Red Wine

• 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.

Eshcol was the original name of the estate. First planted in the 1800s, the wines made here helped establish Napa’s early reputation for quality. Eshcol Red is an authentic Bordeaux-style blend sourced primarily from the younger blocks of the main ranch.

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc

This red blend opens with bold fruit-forward aromas of blackberry and dried cherry. On the palate, bright red fruit gives way to modest tannins and nicely balanced acidity, making it ready to open for almost any occasion.

Trefethen Family Vineyards

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

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

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

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

Ripe, warm and generous on the nose with abundant plum and cherry aromas, roasted coffee beans and hints of dried fruits. Full bodied and richly flavoured with berry and plum fruit, wild cherry acidity and a hint of dark chocolate. Supple tannins lead to a spicy finish, with the characteristic dry bite of good Amarone.

Montressor

La Despensa Wines from Chile’s Colchagua Valley is owned, organically-farmed and operated by Matt Ridgway, originally from Dorset, and his Chilean wife Ana

Grenache and Syrah harvested together and co-fermented in concrete with native yeast. Pulp and skins from Roussanne which was harvested for a straight white wine 10 days earlier (also co-fermented). Mourvèdre comes in 2.5 weeks later and with much lower Brix so we leave some Grenache and Syrah hanging to over-ripen and co-ferment with the Mourvèdre. This helps reduce the green notes that Mourvèdre can sometimes produce. The blend is made as soon as all the wine is pressed. Aged in concrete (lined, so neutral).

Fresh and easy drinking with the acidity and tannins to help the wine age over the years to come. Drink now or hold your peace for 5+ years! Grenache provides the fruit-forward part of the wine and also some grippy tannins, with Syrah adding structure and color. Mourvèdre adds elegance and finesse, and the Roussanne helps add some roundness and mouthfeel alongside a slightly tropical kick.

Hand-picked grapes. Open-top bin fermentation with native yeasts. 14 days from picking to pressing, no extended maceration. Some fairly typical savoury notes of tomato and sour cherry, but counter-balanced by the fruit-forward nature of the style of wines we produce. Tannins and acidity will help the wine age gracefully for several years or it can be enjoyed immediately.

Rich and smooth, vibrant berry aromas packed with cherry and redcurrant flavous, touch of cassis.

Domaine de la Bastide

Vibrant black fruit aromas with a touch of spice. On the palate layers of ripe plum, blackcurrant and juicy black cherry balance spicy, developed flavours. A well-structured and complex wine with ripe tannins and bright acidity on the finish.

Azienda Uggiano

Château Dauzac is a 5th growth Grand Cru Classé wine with 49 hectares of vineyard in a single continuous block. Labastide Dauzac is their second wine and is produced on clayey gravel conducive to the best expression of Merlot and the intensity of Cabernet Sauvignon, Labastide Dauzac is characterized by its great suppleness and fruitiness. True to the Margaux terroir, Labastide Dauzac is a well-balanced wine.

The 2016 vintage is extremely rich and precise without being excessive, revealing bright fruit and a dense and complex raw material. The high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon gives it an exceptional acidity/alcohol balance that is an indication of a great vintage.

Appearance: purplish red with purple tints.

Nose: the fruity nose is underlined by spices.

Palate: the attack is full, immediately conveying the pedigree of this balanced, complex wine. A precise Margaux with a fresh finish.

Château Dauzac

Immediately impressive, this wine reveals its class from the start. Brambly fruit underpinned by subtle oaky nuances, lovely sweet spice - warm star anise with a touch of cinnamon. This classic Côtes du Rhône Villages is enriched with specially-selected parcels from Séguret and Sablet.

Maison Roche de Bellene

Medium ruby red colour with a pure nose of ripe dark fruits, cherry, plum and sweet spices like ginger and aniseed supported with discreet oak. The palate is round and textured with a well balanced freshness, ending with a long and broad spicy finish.

Dark and concentrated in colour, this wine greets you on the nose with aromas of ripe red fruits, plums and pencil shavings which follow through onto the palate with chewy black cherries, sweet spices and tannins on the mid palate. The wine ends with a lingering umami finish.

Longridge Wine Estate

A medium bodied wine with a savoury nose and slight cedar characters. Ripe, yet soft tannins complement the aromas of plump dark, red fruit and ripe strawberries with a hint of dark chocolate and cocoa on the nose.

Longridge Wine Estate

An elegant, well rounded wine with soft juicy tannins, the nose offers sweet spices, cassis and ripe berries, sugared orange peel, rooibos and a smoky charcuterie character which follows through onto the palate, with a long and lingering aftertaste.

Longridge Wine Estate

Pure strawberry and blueberry fruit abound on the enticing nose. The palate is complex and layered with cinnamon, cherry tobacco and plum fruits. Finely structured tannins provide texture whilst a clean acidity maintains freshness. The finish is long and displays blueberry pancakes, sweet smoke and dark fruit.

Bodega Los Haroldos

Deep purple with shades of violet. Complex aromas of red fruits. Appealing notes of chocolate, coffee and tobacco from 6 months maturation in oak casks. Well balanced with intense red fruits in the mouth ripe tannins and a long finish.

Bodega Los Haroldos

Deep black fruit, raisins and toast. This is a very well structured wine with firm tannins and refreshing acidity, toasty cedar notes mingle well with bramble fruit and dark cherries. A long and complex finish.

Los Haroldos

A beautiful ruby colour. A clean nose with good intensity. Complex aromas of leather, ripe sweet fruit and herbs over a base of fine oak. Palate: Potent and juicy with structure and good tenacity. The finish shows lots of spice and is ample, complex, long and persistent.

Bodegas Luis Cañas

A great Argentinian Malbec offering aromas of red fruits and plums alongside floral and subtle, toasty vanilla notes; medium bodied in the mouth, the style here is soft, juicy and very well balanced with delicious red and dark berried fruits to the fore.