1. Masi Tupungato Passo Doble '06 - £7.99
A blend of Argentinian malbec and Italian corvina grapes might sound odd, but the result is stunning: a powerful mouthful of rich black fruits, liquorice and a long finish.
www.oddbins.com; www.tesco.com
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2. Domaine de la Janasse Terre de Bussière ’06 - £7.49
A real bargain, from a producer renowned for top-of-the-range Chateâuneuf-du-Pape in the southern Rhône. A herby, spicy wine. Available from next month.
www.majestic.co.uk; 0845 605 6767
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3. Elliot Estate Bushy Road Malbec ’06 - £9.99
This superb malbec shows there’s more to Aussie reds than over-fruity shiraz. Aromas of leather give way to flavours of vanilla and spiced, baked fruits. A powerful, complex wine.
www.laithwaites.co.uk; 0870 066 5689
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4. Chateau de Pennautier Cabardes ’05 - £5.99
Hailing from the Carcassonne area, this is a brilliant mix of cedary cabernet sauvignon grapes with spicy syrah. Perfect with Mediterranean foods.
www.winediscoveries.co.uk; 01580 200 900
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5. Palacio del Déan Reserva Navarra ’01 - £7.99
Some of the best wines at the moment are from northern Spain. This is a marvellous, medium-bodied wine: aromas of violets and pears are followed by velvety berries on the palate.
www.averys.com; 0845 128 3797
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6. Cerro de la Mesa Rioja Crianza ’04 - £8.99
This terrific rioja, from top Spanish producer Cune, is a benchmark crianza, with melting autumnal fruit flavours overlaying a toasty, oak-driven finish, derived from French and American barrels.
www.waitrose.com
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7. Massaya Silver Selection ’04 - £9.95
I have no hesitation in recommending this wine from of Lebanon’s Bekka Valley. This cinsault/grenache blend, of terrific subtlety, is deceptive in its depth of flavour. Great with meze.
www.tanners-wines.co.uk
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8. Ravenswood Old Vines Lodi Zinfandel ’04 - £8.49
A fantastic wine for chilly autumn evenings: full bodied, meaty, with just enough succulent fruity smoothness to balance its spicy finish. From a small, highly-rated California winery.
www.somerfield.co.uk
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9. Domaine des Garennes Minervois ’04 - £8.99
A blockbuster bottle from M&S– big, intense and well structured, with strong undertones of rich black fruits and black pepper. Great with red meat.
www.marksandspencer.com; 0845 302 1234
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10. Garnacha Baltasar Gracian ’04 - £7.50
This is another fabulous Spanish red with intense cherry fruits and a lengthy finish. One to open on a chilly November day, to bring back memories of sunny Spain and great tapas.
www.adnamswines.co.uk; 01502 727 222
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22 October 2007, Chosen by Terry Kirby
