Popped into new restaurant Gezellig yesterday. I’d heard a bit about it before, and it was pointed out to me by a few that this was an omission on my list of venues for London wine lovers.

So I’m happy to report that Gazellig doesn’t disappoint. The name is derived from the Dutch and relates to creating a good atmosphere. August is quiet, so I can’t report on the atmosphere very much, but the dining room is lovely – spacious and a bit grand, but not too formal, with the main feature a large couch that runs the full perimeter of the room.

There’s also a bar area, where you can do walk ins and eat and drink less formally.

We took advantage of the August free BYO offer which I only realized about the night before from a post on Instagram. Bonus! So three of our bottles weren’t from the list, but we also ordered one and got an extra glass from the excellent wine list, which is packed full of good things, and is very reasonably priced.

The food (we opted for the set lunch) is spot on, and the sourdough is probably the best I’ve tried this year. Main course was lamb (we chose it to go with the two reds) and it was flawlessly prepared.

Great to have another wine option like this, especially in mid town (it’s a short walk from Holborn tube).

Jacques Puffeney Arbois Cuvée Sacha NV France
This is a brilliant wine that I picked up in the brilliant Caves du Forum in Reims, and it’s a blend of Chardonnay and Savagnin. It’s aromatic and salty with lovely apple and pear fruit, with a delicate flor character that is perfectly integrated into the fruit. It’s a thrilling wine with nice tension, and the flor adds framing without dominating. 95/100

Domaine de Villaine Bouzeron Aligoté 2015 Burgundy, France
This was ordered off the list. It’s a beautiful, rich example of Aligoté, that’s nutty and fine with some honey and spice, and a really nice acid line. Fine and expressive with mineral notes and lovely precision and finesse. 93/100

Màquina y Tabla Laderas de Leonila Blanco 2016 Castilla y Leon, Spain
From the by-the-glass list. This is a blend of Doña Blanca, Godello and Palomino, aged with ullage in French oak barrels to develop some flor. It’s linear, fine and saline, with some pithy notes and a lovely citrus drive. Very delicate and pure with great focus. 93/100

Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir 2017 Central Otago, New Zealand
What a superb expression of Kiwi Pinot Noir! A tiny hint of rubbery reduction on opening, but this doesn’t hang around. Supple and fine with black cherry and raspberry fruit, with silkiness but also some pointed, spicy focus. Floral, with a hint of tea, and juicy, bright and linear. A serious wine, and – controversially – I’d say there’s no reason not to drink this now. It’s open for business. 96/100

Rall Ava Syrah 2017 Swartland, South Africa
Sensational stuff from Dominic Rall. Fine and elegant with some white pepper and cinnamon as well as clove, but this all integrates beautifully into the taut red cherry and black cherry fruit, with good structure and focus. Pristine, and surely with a good future ahead of it. 96/100