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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Vintage
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Parti Pris translates as bias. OK, we are biased towards Pinot Noir here, with our shipments of...
RegionLanguedoc-Roussillon
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeCAZ421
GrapePinot Noir
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Chateau de la Liquiere, Faugeres, La Fabrique, 2021
Medium-Bodied
A field blend based on Carignan, which has some Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault complanted with...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc-Roussillon
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeLIQ921
GrapeCarignan, Grenache & Syrah
"Youthful mid crimson. Not as distinctive as the [Estabel] white but with the same...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc-Roussillon
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeLES621
GrapeGrenache & Syrah
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This is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. The warmth of the vintage really shines...
OriginFrance
RegionLanguedoc-Roussillon
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeLES622
GrapeGrenache & Syrah
Felton Road, Block 5 Pinot Noir, 2018
Medium bodied
“A little bit smoky on the nose. Dark-red fruit and closed at the moment. Closed like a rocky...
OriginNew Zealand
RegionCentral Otago
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeFET518
GrapePinot Noir
Felton Road, Pinot Noir, Block 3, Central Otago, 2019
Medium bodied
“Fruit from Block 3 of Elms vineyard (vine age mostly 27 years). 25% whole cluster. 13...
OriginNew Zealand
RegionCentral Otago
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeFET919
GrapePinot Noir
Faiveley, Mazis Chambertin, Grand Cru 2017
Medium Bodied
"The palest of the Faiveley family's mouthwatering array of grand cru reds, this is...
OriginFrance
RegionBurgundy
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeFAJ017
GrapePinot Noir
Faiveley, Mazis Chambertin, Grand Cru 2018
Medium Bodied
Barrel sample. Mid to deep crimson Rich and ripe but not at all overripe on the nose. Generous...
OriginFrance
RegionBurgundy
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeFAJ018
GrapePinot Noir
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MAGNUM Château Beausejour, Fronsac, 2019
Medium Bodied
The Melet family has owned Château Beauséjour in Fronsac for five generations. Since 2011,...
OriginFrance
RegionBordeaux
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Magnum150cl
CodeBEA419
GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
Jean Guiton, Volnay Les Petits Poisots 2018
Medium bodied
Fresh dark-red fruit and here the ripeness is just right - generous and darker fruited with...
OriginFrance
RegionBurgundy
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeGUI718
GrapePinot Noir
A southern-facing parcel located above the village in the middle of the slope from 45 year old...
OriginFrance
RegionBurgundy
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75
CodeCLB819
GrapePinot Noir
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Save £23.94
60% Shiraz, 30% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre; 40% new barrels, 60% older. Quite a roasted nose;...
OriginSouth Africa
RegionPiekenierskloof
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodePIK920
GrapeShiraz, Grenache & Mourvedre