Some Red wine choices from 2011.

The Dao region in Portugal is producing some top wines including Quinta do Corujao Reserva 2007, £14.99, Ince Wines, a powerful, meaty red, packed with fruit flavours and herbaceous character, whilst further south in the Alentejo, Susana Esteban, winemaker at Solar dos Lobos, continues to really impress, with the delicious, weighty, concentrated and elegant Solar dos Lobos Grande Escolha, 2008, £30.00, Ince Wines. In Mendoza, Argentina, Clos de los Siete’s 2009, £12.99, Majestic, who have the 2008, is a blend of Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, a super-refined, complex red with intense blackberry fruit.The John X Merriman 2008, Rustenberg, Stellenbosch, South Africa, £12.49-£13.99,, Majestic, Waitrose is the wine I featured in Every Wine Tells A Story 2011, £8.99 www.lulu.com.This medium-full bodied Bordeaux blend offers great value for a well structured red from a high class producer. Look out for the 2009, which is in some stores now. In June this year, The Wine Tipster chaired the Best in Taste Wine Awards and will be doing so again in June 2012. The shortlisted Chambolle-Musigny Ier Cru Les Charmes, Domaine Roux 2008, France, £28.00, Bibendum, demonstrated the elegant qualities of a fine wine from this vintage. From Beaujolais you can still purchase 2009s crus from all the villages but be quick. Brouilly, Henry Fessy 2009, £10.99, Waitrose, is a terrific example of why there is rekindled interest in Beaujolais.The Imperial Reserva 2005, Cune, Rioja, Spain, £14.99, Slurp.co.uk, is a classic traditional Rioja from one of the top producers. Great stuff. For more regular drinking choices then Pasico Old Vine Monastrell Shiraz 2010, Jumilla, Spain, £5.99,Sainsbury’s, is lovely winter drinking, with damson fruit, chocolate and spice, whilst Tesco’s Finest Douro 2010, Portugal,on offer at £28.50 per case, Tesco Wines by the Case really delivers good fruit, weight and importantly soft tannins. Make sure you pour this wine into a glass jug a couple of hours beforehand. Happy New Year.