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.

Filter Wines

Wine Type

Red

Style

Grape Variety

Country

Region

Grower

Dietary Requirement

Organic / Biodynamic

Vintage

La Purisima, Monastrell, Yecla, 2020

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Save £12.30

La Purisima, Monastrell, Yecla, 2020

From vines on the Yecla plateau in Murcia at 500-900m, a simple but smartly dressed bottle....

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionYecla

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodePUR120

GrapeMonastrell

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Carinae, Malbec, Odile, Mendoza, 2021

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Carinae, Malbec, Odile, Mendoza, 2021

Under a new, somewhat revolutionary label. From 90 year old vines at Cruz de Piedra, Maipú,...

Style

Light > Full

OriginArgentina

RegionMendoza

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeCAE121

GrapeMalbec

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Talosa, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Alboreto 2019

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Talosa, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Alboreto 2019

100% Sangiovese grown on sandstone and clay, given two years in oak; 70% in large neutral vats...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionTuscany

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeTAK219

GrapeSangiovese & Merlot

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Carneros, Avant Garde Pinot Noir, 2020

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Carneros, Avant Garde Pinot Noir, 2020

Carneros was co-founded by Taittinger in 1987 as a sparkling wine estate, but the quality of...

Style

Light > Full

OriginUSA

RegionNapa

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeCAR120

GrapePinot Noir

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Piekenierskloof, Stonedance, Hutton Red, Swartland, 2020

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Piekenierskloof, Stonedance, Hutton Red, Swartland, 2020

A pleasing blend of halves of Shiraz and Grenache, all in barrel, 20% new, named after a type...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSouth Africa

RegionSwartland

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeSTO620

GrapeShiraz & Grenache

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Domaine Pegaline, Pic Saint-Loup,  Du Coeur Au Ventre, 2020

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Domaine Pegaline, Pic Saint-Loup, Du Coeur Au Ventre, 2020

Pure Mourvèdre, and a superb wine. Completely opaque purple in the glass. There is a savoury...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionLanguedoc-Roussillon

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Bottle75cl

CodePEG520

GrapeMourvedre

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MAGNUM Chateau de la Liquiere, Faugeres, Cuvee Cistus, 2019

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Jancis Robinson
MAGNUM Chateau de la Liquiere, Faugeres, Cuvee Cistus, 2019

A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre with Syrah being the dominant grape. Glossy, polished...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionFaugeres

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Magnum150cl

CodeLIQ919

GrapeSyrah, Mourvedre & Grenache

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Chateau de la Liquiere, Faugeres Rouge, 2021

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Chateau de la Liquiere, Faugeres Rouge, 2021

The estate’s principal wine, an unoaked, life-enhancing blend of Grenache and Syrah with a...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionFaugeres

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeLIQ121

GrapeGrenache, Syrah & Carignan

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Chateau La Grave, Minervois Rouge, Tristan & Julien, 2021

A bright, hugely pleasing and honest country red: from halves of Grenache and Syrah, showing...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionLanguedoc

ColourRed

ABV13%

Bottle75cl

CodeGRV121

GrapeGrenache & Syrah

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Les Vignerons d’Estezargues, Cuvee des Galets, Cotes du Rhone, 2021

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Les Vignerons d’Estezargues, Cuvee des Galets, Cotes du Rhone, 2021

This is the 19th consecutive vintage we have shipped of this deliciously fruity Côtes du...

Style

Light > Full

OriginFrance

RegionRhone

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeESZ121

GrapeGrenache, Cinsault & Syrah

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Vega del Rayo, Rioja, Vendimia Seleccionada, 2020

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Vega del Rayo, Rioja, Vendimia Seleccionada, 2020

A blend of about 95% Tempranillo and 5% Mazuelo, a cheerful, oaked (American and Russian)...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionRioja

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeVEG220

GrapeTempranillo

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Bodegas Borsao, Garnacha, Joven, Campo de Borja, 2022

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Bodegas Borsao, Garnacha, Joven, Campo de Borja, 2022

Bodegas Borsao is a big co-operative, marketing wines from over 600 growers whose land...

Style

Light > Full

OriginSpain

RegionCampo de Borja

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeBOR322

GrapeGrenache

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