The Benchmarks: Red Wines

In episode 133 of the podcast, we answered a listener's question: which wines are typical benchmarks? We started with white, and thirty episodes later, it's finally red's turn. Just in time. 😅

Here you will find quick links:

Just to be clear: we're talking about typical expressions of grape varieties or wine styles here. Wines that help you understand wine better. Perhaps not all our favorites (those come up often enough in the podcast). but wines that are well made, train your taste memory and don't immediately empty your wallet.

Oh yes, the book Beyond Flavour is fantastic if you want to know more about this subject.

Our wine tips

Merlot

Soft, round, fruity – think plum, black cherry and a hint of chocolate.

💡 Abbotts Merlot – Pays d'Oc
💡 Tour de Moulin – Fronsac
💡 Les Cruzelles – Lalande-de-Pomerol
💡 Duckhorn – Napa Valley (sorry, more expensive than I thought)

The non-benchmark we're referring to is the Jérôme Bretaudeau Ornaté .

Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep color, structure, power, and aromas of cassis, blackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco. Also note the (structure of) the tannins.

💡Abbotts Cabernet Sauvignon – Pays d'Oc
💡 Croix de Mai, Médoc
💡 Chateau Blason d'Issan, Margaux
💡 Chateau Sociando Mallet, Haut-Médoc
💡 Penley Estate Coonawarra, Australia
💡 Yardstick Cabernet Sauvignon, South Africa
💡 Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon, South Africa
💡 De Toren V, South Africa (no syrah in the blend)

Grenache / Garnacha

Light ruby red. Red fruit, white pepper, spiciness—and often a touch of warmth (and usually 14% alcohol, but you don't always notice that in the "new" garnacha , for example, those from 4Monos or Comando G).
💡 La Xara – Ponce
💡 Baby del Rey – Clos del Rey
💡 GSM Blend – Le Clos du Caillou
💡 Guigal – Côtes du Rhône (Syrah dominated)
💡 Chateau de Beaucastel – Côtes du Rhône (Grenache dominated)

Pinot Noir

Light ruby red, elegant, raspberry and floral notes – with fresh acidity. Spätburgunder often has crisp acidity, fresh and tart fruit. Beyond Flavor calls it Spätburgunder, a "red Riesling." Burgundy is often more concentrated and somewhat earthy. More warmth without being heavy.

💡 Von der Mark – Baden, Germany
💡 Dr Wehrheim – Palatinate, Germany
💡 Edouard Delaunay – Burgundy
💡 Meyer Näkel – Ahr, Germany
💡 Cantina Terlano – Alto Adige, Italy
💡 Manincor – Alto Adige, Italy
💡 Franz Haas – Alto Adige, Italy (Afterwards I forgot the name, this was it!)

Syrah / Shiraz

Think: black pepper, violets, and smoke. A leather bag with blackberries! Bifi sausages.

💡 Mount Langi Ghiran – Victoria, Australia
💡 Rémi Niero – Rhône, France
💡 DMZ Syrah – Stellenbosch, South Africa or Yardstick Syrah

Mentioned, but a bit pricey for the benchmark series, but still nice to taste: Mullineux from South Africa (various soil types)

Cabernet Franc

Fresh, spicy and a touch of paprika.

💡 Domaine de Pallus – Chinon
💡 Tour Beaumont – Haut-Poitou
💡 Chateau Villeneuve - Saumur Champigny

Malbec

Dark fruit, cocoa and soft tannins.

💡 Château Lamartine – Cahors
💡 Chakana Cuevas de los Manos – Argentina
💡 Catena Zapata - Malbec

Gamay

Light, juicy, and cheerful – ideal for those who also appreciate Pinot Noir. Gamay leans more towards potting soil and violets.

💡 La Tour Beaumont – Loire
💡 Jean-Paul Brun – Beaujolais

Not exactly a benchmark, but tasty nonetheless: Domaine L'Achat Rookie - Beaujolais , Yvon Métras and Yann Bertrand.

Tempranillo

From fresh and fruity to oak-aged and complex. Medium to high tannins and acidity. Ribera del Duero is warmer, so you often find more color, acidity, tannin, and concentration.

💡 Bodegas Vivanco - Rioja Reserva
💡 Artelán – Rioja Reserva
💡 Abadía de San Quirce – Ribera del Duero

New sound from Ribera del Duero: Bentido Dentino .

Nebbiolo

Roses, tar, a pinch of cinnamon, cherries, acidity and tannins in overdrive – in the best sense of the word.

💡 Monchiero Carbone Regret – Langhe
💡 Rizzi – Barbaresco
💡 Seghesio – Barolo

Sangiovese

Cherry, herbs, and a hint of acidity – perfect with Italian classics. More color and thyme, balsamic vinegar, and Amarena cherry than Nebbiolo.

💡 Salcheto – Chianti
💡 Isole e Olena – Chianti Classico
💡 Ventisei – Vino Nobile de Montepulciano
💡 Castello Romitorio - Brunello di Montalcino
💡 Il Poggione - Brunello di Montalcino

Barbara

Acids up, tannins down. Fresh and fruity.

💡 Olim Bauda – Barbera d'Asti
💡 Vietti Barbera d'Alba

Primitivo / Zinfandel

Full, fruity, and often quite firm. Tannins here offer structureless texture.

💡 Due Palme – Primitivo
💡 Pedroncelli – Zinfandel

Ridge, on the other hand, makes fantastic Zinfandels. Worth trying, but yes, they're a bit more expensive.

Touriga Nacional

Think Port, but dry. Lots of color, power, and flowers.
💡 Romaneira – Douro

Valpolicella blend

From fresh to Amarone. Raisins and cherries.

💡 Monte del Frà – Valpolicella Classico
💡 Monte del Frà – Ripasso
💡 Monte del Frà – Amarone

Nerello mascalese

Etna power: elegant, mineral, smoky.

💡 Terre Nere – Etna Rosso

Montepulciano

Juicy, soft and dark fruity – always a crowd pleaser.

💡 Tenuta Giuliano

Pinotage

Smoke, coffee and a distinct character.

💡 New Trek
💡 Cannon Head Cadette

Carmenere

Chili's signature: black fruit and a hint of paprika.

💡 Falernia – Elqui Valley Gran Reserva

Mencia

Floral, spicy and mineral – elegant and fresh.

💡 Raúl Pérez – Ultreia

Good luck with tasting

We hope you have fun and good luck with your tasting. Have a tip or something to share? Leave a message on Instagram .