Clos Maggiore
Address:
33 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JD
Phone:
020 7379 9696
Website:
Rating:
Good For:
Champagne, Old World, USA, French
List Summary
With the obvious exception of the Opera House, Covent Garden Piazza is absolutely no destination for Epicureans or indeed anyone not in matching cagoules or festooned with cameras and an hour to tick off the sites, but the impressive and characterful list at Clos Maggiore is worth battling through the tourist hordes to the airy haven of their conservatory.Throughout the list, devotion to preferred producers is distinctive: i.e. Joly and Dageneau is in the Loire; Chablis is largely split between the three top producers. The usual, but not unwelcome suspects from Languedoc, Roussillon and Provence are present like the amiable regulars in an old wine bar.
Bordeaux favours certain estates in multiple vintages, with The Medoc and Pomerol highlighted. Red Burgundy is more quirky, a connoisseurs delight, with Nuits-St-Georges dominating the 1er Crus and a good selection of Beaune wines also.
The Rhone features an Interesting parcel of Chateauneuf-du-Papes and Champagnes offered are extensive and expensive but show a lack of smaller growers. The big names from Piedmont are all present, but Italy is dominated by Super Tuscan Bordeaux blends.
The U.S. dominates the New World red choice (it strikes WineChap if you wanted to host a third judgment of Paris between Bordeaux and California, Clos Maggiore would make a fine host.) The selections from Argentina in both colours could almost all feature as value option, and the reds are particularly interesting. Australasia, although substantial looks a more generic selection by comparison, with Australia unsurprisingly long on Grange and Hill of Grace.
There is a good if generally expensive half bottle selection, and a strong choice of dessert wines.
You also must not leave without sampling a glass from an esoteric spirit collection, sourced from the late Duke of Windsors private cellar; sadly a much foreshortened list now, but once boasting the Barack Palinka (very old Hungarian Apricot Brandy) and the 1878 Mazureau Cognac. WineChap can understand HRHs decision to relinquish the throne of England for a woman, but treasures like these?!
List Review Wine Key:
Sparkling
White
Rose
Red
Sweet
Fortified
| By The Glass { Most interesting available by the glass } |
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 The selection by the glass is varied and good, especially the sweeties and we definitely like their quirky selection of ports | |
| Chenin Blanc, Ayama, 2009, Paarl, South Africa | £6.75 |
| Carmenere "Reserva", Vina Chocalan, 2009, Maipo Valley, Chile | £8.50 |
| By The Half { Most interesting available by the half bottle } |
|---|
| Cervaro, Castello Della Sella, Marchesi Antinori 2005, Italy | £50 |
| An exceptional white, beautiful layers of smoke, honey, apricots, peaches, smoke and French oak. |
| Menetu-Salon "Clos des Blanchais", Henri Pelle 2008, Loire | £28 |
| Quinta do Crasto 2007, Douro, Portugal | £14 |
| Value Option { Best under £35/$50/bottom 20% of list PLUS any particularly rare bargains at ANY price point } |
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| Morgento, Beneventano 2005, Oppida Aminea, Campania, Italy | £29.50 |
| Pinot Blanc "Traditionnelle", Dopff Au Moulin 2009, Alsace | £28 |
| A fresh, light and elegant Pinot Blanc. |
| Bodegas Nekeas Tempranillo/Merlot 2009, Navarra | £24 |
| 1st Date { Impressive but not too showy: circa £50 – but a wine that shows one’s connoisseurship rather than just size of wallet/expense account } |
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| Franciacorta, "Cuvée Storica 61" Berlucchi Rose, Lombardy, Italy | £55 |
| An affordable alternative to Champers and a rather lovely sparkling pink. |
| Pierreclos en Chavigne 1998, Guffens-Heynen, Burgundy | £47 |
| one of the best producers in the region |
| Givry 1er Cru, Crausot 2004, Francois Lumpp, Burgundy | £59 |
| Although Givry has still to make its mark in terms of prominence and quality, consistently a superlative producer, the wines from Francois Lumpp ooze with charm. A little restrained on the nose, but offering lots of bright, juicy and fresh apple and lemon notes on the palate. |
| "Domus Maximus" 2007, Château Massamier, Minervois La Livinière, Languedoc | £54 |
| A blend of 80% Syrah, 20% Grenache; this is a rich and concentrated, yet velvety smooth red. French wines have so much potential beyond the usual suspects of the Rhone and Bordeaux! |
| Zinfandel Sonoma County, Seghesio Family 2007, California | £58.50 |
| Not overtly complex, but packed with brambly berry fruit and touches of spice. Fun Fact: It has been discovered that Primitivo and Zinfandel are clones of the same variety, so Italian Primitivo can now be shipped to the States as Zinfandel where the grape is hugely popular. |
| Off the Beaten Track |
|---|
| Chenin Blanc 2007, Heller Estate, Carmel Valley, USA | £33 |
| Riesling Falkenstein 2008 Franz Pratzner, Trentino Alto Adige, Italy | £49 |
| Riesling, Forster Ungeheuer Auslese 1997, Reichsrat Von Buhl, Pfalz, Germany | £69 |
| Langhe Pinot Gris Vigna Meira 2001, Poderi Luigi Einaudi, Piedmont, Italy | £44 |
| Chardonnay "Non Oak" 2006, Pelee Island Winery, Ontario, Canada | £48 |
| Pelee Island Winery is Canada's warmest and southernmost appellation; fermented and aged in stainless steel this is a clean and crisp white showing fresh tropical fruit tones. Well worth a taste, and proof that Canada need not only be known for its icewines. |
| Hannibal 2006, Bouchard Finlayson, Walker Bay, South Africa | £55.50 |
| a blend of Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo, Barbera and Shiraz |
| Old School Classic { Classic (usually French or Italian – depending on dominant cuisine), from the middle of the list – a good wine, with age to stick on expenses and impress crusty wine bores/board members } |
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| Bruno Paillard 1995, Blanc de Blancs | £122 |
| Chablis Grand Cru 2005, Reserve de l'Obedience, Domaine Laroche Les Blanchots, Burgundy | £128 |
| Chateau D'Armailhac 5eme Cru Classe 2003, Pauillac, Bordeaux | £102 |
| Treat Yourself { Remember when you used to get a bonus? not necessarily most expensive – but a real treat, rare, particularly good vintage etc } |
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| Taittinger "Comtes de Champagne" 1995 | £220 |
| Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases 2eme Grand Cru Classe 1982 | £890 |
| Chateau Lynch-Bages, 5eme Grand Cru Classe 1986 | £475 |
| Banyuls 1961, Dr Parce et Fils, Languedoc-Rousillon | £150 |
| Over the Hill { Old Dogs (knackered, well past their prime) } |
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| Chateau Cos-d'Estournel 1961, 2eme Cru Classe | £745 |
| 1961 is widely regarded one of the greatest vintages of the 20th century and at its best this classically-styled wine was sumptuous, rich and intense. Arguably it is now showing its age, having reached and passed its peak, but much like a faded southern belle – it still has charms for some. |
| Crowd pleaser { Well known, trusted producer, region or varietal. No surprises, no disappointments } |
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| Sauvignon Blanc "Block 7", Saint Clair 2009, Marlborough, NZ | £39 |
| Passo Doble, Tupagnato, Masi Tupugnato 2007, Cafayate Valley, Argentina | £35 |
| House Wine Index
{ Number of House wines available by the glass & the mean price } |
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| 20 wines available by the glass, average price £9.66 |
| Bollinger Index
{ Price of a bottle Bollinger } |
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| Bollinger Special Cuvee NV £85 |
