Description Sip the finest vineyards of France, Italy, Spain and Portugal with this gorgeous dozen of European reds. Start in France with a special old-vine edition of bestselling Cabalié from the sun-blessed south. Head to Italy’s sun-drenched south for the intensely dark and delicious Pillastro Nero and Il Brutto Negroamaro Primitivo, then to Spain a Monastrell (Mataro) blend from the cult Jumilla region. Last, indulge in a luscious Gold-winning black red from Portugal which shows why Wine Spectator calls it the “most exciting wine place on the planet.”
If it weren’t for Angelo Maci, many of the last remaining century-old vines in Puglia would have been uprooted by now. But Angelo turns their tiny quantities of dark, spicy grapes into a very special red of remarkable depth and satisfying richness.
For great value, mature reds, head for Spain. This is a gorgeous mellow Gran Selección from Campo de Borja, using old-vine Garnacha, plus dense Cabernet. Aged for five years in oak, it's gorgeously complex with soft berry spice and savoury length.
Combining concentrated, old bush vine (up to 70 years old) Monastrell (known to us as Mourvèdre or Mataro) plus a portion of strawberry-scented Tempranillo, it’s a lavish and layered wine that’s really hard to resist.
Pillastro Primitivo is one of our best-loved wines. Here the three-time Winery of the Year has blended finest Cabernet with Primitivo, from 80-year-old vines, to make this dark swarthy red. It's barrel aged as well to add oak spice to the rich fruit.
Jaime Quendera is the man behind the ‘Best Red Wine in the World’ a few years back. This 2020 is a sumptuous blend of native Aragonez (aka Tempranillo), Syrah and Cabernet. Delicious with pork and chorizo casserole or chicken dishes.
Seriously intense Carignan gives a boost of inky dark fruit to spicy red-berry Grenache. “Nose of black fruits with white pepper and liquorice touches. Silky, solid attack driven by stewed fruits. A great wine...” (Gold medal, Gilbert & Gaillard).
