(2025) An unusual blend, I guess modeled on Côte-Rôtie, where instead of Viognier the local white variety, Riesling is blended with 95% Shiraz. The Shiraz was whole bunch fermented, with stalks, on top of Riesling skins for 11 days. Maturation followed in older French oak barriques, where the wine completed fermentation and stayed for 18 months. It's always easy to imagine you are smelling or tasting the influence of a small varietal addition in a wine, but this is certainly aromatic, a kirsch-like lift and floral touch to creamy black fruit. Dense on the palate with supple dark fruit running into cocoa, but that little hint of something exotic is there into a long, refined finish with moderate tannins and juicy acidity. Watch the video for more information.

(2025) This unoaked Mencia from clay and schist soils in Valdeorras is Virgen del Galir's entry level, but shows the delicate cherry-coloured and scented style of the variety very nicely. It is perfumed, but a hint of briar and earthiness adds some depth. In the mouth it has the classic combination of sweet red and black berries with an edge of bright acidity and fine tannins that is typical. This finishes with excellent crispness and clarity.

(2025) Fermented in open steel tanks and aged 11 months in French oak barrels from Burgundy coopers, 33% new. Quite a pale colour, a slightly more muted aromatic than the previous two wines, more chestnut and sweet earth, a gentle stemmy quality, red berry fruit beneath. The palate has quite a creamy texture, and quite a vivacious character, fresh acidity and spices and a brightness to the fruit. There's a stripe of something like rhubarb that adds a bittersweet freshness in an interesting style.

(2025) Les Dauphins is the brand of a large Rhône Cooperative cellar, with around 2,000 vine-growing members. This wine comes in a 250ml can as reviewed, equivalent to a large glass. It is a blend of Grenache and Syrah, from certified High Environmental Value vineyards. Bright, raspberry, cherry and kirsch aromas are primary and bold. In the mouth it is juicy and blackcurranty, exactly what you might expect, with modest tannins and enough acidity to balance it weighty 14% alcohol. Price for a 250ml can.

(2025) Though Argentina equals Malbec for many people, the Bonarda grape is another stalwart of the country and its second most planted red variety. From vineyards in Mendoza at an altitude of 620 metres, this was fermented in concrete tanks and used oak barrels with wild native yeasts. Part of the blend was then aged in French oak. It's a supple, smooth and sumptuous style, with plenty of dark bramble and cassis fruit, but there is a great spiciness and core of fresh, tangy cherry acidity that cleanses and freshens the finish. Tannins are modest, but the overall impression is of well-balanced drinkability. Watch the video for more information.

(2025) Ricasoli's 2022 Brolio is primarily Sangiovese (80%), blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and matured for nine months in barriques. It is indeed a classical style this; savoury and gastronomic, with the cherry freshness of the fruit joined by earthy and cedary notes. In the mouth it is supple, with a firmness to the red fruits and acidity, and a very fine tannic background that adds a graphite edge. A food wine of elegant proportions. Watch the video for more information.

(2025) Guigal's Côtes du Rhône has an unusually high proportion of Syrah for the appellation, around 50% along with Grenache and a touch of Mourvèdre. It spends 18 months in barrels, but those are very large, older 'foudres', many time the size of the standard 'barrique', and so there's no toasty influence as you  might expect from newer, smaller barrels. Already five years after vintage, it is dark purple and saturated in colour, the nose of bramble fruit, spices, pepper and cedar is inviting. In the mouth the tannins give a rustic grip, but there is plenty of supple and ripe fruit too. A hint of chocolate in the background, the spices and fresh acidity balancing, it is very drinkable now but it will also cellar for several years more and become smoother and softer. Watch the video for more information. As well as the stockists listed below, this is widely available.

(2025) Emilia-Romagna’s version of a Super Tuscan? That's according to Laithwaites for this Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese blend that is £17.99 as part of a mixed dozen. The wine was aged in French oak barrels for 11 months and, having left the grapes on the vine for a month later than normal, it has an almost Amarone touch. Chocolaty, spicy, a prune-like (but most definitely not stewed) character has sweetness and intense blueberry richness. The palate too has an Amarone intensity of dried fruits, spices and mocha, and that hit of sour cherry acidity. The barrel ageing has added softer, vanilla and cocoa touches in a big, bountiful wine with enough structure to offset the fruit sweetness.

(2025) This Languedoc red is vintage 2019, so rather nice to have a wine with a bit of tertiary development. Montpeyroux is a 'Cru' on schist soils in the foothills of the Pyrenees, this blend of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah from vineyards that lie between 140 and 280 metres altitude. Dark, spicy and deeply fruited, there's some cherry and raspberry lift over plummier, chocolate depths. The palate is smooth, dense and spicy with quite a long finish, the tannins well on their way to being fully resolved but, along with good acidity, freshening the finish. £16.99 as part of a mixed dozen.

(2025) This is a Californian cab in a pretty much 'fruit bomb' style, overflowing with cassis, plum and chocolate aromas and flavours. The fruit comes from Lodi, inland from the much more expensive Napa Valley area, and the wine is aged in American oak. I note that it does have a moderate 13.5% alcohol, though the richness might suggest higher, and while it might not suit the Claret-loving classicist, it offers great bangs per buck and put a smile on my face. Note that Allaboutwine has a very keen price just under £10, but only by the six-bottle case. Many independent merchants sell it by the bottle for around £11. Watch the video for more information.