Wines of the Year 2025 | Red Box

Our first red wine from Croatia and wow it is delicious, we find in our new Dika Frankovka to be a real hidden gem and a star in the making. 'Dika', which translates to 'Pride' in English, is full of quality which the producers are obviously very proud of. Our Dika is medium to full bodied, has delicious aromas of berries, cherries, and blackberries, showcasing a nice balance between its acids and tannins making for a real treat. Its medium to full-bodied nature will go perfectly with you next steak night , barbecues, pizza or spicy pasta dish. Feravino Winery, located in the Feri?anci region of Slavonia, Croatia, has a rich history dating back to the 18th century. Originally influenced by the Cistercians and Templars, the winery has evolved significantly over the centuries. Today, it boasts over 150 hectares of vineyards on the gentle slopes of Krndija mountain, which benefit from ideal sunlight exposure. This setup contributes to the high quality of their wines.

This is a serious Valpolicella, vibrant, generous, and full of character. Pietro Zardini’s Valpolicella Classico pours a lively ruby red with just a flicker of garnet at the rim. On the nose, it’s velvety and elegant, laced with hints of dried fruits, a touch of spice, and a subtle rustic charm. On the palate, it’s smooth, full-bodied, and supple, with that lovely Italian food-friendliness. 

This is proper Valpolicella, grown in the heart of a region that’s been producing wine for over 2,000 years. Today, Valpolicella is one of Italy’s most important wine zones, with over 8,000 hectares under vine, producing more than 60 million bottles a year. Remarkably, Pietro Zardini is still doing it the old-fashioned way. His family has worked these red and brown soils since the 1600s, and every bottle tells a piece of that story. The grapes are hand-harvested, gently macerated on their skins, and aged for up to 10 months in oak to bring out texture and spice, followed by time in steel for freshness.

Although a Spanish wine, the grapes are predominantly classic French, with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon making up most of the blend. This wine is absolutely divine: full bodied, rich, spicy and dry, with ripe red fruit and juicy black fruit. It also spends 13 months in oak giving it that smooth mouth feel with vanilla and coffee undertones. This style combines the irresistible flavours of Australian reds with the structure of Northern Europe. Penedes is located near Barcelona and historically has been a place for high quality Cava. In recent years there has been a surge in new generation winemakers creating wines or serious quality. Celler Pardas started in 1996 and has grown from strength to strength. Once you have tried this, you won't go back! Practicing organic, minimal intervention and vegan friendly.    

One of the best value Rhone reds we have tried in a long time. Guy Farge is a hugely accomplished winemaker in Northern Rhone and his 'Bouquet de Syrah' has all the quality of a Crozes Hermitage but without the price tag. A silky mouthfeel with plums, blueberries and spice, and gentle notes of strawberries. Medium to full bodied and a wine that is made for food. Perfect for people who love a Coted du Rhone and want to take it up a notch. Guy Farge took over the management of his family estate in 1980. Originally he sold his fruit to the Cave de Tain (where he worked) and then to Delas. In 2007, he began producing wines under his own label. Now working with his son Thomas, these are 25+ year old vines just outside the Saint-Joseph appellation on beautiful granitic soils. It is all hand-harvested and fermented with native yeasts and aged for 6 months in stainless steel to preserve the freshness of the Syrah.