Filter by
From Australia’s iconic Jim Barry cellar, McRae Wood is a stellar Shiraz with 8 years’ age
AustraliaShiraz£35.00 per bottle
Fine, mature Puisseguin claret from 4th-generation owners of 1er Grand Cru Classé Beau-Séjour Bécot
FranceMerlot£19.99 per bottleSAVE £5.01
£179.88 per caseSAVE £43.03
From the Haut-Médoc’s prized Saint-Julien, a 7-year-old claret from Bordeaux’s famous Barton familyFranceCabernet-based blend£28.00 per bottle
Richly flavoured, 93-point flagship Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the Rhône's great Jean-Marc DiffontyFranceGrenache-based blend£32.00 per bottle
Top-estate Pauillac, mature Margaux, 95pt Médoc – these are among the finest buys in Bordeaux£203.88 per caseSAVE £52.04- Only 34 left
The real deal! A superb hush-hush Brunello di Montalcino parcel from one of its best producers
ItalySangiovese£35.00 per bottleSAVE £35.00 
As sleek and bold as the beast on the label, this is a spice-packed, barrel-aged Barossa ShirazAustraliaShiraz£32.00 per bottle- Only 95 left
A fresh, fruit-driven Mercurey with lots of vibrant Pinot Noir charm, from the great Faiveley familyFrancePinot Noir£34.00 per bottleSAVE £5.00 
Outstanding, rich, velvety Châteauneuf-du-Pape from an 18th-century family estate with many awardsFranceGrenache-based blend£28.00 per bottle
James Suckling described GPL 2021 as " A refined, classic Pauillac … real finesse" awarding it 95ptsFranceCabernet-based blendfrom £65.00 per bottleSAVE UP TO £10.00
Take a Grand Tour of Italy’s finest reds – from mature Barolo to classic Chianti Riserva£107.94 per caseSAVE £15.02
Savour the riches of the southern Rhône with Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras and more£95.94 per caseSAVE £12.01- Only 1 left
From a leading, 3rd-generation, Margaret River estate, a superb meaty Shiraz, still tightly furledAustraliaShirazfrom £26.00 per bottleSAVE UP TO £144.00 
£179.88 per caseSAVE £40.02
Superb 95pt Pinot Noir from top spot Central Otago, making wines to challenge those of Burgundy
New ZealandPinot Noir£47.00 per bottle
£125.94 per caseSAVE £20.02
From one of Spain’s most renowned winemakers, Telmo Rodriguez, this is a superbly, elegant Rioja
SpainTempranillo-based blend£21.99 per bottleSAVE £3.01
£42.00 per bottleSAVE £8.00
This rule-breaking Piedmont red introduces you to the brilliance of Barolo producer Paolo MontiItalyCabernet-based blend£27.00 per bottle- Only 21 left
£27.00 per bottleSAVE £4.00 
From one of the most exciting winemakers of the Rhône, superb Syrah more Côte-Rôtie than VdP!FranceSyrahfrom £18.99 per bottleSAVE UP TO £72.12
£149.94 per caseSAVE £28.06- Only 69 left
£38.00 per bottleSAVE £2.00
Wine FAQs
What defines a fine red wine?
The truth is there is no official definition of fine wine. And you’ll find many different answers if you have a quick search online. To some people, fine wine is defined by price. For others, it’s about a wine’s rarity or reputation. You can read our take in our article on What is fine wine?
Ultimately it comes down to taste. A fine wine should have balance (where the acidity, tannin, sweetness, body and alcohol are all in harmony), complexity (the wine reveals many different layers of aromas and flavours), length (the flavours should last in the mouth) and elegance. It should reflect the unique terroir in which it was grown. And above all, a fine red wine should be a pleasure to drink!
Where do fine red wines come from?
Fine red wines can come from any wine region in the world. Traditionally, the best fine red wines came from Europe, especially the classic French wine regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. But these days, you’ll find fine red wines made all over the world, from Brunello di Montalcino to Barossa.
That doesn’t mean that provenance doesn’t matter. Only the best vineyard sites can produce truly ‘fine wine’ and an important characteristic of fine wine is that it has a ‘sense of place’.
Do fine red wines age well?
Yes, fine red wines have better ageing potential than regular wines. Fine red wines are more complex and will usually (not always) evolve with age. But there are lots of factors that affect age-worthiness … grape variety, how the wine has been made, and where it’s from. Each wine is different so it’s difficult to make generalisations, but if you’re looking for a fine red wine for ageing, the reds of Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Rhône, Piedmont and Tuscany are a good place to start.
The easiest way to tell whether the wine you choose ages well is to look at the ‘Drink by’ dates on our website. It’s not the same as an expiry date but rather when we think the wines will be drinking at their best.
How do you store fine red wines?
To maintain the quality of your wines as they age, make sure you store them in ideal conditions. Wines should be aged horizontally, out of direct sunlight and with a constant cool temperature. 10-15 degrees is considered the optimum temperature for red wines.
Naturally, a cellar is perfect but not everyone has one! Other options include a temperature-controlled ‘wine fridge’, an outbuilding or garage, or in a storage cabinet kept in a cool place.
Take a look at our 5 tips and tricks for storing wine at home to find out more.
And if you’re looking for long-term storage of fine wine, we recommend you take advantage of our customer storage facility in Gloucester.
Storage is available for any wine you buy from us in our state-of-the-art warehouse. Temperature and humidity are not only monitored in various parts of the warehouse, they’re also actively controlled. Visit our fine wine hub to find out more or call our fine wine team on 03330 148 202.
What is considered the finest red wine?
That depends on who you ask! In terms of what is the most expensive, Domaine de la Romanée Conti in Burgundy still holds the record for the most expensive fine red wine sold at auction.
If you’re looking to get your hands on the world’s most sought-after bottles, from First-Growth Bordeaux to the top Super Tuscans and Grand Cru Burgundy, get in touch with our fine wine team by emailing finewine@laithwaiteswine.com or call 03330 148 202. They’ll be able to offer advice on the best fine red wines to choose and can also help you buy your wines En Primeur, essentially a way of buying wines before they’ve been bottled. You can find out more on our fine wine hub.
