July Roundup: Favorites Reds from France
The jet lag is fading, and I’m back in the warehouse pushing boxes around for all of you. Thanks to everybody who grabbed some white wines, and, as promised on Tuesday, here's the follow-up featuring a roundup of red wines that recently arrived.
If you missed the whites earlier this week, you can find them here — there's still some bottles available, so it's not too late. But today we're turning our attention to the reds that deserve a second look. Whether you’re grilling steaks and want something to match, or you’re tucking a few things away for the fall, we’ve got something for you.
1) Mas Karolina Côtes Catalans Rouge 2023
A teeth-staining, fresh and juicy blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Cinsault, none of it ever seeing the inside of a barrel. The color is an almost saturated purple, and the nose is wild with mint and pepper. On the palate, bright brambly black fruit and crunchy red fruit, with a touch of grippy tannin and a hit of black pepper on the finish. The kind of wine you can reach for at any moment — as fresh and lively in the heat as it is enjoyable on the terrace as the night cools down. Pizza, steak, a bowl of olives — it doesn't matter. This one is always ready.
2) Domaine du Tave Vinsobres ‘Cuvée Paradis’ 2023
A single vineyard bottling of 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah, sourced from the hilltop vineyard above that little village of Vinsobres, 'Cuvée Paradis' has all the delight and drinkability of the Cuvée Sensation, but turned up to 11! This spends a year in barrel to build a satiny texture, layers of spice, and a rich complexity.
3) Domaine des Sanzay Saumur-Champigny Vieille Vignes 2023
Sourced from old vines, cellared a year in neutral oak barrels, bring out a noticeably depth and complexity of the 60+ year old vines. Silky and structured, with the same characteristic red fruit, but more weight on the mid-palate and a finish that lingers. This is the “little black dress” of red wines; a versatile red that works in any situation. Open it an hour before you sit down, and watch it evolve in the glass.
4) LaGrave ‘Cuvée Cur Non’ Merlot 2023
100% Merlot planted on deep clay soils, and aged 20 months in barre. Vincent's wines are a lot like him — sturdy and muscular, but also charming and quietly thoughtful. In the glass, an opaque deep purple, with a wonderful brambly berry aromatics, rich red fruit, and a long, complete finish. Structured and rich, but with surprisingly refined tannins even in its youth. A wine that will age gracefully for years, but rewards you right now too.