Reds

Seriously delicious Bordeaux blend from SA. Full of black cherry, and blackberry along with warm notes of baking spice and vanilla pod. Subtle liquorice and seductive tobacco and hazelnut add a luxurious dimension. Long, silky finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Paarl

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc

ABV: 14%

Strongly varietal French Cabernet, deep garnet colour with vibrant blackcurrant and blackberry fruit. Soft and supple on the palate with good intensity of fruit and a lovely juicy finish.

Country: France

Region: Languedocc

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 14%

Food match: Soft and pliable red capable of matching with most foods. Easy choice for a devout red drinker. Try with mushroom risotto.

This fruit-forward, easy-drinking Cabernet is made from grapes sourced from sun-drenched Languedoc vineyards, vinified to showcase their fruit and varietal characteristics. By fermenting at lower temperatures than most reds to preserve primary fruit characters. The wine receives twice daily remontage to extract colour and tannins. Meticulous blending produced the ultimate approachable and fruit-driven style, which was bottled early to capture vibrant red fruit. No oak is used, so the grapes' natural fruit flavours shine through.

Vegan

Concentrated mulberry, blackberry and black pepper notes with soft, plummy fruit flavours and silky smooth tannins.

Country: Australia

Region: South East Australia

ABV: 14%

Grapes: Shiraz

Food Match:  BBQ red meat

Vegan/Vegetarian

A light and elegant expression of the Listan Negro grape variety, with notes of red cherries, white pepper, capsicum and tomato leaf on the nose and palate.

Country: Spain

Region: Gran Canaria

Grapes: Listán Negro

ABV: 13.5%

Food Match: Game, roast, stewed and braised meat, aged cheese

Ikewen, meaning ‘origin’ in the local Guanche dialiect, is a village level wine from the area of San Mateo. The volcanic soils are iron rich and fertile as there is a portion of clay in the composition. Ranging from 90-120 years old, the vines produce low-yielding fruit with impressive concentration. The area’s high altitude of 1,000-1,500m provides a high diurnal range, 100% whole bunches are used and fermentation occurs in stainless steel, conserving the energetic red fruit character and moreish freshness.

Perfumed nose of fynbos flowers and raspberry. The palate is juicy and appealing with notes of rooibos tea and blueberries with smooth velvety tannins and a lingering, elegant aftertaste.

Country: South Africa

Region: Wellington

Grapes: Pinotage

ABV: 14%

Food matches: great with rich meaty stews - potjie kos especially

Tasted blind this could be confused with a top Chateauneuf du Pape - no kidding. This is boutique winemaking at it's best

Country: South Africa

Region: Wellington

Grape: Shiraz

ABV: 14%

Intense Ruby Garnet in colour with an elegant nose expressing nutmeg, crushed black pepper, with subtle aniseed, ripe mulberry and dark chocolate. The palate has subtle smoky flavours, blackberries, plums and dark chocolate blending with dry ripe tannins showing a well balanced wine with silky smooth wood integration. 

Andreas only produce this wine - and they are good at it. The wine is aged for 18 months in French and American oak and bottle matured for another year.

Pretty strawberry nose with elegance! Silky and smooth, perfectly balanced Pinot. Very Burgundian in style.

Country: Australia

Region: South Australia

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 13.5%

Concentrated, warming aromas and flavours of blackberries, blueberries and bitter cherry on the nose with a secondary layer of meatiness and stewed fruit. Earthy and minerally on the finish. This is the perfect treat for Sunday roast lunch.

Country: Georgia

Region:  Kakheti

Grapes: Saperavi

ABV: 13.5%

Food Match: Goes wonderfully with roast lamb or slow cooked pork dishes.

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

A delicate, pale pink rosé with a beautifully light hue. Fresh and youthful on the nose, it offers elegant aromas of wild strawberry, redcurrant and a whisper of rose petal. The palate is dry and crisp, with bright, refreshing acidity and a graceful, light-bodied texture. 

Country: Austria

Region: Kremstal

ABV:11.5%

Grapes: Zweigelt

 Food Match: great on it's own or with savoury snacks

A charming fragrance and intensity, with aromas and flavours of raspberries and blackberries. Very elegant, with soft, round tannins and a lovey lingering finish.

Country: Austria

Region: Thermenregion, Lower Austria

ABV 12.5%

Grape Variety: Pinot Noir

ORGANIC

 Food Match: This wine fits excellent to roast veal, wildfowl (pheasant, partridge), and coq au vin. Pairs very nicely with mushroom risotto/pasta dishes too. 

Now in its fourth generation of winemakers, the 40 hectare estate is run by Johann Reinisch's three sons: Hannes, Michael and Christian. With a 2,000 year legacy of wine growing in the region, the Reinischs maintain traditions with vineyards planted with 65 % red and 35 % white vines. 

A gorgeous garnet colour with sweet, spicy dark cherry and plum fruit on the nose with an attractive warm spicy palate followed by soft tannins and mineral notes on the finish.

Country: Lebanon

Region: Bekaa Valley

Grapes: Grenache and Mourvèdre

ABV: 14.5%

Food match: Beef brisket with roast potatoes and Mediterranean vegetables 

It is a rich, concentrated, and complex wine from Margaret River, Australia, featuring dark fruit flavours of plum, blackberry, and black cherry, complemented by savoury notes of chocolate, leather, pepper, and spice. 

Passel Estate, founded by Wendy and Barry Stimpson, is in the heart of the spectacular Margaret River region. Their 6Ha vineyards are surrounded by an impressive granite outcrop and pristine bushland of ancient flora. Sea breezes from the Ocean nearby provide calming relief in the hot summer months and this special location not only produces some of the region’s finest wine grapes, but also provides sanctuary to the endangered Western Ringtail Possum, whose collective noun is a "Passel”!

Grape: Shiraz

Country: Australia

Region: Margaret River

ABV: 14.5%

96 Points from Tim Atkins - this says it all! This landmark South African red by David Trafford is slowly but surely gaining cult status amongst wine collectors.

Concentrated aromas of red berries, sweet liquorice, red berries and minerality. Rich and textured palate full of almond and smoky flavours. Complex, layered with mulberry and savoury, meaty notes with a long, dry finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Malgas, Swellendam, Western Cape

Grapes: Syrah , Touriga Nacional, Mourvédre, Trincadeira and Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 14,5%

Sijnn is prounounced 'sen', or 'seine'

Certified IPW sustainable

Grape: Syrah

Country: South Africa

Region: Swartland

ABV: 15%

Food pairing: 

Vegan

A full-bodied with medium tannins red wine, medium to high acidity. The notes of red (cherry, strawberry) and dark (plum, blackberry) fruit. The secondary notes of vanilla, oak, tobacco,

Country: Spain

Region: Ribera del Duero

Grapes: Tempranillo

ABV: 14.5%

Food pairing: lamb, beef, game (deer, venison)

This dark, almost black wine has enormous concentration, resulting in very ripe seductive fruits like roasted aromas of plums, cassis and dark cherries and currant, toast, coffee and mocha. Perfectly aligned alcohol and lively acidity with an elegant smooth finesse. The sugar level is attractive and well integrated and the wine shows serious soft and ripe red wine tannin structure.

Food Match: The relatively low sugar level (compared to other Sweet Reds like Banyuls or Port) allows this wine to pair with main courses like roast beef, game, roasted duck, stews, Steak or smoked fois gras... and any kind of bitter flavours like coffee, nuts, bitter chocolate, smoky, toasty aromas...and fresh and mature cheeses...and simply by itself.

Fermentation is halted with the addition of grape alcohol retaining a natural sweetness of 70 g/l. Fermentation is controlled at 27-29ºC with indigenous yeasts used. Maceration for 30 days, both varieties are vinified together in stainless steel tanks. Not cold stabilised but undergoes a light filtration.15 months in French Oak.

 Country: Spain

Region: Montsant

Grapes: Grenache 70% Carignan 30%

ABV: 16.5%

Food Match: Black Forest Cake or 70% fine dark chocolate

Nestled in the rugged hills of the Catalan countryside, in the tiny village bearing its name, is the well-respected Celler de Capçanes. It was this wild Montsant landscape which first captivated Jürgen Wagner back in the early 90s, but the huge potential he recognised in this unique village co-operative that determined what followed. Pouring all his efforts into working with the growers to nurture the best from their vineyards and the most honest expressions of their terroir, Celler de Capçanes has established itself as one of the most engaging wineries in the area.

Kosher

Powerful and concentrated on the nose. This may only be a village wine, but it has has the opulence and stature of a 1er Cru.

Country: France

Region: Burgundy

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 13.5%

Light-bodied, fresh, and versatile, this Calabria Rosso IGT captivates with its vibrant character. Aromas of crushed red fruits on the nose with layers of red currant, raspberry, and a hint of orange zest. On the palate, fine tannins are beautifully balanced by bright acidity, leading to a persistent and elegant finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Cirò, Calabria

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Magliocco: 15%
Gaglioppo: 85%

Food match: Pizza and tomato based pasta dishes

The wines are made in Calabria in the toe of Italy’s boot, where native varieties reign supreme – Magliocco, Nerello, Mantonico, Greco and the region’s star grape, Gaglioppo.

The Cirò DOC is a picturesque corner of the Mediterranean, along the Ionian coast, in the eastern foothills of the Calabria region, a large peninsula that forms the toe to Italy’s boot. The Parrilla family, who own and run Tenuta del Conte, have been making wine here for four generations, the latest of which to take over the estate are Mariangela, Giuseppe, and Caterina.

In 2011 Mariangela Parrilla took over as winemaker. Mariangela takes a philosophical approach to winemaking, with the aim to let these traditional indigenous grape varieties speak for themselves and their terroir. Her wines are all organic, no herbicides or chemicals are used at any stage of the production process, she opts for spontaneous fermentations using indigenous yeasts, no filtration, and solely stainless-steel and bottle aging. Taking each wine vintage by vintage she lets them evolve and age “according to their own natural rhythm”, making each wine unique. This could be just one year in bottle before release or over 10 years. Not only does she capture the unique character of the grape variety but that of the vintage it's from too.

Together with a handful of other wineries in the area, Mariangela is part of “The Cirò Revolution”, a group formed to promote and protect their territory’s identity. They are dedicated to organic viticulture and minimal intervention wine making, they make traditional wines, in homage to their ancestors, from native grape varieties.

The Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino is their flagship wine and reflects more than 30 years of working in harmony with nature within the terroir of Montalcino. It is a wine that expresses the Montalcino territory with purity and tradition. Drinking window: 2023-2033.

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

ABV: 14.5%

Grapes: Sangiovese

A beautifully aromatic, ruby red wine, this RiNera has wonderful aromas of red berries, bitter cherries and a touch of spice with green and black pepper. On the palate, it is elegant and bright, slightly tannic with a long, satisfying finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Friuli Venezia-Giulia, Italy

Grapes: Schioppettino

ABV: 12%

Food Match: Minestrone soup; roast chicken or fillet steak with creamy peppercorn sauce.

‘Ronchi’, in Fruili’s dialect, means hills cultivated by vines; ‘Cialla’ is a small valley surrounded by woods with chestnut, oak, and wild cherry trees. Located in the Cialla valley, one of three sub-zones in Colli Orientali del Friuli, it is a picturesque area with perfect growing conditions for the indigenous grapes. The company philosophy has always been to work solely with indigenous varieties, such as, Ribolla, Refosco, Schioppettino, Verduzzo, and Picolit. In fact, the Rapuzzi Family restored and revitalised the Schioppettino grape from near extinction, defying the odds and local wine laws.

A firm favourite of our team and customers here at Cellar Door!

6 x Zensa Nero d'Avola Appassimento

Completely untainted example of Nero D'Avola - just as nature intended!

The wine has a deep purple-red colour & intense aromas of blackberries & blueberries. The palate is soft & silky, bursting with spicy flavours of black pepper, dark chocolate, wild berries & vanilla.  The tannins are elegant yet persistent.  The finish is long & lingering and offers a burst of wild cherries at the end.

Country: Italy

Region: Sicily

ABV: 13.5 %

Grape: Nero D'Avola

Fun Fact: Zensa in Italian means “without” referring to the absence of any chemicals or pesticides in the winemaking process. 

A great introduction to Cypriot red wine: soft, juicy, supple and super easy drinking.

Country: Cyprus

Region:  PGI Paphos

ABV: 12.5%

Grapes: Lefkada, Syrah and Cabernet Franc

Food match: Grilled meat or pastitsio (traditional Greek beef mince and pasta dish)

Concentrated aromas of red berries, sweet liquorice, red berries, tobacco, forest floor and minerality. Rich and textured palate full of almond and smoky flavours. Complex, layered with mulberry and savoury, meaty notes with a long, dry finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Malgas, Swellendam, Western Cape

Grapes: Syrah , Touriga Nacional, Mourvédre, Trincadeira and Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 14,5%

Food match: Grilled lamb chops, ratatouille

Sijnn is prounounced 'sen', or 'seine'

Certified IPW sustainable

David and Rita Trafford discovered the Sijnn land in Malgas in 2000. The soil and landscape reminded them of Portugal and they were immediately intrigued. A purchase agreement and 200 soil profiles later, 10 hectares were planted and the name Sijnn Wines was appropriated fittingly so as the word Sijnn; is derived from the Khoisan word meaning riverbank. Sijnn is on a plateau of slate and pebbles, about 15km from the southern oceans of Africa. A new winery was built at Malgas in time for the 2015 harvest. Most vineyards are on alluvial deposits on the Bokkeveld shale base – balancing intensity, structure and aromatic complexity and finesse. These very poor, complex soils encourage a deep root system, and low growth/ low yield giving intense, complex wines of character. “Low Profile” refers to 200+ profile holes dug to
determine the best sites to plant vines, and is a blend of earlier drinking vats.

Region: Palestine, Hebron

Grape: Bitouni

ABV: 11.5%

Food Match: Great with grilled meat and chicken, pizza or tomato based pasta dishes

This spectacular vineyard is located at an elevation of around 1,000 meters (3,280 feet)
above sea level in the northern part of Hebron, an area known as the source of high quality
indigenous grapes in Palestine.

A classic example of red Burgundy with ripe red fruit and cherries on the nose and palate.

Country: France

Region: Burgundy

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 13%