James Halliday – “Ex 1946 Blewitt Springs bush vines planted in a deep sandy dune that Yangarra call The Beach; dry-grown, bunch-sorted, wild yeast, open fermented and basket pressed. Bright clear though deep crimson hue; scented/perfumed, and I’m gone for all money without even tasting it. And I haven’t fooled myself. Its red fruit sundae glistens with dew drops on a spider’s web, yet also has a savoury echo towards the finish.” 99 Points & Wine of the Year Wine (Halliday Companion Awards Panel 2024)
James Suckling – A medium-bodied red with firm tannins and a fresh and clean finish. Really intense and flavorful. Lovely balance and finesse. One of the best deals out there.
Wine Spectator – Juicy notes of ripe black cherry and spiced plum are thick and velvety, oozing with details of baking spices, tobacco and Earl Grey tea on the finish. Concentrated and complex. The thick tannins add some charm. Drink now through 2030.
Wine Spectator – Black cherry, boysenberry, cola and mineral flavors mingle in this ripe, lively red. The muscular tannins are well-integrated, and citrusy acidity keeps this fresh. Expressive. Drink now through 2025.
James Halliday – "A classic high-quality Margaret River cabernet from an extremely good vintage, with more depth to rounded, fleshy fruit and quality oak than is usual with this wine. It's estate grown, and the vines decades old. It exudes cassis and has an excellent ripe tannin structure. 14% alc. Screwcap. Drink by: 2035"
Wine Enthusiast – Vanilla and toasted coconut open the nose of this wine, before being joined by bright strawberry-cherry and stony underbrush. Strawberries and wild green watermelon notes perk up the palate, with more vanilla and also milk chocolate. Tannins are beginning to uncoil but acid remains present and accounted for.
James Suckling – A super-clean, fruity red with juicy blackcurrant and dark cherry character. Medium-bodied with very fine, fruit-coated tannins and a fresh finish.
Robert Parker/Wine Advocate – The excellent and floral 2019 Catena Malbec shows the
typicity of the grape, violets and red berries, and the
freshness of the year. It has the textbook aromas and a
soft and velvety mouthfeel, with very fine grainy tannins. Drink 2021-2024 (Luis Gutiérrez)
James Suckling – Lovely purity of fruit here, especially when you consider the vintage, ranging from citrus to raspberries to iodine. The juicy and succulent tannins are just the right counterpoint to the rather tangy acidity, and this ends medium-chewy and grainy. Drink now.
Red wine, with its deep hues and multifaceted flavors, has been a cornerstone of many cultures for centuries. Made primarily from black grapes, the range of tastes and aromas these wines can exhibit is truly astounding, all thanks to varying grape varieties, fermentation processes, and aging techniques.
One of the most celebrated aspects of red wine is its ability to evolve in the bottle. Over time, flavors meld and mature, transforming a young, fruit-forward wine into a more nuanced, complex delight. This aging process, whether it takes place in oak barrels or in the bottle itself, gives enthusiasts the thrill of experiencing a wine's evolution.
Regions play a crucial role in defining the characteristics of red wines. The temperate climate of Bordeaux produces structured wines like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, while the sun-baked vineyards of Tuscany yield the Sangiovese grape, forming the backbone of the renowned Chianti.
Tannins, those compounds that can lend a puckering sensation to the mouth, are another signature feature of red wines. These natural preservatives are what allow some wines to be cellared for decades, emerging more refined and harmonious with age.
Beyond just being a beverage, red wine is a journey, a reflection of the land and climate, the grape variety, and the vision of the winemaker. It's a testament to nature's bounty and human innovation intertwined in every bottle.
Red wine is a type of wine made primarily from dark-colored (red or black) grape varieties. The actual color of the wine can range from intense violet, for young wines, to brick red for mature wines, and even brown for older red wines. The juice from most purple and red grapes is greenish-white; the red color comes from anthocyanin pigments present in the grape skins. The winemaking process involves fermenting grape juice in contact with its skins, allowing the liquid to extract color, flavors, and tannins from them. Red wines typically offer flavors of dark fruits like cherries, blackberries, and plums, often accompanied by notes of tobacco, leather, and spices, influenced by grape variety and aging techniques.
Red wine is produced globally, but certain regions have earned accolades for their signature reds. Bordeaux in France is renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends. Burgundy, another French region, is celebrated for its world-class Pinot Noir. Italy's Tuscany region produces iconic wines like Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino, primarily from the Sangiovese grape. Napa Valley in California is famed for its robust Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Spain's Rioja offers superb Tempranillo-based wines, and Australia's Barossa Valley is known for its bold Shiraz.
The world of red wine has several stars. Cabernet Sauvignon, known for its deep color and complexity, is globally recognized. Pinot Noir, with its delicate flavors and versatility, has a vast following. Merlot, Shiraz (or Syrah, depending on the region), and Zinfandel also hold significant positions in the market. Popular brands range from Bordeaux's Château Margaux, Burgundy's Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, to Napa's Opus One and Australia's Penfolds.
For those seeking excellent value, regions like Chile's Central Valley and Spain's La Mancha offer top-quality red wines at very accessible prices. Malbec from Argentina, particularly from the Mendoza region, consistently over-delivers in terms of quality to price ratio. South Africa's Western Cape and parts of southern Italy, like Puglia, are also treasure troves for value-driven, quality red wines.
Red wines, with their robust flavors and tannic structure, pair wonderfully with red meats. Think of a juicy steak with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or lamb chops with a Shiraz. Pinot Noir, being more delicate, pairs brilliantly with dishes like roasted chicken, duck, or salmon. Spaghetti Bolognese and other tomato-based pasta dishes go hand in hand with Italian reds like Chianti. For spicy barbecued dishes, a fruity Zinfandel or Grenache can be a match made in heaven. The key is to match the wine's intensity and flavors with those of the dish for a harmonious pairing.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
Delivery Times
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Quality Guarantee
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
Sending a Gift
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.
We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
To be able to supply such a unique & extensive range of boutique wines, we don't hold much of the inventory. So with us, there is the added step of receiving the wine from our local suppliers before it is dispatched to you. Most orders are dispatched within 3-6 working days.
Replacement or refund offered if bottles are faulty or damaged. All our deliveries are insured against loss, however you must notify us in a reasonable amount of time.
If you would like to include a gift message with your order, please enter that in the order instructions section. We'll print your message in a lovely font on A5 paper. We also won't include the invoice. Tracking will be sent to the email on file.