If there might be a need over the Festive Period to have volumes of very quaffable red at hand, then these three magnums might hit the brief.
1 - Vilafonté, Seriously Old Dirt 2021, South Africa
£39.99 - magnum - Waitrose - on offer until 01-Jan-25
If you are returning from a long crisp walk, where scarfs and gloves have been deployed to take off the chill, and cheeks are now firmly glowing as you enter the kitchen, needing to feed a crowd with sausages and mash, cassoulet, baked potatoes, and tons of crisp bread, then this will be a perfect foil.
A predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon bland it has a strong, almost earthy, nutmegy, herb-induced, mid-palate that needs a powered cauliflower cheese, or creamy Comté, to balance the richness of this ripe and young expressive red. Perhaps decant this brew before you start the walk across the fields. Medium-bodied it has a very distinct savoury flavour. Not a long-term option, as the rich fresh fruits give it the vibrance that makes it work during the winter months. Consists of Cabernet Sauvignon 88%, Malbec 8%, Merlot 2%, and Cabernet Franc 2%.
2 - Boekenhoutskloof, The Chocolate Block 2022, South Africa
£48.00 - magnum - Waitrose
Think roast beef with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, horseradish, gravy and an abundance of vegetables. Another blend led by Syrah and married with Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache Noir, Cinsault, and Viognier. Strong flavour of cherries on the nose and palate, touch of spice, medium- to full-bodied, with very good integration of tannins and fruit provide an easy option: it’s very drinkable. Again, not overly complex but just ready to enjoy straight from the bottle.
3 - La Rioja Alta, Viña Ardanza Reserva 2017, Spain
£57.99 - magnum - Majestic as a mix of six
I’ve written about this bodega many times in this column and it delivers time and time again. Flawless, classical Rioja that is consumed with enthusiasm by guests whenever it arrives on the table. Polished, ripe, exquisitely well made, good length and will evolve over the next decade. It would work to perfection with turkey, pheasant or partridge. Tempranillo 80% and Garnacha 20%. If you are looking for a large bottle to sit on the table over lunch or dinner, this ticks every box.
