Red Wine

An excellent example of the high-quality viticulture of Maipú, Mendoza, this Baudrón Hormiga Negra Malbec comes from one of the most fascinating wine regions in the world. Located to the east of the Andes, Maipú is a privileged terroir with a desert climate ideal for growing grapes. The marked temperature variations between day and night, together with the well-drained, mineral-rich soils, give the wines a unique concentration and complexity. Made from 100% Malbec grapes, this vine is known for its ability to produce deep, full-bodied wines with intense aromas and a robust tannic structure. After the grapes are crushed and destemmed, the must undergoes controlled fermentation at temperatures between 25º and 29ºC, which preserves and enhances the fruity aromas without compromising the structure. Periodic pumping over during fermentation ensures optimal extraction of polyphenols and tannins, contributing to the smoothness and complexity of the wine. The result is a dark red wine with ruby highlights. The nose reveals a complex bouquet of red fruits, such as cherries and currants, with delicate notes of spices and vanilla. In the mouth, it is soft and velvety, with well-integrated tannins and a balanced acidity that supports the wine's freshness and structure. Although it is rich and structured, it maintains a balance that makes it enjoyable even when young. Perfect with cold cuts and red meat dishes, it is a wine that enhances rich and intense flavours. Its fruity notes and velvety structure go well with the fattiness of cured meats and red meats.

This is lovely, gluggable Primitivo from a sustainable winery in Puglia that is making excellent value wines for everyday drinking. Lots of Puglian celebration here. Redcurrants and ripe cherries on soft velvet. nice spice and supple tannins at the end. Medium to full body and very moreish.

Kate McIntyre is the queen of Mornington, consistently turning out the most critically acclaimed wines from this famous area near Melbourne. "A real treat of a wine, with rhubarb, beetroot, strawberry and spice flavours. A showboater, and while the stemmy character is a strong influence, I think it works brilliantly." 17.5 jancisrobinson.com (2014 Vintage)

Proper Crozes-Hermitage style Syrah - nice bright berry fruit, a bit of a dark chocolate bite, nice crisp acidity and tannin, tastes almost cool/minty. A satisfying meat wine.

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This classic Cabernet shows inviting flavours of blackberry, with hints of cocoa, almond and cedar. A full-bodied wine with excellent balance on the palate and a smooth lingering aftertaste, it just cries out for some lamb or beef steak. Really delicious.

2nd Wine of Ch Laroque, Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé. Made of 96% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc from vines more than 50 years old, the medium to deep garnet-purple coloured 2019 Les Tours de Laroque opens with pretty raspberry coulis, black cherries and warm plums scents with underlying fungi, black loam and cracked pepper hints plus a touch of beef drippings. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and fresh, with a firm line of grainy tannins, it delivers a graceful, earthy finish.

Ripe red fruits combine with interwoven oak to give touches of spice, cherries and a hint of licquorice. A beautifully elegant, lasting finish. 12 months in French oak & 6 months in American oak

This natural wine is chocca block packed full of bramble fruit notes with raspberry and blackberry dominating the aroma, smooth and juicy with complex notes of blueberry and moderate acidity and smooth tannins on the finish.

Explosion of red fruits on the nose, including raspberry, cherry and ripe strawberry. The palate is smooth and rich with very soft tannins and clean acidity. This is medium bodied with a pleasing finish.

Delicate colour with garnet tones. On the nose, aromas of cherry, wild strawberries and fresh blackcurrant. Elegant and smooth palate with fruity, smoky and minty hints.

Very light ruby colour, impressive aromas of dark cherry and wild berries with flavours bursting deep and pure on the palate. Intense and balanced with fine tannins and an expressive juicy finish. A delicious refreshing, light and juicy red that can be enjoyed lightly chilled.

A full-flavoured yet finely structured Cabernet of great appeal: black berries, dried leaves and fine gravelly tannin, reflect an outstanding year.

A stylish baby 'Super Tuscan' from Parri. For the style, a faily classical blend of equal parts Sangiovese and Merlot with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon also. Deep, silky, seamless and satistying. For those who like a nice glossy, rich wine but one that still has good tension and bite. Very satisfying indeed. Fattorie Parri is a family winery, started when Novello Parri bought the first estate, called Tenuta Corfecciano in 1950. In the following two decades, the family successively bought Tenuta Ribaldaccio, Tenuta Il Monte and finally in 1971 Il Urbana, where the winery is now located. Of the total of 180 hectares of estate, 60 are planted with vineyards, 35 with olive trees, grain is produced and the rest is planted with forest. All in all, a classic Italian company whose roots literally lie deep in the soil of the Tuscan landscape. The daily management of the 3 companies is in the hands of Luigi Parri, together with his nephew Andrea and niece Paola Cantini. Oenologist Giorgio Tarzariol has been responsible for making the wines since 1972.

Jancisrrobinson.com "Primary nose with dark fruits, mulberry and spice. Powerful and brooding palate with juicy red fruits and quite marked tannins. Simple but well put together. (AC)" Domaine de l’Oratoire Saint-Martin is an historical vineyard in Cairanne of 25 hectares, farmed according to organic and biodynamic standards. Cultivated for ten generations by the Alary family, the estate has reached iconic status in the region largely thanks to the work of brothers Frédéric and François Alary who took over the running of the estate in 1984. In the summer of 2020, the Alary family finally had to relinquish the property and, looking to ensure the continuity of this great Southern Rhône estate, chose Château Mont-Redon as their preferred buyer. Pierre Fabre of Mont-Redon is committed to the same farming and production principles that have given these wines cult status. With its steep slopes of yellow and blue clay soils (with a high active limestone percentage) this north-eastern part of Cairanne can truly be considered one of the Southern Rhône’s stand out regions. Vines are de-budded and pruned short, vineyards are grown organically and biodynamically and harvesting is by hand. Yields are inevitably low. Vineyards are old and consist of Grenache and a notably high proportion of Mourvèdre, unusual for the appellation, with Syrah making up the numbers. Vines are replanted using massale selections. In the winery fermentations are carried out naturally in large open top wooden fermenters and ageing is carried out for 18 months in neutral used oak hogsheads and tonneaux. Bottling is without fining or filtration so the wines can throw a deposit. From bud to bottle, every step of this wine-growing process is designed to highlight the outstanding terror of this part of the Rhône. These wines have a real sense of place. They are alive, clear, and drinkable. They age famously well, too.

A great value offer. A superb 'Classico' Barolo wine in the superb 2019 vintgage that is still under £40. A LOT of wine for the money. You really cannot go wrong here. "The 2019 Barolo has a pretty bouquet that is laced with light fruit, licorice and lots of blue flower. On the palate, the wine is mid-weight and lively. This is a nice expression of classic Nebbiolo that shows depth and elegance. It ferments with ambient yeasts and sees 40 days of extended maceration with submerged cap. This 29,400-bottle production represents a blend of fruit from seven sites: Altenasso and Solanotto in Castiglione Falletto, a part of Cerretta, the younger part of Bricco Voghera where the vines are from 55 to 60 years old, part of San Rocco, and Cerrati and Broglio in Serralunga d'Alba". Wine Advocate 93/100 "From 5.5 hectares in Castiglione Falletto, including a selection from Bricco Voghera - from which Luigi and Lorenzo Scavino usually pick the grapes for their Riserva. Here is a Barolo full of details: intense sweet violet and cinnamon aromas with smoky minerality, pomegranate and red currants. The freshness on the nose is allied to a lot of sucrosity on the palate, with lifted acidity and firm, dusty and even slightly rustic tannins. Good concentration for a village Barolo, and one of the greatest price-quality ratios". Decanter 92/100

This Cabernet Sauvignon has a dark purple colour with bright violet edges. On the nose, it has aromas of blueberries and cassis. The palate is rich, deep and intensely flavoured with blueberry and blackberry. It has soft powdery Cabernet tannins that are softened by smooth, mouth-filling fruit before an extended finish.

This is top-class. Silky, seductive and concentrated but with a light touch typical of the genre. From the website of UK agents Thorman Hunt: Domaine Grosbois is a 9h Domaine run by two brothers, Nicolas and Sylvain. Their family vineyard is located at a place called “The Pressoir” Panzoult in the Chinon appellation in the heart of the Loire Valley. Nicolas arrived at the family estate in 2008, after spending 10 years as a “flying winemaker” and having spent time in New Zealand, Australia, Chile and Oregon. After his time abroad, Nicolas strongly believes in not vinifying and ageing in wood, choosing concrete instead to preserve the freshness and vitality. No old oak has been used since 2015. Sylvain similarly spent time abroad in Chile, Oregon working for Domaine Drouhin and Australia. The brothers are passionate about organic viticulture and show their wines at The Raw Wine Fair. The Gabare cuvée comes from the old vines of a clay limestone vineyard. The grapes are destemmed and undergo a 2 to 3 day cold maceration. The wines undergo a 20 day cuvaison in concrete tanks and are then also aged in concrete.

Teal Lake has done an excellent job with this Blend. It is a Dry Red wine from Australia. It is Mevushal under the supervision of the OU

A great introduction to serious Burgundy. The palate is ample and delicious with spicy aromas of licorice and vanilla. The tannins are in harmony and the finish has a nice sweetness.

Jancisrobinson.com 17/20 "62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. pH 3.75, 60% new oak. Barrel sample. Deepest purple. Dark and stony, lovely slaty nose. Firm, chalky, dense and still with lovely freshness. Not the same richness as the 2009 but with great purity and definition. More serious, less seduction. Long and great structure. So pure in its dark cassis fruit. Cool with a touch of liquorice on the finish. (JH)" Parker 91-93/100 "Deep purple-black in color, it leaps from the glass with vibrant scents of black raspberries, kirsch and fresh blackcurrants with nuances of cedar chest, pencil lead and forest floor plus a waft of lavender. Full-bodied, rich and packed with juicy fruit, it has a firm line of grainy tannins and loads of freshness, finishing with a herbal lift."

Garnet in colour, mostly opaque and bright. The nose takes a few minutes to open and then shows cherries and black cherries with some spice. On the palate, this is full bodied with a nice nice texture. Lots of black cherry fruit. A bit of anise on the long finish. Blind, I think I would have guessed Oregon or maybe California here due to all the ripe fruit. Still quite young, perhaps another two or three years will calm it down for those looking for more elegance. I quite enjoyed this as is. It will continue to drink nicely for a decade. Great on its own, this will work well with classic Pinot dishes such as roasted duck.

Poised and perfectly balanced, this intense purple- black wine has a harmonious bouquet of red and black berries, with soft and sweet tannins on the finish.