Tannic red wine: the framework that holds and ages
198 tannic red wines, from €9.40Tannin is what slightly dries the mouth and gives that textured sensation. It comes from the skin and seeds of the grape, sometimes from the wood. It is what allows a wine to age, and it is what cuts through the fat of a marbled red meat.
Our 198 tannic cuvées are primarily Italian with 62 wines and American with 48. Cabernet Sauvignon alone accounts for 52 of them, ahead of Cabernet Franc, Nebbiolo, and Tannat.
Bond - Neighbor
A hillside Cabernet Sauvignon that is at once powerful, precise and deeply rooted in the Napa Valley terroir.
Boekenhoutskloof - Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch 2021
A precise and structured Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon, where the freshness of the fruit meets the elegance of the oak.
Bond - St Eden
A single-vineyard Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, marrying depth, precision and the sculpted elegance of the St. Eden terroir.
Borgogno - Bompè 2022
A structured and expressive Piedmontese red, where the freshness of the Langhe hills meets the depth of the tannins.
Borgogno - No Name 2022
A Nebbiolo from the Langhe with a strong character, where aromatic finesse meets a deep and persistent structure.
Boekenhoutskloof - Cabernet Sauvignon Franschhoek 2021
A precise and structured Franschhoek Cabernet Sauvignon, where the freshness of the terroir meets the depth of the fruit.
Borgogno - Barolo List 2020
A single-vineyard Barolo with a strong character, where the finesse of Nebbiolo meets the depth of the Liste terroir.
Borgogno - Barolo Riserva 2016
A classic Barolo Riserva from Borgogno, combining aromatic depth, firm structure, and great aging potential.
Elizabeth Spencer - Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2019
A Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon combining aromatic depth, precise structure, and a lingering finish.
Catena - Alta Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
An Argentinian high-altitude Cabernet, combining aromatic intensity, Andean freshness, and an elegant structure.
Elizabeth Spencer - Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino 2022
A Mendocino Cabernet Sauvignon combining coastal freshness, intense fruit, and elegant structure.
Gaja - Barbaresco Costa Russi 2020
A single-vineyard Barbaresco that combines aromatic finesse, precise structure, and great aging potential.
Chiappini - Felciaino 2021
A structured and gourmet Bolgheri red, where the ripeness of the fruit meets the Mediterranean elegance of the coastal terroir.
Giuseppe Quintarelli - Alzero Cabernet 2015
A great Venetian red in the Amarone style, remarkably deep and built for long cellaring.
Ink Grade - Andosol Red Blend 2018
A structured and elegant Californian mountain red, where high-altitude freshness meets the depth of volcanic soils.
Ink Grade - Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
A structured and precise mountain Cabernet, intensely expressing the volcanic freshness of Howell Mountain.
La Spinetta - Barbaresco Bordini 2022
A precise and elegant single-vineyard Barbaresco, where the finesse of Nebbiolo meets the depth of the Neive terroir.
Heitz Cellar - Trailside Vineyard 2018
A precise and classic Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, combining freshness, structure, and aromatic depth.
Heitz Cellar - Martha's Vineyard 2018
An iconic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, combining menthol freshness, fruit depth, and elegant texture.
Heitz Cellar - Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
A Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon combining fruit purity, freshness, and depth, built for aging.
La Spinetta - Gallina 2019
A Barbaresco from the Gallina cru, combining depth, aromatic precision, and textural elegance.
Giacomo Fenocchio - Barolo Riserva 90 di Bussia 2018
A deep and structured cru Barolo from Bussia, built for aging and fine dining.
Giacomo Fenocchio - Barolo Cannubi 2020
A precise, structured Barolo with a strong sense of place, finely expressing the legendary elegance of Cannubi.
Errazuriz - Don Maximiano 2020
A big Chilean red from the Aconcagua Valley, combining depth, finesse, and remarkable length.
Grape varieties that produce a tannic red
Not all tannins are the same. Nebbiolo tannins are fine and powdery, Tannat tannins are massive, and Cabernet tannins are straight and clean.
| Grape variety | The nature of tannin | Where can we find it in our country | The side dish | In our company, starting from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabernet Sauvignon | Straight, clean, a little mentholated. Polishes with age. | California, Bordeaux, Chile, Australia | Beef rib, lamb, hard cheeses | €9.40Dona Paula Los Cardos |
| Nebbiolo | Fine and powdery, very present despite a pale color. | Piedmont: Barolo, Barbaresco, Langhe | Braised meats, truffle, game | |
| Tannat | The most massive of all. Requires farming or time. | Uruguay, Argentina, Madiran | Cassoulet, duck breast, rich dishes | €16.50El Porvenir Amauta Tannat |
| Cabernet Franc | Finer than its cousin, with a hint of bell pepper and graphite. | Loire, Bordeaux, South Africa | Red meats, roasted vegetables | €14.90Caelum Terroir Cabernet Sauvignon |
| A Sangiovese for ageing, Aglianico | Firm and mouth-watering, with an acidity that accompanies the tannin. | Tuscany, Campania, Basilicata | Osso buco, slow-cooked meats |
A young tannic wine is not a bad wine; it is closed. Decanting or a few years in the cellar will transform it. If you want to drink tonight without waiting, check out fruity reds.
Three bottles to get into the profile
The tables give the theory. Here are three bottles available today, at three price points.
The admission fee
Argentinian Cabernet Sauvignon, clean structure and black fruit. Tannins are present without being harsh.
Dona Paula Los Cardos · €9.40Improve accuracy
High-altitude vineyards in Mendoza. The same grape variety, with more freshness and finer tannins.
Caelum Terroir Cabernet Sauvignon · €14.90The tannin asserts itself
Tannat in its Argentine version, from Cafayate. Massive, structured, made for rich dishes.
El Porvenir Amauta Tannat · €16.50
Tannin is not a fault
Many people say they don't like tannins, when what they actually dislike are green tannins – those from grapes picked before maturity, which are rough and leave a dry bitterness. A mature tannin, on the other hand, coats the mouth and blends into the fruit. The difference lies in the vineyard, not the cellar.
This profile also rewards patience. A ten-year-old Cabernet is no longer rough: the tannins have mellowed and given way to notes of leather, tobacco, and undergrowth.
The two-glass test
A ripe tannin makes you want to come back for more. A green tannin dries out and tires. If after a glass the mouth feels rough and saliva is absent, the wine will not improve with age.
The Baroudeur du Vin Team
What we're being asked for on tannic red
What exactly is a tannin?
A compound found in grape skins and seeds that creates this astringent sensation. Our article What are tannins? explains it in detail.
How to soften a wine that is too tannic?
Decant it for an hour, serve it slightly cooler, and above all, pair it with a fatty or protein-rich dish. Tannin binds to proteins, which is why a rib of beef makes all the difference.
Do all these wines keep?
No. Tannin is a condition for aging, not a guarantee. Acidity and substance are also needed. The entry-level wines in this category are made to be drunk within three years.
Which wine with rib of beef?
This is the classic pairing for this profile. A Cabernet, an aged Syrah, or a Nebbiolo. Our prime rib guide compares the options.
I don't like tannins, what should I get?
Check out light reds, where tannins are subdued, or fruity reds, where they are blended into the fruit.