Red Wine

Classic Cotes du Rhone red. Punchy spicy palate with hints of red and cassis fruit. Especially good with rich meals.

Domaine de la Bastide

An intense wine with blackcurrant and raspberry notes complemented by notes of white pepper. The wine is juicy, powerful and fruity on the palate with lovely roasted notes, and silky, delicate tannins.

Amongst the first Chilean blends to champion Carmenere. Rich sumptuous intense black cherries, mulberries and more berries! Vanilla, sweet spice with herbal and savoury tones together with a hint of mint. The palate contains the same berry intensity plus a wonderful warm dusty character, reminiscent of its location. It is a well-balanced and complex wine with soft, round tannins and a long finish that shows both character and personality.

Emiliana

Aromas of intense ripe damson and black cherry with a hint of spice. Rich and generous on the palate - robust and full-flavoured with intense plum and sour cherry fruit, and notes of dark chocolate - balanced by tangy, juicy acidity.

Azienda Agricola Il Cascinone

A single vineyard Pinot Noir from the cool Elgin region near Grabouw. Elegant and light in style, with an abundance of ripe red berries, juicy strawberries and subtle spices on the nose which follow through on the palate where it marries perfectly with a savoury meatiness.

Longridge Wine Estate

Despacito Malbec (Despacito. Slowly) is from vineyards at the foot of the Andes Mountains, cooler temperatures at these higher altitudes provide the ideal conditions for a slower maturation and a perfect ripeness. The best things in life should be enjoyed SLOWLY…ensure you remember the elegance, fruit and flavour of the wine and savour the moment.

The grapes from the Helderberg region stem from an old vine block dating back to 1974. Aromatic on the nose, yet soft and smooth on the palate. Lightly tinted and medium bodied, this wine greets you on the nose with aromatic floral notes which follow through onto the palate with ripe strawberries, cherries, sweet spices and soft tannins on the mid palate.

Accolades.

NEW RELEASE 92/100 Tim Atkin MW 2017; 4 ½ * – Platter Wine Guide 2018

Longridge Wine Estate

In 2009 there were only 400ha of Pinot d'Aunis in France - it's a rare grape variety from a tiny appellation providing a nice alternative to very fine Pinot Noir. A separate plot about 5km north of the Loir (not the Loire, it lies just under an hour South of Le Mans). Grapes from 120 year-old vines are given a very long 12 week maceration in stainless steel. A 3 month ferment is followed by 6 months in amphora followed by minimal fining and filtration. Very fine and elegant with beautifully supple, chalky tannin. Black cherry fruit in abundance with a liquorice twist.

Single vineyard wine from the Helderberg region with notes of cinnamon and sweet spices. Barrel matured with ripe yet soft tannin.

Accolades.

4 * – John Platter Wine Guide 2017, South Africa; Top 100 SA Wine Awards; 93/100 Robert Parker – Wine Advocate 2017; Top 100 & Double Platinum Awards 2017

Longridge Wine Estate

The d'Annona vineyard is a fantastic single vineyard site with vines in excess of 60 years old. The grapes selected for this wine are grown on 2 small parcels totalling 3.5 ha. The grapes are hand-picked, destemmed and crushed, and innoculated with selected yeasts. The must undergoes temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel with pumping over four times per day. The wine is then racked to a mixture of new (two thirds) and one year old (one third) French oak barriques where it undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged for 18-20 months. It spends a further 18 months in bottle before release.

Azienda Agricola Il Cascinone

Maison Roche de Bellene

• Nose. intensive, lasting and engaging, complex combination of fruit nuances and delicate oak.
• Mouth. powerful and complex. The taste impresses with its velvety softness and warmth.
• Tannins. woody tannins, very well structured.
• Aftertaste. Excellent with a long finish.

Domaine Bessa Valley

A big, robust Bulgarian red made in a very opulent Bordeaux style by master winemakers. This wine shows a deep purple colour whilst the nose explodes with vanilla and menthol aromas, followed by blackberry and raspberry strong nuances.

This wine displays an intense ruby red colour with violet hues. The nose reveals aromas of red fruit and black fruit with balsamic tones, which complements with notes of vanilla, chocolate, cherry and plums. It has a soft palate, fine-grained tannins, and refreshing acidity.

Selected from selected blocks from the best and oldest of Esk Valley's vineyards, the "Great Dirt" collection are veru much chief winemaker Gordon Russell's pet passion, made to age gracefully and showcase the terroir of the different sites

Aromas of rose petal, red berries and grilled meats are compelling. The wine is round and mouthfilling with a red fruited profile, but a firm tannic backbone provides complexity and length

Widely renowned as one of New Zealand’s greatest reds, this is produced only in great vintages from a small terraced vineyard.

The Terraces Vineyard is perched on the steep, North West facing slope above the old Esk Valley winery near Bay View in the North of Hawkes Bay. This sunny, sheltered site was originally planted in the 1940s and then re-established with its current plantings in 1989. It occupies approximately one hectare and is planted with Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc which are harvested and fermented together as a true expression of the vineyard. The soils are complex with low fertility, containing layers of seashell and limestone, interspersed with clay and volcanic ash. The vines are spur-pruned, thinned to one bunch per shoot and hand harvested.

This wine is a true vineyard blend with the individual plots of Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc being harvested and fermented together. The grapes were hand harvested, sorted and destemmed to a 80-year-old concrete vat for fermentation. Hand plunging was employed for cap management. The finished wine was aged in 50% French oak barriques for 17 months and bottled unfined and unfiltered

Widely renowned as one of New Zealand’s greatest reds, this is produced only in great vintages from a small terraced vineyard.

The Terraces Vineyard is perched on the steep, North West facing slope above the old Esk Valley winery near Bay View in the North of Hawkes Bay. This sunny, sheltered site was originally planted in the 1940s and then re-established with its current plantings in 1989. It occupies approximately one hectare and is planted with Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc which are harvested and fermented together as a true expression of the vineyard. The soils are complex with low fertility, containing layers of seashell and limestone, interspersed with clay and volcanic ash. The vines are spur-pruned, thinned to one bunch per shoot and hand harvested.

This wine is a true vineyard blend with the individual plots of Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc being harvested and fermented together. The grapes were hand harvested, sorted and destemmed to a 80-year-old concrete vat for fermentation. Hand plunging was employed for cap management. The finished wine was aged in 50% French oak barriques for 17 months and bottled unfined and unfiltered

Dark garnet with a violet rim. Fresh lifted berry fruit that draws you in! Full yet elegant with bramble aromas and cream, cassis and black cherry flavours on the palate with structure provided by fine tannins with a long rich, ripe finish.

Feteasca Neagra (literally translates as Black Maiden) is one of the most widely planted red varieties in Romania (and Moldova), and easily the most widely planted native one. Late ripening, high yielding, and thick skinned, the grapes can reach high levels of sugar and acidity meaning in the past it was mainly used to make sweet and semi-sweet reds with lots of new oak. Nowadays new investment in vineyards and wineries are leading to a new wave of winemakers making much more elegant and balanced wines.

From the geniuses at Cramele Recas, this has a brilliant spicy nose of black pepper, black berry, black currant and red cherry. A bit pinot noiry but medium bodied with rich, grippy, very dry tannins and beautifully balanced acidity. A hint of coffee right at the very end.

Aromatic and intense, lovely aromas of wild red berries, blossom, nutmeg and hints of sandalwood. Fresh, fruity and well balanced with sensations of raspberries, vanilla and cinnamon.

Bodegas Manzanos

La Reine de l'Arenite, meaning ‘Queen of the Arenite’ refers to the terroir of pinky, crumbly sandstone of the La Madone vineyards, rated as one of the best vineyards in Fleurie. At up to 450m altitude and with soils still untouched by phylloxera, goblet trained vines on the east and south east facing vineyards lie below the Chapel of the Madonna at the top of the hill. Gamay Noir vines range from 40 to 90 years of age. Grapes are hand-picked and whole-berry fermented for 8-10 days (traditional maceration carbonique) followed by a further 2 or 3 days on the skins to assist with aromas. No use of cultured yeasts. Pressed after an 8-10 day cuvaison. First press wine was returned to vat and left for 8 months before bottling.

Very pretty indeed, a heady perfume of freshly picked irises and peonies drifts above the crushed berry fruit nose. Ripe tannins and fresh acidity support a palate of Morello cherries, strawberries with wonderful savoury finish.

An elegant Fleurie where mineral notes complement ripe fruit and spicy nuances. Inimitable finesse and a persistent finish with well balanced tannin and acidity. Velvety, elegant and floral.

Funkstille translates as “radio silence” and given the manner in which our ears are constantly being assailed these days, the prospect of sitting back in relative silence with a glass of this vibrant red is rather appealing. Blaufrankisch is a classic eastern European variety and this juicy mouthful from Burgenland in eastern Austria is a perfect introduction. It sees some oak ageing but largely in old and very large barrels so don’t expect heaps of vanilla, just sweet red fruit.

Maison Roche de Bellene

Maison Roche de Bellene

The Geyserville Vineyard is home to Ridge’s oldest vines, including a section over 130 years old. It is predominantly planted with a mix of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignan, and Mataro vines, which are head-trained and spur-pruned. The soils are deep gravelly loam mixed with large river rocks, and the vineyard has been certified organic since 2015.

An inviting nose of dark red and black fruits, and exotic oak spice. The palate is medium to full, marrying ripe black fruits with stony mineral notes, a fine core of acidity and silky yet well-structured tannins.

Robust and generous, this Gigondas is characterised by its power and structured tannins.

A blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Mourvedre from vines with an average age of 40 years. Low yields of 32hL/hectare ensure this is a wine with great concentration. Maturation is two years in oak foudres, 50% of which are new oak.

E.Guigal

The Gómez Cruzado winery dates back to 1886 when Angel Gómez de Arteche started to produce and bottle his own wine in Haro, at the very heart of Rioja Alta. This was in the day when the wine trade between Rioja and France passed along the Tudela-Bilbao line, and the key Rioja wineries were located around the station of Haro. The winery sits just 100m from the station to this day.

The Gómez Cruzado winery dates back to 1886 when Angel Gómez de Arteche started to produce and bottle his own wine in Haro, at the very heart of Rioja Alta. This was in the day when the wine trade between Rioja and France passed along the Tudela-Bilbao line, and the key Rioja wineries were located around the station of Haro. The winery sits just 100m from the station to this day.

The Gómez Cruzado winery dates back to 1886 when Angel Gómez de Arteche started to produce and bottle his own wine in Haro, at the very heart of Rioja Alta. This was in the day when the wine trade between Rioja and France passed along the Tudela-Bilbao line, and the key Rioja wineries were located around the station of Haro. The winery sits just 100m from the station to this day.

One of Gomez Cruzado's ‘Terroir Selection’, Pancrudo is an expression of selected vineyards around Badarán, in southern Rioja Alta. Here the high elevation, limited yield, red iron-rich soil, northern exposure and continental climate produces a wine with distinctive character. The old bush-trained Garnacha vines are planted in red ferrous-clay soils in the rolling hills of Badarán (near the upper Najerilla), due south of Haro. The vineyards are north-facing at around 650m altitude. The grapes are hand-harvested into 200kg crates, and are sorted by hand at the winery. After fermentation in stainless steel, gently plunging the cap, malolactic fermentation takes place - 65% in new French oak, and 35% in egg-shaped concrete tanks. The resulting wine is blended and bottled.

Awarded 96pts in Tim Atkin MW's Rioja 2022 Special report

Bodegas Gomez Cruzado

The Gómez Cruzado winery dates back to 1886 when Angel Gómez de Arteche started to produce and bottle his own wine in Haro, at the very heart of Rioja Alta. This was in the day when the wine trade between Rioja and France passed along the Tudela-Bilbao line, and the key Rioja wineries were located around the station of Haro. The winery sits just 100m from the station to this day.

Produced from grapes cultivated in the highest parts of the Ebro valley. Predominantly Garncaha (65%) from Alto Nejerilla, in the area between the towns of Badarán, Cordovin and Cárdenas where the vines grow in red ferrous clay soils; and Tempranillo (35%) from Samaniego, and the white limestone soils of Sierra Cantabria. Hand-harvested into 200kg crates with a selection of bunches at the winery. Garnacha and Tempranillo are destemmed and vinified separately. They undergo cold fermentation with native yeasts, and a short maceration. Then the two wines are assembled and refined in concrete for around 5 months.

Bright and aromatic with cherry and berry characters and a hint of liquorice. The palate is complex with layers of plum, bramble and forest fruits, all supported by fine tannins, and long and elegant on the finish.

Bodegas Gomez Cruzado

Temopranillo & Garnacha. Aromas of sun-drenched cherries, raspberries, fragrant blooms, licorice and exotic spices fill the glass. Perfectly balanced acidity and tannins create a sauve and sophisticated mouth feel. Enjoy year round from a summer BBQ to a hearty winter stew or just with some hard cheeses, crusty bread and great friends.

A full bodied, rich wine with ripe black fruits flavours supported by rich cherries and juicy plums, there are also hints of violets and vanilla, great texture and long finish.

Falasco Wines

Supple, medium-bodied Pinot Noir showing delicious lifted fruit, made from fine outlying vineyards, together with fruit sourced from the villages of Santenay, Auxey-Duresses, Savigny, Chorey les Beaune and Ladoix.

A Rhône Valley style, with fully ripe Shiraz characters of blood plum and ripe black cherry fruit balanced with the exotic Viognier aromas of citrus blossom and rose petal. In Keith's own words ‘Viognier is like Chardonnay on steroids!’ and when married together with Shiraz these two varieties combine magically to produce a palate with richer aromatic charm, warm briar berry spice and a velvety medium-bodied balance. With a rich, ripe black-fruit softness on entry, and smooth roundness and chocolatey softness onto the finish. Adding to the mix is the finely integrated weave of supple oak, and a delicate floral hint of violets and rose-petal resulting in a beautifully complete blend.

Keith Tulloch Wine