Red Wine
As you will probably know the wine world is divided up into “old world” and “new world” countries. Old world consists of mainland Europe – France, Spain, Italy, Germany etc, while New World consists mainly of the regions colonised by European settlers such as Australia, New Zealand, USA, Chile, Argentina and South Africa, although the South African wine industry dates back to the mid 17th century so “new” could be a misleading term. This sector is ever expanding with new emerging regions such as Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, and these days even India and China.
So there is a lot to choose from! The UK is regarded as the “shop window” of the world and most producers want their goods on sale here. And as the UK has no history of producing quality wines there is no allegiance to traditional regions or styles over here, giving every wine an equal chance to shine on it’s own merits. Hence the UK wine market is probably the most diverse in the world.
Naturally we assume more choice is a good thing. But with a subject as vast and confusing as red wine there is such a thing as too much choice. Most UK consumers find selecting the right red wine amid the myriad of different retailers and brands a very challenging experience. Unfortunately the UK is flooded with poor quality wine, driven by low supermarket prices and some of the highest excise duty rates in the world – the UK pays over 40% of all the excise duty of the entire European Union! This means a cheap wine in mainland Europe costing three Euros, would cost you more like £8.99 by the time it is on sale in a UK off license – three times as much!
Most retailers, whether supermarkets, grocery chains, off licenses or even independent retailers end up sourcing factory produced wines made on a large scale, with large quantities of additives, driven by price, so finding a good bottle of wine amongst them is like finding a needle in a haystack. This is where we come in. We are a small privately owned, fiercely independent business specialising in sourcing only good quality wines, made properly by people (not machines), with minimal if any additives. We buy the vast majority of our red wines direct from small family owned wineries, and pass the savings onto our customers.
That means you get great quality wines at the right price, our small family wineries get their wines to market, and hopefully we make a profit in the middle which we reinvest into sourcing more great wines. We only sell GOOD WINES so every wine on our site is good, many are exceptional. Most have at least one award, many are multi gold medal winners. So you can be confident of getting a good bottle regardless of which country or region you choose. Many of our really tiny artisan wineries don’t actually enter their wines for awards as they produce so little, but these are also sourced on their merits and are excellent wines.
Here is a guide to help you decide where to start looking.
Argentina
Our boutique producers make some truly world class red wines. Malbec is the signature grape as it flourishes in Argentina producing wines in a big, bold and punchy style not found in the old world. There is a move toward more restrained styles now but there are still plenty of big blockbusting Malbecs out there if you know where to look. They also make exceptional “Bordeaux blends” and great single varietal reds. Look out for “Tannat” and Bonarda as other favourites from here.
Australia
The best regions are around Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills (at the bottom of Australia in the middle). Margaret River south of Perth is widely regarded but personally I find these red wines too expensive for their quality. The Australian dollar is particularly strong so Aussie wines aren’t great value at the moment. We struggle with their whites too as we like to source only wines with low sulphite content and we just can’t seem to find them in Australia. The reds from Barossa and Adelaide can be very good though, particularly Shiraz whether on it’s own or in a blend.
Chile
Famous for quality wines at an affordable price. We don’t currently import from Chile as it’s a difficult country to deal directly with. We have some decent wines from Aresti and Undurraga but Chile is not a focus of ours.
France
We don’t get involved with the established regions like Bordeaux and Burgundy. These sectors are very well catered for already, and in truth I find the red wines to be very disappointing value for money. I would much rather have a Bordeaux blend from South Africa or Argentina than one from Bordeaux – it will be half the price and twice as good! But we do like France for natural wines and we import exclusively from several wineries along the south coast producing excellent organic and sulphite free wines.
Italy
In my opinion Italy makes some of the best wines in the world. It is also the world’s largest producer by volume. There is a vast array of different grapes and styles from cool climate Pinot Nero in the snowy north to hot weather Primitivo in the south. Italian red wine labels are very difficult to understand for the amateur enthusiast as most Italian wines are named after their region rather than grape varieties. We have beautiful top quality Amarones from Veneto, from world class producers like Zenato and Campagnola. Superb Tuscans from La Selva and Casanova di Neri – I could go on and on as there is a wealth of great wines on our Italian page. Read through it for yourself.
New Zealand
Famous for Pinot Noir, but also getting more acclaim for heavier reds like Syrah, subject to it coming from the right region of course. I find their red wines a bit too manipulated for my personal taste, with the exception of the real top end like Jurassic Ridge on Waiheke Island, but I am particularly fussy on purity. The New Zealand dollar is very strong so we have stopped importing from here foe the foreseeable future as the wines are simply not value for money at the present time.
South Africa
A country producing exceptional wines. There are roughly 1600 wineries in South Africa, many of them small and family owned, with the wine industry dating back to the 1600s. The reputation of SA red wines has suffered due to the poor quality mass produced plonk flooding our high streets, but get onto their top boutique wines and they stand right up there with the best from the rest of the world. We import from about ten top quality boutique family owned wineries, and these wines are amongst the best on our site. The Rand is weak so South Africa is easily the best value of all the new world countries at present, and in my opinion produces some of the best wines in the new world.
Spain
Famous for red wine of course as one of the biggest producers in the world. Rioja is their most famous region but that has been surpassed by Ribera del Duero for quality which in turn is finding fierce competition from emerging regions such as Toro and Bierzo. Tempranillo is their signature grape but there are also significant plantings of Cabernet, Merlot and Grenache as well as native Spanish grapes, which are often blended with Tempranillo. We are now importing directly from a dozen tiny artisan Spanish wineries. These wines tend to be made naturally with minimal additives, and are not only delicious but also great value for money too.
USA
California is their biggest red wine region but there are other emerging regions on the east coast. We specialise in sulphite free wines and import directly from Frey Winery, the USA’s oldest organically certified winery.
93 Points – James Suckling
A new “Appassimento” wine from Zenato.
Big, smooth and delicious as you would expect. This is a neat fit between their Valpolicella and Ripassa.
£19.99
93 Points – James Suckling
A new “Appassimento” wine from Zenato.
Big, smooth and delicious as you would expect. This is a neat fit between their Valpolicella and Ripassa.
£19.99
Amarone Guiseppe Campagnola is a delicious Amarone, perfect with food. It’s a bit softer and lighter in style than Campagnola’s Caterina Zardini Amarone, but is still a big wine. It’s super smooth and full flavoured. It’s great value to get such a quality Amarone at this price.
Guiseppe Campagnola makes some great red wines at affordable prices when compared to other Amarone, Valpolicella and Ripasso wines. They are consistently good quality and great value for money.
£32.50
Amarone Guiseppe Campagnola is a delicious Amarone, perfect with food. It’s a bit softer and lighter in style than Campagnola’s Caterina Zardini Amarone, but is still a big wine. It’s super smooth and full flavoured. It’s great value to get such a quality Amarone at this price.
Guiseppe Campagnola makes some great red wines at affordable prices when compared to other Amarone, Valpolicella and Ripasso wines. They are consistently good quality and great value for money.
£32.50
Another delicious Malbec in a natural style. Medium bodied, very smooth and silky. Lovely flavours with vanilla coming through on the long finish.
£30.00
Another delicious Malbec in a natural style. Medium bodied, very smooth and silky. Lovely flavours with vanilla coming through on the long finish.
£30.00
This is Atamisque’s Serbal range – unoaked wines, fresh and clean at an affordable price.
This is something special
A few of our regulars had discovered Atamisque’s signature Petit Verdot (at £30), well here is a beauty at half the price!
Very deep ruby with purple edges. Big black juicy fruit upfront, super smooth turning to dark chocolate on the very long finish.
£15.49
Out of stock
This is Atamisque’s Serbal range – unoaked wines, fresh and clean at an affordable price.
This is something special
A few of our regulars had discovered Atamisque’s signature Petit Verdot (at £30), well here is a beauty at half the price!
Very deep ruby with purple edges. Big black juicy fruit upfront, super smooth turning to dark chocolate on the very long finish.
£15.49
Out of stock
This is Atamisque’s Serbal range – unoaked wines, fresh and clean at an affordable price.
Ruby with purple edges. Good legs with a natural nose and a hint of perfume.
Nice red fruits in the mouth with medium weight and body, then a bit of darker fruit and just a hint of pepper on the long finish.
£15.49
This is Atamisque’s Serbal range – unoaked wines, fresh and clean at an affordable price.
Ruby with purple edges. Good legs with a natural nose and a hint of perfume.
Nice red fruits in the mouth with medium weight and body, then a bit of darker fruit and just a hint of pepper on the long finish.
£15.49
This is Atamisque’s Serbal range – unoaked wines, fresh and clean at an affordable price.
Deep ruby/purple with plums on the nose.
Big, soft and velvety in the mouth, with plenty of plum and red fruit flavours.
With the price of wine having rocketed, this is a great Malbec for the money/1
£15.49
This is Atamisque’s Serbal range – unoaked wines, fresh and clean at an affordable price.
Deep ruby/purple with plums on the nose.
Big, soft and velvety in the mouth, with plenty of plum and red fruit flavours.
With the price of wine having rocketed, this is a great Malbec for the money/1
£15.49
This is Atamisque’s Serbal range – unoaked wines, fresh and clean at an affordable price.
Clear ruby. Cherry flavours, plenty of red fruits, nice and round in the mouth, lovely and smooth.
Nice long finish too. An excellent Pinot Noir in a straight forward fruity style.
£15.49
This is Atamisque’s Serbal range – unoaked wines, fresh and clean at an affordable price.
Clear ruby. Cherry flavours, plenty of red fruits, nice and round in the mouth, lovely and smooth.
Nice long finish too. An excellent Pinot Noir in a straight forward fruity style.
£15.49
La Cayetana is the project of Emilia Soler, wife of Eduardo Soler of Ver Sacrum. She makes these amazing wines in her converted garage!
Deep ruby, big nose showing some oak.
Big round and full in the mouth, very smooth, not heavy. Lovely fruit upfront with the oak showing through on the long finish.
Perfect with a steak!
This is excellent.
£21.95
La Cayetana is the project of Emilia Soler, wife of Eduardo Soler of Ver Sacrum. She makes these amazing wines in her converted garage!
Deep ruby, big nose showing some oak.
Big round and full in the mouth, very smooth, not heavy. Lovely fruit upfront with the oak showing through on the long finish.
Perfect with a steak!
This is excellent.
£21.95
La Cayetana is the project of Emilia Soler, wife of Eduardo Soler of Ver Sacrum. She makes these amazing wines in her converted garage!
100% Cabernet Franc, hand harvested, aged for 12 months in oak. This is the very last of the 2020 vintage – please note one or two bottles have slightly damaged labels but the wine is in perfect condition!
2024 Wine Merchants Awards Top 100
£21.95
La Cayetana is the project of Emilia Soler, wife of Eduardo Soler of Ver Sacrum. She makes these amazing wines in her converted garage!
100% Cabernet Franc, hand harvested, aged for 12 months in oak. This is the very last of the 2020 vintage – please note one or two bottles have slightly damaged labels but the wine is in perfect condition!
2024 Wine Merchants Awards Top 100
£21.95
La Cayetana is the project of Emilia Soler, wife of Eduardo Soler of Ver Sacrum. She makes these amazing wines in her converted garage!
Tiny production hand harvested 100% Pinot Noir from Vista Flores, regarded as the finest vineyard area in Argentina. Aged for 12 months in French oak.
Pale, clear ruby. Soft red fruits upfront, full in the mouth and very smooth. The high altitude natural acidity cuts in on the finish refreshing the palate.
This is excellent.
£22.96
La Cayetana is the project of Emilia Soler, wife of Eduardo Soler of Ver Sacrum. She makes these amazing wines in her converted garage!
Tiny production hand harvested 100% Pinot Noir from Vista Flores, regarded as the finest vineyard area in Argentina. Aged for 12 months in French oak.
Pale, clear ruby. Soft red fruits upfront, full in the mouth and very smooth. The high altitude natural acidity cuts in on the finish refreshing the palate.
This is excellent.
£22.96
La Cayetana is the project of Emilia Soler, wife of Eduardo Soler of Ver Sacrum. She makes these amazing wines in her converted garage!
Fruit from very old vines in a historic vineyard. Fermented in a concrete tank then aged for twelve months in oak with further bottle age before release.
Deep ruby in colour with good legs. Big, dense black fruit flavour lifted by natural acidity. Good weight on the palate, well balanced oak and fruit with a silky velvet texture, all presented in an impressive heavyweight bottle.
This is excellent.
£19.99
La Cayetana is the project of Emilia Soler, wife of Eduardo Soler of Ver Sacrum. She makes these amazing wines in her converted garage!
Fruit from very old vines in a historic vineyard. Fermented in a concrete tank then aged for twelve months in oak with further bottle age before release.
Deep ruby in colour with good legs. Big, dense black fruit flavour lifted by natural acidity. Good weight on the palate, well balanced oak and fruit with a silky velvet texture, all presented in an impressive heavyweight bottle.
This is excellent.
£19.99
We have just 7 bottles of the fabulous 2020 vintage left. Then we will be on the 2023 so be quick to get these 7.
La Cayetana is the project of Emilia Soler, wife of Eduardo Soler of Ver Sacrum. She makes these amazing wines in her converted garage!
This Syrah is something special!
Reminded me very much of Boekenhoutskloof Syrah which is now (well) over £40 per bottle. Very deep ruby in colour with big legs and a spicey nose. Big fruit flavours with high natural acidity giving a nice balanced weight on the palate. Super smooth with fruit, pepper and oak all in harmony.
This is a fantastic wine in a classical elegant style.
£27.00
Out of stock
We have just 7 bottles of the fabulous 2020 vintage left. Then we will be on the 2023 so be quick to get these 7.
La Cayetana is the project of Emilia Soler, wife of Eduardo Soler of Ver Sacrum. She makes these amazing wines in her converted garage!
This Syrah is something special!
Reminded me very much of Boekenhoutskloof Syrah which is now (well) over £40 per bottle. Very deep ruby in colour with big legs and a spicey nose. Big fruit flavours with high natural acidity giving a nice balanced weight on the palate. Super smooth with fruit, pepper and oak all in harmony.
This is a fantastic wine in a classical elegant style.
£27.00
Out of stock
La Cayetana is the project of Emilia Soler, wife of Eduardo Soler of Ver Sacrum. She makes these amazing wines in her converted garage!
Just 300 cases produced. Hand harvested grapes from 70 year old vines, aged in oak for 12 months, then in the bottle for a further 8 months.
We are on the newly released 2023, where the 2022 was awarded 96 Points by Parker and Decanter!
Floral on the nose, big purple fruit upfront with big vanilla. Very soft, natural and velvety, then the natural acidity cuts in along with some solid oak on the very long finish.
£40.00
Out of stock
La Cayetana is the project of Emilia Soler, wife of Eduardo Soler of Ver Sacrum. She makes these amazing wines in her converted garage!
Just 300 cases produced. Hand harvested grapes from 70 year old vines, aged in oak for 12 months, then in the bottle for a further 8 months.
We are on the newly released 2023, where the 2022 was awarded 96 Points by Parker and Decanter!
Floral on the nose, big purple fruit upfront with big vanilla. Very soft, natural and velvety, then the natural acidity cuts in along with some solid oak on the very long finish.
£40.00
Out of stock
Ver Sacrum is a very exciting newcomer. It’s basically Eduardo’s garage and a rented warehouse. A small group of Vignerons returning the original Spanish grapes to Argentina, and making the wines as naturally as possible.
This Dona Mencia is very much in the style of top Pinot Noir, reminding me both of top Burgundy and top Elgin cool climate Pinot from South Africa. It’s a beautiful ruby colour, black and red fruit flavours initially, super smooth with some oak coming in on the very long finish. This is a class bottle of wine.
£29.95
Ver Sacrum is a very exciting newcomer. It’s basically Eduardo’s garage and a rented warehouse. A small group of Vignerons returning the original Spanish grapes to Argentina, and making the wines as naturally as possible.
This Dona Mencia is very much in the style of top Pinot Noir, reminding me both of top Burgundy and top Elgin cool climate Pinot from South Africa. It’s a beautiful ruby colour, black and red fruit flavours initially, super smooth with some oak coming in on the very long finish. This is a class bottle of wine.
£29.95
Ver Sacrum is a very exciting newcomer. It’s basically Eduardo’s garage and a rented warehouse. A small group of Vignerons returning the original Spanish grapes to Argentina, and making the wines as naturally as possible.
This Garnacha S is fantastic. Partial carbonic maceration to avoid extracting too much tannin. Then fermented in both used 500ltr Fremch oak barrels and clay amphorae (with no skin contact, again minimising tannin extraction).
Then aged in both small oak casks and clay amphorae for 18 months, bottled and aged for a further 20 months prior to release.
Red fruit flavours with natural acidity giving it a lift (much in the style of good GSM or Chateauneuf), super smooth with a very long finish. Eduardo has achieved a great balance without the wine being “heavy”, keeping it in an elegant and classical style.
£29.95
Ver Sacrum is a very exciting newcomer. It’s basically Eduardo’s garage and a rented warehouse. A small group of Vignerons returning the original Spanish grapes to Argentina, and making the wines as naturally as possible.
This Garnacha S is fantastic. Partial carbonic maceration to avoid extracting too much tannin. Then fermented in both used 500ltr Fremch oak barrels and clay amphorae (with no skin contact, again minimising tannin extraction).
Then aged in both small oak casks and clay amphorae for 18 months, bottled and aged for a further 20 months prior to release.
Red fruit flavours with natural acidity giving it a lift (much in the style of good GSM or Chateauneuf), super smooth with a very long finish. Eduardo has achieved a great balance without the wine being “heavy”, keeping it in an elegant and classical style.
£29.95
95 points – Robert Parker, 95 points- Decanter, 94 points – Tim Atkin, 94 points – Patricio Tapia, 17.5 – Jancis Robinson
To describe this wine as something special is of course an understatement – it is superb.
£120.00
95 points – Robert Parker, 95 points- Decanter, 94 points – Tim Atkin, 94 points – Patricio Tapia, 17.5 – Jancis Robinson
To describe this wine as something special is of course an understatement – it is superb.
£120.00
94 Points Descorchados
92 Points james Suckling
92 Points Robert Parker
Maquis is a superb artisan family winery at the confluence of two rivers at the feet of the Andes. This “Lien” was their only wine for the first five years but they have sinced introduced others. It’s a fantastic blend, made in a natural style.
Typical big Chilean nose. In the mouth it is soft and very smooth, elegant and perhaps more savoury than powerful and punchy.
It’s a great wine as you can see from it’s awards.
£25.00
Out of stock
94 Points Descorchados
92 Points james Suckling
92 Points Robert Parker
Maquis is a superb artisan family winery at the confluence of two rivers at the feet of the Andes. This “Lien” was their only wine for the first five years but they have sinced introduced others. It’s a fantastic blend, made in a natural style.
Typical big Chilean nose. In the mouth it is soft and very smooth, elegant and perhaps more savoury than powerful and punchy.
It’s a great wine as you can see from it’s awards.
£25.00
Out of stock
94 Points James Suckling
A collaboration between Bodega Tapiz and Jean Claude Berrouet, winemaker at Chateau Petrus for 25 years (1982 -2007). Jean Claude is regarded as one of the finest winemakers the world has ever known, and a world leader with Merlot. Under his direction Chateau Petrus became one of the most expensive and sought after wines in the world.
It comes as no surprise then to find this blend is heavily dominated by Merlot. I’ve copied the Tapiz wine information into the further information page. I tasted it at Barrulo and was really impressed. This is a stunning wine, very silky and elegant. It was late on at the show by the time I tasted it so I didn’t even attempt to make my own tasting notes by that stage, so be guided by the official ones. But trust me, this is something very special from Argentina!
These notes are for the previous vintage – we have just received some of the 2018.
£89.99
94 Points James Suckling
A collaboration between Bodega Tapiz and Jean Claude Berrouet, winemaker at Chateau Petrus for 25 years (1982 -2007). Jean Claude is regarded as one of the finest winemakers the world has ever known, and a world leader with Merlot. Under his direction Chateau Petrus became one of the most expensive and sought after wines in the world.
It comes as no surprise then to find this blend is heavily dominated by Merlot. I’ve copied the Tapiz wine information into the further information page. I tasted it at Barrulo and was really impressed. This is a stunning wine, very silky and elegant. It was late on at the show by the time I tasted it so I didn’t even attempt to make my own tasting notes by that stage, so be guided by the official ones. But trust me, this is something very special from Argentina!
These notes are for the previous vintage – we have just received some of the 2018.
£89.99
Sergio Zenato’s personal Riserva Amarone is something special. We’ve been stocking it for years and enjoyed many great vintages. It is the one wine we turn to when we decide to treat ourselves to a special wine. Sergio Zenato sadly passed away a few years back, so this wine is now made by his son Alberto. It is still extremely limited of course and made to honour the great Sergio Zenato who is one of the all time great exponents of Amarone.
Regrettably we’ve had to pass on significant supplier increases as Italy is struggling with excessive energy prices affecting both production and transport.
£100.00
Sergio Zenato’s personal Riserva Amarone is something special. We’ve been stocking it for years and enjoyed many great vintages. It is the one wine we turn to when we decide to treat ourselves to a special wine. Sergio Zenato sadly passed away a few years back, so this wine is now made by his son Alberto. It is still extremely limited of course and made to honour the great Sergio Zenato who is one of the all time great exponents of Amarone.
Regrettably we’ve had to pass on significant supplier increases as Italy is struggling with excessive energy prices affecting both production and transport.
£100.00
90 points Tim Atkin
93 Points Descorchados
An excellent addition to the Maquis range from this superb Chilean winery. Their super premium Franco is sensational and this is fantastic too at a more affordable price.
90% Cabernet Franc, 9% Carménère & 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. I don’t have my tasting notes to hand so going from memory only, this is a delicious wine. Big, opulent and very smooth. It’s a bargain at this price.
£17.99
Out of stock
90 points Tim Atkin
93 Points Descorchados
An excellent addition to the Maquis range from this superb Chilean winery. Their super premium Franco is sensational and this is fantastic too at a more affordable price.
90% Cabernet Franc, 9% Carménère & 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. I don’t have my tasting notes to hand so going from memory only, this is a delicious wine. Big, opulent and very smooth. It’s a bargain at this price.
£17.99
Out of stock
93 Points, Tim Atkin 2021.
92 Points, Guía Descorchados 2021.
92 Points, James Suckling 2021.
Another superb addition to the Maquis range from this fantastic Chilean winery.
Cabernet Sauvignon – Cabernet Franc – Carmenere – Petit Verdot all hand picked and the wine was aged in oak for 12 months. Maquis themselves say this 2018 was an exceptional vintage.
Deep ruby and purple with the familiar Chilean Cabernet nose. Big blackberry fruit, smooth and velvety with the oak coming in on the long dry finish. This is great wine and if you like Chilean Cabernet I think you are going to love it!.
£19.00
93 Points, Tim Atkin 2021.
92 Points, Guía Descorchados 2021.
92 Points, James Suckling 2021.
Another superb addition to the Maquis range from this fantastic Chilean winery.
Cabernet Sauvignon – Cabernet Franc – Carmenere – Petit Verdot all hand picked and the wine was aged in oak for 12 months. Maquis themselves say this 2018 was an exceptional vintage.
Deep ruby and purple with the familiar Chilean Cabernet nose. Big blackberry fruit, smooth and velvety with the oak coming in on the long dry finish. This is great wine and if you like Chilean Cabernet I think you are going to love it!.
£19.00
Deep ruby in colour with purple edges, big legs. Delicious flavours. Everything in perfect balance here – fruit, oak and acidity. This is an elegant sophisticated wine with some depth and power.
Marcello Pelleritti is a superb winemaker and I think he has produced an absolute gem here.
£19.99
Deep ruby in colour with purple edges, big legs. Delicious flavours. Everything in perfect balance here – fruit, oak and acidity. This is an elegant sophisticated wine with some depth and power.
Marcello Pelleritti is a superb winemaker and I think he has produced an absolute gem here.
£19.99
Tim Atkin 91 Points
James Suckling 89 Points
Descorchados 91 Points
A unique wine fermented with Japanese Sake yeast allowing for much cooler fermentation. Aged on the lees in stainless steel tanks for 12 months to gain complexity.
This is a true artisan Pinot Noir, elegant and soft with red fruit flavours and well balanced acidity. Great any time but particularly good with the turkey!
This is a poor photoshopped image – the wine is in a very impressive heavyweight dumpy bottle and looks fantastic (makes a great gift!)
£17.99
Out of stock
Tim Atkin 91 Points
James Suckling 89 Points
Descorchados 91 Points
A unique wine fermented with Japanese Sake yeast allowing for much cooler fermentation. Aged on the lees in stainless steel tanks for 12 months to gain complexity.
This is a true artisan Pinot Noir, elegant and soft with red fruit flavours and well balanced acidity. Great any time but particularly good with the turkey!
This is a poor photoshopped image – the wine is in a very impressive heavyweight dumpy bottle and looks fantastic (makes a great gift!)
£17.99
Out of stock
Amarone Classico Della Valpolicella Zenato to give it it’s full name is one of the finest Amarones on the market and Zenato are one of the top Amarone producers. They are members of the elite Amarone producers consortium of course. This Amarone is made by Alberto Zenato who took over the winemaking from his father, the great Sergio Zenato, who sadly passed away a few years back.
In my opinion one of the best and most consistent Amarones on the market. Certainly my favourite out of all the big name Amarones out there. I’ve been drinking this wine for as long as I can remember and have never had a disappointing vintage. Consistently excellent every year!
Regrettably we’ve had to pass on significant supplier increases as Italy is struggling with excessive energy prices affecting both production and transport.
£57.00
Amarone Classico Della Valpolicella Zenato to give it it’s full name is one of the finest Amarones on the market and Zenato are one of the top Amarone producers. They are members of the elite Amarone producers consortium of course. This Amarone is made by Alberto Zenato who took over the winemaking from his father, the great Sergio Zenato, who sadly passed away a few years back.
In my opinion one of the best and most consistent Amarones on the market. Certainly my favourite out of all the big name Amarones out there. I’ve been drinking this wine for as long as I can remember and have never had a disappointing vintage. Consistently excellent every year!
Regrettably we’ve had to pass on significant supplier increases as Italy is struggling with excessive energy prices affecting both production and transport.
£57.00
James Suckling 94 Points
A top blend from Marcello here. His wines are all natural, and we are delighted to have them back after an absence of a couple of years. This blend (2019 vintage) is produced from handpicked grapes which underwent a micro fermentation with natural yeasts prior to being aged in oak for 20 months.
This is a seriously good wine, more savoury and elegant than fruit driven, with noticeable vanilla on the finish.
£36.00
James Suckling 94 Points
A top blend from Marcello here. His wines are all natural, and we are delighted to have them back after an absence of a couple of years. This blend (2019 vintage) is produced from handpicked grapes which underwent a micro fermentation with natural yeasts prior to being aged in oak for 20 months.
This is a seriously good wine, more savoury and elegant than fruit driven, with noticeable vanilla on the finish.
£36.00
Wye’s Owl is an amazing new brand of English no added sulphite wines, hand produced in tiny numbers.
Pale red showing lovely fruit on the palate with just a hint of vanilla. Noticeable Pinot Noir flavours finishing soft and dry. This is an excellent lighter wine that can be served chilled if desired.
Only 160 bottles produced – so get some while you can!
Image is a photoshop creation as no photos exist yet – sealed with a screwcap for freshness
£15.95
Wye’s Owl is an amazing new brand of English no added sulphite wines, hand produced in tiny numbers.
Pale red showing lovely fruit on the palate with just a hint of vanilla. Noticeable Pinot Noir flavours finishing soft and dry. This is an excellent lighter wine that can be served chilled if desired.
Only 160 bottles produced – so get some while you can!
Image is a photoshop creation as no photos exist yet – sealed with a screwcap for freshness
£15.95
Wye’s Owl is an amazing new brand of English no added sulphite wines, hand produced in tiny numbers.
Pale ruby with a natural nose. Lovely red fruit flavours with good natural acidity cleansing the palate on the finish.
Only 113 bottles produced – so get some while you can!
£15.95
Wye’s Owl is an amazing new brand of English no added sulphite wines, hand produced in tiny numbers.
Pale ruby with a natural nose. Lovely red fruit flavours with good natural acidity cleansing the palate on the finish.
Only 113 bottles produced – so get some while you can!
£15.95
A great organic Pinot Noir from this family owned winery. Deep colour, unfiltered retaining the natural goodness.
Cherry flavours on the palate with medium body and good mouthfeel, smooth and well balanced. Not the light transparent, “raspberry style” some cheaper Pinots can be, far more of an accomplished wine suitable for a whole variety of foods, particularly turkey and white meats.
12.5%abv
£13.99
A great organic Pinot Noir from this family owned winery. Deep colour, unfiltered retaining the natural goodness.
Cherry flavours on the palate with medium body and good mouthfeel, smooth and well balanced. Not the light transparent, “raspberry style” some cheaper Pinots can be, far more of an accomplished wine suitable for a whole variety of foods, particularly turkey and white meats.
12.5%abv
£13.99
Domaine Myrac Diletante Rouge is a complex Syrah with flavours of dark chocolate followed by mint. Very smooth and balanced. Fully organic and very low in sulphur, this is a genuine artisan wine from this excellent organic family owned winery. This wine is lovely.
£18.50
Domaine Myrac Diletante Rouge is a complex Syrah with flavours of dark chocolate followed by mint. Very smooth and balanced. Fully organic and very low in sulphur, this is a genuine artisan wine from this excellent organic family owned winery. This wine is lovely.
£18.50
Gold – Mundus Vini
International Wine Report – 92 Points
A fantastic new organic wine from this excellent co-operative. The renowned Rhone trio of grape varieties “GSM” (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre).
This wine is superb for the money.
£14.99
Gold – Mundus Vini
International Wine Report – 92 Points
A fantastic new organic wine from this excellent co-operative. The renowned Rhone trio of grape varieties “GSM” (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre).
This wine is superb for the money.
£14.99
Gold – Mundus Vini
Gold – Bruxelles
Appellation Rasteau Controllee. Concentrated red and black fruits with some well integrated oak. Fairly light in body and silky smooth. This is a delicious wine, ideal with some good cheese.
£16.99
Gold – Mundus Vini
Gold – Bruxelles
Appellation Rasteau Controllee. Concentrated red and black fruits with some well integrated oak. Fairly light in body and silky smooth. This is a delicious wine, ideal with some good cheese.
£16.99
Gold – Orange Wine Awards
Decanter 91 Points
A very pleasant warming red. At first it’s a little tight with earthy aromas. Give it a bit of time to open up and it becomes very moreish in a natural style.
£13.49
Gold – Orange Wine Awards
Decanter 91 Points
A very pleasant warming red. At first it’s a little tight with earthy aromas. Give it a bit of time to open up and it becomes very moreish in a natural style.
£13.49
An excellent organic Rhone blend. Again sweet fruit on entry, good mouthfeel with full body, smooth and round with just a hint of oak.
£14.99
Out of stock
An excellent organic Rhone blend. Again sweet fruit on entry, good mouthfeel with full body, smooth and round with just a hint of oak.
£14.99
Out of stock
Gold Medal – Bruxelles
Yet another excellent organic red, this time a Cotes du Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu.
It’s a big wine, powerful
£15.95
Gold Medal – Bruxelles
Yet another excellent organic red, this time a Cotes du Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu.
It’s a big wine, powerful
£15.95
Gold – Decanter 95 Points
Gigondas had become known as “the poor man’s Chateauneuf du Pape” a decade ago, although I think that is a bit tongue in cheek as the wines can still command a hefty price. The wines can be amazing and although this AC has developed a very strong reputation for high quality, they still tend to be a bit cheaper than equivalents from Chateauneuf.
This wine is superb. Big and powerful as you would expect, with full body. Super smooth with acidity and oak in perfect balance, and a very long lingering finish. Highly recommended. Cave de Cairanne make all their reds in a fruit forward style and minimise the tannins (by de-stemming etc) so the wine is ready to drink young. For this reason we recommend you drink within a couple of days once opened, but it is so delicious you will probably drink it within a couple of hours in reality!
£29.95
Gold – Decanter 95 Points
Gigondas had become known as “the poor man’s Chateauneuf du Pape” a decade ago, although I think that is a bit tongue in cheek as the wines can still command a hefty price. The wines can be amazing and although this AC has developed a very strong reputation for high quality, they still tend to be a bit cheaper than equivalents from Chateauneuf.
This wine is superb. Big and powerful as you would expect, with full body. Super smooth with acidity and oak in perfect balance, and a very long lingering finish. Highly recommended. Cave de Cairanne make all their reds in a fruit forward style and minimise the tannins (by de-stemming etc) so the wine is ready to drink young. For this reason we recommend you drink within a couple of days once opened, but it is so delicious you will probably drink it within a couple of hours in reality!
£29.95
Decanter 93 Points, Guide Hatchette – “Excellent”
Cave de Cairanne are very proud of this Vacqueyras. As an AOC the reputation of Vacqueyras has grown in recent years as it is catching up to it’s more famous neighbours of Gigondas and Chateauneuf du Pape.
This is an excellent wine. Big and powerful yet well balanced. Good fruit with just the right amount of oak, very smooth and medium bodied with a long finish. This knocks the socks off any generic Chateaneuf du Pape. Highly recommended.
£21.95
Decanter 93 Points, Guide Hatchette – “Excellent”
Cave de Cairanne are very proud of this Vacqueyras. As an AOC the reputation of Vacqueyras has grown in recent years as it is catching up to it’s more famous neighbours of Gigondas and Chateauneuf du Pape.
This is an excellent wine. Big and powerful yet well balanced. Good fruit with just the right amount of oak, very smooth and medium bodied with a long finish. This knocks the socks off any generic Chateaneuf du Pape. Highly recommended.
£21.95
Deep ruby in colour with purple edges. Big initial flavours, soft and velvety on the palate, very smooth with a long finish.
Very good wine and value for money.
£14.99
Deep ruby in colour with purple edges. Big initial flavours, soft and velvety on the palate, very smooth with a long finish.
Very good wine and value for money.
£14.99
Tinto de Abel is an organic red made from the Bobal grape, hand harvested and lightly pressed.
Soft and fruity, easy drinking, gentle tannins. Very enjoyable, great wine for BBQs!
Please note Jane had a very mild reaction to the sulphites so if you have a sulphite allergy you may wish to avoid this wine. I enjoyed it and for everybody else it’s a great healthy wine, we are just being extra cautious as we have quite a few customers who suffer from the sulphite allergy, so we haven’t given it a low sulphite rating (despite it being low compared to mainstream wines!)
£13.49