It’s getting colder out there so why not your shift drinking habits accordingly? Check out these great red wines for autumn…
There’s no denying it, autumn is upon those of us in the northern hemisphere. Leaves are clogging up driveways, it’s getting dark earlier than we think it should, and the shops are looking ahead to Halloween, bonfire night and – gulp! – Christmas.
As we look to heartwarming dishes – tied together with seasonal ingredients – to keep the impending chill at bay it makes sense to alter our drinking habits too. Below are some great red wines, selected by our experts, to ward off the cooler evenings and help you get in an autumnal mood.
If you’re in the southern half of the world, you might want to see our summer wine ideas.
Red wine for autumn:
Raats, Cabernet Franc, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2015
A wonderful single-varietal Cabernet Franc, not only showing an excellent expression of the grape in South Africa, but also the skill of acclaimed winemaker Brewer Raats, who has specialised in, and championed, the variety alongside Chenin Blanc, since 2000. A complex and heady wine comprising earthy notes with vibrant fruit…
Bodegas Ramon Bilbao, Mirto, Rioja 2004
Another excellent year: an extended growing season with cool nights focussing flavour and fostering linearity on the palate. As with the 2001, the 2004 was sourced from fruit from the Abelos vineyard in the Alavesa. This example is a little less composed than the 2001, a little tighter and more…
Lapostolle, Vigno Carignan, Maule Valley, Chile, 2016
A captivating expression of Carignan – and a sign of the truly great things that can and will be achieved with these old vines in Chile. Vivid floral, wild berry scents and a wonderfully poised, dense, moreish flavour profile.
Elephant Hill, Syrah, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, 2015
Distinct black pepper notes and some blackberry pâte de fruits, lifted and fresh. Concentrated fruits between sweet and savoury. Lingering, gently smoky, peppery finish. Supremely well made and well balanced, with beautiful varietal and terroir expression. Fine, gentle tannin and gentle but balanced acidity. Consistently one of the best Syrahs…
J Bouchon, País Viejo, Maule Valley, Chile, 2018
With 20,000 bottles made, this is one of Chile’s most commercially successful old-vine wines. Fresh, pure and attractive, with lovely summer pudding fruit and a tangy finish.
Bolney Wine Estate, Pinot Noir, West Sussex, England, 2018
The UK’s still Pinot Noirs are improving all the time. This is a well-ripened cool-climate example, boasting creamy summer pudding flavours, a grassy edge, grippy tannins and earthy spices.
Riccitelli, The Party Malbec, Uco Valley, Mendoza, 2017
Oz Clarke: Big and toasted; rich and ripe. Deep, sweet cherry and plum fruit with some scent. Fat and toasty but good. Sarah Jane Evans: Aromatically it’s roasted Victoria plums in vanilla syrup. The palate overflows with flavour too, alive with juicy Malbec plumpness and a seasoning of spice. Tina…
Paul Mas, Single Vineyard Reserve, 2017
Forgive the silly heavy bottle as inside there’s a delicious, juicy blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan, offering supple ripe blackberries, sweet baking spices and well-handled oak. The Languedoc is hotbed of value and Paul Mas is a reliable name.
Summer Road, Old Vine Grenache, Barossa, 2018
Made by Thistledown for Majestic, this is a great-value, lighter-style Grenache whose silky, juicy raspberry and cherry flavours would be a perfect match for spicy Chinese aubergine dishes. It is high-toned with warm alcohol, but has enough generous fruit to balance.
Cortese, Nostru Nerello Mascalese, Terre Siciliane, 2017
This has more depth of colour and aroma than you usually find with Nerello Mascalese. Light oak gives notes of spice and leather on the nose and palate, alongside black and red cherry fruit. From organic grapes, this is a well made and very drinkable wine, with depth and freshness…
By: Chris Wilson
(Grabbed from: https://www.decanter.com/decanter-best/red-wine-autumn-five-try-336062/)