General

Porcupine Ridge Syrah 09
Oddbins B+

Plenty of red fruits, quite lifted, smooth, touches of spice and pepper, fat acidity, slight burnt edge. Attractive, very drinkable even on its own.

35° South Latitude Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Sainsbury's £3.99 (on offer) B

Correct but slightly confected nose, sweetish ripe, like sweet pastilles. Palate is of ripe red fruits, good fruit hit, juicy, some green pepper notes, leafy. Excellent value.

d'Arenberg Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 05
A-

So very lifted, leaps out of the glass, plenty of dark fruits, blackberry compote, nice hint of mint, the viognier really sings here, so much violets and damsons. Palate is settled, matured well.

Ch Villa Bel Air 05, Graves
B+

Mature, settled, but not much primary fruits left, touches of cigar box, wood, maybe even some cloves. Nice drying acidity, tannins are softened out.

Le Pressoir Grande Reserve Cotes du Roussilon 09
B

Attractive red fruits, acidity some what aggressive. Nothing interesting going on, but obvious faults either.