Wine with Leslie: My top three choices from the French wine sales

Dunnes, SuperValu, and O’Briens all have great savings

Fri, 05 Sep, 2025 - 01:00

September is here and as I mentioned last week, this means wine sales. Dunnes, SuperValu, and O’Briens all have great savings, especially in French wines.

SuperValu’s French sale began last Thursday, part of a long tradition that began with SuperQuinn in the 1990s (possibly earlier) when legendary wine buyer Michael Donlan would link up with the Casino supermarket chain in France.

All the French supermarket chains hold major ‘foires aux vins’ in September and if you are visiting France this month, pick up a copy of La Revue du Vin de France which has recommendations and lists the bargains available; larvf.com has the dates.

Wine enthusiasts in France use the foires to stock up for Christmas and to restock their cellars. I advise doing the same if you have some spare cash. My three top picks are recommended below, all of which will benefit from ageing.

My son (‘the Physicist’ as I call him in my restaurant reviews) was born in 2000 and during his visit home in August, I opened a bottle of Lynch Moussas 2000. It was gorgeous with a depth of fruit flavours you would never expect from a 25-year-old wine, the Moussas 2020 in O’Briens (€50) should also age well.

If that’s a bit steep for you, consider the Ch. Villa Bell Air 2022 (€23) or Ch. Clos du Roy 2020 (€24) both in O’Briens. Dunnes have some minor reductions on good Bordeaux (e.g. €1 off Ch. de Pez) and Bouchard Gevrey Chambertin at €44 (was €50).

Besides those below, watch in SuperValu for Lanson Champagne (€50), Bonnamy Cremant (€15), St Chinian (€9) Fabras Vacqueyras (€10), Petit Perrière Pinot Rose & Sauvignon (€9), Goichot Fleurie (€10), Ch. Tour Baladoz (€30), and the Bijou de Sophie Valrose range (€12).

Delas Saint-Joseph ‘Les Challeys’ 2023, N. Rhone, France, €15

Saint-Joseph is the northern Rhone’s largest region making ripe reds from Syrah, it’s best wines can taste like Hermitage (which it borders). This is youthful and bright with a purple hue, dark berry aromas with a touch of tar. Full-flavoured on the palate with vibrant dark fruits, blackcurrants, and prunes. A great price for a French classic and worth ageing further.

SuperValu

Château de la Mulonniere ‘L’effet Papillon, Savennieres, Loire, €20

Savennieres is the great dry white appellation of the western Loire, certainly the best Chenin Blanc. With complex aromas of white fruits, straw, and wax, the wine can age for decades. It is rare to find good ones under €35 so this is notable.

Lime, lemon, pear and washed stone aromas, pear and lemon fruit flavours with lemon pith touches. Fascinating.

SuperValu

Chateau Lynch Moussas 2020, Pauillac, Bordeaux, €50

This is reduced from €58 in the O’Brien’s sale and I’ll be picking up a couple of bottles for the cellar. Once part of Ch. Lynch Bages (and a quarter of the price), I recently opened a 2000 vintage and it was perfect.

Packed with blackcurrant and blackberry aromas and fruits with cedar and cigar box tones, ripe, textured and layered. Will keep for 15-20 years but drinking well now.

O’Briens

Spirit of the week

Bart’s Irish Whiskey, Lough Ree Distillery, 46% ABV, €46

A fine blend from Lough Ree Distillery, who made a great name for themselves with their brilliant single cask whiskies. A mix of grain (79%) and malt (rye, bourbon, oloroso, and peated); aromas of citrus and a touch of smoke, a honey, lime and clove rock palate, and an oily pepper finish. Excellent.