Chiles answer to first growth Bordeaux, Viña Seña is one of the countrys most sought after wines. In his reviews and commentary on the wine, James Suckling has played a significant role in highlighting Viña Señas credentials as world-class. While comparisons to Mouton Rothschild or Harlan can and have (again, Suckling) been made, one of the more interesting features of this wine is how well it drinks when young. For a Cabernet-based blend in this class, Viña Seña leaps out of the gate showing cassis and fresh blueberries. This is altogether very gratifying but theres so much more in store. The length, depth and breadth make this a great working example of what we mean when we talk about three-dimensionality. High-wire act acidity and strong-man fruit, this circus of sensory pleasure is even more appealing considering that for the price of one Bordeaux first growth, youll have six of these. Hedonists take note.

A fresh lively Bordeaux blanc produced from Sauvignon and Semillon, the first vintage of Chateau Cos dEstournel Blanc was made 2005. The grapes are grown north of St. Estèphe, in the Jau-Dignac and Loirac regions. The terroir is a mix of sand, clay, small stones and limestone. The wine is fermented and aged in mostly one-year-old barrels to maintain maximum freshness. Made in small volumes.

JEAN-PAUL BRUN Terres Dorees Cote De Brouilly, Beaujolais

The wine pours well with impressive mousse, followed by a fine bead with moderate persistence. Deep straw colour base wine. The nose is showing some developed character with aroma of yeast lees, cashew and biscuit with honeycomb end note. Creamy textured palate, with flavours of strawberry, yeast lees and biscuit. Clean acid finish. Creamy strawberry aftertaste. A very good Commercial style. Cellar 1-2 years (2009-2010) Alc/Vol: 12.5% First tasted: August 1999 A newly re packaged Methode Champenoise and at its price point, very impressive. Bright pale straw colour followed by very fine and very persistent bead. Excellent nose with distinct yeast autolysis and a hint of grapefruit and citrus. Full bodied creamy palate, excellent finesse followed by persistent biscuit, yeast flavours and crisp acid finish. Great everyday drinking.