ALL REDS <$40

Raymond Chan Wine Reviews 18.5/20. Deep, ruby-black with a slight hint of garnet, lighter edged. The nose is intensely full, filled with aromas of eucalyptus, pencil shavings, melded with cassis, blackberries, violets and savoury, earthy hints. Full-bodied, bright fruit aromas of cassis, blackberries, violets interweave a hint of leather, unfolding eucalyptus, pencil shavings and earth. Fine-grained tannin extraction offers a chewy palate; fruit is bright and attractive with complexity, lively acidity added roundness. Match this with grilled ribeye and kangaroo loin over the next 5 years. 14.5% alc. 18.5/20 pts August 2021. Only 1800 cases...

Albet i Noya Lignum Negre  is an organic red wine made by  Albet i Noya  with the  Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha Tinta and Merlot  varieties in the  D.O. Penedès (Catalonia). A family project in the  Penedès  region, this winery is now run by the fourth generation and has become a pioneering winery in organic vineyard cultivation. This working philosophy was started by  Josep Maria Albet i Noya  in 1979 and has continued with the recovery of native pre-phylloxera varieties and the meticulous study of all the plots according to their orientation, altitude and soil composition....

Voted Top 5 wine to have with a pizza by Wall Street Journal in 2017. ...Wow....that got our attention. The fact is that the unique grape blend really does enhance the experience of your favourie pizza. Try it. James Suckling 91 points.   First produced in 1975. As per the product specification: 'Sangiovese from 60% to 80%, Sagrantino from 10 to 25%  Matured for 12 months in French oak barrels, then  at least 4 months in bottle. Aroma of wild flowers, red fruits and a touch of nutmeg. In the mouth it enters dry, fresh, just the right amount of softness as opposed to tannins.

Wine Advocate 92 points. This is a blend of 85% Garnacha Tintorera and 15% Monastrell from dry-farmed, head-pruned vines that are planted on limestone soils and average 45 years of age. It fermented in open-top stainless steel vats with neutral yeasts and matured in French oak barrels for one year. This feels harmonious and integrated, still young and a little creamy, but it was only bottled one month before I tasted it. There's more freshness and balance here, the 2020 is the most harmonious of the three vintages I tasted side by side. 54,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2022.  

Tim Atkin MW 93 points. Lan D-12  homages an old La Rioja tradition. In the past, the cellar masters of the region used to keep the best wines for the personal consumption of the winemaking and vineyard crew. At Bodegas Lan, the top quality wines were vinified in  Depósito nª12  (diposit 12), hence the name of this  Spanish red wine . Made solely from Tempranillo, this  red wine from La Rioja  is sourced from three plots of vines, aged 30 to 45 years, with clay-limestone soils. They are situated in the villages of Vinaspre, El Cortijo and San Vicente de la Sonsierra. After completing...

Magazine Gourmets 92 points. The grapes were sourced from 40-year-old vines located in the towns of Quintana del Pidio, La Horra and Roa de Duero within the province of Burgos. These old vines produce low yields of very concentrated and intense fruit, packed full of flavour. The vineyards are on south-facing slopes at an altitude of 850 metres above sea level. Cool nights at this altitude counteract the heat of the days and allow the grapes to retain a balancing acidity. This Crianza offers a robust blend of ripe red and dark fruits, complemented by notes of oak, vanilla, and spices. Its well-structured tannins and balanced acidity lead to a...

Cherry red colour with an intense bouquet red and black fruit and a hint of vanilla. Well-balanced with a rich ripe fruit character and warm finish.

LAN Xtrème Organic is the extreme manifestation of the LAN philosophy in terms of respect for the raw materials. A wine made with minimal intervention from the outset, the result of a selection of vines from the Ecological Mantible parcel, named as such due to its proximity to the Roman Mantible Bridge. GRAPE VARIETIES: 100% Tempranillo with organic certification.  VINEYARDS: Mantible Ecológico, a 5-hectare parcel on the Viña Lanciano estate. 400 metres above sea level with terrain sloping down in a East-West direction. Sandy loam soils with an abundance of small and medium-sized pebbles.  WINEMAKING: After...

A new venture for the Boekenhootskloof team. ‘”I went much lighter in 2021″ says Gottfried Mocke of his Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir, which saw 25% whole bunches and 60% blonde-toasted new barrels. Juicy, bright and perfumed, it’s a blend of the 115 and 777 clones, with raspberry fruit, a herbal twist and savoury tannins. 2023-27’ – Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2022, 91/100.

From the Boekenhootskloof stable. A red blend with the dominant grape Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) stemming from the Helderberg Mountain as well as the Cinsault (5%), while the  Syrah (5%) is from a south-facing Polkadraai Hills. A fresh and inviting nose with a warm baked-spice character following through onto a smooth palate and a finish that is attractive, clean and refreshing.   ‘Boekenhoutskloof's winemaker Marc Kent is famous for his Syrah wines – his Syrah, The Chocolate Block, has been a Majestic staple for years – but this red blend show's he's no one-trick pony. Cabernet Sauvignon with just a...

Jeb Dunnuck 90 points. 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 5% Consult. 7000 bottles produced. Intense red colour with deep yet delicate aromatic notes. Structured and soft tannins. Well balanced, it can be drunk now or cellared for 10 years. 

Falstaff Magazine 92 points. James Suckling 92 points "A medium-bodied, vibrant red with blueberries, cherry stones, lemon zest and dried herbs on the nose. Lightly dusty tannins. Well balanced, with a mineral touch. From organically grown grapes. Drink now or hold." Wine Advocate 92 points. The entry-level Brancaia 2020 Chianti Classico (100% organic Sangiovese with 40,000 bottles released) is teeming with energy and life thanks to bright cherry, cassis and floral aromas. The wine feels clean and polished on the palate, with mid-weight intensity and balanced freshness. Certified Organic. WINERY NOTE: CHIANTI CLASSICO is a tribute...

TASTING NOTES – intense red – aromas of forest berries and wild cherries, spicey backbone and fresh vegetal notes on the nose – juicy and full-bodied, with a powerfully elegant structure.   #alto

Schiava is the local native red grape grown in the region for over a thousand years. This example comes from vones of 20 to 50 years of age. TASTING NOTES  – brilliant, cherry red hue  – flowery and fruity tones, violets and red berries  – very juicy and full, round soft finish with a dubdued undertone of bitter almonds  RECOMMENDATION  This wine is ideal as an aperitif, an accompaniment to appetizers, or to typical Tyrolean fare such as speck and sausage, but also to lighter meats and mild cheeses.   #alto

From vines 250-550m above sea level. Ruby in color. Spicy, vibrant red fruit, and a full taste to complement the wine’s captivating aroma and fruity tannins. The finish is velvety and elegant This wine goes well with venison, game and strong cheese.   #tramin

The grapes come from vineyards planted in calcareous clay and gravel soils at an altitude between 250 and 550 meters. Winery Notes: Colour: a full-bodied wine with a deep red color. Aroma: The nose gives off aromas of red fruit and spice. Taste: Our Cabernet is full and structured, with hints of blackcurrant and green peppercorn. We recommend pairing this wine with red meats, game and cheeses.   #alto

Pretty crushed strawberries with hints of roses and white flowers. Medium to full body. Some cherry undertones to the lemons on the finish. Little tannins resulting crispy and pleasant. 100% Sangiovese. Drink now. #ROSES

TYPE: DOC BLEND: 60% Merlot - 40% Sangiovese VINIFICATION: Alcoholic fermentation - separated by variety - with maceration of the skins (about 20-25 days) at a controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks; spontaneous malolactic fermentation. AGEING: In Slavonian oak casks of 20 to 32 hl for at least 6-8 months; followed by ageing in bottles for a few months. ON SALE FROM: 12-15 months from the harvest. NOTES: Colour: deep ruby red, very strong. Bouquet: intense, of mature red fruits and liquorice. Taste: excellent structure, quite soft, well balanced. Food pairings: roasted red and white meats, cold cuts and slightly aged cheeses.

Guia Penin 92 points. Colour: bright cherry;Aroma: fruit expression, red berry notes, ripe fruit, sweet spices;Flavour: good acidity, spicy, fine tannins. Casa Castillo Monastrell is a red wine from D.O Jumilla produced by the winery Finca Casa Castillo, in Jumilla (Murcia). Casa Castillo Monastrell is a monovarietal of Monastrell, a local grape from the region. The vines are planted in crusty brown limestone soil in the field El Valle. The harvest is completed at the end of September and the grapes are transported to the winey in large 1,500kg containers. For production after a careful destemming phase, the grape is fermented with...

The estate’s base wine produced using the traditional Tuscan vinification technique, which sees the addition of dried grapes after the first fermentation. Ready in the spring, this wine is soft, lively, easy to drink and can also be enjoyed cold in the fridge during the summer. Light ruby red. Floral bouquet. Smooth, lively, easy-drinking wine.   #CAST

Gold Medal Challenge International Du Vin 2018 France. Gold Medal, Mundus Vini 2018. Cabernet Sauvignon 85%, Tempranillo 15% from 35 year old vines. Aging is done in oak barriques for around 30 months, giving a fine structure and complex aromas. Later, the wine is aged in bottle for 5 years giving a unique bouquet. Needs time to open in the glass, complex aromas of liquorice, leather and spices, high intensity. On the palate it is well balanced, powerful and delicate, extraordinary quality and fresh afterpalate.

Gold Medal, Mundus vini 2022. Gold Medal, Concourse de Grenache Challenge 2022. Gold Medal IWC 2021. Description: From our vineyard “La Cantera”, 75 years old, we keep growing excellent Garnacha grapes, delicate and with high concentration. Aged during 6 months in barriques, maintains its uniqueness while gives some structure and aromas of cacao. Ruby in color, it has flavors of ripe red berries, well balanced and smooth palate. Grape: 100% Garnacha Vineyard: La Cantera, 75 years old Terroir: Stones Altitude: 500 m. Aging: 6 months in barrique Alcohol: 13,5% #COMP

One of the few Pinot Noir grown in Spain from “El Cerezo” vineyard that is 30 years old. From a high altitude, it has a delicate ruby color. On the palate is very elegant, well balanced with flavors of red berries. Aged for 6 months in oak barriques gives nice aromas of vanilla and toast tannins. Grape Variety:  100 % Pinot Noir   Vineyard:  “ El Cerezo “ ( 30 years, 650 mtrs )

Trophy, Best Rose from Spain, Mundus Vini 2022. (2022 vintage) Gold Medal: Mundus Vini 2021. (2021 vintage) Gold Medal: IWC 2021. (2021 vintage) Description: Rose made as it is traditional in Navarra by the saigne method, “De Lagrima”. Harvested at night, its structure and color are lighter, it is pink with vibrant blue notes. Delicate aromas of wild berries. It is fresh on the palate with nice acidity, incredible depth of flavors. Grape: Lagrima mainly Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard: Campanaldia, Monjardin Valley Terroir: Calcareous Altitude: 450 m. Aging: No oak Alcohol: 13%

Gold, Mundus Vini 2022. Tempranillo Especial Superior 2017. 100% Tempranillo Grape Family Vineyards - planted 1896.  Vineyard&Soil Tempranillo vineyard from the Monjardin Valley area. Fine loamy or silty soil textures on alternating tertiary continental marls and sandstones. Altitude - 650 meters Age - more than 40 years Extension - 1,5 Ha / yield of 5.000 kg per Ha Pre-fermentative cold maceration. Fermentation in steel tanks. Aging in second-use 50/50 French and American barrels during 2 years. Refinement in the bottle for 2 years. Composition Alcohol: 14 % / Acidity: 4,4 g/l . Tasting notes:  Ruby color, it has intense...

Monjardin

Wine Advocate tasting note: The village red from Venta del Moro is the 2020 Delmoro produced with 70% Garnacha and 30% Syrah from 15- to 40-year-old vineyards. The grapes fermented separately with 50% full clusters in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts. The Garnacha matured in stainless steel, and the Syrah was racked into concrete for malolactic and five months' aging. It has 13% alcohol and very good freshness. This has an amazing Mediterranean profile, showy, juicy, aromatic and rich without being heavy. The tannins are fine, and the finish is dry and long. It's easy to drink but not banal, for all consumers, wine savvy or...

Wine Advocate 93 points. Juan António Ponce told me 2021 is one of those vintages when you realize in wine you never know everything... He thinks the 2021 Clos Lojen is the most complete vintage ever for this wine, with unusual freshness (despite "normal" parameters like a pH of 3.7 and five grams of acidity) and 12% alcohol. It's intense and has varietal Bobal typicity with good weight. It fermented in 4,500-liter oak vats with 100% full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in 4,500-, 10,000- and 15,000-liter French oak vats for six months. This is sharp and austere, with lower alcohol and is more mineral than...

Gineprone refers to the aromatic herb Juniper and indicates how this Chianti from the Siena hills reminds the drinker of all the herbs and spices that are typical of the Mediterranean underwood. Complex and full bodied yet approachable and fruity, Gineprone is the Montalcino version of the Chianti wine that has made Tuscany famous around the world.   #WIN

In Reneissance Florence, Spezieri where the blenders of spices. This wine is named after this ancient art of blending as it is composed of Sangiovese laced with another traditional Tuscan grape by the name of Ciliegiolo as well as small amounts of most of the other grape varieties grown on the Col d’Orcia estate. Spezieri is a young, fruity easy to drink wine for the everyday dinner table. Because of its composition it is a very versatile wine in terms of food pairing and also a red wine we recommend to try chilled in summer.  

"Supple, concentrated and lithe, this bounds with cassis, mulberry, raspberry and aniseed. Plenty of very soft tannins frame the fruit and chorale it through to the finish. Lovely." Wine Companion Erin Larkin. 93 points. WINERY NOTES: COLOUR Medium dark red colour with purple tints. NOSE Spicy berry fruit aromas and hints of cedar and oak influence on the nose. PALATE The palate is refined and smooth, showing flavours of ripe blackberry and red currant characters. Fine, ripe tannins round out the wine, with lingering dried herb and savoury nuances on the finish. WINEMAKING Cabernet from one of our oldest blocks in the Carbunup...

Rated 91 by James Suckling "A fruity and plummy nose with lots of cherries, strawberries and some spices. Ripe, crunchy and fruit-expressive on the medium-bodied palate rounded by firm and nicely chewy tannins. Not complex, but has good length in the finish. Drink now."

James Suckling 93 points. " High-toned, floral aromas with orange peel and crushed blackberries. Medium-bodied with tight, chewy tannins that are polished and intense. Serious length and focus. Very drinkable now, but even better in 2024."  

The Garden Vineyards Rosé has a delicate rose gold appearance and exhibits a complex nose of summer flowers, exotic spice, and citrus rind. The palate has vibrancy, succulence, and a core of complex flavours. Its fresh natural acidity and crunchy texture provide the wine with a refreshingly long finish. Winemaker Carl van der Merwe Varietal blend 47 % Grenache Noir, 28% Mataro, 13% Syrah, 10% Grenache blanc, 2% Viognier. RS 1.6 g/L Other Vegan friendly Total production (in cases x 12) 3000.

Tim Atkin MW 93 points. 4 stars Platter. This wine has notes of red and black berry fruit, white pepper and spice. The palate is finely structured, showing an array of ripe fruit and floral undertones, with a lingering aftertaste. Winemaker: Carl van der Merwe Varietal blend: 44% Grenache Noir 29% Mourvédre 21% Syrah 6% Petite Syrah #2017D

GOLD MEDAL,   MARGARET RIVER WINE SHOW 2023. HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION 2025, 93 points. An enticing pale pastel pink with a floral lift, lightly spiced and fruited with raspberries and strawberries. The palate is ultra-refreshing with zest and lemony acidity, yet there’s some texture, and this finishes dry.   Shiraz, Merlot, Tempranillo & Cabernet...             

Tim Atkin 90 points. Made from 100% Cabernet Franc, this unique Rosé displays flavours of ripe strawberries, cassis and candyfloss with a seductive spicy finish. Handpicked and gently pressed to obtain the perfect, subtle pink hue the Delaire Graff Cabernet Franc Rose is a firm favourite. 

This juicy, ripe and approachable Shiraz with its ruby colour and purple tints has a spicy white pepper undertone as well as lavender and dark red fruit aromas of mulberries. It is characterised by versatility, demonstrating a smooth and soft palate with a savoury finish.

Wine Advocate 92 points. The Monastrell red 2021 Depaula comes from vines at 700 meters in altitude on very poor soils, and sometimes the grapes don't ripen properly; but that was not the case in 2021, when the vines had enough water to ripen all the grapes thoroughly and produced a wine with very pure varietal character. It's fresh, balsamic and herbal, with a limestone core that delivers length and freshness coupled with a juicy Mediterranean character. Really good value. The wine has an incredible 12.5% alcohol. It's quite different from the 2020; they picked the grapes 15 days later than normal, and the grapes ripened...

Made by the team at Rockburn. Winery Note: Our Devil’s Staircase wines are inspired by the winding road leading from Queenstown to Kingston along the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Sourced from several Central Otago vineyards, the Devil’s Staircase Pinot Noir takes the willing down into the realm of decadence and Bacchanalian delights. Here, everything is pleasure spiced up with a bit of naughty. The unrelenting Central Otago environment tortures the vines whose twisted limbs produce a wine worthy of absolution; strong and sensual with lashings of dark fruit, sinfully succulent and devilishly good. The flavours are practically immoral,...

Organic. We selected this fine rose from a lineup of 40 different labels from Provence. It ticks all the boxes for us....lifted aromatics, good acidity, full flavoured with a long, refreshing dry finish. Hard to beat. VARIETALS Grenache - 50%; Cinsault - 30%; Syrah - 20% FLAVOR Light pink in color, with violet shades, this wine possesses a memorable and complex aroma. A lively wine that is smooth and possessing a certain whisper of sweetness. Very fruity, this rosé is particularly well suited as an aperitif or with salads and vegetable dishes.     

Vinous Media (Antonio Gallono) 90 points. Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s Chianti Superiore is made practically with only Sangiovese; the presence of just a few complementary clusters is in respect of the tradition that sees Chianti as a blend of more varieties. Its dominant element is its elegance, typical of Sangiovese with the particular aroma of violet that characterizes this denomination among all the others.

Malbec is a key variety in Margaret River, not only for its suitability as a blending partner for cabernet sauvignon, but also as a standalone wine. In addition to this, Margaret River's strength is its ability to produce wines of extraordinary power and grace, without heavy weight in the mouth. This wine, for all the preamble, is exactly that. Bright, layered, spicy, ripe, plush and delicious; medium bodied and full of flavour. Beaut. 93 points. Erin Larkin Published 03 August 2022

BLEND 72.3% petit verdot, 19.3% cabernet sauvignon, 7.2% malbec, 1.2% shiraz COLOUR Deep violet red AROMATICS A classic blend showcasing petit verdot, cabernet sauvignon and malbec in harmony. Rose petal, mulberry jam, and rich cacao are the predominant aromas and flavours. PALATE These flavours and aromas are balanced on the palate by bright acidity, sweet oak spice, and elegant tannins that complement the finish. OAK MATURATION Fourteen months AGEING POTENTIAL Drink over the next 10 + years. WINEMAKING All fruit was selective machine picked in the cool of the early morning. The malbec fruit was then destemmed without...

BLEND 95% Shiraz, 3% Tempranillo, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon COLOUR Deep vivid violet red. AROMATICS Ripe boysenberry and black cherry aromas on the nose are enhanced by a vanilla coconut overtone. PALATE The palate displays brambly forest fruits and aniseed flavours framed by spicy oak, rounded tannins and a soft acidity contributing to a wonderful finish. OAK MATURATION French and American oak barrels AGEING POTENTIAL Drink over the next 5 – 10 years.   "Easy to drift away with the heady aromas of florals, baking spices and a sprinkle of pepper. The fuller-bodied palate is full of plums, cherry compote, sweet cedary oak and...

James Suckling 90 points. Edulis Crianza is a red wine from the Rioja developed by the Altanza winery. This winery, founded in 1998, is located in the town of Fuenmayor (Rioja Alta). Edulis Crianza is made from 100% Tempranillo. The grapes come from vineyards planted at an altitude of between 380 and 500m on clay-calcareous soils and ferrous clay. For maintenance and cultivation of vineyards, non-chemical herbicides or pesticides are used. Edulis Crianza development is carried out using a conventional winemaking. The alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 28°C and lasts 12 to 15 days....

Gold Medal Melbourne Royal Wine Show 2022. Gold Medal Perth Royal Wine Show 2022. THE WEST AUSTRALIAN WINE GUIDE 2023, 93 points. The panel enjoyed the vibrancy and dense floral/fruit concentration in this wine, so I was not surprised to find out there is 12 per cent malbec in the blend. Value for money is through the roof. This is big on flavour, a little juicy up-front, finishing with plush, dry tannins. Classical blackcurrant, tapenade and cocoa powder. Drink now or cellar and enjoy for up to five years.RJ COLOUR Purple black with a vibrant purple rim. Showcasing a beautifully intense, deep colour from the inclusion of Malbec and the...

Wine Specytator 91 points.   A last minute disagreement with Valentino has resulted in the merlot being released without the designers name. Merlot loves sunshine and Sicilian merlot delivers the love. It is lush, plush, chewy and delectable. Think Sofia Loren rather than Kate Moss. Lots of cherry, plums and exotic spice.  Produced from one of the first vineyards planted on the Feudi del Pisciotto estates. A Merlot that expresses the full potential and character of this grape variety, which finds an ideal form of expression in Sicily’s terroir. Wine characterised by an important structure and power, while at the same time...

James Suckling 91 points. The tradition of Piedmontese wine takes on noble contours in the "Raimonda", which takes the Barbera d’Alba DOC to a higher level, where aromas and sensations contribute to giving a great personality. The grapes ferment in contact with the skins for 7-8 days at a controlled temperature of 28-30 ° C, and then refine for a year, both in barriques and in large wood. Another nice Fontanafredda’s masterpiece.