Gigondas always seems to play the little-brother role to Chateauneuf du Pape, but these wines can be very, very good. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre vinified in the purest tradition, this wine is opulent now and will age well for the next 8 or 10 years.

Kanopkop's Kadette is a a blend of Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that is full bodied and concentrated. It is a fantastic ambassador for South African wines and drinks well with spicy meat dishes.

Farnese Edizione gives a very deep garnet red colour. The nose is intense and persistent with notes of cherry and blackcurrant, herbs, cinnamon, cloves, cocoa, liquorice and hints of mineral. The palate has great structure, good balance between alcohol and freshness, velvety tannins, very persistent with a long finish, ready to drink, or can be put in the cellar for a few years.

With light berry aromas and a soft, fruity palate with a touch of sweetness, this is a very appealing, easy drinking red to enjoy at any time. Try lightly chilled on those warm days, served with spicy dishes.

A stylish blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a touch of Shiraz and Petit Verdot, from low yielding vineyards have produced another wine of elegance and class. Blackberry, mint and tobacco flavours are framed by fine tannin. The Shiraz adds some supple softness and the Petit Verdot adding aromatic lift. Another triumph!

One of Victoria's true heritage wines, Yarra Yering Dry Red No.1 is primarily a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Malbec and a touch of Petit Verdot. Planted on a historic Yarra Valley site by the late Dr Bailey Carrodus, this wine is full of complex aromas of plum and berry which is followed by rich fruits with an oak and cedar slant. A wine drinking well now and value for the true wine lover.

The old school of the UK wine market have long loved the wines of Chateau Talbot, and the 2010 would have them purring. Chateau Talbot is a producer that occupies a large (102 hectares) swathe of land under vine in Medoc and makes wines that are set to a more traditional style, including rich wood scents, firm tannins, some rustic charm and a cassis-meets-violet fruit profile. This is a superb release of the wine, reminscent of classic Talbots that are sinewy when young, but still approachable, and for enthusiasts, glorious with cellar time.

Light bodied with the aroma and flavour of red berries, this easy drinking, sweet red is perfectly suited to quaffing on those alfresco occasions - with or without food.

Château Lanessan continues to be a true bargain in the Bordeaux world. Lanessan produces wines that at first seem firm, but flesh out with marvellous fruit with good richness. Lanessan is also a very consistant producer, creating wines of quality from questionable vintages. The great thing is that you don't have to worry too much about 'questionable' vintage when looking at this superb 2009. The Bordeaux Gods have definitely been smiling on communes and produced wines of utmost concentration and power. Lanessan did not miss out with the licquorice, spice and blackcurrant rich wine that will reward the Bordeaux bargain hunter for the next decade or more.

An attractive fruit driven style made in a 'medium dry' style that is nice and soft on the palate with a long smooth finish.