Alianca Dão Quinta Da Garrida Reserva 2005 (Portugal)

Nose:  Smoky wood with sweet berries.  Definitely smokey wood - the wood predominates, actually.

Taste:  Dry.  Smokiness comes through in the flavour.

Finish:  Medium tannins with a lingering smokiness.

What we say:  V - 'It's a nice combination with the smoky wood and the cherry.'  S - 'It's that familiar flavour again that I can't place.'  'It's like a bonfire.'  'It reminds me of whiskeys.  It has that sophistication about it.'  'The colour is like thick, fresh blood.'  'If you feel like a smoky wine, I say this is the one you take.'  V - 'I imagine it would be good with beef and stuff.'

What they say:  Subtle balance between fruit flavour and elegant tannins with a long finish.

Rating:  7

Price:  £8

Castillo de Anna Gran Reserva Valencia 2005 (Spain)

Nose: Strong and oaky. Red berries underneath, maybe blackcurrant or dark cherry. Dry. Pleasant.

Taste: A bit sweet at first. A little bit sweeter than expected, but follows through on the oakiness.  Well-balanced

Finish: A bit tart with medium tannins.

What we say: V - 'The oak is driving this in a big way in the nose.' S - 'There's some sort of berry in the taste. A purple berry? Not a blackberry, but like a cherry but not. A gooseberry? Maybe I'm making it up.' V - 'I think the tannins give it that one step up from what would otherwise be normal wine.  Otherwise it's not particularly remarkable.  It's solid though.'

What they say: Fruity and vanilla aromas. Supple and pleasant texture (raaar!).

Rate: 6.5 (V - 6; S - 7)

Cost: £8.99

Tarragona Gran Reserva 2005 (Spain)

Nose: Woody, with berries.

Taste: Full, smooth, with berries.

Finish: Very little bitterness.

What we say: S&V - "L picks out good wine, one of the better wines we've had to date."

What they say: Rich and full-bodied.

Rating: 7