Reds

Notes of plums, dark chocolate and raspberries. Yum!

Country: Portugal

Region: Lisbon

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 14.5%

Rich in age, rich in flavour. Toasty, vanilla, raisins and dried plum.

Beautiful brick red colour, with a complex aroma of roasted coffee, spices, vanilla, ripe fruits raisins, caramel, and subtle bottle ageing notes of leather, tobacco. Silky smooth tannins, and velvety finish.

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja Alavesa

Grapes: Tempranillo

ABV: 14%

Only made in the best vintages from the best grapes, this Rioja GR has gone through an ageing process of 30 months in new French (75%) & American (25%) oak barriques, followed by a further 3 years before it is released.

https://www.murielwines.com/en/our-brands/rioja-collection/vina-muriel

To learn more about the Rioja region and their different styles of wines read our blog here.

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%

Rich, ripe and fruity red with black plum and dark cherry fruit. Soft, silky tannic structure.

Country: Lebanon

Region: Bekaa Valley

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon 40% , Syrah 40% , Cinsault 15%

ABV: 14%

Vegan.  Fermented with indigenous yeast in concrete vats for 10 days. Malolactic fermentation begins spontaneously, after which the wine was blended and then aged for 16 months in concrete vats.

Food match: Mediterranean meat dishes with grilled vegetables

Ruby red in colour with concentrated red berry and fruit aromas, with hints of sweet spice, cherry, plum and blackcurrant jam on the palate. Juicy and moreish...

Grapes:  Montepulciano

Region: Abruzzo

Country: Italy

ABV: 12.5%

Organic

Amoterra means to ‘love the land’, this is the vineyards ethos. 

Fresh, but textured and full Douro blend. Aromas of coffee and vanilla with concentrated blueberry and black current. Ripe chewy tannin with a hint of star anise on the finish.

Country: Portugal

Region: Douro Valley

Grapes: Touriga Franca 50% , Touriga Nacional 25% , Tinta Roriz 25%

ABV: 13.5%

Food Match: Hearty bean stew

The local grapes - Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa and Tinta Roriz - grow in fine soils with some schist in vineyards near Cambres, in the western part of the Douro valley and south of the river. The climate here is warm and dry, and some of the vines are over 50 years old. After harvesting fermentation takes place in stainless steel, with a small portion (around 10%) ageing for 4 months in 2nd year French oak barrels, before the final blending and bottling.

A stand-out example of what high quality Bordeaux should taste like.

Plum, some bitter fruit, clove, cinnamon nose. Spicy up front and smooth, rounded fruit. Drinking well now so no need to lay down for any longer - the work has already been done so enjoy while you can!

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux, Montagne St Emilion

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Cabernet Franc, Merlot

Chateau Corbin is one of the oldest estates in St. Emilion, dating all the way back to the 15th century. More recently, bringing Chateau Corbin into the modern era, in 1924, Chateau Corbin was purchased by the Great Grandparents of the current owners, the Cruse family. The beautiful chateau was constructed in the 1800’s. During the late 1990’s, Anabelle Cruse and her sisters purchased the shares of Chateau Corbin from the other family shareholders and took over complete ownership of the estate. 

Anyway, more importantly, what does it taste like and is it worth the money? We always believe that one of the great things about wine is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but we're pretty safe in saying that this is a stand-out example of exactly what Bordeaux is supposed to taste like. Extremely smooth and from what is now known as one of the best vintages ever, this is one for thinking up a special occasion just to open it. 

Bright purple in colour with a deep violet rim. The nose offers upfront aromas of perfume, violets, glazed gammon, pepper and buchu. The wine presents a smooth entry on the palate, with soft and seamless layers of cloves, nutmeg and warm spices, underpinned by a savoury and meaty finish.

Country: South Africa

Region:  Paarl and Firgrove, Western Cape

Grapes: Shiraz

ABV: 13.5%

The De Grendel Shiraz will marry exceptionally well with pork neck steaks served with a cranberry reduction, a traditional glazed gammon during the festive season and, in particular, with game and venison cuts during the colder winter months.

The fruit was carefully handpicked in three batches, with the first batch ripening in Paarl. It was fermented for two weeks in closed conical shape tanks using the more delicate aerated pump-over method, ensuring softer tannins, delicate spicy flavours and a deep colour. The second and third batches from Firgrove were separately fermented using the pneumatic punch-down method four times a day to produce more robust tannins with excellent structure and concentration. The three batches were then blended and allowed to undergo natural malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks before being racked three times and transferred into Oak barrels. Barrel maturation took place over a period of 13 months in 10% new American Oak, 10% in new French Oak and 80% in second and third fill French Oak barrels. 

Enjoy the Shiraz now or allow it to mature for a further 5 – 8 years.

De Grendel Wine

Sangiovese grapes from Tuscany, this wine is colourful yet elegant - just like the art on the label. Notes of ripe cherry, raspberries and earthiness, all accompanied by delicious juicy acidity making the wine super easy drinking.

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

Grapes: Sangiovese

ABV: 13% 

A wonderful fruity Pinotage with velvety tannins supporting sweet spices and red and black fruit.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Pinotage

ABV: 13.5%

Stellenbosch Vineyards is located on the historic Welmoed farm, which was one of the
first proclaimed farms in Stellenbosch and dates back to 1690.
They produce a range of wines that are true to style, and consistently showcase the
quality and value of South African wine. Stellenbosch Vineyards are a well-versed
negociant, sourcing excellent grapes from various plots around the Cape each year to
supplement their estate grown grapes. Stellenbosch Vineyards is one of South Africa’s
leading exporters, with about 85% of their production heading for foreign shores.
Stellenbosch Vineyards take their corporate social responsibility seriously - they are
Fairtrade certified and are members of the Agricultural Ethical Trade Initiative (WIETA)
and the Industry Association for Responsible Alcohol Use (ARA).

Delicious light to medium bodied juicy red. Loads of red and black berry fruit character with a touch of sweet spice and vanilla.

Country: France

Region: Hérault

Grapes: Carignan

ABV: 12.5%

Food Match: Great on its own as an everyday quaffer or match with steak, lamp chops or hard cheese.

Aroma begins with a concise array of fragrances that encapsulate the essence of the Japanese term Akemi. Showcasing an elegant profile adorned with delightful floral accents. A velvety smooth texture, and lingering mineral nuances that gracefully persist through its extended and delicate finish.

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Grape: Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Graciano

ABV: 14%

This Rioja winery, Ontañón, has called the wine "Kaori" (meaning "aroma" in Japanese) and is known for its Viura and Tempranillo blends, which are well-suited to Japanese cuisine, especially sushi and sashimi.

Packed with dark pastille fruit, this classic Carmenère is aromatic of star anise, hoy sin and salt beef, over a palate that is dark and textural but always juicy. Hugely generous Carmenère that demands a second bottle.

Country: Chile

Region: Wine of Chile

Grapes: Carmenère

ABV:13.5%

Vegan, organic

The wine spends 8 months in stainless steel tanks.

Food match: Sticky BBQ Chinese ribs or chicken

Concentrated, complex and rich, oak matured Douro red, made from a blend of selected parcels from the best vineyards on the estate.

Country: Portugal

Region: Douro Valley

Grapes: 74% Touriga Nacional, 13% Sousão, 12% Touriga Franca, 1% Fernão Pires

ABV: 13.5%

Deep ruby velvet in colour with an opulent nose combining red plums, cassis, walnuts and bramble boosted by a distinctive waft of violets. The fruit follows through onto the palate offering a red plum profile with an understated savoury and herbal element on the back palate. A finely tuned acid and wood tannin balance, together with a purity of fruit, distinguish this seamless wine as a great ambassador for Merlot.

Country: South Africa

Region:  Paarl and Firgrove, Western Cape

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Merlot

Food Match: Sunday roast lamb

De Grendel Wine

Red and black berry fruit flavours, with a touch of vanilla oak. The elegant palate is underpinned by fine tannin and juicy yet subtle fruit.

Country: South Africa

Region: Coastal Region, Western Cape

Grapes: Shiraz, Pinotage, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 0.45%

Reg Holder started his career with vintages in France, Australia and the USA before
returning to South Africa. He then spent 11 years as the winemaker at both Neil Ellis and
Delheim.

In 2015, while his wife was pregnant with their first child, he started experimenting with
de-alcoholised wine for her. When they were expecting their second, in 2017, Reg decided
that he was going to move full time into the Lautus de-alcoholised project.
He uses a state of the art piece of machinery that combines centrifugal force and a
vacuum in order to extract the alcohol while leaving the wines' volatile flavour and
aromatic essence intact.

Unquestionably the best de-alcoholised red wine we have tried!

Kleinboet (‘little brother’) is a Cellar Door all time favourite.  Bright red and purple fruit such as raspberries and blueberries on the nose, savoury notes of dried herbs too. A delicious, rich, bold, earthy, but fruity Bordeaux blend.

Country: South Africa

Region: Sondagskloof, Hemel en Aarde

Grapes: Bordeaux Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec

ABV: 12.5%

You might have heard of the quaint beach town of Hermanus, situated on South Africa’s
famous Whale Coast. Between 1855 and 1902, it was called Hermanuspietersfontein. In
1902, the local postmaster decided to shorten the name of the town to make addressing
letters to the locals easier.

150 years later, the wine farm Hermanuspietersfontein, or HPF for short, craft outstanding wines with a serious sense of place. Their grapes come from Sondagskloof (they produce 90% of WO Sondagskloof wine), which competes with Elgin and the Ceres Plateau for South Africa’s coolest wine growing region. This area is perfectly suited to Bordeaux varietals and, with the exception of Shiraz, is exclusively planted with them.
The Afrikaans wine names might look like a bit of a mouthful, but they are good fun;
Bloos (‘blush’), Kaalvoet Meisie (‘barefoot girl’), Kat Met Die Houtbeen (‘cat with the
wooden leg’), Posmeester (‘postmaster’), Kleinboet (‘little brother’) and Swartskaap
(‘black sheep’).

Supple and sumptuous, ripe and ridiculously moreish. It's ready to drink Barolo baby!

Awesome aromas of orange skin, ripe plums, and tobacco leaves. Vibrant tannin and acidity. Lovely!

Country: Italy

Region: Piemonte

14% ABV

Grape: Nebbiolo

Deeply varietal nose of dark cherry-chocolate over crushed minerals with a leafy note. The palate is generously laden with dark plum and chocolate notes on a long, velveteen finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Western Cape

Grapes: Merlot

ABV: 12.5%

Vegan

Food match: Baked mushroom stuffed with sundried tomato cous cous.

From Paarl vineyards grown on sandy loams, where picking early is crucial to finesse this tricky cultivar’s essential notes of blueberry, bramble and natural leafiness. An accomplished Merlot, correct yet moreish in the glass.

Dolomite wines express great purity of fruit and balanced elegance. The nose shows dark and red cherry. Dark berries, spiciness and herbs linger on the palate. The wine has great purity of fruit with a hint of wet-stone minerality and a velvet soft finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Cabernet Franc 90%
Malbec 10%

Medium ruby red colour with a pure nose of ripe dark fruits, cherry, plum and sweet spices like ginger and aniseed supported with discreet oak. The palate is round and textured with a well balanced freshness, ending with a long and broad spicy finish.

Country: Italy

Region:  Puglia

Grapes: Primitivo 100%

ABV:  14.5 %

Oak Ageing  6 Months

Food Matching

A food-flexible wine, but pairs well with roast red meats, grills, pasta with ragu sauce.

This is a traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape serious and brooding and benefits from a little time to breath and open up. The palate is complex with herby, tapenade flavours and ripe textured tannins balancing the significant 15% alcohol which is expertly managed and integrated.

Country: France

Region: Châteauneuf - du-Pape

ABV: 15%

Grapes: Grenache 65%, Syrah 20%, Mourvedre 10%

This accessible Super Tuscan has an elegant bouquet of leather, black cherries, liquorice and plums leading to a medium to full-bodied palate where ripe red fruit show off the goût de terroir in addition to subtle notes of vanilla and violets, which harmonise and linger, interlacing with the soft tannins and gorgeous silky texture. A firm backbone with perfect integration of acidity and fruit.

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

Grapes: Sangiovese 85%
Cabernet Sauvignon 10%
Merlot 5%

ABV: 13%

Food matches: An extremely versatile and food- friendly wine, serve with classic Italian dishes of pasta, risotto, flame-grilled meat, and hard cheeses.

Monte Antico was established in the early 1970s and takes their name from the medieval town of the same name located in Maremma, just a short distance from Montalcino towards the sea.

This is a fruity, fresh and approachable Nebbiolo. The nose shows delicate mineral notes with hints of violet, rose and liquorice, while the on the palate the silky tannins and long, smooth finish make this a delightfully well-balanced wine.

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmont

Grapes: Nebbiolo

ABV: 13%

Food Match: perfect with pasta dishes, roast meat (particularly Duck) and cheeses.

"Fresh bright strawberries, violets and liquorice depth. The attack is
balanced, with supple fruit, a peppery character, a tight structure
and a medium to full body. A good, juicy, savoury finish with velvety tannins."
- 92 points, James Suckling

A deep and generous Pinot Noir showing ripe fruit flavours of raspberries and wild strawberries, balanced with subtle smoky notes and a deliciously lingering finish.

Very pleasurable on its own, this would nevertheless be superb with oriental duck salads, or light middle eastern lamb dishes.

Country: Chile

Region: Central Valley

ABV: 13%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Vegan, unoaked.