Red Wines
We offer more red wine than white on our website… Well, there is a view that a meal without red wine is like a day without sunshine…
As a general rule red grape varieties tend to perform at their best in warmer temperatures than white. So whilst one could argue that the very greatest reds of the world come from marginal zones where the local vines need to be coaxed to full ripeness - for example Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux, Pinot Noir in Burgundy and Syrah in the northern Rhône - there is abundant decent red wine available now from countries or regions enjoying a Mediterranean climate; in particular the south of France, Italy, Spain, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, California, etc.
While certain grape varieties are associated with particular countries or regions (for example Sangiovese with central Italy, Tempranillo with Spain, Malbec with Argentina, Carmenère with Chile, the home-grown Pinotage with South Africa, Zinfandel with California), it is the varieties best known for making top French wine - Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Syrah (Shiraz), Pinot Noir, and, to a lesser extent, Grenache and Mourvèdre - which have been widely planted all over the new world.
A word about ripeness, alcohol levels and climate change. Red wines, even more than white, are becoming more alcoholic. This is as a result of a number of different factors working together. First, consumers now seek riper wines - wines made from grapes which are picked properly ripe, with higher sugar levels which, once fermented out, become higher alcohol levels. (My theory as to why riper wines are so much more popular is related to us having become accustomed to higher sugar levels in a modern diet). Better management of the vines (in particular the "canopy" of the leaves) and more sophisticated weather forecasting has enabled growers to ripen their grapes better and pick at the right moment.
And on top of that is climate change. Thirty years ago reds from Bordeaux used to be bottled at 12-12.5%; since the hot 2009 vintage most examples show 13-14.5%, and some wines actually contain over 15% of alcohol.
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Goedverwacht, Great Expectations Shiraz, Robertson, 2023
Medium Bodied
Honest, chunky Shiraz – cooked fruit aromas with a smoky edge; followed by a gutsy, mouthful...
OriginSouth Africa
RegionRobertson
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeGDV623
GrapeSyrah/Shiraz

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Cederberg, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cederberg, 2021
Full Bodied
"Fynbos vibrancy with hedgerow berries and subtle oak aromatics. Rounded, succulent with...
OriginSouth Africa
RegionCederberg
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeCED721
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon

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Dolcetto, of Piedmont origin, means "little sweet" but the grape is usually vinified...
OriginItaly
RegionPiedmont
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeBOA122
GrapeDolcetto

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Talosa, Chianti Colli Senesi, 2022
Medium bodied
Talosa is principally a producer of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. This comes in part from the...
OriginItaly
RegionTuscany
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeTAK322
GrapeSangiovese

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Col di Lamo, Rosso di Montalcino, 2022
Full Bodied
This wine sells out so quickly in Italy that we have missed the last vintages, but this has...
OriginItaly
RegionTuscany
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeCDL122
GrapeSangiovese

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62% Syrah, 23% Mourvèdre and 15% Grenache, all aged for 10 months in older French oak...
OriginSouth Africa
RegionWalker Bay
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeDDD818
GrapeSyrah, Mourvedre & Grenache

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Valle Frio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Maule, 2022
Medium Bodied
A mid weight, expressive pure Cabernet. Splendid deep hue. Hint of chocolatey oak on an overtly...
OriginChile
RegionMaule
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeFRI522
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon

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Sur, Carmenere, Maule, 2023
Medium bodied
For a modestly priced wine this shows varietal typicity, that combination of blackcurrant fruit...
OriginChile
RegionMaule
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeSUR123
GrapeCarmenere

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Valle Frio, Pinot Noir, Maule, 2021
Light bodied
Many of you have already adopted their supple and fruity Pinot Noir as your go-to Pinot. Valle...
OriginChile
RegionMaule
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeFRI321
GrapePinot Noir

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Los Seduras, Merlot, Valle Central, Chile, 2022
Light to Mid Bodied
Supple, pretty and very easy-drinking Chilean Merlot. What's not to like? Now-2025
OriginChile
RegionValle Central
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeSED622
GrapeMerlot

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Azienda Agricola Boasso, Langhe Nebbiolo, 2022
Medium-Full Bodied
Given one year in barrel. Youthful tone. Scent of red berries with vanilla. Juicy strawberry...
OriginItaly
RegionPiedmont
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeBOA722
GrapeNebbiolo

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MAGNUM, Azienda Agricola Boasso, Langhe Nebbiolo, 2022
Medium-Full Bodied
The Boasso family’s cellar, in the little hamlet of Gabutti, faces the hilltop village of...
OriginItaly
RegionPiedmont
ColourRed
ABV14%
Magnum150cl
CodeBOA822
GrapeNebbiolo