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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Wine Type

Style

Grape Variety

Country

Region

Grower

Dietary Requirement

Organic / Biodynamic

Vintage

Goedverwacht, Great Expectations Shiraz, Robertson, 2023

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Save £15.00

Goedverwacht, Great Expectations Shiraz, Robertson, 2023

Honest, chunky Shiraz – cooked fruit aromas with a smoky edge; followed by a gutsy, mouthful...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSouth Africa

RegionRobertson

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeGDV623

GrapeSyrah/Shiraz

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Cederberg, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cederberg, 2021

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Decanter
Cederberg, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cederberg, 2021

"Fynbos vibrancy with hedgerow berries and subtle oak aromatics. Rounded, succulent with...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSouth Africa

RegionCederberg

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeCED721

GrapeCabernet Sauvignon

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Azienda Agricola Boasso, Dolcetto D'Alba, 2022

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Azienda Agricola Boasso, Dolcetto D'Alba, 2022

Dolcetto, of Piedmont origin, means "little sweet" but the grape is usually vinified...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionPiedmont

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeBOA122

GrapeDolcetto

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Talosa, Chianti Colli Senesi, 2022

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Save £16.74

Talosa, Chianti Colli Senesi, 2022

Talosa is principally a producer of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. This comes in part from the...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionTuscany

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeTAK322

GrapeSangiovese

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Col di Lamo, Rosso di Montalcino, 2022

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Col di Lamo, Rosso di Montalcino, 2022

This wine sells out so quickly in Italy that we have missed the last vintages, but this has...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionTuscany

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeCDL122

GrapeSangiovese

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Domaine des Dieux, Syrah-Mourvèdre-Grenache, Walker Bay, 2018

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Domaine des Dieux, Syrah-Mourvèdre-Grenache, Walker Bay, 2018

62% Syrah, 23% Mourvèdre and 15% Grenache, all aged for 10 months in older French oak...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSouth Africa

RegionWalker Bay

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeDDD818

GrapeSyrah, Mourvedre & Grenache

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Valle Frio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Maule, 2022

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Valle Frio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Maule, 2022

A mid weight, expressive pure Cabernet. Splendid deep hue. Hint of chocolatey oak on an overtly...

Style

Light > Full

OriginChile

RegionMaule

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeFRI522

GrapeCabernet Sauvignon

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Sur, Carmenere, Maule, 2023

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Sur, Carmenere, Maule, 2023

For a modestly priced wine this shows varietal typicity, that combination of blackcurrant fruit...

Style

Light > Full

OriginChile

RegionMaule

ColourRed

ABV13%

Bottle75cl

CodeSUR123

GrapeCarmenere

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Valle Frio, Pinot Noir, Maule, 2021

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Valle Frio, Pinot Noir, Maule, 2021

Many of you have already adopted their supple and fruity Pinot Noir as your go-to Pinot. Valle...

Style

Light > Full

OriginChile

RegionMaule

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeFRI321

GrapePinot Noir

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Los Seduras, Merlot, Valle Central, Chile, 2022

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Los Seduras, Merlot, Valle Central, Chile, 2022

Supple, pretty and very easy-drinking Chilean Merlot. What's not to like? Now-2025

Style

Light > Full

OriginChile

RegionValle Central

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeSED622

GrapeMerlot

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Azienda Agricola Boasso, Langhe Nebbiolo, 2022

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Save £22.20

Azienda Agricola Boasso, Langhe Nebbiolo, 2022

Given one year in barrel.  Youthful tone. Scent of red berries with vanilla. Juicy strawberry...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionPiedmont

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeBOA722

GrapeNebbiolo

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MAGNUM, Azienda Agricola Boasso, Langhe Nebbiolo, 2022

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MAGNUM, Azienda Agricola Boasso, Langhe Nebbiolo, 2022

The Boasso family’s cellar, in the little hamlet of Gabutti, faces the hilltop village of...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionPiedmont

ColourRed

ABV14%

Magnum150cl

CodeBOA822

GrapeNebbiolo

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