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.
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Red
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Product Code: VIB115
Vicien, Malbec, Catamarca, 2015
“One of our best-selling wines. The estate Malbec is unoaked, a pure expression of the grape. Pretty, lifted scent of wild strawberries. Deliciously...”
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Product Code: GRV115
Château La Grave, Minervois Rouge, Tristan & Julien, 2015
“This, from halves of Syrah and Grenache, is even more of a bargain than usual, from a vintage hailed by the owners, the Orosquette family, as the...”
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Product Code: BEL314
Domaine Belles Pierres, Languedoc, Les Clauzes de Jo Rouge, 2014
“About half Syrah, a third Grenache with Mourvèdre, all in old barrel. Ripe and brambly fruit, crunchy, and slightly wild and spicy. Splendid...”
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Product Code: ESZ116
Les Vignerons d’Estézargues, Cuvée des Galets, Côtes du Rhône, 2016
“Juicy, unfiltered blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah: raspberryish mouthful, mildly spicy and very moreish. A favourite at SVS. Now-2019”
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Product Code: ESZ215
Les Vignerons d’Estezargues, Côtes du Rhône, Terra Vitis, 2015
“Terra Vitis is a sustainable, minimal intervention farming discipline, half way to organic viticulture, practiced by five members of this small...”
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Product Code: VEG215
Vega del Rayo, Rioja, Vendimia Seleccionada, 2015
“A blend of about 70% Tempranillo, 20% Mazuelo and 10% Graciano, which goes into American and Russian oak barrels, this is a cheerful, medium-bodied...”
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Product Code: BAJ115
Château Barrejat, Madiran, Tradition, 2015
“Just superb in this splendid vintage, offering such vitality and fruit. Deeply hued and concentrated blend of local grape Tannat with Cabernets...”
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Product Code: BRE313
Walter Bressia, Monteagrelo Malbec, Mendoza, 2013
“Walter Bressia, now in his fifties, has experience as a winemaker and consultant oenologue for a number of Argentine estates. In 2003 he decided he...”
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Product Code: ESP213
Domaine des Espiers, Gigondas, Cuvée des Blaches, 2013
“Extravagantly flavoured, well-oaked example of tiny volume: Turkish delight - vivid red fruit and chocolate. Now-2021”
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Product Code: MOP514
Domaine Monier Perreol, Saint Joseph Rouge, 2014
“Restless experimentation and investment continues chez Monier. The latest toys in the pursuit of perfection are very expensive concrete eggs for the...”
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Product Code: MOP114
Domaine Monier Perreol, Saint Joseph, Terres Blanches, 2014
“Restless experimentation and investment continues chez Monier. The latest toys in the pursuit of perfection are very expensive concrete eggs for the...”
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Product Code: BOR316
Bodegas Borsao, Garnacha, Joven, Campo de Borja, 2016
“Borsao, based in Campo de Borja in the upper Ebro Valley, specialise in Grenache based wines. This offers such simple pleasure at a fair price....”
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Product Code: LAH115
El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Roble, 2015
“95% Tempranillo with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, given just four months in French and American oak. This has become the best-selling wine in our Lagar de...”
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Product Code: LAH311
El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Reserva, 2011
“100% Tempranillo, including some parcels 80-90 years old. As of November 2015 still youthful, showing generous mocha oak notes and a strong...”
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Product Code: CAE410
CarinaE, Malbec, Hommage, Mendoza, 2010
“This wine, which used to be known as the Gran Reserva, is from 89 year old vines in Perdriel, just south of Mendoza, and aged in new and second fill...”
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Product Code: BRE111
Walter Bressia, Profundo, Mendoza, 2011
“Walter Bressia, now in his fifties, has experience as winemaker and consultant oenologue for a number of Argentine estates. In 2003 he decided he...”
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Product Code: CAE509
Carinae, Prestige, Mendoza, 2009
“About 70% Malbec, with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, a selection of all the best parcels of the vintage, aged in new barrels for 18 months. Inky....”
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Product Code: FRY614
Fryer's Cove, Pinot Noir, Western Cape, 2014
“This cool-climate Pinot comes from a remarkable vineyard (see below) with a little bought in fruit, hence Western Cape on the label. It's always...”
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Product Code: RID214
Ridge, Lytton Springs, California, 2014
“69% Zinfandel, 18% Petite Sirah, 18% Petit Syrah and 1% Mouvedre, based on very old vines, and all aged in exclusively US oak barrels, about 20% new....”
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Product Code: BAJ315
Château Barrejat, Madiran, Cuvée des Vieux Ceps, 2015
“Old vines indeed - over 80 years old: 80% Tannat plus the Cabernets, a splendid, traditionally framed and ageworthy example. Inky purple....”
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Product Code: VIB215
Vicien, Bonarda, Catamarca, 2015
“Bonarda is now identified as being genetically identical to Douce Noire, an obscure variety whose home is Savoie - and no relation to Bonarda...”
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Product Code: CLB614
Denis Clair, Hautes Côtes de Beaune Rouge, 2014
“From 35 year old vines above Maranges, unoaked, a crisp and pure wine for lovers of old-fashioned fresh Burgundy. Crunchy red cherry and blueberry,...”
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Product Code: PON615
Ca’ di Ponti, Nero d’Avola, IGT Sicilia, 2015
“A characterful blend of Nero d’Avola from Sicily - including some concentrated old vine fruit - vinified at a co-operative in Piedmont. We...”
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Product Code: CAE116
Carinae, Malbec, Mendoza, 2016
“Philippe Subra’s unoaked Malbec, which always shows the enticing perfume of the grape: crushed red berries and plums. Blackberry at heart, not...”
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Product Code: CAE213
Carinae, Malbec, Harmonie, Mendoza, 2013
“"Lifted, sweet, wild, dark-red fruit and a hint of violets. But this is complex because it is also spicy and a touch meaty. Rich and thickly...”
