12-18

Very few places are capable of making high quality Pinot Noir. This one is exceptional.

Bitter dark cherry and ripe mulberry on the nose. Juicy red fruit and red plum skin flavours on the palate, super soft tannins. Light and easy drinking, perfect summer red for sipping on the verandah. 

Country: Austria

Region: Ried Windleutehn, Niederosterreich

ABV: 12%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Food Match: Will match well with just about anything because of soft tannins and fruitiness, even slightly spicy dishes.

Mittelbach Gottfried

Meet Cabaret Frank & his Fabulous Facial Furniture! A 'proper' wine that, for the money, is generous on all fronts. 

Made predominantly from Old Vine Cabernet Franc, the balance of Cabernet Sauvignon brings out even more of the finesse to this wine. Full, rich and dark with cherry fruits and a smoky twist.

Country: USA

Region: Lodi, California

ABV: 14%

Grapes: 85% Cabernet Franc 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

In The Vineyard:  The Cabernet Franc grapes are harvested from 'old vines' (35 years) sourced from the world's largest grower of this varietal, which is located in Lodi, Central California

This Primitivo is a bright ruby red in colour. On the nose, aromas of black cherry and violets leap from the glass. The palate is soft and smooth with notes of sweet black cherries and blackcurrant fruits combined with notes of cinnamon and cloves supported by lovely soft tannins. Well balanced with a fresh acidity and a long, fruity finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Abruzzo

Grapes: Primitivo

ABV: 14%

Organic

Biodynamic

Argentina's famous Malbec, blended with the lesser known Bonarda grape variety, giving this wine a delightful twist of individuality compared to other Malbec wines.

Dark, damson and savoury overtones on the palate with a smoothly rounded finish – a delightful expression of a huge, brambly Malbec

Country: Argentina

Region: Mendoza

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: 60% Malbec 40% Bonarda

Malbec needs no introduction, and has become as closely associated with Argentinian wine as Pepperoni is to Pizza! - well in my mind (and stomach) it is……! Bonarda on the other hand is a lesser known ‘ingredient’ of Argentina’s wines. More often thought of as a grape variety originating in the Piemonte region of Italy, however arguments abound about whether this grape variety in Argentina is actually the same as the Italian one. Who cares, unless you are studying for a doctorate in Ampelography (the study of grape vine identification). All we care about is that it makes delicious wines and when combined with Malbec it offers a uniquely Argentine experience.

Inviting creamy nose with aromas of orange zest, fresh meadows and apples. Lively palate with flavours of citrus and quince. An incredibly charming and funky wine.

Country: Austria

Region: Niederosterreich

Grapes: Gruner Veltliner

ABV: 12.5%

Ripe, rich and complex red. Intense ruby-red, with a bouquet reminiscent of cherry, dried fruit, chocolate and prune; the palate is full-bodied, soft and round, with a  toasted spice and lingering finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

Grapes: Primitivo

ABV: 14.5%

From the true masters of Cape Cabernet - the benchmark Stellenbosch Cab. 2015 was the winner of platter 5* best Cabernet Sauvignon in South Africa.

This is the only red wine produced by Le Riche that is not 100% Cabernet. A reincarnation of Le Riche's classic Cab Merlot blend, this is an exceptionally lovely, classically Bordelaise blend. Restrained but appealing on the nose with typical red fruit aromas of plum, cherries and milled pepper are balanced by an aroma of finely ground graphite found in Left Bank Bordeaux. The palate is a masterpiece of blending - hugely appealing with juicy mouth-filling flavours of red berries, plums and smoky hints balanced with a fine, soft tannic structure and rounded finish. Finely structured and phenomenally fine, Christo Le Riche has more than stepped into his father’s shoes!

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

ABV: 14.5%

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Petit Verdot

Le Riche Wine

The backbone of the range, it’s a phenomenal expression of Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon when it’s allowed a maritime influence, and it is this that sets it apart and marks it as truly Bordelaise. With carefully selected fruit from the cool gravelly slopes facing False Bay to the rich red granitic soils around Stellenbosch, the wine gains its complexity by expertly blending fruit from 4 specifically diverse terroirs. 

A vibrant red wine with aromas of tobacco, dark cherry, rich red forest fruits and floral notes of lavender and violet. The palate has hints of white truffle, hazelnut, and warm spices with glimpses of anise and clove, rounded off with herbaceous undertones. The finish is gripping, velvety and lingering.

Country: Lebanon

Region: Mount Lebanon and Bekaa Valley

Grapes: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Grenache & Mourvèdre

ABV: 13.5%

Produced at the historic Monastery of St Jean, whose building dates back to 1696. 75% of the grapes are from the Monastery’s own vineyards in Khenshara & Ajaltoun at 1000m altitude on the Maritime side of Mount Lebanon. The remaining 25% is Cabernet Sauvignon from the Bekaa Valley.

Food match: Moroccan lamb tagine

A deep dense blockbuster from 40+ year old vines. 

This Malbec is possibly even juicier, fresher and tastier still!. Bright on the nose with ripe blackberry plum fruit and sweet spice. The palate is silky and warming with more black fruit and cherries. The wine is vibrant with an alluring blend of fruit along with clove, pepper and cinnamon spice finished off with well-structured integrated tannins. A great wine with structure balance and elegance.

Country: Argentina

Region: Mendoza

ABV: 14%

Grapes: Malbec

Bright and crisp, with aromas of nettles, blackcurrant leaf, melon, grapefruit and white pepper. Hooray for quality English Wine!

Country: England

Region: West Sussex

Grapes: Bacchus

ABV: 11.5%

Saperavi is tipped to be the 'new Malbec' by a few well known wine critics. This ripe, Georgian red is full of red cherry and mulberry aromas and flavours, with layers of vanilla. Wonderful, soft rounded tannins with a long, juicy finish.

Country: Georgia

Region: Kakheti

Grapes: Saperavi

ABV: 13%

Food Matches: Red meat dishes, stews and casseroles, roast lamb or mature hard cheeses.

Read all about Penny's recent trip to the cradle of wine, Georgia in her blog here.

George Margvelashvili is the founder at Tbilvino Wines - where this delicious wine is made. Established 60 years ago, and over this period Tbilvino have become one of Georgia’s pioneering producers. Almost dormant at the end of the Soviet era, the winery was acquired by the Margvelashvili brothers, who set out to restore the facilities, and moved away from quantity to quality production.

Refreshing like a white wine, with the complexity of red wine. This orange wine is made by leaving the grape skins and seeds in contact with the pressed juice, creating a deep orange-hued finish. The wine ferments naturally without the addition of yeasts, sulphur or any other additions. The different varieties are then blended and before a natural cold stabilisation, and bottled unfiltered and unfined.

Country: Romania

Region: Viile Timisului

Grapes: Feteasca Alba 51%, Sauvignon Blanc 19%, 30% Other

ABV: 12.5%

Delicately sweet and elegant Riesling from the Speck family in Ontario. Peach, apricot and honey blossom notes with a long mineral finish.

Country: Canada

Region: Niagara Peninsula

Grapes: Riesling

ABV: 11.5%

Food Match: Sweet Potato Curry

From estate owned vineyards in Victoria, Australia; the Heilan Coo is a silky Shiraz based blend with a touch of spicy Mataro, finished with a (cow) lick of toasty oak.

Country: Australia

Region: Victoria

ABV: 14%

Grapes: Shiraz, Mataro

A pretty pale-yellow gold tints. Floral aromas and a touch of citrus come through on the nose, which develops buttery and brioche-like notes with age. Full and supple on the palate, long finish.

Country: France

Region: Burgundy

Grapes: Chardonnay

ABV: 12%

Jaffelin Wine

Food match: Great with smoked salmon and cream cheese canapés

This wine represents phenomenally good value for money! Soft, red berry fruit and silky tannins, very moreish.

Country: France

Region: Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 12.5%

Jaffelin Wine

Forget your usual idea of Valpolicella being light and thin...this is a Valpol' on steroids. The Ripasso winemaking method is the equivalent of a month down the weightlifting gym!

Typical aromas of Valpolicella; cherry, red berries, a hint of rose petals, but then the flavour gives so much more generosity and richness. Moving towards black cherry, bramble and rich warming spice. Such an expressive and delicious wine.

Country: Italy

Region: Valpolicella

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Corvina, Rondinella

A class above 'standard' Valpolicella, this wine is made by the Ripasso (or repassed) method of winemaking. The grape skins that have been used to make Amarone or Recioto wines are taken and added to the Valpolicella. This results in a further period of fermentation giving more alcohol, greater flavour and intensity and richness. 

Luminous Red with purple reflections, this elegant and finely textured wine displays aromas of dark fresh plum, cinnamon, exotic spices, black pepper and tobacco. The firm yet gentle tannins add complexity and a long and lingering finish. 

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

Grape: Nero di Troia

ABV: 13 %

Deliciously rich and fruity with notes of blackberry, plum and black cherry. Malbec grapes come from carefully selected vineyards in Mendoza. Bonarda grapes and stainless steel vinification result in a fruiter and fresher wine. Deep, brooding and dark. Big fruit, big spice, big flavours.

Country: Argentina

Region: Mendoza

Grapes: Malbec and Bonarda

ABV: 13.5%

A top Malbec from one of Argentina’s most respected wineries. Full-bodied and richly flavoured Malbec at its best!

Full bodied with great concentration of vanilla, mocha, blackberries, sweet spices & cloves. The palate is rich and warming with notes of vanilla, black fruit, plums & cherries, as well as hints of leather. Enjoy with a juicy steak - just as they would in Argentina!

Country: Argentina

Region: Mendoza

ABV: 14%

Grapes:  Malbec

Nieto Senetiner has grown to become one of the leading stars of Mendoza. The vineyards and winery were developed in 1969 and continue to be extended and updated. Nieto have vineyards in virtually all of the best sub districts of Mendoza from which they produce typical and classic wines, characterised by the uniquely appealing balance of power and finesse that defines the best wines of Mendoza. The top wines come from very old vineyards in the famed subdistrict of Agrelo and are fully deserving of their iconic status

What an amazing wine!

Wonderfully rich and fleshy Chenin from hand harvested bush vine grown grapes in Paarl. Wild Yeast fermented and zero intervention this wine develops in the glass. We suggest not to over chill this wine and, if you can resist finishing the bottle, definitely give this a try on the second day of opening for an ethereal experience! 

Country: South Africa

Region: Paarl

Grapes: 100% Chenin Blanc

ABV: 13%

https://www.wildeberg.co.za/

Crushed laurel on the nose with more than a nuance of residual seaside salt.... or if you want a less pretentious description...bl**dy delicious!

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

ABV: 13%

Vegan, Vegetarian friendly

Biodynamic

Waterkloof Wine

This has a big and textured palate with stone fruit and fennel hints – it is rich and minerally, showing even a slight rocky quality about it. As bracing as the wind through the vines at Waterkloof.

Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004 this majestic and fully-fledged biodynamic estate is perched high on top of hill overlooking the Western Cape’s False Bay and produces delicately fine wines with a real sense of place.

Dry and clean with crunchy green and red apple flavours with juicy peach, mango and melon adding roundness and some lovely lemon to keep it all fresh 

Country: Spain

Region:  Rías Baixas

Grapes: Albariño

ABV: 13%

Food match: Calamari or fish and chips

Classic and classy Californian Zin. 

Smooth and supple with notes of blackberry mingled with gentle spice and soft vanilla. A lovely soft finish. A great wine to partner with charcuterie or cheese platters.

Country: USA

Region: Lodi

ABV: 14%

Grapes: Zinfandel

Intense ruby-red, with a bouquet reminiscent of cherry, dried fruit, chocolate and prune; the palate is full-bodied, soft and round, with a spiciness and lingering finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grapes: Corvina, Merlot

ABV: 14.5%