Berry Bros & Rudd (www.bbr.com

Avila Côtes d’Avila Grenache/Mourvedre/Syrah 2002 Santa Barbara County, California
This Rhône-style red from California has a lot going for it. Lovely vivid, spicy raspberry fruit dominates. Good density and lovely balance, relying on the fruit for its character. (£10.25 Berry Bros & Rudd, Oddbins)

Domaine Larreyda Jurançon Sec 2003 Southwest France
Well, this is a bit of a weird white, but it's fantastic. Jean-Marc Grussaute has 8 hectares of Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng vines; this wine is a blend with a majority of the former. It has an austere, straw-like herby nose which is full, savoury and intense. Lovely characterful herby, savoury palate is excitingly dense and full. Lots of character and depth here. (£9.25 Berry Bros & Rudd, www.bbr.com)

Oremus Tokaji Mandolas Dry Furmint 2002 Hungary
(£8.95 Berry Bros & Rudd, www.bbr.com)  Three interesting wines from Berry Bros, who have a wonderfully functional website and an enormous range. First, something odd but lovely: a fascinating example of Tokaji as a dry wine. It has an almost wild, open, expressive herb-tinged nose, which leads to a palate that is softly textured, herby, nutty and open. Lovely waxy herby fruit dominates. Very distinctive.

Robert Michel Cornas La Geynale 2001 Northern Rhône, France
From vines planted in 1910, this has a fantastic, intense, liqueur-like meaty Syrah nose, with some olive-like character. The palate is midweight and savoury with fresh high-acid intensity and good definition to the raspberry-like fruit. Very expressive and savoury.  (£24.95 Berry Bros & Rudd, www.bbr.com)  

Bodegas Alión 2000 Ribera del Duero, Spain
One of Spain’s best red wines. This has tight, dark fruits on the nose with a subtle herby, spicy edge. Complex and full. The palate is concentrated and expressive with powerful, spicy dark fruits and a lovely liqueur-like sweetness, together with some spicy oak. Dense, full and almost profound. (£29.95 Berry Bros & Rudd, www.bbr.com)

Domaine Felines Jourdan 2003 Picpoul de Pinet, Languedoc, France
The Languedoc is well known for its red wines, but Picpoul is a subregion that makes lovely fresh, slightly herby whites with enough zippy acid to make wonderful food wines. Crisp and refreshing. (£6.45 Berry Bros & Rudd, www.bbr.com)

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