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Top French Reds of 2025

by Annandale Cellars

French Reds

The Wines that Excited us in 2025

Welcome to 2026! We are kickstarting this year with some highlights from 2025 that are worth trying if you haven't already and worth buying again if you already have! This time we are selecting some French red wines that excited us in 2025 - stay tuned for more categories throughout January!

Domaine de la Mordoree Cotes du Rhone 2022

Domaine de la Mordorée was founded in 1986 by the great Francis Delorme and his son Christophe in the heart of the Southern Rhône in Tavel. They practice biodynamic viticulture and age most of their vines in vessels other than oak. This is a fantastic Côtes-du-Rhône that will appeal to a wide variety of palates.

The Domaine de la Mordoree wines are excellent at every level and the Cotes du Rhone is no exception. All their vineyards and biodynamically farmed and Demeter certified producing excellent quality fruit from their sandy rocky soils. This is deep fruited, fuller in body and frame with darker purple fruits, violets and a very long finish. It's mostly Grenache but also has portions of Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Carignan. An excellent wine. - Pete L

Domaine Saint Clair Etincelle Crozes Hermitage 2021

Dennis Basset started this Domaine in 2007 after deciding to bottle the family's own grapes that were previously sold to the Tain Cooperative. The vineyards are farmed organically, manually harvested, ferments are in stainless steel without stems and elevage takes place in oak casks of which only 15% are new. This is an excellent wine to pair with some smoky meats or to wean someone off Barossa Shiraz!

Dark purple and red fruits, cracked pepper and hints of saucisson. This is a mid-weight Syrah that hits all the hallmark notes of classic Crozes Hermitage. It's rustic charm and layered fruit make this a compelling wine for the dollars and the ideal choice for for heartier meals and protein centric plates. - Pete L

Domaine de Villaine Bourgogne Rouge 2021

When Aubert de Villaine came to Burgundy to take charge of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in 1971, he set up home in the village of Bouzeron and began to put together a private domaine independent of DRC. The Domaine began converting to organic farming in 1986 with certification arriving in 1997. In 2000, Aubert deVillaine handed over the reins to his nephew - Pierre de Benoist who has been working wonders at the helm. When it comes to the winemaking itself, the Domaine follows the classic Burgundian methods with manual harvesting, strict sorting, natural vinification and when it comes to élevage, maturation in tuns, oak casks or tanks with the aim of producing fresh wines with finesse. Only a moderate amount of new oak is used so as not to mask the site-specific characteristics with vanilla and oak flavours.

Domaine de Villaine's Bourgogne Rouge (often labeled as La Digoine or La Fortune depending on the year/parcel) is a remarkable entry-level Pinot Noir that consistently exceeds its appellation level due to the quality of its vineyard sourcing and meticulous winemaking. The wine is a blend of Pinot Noir grapes sourced from several high-quality, organically-farmed plots within the Côte Chalonnaise, including parts of La Fortune and La Digoine in Bouzeron, and sometimes blended with younger vines from Premier Cru sites like Les Montots in Mercurey or Les Passetemps in Santenay, depending on the vintage. The common thread across these sites is the prevalence of clay-limestone soils, which are fundamental to the expression of minerality and structure in classic Burgundy wines. - Chris L

Maxime Magnon Rozeta Rouge 2023

Maxime Magnon forms part of the new wave of nature-minded winemakers throughout France that farm their plots with the utmost respect for nature. A Burgundian by birth, Maxime has found his home in Corbières, within the broader Languedoc region - a region that is known to produce some sensational and unique wines without the Burgundy hype prices. Working with and mentored by the likes of Didier Barral in Faugères and Jean Foillard in Beaujolais, Maxime has honed his craft to produce some truly unique wines. Maxime Magnon is certified organic, but also incorporates biodynamic practices in the vineyards as well. He has a little menagerie of farm animals living with him that he lets loose in the vineyards between November and April to cultivate and help develop the natural environment and microflora. He works with very old vines to produce incredible unique wines.

As good as Languedoc reds get in my opinion. Old vine Carignan with some Grenache and Syrah from the master, Maxime Magnon. It's soft and velvet yet maintains it's brightness and purity. It's a suave red wine dressed in a suade red suite. Full of personality that you can undress given time. Patience is key here, but not many of us can help ourselves when introduced to such a bottle of wine as magnificent as the Rozeta. Blown away. - Chris L

Chateau Hauts de Plaisance Haut Medoc Rouge 2020

This Chateau is situated in the famous left bank of Bordeaux with historic ties to the likes of Chateau Mouton Rothschild. They are producing fresher and more lively renditions of Bordeaux from the lesser known vineyards outside of the heavy-hitters like Pauillac and Margaux. This is a Bordeaux blend that we are always quick to recommend at this price.

A Merlot dominant Bordeaux blend with Cabernet Sauvignon, which is strange for the left bank of Bordeaux. I like it though! Lovely density and richness followed by beautiful succulent Bordeaux tannins. The perfect wine for a stew over the winter months. - Chris L

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