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

Domaine du Grand Arc, Cuvee des Quarante, Corbieres, 2022

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Domaine du Grand Arc, Cuvee des Quarante, Corbieres, 2022
Domaine du Grand Arc, Cuvee des Quarante, Corbieres, 2022

Deeply coloured, properly extracted red, burly but also lightfooted: the dense, brambly fruit...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionLanguedoc

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeDGA322

GrapeCarignan, Grenache & Syrah

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Chateau Marzy, Pomerol, Grand Enclos de Riffat, 2020

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Chateau Marzy, Pomerol, Grand Enclos de Riffat, 2020

From the Maison family on the plateau of Pomerol, a well-oaked example already showing...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionBordeaux

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeMAZ120

GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc

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Villa Tempora, Pezenas, 2023

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Villa Tempora, Pezenas, 2023
Villa Tempora, Pezenas, 2023

The "estate" wine - not the top cuvee but the one Agathe and Amaury believe...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionLanguedoc

ColourRed

ABV12.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeTMP223

GrapeCarignan & Grenache

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Villa Tempora, Le Demon du Midi, Pezenas, 2020

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Villa Tempora, Le Demon du Midi, Pezenas, 2020
Villa Tempora, Le Demon du Midi, Pezenas, 2020

A very smart wine from the top 2020 vintage. 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache from basalt soils, aged...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionLanguedoc

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeTMP320

GrapeSyrah & Grenache

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La Combe Saint Paul, L'Insoupconne, Languedoc-La Clape, 2021

Grown on clay-limestone soils in La Clape (a “heap of pepples” in the Occitan tongue, the...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionLanguedoc

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeCSP721

GrapeSyrah & Mourvedre

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MAGNUM Mas des Brousses, Terrasses du Larzac, 2022

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MAGNUM Mas des Brousses, Terrasses du Larzac, 2022
MAGNUM Mas des Brousses, Terrasses du Larzac, 2022

An absolute gem of a wine. This quality from Rhone or Bordeaux would be double the price. 50%...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionLanguedoc

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Magnum150cl

CodeMAB922

GrapeMourvedre, Syrah & Grenache

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Mas des Brousses, Terrasses du Larzac, 2022

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Mas des Brousses, Terrasses du Larzac, 2022
Mas des Brousses, Terrasses du Larzac, 2022

An absolute gem of a wine. This quality from Rhone or Bordeaux would be double the price. 50%...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionLanguedoc

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeMAB222

GrapeMourvedre, Syrah & Grenache

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Mas des Brousses, Cleo, Terasses de Larzac, 2023

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Mas des Brousses, Cleo, Terasses de Larzac, 2023
Mas des Brousses, Cleo, Terasses de Larzac, 2023

"Incredible purity of squashed strawberries and red plum. Fresh acidity meets silky, fine...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionLanguedoc

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeMAB323

GrapeMourvedre, Syrah & Grenache

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MAGNUM Château Beausejour, Fronsac, 2020

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MAGNUM Château Beausejour, Fronsac, 2020
MAGNUM Château Beausejour, Fronsac, 2020

The latest vintage of a long term value here.The Melet family has owned the Château in Fronsac...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionBordeaux

ColourRed

ABV14%

Magnum150cl

CodeBEA920

GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc

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Chateau Gloria, Saint-Julien, 2020

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Save £58.20

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Chateau Gloria, Saint-Julien, 2020

"Tobacco, dark chocolate and scented flowers on the nose - beautiful aromatic display....

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionBordeaux

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeGLO120

GrapeCabernet Sauvignon & Merlot

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Chateau du Glana, Saint-Julien, 2019

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Save £40.20

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Chateau du Glana, Saint-Julien, 2019

Glana is beautifully sited - between the illustrious names of Beychevelle and Ducru...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionBordeaux

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeGLA119

GrapeCabernet Sauvignon & Merlot

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MAGNUM Chateau Bellegrave, Pauillac, 2019

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MAGNUM Chateau Bellegrave, Pauillac, 2019

"This is an excellent one to take note of for medium-term drinking - loaded up with...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionPauillac

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Magnum1.5l

CodeBLL919

GrapeCabernet Sauvignon & Merlot

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