So let’s start with some sensational wine, a port from the turn of the century!

Cockburns 2000. I tried this wine over Christmas ( 2025) and it’s absolutely ready to go now but at the same time could wait for another 10 years! I love this kind of versatility in a wine! It’s full of the most luscious fruits and raisin almonds and it needs time to come into its own after 4-5 hours.

To order please press on the link below!

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11th November 2025, Remembrance Day: Aragon wines rock…..

It’s taken Mr Whirly a while but we are beginning to get the verve and energy levels elevated for a concerted effort to bring in, once again, some really exciting new wines over the next few months leading into the summer of 2026.

In October 2025 Mr whirly launched back into the world of importing wines from quality small producers, something that I had been forced to abandon due to economic and market pressures over the last 4 years. But we are back and I have plans to import some really individual wines soon, using present and past connections. The wines from Christophe Chapillon are really exciting and have sold really well. The Vivius blanco, 100% Macabeo and the Limited edition Rosé made from the rare Moristel grape and Garnacha are now virtually sold out. However we still have small quantities of the reds: the 100% Garnacha red, ” Cuvée Paul”, the Tempranillo, ” Harmonie'” a lovely soft blend of Tannat and Petit Verdot and the ” Green” red which is a stunning red made from 4 grapes: Garnacha, Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah.

Plans for future wines are in the pipeline too. Some Godello from Galicia, a very up and coming and fashionable grape at the moment, will be sourced in early 2026 together with some other whites and reds from the high hills in this north west part of Spain. I shall be working with José once again from Val de Souto and I am very exciting about this prospect. Other ideas for exciting wines to import include a focus on my favourite red grape, Carignan and focusing on the home of this grape in Catalanes and Roussillon where I have some amazing contact built up from 10-15 years ago. I will look to focus on different styles and price point for this amazing grape that can be absolutely banging in terms of quality drinking compared to price point.

I am about to send out my offers of Christmas wines for you. A lovely offer of a few half dozen wines, specially chosen for you, that will be live in the shop here the first week in December. Remember Mr Whirly delivers free to your door to most SW London postcodes, wines that are organic and sustainably made. Wines that offer fabulous quality and drink oh so easily and wines that are made with integrity and passion . I have added the link to the mixed case of Christmas delights below for ease of ordering

: https://whirlywine.co.uk/product/mixed-case-of-wh…r-christmas-2025/

Mr whirly

Mr Whirly

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New wine arrival soon! ” Organic” and “Vegan” Rosé for the late Summer!

” Gea” Organic and Vegan Rosé, 2021, ” Garnacha”, Alcardet, Toledo, Spain

A late Rosé arrival for the summer completes the set of 6 wines already here in the UK from Spain. 100% Garnacha, 100% cool, 100% dry, 100% fresh, 100% zingy, 100% very drinkable!

Limited availability and stock since imported at the end of the summer and almost sold out in Spain!

£10.75 per bottle. Free delivery to local SW postcodes otherwise £10.00 delivery charge. Minimum order 6 bottles

Please contact Simon on 07821 968111 to order or email simon@whirlywine.co.uk

Let’s whirl it!

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Wines of the Month: September 2020

” This month is a time of change for all of us. The season’s are changing and so are we, as human beings. One thing I have learn’t from the last six months is the importance of eating and drinking well. Shopping for good food and wine locally. In the last few weeks there has been a lovely fishmonger open up on Moyser road and it’s such a joy to walk down there and purchase something some freshly caught fish or prawns or urchin from someone as passionate as you about their product. Check them out below & support them if you can.

https://www.lifeof.fish/

I have discovered so many new recipes from old cookbooks tucked away on the shelf and matched that perfect wine! So, let’s this September match the perfect wine with two styles of cooking. Let’s look at two completely different styles of Gruner Veltliner from Austria, their main white varietal and a grape they ” hang their hat on” in this up and coming wine country.

The wines we are going to look at are from two small vineyards, “Mehofer” in Wagram about an hour north west of Vienna, and their newly arrived 2019 Gruner Veltliner Klassik. Mehofer are ” Organic” & have been so for over 20 years. They make beautiful wines that are a joy to drink.

” Organic” Gruner Veltliner, 2019, Mehofer, Wagram, Austria

The other wine is from “ Beyer“, another small winery in Austria, made by Josef Beyer in Roselfdorf, Lower Austria ( south of Vienna). This wine could not be more different. The grape was picked later, In November rather than now, when the Mehofer grapes are being collected. This difference in harvest time means the grapes have more sugar within themselves. This equates to more sugar in the wine and also slightly more alcohol. But don’t let ‘ Mr Whirly” put you off, I know how we in England run a mile when we hear the word sweet with wine. Open up to this!

“Beyer”, Late Harvest Gruner Veltliner, 2015, Roseldorf, Lower Austria

These two wines could not be more different. But with the delight of food and the different cultures of food we now absorb, I would love you all to enjoy these wines with something outstanding!

So for September, if you buy a bottle each of these wines I shall give you a massive 30% discount on the bottle price! £33. 95 slashed to £28.30. I will also send you the perfect pairing menu for each wine so you can enjoy cooking and matching the wine. One of the most important and enjoyable experiences in life is to find that perfect match! Delivered free to your door in local SW postcodes!

Here is the link below for the two wines to buy in this September deal!

https://whirlywine.co.uk/product/double-deal-september-special-for-mehofer-gruner-veltliner-2019-beyer-late-harvest-gruner-veltliner-2015/

Stay safe

Mr Whirly

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May 2018: ” Organic” Pinot Noir from ” Ricardelle de Lautrec”, 2017, Languedoc

” Vignerons Independants” OR Concours 2018

Just arrived from the Languedoc this unusual  Organic Pinot Noir. I say unusual since this region is famous for big reds like Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan. Pinot noir is normally grown a 200 miles north of here in Burgundy and this wine does a really good job of offering this King of varietals a place at the table at a sensible price yet with refinement and quality still intact. Very small vineyard and productions hence the award above at the 2018 wine contest for small vineyards.

Slightly richer than a Burgundy yet full of summer madness! Strawberry and raspberry dominate the nose and palate with some lovely fresh notes. This wine is sublime, a true wonder if you served it chilled and allow it to warm up an evolve. Well priced at £15.50 a bottle.

 

 

 

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New wines for 2018: some ” Organic” Bordeaux from Chateau Grand Francais as well as” Organic” Tempranillo from Dionisos

 

January 2018: New imports from Whirly wines

There have been a flood of new wines imported for 2018, so its a pretty exciting time at Whirly wines, 22 Ritherdon road, London, SW17 8QD, whether you are coming to the wine shop or buying wholesale for your restaurant. All the prices below are Ex Vat.

Bordeaux

My first “Organic and Bio-Dynamic” wines from this prestigious wine region. Unheard of, to be honest since they are pretty traditional here.  40 year old vines, Organic certified since 2002.

Chateau Grand Francais, 2015, “Cuvee Prestige”( un-oaked), AOC “ Organic” Bordeaux Superieur: 45% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc: clean, soft tannins, ripe berries plus a little cinnamon; modern Bordeaux: £14.95

Chateau Grand Francais 2015, Grande Cuvee ( Oaked )  AOC “ Organic” Bordeaux Superieur; 50% Merlot. 30% Cabernet sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc. Red cherry and black, fleshy and spicy. Modern day Bordeaux, juicy strawberry, blueberry on the nose, full of shine and brightness, sort tannins, with a creamy middle palate: £16.95

Cote de Duras

Chateau Molhiere: Terroirs de Duc 2015: new vintage of this Cabernet Franc and Merlot Stalwart imported, for many years now from close to childhood family cottage ; earthy, country red wine. £8.10

Languedoc

Domaine Ricardelle de Lautrec, Pay D’OC, “Organic and Bio”

Pinot Noir 2015: a new find that has been ringing well with many private and restaurant clients already. Its unusual to find Pinot Noir in Languedoc, hence this wine is bottled under AOC “ Vin de France”. Don’t let that put you off. Spicy and full Pinot, juniper and hedgerow berries. Exciting wine that represents great quality for the price: £11.50

Chardonnay 2015 ( un-oaked): Light fresh Chardonnay, not in anyway big and bold, in fact light and fresh. £11.00

Spain

La Tierra de Castilla, Valdepenas, PGI “ Vinos de la Tierra de Castilla”

Dionisos, “ Organic and Bio” Tempranillo 2015 ( aged in large amphorae clay pots, Roman style, please see the picture below). 100% Tempranillo, 13.5% alc vol, hand picked grapes, fermented with own wild yeasts in big amphorae pots, with thick walls in order to slow down the fermentation process.  Young appealing, deep and lively purple colour. On the nose great intensity and ripeness, fleshy and sweet red cherries. Milky enveloping notes on the palate with overwhelming energy. £13.00

Ribera del Duero

Meloso“ Joyen” 2016, 100% Tempranillo

An old favourite is back, beautifully rich yet sublime Tempranillo. This wine speaks volumes for this premium red wine region of Spain, surely take over from Rioja in that department, making wines fresher and easier to drink with no oak, which to me is a blessing. 30 year old vines, 14 days maceration with temperature controlled by water. 10,000 Bottles made, grapes picked 4th week in September; very light process of filtering and clarifying; £11.75

Ribeiro

Val de Souto

Wines made with oh so much passion by Jose Manuel Blanco Perez. His wines speak volumes for the small winemaker making wines oh so exquisite.

Val de Souto 2016: another old favourite. Godello, Triexadura and Lourieira. Jose Manuel Blanco Perez makes wines of passion; he puts his soul into the wines. He works his land 365 days of the year, he rarely takes a holiday, this is his life. This wine has lovely aromatic qualities yet is dry on the finish. Honeysuckle and clover honey on the middle palate. A pure delight. £11.90

Benedictus Fructus 2015

Albarino and Godello. Left on the Lee’s for 5 months so pretty big and rich yet still oh so easy and beautiful to drink. This wine exudes class. High aromatic intensity, due to being left on the lee’s with great harmony and balance. Citrus, mandarin and grapefruit on the palate with some floral notes too. Only 4,000 bottles made. £16.75

Italy

Verona, IGT Veneto

“Villa Aganoor”

From north west Italy and the home of Pinot Grigio some simple yet very well made wines for you for the front page of your list. With these wines i can offer you quality wines at a good price, around the £6.00 mark

Pinot Grigio 2016: weighty and complex PG, with apples and pears on the palate. A really pleasurable glass of wine. £6.25

Sauvignon Blanc 2016: clean, fresh zingy and lemony SB. Another simple yet very good wine for the money. £6.25

Merlot 2016: young, fresh perfumed Merlot, full of fresh young berry fruit. £6.25