Some impressive wines offered in a bin end sale at La Vigneronne. [Please note: this sale finished some time ago, but I've kept this page for reference purposes]

Château Grande Cassagne Blanc 1999 Costières de Nîmes
The higher proportion of Roussanne in this vintage shows with its lovely expressive nose, which is rich, floral and peachy. The palate is lovely and crisp: fresh and slightly nutty, with good acidity. Interesting stuff. Very good+ (£3.95 was £5.95)

Dominique Laurent Chardonnay 2000 Vin de Pays d'Oc
A new venture for Burgundy celebrity Dominique Laurent, this is from the Limoux region. It has a pronounced nutty, toasty character to the nose that is quite striking. Clearly some sophisticated and prominent new oak used here. The palate is quite oak dominated, with a lovely savoury toasty character. Classy but heavily oak influenced. Very good+ (delivery this Spring, available by the case now for £99/£8.25 per bottle)

Domaine Mouton Viognier 2000, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes
A delicious mini-Condrieu from the Northern Rhône. Lovely classic Viognier nose, which is peachy, floral and expressive, with a rich, herby edge. The palate is fresh and bright. I really like it, and it's a bargain at the sale price. Very good/excellent (£5 was £8.95)

Domaine Mouton Syrah 2000, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes
Authentic Northern Rhône Syrah at a bargain price. Lovely, smoky, meaty nose with a core of bright raspberry fruit. The palate is rich, meaty and savoury with attractive Syrah character and good acidity. A bit stern for some. Very good/excellent (£5.00 was £6.50)

Elian da Ros Vin de Pays d'Agenais 1998 Coteaux du Marmandais, France
Really bright, forward nose of berry fruit with a savoury, spicy edge. The palate is chunky, savoury and rich. A dense, firm wine with lots of character for the price. (£4.50 was £6.95)

Elian da Ros Chante Coucou 1998 Coteaux du Marmandais, France
This cuvée has a lovely forward nose of creamy blackcurrant fruit with a spicy edge. The palate shows rich, minerally berry fruit with spicy tannins. Structured and dense, this really needs food. Tasty, modern-yet savoury wine. Very good/excellent (£6.50 was £9.95)

Elian da Ros Clos Baquey 1998 Coteaux du Marmandais, France
A dense, deep-coloured wine. Nose shows ripe, sweet berry fruit with a stern, spicy, mineralic edge. Richly fruited palate is well structured, satisfying and savoury. It's concentrated stuff, with assertive, fine grained tannins and a dusty finish. Quite a big wine. Very good/excellent (£7.95 was £12.95)

Paul Jaboulet Ainé Côtes du Rhône Parallel 45 1999
Bright coloured. Some swirling coaxes some earthy, cherry fruit out, with a pleasant, savoury edge. The palate shows juicy, rounded fruit with a savoury, slightly mineral edge. Tasty, if a little simple. Good/very good (£59 per dozen = £4.91 per bottle)

Paul Jaboulet Ainé Crozes Hermitages Les Jalets 1999
Very attractive primary raspberry fruit on the nose with some savoury depth to it. Palate shows good concentration of juicy fruit with good acidity and just a touch of liquoricey, meaty complexity. Needs a bit of time to show its best. Very good+ (£6.50 was £8.50)

Tardieu Laurent Côtes du Rhône Cuvée Guy Louis 1998
This is a bold, dense, oaky wine. A very dark purple colour, it has an expressive nose with pure fruit and prominent toasty caramel notes from the new oak it has been aged in. Rich, concentrated palate is quite oaky and still pretty tannic, in a dense, rich style. One for the cellar; currently too angular and woody for me. Very good+ (£10 was £14.95)

Domaine La Bégude 1997, Bandol
Pretty atypical for Bandol. It's deep coloured with ripe, almost sweet berry fruit on the nose. The dense palate is already opening out to display blackcurrant and berry fruit. Very fruit driven and drinking well now. Very good+ (£8.50 was £12.50)