Chateau Maris Minervois, Comte Cathare, 1996 (Oddbins, £6.49). Bertie Eden, the Englishman who makes this wine, held a Dublin audience spellbound recently with his passionate declaration of belief in biodynamically cultivated grapes. "Live soil makes live wines." Penny Venn took it to a dinner party and says its "deep, rich tastes - chocolatey with a hint of liquorice" were appreciated by all. "A great wine at a great price - and green!" I absolutely agree. Oodles of character: this is probably the best under £8.50 red wine I've tasted this year.
Raimat Abadia, Costers del Segre 1996 (Many SuperValus/ Centras/ Roches Stores; many Superquinns; Molloys Liquor Stores; Duffys, Terenure; Kielys, Mt Merrion; Deveneys, Balally; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; Mill Wine Cellar, Maynooth; Pettitts in south-east; Vineyard, Galway; Lynchs, Glanmire, and other outlets, usually about £8.49). This popular Spaniard has featured before, but I still love its ripe, brambly fruit and savoury, slightly chewy undertones. "A sumptuous, smooth, lightly oaked, fruity wine, enjoyed with the family over the Easter lamb," writes Conn Lucey of this 50:50 Tempranillo-Cabernet blend, concluding simply: "It's a knockout." One to keep stockpiled for barbecues.
Cappello di Prete, Rosso del Salento, Candido, 1996 (Raheny Wine Cellar; Sweeney's, Dorset St & Fairview; Cheers-The Comet, Santry; Kelly's, Clontarf; Mortons, Ranelagh; Vintry, Rathgar; Deveney's, Dundrum; Magic Carpet, Cornelscourt; Loughnane's Food Hall, Galway; SuperValu, Drogheda; Octavius, Sligo; Daly's, Boyle and other outlets, usually £8.29£8.49). Another old friend - rich, dark, fleshy, distinctively southern Italian. "A wine from the deep end of the pool," writes C. Lathrop poetically. "A lovely mouthful, a restrained extravagance of a red, with a long and satisfying finish that ends with a smile. Can't hardly imagine a Friday without it."