For those that think red wines should be served at room temperature:
Look & Learn:......
Ps: There are a few more wines available than just Bulls Blood & Valpolicella
25 Best red wines to chill:
Domaine Georges Descombes, Beaujolais, Morgon, 2015
Domaine Georges Descombes, Beaujolais, Morgon, 2015
A beautifully pastoral wine from a stalwart of minimal intervention Beaujolais – joyful, but far from frivolous. Fleshy, textured black cherry and aromatic turned earth flow from this natural and effortless expression of Morgon.
POINTS 93
El Viejo Almacén, Huaso de Sauzal País, Maule Valley, 2014
Renán Cancino rejects modern technology while turning his ancient, granite-grown País into a profoundly delicious wine. His lo-fi approach creates an aromatically wild wine with a tight, crystalline, saline finish. For thrill-seekers rather than purists.
POINTS 93
August Kesseler, N Pinot Noir, Rheingau, Germany, 2012
August Kesseler, N Pinot Noir, Rheingau, Germany, 2012
Kesseler makes gorgeous Spätburgunders, and 2012 was a great year for German Pinot; his entry level N Pinot Noir is still going strong. Lively cherry fruit and a touch of pine sap; highly refreshing.
POINTS 92
Comando G, Méntrida, La Bruja de Rozas, Madrid, Spain, 2015
A thrilling modern expression of Garnacha from granite soils high in the Gredos mountains near Madrid. A lightly extracted, pale red that shimmers with saline red berry fruits. Elegant, mineral and refreshing.
POINTS 92
Domaine Combier, Crozes-Hermitage, Cuvée Laurent Combier,
2015 was a stunning vintage in Crozes-Hermitage. This has appetising aromas of smoky bacon, black olive and herbs – intense fruit, but no heaviness. Beautifully tailored, and cut from exquisite Crozes cloth.
POINTS 92
Elian da Ros, Côtes du Marmandais, Le Vin est une Fête, 2014
Elian da Ros, Côtes du Marmandais, Le Vin est une Fête, 2014
This has discreet red berries on the nose and a most wonderful mouthfeel – smooth like silk pyjamas. Perfectly balanced, authentic and honest. Quietly unforgettable.
POINTS 92
Fedellos do Couto, Cortezada, Ribeira Sacra, 2014
100% Mencia from a schistous single vineyard above the river Sil. Fresh and juicy with plenty of impact, despite its lightness of body. The compelling floral/peppery nose is irresistible.
POINTS 92
Cossetti, Grignolino d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy, 2015
Cherry in colour and flavour, this is a pale, fine-boned, mineral Grignolino. Light-bodied, with fine yet structured tannins, it's bright, vivid and perfectly balanced; as if drawn in red ink with a pin-point fountain pen.
POINTS 91
Domaine de la Chapelle des Bois, Beaujolais, Chiroubles,
The highest of the 10 Beaujolais crus, Chiroubles can be light, but not this exceptional 2015. Generously fruited, but not over-extracted, this is refined and beautifully proportioned. Fresh and perfectly balanced, pure silk. Great value.
POINTS 91
Envínate, Táganan Tinto, Tenerife, Spain, 2014
A blend of esoteric local varieties grown on volcanic soils overlooking the Atlantic on Tenerife. Crunchy, spicy cranberry fruit and a tactile textural grain makes this sublimely drinkable and refreshing.
POINTS 91
Hush Heath, Manor Pinot Noir, Kent, United Kingdom, 2015
Hush Heath, Manor Pinot Noir, Kent, United Kingdom, 2015
English Pinot Noirs take well to light chilling. This highly successful Kentish example has pretty and defined cherry and redcurrant aromas with underlying herbal freshness. Light, fine and pure.
POINTS 91
Johan Vineyards, Willamette Valley, Farmlands Pinot Noir,
Johan Vineyards, Willamette Valley, Farmlands Pinot Noir,
A lovable biodynamic Pinot produced without any additives by Norwegian ex-footballer Dag Johan Sundby. Bags of juicy Victoria plum and strawberry fruit pepped up with peppery spice.
POINTS 91
Vino di Anna, Etna, Palmento, Sicily, Italy, 2015
Closer to rosé than red, slightly cloudy. Made from 60 to 100 year old Nerello Mascalese bush vines grown on Mount Etna. Dangerously drinkable with vibrant acidity and a fine mineral streak, sketched out with great flair.
POINTS 91
Elvio Cogno, Dolcetto d'Alba, Vigna del Mandorlo, 2015
Agreeably strict tannins help rein in the dark, fleshy fruits here; bramble and black cherry with liquorice and violets. Finishes dry and precise. A very drinkable, well-made Dolcetto – buttoned up and tucked in.
POINTS 90
Sepp Moser, Neusiedlersee, Sepp Zweigelt, Burgenland, 2015
Sepp Moser, Neusiedlersee, Sepp Zweigelt, Burgenland, 2015
The fruit is pure black cherry, both fresh and in compote. Joyfully uncomplicated, with a light, juicy texture. Vibrant, but balanced, acidity adds to the overall sense of precision. A delicious Zweigelt.
POINTS 90
Te Mata, Estate Syrah, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, 2015
Te Mata, Estate Syrah, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, 2015
Medium-bodied Syrah, with the flowing silky red fruits indicative of its Bridge Pa and Woodthorpe origins. Aromas of violet, peony, raspberry, cranberry, sandalwood and star anise. Not terribly long, but expressive, vivid and detailed.
POINTS 90
Ailala, Souson, Ribeiro, Mainland Spain, Spain, 2015
Ailala, Souson, Ribeiro, Mainland Spain, Spain, 2015
Based around the local Souson grape, this is deeply coloured with figgy fruits and fairly dense texture. It's relatively full-bodied for chilling, but it works thanks to the snappy acidity, clarity of plum and blueberry flavour and crunchy tannin.
POINTS 89
Domaine Filliatreau, Saumur-Champigny, Loire, France, 2015
Domaine Filliatreau, Saumur-Champigny, Loire, France, 2015
Unburdened by unnecessary winemaking and clearly an excellent vintage, this Cabernet Franc has strawberry and raspberry fruit with underlying bramble bush. A healthy dose of crunchy, youthful tannin completes the package.
POINTS 89
Gaia, Notios, Peloponnese, Greece, 2015
A winning blend of 85% Agiorgitiko and 15% Syrah from unirrigated hillside vineyards. It has a smooth mouthfeel leading to a tapered finish, overlaid with blackberry and blackcurrant leaf aromas. Straight, grippy, harmonious and well-crafted.
POINTS 89
Concerto Medici Ermete, Lambrusco, Reggiano, Rosso, 2015
Remarkably complex: vibrant and defined ripe black cherry, black olive, liquorice and fresh pear. More foaming than sparkling, with well-balanced acidity and a lasting, authentic fresh fruit flavour.
POINTS 89
Radford Dale, Thirst Cinsault, Stellenbosch, 2016
Radford Dale, Thirst Cinsault, Stellenbosch, 2016
Between a red and a rosé, this Stellenbosch Cinsault is made by carbonic maceration, producing a light, floral, peppery cranberry aroma, lightweight tannic chassis and just 10% alcohol. A real thirst-quencher.
POINTS 89
Collavini, Colli Orientali, Pucino Refosco, 2015
Refosco is a good option for light chilling thanks to its brightness of fruit teamed with tangy acidity. This has bright black cherry and plum fruit and finishes with a cleansing tannic draw.
POINTS 88
Madai, Origen Mencia, Bierzo, Mainland Spain, Spain, 2015
Madai, Origen Mencia, Bierzo, Mainland Spain, Spain, 2015
A lightly floral Mencia from 80 year old vines in Bierzo, with vibrant raspberry and clove in a supporting role. Just as light and vibrant on the palate with piercing acidity and fine tannin.
POINTS 88
Planeta, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Sicily, Italy, 2015
Herbal cherry and pomegranate aromas, discreet fine tannins and a slap of fruity acidity make this Nero d’Avola/Frappato blend a great option for chilled summer drinking. Uplifting and refreshing.
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