Its secret? It’s crafted by a master winemaker, Hervé Sabardeil, following the centuries-old style beloved of Roman centurions, who first made wine there. Raspberry-rich Grenache, with herby Syrah and Carignan, Cabalié has impressive concentration. That’s due to the maturity of the vines, most well over 50 years old. The tiny berries they produce give Cabalié extraordinarily rich, ripe flavours. Boasting 8 Golds in as many vintages, this much-loved red is warming solo or with hearty dishes.

Home to “thunderously powerful Grenache” (Andrew Jefford).The grapes come from very old vines – between 60 and 100 years old! Yields are minute (about half of a Grand Cru Bordeaux), which accounts for the opulently black colour and incredible intensity of flavour.

The power-packed wine was then aged in oak casks to lend an even more luxurious layer of creamy rich and lavish oak complexity. This is an outstanding, weighty red that even manages to outpower the original Cabalié – it’s that deep and concentrated! It will be a truly decadent and delicious partner to your year-end parties and Chinese New Year feasts – and it will look wonderful on the table too.

Top winemaker Andrea Bernardini has discovered just how to get the most from the superb Nero di Troia grape. The result is the deliciously dark, velvety Corsiero. No need to blend Nero di Troia with softer varieties – gently pressed and carefully vinified, it makes a seductive, deeply flavoured, fruit-rich red. Nero di Troia is named after the town of Troia in northern Puglia, said to have been founded by Greek hero Diomedes, famous for helping to defeat the city of Troy in Asia Minor (yes, the grape really is that old!). Just outside Troia, the story goes, Diomedes planted vine cuttings named Nero after the dark colour of the grape skins and the deep-hued wine. Rich, warming Corsiero is perfect with rich pasta dishes, game or hearty stew.

Our scout and buyer for the Languedoc-Roussillon is Mark Hoddy. He's always searching the region's vineyards, to check out the vintage and the finest parcels of grapes. This is an ace find Mark discovered first in 2019 via an old friend in Corbières. Close by is Domaine La Lirande, a small estate founded in 1912 by the grandfather, François, in the tiny village of Coulobres. Every year, the Syrah from the domaine's 8 hectares of 40-year-old vines stands out for quality. Just taste the richness of this seductive red. Ripe black fruit, velvety, with smoky liquorice and wild herb notes, it's young, so best with hearty dishes like pasta bake or at a barbecue.

Hasn't Malbec come a long way! It used to produce the tough, tannic reds of SW France, then Argentina got a hold of it and made it a worldwide star. Not to be out done, France is revisiting this grape and, with refined techniques and careful handling, showing just how appealing its wines can be. Hervé discovered a plot of 30-year-old vines in the Languedoc's Vallée de l'Orb, on soils covered with big boulder-like stones that promote grapes with lovely intensity and ripeness.
Impressed, he bagged the lot. Hand harvesting, gentle handling, and just a short time on its skins, have resulted in a silky, ripe, supple wine, with ample fruit tinged with herbs and liquorice. A fine choice with marinaded pork chops, roast chicken or veggie kebabs.

First we brought you the (far from) standard Lobo e Falcão, with its dense ripe fruit and weight. It went down a storm, so a few years back we also introduced the Reserva edition. The wines are from an historic estate that has been in the same family for over 200 years. In the 17th century, it was the king’s falconry and special barrels of wine were kept aside for royal visits. Today, fourth-generation José Lobo de Vasconcelos (Lobo means wolf) heads up the property, with its expansive vineyards, some of which are over a 100 years old. The cellar remains one of the region’s most innovative, with Joana de Lopes as winemaker. Dark, spicy Syrah along with native varieties and a layer of creamy oak, this is a top choice for slow cooked beef.

It's from maestro of Puglia, Angelo Maci, and his pride and joy winery that has twice been voted southern Italy's finest. A regular customer top favourite.