Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato 2023
Deep ruby-purple. Generous nose of blackberry, dark plum, sweet spice and Mediterranean herbs over a savoury graphite-and-tobacco backbone. Full-bodied with polished tannins, a juicy dark-fruit core and a long, structured finish lifted by Bolgheri's coastal freshness. A Cabernet-led Bolgheri Rosso designed for early drinking but with good cellaring potential — excellent with grilled red meats, wild boar ragù or aged Pecorino.
Kaapzicht Bottelary Hills Estate Blend 2022
Deep, opaque purple-black. Layered nose of cassis, dark plum, mulberry and cedar with savoury notes of crushed herbs, graphite and a whisper of vanilla and cocoa from the barrel. Full-bodied with grippy, fine-grained tannins, a generous core of dark berry fruit and a long, mineral-led finish. Built for the long haul — equally at home with venison, slow-roast lamb or a mature cheeseboard.
Caballo Loco Red Blend NV No. 21
Deep ruby with violet glints. Intense aromas of dark cherry, cassis, blackberry and bramble interwoven with sweet spice, espresso, leather and a whisper of smoke. Full-bodied and complex on the palate, with ripe tannins, balanced acidity and a long, layered finish. A remarkable living wine that deepens with every edition.
Domaine de Galuval Les Collines Rasteau 2020
40% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 30% Mourvedre
Colour:
Deep garnet with purple highlights — dense and youthful.
Nose:
Ripe black cherry, blackberry compote and plum lead the way. Layers of garrigue (thyme, rosemary), cracked black pepper, liquorice root and a touch of cocoa. Subtle smoky mineral edge underneath.
Palate:
Full-bodied and powerful but polished. Concentrated dark fruit core with notes of kirsch, black olive tapenade and sweet spice. Tannins are firm yet rounded, typical of Rasteau’s warmth. Fresh acidity keeps it lifted despite the richness.
Finish:
Long, warming and savoury — dark fruit, spice and a hint of dried herbs lingering.
Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Les Pierres Sèches 2023
Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Les Pierres Sèches 2023 opens with a bright ruby-to-purplish hue and an elegant aromatic profile that showcases fresh red and dark fruits—think raspberry, blueberry, and cassis—lifted by floral violet notes and a dash of black pepper spice that’s typical of Syrah from the northern Rhône. There’s also a subtle mineral edge reflecting the sandy, granitic soils of the hillside vineyards where the grapes are grown, giving the nose both vibrancy and precision.
On the palate, the 2023 Les Pierres Sèches displays juicy, tangy fruit balanced by crisp acidity and supple tannins, making it both expressive and approachable. Flavours of ripe berry, cherry, violet, pepper, and a hint of smoky mineral interplay seamlessly, while the wine’s medium-lean structure keeps it lively rather than heavy. The finish is fresh and focused, with a persistent juicy quality and gentle spice that lingers.
Overall, this Saint-Joseph is a well-balanced Syrah that melds fruit intensity with classic northern Rhône savoury character. It’s enjoyable young for its energetic fruit and approachable texture but also has enough structure and freshness to evolve gracefully over the next several years. Its versatility makes it a great match for grilled meats, richer poultry dishes, or earthy roasted vegetables.
Bargylus Grand Vin de Syrie Rouge
The wine is as intense as you would expect from an emissary from the arid land of the crusades, with the fragrance of balsam and savoury spices plus a top note of some dried herbs, but it manages to remain wonderfully fresh and appetising on the finish too after intense, ripe, quite complex fruit. Eastern promise indeed! I really don’t think many people would be disappointed by what this wine has to offer. It is 14.6% alcohol but is chock-full of flavour. Jancis Robinson, (17)
Blend composition
~60% Syrah
~20% Merlot
~20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Merum Priorati Inici 2020
The Merum Priorati Inici 2020 is a powerful, structured Spanish red from Priorat, a blend of Garnacha, Carinena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and sometimes Merlot, offering intense notes of black cherry, licorice, vanilla, oak, and spice, with a mineral-driven palate of ripe red fruits and firm tannins, best paired with rich meats like lamb or rabbit. It's known for its deep color, rich aroma, balanced acidity, and lingering spicy finish, reflecting the region's unique slate soils (llicorella).
Journey’s End V5 Shiraz
Mullineux Syrah 2022
Hartenberg Gravel Hill Syrah 2019
Hartenberg Gravel Hill Syrah 2019
95 points Tim Atkin MW
Decanter Gold Medal
TASTING NOTE: On the nose, it reveals underbrush and dried herbs, complemented by an intricate blend of savoury spices, cinnamon, and black pepper. Red fruits and berries dance harmoniously with subtle hints of coriander and smoke. On the palate, its initial elegance gracefully unfolds into a bold and vibrant expression of red berries intermingling with a rich tapestry of warm spice and earthy, savoury notes. With firm tannins promising great ageing potential, this wine is destined to evolve into an even more extraordinary masterpiece over time. Built to age to its betterment for up to 20 years from vintage.
FOOD MATCHING: Fillet of kudu with a red wine jus, rare roast sirloin, wild mushroom risotto.
Keermont Syrah 2019
The Keermont Syrah 2019
On the nose, this Syrah opens with brooding dark fruit—blackberry and black plum—lifted by violet perfume and subtle notes of smoked meat, cracked black pepper, and olive brine. Hints of graphite, roasted herbs, and a touch of mocha emerge with gentle aeration, adding complexity and intrigue.
The palate is full-bodied and richly textured, with concentrated dark fruit framed by lively acidity and well-defined, fine-grained tannins. Spicy black pepper and a savoury streak of leather weave through the fruit core, leading to a long, mineral-inflected finish. Elegant oak influence supports without dominating, allowing the wine’s definition and typicity to shine.
This 2019 presents both power and poise—structured for mid- to long-term cellaring, yet approachable now with decanting.
