Fireside Clarets Dozen

This Merlot-driven house claret has all the brambly fruit and adaptability of a classic Bordeaux. Full of hedgerow fruit and plums, this is sumptuous and highly drinkable.

Lovely fresh redcurrant and raspberry fruit. Soft, forward and easy-drinking. Lovely and generous, this is made by an estate across the Dordogne from St-Emilion. Hard to believe it can be good at this price - but it is!

An excellent petit château from the south-east end of Bordeaux near Langon. This is the rural farming rather than 'grand châteaux' part of Bordeaux and the wine reflects this in its easy-going and soft fruit style.

Situated in the Entre-deux-Mers, this property is owned  by the Sichel family. The excellent terroir produces robust and soft-fruited wines with concentration and balance. 

With vines grown on good gravelly soils close to Margaux, this is an excellent value Médoc with a high percentage of Merlot giving a fruity, fresh wine with red fruit.

Great colour for such a modest wine. Very dense and sweet on the attack, with lots of fruit and a juicy feel ahead of a lightly grippy finish. Very ripe and great value.