Handford Wines

While his family has ben growing grapes for 14 generations, Louis Barruol is the first of the clan to bottle his own wines, rather than sell grapes to local négociants. Indeed, Louis has become a négociant himself, sourcing grapes and wines throughout the Rhône valley and making an outstanding range of wines. The basic Côtes du Rhône puts most producers to shame, while the Gigondas made from his own estate fruit is always one of the top wines of the appellation. Louis makes his wine without fining and his wines are bottled unfiltered to produce exuberant fruit and flavour as well as lots of character. His wines remain one of our star finds and judging by all the great reviews he has received we are lucky to have found them when we did.

The Wine

90% Grenache and 10% Syrah aged in 100% French oak barrels, of which 30% are new. This is a selection from the oldest vines within the Chateau Saint Cosme vineyards. The name derives from Belle Valle, the beautiful valley that tumble down from the famous, limestone rich Dentelles de Montmirail. Normally they yield a more concentrated and defined style with big tannins plenty of mouth feel. This year there is more finesse, purity and harmony. It's a wine of the earth, showing dried herb, pine, black olive, black pepper and fruits of fig and cherry. 2010 to 2019. (RP gives 92 -95/100)

Single Bottle: £26.95

In a case of 12: £25.60