100 sure-fire reds - 4 Dec 2010 by Jancis Robinson/FT
"Below is a selection of favourites for current drinking from the thousands of wines I taste each year. Pinot Noir and burgundy feature strongly as I think they go so well with celebratory meals and their often sweet accompaniments. I have also focused on the exceptional Beaujolais 2009s, some of the best red bordeaux bargains, relatively obscure Italians and Iberians and some underpriced offerings from the Languedoc."
Dom des Terres Falmet, L'Ivresse des Cimes 2006 St-Chinian
Scented and heady. Lovely ripeness and polish. This liquorice-scented juice of the Languedoc just washes over the palate.
£9.40 Vine Trail
Dom Charvin 2008 Côtes du Rhône
Lovely light touch from a lovely winemaker with a light touch. Really, why do you need Châteauneuf when you can get this at such a great price? Admittedly 2008 was a lesser vintage but Charvin clearly made the best of it. 14%
£11.20 Vine Trail
Daniel Bouland 2009 Chiroubles
Deep crimson. Very vibrant, fresh and zesty. Great stuff.
£11.50 Vine Trail
Marcel Lapierre 2009 Morgon
Lovely fluidity from the late, great and much missed leader of authentic Beaujolais. Round and flirtatious. Fresh and racy. This should slip down. 13%
£15.75 Vine Trail