Mas des Montagnes Côtes du Roussillon Villages 2008, France (£6.99 Majestic)
Gutsy young red, with lots of herby wildness (esp. juniper) and plush plummy raisin/Christmas cake flavours, pepped up by a hint of vanilla. S-

Château de Pennautier Cabardès ‘Terroirs d’Altitude’ 2008, Languedoc, France (£9.99 Majestic)
A more polished style with a sheen of smoky oak over the wild dark berry and plum fruit and hints of orange peel, rich but fresh with a backbone of both tannin and acidity. S

Château Aigues Vives Corbières ‘Cuvée d’Exception’ 2007, Languedoc, France (£9.99 Majestic)
A more relaxed, nature style, with mellow but tangy berry flesh and a touch of tomato wrapped in a framework of slightly toasty oak and sappy citrus acidity. The Cabardès is for steak; this is for stews. S

Wakefield Shiraz 2008, Clare Valley, Australia (£10-11 Ballantynes, Cheers, Peake Wine Associates, Taste Fine Wines, Vintage Wines, Wright Wine Company, everywine)
Wouldn’t score for either subtlety or complexity, but offers really good depth of dusty blackcurrant and berry fruit, with the classic Clare minty earthiness and a touch of liquorice. An honest, tasty glug. B+

Wakefield 80 Acres Shiraz/Viognier 2008, Clare Valley, Australia (£10.99 Whole Foods, Nidderdale Fine Wines, Taste Fine Wines)
There’s a bit more peppery freshness here than in the regular Shiraz, with the Viognier adding peachiness – too much peachiness? Whether you think so or not, again this is very friendly, tasty wine with spicy ripe fruit and a vibrant finish. S-

M&S Mochatage Pinotage 2009, Western Cape, South Africa (£6.99 Marks & Spencer)
The mocha/chocolate wafer biscuit character just dominates this wine. Have to say it’s not a style I warm too, and while I can’t fault it for richness & intensity, it’s a bit like drinking Richard Littlejohn or Gregg Wallace. B-

Jordan The Prospector Syrah 2008, Stellenbosch, South Africa (£12.99 The Wine Studio, Connolly’s, Ex-Cellar, Christopher Piper, Oxford Wine Co, S.A Wines Online, Waterloo Wine Co, Wimbledon Wine Cellar)
First thing I smelt here was Ready Salted Crisps! But then the wine unwinds to show a core earthy plummy fruit, with a touch of pomegranate and almost garrigue-like savage herbiness. It’s rich but not at all over-extracted, and while there’s a touch of Cape smokiness, it’s also refreshing and seductive. Click here to find out more about why it’s called The Prospector. S(+)