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. From vineyards over 5,000 feet up in the Fiambala Valley, an organically grown Malbec of deliciously crisp red fruit,...”
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Product Code: GRV116
Château La Grave, Minervois Rouge, Tristan & Julien, 2016
“From halves of Syrah and Grenache; always an uncomplicated and easy drinking country wine. Some Syrah spice marks the aroma, whilst the palate shows...”
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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: ESZ117
Les Vignerons d’Estezargues, Cuvee des Galets, Cotes du Rhone, 2017
“Juicy, unfiltered blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah: raspberryish mouthful, mildly spicy and very moreish. A long term favourite at SVS. Now-2019”
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Product Code: ESZ216
Les Vignerons d’Estezargues, C0tes du Rhone, Terra Vitis, 2016
“Terra Vitis is a sustainable, minimal intervention farming discipline. As opposed to the Galets above this has Carignan and Mourvèdre in the blend...”
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Product Code: VEG216
Vega del Rayo, Rioja, Vendimia Seleccionada, 2016
“A blend of about 95% Tempranillo and 5% Mazuelo, a cheerful, oaked (American and Russian) Rioja. Clean, raspberry, red and black cherry character,...”
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Product Code: ESP213
Domaine des Espiers, Gigondas, les 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 a sweet, soft, juicy gulp of fresh...”
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Product Code: LAH116
El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Roble, 2016
“Our best-selling wine from Lagar de Isilla, a bodega in La Vid, just east of Aranda de Duero. 95% Tempranillo with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, with just...”
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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...”
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Product Code: CAE410
CarinaE, Malbec, Hommage, Mendoza, 2010
“Pure Malbec from plots of ancient vines on the south edge of Mendoza; very inky and concentrated indeed - essence of brambly fruit. Now-2020”
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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....”
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Product Code: FRY615
Fryer's Cove, Pinot Noir, Bamboes Bay, Western Cape, 2015
“Based on fruit from a cool coastal site, an attractively fast-maturing Pinot, so already one enjoys pleasing savoury and undergrowth hints. Supple,...”
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Product Code: RID215
Ridge, Lytton Springs, California, 2015
“74% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, 8% Carignan and 2% Mourvèdre from numerous parcels, based on very old vines, and all aged in exclusively US oak...”
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Product Code: BAJ316
Château Barrejat, Madiran, Cuvée des Vieux Ceps, 2016
“Old vines indeed, over 80 years and some pre-phylloxera: 80% Tannat plus the Cabernets, well-oaked. Inky purple. Flamboyant flavours of cherry, plum...”
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Product Code: VIB215
Vicien, Bonarda, Catamarca, 2015
“Bonarda, widely grown in Argentina, is genetically identical to Douce Noire, an obscure Savoie variety. Fresh blackberries and blueberries, with...”
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Product Code: CLB615
Francoise & Denis Clair, Hautes Côtes de Beaune Rouge, 2015
“"Cask sample. Really quite substantial on the nose with some hint of hazelnuts. Crunchy texture. Masses of acidity. Confident wine. Lots going...”
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Product Code: PON616
Ca’ di Ponti, Nero d’Avola, IGT Sicilia, 2016
“Brambly fruit. Honest, mildly rustic and characterful, better with food. Now-2019”
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Product Code: CAE116
Carinae, Malbec, Mendoza, 2016
“Old vines deliver impressive concentration to this summer-puddingy, unoaked Malbec. Balanced, and with a fresh finish, this leaves one wanting more....”
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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...”
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Product Code: DGA215
Domaine du Grand Arc, Corbieres Rouge, Reserve Grand Arc, 2015
“One of our staples at SVS, about 50% Carignan, with 35% Grenache and 15 % Mourvedre, a splendid barrel-aged wine which can be drunk young or kept....”
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Product Code: LAH412
El Lagar de Isilla, Ribera Del Duero, Crianza, 2012
“94% Tempranillo from 40-70 year old vines, with a little Cabernet and Merlot, given fourteen months in French and American oak. Showy and extrovert,...”
