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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Organic / Biodynamic
Vintage

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Deeply coloured, properly extracted red, burly but also lightfooted: the dense, brambly fruit...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeDGA322
GrapeCarignan, Grenache & Syrah

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From the Maison family on the plateau of Pomerol, a well-oaked example already showing...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeMAZ120
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc

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Villa Tempora, Pezenas, 2023
Medium Bodied
The "estate" wine - not the top cuvee but the one Agathe and Amaury believe...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeTMP223
GrapeCarignan & Grenache

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Villa Tempora, Le Demon du Midi, Pezenas, 2020
Full Bodied
A very smart wine from the top 2020 vintage. 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache from basalt soils, aged...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeTMP320
GrapeSyrah & Grenache

Grown on clay-limestone soils in La Clape (a “heap of pepples” in the Occitan tongue, the...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeCSP721
GrapeSyrah & Mourvedre

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An absolute gem of a wine. This quality from Rhone or Bordeaux would be double the price. 50%...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Magnum150cl
CodeMAB922
GrapeMourvedre, Syrah & Grenache

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Mas des Brousses, Terrasses du Larzac, 2022
Full-Bodied
An absolute gem of a wine. This quality from Rhone or Bordeaux would be double the price. 50%...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeMAB222
GrapeMourvedre, Syrah & Grenache

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Mas des Brousses, Cleo, Terasses de Larzac, 2023
Full-Bodied
"Incredible purity of squashed strawberries and red plum. Fresh acidity meets silky, fine...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeMAB323
GrapeMourvedre, Syrah & Grenache

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MAGNUM Château Beausejour, Fronsac, 2020
Medium Bodied
The latest vintage of a long term value here.The Melet family has owned the Château in Fronsac...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14%
Magnum150cl
CodeBEA920
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc

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Chateau Gloria, Saint-Julien, 2020
Medium Bodied
"Tobacco, dark chocolate and scented flowers on the nose - beautiful aromatic display....
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeGLO120
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon & Merlot

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Chateau du Glana, Saint-Julien, 2019
Medium Bodied
Glana is beautifully sited - between the illustrious names of Beychevelle and Ducru...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeGLA119
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon & Merlot

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MAGNUM Chateau Bellegrave, Pauillac, 2019
Medium Bodied
"This is an excellent one to take note of for medium-term drinking - loaded up with...
OriginFrance
RegionPauillac
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Magnum1.5l
CodeBLL919
GrapeCabernet Sauvignon & Merlot