The Exquisite Collection Fleurie 2010, Burgundy, France (£6.49 Aldi)
Smells decent enough, with soft summer pudding aromas, but while there’s a touch of peppery spice, this has lost its youthful perkiness and now tastes a bit tired. C+

Kleine Zalze Cellar Selection Gamay Noir 2012, Coastal Region, South Africa (£8.99 Grape Sense, Gwin Llyn Wines, Leamington Wine Co)
Fresher fruitier style, with juicy red berries to the fore, but there’s a just a little too much of the smoky Cape bake character to make it really good. B-

Villa Maria Reserve Pinot Noir 2010, Marlborough, New Zealand (£19.99 Tesco, Wimbledon Wine Cellars, nzhouseofwine.co.uk, Winedirect.co.uk)
I like the alluring berry character and warm earthy flavours, but there’s also a slightly medicinal character. Tasty but maybe I miss a touch of wildness. S-

Hans Igler Zweigelt Classic 2011, Burgenland, Austria (£9.50 The Wine Society)
This is like Dolcetto meets Cab Franc, fresh and lively with boisterous, crunchy cherry and berry flavours and a slightly rasping white peppery character to the finish. Great with fatty meat dishes. S

Kozlovic Teran 2011, Istria, Croatia (£13 Bowes Wine)
A bit stagnant-pond to begin with, but this blows off to reveal juicy plummy berry and blackcurrant flavours, with savoury herby notes on the finish. Quite warm and potent, but finishes fresh. S(-)