Gems of France – Mixed Reds Under $45

Explore the diversity of French red wines with this thoughtfully selected mixed pack, chosen for balance, character, and drinkability, handpicked mix of approachable, flavourful wines that deliver at a price perfect for everyday enjoyment.

1 x La Goutte du Seigneur Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2022 - Rhone, France

Organic

WInemaker "La Goutte du Seigneur is a divine refreshment, with a nose of wild strawberries, a fresh and thirst-quenching palate, a lively finish and silky tannins."

50% Grenache, 50% Syrah.
Alcohol: 13.5%

The name of this organic and biodynamically farmed cuvée refers to their family name, translating as "Drop of the Lord".

Bernard Duseigneur "Seizing the opportunity that nature gives us; that is the essence of biodynamics for me"

Bernard Duseigneur, hailing from a lineage of winemakers, assumed control of the family's domaine in 2002 after a stint in investment banking. Returning to his Mediterranean origins, he continued the legacy of his father and brother, ultimately settling in Châteauneuf-du-Pape on the left bank of the Rhône.

In Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the terroir isn't solely defined by iconic orange pebbles; it comprises diverse soils like red clays, limestone, sandstone sands, and loams from the Rhone's banks. Acknowledging that exceptional terroir alone isn't enough for quality wines, Bernard prioritizes soil vitality. His team nurtures a diverse flora and fauna that mobilize trace elements, fostering symbiosis between plant and soil.

1 x Mas de Lavail Carignan Noir Old Vines 2021 - Côtes Catalanes, France

Organic

Winemakers note "Beautiful purple colour, aromatic intensity, a lot of concentration. Aromas of red fruits, fine spices, a nice freshness." The Vines are over fifty years old and are harvested at full maturity.

100% Carignan

Organic wines are made from grapes grown without pesticides, following strict organic standards. Organic wines are produced in vineyards that do not use synthetic chemicals.

Mas de Lavail is a family-owned estate in the heart of the Maury Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, one of the oldest Appellations in the area of Roussillon, which was designated in 1936. The winery, Mas de Lavail was founded in 1999 with the purchase of the property by the Batlle family. The estate is situated in the heart of the MAURY Appellation, surrounded by the two ranges of the Corbières, on clay-limestone soil.

Part of their land stretches beneath the Cathar castle of Quéribus, resting on black schist soils. The name "Maury" derives from these black lands, known for their unique ability to retain the Sun's heat and release it to the vines during the cooler evenings. As a result, the Grenache and Carignan grapes show the estate's devotion to their terroir and winemaking craft which is evident in the exceptional wines they produce.

Organic agricultural practices are now at the forefront of the wine-growing approach to achieve full organic certification, alongside the preservation of existing biodiversity. Clearly, Grenache is the star here, as per the requirement of the Maury and newly designated Maury Sec AOCs, however, Syrah and Carignan (both Blanc and Noir) are far from just supporting acts, in fact producing stunning examples. Cropping is averaged at 29 HL per hectare across the domain, with the estate ranges at far less, and production levels of less than 10,000 cases annually point to grapes with exceptional concentration.

Carignan (also known as Mazuelo, Bovale Grande, Cariñena, Carinyena, Samsó, Carignane, and Carignano) is a red grape variety of Spanish origin that is more commonly found in French wine but is widely planted throughout the western Mediterranean and around the globe. Along with Aramon, it was considered one of the main grapes responsible for France's wine lake and was a substantial producer in jug wine production in California's Central Valley but in recent years, it has been reborn as a flagship wine for many cellars in the south of France as well as in Catalonia.

1 x Les Centenaires La Bergerie Rouge Costières de Nimes (Organic) 2018 - Rhone, France

14/20 La Revue du Vin de France

Organic

Winemaker "A full-bodied mouthfeel with notes of strawberry, cherry and white pepper, with supple tannins and a lovely length."

40% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 10% Carignan

Clos des Centenaires was founded Luc Baudet of Chateau Mas-Neuf fame, and Californian wine industry veteran, Jack Edwards who both share a passion for artisan wines and the terroir of France’s Southern Rhone.

Clos des Centenaires is a historic vineyard situated in Costieres de Nimes, close to the Mediterranean Sea. The vineyard boasts 70-year-old Grenache vines which are deeply rooted in the pebble stones overlooking the picturesque lakes of Petite Camargue. The vineyard also features Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot, and Cinsault, and is known for producing unique, high-end, elegant wines of excellent value.

The vineyard soils are cultivated amongst natural grassland using shallow tillage methods and special attention is paid to the revitalization of vines (using annually prepared biodynamic compost). Inputs are limited to organically approved natural products.

Costieres de Nimes is the most southerly appellation of the Rhone wine region in southeastern France. The wines of the area are reputed to have been consumed by the Ancient Greeks and thus figure among the oldest known wines in the world. The Costieres de Nimes AOC covers an area between the towns of Nimes and Arles.

The Rhone Valley is one of France's key wine regions and is divided neatly by a gap of about 25 miles (40km). Wines from the northern part of the valley tend to be Syrah-dominant (Hermitage and Cote Rotie being the most notable examples), while wines from the southern Rhone are more commonly blends, with Grenache playing a more dominant role. Chateauneuf-du-Pape is the most famous example of a southern Rhone blend, but similar blends are found in wines from Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and the regional Cotes du Rhone title.

1 x Chateau Montcabrier Bordeaux Superieur Rouge 2018 - Bordeaux, France

Bronze - Sommelier Wine Awards (2017 vintage)
Commended - International Wine Challenge (2016 vintage)
Gold - Concours de Bordeaux Vin d'Aqquitaine (2015 vintage)
Gold - Lyon International Wine Competition (2014 vintage)
Silver - Concours de Bordeaux Vin d'Aqquitaine (2014 vintage)

Sommelier Wine Awards "'Herbaceous, with fresh red fruits on the nose too, leading to a palate showing white pepper and delicate spices.' Gaetano Giangaspero, C&C. 'Leather and older fruit, with some savoury mushroom notes - easy Old World claret that ticks a few boxes.' Jade Koch, team leader. 'Tea leaves, red berries and a hint of iron.' Filippo Pastorini, consultant." 2017 vintage)

Château Montcabrier is a vineyard of the Milhade family estate, Château Recougne, located on the right bank of Bordeaux, in the Fronsadais. This property has produced wine for more than 400 years, and has always been recognized for producing outstanding wine. Its name is said to have come from French King Henri IV, in “recognition” (‘recougne’) of the quality of its wine. The Milhade family purchased the property in the mid 1930s, and Château Recougne has become their flagship estate, producing quintessential Bordeaux each vintage. The work of several generations has positioned Château Recougne as one of the key estates for Bordeaux Supérieur Red wines. The Château Montcabrier’s grapes, harvested and vinified separately from Chateau Recougne, come predominantly from clay and sandy soils and offer a refined style dominated by the freshness of fruits. 

Merlot is best suited to the gravelly clay terroir and is the majority planting here, comprising about 80% of the vineyard, complemented by equal parts of both Cabernets. The parcels set aside for Moncabrier include those planted on marley clay, with less gravel, and younger vines throughout the estate. The Milhades employ environmentally friendly viticultural techniques, minimal spraying, low yields through green harvesting, and excellent canopy management.

1 x Lavau Cotes du Rhone Red 2020 - Rhone, France

91/100 James Suckling (2019 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Enthusiast (2019 vintage)

James Suckling "A fruity, polished red with creamy tannins and softness and attractiveness that makes you want to drink it. It’s medium-to full-bodied with round tannins and a delicious finish. "

Wine Enthusiast "Notes of anisette, black raspberry and leather saddle introduce this spicy, savory blend of Grenache and Syrah. It's fresh in fruit but rounded and supple on the palate, with a warming finish edged by fine, feathery tannins."

The Guide Hachette des Vins (referenced in the above) is France's best-selling, and one of France's oldest wine guides. Considered France's most authoritative wine guide and commonly referred to as the bible of the French wine industry. This wine has received consistent star ratings for multiple vintages from this prestigious authority.

Grenache noir (50%) Syrah (50%)

This wine comes from parcels selected from the finest terroirs of the southern Rhône Valley Region, extending from Montélimar to Nîmes. The Grenache and Syrah vines are planted on clay-limestone plains which are particularly well exposed and are managed to obtain a yield of around 40 hl/ha.

The grapes are entirely de-stemmed and placed in temperature-controlled vats to macerate for around 18 days during which time only pumping-over operations are carried out. 50% of the wine is aged in vat, and 50% in 450L barrels previously used for 1 or 2 vintages, for a period of 12 months, before being blended with the vat-aged wine.

Originally from Bordeaux, the Lavau family has been involved with winemaking for generations, and have had vineyards ranging from Bordeaux to Tunisia. In 1964 they were seduced by the richness and quality of the Provencal soil, and settled down to make wine in the Rhone Valley.

The cellars of Lavau are currently managed by Benoit and Frederic Lavau, who work in partnership with 350 different grape growers. Benoit is a frequent visitor to Singapore and Pop Up Wine events.

1 x Georges Duboeuf Ecusson Merlot 2021 ~ Languedoc, France

Bronze - Wine Review Online
Bronze - Wine Spectator

Wine Review Online "This is a Merlot for the masses, a fruity Merlot that delivers juicy notes of plum and bing cherry with a touch of spice and supple tannins. Though hardly profound or even exceptionally complex, it is an enjoyable wine impeccably made that should please any crowd. Perfect for a summer gathering around the barbecue."

The Winemaker "This wine has a harmonious nose that reveals kirsch and red berry aromas. Full-bodied and smooth in the mouth, with a fine, fruity finish."

This wine is produced by Les Vins Georges Duboeuf is one of the largest wine producers in France founded by the late Georges Duboeuf who was affectionately known as 'le roi du Beaujolais' (the king of Beaujolais) or sometimes pape du Beaujolais (Pope of Beaujolais). Les Vins Georges Duboeuf produces a staggering 3 million cases of wine annually. The company is most well-known for its popularization and production of Beaujolais wines. In 2018 Georges’ passed control of his company to his son Franck Duboeuf, who is considered to be one of the key specialists in Beaujolais, its terroir and its wine, and has shifted production to focus more on Beaujolais Nouveau.

Languedoc-Roussillon is a hugely important and historic wine region that produces over a third of French wine each year. The output of Languedoc Roussillon exceeds that of the entire United States, and has hundreds of thousands of acres under the vine, growing a wide range of both red and white grapes. Languedoc-Roussillon is one of the oldest and most important wine regions in the world, with a history that stretches back millennia to the ancient Greeks, who adored its warm and humid Mediterranean climate which is ideal for viticulture.

Merlot is a red wine grape variety with strong historic ties to Bordeaux and the southwest of France. It is the predominant variety in most wines from Saint-Émilion and Pomerol, the area in which the variety originated. Merlot is now widely planted in wine regions across the world and, in terms of the volumes of wine produced internationally, it is rivalled only by its Bordeaux companion, Cabernet Sauvignon.