Reds

Delicious, semi-sweet red from Georgia's largest wine region, Kakheti. The wine is supple and very easy drinking with lots of red berry, cranberry and black cherry aromas and flavours.

Country: Georgia

Region: Kindzmarauli, Kakheti

Grapes: Saperavi

ABV: 12%

Food Match: Goes perfectly with a cheese board full of hard, soft, fresh and aged cheeses accompanied by fruit preserves as well as dried and fresh fruits such as dried apricots and fresh green grapes.

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

Pinot Noir is one of Romania’s greatest hidden secrets. Probably the only place in the world that can do this grape variety justice at such brilliant value. The nose is full of summer fruit aroma’s, strawberry, blueberry, and the palate is light and crisp and refreshing with notes of raspberry and cranberry. Serve well chilled at a summer bbq.

Country: Romania

Region: Recas and Minis

ABV: 12.5%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Food match: Greek salad, grilled fish, potato salad

As you walk through the rolling vineyards of the 700 hectare Cramele Recas estate, two things are inescapable. The first is the scale of the transformation that Englishman Philip Cox and his wife Elvira have managed to achieve, replanting 700 hectares of decrepit vineyards and replacing them with immaculately tended sites the equal of anywhere else in the world. The second is that if you didn't know where you were, you'd be convinced you were in Tuscany or any other "Classic" wine producing region. And, to a certain extent you are, Romania has a history of wine making stretching back millennia and it was this potential that has driven this dynamic duo to dedicate their lives to driving forward Romanian wine making to it's current state of rude health. A 20 million euro investment in the vineyards and brand new winery.

A delicious, concentrated blend of berries and plums,  subtle liquorice aromas a flavours with a hint of cherry tobacco aromas followed by lively and finely structured tannin.

On a picturesque hillside overlooking a dam, where Golden Delicious and Granny Smith
Orchards once stood, 12 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Malbec and Pinot Noir can now be found.

Paul Wallace, who has worked as a viticultural consultant to many of South Africa’s top
estates, finally had his dream come true in 2003 - he purchased his family farm in Elgin
and, alongside his wife Nicky, put his life’s work to the test. Based on his belief that Elgin
would become one of South Africa’s premium cool climate regions, he threw caution
to the wind and pulled out groves of apple and pear trees, replacing them with vines.
As always, his advice proved sage, and Paul Wallace is now producing some incredibly
exciting wines that show exceptional finesse and clarity.

Country: South Africa

Region: Elgin

Grapes: Malbec

ABV: 14%

This wine is luxuriously sweet and divinely tempting. Layers of coffee, After-Eight chocolates, black berries and prunes dominate but they are beautifully balanced with a firm structure of acid and fine grained tannins.

Country: USA

Region: Lodi

ABV: 15%

Grapes:  Mourvèdre

Food Match: It is a wonderful accompaniment to rich chocolatey desserts like chocolate mousse, brie with mango chutney, or salted caramel chocolate squares.

Elegance is our raison d'etre at QPA, which is embodied in our Vintage Port. Showing complex aromas of red, blue and black fruits, with chocolate, spice notes and lifted aromatics. This is a rich, restrained, elegant style of Vintage Port with a complex, seamless palate. 

Drink now to accompany Stilton or Gorgonzola, or cellar as it will gain further complexity over the next 20 years.

Country: Portugal

Region: Douro Valley

Grapes: Touriga Nacional (49%), Touriga Franca (27.5%), Tinta Roriz (13%), Sousão (9%), Tinta Barroca (1.5%)

ABV: 19.5%

A fruit-driven red wine, a great balance of acidity and juiciness. Notes one can taste: red fruit, pepper, liquorice, cinnamon, vanilla, tobacco, chocolate.

Grape: Carignan

Country: South Africa

Region: Swartland

ABV: 15%

Food pairing: beef, lamb, game, mushrooms

Vegan

An excellent example of Xinomavro with its complex bouquet of small berried red fruits, red cherry, leather, pepper, clove and sweet vanilla spice showing great typicity. Ruby red in colour. Structured and beautifully balanced with rounded tannins and well-integrated oak, with a touch of fennel on the finish.

Country: Greece

Region:  Macedonia

ABV: 13%

Grapes: Xinomavro

Food match: Moussaka and Greek Salad

A beautifully made medium bodied red from Greece from indigenous varietal Koiniariko. Aromas of sweet spice, black pepper and crushed strawberries. Black cherry and supple tannins on the palate with a long, soft finish.

Country: Greece

Region:  Macedonia, Thrace near Drama

ABV: 13%

Grapes: Koiniariko 

pronounced keen-ee-YAR-iko

Food match: This versatile, medium bodied red will go well with soft cheese and cured meats, salads and grilled meat or roast chicken.

We love these organic, low intervention wines from ancient terroir with a touch of New Zealand magic. Expressive and unique you've got to try them!

Complex bouquet showing typical rose nuances as well as layers of spice and woodland fruits. The palate is full-bodied, with hints of cherry, dark chocolate and prunes with firm sweet tannins on the finish. The sweet ripe berry fruit makes it approachable now or can be cellared for 10 years.

Region: Piemonte

ABV: 14% 

Grape: Nebbiolo

Food Match: red meats, fowl and hearty casseroles.

Barbaresco Tenuta Roncaglie is made from Nebbiolo grapes cultivated in Poderi Colla's vineyards in the Roncaglie area. As early as 1880, Roncaglie was already recognised as one of the best and most important areas for Barbaresco production, and mentioned in Lorenzo Fantini's important publication on Viticulture and Oenology in the Province of Cuneo. Several years on Daniel Thomasas, in the January 2005 issue of Wine Spectator, wrote: 'Roncaglie is acknowledged to be one of the best crus in the whole of Barbaresco.' The Poderi Colla vineyards have a southerly exposure and is situated at between 240 and 280 metres above sea level. Some of the vines were planted in 1970, some in 1980 and some in 1995. Vine density is around 4,000 to 5,000 plants per hectare and the average yield is 4,000 litres per hectare. Harvesting is usually done between 5th to 15th October. The Nebbiolo grapes (Lampia and Michet subvarieties) are destalked and pressed and the must is macerated on the skins for around 12 to 15 days at 30 degrees Centigrade. This if followed by a malolactic fermentation which is completed before the winter. The wine is transferred to some Slovinian and some French oak casks (partly new) and left to mature for 12 to 14 months. After maturation with wine is racked to stainless steel vats and clarified with egg whites before bottling.

Aromatics of dark fruits such as plum and cherry. The dark fruit characteristics carry onto the palate, delivering flavours of boysenberry and fig with a hint of warm baking spices. This wine finishes with round, smooth tannins.

Country: USA

Region: San Francisco Bay, California

Grapes: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 9% Petite Sirah, 4% Barbara

ABV: 13.5%

Food Match: Beef short rib, Portobello mushrooms and lamb Bolognese.

Fermented in stainless steel tanks and pumped over twice daily. Aged for 18 months in 40% new and 60% second and third use French oak barrels.

Estate Grown Wetmore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is named after one of the Livermore Valley’s most prominent pioneers, California’s first agricultural commissioner renowned for planting vine cuttings from many of Bordeaux’s top Châteaux in the temperate Livermore Valley in the 1880s. The descendants of vines Wetmore brought from France thrive today in the gravelly loam soils of our certified sustainable estate vineyards between the Arroyo del Valle and the Arroyo Mocho, streams flowing from the southern hills of the Livermore Valley. From their origins in Margaux in the 19th century to the present, only the best of these Cabernet Sauvignon vines have been selected for each new generation planted. And they are prized for making wines with intensity, depth of flavour, and rich, lush body.

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

Dark ruby colour with flecks of bright purple in the rim. Ripe, dark fruit character with, delicate herbal savouriness and hints of sweet cherry. On the palate, juicy, elegant, with fresh black cherry and fine tannic structure. A lingering red berry freshness which gives this wine a definite ageing potential.

St Laurent is a beautiful little-known grape variety. Very similar to low yield Pinot Noir but more tannic and full bodied. 

Country: Austria

Region: Thermenregion, Lower Austria

ABV 13%

Grape Variety: St Laurent

Food Match: This wine works well with game meat or rich duck dishes. If you're veggie then enjoy with creamy mushroom or truffle risottos or pasta dishes.

ORGANIC

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. The winery is best known for their excellent Pinot Noir and St. Laurent grown in vineyards from both the stony, alluvial gravel soils of Tattendorf (rich in both chalk and lime) near the winery and the elevated, nutrient rich soils of Gumpoldskirchen.

A heady mix of Barbera and Bonarda grapes combine to produce a delicious and aromatic wine full of ripe plums and cherries that is really brought to life by a hint of anise and bright juicy acidity.

Country: Italy

Region: Emilia Romagna

Grapes: Barbera and Bonarda

ABV: 14%

Subtle, lifted, fragrant black pepper, blueberry and rose petal nose with ripe cherry and plum fruit characters. The palate has a beautiful silky texture with fresh red berry fruit and a fine savoury tannin finish. Drinking well now and for the next 10-15 years.

Country: South Africa

Region: Swartland,

ABV: 14%

Grapes: Syrah

The Syrah grapes come mainly from the Porseleinberg vineyard - one of the best sites in the world to grow the variety. Renowned winemaker and viticulturalist Callie Louw farms the land. The 'brutal' soils (according to winemaker Marc Kent) are made up of Mica and Schist. 10% of the grapes are from the Goldmine vineyard which has brown schist soil.

Tim Atkin MW

97 points. Given that 90% of its raw material comes from Porseleinberg - the other 10% comes from Boekenhoutskloof's Roundstone property - it's no surprise that this is such an impressive Syrah. Fermented with 65% whole bunches, it combines fynbos, lavender and Asian spice aromas with a palate of white pepper, barbecued meat, oregano and blackberry framed by sappy, granular tannins. World class. 2025-35.



James Suckling

94 points. Lovely fragrance with thyme, cracked pepper, iron, coriander and black berry fruit. Medium-bodied, peppery and compact, with vibrant acidity and a focused finish. Long and persistent. Drink or hold.



Neal Martin – Vinous.

93+ The 2021 Syrah was picked later than the 2020. It contains more whole bunches than prior vintages (65%) and matured for 18 months, 90% in Stockinger foudre and Stockinger demi-muids. This is quite concentrated on the nose with dark berry fruit, bay leaf and white pepper, perhaps less floral than some of its peers. The aromatics feel tightly coiled at the moment. The palate is smooth and harmonious on the entry, with a fine structure. It is compact at the moment with cracked black and white pepper and garrigues notes flourishing toward the persistent finish. Much more backward than expected. I would cellar this for three to five years before cracking open as it’s a serious Syrah.

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

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. 

Wine from one of Australia's oldest vineyards dating back to 1839.

An elegant, cool-climate Pinot Noir with a perfume of spiced red berries, a pure core of cherry fruit and subtle savoury characters interwoven with red fruits through to a silky finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Victoria

Sub Region: Yarra Valley

ABV: 13 %

Grape: 100% Pinot noir 

Despite the threat of Phyllloxera and the property narrowly avoiding grubbing up to be used as a permanent dairy farm, the vineyard ultimately prevailed. Rated a 5 star producer by James Halliday, Yering Station create beautiful cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and expands our Australian selection to include one of the best vineyards in Yarra Valley.

A deliciously rich, fruity red that's the perfect match to go with classic antipasti or tomato based pasta dishes.

Aromas of red cherry and hints of raspberry with subtle notes of exotic spice gained from the oak barrel ageing that the wine received. A soft and luxurious mouthfeel with flavours of cherry and autumn red berry fruits. 

Country: Italy

Region: Alba, Piemonte

ABV: 13.5%

Grape: Barbera

Food match: The Barbera grape is characterised by its juicy freshness which makes very versatile and perfect to with just about any food.

The history of the Vietti winery traces its roots back to the 19th Century. Only at the beginning of the 20th century, however, did the Vietti name become a winery offering its own wines in bottle. Patriarch Mario Vietti, starting from 1919 made the first Vietti wines, selling most of the production in Italy. His most significant achievement was to transform the family farm, engaged in many fields, into a grape-growing and wine-producing business.

Then, in 1952, Alfredo Currado (Vietti) continued to produce high quality wines from their own vineyards and purchased grapes. The Vietti winery grew to one of the top-level producers in Piemonte and was one of the first wineries to export its products to the USA market. 

Rich, and robust with plenty of grip and some nicely mature, savoury, spicy notes on the long finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmonte

Grapes: Nebbiolo

ABV: 13.5%

Perfect with any dish that contains even a hint of truffle, great with braised red meat and porcini. Perfect with Spring Lamb too.

Sandstone Merlot is supple with beautiful balance,  aromas of ripe red cherry and plum that are complimented by creamy oak notes of sweet caramel and vanilla pod. Additional notes of white pepper, cardamom, and graphite provide more complexity and continue to develop as the wine opens up in the glass.

Region: San Francisco Bay, California

Grapes: Merlot

ABV: 13.5%

 Vegan

Full-bodied with intense cassis, red berry and fynbos notes. Cedar and spice from the oak maturation. Beautifully rounded, well integrated, tannins as a result of the extended ageing before release. 

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 14.5%

Handcrafted. Traditional. Unhurried. These three words epitomise Jeremy Walker’s
winemaking, with one notable omission - Delicious. By ‘Unhurried’, Jeremy is alluding to
the fact that he doesn’t release a wine until he believes it is ready to be enjoyed, which is
evident in the current vintages being 2008, 2009 and 2011!
Jeremy Walker founded Grangehurst in 1992, when he converted his fathers’ squash
court into a makeshift wine production cellar. He used the ‘squash court cellar’ to make
his first 6 vintages, only moving out after the 1998 vintage.
Jeremy was invited to join the prestigious Cape Winemakers Guild in 1996 and was one
of the longest standing members when, in order to let a young winemaker take his
place in the sun, he elected to step down in 2021.

Style: Full Bodied and Bold Red

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

Grapes: 100% Merlot

Other: Organic, Vegan

Aged in barrel for 23 months

ABV: 14,5%

Rich, concentrated and ripe with aromas of black berries with a hint of tobacco, full-bodied with a wonderfully rich finish of ripe red fruits, vanilla and chocolate. A super Super Tuscan made with 100% Malbec.

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Malbec

Classic red Burgundy! Red fruit aromas: red currants and raspberries. Full and fruity on the palate, with great length and minerality. The tannins are silky and ripe. This wine has a complex profile that combines power and femininity. Aromas of small red berry fruits and violet, and a supple, rounded and superbly balanced palate.

Country: France

Region: Burgundy, Cote de Nuits

Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir

ABV: 13%

Maison Chanzy is a highly respected Burgundian producer, their wines are a classical demonstration of premium vineyard sites in Côte Chalonnaise, Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits.

Their range has been carefully engineered by winemaker Max Blondelle, whose primary task is to create wines that eloquently communicate their respective terroir, whilst remaining hands-off in his approach. As such, Chanzy are one of the few Burgundy producers to achieve Haute Valeur Environnementale level 3; the most highly regarded certification for agriculture in France.

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%