This place is like Disneyland for wine-lovers
They are almost fat and full on the palate with rich but creamy tannins, intense fruits and a velvety mouthfeel.
In all honesty, I've never tasted a bad one or even an average one from the Napa, but the pricing does tend to make them special occasion wines these days. I found it amazing at the vineyards to watch just how many tourists thought nothing of spending between $100 to $200 per bottle. One can dream.
Eshcol by Trevethlen, Napa (Image: free) Eshcol by Trevethlen, Napa
A stunning blend with Merlot and several other classics, bursting with blackberry fruits and cherries. Soft but present tannins and a really good mouthfeel. Ideal with rich foods or a selection of cheeses.
Harris & Co £22
Duckhorn Decoy Merlot, Sonoma
Okay, it's not from the Napa but I love the ground these guys walk on and this is one of my favourites. Black cherry, autumn fruits and hints of cocoa with a velvety feel to the palate.
Majestic £30 per bottle or £25 mixed 6
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The Herald Scotland
15 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
This place is like Disneyland for wine-lovers
The Californian wine makers have this remarkable way of producing the richest jammiest reds you can imagine and while it's normally the cabernets I aim for, their merlots are exquisite. They are almost fat and full on the palate with rich but creamy tannins, intense fruits and a velvety mouthfeel. In all honesty, I've never tasted a bad one or even an average one from the Napa, but the pricing does tend to make them special occasion wines these days. I found it amazing at the vineyards to watch just how many tourists thought nothing of spending between $100 to $200 per bottle. One can dream. Eshcol by Trevethlen, Napa (Image: free) Eshcol by Trevethlen, Napa A stunning blend with Merlot and several other classics, bursting with blackberry fruits and cherries. Soft but present tannins and a really good mouthfeel. Ideal with rich foods or a selection of cheeses. Harris & Co £22 Duckhorn Decoy Merlot, Sonoma Okay, it's not from the Napa but I love the ground these guys walk on and this is one of my favourites. Black cherry, autumn fruits and hints of cocoa with a velvety feel to the palate. Majestic £30 per bottle or £25 mixed 6
The National
4 days ago
- The National
Scottish restaurants named among best by Good Food Guide
The organisation was naming its top 100 local restaurants for the year across the UK, and 13 from Scotland featured. Discussing the list, the publication wrote: "These are the neighbourhood gems – independent, warm, and welcoming – where good food and genuine hospitality go hand in hand. "The kind of place you find yourself recommending to everyone you know." The full list of the UK's top 100 local restaurants can be found on the Good Food Guide website here. Scottish restaurants named among UK's best for 2025 In total, 13 Scottish establishments were named among the UK's top 100 local restaurants, which were: Barry Fish, Edinburgh The Dory Bistro, Pittenweem Fin & Grape, Edinburgh The Free Company, Balerno Gloriosa, Glasgow The Gordon Arms, Selkirk Leftfield, Edinburgh Mara, Aberdeen The Palmerston, Edinburgh Pomelo, Edinburgh Redwood Wines, Dunkeld Tide & Thyme, Tighnabruaich The Whitehouse, Lochaline Out of those 13, Redwood Wines was named the best local restaurant overall in the country. Discussing the spot, the Good Food Guide shared: "Redwood Wines is everything a local restaurant should be: warm, welcoming, and quietly exceptional. "Run by husband-and-wife team Roseanna and Morgwn Preston-Jones (she's a Dunkeld native, he's a Californian-born chef), this charming spot in the gateway to the Highlands has transformed the village's old post office into a wine bar and kitchen worth travelling for. "Grateful locals wrote to us praising the 'world class' hand-rolled pastas, thoughtful wines and standout hospitality. "And there's beauty in its balance — you're just as welcome dropping in for a glass and a bite midweek or settling in for a slow Saturday night supper." It has also been well-received on Tripadvisor, earning an almost perfect 4.9/5 score from 60 reviews. Speaking about their win, Roseanna and Morgwn said: "We are truly honoured to be recognised by The Good Food Guide this year. Recommended reading: "We pour our heart and soul into every aspect of Redwood and sharing that passion for food and wine fills us with great joy. We love Dunkeld, our loyal customers and visitors alike." Another wine bar in Mara (located in Aberdeen) was highlighted by the guide for its "hugely knowledgeable team", which "help diners relax into the experience". Meanwhile, The Free Company in Balerno was praised for its progressive values, "amazing atmosphere" and the "inspiring and enterprising" young team.
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Scotsman
'Impeccable Highland restaurant with rooms named best in Scotland by AA Guide
The Dipping Lugger in Ullapool, Ross-shire, has been awarded AA Restaurant with Rooms of the Year Scotland at the AA B&B Awards 2025. This accolade adds to an already impressive list of honours for the Ullapool-based restaurant with rooms. It currently holds the AA's Five-Star Gold Restaurant with Rooms Award, three AA Red Rosettes for Culinary Excellence, an AA Breakfast Award, and a Notable Wine List Award. Further recognition includes a White Star Award from the Star Wine Awards, Restaurant of the Year (Fine Dining) at the Scottish Licensed Trade News Awards 2025, and Restaurant of the Year at the Scottish Excellence Awards 2025. The Dipping Lugger was also named Regional Winner in the Highlands & Islands Best Eating Experience category at the Scottish Thistle Awards. Picture: The Dipping Lugger Head chef David Smith was listed in the Good Food Guide earlier this year and has earned a place in the Michelin Guide for three consecutive years, one of only 10 restaurants in the Highlands to achieve this. Originally built in 1798, this whitewashed, double-fronted Georgian former manse overlooks the shores of Loch Broom. In 2018, co-owners Robert Hicks and Helen Chalmers purchased the property and began their journey to create a 'standout' restaurant with rooms. The Dipping Lugger officially opened its doors in October 2021, quickly establishing itself as a destination for fine dining and luxurious stays. The property features three beautifully appointed guest bedrooms, a guest lounge, and an 18-cover fine dining restaurant. The dining space is stylishly adorned with Morris & Co. wallpaper, complemented by Robert and Helen's eclectic collection of music concert posters, a nod to their background in live music promotion across Scotland. The guest rooms: MacInnes (named for the former owners), Melville (after the original house developer), and Telford (honouring Thomas Telford's partial rebuild in 1829), are each designed with luxury and relaxation in mind. Rooms feature large beds, refurbished fireplaces, fireside chairs, antique lamps, and luxurious wall coverings. Ensuite bathrooms include walk-in showers and deep bathtubs, offering a tranquil retreat after a day exploring the Highlands. In the kitchen, head chef David Smith creates seasonal tasting menus inspired by global influences, celebrating the region's best produce. Dishes feature scallops freshly landed from Loch Broom by local fisherman Gary Lewis, beef from Strathkaniard Croft, and locally sourced game from Keanchulish Lodge, just three miles away. Commenting on their latest accolade, co-owner Robert Hicks said: ''To be presented with the AA Restaurant with Rooms of the Year Scotland award is incredible. 'It's something we've all worked extremely hard for since we opened in 2021. We may be small, but we're perfectly formed, and this award reflects exactly what we're about. 'It gives us even more drive to keep pushing forward while ensuring every guest who stays or dines with us has the best possible experience.'' The AA inspectors and judging panel of the 2025 AA B&B Awards remarked: ''The Dipping Lugger overlooks Loch Broom in Ullapool. 'This 18th-century former manse has been transformed into a wonderful restaurant with rooms offering the highest levels of service as well as hospitality backed up with a stunning dining experience. 'The property takes its name from a sailing boat, and much of the design has a nautical theme. Luxurious bedrooms cater well for the modern guest while the open log fires and the drawing room reflect the character of the property and its heritage. Local provenance is used to good effect in the restaurant.'' Other Scottish winners at the AA B&B Awards were The Colintraive, Isle of Bute, which was named AA Inn of the Year for Scotland; The Townhouse in Perth, which won AA Bed and Breakfast of the Year for Scotland; Roskhill House in Dunvegan, which won Best Breakfast of the Year and Broad Bay House on the Isle of Lewis, which was named the Friendliest B&B of the Year. All AA-rated places are featured on their website.
