Small Wonders Reds

From a quite remarkable estate outside Aix-en-Provence, this is a ripe, full-bodied red from an eclectic mix of grapes including syrah, cabernet and tempranillo that makes for a complex southern French wine with hints of stone fruit, blueberry and spice.

Perhaps the most impressive release of this wine to-date for Whistler, a small family winery run by fourth generation grape grower Sam Pfeiffer and his wife Kelsey. Shiver shiraz is sustainably grown, hand-harvested and foot trodden and stylistically charming, balanced and fresh, whilst still being recognisably 'Barossa'. The 2022 vintage was made in French oak foudres and spent 12 days on skins, with 15% whole-bunch fermentation, which gives a little more lift and definition to the fruit. This is an impressive wine, with an alluring nose of plush and pretty sweet spices, dried thyme and cassis. Whistler pick that bit earlier than their neighbours, in order to capture the fresh natural acidity of the grapes, which brings lift to the palate. At just shy of 14% alcohol it is a little lighter than many classic shiraz from this region, but this ensures vibrancy, lift and finesse, making this one of the most considered and well-executed reds from this famous Aussie region. The tannins are supple and support a core of fresh, juicy black and red fruit flavours. A true modern classic which allows the vineyards to do the talking, thanks to the conscientious winemaking of Michael J. Corbett.

A fine, barrel-aged pinot noir (spätburgunder) that has benefited from its six years of maturation. 2019 was a famously hot vintage that did wonders for German pinots, and this offers plenty of ripe fruit alongside gentle vanilla complexity

Ripasso styles can really offer the best of both worlds, retaining freshness and cherry fruit from the corvina grape, but gaining a little more depth, weight and complexity from the Amarone grape skins that the wine has been 'passed over'. 2021 was a great vintage in Veneto and this wine has great power yet with elegance.

Mellow, mature and comforting Argentine malbec from a members’ favourite estate. Weinert age their reds in large barrels (foudres). After three years in a mix of 2,000 and 6,000-litre foudres, this is soft and rounded, with aromas of leather and cedar. It will delight with wild mushroom gratins and pilafs.

Quinta da Pedra Alta is an excellent small producer in the stunningly beautiful Douro Valley of Portugal. Their Reserva red is a plush, full and finessed fine wine which captures the combination of rich Douro fruit and the freshness which winemaker João Pires preserves in all of his wines. This is a blend of local grapes 61% touriga nacional, 21% touriga franca, 16% tinta barroca and 2% sousão aged in oak. The nose has a lovely mix of deep dark fruit aromas and lovely savoury hints of slate, forest floor as well as sweet spices such as vanilla and nutmeg. The palate is full bodied and generous, with balanced tannins and mouthwatering freshness. Deep dark plum, cassis and blueberry notes combine with more sweet spices and a deliciously silky texture.