£14.95, The Wine Society; £17.99, or £15.99 when you buy any 6 bottles, Majestic
If you want a red wine that goes down well with lovers of classic claret as much as with fans of new world reds, this Bordeaux-style blend from New Zealand is just the ticket. It’s mainly Merlot, but with some Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, and it’s matured in expensive French oak barrels in the same way as a classy Bordeaux (aka claret). The result is dark, ripe fruit edged with smoky vanilla and cedar flavours – or, put another way, a combination of old-world elegance and new-world fullness. Like red Bordeaux, it’s a dream match for lamb, but its softer, richer flavours mean it’s pretty good with almost any roast or grill and adaptable to less meaty dishes.
Craggy Range Te Kahu 2013, Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
£14.99, The Wine Society, the winesociety.com; £15.99, or £17.99 when you buy any 6 bottles, Majestic