Red
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.
Order Wines...
- Alphabetically
- By Price
- Date Added
Red
-
Product Code: GRV118
Château La Grave, Minervois Rouge, Tristan & Julien, 2018
“From the Orosquette family, named after two once tiny and now strapping cousins in their 20s, this is a bright, pleasing and uncomplicated red. From...”
-
Product Code: ESZ119
Les Vignerons d’Estezargues, Cuvee des Galets, Cotes du Rhone, 2019
“Juicy, unfiltered blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah: raspberryish mouthful, mildly spicy and very moreish. A long term favourite at SVS. Now-2022”
-
Product Code: VEG217
Vega del Rayo, Rioja, Vendimia Seleccionada, 2017
“A blend of about 95% Tempranillo and 5% Mazuelo, a cheerful, oaked (American and Russian) Rioja. Clean, raspberry, red and black cherry character,...”
-
Product Code: LAH118
El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Roble, 2018
“A best-seller here, 95% Tempranillo with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, given precisely 122 days (it says so on the label) in French and American oak...”
-
Product Code: LAH314
El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Reserva, 2014
“100% Tempranillo, including some parcels 80-90 years old; in French barrels for 18 months. Pure, lifted red fruit perfume on smart oak. Currently...”
-
Product Code: FRY617
Fryer's Cove, Pinot Noir, Bamboes Bay, 2017
“Attractive, soft ruby tone; pretty cherry and lightly floral aromas. Supple, pleasingly fleshy palate with lots of strawberry and raspberry upfront....”
-
Product Code: BAJ318
Château Barrejat, Madiran, Cuvée des Vieux Ceps, 2018
“Old vines indeed, over 80 years and some pre-phylloxera, so perhaps over 150 years old: 80% Tannat plus the Cabernets, well-oaked. Inky purple....”
-
Product Code: PON618
Ca’ di Ponti, Nero d’Avola, DOC Sicilia, 2018
“Brambly fruit. Honest, mildly rustic and characterful, better with food. Now-2021”
-
Product Code: CAE118
Carinae, Malbec, Mendoza, 2018
“From 90 year old vines at Cruz de Piedra, Maipú, Philippe Subra’s unoaked Malbec, which always shows the enticing perfume of the grape: crushed...”
-
Product Code: CAE216
Carinae, Malbec, Harmonie, Mendoza, 2016
“Very deep and inky. Lovely open perfume of cherries, berries and vanilla. With silky, classy, brambly fruit, tinged with chocolatey oak, this is...”
-
Product Code: LAH416
El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Crianza, 2016
“92% Tempranillo from 50-70 year old vines, with Cabernet and Merlot, given fourteen months in French oak. Showy and extrovert, showing intense black...”
-
Product Code: BAD817
Badenhorst Family Red, Swartland, 2017
“Lovely old-fashioned methods: early picked grapes for freshness, whole bunches foot-trodden for low extraction; and then left, post-fermentation, to...”
-
Product Code: BAD619
Badenhorst, Secateurs Red, Swartland, 2019 (Screwcap)
“Over the years this has changed from being a chunky blend based on Syrah to a more graceful one based on Cinsault (backed by Grenache and Shiraz),...”
-
Product Code: FON117
Domaine Fontanel, Côtes du Roussillon, Rouge, 2017
“From Syrah, Grenache and Carignan grown on schist near Maury, unoaked, this is a classic Roussillon red: youthful, vivid, brambly perfumes and...”
-
Product Code: CNV118
Conviviale, Primitivo, Salento, 2018
“Gutsy grape of Croatian origin (aka Tribidrag), genetically identical to Zinfandel. Bittersweet black fruit, generous, punchy and bold. Now-2021”
-
Product Code: FAB818
False Bay, Pinotage, Western Cape, 2018 (Screwcap)
“Plum coloured. High-toned scent of berries. Bittersweet raspberry and bilberry fruit, bold and juicy, with just a smidge of tannin which makes this...”
-
Product Code: BDU616
Château Beauregard Ducasse, Cuvée Albert Duran, Graves, 2016
“Gruff M. Perromat’s top wine, from about 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot, well-oaked. Is this the best vintage we have...”
-
Product Code: PLA117
Château La Plaige, Bordeaux Supérieur, 2017
“Charmingly labelled wine - which we have shipped many times before. It's a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. 2017 …”
-
Product Code: TAK116
Talosa, Rosso di Montepulciano, 2016
“Sangiovese, with 15% Merlot, Canaiolo and Mammolo, in old barrels: a big and youthful red from a top Tuscan vintage, offering classic Sangiovese sour...”
-
Product Code: FON617
Domaine Fontanel, Maury Grenat, 2017
“From one plot of 75 year old vines of Grenache Noir. This style is well-known for matching chocolate, but it’s equally good with cheese, especially...”
-
Product Code: BUR118
Burlesque, Zinfandel, Lodi, California, 2018 (Screwcap)
“Hearty and generous at the price, delivering a generous gush of raspberry and spice. Lodi is a top source of chunky Zinfandel, with a lot of old...”
-
Product Code: APA418
Apaltagua, Envero, Gran Reserva Carmenère, Apalta Vineyard Selection, Colchagua, 2018
“The latest vintage of this deservedly popular wine. From 60+ year old vineyards - rare in Chile - in the famed Apalta valley, this lightly oaked (60%...”
-
Product Code: APA319
Apaltagua, Gran Verano Cabernet Sauvignon, Valle Central, 2019 (Screwcap)
“Gran Verano is the second label of Viña Apaltagua, using fruit from the family-owned vineyards. This is such a good value Chilean Cabernet, unoaked,...”
-
Product Code: MUR118
Murphy Vineyards, Big River Shiraz, Australia, 2018
“Brambly Aussie Shiraz; fruity, friendly and warming. Now-2021”
-
Product Code: TAK215
Talosa, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, 2015
“90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot given two years in oak, the first in 500l, new, first fill and second; and the second year in large vats Sumptuous in...”
