Six wines from UK independent wine merchant Tanners
Website: https://www.tanners-wines.co.uk/
Tanners is a highly competent independent merchant chain, who also do quite a bit of regional wholesale. These were samples from EcoSIP metallized pouches (https://www.ecosip.co.uk/beverages/wine ) – it’s a clever way to send out samples, reducing waste. And the wine quality is preserved, as long as you don’t leave them too long before tackling them. My experience is there’s no problem with samples a couple of months after sending, but I’d ideally try them sooner. These were all tried within a week of receipt.
Les Jardiniers Sauvignon 2025 Vin de France
12% alcohol. Organic. This is from Maison Sichel, a Bordeaux negociant, made in the South of France. It’s generous, fruity and expressive with some pear and citrus fruit, and nice depth of flavour. It’s really rounded and quite delicious with lovely fruit. Not massively Sauvignon-like, but with no rough edges. Plenty to like about this. 89/100 (£14.50 Tanners)
Foncalieu Bleu d’Alba Albariño 2025 Pays d’Oc, France
13.5% alcohol. Foncalieu is a high-performing co-op based near Carcasonne in the Languedoc with 1200 members, including some from other regions. Together they work more than 7000 hectares of vines. This is organically farmed. Fresh, fruity and aromatic with lovely pear and white peach, as well as a touch of apricot on the nose. Fruit-driven and expressive. The palate is bright and textural with lovely weight and richness, finising fresh and slightly spicy. This is taking Albariño in a fruitier, richer direction, but it’s still really fresh. Finishes juicy and lively. 90/100 (£14.95 Tanners)
Ide El Verano Chardonnay 2024 Sonoma County, California
12.5% alcohol. This is made my Sonoma Bespoke, who aim to make good quality, value-driven wines in Sonoma. Textured and refined, this has ripe pear, peach and citrus fruit, showing some mid-palate richness but also nice brightness on the finish, with good acidity. This is made more in a Chablis style, looking to express the bright fruit of Chardonnay, rather than oak influence and ripeness. Stylish and expansive. 91/100 (£19.30 Tanners)
Tanners Provence Rosé 2025 Côtes de Provence, France
13% alcohol. This is a blend of Grenache (70%), Cinsault (20%) with the balance Mourvèdre and Tibouren. Made by Château Pas du Clef. Very pale in colour, this has a fruity, primary, aromatic nose of pear drops and mandarin. In the mouth this is textured, juicy, fresh and well balanced with nice texture and impeccable balance. Fruit forward and delicious, with a touch of watermelon and pink grapefruit on the finish. A very sophisticated lighter-styled Provence Rosé. 89/100 (£17.95 Tanners)
Tanners Merlot 2025 Pays d’Oc, France
13.5% alcohol. This is made by Foncalieu. This is juicy and bright with nice cherry and raspberry fruit, as well as some savoury, clove-like woody notes (presumably from oak staves or chips). It’s perfectly OK, and has a sense of deliciousness, but I feel the savoury, spicy oak element is intruding a bit here. 86/100 (£11.50 Tanners)
Ide Alcalde Pinot Noir 2024 Sonoma County, California
12.5% alcohol. Made by Sonoma Bespoke. Juicy and bright with sweet cherry and plum fruit, as well as some strawberry character. There’s a hint of volatile acidity adding some sweetness to the palate, and lovely depth and richness. A bold expression of Sonoma Pinot noir with good depth and richness. 90/100 (£19.30 Tanners)
