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France - Red Wine

We don't place an emphasis on France (unlike many retailers) as we source our wines primarily on their own merits before appellation or region. The best French wines tend to be expensive as their is plenty of demand from traditional retailers. But there are plenty of good French wines at reasonable prices, particularly from the former Vin de Pays regions along the South coast.

The majority of our French offerings are natural, sulphite free wines from the Rhone and Languedoc regions. We're also listing some other good value French wines, and some Bordeaux and Burgundy which we've recently discovered tucked away in the warehouse.

When it comes to Bordeaux I personally prefer a good Bordeaux blend from warmer more reliable climates outside France. In fact a "Bordeaux blend" is my favourite wine so I'm always keen to find good ones. We have some great examples from Argentina, South Africa and Italy, and even some from New Zealand although the New Zealand ones in particular have a definite "new world" style to them. Give them a go - you would have to spend a lot more money to find anything anywhere near their equivalent from France!
 
 

Chemin des Moutons Domaine D'Anglas 2008 75cl
This is the flagship red wine from Domaine D'Anglas. A blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache aged for two years in oak. A big warming wine, seriously good in it's own right. Being completely sulphite free is a major bonus of course.

Domaine D'Anglas Website



Further Information on Chemin des Moutons Domaine D'Anglas 2008 75cl

Price: £24.95


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Sulphite Content:
John's Rating

93 Points
Free Sulphur (Current)
0 mg/l
Organic Wine
Vegan
Sustainable Farming

Quantity:  


Chemin des Moutons Domaine D'Anglas 2008 75cl
 
 

Esprit de la Garrigue Domaine D'Anglas 2009 75cl
Please excuse the picture! Their wines are only made in tiny quantities and not commercially available so we had to photoshop the only available image we could get. It turns out that the 2009 has been bottled in a Burgundy bottle not the Bordeaux shape as in the picture - it actually looks much better now!

We're getting into seriously good wines now. From a tiny 2 hectare vineyard, this wine consists of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache. All work is done manually including hand picking and destalking. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in wooden vats. Roger recommends opening this wine 12 hours before consuming for best results. That's pretty unrealistic here in the UK but I'd recommend decanting or pouring into a jug to aerate it and leaving it for as long as you comfortably can because it does change significantly as it aerates.Great with red meats like lamb or game such as duck.

Domaine D'Anglas Website



Further Information on Esprit de la Garrigue Domaine D'Anglas 2009 75cl

Price: £18.95


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John's Rating

91 Points
Free Sulphur (Current)
0 mg/l
Organic Wine
Vegan
Sustainable Farming

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Esprit de la Garrigue Domaine D'Anglas 2009 75cl
 
 

Le Petit Roy Domaine D'Anglas 2009 75cl
Please excuse the picture! Their wines are only made in tiny quantities and not commercially available so we had to photoshop the only available image we could get.

This Petit Roy was the wine we enjoyed in the restaurant (2 bottles!). After a full day tasting at the show we asked a French sommelier contact to recommend a quality restaurant where we could get some good sulphite free wine, and he sent us to the trendy (and excellent) "Trinque Fougasse". It was pretty much French only and fully booked but our sommelier friend (Christophe) carries a lot of weight out there! A plate of excellent tapas (all fresh local food), some gypsy music played live on the fiddle and squeeze box, and a couple of bottles of delicious wine! This restaurant/bar lists over 500 wines by the bottle, all local and made properly.

100% native Carignan from a 4 hectare vineyard of old vines (35 to 45 years old). All work in the vineyard is done manually and the grapes are hand picked of course. The grapes are fermented using only native yeasts and undergo carbonic maceration - this very light pressing extracts the flavours but leaves behind most of the tannin from pips and skin, producing a lighter, fresher style of red wine. The wine is matured in vat (either stainless steel or plastic) for 8 months prior to bottling. Although intended for immediate drinking being low in tannin, this wine will keep in great condition for up to 10 years from bottling.

Domaine D'Anglas Website



Further Information on Le Petit Roy Domaine D'Anglas 2009 75cl

Price: £13.99


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Le Petit Roy Domaine D'Anglas 2009 75cl
 
 

Happy Hour Red Domaine D'Anglas 2010 75cl
Please excuse the picture! Their wines are only made in tiny quantities and not commercially available so we had to photoshop the only available image we could get.

This Happy Hour red is made for everyday easy drinking and is their most popular wine. (There is also a Happy Hour Rose but none available until this year's harvest is bottled).

This is soft, smooth and fruity with flavours of fresh apple (for a red wine!), and low alcohol of only 11%. It's very light and can be drunk chilled in warmer weather. Don't think of it as a "red wine" in the traditional manner, more of a refreshing drink. In France this wine is made to be consumed in quantity while sat in the sun, rather than savoured over the course of a meal on a winter's evening. It's completely natural with no additives (no sulphites) and no added tartaric acid, this wine is perfect for those looking to change their wine drinking habits to healthier wines.

Domaine D'Anglas Website



Further Information on Happy Hour Red Domaine D'Anglas 2010 75cl

Price: £10.99


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Happy Hour Red Domaine D'Anglas 2010 75cl
 
 

Chateau Millegrand 2008 75cl
13.5% abv. AC Minervois. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan from Southern France. Rich fruit, very smooth with a long finish. Great value.

Further Information on Chateau Millegrand 2008 75cl

Price: £8.42



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Awards:
CGA
John's Rating

Free Sulphur (Current)
21 mg/l

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Chateau Millegrand 2008 75cl
 
 

Chateau de Vaugelas Le Prieure 2009 75cl
CGA - Bronze Medal for the 08

AC Corbieres. This is a delicious fruit driven blend, bottled at the Chateau. Smooth, medium bodied with lovely soft fruit flavours and good length. The fruit is tempered by some oak ageing making it delicious to enjoy as a glass of wine or even better when paired with food.

Further Information on Chateau de Vaugelas Le Prieure 2009 75cl

Price: £8.42



Sulphite Content:
Awards:

CGA
John's Rating

Free Sulphur (Current)
14 mg/l

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Chateau de Vaugelas Le Prieure 2009 75cl
 
 

Le Malbec 2010 75cl
We're massive fans of Argentine Malbec so we couldn't resist trying this one from the Languedoc as it is being imported by an Argentine wine company! They discovered this wine made by Boris Kovac in the Minervois, and were so impressed they decided to import it to show both the differences and similarities achieved for Malbec in the different climates. Normally Boris uses his Malbec in blends so a new label was produced - hence the somewhat Latin presentation, and the amusing name!

The wine itself is surprisingly good! Deep purple in colour. It's a rich, smooth wine, full in the mouth and packed with ripe fruit flavours. Not a big hitter like the powerful Malbecs of Mendoza, more of an every day glugging wine - but a very good one! Very enjoyable with food, or equally lovely on it's own on a sunny afternoon.

Further Information on Le Malbec 2010 75cl

Price: £7.99



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Le Malbec 2010 75cl
 
 

Trilogie Cuvee L Domaine Viret 2004 Natural Wine 75cl
Jancis Robinson 16/20

I think Jancis missed a trick with this wine. It really needs several hours in a decanter to soften, and that's something professional wine reviewers just don't have time for. In my opinion it deserves a considerably better rating.

Again extremely rare and limited, the Trilogie wines are Alain and Philippe's pride and joy, their ultimate wines. They are only produced in exceptional years when the conditions are perfect. We've been allowed a couple of cases of each as Philippe would rather hang onto these than sell them! The 'L' is 100% Syrah. Truly incredible. We took a bottle to Carlo's which he had kindly decanted an hour before we arrived. It has intense Syrah flavours of fruit and a slight spice, and is amazingly smooth, probably the smoothest wine I have ever tried. Incredible length too, supremely balanced acidity. It's not a big punchy wine like Amarone (one of my very favourites) more comparable to a Super Tuscan for structure and balance. Superb! (We then followed it with the 'T' which was equally impressive!)

Due to their unique composition of natural anti oxidants rather than sulphur, these Domain Viret wines will all benefit from decanting or aerating before drinking (preferably for 30 minutes) to get the best out of them. They all open up remarkably once given the chance to react with the air.

Domaine Viret Website

Further Information on Trilogie Cuvee L Domaine Viret 2004 Natural Wine 75cl

Price: £35.69



Sulphite Content:
Awards:

JR
John's Rating

95 Points
Free Sulphur (Current)
0 mg/l
Bio Dynamic Wine
Organic Wine
Vegan
Sustainable Farming

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Trilogie Cuvee L Domaine Viret 2004 Natural Wine 75cl
 
 

Trilogie Cuvee T Domaine Viret 2004 Natural Wine 75cl
Again extremely rare and limited, the Trilogie wines are Alain and Philippe's pride and joy, their ultimate wines. They are only produced in exceptional years when the conditions are perfect. We've been allowed a couple of cases of each as Philippe would rather hang onto these than sell them! The 'T' is 100% Mouverdre. It's sensational, concentrated flavours, amazingly smooth with supreme length. This wine really needs to be decanted for at least an hour as it opens up beautifully.

Due to their unique composition of natural anti oxidants rather than sulphur, these Domain Viret wines will all benefit from decanting or aerating before drinking (preferably for 30 minutes) to get the best out of them. They all open up remarkably once given the chance to react with the air.

Domaine Viret Website

Further Information on Trilogie Cuvee T Domaine Viret 2004 Natural Wine 75cl

Price: £35.69



Sulphite Content:
John's Rating

95 Points
Free Sulphur (Current)
0 mg/l
Bio Dynamic Wine
Organic Wine
Vegan
Sustainable Farming

Quantity:  


Trilogie Cuvee T Domaine Viret 2004 Natural Wine 75cl
 
 

Emergence Domaine Viret 2007 Natural Wine 75cl
Appellation Cotes du Rhone Villages St Maurice Controlee.

Grenache, Syrah and Carignan, from old vines, aged in barriques for 24 months. This is a big wine which really benefits from decanting and leaving for half an hour. It's deep purple in colour with a 'eucalyptus' nose. There are intense fruit flavours on the palate with a little spice. It's full bodied with noticeable alcohol, though still mellow, and very very smooth, with a very long finish. It's a very impressive wine.

Due to their unique composition of natural anti oxidants rather than sulphur, these Domain Viret wines will all benefit from decanting or aerating before drinking (preferably for 30 minutes) to get the best out of them. They all open up remarkably once given the chance to react with the air.

Domaine Viret Website

Further Information on Emergence Domaine Viret 2007 Natural Wine 75cl

Price: £19.36



Sulphite Content:
John's Rating

93 Points
Free Sulphur (Current)
0 mg/l
Bio Dynamic Wine
Organic Wine
Vegan
Sustainable Farming

Quantity:  


Emergence Domaine Viret 2007 Natural Wine 75cl
 
 

Colonnades Domaine Viret 2008 Natural Wine 75cl
Appellation Cotes du Rhone Villages St Maurice Controlee.

Grenache, Mouverdre and Carignan, aged in barriques for 24 months. Deep ruby in colour with a big nose of white chocolate and mint. Swirl it in the glass and you'll see it has great legs. I commented 'it even smells smooth'! Again there's apparent alcohol, but this is very well balanced by strong fruit flavours and just the right acidity. It's big and rich, full bodied, with a little smokey pepper. It's very smooth with a long finish. We had a handful of the 2006, then a few dozen of the 2007, and now we're onto the 2008 as Philippe makes this wine in very small quantities each vintage.

Due to their unique composition of natural anti oxidants rather than sulphur, these Domain Viret wines will all benefit from decanting or aerating before drinking (preferably for 30 minutes) to get the best out of them. They all open up remarkably once given the chance to react with the air.

Domaine Viret Website

Further Information on Colonnades Domaine Viret 2008 Natural Wine 75cl

Price: £19.07



Sulphite Content:
John's Rating

92 Points
Free Sulphur (Current)
0 mg/l
Bio Dynamic Wine
Organic Wine
Vegan
Sustainable Farming

Quantity:  


Colonnades Domaine Viret 2008 Natural Wine 75cl
 
 

Mareotis Domaine Viret 2007 Natural Wine 75cl
Appellation Cotes du Rhone Villages St Maurice Controlee.

We're now getting into some seriously good wine. Mareotis is a blend of Grenache and Syrah, aged in barriques for 24 months. Purple in colour with ruby edges. Stewed fruits on the nose. Big dark fruit flavours with a savoury edge. It's a big powerful, full bodied wine. Again supremely balanced flavour, alcohol and acidity, very smooth. Dark chocolate flavours on the very long finish.

Due to their unique composition of natural anti oxidants rather than sulphur, these Domain Viret wines will all benefit from decanting or aerating before drinking (preferably for 30 minutes) to get the best out of them. They all open up remarkably once given the chance to react with the air.

Domaine Viret Website

Further Information on Mareotis Domaine Viret 2007 Natural Wine 75cl

Price: £19.07



Sulphite Content:
John's Rating

92 Points
Free Sulphur (Current)
0 mg/l
Bio Dynamic Wine
Organic Wine
Vegan
Sustainable Farming

Quantity:  


Mareotis Domaine Viret 2007 Natural Wine 75cl
 
 

Organic Natural Wine Energie Yang Domaine Viret 75cl
Energie Yang is a delicious, natural Cotes du Rhone blend. Deep ruby in colour with red fruits on the nose. Soft and warm, very smooth, with strong fruit flavours and a slight mineral edge. This wine is far more than organic or even biodynamic, it's made without the addition of any sulphur whatsoever, which is frankly remarkable. When we first tried it, as well as being a lovely wine in it's own right, we found it had a positive tonic effect on us which we can't really explain. Is it just a coincidence that Alain and Philippe have called it 'Energie'? I don't pretend to understand their 'cosmoculture' system, as we only had time to experience a little while we were out there, but it certainly works. Their wines are unlike any other I have ever tasted, and this Yang is a great introduction to them before splashing out on their premium wines - which I'm sure you will once you experience the joys of drinking wine with no added sulphur.

Due to their unique composition of natural anti oxidants rather than sulphur, these Domain Viret wines will all benefit from decanting or aerating before drinking (preferably for 30 minutes) to get the best out of them. They all open up remarkably once given the chance to react with the air.

Domaine Viret Website



Further Information on Organic Natural Wine Energie Yang Domaine Viret 75cl

Price: £10.99


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Organic Natural Wine Energie Yang Domaine Viret 75cl
 
 

Chateau Croizet Bages AC Pauillac 1998 75cl
Library photo of 2005. Please note this is the 1998 vintage

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Chateau Croizet Bages AC Pauillac 1998 75cl
 
 

Cloitre des Dames AC Margaux 75cl


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Price: £21.60



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Cloitre des Dames AC Margaux 75cl
 
 

Vosne Romanee, Louis Latour 2001 75cl


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Price: £25.48




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Vosne Romanee, Louis Latour 2001 75cl
 
 

Santenay Rouge, Louis Latour 2002 75cl


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Price: £15.26




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Santenay Rouge, Louis Latour 2002 75cl
 
 

Chateauneuf du Pape 'La Tiare du Pape' Maison Bouachon 2006 75cl
14.5% abv. A very good Chateauneuf with great presentation. Made predominantly from Grenache, Syrah and Mouverdre with a small quantity of other grapes, all hand picked.

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Price: £24.00



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Chateauneuf du Pape 'La Tiare du Pape' Maison Bouachon 2006 75cl