Red Wine

17/20 Jancis Robinson 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Includes the unclassified parcels of Angélus as well as those in St-Christophe-des-Bardes and in proximity to Figeac. First vintage from the new cellar in St-Magne-de-Castillon. Suave and concentrated with very fine tannins providing a textural plus and impressive length on the finish. Aromatically subdued, the oak (prise de bois) dominating at present. But serious and precise with a tannic frame for ageing.

Serious Riserva. Wonderful depth and interest - all for under twenty quid! Aged for three years in 30hl oak barrels, this Sangiovese is complex, interesting, deep and long - all the while keeping things bright and classical. An utter bargain. Chianti Montespertoli is one of seven sub-denominations incorporated in the Chianti DOCG since 1984. 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.

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.

Wine Advocate 93 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. Decanter 92 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.

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.

17.5/20 Jancis Robinson 72% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc. Very deep colour, blacker and less blue than 2019. Intense, savoury nose with masses of intrigue. A big Merlot-dominated wine with lots of initial sweetness but no excess. Really very impressive indeed! And with tannins almost completely hidden. Maybe not quite the most beautiful finish, but otherwise pretty perfect. You really could drink this now.

jancisrobinson.com 16/20 "Jaen, Alfrocheiro, Tinto Roriz and Touriga Nacional from different vineyards. Gentle and lively – bitter red-cherry flavours. Nice grip on the end together with a certain sourness." Parker 90/10 "... a sensation of a little more ripeness despite the lower alcohol. It’s from a warmer year and has a different quality of tannins. It's also a blend of the younger vines and was fermented in stainless steel and matured in used oak barrels and vats. It's slightly more rustic and has a bitter twist in the finish."

The altitude cools this otherwise super-deep wine. A true high-altitude Barossa classic. Founded 1972 by the legendary David Wynn. 550m above sea level, Mountadam is to this day the highest estate in South Australia and harvest can take place a full month later than in the lower Eden and Barossa Valley. Winemaker is Phil Lehmann - another legend!

"Stellar old vine Carignan that is supple, savoury and deeply gorgeous. Yves Falmet's varietal selections from his extraordinary single bank of vines in Creissan, Saint-Chinian go from strength to strength. Make sure you check them all out". Stewart Travers, Senior Buyer

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."

74% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark, intense nose, blackcurrants in black velvet. Blackberries and box leaf and some charred chocolate undertones. Dry, polished, disciplined tannins. Every flavour component is carried by and testament to balance of fruit concentration, tannic structure and freshness. Has a dark gleam and focus.

Creamy aromas. Intense, juicy, and long. Very well formed tannin, perfectly ripe fruit (blueberries, chocolate, and cedar), with balanced acid and alcohol. Hugely expressive, long, and fresh. 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 60% new oak. Full bodied, really sumptuous, well made and Bordelais.

A dark ruby/purple color, attractive raspberry and blueberry fruit, a floral character, noteworthy elegance and undeniable purity and texture make for a complex, mid-weight, delicious Quinault from the owners of Cheval Blanc.

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.

Cloudy Bay crafts some of New Zealand's finest wine. The cool-climate Marlborough is almost too generous to the demanding Pinot Noir grape. Here, the trailblazing winery has created this silk-smooth 92 Parker Point 2017 vintage that's loaded with raspberry, strawberry and cola. A deliciously sweet hint of spice lingers on the finish.

Full bodied, concentrated and with a lush character to the tannins, the fruit is ripe, sweet and fresh. There is a sweetness and purity to the dark red berries that tastes and feels great. On the palate, the blackberries, earth, licorice and spice continue the experience. Drink a bottle young for its youthful vibrancy and save the rest for at least a decade, which is when this beauty will just start to shine its lights brightly.

Black to the dark-crimson rim. Open and aromatic: black cherry, blueberry, some oak spice and vanilla but not too much. Powerful, compact, dry but still balanced and finishes fresh. Big and chewy but still harmonious.

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.

Elegant, fresh cherry and red berry nose with undergrowth melange. The palate is pure with lovely texture and sweet cherry fruit dominates with spicy undertones. The wine is fresh and intense with real vibrancy.

Corvinone, Corvina, and cab sauv blend from the Veneto region. Nose of rose petal, black fruit, bit jammy with some pepper there. Palate is full bodied, full tannin, medium acid with a grippy Velcro style tannin. Lots of black fruit namely blackberry and berry compote, leather, subtle cocoa, red apple skin giving acidity and structure and a nice minerality strewn throughout. Dry with a medium+ finish. Great value for a baby Amarone.

Intense, almost black, red colour. Aromas of red and black wild berries, truffle, paprika, pepper and clove. The round and silky body so characteristic of ripe Carménère offers a pleasant, persistent and full experience