The Côtes du Rhône are home to many rich, warming reds that can be serious bargains, and those entitled to the Villages appellation promise even greater intensity and fruit power. Such has been the quality in Rasteau that the area was promoted in 2010 to full AOP status, putting it on a par with mighty Gigondas next door. Indeed, Domaine Martin can claim a key part in securing this promotion. The property goes back to 1905, when Julien Martin bought the 5-hectare estate. In 1947 his son Jules took over, expanding the vineyards and building a winery. Today it is run by David and Eric Martin, grandsons of the founder.This Grenache-based blend (70% Grenache, 20% Shiraz and 10% Mourvèdre) from the Cote de Rhone opens with earthy, herbal aromas mingling with hints of blackberry and raspberry. Herbal-scented dark fruit flavours drive the supple palate with smoked meat and spicy notes adding complexity.

Le XV is known to thousands as our ‘King of the Big Reds’. It owes its intensity to Grenache from vines, some over 100 years old, that grow on the rocky slopes of the Pyrenean foothills in the Montagne Noire and yield only tiny quantities of grapes. Le XV also benefits from the painstaking care of self-confessed southern French wine aficionado Mark Hoddy, whose draconian selection process sees him earmark in advance every vineyard he intends to harvest and micro-manage every stage of the winemaking. This takes time, but you can taste the result in every delicious glass! Richly textured, with layers of ripe bramble fruit kept smooth by warming alcohol and soft, ripe tannins, this is a red to enjoy with roast lamb, steak or a hearty stew.

Glittering with plum and red berry fruit, a lovely splash of exotic spice, deliciously soft and smooth tannins ... this is like being given a big, comforting hug from someone you love. Beautiful stuff!

Showing ripe cherry and raspberry aromas following on to fruitcake and blackberry flavours, with well integrated oak and a long velvety finish. An Aussie through and through – try it with barbecued kangaroo!

Zilzie, a stalwart of the Murray Darling region, have released this beautifully perfumed Grenache, using fruit from the Barossa, as part of their Platinum Range.Pale garnet in the glass. Concentrated strawberry, cherry, raspberry and crushed herbs on the nose. Lithe and elegant red berry fruits continue from the nose, with subtle cedar oak and fine tannins, and a supple, gentle finish. A charming wine.