Marques de Gastanaga 1994 (Vintry Rathgar, Lord Mayor's Swords, Kevin Callan's Dundalk and other outlets, £4.99-£5.29). Lovely, light strawberry fruit flavours with a mineral edge, bringing this a step closer to Pinot Noir than many of the region's other reds. The perfect partner for cold meats, cheese or other light food - and terrific value.
Vina Albali Gran Reserva 1987 (Superquinn, £5.99). Aged in American oak this one is more substantial without being a blockbuster. It's made by Felix Solis, the largest and most progressive winery in Valdepenas, now a major supplier of British supermarket chains. Smoky and savoury definitely a candidate for autumn stews, and again, the price is remarkable.
From Navarra
Chivite Gran Feudo Crianza 1993 (many outlets including McCabes, Fox's Gratton Street, SuperValus Raheny and Naas, Village Vines Howth, Wine Barrel Sligo, Vineyard Galway and selected Superquinns, usually £5.99). The old family firm of Chivite, winemaking since 1647, hasn't lost sight of quality even though it is now a huge enterprise. This is a super wine - a fresh-tasting, fruity blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha aged in oak for 12 months to give it added oomph. See Bottle Of The Week.
Ochoa Reserva 1990 (widely available, £8.49-£8.99). Another wonderfully appetising wine - this time Tempranillo combined with Cabernet Sauvignon to produce spicy plum flavours with a savoury twist in the finish. Again, the pedigree is impressive: the Ochoa bodega supplied wines to the kings of Navarra from the 14th century. More recently, Javier Ochoa was chief oenologist at the region's high-tech research station. EVENA. Now he's back at the helm in the family firm, and the wines get better and better.
Guelbenzu 1993 (Searsons, The Vintry, McCabes and some other outlets, about £7.99). One of the best-known examples of the pacesetting, new-style Navarra reds, with marked leanings towards Cabernet, and Bordeaux not too many miles north. An impressive big wine, super-concentrated and full-bodied with quite strong tannins; save it for a red meat day.
From Ribera Del Duero
Senorio de Nava Crianza 1989 (Superquinn, £6.99). Another wine to go with a haunch of beef (or the first venison of the winter) rich and spicy with smoky, caramel overtones. The price is a pleasant surprise, when you consider just how expensive Ribera wines can be.
Pago de Carraovejas 1994 (Searsons, £9.95). If you baulk at the cost of fashionable Pesquera (never mind madly expensive old Vega Sicilia), but still want to sample real Ribera del Duero quality, try this from a producer whose name is being mentioned more and more. It has all the powerful, spicy richness you'd expect, with a long, meaty finish - amazing in a mere two-year-old. The pick of the bunch if you can spend up to a tenner.