Lamatum Crianza, Ribera del Duero 2008 £8.99 Majestic
This smells like purple sweets, or perhaps blackcurrant squash. Lovely oaky taste. Gentle tannins. Good flavour.

Gran Vendema, Rioja Crianza 2008 £9.99 Majestic
Atypical nose. No signe of American oak on the nose, despite the blurb saying it's had 12m in oak. Sweet and rustic flavour. Disappointing.

Vina Eguia, Rioja Reserva 2005 £9.99 Majestic
Astonishing smell. Wow! Ther's something like toasted marshmallow in there. Carried through to the palate - a lot of vanilla. Very attractive. Long aftertaste. £5.99 on offer is a ridiculous price.

Beronia, Dos Maderas, Rioja Reserva 2006 £13.99 Majestic
Love the label. Dark, plain chocolate and coffee aromas. Quite a modern style of Rioja. You can feel the 14%. Big and quite brutish with a lot going on.

Vina Ardanza, Rioja Reserva Especial 2001 £22 Majestic
This wine is getting on a bit. It's pretty composty on the nose. Sweet, baked, evolved flavour. Rather beautiful and needs time in the glass, over a delicious dinner, for two, perhaps with candles. Not a wine to be thrown back.

Castillo Ygay Tinto, Gran Reserva Especial 2004 £35 Majestic
Love the label. Classic nose. Beautiful taste. Just perfect. American oak, juicy acidity, dark fruit, good length. *

Muga, Pado Enea, Gran Reserva Rioja 2004 £30 Majestic
More French oak than American, I'm guessing. Great taste. Very Spanish. Great balance, perfect taste. You can't fault these pricey Riojas.

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