The Majestic November Tasting

A tasting of autumnal whites and reds at Majestic Cambridge with Hamish Wakes-Miller: Majestic Cambridge — Store Information, Events & Wine Tastings

A Sunday afternoon visit to Majestic Cambridge resulted in three different taste-offs covering Spain, New Zealand and (mostly) France.

1. sherryweek Manzanilla and Palo Cortado: Sherry Week 2025 — Majestic Cambridge | by Tom Lewis | Nov, 2025 | Medium

2. Two wines from Cloudy Bay: The CWB Majestic Cloudy Bay-Off. Two Cloudy Bay wines at Majestic… | by Tom Lewis | Nov, 2025 | Medium

3. This general tasting of wines from £10 — £40

I first worked through all the wines without reference to price, then overlaid prices to establish value-for-money and eventually decided to list them in order of (very personal) preference, as well as giving a technical score.

This approach explains why the slightly unusual but intriguing £10 Luberon (scored a Thoroughly Pleasant) comes out ahead of the Big, Baked Penfolds Bin 28 which is technically the better wine. The Aussie Shiraz was more accomplished with more going on, but just a bit too-full-on for my palate.

I almost went as far as putting the Luberon ahead of the much more expensive Pouilly-Vinzelles; it is the more interesting wine on first tasting compared to a solid, run-of-the-mill Burgundy. However, closer inspection reveals that the Burgundy just has that bit more going on, and therefore invites (if it does not entirely reward) closer inspection and reflection.

Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2022, Marlborough (£39 / £29.25)

13.5%, barrel fermented with 11 months’ ageing

sandy yellow; citrus, peach and apricot with savoury toast and hay; ripe, complex and saline with orchard fruits, tropical melon, citrus and complex oatmeal and Brazil nut; very harmonious and adept.

Very Good.

Louis Latour ‘En Paradis’ Pouilly-Vinzelles 2020 (£29 / £21.75)

13%

Elegant warmer-climate Burgundy; shows good breeding and very accomplished, but doesn’t especially make the heart beat faster.

Good.

Famille Perrin ‘Le Triangle D’or Blanc’ 2023, Luberon AOP (£11.50 / £10)

13%

Expressive, fresh-yet-waxy with with flowers, poached pears, citrus and ripe stone fruits. More interesting than the Pouilly-Vinzelles, but not as much going on.

Thoroughly pleasant+.

Penfolds ‘Kalimna Bin 28’ Shiraz 2020, Australia (£35 / £26)

14.5%

ripe, robust more-is-more Shiraz; intense and full of ripe fleshy-fruit flavour; plum, vanilla and baking spices with dark raspberry, chocolate and cola.

Good.

Chosen by Majestic Valpolicella Superiore DOC 2022 (£12 / £10.50)

13%

ripe wild cherries and vanilla spice with savoury complexity and concentration.

Thoroughly pleasant.

Pardon et Fils ‘Côte des Labourons’ Fleurie 2023 (£15/£13.50)

13.5%

red-fruited, floral and fresh, with very gentle tannins; typical Beaujolais, but just not that exciting. Decanter Bronze says it all.

Thoroughly pleasant.