Bold Reds

Gorgeous garnet colour. Aromas of roasted beetroot, rosemary, sun dried tomato, and ripe figs with a round, vibrant, fruity palate. Flavours of pomegranate reduction, chocolate and fresh coffee. Savoury, black olive finish. A balanced, complex Amarone with a rustic charm.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grapes: Corvina, Rondinella

ABV: 14.5%

Amarone also known as Amarone della Valpolicella - a powerful red wine from Italy's Veneto region. It is made from the same grapes as Valpolicella: with Corvina and Rondinella as the main varieties, other grapes used are Molinara, Corvinone and Dindarella.

Intense and rich with soft, sweet tannins. 

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

Grapes: Negroamaro, Primitivo

ABV: 14.5%

Made with naturally dried grapes - this is the Appassimento method.

Champions of Biodiversity and Sustainable Biodynamic Farming.

A hugely compelling wine. Deeply refined single estate expression showing bounds of character, finesse, length, breadth and structure - it really does have it all! A classically styled wine with notes of cassis and cedar. The seamless, elegant palate is encased by fine tannins.

A harmonious and integrated blend that combines the spiciness of the Syrah, the fresh fruits of the Petit Verdot and the juiciness from the Merlot. The beginning is fresh and fruity with good acidity, evolving into riper flavours and herbaceous notes, with elegant tannins and fine, bright acid in the finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

ABV: 14.5%

Grapes: 56% Syrah, 27% Petit Verdot, 17% Merlot

Organic, Biodynamic

Waterkloof Wine

WATERKLOOF estate was founded in 2004, ending Paul Boutinot’s persistent and uncompromising 10 year search for a vineyard site with the potential to produce truly fine wine with a defining sense of origin. Located on the south-facing slopes of Schapenberg Hill near Somerset in the Stellenbosch district of the Western Cape’s Coastal Region, Waterkloof shares its magnificent Atlantic views with free-roaming peacocks and other natural fauna and flora attracted to this haven. Certified by Demeter in 2015, their vineyards are of only a few in the Cape to boast official biodynamic approval and status. The estate has 56 hectares under vine and Tim Atkin’s Cape Classification currently ranks Waterkloof as 5th Growth level. With production around 165,000 bottles per year, Waterkloof make “honest wines” from their unique biodynamic coastal site. Respect for nature, traditional winemaking practices and minimal intervention are all key to their success.

One of the top 10 most sought after Tuscan wines.

An intense red - floral and dark fruit notes, well-balanced with a ripe and explosive finish. Stunning. 

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

The winemaker from Baron Rothschild-Lafite, Christian Le Somme, visits once a month and, by working closely with Alessandro Cellai (from Castellare di Castellina) they are able to maintain the essential Italian character of Tuscany, through the plantings of Sangiovese combined with the power and mid-palate weight of Cabernet and Merlot.

Situated between Gavorrano and Ribolla in the rossetto province in Maremma, the soils have similar characteristics to those of Chianti and Montalcino, but with slightly higher temperatures, so are able to reach maturation earlier compared to those territories further north. The winery was designed by the Shard's architect, Renzo Piano, one of the most admired architects in the world, and named in Time Magazine’s Top 10 most influential people working in the Arts.

It has the biggest barrel room in the world, with only 20% of the winery above ground. The winery runs completely on environmental principles: electricity powered by solar panels and gravity-led production, and the underground barrel cellar allows natural air conditioning and saves energy.

'Baby Chateauneuf Du Pape' A rich fruity wine that is made easy to drink with smooth tannins and an elegant finish. The harvest is hand-picked, meticulously sorted and 100% destemmed. It’s a traditional vinification with temperature control. No yeast added.

Country: France

Region: Rhone Valley

Grapes: Grenache, Syrah

ABV: 14 %

 Organic

Food: Best enjoyed with grilled red meat, especially lamb.

Complex nose with hints of spice, chocolate and mocha. Good structure with plum and mineral complexity and a lingering finish.

Country: South African wine

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet & Malbec

ABV: 14%

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

A South African Merlot packed full of delicious flavours. 

Fresh and bright with characteristic aromas of cherry and red fruits. Light and juicy on the palate with soft tannins.

Country: South Africa

Region: Western Cape

Grapes:  Merlot

ABV: 13%

The coastal region of South Africa is renowned for its fine and expressive fruit. Produced from only free-­run juice and fermented on skins in stainless steel tanks. The wine is left on the lees for an extended period for greater palate weight and mouthfeel.

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%

The nose shows a mixture of ripe mulberry and white pepper, framed in a touch of toasty, vanilla oak and just the faintest hint of minty caramel chocolate. The palate echoes the blackcurrant, mulberry and dark cherry. The tannins are super smooth, long and persistent.

Country: South Africa

Region:  Overberg

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: 40% Malbec 32% Syrah 10% Pinot Noir 10% Touriga Nacional 8% Tannat

In the early 1990s, Magpie identified this special site - a single vineyard of Grenache and Mourvèdre. After an olympic blending exercise one night with the wine from here, they name the vineyard 'Clovella'. This wine is a heady embrace of dark spice; it's no coincidence that there’s a distinct clove note in this wine. Bright, fresh, textural in spite of 22 months ageing in older French oak. Soft, moreish and foody.

Country: Australia

Region: Barossa

Grapes: Grenache and Mourvedre

ABV: 14%

Food Match: Slow cooked lamb shanks or Fillet of Beef for a special occasion.

The label design inspiration is all about the meeting of mouths, that energy before lips meet, whether meeting a glass of wine or each other. Two varieties blending into one....

One of our favourite wines ever! If you are after something a little special then this is one of the wines we recommend in store whenever we have stock! 

Intense ruby ­red colour, deep and complex nose; fruity with a prune and cherry jam aroma, notes of tobacco, slightly spicy. A full­ bodied wine, soft and rich in fine tannin, with notes of cocoa, coffee and vanilla on the finish

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

ABV: 14.5%

Grapes: Primitivo

Very old vineyards selected in San Marzano and Sava. The soil is mainly red with a fine texture and a generally calcareous underground with few emerging rocks. The well ­known redness of these soils is due to the presence of iron­oxides. The climate is characterised by high temperatures all year round, very little rainfall and a wide temperature range between night and day, which has a positive influence on the quality of the grapes. This is the central area of d.o.p. “Primitivo di Manduria”.

Deep and concentrated on the nose, it opens up on the palate to reveal crisp cassis fruit with smoky edges and a hint of green pepper all hung on a ripe firm structure. Excellent balance. Excellent wine.

Country: South Africa

Region: Robertson

ABV:14%

Grape Varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc

Harvested at full seed ripeness. Cold macerated uncrushed in open fermenters for 10 days. Punched through 3 times daily. 3 weeks alcoholic fermentation, only free run used. 100% malolatic fermentation in barrel. 24 months barrel maturation in 1st and 2nd fill Sequin Moreau 300l barriques. 4 years bottle maturation at 14°C. Terroir is very gentle, southerly with chalk soil and calcrete formations. Climate is moderate summer with low night temperatures, cold winter.

Springfield Estate

A beautifully concentrated wine with layers of flavour and character. Classico in every sense of the word.

So many flavours - along side the deep black fruits, plums and floral notes there is a spicy backbone with spices, herbs and chocolate.

Country: Italy

Region: Valpolicella

ABV: 15%

Grapes: Corvina, Rondinella

Velvety smooth, rich, concentrated and supple. Flavours of cassis, bramble and black cherry with a sheen of vanilla from the oak ageing.

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux, Margaux

ABV:13.5%

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot

Serve 12 to 14 degrees C

Food Match: Red meat dishes such as beef Wellington or roast lamb.

 Wild yeast fermentation, low yields and ageing in large French oak foudre are what defines this savoury and appealing Syrah. Full yet elegant with bramble fruits and also some earth and meaty aromas. The palate is structured and elegant with fine tannins and a refreshing natural acidity. Ideal with spicy dishes, red meats and rich Mediterranean dishes.

Country: South Africa

Region: Western Cape

Grapes: Syrah/Shiraz

ABV: 13.5%

False Bay Wine 

Very intense and incredibly complex, this beautifully crafted wine has an aroma reminiscent of ripe cherry, plum, and blackberry, yet retains a delicate freshness and softness on the palate.

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

Grapes:  Primitivo 100%

ABV:  13.5%

Food Matching

Hearty and meaty pasta dishes with rich red sauces.

Wonderful, ripe and warming wine, full of sunshine and brightness. Subtle hints of sweet spice, coffee grounds and milk chocolate on the finish. Yummy.

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

Grapes: Negroamaro

ABV: 13.5%

Food match: great with antipasto cured meats. 

Caiaffa are certified organic, they do not use insecticides or pesticides in order to encourage a balanced ecosystem.

https://www.caiaffavini.it/en/

An intense ruby red wine. Very fresh and full bodied, lovely finish. Perfect with game or aged cheeses.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grapes: Malbec

ABV: 12.5%

Borga Wine

You would be barking mad not to try this wine....

An elegant and balanced wine packed with flavours of ripe blueberry and mulberry, exotic spice and creamy vanilla with evident ripe tannins and a long lingering finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Swartland

ABV: 14%

Grapes: Pinotage

Cinsault (50%), Grenache (35%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%). Bright ruby colour with red fruit, plum, sloe berry and cherries on the aromas and flavours.

Country: Lebanon

Region: Bekaa Valley

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault,  Grenache

ABV: 13.5%

A super soft, fruity, but structured wine made from a blend of indigenous Portuguese grapes.

Country: Portugal

Region: Douro Valley

Grapes: 42% Touriga Nacional, 31% Touriga Franca, 22% Tinta Barroca, 5% Sousão

ABV: 13.5%

Lusciously rich and decadent red made from selected grapes from three top class vineyards. 

Aromatic with ripe dark berried fruit alongside sweet spice, a ripe, rich style. The texture is rich and round with abundant, ripe, dark berried fruit supported by fine oak.

Country: Italy

Region: Valpolicella

ABV: 15%

Grapes: 80% Corvina & Corvinone, 10% Rondinella and 10% Molinara

The grapes come from the 5 hectare, steep, rocky, terraced hillside vineyard of Calcarole as well as the gently sloping clay vineyards of Rovereti and Pojega in the heart of Negrar, the most celebrated of the communes in Valpolicella. 

Dense, spiced nose with intense blackberry and blueberry aromatics. The ripe fruit is supported with cocoa and spiced oak notes; intense to the finish.

Grapes: Odesa Black

Country: Ukraine

Region: Odesa

Food pairing: Excellent with beef and other red meats, and also grilled vegetables and chicken. Also fabulous with 70% plus dark chocolate after a meal.

Serving temperature: 16-18°C

ABV: 13%

Villa Tinta has been a family estate winery since 1998 when the winery foundation was laid and 500 hectares of family-owned vines were planted. The winery is situated in the Bolgrad district where winemaking was the source of life centuries ago.

Hand harvested and completely destemmed, the wine was fermented and aged in the amphoras in contact with skins and lees. The inside of our amphoras is coated with natural tree resin according to the ancient process used by the Romans 2000 years ago. The wine has not been filtered or stabilised.

Rich, ripe and full of mulberry fruit character with a silky round tannic structure. Beautifully made low intervention wine.

Country: Portugal

Region: Lisboa

Grapes: 50% Aragonez and 50% Trincadeira

ABV: 14%