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

Antica, Mountain Select Cabernet, Napa, 2019

From the Antinori family.  "The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Mountain Select is plush,...

Style

Light > Full

OriginUSA

RegionNapa Valley

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeANT119

GrapeCabernet Sauvignon

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DOUBLE MAGNUM Château Beausejour, Fronsac, 2018

The Melet family has owned Château Beauséjour in Fronsac for five generations. Since 2011,...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionBordeaux

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Jeroboam300cl

CodeBEA418

GrapeMerlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc

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Hoddles Creek 1er Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, 2021

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Hoddles Creek 1er Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, 2021

From just 28 rows of the Top Paddock vineyard; about 20% is whole bunch fermented to promote...

Style

Light > Full

OriginAustralia

RegionGippsland

ColourRed

ABV 13.2%

Bottle75cl

CodeHOD821

GrapePinot Noir

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Finca Deneza Malbec, Mendoza, 2023

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Finca Deneza Malbec, Mendoza, 2023

From vines averaging 25 year old vines in Maipú. Red and black-berried fruit, peck of spice,...

Style

Light > Full

OriginArgentina

RegionMendoza

ColourRed

ABV13.6%

Bottle75cl

CodeDEN123

GrapeMalbec

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El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera del Duero, Matanza de Soria, 2020

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El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera del Duero, Matanza de Soria, 2020
El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera del Duero, Matanza de Soria, 2020

This wine is a brilliant example of the innovation being conducted in Ribera del Duero at the...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionRibera del Duero

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeLAH620

GrapeTempranillo & Albillo Mayor

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Col di Lamo, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, 2016

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Decanter
Col di Lamo, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, 2016

A barrel selection of the vintage. Soft bricky tone. This opens out spectacularly, flamboyantly...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionTuscany

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeCDL416

GrapeSangiovese

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 I Fabbri, Chianti Classico, Terra di Lamole, 2021

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Jancis Robinson
I Fabbri, Chianti Classico, Terra di Lamole, 2021
I Fabbri, Chianti Classico, Terra di Lamole, 2021

90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, about half in cement and half in French oak. Light and soft hue....

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionTuscany

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeIFA221

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Artisan Wines, Zweigelt, Neusiedlersee DAC, 2020

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Artisan Wines, Zweigelt, Neusiedlersee DAC, 2020

The DAC of Neusiedlersee is only a decade old and little known in this country, but the...

Style

Light > Full

OriginAustria

RegionNeusiedlersee

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeART220

GrapeZweigelt

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Chateau Les Combes, Lussac-Saint-Emilion, 2020

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Chateau Les Combes, Lussac-Saint-Emilion, 2020
Chateau Les Combes, Lussac-Saint-Emilion, 2020

100% unoaked Merlot from a single vineyard with thin soils over limestone located at one of the...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionBordeaux

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeGRC420

GrapeMerlot

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MAGNUM Chateau Les Combes, Lussac-Saint-Emilion, 2020

From one 4.8 hectare plot with thin soils over limestone, among the highest in the appellation....

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionBordeaux

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Magnum150cl

CodeGRC720

GrapeMerlot

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Domaine des Garriguettes, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, La Borne, 2023

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Domaine des Garriguettes, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, La Borne, 2023
Domaine des Garriguettes, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, La Borne, 2023

95% whole bunch Grenache with 5% Mourvèdre, sourced from old vines that are farmed...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionRhone

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeGAR423

GrapeGrenache & Mouvedre

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Domaine des Garriguettes, Cotes du Rhone Rouge, Tradition, 2024

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Domaine des Garriguettes, Cotes du Rhone Rouge, Tradition, 2024

A classic and superior southern Rhône, from bio-dynamically farmed (and certified) vines...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

ColourRed

ABV14%

CodeGAR324

GrapeGrenache, Mourvedre & Syrah

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