Domaine La Croix Gratiot, Picpoul de Pinet 2011, £ 8.25
Bright clean, citrus notes on nose with a touch of minerality and apple. A broad, clean mouthwateringly fresh palate, with some depth. Good quality Picpoul crying out for seafood.

Comenge Verdejo, Rueda, 2012, £9.90
Very youthful and aromatic wine showing pears, grapefruit and pineapple with a good intensity. Lively crisp and dry palate, more grapefruit flavours, decent finish and depth. A fine example of modern Rueda Verdejo.

Domaine Antugnac, Terres Amoureuses, Limoux 2010, £11.75
This is a subtle Chardonnay giving gentle oat and ripe lemon aromas. The palate is long and discrete, sustained. Very well balanced and harmonious it has a shy/coy character.

Mas Cal Demoura, ‘l’Etincelle’, IGP d’Herault 2011, £18.90
A lively apricot and floral nose with a touch of weight and complexity, certainly showing some
depth. The palate is broad and fresh with good depth and mouth feel. Yellow fruits dominate but there is a pleasing spice and quince complexity.

Calmel and J Joseph, St Chinian, 2010, £9.90
Lifted aromatics of black olive tapenade, pepper and black fruit jelly lead to a mid weight savoury palate. Well balanced and juicy fruit, with fine tannins giving a gentle dusty texture.

Biberius Crianza , Ribera del Duero, 2009, £12.50
Mature nose offering mocha, dark fruits and plums. The palate has a good depth of fleshy ripe fruit balanced by plentiful mellow tannins and oak spice, Long finish, classy wine. Got the vote of best value wine and a bit of an ‘ooh la la’ moment!

Chateau la Negly, ‘La Falaise’ , La Clape 2010, £19.00
Powerful on nose and palate with a warm Mediterranean feel giving ripe fruits of red berries, figs and cherry accompanied by garrigue herb and spice. Rich warming palate; plenty of concentration in this wine with sustained fruit finish.

Domaine Hortus, Grand Cuvée Rouge, Pic St Loup 2010, £20.50
Restraint and harmony are the calling cards of this elegant layered wine. It has savoury and fruit notes with a fine gentle tannic mesh giving support. It really shines with food.

Domaine Massamier La Mignarde, ‘Domus Maximus’, 2008, £27.00
A handsome, deeply coloured masculine wine. It has a Pauillac character of black fruits, cedar, and pepper enveloping a firm, erect tannic core. Lush, dense fruit, great depth and a long poised finish. Drinking well now but has several years ahead of it.