Tannic red wine: the framework that holds and ages
222 tannic red wines, from €9.40Tannin is what slightly dries the mouth and gives that sense of framework. It comes from the grape skins and seeds, sometimes from the wood. It is what allows a wine to age, and what cuts through the fat of marbled red meat.
Our tannic cuvées are mainly Italian, then American. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the selection, ahead of Cabernet Franc, Nebbiolo and Tannat.
Thymiopoulos - Alta Naoussa 2024
A Xinomavro of altitude, all in finesse and elegance
Thymiopoulos - Terre et Ciel 2024
The flagship of the Thymiopoulos estate, one of the greatest wines of Naoussa
460 Casina Bric - Mesdì Rosso
A beautiful expression of Nebbiolo, the flagship grape variety of Piedmont
460 Casina Bric - Barolo Bricco Delle Viole 2016
A single-plot Barolo from the highest altitudes of Barolo
El Porvenir - Amauta Tannat 2024
A round and balanced wine, expressing the typicality of Tannat
Atamisque - Atamisque Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
A Cabernet from the Uco Valley, blackcurrant and graphite, structured without harshness.
Morra Gabriele - Memorie 2024
A Piedmontese wine full of freshness and character, where Nebbiolo and Freisa come together in a fruity, floral and delicately spicy expression.
Domaine des Tourelles - Rouge 2022
A high-altitude red of great character, coming from one of the founding areas of Lebanese viticulture.
460 Casina Bric - Barolo 2018
An intense Barolo deeply imbued with its high altitude terroir
Thymiopoulos - Aftorizo 2020
One of the estate's Grands Crus, produced from ungrafted vines
Francesco Brigatti - Motfrei Colline Novaresi Nebbiolo 2020
A cuvée that reveals all the nobility of Alto Piemonte Nebbiolo, combining depth, alpine freshness, tannic finesse, and aromatic complexity.
Groot Constantia - Gouverneurs Reserve Red 2019
A sophisticated Bordeaux blend with complexity worthy of a great vintage
Tetramythos - Agiorgitiko nature 2025
A resurrected variety from the slopes of Mount Helmos
Francis Ford Coppola - Diamond Appellation Series Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Thymiopoulos - Atma Rouge 2021
A red wine from Northern Greece, combining indulgence and freshness
Caelum - Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2016
A powerful and refined high-altitude Cabernet Sauvignon, where intensity and elegance come together in harmony.
Parker Coonawarra Estate - Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
A Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawarra that combines intensity of black fruits, freshness and assertive structure.
Vesevo - Taurasi 2016
A powerful and elegant Taurasi, from the volcanic soils of Campania, which expresses all the depth of the Aglianico
Cullen - Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2022
A biodynamic cabernet-merlot from Margaret River, precise, elegant and carried by maritime freshness.
El Porvenir - Tannat Laborum de Parcela 2022
A wine that embodies the power of high-altitude Tannat, combining intensity, structure, and depth
Elizabeth Spencer - Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino 2022
A Mendocino Cabernet Sauvignon combining coastal freshness, intense fruit, and elegant structure.
Hahn - Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
A Californian Cabernet Sauvignon combining ripe dark fruit, elegant oak, and a velvety structure.
Gevorkian - Amphora red 2021
A round and silky red wine, refined by traditional Armenian aging in amphorae
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 | €9.40Doña 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.
Doña 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.