Dark Nights Reds Dozen
Darker nights and colder weather demands more warming wines. These six reds from France, Spain and Portugal fit the brief perfectly and are ideal with heartier slow cooked food.
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Inside the case you'll get...
Château Barrejat, Madiran, Cuvee des Vieux Ceps, 2022
Vieux Céps = Old vines, and these are dramatically ancient, some over 80 years old and some actually pre-phylloxera, so perhaps over 150 years old. 80% Tannat plus the Cabernets, well-oaked. That oak shows with overt toast on the nose. Flamboyant flavours of cherry, plum and blueberry, all tinged with mocha. Dense, full-bodied; and with plenty of tannin to keep it going - enjoy now or keep for years. Now-2030
"Full bottle 1,244 g. These old vines are probably 80 years old...
ColourRed
RegionMadiran
GrowerChâteau Barrejat
Grape VarietyTannat, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
Vintage2022
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
CodeBAJ322
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Francis a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon.
A cross of it with Sauvignon Blanc resulted in Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc tends to be softer and has less tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon, although the two can be difficult to distinguish. Many of the red wines of the Loire are primarily Cabernet Franc.
Origins ...
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Jancis Robinson
We get super excited when Jancis Robinson (or one of her team) write about our wine!
Voted the world's most influential wine critic in polls in the US, France and internationally in 2018, Jancis views herself as a wine writer rather than a wine critic.
She writes daily for JancisRobinson.com and weekly for the Financial Times. She is founder-editor of The Oxford Companion...
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Domaine des Garriguettes, Cotes du Rhone Rouge, Le Beret Bleu, 2024
Young Sébastien Clement now runs this family domaine in Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne, having gained experience in the northern Rhône, Portugal and Australia. 100% Cinsault – which as far as we know isn’t technically allowed for a wine labelled as Côtes du Rhône! Very pure on the nose with pretty, perfumed raspberry fruit alongside some floral notes. The palate follows through with just crushed cherry and red berry galore. The 12% alcohol is remarkably low for this part of France too. Now...
ColourRed
RegionRhone
Sub RegionRhone
GrowerDomaine des Garriguettes
Grape VarietyCinsault
Vintage2023
ABV12%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
MethodBiodynamic
CodeGAR224
Amadieu, Cotes du Rhone Villages, 2023
60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and Cinsault, all in tank, from vines farmed (and certified) bio-dynamically. Bursts with strawberries and spice on the nose. Very pure and bright with sappy red cherry and cranberry on the palate, whilst maintaining a savoury edge. Brilliant for the price. Now - 2028.
ColourRed
RegionRhone
GrowerDomaine des Amadieu
Grape VarietyGrenache
Vintage2023
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
MethodBiodynamic
CodeAMB123
Grenache / Garnacha
Grenache / Garnacha
Grenache grows well in hot, dry regions, though it can develop very high (15 degrees+) alcohol.
As such it is grown principally in Southern France and Spain (as Garnacha). It is usually blended with other varieties in the Southern Rhône and Languedoc (Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan, Cinsaut and others).
Its flavour usually encompasses the...
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El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Crianza, 2021
To get a sense of what makes Ribera del Duero such a well regarded wine region this is the bottle to try. 91% Tinto Fino, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Garnacha and 1% Abillo are aged in 225l. and 300l. French barrels to create a wine of supreme power and elegance. Glossy blackcurrant and loganberry are sprinkled with baking spices. There is something slightly gamey to this wine with pleasing savoury notes on the finish. Grill yourself a large slab of Galician Beef and enjoy this superb wine...
ColourRed
RegionRibera Del Duero
GrowerEl Lagar de Isilla
Grape VarietyTempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon & Abillo Mayor
Vintage2021
ABV15%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
CodeLAH421
Cabernet Sauvignon
The most prestigious red grape?
Origins
- Bordeaux region, as a natural cross of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc (established 1997 by DNA analysis)
- Was known as Vidure or Petit-Vidure
- Spread throughout left bank of Bordeaux, supplanting white grapes
Characteristics
- Fairly easy to grow: hardy, buds...
Quinta do Convento, Vinho Tinto, DOP Douro, 2020
The Douro region specialises in field blends of ancient vines – many estates are currently in the process of having the vines analysed. From granite soils, this is 34% old vine field blend, 31% Tinta Barroca, 21% Touriga Nacional and 14% Tinta Roriz; 70% of which spend 16 months in second and third fill French barrels. Intensely dark profile here, with a delicious core of brambly fruit dominating. There are some subtle gamey notes along with a little cigar box perfume. Rich and velvety...
ColourRed
RegionDouro
Sub RegionCima Corgo
GrowerKranemann
Grape VarietyField Blend , Tinta Barroca & Touriga Nacional
Vintage2020
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeKRA420
Jancis Robinson
We get super excited when Jancis Robinson (or one of her team) write about our wine!
Voted the world's most influential wine critic in polls in the US, France and internationally in 2018, Jancis views herself as a wine writer rather than a wine critic.
She writes daily for JancisRobinson.com and weekly for the Financial Times. She is founder-editor of The Oxford Companion...
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Chateau Bellerive, Medoc, Cru Bourgeois, 2016
Cru Bourgeois in a top red Bordeaux vintage like 2016 almost always represents a good buy – especially at nine years old. A blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, this is drinking very well. Inviting aromas of black fruit tinged with liquorice and a certain savouriness; and so consistent in the mouth, with dark plum and berry flavours melded with notes of grilled meat and tobacco. Slightly old fashioned – and we absolutely mean that as a...
ColourRed
RegionBordeaux
Sub RegionMedoc
GrowerBellerive
Grape VarietyMerlot, Cabernet & Cabernet Franc
Vintage2016
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
ClosureCork
CodeBEL116
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Francis a parent of Cabernet Sauvignon.
A cross of it with Sauvignon Blanc resulted in Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc tends to be softer and has less tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon, although the two can be difficult to distinguish. Many of the red wines of the Loire are primarily Cabernet Franc.
Origins ...
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Here’s the full tasting note for...
Dark Nights Reds Dozen
Darker nights and colder weather demands more warming wines. These six reds from France, Spain and Portugal fit the brief perfectly and are ideal with heartier slow cooked food.
Great choice of good-value wines in the January sales. The website is really easy to use to make up an order. Delivery, as is often the case, was within 24 hours and, as usual, was well-packed.Read More
I've bought a couple of cases recently, and many more in years gone by, and have really enjoyed their selection. They have a good range of interesting wines from some classic and some more…Read More
Judging by the wines I have had, someone is doing a very good job in selecting the wines to put before the public, and at a very fair price. Delivery from online purchases as also been quick and…Read More
Great company with good service and good prices. Highly recommended.Read More
One of my favourite independents. Been enjoying these special wines for more than 10 years. Always interesting choices, and always great value in the sales!Read More
This was yet another quick and painless transaction, as I have come to expect from SV&S.Read More
