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: VIB117
Vicien, Malbec, Catamarca, 2017
“Is the 2017 the most delicious vintage yet of one of our best-selling wines - a wine we have been shipping for 14 years...? From vineyards over 5,000...”
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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...”
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Product Code: ESZ118
Les Vignerons d’Estezargues, Cuvee des Galets, Cotes du Rhone, 2018
“Juicy, unfiltered blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah: raspberryish mouthful, mildly spicy and very moreish. A long term favourite at SVS. Now-2022”
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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,...”
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Product Code: BOR318
Bodegas Borsao, Garnacha, Joven, Campo de Borja, 2018
“Bodegas Borsao is a big co-operative, marketing wines from over 600 growers whose land undulates across the Moncayo hills. Garnacha (Grenache), the...”
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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...”
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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: CAE413
Carinae, Malbec, Hommage, Mendoza, 2013
“Amazing old-vine Malbec from 93 year old vines in a high altitude vineyard at Calle Cobos, Perdriel in Luján de Cuyo, just south of Mendoza; tiny...”
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Product Code: FRY618
Fryer's Cove, Pinot Noir, Bamboes Bay, 2018
“Attractive, soft ruby tone; pretty cherry and lightly floral aromas. Supple, pleasingly fleshy palate with lots of strawberry and raspberry upfront....”
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Product Code: BAJ317
Château Barrejat, Madiran, Cuvée des Vieux Ceps, 2017
“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....”
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Product Code: CLB 617
Francoise & Denis Clair, Hautes Côtes de Beaune Rouge, 2017
“From 35 year old vines on clay soils above Maranges, unoaked, a pure wine for lovers of old-fashioned fresh Burgundy. Charmingly ripe fruit, silky...”
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Product Code: PON618
Ca’ di Ponti, Nero d’Avola, DOC Sicilia, 2018
“Brambly fruit. Honest, mildly rustic and characterful, better with food. Now-2021”
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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...”
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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...”
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Product Code: DGA218
Domaine du Grand Arc, Corbieres Rouge, Reserve Grand Arc, 2018
“This is the latest vintage of one of our staples at SVS: about 50% Carignan, with 35% Grenache and 15% Mourvèdre, aged in two to four year old...”
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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...”
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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...”
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Product Code: BAD618
Badenhorst, Secateurs Red, Coastal Region, 2018 (Screwcap)
“The latest vintage is unusual in being based on 82% Cinsault, with 10% Shiraz and 8% Grenache, just rounded by big old oak vats. The Cinsault makes...”
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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...”
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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”
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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...”
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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...”
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Product Code: KRO2NV
Krohn, Port, Rio Torto Reserva, NV
“The small house of Krohn is perhaps better known for excellent colheita tawnies, but this superior Ruby struck us as great value. From the classic...”
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Product Code: MON318
Domaine Montangeron, Chiroubles, La Grosse Pierre, 2018
“Very ripe fruit - raspberries, redcurrants and fraises des bois, so deliciously summer puddingy. Fine and silky, with just a whisper of tannin....”
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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 …”
