Tom Doorley - Best Wines of 2021

DOMAINE LATOUR-GIRAUD BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY, 2019

"David Whelehan has an unerring nose for wines that punch way above their AOC and this is a fantastic example. Domaine Latour-Giraud is in Meursault and this Bourgogne Blanc is made with same care and attention as their top wines. Indeed, in a blind tasting it might well be confused for one, and it's streets ahead of many actual Meursaults from the big négociants. Jean-Pierre Latour (no relation of Louis) is noted as one of the great Chardonnay producers in the Côte d'Or."

CASTELLO COLLEMASSARI MONTECUCCO RISERVA

"Montecucco is the part of Tuscany I want to visit, having had enough of the well-trodden tourist trails. It's a bit of a hidden gem, quiet, beautiful and a place where Sangiovese is king. This incredibly well-priced red is a fine ambassador for the sub-region. It's 90% Sangiovese with a little Cabernet Sauvignon and Cillegiolo. If you like serious Chianti, you'll love this. Terrific depth and lovely complexity. Savour it slowly."

BOUVET-LADUBAY SAUMUR SAPHIR BRUT, 2018

"Quite incredible value for money in this stylish sparkling wine from the Loire, a coolish climate not unlike that of Champagne and using one of Champagne's key grapes, Chardonnay, with Chenin Blanc. It's distinctly dry with lovely depth and a touch of warm bread on the nose, lemon zest and honey on the palate."

PEGOS CLAROS VINHAS 70 ANOS RESERVA, 2017

"Portugal continues to be a source of interesting and great value wines with wonderful grape varieties such as the Castelão  that makes this rich, seriously structured red. It has an intense strawberry character, ripe, round but with kick on the finish. If this were from Italy or France, you would be paying more."

Tom Doorley, The Irish Mail on Sunday, 5th December 2021