I wish it could be big red week every week as this is the category I find myself revelling in. It's also a category that has grown exponentially in recent years if, like me, you consider big reds to be those with lots of body and the alcohol to match.
Remember when most wines were 12.5% or under? I do kind of miss these days of restrained power and silky palates.
Now the shelves are full of big bruisers but far too many of them don't have the character to support the whopping 14%+ alcohol levels.
The ones that do, however, are simply divine. You can keep your yoga and raki sessions because nothing says relaxation more than a fruit-packed wine with a whopping stress-numbing alcohol level, and I make no apologies for that.
So, what are my favourite big reds? Chateauneuf Du Pape, Barossa valley Shiraz, Margaret River Cab Merlots, virtually any high altitude Argentinian Malbec, several of the top end Chilean Carmeneres, Stellenbosch Cabernets, anything from the Napa Valley, most of the classed growth Bordeauxs (more about them next week) and, of course, the ever so incredible Chateau Musar, but only the big boy itself. Musar has a fabulous stable of wines these days, but Mousers flagship still stands alone.
Yup... I'm well catered for folks!
Terrarium Single Estate Cabernet, 2021, Chile 14%
Aged in French oak barrels for a year, this is a very satisfying, smooth but full bodied Cabernet with expansive fruits, hints of cocoa and a long, rich finish.
Majestic £13.99 per bottle or £9.99 mix six
Colome Malbec, Argentina 14.5%
An outstanding wine with incredible depth. Deep Autumn fruits, rich spices and a long savoury finish.
Waitrose Cellar £18.99
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