Domaine la Suffrène Bandol Rouge 2008 Provence, France

Domaine la Suffrène Bandol Rouge 2008 is a blend of Mouvedre, Cinsault and Carignan made by Cedric Gravier on the 45 hectares in Bandol ( across the communes of La Cadière d'Azur and Castellet) which is in the south of Provence. The vines are trained traditionally Gobolet style, green harvesting is used to limit the yield and ensure high quality grapes. The deep, deep ruby core and narrow purple rim,  smack of a quality wine which has been carefully made, abundant concentrated aromas of black juicy fruits including Black Cherries and a smattering of sweet spice with maybe a hint of Provencal Herbs ( or is this just my romantic imagination) tempt you in, and once tasted all that it promised comes true. It is dry and savoury but has a well structured array of fruits and tannins to support them and acidity to keep this well balanced palate fresh and alive. The dark fruits have spice intermingled with them, as well as leather and a savoury edge, the tannins grippy and tasty lead you to a long finish of dark fruits, leather and spice, alot to do with the prescence of Mourvedre!
The vineyards in the Bandol region are steep and hot - allowing the Mourvedre to ripen producing deep complex wines.
Supplied by Slurp at a cost of £16.55.
Score : 94

Béret Frog 2011 Rouge IGP Provence, France

Béret Frog 2011 Rouge IGP from Provence, France is a biodynamic red wine made by Jean-Pierre and Natalie Margan at Château la Canorgue ( where the film 'A good Year' was filmed ) and is a Vin de Pays de Mediterrannée. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and a splash of Grenache and the yield is a mere 30-35 hl/ha ( by comparison to the norm for this area of 60+hl/ha), and aromas of red and black berry fruits are in abundance along with coffee, milk chocolate and roses with a touch of vanilla. The deep ruby core has purple tints which hint at its youthfulness.The wines mature for 4 to 6 months in large wooden casks which allow very little wood aromas and flavours to be transferred to the wine.
On tasting it, the ripe fruits are apparent as are the stalky tannins which have a gripping texture, a medium length of warm ripe dark fruits finishes this tasting and leaves one wanting more.
The wine can be found at Yapp Brothers at a cost of £7.95 and offers good value I feel for a well made wine at this price point.
Score : 85

Domaine de Torraccia Oriu Rouge 2006 Corsica

Domaine de Torraccia Oriu Rouge 2006 is from Porto Vecchio in Corsica which in on the East of the Island itis made from a blend of 80% Nielluccio and 20% Sciacarello and is a garnet colour ( indicates the age of this wine) and has a narrow tawny rim, once more indicating its age/quality.

On the nose there are signs of some reduction,  clean - due to the evolution of this wine, there is spice and cedar box aromas which indicate wood contact, alongside coffee, leather and dried fruits which are secodary ( and tertiary) aromas. On the palate the wine is dry with tasty chalky tannins and freshning acidity keeping the spice, dried fruit and leather, elegant and edgy. The finish is drying but with sweet dried fruit fruit and the tannins give a firm end. Supplied by Yapp Brothers at a cost of £18.75.
Score : 85 but is it good value at this price - you decide.

Louis Jadot Macon 'Les Roches Rouges' 2010

Louis Jadot Macon 'Les Roches Rouges' 2010 is a red wine made in the Macon where most (95%) of the wines are white and made from the Chardonnay grape. The Macon is in the south of the Burgundy region.
 It is supplied by Majestic Wine at £9.99 ( special offer reduces it to less if buying 2 or cheaper at Majestic Wine in France)
It has a good ruby colour with slight purple glints - showing its laCK OF age. On the nose, ripe red fruits and baked black fruits are apparent and a hint at smokiness. The red and black fruits come through in abundance on the mouth with a little spice or pepper but not alot of complexity, it has a light linear fruity character and the low tannins are ripe with a grippy chalky texture. Overall I enjoyed this light Pinot and would probably chill it slightly and drink it soon while it is fresh and fruity.