Red Wines

‘Casa Solar’ Tinto 2005 (Tempranillo) – Spain £10.95
£2.80 175ml glass, £3.85 250ml glass
The main variety in Rioja, Tempranillo has exuberant strawberry and plum jam fruit flavours and is low in tannins. Suitable for a wide range of foods, or a juicy wine for drinking on its own.

‘Los Cardos’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 – Argentina £12.95
£3.25 175ml glass, £4.50 250ml glass
Exceptional value example, berry fruit aromas with vibrant mulberry and dark cherry tinged with light oak and ripe, juicy fruit.

Santa Rita Reserva Merlot Chile £14.25
£3.80 175ml glass, £4.95 250ml glass
From one of the oldest and most respected wineries in Chile - this is a smooth, velvety wine with good plumy fruits, ripe tannins, toasted oak and an inky richness.  

Kanu ‘Rockwood’ 2004/5 (Shiraz/Merlot/Cabernet) – South Africa £13.95 A fine example of how blending several varieties together creates a more complex, satisfying wine. Mainly Shiraz, careful winemaking has produced a full, easy-drinking red with comforting spice elements that perfectly suit lamb and steak dishes.

‘Campofiorin’ 2003, Masi – Italy £17.95
A ‘Super Venetian’, local grape varieties Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara undergo a ripasso secondary fermentation using partially dried, concentrated grapes. The result is a spectacularly luxurious wine, magnificent with all game and meat dishes with strongly-flavoured sauces.

Morton Estate Pinot Noir 2004 – New Zealand £18.25
Classic Kiwi Pinot, laced with strawberry elements and sumptuously velvety in texture. A seriously good match with stronger game (rabbit, pigeon) and dishes with mushrooms, but equally sublime with roasts and grills.

Jim Barry ‘Lodge Hill’ Shiraz 2004 – Australia £18.25
One of Australia’s finest exponents of Shiraz, Jim Barry’s wines are highly sought after and this is no exception, winning a Silver medal at the 2006 International Wine Challenge. Dense and complex flavours black cherry and mulberry with some subtle spice and vanilla-oak, it’s fantastic with robust red meats (or kangaroo!).

Gran Feudo Crianza 2002/3, Julian Chivite – Spain £13.95
Hailing from Navarra, the region adjoining Rioja, this is a good example of Tempranillo and Garnacha with 12 months ageing in American and French oak. Beautifully balanced spicy fruit with hints of toast, and a delicious accompaniment to lamb dishes (or to enjoy on its own on a cold winter night).

Côtes du Rhône ‘St Esprit’ 2004, Delas Frères – France £15.95 A very good year for the region is reflected in this seductive blend of Syrah and Grenache, finding aromas of violets, liquorice and spices on the nose and a rounded palate with delicate tannins. Works well with dishes with herbs and spices, games and pâtés.