Crossword Genius

Red cape worn by revolutionary leader torn at the bottom (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

macon

'red' is the definition.
(type of red wine)

'cape worn by revolutionary leader torn at the bottom' is the wordplay.
'cape' becomes 'c' (abbreviation used on maps).
'worn by' means one lot of letters goes inside another (outside letters are worn by those on the inside).
'revolutionary leader' becomes 'Mao' (Chairman Mao of China).
'at the bottom' suggests the final letters.
The final letter of 'torn' is 'n'.
'c' going into 'mao' is 'maco'.
'maco'+'n'='MACON'

(Other definitions for macon that I've seen before include "Drink" , "Dry white Burgundy wine" , "French wine district" , "Variety of Burgundy" , "A heavy Burgundy" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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