The Duncombe Arms
Come inside and enjoy a roaring log fire, sample our excellent range of beers and wines or enjoy fabulous food from our award-winning chef Jake Boyce. Or in the summer you can laze in our large garden overlooking the view to Worthy Island Wood.
Dining areas
Additional information
- Dining style
Casual Elegant
- Cuisines
British, European, Gastro Pub
- Hours of operation
Lunch Mon–Fri 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–5:45 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 6:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 6:00 pm–10:30 pm Sun 6:00 pm–9:00 pm
- Phone number
01335 324275
- Payment options
MasterCard, Visa
- Dress code
Casual Dress
- Executive chef
Jake Boyce
- Neighborhood
Ashbourne
- Cross street
MAIN ROAD ELLASTONE DE6 2GZ
- Parking details
Private Lot
- Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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Menu
Sparkling
Bisol Prosecco Bel Star, – Veneto, Italy
Perfumed pear and citrus, one of the most revered producers in Italy
- 125ml£6.50
Graham Beck Brut Rosé NV – Robertson, South Africa
Made in the same way as champagne, the fine, lively mousse is brisk on the palate. The wine is beautifully fruity
- 125ml£8.50
Laurent-Perrier La Cuvee Brut NV
Light, floral and elegantly fruity style, which shows citrussy grapefruit and orange blossom notes, this is in part due to the very high percentage of chardonnay
- 125ml£13.50
White
Terre Forti Trebbiano Chardonnay – Emilia Romagna, Italy
Wonderfully light and fresh, our easiest drinking white
- 175ml£4.85
- 250ml£6.75
Conto Vecchio Pinot Grigio – Veneto, Italy
Delicate pear and almond flavours wrapped in a soft mouth-feel
- 175ml£6.00
- 250ml£8.25
La Serre Sauvignon Blanc Vin de Pays d'Oc – Languedoc, France
Ripe and peachy, we just love this Southern French wonder and its sun-ripened fruit
- 175ml£6.00
- 250ml£8.50
Jean Biecher Pinot Blanc – Alsace, France
The forgotten Pinot, and undeservedly so. Soft, lightly peachy and fresh with delicate white flowers, this Alsace Pinot Blanc is beautifully food-friendly and subtle
- 175ml£7.00
- 250ml£10.00
Mas Puech Picpoul de Pinet – Coteaux du Languedoc, France
'Picpoul' means the 'lip-stinger' because of the grape's refreshing zestiness, coupled with a delicious ripe fruit
- 175ml£7.50
- 250ml£10.50
Macon Villages Vignerons des Terres Secretes – Burgundy, France
Lusciously balanced and creamy Mâcon, singing with honeysuckle flowers, a beautiful food wine
- 175ml£9.00
- 250ml£13.00
Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
Bright and fresh, with aromas and flavours of citrus fruit, peach and gooseberry. A delicately balanced wine with a refreshing finish
- 175ml£8.50
- 250ml£12.00
Red
Terre Forti Sangiovese – Emilia-Romagna, Italy
A great value light and crunchy red, with a lovely cherry and currant fruit
- 175ml£4.85
- 250ml£6.75
Alto Bajo Merlot – Valle Central, Chile
Merlot is an old French word for 'blackbird', so-called because they love these sweet, soft, plummy grapes when they are ripe and ready to make wines like this
- 175ml£5.50
- 250ml£7.95
La Serre Syrah – Languedoc, France
Dark, smooth and juicy, we love the blackberries in this wine mixed with a light, sun-ripened spice
- 175ml£6.00
- 250ml£8.25
Finca la Estacada Tempranillo 6 Mesas En Barrica – Ucles, Spain
Elegant Rioja style from the heart of Spain. This is a ripe and juicy Tempranillo from the land of Don Quixote with lovely cream and spice notes from oak ageing. Perfect with lamb
- 175ml£6.25
- 250ml£9.00
The Spee'wah Cabernet Shiraz – Murray Darling, Australia
A glugging fruit bomb of a wine, made all the better for a fresh and eager cranberry crunchiness that ripples through the palate
- 175ml£7.00
- 250ml£10.00
Beef Steak – Mendoza, Argentina
The ultimate, hearty South American steak wine, suitably rich and juicy with a firm finish
- 175ml£6.75
- 250ml£9.50
Le Versant Pinot Noir – Languedoc, France
The most versatile wine on our list, if in doubt this fruity, ripe and juicy Pinot is a great choice and universally popular
- 175ml£7.50
- 250ml£10.75
Rosé
Terre Forti Sangiovese Rosato – Emilia-Romagna, Italy
A lovely rosé with soft red fruits and a bright personality
- 175ml£4.85
- 250ml£6.75
The Bulletin Zinfandel Rosé – California, USA
If you like it sweet, strawberry and lush, you will adore this wine, it's fun in a bottle
- 175ml£5.00
- 250ml£7.00
La Maglia Rosa Pinot Grigio Blush – Veneto, Italy
Off dry, without being sweet, this is dangerously easy to drink and impossibly moreish
- 175ml£5.50
- 250ml£7.60
Les Nuages Pinot Noir Rose Val de Loire, France
Elegant food-loving rosé that keeps the strawberry and raspberry character of Pinot Noir in a light, bright style
- 175ml£6.40
- 250ml£8.90
Reserve du Château St Baillon Côtes de Provence Rosé
A classic Provencal rosé, with a delicate nose of strawberry and cherry. An abundance of fresh red fruit on the palate, with balanced acidity and a crisp finish
- 175ml£7.60
- 250ml£10.60
Champagne & Sparkling
Bisol Prosecco Bel Star, – Veneto, Italy£30.00
Perfumed pear and citrus, one of the most revered producers in Italy
Graham Beck Brut Rosé NV – Robertson, South Africa£37.50
Made in the same way as champagne, the fine, lively mousse is brisk on the palate. The wine is beautifully fruity
Nyetimber Classic Cuvée – Sussex, England£60.00
Standard setter for fine, English sparkling wines, showing elegant white flowers, apple and biscuit
Laurent-Perrier la Cuvée Brut NV£65.00
Light, floral and elegantly fruity style, which shows citrussy grapefruit and orange blossom notes, this is in part due to the very high percentage of chardonnay
Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs -England£65.00
Lovely pale gold in colour with a fine bead. Delicate floral and citrus aromas followed by subtle vanilla and toast flavours, but now with a pure crystalline core thanks to the inclusion of chardonnay from our Hampshire vineyards
Nyetimber Brut Rosé NV – Sussex, England£65.00
Perfect with prawns, lobster and even a strawberry pud like Eton mess!
Bollinger Special Cuvée – Champagne, France£75.00
The most muscular and firmly structured of the big champagne houses with lots of red fruit aromas and a serious toasty finish
Laurent-Perrier Vintage 2006 – Champagne, France£80.00
With its fine & persistent bubbles, this is very elegant, blending ripe fruit aromas with hints of crème brûlée
Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut – Champagne, France£90.00
Justifiably acclaimed, the strawberries and redcurrants here are delicate and meld with subtle, yeasty notes
Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle NV – Champagne, France£175.00
Sublime, complex and rich, there are subtle hints of honey, hazelnuts, grilled almonds and fresh pastry on the nose
White
Fruit Driven & Aromatic
Ça' di Ponti Grillo, DOC Sicilia 2018£25.00
A honeyed, floral and spicy nose with hints of ginger and stone fruit. Ripe, sun-dried citrus characters on the palate with savoury notes and a creamy texture. Fresh balancing acidity on the lightly nutty finish
Wandering Bear Chardonnay – California, USA£22.50
Feel free to murmur appreciatively as you enjoy this tangy, fruity Chardonnay
Riesling Jean Biecher – Alsace£27.50
This dry white wine is characterised by an intense freshness. It has aromas and flavours of citrus fruit, intertwined with more tropical fruit notes of peach and melon. A medium-bodied wine, with a rich and creamy texture
Jean Biecher Pinot Blanc – Alsace, France£27.50
The forgotten Pinot, and undeservedly so. Soft, lightly peachy and fresh with delicate white flowers, this Alsace Pinot Blanc is beautifully food-friendly and subtle
Le Versant Viognier – Languedoc, France£29.50
Wonderfully aromatic with peach and plump dried apricots on the nose. The palate is soft and fruity, with more stone fruit, a hint of spice and a fresh finish
Bulgarini Lugana DOC – Lombardy, Italy£32.50
If you like softer, nuttier whites but without the spice and weight of oak, you will adore this elegant, slightly peachy Lugana. Soft, supple and graceful wine with a fresh finish
Marotti Campi Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Luzano, Marche, Italy£24.50
Situated near the medieval village of Morro d'Alba on Italy's stunning Le Marche region, they focus on two indigenous varieties: Lacrima and Verdicchio. Aromas of acacia, wildflowers, chamomile and almonds. Dry and savoury, with a pleasant crisp finish
Gavi di Gavi, Enrico Serafino, Piemonte, Italy£29.50
Made from Cortese grapes grown in the historical part of the Gavi village area in the heart of the appellation and from the best vineyards. It's one of the most successful and appreciated wine from Piemonte. Unoaked, the wine spends a little time on its lees to develop a richer mouth-feel.The wine has a beautiful minerality and acidity with a citrus and floral bouquet
Greco di Tufo, Rocca del Dragone, Tre Fiori, Campania, Italy£29.50
The Greco grapes for this zingy, aromatic white come from vineyards in the communes of Tufo, Altavilla Irpina and Montefusco, in Italy's southern region of Campania. The mature vineyards lie at an altitude of 550 to 650 metres above sea level, here they benefit from cooler ripening conditions. After harvesting by hand, the bunches are destemmed and crushed before the must is left for 36 hours to rest prior to a cool fermentation at 15 to 16°C, three months of lees ageing follows. The bouquet offers aromas of almond and honeysuckle, the palate is well-balanced, crisp, lively and complex, with a refreshing minerality and hints of grapefruit, melon and orange zest
Alois Lageder Porer Pinot Grigio 2018, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy£39.50
Alois Lageder is an ultra-sustainable biodynamic estate established in 1823 and is a true pioneer of biodynamic principals in Italy. Rich in body with a lot of tension. Fresh and fruity with melon and peach flavours, and a touch of spice and minerality
Nederburg The Beautiful Lady Gewürztraminer, Stellenbosch, SA£35.00
A single-vineyard Gewürztraminer sourced from a single-vineyard block in the Stellenbosch region. The south-westerly facing vineyard block was planted in 1988 and is situated 210m above sea level on the Simonsberg. The wine takes its name from a description of Ilse Graue, the wife of Johann Graue, by former winemaker Günter Brözel reflecting the 'gracious sense of hospitality' she brought to Nederburg. The grapes from this vineyard block were employed by Günter to great effect in the 1980s. Hand-harvested fruit was gently pressed and skin contact allowed for 12 hours to concentrate the aromatic flavours. With 22 g/l of residual sugar, the wine is rich, yet the sweetness is well tempered by the acidity, shows pronounced aromas of rose, lychee and pineapple
Château Guiraud – G de Guiraud – Bordeaux, France 2016£40.00
Rich and fruit driven with fresh aromas of stone fruit, lime and gooseberry. The palate is well balanced with pure and elegant acidity alongside a rich texture, perfect with fish and seafood dishes
Jean Biecher Gewürztraminer – Alsace, France£32.00
Geh-vuhrtz-tramin-ah is the Queen of aromatic varieties, perfumed with lychee and rose petal scent. Perfect with spicy food and even a hint of chilli, or for those who love something fragrant
Cline Cellars North Coast Viognier, Sonoma USA£32.50
Cline Cellars have produced an honest and expressive Viognier. Wonderfully fragrant with notes of stone fruits, jasmine and honeysuckle. The palate follows through with a richness of fruit including ripe peach and apricot. The finish is given finesse by the refreshing acidity
Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough, New Zealand£35.00
Spy Valley's sauvignon offers a lovely, generous example of the classic Marlborough style. This is vibrant, dry and crisp with plenty of passionfruit and nectarine flavours. Bright and fresh, with aromas and flavours of citrus fruit, peach and gooseberry. A delicately balanced wine with a refreshing finish. A hugely enjoyable - and highly recommended -New Zealand sauvignon
Rieslingfreak No.4 Eden Valley Riesling, Australia£36.50
Pale straw in colour, with aromas of vibrant lemon and limes, sweet spice and almond blossom. The palate is full of lemons, grapefruit and apples. Young gun winemaker and Riesling 'freak' John Hughes has taken the industry by storm with his on-point and diverse range of Riesling wines. His first vintage was in 2009 with a single vineyard Clare Valley Riesling, after which John expanded to the Eden Valley and Polish Hill River
Weitgasse Grüner-Veltliner Mantlerhof – Kremstal, Austria£33.50
This superb-value Gruner Veltliner is full of apple peel, hazelnuts, tree resin and lemon aromas, with downto-earth flavours of earthy minerality, and again apples and pear skin. It has a soft, smooth texture, light tannins and a refreshing finish
A2O Albarino – Galicia, Spain£36.50
Perhaps the world's greatest seafood wine. A clean and intensely fresh wine that exhibits all the typical characteristics of the Albariño grape variety. Ripe and aromatic, with overtones of peach, melon and honey, offset by a crisp tangy acidity that helps to balance the rich fruit flavours. A well-rounded wine with a long, mellow, honeyed finish
Spy Valley Pinot Gris – Marlborough, New Zealand£36.00
Classic Pinot Gris aromas of pear, melons and hints of exotic spices. Concentrated and rich with a long, harmonious finish. Bright fruit is complemented by subtle richness from the lees. An absolute gem!
Las Moradas de San Martin Albillo Real – Madrid, Spain£37.50
Pale colour and aromas that reveals sweet notes of honey, pear, jasmine, and orange skin. Well-structured, silky, ending with a mineral and saline finish boosted by a light bitterness Sand a well-balanced acidity
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand£65.00
A wine full of fresh herbal aromas and layers of ripe guava and tropical fruit. Gooseberries and passion fruit on the medium-full body; the palate is succulent and crisp with a long flavoursome finish
Château Léoube, Blanc de Léoube AOC Côtes de Provence, France£55.00
The herb and mint notes that underly the spiced pear aromas evoke the maquis that surrounds the vines; and the gentle salinity that flows through the finish is a natural result of the breezes that blow off the sea. Textured and highly distinctive, this is an exciting dry white wine
Caparrone Pecorino, IGT Colline Pescaresi 2018, Abruzzo, Italy£25.00
Vibrant aromas of ripe stone fruit with citrus and grapefruit notes. The palate is crisp and zesty with layers of fresh peachy, tropical fruit characters. Ripe and approachable, with texture and minerality giving depth, and backed by lively acidity
Light, Crisp & Fresh
Terre Forti Trebbiano Chardonnay – Emilia Romagna, Italy£19.00
Aromas and flavours of apples and pears with some citrus fruit. A light white wine that is perfect for a glass at lunchtime or summer drinking
Conto Vecchio Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, Veneto, Italy£22.50
An inviting nose of fruits with delicate floral notes. Dry and crisp on the palate with an elegant, light body. Delicate pear and almond flavours wrapped in a soft mouth-feel
La Serre Sauvignon Blanc Vin de Pays d'Oc – Languedoc, France£23.50
Ripe and peachy, we just love this Southern French wonder and its sun-ripened fruit. Three words to describe it: crisp, clean and fresh. Intense nose with notes of toasty spice, lemons and crisp green apples. On the palate, the wine is soft and smooth with vanilla enriching the peachy, appley fruit. The finish is bright and refreshing
Poderi dal Nespoli Le Coste Trebbiano DOC – Emilia-Romagna, Italy£20.00
A light, fresh and fruity wine, with a pale yellow color and clear, with greenish reflections. It gives fruity hints of citrus fruits, such as lemon and cedar, and notes of green apple. In the mouth the same flavors are combined with a balanced acidity and a typical freshness of Trebbiano grown in this area
Marmora Vermentino di Sardegna DOC – Sardinia, Italy£27.50
Known as Rolle in the south of France, this grape can lay claim to some pretty unexciting wines; cross the sea to Sardinia, planted on brutally poor soils, it morphs into Vermentino, and becomes another beast altogether. Here, fresh, salty sea breezes create peachy white fruits, soft and rounded, with a zip of salinity behind. Simply delicious
Cuatro Rayas Verdejo Rueda – Rueda, Spain£27.50
Clean, powerful and fresh on the nose, the palate is full of fruity, herbal flavours and a touch of fennel on the finish. Full flavoured and powerful, but well balanced with a silky texture and good length
Mas Puech Picpoul de Pinet – Coteaux du Languedoc, France£27.50
'Picpoul' means the 'lip-stinger' because of the grape's refreshing zestiness, coupled with a delicious ripe fruit. Superb color pale yellow with bright tints. Nose elegant, with aromas of fresh citrus fruits. The balance is zesty and harmonius with great varietal expression. A very fresh and crisp wine that goes really well with simple seafood dishes
Touraine Sauvignon Blanc Les Nuages – Loire, France£27.50
Sancerre for a fraction of the price! Lively Loire Sauvignon with classic minerality, lemon and lime fruit on the nose and palate. Crisp and dry with refreshing, seafood-friendly acidity on the finish
Pinot Bianco Alto Adige Alois Lageder – Alto Adige, Italy£35.00
White flowers, white fruit and a character as crisp and bright as the Dolomite mountains it hails from. Alois Lagederis an ultra-sustainable biodynamic estate established in 1823 and is a true pioneer of biodynamic principals in Italy
Tomàs Cusiné Auzells – Catalunya, Spain£40.00
The most beautiful label on our list heralds one of the most remarkable blends, with fruit, spice and amazing depth of flavour. a touch of beeswax, a touch of elderflower, and plenty of punch. On the palate there's a lovely mouth-filling sweet fruit. The layering of this wine is lovely, with mineral notes adding to the dry juiciness, but no shortage of sweet and ripe, rounded flavours persisting to the end
Francis Blanchet Pouilly Fumé Calcite – Loire, France£40.00
A racy little number, with aromas of bright white fruits and flowers bounding out of the glass. The minerally aspect of the wine (hence the 'calcite' name) is also apparent in the aroma. Imagine a limestone cliff after a rainstorm. Shy in its youth, it's obvious this wine is going to grow a bit in the next year or two, loosening up its tight hold on the aromatics. The flavour profile is dynamic, with the same energy as the first sip of a margarita after a five hour trek through a jungle .. you mouth simply wants. The finish comes to a point a few seconds after swallowing and just like Kevin Spacey in the final scene of The Usual Suspects just like that poof! It's gone. Awesome stuff
Chablis Domaine des Maronniers, Bernard Legland – Burgundy, France£45.00
Brilliant benchmark Chablis with clean, incisive Chardonnay fruit: green apples, hints of honey, lemon and limes, stony minerality and just a whisper of richness behind
Sancerre Blanc Les Pierriers Domaine Thomas – Loire, France£42.50
Focussed and precise with rapier-like fresh fruit and a food-loving minerality. Subtle hints of gooseberry and citrus are the hallmarks of this classic Loire Sauvignon. The palate is flinty and crisp with an elegantly long length
Menetou-Salon, La Bardine, Joseph Mellot – Loire, France£36.50
The small appellation of Menetou-Salon, just under 500 hectares, is adjacent to Sancerre to the south-west, like its better-known neighbour, it too is planted with Sauvignon Blanc. Here, the vines are planted on Kimmeridgian limestone soils, very similar to those of Chablis, and similar minerally notes can be detected in the wines. Cool-fermented and unoaked, the wine shows fresh citrus fruit, such as grapefruit, green fruit and herbaceous nuances
2016 Riesling Grand Cru Wiebelsberg Marc Kreydenweiss Alsace£85.00
This Grand Cru Riesling comes exclusively from south-east facing slopes at the end of the Andlau Valley. This is floral & elegant with spicy notes. A wonderfully balanced Riesling with bright aromas and flavors. On the nose, it recalls freshly cut apples, honey, white flowers and a bit of tea aroma. The palate is extraordinary, with slightly sweet and honeyed in texture but also enough acidity to create a lasting, mineral finish
'Baron de L' Ladoucette Pouilly-Fumé 2015 – Loire, France£125.00
A prestige cuvée produced exclusively in the best years, the 'Baron de L' is a Pouilly Fumé considered among the highest worldwide expressions of Sauvignon Blanc. Exceptional elegance and depth with lovely ripe pear flavours overlaying a firm gooseberry structure. The palate is dry and fresh, powerful and complex, with a very intriguing body.
Fuller Bodied Whites
Lorosco Reserva Chardonnay – Casablanca, Chile£20.00
A tropical tour de force, with pineapple freshness matched by peach fruitiness that complements this wine's vanilla-scented oak. Try with richer-flavoured white meat dishes
Montagny 1er Cru Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot – Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, France£55.00
Shows a pale-yellow colour with bright reflections. The nose is very floral with aromas of honeysuckle and white hawthorn. Ample in the mouth, of a beautiful roundness, notes of white fruits appear with a peppery finish
Macon Villages Vignerons des Terres Secretes – Burgundy, France£35.00
Lusciously balanced and creamy Mâcon, singing with honeysuckle flowers, a beautiful food wine. Worldfamous Chardonnay is at home in the Macconais region of Burgundy; it takes its name from an ancient village there. This is one very expressive wine: Bright and refreshing, but full and creamy in the mouth
Journeys End Haystack Chardonnay – Stellenbosch, South Africa£32.50
A big, rich, South African Chardonnay packed with ripe tropical fruit flavours and a buttery character, it has good acidity which stops this being cloying
Viré-Clessé Le Mont Chatelaine Jean Rijckaert, Maconnais, Burgundy£40.00
Full of minerality and aromatic expression with fantastic purity and definition. Pale colour. Aromas of yellow fruit, peach and citrus zest. Rich, elegant, medium bodied with a good length. This wine is just gorgeous it has density and a racy acidity
Dry Creek Vineyard Wilson Ranch Chenin Blanc – California, USA£35.00
The best Chenin from the USA bar none Aromas of honeysuckle, banana, orange peel and tropical fruit are evident. The palate is defined by vibrant flavours of green apple, citrus and melon that mingle with crisp acidity
'Les Murelles' Domaine Roux Bourgogne Chardonnay– Burgundy, France£38.50
Enjoy the seamless texture in this classic, creamy white Burgundy with keen mineral flavours and hazelnut oak
Nederburg The Anchorman Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa£37.50
Named after founder Philppus Wolvaart who first planted Chenin Blanc in the late 18th century at the Nederburg farm. The fruit was sourced from old, low-yielding, dry-land bush vines in Darling, Paarl and Durbanville
Domaine Jean Thomas St Veran, Côtes Mâconnaise, Burgundy, France£45.00
Situated in Prisse near Pouilly-Fuisse, where it has the same classic limey clay soils as its more famous neighbour. Aromas and flavours of citrus fruit, apple, white flowers and pear, with a good hint of creamy and nutty flavours too. An easy-drinking, refreshing wine
Rully Clos des Mollepierres Roux – Côte Chalonnaise, France£50.00
Very fragrant, dried wild flowers, and yet creamy. But on the palate it's still tight, cordite and pears tucked into a citrus-boned corset. Precise with mouth-watering, almost painful acidity. Bit of green citrus (but not quite lime) on the end. Very smoky finish
Napa Cellars Chardonnay, Napa Valley, USA£36.50
Classic Napa Valley Chardonnay characteristics. Aromas of vanilla, caramel, honey melon and hints of baked apple crisp excite the senses. Meyer lemon melds with toasted coconut flakes to thrill the palate, which is reminiscent of marshmallows roasting over a campfire. This Chardonnay exhibits soft, balanced acidity and a creamy finish
Meiomi Chardonnay, Monterey-Sonoma-Santa Barbara£35.00
A blend of 100% Chardonnay grapes from three distinct vineyard regions, with about a third each coming from Monterey, Sonoma and Santa Barbara. The Monterey fruit contributing ripe stone fruit and a creamy character, the Sonoma grapes bringing crisp apple and a lean minerality and the Santa Barbara grapes bring exotic sweet spice and lively tropical fruit flavours to the blend. Bright, layered with tropical and stone fruit mixing with notes of honey and butterscotch
Pouilly Fuissé La Croix Denogent – Mâconnais, Burgundy, France£67.50
Utter loveliness. Top-flight white Burgundy from a great small producer who regularly sells out. This family winery is all about minimalism. No chemicals, no synthetics, just years of winemaking heritage in each bottle
Jordan Russian River Valley Chardonnay – Sonoma County California, USA£85.00
Refined aromas of green apple, pear and lemon peel with a flinty note. Its elegant palate echoes the bouquet with bright flavours of stone fruit and citrus, backed by firm acidity. A touch of creaminess on the mid-palate is followed by lovely mineral notes carrying a long finish. It would be difficult to distinguish this bottle as California against a line-up of White Burgundies
Saint-Aubin, Louis Jadot, Côte de Beaune, France£50.00
Wine from Saint Aubin is probably the finest value for money whites from the Burgundy region. 100% from Chardonnay of medium body and depth with fine acidic balance and a delicious palate of generous, ripe fruit. Supple and gentle oak notes end in a clean, sustained finish
Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Macherelles Domaine Roux Burgundy, France£105.00
At first glance, this is a quiet, green-flecked wine with hints of bacon fat and sharp apples, basil and nutmeg. But with time, there is more depth on the nose, turning brûlée and stone fruit, richer and broader. Focused on the start and on the finish, but opening a little and softening out – briefly – in the middle. Another lovely pepper-spiked finish for these Roux wines
Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru 'Le Caillerets' – Domaine de la Pousse d'Or 2014£135.00
In the glass, La Pousse d'Or 1er Cru "Le Cailleret" is a deep yellow-gold with slight green reflections at the rim. Once this wine blossoms, you'll encounter incredibly complex aromatics of white peach skin, yellow apple blossoms, quince, lime zest, crushed limestone, toasted hazelnuts, dried mushrooms and a hint of baking spice
Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume 2015, J Moreau et Fils, – Burgundy, France£62.50
J Moreau et fils has vineyards in the famous appellation of Fourchaume. They lie just north of the Grand Crus and enjoy a very desirable south-west aspect. As such, the wines from this appellation arguably represent the finest of the Premier Crus. A very classic style of Chablis; fine and elegant with aromas of citrus fruit and steely minerality. The emphasis here is on finesse rather than power
2015 Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot Louis Jadot£95.00
The palate is very well balanced, quite lush in the mouth, with subtle tropical tones that become more obvious toward the peachy, passion fruit finish. It might lack tension and terroir and is a furlong behind the Les Preuses and Vaudésir, but it is undeniably delicious
2014 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru Louis Jadot£325.00
This is a major wine from a great white wine vintage that's naturally impressive and intense. Ripe white and yellow fruit dominates the palate, sustained by wood aging flavours and tight, nervy texture. Bâtard-Montrachet is largest of the five white Grand Crus in Puligny and Chassagne Montrachet
Red
Light & Fruity
Terre Forti Sangiovese – Emilia-Romagna, Italy£19.00
A great value light and crunchy red, with a lovely cherry and currant fruit
Terre di Giumara Frappato Nerello Mascalese IGT – Sicily, Italy£25.00
IGP Terre Siciliane, from Trapani, and a 50/50 blend of Frappato and Nerello Mascalese. Wow – soaring perfume, but quite a bit of it seems to be charry oak, melding with the exoticism of the Frappato, but perhaps just a touch resinous and dominated by the oak. Sumptuous and rich stuff, so much coffee and substance here, the ripeness and sweetness is undeniably lovely,
Les Nuages Pinot Noir – Loire, France£24.50
A light, fresh and elegant Pinot Noir, almost like a dark rose that is perfect with salads and lighter dishes
Marmora Cannonau di Sardegna – Sardinia, Italy£26.50
Cannonau is the grape-jewel of Sardinia, known for its sunny raspberry and strawberry fruit. It's a lush, rich wine without being dense, great for heartier dishes and lots of slow-cooked tomato sauce
Little Eden Pinot Noir – South Eastern Australia£27.50
Based in the Murray Darling region, which straddles the states of New South Wales and Victoria, Little Eden is a modern winery creating rich, ripe reds and fresh whites in the warm and sunny Australian climate. This Pinot Noir has aromas and flavours of cherries, strawberries, cocoa, and earthy note of forest floor. It is a rich, complex and medium-bodied wine with a soft and elegant lingering finish
Le Versant Pinot Noir – Languedoc, France£29.50
The most versatile wine on our list, if in doubt, this fruity, ripe and juicy Pinot is a great choice and universally popular. With its teasing raspberry scents and light, fresh, elegant palate is a success. It's not too dry or too strong, nor does it have a bitter finish – the usual hazards here. Delicate, tender and true
Fleurie Millesime Cave de Fleurie – Beaujolais, France£32.50
Fresh, attractive and bright with clean fruit flavours – archetypal Beaujolais, in other words. A striking and vivid red colour with several punnets' worth of red berry fruit on the nose and palate. Soft and fresh with light ripe tannins and crisp acidity
Las Moradas de San Martin Initio Garnacha 2011 – Castilla – La Mancha, Spain£37.00
Subtly sweet aromas reveal blackberry jam, prunes, orange blossom, liquorice and cocoa alongside a variety of wild, aromatic plants on a mineral background. On the palate it is lively, elegant, mouth-filling and structured with a deep, lingering persistence that makes it unique
Meiomi Pinot Noir – California, USA£35.00
Stunning Pinot Noir blending grapes from three top Coastal Californian Appellations – Sonoma, Monterey, and Santa Barbara. Lifted aromas of bright strawberry, mocha, and vanilla, with toasty oak notes.
Prophet's Rock Pinot Noir – Central Otago, New Zealand£70.00
"This is really good! The fragrant bouquet shows dark cherry, plum, game and floral with a hint of cedar complexity. It's succulent and concentrated on the palate with purity and intensity, leading to a superbly long velvety finish. The wine combines fruit richness with subtle savoury notes, making it immensely appealing."
Domaine Roux Santenay 1er Cru Clos Rousseau£57.50
A dense, bright, dark red with delicious fruit on the nose, this is very classy. The nose is multi-layered with real density. Nor undue weight. Very succulent; a winner this year
Morgon Marcel Lapierre – Beaujolais – France£50.00
One of my absolute favourites! Superb depth of fruit and freshness with ripe tannins. Fruit-forward finish. Bursting with cherry, liquorice & violet, this is an extremely fresh and exciting Morgon style, and without a doubt one of the best in the region
Fixin – Domaine Louis Jadot 2011, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France£60.00
A brilliant deep purple or what the Burgundians call "deep mid-red". The bouquet comprises flower scents (violet, peony), fruits (blackcurrant, Morello cherry, quince), animal scents, musk and pepper
Jean Chauvenet Nuits Saint Georges 2017 – Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France£65.00
A fresh, intense red wine, with aromas and flavours of cherry, liquorice, and balsamic. These wines are approachable in their youth but still with all of the power, concentration and complexity that they have always had
Gevrey-Chambertin Domaine Roux 2017 – Burgundy, France£85.00
Great red Burgundy like this manages to be both robust and muscular whilst still supple and fragrant. This is a joy! A master class in Burgundian Pinot Noir. The finished wine is fine and superbly stylish with an appealing texture, well-judged oak and well defined length.
Vougeot 1er Cru 'Les Petits Vougeots' 2015, Domaine Roux Pere et Fils Burgundy, France£90.00
This wine is made from Pinot Noir and named after the village of Vougeot in Burgundy. It comes from a special vineyard with Premier Cru status (one level below Grand Cru) called 'Les Petits Vougeots'. It has vibrant aromas of red cherry with silky liquorice notes and flavours of raspberry jam and cedar
Morey-St-Denis 1er Cru Les Chaffots Domaine Michel Magnien 2010 Burgundy, France£125.00
Morey-Saint-Denis is in Burgundy's Côte de Nuits between Gevrey-Chambertin to its north and Chambolle-Musigny to its south. This organically made red is all about sensory seduction and will floor you with its subtle aromas. The wine is centred around its core of spicy fruit that's supple with medium bodied flavours. As with much lauded Burgundy it's structured and concentrated on a complex finish
Vosne Romanee Les Suchots, 2009, Jerome Chezeaux, Burgundy, France£140.00
The 2009 Vosne-Romanee Les Suchots is a totally complete, harmonious wine imbued with the essence of dark fruit, sweet spices, menthol and leather, all of which are supported by a firm vein of minerality. Intensely perfumed and mineral through to the finish, the Suchots delivers incredible class and sheer pedigree. The round, harmonious finish completes the wine beautifully
2008 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru Domaine Louis Jadot – Burgundy, France£150.00
Brilliant wine in 2008. Dense colour with mid-purple centre. The bouquet is magnificent without being over showy, a complex compound of red and black fruit, subtly nuanced thanks to the stalks which also add an extra layer of texture. There is a magical long graceful finish, with seamless tannins
Soft & Rounded
Alto Bajo Merlot – Valle Central, Chile£21.00
Merlot is an old French word for 'blackbird', so-called because they love these sweet, soft, plummy grapes when they are ripe and ready to make wines like this
JJ Hahn Homestead Stelzer Road Merlot, Barossa Valley£30.00
This Merlot is a rich deep purple colour, indicative of the variety, the nose displays welcoming hints of stewed plum, perfumed violet, cinnamon and cassis. The varietal stewed plum and blackcurrant fill the mouth evenly, with hints of spice such as clove and cinnamon adding interest and complexity. The long persistence of flavour on the finish is supported by the velvety tannins and a fine line of drying acid, giving texture to the palate. The wine is matured in a mixture of French and American oak and a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon features in the blend
2013 Truchard Vineyards Merlot, Carneros, USA£50.00
Located in the cool climate of Carneros, the estate itself is a series of hills and valleys with clay, shale, sandstone, volcanic rock, and ash soils. A complex array of aromas: blueberry, cherry and pomegranate, with a touch of cedar, spice and subtle mint. The texture is smooth, layered with rich flavours of blackberry, plum jam, redcurrants and sweet vanilla. Firm tannins fill the palate and provide an elegant finish of dried red fruits. Mouth watering & delicious! 76% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc
Riva Leone Barbera – Piedmont, Italy£25.00
Dark berry fruits with a core of fine tannins and the typical Barbera acidity that makes these wines so perfect to accompany big hearty autumn meals – perfect with any pasta dish, pheasant and game
Finca la Estacada Tempranillo 6 Mesas En Barrica D.O. – Ucles, Spain£25.00
Elegant Rioja style from the heart of Spain. This is a ripe and juicy Tempranillo from the land of Don Quixote with lovely cream and spice notes from oak ageing. Perfect with lamb
Chateau de la Bouyère – Bordeaux, France£27.50
The nose is powerful, with complex aromas combining ripe black fruits and roasted savoury notes. The mouth is fleshy with a dense and tannic flavour which hints of red fruits, while spices support the balance through the finish
Château Gardegan Bordeaux Superior – Bordeaux, France£32.50
When Sir Nicholas Soames talked about a 'breakfast claret' it was probably something like this bright, curranty Bordeaux, perfect with lighter game dishes and simple steaks. Just enough spice and a lovely, light grip on the palate
Dinastia Vivanco Rioja Crianza – Rioja, Spain£32.50
Intense cherry red, this wine has aromas of parma violets and red fruit, vanilla and spice. This is a wine with a concentration of red fruit flavours from the ripe Tempranillo as well as well integrated spice, vanilla and a light toastyness, for a long, elegant finish. A very modern style of Rioja
St Cosme Côtes du Rhône – Rhone, France£35.00
This is perfect Cotes du Rhone from the best producer in the Northern Rhone – spiced, minerally and dense. Flavours of graphite, strawberry compote, and lilacs. The nose is incredibly complex, with notes of forest fruits and mint
Shannon Vineyards Merlot, Elgin, South Africa£37.50
The Merlot grapes are sourced from vineyards located on Table Mountain Sandstone, planted with a range of Merlot clones. After a traditional fermentation the wine is racked and left to complete its malolactic fermentation and maturation in four to five-year-old French oak barriques for nine months. The wine has a fragrance of ripe red fruits such as plum and dark cherry and an earthy complexity, the palate shows a minerally freshness with a well-integrated ripe tannin
Plaisir de Château Siaurac Lalande de Pomerol – Bordeaux, France£41.00
Supple, plush and plummy claret with the hallmarks of Lalande de Pomerol mixing red fruit and cherry and a core of lightly peppery currant and cedar oak
Tomàs Cusiné Vilosell – Catalunya, Spain£36.50
A deeply coloured, powerful mix of tempranillo and syrah made by top Spanish winemaker Tomàs Cusiné from his vineyards in Catalunya. Brimming with blueberry-fruit flavour supported by a pleasingly chunky backbone. A wine almost perfectly crafted for game dishes with sweet liquorice and spice in a complex and slightly bonkers blend of grapes
La Croix Bonis de Château Phélan Ségur St-Estèphe – Bordeaux, France£55.00
Compelling and rich, a deeply satisfying, firm red from Bordeaux that makes lamb dishes sing. This wine is classic St Estèphe with rich, blackcurrant fruit on top of a deeply satisfying tannin structure
2011 Château Ormes de Pez, St Estèphe, Bordeaux£70.00
Eight years on, the 2011 Ormes de Pez is starting to really open up. The nose is intensely spicy, with savoury cedar notes and brooding dark fruit. There's an almost floral edge to its aromatic profile, with something that hints at eucalyptus (perhaps a nod to the coolness of the vintage). The palate is smooth and lush, its age – and time in oak (15 months) – tells, with layers of leather and spice joining the core of black fruit. The chalky tannins and mouth-watering acidity call for hard cheeses or roast lamb. Drink now to 2021
K de Kirwan Margaux 2014£70.00
Deep ruby colour, with blackberry, blackcurrant and black cherry aromas. On the palate, this wonderful basket of ripe fruit combines with a delicate oaky note for added complexity. The wine is round, full and fresh in the mouth, supported by a lovely tannic structure that makes for enchanting spicy notes in the finale
Château Léoube, Les Forts de Léoube AOC – Côtes de Provence, France£65.00
This dry red wine has youthful flavours of plum and cherry starting to develop into more complex notes of walnut, dried fruits and tobacco. The bright colour, vivid fruit and overall sense of freshness all suggest that this is a wine that will remain at its peak for at least another 5 years
Château Clarke, AC Listrac Medoc, Baron de Rothschild – Bordeaux, France£70.00
A rich and opulent wine. It has a beautiful, crimson red colour. The nose has aromas of cassis, black cherry, leather and vanilla. There are also hints of spice, clove, liquorice and herbaceous notes. It is full and round in the mouth, with a good, velvety mouthfeel and supple tannins. It is fresh and round with a good, lingering finish
2005 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2ème Cru Classé, Pauillac, France£235.00
Rounded, immediately more graceful than the Reserve de Comtesse, with a certain minerality and earthiness. Solid, ripe black fruit, which is weighty on the palate and nicely juicy with a certain tension between the taut, supple tannins and sexy damson and black chocolate fruit quality. Very silky, delicious and long
2011 Château Kirwan, 3ème Cru Classé, Margaux, Bordeaux£125.00
Aging has been extremely positive for this vintage. The colour has deepened and given way to more complex aromas. The bouquet combines black fruit with a variety of spices such as vanilla, liquorice and cinnamon. Here we discover the beautiful aromatic palette of the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon .Yet the evolution is most striking in the mouth. The wine gained body and fleshiness. It fills the palate. Notes of deeply ripened black cherry mingle with cocoa and mocha It has a smooth finish, coating the palate with velvety tannins. The wine unfolds like lush velour fabric. This very "tactile" wine engages all our senses and promises fine sensations in the coming years
2014 Château Brane-Cantenac, 2ème Cru Classé Margaux, France£135.00
Soft, supple red that is easy to enjoy with no rough edges and elegant flavours. Balanced with freshness, a style that Henri Lurton at Brane-Cantenac excels. This elegant wine follows the style of the vintage, with gentle extraction and no rough edges
2001 Ch. Rauzan-Ségla, 2ème Cru Classe Margaux, France£175.00
The 2001 vintage is dense with a concentrated cassis nose, supported by graceful fruit and ripe tannins. Despite its power this has real class, showing elegance, restraint and subtlety. This has all the majesty of great Margaux. Tight, pure, very expressive black fruit that is focused and sharp with sweet floral nuances, cassis and a crisp minerality. Very sweet, creamy, dense and ripe. Lots of purity here. Crisp, chewy tannins, this is long and harmonious
2011 Château Talbot, St-Julien, 4ème Cru Classé£135.00
Sometimes Talbot can be a little reserved, a little too classical, but here the fruit is generous, dark, brambly and still young. The mint notes remain fresh, but the graphite and slate are more evident, and you can feel the tug of a great Cabernet here
2005 Château Lynch-Bages 5ème Cru Classé, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France£250.00
The Château Lynch Bages 2005 has an enthralling graphite and cedar scented bouquet, like a young cousin of the Grand Puy Lacoste. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, one of the most feminine and elegant Lynch Bages in recent years with a lightness of touch on the finish. That is not to say it lacks fruit intensity, but the balance is so assured that is just seems to glide over the mouth. Stylish, assured and meticulous winemaking here
2000 Château Clos l'Eglise, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France£290.00
Seven years ago I said this was a monumental wine, and at two different recent tastings, it was a true star of the vintage. Its stunning dark plum colour offers up notes of caramelized red and black fruits, toffee, smoke, Asian plum sauce, sweet cherries, chocolate, and espresso. Its spectacular aromatics do not disappoint on the palate, as this multi-dimensional, highly complex, opulent wine seems to have hit a magical point in its evolution. Full-bodied, and concentrated, there is no issue with drinking this dazzling effort now, but those who own it can certainly cellar it for another 15 or more years. Bravo!
2014 Blason de l'Evangile, Pomerol£95.00
This is a classic Pomerol from the Lafite stable: a second wine that offers fantastic value for money. There's plush merlot fruit, with spice and a silky tannic backbone offering support. A wine to buy every year, you overlook the 2014 Blason at your peril
2007 Château L'Eglise-Clinet, Pomerol£235.00
Still with a dark core and masses of dark fruit on the nose. Really refined in aroma. Deliciously dark and savoury on the palate too – super-fine tannins and elegance with subtle dark flavours. Lovely dry but fresh finish
2014 Castello di Ama L'Apparita Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy£245.00
100% Merlot Deep, impenetrable crimson with violet nuances, red berries, blackberries; spice reminiscent of vanilla, black peppercorns and juniper. A balsamic note completes the aromatic profile of this wine. Extremely stylish, velvety and mouthfilling, yet powerful, with silky, delicate tannins. Decidedly freshtasting, endlessly lingering. Ama had a 'Judgement of Paris' moment on 8 February 1992 when the L'Apparita 1987 vintage beat Pétrus 1988, Le Pin and 16 other world-class Merlot wines at a tasting hosted by the Académie du Vin in Switzerland, with a jury comprised of renowned winemaking consultant Michel Rolland
2010 Chateau Figeac, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru£325.00
34% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc. 2010 was an emotion-filled year in the vineyard. There was heavy rainfall leading to a dry summer marked by diurnal temperatures that varied by as much as 15 degrees. The halt in the vine vegetation growth coincided perfectly with veraison. The phenolic quality of the grapes was wonderful and the health of the vines was excellent. Harvest 27 September to 18 October.Still very deep crimson. Gorgeous density together with freshness on the nose. Almost miraculous. Then sweet and polished on the palate. None of the tannic grip I was expecting from a 2010. Really powerful and intense but more impressive than unapproachable. Really lovely wine. Jancis Robinson
Big, Bold & Spicy
Lorosco Reserva Colchagua Carmenère – Central Valley, Chile£20.50
Love merlot? You'll be a sucker for Carmenère, its redcurrant-scented cousin, found almost entirely in Chile. Lightly spiced with a hint of leafy freshness, this is a mid-weight and versatile red
La Serre Syrah Vin de Pays d'Oc – Languedoc, France£22.00
Dark, smooth and juicy, we love the blackberries in this wine mixed with a light, sun-ripened spice
The Spee'wah Deep River Shiraz – Murray Darling, Australia£25.00
A glugging fruit bomb of a wine, made all the better for a fresh and eager cranberry crunchiness that ripples through the palate
Beef Steak Malbec – Mendoza, Argentina£26.50
The ultimate, hearty South American steak wine, suitably rich and juicy with a firm finish
Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon – California, USA£30.00
Complex and balanced on the palate with red and dark berry fruit characters reminiscent of cherry and currant, backed by warm vanilla tones on a long smooth finish. Perfect with grilled meats
Altos de Jose Ignacio Reserva Tannat – Maldonado, Uruguay£35.00
This wine should be loved for its dark fruit, fragrance, vivacity and subtle, elegant tannins first. Then marvel at the new superstar for both Uruguay and the grape Tannat, as this shows the potential of both
Nederburg The Motorcycle Marvel Grenache-Carignan-Shiraz, Western Cape South Africa£35.00
Winemaker at Nederburg for 33 years, Günter Brózel used his 250cc BSA motorcycle to take him quickly around the estate – he demanded exceptionally high standards! A blend of Grenache, Carignan, Shiraz, Mourvèdre and Cinsault (31%, 31%, 18%, 11% and 9% respectively) all hand-harvested. Fermented in open-topped tanks, the wine was matured in barrels, some French oak and none new, for about two years prior to bottling. Spicy hedgerow fruit on the nose, the palate is rich and intense with silky tannins. The 2015 vintage was awarded 89 Points in Tim Atkin's SA Special Report 2017
Catena Appellation Malbec – Mendoza, Argentina£39.50
One of the world's great wines, Catena's concentrated, perfumed, fresh Malbec sets the Argentine standard. Flavours and aromas of plums, dark chocolate and blackberries, with notes of spice and pepper
Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi County, California, USA£37.50
Ravenswood's Napa Valley Zin brings powerful, take-no-prisoners' flavours with classic Napa Valley soul. Bursting with concentrated sweet blueberry, plums and spice aromas. Bright and fruity with soft, ripe roundness and well balanced acidity, filled with vanilla and toasted spices that linger on the finish
Hochar Père et Fils Red, Chateau Musar, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon 2013£50.00
A blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon. Intense with a complex nose of juicy black and red fruits, fig, date and spice. The palate shows red and black cherry, blackcurrant and damson fruit with fine tannins and a long finish
Chateau Musar 2011, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 2011£70.00
The 2011 vintage of Lebanon's most famous wine is a generously flavoured, smooth and concentrated red, with lots of dark fruit flavours to support the exotic spice and personality that has won Chateau Musar so many fans over so many years
Lafite Rothschild Grande Reserve Los Vascos Cabernet/Carmènére – Chile
Expressive nose with fruity aromas of ripe cherry, pomegranate and prunes, followed by notes of liquorice, caramel and walnut skin. Excellent volume, mouth-filling structure, and persistent tannins
Dinastia Vivanco Rioja Reserva – Rioja, Spain£42.50
Mature black and red fruit; plum, cherry and damson with some balsamic and eucalyptus notes. This wine has intensity and balance, soft, round tannins, and a long finish with hints of toast and liquorice. Rioja lovers will not be let down. Deep, dark cherry red colour with touches of brick red. Aromas of spicy oak, as well as mature black and red fruit; plum, cherry and damson. Some balsamic and eucalyptus notes. Good balance between the aromas from the extended maturation and the mature fruit. This wine has intensity and balance, soft, round tannins, and a long finish with hints of toast and liquorice
The Brewmaster Cabernet Sauvignon, Western Cape, South Africa£30.00
A wine that celebrates the work of Johann Graue who acquired Nederburg in 1937, his work on clonal selection in South Africa revolutionised winemaking in the 1940s. The blend is based on Cabernet Sauvignon (81%) with Merlot (9%), Malbec (6%) and Petit Verdot (4%) adding complexity to the finished wine. The grapes were sourced from high, dry-land vineyards in Paarl, except the Merlot which came from Durbanville and Philadelphia. Fermented in both open-topped fermenters and stainless steel tank, the components of the finished wine were aged for up to two years in French oak barrels prior to blending. Concentrated aromas of dark fruit, blackcurrant and cigar box are backed by a full-bodied palate with juicy fruit and savoury notes
Garage Wine Co Cabernet Franc Lot #62 – Maipo, Chile£55.00
A very convincing, fresh, expressive bouquet with pure brambly, briary black fruit and freshly tilled earth. The palate is medium- bodied to full with crisp black cherry and blueberry fruit. The tannins are fine and edgy, while the finish is beautifully composed and contains Margaux-like femininity.
Barbaresco, Enrico Serafino, Piemonte, Italy£45.00
The village of Barbaresco, two miles north-east of Alba, stands on a ridge overlooking some of the best vineyards in Piemonte, here the Nebbiolo grape makes well-structured wines with velvety palates. Aged for at least two years, and for half that time in large oak barrels, this wine has an intense nose of ripe fruit, violets and spice
Valpolicella Classico Superiore Seccal 'Ripasso' Nicolis – Veneto, Italy£47.50
Made with Amarone skins to give a dense, sweet fruit, bitter cherry and heady perfume. A real treat and great value. Rounded, medium bodied effort that has plenty of juicy cherry fruit alongside a dark sense of humour. Blackberries, spice, leather and bitter chocolate all have a part to play. A serious but approachable wine with bags of character
Vietti Perbacco Nebbiolo Langhe – Piedmonte, Italy£47.50
A handsome wine, rustic and robust texture yet still with a cherryish fruit and a long, elegant finish. Vibrant raspberry and clove aromas over charred red peppers, while the palate demonstrates there's plenty of life left with brisk blackberry fruit embroidered by notes of violets and creamy oak spice
Lucente, 2nd wine of Super Tuscan Luce – Tuscany, Italy£70.00
Lucente is Luce's second wine. It's the result of a selection of Sangiovese and Merlot grapes capable of producing a wine that stands out thanks to its immediacy and pleasantness, in a contemporary style.
Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Origines – Rhone, France£85.00
65% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Mouverdre. Dark crimson with a blackish hue. Very rich and round. Lots of character and fruit. A real Rhone special!
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Clos de L'Oratoire des Papes, Ogier£65.00
An iconic wine, made from mainly Grenache with Syrah 8%, Mourvèdre 7% and Cinsault 5% from a single vineyard site that has three classic soil types in it. The grapes are treated differently according to the variety and soil type. The nose is spicy with surprising floral notes of grass and acacia, evolving onto more classic notes of red berries, menthol brings a beautiful freshness. The attack is ample, with fine tannins and silky length finishing with scents of the 'garrigues'
St Joseph Grand Pompée Paul Jaboulet Aine 2015 – Rhone, France£57.50
A smoky, hearty red from the Northern Rhone. Today you will not find better fine wine value than these wines, especially with the dense fruit and peppery spice of a great producer like Paul Jaboulet
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Nicolis – Veneto, Italy£85.00
Heady, dense and rich with chocolate and cherry, this is a particularly fine example of the greatest wine of Valpolicella
2013 Brunello di Montalcino, Bottega – Tuscany, Italy£75.00
Dense, dark cherries and a refined, lingering spice at the heart of this gorgeous Brunello. Made by the most consistent estate in the region, from vineyards overlooking Siena
Catena Zapata Malbec Nicasia – Mendoza, Argentina£95.00
Possibly the greatest wine in Argentina. Certainly a standard bearer for bold Malbec, with ink, violet, currant, plum, graphite and cedar all melding into a stentorian whole. Steak, beef, more steak
Hermitage La Chapelle, Paul Jaboulet Ainé – Rhone, France£155.00
Jaboulet-Aine's flagship wine is their Hermitage La Chapelle the 2006 Hermitage La Chapelle is a excellent. It offers a deep ruby/purple hue along with aromas of berry fruit interwoven with crushed rocks and cassis. Elegant and attractive, it is impressive and has the density one expects from this great name
2008 Giuseppe Quintarelli Rosso del Bepi Veneto IGT, Italy£175.00
Rich, textured, racy and complex, the '08 Rosso del Bepi wafts from the glass with an explosion of berries, cherries, and figs, all complemented by incense, tobacco, cigar wrapper, umami and earth. This is an intense, hedonistic wine that earns the Quintarelli name!
2014 Vietti Brunate, Barolo DOCG, Italy£235.00
Intense ruby red. Dry, with generous body, harmoniously balanced and velvety texture. Classic, ripe redfruit, long finish, rich and very elegant. Spices, violet, plums and intense tar, very typical for the Brunate vineyard. The wine is aged for 32 months between French oak barrels and Slovenian oak casks, Bottled unfiltered on July 2015
2015 Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux, Rhone, France£150.00
Another wine that might flirt with perfection is the 2015 Gigondas le Claux. It's also 100% Grenache and comes from a site just across the road from the Hominis Fides cuvee. The soils here are slightly more limestone-based, and like all of the wine here, it's fermented with no destemming and aged mostly in old barrels (20% is new). Camphor, currants, incense, graphite, crushed rocks and licorice all soar from this thriller and it has full-bodied richness, an incredible texture and a blockbuster finish
2010 Tignanello Piero Antinori£150.00
Humming with energy and life from the very moment you put your nose in the glass, Marchesi Antinoris 2010 Tignanello shows magnificent aromatic layering and an enormous capacity to peel back and reveal itself in beautiful slow motion. This is an articulate wine with a long story to tell about the quality of its profound 2010 fruit
Rosé
Terre Forti Sangiovese Rosato – Emilia Romagna, Italy£19.00
A lovely rosé with soft red fruits and a bright personality
The Bulletin Zinfandel Rosé – California, USA£21.00
If you like it sweet, strawberry and lush, you will adore this wine, it's fun in a bottle
La Maglia Rosa Pinot Grigio Blush – Veneto, Italy£22.00
Off dry, without being sweet, this is dangerously easy to drink and impossibly moreish
Les Nuages Pinot Noir Rosé Vin de Pays du Val de Loire – Loire, France£26.50
Elegant food-loving rosé that keeps the strawberry and raspberry character of Pinot Noir in a light, bright style
The Palm by Whispering Angel£30.95
This pale blend from the makers of Whispering Angel delivers delicate summer fruit flavours and a subtle minerality. The colour of rose water, very light bouquet of watermelon, summer berries and pink flowers. Lovely dry palate, light and crisp
Château d'Esclans Whispering Angel – Provence, France£50.00
This beautiful salmon-pink Provence rosé has a very pretty scent of crushed strawberries, peach, rose-water and orange blossom. On the palate, it is wonderfully dry and crisp with delicate summer berry fruits balanced by citrus zest acidity and a deliciously creamy finish. A fabulously sophisticated rosé that is perfect for summer picnics or evening aperitif
Secret de Léoube, Château Léoube – Provence, France£60.00
Distinctly pale and with the most delicate of pear aromas, this dry rose wine is assured and effortless, remarkable for its texture and sensation in the mouth. Made from lower yields, it is delicately scented, cool and yet underlaid with slightly more exotic aromas that betray its Provençal origins – herbs, fennel, a touch of aniseed
Reserve du Château St Baillon Côtes de Provence Rosé£32.50
A classic Provencal rosé, with a delicate nose of strawberry and cherry. An abundance of fresh red fruit on the palate, with balanced acidity and a crisp finish
Sancerre Rosé Andre Neveu, Loire, France£43.50
Wonderfully light and fruity, this delicious Sancerre rosé is made from Pinot Noir, providing delicious aromas of fresh strawberries. Crisp and dry on the finish, with classic Loire minerality
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JennaB
1 review
5.01 review
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5 Great food and service, fantastic atmosphere. Would highly recommend! - A
Afar
1 review
3.01 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall3food2service2ambience2 Disappointed with Sunday lunch and wouldn't rush to go back - LB
LisaB
Cheshire
3 reviews
5.03 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5 Our 3rd visit this year and it was excellent again! Highly recommend the Sunday lunch, local ingredients, cooked to perfection! The tarte tatin is the best dessert I have ever eaten, an absolute must! Beautiful layout both inside & out, the staff are all professional, ever changing menu, great wines & cocktails. Already excited for my next visit. - SC
SueC
1 review
5.01 review
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5 A gorgeous place for lunch. We drove 45 minutes to the Duncombe Arms. Service was impeccable. Food was well presented and properly cooked. Three courses. We were shown to a table in the garden room. We had ordered the sun specially!! A gem of a place with a good carpark too. Thank you for making our day. - CH
CatherineH
London
3 reviews
5.03 reviews
Dined on May 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5 Beautiful meal in lovely surroundings. Staff very efficient & attentive. - LB
LB23
1 review
3.01 review
Dined on May 20, 2023
overall3food3service2ambience5 Over rated and over priced. Food was presented very well but was nothing special, overpriced compared to similar establishments Service was very poor, we were seated at the table and then ignored, had to ask for drinks. We ordered wine before the main meal but the meal arrived and no wine ! We asked again half way through eating, waitress chased it to be told the wine was was out of stock which by this time we had nearly finished the food. Overall nice setting, nice presentation, staff need more training, there are better places to eat. - m
martina
Leicestershire
2 reviews
5.02 reviews
Dined on May 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4 Superb meal with excellent service in lovely surroundings - KA
KathrynA
Warwickshire
2 reviews
5.02 reviews
Dined on May 20, 2023
overall5food4service4ambience5 Beautiful setting and loved sitting in the indoor/outdoor setting. Service was good generally but waited quite a while to start off with. Food was good. It was of a high standard but lacking a few touches e.g. I had fish on the bone and was given a steak knife to tackle it with. Fortunately I love fish on the bone but if a member of staff had come to check everything was ok, I would have asked for a fish knife! The rosé wine I ordered was delicious. - HS
HannahS
1 review
5.01 review
Dined on May 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4 The lamb main was abolsutely delicious and the chocolate mousse pudding was beautiful! Friendly and helpful staff. - R
Rickardo
Worcestershire
4 reviews
3.04 reviews
Dined on May 18, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience3 Nice location. We ate inside an early sitting at 18:00. Pleasant staff although some could benefit from some training on how to clear plates away! Standing in front of customers whilst scraping left over food onto one plate is not good. Personally, I think it's over priced. Both starters good, I had chicken pie for my main at £19, nothing exceptional. Would I go again? Probably not, certainly not in the evening but may try their Sunday lunch. Wine was excellent. - AK
AlysonK
1 review
5.01 review
Dined on May 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5 An enjoyable reunion lunch with friends. Good service and ambience at Duncombe Arms. Would definitely return. - MG
MarkG
Cheshire
3 reviews
4.03 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2023
overall4food3service4ambience4 An interesting experience at The Duncombe Arms. Started excellently with wonderful staff greeting us and making us feel very welcome. Offered drinks, menus and accommodated us warmly. Good ambience, good selection of drinks which were swiftly dispensed. Small hiccup with a chef who didn't want to permit a small starter change between main menu and the daily menu (even though same price). Manager sorted straight away which was great. Menu is really good with a great and varied selection of all sorts from the expected to the unusual. We ordered mackerel tartar (excellent) and tomatoes, ewes curd on sourdough. Tomatoes and curd (also excellent, though sourdough stale) For mains, we both had minute steak. One was excellent, just as you would expect. The other was poor. over a third of it was pure gristle, almost impossible to cut and inedible. On querying this and sending it back. We were told this was the only complaint about a steak all weekend (it was Monday lunchtime now), the chef has examined it and he was more than happy with what he had sent out!!! The service charge was removed from our bill, but the steak remained. When I questioned it, the manager doubled down and said the steak was good enough. ( I am still not sure he had seen it). We paid and left. Reflections Eating on a Monday can be a gamble if they haven't had fresh delivery and using up weekend food. The chef has too much control and cannot acknowledge a mistake or a poor meal (arrogance or too busy, who knows?). Looking at other reviews after the event, I can see a theme.... Manager who blindly backed up the chef which is not a good way to run a place like this Overall, a great place, good ambience, mostly amazing, friendly staff, tasty food from a creative menu and I would recommend it to others. Watch out for Mondays and the steak though! - JL
JudithL
London
2 reviews
4.02 reviews
Dined on May 15, 2023
overall4food3service5ambience4 Lovely setting. Food was good not outstanding. It was a Monday and dishes were not exactly as described in the menu. Some of us had fish and chips- slightly over-cooked. Desserts excellent. - LB
LaurenB
1 review
5.01 review
Dined on May 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5 Amazing food, great atmosphere and staff are so friendly and helpful. - C
Charlie
Hertfordshire
7 reviews
5.07 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5 Food was excellent as usual and we were also able to charge the car whilst enjoying out lunch. Thank you. - AD
AllyDee
Manchester
2 reviews
5.02 reviews
Dined on May 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5 We had a great lunch sat outside in the sun. Staff were warm and friendly , food was delicious and the venue is beautiful. Our first visit though will not be our last! - NJ
NicolaJ
Derbyshire
2 reviews
5.02 reviews
Dined on May 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5 An absolutely fabulous experience. Food, ambience & service were all outstanding. Will definitely return - MP
MelP
1 review
5.01 review
Dined on May 12, 2023
overall5food4service4ambience5 Wonderful. Highly recommend. Lovely surroundings, great food and good service. Would def go back. - R
Rosemary
London
3 reviews
5.03 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience3 On our 2 visits the 1st was a very busy Sat eve when we were sat on the table near the bar as we were 4 plus a dog. This was cramped as the bar was packed very noisy and the 2 of us on the bar side were knocked and jostled repeatedly. The staff could hardly get through as with a full bar the table is too wide. The food was, however, extremely good. On the 2nd visit where there were just 2 of us we had a lovely table and as it was much quieter the service was impeccable and again the food was top notch. We would highly recommend the pub but suggest that the table near the bar is not really suitable for 4 people eating on a busy night with or without a dog. A smaller table for 2 would be enough. - RT
RyanT
Manchester
1 review
5.01 review
Dined on May 6, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5 Amazing food and service.. 5*….my partner was 30mins late…no trouble whatsoever for them. Will be back soon - OT
OpenTable Diner
Manchester
2 reviews
5.02 reviews
Dined on May 6, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5 Fantastic food, great atmosphere, brilliant service. - G
Gardenia
1 review
5.01 review
Dined on May 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5 Outstanding food, service and ambiance. Varied and delicious menu. - CS
ChrisS
1 review
4.01 review
Dined on May 4, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience5 Overall a very good experience. Only criticism is I thought the wait for starters was too long. Maybe partly our fault that our party was not quite ready to go to table when initially invited. - s
stephen
1 review
5.01 review
Dined on May 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5 Great food, great place and lovely hands on staff. - E
Eknt
1 review
5.01 review
Dined on May 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5 Great value for money, tasty food and not too many options (which is good if, like me, you struggle to choose!) - B
Bernie
Derbyshire
2 reviews
2.02 reviews
Dined on May 1, 2023
overall2food2service3ambience4 The level of cooking has deteriorated since last visit. Composition of dishes is not good for the prices charged. Service is ok but not customet friendly. Will not return which is a shame as location is good. - m
melb
1 review
2.01 review
Dined on May 1, 2023
overall2food2service3ambience3 The standard of food was very average. We had to send both main meals back due to temperature and one containing meat not made clear on the menu. The cost of the main meals does not reflect the standard it should for that pricing - GM
GerardM
Derbyshire
4 reviews
5.04 reviews
Dined on April 30, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5 The atmosphere was warm and friendly, the staff helpful and attentive and all the courses were extremely tasty. What more could you want ! - DB
DavidB
Hampshire
vip2 reviews
3.02 reviews
Dined on April 30, 2023
overall3food5service5ambience1 My wife asked me to make sure that I had my hearing aids in so we could have a good conversation I put them in but when we sat down we were drowned out by piped music This music is set by the staff at a volume determined by the staff and for the benefit of the staff Please ask your customers - DS
DSL1
London
6 reviews
4.06 reviews
Dined on April 30, 2023
overall4food5service3ambience3 Beautiful pub with great decor. Food was excellent. The only minor downside (which won't stop us going back there) was that we had to chase up the waiting staff a couple of times and one of the drinks we ordered wasn't provided and that had to be chased as well. It wasn't particularly cold outside (last day of April) but we were sat in a small room with a roaring fire which was a bit hot when you are eating a hot meal as well. As I said, overall pretty good and we will be going back as it's the 2nd time we have been and the first time was faultless so we are hoping this was just a blip. - NS
NicolaS
1 review
5.01 review
Dined on April 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5 This is our 1st visit. We weren’t disappointed at all. The outside was beautiful and well set out. The inside was amazing and the staff were excellent. We had an evening meal that was very special. I will recommend the establishment to all my friends. - AT
AnthonyT
1 review
3.01 review
Dined on April 29, 2023
overall3food4service3ambience4 We have eaten here five or six times previously and have been completely happy. On our recent visit (29th April, 1pm table) the lamb was tougher than I expected and the overall service was slower than on previous occassions. Although not up to my expecttions this will not deter me from eating at Duncome Arms in the future - KH
KevinH
Derbyshire
11 reviews
4.011 reviews
Dined on April 28, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5 We are neither regular nor irregular visitors and have always rated The Duncombe very highly. This visit was the first time I have left a little disappointed, whilst the service was excellent, the food was ‘ok’ rather than outstanding. If you also take into account the price I feel this was not great VFM. I realise all costs have increased, but the food should also be at least as good and on this occasion the portions and tastes did not reflect the price. - M
maureenhMo
Derbyshire
3 reviews
5.03 reviews
Dined on April 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5 You always made to feel so welcome, and like it’s always a special treat the staff are friendly and warm and very caring - JP
JudyP
London
6 reviews
5.06 reviews
Dined on April 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5 Went last night. Great place, food and super staff. I can recommend anything from the menu but the lamb and raspberry soufflé were first rate. £60 a head for 3 courses and wine. - VJ
VanessaJ
Derbyshire
2 reviews
5.02 reviews
Dined on April 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5 Lovely food and service was great. We will be going again. Thank you - P
Pearlie
Birmingham
3 reviews
4.03 reviews
Dined on April 22, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4 Service was excellent Food excellent quality and nicely presented - J
Jezlough
Hampshire
3 reviews
4.03 reviews
Dined on April 21, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4 This was the first time we had visited for quite a number of years, even though we live relatively local. The service was excellent, and the food was very good, I would certainly recommend the rib-eye steak and the cheese board. There was a great selection of wines and a nice list of cocktails. I would recommend the French Martini and Espresso Martini cocktails. Overall, a very pleasant evening and we will be visiting again. - MT
MichaelT
London
5 reviews
5.05 reviews
Dined on April 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5 A fantastic experience at The Duncombe Arms. Would highly recommend. Cosy atmosphere with very polite and engaging staff. Food was absolutely top draw. Really enjoyed the evening and would return in a heartbeat. An absolute must if you're near Derby or passing. - PD
PamD
1 review
5.01 review
Dined on April 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5 We had a lovely meal celebrating my husband’s 70th birthday. Food was excellent and the accommodation outstanding. The nicest room we have ever stayed in, the decor was so nice. Would recommend staying here.
Safety precautions
Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
- Contactless payment available
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables
Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
FAQs
The Duncombe Arms is rated 4.5 stars by 1771 OpenTable diners.
The Duncombe Arms does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.
Make a reservation
The Duncombe Arms, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 2GZ
Dining areas
Additional information
- Cross street
MAIN ROAD ELLASTONE DE6 2GZ
- Neighborhood
Ashbourne
- Hours of operation
Lunch Mon–Fri 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–5:45 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 6:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 6:00 pm–10:30 pm Sun 6:00 pm–9:00 pm
- Cuisines
British, European, Gastro Pub
- Dining style
Casual Elegant
- Dress code
Casual Dress
- Parking details
Private Lot
- Payment options
MasterCard, Visa
- Executive chef
Jake Boyce
- Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
- Phone number
01335 324275
Gift card
Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.