What the Wine Society says:

Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, to give the estate its full name, dates back to 1764 and its historic winery is still used today. Situated along the banks of the Douro River near the villages of Ferrão and Pinhão the estate boasts 120 hectares of prime demarcated land and was one of the first to embrace oenotourism (hotel, restaurant, wine bar, wine tastings, and grape picking at harvest time). The name, usually shortened to Quinta Nova, comes from the chapel built in honour of the sailors who navigated the River Douro in the 17th century and which houses a statue of Our Lady of Carmo.
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The Douro's vineyards are classified for port production and 85 hectares of Quinta Nova's plantings are the top 'A' grade. Today the estate is owned by the Amorim family, better known for the production of wine corks, and there is no shortage of money for investment in vineyards and winemaking. A range of wines is produced including the unoaked Colheita, which in the 2011 vintage was bottled part under the classic label, part in a serigraphed bottle celebrating the estate's 250th anniversary in 2014. For this wine the vines are between 20 and 30 years of age and no wood maturation is used, allowing full expression of the traditional local grape varieties - touriga nacional, tinta roriz, touriga franca and tinta amarela - and terroir. The Reserva comes from parcels of older vines and spends around 16 months in French and American oak barrels, with a further period in bottle before release. 

What we say:

Cheeky magnum. Had no idea what this was going to be like and was a little nervous it would be very strong but I found it to be very nice and drinkable. Had this with some good friends over some supper. Slightly sharp. 

Very enjoyable!

What the Wine Society says:

A deliciously plush, ripe blend with cedar and blackberry perfume, spicy notes on the palate and soft tannins. A classic Medoc which is at its drinking peak. 

This cru bourgeois property has well-sited vineyards at the northern end of the Medoc, just north of Saint-Estephe, on deep gravel and clay limestone soils. Plantings are 55% cabernet sauvignon, 45% merlot and 5% cabernet franc. The wines spend 12 months in French oak barrels, one-third of which are renewed every year. The resulting wines are well balanced and have excellent ageing potential. Now to 2022.

Wine and dine

Time-honoured stuff for the stylish roasts, from turkey to rib of beef.

What we say:

Had some friends over for supper the other day and very much enjoyed catching up with everyone. Had a few of these and seemed to go down well. Pretty drinkable but not what I think of as fruity or sweet. Would buy again but unavailable at the moment.

What it says: 

Not a lot.

What we say:

This was part of a gift from Tracy, my godmother. Tempranillo. Spanish. Very nice, has what I think of as a classic red wine taste. Definite (metallic/vanilla-y) aftertaste. This was good with food. Good with chocolate. 

Fun drinking wine. 
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What the Wine Society says:

"Full-flavoured, dark, fruity country red from the area behind Uzès in the Cévennes.

Domaine de Gournier is a large estate located off the beaten track in a relatively unknown part of southern France. It lies in the foothills of the Cévennes mountains, not far from the medieval town of Uzès and the ancient Pont du Gard. Current owner, Maurice Barnouin, whose father was the first to plant merlot and cabernet here, was born in nearby Nîmes and it was he who built the domain's first cellar and began bottling his own wines rather than selling to the local co-op. He has overcome catastrophe when his vineyards and cellars were destroyed by floods in 2002, fighting back to rebuild his domain but by bit.

Wine and Dine: 

There's backbone behind that fruity upholstery so treat this to full-on game: venison, from haunches to sausages baked in red wine, or hare, slowly braised until shred-tender and folded into wide-guage pasta. Non-meat eaters should try it with a tomato and olive-infused pilaf." 

What we say:

Had this at a bit of a bash with some friends. Top evening. Mike cooked some seriously good curry and it all went down a treat. Would buy again.