Wine Type: Dry Red

(2026) From loamy clay soils, the blend was fermented in stainless steel then aged 16 months in a combination of French and American oak  barrels. There's a balsamic quality on the nose, the combination of oak and plummy, ripe fruit I suspect, with wood smoke and even a touch of strawberry. The palate has rich, full fruit and plenty of sweetness, really juicy and the oak now creamy and supple along with ripe tannins and balancing acidity. Closed with a DIAM 10 cork, suggesting the producer is confident it will age for a decade. Watch the video for more information.

(2026) One of the star names of Stellenbosch, Vergelegen dates its history back to 1700, though the modern era began in 1987. Long time winemaker Andre van Rensburg was obsessed with the wines of Bordeaux and his ambition was to make just two wines: a red and a white, exclusively from Bordeaux varities. Andre retired in 2022, but here we have what is still basically a 'Left Bank' blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, though there is a smidge of Syrah in there too. It's a full-bodied, ripe and very approachable wine, cassis and plum to the fore with a touch of cedar and olive in the background. There is plentiful sweet fruit on the palate, which has a nice density through quite rich and grainy tannins and cherry-skin acidity. Long and intense, it's a nice, big mouthful of structured red at a modest price. Note that this bottling is exclusive to Ocado. Watch the video for more information.

(2026) Bleasdale was the first winery in the Langhorne Creek back in 1850, and is still owned by the 5th generation of the Potts family. This Rhône blend is aged six months in large oak casks. What I like about the wine is that it has taken advantage of the ocean position to make a tempered wine that is not too 'blockbuster' in style. Herbal notes of sage and mint join red fruits on nose and palate, with good balancing tannin and acid to give a savoury and food-friendly edge. If you want a big-scaled Shiraz this is not for you, but if the style appeals the offer price of £12.99 at time of review makes it worthy of consideration. Watch the video for more information.

(2026) This is a rich and sweet, black cherry and blueberry filled rendition of Pinot, coming from the prime Oregon terroir of the Dundee Hills. Gently smoky, grilled meat inflections join the fruit on the nose, then the wine proves its ripe aromatic impression on the palate, with a flood of plush and particularly sweet and fleshy fruit. The backing of the creamy and gently chocolaty oak is there, tannins are svelte and the acidity is nicely balanced. A smooth and relatively solid, pleasing Pinot Noir.

(2026) Not from Katie Jones own domaine Jones, but made with fruit sourced from the local cooperative, mostly very old vine Carignan in the blend. Deep and vibrant crimson, there's a perfume to the nose, subtle rose and violet, and the sense of crunchy red fruits with a little smoky spice. Sweet fruited on the palate, perhaps a touch of residual sugar, but there's a breeziness to the acid that cuts through the 14.5% alcohol, though that touch of heat and some tannin is felt right in the finish. A barbecue basher I'd say. Angels pay £13.99 but please note the vintage on sale has moved on to 2024.

(2026) A Côtes-du-Rhône-Villagesblend of Grenache, Carignan and Syrah from the Cairanne cooperative, this is deeply coloured with a certain ruby warmth. Blackcurrant and black cherry dominates the nose, a suggestion of cedar and something delicately herbal. In the mouth this has good juiciness, despite the 14.5% alcohol feeling nimble thanks to pert tannins and a raspberry kick of tart acidity pushing out the finish.

(2026) From the mainland of Greece in Greek Macedonia, this blends the familiar Xinomavro with the much less commonly seen Limnion. Medium ruby in colour with a deal of transparency, aromas are fresh, redcurranty and crunchy, quite sappy with a dry, fresh cep mushroom touch too. In the mouth that redcurrant and raspberry has some sweet ripeness, but the earthy and briary note combines with fresh acidity and a bit of nicely roughening tannin. Comes across like a decent Bourgogne red in some ways. The £12.99 Angel price seems good, but note the 2024 vintage is on sale at time of publication.

(2026) Fermented spontaneously with 15% whole-bunches, this Stellenbosch Syrah is matured for 14 months in 225-litre barriques, 10% new. A sumptuous melange of ripe, juicy plum, liquorice and creamy, smooth oak, this is immediately appealing. The sweet, black fruit floods the mouth, textural and rippling with creamy fruit, barely ruffled by chocolaty tannin and pert cherry acidity. Such a delicious wine, five years old and drinking perfectly. Angel price is an attractive £18.99 but please note this has moved on to the 2020 vintage.

(2026) A superb blend of Tannat (50%), Malbec (27), Cabernet Franc (15) and Petit Verdot (8). Alluring red and black fruit; elegant with silky tannins, yet notable structure from 100% new oak (comfortably absorbed). Only 2,500 bottles made. No UK retail outlet at time of review. (Geoffrey Dean)

(2026) A Merlot dominated blend, with Cabernet Sauvignon. It's fermentated in stainless steel then half of the blend aged in steel tanks and half in French oak barriques for one year, one-third new barrels. There's a light incense and wood ash character over taut, small red berries. There's a herbal leafiness too, adding to the fresh appeal. Dry, but nicely fruited on the palate, juicy with some tight tannins and a tingle of spice giving grip, and very good, gastronomic acidity. The oak just smooths and rounds the finish, adding a little creaminess to the cranberry and redcurrant fruit picture.