Magnums for Thanksgiving, Christmas and all the rest

I was asked by a member of The Wine Gang to recommend some magnums – still whites and reds up to £40 each – for birthdays in December. Such a good idea. Magnums always looks the part and are my favourite size for entertaining (though I don't buy them nearly often enough). They're also a good volume to choose if you're cellaring wines. A shame, then, that more wine merchants don't highlight them in any way on their websites. After trawling through my tasting notes for a couple of hours, I came up with the list below. As it made me want to buy some straightaway for Christmas/Thanksgiving, I thought I'd pass them on. If you're not in the UK, or want to look for other UK stockists, use wine-searcher.com.

from MAJESTIC

Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva 2008, £30

from TANNERS

White

Talmard Mâcon-Chardonnay 2011, £25.20

Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay, Auckland 2009, £48.30

Red

Duorum Colheita, Douro 2009, £27.50

Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Réserve 2010, £23.60

Domaine du Poujol Podio Alto, Coteaux du Languedoc 2010, £35.90 (a grenache/mourvèdre/syrah/cinsault blend which I haven’t tried, but I've enjoyed all the other wines I've tasted from this estate, so I'd take a chance with my own money on it)

from HAYNES HANSON & CLARK

White (the Chablis and the 2 Leflaive burgundies could be kept)

Domaine Jacques Rouzé Quincy Villalin 2012, £26.30

Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre 2012, £31.45

Domaine Daniel Dampt Chablis 2012, £30.15 

Domaine Daniel Dampt Chablis 1er Cru Côte de Léchet 2011, £39.30

Olivier Leflaive Frères Rully 1er Cru Vauvry 2010, £38.10

Olivier Leflaive Frères Auxey-Duresses 2010, £39.20

Red

Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva 2007, £38.60

Château de Lionne, Graves 2010, £28.70 – not ready, but a good present

Château Cambon La Pelouse, Haut-Medoc 2009, £42.90 – again, will improve

from LEA & SANDEMAN

Red

Lea & Sandeman Bordeaux 2009, £19.95

Tenuta Monteti Caburnio, Tuscany 2009, £28.50

Bodega Chacra Barda Pinot Noir, Patagonia 2011, £42.95

Bodega Ruconia Tubal Rioja 2008 (technically a Crianza), £28.95