90

2010 McGuigan, No 3471 The Shortlist Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, South Australia

( £15, 13%, Tesco Wine Online )

Grassy, elegant and perfumed, this is a lighter style of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, showing notes of graphite, mint and green pepper and refreshing acidity supported by fine tannins. Not a wine to keep, but enjoyable to drink over the next couple of years. 

Drinking window: 2014-16Similar Wines: £10-£20, 86-90, Australia, Red, Cabernet Sauvignon
91

2012 McGuigan, No 1081 The Shortlist Riesling, Eden Valley, South Australia

( £15, 11.5%, Tesco Wine Online )

Lime blossom-scented, toasty Eden Valley Riesling showing some enticing bottle development. Like the rest of The Shortlist range, this provides excellent value for money. Tangy and long on the palate, it’s a very pure, almost transparent expression of the grape. 

Drinking window: 2014-18Similar Wines: £10-£20, 86-90, Australia, White, Riesling
92

2010 Lenné, Pinot Noir, Oregon

( £26.99-£29.99, 14%, Cheers, Hay Wines )

This is a serious Pinot Noir verging on a dry red, but still showing enough varietal character to keep Pinotphiles happy. Rich and savoury, but with underlying brightness and finesse, it’s spicy and complex, showing flavours of fennel, red and black fruits and sweet vanilla oak. Promising.

Drinking window: 2014-18Similar Wines: £20-£30, 91-95, United States, Red, Pinot Noir
90

2013 Thistledown, Thorny Devil, Grenache, Barossa Valley, South Australia

( £15.99, 15% )

Juicy, easy drinking Barossa Grenache that carries its alcohol lightly. The oak is well handled here on this wine overseen by Masters of Wine, Giles Cooke and Fergal Tynan. Raspberry and wild strawberry fruit, a touch of oak and a ripe, satisfying finish. Try it chilled for maximum pleasure. 

Drinking window: 2014-16Similar Wines: £10-£20, 86-90, Australia, Red, Syrah/Shiraz
93

2007 McGuigan, Semillon Bin 9000, Hunter Valley, New South Wales

( £14, 11%, Tesco Fine Wine )

The sort of wine that seems to win medals in its sleep, this Semillon is something of a wine nerd’s white. It’s well priced, especially given its quality, and will age beautifully in bottle, too. Smoky, leesy, waxy and toasty with underlying citrus fruit ping, no apparent oak and a lovely lighthness of touch. 

Drinking window: 2014-18Similar Wines: £10-£20, 91-95, Australia, White, Semillon
93

2011 Domaine Laroche, Chablis 1er Cru Les Vaudevey, Burgundy

( £19.69, 12.5%, www.thefinewinecompany.co.uk )

I’ve been very critical of the 2011 vintage in Chablis (because of a root vegetable-like taint called geosmin that I find on too many of the wines) but this is a welcome exception to the rule, a clean, appealingly developed Chardonnay from an excellent Premier Cru. There’s a touch of oak on this wine, but it’s steered by fruit. Honey, pear and aniseed spice are nicely combined on the palate. 

Drinking window: 2014-17Similar Wines: £10-£20, 91-95, France, White, Chardonnay
90

2011 McGuigan, No 3659, The Shortlist Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills, South Australia

( £15, 13%, Tesco Wine Online )

One of a series of impressive wines under The Shortlist label, this French oak-fermented cool climate Chardonnay has benefited from a little bottle age and is now showing some developed flavours and aromas. Pear, cinnamon spice and a touch of honey combine well on the palate here. 

Drinking window: 2014-18Similar Wines: £10-£20, 86-90, Australia, White, Chardonnay