Stockist/Retailer: Aldi

(2015) And yes it's two in a row for Aldi with this 14.5% Garnacha (Grenache) based wine. Tight kirsch and blackcurrant, the fine spice suggesting Sandalwood and delighfully balanced aromatic character. On the palate it is composed and beautifully fruited with a cleansing, crisp finish showing copious fruit but such a precise structure of tannin and acidity. Could cellar for a few years too.

(2015) Grenache makes up half the blend of this Aldi exclusive, along with Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah and the seldom-seen Vaccarese. It weighs in with 14% alcohol. Schisty, raspberry-touched aromas have plenty of briar and earth, and there is a cool feel to this. There is a touch of chocolate on the nose too, and it has some spices to add complexity. The palate is rather lean, but it is juicy, and although there is a slightly stripped feel to this for some reason, that leanness does add to its sense of freshness into quite a tangy, bittersweet finish.

(2014) This Champagne, an equal parts blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, has been a value fixture of Aldi's shelves for a while now and it still represents superb value for money. It has an authentic nose, yeasty and brioche-like, with plenty of richness and development. In the mouth it is creamy and again quite delicate, the floral aspect hinted on the nose adding interest as the lemon meringue pie flavours are buttressed by good acidity. Of course there are more complex and sophisticated Champagnes out there, but at the price this remains hard to beat.

(2014) Bottled in a ship's decanter, so ready to grace the table immediately, this has a rich tawny colour and a pungent, powerful nose, the walnut and shellac, old polished wood character is authentic and lovely with raisin and coffee intensity and plenty of layered complexity. The palate has a lovely cut of Seville orange bittersweetness, scything through the toffee and mocha of the palate, with very good acidity and the soft brown sugar depth delightful. Balanced, serious and very fine.