Leave it with me, I'll order in the next few days -- if you or anyone else has time, it would be nice if they could mention anything interesting and affordable on the website because you can create a mixed case.
Where I've had no luck is with Beaujolais -- I wasn't mad about the Ronsay you all raved about here. So Beaujolais suggestions from Vinatis wouldn't go amiss. I'm also thinking of exploring the new wave in Muscadet.
Have you bought from them before? If not, I could refer you!
Well, OK, if you insist - it’s always easy spending someone else’s money. BUT caveat emptor, etc.
Beaujolais - Ronsay is fine (I’m having a bottle tonight) but remember it’s M. Brun’s entry-level job. I doubt if he would choose it to represent his domaine, any more than Guigal would choose their CdR (an equally fine vfm wine.) The JPB Ancien is selling there for £10.82 if you buy 2. It’s way better than Ronsay. It’s the 2021 though, so I’d be inclined to squirrel it away for two years minimum. In fact the Vinatis prices for all the Brun stuff runs French prices close - eg Fleurie Grille-Midi @ £17.67. Just the other day I said £19 at the Wine Soc was good. But again, to be kept for a couple of years. They are also selling his Beaujolais Blanc Vinification Bourguinonne at £14 ish. I loved this (and said so here.) And I’d quite like to try his Gamay fizz, FRV100 (geddit?) at £17.76.
Some stuff in their sale (
which ends on the 6th)
JM Sorbe Quincy £10.38 - used to be very good, though I’m told he has sold out to a big company now
Menetou-Salon rouge Henry Pelle £13.84. That would be a total punt.
Zuccardi Bonarda ‘Emma’ £20.22. Seems a remarkably good price.
@BTC3 rates it and that’s good enough for me. Don’t blame him for what I say, though! Might go for some of that myself...
Finally, a real left-fielder - Terres d’Orb from the Cave de Roquebrun (a fine vfm co-op) at the reduced price of... £4.37. I used to drink this on touring holidays in the south of France a decade - or maybe two - ago. Thought it was wonderful for the price (used to be about 3€ in hypermarkets down there.) It might end up in Manders’ Pot, but at that price... and if you want the full-on Terres d’Orb experience, they do a 3L box for £15.56, perfect for a chef’s tipple/casserole split!
Later: money put where mouth is - six Zuccardi (for short/mid-term) and four Ancien (long-term) have been ordered. Thanks for the free postage code, worked just fine!
Addition: I’ve looked at my past orders from Vinatis (orders from Vinatis.fr and Vinatis.co.uk are aggregated, which is handy) and I see I bought this Tavel, which I liked...
https://www.vinatis.co.uk/37597-tavel-2019-chateau-de-segries
...and some Burgaud Beaujolais-Villages, which I found a little bof, but that’s moot as it isn’t available in the UK anyway...
...and we’ll cast a veil over the Jeff Carrel stuff, not one of my brighter ideas.