As Robert Parker says, “Spain leads the world for sensational wine bargains of character and soul”, none more so than its mature reds. Nowhere else produces mellow, barrel-aged wines of such remarkable quality and price. Take Palacio del Conde – a gorgeously complex, oaky 2015 from Valencia. Part of this region is close to the coast, while the more southerly part is inland, up in the hills, and dry. It’s there that winemaker Marta Martínez selects the finest, hand harvested – from 50 year old vines – Tempranillo grapes for this Gran Reserva, then ages the wine for three years in oak barrels. A wonderfully fragrant, silky red with mature redcurrant and strawberry fruit and a rich, toasty character. Sublime with roast lamb or tapas. Its three recent Gold wins show its drinking beautifully now.

It was David Duband's father, Pierre, who started the estate in 1965. He bought 15 hectares of land in the then unfashionable Côtes de Nuits, just west of Nuits-St-George, and grew grapes. These he sold to the cooperative in Beaune. In 1991, David joined and the first wine was made at the domaine. He took over four years later. There have been many changes since, with the acquisition of 5 Grands and 7 Premiers Crus and a new winery built in 2007. They have farmed organically since 2006 and introduced whole bunch fermentation since 2008. With wines from 23 Burgundy appellations and listings in over half of France's three-Michelin-star restaurants, David is obviously doing something right! From an exceptional vintage, this is a very fine red.

Bleasdale is “one of the most historic wineries in Australia ... in 2015 celebrating 165 years of continuous winemaking by the direct descendants of the founding Potts family.” (Halliday). Among many major awards, they’ve won the Jimmy Watson Trophy.

Allegiance Wines was born from a pledge to produce the highest quality from vine to glass. Sourcing parcels of expressive wines that over-deliver in all facets, the Allegiance Wines commitment is to combine outstanding viticulture and winemaking every vintage.

Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. Deep dark red core with black tinged edges and a dark red hue. Spicy red to dark cherry aromas mix with hints of stalky cedar, earth and meaty notes. On the palate generous dark cherry fruits are intertwined with strawberry, earth, spicy dried meat characters and dried herbs. Good flesh with slightly grainy tannins and a savoury medium length conclusion. Drink over the next 3-4 years. Alc. 13.5%

Mountadam can boast being the “foremost producer of chardonnay in the Eden Valley” (Halliday), but their deeply layered, textural and complex reds are also creating great excitement amongst the trade. Try for yourself here with this 'exuberant' yet underrated Cabernet showing lovely florals of violets, dark brambly fruits and fine supple tannins. "A morass of mulched leaf, anise and black currant, dabbed with olive. A lovely, energetic feel, finishing with verdant cigar box tannins and a whiff of mint to menthol. This has spent up to 24 months in oak and is in it for the long haul. It will be nice to taste it again when the curranty exuberance calms... 93pts" (Halliday Wine Companion, Ned Goodwin MW).