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FRENCH RED WINE
200. Lérane, Grenache/Syrah, Vin de Pays D’Oc, 2007 16.50
Intensely coloured with a deep purple hue and highlights of red brick. The nose is ripe and bursting with red fruit flavours, while the body h as a generously fruity edgesupported with soft, integrated tannin and a dry finish.
201. Côtes du Rhône, Becs Fin, Tardieu-Laurent, 2004 27.00
Typical Tardieu-Laurént style, made from parcels of low-yielding, old vines. This wine is full and concentrated but still displays the unique, spicy character of the Rhône Valley. Aromas of lavender, rosemary, blackberries and licorice are also expressed on the palate.
236. Marsannay, Louis Latour, 2002 28.00
This Marsannay has finesse with balanced acids and soft tannins marrying together to produce a rounded structure with fruity vegetal flavours.
243. Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Chanson Père et Fils, 2006 28.00
Grapes are exclusively sourced from select vineyards in the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits, with 25% from the village of Marsannay. Intense aromas of red berries ‘en confiture’ with a hint of spice. Lively with a well-integrated acidity, it is well-balanced and generous with well-shaped tannins.
204. Crozes Hermitage, Le Millepertuis, 2005 32.00
Domaine Guyot. An easy drinking, generous wine with up-front red and black fruit enlivened by hints of cedar and a racy streak of pepper.
305. Domaine Trigant de Boisset, Pomerol, 2004, 34.00
This is really attractive combining chocolate and earthy notes on the nose with a supple graceful palate – ripe with good concentration and length.
215. Fleurie, Vieilles Vignes, Marcel Joubert 2006 35.00
Pretty, easy floral style with fresh red fruits and a soft finish.
203. Château Peyrat, Graves, 2003 37.00
Predominantly Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This hearty, robust claret with hints of earthy red and black fruits, encompasses the character of the Graves perfectly.
209. Mercurey Les Montots, A&P de Villaine, 2006 40.00
Les Montots is a singular Mercurey - with good structure, depth and a dark ruby colour. It is firm, but ripe with cassis and blackberry aromas.
237. Gigondas, Vidal-Fleury, 2000 42.00
Intense aromas of ripe black plums, liquorice and damp earth. Full-bodied, generous, richly fruity, with solid round tannins.
202. Brouilly, La Croix des Rameaux, 2003 42.00
Intensely powerful wine which coats the palate with thick black fruits. The core shows blackberries, tar, and black cherries allied to supple tannins. Long finish.
246. Les Sens de Syrah, Château Beauchêne, 2004 44.00
A bouquet of red fruit and wild flowers that carries through onto the palate. Well balanced tannins make for a powerful wine that displays great length.
314. Auxey Duresses, Domaine Matrot, 2006 47.00
A proper “Pinot Noir”, with a lovely ‘pain d’épice’ flavour. Hints of strawberries and cherries compliment the tannic finish. Perfect with red meat.
211. Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 2005 48.00
Grande Reserve, Ch. Beauchêne. This wine is deep red in colour, with red fruits, leather, liquorice and hints of spice on the nose. This is full-bodied and well-balanced with a complex and good tannic structure.
247. Volnay, Louis Latour, 2002 55.00
This wine will enchant you with its bouquet of ripe black berries, especially black currant. Ageing in full oak has conferred a pleasant vanilla touch.
258. Château Petit Gravet Ainé, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2004 62.00
Very aromatic with notes of berries, chocolate and spice. The palate is full-bodied with superfine tannins allied to lush cassis fruit with a long and velvety finish.
241. Corton 'Domaine Latour' Grand Cru, Louis Latour, 1997 75.00
From Louis Latour’s own vineyards. The nose on this stood out for its complex aromas of baked fruit and strawberry jam. The wine was very approachable on the palate showing a fine balance and well-integrated oak.
212. Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru, 2001 82.00
Petite Chapelle, Domaine Rossignol-Trapet. This has a decadent, highly-toasted nose, rich in heady violets, roses and black cherries. These are mirrored on the palate, which is long, beautifully balanced and very fine indeed.
210. Roc de Cambes, Côtes de Bourg, 2001 88.50
Merlot dominated, this is a superbly rich, concentrated brew with smoky fruits and hints of dark chocolate.
242. Château Magdelaine, 1998 100.00
St Emilion Grand Cru. A fabulous wine, bursting with ripe, old vine fruit, embodying intense concentration allied to a layered, poised structure.
207. Vosne Romanée, Les Suchots, J Grivot 1998 135.00
This wine exudes a medium intensity of fruits. On the nose it expresses raspberries and red fruits with a mix of fresh herbs giving it an aromatic edge. On the palate the fruits come though to the fore with cherries, strawberries.
93. Château Leoville Poyferré, 2ème Cru Classé St Julien, 1985 200.00
This is a dense wine with hints of blackcurrant, minerals and rose petals on the palate. The texture is soft, round and fruity with a toasty bouquet, ripe, classically St Julien in style, with great balance and smooth tannins.
99. Grand Vin de Léoville, St Julien, 1985 230.00
Vibrant and typical St Julien on the nose. Medium-bodied and dense, with plenty of blackcurrant fruits, minerals and rose petals on the palate. Balanced, supple and enticingly approachable.
89 Château Léoville Barton, Grand Cru Classé, St. Julien, 1982 265.00
Traditionally made, this is dense and powerful and an opaque dark garnet colour. Aromas of sweet cedar, old wood, truffles and smoke dominate the nose. Big and juicy with concentrated flavours of blackcurrant and cherry on the palate, make this a wine to remember.
80. Hermitage La Chapelle, 1989 305.00
One of the benchmark wines of its vintage, and incredibly having only just recently entered its drinking window. Fabulous nose, with mocha and chocolate notes. On the palate it delivers, firm, yet beautifully balanced fruits and tannins. An opulent and thickly textured wine, delivering a fantastically long and decadent finish.
97. Château Mouton-Rothschild, 1er Cru Classé Pauillac, 1975 450.00
Dark ruby in colour with a sweet and expressive nose of cedar, chocolate and cassis. Ripe fruit on the palate combines with a firm structure to give a weighty and full-bodied wine. Complex, well-balanced and serious.
85. Côte Rotie, La Landonne, Guigal, 1982 465.00
For such a precocious vintage, the 1982 La Landonne remains a backward, beefy, smoky, chewy mouthful of tannic wine The wine reveals an olive, earthy, licorice, mineral, smoked-meat nose, fabulous depth, and a huge, formidably endowed personality. It is a monstrous, super concentrated wine that should reach its apogee by the turn of the century.
94. Château Margaux, Premier Grand Cru, 1985 600.00
Ruby/brick rim. Wonderful rich nose: hot buttered toast & blackcurrant. Velvety smooth on the palate with superb length. Typical fleshy 1985 but with incredible complexity with sumptuous dark fruits and a length that goes on for more than a minute. The palate still delivers: incredible concentration, violets, black cherry with a sweet raspberry long finish.
98. Château Mouton-Rothschild, 1er Cru Classé Pauillac, 1982 1200.00
Still youthful, the tannins are prominent and benefit from decanting. This wine is sweet and opulent on the palate with spice and cedar notes on the nose.
266.Château Margaux, 1er Cru Classé Margaux, 1982 1250.00
This is dark ruby in colour with earthy, truffle notes on the nose and ripe black fruits and a full-bodied palate. This is a powerful wine from one of Bordeaux’s grandest first growth Châteaux – drinking well now, it will last for some years yet.
91. Château Petrus, Pomerol, 1999 1300.00
This Château leads the way on the Right Bank. Still youthful, this wine displays beautiful intensity and finesse and is more evolved in style than usually expected from this estate. It is full-bodied, dense, and nearly opaque ruby in colour, with sweet black cherry fruit and firm tannins. The production in 1999 was significantly lower than average,making this sought-after wine even more of a treat,
92. Cheval Blanc, 1990 1450.00
Arguably the best vintage of Cheval Blanc made post 1982. The nose exhibits rich red fruits and cocoa with an intense bouquet of truffles. Velvety tannins come through on the palate, followed by an exceptionally long finish. Without a doubt one of the greatest vintages from the château.
ITALIAN RED WINES
284. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Colle Morino, 2006, 22.00
Very fruity, juicy fruit flavours dominate this wine with a super-ripe, deep purple colour, ultra plush tannins and mouth-filling texture.
228. Chianti Classico, Brolio, 2006 30.00
Dry and mineral with restrained floral and fruit aromas. Classic!
307. Savuto Rosso, Odoardi, Calabria, 2003 32.00
Full bodied fruit with a vibrant, deep magenta colour and a heady perfume of hedgerow fruit and peppery spice.
232. Barbera d’Alba Vigna Ciabot Rus Gagliasso Piemonte, 2004 50.00
A fruit driven wine, with a rich nose of black wild berries and elegant soft spices, round and full palate which delivers a very long fruity finish.
229. Barolo, Serralunga d’Alba, Fontanafredda, 2003 60.00
An intense nose with overtones of vanilla, spices, withered roses and underbrush precedes a palate that is dry, yet soft. Full bodied, velvety and well balanced with a long lasting finish.
304. Falasco Amarone della Valpolicella, 2004 67.00
Cantina Valpantena. Powerful but smooth with great concentration and a long balanced finish.
224. Montepergoli, Enrico Santini, Bolgheri, 2003 87.00
This mini super Tuscan is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet, Syrah and the indigenous Sangiovese. This is drinking at its best now offering, power, seduction and fully mature tannins, resulting in a wine full of body but balance and extremely engaging.
227. Barolo, Rocche dell’annunziata la Morra, Gagliasso, 2004 88.00
Elegant, refined and silky fruit flavours, complex nose. Full bodied rich and intense palate all well balanced by the mineral acidity, a great expression of the nebbiolo grape.
267. Arnione, Campo alla Sughera, Bolgheri, Toscana, 2004 90.00
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot the best grape from low yield is selected, silky fruit flavours, refined and elegant yet packed with soft spices and red fruit, top wine from the land of Sassicaia.
SPANISH RED WINES
214. Pata Negra, 2000 25.00
Wonderful mature vanilla laden and red fruits. Dry and warm, maintaining perfect tannic balance and a pleasant bouquet this wine delivers through to the finish.
253. Vina Izadi, Rioja Crianza, 2004 27.50
The Crianza is impressive- intense youthful purple in colour, with the vanilla oak perfumes well integrated with the juicy black fruit on the palate and fine, savoury tannins.
222. Rioja Reserva, Marqués de la Concordia, 2003 37.00
Cherry red with brick red tones. The bouquet has a spicy cherry and plum aroma blending with notes of tobacco and wood. The body is full and powerful, with excellent balance between wood and fruit.
298. Les Terrasses, Alvaro Palacios, Priorat, 2005 42.00
Smoke, spice and black cherry liqueur balanced by hints of toasted brioche, silky rich tannins and mineral notes.
299. Ribera del Duero, Reserva, 2004 43.00
Complex and elegant with fine tannins, good balance and excellent aging potential. Inky purple in colour with extraordinary aromas that keep changing: hints of black cherries, cinnamon, black chocolate, cedar and damsons, the wine has fine tannins and a long finish.
206. Hermanos Sastre Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain, 2000 67.00
Savoury notes on the nose translate similarly on the palate. Spice and deep bramble fruit on the palate combine to give a rich and full wine with very fine, ripe tannins. Delicious paired with game and other red meats.
223. Abadia Retuerta, Pago Negralada, 2003 110.00
Rich and sinewy on the palate, with hints of tobacco and a smooth, spicy sheen from the judicious use of new oak. Long and elegant on the finish, it retains the spicy, strawberry fruit to the end
PORTUGUESE RED WINES
217. Azamor Alentejo Petit Verdot, 2005 30.00
Intense, dark colour matched by a concentrated perfume of plums and ripe stone fruit. The plum and blackberry notes continue, with a good tannic backbone giving structure to the ripe fruit.
249. Quinta do Infantado, Pinhão, Douro, Reserva, 2003 48.00
Intense perfumes of dark chocolate and plums on the nose. Full bodied and powerful with dark stone fruit and ripe robust tannins. Good length with a long elegant finish.
AUSTRIAN RED WINE
288. Horitschon Graf Trauttmansdorff, Austria, 2001 51.00
This has an enticing nose, with dark bitter chocolate, coffee and macerated charries on the palate. An Austrian winner!
AUSTRALIAN RED WINES
278. McHenry Hohnen, Tiger Country, Tempranillo, 2005 26.00
Complex aromas of dark chocolate liqueurs and spicy berry fruit. Starting sweet, firm by mid-palate, the wine finishes in a harmony of chalky tannins and balancing acids.
255. Angus “The Bull”, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 32.00
Dark purple, juicy, slightly smokey and spicy red but with lovely, pure Cabernet flavours and generously swamped in blackberries and redcurrents with a wonderful rich oaky envelope.
283. The Lane, '19th Meeting', Cabernet Sauvignon, 2001 46.50
The intriguing blend of ripeness and restraint shows exactly what Australia's best talent can achieve from cooler, well-chosen sites. This classic blend showcases complex blackcurrant, plum and tobacco leaf flavours, with fine sweet tannins and impressive length.
244. Nest Egg, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004 56.00
This wine has a vibrant, deep colour and classic aromas of dark red berries and cassis. The palate is an intense expression of the aromas, enhanced with integrated fine tannin and a deliciously long, persistent finish.
235. Kabminye, Irma Adeline, Shiraz, 2002 61.00
This wine combines the Rhone philosophy of blending Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre with the Hermitage style of adding Marsanne and Roussanne to 85% Shiraz. Balanced flavours of plum, black cherry, marzipan and mocha.
281. Stefano Lubiana, Pinot Noir, 2005 88.00
The 2005 Pinot is full of velvety soft tannins and forest berry fruits. There’s more than a little Gamey complexity and it continued to improve, a sign of its quality and cellaring potential.
NEW ZEALAND RED WINES
318. Eradus, Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2006 32.00
One of the finest examples of Pinot Noir outside of Burgundy – soft and supple with cherry fruit and a touch of liquorice. Smooth tannins and fresh acidity combine to give a balanced and delicious glassful.
233. Mansion House, Pinot Noir, 2006 36.50
A deliciously crafted, silky Pinot Noir. Lovely typical colour, a benchmark nose of crushed raspberries with a touch of oak. A rounded, complex palate.
279. Craggy Range 'Block 14' Syrah, 2005 42.00
A complex array of lavender, raspberry, black cherry and liquorice combine for an intense and complex bouquet. Ripe berry fruits and exotic spice flavours come through on the silky smooth palate.
282. Trinity Hill, Gimblett gravels, Syrah, 2005 43.00
The colour is a deep, vibrant crimson. Blackberry, black pepper, savoury and spice elements are prominent. Powerful but ripe and round tannins give the wine great structure. Combined with good acidity, mineral, earthy and tarry characters.
AMERICAN RED WINES
226. Williamette Valley, Pinot Noir, Oregon, 2004 46.00
Deep aromas of perfectly ripe cherries and Italian plums. Elegant and well balanced, the wine is richly flavoured with layers of cocoa butter and vanilla bean. Smooth with a silky texture that lingers on the lengthy finish.
290. Hilltop, Cabernet Sauvignon, J. Lohr, 2000 54.00
Aromas of blueberry, cassis and black cherry are complexed by twenty-four months of ageing in 100% new thin stave French oak barrels. This extended oak ageing process not only concentrates the fruit aromas, but contributed a tarry roasted oak, vanilla, and tobacco bouquet.
248. De Loach, Sonoma County, Forgotten Vines Zinfandel, 2005 60.00
Vibrant aromas of ripe raspberry, Marion berry and dusty bramble, the dark fruit carries onto the palate with mouth-watering flavours of blackberry and cassis are complemented by hints of earth and barrel spice.
ARGENTINEAN RED WINES
285. La Chamiza, Polo Amateur, Cabernet Sauvignon, 19.00
Mendoza, 2006. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. A fine mix of aromatic herbs, pepper and red fruits, with sweet and well-structed tannins. This will drink very well with seasoned pork and roast lamb.
216. Ruca Malen, Malbec, Mendoza, 2004 34.00
Rich and intense with scented mulberry nose. Full, but elegant.
230. Caro, Baron de Rothschild & Catena, Mendoza, 2003 70.00
A joint venture with Château Lafite led to this acclaimed wine. Using principally Bordeaux grape varieties, Full, complex, and concentrated with plenty of grip.
CHILEAN RED WINES
315. De Gras, Merlot Reserva, 2006 21.50
Rich and intensely red in the glass with a generously aromatic,ripe nose loaded with blackberry and plum fruit. An attractive balance of fleshy fruit and oak on the palate with notes of mint, rounded velvety tannins that soften its firm structure and dry finish.
221. Colina Negra Cabernet Sauvignon, San Rafael, 2005 28.00
The cool climate adds mint and herbal touches to this fruit driven bench mark example of Chilean Cabernet. French oak ageing adds complexity and suppleness.
165. Antu Ninquen, Syrah, MontGras, 2005 30.00
Deep, brooding, inky purple in colour with a developed, aromatic nose dominated by ripe black fruits and smoky oak. The palate is full bodied and concentrated, dripping with spicy blackberry fruit and a fair wedge of toasty vanilla oak, finishing soft, supple and rounded.
SOUTH AFRICAN RED WINES
238. Kushushu Creek, Cabernet Sauvignon, Robertson, 2006 24.00
The Kushushu Cabernet is sweet and ripe, rich in spicy cassis fruit.
245. Warwick Estate, Three Cape Ladies, Cab/Merlot, 2004 31.00
This vintage shows a explosion of fruit on the nose which is largely attributable to the Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage components. The Pinotage is soft and sweet while the merlot offers a subtle spiciness with the Cabernet Sauvignon being the backbone.
239. Klein Gustrouw, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, 2004 40.00
Stellenbosch. This complex, weighty wine has all the bounce of the New World, combined expertly with the elegance of the Old. Dark chocolate, rich ripe berries and a firm leafy structure.
251. Kloovenburg, Merlot, Swartland, 2005 44.00
Polished ruby in appearance with classic fruitcake aromas of a good Merlot. Warm fruity flavours, with hints of vanilla and spice. Smooth palate supported by ripe tannins and good fruit acidity.
252. Malabar, Spice Route, Swartland, 2003 70.00
Powerful aromas of plums, dark chocolate, vanilla and wood spices on the nose. The palate is rich with similar red fruit, wood and vanilla. This is a serious wine with a muscular structure, plenty of ripe tannins with a firm finish.