Exhibition Classic Reds

This splendid southern-Rhône red was blended and aged in barrel by Louis Barruol of the celebrated Saint-Cosme estate. Long and concentrated in the 2017 vintage, this is packed with plum and spice flavours.

With deep red colour, sweet spicy oak and berry fruit on the nose, and creamy texture on the palate, this is a richer style of claret, in keeping with the warmth of the 2018 vintage. Decant 30 minutes before drinking for the flavours to unfurl.

Pinotage is South Africa`s signature grape and arguably nobody does it better than Kanonkop, so we`re delighted to work with them on this succulent, plummy and spicy example. A versatile bottle for red meats and roasted vegetable dishes, its fruit sweetness will complement spicier dishes too.

Capturing the ripeness of the vintage and the pure sweet fruit of this cru, this delivers dark-cherry, blackberry and spice flavours with a full, concentrated palate and supple tannins. Try with beetroot roasted with shallots, garlic and thyme.

2022 is a lovely cool year with low yields. This is Chilean carmenère is made at a coolish site for the variety to make a more drinkable style, maximising the savoury aspects and avoiding the jammy. It's ripe yet fresh with a note of cloves. 6% cabernet franc is included to emphasize a cedary character to lean towards its Bordeaux roots and contribute add a little extra complexity.

Hailed in our 2024 Wine Championship as 'a classic`, this was a leading light in a tasting where top-end Spanish reds really shone. Textbook traditional-style Rioja showing all the benefits of long ageing in barrel and bottle: fragrant, savoury, richly fruity but delicate and complex. Made by the world-renowned La Rioja Alta bodega, its class was readily apparent in the tasting room.