WINE – The Top 5 Red Wines
As the days are drawing in it’s time to abandon the quintessential wine of the Summer – Rose – and get back to basics. With the Game season starting in earnest now, a good Red wine is essential to pair with those warming and hearty Winter meals. Depending on your preference here are the Top 5 wines from the New World & Europe.
Tapanappa Foggy Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir – Best with Pheasant.
An intensely fruity and flowery Pinot Noir from South Australia. The vineyards at Foggy Hill provide the optimal growing conditions for Pinot Noir grapes and the 2012 Vintage was no exception. Picked back in March 2012 the wine has been allowed to ferment for almost a year before being bottled. The nose is of Chocolate and Cocoa with a hint of aniseed. £28.
Numanthia Tempranillo – Best with Venison.
Made from Tempranillo grapes from Spain’s Toro region, Numanthia is a full bodied red wine matured in Oak casks for over 20 months. It is a superb Tempranillo with hints of dark fruits, spices and Coffee. The palate is of rich and deep flavours with a long, memorable finish. A complex wine it is enjoyable now but will also be immensely rewarding if laid down for up to 10 years. £35.
Wente Vineyards Nth Degree Cabernet Sauvignon – Best with Beef
Nth degree from Wente are handcrafted limited release wines from the Californian Vineyard and the Cabernet Sauvignon is the standout Red from the collection. Only available to Wine Clubs in the United States luckily they are available in Merchants here. The onus is on highlighting the craftsmanship involved in wine production and so this is a very special Red. The taste is of mouth-filling flavours and bold tannins, with Cherry, black tea and Cassis being the overriding flavours. £35.
Errazuriz La Cumbre Syrah – Best with Duck or Goose
Although Chilean Reds have yet to make as much of a splash as their French counterparts this is a wonderful Syrah that has a slightly mellow edge. Harvested from selected lots in the Aconcagua Costa (a short hop from the Pacific Ocean) the grapes have a tremendous aromatic intensity. With the predominant nose being smoky spices and black fruit, the taste rewards with gentle tannins, blackberries and slight dash of pepper. £43.
Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa First Growth – Best all rounder
Parker have been honing their craft in Penola, South Australia for decades and the ‘First Growth’ is a spectacular example of their skill. Grapes chosen from the best parcels of fruit are used to produce this fine wine, and if the grapes do not meet the strict standards then no wine is made that year(the most recent being 2003). Perfect for laying down this is also extremely drinkable now, with slight earthy notes and an overture of berries. The oak used in its production give it a taste that compliments any meal. Can be cellared for up to 20 years. £39.
Review by bringabottle.co.uk
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
