Perfect Winter Wines
Laura on 18 Nov 2015
As festive as it may make us feel in the build up to Christmas, that winter chill is coming in sooner than we'd like.
It's not all bad news though, we've taken it as the perfect opportunity to fill the cellar with plenty of wholesome, hearty reds that will see us through the cold, hard months ahead.
Take a look below at some of the big, bold, carnivorous reds we think are worth stocking up on to match this season's hearty roasts
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Martin Meinert
Dense deep fresh red colour. The nose shows red berries, typical Cabernet herbs, spicy toasty oak and tobacco. Mouth filling and weighty but not clumsy on the palate, finishes crisp and lingering.
Domaine Guy Farge 2012 Harmonie Cornas
Dark ruby with very densely furled aromas of blueberry, violets, a hint of bacon and wet gravel. Cornas power and complexity on the palate with extremely well-knit elegance for one so young (as Guy says "it's not an old war horse"). Layers of very fine tannins show pedigree, but also extreme drinkability. Long finish.
2012 Selección de Familia Cabernet Franc, Humberto Canale
The wine is bright ruby in colour with purple reflections. On the nose this wine is bursting with and intense mix of ripe red berries combined with hints of spice, jam, honey and vanilla. It is full bodied with rich jammy fruit flavours, soft tannins and a long finish.
2012 Carménère Reserva, Viña Falernia
Fairly deep red with a pale rim. Very sweet ripeness on the nose, possibly red gooseberry jam and a hint of green pepper. Ripe fruit on palate with soft texture.
2012 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Poliziano
A well structured wine with an intense perfume of juicy, ripe fruit and a rich palate, with just the right amount of tannin.
2012 Crasto Douro Superior, Quinta do Crasto
Lifted aromas of fresh Douro red forests fruits, very well combined with elegant bush and spice characters. Excellent approach, with upfront red fruits leading to a solid structure with fresh and elegant tannins. Great acidity, developing to a pleasant, well balanced and persistent finish.
By Alice Gillespie