Le XV is known to thousands as our ‘King of the Big Reds’. It owes its intensity to Grenache from vines, some over 100 years old, that grow on the rocky slopes of the Pyrenean foothills in the Montagne Noire and yield only tiny quantities of grapes. Le XV also benefits from the painstaking care of self-confessed southern French wine aficionado Mark Hoddy, whose draconian selection process sees him earmark in advance every vineyard he intends to harvest and micro-manage every stage of the winemaking. This takes time, but you can taste the result in every delicious glass! Richly textured, with layers of ripe bramble fruit kept smooth by warming alcohol and soft, ripe tannins, this is a red to enjoy with roast lamb, steak or a hearty stew.

Made in the contemporary style, Marchand & Burch Rosé flaunts a luminescent sunstone colour with light pink tinges. The wine's bouquet exudes aromas of strawberry coulis and cream. The silky palate shows flavours of red berries and peach. The saline, chalky and savoury notes provide length as well as a fine drying balance to the wine's finish. All in all, it's a gentle wine, perfectly layered with subtle complexities to be explored. This Rose pairs very well with light pastas, seafood and goat cheese.

No wonder Spain's El Bombero is a regular Top 10 favourite. For over 20 years, fans have sought it out for its winning combination of 15% power and velvety richness more usually associated with pricier reds such as the Rhône's Châteauneuf du Pape. It comes from Cariñena, a hot, arid region of Spain where sun-loving grapes like Garnacha (same as Châteauneuf's Grenache) achieve amazing ripeness. Ancient vines and a lack of rain means fewer grapes, which in turn means far more flavour intensity. Decanter magazine says it's home to some of the best value reds in the world, and we have to agree! From award winning winemaker Javier Domeque, El Bombero is packed with spicy black fruit and smooth, sumptuous tannins. Delicious on its own and a tasty choice for casseroles, full flavoured pasta dishes, herby roast sausages and mash, and, of course, barbecues.

It’s no coincidence Pillastro is one of our bestselling Italian reds – customers love all that richness, warmth and bold, ripe fruit. Pillastro comes from Puglia, in Italy’s deep south, best known for big, smoky wines made from prized local varieties Primitivo and Negroamaro. It is made by Angelo Maci, a leading figure in the quality revolution of the last two decades, whose cellar Cantine Due Palme has twice been named Winery of the Year. Angelo made this wine purely from Primitivo, which produces rich, powerful reds with plenty of ripe fruit. A period of oak ageing has infused the wine’s generous plum and damson character with notes of spice and vanilla. Enjoy with hearty casseroles, pasta with a rich tomato sauce, or garlic roasted lamb.

With an impressive award-winning history, this densely flavoured, spicy champion comes from the Padró family cellar founded in 1898, in Spain’s Tarragona region. Combining concentrated, old bush vine (up to 70 years old) Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre or Mataro) from Tarragona with a little from warm Jumilla for extra richness, plus a portion of strawberry scented Tempranillo, this rich and spicy red is spot on with barbecued, lamb or beef, or try it with a range of Spanish tapas-inspired delicacies.

David Joeky marries deep, black Durif and smooth spicy Shiraz to produce a darker, denser, profound red. As he says: “Magical things happen when Shiraz and Durif come together” . His Dark Corner bears that out to delicious perfection. The result? It's almost as dark as the corner in which it was made, a wine to stain your palate, and once tasted, you’ll be hooked. Ripe and mouthfilling, with blackberry, plum berry fruit and mocha flavours with a smooth, creamy texture