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Montgras Antu Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Do Maipo Valley

A sapid cabernet sauvignon from the single vineyard Las Araucarias in the Alto Maipo. Salty with fresh black fruit, violets, and a hint of graphite.

Great colour, bitter on the finish before trying with food. With chili/brisket, bitter finish lessened. Overall, wouldn't buy again.

Apostolos Thymiopoulos Atma 2021, Pgi Macedonia

Gérard Bertrand Réserve Spéciale Viognier 2023, Igp Pays D'oc

A medium yellow coloured, ripe, creamy quite substantial viognier here from Bertrand, shockingly flavourful and concentrated at the price - this is a remarkable wine for the money. It's dripping with peach/apricot/orchard fruit with violets and honeysuckle at levels expected in examples at twice the price or more.

Monasterio De Las Viñas Reserva 2020, Do Cariñena

Deeply coloured in the pure red spectrum, this perennially good value red blend of garnacha, tempranillo, cariñena and cabernet sauvignon delivers an appealingly savoury range of dried herbal flavours and gently desiccated red and black fruit. The palate is balanced and medium-bodied at 13.5% alcohol declared, with fine, lightly dusty tannins and balanced acids. Length is very good in the price category to be sure.

Chateau De Durette Les Bruyères Régnié 2023, Ac

The nose is bright and very fruit-driven with raspberry/cherry fruit, red rose and a touch of peppery spice. It is light to medium bodied, almost crisp and firm but not tart, with some heat. Tannins are mild. The length is very good, trailing some granitic minerality.

Smooth and fruity with some zip; peppery finish - very nice. Thumbs up from R/K.

Ernie Els Big Easy 2021, Wo Western Cape

OK, but a bitter finish to our taste. Prob pick something else next time.

A shiraz-led blend, with cabernet sauvignon, mourvèdre, viognier, grenache and cinsault, this is a well balanced red, soft and succulent, with just a hint of medicinal iodine joining resinous herbs; oak is well-managed, not excessive. Length is very good . In sum, a wine of solid structure and depth at this price, another fine value from South Africa.

Mathilde Chapoutier Orsuro Rosé 2024, Ap Côtes De Provence

This fine, dry rose is made by Mathilde Chapoutier, daughter of Michel Chapoutier, one of the leading winemakers in the south of France. It is based on grenache and other staple varieties of the region. The colour is bright, luminous classic Provencal pink. The nose has good lift with strawberry, peach, grapefruit and mild saffron. It is light to mid-weight, firm and dry with a slightly bitter finish. The length is excellent. There is vitality and depth here.

Marquês De Borba Colheita Red 2022, Doc Alentejo, Sustainable

It is a ripe, rich and spicy blend of five varieties - three locals plus merlot and petit verdot, the latter being the secret sauce here, bringing acidity and lift. Expect quite complex aromas of blackcurrant fruit, fresh herbs/evergreen, wood spice and vanilla.

Yum! Ripe and fruity, a bit of jam. Terrific value.

San Alejandro Evodia 2022, D.O. Calatayud

Supple, juicy, and delicious, this garnacha is full of character and sure to please widely. That it is so inexpensive only adds to its appeal. It is subtly smoky and almost woolly, with delicious flavours of tender red berries, red plums, violets, and roasted herbs. The rounded, medium-bodied palate has a pleasing impression of sweetness (though it is in fact dry), fine tannins, and succulent acidity. The finish is cheerful and engaging.

Colomba Bianca Vitese Nero D'avola 2023, Doc Sicilia

Another great buy in very drinkable, robust but rounded nero d'avola with its deep colour and very ripe exotic red and black fruits - cranberry, pomegranate, cherry. This also presents florals and pepper. It is fairly full bodied, smooth, warm and dense - even a bit sweet-edged - but not pasty. The length is very good to excellent. Chill a little.