The Society’s Exhibition Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 (Frog’s Leap), California (£18 The Wine Society)
On the subtle side for Napa, but still with no shortage of blackberry and blackcurrant flavours, with some vanilla and spice to back it up. Tasty now, but there’s freshness and ripe tannin here, so good for a few years yet. S(-)

Deep Woods Redlands Cabernet Shiraz 2013, Margaret River, Australia (£14.99 Laithwaites – currently on offer at £11.99)
Lovely stuff, has a rich, almost inky texture (don’t tell me you of a certain age never drank a little ink at school?), while the fresh cassis and plum fruit has slightly minty, floral notes. Quite exuberant but finishes dry with a slightly savoury edge – you keep coming back for more. S

Grand Mayne Merlot Cabernet Côtes de Duras 2014, South West France (£9.95 domaine-du-grand-mayne.com)
There’s a pleasant leafy edge to the roasted berry and plum flavours, plus a hint of vanilla, but it feels a touch ‘made’, and it’s also a little simple. C