Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

From - Margaret River, Western Australia
Grape - Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol - 14.5%
Available from - Waitrose, Selfridges
Price - £18/£26

Appearance - Clear.  Deep ruby, legs observed.

Nose - Clean, medium+ intensity, developing, black fruit (cassis, blackberry, cherry), red fruit (plums), herbaceous (mint), sweet spice (cinnamon), Kernel (chocolate)

Palate - Dry, medium+ acid, high alcohol, full body, medium+ length, high tannin.  Particularly cassis, chocolate-mint.

Tasted after two hours decanting.  I thought it was excellent.  Very expressive of Cab Sauvignon varietal characteristics, and great quality.  Smooth, very complex, developing well but it still could get better for a while yet, I think.  It has lots of character and would be great matched up with the right dinner. 

Chateau Brane-Cantenac Margaux 2006

From - Margaux, Bordeaux, France
Grape - Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Alcohol - 13% abv
From - www,thewinesociety.com
Price - £19/35cl

Appearance - Clear; deep intensity; ruby.  Legs observed.

Nose - Clean; medium+ intensity; black fruit (black cherry, blackcurrant); pungent spice (black pepper).  Developing.

Palate - Dry; medium+ acid; medium tannin; medium+ alcohol; medium+ intensity;  black fruit (cherry); maturity (leather, tobacco).  Long length

Conclusions - Very good; can drink now but potential for ageing.

A concentrated and tasty Bordeaux, developing extremely interesting mature flavours and aromas.  The Wine Society sell this in half bottles so it will mature quicker, and it is an exciting prospect for ageing.

Journey's End Sir Lowry Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

From - Stellenbosch, South Africa
Grape - Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol - 14%
Available from - Waitrose,
Price - £14.99

Appearance - dark ruby-garnet, medium+ intensity, clear

Nose - Clean; medium intensity; developing; plums, dried fruit, cinnamon, vanilla

Palate - dry; medium+ alcohol; medium acidity; medium+ body; medium tannin; medium intensity; medium+ length; plums, cloves, tobacco, vanilla.

Balance - 7  Length - 8  Intensity - 6.5  Complexity - 8

I got this on recommendation from a real expert, and it does not disappoint.  Cabernet Sauvignon from the new world is known for being softer and richer than their friends in Bordeaux, and indeed the tannin present here is not particularly mouth-drying.  This looks great in the glass, is a real mouthful (that is, it has plenty of body) and the time in oak was well spent, giving it the complexity that I have described.  I have a bottle in my 'time machine' (a box that I have just put away for at least two years) and I am expecting a good reward from this for my patience.  It is quite splendid now, however.

If you are wondering, I don't have a bias for South African wine, but I may be developing one, at least a bit!

Dourthe St Emiilon Montagne St Emillon 2012

From - Bordeaux, France
Grape - Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Price - £11.79
Alcohol - 13%
Available - Waitrose; Ocado

Appearance - Clear; medium intensity; ruby-garnet

Nose - Clean; medium intensity; developed; fruits of the forest, sweet spice.

Palate - Dry; medium+ acidity; medium tannin; medium to medium+ alcohol; medium body; medium intensity; medium length;  black cherry, blueberry.

Balance - 8 Length - 6  Intensity - 6 Complexity - 6

This is a pleasant, fairly smooth Bordeaux blend.  It is a good bottle, but I don't rate it quite as highly as the Douro and Les Dauphins recently reviewed.  It will be a good match for meat, so those of a carnivorous persuasion can certainly bring your Dourthe to the slaughter!

St Emilion vineyard shown in the picture below.

Chateau Haut Branda 2010

From - Bordeaux, France

Grape - Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

Alcohol - 13.5%

Purchase from - Waitrose

Price - £9.99 (currently £7.29)

Appearance - Clear; garnet; medium+ intensity; more intense at core.

Nose - Clean; Medium+ intensity, developing, red and black fruit; sweet spice from oak.

Palate - Dry; medium tannin; medium+ alcohol; medium tannin; medium acid; medium length. Red and black fruit, clove, vanilla.

Quality - Good
Balance - 7 Length - 6 Intensity - 6  Complexity - 6

A pleasant and smooth Bordeaux, needing a bit of time to breathe before drinking.  Really good value at seven quid.  It would be a good food wine for those of you of a carnivorous persuasion.