Louis Jadot Fleurie  2009
£11.99
Beaujolais
100% Gamay
8 - 10 months in oak barrels
13%
Sweet vanilla aroma.  Oaked Fleurie, whatever next?  Maybe they're old oak barrels, rather than barriques? It’s odd, but I might like it. If you’re not wanting it to be anything like Fleurie, it’s quite pleasant.

Morgon les Charmes, Domaine Brisson 2009
£7.99
Beaujolais
100% Gamay
Unoaked
12.50%
Light on the nose. Fruity and pleasant.

La Grille Malbec 2011
£6.99
Loire Valley
100% Malbec
Unoaked
12%
I assumed this was a typo. Young, spicy nose. Not unpleasant.  Strangely quite similar to Loire cabernet franc but nutty and spicy.

Maison Joseph Drouhin Beaune Premier Cru Rouge 2008
£19.99
Burgundy
100% Pinot Noir
14-18 months French oak (20% New) barrels
13%
Very pale indeed. Beautiful, beautiful aroma. Really, this is what we want. This is gorgeous. I could ask for nothing more.  Juicy, fresh, moreish acidity, with slightly developed fruit and sweet, bacony oak. Delicious.

Perrin 'Nature' Organic Côtes du Rhône 2010
£8.99
Rhône
80% Grenache 20% Syrah
Unoaked
14%
Pleasant, light aroma. Light and easy Cotes du Rhone, but at a steepish price.

Ogier Lirac Reserve 2011
£8.99
Rhône
75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, Mourvedre Cinsault
Unoaked
14.50%
This almost has a pinot noir aroma. Very juicy and fruity nose. Nice taste. Ripe, fruity, but with a touch too much alcohol. I’d still drink it.

Clos de l'Oratoire Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2010
£16.99
Rhône
80% Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault
12 months in oak barrels
14.50%
Dark spicy nose and taste.  Plenty of body, fruit and a touch of structure.  Good.

Château Vieux Manoir 2009
£6.99
Bordeaux
75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Unoaked
13%
Dark, stalky nose. Stalky and young, fresh taste. Unusual but pleasant.

Château Sénéjac 2008
£16.99
Bordeaux
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc
12-15 months in 30% new oak barrels
13%
Dark, woody and savoury nose – very, very inviting. Definitely woody and cedary.  Great dinner party wine. Classy label and exactly what you expect.

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mel