Fruity nose of blackcurrants, charcoal, blueberries and sage. Medium- to full-bodied with soft and integrated tannins. I like the mineral, ashy undertones. Drink now. Screw cap.

A small proportion of this rounded wine has been wood aged. That has produced some fine tannins aligned with the berry flavors. It is a fruity and ripe Merlot-dominated wine, full of juicy acidity at the end.

A nicely polished and relatively soft red with ripe tannins and purple fruit. It’s medium-bodied. Fresh at the end. Nicely done.

This is fruit-forward with ripe raspberries and blackberries, as well as hints of dried herbs and orange peel. Medium- to full-bodied with sleek, glossy texture and grainy tannins. Vivid acidity and a flavorful finish.

Black berry fruit, rosemary and paprika on the nose. Savory and tangy with a medium body, soft tannins and fresh, earthy finish. Cabernet sauvignon. Drink now.

Owned by a member of the French supermarket Leclerc family, this estate in the Entre-deux-Mers has produced a smooth wine that is polished from new wood, while also having layers of intense black-currant fruits. It is rich although fresh acidity counterbalances the density. Drink from 2022.

A complete wine, this offers balanced tannins and smoky dark fruits. Acidity and spice from wood aging add to the complexity and potential.

Blackberry and blueberry with chocolate and spice character. Medium body, medium chewy tannins. Slightly hollow in the middle palate, but should fill in nicely.

Savory plums and cranberries with orange zest and baking spices. This is tight but smooth on the palate, showing some red-berry fruit at the end. Well balanced.

The 2015 Peyrabon has a perfumed bouquet driven by the 51% Merlot, crushed strawberry and redcurrant aromas neatly entwined with the new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit, a fine line of acidity, good density towards the finish that delivers an attractive spiced aftertaste. This is very fine and should drink well for a decade.

Bright ruby hue, with tones of garnet beginning to appear on the rim. On the nose, lifted notes of fresh vanilla, red and black cherries, dried peppermint, black raspberries, and violets. Full-bodied, but not imposingly so, with a New World boldness and freshness. Big, grippy tannins with a great deal of power are balanced by fresh acidity and a nice concentration of flavor on the palate. The elegant finish alternates between sweet oak spices and the pure-fruit character. Drink now–2030.

The 2018 la Tour de Ségur has a deep garnet-purple color and features expressive notes of mulberries, baked blueberries and Christmas cake with touches of mocha, Chinese five spice and cardamom. Full, rich and packed with black and blue berry preserves, it has a velvety texture and soft freshness, finishing spicy.

Black fruit and savory aromas of smoked meat, dried herb and oyster on the nose. It’s medium - bodied with firm, sleek tannins.

Medium-to full-bodied with aromas of blueberry, blackcurrant and rose hip. Juicy and fruity. Firm, fine-grained tannins and a flavorful mid-palate.

This is a fine, ripe wine, exuding black currants and generous tannins. There is a juicy character to this young wine that will stand it in good stead as it matures. Drink this second wine of Château Paloumey from 2025.

This wine is young but has great potential. The tannins shine, balanced with powerful black fruits and a solid, dense texture. The wine will age well and will be at its best from 2023.

Juicy and layered black fruits here, this is excellent, with real sense of drive forward through the palate and well expressed tannins that have texture and sap running through them. Easy to recommend, and good value.

The 2019 Goulée by Cos d'Estournel is an intensely savory, aromatic Médoc. Tobacco, spice, cedar, mint, dark cherry, licorice and incense all grace this mid-weight wine. Silky tannins round things out in style. The 2019 is a charmer. Drinking 2024 -2034

Aromas of blackcurrants, blackberries and fresh flowers follow through to a medium body, with juicy and round tannins that show a delicious intensity. Currants and berries. Fresh and focused. 78% merlot and 18% cabernet, the rest petit verdot. Drink after 2026.