Red Wine

95 points Wine Advocate "The soils are calcareous rocks with a little bit of topsoil to keep some freshness and control the Cabernet tannins. The wine has the granular tannins of Cabernet, the only giveaway of the grapes used, as the sense of place seems to be more intense than the fruit. There is more ripeness in this 2012. This is a great expression of the calcareous soils through Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink 2015-2025. "

Slinky smooth with ruby-bright fruit

A lovely blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, that is made without oak for young drinking, more in a Loire mould than Bordeaux. It's fresh and fruity, very easy to drink on its own or with steak, sausages, cutlets. A real joy, and a bargain.

Mid ruby, garnet rim, ripe and juicy, sweet fruit, lovely and a bargain for real Pauillac.

The sexiest Cab-based Tuscan, no contest. Decanter 95. Parker 95 "beautiful... profound elegance of this classic vintage... layer after layer of dark fruit, oak spice, chocolate...tobacco... a big personality".

A combination of black berries, eucylyptus and mocha flavours. A medium to full bodied wine with soft tannins.

94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot Instantly recognisable as South African Cab. on the nose. Herbaceous, blackcurrant leaf characters. Multi-dimensional. Charming, polished, square tannins. Enjoyable. Warming finish on a wave of fruit. Oak helps the structure, but isn’t overt or obvious at all. Hang on for three years.

A rich effort from this well-known property in St Christoly. Lovely rich mouthfeel, ripe and tannic with a luscious long finish. Low acidity suggests drinking this wine young, say 2018-2023.

Demonstrating Bolgheri’s ability to produce an original & easily recognizable Bordeaux blend, grapes for Le Sondraia come from the first vineyard Allegrini bought in Bolgheri which is just next door to the world famous Ornellaia. Sondraia has quickly become a classic in the Bolgheri area. Perfectly ripe grapes & painstaking work in the cellar yield a wine with intense fresh dark fruit notes complemented by smoky tobacco, herbs & sweet spices. These characteristics follow on to the palate which is silky smooth & profoundly elegant. After 18 months in barrique & a further nine months in bottle, the wine was released.

Finca Decero is a highly acclaimed, Swiss family-owned, single-vineyard wine estate located at 1050 metres altitude in the Agrelo sub-appellation of Mendoza, Argentina. Finca Decero’s Remolinos Vineyard has garnered a strong following for silky, elegant and balanced wines. Nurtured ‘from scratch’, the approach is sensitive to the environment and natural attributes of the unique Remolinos Vineyard. Their focus on sustainability transcends not only vineyard and production methods but also extends to their team and community. Finca Decero’s business social responsibility program has been recognized amongst the foremost of Argentina. This Cabernet Sauvignon has classic notes of cassis and some cherry and red fruit flavours with a freshness throughout. The wine has supple integrated tannins, from 14 months in French oak barrels. A medium-bodied, elegant style of Cabernet Sauvignon.

All estate fruit from the original Monte Bello estate, from lots considered not inferior, but more suitable for early consumption rather than the grand vin's 30-yr window approach. So, effectively the 2nd wine of Monte Bello. Minimal intervention as ever, natural and organic. 20 months in air-dried American oak, half new. The first vintage from these vineyards was 1892, and the oldest vines making this wine were planted in 1949. Eric the winemaker, visiting us in Cambridge, tipped us off that this is a smart buy.

Philosphie, is winemaker Matt Copeland's attempt to marry the mind, the heart and the soil as we celebrate the diversity of Vondeling. Rich, svelte and sensuous, the smooth, textured tannins are bold but rounded. There is both dark and red berry fruit with an underlying black olive savouriness. The acidity adds verve and balance, while lending length and poise. 4.5 stars (94 points) Platter's 2021 South Africa Wine Guide - "Low yields, careful barrel selection & fine 2015 vintage align in rich, concentrated cab-led Bordeaux blend. Seamless & polished, with fine dry tannins, 100% French oak in sync with fruit intensity. Like 2014, deserves ageing."

The desire to nurture the Estate’s exceptional qualities has shaped Ornellaia’s philosophy since the beginning. Ornellaia is a cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot and the faithful expression of unique terroir developed in harmony with nature. “Ornellaia 2017 masterfully interprets what was a particularly warm and sunny year. The intense and dark colour heralds a wine of beautiful concentration; the nose, rich and complex, releases scents of ripe red fruits, accompanied by notes of sweet tobacco and vanilla. The taste reveals an Ornellaia of great balance, a combination of firmness and pleasant freshness.” Olga Fusari – Winemaker – July 2019

Rosabrook Wines was one of the first wine producing pioneers of the Margaret River wine region. Full and juicy on the palate, flavours of blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry are underpinned by ripe tannins and a touch of smokey oak. Very silky smooth on the finish with notes of minty eucalyptus.

A wine made from a single walled vineyard within the 2nd growth Ch Leoville Las Cases, adjacent to Ch Latour. The It has a very intense bouquet, the more fruit-driven of all the Saint Julien 2012s with layers of black cherries and cranberry fruit, an undercurrent of autumn leaves and cigar box. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition: smooth and very harmonious,

Lovely BIG and smooth. A blend of 9 different Cabernet vineyards from 3 different areas, ranging from 116m above sea level to 755m. Related to the Swartland Revolution where Rhone blends were taking over from the Bordeaux blends of Stellenbosch, Cabernet suddenly became branded 'uncool', so Pieter thought he would devote some time to the iconic grape variety. Wines from each vineyard were vinified separately and bottled under each vineyard name and then the BIG blend was created to show the true character of a South African Cabernet Sauvignon. With stunning black fruit, sweet peppery spice, fine tannin and good acidity, this is a very drinkable wine that shows complexity and liveliness. A wine where each sip stays as interesting as the first. Love this. The fruit from each site was fully destemmed fruit and separately (some of the fruit was still being picked while other batches had long since been in barrel) went through wild yeast fermentation and ageing in a combination of 225l and 300l used oak barrels for 18 months.

Made by all female star team of owner Lindsay Hoopes, Anne Vauter (ex Screaming Eagle) and Jennifer Rue this has richness and eleganc in equal measure. Extended barrel ageing has softened the wine, as has some bottle age, making it exquisite to drink now. It will keep but why wait?

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.

The oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard on the Rustenberg estate is named the Peter Barlow block and consistently produces powerful, long-lived Cabernet Sauvignon that is given the best possible treatment in the cellar. Concentrated cassis, black cherries and some herbaceousness can be found on the nose and palate. Rustenberg recommend decanting Peter Barlow before drinking. This wine is from the vintage our buyer Alice Archer worked as a cellar rat.

Valle de Uco, one of the leading areas of Mendoza. Zuccardi Q Cabernet Sauvignon is a wonderfully full wine with rich concentrated cassis fruit merged with chocolate, coffee and herbs. Great complexity and length.

Tzingarella (Gypsy Girl) is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Merlot (40%), Cabernet Franc (15%), and Colorino (5%) from their younger vineyards. This wine is pleasurable upon release, but can also be aged for greater complexity. This medium-bodied wine is packed with fruit that is richly complex and smooth. Its tannins, acidity and cherry soul are unmistakably Tuscan with the added character of fresh cassis, blackberries and minerality characteristic of Bordeaux

The Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with 5% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. This is hand sorted, removing anything that could impart green flavors, with a cold soak of seven to ten days at eight Celsius with a daily remontage, the fruit covered in dry ice to prevent oxidation. The malolactic is in tank as Andres van Rensberg vigorously eschews brettanomyces. It has a very composed bouquet with black fruit, melted tar with cracked black pepper. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, quite austere in style with a cedar and sandalwood tinged finish.

"I really thought during harvest was that it would be a Cabernet vintage," said Thomas Duroux, "but we rediscovered our Merlot when we started to work on the blends in December. We had a few rot problems mainly with Merlot because the rain at the end of August left the skins very fragile. Ten per cent of the crop was rejected at the sorting table. IPT is the same as in 2005 but the wine has a totally different expression, less flamboyant. Ch Margaux’s Merlots are at the bottom of the croupe but ours are on Cabernet terroir so we perhaps can use them more often." Very, very deep crimson. Very intense and nervy, impressive on the nose but more obviously big and fruity than the more delicate Ch Margaux. Probably a wise decision to choose another track. Slightly charred and smoky. Round and fresh and very beguiling. Real lift and only the slightest hint of inkiness on the finish. Bravo! Very fine tannins; very suave and polished with good density while still being Margaux. Very sweet . Hints of modern idiom but very gentle. Super silky texture. Sinewy, but polished sinews! 18/20 Jancis Robinson

Heartland is made and part owned by Ben Glaetzer who is one of the most talented winemakers in Australia. Fruit is sourced by Ben's father John, and comes from some excellent vineyards. Langhorne Creek is one of Australia’s most ideal climates for growing Cabernet Sauvignon and has the oldest recorded Cabernet vines in the world. The Heartland Cabernet Sauvignon is elegant, with gorgeous length of flavour matched by mouthfeel and layers of black cherry, black currant and sweet spice.

A huge, berry-scented mouthful; a blend of mostly cab, with merlot and petit sirah in supporting roles. Silky but crisp with wild blackberry and currant, the wine shows ripe fruit and ripe tannins and is a bargain at the price point for a wine made from mainly Oakville (Screaming Eagle country) fruit.

Deep garnet in the glass. Earthy, some spice on the nose. Black berry and dark berry upfront on the palate. Balanced with oak, freshly cut wood. Fresh tobacco leaves. Sticky tannins. Full bodied, medium high acidity. Medium length finish

Decanter Magazine Outstanding (95-97pts) December 2020 "Reserved plum and blackberry nose. Plump and svelte, concentrated and fleshy, with fine-grained tannins and enough acidity to give some persistence. Well made. Dark chocolate finish." WINE ENTHUSIAST 90 points || This wine is a richly layered and softly approachable expression of the variety. Blackberry, plum and caramel are wrapped in a viscous, velvety texture that lasts through an impressive finish. Before grapes dominated the landscape, the oak studded Napa Valley provided rich grazing land for sprawling horse and cattle ranches. Black Stallion is located on the historic Silverado Trail in Napa Valley`s Oak Knoll District, and was once home to the Silverado Equestrian Center, an indoor arena that welcomed up to 3,000 visitors. The property`s name pays homage to this equestrian history, and today its 32 hectares cover some of Napa`s most prestigious vineyards. Dedicated to producing small-batch, site-specific Cabernet Sauvignon, they have built a stellar reputation for their age worthy, expressive wines with dense, dark berry fruit and medium high acidity. Since acquiring the property in 2010, the Delicato family have expanded the range to include a Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir, as well as a Limited Edition range that includes a Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. All these wines are sourced from a selection of exceptional Napa vineyards and adhere to the same principles that made Black Stallion`s original Cabernets famous. In the cellar, winemaker Ralf Holdenried treats each lot gently and individually, from vineyard to fermentation to barrel. Each wine is blended from dozens of individual lots to express its varietal character and the diversity of the Napa Valley.

Catena is one of the quality leaders in Argentina and it's also a large winery, so they combine quality and quantity. Furthermore, they are one of the pioneers: They were the first to plant vineyards in Gualtallary, which is nowadays considered one of the highest potential zones in the country, but they were deemed crazy when they planted there.

An array of characters such as violets, oregano & thyme, along with glacé cherry Sweet ripe cherry fruit dominates the front palate which then develops into a more savoury wine, showing earthiness, toasted spices and lovely dried herb characters.

Big, rich and velvety like a decent Margaux should be with a modern glossy feel on the palate. Designed for earlier drinking as a second wine, with extended barrel ageing. Delicious fruit, ample weight and body, ripe tannins.

The 2016 Ch d'Arsac is charming, with summer pudding aroma, bright and juicy palate and some structural tannin. It should drink very well 2021-2028.

16.5 points CWM and Julia Harding jancisrobinson.com "Mid cherry red. Lovely cherry fragrance too. Cool and silky. Relatively lightweight but fine and gentle on the palate. Pretty and elegant. The producer was worried that this was a lighter-tasting sample than the rest and the second bottle was indeed firmer and richer. Bravo"

First Class rating from CWM "Sweet blackcurrant nose, creaminess on palate, jam packed, but structured fruit, tannin, and acidity" Also loved by Wine Advocate's Neal Martin who awarded it 91-93 points who calls it 'gorgeous, seductive and a temptress of St Estephe'.

A rich effort from this well-known property in St Christoly. Lovely rich mouthfeel, ripe and tannic with a luscious long finish. Low acidity suggests drinking this wine young, say 2018-2023.

Founded in 1870 and owned by the Meffre family since 1961 Chateau du Glana remains one of the very few Saint Julien properties outside the 1855 Grand Cru Classification. As such it offers great value as everything is carried out to the same standard as a Grand Cru; the vineyards are next to 3rd Growth Ch Lagrange, 40% new oak is used and the grapes are extremely well tended. The 2014 vintage is a lovely wine, now ready to drink and very moreish. Big blackcurrant flavours, good ripesness of fruit and tannin, long and velvety. Lovely

A rich effort from this well-known property in St Christoly. Lovely rich mouthfeel, ripe and tannic with a luscious long finish. Low acidity suggests drinking this wine young, say 2014-2021.

Decanter Award 5 stars Feb 2012 "Restrained aromas suggesting a fine depth, offering black fruit, chocolate and earth. Smooth and substantial entry with a refined thickness on the mid-palate... lots of class and a great future. Drink from 2014."

16+/20 Jancis Robinson "68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Dark crimson. Very classic savoury nose. Mid weight with lift on the end. No suggestion of sweetness or charm, but this should really appeal to classicists in search of a good-value alternative to St-Estèphe."