Society Reds Case

A Wine Champion in 2023 following our extensive blind tastings. 'Fabulous purity` and ‘lipsmacking freshness` secured victory for this delightful 2022, primed, said Sebastian Payne MW, for a ‘delicious steak` and a high probability of finishing the bottle!

This is the ideal introduction to Argentine malbec.It has a forthcoming floral aroma with some black-fruit character and a fresh, round and balanced palate. It's mainly from the Valle de Uco for aroma and intensity of flavour with some Agrelo fruit for richness. It is produced exclusively for The Wine Society by Dominio del Plata, a winery owned by one of Argentina`s most celebrated winemakers, Susana Balbo. A gaucho rides on a sheepskin covered saddle which is illustrated on the new label.

This barbera is from the beautiful Cascinone vineyard in Piedmont, Italy. Bursting with ripe juicy red fruit, this medium-bodied red has had time in large old oak casks, softening the tannins. A versatile food wine and particularly good with tomato-based dishes and the porcini mushrooms that are so integral to Piemontese cuisine and which we depict on the label.

A 2024 Wine Championship winning combination of plump red and black fruits, juicy refreshment and a price described as ‘madness for this quality` when the winning bottle bag was undone. In a line-up of Portuguese reds that ‘showed what incredible value they are`, this member favourite really stood out.

This is a lovely, supple syrah, brimming with ripe flavours of red summer fruit. Most of it comes from vineyards in Brézème, on limestone soils, a dozen miles or so from Crozes.. A perfect little red for grills and simple meals.

Made for The Wine Society by Yalumba. The nose is juicy, generous and bright with blackcurrant notes. The palate is full-bodied and fresh, with black and red-fruit character and great structure. Lovely on its own or with rich beef or lentil dishes. Yalumba’s environmental credentials are impeccable. They are 100% accredited by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia and a Silver Member of International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA). They harvest solar energy at their winery, the largest in Australia at the time it was installed in 2016. as well as being partners of the United Nations Race to Zero program to connect likeminded businesses around the globe, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.

Made for us by Maison Bougrier in the young, fresh 'brasserie' style we have been enjoying for a few vintages now, this deeply coloured Loire Valley cabernet franc has aromas and flavours of red and black fruits and a clean, juicy finish. It provides a pleasing match when enjoyed with classic bistro-style dishes like rotisserie chicken, rosemary-scented lamb cutlets, or a simple picnic of charcuterie and good cheese.

Rioja is Spain's pre-eminent wine region, renowned for its graceful, stylish wines, mainly from the tempranillo grape. The Society's Rioja is made in the classic, traditional style that Society members so adore by Bodegas Palacio, who are based in the spectacular fortified village of Laguardia. Ageing in oak for 15 months results in a smooth, mellow and juicy tempranillo with red-fruit flavour complemented by hallmark savoury, leathery complexity. The ageing of wine in barrels is absolutely integral to winemaking in Rioja, and our new label for this member favourite pays homage to the cooperage tools that are used to make these traditional vessels.

South Africa`s very own grape pinotage takes the lead in this fresh, fruity Cape Blend of young Stellenbosch syrah with older bush-vine pinotage from Swartland. The grapes were whole-berry fermented and the syrah grapes were lightly crushed and gently handled in the cellar to produce a fruit-driven red with soft tannins. The blend is 66% pinotage, 34% syrah.

From a high-quality, coolish vintage, this is impressive cedary, fine-flavoured, partially oak-matured cabernet offering excellent value for money. Concha y Toro are a leader in more sustainable working practices in Chile, with strategies to reduce energy and water use, environmental projects including increasing biodiversity, and many local community initiatives.

This friendly and fresh-tasting claret is one of The Wine Society`s most consistently popular wines. Supplied for over a quarter of a century by family-owned Maison Sichel, the bespoke blend varies from vintage to vintage, but merlot takes the lead role, and the wine is made without any oak to avoid masking its bright, red and black fruit flavours. This is made to be drunk young, on its own or with a wide variety of dishes. The label for this perennial favourite shows three muses that can also be seen on the Grand Theatre opera house in Bordeaux itself.

A pinot to delight the senses: fresh, round and fruity with a hint of cherry and plenty of charm. Best drunk a little cool. Much of it is sourced from around Limoux, which works well in years of heatwaves.