Red Rhino Merlot/Shiraz 2011, Western Cape, South Africa (£6.49 The Drink Shop)
Simple style, ripe, but a touch baked and volatile. C-

Viña Casa Silva Silva Family Wines Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère 2011, Colchagua, Chile (£7-8.95 Averys, Wine Rack)
Combines the blackcurrant pastille of Cabernet with the more exotic herbal berry and hoisin notes of Carmenère. Decent enough, but just a bit simple. B-

Viu Manent Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Colchagua, Chile (£10.99 Flagship Wines, Milford Wine Centre, Partridges, Peckhams, Whole Foods Market, Spirited Wine Company)
Classy stuff, has the toasty imprint of new oak, but this calms down the let the fragrant, herbal blackcurrant and plum flavours emerge. Add in the earthy richness and the lush but fresh finish and you have a terrific young wine. S

Viña Ventisquero Queulat Carmenère Gran Reserva 2009, Maipo Valley, Chile (£10.40 slurp.co.uk)
Vibrant, ripe and fragrant, with hoisin and green coffee bean notes adding interest to the juicy berry fruit, broad-shouldered by still has some freshness and subtlety. S-

Botham Merrill Willis Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, McLaren Vale/Coonawarra, Australia  (£15.99 Hercules Wine Warehouse, Christopher Piper, Frazier’s)
Gentle giant, slightly old-fashioned, with mint-tinged berry and blackcurrant fruit veering close to the jammy, plus hints of toasty oak, iron and leather. A bit clunky on the finish too. B