Taste the World – Mixed Reds Under $45

Enjoy quality red wines from around the world at outstanding value. This thoughtfully curated selection brings together smooth, approachable red wines from France, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand, offering balance, character, and everyday enjoyment. Perfect for casual dinners, sharing with friends, or discovering new favourites without stretching your budget.

1 x Te Mata Estate Vineyard Cabernet Merlot 2020 - Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

93/100 James Suckling

James Suckling "I like the distinct pencil lead and graphite character here, with dark plums, bramble, dried herbs and black tea. Medium-bodied with a fine tannin frame. Linear.... excellent varietal expression. Cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc."

45% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 13.5%

World of Fine Wine 'Getting to know a legend' "A visit to one of the world’s greatest fine-wine estates should be an integral part of any tour of New Zealand. On the East Coast of New Zealand’s North Island is the independently owned, family-run, Te Mata Estate. Owners and staff still work on vineyards that began growing Cabernet, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir back in the 1890s, making it the country’s oldest wine estate. Since 1905, this winery has been winning gold medals globally, which led to these sites becoming the country’s first to be protected by law due to their viticultural history....Te Mata Estate wines are currently available in 45 countries and have been presented at some of the world’s top tables— including to President Barrack Obama, President Xi Jinping, and Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee."

Raymond Chan "Te Mata Estate was the standard by which every other wine producer could be judged against, as the full range of styles has always been impeccable. In the earlier days, Hawke’s Bay was the scene of New Zealand’s quality wine, so it was very apt to have Te Mata Estate as the point of reference. Even when other regions developed, and Marlborough grew larger, and other varietals such as Pinot Noir became important, one could understand the state of the New Zealand wine industry by how Te Mata Estate behaved or reacted to influences, whether internal, or international."

Te Mata Estate is regarded as one of New Zealand’s most important wine producers. It is New Zealand's oldest winery, oldest wine estate and has the oldest winery cellars in the country - in continuous operation since 1895. Coleraine is Te Mata's most acclaimed wine and is often regarded as New Zealand's best red wine.

Hawke's Bay is located on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island in and around the cities of Napier, Hastings and Havelock North. This historic region has New Zealand's second-largest wine industry (after Marlborough) and is highly regarded for its red Bordeaux Blend wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay are all planted widely across the region. Over the years, the region has won international acclaim for its very high-quality Bordeaux-style reds and full-bodied Chardonnays. Syrah, produced in a classic European style with strong black-pepper flavors, is another grape variety thought to have great potential here.

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.

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.

1 x Rocca delle Macie Vernaiolo Chianti 2023 - Tuscany, Italy

90/100 James Suckling
90/100 James Suckling (2022 vintage)

Organic - currently undergoing certification

James Suckling "A juicy, fruity and delicious Chianti with cherries, raspberries and warm spices on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins. Round and juicy, with a velvety core of cherries and a satisfying finish."

Rocca delle Macìe was established in 1973, when film producer Italo Zingarelli – of Ettore Scola’s “We All Loved Each Other So Much” fame, and also the wildly popular series of films featuring comedy duo Bud Spencer and Terence Hill (including “They Call Me Trinity” and “Trinity Is Still My Name”) – decided to realize his lifelong dream by acquiring the “Le Macìe” estate – extending across 93 hectares (230 acres) in all, of which only two were under vine – in order to create a winery in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone.

The Chianti region in Italy's Tuscany wine growing region is split between Chianti and Chianti Classico. Accordingly, two separate DOCG designations apply to wines from the Chianti region: the Chianti Classico DOCG for the heartland of Chianti, and Chianti DOCG for all other Chianti regions. (In 1984, the Chianti region was promoted from DOC to DOCG - Italy’s highest classification - and in 1996, Chianti Classico - the historic heartland of the region - DOCG was created, which gave autonomy to that region. In the last 20 years, a consortium of Chianti Classico producers have researched new Sangiovese clones, replanted vineyards, updated cellar practices and generally made Chianti Classico DOCG a world-class appellation. Chianti Classico must contain a minimum of 75% Sangiovese. In the 2014 edition of its annual compendium of wine ratings, Gambero Rosso noted that Chianti Classico DOCG wines were noteworthy for their “significant return to a more defined style, true to tradition.” The typical Chianti Classico wine is a ruby-red, Sangiovese-based wine with aromas of violets and cherries and a hint of earthy spice.

The Chianti DOCG designation covers wines from six Chianti sub-zones (Colli Pisane, Colli Fiorentini, Colli Senesi, Colli Aretini, Montalbano and Rufina) as well as all other Chianti wines. The Chianti Classico DOCG is located in the very center of Tuscany, between Florence and Sienna.

1 x Mas de Lavail Tradition 2021 - Côtes du Roussillon Villages, France

Organic

David William - An aromatic and concentrated Southern French blend bursting with ripe red berried fruit and spicy overtones. Silky and smooth on the palate with fine tannins and a hint of liquorice on the finish.

40% Carignan, 40% Syrah, 20% Grenache Noir

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.

Côtes du Roussillon Villages is an appellation for dry red wines from the Roussillon wine region of southern France. It represents wines which are a step up in quality from the more generic Côtes du Roussillon appellation. The grapes most commonly used in Côtes du Roussillon Villages wines are Carignan, Grenache and Syrah.Côtes du Roussillon-Villages is a sub-appellation in the northern half of the appellation in the valley of the river Agly, from the best slopes around the valley. The appellation is in the foothills of the Pyrenees and the better wines are normally produced from vines on the slopes, not in the valley floors. It is purely for red wines, with stricter appellation regulations than regular Côtes du Roussillon.

The blend allowed is: Carignan (maximum 60%), Syrah, Mourvèdre (minimum 30% combined), Grenache noir, Lladoner. Note that a minimum of three varieties are allowed in the blend.

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. 

1 x Willow Bridge Dragon Fly Shiraz 2022 - Geographe, Western Australia

90/100 James Suckling

Bronze - Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion
Bronze - Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate

James Suckling "This ripe and fruity red has notes of blueberries, plums, honey and violets on the nose. It’s medium- to full-bodied, soft and tasty. Drink now. Screw cap."

Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion "It does the trick without being very fancy, a nice place to be. Redcurrants, raspberry, a good dash of smoky spice, some graphite and pencil-shaving characters, a touch of pepper and eucalyptus going on here – flavours and scents in tune with this. A touch of raspiness to texture, a tart, bitter finish and, between that, some nice plushness that takes away from those distractions. It's OK; it drinks pretty easy."

Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate "The 2022 Dragonfly Shiraz leads with dark berries and exotic spices, milk chocolate-coated licorice and blueberries. The wine is simple on the palate, but it hits every high point of juicy fruit and the absence of impactful oak, with gentle, supple tannins. The acidity is pronounced, which may sit adjunct to the plush fruit, yet it feels as if it would lend itself well to a slight chill. Shiraz for summer ... if that's a thing."

Gabrielle Poy, The Real Review "Mocha and spiced black plums lead to a juicy palate. Vanillan notes mix with black and red berries, contained by a rail of tannins. It's an approachable and pleasing style"

The Australian Wine "(Australai's No. 1 Wine Critic James) Halliday listed Willow Bridge among his ‘Dark Horse Wineries of 2013’ and then his ‘Best Wineries of 2014’. The estate has also won Most Successful Western Australian Exhibitor at the Perth Wine Show three times!"

Halliday Australian Wine Companion "Willow Bridge Estate is family owned and operated by principals Jeff and Vicki Dewar, who bought the picturesque 180-hectare hillside property in 1996 after an exhaustive search of the state for the ideal vineyard site from which to realize their shared vision of producing world class wines which are both opulent and accessible. The estate is located in a hidden jewel of an area known as the Ferguson Valley (in Geograph Bay in Western Australia) which, at that time, was home to only a few small vineyards. Immediately planting 60 hectares of vines and then building a state of the art winery (the first winery in the area) in time for their first vintage in 2000, established Willow Bridge as the pioneering estate of the area and demonstrated the family’s confidence in the property and resolve to see their vision become reality."

Willow Bridge Estate continues to attract acclaim for the relatively newly established wine growing region of Geographe which is located adjacent to its more famous neighbour, Margaret River, in Western Australia. Wine critcs have heralded the winery for producing quality, good value wines. Winemaking is by veteran Western Australian winemaker, Kim Horton.

The Geographe wine growing region is located near the southern end of the Western Australia's Indian Ocean coast, between the emerging Peel region and famous Margaret River – with which its terroir shares several similarities. The best wines grown in this region include fruity Cabernet Sauvignon (often blended with Merlot), gamey Shiraz, rich, citrusy Chardonnay, and grassy 'SSB' blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. The region's profile is increasing with several Geographe wineries winning national and international awards annually. At the heart of Western Australia's wine industry, the region supplies more than 10% of Western Australia's wine.

1 x Sticks The Seasons' Shiraz 2018 - Victoria, Australia

Winemaker "Rich cherry red colour. The 2018 Shiraz has a lifted nose of cherry and blackberry with hints of smokey spices and cloves.The palate is ripe, brimming with red cherries, ripe blackberries a hint of spice and fine well rounded tannins."

Sticks stands among the Yarra Valley's most well-known wineries. We source fruit from right across the Yarra Valley – Australia's best cool-climate wine region – to create our wines, sticking to the varietals that the region does best. Pinot noir, chardonnay, cabernet, sparkling and more – our wines are modern takes on the Yarra Valley classics, all crafted with drinkability front of mind.

The Yarra Valley is a well-respected Australian wine region which occupies the eastern half of the Port Phillip viticultural zone in the diminutive state of Victoria. At complete odds with the usual, hot and dry Shiraz-growing image of Australia, Yarra Valley is best known for its bright, complex wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Shiraz, also known as Syrah is a popular red wine. Though the spiritual homeland of this red grape is France, Syrah has been planted throughout the world to great success. It expresses itself differently depending on the climate, soil and regional style.

Syrah is typically bold and full-bodied, with aromatic notes of smoke, black fruit and pepper spice. Stylistically, it can be round and fruity, or dense and tannic. And in warmer New World regions like Australia, Syrah is most often be called Shiraz.

Winemakers who work in cooler-climate growing regions, both in the Old World and New World, tend to call their wines Syrah. The most famous examples come from the northern Rhône Valley of France, notably Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie. In the New World, in regions like Sonoma Coast, California; Yarra Valley, Australia; and parts of Chile, the wines are called Syrah because they emulate the leaner, acid-driven, savory styles of the Old World French classics.